[Synergistic lethal effect of combined treatment of arsenic trioxide and aclacinomycin on human acute myeloid leukemia cell line KG-1a].

Objective: To investigate the synergistic lethal effect and mechanism of arsenic trioxide (ATO) and aclacinomycin (ACM) on human acute myeloid leukemia cell line KG-1a. Methods: Colony-forming assay was used to detect the proliferation of KG-1a cells treated with different concentration of ATO and ACM. Compusyn software was used to analyze the synergistic effect of ATO and ACM. Flow cytometry and Wright's staining were used to analyze the apoptotic rate of KG-1a cells induced by combined treatment of ATO and ACM. Western blot was used to determine the expression of proteins associated with apoptosis. Results: The cytotoxicity of arsenic trioxide or aclacinomycin alone was in a dose-dependent manner. Flow cytometry analysis showed that the apoptotic rate of KG-1a cells treated with both 0.4 µmol/L ATO and 10 nmol/L ACM was (34.5±3.1)%, significantly higher than (7.6±1.1)% of 0.4 µmol/L ATO treatment or (18.7±2.3) % of 10 nmol/L ACM treatment alone (P<0.05). The apoptotic rate of KG-1a cells treated with both 1.5 µmol/L ATO and 37.5 nmol/L ACM was (52.5±4.7)%, significantly higher than (19.1±3.2)% of 1.5 µmol/L ATO treatment or (27.7±2.2)% of 37.5 nmol/L ACM treatment alone (P<0.05). The apoptotic rate of KG-1a cells treated with both 3.0 µmol/L ATO and 75 nmol/L ACM was (61.3±4.5)%, significantly higher than (29.5±2.5)% of 3.0 µmol/L ATO treatment or (28.6±3.4) % of 75 nmol/L ACM treatment alone (P<0.05). In addition, the result of Wright's staining showed that combined treatment of ATO and ACM induced a more apparent phenotype of apoptosis when compared with single agent treatment. Compusyn software analysis showed that the combination index (CI) value of combined treatment group was less than 1, which indicated the synergistic effect of these two agents. Conclusions: Combined treatment of ATO and ACM shows a synergistic lethal effect on human acute myeloid leukemia cell line KG-1a via activating the apoptotic pathway, which inhibits cell growth and induces apoptosis.

The aggregation behavior and interactions of yak milk protein under thermal treatment.

The aggregation behavior and interactions of yak milk protein were investigated after heat treatments. Skim yak milk was heated at temperatures in the range of 65 to 95°C for 10 min. The results showed that the whey proteins in yak milk were denatured after heat treatment, especially at temperatures higher than 85°C. Sodium dodecyl sulfate-PAGE analysis indicated that heat treatment induced milk protein denaturation accompanied with aggregation to a certain extent. When the heating temperature was 75 and 85°C, the aggregation behavior of yak milk proteins was almost completely due to the formation of disulfide bonds, whereas denatured α-lactalbumin and ß-lactoglobulin interacted with κ-casein. When yak milk was heated at 85 and 95°C, other noncovalent interactions were found between proteins including hydrophobic interactions. The particle size distributions and microstructures demonstrated that the heat stability of yak milk proteins was significantly lowered by heat treatment. When yak milk was heated at 65 and 75°C, no obvious changes were found in the particle size distribution and microstructures in yak milk. When the temperature was 85 and 95°C, the particle size distribution shifted to larger size trend and aggregates were visible in the heated yak milk.

Expression profiles of genes associated with mitochondria-mediated apoptosis and their roles in liver regeneration.

