During the application of spontaneous or genetically engineered mouse models for retinal diseases,some phenotypes of the models might not be related to the gene (s) of interest or intentional manipulation.This problem often arises from founder effect of inbreed mouse strains.The most impact experiences in vision research community are mouse models incorporated with mutations in Crb1 (rd8),phosphodiesterase 6 beta (Pde6b) (rd1),Gnat2 and RPE65 genes.This paper reviewed the most relevant articles on this matter.We encourage that vision researchers who apply or develop mouse lines to study retinal diseases should carefully track and check the genetic background of their stains and/or choose proper controls in the study design.

Cardiomyopathy, Hypertrophic ; Humans ; Hypertrophy, Left Ventricular

Objective To investigate the effect and the possible mechanism of the apoptosis of neurons and the expression of bcl-2 gene in the neonatal rat brain after different courses of Dexamethasone (DXM). Methods Thirty-four Sprague-Dawley(SD) pregnant rats were randomized into four groups and received different courses of antenatal DXM at the dose of 0.8mg/(kg?d) intramuscularly: (1) Group 1 (n=8) received DXM on the 17th day of gestation only; (2) Group 2 (n=8) received DXM consecutively on the 17th,18th and 19th day of gestation; (3) Group 3 (n=10) received DXM consecutively for 4 days(on 17th,18th,19th and 20th day of gestation); (4) The control group (n=8) received equivalent volumes of isotonic saline intramuscularly consecutively for 4 days (gestational day 17, 18, 19, 20). On the postnatal day 1(P_1), day 7 (P_7) and day 14 (P_ 14 ), sixteen newborns in each group were randomly selected and sacrificed. The weights of the body and the whole brain were measured. Tunel was used to evaluate the apoptosis of neurons, and the content of bcl-2 protein was examined by improved Western Blot. Results (1) The brains weight of the newborn mice on P_1 were (0.301?0.030)g, (0.302?0.026)g, and (0.296?0.025)g in Group 1, 2 and 3, respectively and all significantly lower than that of the control [(0.363?0.041)g, P0.05). Conclusions Repeated doses of antenatal DXM therapy could significantly increase the apoptosis of neurons by down-regulate the bcl-2 expression and handicap the development of newborn mice′ brain.

Objective To search different weeks′ gestation atrioventricular size and cardiac function change in Hb Bart′s fetal edema syndrome. Methods Color Doppler echocardiography was adopted to study 67 cases with Hb Bart′s fetal edema syndrome in different weeks′ gestation.Atrial and ventricular diameter and cardiac function were measured, and compared with those of normal fetuses in same weeks′ gestation.Results In the cases with Hb Bart′s fetal edema syndrome,the heart was enlarged from 25 weeks′ gestation,right atrial enlargement came earliest, along with gestation weeks′ followed with right ventricle,left atrium and left ventricle aggravated enlargement.From 29 weeks′ gestation left and right cardiac diastolic function was involved with complicated pericardial,pleural,peritoneal effusion the damage was clearer.During 33 weeks′ gestation,left and right heart systolic function was involved.From 25 weeks′ gestation,fetal foramen ovale began to enlarge,and the enlarged foramen was difficult to be differentiated from secondary atrial septal defect.Conclusions Echocardiography is sensitive to Hb Bart′s fetal edema syndrome,and provides reliable basis for early clinical intervention.

Objective To measure the setup errors and organ movements of patients with esophagus carcinoma during radiotherapy and find a reasonable margin from the clinic target volume (CTV) to the planning target volume (PTV). Methods (1) Set-up veri cation: Forty-two cases of untreated esophageal cancer were enrolled into this study. The physicist firstly made the planning according to the doctor requests and ensured the best distribution at the target. Thereafter, the 0° and 90° digitally reconstructed radiograph (DRR) was transmitted to the iView GT workshop. Meanwhile, two copies of cross-cut electronic portal image (EPI) were required before radiotherapy. Two doctors confirmed the variance of the osteal mark from the EPI and DRR,and output a 3D direction (left to right, superior to inferior, anterior to posterior) of the setup errors through the iView GT software. (2)Breathing motion:Ten cases of untreated esophageal cancer were enrolled into this study.Three distinct breathing levels were deflned: FB (free breathing), EBH (expiration with breath-held) and IBH (inspiration with breath-held). We gave the treatment planning in FB, then by moving the isocenter to EBH and IBH, we recalculated the dose distribution without changing the field angle, shape and weighing (Mus). Displacements were analyzed at four points (anterior, posterior, right lateral and left lateral) and five levels of target (upper, quarter, isocenter, three-quarter and lower). Results (1) The systematic setup errors were -0.23 cm, -0.02 cm and -0.06 cm, and the random errors were 0.44 cm, 0.45 cm and 0.44 cm at the direction of left to right(LR), superior to inferior (SI), anterior to posterior(AP), respectively. (2) The organ movements were 0.3 cm, 0.6cm and 0.3cm at the LR, SI, AP, respectively. Conclusions As an alternative, the root-sum-of-squares of set-up error and organ motion are suggested by σtot=√ (σITV2+σSM2). The CTV to PTV margins are 0.8cm left to right, 0.78cm superior to inferior, 0.5cm anterior to posterior.

Critical Illness ; Humans ; Pancreatitis, Acute Necrotizing ; diagnosis ; surgery ; therapy

Cochlear Implants ; Congresses as Topic ; Hearing ; Hearing Aids ; Humans

Influenza A virus can create acute respiratory infection in humans and animals throughout the world, and it is still one of the major causes of morbidity and mortality in humans worldwide. Numerous studies have shown that influenza A virus infection induces rapidly host innate immune response. Influenza A virus triggers the activation of signaling pathways that are dependent on host pattern recognition receptors (PRRs) including toll like receptors (TLRs) and RIG-I like receptors (RLRs). Using a variety of regulatory mechanisms, these signaling pathways activate downstream transcript factors that control expression of various interferons and cytokines, such as type I and type III interferons. Thus, these interferons stimulate the transcript of relevant interferon-stimulated genes (ISGs) and expression of the antiviral proteins, which are critical components of host innate immunity. In this review, we will highlight the mechanisms by which influenza A virus infection induces the interferon-mediated host innate immunity.
Cytokines ; immunology ; DEAD Box Protein 58 ; DEAD-box RNA Helicases ; immunology ; Humans ; Immunity, Innate ; Influenza A virus ; Influenza, Human ; immunology ; Interferons ; immunology ; Receptors, Pattern Recognition ; immunology ; Signal Transduction ; Toll-Like Receptors ; immunology

Absorbable Implants ; Adult ; Aged ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pneumothorax ; etiology ; surgery ; Polyglycolic Acid ; Silicosis ; complications ; surgery ; Surgical Sponges

Objective To study the physical and chemical properties of silibinin; To lay foundation for optimal formulation design.Methods The high performance liquid chromatography method was used to detect the equilibrium solubility of silibininin in various solutions. The partition coefficients of silibinnin in the n-octalution-water and n-octalution-buffer solution systems were determined by shaking flask method. The destructive tests were carried out on silibinin.Results The equilibrium solubility of silibininin at 25℃ was 1.352 mg/L in water and the largest in acetonitrile, and increased in basic buffer solutions and after adding surfactants, of which sodium dodecyl benzene sulfonate was the strongest in solubilizing ability. The apparent oil-water partition coefficient of silibinnin was 61.39. Silibinnin was unstable in the acidic, basic, oxidizing and reducing solutions.Conclusion The experiment results can provide references for designing new preparations of silibinin.