“毒剂效力”:威尔第歌剧《奥赛罗》中的音乐叙事——以第一幕《风暴场景》及《爱情二重唱》为例

文章试图透过第一幕《风暴场景》及《爱情二重唱》,来解读威尔第歌剧《奥赛罗》中的音乐叙事——雅古阴谋实施前的不祥征兆和悲剧影像。解析过程中,文章将雅古的阴谋音乐话语(即"毒剂")作为某种隐喻符号,从寓意象征的角度观察它如何在歌剧中铺垫、渲染,并预示悲剧结局的;其间,交织与结合了对"手帕"、"毒剂"词源的关联性认识、对音乐手段所创造的隐喻结构的阐释等。

参柏祛毒袋泡剂抗炎镇痛抑菌和药物安全性研究

目的观察参柏祛毒袋泡剂抗炎镇痛抑菌药效学和药物安全性情况。方法(1)抗炎实验:采用小鼠耳廓肿胀法,选取昆明小鼠60只,体质量18~24 g,按体质量分层使用随机数字表分为空白组、参柏高剂量组(1.750 g生药/mL)、参柏中剂量组(0.875 g生药/mL)、参柏低剂量组(0.438 g生药/mL)、阿司匹林组(100 mg/kg)5组,每组12只。涂抹70μL二甲苯在预先给药的小鼠右耳上,处死后对比左右耳片重量,计算肿胀度。(2)镇痛实验:采用热板致痛法,选取昆明小鼠48只,雌性,体质量18~24 g,按体质量分层使用随机数字表随机分成空白组、参柏高剂量组(1.750 g生药/mL)、参柏中剂量组(0.875 g生药/mL)、参柏低剂量组(0.438 g生药/mL)4组,每组12只。测定小鼠基础痛阈,再以40℃药浴各组分别泡足20 min,测量给药后5个时间点小鼠痛阈,计算痛阈提高百分率。(3)体外抑菌实验:将观察药制备成原液、1∶1、1∶2、1∶4、1∶85个浓度梯度,分别加入5种共25菌株,培养后读取各组最低抑菌浓度值。(4)安全性实验:采用家兔皮肤刺激性实验,选取健康大耳白家兔16只,使用随机数字表随机分为单次给药正常皮肤组、破损皮肤组及多次给药正常皮肤组、破损皮肤组4组,造模破损皮肤组,一侧去毛区涂参柏祛毒袋泡剂0.5 mL,另一侧对照区涂等量蒸馏水作空白对照,单次给药(1次/d)和多次给药(1次/d,连续7 d)进行对比,观察皮肤刺激性。采用实验家兔皮肤急毒实验,选取新西兰家兔24只,使用随机数字表随机分为完整组和破损皮肤组,每组再随机分为参柏高、低剂量及空白组,共6组,药物均匀涂抹于家兔背部除毛区,于去掉受试药物后1、24、48、72 h至14 d,每日观察动物皮肤及全身情况做出评价。结果(1)抗炎实验结果提示,参柏祛毒袋泡剂对二甲苯所致小鼠耳廓肿胀有显著抑制作用,参柏高、中剂量组小鼠耳廓肿胀度低于空白组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05,P<0.01)。(2)镇痛实验结果提示,参柏祛毒袋泡剂对热刺激所致小鼠疼痛有明显的镇痛作用,参柏高剂量组给药后0.5~4.5 h较空白组小鼠痛阈高(P<0.05,P<0.01),参柏中剂量组给药后1.5~3.5 h较空白组小鼠痛阈高(P<0.05)。(3)体外抑菌实验结果提示,参柏祛毒袋泡剂对铜绿假单胞菌、金黄色葡萄球菌、白色念珠菌、大肠埃希氏菌、肺炎克雷伯菌有不同程度的抑制作用,且对铜绿假单胞菌、金黄色葡萄球菌的抑制作用最强。(4)安全性实验结果提示,参柏祛毒袋泡剂对家兔正常皮肤和破损皮肤,单次给药和多次给药均无皮肤刺激性,与空白组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05);对家兔完整皮肤和破损皮肤组给药,观察至14 d,均无不良反应,参柏高、低剂量组与空白组比较差异无统计学意义(P>0.05)。结论参柏祛毒袋泡剂具有明显的抗炎、镇痛、抑菌作用,且药物外用安全。