Mitochondria are closely associated with cell survival, and it is of interest to determine whether apoptosis pathways, which are mediated by mitochondria, are involved in liver regeneration (LR). To identify the mechanisms underlying mitochondria-mediated apoptosis during rat LR, we used the Rat Genome 230 2.0 Array to investigate changes in gene expression. Next, we searched the GO and NCBI databases for genes associated with apoptosis mediated by mitochondria, and QIAGEN and KEGG databases for any related signaling pathways. The expression profile function (Et) was then used to calculate the activity level of known signaling pathways associated with apoptosis. The results revealed the expression of 436 genes associated with apoptosis signaling pathways, among which 152 were confirmed to be primarily related to LR. Overall, 99, 136, 95, and 91 genes were first expressed during the initiation [0.5-4 h after partial hepatectomy (PH)], G0/G1 transition (4-6 h after PH), cell proliferation (6-66 h after PH), and redifferentiation and structural reconstruction (66-144 h after PH) phases, demonstrating that LR-related genes were primarily induced in the initiation phase, and were then expressed across multiple phases. Analysis using the gene synergy formula (Et) showed that caspase-dependent and DNA fragment-related/unrelated pathways induced apoptosis in the early and late periods of LR, and the caspase-independent and DNA fragment-related/unrelated pathways almost in the whole process. Therefore, these results show that several apoptosis pathways regulate LR in rat.

[Value of low-dose multi-slice spiral CT chest scan in diagnosis of coal workers' pneumoconiosis].

Objective: To investigate the value of low-dose multi-slice CT (MSCT) chest scan in the diagnosis of coal workers' pneumoconiosis. Methods: A total of 90 patients with a confirmed diagnosis of coal workers' pneumoconiosis were enrolled, and under the conditions of fixed tube voltage, pitch, and slice thickness, they underwent CT scan with a normal dose (150 mA) and a low dose (30-50 mA). The quality of images obtained from two scans was compared, and the imaging findings, opacity profusion, stage, and radiation doses were also compared. Results: Compared with the normal-dose scan, low-dose scan increased the image noise, and the images obtained from scans with doses of 30, 40, and 50 mA did not show significant reductions in signal-to-noise ratio or contrast-to-noise ratio (P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the percentage of image quality between low-dose and normal-dose scans (P>0.05). There were no significant differences in the percentage of various imaging findings, opacity profusion, or percentage of different stages between low-dose (30, 40, and 50 mA) and normal-dose (150 mA) scans (P>0.05). Conclusion: There are no significant differences between low-dose MSCT chest scan and normal-dose CT in image quality, imaging findings of coal workers' pneumoconiosis, opacity profusion, and stage. Meanwhile, low-dose MSCT chest scan greatly reduces the radiation dose and can be used to assist the diagnosis and follow-up reexamination of coal workers' pneumoconiosis and cover the shortage of high-kilovoltage chest X-ray.

Expression pattern of tumour-associated antigens in hepatocellular carcinoma: association with immune infiltration and disease progression.

BACKGROUND: The distinct expression pattern of tumour-associated antigens (TAAs) might be a critical reason for the inefficacy of immunity-based treatments and heterogeneous postsurgical recovery in patients with solid tumours, including hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). However, little is known about the clinical value of the coexpression patterns of multiple TAAs. METHODS: We determined the expression of multiple TAAs with identified immunogenicity (GPC3, AFP, SSX-2, NY-ESO-1, EpCAM, midkine) and the density of tumour-infiltrating immune cells by immunohistochemistry in a panel of 362 primary HCC patients. We evaluated the association between the TAAs, immune cell infiltration, clinicopathological parameters, and prognosis. RESULTS: Patients who coexpressed more TAAs had better prognosis (P<0.00001, overall survival). The integrated pattern of TAA was associated with good differentiation and small tumour size, and with more CD57(+) natural killer and CD20(+) B-cell infiltration (P<0.05). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards analysis identified the TAA index as an independent prognostic indicator (hazard ratio 0.625; 95% confidence interval 0.467-0.837; P=0.002), and could further predict patient prognosis in collaboration with local immune infiltration. CONCLUSION: Our results could provide new evidence for the improvement of prognostic molecular signatures in HCC, and a novel rationale for patient enrolment in future immunotherapeutic trials and/or clinical treatments.

Distribution and dynamics of risk factors associated with highly pathogenic avian influenza H5N1.

