Background Misfolding of Myocilin protein plays an important role in the pathogenesis of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).GRP78 can transfer the misfolded proteins out endocytoplasmic reticulum and keep the protein synthesis function of endoplasmic reticulum.However the relationship between GRP78 and Myocilin in the pathogenesis of POAG has not been elucidated.Objective This study was to investigate and analyze the coexpressions of GRP78 and Myolicin in trabecular meshwork cells (TMCs) of POAG.Methods The trabecular meshwork tissues were obtained during the surgery of POAG and healthy donor for the isolated and in vitro culture of TMCs,and the morphology of the cells was compared between POAG-derived TMCs and donor-derived TMCs.The expression of specific factors for TMCs were detected by immunochemistry.The cells were divided into normal control group,tunicamycin (Tm)-treated group and staurosporine (STS)-treated group,and the cells were cultured by regular medium,the 1 μ mol/L Tm medium or 0.1 μmol/L STS medium for 24 hours respectively.The co-expression of GRP78 and Myocilin in the cells were detected using immunofluorescence assay.This study was approved by Ethics Committee of Xi'an No.4 Hospital,and written informed consent was obtained from each patient before surgery.Results Primarily cultured cells showed the fiat star-like and irregular appearance with 3-5 processes,round nuclei,abundant cytoplasm and black engulf particles.The 3-7 generations of POAG-derived cells grew well,showing positive expressions of laminin (LN),fibronectin (FN),neuronal specific enolase (NSE) and Vimentin.Immunofluorescence assay showed positive expressions of GRP78 and Myocilin in the cells of the Tm group,STS group and normal control group,with the reddish and green fluorescence separately.Incomplete co-expression of GRP78 and Myocilin was seen in donor-derived TMCs,and complete co-expression of GRP78 and Myocilin was found in the POAG-derived TMCs in the normal control group.Complete co-expression of GRP78 and Myocilin was exhibited in both donor-and POAG-derived TMCs in the Tm group and STS group.In addition,accumulation of GRP78 protein around nucleus was seen in both donor-and POAG-derived TMCs in the Tm group.Conclusions GRP78 and Myocilin proteins are completely co-expressed in POAG-derived TMCs,inferring that GRP78 and Myocilin play an interaction role in the pathogenesis and development of POAG.GRP78 may play a cytoprotective role against the apoptosis of TMCs caused by endoplasmic reticulum stress.

OBJECTIVETo study the pollen morphology of ten species of Achillea.

METHODThe pollen morphology of ten species of Achillea was examined with LM and SEM.

RESULTThe pollen grains were usually 3-colporate, subspheroidal. The exine ornamentation consisted of verrucate, spinulate and foveolate. But some differences in size, colpae and exine ornamentation were found.

CONCLUSIONThe slight differences of the pollen morphology are useful to some extent for the classification of the ten species of Achillea.

Achillea ; classification ; ultrastructure ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Pollen ; ultrastructure ; Species Specificity

Objective To define the stages of medical rescue after earthquake or tsunami disaster and their significance.Method Three stages of medical rescue were defined according to the clinical features of diseases in 3-37 days after earthquake or tsunami in Pakistan and Indonesia.The classification of diseases was based on the criteria of disaster medical rescue set by World Health Organization.Five diseases including injuries/wounds,acute upper respiratory tract infection,acute hemorrhagic enterocolitis,acute enterecolitis and other diseases of internal medicine except epidemic or suspected epidemic diseases were employed to define the stages of disaster medical rescue.Results Injuries/wounds mainly occurred in 6 days after disaster.The incidences were 61.45% to 79.52% and 61.48% to 72.35% in Pakistan and Indonesia,respectively.The incidence of acute upper respiratory tract infection reached to a considerably high rate one week after disaster.Other diseases usually appeared one week later with incidence of 33.93% to 71.11% and 31.50% to 52.11% in Pakistan and Indonesia,respectively.The rate of acute hemorrhagic enterocolitis was 2%o in Indonesia whereas 35‰of acute enterocolitis was found in Pakistan.Conclusion Three stages of disaster medical rescue could be well defined.(1)Early or critical stage(in 6 days after disaster):Treatment of injuries/wound and resuscitation was the primary step to deal with.(2)Intermediate of subaeute stage(7-30days following disaster):The incidences of various kinds of diseases increased and more medical resources were needed in order to treat the upper respiratory tract infection and to lower the disable rate,and to prevent the prevalence of epidemic diseases.(3)Later or recovery stage(1-3months after disaster):The general condition of victims became even better than that of those affected by commonly occurred local diseases,and during this period,there were shortages of medical facilities and medical personnel.Therefore,supplement of medical resources was required.The well defined stages of medical rescue have an important significance for medical rescue teams to treat victims and prevent epidemic diseases more efficiently and timely,and also provide a guidance of scientific basis for the logistics officers of local government as well as our government to make a proper and reasonable distribution of medical resources,and dispatch and arrangement of medical rescue teams.This guidance also helps to make victims re- reliant.

