Background Normal adult optic disc rim width follows inferior ≥ superior ≥ nasal ≥ temporal (ISNT) rule.Analysis of the optic disc structural parameters with Heidelberg retina tomograph (HRT) can understand whether ISNT principle is suitable to other optic disc structure parameters.Objective This study was to investigate the characteristics of optic nerve head structure parameters in normal Chinese adults.Methods The parents of twins who participated Guangzhou Twin Eye Study were enrolled in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center from 2006 June to 2011 August.All subjects received the routine eye examinations,including visual acuity,slit lamp microscope,direct ophthalmoscope examination,auto-refraction examination and HRT Ⅲ examination.All data from the right eyes were collected and analyzed.HRT values from different quadrants of optical nerve head were compared with one-way analysis of variance,and the multiple comparison between quadrants was carried out by Bonferroni test.The differences of optical nerve head parameters in different gender were analyzed using independent sample t test and Bland-Altman test.Results In this study,1672 eyes of 1672 subjects were included,with the 759 male and 913 female persons and average age of (41.8±5.3)years.No significant differences were seen in the disc area (DA)between the superior and inferior,as well as the nasal and temporal quadrants among the subjects (P＞0.05).In addition,there were not significantly different in the rim area (RA) between the superior and nasal disc as well as the rim volume (RV) among the inferior,superior and nasal disc (P＞O.05).However,significant differences were found in the cup area (CA),cup/disk area ratio (C/DAR),cup volume (CV),mean cupdepth (MCD),maximum cup depth (MxCD),height variation contour (HVC),cup shape measure (CSM),mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (mRNFLT) and retinal nerve fiber layer cross section area (RNFLcsa) among the different quadrants (P＜0.001).The local differences from only DA and RA complied with an ordination of the ISNT rule.The values of DA,CA,C/DAR,CV,MCD,MxCD from male individuals were higher,but those of the RV,HVC,mRNFLT RNFLcsa were lower in comparison with female individuals.Nevertheless,all the differences were ＜ 0.1 with a maximal mean difference in DA and CA (both 0.07 mm2).Conclusions The optical nerve head configurations measured by HRT have different distributing characteristics in four quadrants in normal adults.Most parameters show the higher values in the inferior and superior than those in nasal and temporal of disc,but DA and RA meet ISNT rule.The differences of most parameters between male and female subjects can be ignored.

Background Heidelberg Retinal Tomograph (HRT) has been widely used in clinical diagnosis of glaucomatous optic neuropathy,importantly,the measurement results of HRT may be affected by myopia.Therefore,studying the effect of different refractive status and axial length on structural parameters of the optic disc is important.Objective This study was to evaluate the influence of refractive error and axial length to optic nerve head parameter measured by HRT.Methods The parents who participate in Guangzhou Twin Study were enrolled in this investigation from July 2006 to August 2011.The regular eye examinations,including visual acuity,slit lamp,fundus,auto-refraction,HRT-Ⅲ and intraocular lens (IOL) Master,were performed on all the subjects.Thc data from right eyes of subjects were collected and analyzed.The linear correlation analysis and multiple linear regression analysis were applied to analyze the correlation between HRT optic papilla configuration parameter and equivalent sphere and ocular axis length.Results A pilot prospective series cases observational study was designed.1748subjects were enrolled in this study.The disc area (DA) (P=0.021),rim area (RA) (P＜0.001),rim volume (RV) (P＜0.001),mean retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (mRNFLt) (P＜0.001) and retinal nerve fiber layer cross section area (RNFLcsa) in the high myopia were greater than those of the emmetropic group,with significant difference between the two groups (P＜0.001).However,the cup area (CA),cup/disk area ratio (C/DAR) and cup volume (CV) were less in the high myopic group than those of the emmetropic group (P=0.004,P＜0.001 and P＜O.001),respectively.In the mild-moderatc myopic group,the RV,mRNFLt and RNFLcsa were greater than those of the emmetropic group (all of the P value less than 0.001),but the numbers of DA,CA,C/DAR,and CV were less than those of the emmetropic group,the differences were significant and their P valuables were 0.038,＜ 0.001,＜0.001 and 0.001 respectively.The differences of structure parameters between the hyperopia group and the emmetropic group were not statistically significant (P＞0.05).The DA,CA,RA,C/DAR,CV,RV,mean cup depth (MCD),maximum cup depth (MxCD),cup shape measure (CSM),mRNFLt and RNTLcsa were (2.04±0.43) mm2,(0.49±0.34) mm2,(1.55 ± 0.34) mm2,0.23-0.13,(0.11 ± 0.12) mm3,(0.45 ± 0.19) mm3,(0.21 ± 0.09) mm,(0.60±0.21) mm,-0.21 ± 0.07,(0.29 ± 0.07) mm and (1.46 ± 0.36)mm2,respectively,in the 1748 eyes of 1748 subjects.No significant correlation was found between the DA value with SE (r=-0.032,P =0.186).However,weaker positive correlations were seen between the CA,C/DAR,CV,MCD,MxCD with SE (r=0.139,0.163,0.130,0.004,0.054,P＜ 0.05) and negative correlation between RA,RV,mRNFLt and RNFLcsa with SE (r =-0.178,-0.331,0.241,-0.239,P＜0.001).With the increase of the ocular axial length,the DA,RA,RV,mRNFLt and RNFLcsa values were enlarged,and the CV value was smaller.With the increase of CA,the RA,C/DAR,CV,RV,MCD,MxCD,CSM and RNFLcsa values elevated,but mRNFLt value was decreased.Conclusions Refractive error is not associated with DA,but the measuring results are different among various refractive groups.Refractive error,ocular axial length and DA affect the measuring result of HRT.