益气固表解毒合剂预防新冠病毒感染的临床疗效——一项多中心真实世界前瞻性观察性研究

目的 基于多中心前瞻性真实世界研究评价益气固表解毒合剂预防新冠病毒感染的临床疗效。方法 纳入2022年12月10日—2023年2月28日在辽宁省7家定点医院购买服用益气固表解毒合剂者472例及其未服药但出现新冠病毒感染相关临床症状的配偶家属124例。采用前瞻性队列研究方式,观察受访者在服用益气固表解毒合剂后出现新冠病毒感染相关临床症状的比例及各个症状发生率,对比服药组与未服药组发热、咳嗽、乏力、咽痛症状发生率、症状评分及持续时间。结果 服用益气固表解毒合剂的受访者平均(55.76±17.91)岁,51.91%的受访者为退离休人员,55.30%的受访者在服用益气固表解毒合剂后出现新冠病毒感染相关临床症状,服药组较未服药组患者发热、乏力、咽痛症状发生率降低(P<0.05);发热、咳嗽、乏力、咽痛症状评分降低,症状持续时间缩短(P<0.05)。结论 益气固表解毒合剂可有效预防新冠病毒感染并可减轻新冠病毒感染后的发热、咳嗽、乏力、咽痛症状。

柏硝祛毒洗剂对重度直肠前突合并混合痔单吻合器治疗后肛缘水肿及疼痛的影响探究

目的探究柏硝祛毒洗剂对重度直肠前突合并混合痔单吻合器治疗后肛缘水肿及疼痛的影响。方法研究共纳入于2016年7月—2018年6月入院治疗的重度直肠前突合并混合痔患者70例,随机均分到两组进行临床治疗观察。两组患者均行单吻合器治疗,观察组患者加用柏硝祛毒洗剂配合治疗。比较两组患者的临床治疗效果,观察记录两组治疗前后患者肛缘疼痛、水肿情况,记录比较两组并发症发生情况。结果观察组总有效率94.29%(33/35);对照组总有效率77.14%(27/35)。观察组总有效率明显优于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。经治疗两组患者肛缘疼痛、水肿评分显著下降;观察组治疗后3 d、5 d和7 d时,肛缘疼痛、水肿评分明显低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。治疗后观察组水肿、感染等并发症发生率低于对照组,并发症总计发生率明显低于对照组,差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论柏硝祛毒洗剂联合单吻合器治疗重度直肠前突合并混合痔能显著提高临床疗效,改善患者肛缘水肿及疼痛症状,利于患者预后。

补肾健脾活血解毒煎剂对单侧输尿管梗阻大鼠TGF-β1及α-SMA表达的影响

目的:研究补肾健脾活血解毒煎剂对单侧输尿管梗阻大鼠肾间质α-平滑肌肌动蛋白(α-SMA)、转化生长因子-β1(TGF-β1)表达的影响,探讨其抗肾间质纤维化的作用机制。方法:建立大鼠单侧输尿管梗阻(UUO)模型,50只SD大鼠随机分为假手术组、模型组、代文组、补肾健脾活血解毒煎剂低、中剂量组,于造模4周后腹主动脉采血检测血清肌酐(Scr)、尿素氮(BUN),收集24 h尿液检测N-乙酰-β-D-氨基葡萄糖苷酶(N-acetyl-β-D-glucosaminidase,NAG)、β2-微球蛋白(β2-microglobulin,β2-MG),取梗阻侧肾组织,HE、Mason染色观察肾小管间质病变,免疫组织化学染色观察α-SMA、TGF-β1在肾间质的阳性染色表达,并进行半定量分析。结果:与假手术组比较,模型组大鼠Scr、BUN、尿NAG、β2-MG水平以及α-SMA、TGF-β1阳性表达显著升高(P<0.01);与模型组比较,补肾健脾活血解毒煎剂低、中剂量组大鼠Scr、BUN水平降低,尿NAG、β2-MG排泄减少(P<0.05或P<0.01),与代文组相当;补肾健脾活血解毒煎剂低、中剂量组和代文组α-SMA、TGF-β1阳性表达均显著下调(P<0.01)。结论:补肾健脾活血解毒煎剂可能通过改善肾小球、肾小管功能,抑制α-SMA、TGF-β1的表达,从而抑制肾小管上皮细胞间充质转分化,达到改善肾间质纤维化的作用。

Study on the Effective Prevention and Control of Maize Rough Dwarf Disease in Different Areas with Varying Epidemic Intensity in Shandong Province

