Background The visual system of animal have to optimally adjust in various environmental conditions in order to obtain stable and effective visual funetion.However,the color vision system of animals which encounter uncertainty of spectral signals should be plastic.Whether the densities of various cones and expression of opsins change with long-time spectral deprivation is unclear.Objective This study was to investigate the changes of cone density as well as the expression of corresponding opsin and mRNA following the long-term illumination of monochromatic light.Methods Thirty 3-day-old guinea pigs were randomized into 3 groups and exposed tO the 530 nm green light,400 nm purple light and white light for consecutive 8 weeks respectively.The flat-mounted retinal sample was prepared and divided into dorsal zone,ventral zone and mixed zone anatomically according to the distribution of difierent light-sensitive cone.The changes in density of cone cells sensitivited to different colored light were detected by single-1abel or double-label immunocytochemistry.The levels of opsin and its mRNA were determined using Western-blot and real-time PCR respectively.Results The density of green-sensitivity cones was significantly different in the dorsal zone of retina among green light group,purple light group and white light group (F=234.28,P<0.01).Compared with white light group,the density of green-sensitive cones in dorsal retina of green light group was obviously higher but that of purple light group wag evidently lower(q=389.68,P<0.01；q=67.11,P<0.01).No significant difference was found in the density of purple-sensitive cones in the ventral zone of retina among green light group,purple light group and white light group(F=3.14,P>0.05).The density of coexpression of the mixed cone cells was increased in green light group(q=157.55,P<0.01)but decreased in purple light roup (q=254.85,P<0.01)in comparison with white light group.The expression levels of green-opsin and green-opsin mRNA in green light group was significantly elevated(q=184.45,P<0.01；q=4.71,P<0.05),but those of purple light group were evidently declined(q=5.87,P<0.05；q=346.66,P<0.01)in comparison with white light group.There was no statistically significant differences were found in the expression of purple-opsin and its mRNA among all the groups(F=1.24,P>0.05；F=3.27,P>0.05).Conclusion After the exposure of long-time monochromatic light illumination,monochromatic cones density and its opsin in guinea pig occur the corresponding alteration to gain good spatial vision as a compensatory reaction.These outcomes imply that there is some plasticity during the development of color vision.The increase of green-sensitive cones might be from the differentiation of coexpression cones in transition region.

Child ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Lung ; pathology ; Lung Diseases, Interstitial ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Male ; Treatment Outcome

Phytochemical investigation on the EtOH extract from the aerial part of Callicarpa kwangtungensis led to the isolation and characterization of 10 caffeoyl phenylethanoid glycosides, 2'-acetylacteoside (1), tubuloside E (2), acteoside (3), tubuloside B (4), isoacteoside (5), alyssonoside (6), 2'-acetylforsythoside B (7), brandioside (8), forsythoside B (9), and poliumoside (10). Compound 4 was isolated from the plants of Verbenaceae,and 6 was obtained from the Callicarpa genus, for the first time, while compounds 1, 2, 5 and 7 were firstly reported from the plant.
Caffeic Acids ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Catechols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glycosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Phenols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Verbenaceae ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the anatomy of femoral tunnels created by simulated transtibial technique in double-bundle anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) reconstruction.

METHODSTwo tibial tunnels, anteromedial (AM) and posterolateral (PL), were drilled 45?and 55?to tibial plateau respectively. On the femoral side, the AM and PL tunnels were drilled through anteriomedial portal. After the four tunnels were established, the shaft of a reamer was introduced into the joint through tibial tunnel and reached against the lateral wall of intercondylar notch. The position that the reamer shaft can reach was marked and recorded.

RESULTSNeither femoral AM nor PL tunnel opening can be fully or partially reached by the reamer shaft through the tibial AM tunnel in all cases. The evaluation through the tibial PL tunnel showed that only in 8 of 50 cases (16%) the femoral AM tunnel opening and in 4 cases (8%) the PL opening can be fully reached. On the other hand, in 12 cases (24%) the femoral AM tunnel opening and in 10 cases (20%) the PL opening can be partially reached by the shafts through the tibial PL tunnel.

