[Optic atrophy in a patient with axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease 2A2A due to MFN2 gene mutations].

A 27-year-old male patient had progressive vision loss in both eyes, which was mainly manifested by impaired ganglion cells in the macular area, accompanied by systemic muscle atrophy in limbs. A complete mitochondrial exon gene detection was performed. The final diagnosis was bilateral optic atrophy and axonal Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease 2A2A caused by mutations of the MFN2 gene. There has been no effective treatment. Applications of nutrients to restore the mitochondrial function may alleviate the clinical symptoms.

Wide surgical margins improve prognosis for HCC with microvascular invasion.

OBJECTIVE: Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the sixth leading cause of malignant tumors worldwide. Liver resection is a pivotal treatment modality for HCC. Surgical margin plays an important role in decreasing recurrence and improving prognosis for HCC patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: This paper aimed to perform a systematic review of the literature in regard to surgical margin in HCC patients with microvascular invasion (MVI). RESULTS: Residual MVI due to insufficient surgical margins is the main origin of postoperative recurrence and metastasis in HCC patients. A wide surgical margin (WSM) significantly improves oncological outcomes and long-term survival in HCC patients with MVI. Progress in the preoperative prediction of MVI may contribute to precise surgical decision-making in the future. CONCLUSIONS: WSM was associated with better outcomes in HCC patients with MVI. WSM is recommended for well-preserved liver function HCC patients who are predicted to have a high risk of MVI preoperatively.

Promoting physical activity through exergaming in young adults with intellectual disabilities: a pilot study.

Various health problems of people with intellectual disabilities (ID) are associated with their physical inactivity. The present study aimed at the understanding of physiological and psychological responses toward exergaming in seven young adults with mild to moderate ID after a single-session and a multiple-session condition, respectively. Their heart rate (HR), the rating of perceived exertion (RPE), and physical activity enjoyment scale (PACES) were measured on control and exergaming sessions. The significant increased HR, which may represent the increased physical activity levels that led to energy expenditure, was observed after a single-session and a multiple-session condition. In addition, the significant increase in RPE and PACES were evident after a single-session condition but a multiple-session condition. The feeling of physical fatigue seems to be distracted by external motivators (e.g. music). However, the positive affectivity to exercise was not noted when exercise was scheduled as their daily routines. This phenomenon might explain the high prevalence of physical inactivity among this population.

Experimental semi-autonomous eigensolver using reinforcement learning.

The characterization of observables, expressed via Hermitian operators, is a crucial task in quantum mechanics. For this reason, an eigensolver is a fundamental algorithm for any quantum technology. In this work, we implement a semi-autonomous algorithm to obtain an approximation of the eigenvectors of an arbitrary Hermitian operator using the IBM quantum computer. To this end, we only use single-shot measurements and pseudo-random changes handled by a feedback loop, reducing the number of measures in the system. Due to the classical feedback loop, this algorithm can be cast into the reinforcement learning paradigm. Using this algorithm, for a single-qubit observable, we obtain both eigenvectors with fidelities over 0.97 with around 200 single-shot measurements. For two-qubits observables, we get fidelities over 0.91 with around 1500 single-shot measurements for the four eigenvectors, which is a comparatively low resource demand, suitable for current devices. This work is useful to the development of quantum devices able to decide with partial information, which helps to implement future technologies in quantum artificial intelligence.

Improvement in lip appearance (lateral and frontal aspects) following mandibular setback surgery.