[ Objective] This study aimed to investigate the effective prevention and control of maize rough dwarf disease in different areas with varying epidemic inten-sity in Shandong Province. [Method] Control effects of single application of virus in-hibitors and composite application of virus inhibitors with seed dressing agents and pesticides on maize rough dwarf disease in different areas with varying epidemic intensity were investigated. [Result] The same treatment possessed entirely different effects in severely affected areas and slightly affected areas. To be specific, single application of virus inhibitors in slightly affected areas exhibited good control effects, with a control efficiency of 76.59% and yield increment rate of 158.21%; in severely affected areas, single application of virus inhibitors led to low control efficiency and yield increment rate. The highest control efficiency of composite application of virus inhibitors with seed dressing agents and pesticides in severely affected areas was 71.38%, and experimental plots changed from total crop failure to have certain eco-nomic output. [Conclusion] ln different areas with varying epidemic intensity of maize rough dwarf disease, different application modes should be adopted according to lo-cal conditions, thereby saving cost and improving control efficiency.

Is the Potential Interconnection between Antibiotic Susceptibility and Disinfectant Resistance a Threat to Food Safety?

The prevalence of antibiotic susceptibility and disinfectant resistance in bacterial pathogens causes a serious problem not only to food safety but also to public health, which directly or indirectly leads to treatment and disinfection failures. In this review, multidrug resistance, the mechanism of disinfectant resistance, the methods for detecting disinfectant resistance and the cross-resistance between an- tibiotics and disinfectants are summarized. More efforts should be devoted to explor- ing the professional guidance of using antibiotics and disinfectants, and to develop- ing the comprehensive detection with genetic and molecular methods is highly ex- pected.

Identification of Strawberry Anthracnose Pathogens and Screening of Germicides

[Objective] This study aimed to identify strawberry anthracnose pathogens and screen appropriate germicides. [Method] Strawberry anthracnose pathogens in Jurong City of Jiangsu Province were isolated and identified. The toxicities of sever-al germicides to Col etotrichum fragariae were determined with indoor mycelial growth inhibition assay. Field control test was preformed to further verify the control efficacy of germicides. [Result] The isolated strawberry anthracnose pathogenic strains were identified as C. gloeosporioide from genus Col etotrichum of subphylum Deuteromycotina. Prochloraz, pyrazole Kresoxim and hexaconazole al exhibited good indoor control effects; 25% pyrazole Kresoxim EC2000-fold solution, 24% azoxys-trobin＆#183;hexaconazole （azoxystrobin∶hexaconazole=1∶2） SC1500-fold solution and 25%prochloraz EC1000-fold solution al exhibited significant field control efficacy. [Con-clusion] The study provides reference for the alternate use of germicides in actual production.

Study on Screening of Virus Inhibitor Combinations against Viral Diseases in Chinese Cabbage

In this study, several kinds of virus inhibitors or passivators, such as Dufulin and lentinan, were used to design 15 individual or combination treatments, to investigate their control efficiency against viral diseases in Chinese cabbage. Re- sults showed that individual treatments of Dufulin and lentinan achieved high control efficiency of 70.01% and 66.02%, respectively; combination treatments of Dufulin ＋ lentinan, Dufulin ＋ Weijiaxi and Lentinan ＋Weijiaxi also produced certain synergistic effects, with control efficiency of 83.70%, 78.07% and 82.32%, respectively.

Immune Effect of Combination of Universal Molecular Adjuvant and IBDV Subunit

In order to evaluate the immune effect of the protein expressed by the universal vector pET-mLTA-CTLA-4 plus IBDV subunit, the fusion protein mLTA-CTLA-4 was expressed and purified. Protein toxicity tests were carried out on rabbits.The VP2 gene of infectious bursal virus was amplified by RT-PCR, and lately used for pET-VP2 construction. Ten-day-old free healthy chickens were chosen for a grouped test, including the mLTA-CTLA-4（at different doses） plus VP2 groups, IBDV living vaccine group and control group. Serum and mucosal samples were collected regularly and the neutralization titers of IgG and IgA were assayed, while an animal protection test was conducted to determine the protection rate. The results showed that the protein m LTA-CTLA-4 was non-toxic and its protection rate was100%. IgG or IgA levels in the IBDV vaccine group were slightly higher than those in recombinant protein groups. These results indicated that the recombinant protein mLTA-CTLA-4 could be applied with IBDV subunit vaccine to protect chickens from infection.