Background Inherited retinal degeneration,one of the major causes of blindness worldwide,comprises a large number of disorders characterized by a slow and progressive retinal degeneration.Interleukin-1 (IL-1)was recognized to be involved in inherited retinal degeneration.Whether IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) can arrest retinal degeneration is worthy of investigation.Objective This study was to investigate the effects of IL-1ra on photoreceptor apoptosis in Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats.Methods The use of the animals complied with the Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.The SPF RCS rats aged 9,15,16,25,30,35,40,50 and 60 postnatal days were collected,with 9 rats for each age group.Retinal sections were used for the TdT-mediated biotin-dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) cell apoptosis assay.1 μl of IL-1ra (1.8 g/L) was intravitreally injected in the right eyes of 9 RCS rats aged 15 postnatal days and PBS was used in the same way in the fellow eyes.The injection procedure was repeated on the 20 th and 25 th day,respectively.The rats were sacrificed on the 30 th day and retinal sections were prepared for the TUNEL assay.The differences in the percentage of the positive cellular nuclei area among different ages of rats were compared by one-way ANOVA,and the differences in retinal layer thickness between IL-1ra injection group and PBS injection group were assessed by paired t test.Results Photoreceptor apoptosis appeared in 20-day-old RCS rats and progressed and peaked in 30 and 35-day-old rats and then reduced,showing a significant difference among rat of various age groups (F=28.020,P＜0.01).Images from TUNEL assay showed a weaker and less TUNEL staining in the IL-1ra injected eyes than the PBS injected eyes in 30-day-old rats.The total area and relative area of TUNEL positive nuclei were (223.052±153.092) μm2 and (2.206±1.531) ％ in the IL-1ra injected group,and those in PBS injected group were (1235.050±359.767) μm2 and (7.269± 1.624) ％,with a significant difference between them (t =4.370,t=3.250,P＜0.01).The cone and rod thickness was (15.324±9.035) μm in the IL-1ra injected group and (49.566±4.605)μm in the PBS injected group,showing a significant difference (t =22.674,P＜0.01).However,no significant difference was seen in the outer nuclear layer thickness between the two groups (t =0.268,P＞0.05).Conclusions IL-1 participates in the pathogenesis and development of inherited retinal degeneration of RCS rats.The use of IL-1ra might be a potential approach in the treatment of inherited retinal degeneration.

OBJECTIVETo establish a HPLC method for determination of protopine and isocorydine in root of Dactylicapnos scandens.

METHODThe separation was performed in a PHENOMENEX-C18 column with a mobile phase of methanol-0.2% phosphoric acid (adjusted to pH 7.0 with triethylamine)(50:50), The detection wavelength was at 254 nm and the flow rate was 0.8 mL x min(-1).

RESULTThe average recovery of Protopine and Isocorydine was 97.9%, 98.6% respectively, and RSD 1.3%, 1.4%.

CONCLUSIONThis method is accurate, simple and reliable. It can be used for quality control of D. scandens.

Aporphines ; analysis ; Benzophenanthridines ; Berberine Alkaloids ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Papaveraceae ; chemistry ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control

