AIM: To investigate the effect of PEDF on retinal neovascularization in mice. METHODS: 40 7-day-old C57BL/6J mice was exposed to 750mL/L oxygen for 5 days and then to normal situation to produce the murine model of oxygen-induced retinopathy(OIR). One eye of the mouse was regarded as experimental one and the other served as control. Eyes in experimental group received intravitreal injection of PEDF and eyes in control group received intravitreal injection of PBS at postnatal day 12. All mice were executed at postnatal day 17. The changes of retinal vessels of mice were observed by ADPase histochemical technique. The inhibitory effect of PEDF on retinal neovascularization was evaluated by counting the endotheliocyte nuclei of new vessels which extended from retina to vitreous in the tissue slice of HE staining. RESULTS: Neovascularization was reduced, retinal blood vessels distributed regularly and non-perfusion areas were not found in eyes of experimental group compared with control group. The number of endotheliocyte nuclei of new vessels extending from retina to vitreous was significantly less in the eyes of experimental group (10.18±1.74) than that in control group (38.89±2.98) (P<0.01). Retinal toxicity and inflammatory reactions were not found in tissue slice.CONCLUSION: PEDF inhibits retinal angiogenesis in OIR and the feasibility should be determined for use of PEDF in ocular angiogenesis treatment.

Objective To compare the specificities of the cell membrane stationary phases(CMSP) with cell membrane chromatography(CMC).Methods Cell chromatographic columns were constructed for both rat aorta tissue cells and cultured rat aorta smooth muscle cells.Then the chromatographic affinities of ten ligands of ?-adrenergic receptor(?-AR) with both said chromatographic columns were investigated.Capacity factors(k'),as a chromatographic parameter,were calculated.Results The correlation analysis showed a positive correlation between the rat aorta tissue CMSP and the cultured rat aorta smooth muscle cell CMSP,with correlation factor of r=0.923,P

OBJECTIVETo identify the Cynomorii Herba and its analogues species using DNA barcoding technique.

METHODTotal genomic DNA extracted from all materials using the DNA extraction kit. The internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) regions were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and purified PCR products were sequenced bi-directionally. Sequence assembly and consensus sequence generation were performed using the CodonCode Aligner 3.7.1. The Kimura 2-Parameter (K2P) distances and GC content were computed using MEGA 5. 0. Species identification analyses were conducted through the species identification system for traditional Chinese medicine and neighbor-joining (NJ) trees.

RESULTThe ITS2 sequence lengths of Cynomorii Herba were 229 bp. The average intra-specific genetic distances of Cynomorii Herba were 0.003. The average inter-specific genetic distances between Cynomorii Herba and its adulterants species were 0.760. The results showed that the minimum inter-specific divergence is larger than the maximum intra-specific divergence. The species identification system for traditional Chinese medicine and NJ trees results indicated that Cynomorii Herba and its adulterants species can be easily identification.

CONCLUSIONThe ITS2 region is an efficient barcode for identification of Cynomorii Herba, which provide a new technique to ensure clinical safety in utilization of traditional Chinese medicine.

In order to identify Peucedani Radix, Peucedani Decursivi Radix and their adulterants, the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) regions of Peucedani Radix, Peucedani Decursivi Radix and their adulterants were amplified and bidirectionally sequenced based on the Principles for Molecular Identification of Traditional Chinese Materia Medica Using DNA Barcoding, which has been promulgated by Chinese Pharmacopoeia Commission. Sequences were analyzed and assembled by Codon Code Aligner V3. 7.1. The relevant data were analyzed by MEGA 5. 0. Species identification analyses were performed by using the nearest distance methods and neighbor-joining (NJ) methods. The result showed that the ITS2 sequence lengths of Peucedani Radix were 229-230 bp and the average intra-specific genetic distances were 0.005. The ITS2 sequence lengths of Peucedani Decursivi Radix were 227 bp and the sequences contained no variation site. The average inter-specific K2P genetic distance of Peucedani Radix, Peucedani Decursivi Radix and their adulterants species were 0.044 and 0.065 respectively. The minimum inter-specific divergence is larger than the maximum intra-specific divergence of Peucedani Decursivi Radix. The nearest distance methods and NJ trees results indicated that Peucedani Radix, Peucedani Decursivi Radix and their adulterants species could be identification clearly. The ITS2 regions can stably and accurately distinguish Peucedani Radix, Peucedani Decursivi Radix and their adulterants.
Apiaceae ; classification ; genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; methods ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; Drug Contamination