Within China's Poyang Lake region, close interactions between wild migratory birds and domestic poultry are common and provide an opportunity for the transmission and subsequent outbreaks of highly pathogenic avian influenza (HPAI) virus. We overlaid a series of ecological factors associated with HPAI to map the risk of HPAI in relation to natural and anthropogenic variables, and we identified two hotspots for potential HPAI outbreaks in the Poyang Lake region as well as three corridors connecting the two hotspot areas. In hotspot I, there is potential for migratory birds to bring new avian influenza (AI) strains that can reassort with existing strains to form new AI viruses. Hotspot II features high-density poultry production where outbreaks of endemic AI viruses are likely. The three communication corridors that link the two hotspots further promote HPAI H5N1 transmission and outbreaks and lead to the persistence of AI viruses in the Poyang Lake region. We speculate that the region's unevenly distributed poultry supply-and-demand system might be a key factor inducing HPAI H5N1 transmission and outbreaks in the Poyang Lake region.

Hyperbaric oxygen ameliorates neuronal injury and neurological function recovery in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage by silencing microRNA-204-5p-targeted chloride channel protein 3.

Hyperbaric oxygen (HBO) therapy is of clinical utility in patients with transient cerebral ischemia. The investigatory study was to identify the potential regulatory mechanism of HBO treatment on neuronal injury and neurological function recovery in rats with intracerebral hemorrhage (ICH). Firstly, the rat model of ICH was established by collagenase, and the experimental rats were treated with HBO at 2.5 absolute atmospheres for 60 min each time. Next, lentivirus interfering with microRNA (miR)-204-5p or chloride channel protein 3 (CLCN3) expression was injected via the tail vein. Afterward, neurological function assessment was conducted, serum S100ß and NSE contents were detected by enzymer-linked immunosorbent assay, and pathological conditions of brain tissue were observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase mediated dUTP nick end labeling staining was used to detect neuronal apoptosis. The results showed that HBO alleviated neuronal injury and neurological function recovery in ICH rats and reduced serum S100ß and NSE content (all P<0.05). At the same time, overexpressing miR-204-5p or depleting CLCN3 further promoted the therapeutic effect of HBO on ICH rats (all P<0.05), while silencing miR-204-5p or elevating CLCN3 did oppositely (all P<0.05). In conclusion, HBO alleviates neuronal injury and neurological function recovery in ICH rats by silencing miR-204-5p-targeted CLCN3.

[Prospective study on the analysis of intestinal microflora changes and prediction on metabolic function in severe burn patients at early stage by 16S ribosomal RNA high-throughput sequencing].

