Mitochondria is an important organelle in mammalian cells with multiple functions,such as ener-gy production and cell homeostasis maintaining. It is known that hundreds of diseases are associated with mi-tochondrial defects. The studies show that the exoge-nous mitochondria can directly enter mammalian cells in vitro, and they also can quickly transform into ani-mal tissues by local or intravenous injection. Current-ly, it has raised a new therapeutic strategy for mito-chondrial diseases, called mitotherapy, which trans-plants exogenous functional mitochondria into mito-chondria-defective cells. The mitochondria in recipient cells play their own roles, including energy produc-tion,maintaining free radical balance,and cell viabili-ty recovery. Since there is no effective method for mito-chondria-related diseases up to now, the mitotherapy will provide a new approach for the prevention and treatment of these diseases.

AlM: To monitor long - term changes of matrix metalloproteinase-2 ( MMP-2 ) in human tears fluid after laser in situ keratomileusis ( LASlK) .
METHODS: Thirty - two myopia cases ( 64 eyes ) underwent uneventful LASlK were enrolled in the study. Tear fluid were collected and MMP-2 expression was analyzed by Western - bolt assay preoperatively and postoperatively on 15d, at 1, 3mo, and 1a.
RESULTS:LASlK increased the concentration of MMP-2 in human tear fluid. At 15d postoperatively, the magnitude of MMP-2 was 1. 4 times that of preoperative, thereafter subsided, but didn't return to preoperative level by 3mo ( P < 0. 05 ). Up to 1a after surgery, the concentration of MMP-2 almost recovered (P>0. 05).
CONCLUSlON: MMP- 2 is significantly expressed in human tear fluid after LASlK, then subsided with time, but didn't return to preoperative level by 3mo and almost recovered up to 1a, indicating wound healing of LASlK would continue up at least 3mo after surgery and almost recovered 1a postoperatively.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common malignant tumor worldwise. The incidence rate of HCC is high and is easy to metastasis and recurrence, which seriously affects human health. Traditional chemical drugs have some challenges such as toxicity, side effects, and multidrug resistance, thus it is urgent to find new drugs and effective targets. Here we synthesized a novel chemical, protonic bis-phenanthroline (H-BP), and the antitumor effect was investigated in the study. The results showed that H-BP could selectively inhibit the proliferation of tumor cells and cause HCC apoptosis. And also, in HCC tumor-bearing mice, H-BP could effectively prevent the growth of tumor mass, even completely eliminate the tumor at medium dose (5 mg·kg^-1) and high dose (10 mg·kg^-1), and meanwhile H-BP has no significant effect on the body weight of mice. The experimental protocol was approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Southwest University, and the experimental operation was strictly carried out in accordance with the ethical principles of animal use and care. Mechanism studies showed that H-BP induced HCC apoptosis was related to down-regulation the expression of pleomorphic adenoma gene like-2 (PLAGL2), a oncogene transcription factor, resulting in the down-regulation of PLAGL2 downstream proteins hypoxia inducible factor and β-catenin. This study not only introduces the dimerization method to form novel compounds that will provide a new approach for drug design, but also suggests that PLAGL2 may be an effective target in tumor therapy.

Acute Kidney Injury ; etiology ; Child, Preschool ; Favism ; complications ; Humans ; Male

Blood-brain barrier (BBB) is the major obstacle for drug delivery into the central nervous system (CNS). However, there is no ideal model animal for the study of BBB permeability till now. Currently zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as a powerful model organism for the study of vertebrate biology. In this study, the feasibility of using zebrafish as model animal was investigated for BBB permeability by comparing the results of administration of BBB-penetrating peptide and protein to mouse and zebrafish. The results showed that the BBBs of mouse and zebrafish were similar in molecular permeability. Additionally, zebrafish has advantageous features as a model animal, such as small size, fertile and easy to breed. Therefore, it is suggested that zebrafish may be a favored model for the study of BBB permeability.
Animals ; Blood-Brain Barrier ; metabolism ; Brain ; metabolism ; Female ; Fluorescent Dyes ; pharmacokinetics ; Glycoproteins ; pharmacokinetics ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; pharmacokinetics ; Male ; Mice ; Models, Animal ; Peptide Fragments ; pharmacokinetics ; Permeability ; Rhodamines ; pharmacokinetics ; Tissue Distribution ; Viral Proteins ; pharmacokinetics ; Zebrafish ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of angiotensin II receptor blockers (ARB), losartan and irbesartan, on blood pressure and serum uric acid (SUA) level in mild to moderate essential hypertensive patients complicating hyperuricaemia.