CONCLUSIONThe result strongly suggests that transtibial technique is not well competent for femoral tunnel drilling in anatomic double-bundle ACL reconstruction as we have hypothesized.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; surgery ; Female ; Femur ; surgery ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; rehabilitation ; Tibia

As a member of orphan G protein-coupled receptors (oGPCRs), hGPCRc was cloned from human colon tissue and analyzed by bioinformatic softwares. It was showed that the corresponding amino acids of hGPCRc formed seven-transmembrane domains as the key characteristic of GPCRs. Then, the recombinant GFP-hGPCRc was constructed by fussing hGPCRc into pEGFP-N1 carrying green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene, and CHO-K1 cells were subsequently transfected with the GFP-hGPCRc or pEGFP-N1. The green fluorescence protein expression in the two different transfected cells was observed under the laser scanning confocal microscopy (LSCM). It was showed that green fluorescence protein was distributed in the whole bodies of the cells transfected with pEGFP-N1, but mainly distributed on the plasma membrane and cytoplasm membrane transfected with GFP-hGPCRc. Thus, the localization on the membrane of hGPCRc was accorded with the predication by bioinformatic analysis. The expression analysis of hGPCRc by RT-PCR indicated that hGPCRc was abundantly expressed in heart, kidney, cerebel and colon etc., but absent in liver, cerebra, small intestine and muscle etc. The expressing profile of hGPCRc could provide some useful clues to understanding its effects on embryonic development and physiological functions.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; CHO Cells ; Cell Membrane ; metabolism ; Cricetinae ; Cricetulus ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Green Fluorescent Proteins ; genetics ; Humans ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; genetics ; metabolism ; Tissue Distribution ; Transfection

Objective To compare the clinical efficacy among moxibustion plus pelvic floor muscle exercises, pelvic floor muscle exercises, and Western medication in treating postpartum stress urinary incontinence. Method Fifty-eight eligible patients were divided by the random number table into an integration group (19 cases), an exercise group (19 cases) and a Western medication group (20 cases). The integration group was intervened by pelvic floor muscle exercises plus moxibustion, 3 times of exercises a day, 5 min each time, and moxibustion at Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Guanyuan (CV4), Zhongji (CV3) and Qihai (CV6), once a day, 30 min each session. The exercise group was intervened by muscle force exercises to train the pelvic floor muscle, 3 times a day, 5 min each time. The Western medication group was intervened by oral administration of Duloxetine hydrochloride, 80 mg a day (40 mg per dose, twice a day). For the above methods, 6 d was taken as a course of treatment. Four treatment courses were observed, with a 1-month follow-up study. The 1-hour pad test was used to record the volume of urine leak. Before and after the treatment, as well as in the 1-month follow-up, the International Consultation on Incontinence Questionnaire-Urinary Incontinence-Short Form (ICIQ-UI-SF) score was evaluated and compared among the groups, and the short-term and long-term therapeutic efficacies were also compared. Result The short-term and long-term therapeutic efficacies of the integration group were superior to those of the exercise group and Western medication group (P<0.05). The integration group showed significant improvement after the treatment and in the follow-up study compared to the pre-treatment state (P<0.01); after the intervention, the integration group was better than the exercise group and Western medication group in comparing the urine leak volume by the 1 h pad test and ICIQ-UI-SF score (P<0.01,P<0.05). Conclusion Moxibustion plus pelvic floor muscle exercises can improve the short-term quality of life of patients with postpartum stress urinary incontinence. This method can produce a better effect in improving the quality of life compared to pelvic floor muscle exercises alone.

