?Advances in genome-wide analysis have revealed that up to 90%of the human genome is transcribed.However, only approximately 1% of RNA transcripts encode proteins, and the remaining transcripts are noncoding RNAs.Noncoding RNAs can be roughly divided into small noncoding RNAs (<200nt ) and long noncoding RNAs ( LncRNAs, >200nt ). Small noncoding RNAs include microRNAs, transfer RNAs and small nucleolar RNAs, whereas the long noncoding RNAs comprise ribosomal RNA, natural antisense transcripts, etc. Although the biosynthesis and biological activities of microRNAs are well studied through bioinformatics and active biological molecules analysis, the understanding of LncRNAs on these aspects is still limited.LncRNAs play multiple roles in regulating gene transcription and translation, and epigenetics.Aberrant LncRNAs expression can occur in various pathological processes and significantly related to the pathogenesis or poor prognosis of ophthalmological diseases. In this review, we will focus on the characteristics and regulatory functions of LncRNAs that are commonly associated with ophthalmological diseases.

Adolescent ; Bone Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glomus Tumor ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Melanoma ; pathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Tibia ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Vimentin ; metabolism

DNA barcoding is a technique in which species identification and discovery are performed by using short and standard fragments of DNA sequences. In this study, eleven species of Paris, including seven varieties, were sampled. Five chloroplast sequences, psbA-trnH, rpoB, rpoC1, rbcL, matK, and one nuclear marker, the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of ribosomal DNA, were amplified and sequenced. The PCR amplification and sequencing efficiency, intra- and inter-specific divergence and barcoding gap were used to evaluate different loci, and the identification efficiency was assessed using BLAST1 and Nearest Distance methods. The ITS2 sequences in the studied samples of Paris were amplified and sequenced successfully using primers designed by our group, while matK showed low level in the amplification and psbA-trnH was difficult for sequencing because of over 800 bp and poly (A) structure. Analysis of the intra- and inter-specific divergence and barcoding gap showed ITS2 was superior to other loci. The ITS2 showed a much higher percentage of success (100%) in identification than other five loci, none of which indicated more than 50% except matK (52.9%). The 2-locus combination of rbcL+matK didn't improve ability of authentication. In addition, the rate of successful identification with ITS2 kept 100% when the samples were expanded to 67 samples of 29 species. In conclusion, ITS2 can be used to correctly identify medicinal plants of Paris, and it will be a potential DNA barcode for identifying medicinal plants of other taxa.

Objective To analysis and summarise the feature of conventional ultrasound(US) and contrast-enhanced ultrasound(CEUS) of anterior mediastinal tumor.Methods From April 2011 to March 2015,24 patients,diagnosed as anterior mediastinal tumor by chest CT and could be detected by conventional US,were enrolled in this study.Among them,there were 11 lymphomas,5 thymic carcinomas and 8thymomas.The US and CEUS,micro flow imaging(MFI) and time intensity curve(TIC) parameters were evaluated respectively.Results Compare with lymphoma and thymoma in US,there were significant difference between the tumor shape and internal echo respectively (P ＜0.05,P ＜0.05).Compare with lymphoma and thymoma in CEUS,there were significant difference between the display rate of microvascular and feature of enhancement respectively (P ＜ 0.05,P ＜0.05).The result of TIC in different tumors were analyzed respectively.The rise time of lymphoma was early than thymoma,but the half time of wash out of lymphoma was later than thymoma,there was significant difference between the two diseases respectively(P ＜0.05,P =0.01).Further more,the arrive time of invasive thymoma was later than noninvasive thymoma,there was significant difference between the two diseases (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions CEUS could further assess the characteristic of microvascular perfusion in anterior mediastinal tumors,based on the evaluation of conventional US.It could have a potential clinical value and a development capacity for differentiation diagnosis.

