Objective To investigate protective effect of tribulus terrestris L (TTL) on photoreceptor in the model of light-induced retinal degeneration.Methods BALB/c mice were exposed to bright light at the intensity of 10 000 lux for 30 minutes to establish the retinal light damage models.The BALB/c mice were divided into normal control group,model group and treatment group,6 cases in each group.TTL decoction was intraperitoneally administered to mice 30 minutes prior to illumination in the treatment group.Saline vehicle was administered in the normal control group and model group.Photoreceptor protection of TTL was assessed by optical coherence tomography (OCT) at 3 hours and 7 days after illumination.Gross histology and immunohistochemistry approaches were also taken to examine the retinal protection conferred by TTL at 7 days after bright light exposure.Results Compared to normal retinal morphology in the normal control group,prominent photoreceptor loss and diminished rod and cone photoreceptors evidenced by attenuated retinal expression of rhodopsin and M-opsin were observed in the model group.In contrast,TTL treatment resulted in significant protection against bright light-induced photoreceptor degeneration and remarkable preservation of rod and cone photoreceptor cells.The outer retinal nuclear layer in the model group was thinner than that in the normal control group (P ＜ 0.05),but the treatment group was thicker than the model group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusion Bright light induces obviously degeneration in photoreceptors in BALB/c mice.Moreover,TTL is shown for the first to significantly protect the photoreceptors from bright light-induced degeneration.

UNLABELLEDOBJECTIVE : To study the anti-atherosclerotic mechanism of bear bile powder (BBP) in Shexiang Tongxin Dripping Pill (STDP) , and to provide scientific evidence for treating atherosclerosis (AS) by its therapeutic characteristics of cool resuscitation.

METHODSAS model was duplicated using ApoE-/- gene knocked mice fed with high-fat diet. Thirty ApoE-/- deficient male mice were divided into four groups according to body weight using random digit table, i.e., the model group (A, n =9), the STDP group (B, n=E7), the STDP without BBP group (C, n =7), and the BBP group (D, n =9). Besides, another 9 C57BL/6J male mice of the same age were recruited as a normal control group (E). All mice in Group B, C, and D were respectively administered with corresponding drugs (30, 30, and 0. 33 mg/kg) by gastrogavage. Equal volume of normal saline was administered to mice in Group A and E. All medication lasted for 8 successive weeks. Serum levels of inflammatory cytokines such as interleukin 2 (IL-2), interleukin 6 (IL-6), tumor necrosis factor a (TNF-α), interferon y (IFNγ), and oxidized low-density lipoprotein (ox-LDL) were measured by ELISA. Serum levels of malondialdehyde (MDA), activities of glutathione (GSH) and superoxide dismutase (SOD) were determined using biochemical assay. Contents of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the aortic root was detected by dihydroethidum (DHE) fluorescent probe. Expression levels of microRNAs (such as miR-20, miR-21, miR-126, and miR-155) were detected by real-time PCR.

RESULTSThe fluorescence intensity of the aorta was obviously enhanced in Group A. But it was obviously attenuated in Group B, C, and D, and the attenuation was the most in Group B. Compared with Group E, serum levels of IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, oxLDL, and MDA all increased (P <0. 01), GSH contents and SOD activities decreased (P <0. 01), expression levels of miR-126, miR-21, and miR-155 in aorta increased (P <0. 01), and the expression level of miR-20 decreased in Group A (P<0. 01). Compared with Group A, serum levels of IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ, oxLDL, and MDA were all down-regulated (P <0. 01), GSH contents and SOD activities were up-regulated (P <0. 01), expression levels of miR-126, miR-21, and miR-155 in aorta were down-regulated in Group B, C, and D (P <0. 01). The expression level of miR20 was up-regulated in Group B and D (P <0. 01). Compared with Group B, serum levels of IL-2, IL-6, TNF-α, IFN-γ increased (P <0.01); GSH contents and SOD activities decreased, levels of MDA and oxLDL increased (P <0. 01) in Group C and D. Expression levels of miR-20 and miR-155 were down-regulated in Group C and D (P <0. 01).

CONCLUSIONSSTDP played roles in significantly regulating inflammatory factors and oxidative stress factors. Its mechanism might be possibly associated with regulating expressions of miR-126, miR-21, miR-155, and miR-20 in aorta. BBP played significant roles in STDP.

