Molecular Epidemiological Investigation of Thalassemia in the Chengdu Region, Sichuan Province, Southwest China.

Thalassemia is the most common inherited disease in southern China. However, this disorder is usually ignored by the health system in the Sichuan Province due to the lack of epidemiological data. To provide basic epidemiological data for thalassemia screening, genetic counseling, and prenatal diagnosis (PND) in the Chengdu region, a total of 3262 healthy subjects were assessed by complete blood count (CBC), reverse dot-blot gene chip, gap-polymerase chain reaction (gap-PCR), and PCR-DNA sequencing.

[The mechanism of accumulative oxidative injury by hydrogen peroxide on human retinal pigment epithelial cells].

Objective: To explore the effects of oxidative injury induced by hydrogen peroxide on human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells.

Methods: Cultured human RPE cells were treated by 600 micromol/L hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) for 1, 6, 12, 24 and 72 hours. Cell viability was assessed by the MTT assay.

[Sequence analysis of the HA1 regions of hemagglutinin genes of influenza viruses (H3N2) isolated from children in Beijing from 1998 - 2004].

Objective: To characterize the HA1 regions of hemagglutinin gene of influenza viruses (H3N2) isolated from children in Beijing from 1998 - 2004.

Methods: The HA1 regions of hemagglutinin gene were amplified by RT-PCR from the viruses isolated and identified as A3 (H3N2) from clinical samples collected from infants and children during the peak seasons of influenza between 1998 and 2004. PCR products were sequenced or cloned into T-A vector and were analyzed after being sequenced.

[The protective effect of hypoxic preconditioning against light-induced photoreceptor degeneration in mice].

Objective: To study the protective roles of hypoxic preconditioning in light induced retinal injury in a mice model and investigate the possible mechanism of related gene regulation.

Methods: 54 BALB/c mice were randomly divided into simple light exposure group (SL), hypoxic pretreatment group (HP) and control group (CON). The mice of SL and HP were continually exposed to light for 3 h, which built model of light-induced damage.

[Application of molecular biological techniques in the surveillance of influenza viruses in infants and young children].

Objective: To establish a rapid, specific and effective technique for identifying subtyping A(1), A(3) and B of influenza virus isolates and clinical specimens as well as to analyze the sequences of nucleotides and deduced amino acids of HA1 regions from isolates of influenza virus A(3) isolated from 1996 to 2002.

Methods: Six inner and outer sets of oligonucleotide primers were designed to detect, type and subtype human influenza A and B. The first two corresponding sets differentiate type A and B of matrix (M) gene while, the second two corresponding sets identify the H(1) and H(3) subtypes of type A virus HA gene.

Effects of a bioartificial liver support system on acetaminophen induced acute liver failure canines.

AIM:To evaluate the safety and efficacy of the bioartificial liver support system in canines with acute liver failure (ALF).METHODS:Nine canines with acute liver failure by acetaminophen-induced received TECA-I bioartificial liver support system (BALSS) from Hong Kong TECA LTD Co. Blood was perfused through a hollow fiber tube containing (1-2)X10(10) the porcine hepatocytes.