Background Vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF) has been shown to be associated with the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD),therefore VEGF is a target for the treatment of wet AMD.However,the mechanism of VEGF in the pathogenesis of AMD is not clearly understood.Studying the correlation between VEGF gene polymorphism and AMD is becoming a new research hotspot,but relevant studies on Han Chinese have not been performed.Objective This study was to investigate the association between the VEGF +936C/T gene polymorphism and AMD in the Chinese population.Methods A pilot prospective and nonrandomized controlled trial was designed.This protocol complied with Declaration of Helsinki and was approved by the Ethic Committee of Chinese PLA Second Artillery General Hospital.Written informed consent was obtained from each subject prior to entering the study.Two hundred AMD patients and 200 age-and gender-matched normal controls were enrolled in this study.The genomic DNA was extracted from the peripheral blood samples of the subjects,and analysis of the VEGF polymorphisms at the +936 position in the promoter and 3＇-untranslated regions was performed by the restriction fragment length polymorphism method.Frequencies of the VEGF+936C/T genotype were compared between the two groups,and the risk of the VEGF+936C/T gene polymorphism in pre-disposing AMD was evaluated.Results No significant differences were seen in the incidence rates of smoking(P ＝ 0.76),hypertension(P ＝ 0.84),hyperlipidemia (P=0.71),diabetes mellitus (P=0.86) and cardiovascular disease(P=0.89) between the AMD group and the normal control group,and BMI was matched between the two groups (P =0.18).The prevalence of the TT genotype was 9.0％ (18/200)in the AMD group,but that in the normal control was 3.5％ (7/200),showing a significant difference between the two groups (P =0.03).The odds ratio (OR) was 2.73 with a 95％ confidence interval(CI) of 1.11 to 6.68 for AMD in this genotype.The CC and CT genotypes were not significantly different between the two groups (P =0.52,P =0.57).The genotype frequency and allele frequency conformed to HardyWeinberg equilibrium law.There were no significant differences found in the CC,CT,TT genotype frequencies among the early AMD,geographic atrophy AMD and choroidal neovascular AMD (all at P＞0.05).Conclusions The VEGF+936TT genotype is associated with AMD in Han Chinese population.

Methods of ELISA, nonradioactive molecular hybridiz ation and RT-PCR were applied in the detection of rice grassy stunt virus (RGSV ). The detection sensitivity of indirect ELISA using antiserum against fusion p rotein GST-NC was 1 mg of infected leaves or 84 ng of purified virus. The metho d of dot hybridization using NC, a DIG-labelled DNA probe was 50 μg diseased l e aves, or 6 ng purified preparations. The detection endpoint of RT-PCR was 10 μg diseased leaves, or 2 ng purified virus preparation. Comparisons of sensitivit y and maneuverability were made among these methods.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Cadherins ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Inhibitor of Apoptosis Proteins ; Ki-67 Antigen ; genetics ; metabolism ; Male ; Microtubule-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiology ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; physiopathology ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

Objective To observe the expression of STEAP4 gene(a novel obesity-related gene) during the period of human preadipocyte differentiation and to explore the relationship between the STEAP4 gene expression and adipocytes differentiation,adipogenesis.Methods Human preadipocytes were cultured and differentiated into the matured adipocytes in vitro.Adipocytes morphology and lipid accumulation were observed during this process.Total RNA was extracted from adipocytes at various time points (preadipocyte,Day 0,Day 4,Day 6,Day 8,Day 11,Day 14,and Day 17) and the level of STEAP4 mRNA expression was measured by fluorescent real-time quantitative reverse transcriptase-polyme-rase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results The level of STEAP4 mRNA expression remained high in preadipocytes.In the presence of differentiation medium (Day 4),there was a transient upregulation in the expression of STEAP4 gene.After that,with the human preadipocytes being differentiated into matured adipocytes,the expression of STEAP4 mRNA was downregulated and reached the lowest level in fully differentiated adipocytes.There was a significant difference between any 2 detected phases in the level of STEAP4 mRNA expression (Pa

ObjectiveTo investigate the quality of life (QOL) of the epilepsy patients and the factors affected the QOL.Methods200 cases were investigated using the Quality of Life in Epilepsy Inventory 10 (QOLEI-10) and the Washington Psychosocial Seizure Investigate (WPSI). 200 healthy persons were chosen as normal control group. ResultsThe QOL of the patient group were significantly poor as compared with that of normal control group(P<0.01). The factors that the patients always faced with were disability in the attack control, short in money, unemployment, restriction of movement, disability in intercommunication, psychological disorder (depress, strain, anxiety, dread, shame feel, cognitional dysfunction, etc.), as well as the difficult to get professional curtains, taking medicine improperly and side effects of the medicine. Conclusions The factors mentioned, which were usually neglected by many doctors, do affect the QOL of epilepsy patients, and hinder the epilepsy treatment effectively.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and toxicity of the combination chemotherapy of oxaliplatin with capecitabine(XELOX)in patients with advanced gastric cancer.

METHODSThirty-eight advanced gastric cancer patients who received XELOX regimen during 2004-2009 were analyzed retrospectively. The combination chemotherapy included oxaliplatin as 2-hour infusion on day 1 and capecitabine po bid on days 1 to 14. Treatment was repeated every 3 weeks.