Mechanism of inhibitor ADS-J1 and ADS-J2 binding to HIV-1 gp41

In order to analyze and explain the mechanism of the two small inhibitors （ADS-JI and ADS-J2） binding to HIV-1 gp41, a computational study is carried out to help identifying possible binding modes by docking these compounds onto the hydrophobic pocket on gp41 and characterize structures of binding complexes. The binding interactions of gp41-molecule and free energies of binding are obtained through molecular dynamics simulation and molecular mechanic/Poisson- Boitzmann surface area （ MM/PBSA ） calculation. Specific molecular interactions in the gp41-inhibitor complexes are identified. The present computational study complements the corresponding experimental investigation and helps establish a good starting point tbr further refinement of small molecular gp41 inhibitors.

Effects of antiviral agents and HBV genotypes on intrahepaticcovalently closed circular DNA in HBeAg-positive chronichepatitis B patients

AIM： To evaluate the effects of antiviral agents and HBV genotypes on intrahepatic covalently closed circular DNA （ccc DNA） in HBeAg-positive chronic hepatitis B patients.METHODS： Seventy-one patients received lamivudine （n = 35）, or sequential therapy with lamivudine- interferon alpha 2b （IFN-α 2b, n = 24） for 48 wk, or IFN-α 2b （n = 12） for 24 wk. All subjects were followed up for 24 wk. Intrahepatic ccc DNA was measured quantitatively by PCR. HBV genotypes were analyzed by PCR-RFLP.RESULTS： Sequential lamivudine- INF-α therapy, lamivudine and INF-α monotherapy reduced ccc DNA of 1.7 log, 1.4 log and 0.8 log, respectively （P 〈 0.05）. Seventeen out of the 71 patieots developed HBeAg seroconversion, the reduction of ccc DNA in the HBeAg seroconversion patients was more significant than that in the HBeAg positive patients （3.0 log vs 1.6 log, P = 0.0407）. Twenty-four weeks after antiviral therapy withdrawal, 16 patients had a sustained virological response, the baseline intrahepatic ccc DNA in the patients with a sustained virological response was significantly lower than that in the patients with virological rebound （4.6 log vs 5.4 log, P = 0.0472）. HBV genotype C accounted for 85.9% （n = 61）, and genotype B for 14.1% （n = 10）, respectively, in the 71 patients. There was no significant difference in the change of ccc DNA level between HBV genotypes C and B （2.1 log vs 1.9 log）.CONCLUSION： Forty-eight week sequential lamivudine- INF-α therapy and lamivudine monotherapy reduce ccc DNA more significantly than 24-wk INF-α monotherapy. Low baseline intrahepatic ccc DNA level may predict the long-term efficacy of antiviral treatment. HBV genotypes C and B have no obvious influence on ccc DNA load.

Inhibition of angiogenesis and HCT-116 xenograft tumor growth in mice by kallistatin

AIM： TO investigate the inhibitory effect of kallistatin （KAL） on angiogenesis and HCT-116 xenograft tumor growth.METHODS： Heterotopic subcutaneous injection of 2 Seven days later, 2 x 1011 injected intratumorally （n tumors were induced by x 106 HCT-11 cells in mice. rAAV-GFP or rAAV-KAL was = 5 for each group）. The mice were sacrificed at d 28, by which time the tumors in the rAAV-GFP group had grown to beyond 5% of the total body weight. Tumor growth was measured by calipers in two dimensions. Tumor angiogenesis was determined with tumor microvessel density （MVD） by immunohistology. Tumor cell proliferation was assessed by Ki-67 staining.RESULTS： Intratumor injection of rAAV-KAL inhibited tumor growth in the treatment group by 78% （171 ＋ 52 mm^3） at d 21 after virus infection compared to the control group （776 ＋ 241 mm^3）. Microvessel density was significantly inhibited in tumor tissues treated with rAAV-KAL, rAAV-KAL also decreased the proportion of proliferating cells （Ki-67 positive cells） in tumors compared with the control group.CONCLUSION： rAAV-mediated expression of KAL inhibits the growth of colon cancer by reducing angiogenesis and proliferation of tumor cells, and may provide a promising anti-angiogenesis-based approach to the treatment of metastatic colorectal cancer.