ObjectiveTo evaluate the clinical value of infrahyoid myocutaneous flap in the reconstruction of mouth floor tissue defects. MethodsInfrahyoid myocutaneous flap was made including stenohyoid,thyrohyoid,omohyoid and the affiliated skin based on the axis of superior thyroid artery,vein and ansa cervicalis. The clinical data of 11 patients with reconstruction of mouth floor tissue defects using infrahyoid myocutaneous flap (maximum area was 8 cm × 3 cm) from Match 1993 to June 2009 were retrospectively reviewed.ResultsSeven infrahyoid myocutaneous flaps which reserved platysma branch of superior thyroid artery were all alive, while 2 patients presented epidermal necrosis of 4 un-protected patients. The follow-up period was range from 24 months to 195 months, one patient received salvage surgery for local regional lymphatic recurrence in level Ⅰ,which survived without diseases until now.The rest cases had turned out a success.No dysphagia,dysphonia,and tongue extension difficulty was reported in any patient.ConclusionInfrahyoid myocutaneous flap is one of the valuable donor sites for the reconstruction of mouth floor tissue defects after radical oncologic operations,especially for those with early stage carcinoma of the mouth floor.

Objective To explore the effect of adenovirus carrying pigment epithelium-derived factor(ADV-PEDF)gene treatment on retinal neovascularization of mice with retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).Methods Sixty 7 d C57BL/6J mice were put into the environment with (750?5)mL/L oxygen for 5 days and returned to normal environment to establish animal models of ROP.The eyes in experimental group received an intravitreal injection of 1 ?L of ADV-PEDF,and the same volume of ADV-LacZ was injected into the eyes of mice in control group.The ADPase histochemical staining was used for retinal flatmount to observe changes of retinal vessels.The inhibitory effects of PEDF on retinal neovascularization were evaluated by counting the endotheliocyte nuclei of new vessels extending from retina to vitreous in the tissue-slice.The expression of PEDF in retina were detected by Western blotting.Results The vessels from optic disc were very thin and distorted in eyes of control group in retinal flatmount.There were avascular area around optic disc and neovascular trufts beside avascular area.Compared with control group,regular distributions and no conspicuous avascular area were found in eyes of experiment group in retinal flatmount.The number of the endotheliocyte nuclei of new vessels extending from retina to vitreous was less in the eyes of the experiment group than that in control group (P

In recent years, clear aligner technology has been maturing and is rapidly gaining popularity in the orthodontic market for its aesthetic and removable properties. However, despite the background of its large-scale clinical application, mechanical properties of clear aligners need to be studied in depth. This paper reviews the factors influencing mechanical properties of clear aligners and the current status of research to provide evidence-based guidance for clinical application.

Objectives To screen the differentially expressed proteins in serum of population chronically exposed to arsenic in drinking water,thus to provide candidate protein biomarkers for arsenic exposure and arsenicosis.Methods Subjects were selected from the drinking water type of endemic arsenicosis areas in Shanxi province,China.Demographic characteristics,history of arsenic exposure,cigarette smoking,alcohol drinking,health and other information were collected using questionnaire.The subjects were divided into low-arsenic group (with arsenic in drinking water ＜ 10 μg/L),medium-arsenic group( 10 - 50 μg/L),high-arsenic group( ＞ 50 μg/L),and arsenicosis group(the drinking water with arsenic ＞ 50 μg/L was replaced by low arsenic water ＜ 10 μg/L).The number of cases in each group was 30.The arsenicosis patients were diagnosed according to “Standard of Diagnosis for Endemic Arsenism” (WS/T 211-2001 ).With the principle of informed consent,blood samples were collected.Differentially expressed serum proteins of different arsenic exposure groups and arsenicosis group were screened by two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis(2-D DIGE),and further identified by mass spectrometry (MS).Results An average of (1299 ± 167) protein spots were identified in 6 gel images and 688 protein spots were discovered repeatedly in at least 5 gels.There were 33 protein spots differentially expressed among low-,medium- and high-arsenic groups P ＜ 0.01).Fifty four protein spots were significantly different among low-,medium-,high-arsenic exposure groups and arsenicosis group(P ＜ 0.01 ).Twenty five protein spots were selected for MS analysis,and13 protein spots were identified.Compared with low-arsenic group,the expressions of apolipoprotein A-Ⅳ,retinol binding protein,and estrogen receptor hypothalamic isoform in medium- and higharsenic exposure groups were down regulated,and the expressions of component 4A and 4B were up regulated.Compared with low-,medium- and high-arsenic groups,the expressions of beta-2-glycoprotein Ⅰ,Keratin 1,hemopexin,complement C1r subcomponent,and ficolin-3 in arsenicosis group were down regulated,and the expressions of pigment epithelial-differentiating factor,alpha-1-microglobulin and carboxypeptidase N catalytic chain were up regulated.Conclusions Chronic arsenic exposure can significantly change population's serum protein expression.Differentially expressed proteins in arsenicosis patients will not decline with the decline of arsenic in a short term.Whether or not the differentially expressed proteins identified in this study can be used as biomarkers for arsenic exposure and arsenicosis needs to be further verified.