Objective To investigate the expression and correlation of NKG2D and sMICA in lung cancer patients. Methods By collecting 30 lung cancer patients as the test group,and taking 30 healthy volunteers as the contrast group, the expression of NKG2D and sMICA in the two groups were examined separately by FACS and ELISA method. Results The expressions of NKG2D in the two groups were (81.56±8.78) %, (85.63±6.62) %. The lung cancer patients were high remarkable. There was a significant difference between the two groups (P <0.05). The expression of sMICA in the two groups were (354.13 ±80.575) pg/ml,(216.53±48.175) pg/ml. The lung cancer patients were low remarkable. There was a significant difference between the two groups (P <0.01). There was a significant relation between the two groups (r =-0.349, P =0.006). Conclusion The expression of NKG2D and sMICA may provid one of the immune targets for diagnosing that can forecast the immune state and malignant metastasis of the lung cancer patients. The significant relation between NKG2D and sMICA may take on main role in the immune escaping of tumor. It may provide the suitable target of the patients for tumor organisms and immune treatment.

OBJECTIVETo compare the digestibility of main nutrients in genetically modified rice with double antisense starch-branching enzyme gene and parental rice.

METHODSSeven Wuzhishan healthy adult barrows were surgically fitted with a T-cannula at the terminal ileum. After surgery, seven pigs were randomly divided into two groups, and fed genetically modified rice and parental rice by a crossover model. Ileal digesta were collected for analysis of main nutrient digestibility.

RESULTSThe apparent digestibility levels of protein in genetically modified rice and parental rice were 69.50% ± 4.50%, 69.61% ± 8.40%, respectively (t = 0.01, P = 0.994); true digestibility levels of protein were 87.55% ± 4.95%, 87.64% ± 9.40%, respectively (t = 0.01, P = 0.994); fat digestibility levels were 72.86% ± 0.34%, 77.89% ± 13.09%, respectively (t = 0.95, P = 0.378); carbohydrate digestibility levels were 72.92% ± 7.43%, 92.35% ± 5.88%, respectively (t = 4.27, P = 0.005). The apparent and true digestibility of 17 amino acids had no significant difference in the two rice.

CONCLUSIONCarbohydrate digestibility in genetically modified rice was significantly lower than that in non-genetically modified rice, other main nutrients digestibility in the two rice have substantial equivalence.

1,4-alpha-Glucan Branching Enzyme ; metabolism ; Animals ; Carbohydrate Metabolism ; Digestion ; Food ; Ileum ; metabolism ; Intestinal Absorption ; Oryza ; chemistry ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; chemistry ; Starch ; metabolism ; Swine ; metabolism

AIMBLT1 and BLT2 were both recently cloned and identified as two subtypes of leukotrine B4 (LTB4) receptors. With the usage of U-75302 and LY255283, the specific antagonists of BLT1 and BLT2 respectively, the involvement of BLT1 and BLT2 in the inflammatory and immunological responses was in vitro explored.

METHODS(1) To investigate inhibition of U-75302 and LY255283 on the proliferation of rat synovial cells, 3H-TdR incorporation into the cells was quantified. (2) Flow cytometric assay for interferon-gamma (IFN-gamma) and interleukine 4 (IL-4) profiles in CD4+ T lymphocytes from rat spleen was carried out to determine the ratio of Th1/Th2.

RESULTS(1) For inhibition on rat synovial cells proliferation, U-75302 exerted its effect only at a high concentration of 10 micromol/L and LY255283 at the concentrations of 10 micromol/L-10 micromol/L. (2) Both U-75302 and LY255283 could elevate the percentage of Th2, but could not influence that of Th1.

CONCLUSIONBLT1 and BLT2 were involved in the synovial cells proliferation change the ratio of Th1/Th2. Their meaning served as targets for prevention and treatment of infectious diseases should be emphasized.

Animals ; Cell Line ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Fatty Alcohols ; pharmacology ; Glycols ; pharmacology ; Inflammation ; immunology ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptors, Leukotriene B4 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology ; Synovial Membrane ; cytology ; immunology ; Tetrazoles ; pharmacology ; Th1-Th2 Balance

With the fast development of medicinal animals as new drugs, research on Periplaneta americana become hot recently. Several drugs which mainly consisted of P. americana were approved for clinical applications. The chemical constituents and pharmacological bioactivities of this insect were summarized herein, which provides informativon for further researches on this medicinal animal.
Amino Acids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Cardiotonic Agents ; pharmacology ; Cycloparaffins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Materia Medica ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Molecular Structure ; Neuropeptides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Periplaneta ; chemistry