METHODSA total of 351 eligible patients were recruited in this multi-center, randomized, double-blind parallel clinical trial. After 1 week screening and a 2 week single-blinded placebo wash-out period, patients were randomly assigned to receive losartan 50 mg (n=76) or irbesartan 150 mg (n=175) once daily for 4 weeks, followed by a double-dose for another 4 weeks in patients whose seated DBP were >or=90 mm Hg or SBP>or=140 mm Hg at the end of 4 weeks. The SUA concentration and blood pressure were measured at baseline, 4 and 8 weeks post therapy.

RESULTSThree hundred and twenty-five patients completed the study (162 in the losartan group and 163 in the irbesartan group). Both groups were well matched for baseline clinical characteristics and demographics. SUA was significant reduced in losartan group (430.93 micromol/L vs 372.35 micromol/L, P<0.0001), but not in Irbesartan group (430.46 micromol/L vs 420.67 micromol/L, P>0.05) 8 weeks post therapy compared to baseline level. Blood pressure was significantly and equally reduced in both groups after 8 weeks treatment compared to baseline level (P<0.0001).

CONCLUSIONLosartan is an optimum choice of medication for patients with mild-to-moderate hypertension complicating hyperuricemia.

Adult ; Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; therapeutic use ; Biphenyl Compounds ; therapeutic use ; Double-Blind Method ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Losartan ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tetrazoles ; therapeutic use ; Uric Acid ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore the relationship between Shen-deficiency syndrome (SDS) and the insert/deficit (I/D) polymorphism types (PMTs) of angiotensin converting enzyme (ACE) gene in longevous elders in Bama area of Guangxi municipality.

METHODSThe investigation on 27 centenarians (Group A), 56 elders of 90-99 years old (Group B) and 114 of 60-89 years old (Group C) was carried out by questionnaire, and the polymorphism was detected using polymerize chain reaction detection, single strand conformation polymorphism (SSCP) analysis, and direct sequencing technique. And the study was controlled by 79 naturally died elders within 60-70 years old.

RESULTSThe presenting frequencies of SDS in various PMT were D/D, I/D and I/I in rising order. The frequencies of PMT, I/I, I/D and D/D, were 37.04% (10/27), 33.33% (9/27), and 29.63% (8/27) respectively; the frequency rates of I and D alleles were 53.70% (29/54) and 46.30% (25/54) in Group A. Comparison of frequency of D/D and D allele between groups showed that Group A was significantly different to Group C (P<0.05) and also to the control (P<0.01), while all the frequencies in Group A and B were rather identical, showing insignificant difference (P>0.05). SSCP analysis showed no significant difference in D/D among groups. Outcomes of direct sequencing test further proved the correctness of I/D ACE polymorphism detection.

CONCLUSIONSDS is closely correlated with ACE gene polymorphism and life span. Whereas, other multiple factors that influence longevity should also be taken into consideration.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Genome, Human ; Genotype ; Humans ; Longevity ; genetics ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Peptidyl-Dipeptidase A ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo assess the clinical efficacy of acupuncture and moxibustion on depression in view of the outcome indicators of the patient subjective reports.

