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Objective: To observe the effects of eye acupuncture on motor evoked potential (MEP) and somatosensory evoked potential (SEP) in the patients with incomplete spinal cord injury so as to evaluate its clinical efficacy., Methods: According to the random number table, 90 patients were divided into exercise therapy group, eye acupuncture group and eye acupuncture combined exercise therapy group (combined treatment group), 30 cases in each. In the exercise therapy group, patients were treated with the routine exercise and occupational therapy. Patients of the eye acupuncture group were treated with eye acupuncture at upper jiao region, lower jiao region, liver region and kidney region bilaterally. Patients of the combined treatment group were given the routine exercise and occupational therapy combined with eye acupuncture. All the treatments were conducted once daily, 7 days as one treatment course for 4 treatment courses. Before treatment and 4 weeks after treatment, the motor function, light touch sensation and pinprick sensation, injury grade and clinical efficacy were assessed separately, using the criteria developed by the American Spinal Injury Association. The modified Barthel index(MBI) was adopted to evaluate the activities of daily livings. By monitoring SEP and MEP, the neurophysiological conditions were assessed for spinal cord injury., Results: The total effective rate was 56.7% (17/30), 66.7% (20/30) and 90.0% (27/30) in the exercise therapy group, the eye acupuncture group and the combined treatment group, respectively. The total effective rate in the combined treatment group was higher than those in the other two groups ( P <0.05). Compared with those before treatment, the scores of motor function, light tough sensation and pinprick sensation were all increased after treatment in three groups ( P <0.05), MBI score was increased in both the exercise therapy group and the combined treatment group ( P <0.05), and the latency of SEP (N11, N20, N23, P38) and the Cortical (hand region), Csp, Cortical (leg region) and Lsp of MEP were all shortened in the three groups separately ( P <0.05). After treatment, compared with the exercise therapy group, the score of motor function was increased ( P <0.05), MBI score decreased ( P <0.05) and MEP latency shortened ( P <0.05) in the eye acupuncture group. After treatment, compared with the exercise therapy group and the eye acupuncture group, the scores of motor function, light touch sensation and pinprick sensation, as well as MBI score were all increased ( P <0.05), and the latency of SEP (N11,N20,N23,P38) and MEP shortened ( P <0.05) in the combined treatment group., Conclusion: In treatment of incomplete spinal cord injury, eye acupuncture combined with exercise therapy can significantly increase the excitability of sensory and motor nerve conduction in the spinal cord and cerebral cortex of patients, effectively promote the recovery of patients' motor and sensory function and improve the activities of daily living.

Objective: To establish an animal model of reflux renal damage through bladder outlet obstruction., Methods: Sixty male C57BL/6 mice aged 6-8 weeks were randomly assigned to a control group, a sham operation group, and a partial bladder outlet obstruction (PBOO) group, with 20 mice in each group. Laparotomy were performed on the PBOO mice under anesthesia in order to separate the bladder necks and to perform guided partial ligation of the bladder neck with a metal rod of 0.3 mm diameter. Mice in the sham operation group had laparotomy and had their bladder necks separated without ligation. The control group did not receive any treatment. 7 days after the surgery, 12 surviving mice were randomly selected from each group to observe the general changes of the bladder, ureter, renal pelvis and kidney. Retrograde urography was performed through the bladder. Kidney tissues were extracted for histopathological analysis. The expression levels of Vimentin, proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) were examined with Western blot, immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence staining tests, respectively., Results: Compared with the control and sham operation group, the bladder, ureter, and renal pelvis of the mice in the PBOO group were significantly enlarged, vesicoureteral reflux was more obvious, the kidney volume and mass increased ( P <0.001), and renal parenchyma became thinner ( P <0.000 1). Histopathological staining showed glomerular atrophy, renal tubule expansion, tubulointerstitial inflammatory cell infiltration, glomerular basement membrane hyperplasia and obvious interstitial fibrosis. Western blot, immunofluorescence and immunohistochemistry staining showed that the expression levels of Vimentin, PCNA and α-SMA in kidney tissue were elevated ( P <0.000 1)., Conclusion: After PBOO, the bladder, ureter, and kidney of the mice showed obvious morphological alteration and presented reflux renal fibrosis-like damage. This can be used as an animal model to study the pathological alteration mechanism and therapeutic measures of renal fibrosis caused by bladder outlet obstruction., (Copyright© by Editorial Board of Journal of Sichuan University (Medical Sciences).)