Objective: To analyze the changes of intestinal microflora and to predict the metabolic function of intestinal microflora in severe burn patients at early stage by 16S ribosomal RNA (rRNA) high-throughput sequencing. Methods: In this prospective observational study, 48 patients with severe burns who met the inclusion criteria were admitted to Department of Burns and Plastic Surgery of Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University from January 2018 to December 2019 were included in burn group, and 40 healthy volunteers who met the inclusion criteria and underwent physical examination at the Physical Examination Center of Affiliated Hospital of Jiangsu University in the same period were included in healthy group. Fecal samples were collected from patients in burn group in about 1 week after admission and from volunteers in healthy group on the day of physical examination. The 16S rRNA V4 gene sequencing was performed in the feces of patients in burn group and volunteers in healthy group to analyze the relative abundance of various bacteria. The operational classification unit (OTU) was divided by Mothur software to analyze the dominant bacteria. The OTU number, Chao1 index, Ace index, and Shannon index of fecal microflora were analyzed by QIIME1.9.0 software. The principal component analysis for relative abundance of fecal microflora was performed by Canoco Software 5.0. The metabolic function of fecal microflora was predicted by Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes. Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test, and Mann-Whitney U test, and Bonferroni correction. Results: The relative abundance of Bacteroides, Enterococcus, Acinetobacter, Macrococcus, and Staphylococcus in feces of patients in burn group was significantly higher than that of volunteers in healthy group (Z=-5.20, -2.37, -5.17, -4.41, -6.03, P<0.05 or P<0.01), and the relative abundance of unclassified-Helicobacillae, Prevotella, Cecobacteria, unclassified-Rumencocci, Pseudobutyrivibrio, Brautia, and unclassified-Digiestive Streptococcaceae (Z=-8.03, -3.21, -7.63, -5.88, -8.05, -8.05, -6.77, P<0.01) and other 12 species of bacteria in the feces of volunteers in healthy group was significantly higher than that of patients in burn group. The diversity of fecal microflora of volunteers in healthy group was better than that of patients in burn group, the main dominant microflora of volunteers in healthy group were Bacteroides, unclassified-Helicobacillae, Prevotella, unclassified- Enterobacteriaceae, Brautia, Parabacteroides, Escherichia coli, etc., and the main dominant microflora of patients in burn group were Bacteroides, Prevotella, unclassified-Enterobacteriaceae, and Parabacteroides. The OTU number, Ace index, Chao1 index, and Shannon index of fecal microflora of patients in burn group were 149±47, 199±45, 190±45, 2.0±0.9, which were significantly lower than 266±57, 323±51, 318±51, 3.8±0.5 of volunteers in healthy group (t=10.325, 11.972, 12.224, 11.662, P<0.01). The relative abundance of fecal microflora of patients in burn group and volunteers in healthy group was clearly divided into two groups by principal component 1, and the contribution rate of principal component 1 was 32.50%, P<0.01. The fecal microflora of volunteers in healthy group were more concentrated on principal component 2, the fecal microflora of patients in burn group were dispersed in principal component 2, and the contribution rate of principal component 2 was 13.44%, P>0.05. The metabolic levels of alanine-aspartate-glutamate, arginine- proline, cysteine-methionine, glycine-serine-threonine, phenylalanine, tryptophan, and tyrosine in amino acid, tricarboxylic acid cycle, glucose and mannose, galactolipin, glycolysis/gluconiogenesis, starch and sucrose in carbohydrate of fecal microflora of patients in burn group were significantly lower than those of volunteers in healthy group (Z=-4.75, -4.54, -4.75, -4.62, -3.71, -3.28, -4.19, -3.82, -4.72, -4.35, -4.75, -4.71, P<0.01). The levels of lipoic acid metabolism and coenzyme Q synthesis of fecal microflora of patients in burn group were significantly higher than those of volunteers in healthy group (Z=-6.07, -4.51, P<0.01). The metabolic level of arachidonic acid of fecal microflora of patients in burn group was similar to that of volunteers in healthy group (P>0.05). Conclusions: There are significant differences in intestinal microflora between severe burn patients at the early stage and healthy people, and the species and diversity of microflora are decreased, and the nutrient metabolism level is decreased in burn patients by 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing.

[The change of quality of life in 52 patients with non-severe aplastic anemia after cyclosporine A therapy].

Objectives: To explore changes in the quality of life(QoL)in patients with non-severe aplastic anemia(NSAA)after 2 years of cyclosporine A(CsA)therapy, and possible factors may affect the QoL. Methods: Patients with de novo NSAA from January 2014 to 2016 who had been treated with only CsA for at least 2 years in the outpatient department of Peking Union Medical College Hospital were instructed to fill-in the SF-36 form before and after 2 years of CsA treatment. Data from NSAA were compared with those of normal controls; patients' information such as age, sex, education, annual income, type of payment, and compliance were collected, disease severity and response to treatment were also evaluated. Results: A total of 52 patients were included in our study with 27(51.9%)men and 25(48.1%)women, with the medium age of 48(21-85)years. After 2 years of treatment, 15(28.8%)patients achieved complete response(CR), 25(48.1%)achieved partial response(PR), and 12(23.1%)patients had no response(NR). The overall response rate(ORR)was 76.9%. Before the therapy, SF-36 scores in patients with NSAA were significantly lower than that of normal controls either in physical or mental component summaries(P<0.05). However, after 2 years of therapy, patients with NSAA had significant improvement of mental component summaries and recovered to normal with even higher scores in mental health(MH)(65.9±17.6 vs 59.7±22.9, P=0.014)and energy/vitality(VT)(58.8±20.1 vs 52.3±20.9, P=0.023)compared with normal controls, although they still had comparatively lower scores in physical component summaries. No associations were found between QoL and age, sex, educational level, family income, type of payment, patient adherence, or transfusion dependency. Patients with higher ECOG (the Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group score)at the beginning experienced greater progress in QoL compared to those with lower ECOG. Both patients with CR and PR had shown significant improvement in QoL. Conclusion: Patients with NSAA had impaired QoL compared with normal patients. CsA treatment can improve the QoL, especially in mental component summaries. Patients can benefit from the treatment regardless of their social status, and patients with lower ECOG at the beginning seem to benefit more from the therapy.

