AIM: To examine the relationship between corneal lymphangiogenesis and hemangiogenesis after keratoplasty.METHODS: Nineteen human corneas were obtained from 19 patients undergoing a second corneal transplantation in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center in 2005. Blood and lymphatic vessels in human transplanted corneas were identified by lymphatic vessel endothelial receptor(LYVE-1) and platelet endothelial cell adhesion modecule-1(PECAM-1) immunohistochemistry, and double enzyme-histochemistry; then the association of corneal blood vessel counting (BVC) with lymphatic vessel counting (LVC) was examined.RESULTS: Corneal hemangiogenesis was present in 12 cases (63%), and lymphangiogenesis occurred in 5 cases (26%) of human transplanted corneas. In addition, corneal lymphangiogenesis was only present in vascularized corneas. LVC was strongly and positively correlated with BVC(r=0.725;P<0.01).CONCLUSION: Corneal lymphangiogenesis develops after keratoplasty, and strongly associates with hemangiogenesis.

Objective To investigate the quality of life and analyze related factors of all the disabled at the entry of the Home Service Program in Zhabei district, Shanghai. Methods All the disabled were surveyed using the Chinese version of Short-Form 36 Health Survey(SF-36). Results 280 disabled people finished the survey, the total score was (59.72±20.03). There were significant differences in the scores among different ages, types of disabilities and status of subsistence allowances (P<0.01). The age was negatively correlated with quality of life (P<0.01). The education degree and the status of subsistence allowances were positively correlated with quality of life (P<0.05, P<0.01).Conclusion People with disability have poor quality of life in Zhabei district, Shanghai.

OBJECTIVETo construct plant expression pCAMBIA1301-PMI by substituting PMI for hygromycin resistance gene in pCAMBIA1301 and obtain transgenic Salvia miltiorrhiza f. alba using PMI-mannose selection system.

METHODThe 6-phosphomannose isomerase gene (PMI) of Escherichia coli was amplified by PCR. Sequence analysis showed that it shared 100% amino acids identities with the sequences of PMI genes isolates reported in the NCBI. Based on pCAMBIA1305, the plant expression pCAMBIA1305-PMI was constructed successfully by substituting PMI for hygromycin resistance gene in pCAMBIA1305. pCAMBIA1305-PMI was transformed into Agrobacterium tumefaciens LBA4404, and then the leaves of S. miltiorrhiza f. alba were inoculated in LBA4404 with pCAMBIA1305-PMI.

RESULTPlant expression pCAMBIA1301-PMI was successfully constructed and the leaves of S. miltiorrhiza f. alba inoculated in LBA4404 with pCAMBIA1305-PMI were selected on medium supplemented with a combination of 20 g x L(-1) mannose and 10 g x L(-1) sucrose as a carbon source. The transformation efficiency rate was 23.7%.

CONCLUSIONGenetic transformation was confirmed by PCR, indicating that a new method for obtaining transgenic S. miltiorrhiza f. alba plants was developed using PMI-mannose selection system.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Biomarkers ; Cinnamates ; pharmacology ; Escherichia coli ; enzymology ; genetics ; Escherichia coli Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Hygromycin B ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Mannose-6-Phosphate Isomerase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Transformation, Genetic

OBJECTIVETo determine the antibacterial activity of six kinds of natural herbs in Yunnan on normal oral predominant bacteria in vitro.

METHODSAgar dilution method, the antimicrobial susceptibility testing of anaerobes which was recommended by National Committee for Clinical Laboratory Standard (NCCLs), was used to determine the antimicrobial susceptibility of herbs to 21 kinds of oral model strains and clinical isolates. The results were expressed by minimum inhibitory concentration (MIC).

RESULTSAll six kinds of herbs were effective to the oral predominant bacteria. For the ten kinds of cariogenic bacteria, the MIC of caesalpinia sappan lignum was between 5-10 mg x mL(-1), and the MIC of other herbs was above 20 mg x mL(-1). For the eleven kinds of predominant bacteria which normally involved in pulp periapical disease and periodontitis, the MIC of caesalpinia sappan lignum was below 0.062 5 mg x mL(-1), and the MIC of the terminalia chebula retz was between 10-20 mg x mL(-1), and the others were above 20 mg x mL(-1).

CONCLUSIONThe six kinds of herbs in Yunnan could be used in treatment or prevention of oral bacterial diseases.

Anti-Bacterial Agents ; Bacteria ; China ; Humans ; Microbial Sensitivity Tests ; Mouth ; microbiology

Objective To study the mlationship between dietary soy isoflavones and blood lipids among residents of 40-65 years old,in Guangzhou.Methods Dietary soy isoflavones and other nutrients intakes were assessed with quantitative food frequency questionnaire(FFQ).Total cholesterol(TC),triglycerides(TG),HDL cholesterol(HDL-C)and LDL cholesterol(LDL-C)in plasma were measured with colorimetry.Results Ranges of dietary soy isoflavones intake among 134 males and 261 females were fxom 0 mg/day to 61.96 mg/day and 0 mg/day to 82.52 mg/day,with means of 11.95 mg/day,14.90 mg/day,respectively.After adjusted for total energy intake and fat percent energy,difiefences of TC,LDL-C in total population and TC in women were statistically significant between groups(P value was 0.002,0.008,0.004,respectively) and dose-effect relationships(P value was <0.001.0.012.0.001,respectively)were observed between dietary soy isoflavones intake and the upper mentioned three indices.Compared with the low-intake group,tbese three indices lowered 7.06%,10.13%and 7.48%,respectively in high-intake group.Critical significance of LDL-C was observed both in women and men between groups.Further controlled for age,BMI and WHR,no obvious change of the results was observed.Conclusion Moderate intakes of soy isoflavone as part of a regular diet seemed to be associated with favorable blood lipid levels.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between positive expression of Her2 and abnormal expressions of beta-catenin and E-cadherin and its implications.

