Background It is well known that sclera remodeling occurs during axial elongation in myopia under the control of growth hormone or its downstream effectors.The role of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in myopia has been determined in previous studies.Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) is one of members of the TGF-β superfamily,but if it plays an important role in the genesis and development of myopia is not completely clear.Objective This study was to identify the presence of BMPs in normal guinea pigs sclera and investigate the change of BMPs in the sclera in form-deprivation myopia (FDM) of guinea pigs.Methods Thirty young guinea pigs were randomized into normal control group and experimental group using table of random number.FDM models were established by occluding unilateral eyes of guinea pigs with a translucent lens for 14 days in the experimental group,and the fellow eyes served as the controls.Diopter of all eyes was tested by retinoscopy optometry,and ocular axial length was measured by A-sonography before and after modeling.Posterior sclera tissue of the animals was obtained on 14 days,and the relative expression level of BMPs mRNA and protein were assayed by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blot.The use and care of the animals complied with ARVO Statement.Results On 14 days after occluding of unilateral eyes,the refraction diopter of the experimental group was (-0.48±0.51) D,and that of the fellow eyes was (3.22 ±0.34) D,showing a significant difference between them (t =-12.814,P =0.000).Also,a significant difference in the diopter was seen between the experimental group and normal control group ([-0.48±0.51]D vs.[2.97±0.70]D,t =-11.878,P=0.000).Axial length was (8.30 ± 0.05) mm in the experimental group,(8.11 ±0.06) mm in the fellow eyes and (8.06±0.06) mm in the normal control group,showing a significant increase in the experimental group compared with the fellow eyes and normal control group (t =7.230,P =0.000 ; t =9.084,P=0.000).The expressions of BMP-2 mRNA,BMP-4 mRNA,BMP-5 mRNA in posterior sclera were detected in the normal guinea pigs.Fourteen days after the induction of myopia,the relative levels of BMP-2 mRNA and BMP-5 mRNA in sclera were 0.41 ± 0.11 and 0.65 ± 0.06 in the experimental eyes,which were significantly lower than 0.62 ± 0.07 and 0.84 ± 0.03 in the fellow eyes with the descent range of 34.48％ and 23.67％ respectively (t=2.838,P=0.017; t=2.524,P=0.028).The relative values of BMP-2 protein and BMP-5 protein were 0.44±0.06 and 0.70±0.05 in the experimental eyes,and those of the fellow eyes were 0.61±0.05 and 0.82±0.03,showing significant decline in the experimental eyes with the lowing range of 23.42％ and 15.21％,respectively (t =2.465,P =0.030;t =2.445,P=0.031).No significant differences were found in the expression of BMP-4 mRNA and protein in posterior sclera between the experimental eyes and the normal control eyes (mRNA:t =0.704,P=0.460;protein:t=0.987,P=0.365).Conclusions The expressions of the BMP-2 and BMP-5 in sclera down-regulate significantly in FDM eyes,which suggest that BMP-2 and BMP-5 participate in sclera remodeling during myopia induction.

Objective To investigate the effect of venlafaxine on learning and memory ability in rats with vascular dementia(VD).Methods Totally 90 Wistar rats were divided into sham-operation group,model group and treatment group (n=30 for each).The VD rat model was established by modified pulsinellis 4-vessel occlusion (4 VO).Rats in the sham-operation group and model group were administered with gastric perfusion of distilled water.Rats in the treatment group were administrated with gastric perfusion of Venlafaxine at 15 mg/kg per day for 4 weeks from the 2nd day after the modeling.The one-way avoidance test was performed to study the learning-memory ability of each group.The contents of norepinephrine,5-hydroxytryptamine and BDNF in the hippocampus and cortex of rats were observed.Results Model group demonstrated a decrease in the percentage of one-way avoidance test (50.3±6.2 vs.92.3±5.6,P＜0.01) as compared with sham-operation group,and this value was increased in treatment group (62 2±4.6).Compared with the sham-operation group,the contents of NE and 5-HT in the hippocampus [(226±34) pg/g and (340±40) pg/g],and cortex [(601±66) pg/g and (657±43) pg/g] in rat brains of model group were decreased (P＜0.01),while increased in treatment group [(264±45) pg/g and (379±42)pg/g,(665±68) pg/g and (798±51)pg/g,P＜0.05].The OD value of BDNF in the hippocampus (0.495±0.041) and cortex (0.488±0.042) were increased (P＜0.05) in model group,and in treatment group,BDNF levels were more higher (0.579±0.044 and 0.578±0.06/4,P＜0.05).Conclusions The content of brain monoamine neurotransmitters are decreased in rats with VD,while venlafaxine can improve the learning memory ability in model rats through increasing the levels of 5-HT,NE and BDNF in hippocampus and cortex.