This research established an HPLC method for determination of six C-Glycoside flavones of warer-soluble total flavonoids from Isodon lophanthoides var. gerardianus (Benth.) H. Hara, and studied the antitumor activity of the warer-soluble total flavonoids. The HPLC system consisted of Kromasil 100-5 C18 (4.6 mm x 250 mm, 5 microm) column and a solution system of methanol, acetonitrile and 0.5% formic acid gradient elution at a flow rate of 0. 8 mL x min(-1) and the wavelength of detector was at 334 nm. The column temperature was 25 degrees C. The antitumor activity of water-soluble flavonoids was assayed using HepG2 cell as the tested cell. The linear ranges of vicenin II, vicenin III, isoschaftoside, schaftoside, vitexin, 6, 8-di-C-a-L-arabinosylapigenin were 0.25-2.53, 0.12-1.20, 0.37-3.69, 0.16-1.63, 0.19-1.92, 0.14-1.42 microg, respectively. The average recoveries (n = 6) were 99.6% (RSD 0.87%), 100.2% (RSD 2.0%), 99.6% (RSD 1.8%), 97.9% (RSD 1.5%), 98.8% (RSD 1.2%), 98.6% (RSD 1.2%), respectively. After exposure in 24, 48, 72 h, the total flavonoids showed inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HepG2 cells with IC50 as the evaluation index, the IC50 values of 1.89, 1.71, 1.51 g x L(-1), respectively. The method is quick, simple and accurate with good re- producibility, and can be used for determination of vicenin II, vicenin III, isoschaftoside, schaftoside, vitexin, 6, 8-di-C-a-L-arabino- sylapigenin in the warer-soluble total flavonoids from L lophanthoides var. gerardianus. The warer-soluble total flavonoids from L lophanthoides have inhibitory effect on the proliferation of HepG2 cells.
Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Flavones ; analysis ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Isodon ; chemistry ; Monosaccharides ; analysis ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the role of Jiangzhi Xiaoban Tablet (JXT) in improving heartfunction of coronary heart disease (CHD) patients by tissue Doppler imaging (TDI) and speckle trackingimaging (STI) technology.

METHODSRecruited were 60 inpatients with confirmed CHD by coronary angiography at First Affiliated Hospital, Hunan University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from October 2013to November 2014. They were assigned to the treatment group (group A) and the control group (groupB) according to random digit table, 30 cases in each group. Patients in group A took JXT, 0.45 g/tablet,4 tablets each time, 3 times per day, while those in group B took Simvastatin Tablet, 20 mg/tablet, 1 tablet each time, once per evening. The therapeutic course for all was 8 weeks. The long axis view of theheart of 18 segments STI Peak strain LS and TDI peak systolic Sa parameters were performed in all patients before and after treatment.

RESULTSBefore treatment segments of STI strain LS and TDI longitudinal peak systolic peak Sa were not statistically different between the two groups (P > 0.05). Each segment of STI peak longitudinal strain LS and TDI peak systolic Sa in the two groups were higher after treatment than before treatment (P < 0.05). After treatment each segment of STI parameters of LS and eachTDI segment parameters of Sa were significantly lower in group B than in group A (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONJXT could improve heart function of CHD patients to different degrees, and its curative effect was betterthan that of routine Western medicine (Simvastatin Tablets) treatment.

Coronary Artery Disease ; drug therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Echocardiography, Doppler ; Heart ; drug effects ; Humans ; Simvastatin ; therapeutic use ; Tablets

Objective To investigate the attitudes of urban and rural community members toward total banning on smoking in public places and to explore the factors associated with these attitudes, in three counties/cities in China. Methods A cross-sectional study was conducted in three counties/cities in 2004, including Xin' an county of Henan province, Anyi county of Jiangxi province, and Mianzhu city of Sichuan province. A total of 5642 residents at age of 18-69 years old were interviewed face-to-face with a uniform questionnaire by locally-trained interviewers, through a random three-stage stratified sampling in each county. Factors were assumed to be associated with attitudes, using chi-square test in univariate analysis and non-conditional logistic regression model in multivariate analysis. Results The prevalence of current smoking among respondents was 44.3%. 80.7% (1379/1709) of the current smokers reported smoking often or sometimes in public places. Only 9.6% (479/4983) of the respondents reported that their indoor workplaces had totally banned on smoking. 43.5% of the respondents supported a total smoking ban strategy in pubic venues. The results of multivariate logistic regression model showed that eight factors were significantly associated with support for the total smoking ban in public places included region, residency, age, gender, education, smoking status, awareness about passive smoking hazards, and hearing of any message on tobacco control through media differences of rates regarding the factors as: residents in urban to rural areas (OR=1.29), elderly to youngsters (30-49 vs. 18-29, OR=1.46; 50-69 vs. 18-29, OR=1.71), female to male(OR=1.27), high-educated to less-educated ones, quitters to current smokers (OR=1.90), nonsmokers to current smokers (OR=2.01). Those who know messages on health hazards of passive smoking (OR=2.26), or heard of message on tobacco control through media (OR= 1.43). Conclusion Results from our study revealed that a thorough smoke-flee policy in public places should be developed and implemented in these three counties/cities.