INTRODUCTION: The post-operative facial profile is critical for patients who undergo orthognathic surgery. The present study investigated the improvement in lip appearance (lateral and frontal aspects) following mandibular setback surgery. MATERIAL AND METHODS: Thirty-one patients with mandibular prognathism underwent mandibular setback surgery. Lateral and posteroanterior cephalograms were obtained before surgery (T0) and more than 1 year after surgery (T1). The landmarks (soft and hard tissues) and linear distances were compared by statistical analysis. RESULTS: The lateral cheilion (Ch), point B (B), and pogonion (Pog) were significantly setbackin the horizontal plane: 5.59, 11.49, and 12.35 mm, respectively. In the vertical plane, B and Pog did not move significantly. The Ch moved significantly downward by 3.23 mm on average. The setback ratios of soft tissue/hard tissue, soft tissue of B/B, and soft tissue of Pog/Pog were 0.96. The Ch/Pog ratio was 0.45. The width of the frontal Ch was significantly reduced by 3.17 mm. CONCLUSIONS: The relationship between the corresponding soft and hard tissues of the chin was approximately 1. The relationship between the lip corner and chin bone was nearly 50%. The width of the lip corner was also significantly reduced.

Appearance on face reading (cheek line) after orthognathic surgery.

The cheek line (face reading) is an aesthetic element of the facial profile. The purpose of our study was to investigate the changes in the cheek line after mandibular setback surgery. Forty patients (20 female and 20 male, mean (SD) age 22 (5) years) were diagnosed with mandibular prognathism and treated by intraoral vertical ramus osteotomy alone. Cephalograms were obtained before operation (T1), at least a year postoperatively (T2), and final surgical changes over a year (T2-T1). The cheek line and landmarks (soft and hard tissues) were compared using the paired t test. The hypothesis was that the cheek line did not change significantly after mandibular setback. At the time of the final follow-up (T2-T1), the mean (SD) horizontal setback of pogonion (Pog) was 12.3 (3.5) mm for women and 11.7 (4.3) mm for men. The ratios of soft:hard tissue, labrale inferius:incisor inferius, labiomental sulcus:point B, soft tissue Pog:Pog, and cheek point:Pog in women were 0.96, 0.98, 0.98, and 0.08, and in men 0.91, 1.01, 0.94, and 0.13, respectively. The nasolabial and cervicomental angles in women were significantly increased by 11.1° and 11.4°, respectively, and in men the nasolabial angle was significantly increased by 11.1° and the mentolabial angle reduced by 9.9°. The cheek line (T2-T1) was moved significantly forwards. The hypothesis was therefore rejected. In conclusion, the cheek line was advanced significantly after isolated mandibular setback.

[Clinical value of tumor size in the evaluation of adrenal incidentalomas].

Objective: To investigate the clinical value of tumor size in the evaluation of endocrinological and histological natures regarding adrenal incidentaloma (AI) patients. Methods: A total of 1 941 AI patients who were hospitalized in Department of Endocrinology, Chinese PLA General Hospital between January 1997 and December 2016 were retrospectively reviewed. The demographics of patients, imaging features, functional status and histological results were analyzed. Results: Of 1 941 patients, 984 (50.70%) were males, and 957 (49.30%) were females. The median age was 52 years old. Endocrine evaluation according to the mass size showed that the proportion of non-functional AI and primary aldosteronism (PA) was declined from 84.55% (558/660) to 27.95% (45/161) and from 6.82% (45/660) to 0, respectively. The highest frequency of subclinical Cushing's syndrome (SCS), PA and pheochromocytomas were observed in 2.1-4.0, ≤2.0 and 4.0-6.0 cm group, respectively. Histological results showed that in>6 cm group, the frequency of malignancy were sharply increased. Multivariate logistical regression analysis indicated tumor size had a significant association with the presence of malignancy (OR=1.043, 95% CI: 1.033-1.054, P<0.001). A mass size of 4.0 cm was of great value in distinguishing malignant tumors from the benign ones, with a sensitivity of 89.19%, and a specificity of 69.91%. Conclusion: Mass size was of great value in the endocrinological evaluation, as well as distinguishing malignant tumors from the benign ones in AI patients.

[Surgery versus conservative management for subclinical Cushing's syndrome in adrenal incidentalomas].