[Effects of PNPLA3, TM6SF2 gene polymorphisms and its interactions with smoking and alcohol drinking on hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma].

Objective: To explore the SNP effects of patatin-like phospholipase domain which containing 3 (PNPLA3), transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2 (TM6SF2) gene, environmental effects of smoking, alcohol drinking and interaction between gene-gene, gene-environment and drinking-smoking on hepatitis B virus-associated hepatocellular carcinoma (HBV-HCC). Methods: We collected anticoagulant peripheral blood from patients of HBV-HCC, chronic hepatitis B (CHB), liver cirrhosis (LC) and from healthy controls to detect the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of patatin-like phospholipase domain containing 3 (PNPLA3) gene loci rs738409 and transmembrane 6 superfamily member 2 (TM6SF2) gene loci rs58542926, using the flight mass spectrometry method. The optimal assignment value of gene polymorphisms was defined by using the online SNP stats. Hardy-Weinberg (H-W) balance was tested for SNP. Effects of the genetic and environmental factors to HBV-HCC were analyzed by using the multiple classification logistic regression method. The gene-gene, gene-smoking and alcohol drinking interaction effects were investigated by Fork-Life analysis and binary logistic regression methods. Results: The frequency distribution of CHB group rs738409 loci seemed not in conformity with the H-W balance (χ(2)=11.980, P<0.005). Two loci frequency distributions in the other groups were all in accordandce with the H-W balance. After adjusting for influences on age and sex and comparing to the healthy group, the rs58542926 mutation appeared as OR=1.659, 95%CI: 1.026-2.684, P=0.039, in the HBV-HCC group. When comparing to CHB group, the HBV-HCC group presented that drinking as OR=1.680, 95%CI: 1.121-2.519, P=0.012. When comparing to the LC group, the ORs of drinking and smoking were 1.539 (1.071-2.213) and 1.453 (1.005-2.099) respectively, in the HBV-HCC group. When comparing to the CHB+LC group, interactions between the HBV-HCC group were found rs738409 and rs58542926 on additive model OR=1.548 (U=1.885, P=0.029) and OR=1.658 (P=0.024) on logistic regression model while drinking was rs738409 on interaction additive model with OR=1.811(U=1.965, P=0.024). As for drinking and mutation of rs738409, the multiplication model of logistic regression showed no statistically significant differences. Interaction between smoking and drinking appeared as OR=1.756 (P<0.001) in the logistics regression multiplication model. Conclusions: Factors as mutation of TM6SF2, smoking and drinking all appeared as risk factors for HBV-HCC. Mutations of both PNPLA3 and TM6SF2, together with smoking and drinking all served as risk factors for HBV-HCC. However, the mutation of single PNPLA3 appeared as a protective factor on HBV-HCC.

[An investigation on immunological effect of hepatitis B vaccine amongst adult population in high-labor-export rural regions, under 4 different strategies].

