[Species Identification Based on Morphological Variability of Femur].

Objective: To study the morphological characteristics of femurs of adult human and 11 kinds of adult animals from cattle, horses, pigs, goats, sheep, dogs, cats, rabbits, geese, ducks, chickens, and to establish an effective species identification method among various species.

Methods: The 4 cm mid-diaphyseal segment of the femur from adult human (older than 20 years old) at autopsy was obtained. Addi-tionally, the 4 cm ones from 11 kinds of adult animals were obtained.

[Influences of cycle index and volume on sensitivity of DNA detection].

Objective: To explore the feasibility of improving the sensitivity of DNA detection by increasing the PCR cycle index and decreasing the volume of amplifying system.

Methods: The DNA of semen were collected from 10 healthy irrelevant volunteers, and were quantified to 50, 40, 30, 25, 20, 15, 10 pg/microL, separately. All samples were then amplified in 10, 5, 3 microL volume and at 28, 30, 32, 34, 36 cycles, respectively.

Value of radiographic esophageal imaging in determining an optimal atrial septal puncture site for percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty.

Objective: To investigate the value of radiographic esophageal imaging in facilitating transseptal catheterization in patients undergoing percutaneous balloon mitral valvuloplasty.

Subjects And Methods: A total of 468 patients were randomized into either the study group (n = 234), in which radiographic esophageal imaging by the oral administration of a contrast media took place, or the control group (n = 234), in which the Ross technique was used. Of the 468 patients, 203 were males and 265 were females.

Effects of folic acid on cardiac myocyte apoptosis in rats with streptozotocin-induced diabetes mellitus.

Background: The effect of folic acid on cardiac myocyte apoptosis secondary to diabetes is unknown.

Methods: Diabetic rats were divided into diabetic control (DC, n = 11), low-dose (LDF, 0.4 mg/kg/day, n = 12) and high-dose (HDF, 1.

[Comparative research of the influence factors of DNA extraction of bloodstain on the filter paper with Chelex-100 method].

Objective: To improve DNA extraction from bloodstain on the filter paper and to establish a rapid, simple, and cost-effective method for DNA extraction suitable for database construction.

Methods: Seven hundred and fifty two aged bloodstains on filter paper were randomly divided into four groups. The four different DNA extraction methods were compared with each other, and two DNA extraction methods used for 63 fresh bloodstains on filter paper were also compared with each other.

[Effect of interleukin-6 on gene expression of certain cytokines during wound healing process of mouse skin].

To examine the effect of the interlukin-6 (IL-6) in wound healing process, gene expression profiles of cytokines including interlukin-1alpha (IL-1alpha), interlukin-1beta (IL-1beta), keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC), macrophage inflammatory protein-1alpha (MIP-1alpha), and macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2) during the skin wound healing on the IL-6(+/+) and IL-6(-/-) mice were detected using immunochemical staining and RT-PCR methods at different phases after wound. The results showed that these cytokines were expressed at early phage after wound, and a expressing peak were found on the third day after wound, and decreased on the sixth day after wound. Meanwhile, on the third and sixth day after wound, all the levels of the five cytokines expressed of the IL6(-/-) mice were significantly lower than those of the IL-6(+/+) mice, but on the first day after wound, only the levels of MIP-1alpha and KC of the IL-6(-/-) mice were lower.

Essential involvement of IL-6 in the skin wound-healing process as evidenced by delayed wound healing in IL-6-deficient mice.

To clarify interleukin (IL)-6 roles in wound healing, we prepared skin excisions in wild-type (WT) and IL-6-deficient BALB/c [knockout (KO)] mice. In WT mice, the wound area was reduced to 50% of original size at 6 days after injury. Microscopically, leukocyte infiltration was evident at wound sites.