Objective: To determine the effect of the surgical and conservative approaches on the metabolic profiles in patients with subclinical Cushing's syndrome (SCS) in adrenal incidentalomas (AI). Methods: A hundred and thirty AI patients with SCS in Department of Endocrinology, PLA General Hospital between January 2008 and December 2016 were studied, surgery was performed in 88 patients (surgical group), and the rest received conservative approach (conservative group). The improvement/worsening of blood pressure, blood glucose, lipid profiles and body weight after a duration of >18 months follow-up were analyzed, respectively. Results: Baseline demographics, clinical characteristics were similar between surgical and conservative groups. In the surgical group, blood pressure, blood glucose, lipid profiles and body weight improved more frequently than that in conservative group (29.69% vs 3.12%, P=0.003; 10.94% vs 3.12%, P=0.262; 7.81% vs 3.12%, P=0.660; 39.06% vs 9.38%, P=0.004, respectively). In conservative group, blood pressure, blood glucose, lipid profiles and body weight worsened more frequently than that in surgical group (28.13% vs 0, P<0.001; 25.0% vs 0, P<0.001; 18.75% vs 0, P=0.003; 40.62% vs 20.31%, P=0.051, respectively). Logistic regression analysis indicated surgical treatment was associated with improvement of blood pressure (OR=10.687, 95%CI: 1.279-89.299) and weight loss (OR=5.541, 95%CI: 1.404-21.872) independently of gender, age, duration of follow-up, serum cortisol level after 1 mg-dexamethasone suppression test and the mass size. Conclusion: In AI patients with SCS, surgery was beneficial in the aspect of metabolic profiles.

[The efficacy and safety of insulin degludec versus insulin glargine in insulin-naive subjects with type 2 diabetes: results of a Chinese cohort from a multinational randomized controlled trial].

Objective: To compare the safety and efficacy of insulin degludec (IDeg) with those of insulin glargine (IGlar) in insulin-naive subjects with type 2 diabetes (T2DM). Methods: This was a 26-week, randomized, open-label, parallel-group, treat-to-target trial in 560 Chinese subjects with T2DM (men/women: 274/263, mean age 56 years, mean diabetes duration 7 years) inadequately controlled on oral antidiabetic drugs (OADs). Subjects were randomized 2∶1 to once-daily IDeg (373 subjects) or IGlar(187 subjects), both in combination with metformin. The primary endpoint was changes from baseline in glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c) after 26 weeks. Results: Mean HbA1c decreased from 8.2% in both groups to 6.9% in IDeg and 7.0% in IGlar, respectively. Estimated treatment difference (ETD) of IDeg-IGlar in change from baseline was -0.10% points (95%CI-0.25-0.05). The proportion of subjects achieving HbA1c<7.0% was 56.3%and 49.7% with IDeg and IGlar, respectively [estimated odds ratio of IDeg/IGlar: 1.26(95%CI 0.88-1.82)]. Numerically lower rateof overall confirmed hypoglycaemia and statistically significantly lower nocturnal confirmed hypoglycemia were associated with IDeg compared with IGlar, respectively [estimated rateratio of IDeg/IGlar 0.69(95%CI 0.46-1.03), and 0.43(95%CI 0.19-0.97)]. No differences in other safety parameters were found between the two groups. Conclusions: IDeg was non-inferior to IGlar in terms of glycaemic control, and was associated with a statistically significantly lower rate of nocturnal confirmed hypoglycaemia. IDeg is considered to be suitable for initiating insulin therapy in Chinese T2DM patients on OADs requiring intensified treatment. Clinical trail registration: Clinicaltrials.gov, NCT01849289.

[Clinical analysis of adult Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia with p16 gene deletion].