Objective: To grope for an ideal immune strategy in grown-ups via comparison of immunological effects under 4 different vaccination schemes. Methods: Study population was selected by stratified random cluster sampling. A total of 4 different vaccination proposals, including Strategy A (3 doses, 10 µg, administrated repeatedly into the unilateral deltoid muscle at 0-1-6 months), Strategy B (2 doses, 20 µg, administrated into the bilateral deltoid muscles simultaneously), Strategy C (3 doses, 10 µg, administrated repeatedly into the unilateral deltoid muscle at 0-1-2 months) and Strategy D (2 doses, 10 µg, administrated to the bilateral deltoid muscles at the same time), were conducted in Liangzhou, Minqin Gulang, and the Tianzhu Tibetan Autonomic county respectively, in Wuwei city, Gansu province. Under 4 different strategies, post-vaccination immunological effectiveness was evaluated when blood samples of participants collected in the eighth months, post-first injection and in the third year, and tested by enzyme-linked immunoassays and electro-chemiluminescence immunoassay. Chi-squared test and Fisher exact test were used to evaluate the immunological differences between the 4 strategies. Wilcoxon' s signed rank test and Kruskal-Waillis H test were conducted to compare the differences of the geometric mean titers (GMTs) of antibody against HBV surface antigen (anti-HBs) titers. Results: A total of 1 621 eligible participants aged 16 to 60 years old, were recruited for the study. Numbers of administration and gender were testified as the presuming factors for influencing immune effectiveness. The vaccination completion rates were 53.97% and 79.82% in Strategy A and C, respectively, and the difference statistically significant (P<0.05). In the first year, the protective antibody sero-conversion rates (standardization rate) were 89.21%, 54.88%, 92.11%, and 41.63%, in Strategy A, B, C and D, respectively, and the significant statistically differences emerged (P<0.05) if Strategy B, C and D were compared with Strategy A (as the gold standard). Over a 3-year follow-up period, the levels of GMTs on protective antibody declined from 179.2 IU/L, 51.6 IU/L, 277.1 IU/L and 10.1 IU/L to 61.3 IU/L, 21.2 IU/L, 31.8 IU/L and 6.0 IU/L in Strategy A, B, C and D, respectively, and the differences of declination on GMTs showed statistically significant differences (P<0.05) when compared within or between the 4 strategies. Conclusion: The 0-1-2 months' prophylactic schedules (Strategy C) seemed superior to the others, in terms of effectively inducing the protective antibody, with shorter duration of vaccination, persisting longer immunity and having higher rate of completive vaccination, so is worth to be recommended as a feasible immune programme for adults, especially for migrants from the rural regions.

Synthetic study on a novel Asn-linked core structure: synthesis of a pentasaccharide alpha-D-Man-(1-->3)-[alpha-D-Man-(1-->6)]-beta-D-Man-(1-->4)- [beta-D-GlcNAc-(1-->60]-beta-D-GlcNAc-->OMp.

Synthesis of a pentasaccharide alpha-D-Man-(1-->3)-[alpha-D-Man-(1-->6)] -beta-D-Man-(1-->4)-beta-D-GlcNac(1-->6)]beta-GlcNAc-->Omp (2) is described. A comparison between the 1H NMR data of 2 and those of a novel Asn-linked core structure 1 containing a new GlcNAc residue suggests an alpha-D-configuration for the new linkage.

[Studies of synthesis and structure-activity relationships of analogs of the muscle relaxant--baclofen].

In an effort to study the structure-activity relationship of analogs of baclofen and to search for more potent and less toxic muscle relaxants and analgesics, fifteen 3-substituted pheny-4-aminobutyric acids and their derivatives were synthesized. Preliminary pharmacological tests in albino mice showed that some of the target compounds exhibited muscle relaxant and analgesic effects. Compounds Ib, IIb, IIIa, IIIc and compounds Ib, IIb, IIIa, IIIb were, respectively, more potent in hot plate tests and morphine-induced straub tail reaction tests than other analogs, but they were still less potent than baclofen. The structure-activity relationship showed that the effects of baclofen were strongly structure specific, and the results also suggested that at least three groups in baclofen-phenyl, amino and carboxy--take important parts in the combination of baclofen with GABAB receptor.