Inhibition of hepatitis B virus replication by pokeweed antiviral protein in vitro

AIM: To explore the inhibitory effects of pokeweed antiviral protein seed (PAP-S) and PAP encoded by a eukaryotic expression plasmid on hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication in vitro. METHODS: HepG2 2.2.15 cells in cultured medium were treated with different concentrations of PAP-S. HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA in supernatants were determined by ELISA and fluorescent quantitative PCR respectively. MTT method was used to assay for cytotoxicity. HepG2 were cotransfected with various amounts of PAP encoded by a eukaryotic expression plasmid and replication competent wild-type HBV 1.3 fold over- length plasmid. On d 3 after transfection, HBsAg and HBeAg were determined by using ELISA. Levels of HBV core-associated DNA and RNA were detected by using Southern and Northern blot, respectively. RESULTS: The inhibitory effects of PAP-S on HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA were gradually enhanced with the increase of PAP concentration. When the concentration of PAP-S was 10 μg/mL, the inhibition rates of HBsAg, HBeAg and HBV DNA were 20.9%, 30.2% and 50%, respectively. After transfection of 1.0 μg and 2.0 μg plasmid pXF3H-PAP, the levels of HBV nucleocapside- associated DNA were reduced by 38.0% and 74.0% respectively, the levels of HBsAg in the media by 76.8% and 99.7% respectively, and the levels of HBeAg by 72.7% and 99.3% respectively as compared with controls. Transfection with 2 μg plasmid pXF3H-PAP reduced the levels of HBV nucleocapside-associated RNA by 69.0%.CONCLUSION: Both PAP-S and PAP encoded by a eukaryotic expression plasmid could effectively inhibit HBV replication and antigen expression in vitro, and the inhibitory effects were dose-dependent.

Characterization of predominant bacteria isolates from clean rooms in a pharmaceutical production unit

Aims: To screen for the predominant bacteria strains distributed in clean rooms and to analyze their phylogenetic relationships. Methods and Results: The bacteria distributed in air, surfaces and personnel in clean rooms were routinely moni-tored using agar plates. Five isolates frequently isolated from the clean rooms of an aseptic pharmaceutical production workshop were selected based on their colony and cell morphology characteristics. Their physiological and biochemical properties, as well as partial 16S rDNA sequences, were analyzed. Results showed that all the five isolates belong to Gram positive bacteria, of which three were Staphylococcus, one Microbacterium and one Bacillus species. Sensitivity tests for these bacteria isolates to 3 disin-fectants showed that isolate F03 was obtuse, and had low susceptivity to UV irradiation, while isolates F02, F01 and F04 were not sensitive to phenol treatment. Isolates F04, F01 and F05 were resistant to chlorhexidine gluconate. Conclusion: Bacteria widely distributed in clean rooms are mainly a group of Gram positive strains, showing high resistance to selected disinfectants. Sig-nificance and impact of the study: Clean rooms are essential in aseptic pharmaceutical and food production. Screening bacteria isolates and identifying them is part of good manufacturing practices, and will aid in finding a more effective disinfection method.

Photoactivated Activities on Spodoptera litura Cell, Singlet Oxygen and Photostability of Photosensitizers

[Objective ]The aim of this study was to improve the photostability of pho-tosensitizers. [Method] 2,5-Diphenylthiophene and 2,5-dithienylethynylthiophene were synthesized by replacing thiophene rings of α-terthienyl （α-T） with benzene rings. Photoactivated activities on Spodoptera litura （SL） cells, singlet oxygen with UV and photostability of photosensitizers were investigated. [Result] The cytotoxicity of pho-tosensitizer 2,5-diphenylthiophene on SL cells was 0.22 and 0.16 μg/ml after treat-ment for 24 and 48 h, respectively, while that of 2,5-dithienylethynylthiophene on SL cells was 0.06 and 0.04 μg/ml. Singlet oxygen of 2,5-diphenylthiophene and 2,5-dithienylethynylthiophene was 1.047 5, 1.529 4 μg/mmol under UV, respectively. Degradation dynamic equations of 2,5-diphenylthiophene and 2,5-dithienylethynylthio-phene in methanol were Ct= 5.227 1e-0.006 1t, Ct= 5.084 2e-0.097 3t and half life was 111.79, 7.12 h. [Conclusion] Photosensitizer 2,5-diphenylthiophene has high singlet oxygen production ability, and high photoactivated cytotoxicity on SL cells under UV. Moreover, 2,5-diphenylthiophene has overcome the deficiency of photoactivated in-secticides, which is not applied directly in field because it degrades quickly in the environment.

