● AIM: To investigate the sequential changes of HIF-1 α Protein and mRNA in hypoxic bovine retinal microvessel endothelial cells.● METHODS: The bovine retinal microvessel endothelial cells were cultured in normoxic and CoCl2-induced hypoxic conditions respectively. Expressions of HIF-1 α Protein were measured with immunohistochemical staining, and RT-PCR was used to determine the HIF-1 α mRNA.● RESULTS: HIF-1 α began to increase 1h after hypoxia,and reached the peak at 4h. After 16h, it declined significantly. Compared with the normoxic group, the expression of HIF-1 α protein in the hypoxic groups had significant difference (P＜0.01), and HIF-1 α mRNA expression was unchanged under hypoxia.● CONCLUSION: HIF-1 α participates in the hypoxic procedures in retinal microvessel endothelial cells, and hypoxia induce time-dependent changes of HIF-1 α protein expression, which is not modulated on the transcription level. Analysis of HIF-1 α expression revealed a temporal and spatial changes with regard to the hyperoxic repression, indicating that HIF-1 may play a major role in the development of retinopathy of prematurity and other ischemic retinal disorders such as diabetic retinopathy.

BackgroundWith the increasing prevalence of dry eye and the continuous improvement of living standards,the problem of dry eye more and more get the attention of people.At present,China still lacks the large population-based epidemiological data of dry eye. Objective To investigate the prevalence and possible risk factors of dry eye in a community of Huidong County of population aged 14 and over.Methods From September 2010 to January 2011,using questionnaires and examination of dry eye related,2800 people were selected randomly for cross-sectional survey.Those suspected as dry eye were examed by the SchirmerⅠtest ( S Ⅱ T),tear-film breakup time(BUT),corneal fluorescein staining(F1).Results In the 2475 questionnaire effectively,154 persons were diagnosed as dry eye,and the prevalence rate of dry eye was 6.22％,8.06％in females,4.14％in males.The prevalence rate increases with age.The S Ⅰ T and BUT decreased with increasing age.S Ⅰ T and BUT in females are less than males.Foreign body sensation is the primary complaints of patients.Logistic analysis showed that the most common risk factors in dry eye are age and gender.The system disease and eye diseases,eye fatigue and long exposure to dust are also main determinants.ConclusionsThe population prevalence rate of dry eye increased with age,the prevalence rate of dry eye in females is higher than that in males.The key factors associated with dry eye are age,gender,systemic disease and eye diseases,occupation,working environment.

AIMTo evaluate the effect of androgen deprivation therapy (ADT) on bone mineral density (BMD) in prostate cancer patients.

METHODSForty-nine prostate cancer patients with their BMD determined were divided into two groups: the non-treated group included 21 patients before the commencement of ADT and the treated group, 28 patients, who had received ADT for more than 1 year. BMD was measured by dual energy X-ray absorptiometry (DEXA) in the lumbar spine (L2-4) and femoral neck.

RESULTSThirteen (62 %) non-treated and 23 (82 %) treated patients fulfilled the BMD criteria for osteopenia or osteoporosis. Z scores for age-matched control in lumbar spine and femoral neck were -0.9 +/- 0.7 and -0.6 +/- 0.5, respectively, in the treated group, and -1.8 +/- 1.1 and -1.6 +/- 1.0, respectively, in the non-treated group, the differences between the two groups were highly significant (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONProstate cancer patients who received ADT for more than 1 year had a significantly lower BMD in the lumbar spine and femoral neck than those before the beginning of ADT.

Absorptiometry, Photon ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Androgens ; deficiency ; Bone Density ; Bone Diseases, Metabolic ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; adverse effects ; Osteoporosis ; diagnosis ; etiology ; Prostatic Neoplasms ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo study two cases of rare para-Bombay blood types Bmh and Amh in order to determine clinical strategies of blood transfusion.

METHODSABO blood type was determined with serological assays. The samples were also genotyped with polymerase chain reaction-sequence specific primer (PCR-SSP) for potential mutations in α-1,2-fucosyltransferase gene (FUT1). The results were verified with direct sequencing.

RESULTSTwo rare para-Bombay blood types, namely Bmh and Amh, were identified by serological method, with one being BO1 which contained a FUT1 allele 547-548delAG deletion (h1h1), and another being A205O2 which contained FUT1 allele a 547-548delAG deletion and a FUT1 allele 658C/T missense mutation (h1h3).

CONCLUSIONFUT1 allele 547-548delAG deletion and 658C>T missense mutation in part form the molecular basis of para-Bombay blood types. As Bmh and Amh contain anti-HI in sera, great attention should be paid to avoid adverse reaction of blood transfusion in clinics.