Objective: To explore the diagnostic value of R-banding technique (RT), dual-color fluorescence in situ hybridization (D-FISH) and quantitative real-time PCR (RT-PCR) for acute promyelocytic leukemia., Methods: The cytogenetic characteristics and PML/RARα fusion gene in 340 patients with suspectable APL were analyzed by using 3 detection methods. MICM (morphology, immunology, cytogenetic and molecular biology) was used as diagnostic standard of APL, and the diagnostic value of RT, D-FISH and RT-PCR was evaluated by comparing the detection results of RT, D-FISH and RT-PCR as well as their combination., Results: For the diagnosis of APL, the sensitivity of RT, D-FISH and RT-PCR was 81.3% (78/96), 95.0% (91/96) and 96.9% (93/96) respectively. RT failed to detect 18 cases, the results of D-FISH showed 5 cases with false positive and 2 cases with false negative, the RT-PCR showed 4 cases with false positive, 3 cases with false negative. The sensitivity and specificity of combined detection of 3 methods were 99.97% and 100% respectively., Conclusion: The 3 detection methods alone all have certain defects for diagnosis of APL, but their combined detection is helpful to improve the definitive diagnostic rate and can decrease misdiagnosis rate and missed diagnostic rate.

Objective: To study the clinical features and risk factors of co-morbid tic disorder (TD) in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD)., Methods: A total of 312 children with ADHD were involved in this study. Subtypes of co-morbid TD, incidences of TD in different subtypes of ADHD (ADHD-I, ADHD-HI and ADHD-C) were observed. Thirteen potential factors influencing the comorbidity rate of TD in ADHD were evaluated by univariate analysis and multiple logistic regression analysis., Results: Forty-two of 312 children with ADHD suffered from co-morbid TD (13.5%). Comorbidity rate of TD in children with ADHD-C (24.1%) was significantly higher than in those with ADHD-HI (10.9%) and ADHD-I (8.8%) (P<0.05). There were 21 cases (50.0%) of transient TD, 12 cases (28.6%) of chronic TD, and 9 cases (21.4%) of Tourette syndrome. The univariate analysis revealed 6 factors associated with comorbidity: addiction to mobile phone or computer games, poor eating habits, infection, improper family education, poor relationship between parents and poor relationship with schoolmates. Multiple logistic analysis revealed two independent risk factors for comorbidity: improper family education (OR=7.000, P<0.05) and infection (OR=2.564, P<0.05)., Conclusions: The incidence of co-morbid TD in children with ADHD is influenced by many factors, and early interventions should be performed based on the main risk factors.

Objective: To investigate the safety of assisted reproductive technology (ART) with donated sperm from the sperm bank and the differences in the pregnancy outcomes of different means of promoting pregnancy., Methods: We analyzed and compared the feedback data on promoting pregnancy with donated sperm from the sperm bank by artificial insemination by donor (AID), in vitro fertilization (IVF), and intracytoplasm sperm injection (ICSI)., Results: Totally, 13 723 tubes of sperm specimens were used for ART. The number of specimens used differed in different clinical reproductive centers, some using 1 tube and others using 2 tubes per cycle. The 13 723 tubes were used for a total of 7 743 cycles. Among the 7 123 cycles of AID, there were 1 415 clinical pregnancies (19.87%), 1 221 normal births (86.29%), 169 abortions (11.94%), 6 cases of birth defects (0.43%), 19 ectopic pregnancies (1.34%), and 0 sexually transmitted infection. Among the 571 cycles of IVF, there were 367 clinical pregnancies (64.27%), 330 normal births (89.92%), 35 abortions (9.54%), 0 birth defect, 2 ectopic pregnancies (0.54%), and 0 sexually transmitted infection. Among the 49 cycles of ICSI, there were 28 clinical pregnancies (57.14%), 25 normal births (89.29%), 3 abortions (10.71%), 0 birth defect, 0 ectopic pregnancy, and 0 sexually transmitted infection. There were statistically significant differences in the rate of clinical pregnancy among AID, IVF and ICSI (P < 0.05), but not between IVF and ICSI (P > 0.05), nor were there any significant differences in the rates of abortion, birth defects and ectopic pregnancy among AID, IVF and ICSI (P > 0.05)., Conclusion: None of the recipients of the donated sperm from the sperm bank was infected with sexually transmitted diseases. AID, IVF and ICSI showed no significant differences from natural conception in the rates of abortion, birth defects and ectopic pregnancy. ART with donated sperm from the sperm bank is safe. IVF and ICSI are associated with a higher rate of pregnancy than AID, though the latter costs less than the former two.