Objective To investigate the relationships between different dietary patterns and serum uric acid in Tianjin residents. Method By cross-sectional study design, 11282 subjects were studied via lifestyle questionnaires (including a valid food frequency questionnaire), physical examination and laboratory tests. Using factor analysis method to establish the dietary patterns, and relationships between different dietary patterns and serum uric acid were analyzed. Results Factor analysis showed 3 kinds of dietary patterns, including eastern dietary pattern, vegetable diets and Tianjin dietary pattern. There were more males in hyperuricemic population, who have a higher BMI, waist circumference, blood lipids, blood pressure and blood sugar levels, and also higher proportion of metabolic syndrome, smokers and alcohol drinkers. In addition, hyperuricemia patients had a higher level of social status and income. After adjustments for age, sex, BMI, smoking habits, alcohol consumption, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, education level, occupational status, energy intake, physical activity and metabolic syndrome, logistic regression analysis showed the odds ratio (95%confidence interval) for hyperuricemia across the quartiles of 3 dietary patterns as follows: 1.00, 1.07 (0.91, 1.25), 0.96 (0.82, 1.14), 1.12 (0.94, 1.33);1.00, 1.03 (0.88, 1.21), 1.04 (0.88, 1.23), 1.00 (0.84, 1.19); 1.00, 1.28 (1.08, 1.52), 1.40 (1.22, 1.71), 1.37 (1.15, 1.63), respectively. Significantly positive correlation was shown between Tianjin dietary pattern and hyperuricemia. Conclusion Tianjin residents' Tianjin dietary pattern is closely related to serum uric acid levels. Tianjin dietary patterns have characteristics of high calorie, high fat, high protein. Healthy eating habits have significant importance to prevent occurrence of hyperuricemia.

The effect and underlying mechanism of Bu-Shen-An-Tai recipe on ovarian apoptosis in mice with controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) implantation dysfunction were studied.The COH implantation dysfunction model in mice was established by intraperitoneal injection of 7.5 IU pregnant mare's serum gonadotrophin (PMSG),followed by 7.5 IU human chorionic gonadotrophin (HCG) 48 h later.Then the female mice were mated with male at a ratio of 2:l in the same cage at 6:00 p.m.The female mice from normal group were injected intraperitoneally with normal saline and mated at the corresponding time.Day 1 of pregnancy was recorded by examining its vaginal smears at 8:00 a.m.of the next day.Fifty successfully pregnant mice were equally randomly divided into 5 groups:normal control pregnant group (NC),COH implantation dysfunction model group (COH),low dosage of Bu-Shen-An-Tai recipe group (LOW),middle dosage of Bu-Shen-An-Tai recipe group (MID) and high dosage of Bu-Shen-An-Tai recipe group (HIGH).Then from day 1,the mice in different groups were respectively intragastrically given corresponding treatments at 9:00 a.m.for 5 consecutive days.The concentrations of 17β-estradiol (E2) and progesterone (P4) were determined by radioimmunoassay (RIA).The ultrastructural changes of ovarian tissues were observed by transmission electron microscope (TEM).The histopathological changes of ovarian tissues were observed by HE staining.The number of atretic follicles and pregnant corpus luteum were also recorded.TUNEL was applied to measure apoptotic cells of ovarian tissues.Western blotting was used to detect the protein expression of apoptosis-related factors like Bax,Bcl-2 and cleaved-caspase-3 in ovarian tissue of mice.The results showed that ovarian weight,the concentrations of E2 and P4,the number of atretic follicles and pregnant corpus luteum,as well as the apoptosis of granulosa cells were significantly increased in the COH group.The ultrastructures of ovarian tissues in the COH group showed that chromatin in granulosa cells was increased,agglutinated,aggregated or crescent-shaped.The focal cavitation and the typical apoptotic bodies could be seen in granulosa cells in the late stage of apoptosis.After the treatment with different doses of Bu-Shen-An-Tai recipe,the ultrastructural changes of ovarian granulosa cells apoptosis were dramatically improved and even disappeared under TEM.Visible mitochondria and mitochondrial cristae were increased and vacuoles were significantly reduced.The lipid dropltes were shown in a circluar or oval shape.The protein expression levels of Bax and cleaved-caspase-3 were decreased,and the expression of Bcl-2 protein was increased after treatment.It was concluded that Bu-Shen-An-Tai recipe can inhibit the apoptosis of ovarian granulosa cells,probably by up-regulating the protein expression of Bcl-2 and down-regulating Bax and cleaved-caspase-3,which contributes to the formation and maintenance of ovarian corpus luteum.It's helpful to promote the embryonic implantation,to reduce embryo loss and ultimately to improve the success rate of pregnancy.

A BBB co-culture cell model consisting of rat brain microvascular endothelial cells (BMEC) and astrocytes (AS) was established to study the effect of Angelica dahurica coumarins on the transport behavior of puerarin across blood-brain barrier (BBB) in vitro and in vivo. The barrier function of this model was evaluated by measuring the transendothelial resistance, phenol red permeability and BBB related protein expression. The permeability assay and western blot methods were performed to study the effects of Angelica dahurica coumarins on the BBB permeability and the expression of BBB related protein. The animal experiment protocols in this study were approved by the Animal Ethics Committee of Xi'an Jiaotong University (Animal Ethics No.: 2021-1329). The results showed that the established BMEC/AS co-culture model could be used to evaluate drug transport across BBB in vitro. After combined with Angelica dahurica coumarins, the transport capacity of puerarin was significantly increased in vitro and in vivo. Additionally, Angelica dahurica coumarins enhanced BBB permeability and inhibited the protein expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp), zonula occludens-1 (ZO-1) and occludin. Angelica dahurica coumarins might increase BBB permeability by inhibiting the expression of P-gp and tight junction protein, thereby increasing the content of puerarin in brain tissue.

