Objective To explore the factors relating to serum lutein level in elderly patients with early age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Methods 102 early AMD patients diagnosed by international diagnostic criteria were selected.The level of serum lutein was measured by HPLC,and dietary intake was estimated by food-frequency questionnaire (FFQ).The factors relating to serum lutein level were analyzed by Pearson correlation and multiple regression analysis models.Results Serum lutein level was higher in female AMD patients than in male AMD patients [(0.33±0.31) μmol/L vs.(0.21 ±0.19) μmol/L,t=2.21,P＜0.05].Serum lutein level was positively correlated with dietary lutein (r=0.49,P＜ 0.001),but not correlated with age,BMI,and other nutrient intake after adjustment for caloric intake.Dietary lutein was mainly from corn,spinach,leeks,eggs,chrysanthemum,pumpkin,broccoli,lettuce,asparagus and peas.Intakes of spinach,pumpkin,asparagus were significantly associated with serum lutein level.Conclusions Elderly patients with AMD should increase the intakes of lutein-rich vegetables to increase the serum lutein level.

· AIM:To determine whether the multifocal visual evoked potential (mfVEP) can be used as a clinical method to assess the patients with optic nerve disease.· METHODS: Fifteen patients with optic nerve disease were examined in this study. All patients underwent visual acuity examination, slit-lamp inspection, ophthalmoscopy, Goldmann perimeter, fundus fiuorescein angiography, visual field and mfVEP. Although these patients with unilateral optic nerve damage,data from both eyes were included in the analysis.· RESULTS:In all patients the visual fields defect was demonstrated on the mfVEP and showed good correspondence in location of the scotoma. However, we also found some slight difference between visual field and mfVEP. In some locations, when the local visual fields were normal, mfVEP showed that its amplitude reduced. In reverse, when the local mfVEP seemed normal, visual field showed abnormity.· CONCLUSION:Multifocal visual evoked potential could be used as a clinical diagnosis option in patients with optic nerve disease. Local monocular damage to the optic nerve can be measured by an interocular comparison of the mfVEP.

BACKGROUND:The interaction of neural network and motor function in post-stroke brain tissue remains unclear.
OBJECTIVE:To observe neural network impairment fol owing subacute stroke by using diffusion tensor imaging, and to investigate the relationship with neurological defects and motor dysfunction.
METHODS:A total of 19 patients after subactue stroke and 20 healthy adults were examined with diffusion tensor imaging. The fol owing parameters were compared:fractional anisotropy, apparent diffusion coefficient, asymmetry indices of fractional anisotropy and apparent diffusion coefficient. The neurological defect and motor function were evaluated with the corresponding scales. The 10-meter walking speed was measured. The correlation of diffusion tensor imaging parameters with the scale scores and 10-meter walking speed was analyzed.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The stroke group exhibited reduced fractional anisotropy value asymmetry and fractional anisotropy value in bilateral posterior limbs of the internal capsule. Apparent diffusion coefficient value asymmetry and apparent diffusion coefficient value in the posterior limb of the internal capsule were lower than control unaffected side (P<0.05). Apparent diffusion coefficient value and apparent diffusion coefficient value asymmetry in posterior limb of the internal capsule showed a strong negative correlation with Fugl-Meyer assessment scores of the lower extremities (P<0.05). Diffusion tensor imaging parameters is closely linked with motor dysfunction of the lower extremities in subacute stroke patients. Local stroke lesion-caused neurological defect is the leading cause of motor dysfunction of the lower extremities.

Objective To explore the outcome of body-weight-supported treadmill training on the kinetic data of lower limb in early stage of stroke.Methods Twenty-seven hemiplegic stroke patients at early stage were recruited and randomized to an experimental group(n =15) and a control group (n =12).Both groups were administered with routine neurological interventions.In addition,the control group was treated with conventional physiotherapy and over-ground walking training,while the experimental group was treated with body-weight-supported treadmill training.The speed of the treadmill walking was started at 0.22 m/s and increased to 0.60 ～ 0.80 m/s gradually.The percentage of the body-weight being supported was not more than 30％,the training time was 5 min per session at the beginning and was increased gradually to 20 ～ 40 min.Kinetic parameters were measured by using two force plates (AMT) and six cameras capture svstem (Vicon Nexus),and motor function was evaluated using Fugl-Meyer Assessment (FMA) at baseline and after three-week's therapy.Peak moment of lower limb joints,ground reaction force and motor function were analyzed.Results FMA scores were significantly improved (P ＜ 0.05) in both groups after treatment,but there was no significant differences (P ＜ 0.05) between the two group.Ground reaction force was significantly increased (P ＜ 0.05) after treatment in the experiment group,but not in control group (P ＞ 0.05).It showed that the hip extension moment at the affected side was significantly lower (P ＜ 0.05) in experiment group than in the control group,the ankle joint flexion and extension moment peak were improved to a significantly larger extend in the experimental group (P ＜ 0.05) than in the control group.In addition,the peak flexion and extension moment of the hip-knee joint and peak flexion and extension moment of the knee-ankle joint were also significantly different from those of the control group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Body-weight-supported treadmill training can facilitate motor recovery of paretic extremity by increasing ground reaction force and load support of the affected lower limb,and help normalize the abnormal gait pattern of lower extremity of stroke patients.