Objective: To study the relationship between glutathione S-transferase genes GSTT1 and GSTM1 polymorphisms and the susceptibility to infectious mononucleosis (IM) and acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL) in children., Methods: The case-control study involved 106 children with IM, 41 children with ALL and a control group of 100 children with non-hematologic and nontumorous diseases. The genetic polymorphisms of GSTT1 and GSTM1 were detected with multiplex polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Distribution of the genotypes in the children was analyzed., Results: The frequency of GSTT1 null genotype in children with IM was significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.05). The risk of IM in children carrying GSTT1 null genotype was 2.186 times higher than in those carrying GSTT1 non-null genotype. The children carrying both GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotype had a higher risk of suffering from IM compared to those carrying only one of the null genotypes (OR=4.937). The frequency of GSTM1 null genotype in children with ALL was significantly higher than in the control group (P<0.05). The risk of ALL in children carrying GSTM1 null genotype was 2.242 times higher than in those in carrying GSTT1 non-null genotype. Children carrying both GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotype had a higher risk of suffering from ALL compared with those carrying only one of the null genotypes (OR=8.552)., Conclusions: Children carrying GSTT1 or GSTM1 null genotype have a high risk of suffering from IM or ALL. Still more increased susceptibility to IM or ALL may occur in children who carry both GSTT1 and GSTM1 null genotype. GSTT1 and GSTM1 might play a potential role in the pathogenesis of both IM and ALL.

Objective: To study the regulation of methylation inhibitor 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine on transcription of EphB4 gene and effects on the proliferation and apoptosis of human acute lymphocyte leukemia cell line CEM., Methods: Bisulfite sequencing PCR was used to detect CpG island methylation density in EphB4 promoter. The expression of EphB4 mRNA and protein was determined by Q-PCR and Western blot. MTS assay and flow cytometry were used to detect the apoptosis of CEM cells after treatment with different concentrations of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine (1.0, 2.5 and 5 μmol/L)., Results: Methylation of EphB4 gene promoter was detected in CEM cells (31.4%). The methylation level of EphB4 gene was down-regulated after treatment with various concentrations of 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine. The EphB4 mRNA and protein expression in CEM cells increased after 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment. 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine significantly inhibited the cell growth in dose and time dependent manners. Early apoptosis rates of CEM cells increased from 4.1% to 24.8% 96 hrs after 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine treatment. CEM cells in G1 phase decreased from 62.4% to 46.8%, cells in G2 phase increased from 2.1% to 16.2%, and CEM cells were arrested in G2 phase after treatment with 5 μmol/L 5-aza-2'-deoxycytidine for 96 hrs., Conclusions: 5-Aza-2'-deoxycytidine, an inhibitor of specific methylation transferase, can induce expression of the silent EphB4 gene in CEM cells, inhibit the proliferation of leukemia cells and induce cell apoptosis.