AIM: This study aimed at elucidated the possibility that prevent tissue from secondary injury by regulating polymorphonuclear neutrophil (PMN) apoptosis in vitro . METHODS:Neutrophils, isolated from peripheral blood, were incubated with sodium arsenite (Ars), tumor necrosis factor (TNF-?), interleukin-6 (IL-6), burned serum and traumatic serum, respectively. Apoptosis rate, expression of CD11b, respiratory burst and concentration of Ca 2+ were then measured. RESULTS:The elevation of PMN apoptosis rate was Ars concentration dependent, but activated PMN became insensitive to Ars. IL-6 delayed PMN apoptosis (compared with control at 24 h, P

Objective To identify the inclusion compound of ginsenoside Rh2 with hydroxylpropyl-?-cyclodextrin (HP-?-CD) in aqueous solution, and to investigate the change of thermodynamic parameters during the inclusion process. Methods The measurements of the inclusion mechanism, inclusion molar ratio of the host and guest molecules, and change of thermodynamic parameters were carried out by the following methods separately; thin layer chromatography (TLC), differential scanning calorimetry (OSC), infrared (IR) spectrometry, phase solubility method, and thermodynamic method, respectively. Results That all the phase solubility diagrams showed a typical AL-type in various temperatures and suggested the formation of a soluble complex of 1∶1 molar ratio. TLC and IR Spectroscopy confirmed that the significant interaction between the host and guest molecules was probably due to the inclusion of aglycone of Rh2 molecule into the hydrophobic cavity of HP-?-CD molecule. The change in the thermodynamic parameters suggested that the inclusion could proceed spontaneously (?G

Objective:To study the clinical features and treatment outcome of AIDS associated oral candidiasis.Methods:The clinical data of 31 cases with AIDSassociated oral candidiasis from 201209 to 201303 were studied retrospectively,including general data,clinical features,oral manifestation,CD4 cell count,opportunistic infections,and antifungal therapy outcome,etc.Results:CD4cell count ＜200 cell/μl was found in 30 cases,AIDSrelated multiple opportunistic infection was observed in 29 cases.30 cases hadpseudomembranous candidiasis,1 cases had erythematous candidiasis and 2 cases had pseudomembranous candidiasis with angular candidiasis.After antifungal treatment,the lesion of 8 cases reduced,that of 23 cases disappeared completely,lesion relapse after drugwithdrawal happened in 3 cases.Conclusion:AIDSassociated oral candidiasis was more common in AIDS patients with CD4 ＜200cells/μl,the main clinical form is pseudomembranous type,and with multiple opportunistic infections.The antifungal treatment is effective for the patients.

Objective To investigate the regulatory effect of adrenomedullin (AM) on the cell-cell contact formation of podocytes and the possible mechanism.Methods Podocytes were treated with AM (10-7 mol/L),AM combined with a PKA inhibitor H89 (10-4 mol/L),and forskolin (10-5 mol/L) as positive control respectively for 12 hours.Immunofluorescent staining was applied to observe the distribution of cell adhesion molecules and actin-associated proteins.Western blotting assay was used to assess their protein levels.Rho GTPases activity was analyzed by GST-pull down assay and their protein levels were tested by Western blotting.Results AM induced the redistribution of adhesion molecules,actin-associated proteins as well as the F-actin at cell-cell contacts between podocytes.This effect was similar to that of forskolin and could be blocked by H89.The levels of those proteins did not change significantly (P ＞ 0.05).AM up-regulated the activities of RhoA,Rac1 and Cdc42 (P ＜ 0.05),which were partially blocked by H89.The protein levels of Rho GTPases showed no difference compared with the control (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions AM may promote cell-cell contact formation of podocytes,probably through enhancing the activity of Rho GTPases and then resulting in the redistribution of adhesion molecules,actin-associated proteins and F-actin,which is partially mediated through cAMP-PKA signaling pathway.

0.05).3.Under light microscope, there was no change of the glomeruli detected in all of the LMWH-treated groups compared with the controls,while congestion and swel-ling in part glomeruli of group RSV were observed significantly. 4.Under electron microscope,glomerular structures of the LMWH-treated groups were almost normal compared with the control, while extensive foot process effacement was observed in group RSV under an electron microscope. 5.RSV RNA signal expressed weaker in the LMWH-treated groups than in group RSV.Conclusions Positive charged RSV destroys the glome-rular filtration barrier through its electrostatic interaction with the negative charged heparan sulfate(HS) of GBM. LMWH, as the analog of HS, charged with anion, competes with GBM HS to combine with RSV to keep the glomeruli from being infected and destroyed, and then reduce the proteinuria.