BACKGROUND:Most stroke patients affected walking dysfunction. Virtual reality-enhanced body weight-supported treadmil training has been proposed as a strategy for gait training of cerebral infarction subjects.
OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effectiveness of virtual reality-enhanced body weight-supported treadmil training on lower limb motor function in subacute cerebral infarction patients.
METHODS:Twenty cerebral infarction patients (within 3 months of onset) were randomly divided into experiment group (virtual reality-enhanced body weight-supported treadmil training) and control group (conventional physiotherapy). Three-dimensional gait analysis in lower limb motor function was carried out before and after 3-week gait training. Intergroup and intragroup comparisons in the fol owing parameters were done before and after training:walking speed, cadence, step time, single limb support time (%), double limb support time (%), nonparetic swing (%), step length, pace, range of motion in the lower limb, functional ambulation category, Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the lower limbs and Brunel Balance Assessment.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:No significant differences in patient’s gender, age, course of disease, affected. side, walking speed, functional ambulation category, Fugl-Meyer Assessment of the lower limbs and Brunel Balance Assessment were detected between the two groups before training (P>0.05). Fugl-Meyer Assessment and functional ambulation category were improved in patients of the two groups after training (P<0.05). The improvement in walking speed, cadence, step time in affected side, step time in healthy side, single limb support time in affected side (%), nonparetic swing (%), pace, step lengths in affected and healthy sides were better in the experimental group than those in the control group.

AIM: To determine whether hydroxyapatite modified titanium promotes superior adhension and proliferation of rabbit corneal fibroblast in comparison with pure titanium.METHODS: We used bioactive hydroxyapatite to modify titanium surfaces. Fourth passage fibroblasts of rabbit cornea were seeded on hydroxyapatite modified titanium surfaces, pure titanium and glass surfaces. Cell adhension, proliferation and morphology were detected at 24 hours, 48 hours, and 72hours using a acridine orange stain. Further studies of cell morphology were performed using scanning electron microscopy.RESULT: Ceil counts were significantly greater on hydroxyapatite modified titanium surfaces at each time point(P＜0.05).At 24 hours, cell spreading was greater on hydroxyapatite-coated titanium and glass than on the pure titanium. At 72 hours, compared with pure titanium and glass surfaces, the cells on hydroxyapatite modified titanium surfaces had greater spreading area and longer stress fibers.CONCLUSIONS: Hydroxyapatite modified titanium promotes superior adhension and proliferation of rabbit corneal fibroblast in comparison with pure titanium.

Using the character of natural aggregation of CHO cells, and an ultrasonic and sedimentation column combined perfusion system to promote cells aggregation and retention into bioreactor,recombinant CHO cell strain MK3-A2 was cultured,which could secrete rhTNK-tPA, by a serum-free perfusion culture system. The culture periods in this two experiments were as long as 77 and 110 days respectively. The cells density reached 2?107 cells /ml. The average volumetric productivity of rhTNK-tPA was 89 mg/L?d, and the highest one was 216mg/L?d.The cells aggregation rate was approximately 90%, and the diameters of most of them were 285～570?m. During the perfusion culture the cells retention rate almost kept in 95% and the viability of cells was more than 85%.Thus, it means that aggregation culture with such perfusion system could be used to scale up produce biopharmaceuticals instead of microcarrier culture system.