Objective: To study the effects of cerebellar fastigial nucleus (FN) electrical stimulation on telomerase reverse transcriptase expression and mitochondrial apoptotic pathway in rats with focal cerebral ischemia and reperfusion., Methods: A total of 100 adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham operation group, modeling group (2-hour cerebral ischemia, followed by 24, 48 & 72-hour reperfusion) and FN-stimulating group (electrical stimulation of FN for 1-hour one day before 2-hour cerebral ischemia, followed by 24, 48 & 72-hour reperfusion). HE (hematoxylin and eosin) and TTC (triphenyl tetrazolium chloride) staining were used to observe the morphological changes in rat brain and measure the ischemic lesion volumes. The expressions of TERT (telomerase reverse transcriptase) and Bax were detected by immunohistochemical methods and apoptotic cells by TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling). The co-expression of TERT and Bax was detected by immunofluorescence double-labeling plus laser confocal microscopy., Results: The morphological changes in rat brain were less greater in the FN-stimulating group than those in the modeling group. And the size of the cerebral infarct was significantly smaller in the FN-stimulating group (78.1 ± 2.9, 83.1 ± 4.5, 83.7 ± 4.8) than that in the modeling group (120.9 ± 8.2, 137.0 ± 4.2, 141.1 ± 3.3) (P < 0.05) at all reperfusion time points. As compared with the modeling group (16.1 ± 2.7, 16.9 ± 2.4, 11.6 ± 3.5), the FN-stimulating group (31.1 ± 3.5, 30.0 ± 3.4, 18.9 ± 3.3) had a significantly larger number of TERT-positive cells (P < 0.05) and a significantly reduced number of TUNEL-positive cells (49.6 ± 2.8, 67.0 ± 3.7, 46.8 ± 3.2 vs 40.2 ± 3.1, 54.8 ± 2.8, 37.3 ± 2.4) (P < 0.05). The number of Bax-positive cells at different reperfusion time points in the FN-stimulating group was not significantly different from those in the modeling group (P > 0.05). TERT partially co-localized with Bax in the cytoplasm. The number of double-labeled cells was significantly higher in the FN-stimulating group than that in the modeling group (14.1 ± 1.3, 12.9 ± 2.4, 9.0 ± 2.0 vs 8.2 ± 1.1, 6.3 ± 2.4, 6.0 ± 2.9) (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: The expression of TERT significantly increases after a stimulation of FN. TERT may bind to Bax and inhibit Bax-mediated apoptosis by suppressing the mitochondrial relocalization of Bax from cytosol.

Objective: To evaluate the impact of specific siRNA on survivin gene in transfected leukemia cells., Method: The small interfering RNA (siRNA) targeted survivin mRNA was synthesized in vitro and was transfected into K562 cell by Hiperfect into human leukemia cell line K562, which has high survivin expression level. The level of survivin mRNA expression was determined by quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) with SYBR GREEN I. The apoptosis index of cytotrophoblasts were determined and analyzed by FCM (Annexin V-FITC/PI staining methods). The cell proliferation was examined by MTT at 48 h and 72 h after transfection., Result: The level of mRNA expression was significantly inhibited by the siRNA 48 h and 72 h after transfection, the suppression rate of survivin mRNA separately reached 85.21%, 94.35% mensurated by quantitative RT-PCR with SYBR GREEN I, cell proliferation was inhibited significantly by 45.02% and 50.88%, respectively, the apoptotic rate detected by Annexin V-FITC assay reached 12.28%and 21.55%, respectively., Conclusion: The chemosynthesized siRNA targeting survivin could significantly down-regulate survivin mRNA. Survivin siRNA was able to inhibit the proliferation of leukemia cell line K562. Survivin may become a new target for leukemia gene therapy.

Objective: To investigate possible differences in the prognosis in children with severe nocturia who received different drug withdrawal schedules., Methods: Ninety-seven children with severe nocturia were randomly assigned to two groups: control (n=47) and observed (n=50). The control group accepted drug withdrawal immediately, while the observed group accepted dose tapering gradually after a 12-week treatment course. The frequency of enuresis was observed three months after complete drug withdrawal., Results: During the treatment, the frequency of enuresis in all of children from both the control and the observed groups was reduced by over 90%. Forty-six children (92%) from the observed group showed the frequency of enuresis was reduced by over 90%, but 28 children (60%) from the control group (p<0.01) three months after the complete drug withdrawal. There were no significant differences in the adverse effect and the medication compliance between the two groups., Conclusions: The different schedules of drug withdrawal may lead to different prognosis, and the schedule of gradual drug withdrawal may be superior to the immediate one in children with nocturnal enuresis.