METHODSOne hundred and sixty-three cases of depression being in compliance with the inclusive standards were randomized into a soothing-liver and regulating-mind group, an acupoint-shallow-puncturing group and a non-acupoint-shallow-puncturing group. In the soothing-liver and regulating-mind group, the conventional acupuncture was applied to the four-gate points [Hegu (LI 4) and Taichong (LR 3)], Baihui (GV 20) and Yintang (EX-HN 3), the direct moxibustion with moxa cone was applied to the four-flower points [Geshu (BL 17), Danshu (BL 19)]. Finally, the intradermal needling was used at Xinshu (BL 15) and Ganshu (BL 18). In the acupoint-shallow-puncturing group, the acupoints selected were same as those in the soothing-liver and regulating-mind group. But the needle insertion was shallower and the time of moxibustion was shorter. In the non-acupoint-shallow-puncturing group, the spots that were 10 mm lateral to those acupoints in the soothing-liver and regulating-mind group were selected. The operation was same as that in the acupoint-shallow-puncturing group. The treatment was given twice a week in three groups. Totally, 12 weeks of treatment were required. The score of symptom checklist 90 (SCL-90), the self-report symptom inventory was observed before treatment, 1 month and 3 months after treatment separately so as to assess the corresponding short-term, mid-term and long-term efficacies of the program of acupuncture and moxibustion for soothing the liver and regulating the mind.

RESULTSIn each time-point after treatment, for the scores of somatization, obsessive-compulsive symptom, interpersonal sensitivity, depression, anxiety, hostility, paranoid ideation, psychoticism and the other 8 dimensionalities, in comparison between the soothing-liver and regulating-mind group and the non-acupoint-shallow-puncturing group, the differences were significant statistically (all P < 0.05). For the scores of depression, anxiety and hostility, in comparison between the soothing-liver and regulating-mind group and the acupoint-shallow-puncturing group, the differences were significant statistically (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture and moxibustion can improve the scores of SCL-90 scale for the patients with depression. The outcome indicators of the patient subjective reports can accurately assess the clinical efficacy.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Depression ; psychology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Self-Assessment ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of Equiguard in old patients with Shen-yang deficiency syndrome (SYDS).

METHODSTwenty old patients with diagnosis matching the criteria of SYDS selected from out-patients were administered with Equiguard capsule 3 times per day, 0.70 g each time for 3 successive months. The changes in general condition, peripheral blood picture, function of the liver and kidney, and sex hormones before and after treatment were observed. The changes in the American Urinary Surgery Association (AUA) score of prostatism, urosis and residue urine in the urinary bladder were also estimated.

RESULTSAfter the 3-month treatment, no significant change was found in the patients' general condition, peripheral blood picture, liver and kidney function and sex hormones, while the symptoms of prostatism and urosis were markedly improved (P<0.01), and the volume of residue urine in the urinary bladder was obviously reduced.

CONCLUSIONEquiguard shows a significant therapeutic effect in treating old patients with SYDS, which could effectively improve the symptoms of prostatism and urosis in patients and is highly safe.

Aged ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Syndrome ; Yang Deficiency ; drug therapy

Objective To explore the current status of the prenatal care quality and the influencing factors in Hangzhou City. Methods We used sociodemographic characteristics questionnaire and the Chinese version of QPCQ to investigate 383 pregnancy women who were at 36 weeks' gestation or greater by convenient sampling method from September to December in 2016. Results A total of 350 questionnaires were valid. The average age of 350 samples was (29.71±3.67) years old. There were 231 primiparas which accounted for 66.00％. Among them, 196 (56.00％) were satisfied with the prenatal care they received, and 153 (43.70％) think general, and only 1 (0.30％) felt unsatisfied. The score of the Chinese version of QPCQ was 3.61±0.50. The item "My prenatal care professional (s) always answered my questions honestly" had the highest scores of 4.10±0.62, while "My prenatal care professional (s) did things hastily" had the lowest scores of 2.44±0.96 . By multiple linear regression analysis, those people who had more visiting time (β' = 0.21, P<0.01), less waiting time (β' = -0.18, P<0.01) and the cognition of the essentiality of pregnancy school (β' = 0.12, P=0.02) were more likely to give higher regards for the quality of prenatal care. Conclusion Sufficient time scored relative lower in the whole questionnaire. So, hospitals could take efforts to shorten the waiting time by promoting the hospital process optimization, making good use of this period time and other strategies, so as to improve the quality of prenatal care.