DNA barcoding is a technique in which species identification and discovery are performed by using short and standard fragments of DNA sequences. In this study, eleven species of Paris, including seven varieties, were sampled. Five chloroplast sequences, psbA-trnH, rpoB, rpoC1, rbcL, matK, and one nuclear marker, the second internal transcribed spacer (ITS2) of ribosomal DNA, were amplified and sequenced. The PCR amplification and sequencing efficiency, intra- and inter-specific divergence and barcoding gap were used to evaluate different loci, and the identification efficiency was assessed using BLAST1 and Nearest Distance methods. The ITS2 sequences in the studied samples of Paris were amplified and sequenced successfully using primers designed by our group, while matK showed low level in the amplification and psbA-trnH was difficult for sequencing because of over 800 bp and poly (A) structure. Analysis of the intra- and inter-specific divergence and barcoding gap showed ITS2 was superior to other loci. The ITS2 showed a much higher percentage of success (100%) in identification than other five loci, none of which indicated more than 50% except matK (52.9%). The 2-locus combination of rbcL+matK didn't improve ability of authentication. In addition, the rate of successful identification with ITS2 kept 100% when the samples were expanded to 67 samples of 29 species. In conclusion, ITS2 can be used to correctly identify medicinal plants of Paris, and it will be a potential DNA barcode for identifying medicinal plants of other taxa.
Base Sequence ; Chloroplasts ; genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; DNA, Chloroplast ; genetics ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Liliaceae ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Species Specificity

OBJECTIVETo access the feasibility of employing metabonomics method in clinical studies. This pilot study intends to introduce nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabonomics method to elucidate the metabolism of non-syndromic cleft lip and/or palate (NSCLP) patients.

METHODSHigh-resolution 1H NMR spectroscopy was performed on blood plasma obtained from NSCLP and non-malformed children. All signal of 1H NMR spectra were recognized within MESTRE-v4.7, and the 1H NMR spectra integration into bins (or buckets) across the spectral regions of bin 0.04 was performed automatically in MESTRE-v4.7. The resulting data matrix was further analyzed, which was performed by SIMCA-P 11.0. The principal component analysis (PCA) was applied to the centered data to explore any clustering behavior of the samples.

RESULTSThe results demonstrated the metabonomic difference in plasma between NSCLP and non-malformed children at least lies in 3-Hydroxybutyrate gamma-CH3, arginine and valine. Arginine excretion appeared to be higher in the non-malformed children population, while NSCLP population excreted higher concentrations of 3-Hydroxybutyrate gamma-CH3 and valine.

CONCLUSIONThe present study clearly demonstrated the great potential of the NMR-based metabonomics approach in elucidating the NSCLP plasma metabolism and the possibility of application in clinic diagnosis and screening.

Child ; Cleft Lip ; Cleft Palate ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Male ; Metabolomics ; Pilot Projects

OBJECTIVETo study the risks on acute cerebral stroke (ACS) inducing systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS) and multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS).

METHODSData from 1751 patients with acute cerebral stroke were studied by prospective analysis.

RESULTSIn all of the ACS patients,the incidence rate (IR) of SIRS was 36.50% with 205 patients having ACS inducing MODS, to which the IR was 11.71%, and 93 deaths. The case fatality ratio (CFR) was 45.37%. The pathogeneses condition of patients and the MR after the occurrence of MODS had positive correlation with the numbers of dysfunction organs. Study on single factor analysis revealed that the incidence of MODS had some related risk factors in the ACS inducing MODS, including age, diseased region close to the mean line, GCS, level of blood sugar, blood white cell count and the chronic disease history etc. The IR of ACS inducing SIRS and MODS was much higher in the condition of the diseased region near the mean line and the ACS of the basilar artery system.

CONCLUSIONSIRS seemed the base for MODS while the probability and the development degree were not only involved ACS but also SIRS. MODS induced by ACS could be reduced through the second grade program of disease precaution. The detection of those risk factors in the early period of the ACS course could provide some prediction of the prognosis and turnover, thus some early use of intervention methods might be helpful in the treatment of the disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Organ Failure ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Stroke ; complications ; epidemiology ; Systemic Inflammatory Response Syndrome ; epidemiology ; etiology