Objective: To study the effect of integrin alpha2beta1 on invasion and migration of SK-N-SH neuroblastoma cells., Methods: Neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cell line was cultured in the modified eagle's medium. The effects of monoclonal antibodies to integrin alpha2 and integrin beta1 on migration and invasion were measured by inclined test and polycarbonate filters incorporated in modified Transwell chambers respectively. The migration and invasion cells were stained with Gimsa staining and counted under a 200 multiplied microscope. The blocking rate of migration and invasion of cells was calculated., Results: The number of migrated SK-N-SH cells in the anti-alpha2 and anti-beta1 treatment groups (50.9+/-10.5 and 54.3+/-9.0 respectively) was significantly less than that in the control group without monoclonal antibody treatment (98.1+/-7.4) (P<0.01), with a blocking rate of cell migration of 48.1% and 44.5% respectively. The invasion to matrigel of SK-N-SH cells exposed monoclonal antibodies to integrin alpha2 and integrin beta1 was significantly blocked compared with the control SK-N-SH cells, with the number of invasion cells in the anti-alpha2 and anti-beta1 treatment groups of 25.3 +/- 4.4 and 18.8 +/- 3.9 respectively vs 41.5 +/- 4.8 in the control group (P<0.01). The blocking rate of cell invasion in the anti-alpha2 and anti-beta1 treatment groups was 39.0% and 54.7% respectively., Conclusions: Integrin alpha2beta1 may promote migration and invasion of neuroblastoma cells.

Background & Objective: Multidrug resistance (MDR) is a major obstacle preventing effective treatment of leukemia. The mechanisms of MDR in leukemic cells have been broadly explored, but they are still unclear. We used proteomic tools to screen MDR-related proteins in vincristine-resistant leukemia cell line K562/VCR, and analyzed the mechanism of MDR in leukemia., Methods: Two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE) was used to extract total proteins from K562/VCR and K562 cells. The proteins expressed differentially between the two cell lines were identified by matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization-time of flight-mass spectrometry (MALDI-TOF-MS). The antisense oligonucleotide (ASO) of the protein was transfected into K562/VCR cells; mis-sense oligonucleotide (MSO) of the protein was also transfected as control. The expression of the protein was detected by Western blot. Cell survival was detected by MTT assay. Cell apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry (FCM)., Results: Heat shock protein 27 (HSP27), a differential expression protein between K562/VCR and K562 cells, was identified. When treated with vincristine, the survival rate of K562/VCR cells was significantly lower in HSP27 ASO group than in HSP27 MSO group (P<0.05). The apoptosis rate of K562/VCR cells was significantly higher in HSP27 ASO group than in HSP27 MSO group (16.37% vs. 3.08%, P<0.05)., Conclusion: HSP27 is highly expressed in K562/VCR cells, and the suppression of its expression by HSP27 ASO could enhance chemosensitivity of K562/VCR cells to vincristine.

The representative of carotenoids, beta-carotene, can scavenge reactive oxygen radicals like singlet molecular oxygen, nitrogen dioxide radical and peroxyl radical due to the effective antioxidative properties. In medicine, beta-carotene is used to alleviate the disease erythropoietic protoporphyria (EPP), by intercepting the triplet state of protoporphyrin (a porphyrin lacking a central metalion, a precursor to haem) therefore preventing the formation of singlet oxygen. Epidemiological evidence has suggested that dietary beta-carotene may inhibit certain types of cancer. Much of work has been carried out in benzene, toluene, or chloroform as most caroienoids are sufficiently soluble in these nonpolarity solvents. In the present paper, the generation and properties of triplet beta-carotene in acetonitrile solution were investigated with 355 nm laser flash photolysis. 2-acetonaphthone was used as an excitation energy donor to sensitize the production of the triplet state of beta-arotene. Excitation of the solution containing 2-acetonaphthone and beta-carotene upon 355 nm laser flash produced the triplet of 2-acetonaphthone (420 nm) firstly. Subsequently, the excitation energy of triplet 2-acetonaphthone was transferred to beta-carotene generating triplet beta-arotene. Characteristic absorption spectra of triplet beta-arotene (510 nm) were recorded. By means of transfer of excitation energy, the molar absorption coefficients of triplet beta-arotene were determined to be 23 000 dm3 mol(-1) x cm(-1) at 510 nm. The triplet lifetime for beta-carotene in acetonitrile solution was observed to be 15.6 micros. The rate constant for the reaction of triplet energy transfer from triplet 2-acetonaphthone to beta-carotene was calculated to be 1.5 x 10(10) dm3 x mol(-1) x s(-1). Obviously, the triplet beta-carotene has very low excitation energy. Taking the advantage of the photochemical properties of triplet beta-carotene, beta-Carotene has been widely used as energy acceptor to determine the excited state characteristic of other substance. This work extends the understanding of photochemical properties of beta-carotene.