Objective: To investigate the clinical implications of p16 gene deletion in adult Philadelphia chromosome-positive acute lymphoblastic leukemia (Ph(+) ALL) . Methods: Retrospective analysis of clinical, immunophenotypic, cytogenetics, molecular characteristics and prognosis of 80 newly diagnosed Ph(+) ALL patients with p16 deletion. Results: Of 80 adult Ph(+) ALL, the prevalence of p16 gene deletion was 31.3%. p16 gene deletion carriers frequently accompanied with high WBC counts (WBC≥30×10(9)/L) and CD20 expression. The incidence of complex chromosome abnormality in p16 gene deletion group was higher than that in non-deletion group, with alternations in chromosome 7, 8, 19 and der (22) more frequently observed. There was no difference occurred between patients with or without p16 gene deletion in complete remission (CR) rate following induction chemotherapy combined with tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKIs) . However, after three cycles of chemotherapy, the MMR and CMR rate in the p16 gene deletion group was lower than patients with wild-type p16 gene (P=0.034, P=0.036) . The p16 gene deletion patients showed no significant differences in MMR, CMR and relapse rate between Imatinib or Dasatinib plus chemotherapy (P>0.05) . Deletion of p16 gene was significantly associated with poor outcomes including worse overall survival (OS) (37.1% vs 54.1%, P=0.037) , lower disease free-survival (DFS) (12.4% vs 45.9%, P=0.026) , and increased cumulative incidence of relapse (P=0.033) . Among the 25 patients with p16 deletion, 14 underwent allo-HSCT and the median survival was 21 months, better than that of patients received chemotherapy alone (12 months) (P=0.030) . Conclusion: This study indicated that deletion of p16 was associated with poor prognosis in adult Ph(+) ALL, and the utility of second-generation TKI (Dasatinib) does not necessarily have an edge on efficacy over Imatinib, but allo-HSCT has the potential of elongating life expectancy. It is an important significance to define the status of p16 in Ph(+) ALL for predicting prognosis and guiding therapy decision-making.

[Clinical significance of cytogenetic monitoring in chronic myeloid leukemia].

Objective: To analyze the association of cytogenetic abnormalities with the prognosis of chronic myeloid leukemia (CML) patients in tyrosine kinase inhibitors (TKI) era. Methods: Karyotype analysis of chromosome G-banding was carried out in 387 newly diagnosed CML patients by short-term culture of bone marrow cells. The correlation of cytogenetic abnormalities and CML progression was explored in combination with ABL tyrosine point mutations. Result: Of 387 patients with positive BCR-ABL fusion gene assayed by fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique, 94.1% (364/387) patients were Ph positive and 5.9% (23/387) Ph negative; 320 patients (87.9%) had a translocation t (9;22) (q34;q11) and 5 (1.4%) a variant translocation t (v;22) . Additional cytogenetic aberrations (ACA) at diagnosis were found in 10.7% (39/387) Ph(+) patients, major route ACA in 22 (56.4%) cases and minor route ACA in 15 (38.5%) cases and 2 patients (5.1%) lacked the Y chromosome (-Y) ; 23.4% (71/303) patients occurred ACA during TKI treatment and the most frequent abnormalities were abnormal chromosome numbersd, which were likely associated with high proportion of disease progression (χ(2)=168.21, P<0.001) and ABL tyrosine point mutations (χ(2)=29.04, P<0.001) . Newly diagnosed CML-CP patients with t (9;22) (q34;q11) had a longer event-free survival (EFS) and disease-free survival (DFS) rates than that of patients with ACA (P=0.037; P=0.003) , while the overall survival (OS) had no significant differences (P=0.209) . As for CML-CP patients that occurred ACA during TKI therapy would have a marked low OS, EFS and DFS (all P<0.001) compared with no ACA occurred patients. Survival of advanced patients that occurred ACA were dramatically reduced. Conclusion: ACA often emerged during the disease progress in CML patients, regular and timely detection of chromosomes karyotype and ABL tyrosine point mutations during TKI treatment was important for therapeutic evaluation, progress and prognosis of CML.