Objective To analyze the influence of different factors and their relating correlation results on platelet transfusion during the bone marrow empty window period on the patients who have undergone allogeneic peripheral blood stem cell transplantation (allo-HSCT) with retrospective analysis of case-control data.Methods Clinical data of 153 cases were collected by the clinical blood management and evaluation information system with discharge diagnosis of allo-HSCT in the hematology department of The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University within a time frame from January 2014 to December 2016.A total of 90 cases were considered valid for retrospective analysis according to the case exclusion criteria.The average transfusion dose for patients with allo-HSCT during the bone marrow empty window period was defined as the threshold value which divided the 90 cases into the observation group of 38 cases receiving more than 6 Units of platelet transfusion and the control group of 52 cases with less than 6Units of platelet transfusion.The amount of platelets transfused during the bone marrow empty window period,clinical indexes include Hb,ANC,Plt,SF before pretreatment,platelet engraftment time and the number of mononuclear cells implanted were compared and analyzed by Logistic regression.Results (1) There was no significant difference between the two groups in gender,age,primary diagnosis,HLA matching,Hb before pretreatment and the number of mononuclear cells implanted (P＞0.05).The ANC(×109/L) (1.24±0.57 vs 3.36±1.33) and Plt(×109/L) (43.55±68.29 vs 126.62±84.73) counts before pretreatment in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).SF(μg/L) (2351.05 ± 1 587.96 vs 1 000.96± 362.97)before pretreatment and P LT recovery time (d) (16.84± 2.47 vs 12.73 ± 1.65)was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05).Donor-recipient ABO blood group typing incompatibility (15 vs 10) was significantly higher than the control group (P＜0.05);(2) Single factor Logistic regression analysis showed that ABO blood group matching,clinical indexes include ANC,Plt,SF before pretreatment,PLT recovery time were statistically significant,Only ANC before pretreatment and PLT recovery time had significant effect on the platelet transfusion during bone marrow empty window period in patients with allo-HSCT in multivariate Logistic regression analysis(P＜0.05).Condusion The ANC before pretreatment and PLT recovery time are independent factors for platelet transfusion of the bone marrow empty window period in patients with allo-HSCT.The PLT recovery time is an independent risk factor,which indicates that the longer the duration of PLT implantation,the greater the amount of platelet transfusion will be needed.Besides,the ANC before pretreatment is the independent protective factor,which indicates that the greater the ANC,the smaller the amount of platelet transfusion is required.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of 2,3,4',5-tetrahydroxystilbene-2-O-β-D-glucoside (TSG), an active component extracted from the root of Polygonum multiflorum, on angiotensin II (Ang II)-induced proliferation of cultured rat vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) and to identify the potential mechanism.

METHODSCell proliferation and cell cycle were determined by cell counting, 5-bromo-2'-deoxyuridine incorporation assay, proliferating cell nuclear antigen protein expression and flow cytometry. Levels of phosphorylated extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), mitogenic extracellular kinase 1/2 (MEK1/2) and Src in VSMCs were measured by Western blot. The expression of c-fos, c-jun and c-myc mRNA were measured by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Intracellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) was measured by fluorescence assay.

RESULTSTSG significantly inhibited Ang II-induced VSMCs proliferation and arrested cells in the G /S checkpoint (P<0.05 or P<0.01). TSG decreased the levels of phosphorylated ERK1/2, MEK1/2 and Src in VSMCs (P<0.05 or P<0.01). TSG also suppressed c-fos, c-jun and c-myc mRNA expression <0.05 or P<0.01). In addition, the intracellular ROS was reduced by TSG (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSTSG inhibited Ang II-induced VSMCs proliferation. Its antiproliferative effect might be associated with down-regulation of intracellular ROS, followed by the suppression of the Src-MEK1/2-ERK1/2 signal pathway, and hence, blocking cell cycle progression.

Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Extracellular Signal-Regulated MAP Kinases ; metabolism ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Intracellular Space ; metabolism ; Male ; Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinase Kinases ; metabolism ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; cytology ; drug effects ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; metabolism ; Stilbenes ; pharmacology ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo identify a rare subtype of the ABO blood group system and explore its molecular basis.

METHODSBased on a standard serological assay, ABO subtype and haplotype were analyzed through PCR amplification of the 7 exons and adjacent introns of the ABO gene and TA clone sequencing.

RESULTSForward typing showed a B type, while reverse typing demonstrated an extremely weak anti-B on routine gel analysis, which indicated a forward and reverse typing discrepancy. Absorption-elution testing confirmed that there was no A antigen on the surface of patient's red blood cells. Sequencing of the ABO gene showed a G>A exchange at position 523 in exon 7, which resulted in a Val to Met substitution at codon 175. Clone sequencing of the amplificons of the ABO gene showed an ABO* Bw14/O01 heterozygote genotype.

CONCLUSIONMolecular method is useful for the identification of ambiguous blood groups. A 523G>A substitution of the ABO gene resulting in a Bw14 subtype probably underlies the weak B phenotype noted in the patient.

ABO Blood-Group System ; genetics ; Exons ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phenotype ; Polymerase Chain Reaction