ABO Blood-Group System ; genetics ; Base Sequence ; Blood Grouping and Crossmatching ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Exons ; Fucosyltransferases ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Mutation ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

OBJECTIVETo prepare colon-targetting tablets of total alkaloids of Sophora alopecuroides and evaluate the effect of pectins of different degree of esterification (DE) on sophoridine release profiles in-vitro.

METHODWet granulation technique was employed to prepare petin-based matrix tablets, then tablets were coated the optimal formulation with Kollicoat MAE 30 DP based on the optimal formulation and analysed their release.

RESULTCoated formulation E could target total alkaloids of S. alopecuroides to colon and various DE of pectin exerted different effects on sophoridine release. The release of low DE pectin-based matrix tablets coating with Kollicoat MAE 30 DP approximatedly fitted zere-order eqution, which was erosion depended.

CONCLUSIONLow DE pectin-based matrix tablet coating with Kollicoat MAE 30 DP can deliver sophoridine to colon, hence improve the effectiveness of sophoridine.

Alkaloids ; chemistry ; Animals ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Colon ; chemistry ; Esterification ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Pectins ; chemistry ; Quinolizines ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sophora ; chemistry ; Tablets ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo analyze mutation patterns in the RT region of hepatitis B virus (HBV) P gene in patients treated with nucleoside or nucleotide analogs.

METHODSViral DNA was extracted from 227 serum samples of chronic hepatitis B patients from September, 2005 to March, 2007. The RT region of HBV P gene was PCR-amplified and sequenced.

RESULTSKnown resistant mutations were found in 111 cases (48.9%) among 227 samples, 75 cases with clear therapy history. Novel mutations, including A222T, L229V and S256C, were also found. The incidence of multi-drug resistance in patients sequentially treated with lamivudine and adefovir was 25% (4/16), and none of the patients treated with lamivudine plus adefovir in combination shown multi-drug resistance.

CONCLUSIONThe patterns of mutation is complex in nucleotide analogue treated patients. Switching to adefovir in lamivudine resistant patients may lead to multi-drug resistance. Novel mutations identified in this study need further investigation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA, Viral ; genetics ; Drug Resistance, Viral ; Female ; Gene Products, pol ; genetics ; Genes, Viral ; Genetic Variation ; Hepatitis B virus ; drug effects ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; genetics ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reverse Transcriptase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 expression in neurons and activation of brain astroglial cells, and the relationship between astrocytes and neurons in mice after a single intracerebroventricular (ICV) stereotaxic injection of lipopolysaccharide (LPS). METHODS: C57BL/6J mice of different ages were divided into a control group and an experiment group. Immunohistochemistry to Bcl-2 and that to GFAP were conducted to observe the expression of Bcl-2 protein in neurons and GFAP in astrocytes in the brain at different time-points after the LPS injection. The glial cell type expressing Bcl-2 was characterized with immunofluorescence double labeling. RESULTS: GFAP-immunoreactive cells in the control mice were observed mainly within hippocampal formation, piriform, entorhinal cortex, septum, striatum, amygdaloid nucleus, subcortical white matter, as well as in the main fiber tracts. At 24 h after the LPS treatment there was no obvious difference in GFAP immunoreactivity compared with the controls. Astrocytes were markedly activated in periventricular brain regions such as hippocampus, the hypothalamic parenchyma surrounding the third ventricle, with larger cell body and hypertrophic processes 2 days after the endotoxin treatment. After the LPS injection, Bcl-2 positive cells were distributed widely in the brain, such as in the cortex (primary and secondary motor cortex, somatosensory cortex), hypothalamic parenchyma surrounding the third ventricle, diagonal band, hippocampus, septum and the red nucleus of the midbrain. At these sites, Bcl-2 induction increased significantly 2 days after the ICV LPS injection, with some subregional differences, peaking on 4th day. No immunofluorescent double labeling cells for GFAP and Bcl-2 were observed in the brain of the mice after the LPS administration, but merging GFAP positive astrocytes and Bcl-2 positive neurons were seen. Double staining for Bcl-2 and GFAP also showed that the projections of activated astrocytes were found in the sheath of Bcl-2 positive neurons 4 days after the ICV LPS administration. CONCLUSION LPS can activate astroglial cells and upregulate of Bcl-2 expression in the neurons in the mouse brain, which may participate in the administration of central nervous system to central-immunity stimulated regulation and the protective response to the inflammatory stimulus. The projections of activated astrocytes are found in the sheath of Bcl-2 positive neurons, indicating that there is close relationship between astrocytes and neurons.
Animals ; Astrocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Brain ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; biosynthesis ; Immunohistochemistry ; Injections, Intraventricular ; Lipopolysaccharides ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Neurons ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; biosynthesis ; Random Allocation

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical efficiency, electroencephalogram (EEG) changes and cognitive improvements of ketogenic diet (KD) in children with refractory epilepsy.