Objective: To explore the relationship between human cyclin C (CCNC) gene and childhood acute lymphocytic leukemia (ALL)., Methods: The total RNA isolated from myeloid tissues of normal children and of children with newly diagnosed ALL and from ALL cell line 6T-CEM was reversely transcribed into cDNA. Real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR method was used to detect CCNC gene expression., Results: CCNC was expressed in myeloid tissues of normal children and of children with newly diagnosed ALL as well as 6T-CEM. The relative expression level of CCNC gene in children with newly diagnosed ALL was significantly lower than in normal controls (2.35 +/- 0.83 vs 13.5 +/- 0.30; P <0.05)., Conclusions: CCNC gene shows lower expression in children with newly diagnosed ALL, suggesting that it may be a tumor suppressing gene in childhood ALL.

Objective: This study analyzed the clinical data of newly diagnosed childhood leukemia from various hospitals in the cities or counties of Hunan Province between 2002 and 2005 in order to provide references for further epidemiologic survey of childhood leukemia., Methods: The clinical data of children with newly diagnosed leukemia from hospitals of various cities or counties of Hunan Province between 2002 and 2005 were collected and reviewed., Results: There were 803 children with leukemia during 2002-2005. Acute lymphoid leukemia was most commonly seen (597/803, 74.35%), followed by acute non-lymphoid leukemia (192/803, 23.91%) and chronic myelocytic leukemia (14/803, 1.74%). There were no significant differences in the clinical type and the prevalence of leukemia between males and females. The prevalence of newly diagnosed childhood leukemia in the urban area was noticeably higher than that in the rural area (2.02/10(5) vs 1.50/10(5), P < 0.05). 41.79% of children with newly diagnosed leukemia from the urban area received treatments but only 22.80% of patients from the rural area received treatments (P < 0.05)., Conclusions: This study of patients-based hospitals showed some features of the morbidity of childhood leukemia in Hunan Province. It provides references for further epidemiologic investigation of this disease in Hunan Province.

Objective: To locate the cluster region of loss of heterozygosity (LOH) in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL), and explore the new tumor suppressor gene., Methods: Allelic loss was analyzed by PCR with 15 microsatellite markers mapping on 6q16.3. The LOH was analyzed by bioinformatics. The relationship between LOH and clinical factors was further analyzed., Results: The frequency of LOH at least at one loci on 6q16.3 was 32.7%. The LOH in relapsed patients was higher than those in not relapsed. The higher frequency of LOH was observed in two regions of D6S1709-D6S1028 and D6S2160-D6S1580 at 6q16.3. GRIK2 may be a candidate of tumor suppressor gene. There are 12 ESTs may carry out new anti-oncogene. Patients with 6q LOH had higher WBC counts (P < 0.01), blast cells percentage (P < 0.01), relapse rate (P < 0.05) and chromosomal aberration (P < 0.05)., Conclusion: D6S1709-D6S1028 and D6S2160-D6S1580 are two regions of minimus deletion on 6q16.3 in which tumor suppressor gene may exist. The LOH on 6q16.3 may be a prognostic index of children with ALL.