[Effect of Chinese herbal preparation on major constituents of bile of gallstones patients].

From 1991 to 1993, 51 patients in 3 groups who had received biliary operation with T tube drainage were selected for observation of dynamic change in bile acid, bilirubin, cholesterol and mucin in the bile within 3 days after taking the Danyihewei granule (DYHW) and Rongshisan (RSS). Result showed that in DYHW group the bile acid increased significantly on the 2nd and 3rd day (P < 0.01), along with significant lowering of bilirubin (P < 0.01) and mucin (P < 0.05, P < 0.01) in 1st through 3rd day. In the RSS group the bile acid remarkably increased on the 3rd day (P < 0.05) with significant reduction of bilirubin (P < 0.01) on 2nd and 3rd day. The control group showed no remarkable change. The bile acid/bilirubin and bile acid/cholesterol ratios all had a dynamic increase with 3 days in treated group. Whereas the control group remained unchanged. Therefore the DYHW and RSS were able to produce a strong inhibitory effect on stone-forming bile through regulation of liver and discharge of bile.

[Clinical and experimental studies on zhikang oral liquid in treatment of hypophrenia].

The effect of Zhikang Oral Liquid (ZK) on 50 cases of hypophrenia children was observed and a control group of 20 cases was set. Results showed that the total effective rate of ZK group was 82%, it was significantly higher than that of control group (P < 0.01). Animal experiment revealed that ZK could improve the hypomnesia in learning caused by anisodine, poor memory retention caused by sodium nitrite and memory hypo-reproducibility caused by 40% alcohol. The results of clinical and experimental studies suggested that ZK could promote the intelligence development of child and improve the memory.

[The effect of chaihu qingxin yin on left cardiac function and T-cell subgroup in peripheral blood in children with viral myocarditis].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Caihu Qingxin Yin (CHQXY) in treating viral myocarditis. METHODS: CHQXY was used to treat 52 cases of acute viral myocarditis in children, compared with the routine method using energy mixture in 32 patients. RESULTS: (1) The total effective rate of 52 patients using CHQXY was 71.2% which was higher than that of the control group in 32 patients with 53.1%, Ridit analysis, P < 0.01. (2) Functional shortaxial shortening rate (FS) and ejecting fraction (EF) in CHQXY group were superior to those of the control group, P < 0.01. (3) CHQXY might modulate the immune function of T lymphocyte, enabled the CD3 and ratio of CD4/CD8 tended to normalize. CONCLUSION: CHQXY played an important role in the treatment of viral myocarditis with the mechanism of improving the left cardiac function and modulating celluar immune function.

Solid-phase synthesis of CD52 glycopeptide and an efficient route to Asn-core pentasaccharide conjugate.

The intact peptide sequence (18) as well as its glycoform carrying an N-linked core pentasaccharide (1) of CD52 antigen were prepared by means of solid-phase synthesis employing Fmoc-amino acids and benzyl-protected oligosaccharide-asparagine conjugate (3) as building blocks. It was concluded that the pentasaccharide structure had little influence on further peptide elongation in solid-phase synthesis and the benzylated pentasaccharide moiety was sufficiently stable to the 95% TFA acidic conditions used to release glycopeptide from the supporting resin. The paper also describes an efficient route leading to asparagine-core pentasaccharide conjugate (3) which was prepared in seven steps for an overall yield of 23% from monosaccharide units 5, 6, 7 and 8.

Esophageal reconstruction by jejunal transfer.

Forty-five esophageal reconstructions were carried out using a free or pedicled transfer of jejunal segments. Thirty were performed for benign stenosis or atresia, and 13 were performed for malignancy. The remaining two were used to repair anastomotic leakage or fistulization resulting from prior esophagogastrostomy. Average anastomotic arterial and venous diameters were 1.2 mm and 3.0 mm respectively. Of the 45 reconstructions, 44 were successful; the single failure was the result of tearing of the mesenteric arcade. There were four fatalities. Jejunal transfer is an effective method of esophageal reconstruction.