Insulin resistance in H pylori infection and its association with oxidative stress

AIM: To determine the insulin resistance (IR) and oxidative status in H pylori infection and to find out if there is any relationship between these parameters and insulin resistance. METHODS: Fifty-five H pylori positive and 48 H pylori negative patients were enrolled. The homeostasis model assessment (HOMA) was used to assess insulin resistance. Serum total antioxidant capacity (TAC), total oxidant status (TOS) and oxidative stress index (OSI) were determined in all subjects. RESULTS: The total antioxidant capacity was significantly lower in H pylori positive group than in H pylori negative group (1.36 ± 0.33 and 1.70 ± 0.50, respectively; P < 0.001), while the total oxidant status and oxidative stress index were significantly higher in H pylori positive group than in H pylori negative group (6.79 ± 3.40 and 5.08 ± 0.95, and 5.42 ± 3.40 and 3.10 ± 0.92, respectively; P < 0.001). Insulin resistance was significantly higher in H pylori positive group than in H pylori negative group (6.92 ± 3.86 and 3.61 ± 1.67, res- pectively; P < 0.001). Insulin resistance was found to be significantly correlated with total antioxidant capacity (r = -0.251, P < 0.05), total oxidant status (r = 0.365, P < 0.05), and oxidative stress index (r = 0.267, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Insulin resistance seems to be associated with increased oxidative stress in H pylori infection. Further studies are needed to clarify the mechanisms underlying this association and elucidate the effectof adding antioxidant vitamins to H pylori eradication therapy on insulin resistance during H pylori infection.

Novel Antiviral Agents Targeting HIV Entry and Transmission

Studies of the mechanism of HIV entry and transmission have identified multiple new targets for drug development. A range of inhibitors have demonstrated potent antiretroviral activity by interfering with CD4-gp120 interaction,coreceptor binding or viral-cell fusion in preclinical and clinical studies. One of these agents,fusion inhibitor enfuvirtide,is already in clinical use. Here we review the progress in the development of specific entry inhibitors as novel therapeutics. The potential of entry inhibitors as topical microbicides to block HIV transmission is also discussed.

Development of Novel Therapeutics for Chronic Hepatitis B

Chronic infection of hepatitis B virus (HBV) presents one of the serious public health challenges worldwide. Current treatment of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is limited, and is composed of interferon and nucleoside/nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTI). Interferon is poorly tolerated and is only responsive in a small fraction of CHB patients and NRTIs often face the problem of emergence of drug resistance during long-term treatment. The current treatment of CHB can be improved in several ways including genotyping mutations associated with drug resistance before treatment to guide the choice of NRTIs and suitable combinations among NRTIs and interferon. It is important to continue research in the identification of novel therapeutic targets in the life cycle of HBV or in the host immune system to stimulate the development of new antiviral agents and immunotherapies. Several antiviral agents targeting HBV entry, cccDNA, capsid formation, viral morphogenesis and virion secretion, as well as two therapeutic vaccines are currently being evaluated in preclinical studies or in clinical trials to assess their anti-HBV efficacy.

Protective effects of anti-ricin A-chain RNA aptamer against ricin toxicity

AIM： To investigate the therapeutic potential of an RNA ligand （aptamer） specific for the catalytic ricin A-chain （RTA）, the protective effects of a 31-nucleo- tide RNA aptamer （31RA）, which formed a high affinity complex with RTA, against ricin-induced toxicity in cell- based luciferase translation and cell cytotoxicity assays were evaluated. METHODS： To test the therapeutic potential of anti- RTA aptamers in Chinese hamster ovary （CliO） AA8 cells stably transfected with a tetracycline regulatable promoter, ricin ribotoxicity was measured us- ing luciferase and ricin-induced cytotoxicity was ascertained by MTS cell proliferation assay with tet- razolium compound [3-（4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl）- 5-（3-carboxymethoxyphenyl）-2-（4-sulfophenyl）-2H- tetrazolium]. RESULTS： Inhibition of protein synthesis by ricin in CliO AA8 cells resulted in diminished luciferase activity and treatment with polyclonal antibody against degly- cosylated RTA （dgA） neutralized the inhibitory effects of ricin on luciferase activity and protected against ricin-induced cytotoxicity as measured by MTS assay. The 31RA anti-RTA aptamer inhibited the translation of luciferase mRNA in cell-free reticulocyte translation assay. 31RA aptamer also partially neutralized the inhibitory effects of ricin on luciferase activity and partially protected against ricin-induced cytotoxicity in CliO AA8 cells. CONCLUSION： We have shown that anti-RTA RNA aptamer can protect against ricin ribotoxicity in cell- based luciferase and cell cytotoxicity assays. Hence, RNA aptamer that inhibits RTA enzymatic activity represents a novel class of nucleic acid inhibitor that has the potential to be developed as a therapeutic agent for the treatment of ricin intoxication.