Efficacy and safety of combination therapy with vildagliptin and metformin versus metformin uptitration in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes inadequately controlled with metformin monotherapy: a randomized, open-label, prospective study (VISION).

AIMS: To compare the efficacy and safety of combination of vildagliptin and metformin therapy with metformin uptitration in Chinese patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) inadequately controlled with low-dose metformin. METHODS: In this 24-week prospective, randomized, multicentre, open-label study, patients with T2DM inadequately controlled with metformin ≤1000 mg daily were divided 1 : 1 : 1 : 1 into four prespecified subgroups based on age and body mass index (BMI). Patients in each subgroup were randomized 5 : 1 to receive either vildagliptin (50 mg twice daily) plus metformin [500 mg twice daily; vildagliptin and low-dose metformin (VLDM) group] or metformin uptitration [1000 mg twice daily; high-dose metformin (HDM) group]. The primary endpoint was change in glycated haemoglobin (HbA1c) from baseline at week 24. The key secondary endpoints included percentage of patients achieving target HbA1c without adverse gastrointestinal (GI) events and mean change in fasting plasma glucose (FPG) from baseline to week 24. RESULTS: A total of 3084 patients were randomized. HbA1c reduction of 0.54% at week 24 in the VLDM group was non-inferior and statistically superior compared with 0.40% in the HDM group (P < 0.0001). VLDM's non-inferiority to HDM was confirmed in the four subgroups and its superiority was shown for all subgroups (p < 0.05) except for the subgroup of patients aged <60 years with a BMI of ≥24 kg/m(2) . Compared with HDM, VLDM significantly increased the percentage of patients achieving HbA1c ≤6.5% and HbA1c ≤6.5% without GI events. FPG levels in the VLDM group were lower at week 24 numerically than in the HDM group. The two treatment arms had similar safety profiles. CONCLUSIONS: VLDM was non-inferior and statistically superior to HDM in glycaemic control in Chinese patients with T2DM inadequately controlled with low-dose metformin.

Expression of aquaporin 1 and 4 in rats with acute hypoxic lung injury and its significance.

Aquaporin (AQP)-1 and AQP-4 expression in lung tissues of SD rats during high altitude hypoxic lung injury, and the relationship between AQP-1 and AQP-4 expression, and acute hypoxic lung injury was analyzed. Thirty six healthy SD rats were divided into hypoxia 1d, 2d, 3d, 5d, and 7d groups and control group (N = 6). Pathological changes in lung tissue were observed by hematoxylin and eosin staining; lung injury was scored, and ultrastructural changes in lung tissue were observed by transmission electron microscopy. Changes in moisture content in lung tissues were determined by analyzing the wet/dry weight ratio (W/D). Localization of AQP-1 and AQP-4 was determined by immunohistochemistry. AQP-1 and AQP-4 expression were detected by western blot. Lung W/D was lower in hypoxia groups than in control group, and the highest in 3d group (P < 0.05). Light microscopy revealed a thickening alveolar wall and outstretched and congestive alveolar wall in hypoxia group; electron microscopy revealed the presence of abnormal alveolar type II epithelial cells, cavitation in cytoplasm, microvillus-like protrusions, and a reduced lamellar body. AQP- 1 and AQP-4 were mainly distributed in the capillaries and lymphatic and alveolar epithelial cells and airway epithelial cells, respectively. AQP-1 protein expression was decreased (western blot) in hypoxia 1d group (the lowest in 3d group; P < 0.05); there were no significant changes about AQP- 4 expression. Therefore, AQP-1 may be involved in abnormal transport of liquid ALI and pathogenesis of lung edema. AQP-4 may not be involved in the formation of ALI lung edema.

Branches of NF-κb signaling pathway regulate hepatocyte proliferation in rat liver regeneration.