RESULTSXELOX regime was applied as first-line therapy in 34 patients and as second-line therapy in 4 patients. After three cycles of chemotherapy, the outcomes in 32 patients who received XELOX as the first-line therapy included partial response (n = 8,25.0%), stable disease (n=14,43.8%), and progressive disease (n=10, 31.2%); no patient achieved complete response. The median time to progression and overall survival time were 7.0 months (95% CI: 4.5-9.5 months) and 12 months (95% CI: 9.8-14.2 months), respectively. One-year and two-year survival rates were 40.6% and 23.7%, respectively. Grade 3-4 toxicities including neutropenia (10.5%), thrombocytopenia (2.6%), nausea (7.9%), and vomiting (5.3%)were noted in a few patients.

CONCLUSIONXELOX regimen can be effectively and safely applied as first-line treatment for advanced gastric cancer patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Capecitabine ; Deoxycytidine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Fluorouracil ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; administration & dosage ; Retrospective Studies ; Stomach Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome

Organic anion transporting polypeptide 1B1 (OATP1B1) is an important liver-specific uptake transporter, which mediates transport of numerous endogenous substances and drugs from blood into hepatocytes. To identify and investigate potential modulators of OATP1B1 from natural products, the effect of 21 frequently used natural compounds and extracts on OATP1B1-mediated fluorescein methotrexate transport was studied by using Chinese hamster ovary cells stably expressing OATP1B1 (CHO-OATP1B1) in 96-well plates. This method could be used for the screening of large compound libraries. Our studies showed that some flavonoids (e.g., quercetin, quercitrin, rutin, chrysanthemum flavonoids and mulberrin) and triterpenoids (e.g., glycyrrhetinic acid and glycyrrhizic acid) were inhibitors of OATP1B1 with IC50 values less than 16 µmol · L(-1). The IC50 value of glycyrrhetinic acid on OATP1B1 was comparable to its blood concentration in clinics, indicating an OATPlB1-mediated drug-drug interaction could occur. Structure-activity relationship analysis showed that flavonoids had much higher inhibitory activity than their glycosides. Furthermore, the type and length of saccharides had a significant effect on their activity. In addition, we used OATP1B1 substrates fluvastatin and rosuvastatin as probe drugs to investigate the substrate-dependent effect of several natural compounds on the function of OATP1B1 in vitro. Our results demonstrated that the effect of these natural products on the function of OATPlB1 was substrate-dependent. In summary, this study would be conducive to predicting and avoiding potential OATP1B1-mediated drug-drug and drug-food interactions and thus provide the experimental basis and guidance for rational drug use.
Animals ; Biological Products ; CHO Cells ; Cricetulus ; Drug Interactions ; Fatty Acids, Monounsaturated ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; pharmacology ; Indoles ; pharmacology ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Organic Anion Transporters ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rosuvastatin Calcium ; pharmacology ; Structure-Activity Relationship

Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Aged ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Facial Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Keratin-19 ; metabolism ; Keratin-20 ; metabolism ; Keratin-7 ; metabolism ; Male ; Receptors, Estrogen ; metabolism ; Skin Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery

Objective To investigate clinical characteristics of relapsing polychondritis(RP)and to improve early recognition for it.Methods Clinical and laboratory data of 56 patients with RP were analyzed retrospectively.Results Ratio of number of male patients to female ones was 1.2.Age at onset was(46?11)years(ranging from 27 to 71)and average interval between onset and diagnosis was(21? 35)months,(8?6),(16?31)and(29?37)months for patients initial onset with auricle,respiratory tract and joints involved,respectively.Site involved included airway in 40 patients(71.4%),auricle in 32 (57.1%),joints in 32(57.1%),eyes in 27(48.2%),nasal chondritis in 25(44.6%)and inner ear in 13(23.2%).At initial stage of the course,17 patients were misdiagnosed as respiratory infection (30.4%),nine as perichondritis(16.1%),six as pulmonary tuberculosis(10.7%),five as rheumatoid arthritis(8.9%).Seven of 40 patients with airway involvement received metallic stents for their tracheobronchial stenosis.Four patients whose condition never improved after regular therapy all had respiratory involvement.Conclusions Patients of RP with initial onset at non-auricle,non-nasal sites tended to be misdiagnosed.Prevalence of airway involvement was not so low with a poor prognosis in patients of RP.

Fermentation condition optimization of P. decumbens Ju-A10 for production of CMCase using three kinds of plant cellulosic wastes as carbon sources was made using RSA method. The result was that CMCase was the highest when the level of carbon source was 9. 77 % , 8. 69 % and 9. 97% , and liquid volume was 64. 7 mL, 54. 2 mL, 40. 8 mL for carbon sources of millet straw, wheat straw and paper sludge, respectively. The value of CMCase was 29. 26IU/mL, 29. 14 IU/mL, 29. 81 IU/mL, respectively, in the above cases. The value of R2 is 0. 9117 , 0. 9246, 0. 8655 , respectively. It could be concluded that the fermentation models were quite reliable. The method can be applied in optimization of fungi fermentation medium.