OBJECTIVETo study the growth rules, the output and the influence factors of cultivated Phyllanthus urinaria, and provide basis for standardized cultivation.

METHODOrthogonally designed field experiments with three factors and three levels, comparing the characters of cultivated plants and the wild ones of P. urinaria.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONUnder the manual planter condition, the characters, such as branching number, single dry weight, single output etc, enhanced enormously, and the increase of single output reaches 3.27 times. The sowing time was the most sensitive factor, which affected the single character and the yield per unit of area, whereas the different levels of sowing thickness and fertilizer also remarkably influenced the output. When the seeds were sowed at the mid-April earlier period, drilling with the 20 cm row spacing, they started to emerge about 1 week later, the growth flush period was from June to August, the growth slowed down in September, and the output per hectare could reach to 5.750 kilograms at harvest in late October.

Fertilizers ; Phyllanthus ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Plants, Medicinal ; anatomy & histology ; growth & development ; Seasons ; Seeds ; growth & development

Firstly discovered in 1980s,human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) continues to affect more and more people.However,there is no effective drug available for the therapy of HIV infection.Betulinic acid existing in various medicinal herbs and fruits exhibits multiple biological effects,especially its outstanding anti-HIV activity,which has drawn the attentions of many pharmacists.Among the derivatives of betulinic acid,some compounds exhibited inhibitory activities at the nanomolar concentration,and have entered phase Ⅱ clinical trials.This paper summarizes the current investigations on the anti-HIV activity of betulinic acid analogues,and provides valuable data for subsequent researches.

Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Membrane Proteins ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study the change of paeonol and paeoniflorin, the two major active ingredients contained in Cortex Moutan cultivated in Dianjiang county of Chongqing, due to the change of some influence factors, and explore suitable plant conditions and quality cotrol methods of Cortex Moutan.

METHODPaeonol and paeoniflorin were determined by HPLC in samples from Dianjiang.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe ratio of paeonol and paeoniflorin in Cortex Moutan was regularly influenced by altitude, the growth years and harvest time. Cortex could be cultivated at altitude of 400 m to 800 m but 600 m is the best aria because of the peak of the percentage composition of paeonol and paeoniflorin at 600 m. The first and middle third of October in the fifth year is the best picking time of Cortex Moutan because of the maximum of the percentage composition of paeonol and paeoniflorin.

Acetophenones ; analysis ; Altitude ; Benzoates ; analysis ; Bridged-Ring Compounds ; analysis ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; analysis ; Monoterpenes ; Paeonia ; chemistry ; Plant Bark ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Seasons ; Soil

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of total saponins of Rubus parviflolius (TSRP) on brain edema and blood brain barrier in rats.

METHODThe model of local cerebral ischemia was established in rats by reversible inserting a nylon thread into the anterior cerebral artery through the internal carotid artery brain hydrated amount and content change of Evan' s blue (EB) in cortex subjected to 2h middle cererbral artery occlusion (MACO) followed by 6 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h reperfusion and effect of TSRP. penetrability of blood brain-barrier (BBB) the index includes brain hydrated amount and penetrability of blood brain-barrier BBB.

RESULTCom- pared with I/R group. Both brain hydrated amount and the EB content decreased significantly in TSRP groups on the 6 h, 24 h, 48 h, 72 h of reperfusion after 2 hour of cerebral ischemia induced by MACO model.

CONCLUSIONTSRP could decrease brain hydrated amount and markedly lower permeability of blood-brain barrier subjected to 2 h MACO followed by 24 h reperfusion, and this may be a mechanism of TSRP alleviating brain edema during I/R.

Animals ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; drug effects ; Brain Edema ; drug therapy ; etiology ; pathology ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; complications ; Male ; Phytotherapy ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; complications ; Rosaceae ; chemistry ; Saponins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe the protective effects of total glycosides Rubus parviflolius (TGRP) on local cerebral ischemic.