Previous studies have demonstrated that the nuclear factor κB (NF-κB) pathway is involved in promoting cell proliferation. To further explore the regulatory branches and their sequence in the NF-κB pathway in the promotion of hepatocyte proliferation at the transcriptional level during rat liver regeneration, Rat Genome 230 2.0 array was used to detect the expression changes of the isolated hepatocytes. We found that many genes involved in the NF-κB pathway (including 73 known genes and 19 homologous genes) and cell proliferation (including 484 genes and 104 homologous genes) were associated with liver regeneration. Expression profile function (Ep) was used to analyze the biological processes. It was revealed that the NF-κB pathway promoted hepatocyte proliferation through three branches. Several methods of integrated statistics were applied to extract and screen key genes in liver regeneration, and it indicated that eight genes may play a vital role in rat liver regeneration. To confirm the above predicted results, Ccnd1, Jun and Myc were analyzed using qRT-PCR, and the results were generally consistent with that of microarray data. It is concluded that 3 branches and 8 key genes involved in the NF-κB pathway regulate hepatocyte proliferation during rat liver regeneration.

Monte Carlo simulations of the relative biological effectiveness for DNA double strand breaks from 300 MeV u(-1) carbon-ion beams.

Monte Carlo simulations are used to calculate the relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of 300 MeV u(-1) carbon-ion beams at different depths in a cylindrical water phantom of 10 cm radius and 30 cm long. RBE values for the induction of DNA double strand breaks (DSB), a biological endpoint closely related to cell inactivation, are estimated for monoenergetic and energy-modulated carbon ion beams. Individual contributions to the RBE from primary ions and secondary nuclear fragments are simulated separately. These simulations are based on a multi-scale modelling approach by first applying the FLUKA (version 2011.2.17) transport code to estimate the absorbed doses and fluence energy spectra, then using the MCDS (version 3.10A) damage code for DSB yields. The approach is efficient since it separates the non-stochastic dosimetry problem from the stochastic DNA damage problem. The MCDS code predicts the major trends of the DSB yields from detailed track structure simulations. It is found that, as depth is increasing, RBE values increase slowly from the entrance depth to the plateau region and change substantially in the Bragg peak region. RBE values reach their maxima at the distal edge of the Bragg peak. Beyond this edge, contributions to RBE are entirely from nuclear fragments. Maximum RBE values at the distal edges of the Bragg peak and the spread-out Bragg peak are, respectively, 3.0 and 2.8. The present approach has the flexibility to weight RBE contributions from different DSB classes, i.e. DSB0, DSB+ and DSB++.

Microdosimetry spectra and relative biological effectiveness of 15 and 30MeV proton beams.

The relative biological effectiveness (RBE) of high-energy protons has been well investigated, but estimates of RBE for lower-energy (<40MeV) protons are scarce. In the present work, measurements were made of the lineal energy spectra using a home-made miniature tissue-equivalent proportional counter for 15 and 30MeV protons from the TR 30/15 cyclotron. Monte Carlo simulations were made for the same spectra using the FLUKA code. These spectra were coupled to several biological models to evaluate the RBE for various biological endpoints.

Life and death of human vascular endothelial cells by stimulation with free fatty acids through death receptors.

Diabetic individuals may have elevated levels of serum free fatty acids and may exhibit injury to the vascular endothelial cells. This study was undertaken to determine the relationship between various free fatty acids (FFAs) and vascular endothelial cell injury and the molecular mechanisms linking FFA-induced vascular endothelial cells injury or protection. We observed the survival of HUVECs exposed to different FFAs, and our results revealed that the effects of various FFAs on the cell survival of HUVECs were significantly different. Palmitic acid (PA) markedly decreased the HUVEC survival rate in a time- and dose-dependent manner, but arachidonic acid (AA) significantly increased the cell survival rate and could partially prevent cellular apoptosis induced by PA. Interestingly, PA and AA could activate the same target receptor, TNF-R1. PA induced the apoptosis of HUVECs by initiating the death pathway (TNF-R1/TRADD/caspases 8 pathway), whereas AA enhanced cell survival to protect vascular endothelial cells by activating the survival pathway (TNF-R1/RIP/NF-κB 50/NF-κB 65).