Abstract: Objective To investigate the function and molecular mechanism of LRH-1 in regulating the sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells to oxaliplatin, providing new ideas for the treatment of liver cancer. Methods Knockdown and overexpression of LRH-1 in HCC cell lines were constructed, and the effect of LRH-1 on oxaliplatin resistance of HCC cells was explored by detecting IC50, cell proliferation, and plate colony formation assay. The transcriptional regulation of the MDR-1 gene by LRH-1 was detected through quantitative PCR. The transcriptional activation ability of LRH-1 on the MDR1 gene was evaluated by luciferase reporter assay. Results In HuH7 cells overexpressing LRH-1, the IC50 significantly increased to 18.012 μmol/L under oxaliplatin treatment, significantly higher than the 2.042 μmol/L in the HuH-7 control group, showing statistically significant differences (P<0.05). After overexpression of LRH-1 in HuH-7 cells, the cell proliferation ability was significantly increased, with a noticeable increase in MDR1 mRNA level. In HepG2 cells with knockdown LRH-1 expression, the IC50 significantly dropped to 1.012 μmol/L, significantly lower than the 6.294 μmol/L in the HepG2 control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). After knockdown of LRH-1 in HepG2 cells, the cell proliferation and plate colony formation ability were significantly inhibited, with a notable decrease in MDR1 mRNA expression level. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed that LRH-1 can activate the transcriptional activity of the MDR1 promoter in a dosedependent manner, and its specific inhibitor ML-180 can significantly reduce LRH-1′s transcription activation ability on the MDR1 promoter. Conclusions LRH-1 may promote oxaliplatin resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating the transcriptional activity of MDR1 gene. Since its specific small molecule inhibitor has been successfully synthesized, LRH-1 can potentially become a target for the treatment of drug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Objective To investigate the utility of diffusion weighted imaging (DWI) and blood oxygen level-dependent (BOLD) magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) in the assessment of renal hypoxia in an experimental model of mice with lupus nephritis (LN).Methods MRL/lpr mice (n=13) were studied and C57BL/6 mice (n=10) served as controls.Urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (ACR),serum creatinine (Scr),anti-ds-DNA antibody,and complement C3 levels were measured.The mice underwent coronal echo-planar DWI and BOLD MRI of the kidneys when they were 14-16 weeks old.Hypoxyprobe was administered intraperitoneally to the mice 1 hour before they were sacrificed.The distribution of HypoxyprobeTM-1,hypoxia-inducible factor 1 α (HIF-1 o) and heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) in renal tissues was detected by immunohistochemical analysis and Western blotting.Results Urinary ACR,Scr and anti-ds-DNA antibody levels in MRL/lpr mice were significantly higher than that in C57BL/6 mice.It was found that HypoxyprobeTM-1,HIF-1o and HO-1 distributed widely in the renal tissue of MRL/lpr mice,and closely associated with the renal tubulointerstitial lesion.The mean apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) value of kidneys in MRL/lpr mice was (1.52±0.27) × 10-3 mm2/s,and the mean R2* values of the renal cortex and medulla were (30.95 ±4.59)/s and (23.43± 3.06)/s respectively,all significantly lower than that in C57BL/6 mice (P=0.037,P=0.030 and P=0.043,respectively).The ADC of medulla was negatively correlated with urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (r=-0.364,P=0.032;r=-0.329,P=0.050),the ADC of cortex was negatively correlated with the level of serum creatinine (r=-0.814,P=0.014;r=-0.755,P=0.031) when b value was 500 s/mm2 and 800 s/mm2,and the mean R2* value was negatively correlated with the degree of tubulointerstitial lesions and the expression of hypoxia parameters (all P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Renal hypoxia may play an important role in renal tubulointerstitial lesion.Functional MRI may be used to monitor renal function changes,pathological injuries and renal hypoxia in LN.

The present study aimed to investigate the clinical value of serum anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) and inhibin B (INHB) in predicting the ovarian response of patients with polyeystic ovary syndrome (PCOS).A total of 120 PCOS patients were enrolled and divided into three groups in terms of the ovarian response:a low-response group (n=36),a normal-response group (n=44),and a high-response group (n=40).The serum AMH and INHB levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).The follicle stimulating hormone （FSH),luteinizing hormone (LH),and estradiol (E2) levels were determined by chemiluminescence microparticle immunoassay.The correlation of the serum AMH and INHB levels with other indicators was analyzed.A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was established to analyze the prediction of ovarian response by AMH and INHB.The results showed that there were significant differences in age,body mass index (BMI),FSH,total gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH),LH,E2,and antral follicle counts (AFCs) between the groups (P＜0.05).The serum AMH and INHB levels were increased significantly with the ovarian response of PCOS patients increasing (P＜0.05).The serum AMH and INHB levels were negatively correlated with the age,BMI,FSH level,Gn,and E2 levels (P＜0.05).They were positively correlated with the LH levels and AFCs (P＜0.05).ROC curve analysis of serum AMH and INHB in prediction of a low ovarian response showed that the area under the ROC curve (AUC) value of the serum AMH level was 0.817,with a cut-off value of 1.29 ng/mL.The sensitivity and specificity were 71.2％ and 79.6％,respectively.The AUC value of serum INHB was 0.674,with a cut-off value of 38.65 ng/mL,and the sensitivity and specificity were 50.7％ and 74.5％,respectively.ROC curve analysis showed when the serum AMH and INHB levels were used to predict a high ovarian response,the AUC value of the serum AMH level was 0.742,with a cut-off value of 2.84 ng/mL,and the sensitivity and specificity were 72.7％ and 65.9％,respectively;the AUC value of the serum INHB level was 0.551 with a cut-off of 45.76 ng/mL,and the sensitivity and specificity were 76.3％ and 40.2％,respectively.It was suggested the serum AMH and INHB levels have high clinical value in predicting the ovarian response of PCOS patients.