Objective To assess mucin gene expression in Barrett's esophagus.Methods Mucin core protein-MUC1,MUC2,MUC3,MUCSAC and MUC6 were detected by immunohistochemistry.The re- lationship between mucin expression and magnification-endoscopic characteristics,pathohistologic epithelial types of Barrett's esophagus was analyzed.Results Mild expression of MUC1 was predominantly found in the superficial epithelium of both gastric and specialised intestinal metaplasia.In a small number of specimens, mild expression of MUC1 was also noted in glands.Strong MUC2 expression was noted only in the goblet cells in Barrett's oesophagus.MUC3 was expressed in the superficial columnar cells of specialized intestinal metaplasia with or without globlet cells but not in gastric metaplasia of the oesophagus.In some specimens MUC3 was expressed in the vacuolus of the globlet cells and the lumen of gland.Strong staining of MUCSAC was noted in the columnar epithelium of both gastric metaplasia and specialized intestinal metaplasia in Barrett's oesophagus,as well as expressed in the cytoplasm and vacuolus of the globlet cells in some speci- mens.Expression of MUC6 protein was detected at the basement of the crypts in gastric metaplasia and spe- cialised Barrett's glands.Expression of MUC2 and MUC3 protein was found much higher in villous or irregu- lar pit pattern than that in dot or rod pit pattern(P

Objective To evaluate the effect of various iterative reconstruction methods on phase analysis of gated myocardial perfusion imaging (MPI). Methods Thirty consecutive patients scanned by the Philips CardioMD system were recruited into this study. The gated SPECT (GSPECT) data were reconstructed with filtered backprojection (FBP),maximum likelihood expectation maximization (MLEM),three-di-mensional (3D) resolution recovery MLEM (AST),attenuation corrected (AC) MLEM,AC and 3D Monte Carlo scatter corrected (ACSC) MLEM methods. Parameters of left ventricular ( LV ) dyssynchrony ( phase standard deviation and histogram bandwidth) were measured using the software SyncTool. Paired t-test was used to compare the differences of the LV dyssynchrony indices between FBP and MLEM,AC MLEM,ACSC MLEM,AST respectively. Results The phase standard deviations of stress GSPECT MPI for FBP,MLEM,AC MLEM,ACSC MLEM,and AST were 11.6°,10.9°,11.2°,11.6°,11.4° respectively;while the histogram bandwidths were 35.7°,34.3°,35.1°,36.9°,35. 1 ° respectively. The phase standard deviations of rest GSPECT MPI for FBP,MLEM,AC MLEM,ACSC MLEM and AST were 15.2°,14. 5°,15.4° ,15. 4°,14.8° respectively; while the histogram bandwidths were 47.3°,46.4°,46.4° ,47.9°,46.1 ° respectively. No statistical significance was observed between the FBP and various iterative reconstruction methods for both the stress and rest GSPECT MPI study (t:-1. 179 to 1.554,P＞0.05 forall). Conclusion The standard FBP reconstruction method is accurate enough for the measurement of LV dyssynchrony indices using the widely used clinical software SyncTool.