Influence of serum collected from rat perfused with compound Biejiaruangan drug on hepatic stellate cells

AIM: To observe the effect of compound Biejiaruangan decoction (CBJRGC) (composite prescription of Carapax trionycis for softening the liver) on proliferation, activation,excretion of collagen and cytokine of hepatic stellate cells (HSCs) and to find the mechanism of prevention and treatment of hepatic fibrosis by CBJRGC.METHODS: Using MTT, immunohistochemistry and image analysis technology, the related indexes for proliferation,activation, excretion of collagen and cytokine of hepatic stellate cells were detected in 24 h, 48 h, and 72 h after adminstration of different dosages of CBJRGC.RESULTS: Statistical analysis showed that serum collected from rat perfused with CBJRGC could restrain the proliferation of HSC in 48 h and 72 h especially in high and medium dosage groups, markedly decrease the expression of desmin, synapsin and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) in HSC in 24 h, 48 h and 72 h, as well as the expression of μ-SMA, collagen III, TIMP and TGFβ1 in 48 h and 72 h, decrease the excretion of collagen I in 72 h.CBJRGC serum had no significant effect on collagens I, III and TIMP in 24 h.CONCLUSION: CBJRGC serum has a good curative effect on hepatic fibrosis. Its main mechanism may be related to the following factors. The drug serum can restrain the proliferation and activation of HSC, decrease the number of activated HSC and the total number of HSC, the excretion of collagens I, III, enhance the degradation of collagen and restore the balance of synthesis and degradation of collagen,inhibit the expression of transforming growth factor β1 (TGFβI) and platelet derived growth factor (PDGF) in HSC,block and delay the process of hepatic fibrosis. Synapsin is a new marker of activation of HSC, which provides a theoretical and testing basis for neural regulation in the developing process of hepatic fibrosis.

A Genome Sequence of Novel SARS-CoV Isolates: the Genotype, GD-Ins29, Leads to a Hypothesis of Viral Transmission in South China

We report a complete genomic sequence of rare isolates (minor genotype) of the SARS-CoV from SARS patients in Guangdong, China, where the first few cases emerged. The most striking discovery from the isolate is an extra 29-nucleotide sequence located at the nucleotide positions between 27,863 and 27,864 (referred to the complete sequence of BJ01) within an overlapped region composed of BGI-PUP5 (BGI-postulated uncharacterized protein 5) and BGI-PUP6 upstream of the N (nucleocapsid) protein. The discovery of this minor genotype, GD-Ins29, suggests a significant genetic event and differentiates it from the previously reported genotype, the dominant form among all sequenced SARS-CoV isolates. A 17-nt segment of this extra sequence is identical to a segment of the same size in two human mRNA sequences that may interfere with viral genome replication and transcription in the cytosol of the infected cells. It provides a new avenue for the exploration of the virus-host interaction in viral evolution, host pathogenesis, and vaccine development.

Complete Genome Sequences of the SARS-CoV: the BJ Group (Isolates BJ01-BJ04)

Beijing has been one of the epicenters attacked most severely by the SARS-CoV (severe acute respiratory syndrome-associated coronavirus) since the first patient was diagnosed in one of the city's hospitals. We now report complete genome sequences of the BJ Group, including four isolates (Isolates BJ01, BJ02, BJ03, and BJ04) of the SARS-CoV.It is remarkable that all members of the BJ Group share a common haplotype, consisting of seven loci that differentiate the group from other isolates published to date. Among 42 substitutions uniquely identified from the BJ group, 32 are non-synonymous changes at the amino acid level. Rooted phylogenetic trees, proposed on the basis of haplotypes and other sequence variations of SARS-CoV isolates from Canada, USA, Singapore, and China, gave rise to different paradigms but positioned the BJ Group, together with the newly discovered GD01 (GD-Ins29) in the same clade, followed by the H-U Group (from Hong Kong to USA) and the H-T Group (from Hong Kong to Toronto), leaving the SP Group (Singapore) more distant. This result appears to suggest a possible transmission path from Guangdong to Beijing/Hong Kong, then to other countries and regions.

家中长期使用不同浓度过氧化氢脲漂白四环素牙的研究

目的 四环素着色牙每晚使用不同浓度(10％、15％和20％)过氧化氢脲(carbamide peroxide)6个月，评价颜色变化和牙齿敏感程度。材料和方法 59名参试者，告知如何在有贮槽的传统托盘中放置2种浓度的过氧化氢脲，每晚临睡前套在牙上，持续6个月。复诊时间分别为1周、2周、1个月、2个月、3个月、4个月、5个月、6个月、7个月、8个月和9个月，用比色板和照片主观评价牙齿颜色变化程度；分别自我记录硬组织或软组织的敏感程度。结果 52名参试者复诊次数大于所需复诊次数90％。大部分患者的牙齿在漂白第一个月迅速变白。在第三和第九个月，分别有91％和85％，的参试者对漂白结果至少“有些满意”。专家评价90％，牙齿被认为漂白的美学结果非常好或令人满意。过氧化氢脲浓度愈高，牙齿亮度和颜色改变愈迅速。使用3种浓度漂白剂时牙龈敏感程度没有差异。使用10％凝胶的患者比使用150A，和20％凝胶的患者牙齿敏感程度更轻。结论 10％、15％和20VA，过氧化氢脲漂白剂可有效地去除四环素着色的牙齿颜色。浓度为10％的漂白剂最优，不足之处很少。