Hip fracture after first-ever stroke: a population-based study.

OBJECTIVES: The aim of this study is to estimate the risk of hip fracture after first-ever stroke, using a nationwide population-base data set and a retrospective cohort design. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The cohort study involved 18,413 patients surviving a first-ever stroke during the 12-year period from 1997 to 2008. Another 18,413 control subjects were randomly selected with adjustment for age, gender and enrolled year. Stroke type, duration between stroke and hip fracture, six comorbidities and five categories of medication prior to hip fracture were investigated. RESULTS: This study found that 788 (4.3%) subjects in the study group suffered from hip fracture, with a 4.2 years median time frame (interquartile range = 1.8-7.1). In the control group, 492 subjects (2.7%) suffered from hip fracture during a 4.8 years median time frame (interquartile range = 2.0-7.5). The relative risk of hip fracture for stroke was increased in the first four years (1.4-2.4) and gradually declined to the level of the general population. Cox regression analysis showed osteoporosis-related factors, including ageing, female and antidepressants, significantly increased hip fracture risk (hazard ratios 1.89, 1.57, 1.92). CONCLUSIONS: These findings imply that osteoporosis may play a major role in the occurrence of hip fracture in the first four years after a first-ever stroke. Early intervention to prevent bone loss should be regarded as an important part in stroke management, especially in older females, and should be sustained for four years at least. The benefit of antidepressants in stroke patients should be weighed against the increased risk of hip fracture.

Isolation and characterization of polymorphic microsatellite markers from Coilia ectenes.

Coilia ectenes (Jordan and Seale 1905) is an important anadromous species that is an important resource at risk of extinction because of over-fishing, pollution, and coastal construction. To evaluate the genetic diversity of C. ectenes for use in breeding programs, elite microsatellite-enriched libraries were constructed and novel microsatellite markers were developed, and applied to genetically detect wild populations. Out of 92 randomly selected and sequenced clones, 89 contained a CA or GA repeat motif. Twenty-two pairs of primers were designed to investigate the polymorphism and genetic structure of a wild population collected from the Yellow River estuary, China. It was found that 2 loci were monomorphic and 20 loci were polymorphic. The number of alleles per polymorphic loci ranged from 3 to 13, with an average of 7.9. The expected heterozygosity per locus ranged from 0.05 to 0.89, with an average of 0.68. The isolated polymorphic markers are expected to be of use in future genetic breeding programs for C. ectenes, and in the assessment of genetic variation within this species.

Synthesis and anticonvulsant and antidepressant activity of 2-(5-bromo-2,3-dioxoindolin)-N-substituted phenylacetamide derivatives.

16 2-(5-bromo-2,3-dioxoindolin-1-yl)-N-substituted phenylacetamide derivatives were synthesized. The chemical structures of the compounds were proved by IR, 1H-NMR, 13C-NMR, Mass spectrometric data and microanalyses. The antidepressant activities of the compounds were investigated by Porsolt's behavioural despair (the forced swimming test) in mice. 2-(5-bromo-2,3-dioxoi-ndolin-1-yl)-N-(2-fluorophenyl)acetamide(4f), 2-(5-bromo-2,3-dioxoindolin-1-yl)-N-(3-chlorophenyl)acetamide(4j), 2-(5-bromo-2,3-dioxoindolin-1-yl)-N-(4-bromophenyl)acetamide(4m) reduced 54.9-44.6% duration of immobility times at 100 mg · kg-1 dose level. Anticonvulsant activities were determined by substances pentylenetetrazloe(metrazol)(anti-PTZ) test, and neurotoxicities were determined by the rotarod toxicity test in mice. 12 synthesized compounds were found protective against PTZ at 100 mg ∙ kg-1 dose level.