Objective To evaluate the application of “OmniView”, a new three-dimensional ultrasound technology, in displaying the fetal palate. Methods The three-dimensional volume data was acquired from 100 normal fetuses, analysed by OmniView technology with the facial midsagittal plane as the starting plane. The imaging of fetal palate was obtained in axial plane (through maxilla, oral cleft), coronal plane, oblique coronal plane (through piriform aperture, oral cleft, submental triangle), and the palate′s curved plane tiled imaging by drawing the anatomical lines on referenced sagittal plane (facial midsagittal plane). The volumes of ifve fetuses with cleft lip and palate were obtained and analysed by the same technology. Results The volume dataset of 91 (91.0%, 91/100) normal fetuses were acquired successfully, and analyzed by OmniView technology, the results of 91 normal fetal palate in different plane were: (1) In axial plane through maxilla, the visualization of alveolar process bow was 91 (100%, 91/91). It was shown as“C”shaped arcuate structure, the anechoic structure of alveolar socket could be seen on the bow, and the ifrst 6 alveolar sockets were displayed clearly. The visualization number of hard palate was 91 (100%, 91/91), it was shown as hyperechoic lfake between two sides of alveolar bones. In axial plane through oral cleft, the visualization number of soft palate was 81 (89.0%, 81/91), it was shown as a strip of soft tissue echo band. (2) In coronal plane, the visualization number of hard palate was 91 (100%, 91/91), it was shown as a strip of hyperechoic band and separated the oral and nasal cavity. (3) In oblique coronal plane through piriform aperture, the visualization number of hard palate was 91 (100%, 91/91), it was shown as a short strip of hyperechoic band. In oblique coronal plane through oral cleft, the visualization number of hard palate was 91 (100%, 91/91). In oblique coronal plane through submental triangle, the visualization number of hard palate was 91 (100%, 91/91). In the above two planes, the hard palate was shown as a strip of hyperechoic band, due to acoustic shadow behind the hard palate, the nasal cavity and nasal septum above the hard palate couldn’t be displayed. (4) In oblique coronal plane through piriform aperture, the visualization number of soft palate was 81 (89.0%, 81/91). The visualization number of uvula was 25 (27.5%, 25/91). The soft palate was shown as a lfake of soft tissue echo behind the hard palate, and the uvula was shown as papillary protrusions on the edge of the soft palate in the midline. In oblique coronal plane through oral cleft, the visualization number of soft palate was 81 (89.0%, 81/91). In oblique coronal plane through submental triangle, the visualization number of soft palate was 81 (89.0%, 81/91). In the above two planes, the soft palate was shown as a strip of soft tissue echo band, the soft tissue echo of fetal tongue was in the lower front of soft palate, and the anechoic region of nasopharynx was superior behind the soft palate. (5) In the curved plane tiled imaging of palate, the visualization number of alveolar process bow (primary palate) was 91 (100%, 91/91). The visualization number of hard palate was 91 (100%, 91/91). The visualization number of soft palate was 81 (89.0%, 81/91). the visualization number of uvula was 25 (27.5%, 25/91), the planar panorama of alveolar process bow, hard palate and soft palate could be visualized intuitively, the alveolar arch and hard palate were shown as bone-like hyperecho, and the soft palate was shown as soft tissue hypoecho. In iffteen cases′volume involved cleft lip and palate, all five cases of malformations were detected through three-dimensional data analysis, the position and range of the cleft palate could also be conifrm. Abnormal fetuses were all veriifed after induction of labor. Conclusions By three-dimensional ultrasound technology-“OmniView”, the axial and coronal plane of fetal palate could be obtained easily which was dififcult by two-dimensional ultrasound, and the special oblique coronal plane of secondary palate could be displayed easily. The panorama of the palate could be visualized intuitively though curved plane tiled imaging by drawing a line tracking the structure of the palate. This technology could simplify the ultrasound examination procedure of the fetal palate, reduce the operators′skill-dependence, and quickly evaluated the integrity of the fetal primary palate and secondary palate. For the cleft lip fetus, this technology can determine whether the cleft palate exist or not, together with their position and range.

Objective To understand the neutralized antibody level of the poliomyelitis among healthy people and provide scientific evidence for the immunization strategy since routine and intensified immunization with oral polio vaccine(OPV) in Fujian province. Methods The poliomyelitis antibody level of healthy people were detected by neutralization test of the micro cells. Results The neutralizing antibody respectively in 400 serum specimens from 1-59 years old. GMTs present a trend of decreasing as age's increasing. Conclusion A protective barrier had been built against poliomyelitis in healthy people in Fujian province through routine and intensified immunization with OPV.