METHODSImmunohistochemistry was used to detect the expressions of Her2, beta-catenin and E-cadherin in 147 samples of human breast carcinoma. The expressions of beta-catenin and E-cadherin were also detected in 19 tissues adjacent to the carcinoma and 17 benign breast lesions as controls.

RESULTSIn breast carcinoma, positive Her2 expression was associated with lymph node metastasis, advanced clinical stage and negative expression of ER and PR (P<0.05). Abnormal beta-catenin expression was associated with positive lymph node status and high histological grade (P<0.01). Abnormality of E-cadherin expression was related to lymph node metastasis and advanced clinical stage (P<0.05). Abnormal beta-catenin expression was directly correlated with abnormal E-cadherin expression (P<0.01). Her2 positivity showed a direct correlation to abnormal beta-catenin expression (P<0.01), and they cooperated in promoting axillary lymph node metastasis in human breast carcinoma (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONA direct correlation between positive Her2 expression and abnormal beta-catenin expression exists in human breast carcinoma, and positive Her2 expression may have functional interactions with abnormal activation of Wnt/beta-catenin signaling pathway.

Adult ; Aged ; Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cadherins ; metabolism ; Carcinoma, Ductal, Breast ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the changes of serum reproductive hormones with male aging and to compare the differences in the hormone levels among different age groups or between township and rural males of the same age group.

METHODSUsing cluster and stratified sampling, we recruited 434 healthy old and middle-aged (40-69 years) males, 198 from the township and 236 from the rural communities. We determined the concentrations of serum total testosterone (tT), luteinizing hormone (LH) and sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), free testosterone (fT), bio-available testosterone (Bio-T), and obtained the testosterone secretion index (TSI) and free testosterone index (fTI). Meanwhile, we included fifty-nine 20-39 years old males from the same communities in a control group.

RESULTSWith the increase of age, the serum tT levels did not change significantly, while the levels of serum LH and SHBG increased, and those of fT, Bio-T, TSI and fTI decreased gradually. Statistically significant differences were found among the four different age groups in all the parameters of reproductive hormones (P < 0.01), except in the serum tT level (P > 0.05). The serum tT level was not significantly correlated with aging and LH (P > 0.05). Serum LH and SHBG had a marked positive correlation with aging, and SHBG with LH (P < 0.01), while fT, Bio-T, TSI and fTI were negatively correlated with aging and the LH level (P < 0.01). Serum LH, TSI and fTI showed statistical differences (P < 0.05), while fT and Bio-T exhibited extremely significant differences (P < 0.01) between the township and rural males in the 40 -49 yr group, and in the same age group, the increase rates of serum LH and SHBG and reduction rates of fT, Bio-T, TSI and fTI were higher in the rural men than in the township residents. However, the results were just the opposite in the 50 - 59 and 60 - 69 yr groups.

CONCLUSIONThe levels of serum LH, SHBG, fT, Bio-T, TSI and fTI changed with aging in a gradientmanner in the old and middle-aged males, but no significant changes were observed in the level of serum tT. There were statistical differences in many parameters of serum reproductive hormones among different age groups or between township and rural males.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Aging ; metabolism ; China ; Humans ; Luteinizing Hormone ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Rural Population ; Serum Albumin ; metabolism ; Sex Hormone-Binding Globulin ; metabolism ; Testosterone ; blood ; Urban Population ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe degenerative intervertebral disc and to examine innervation of degenerative discs in the rabbit anular-injury model.

METHODSTwo different magnitudes of anular injury at 5 mm depth were performed by 11 blade or 16 gauge needle at the L3-L4 or L5-L6 discs in New Zealand white rabbits (n=48, 2.5-3.0 kg). Disc degeneration was evaluated by radiographic, MRI and histological examination at different time points after surgery. To identify nerve ingrowth into disc, two general markers PGP 9.5 and GAP 43, for nerve fibers were examined by immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSignificant decreases in disc height and signal intensity in magnetic resonance imaging were observed in 11 blade group and 16 G puncture group (P<0.01). 16 G puncture group induced slower and more progressive disc degeneration companed with the stab group and control group. At the 12-week time point, nucleus pulposus tissues were extruded and scar tissues formed outside the disc. In stab discs, nerve ingrowth was scattered on the surface of injury site and in the deeper part of the scar tissues, more than 1 mm from the surface. However, in punctured discs, PGP 9.5 and GAP 43-immunoreative fibers were only observed in the outmost part of the scar tissues and superficial area. More nerve fibers were observed in stab group.

CONCLUSIONInnervation may act as a source of discogenic pain which is associated with intervertebral disc degeneration caused by disc anular injury.

Animals ; GAP-43 Protein ; metabolism ; Intervertebral Disc ; injuries ; innervation ; pathology ; Intervertebral Disc Degeneration ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; etiology ; Low Back Pain ; etiology ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; Male ; Nerve Fibers ; pathology ; Rabbits ; Radiography ; Random Allocation ; Ubiquitin Thiolesterase ; metabolism

Aged ; Blood Glucose ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus ; diagnosis ; Female ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; ROC Curve

Aged ; Carotid Artery, Common ; pathology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Glucose Intolerance ; metabolism ; pathology ; Glucose Tolerance Test ; Humans ; Insulin Resistance ; Male ; Tunica Intima ; pathology