METHODSTwenty pediatric patients (7-61 months in age) with refractory epilepsy were recruited between August 2012 and August 2013. KD therapy was performed on all participants for at least 3 months based on a fasting initiation protocol with the lipid-to-nonlipid ratio being gradually increased to 4 : 1. Seizure frequency, type and degree were recorded before and during KD therapy. A 24 hours video-electroencephalogram (V-EEG) examination and Gesell Developmental Scale assessment were performed prior to KD therapy, and 3, 6, 9 months after KD therapy.

RESULTSSix patients became seizure free after KD therapy, with a complete control rate of 30%. Seizure frequency reduction occurred in 13 (65%) patients, EEG improvement in 8 (40%) patients, and improvement in Gesell Developmental Scales (gross motor and adaptability in particular) in 6 (30%) patients. The KD therapy-related side effects were mild.

CONCLUSIONSKD therapy is safety and effective in reducing seizure frequency and improving EEG and cognitive function in children with refractory epilepsy.

Child, Preschool ; Diet, Ketogenic ; adverse effects ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsy ; diet therapy ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Prospective Studies ; Recurrence

OBJECTIVETo translate the English version of The Premature Ejaculation Diagnostic Tool (PEDT) into Chinese, evaluate its reliability and validity, and analyze its feasibility in the diagnosis of premature ejaculation (PE).

METHODSFollowing the forward-backward translation procedure, we developed the Chinese version of PEDT, which was then revised by andrologists and bilingual linguists. We enrolled subjects with or without PE from 15 urological or andrological clinics in China and obtained the information about their demographic characteristics, PEDT scores, and intra-vaginal ejaculation latency time (IELT). We evaluated the internal consistency of PEDT using Cronbach alpha, was examined its reliability and stability by test-retest analysis, analyzed its correlation with IELT by Spearman correlation analysis, and tested its sensitivity and specificity by receiver operating characteristic ( ROC) analysis.

RESULTSTotally, 570 PE patients (aged [30.66 ± 7.11] years) and 226 non-PE men (aged [33.01 ± 5.41] years) were recruited, with the mean IELT of (1.34 ± 0.54) min in the former and (11.09 ± 7.5) min in the latter group. The Cronbach's alpha of the Chinese version of PEDT was 0.79, and the test-retest correlation coefficient was 0.75 (P < 0.01). The PEDT score was negatively correlated with IELT (Spearman's p = -0.52, P < 0.01). When the cutoff value of PE diagnosis was defined as 7.5, the sensitivity and specificity of PEDT were 0.80 and 0.78, and when as 8.5, they were 0.72 and 0.89, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe Chinese version of PEDT was demonstrated to have good internal consistency, reliability, and validity, as well as a high predictability for PE. It can be used as a reliable and convenient tool to screen PE among Chinese men.

Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; China ; Ejaculation ; Feasibility Studies ; Humans ; Language ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Premature Ejaculation ; diagnosis ; ROC Curve ; Reaction Time ; Reproducibility of Results ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Translations

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of willed movement therapy on the expression of neurotrophin 3 (NT-3) and growth associated protein 43 (GAP-43) in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion (IR) and investigate the neuroprotective mechanism of willed movement therapy in nerve regeneration and repair.

METHODSCerebral IR model was established by middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in SD rats. The rats were randomly divided into MCAO group, environment modification group (EM group) and willed movement therapy group (WM group). The rats were evaluated for neurological deficits and decapitated on days 3, 7 and 15 after the reperfusion to examine the expressions of NT-3 and GAP-43 in the ischemic brain tissues by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSCompared with MCAO and EM groups, the rats in WM group showed significantly lowered grade of neurological deficits (P<0.05) at 15 days and significantly increased the expressions of NT-3 and GAP-43 (P<0.05) at 7 and 15 days after the reperfusion. No significant difference was found in the expression of NT-3 and GAP-43 between MCAO and EM groups (P>0.05). The expression of NT-3 was positively correlated to that of GAP-43 in the ischemic tissues.

CONCLUSIONSWilled movement therapy increases the expression of NT-3 and GAP-43 in the ischemic brain area in rats with cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, which is probably related to nerve regeneration and repair.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; metabolism ; therapy ; Exercise Therapy ; methods ; GAP-43 Protein ; metabolism ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; metabolism ; therapy ; Male ; Movement ; physiology ; Nerve Regeneration ; Neuronal Plasticity ; physiology ; Neurotrophin 3 ; metabolism ; Physical Exertion ; physiology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; metabolism ; therapy