METHODThe local cerebral ischemia in rat was made by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MACO). The infraction weight was determined by TTC stain. SOD, MDA, GSH and apoptotis were determined with different method respectively.

RESULTTGRP 20, 10 mg x kg(-1) ig markedly improved the abnormal nervous symptoms, incredsed the SOD, GSH activity and reduced contentes of MDA in brain of MACO rat, TGRP 20 mg x kg(-1) ig significantly decreased the numbers of apoptotic cells in ischemic cortex.

CONCLUSIONTGRP has protective effects against cerebral infraction, and its mechanism may be related to anti-apoptotis and free radical.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Behavior, Animal ; drug effects ; Brain ; metabolism ; pathology ; Glycosides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rosaceae ; chemistry

Objective To investigate the protective mechanism of sodium butyrate on inflammatory response and neuronal apoptosis in mice with acute cerebral ischemia-reperfusion injury.Methods A total of 124 ICR mice were randomly divided into 4 groups (n =31):sham-operated group,model group,low-dose group (sodium butyrate at a dose of 5 mg · kg-1) and high-dose group (sodium butyrate at a dose of 10 mg· kg-1);The rat model of middle cerebral artery occlusion was established using the modified Zea-Longa suture method (after a 2 h-blood flow blocking,string-fastening device was removed to induce reperfusion).Sham operation group:bilateral common carotid arteries in mice were exposed without vascular ligation,and then skin was sutured.On the basis of the sham group,the model group,the low-dose group and the high-dose group received bilateral common carotid artery ligation (untied 30 min later),and gavage treatment 2 h after reperfusion.The mice in each group were sacrificed at 24 h after operation.WST-1 was used to detect superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity,the level of malonyldialdehyde (MDA) was measured by thiobarbituric acid (TBA);The expression of B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2),Bcl-2 Associated X (Bax),serine/threoninekinase (Akt) and phosphorylated Akt (p-Akt) protein in the brain tissue of mice were determined by Western blot;The levels of IL-8,IL-1 β and TNF-α were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results After treatment,the levels of SOD in model group,sham-operated group and high-dose experimental group were (115.46 ± 25.07) (153.65 ± 34.81) (146.88±15.63) U·mg-1,MDAwere(2.13±0.27),(1.42±0.07),(1.43±0.08)nmol·mg-1;The levels of IL-13 in the model group,sham-operation group and high--dose group were (17.82 ± 3.60) (7.64 ± 1.14) (10.15 ±2.05) pg·mg-1,TNF-αwere (16.03±1.67),(7.95±0.85),(11.08±0.83) pg·mg-1,IL-8 were (15.03±2.66) (9.52±1.05) (10.28±1.17) pg · mg-1;The Bax/Bcl-2 ratios of the model group,the sham-operated group and the high-dose group were(0.67 ±0.05),(1.00 ±0.00),(1.13 ±0.10);The p-Akt/Akt ratios were (0.72 ±0.06),(1.00 ±0.00),(1.18 ±0.12);Statistically significant differences were found in all the parameters above between the model group and the sham-operated group/high-dose group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Sodium butyrate was able to inhibit the apoptosis of neurons by suppressing inflammatory factors and oxidative stress,increasing the protein expression of Bcl-2 while decreasing that of Bax.

Background: It remains controversial whether palliative primary tumor resection (PPTR) can provide survival benefits to the patients with metastatic colorectal cancer (mCRC) who have unresectable metastases. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether PPTR could improve the survival of patients with mCRC. Methods: We conducted a retrospective study on consecutive mCRC patients with unresectable metastases who were diagnosed at Sun Yat?sen University Cancer Center in Guangzhou, Guangdong, China, between January 2005 and December 2012. Overall survival (OS) and progression?free survival (PFS) after first?line chemotherapy failure were compared between the PPTR and non?PPTR patient groups. Results: A total of 387 patients were identified, including 254 who underwent PPTR and 133 who did not. The median OS of the PPTR and non?PPTR groups was 20.8 and 14.8 months (P < 0.001), respectively. The median PFS after first?line chemotherapy was 7.3 and 4.8 months (P < 0.001) in the PPTR and non?PPTR groups, respectively. A larger proportion of patients in the PPTR group (219 of 254, 86.2%) showed local progression compared with that of patients in the non?PPTR group (95 of 133, 71.4%; P < 0.001). Only patients with normal lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) levels and with carcinoembryonic antigen (CEA) levels <70 ng/mL benefited from PPTR (median OS, 22.2 months for the PPTR group and 16.2 months for the non?PPTR group; P < 0.001). Conclusions: For mCRC patients with unresectable metastases, PPTR can improve OS and PFS after first?line chemo?therapy and decrease the incidence of new organ involvement. However, PPTR should be recommended only for patients with normal LDH levels and with CEA levels <70 ng/mL.