This study was aimed to establish the reference values of blood lymphocyte immunophenotype in healthy adult between Ugyur and Han nationalities in Xinjiang and to compare the difference between these two nationalities in respect to nationality and gender, anticoagulated peripheral blood samples of 75 Ugyur people and 104 Han people were stained with monoclonal antibodies; the lymphocytes were analyzed by flow cytometry for the expression of lymphocyte-population bearing surface markers, the data were analyzed by SPSS 11.0. The results showed that the reference ranges of blood lymphocyte subsets in Uygur and Han adults were as follows: total T cells amounted to 67.85 +/- 8.97% and 69.98 +/- 10.14% respectively; helper T cell to 36.86 +/- 5.74% and 40.07 +/- 6.10% respectively; inhibitor T cell to 26.67 +/- 6.15% and 27.16 +/- 6.29% respectively; CD4/CD8 ratio to 1.46 +/- 0.47 and 1.56 +/- 0.47 respectively; NK cell to 16.91 +/- 9.89% and 12.81 +/- 7.34% respectively; B cell to 10.09 +/- 3.33% and 11.78 +/- 3.81% respectively; CD3(+)/HLA-DR(+) to 10.05 +/- 2.95% and 11.27 +/- 4.98% respectively; CD25(+) cell to 1.76 +/- 5.26% and 4.10 +/- 4.30% respectively. The differences of those two nationalities were mainly in total T cells, NK cell, B cell and CD25(+) cell. Furthermore there were also some differences between male and female. There might exist differences in helper T cells, CD4/CD8 ratio between Ugyur male and female, while this difference in Han lied in inhibitor cell and NK cell. Compared to those of two nationalities, the helper T cell percentage and CD4/CD8 ratio of Uygur male were lower than those in Han male. And in female, Uygur people had higher percent of NK cell (P < 0.01), but lower CD25(+) cell than those in Han's (P < 0.01). In conclusion, the nationalities and gender could influence the reference value of lymphocyte immunophenotype, the reference values of blood lymphocyte immunophenotype in the normal healthy adults of Ugyur and Han nationalities in Xinjiang were defined, and the differences between these two nationalities in respect to nationality and gender were elucidated.

Objective: To establish a rapid, simple and reliable assay with samples of whole blood for diagnosis and epidemiological study on hydatidosis., Methods: The dot immunogold filtration assay kit was developed and potato agglutinin was applied to blot blood quickly., Results: Among 1 678 persons from prevalent area, the positive rate of DIGFA was 8.469 while that of image examination was 3.04%. Both DIGFA and image technique showed positive results in 43 cases. 8 cases with positive image but negative DIGFA were followed up for 16 months, which turned out that 3 cases with necrotic hydatid cysts, 2 cases with calcified hydatid cysts and 2 cases with benign hepatic cysts. 99 cases with positive DIGFA but negative image were also followed up for 16 months, 3 pulmonary hydatid cases were confirmed. Among 38 cases proved by operation and histopathology, the positive rate of DIGFA was 89.5%. 52 samples from non-prevalent area all showed negative DIGFA. Another 40 non-hydatidosis cases (10 samples of hepatic hemangioma, 10 of non-parasitic cysts of liver, 10 of primary hepatic carcinoma, 6 of pulmonary tuberculosis, 4 of lung cancer) also showed negative DIGFA. 190 samples were selected randomly and detected blindly by DIGFA with whole blood, DIGFA with serum and ELISA with serum to evaluate their diagnostic effect with no statistical difference (P>0.05)., Conclusion: The DIGFA kit is rapid, simple and reliable in epidemiological study of hydatid disease, with an advantage of using whole blood sample instead of serum.

Objective: To investigate the association of the T(-344)C polymorphism of aldosterone synthase gene CYP11B2 with essential hypertension in Xinjiang Kazakh isolated population., Methods: The study covered 186 hypertensives and 168 normotensive controls in Xinjiang Kazakh population. The segment of CYP11B2 was amplified from DNA by polymerase chain reaction(PCR). The PCR products were digested by restriction endonuclease., Results: The frequencies of C and T in hypertensive group (0.45 and 0.55) were not significantly different from those in the control group (0.43 and 0.57; chi-square test=0.380, P=0.537). The frequencies of CYP11B2 genotypes of CC, CT and TT were 0.20, 0.50 and 0.30 in hypertensives respectively, and 0.12, 0.61 and 0.27 in controls respectively. There was no significant difference in genotypes between hypertensive group and normotensive group (chi-square test=4.838, P=0.089). But the frequencies of CC genotype were higher in the female hypertensives than in the normotensive controls (chi-square test=6.104, P<0.05)., Conclusion: The results suggested that the T(-344)C polymorphism of CYP11B2 gene may be associated with hypertension in female Kazakh population of Xinjiang Barlikun area.