Animals ; Aorta ; Apolipoproteins E ; metabolism ; Atherosclerosis ; Bile ; Cytokines ; Diet, High-Fat ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Oxidative Stress ; Plaque, Atherosclerotic ; drug therapy ; Reactive Oxygen Species ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; Ursidae

Aged ; Humans ; Male ; Urinary Diversion ; adverse effects ; Urinary Fistula ; diagnosis ; etiology

In this study, a method for rapid identification of three kinds of honey and four kinds of syrup by microwave plasma torch mass spectrometry ( MPT-MS) without sample pretreatment was established. Under the positive ion mode, honey and syrup were ionized by MPT-MS and analyzed by quadrupole mass spectrometry ( QMS). The MS data were analyzed with chemometrics methods. Consequently, principal component analysis ( PCA) showed that PC1, PC2 and PC3 had a total contribution rate of 91. 2％ , and cluster analysis (CA) indicated when the critical value was 7, this method could distinguish honey and syrup in addition to clover honey and inulin syrup. Partial least squares-discriminant analysis ( PLS-DA) also manifested that honey and syrup could be effectively distinguished. Discriminant analysis (DA) demonstrated that the discriminant accuracy of honey and syrup was 100％ . Accordingly, all the results showed that the method of MPT-MS combined with chemometrics could identify honey and syrup rapidly. In brief, this method has the advantages such as fast analysis speed, accurate information extraction, high recognition accuracy and without sample pretreatment, and can be used for the identification of honey and main adulterated syrup.

OBJECTIVETo study the application of retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in renal carcinoma patients with intermediate risk PADUA score.

METHODSFrom April 2005 to June 2011, 79 cases (48 males and 31 females) of intermediate risk PADUA score (range from 8 to 9 score) renal cell carcinoma were retrospectively analyzed. Mean age was (54 ± 9) years, mean tumor size was (2.8 ± 0.8) cm in diameter, with 37 cases on the left side and 42 cases on the right side. Tumor located anteriorly in 35 cases, and 44 cases were located posteriorly. Preoperative imaging examinations showed tumor invasion of the collecting system was dislocated or infiltrated by tumor invasion were in 13 cases, renal sinus were involved in 5 cases, tumor located near the renal hilum were in 10 cases. All of the 79 patients received retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy.

RESULTSThe 79 cases were operated successfully without conversion to open surgery, no severe perioperative complications. The mean operation time was (105 ± 24) minutes, and the median of operation time was 115 minutes (range from 80 - 180 minutes), and mean warm ischemia time (WIT) was (20 ± 5) minutes, and mean blood loss was (24 ± 8) ml; mean postoperative hospital stay was (5.2 ± 1.5) days. Postoperative urinary leakage in 3 cases, symptoms disappeared one week after indwelling catheterization and ureteral catheter. Serum creatinine transient increased in 7 cases after surgery, and fell to normal range within 6 weeks. In a mean follow up for (34 ± 12) months (range from 10 to 84 months), estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFR) 6 months after operation was no statistical significance compared with preoperation in 77 cases, another 2 patients' eGFR decreased by 30% and 35%. Postoperative renal function remained in CKD3 period and CKD2 period were in 2 cases respectively, none of these cases were treated with hemodialysis, and the remaining patients with normal renal function after surgery, no tumor recurrence and metastasis during follow-up in all cases.

CONCLUSIONSTreatment of retroperitoneal laparoscopic partial nephrectomy in renal carcinoma patients with intermediate risk PADUA score is safe and effective, but its long-term effects still need to study with large samples compare and long-term follow-up.

Female ; Humans ; Kidney Neoplasms ; pathology ; surgery ; Laparoscopy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrectomy ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo establish an efficient genetic transformation system of Pinellia ternata.

METHODWith petioles from test-tube seedlings of P. ternata as explants, Agrobacterium tumefaciens mediation method was adopted to explore the effect of phenolic substances, A. tumefaciens's concentration, infection time, pre-incubation time and co-cultivation time on genetic transformation efficiency of P. ternata.

RESULT AND CONCLUSIONThe genetic transformation efficiency could be effectively enhanced by infecting in A. tumefaciens culture containing AS 40 mg x L(-1) for 15 min for three days. The petioles were put into the differentiation medium containing 150 mg x L(-1) Kan and 350 mg x L(-1) Carb to screening and cultivation. After around 30 days, microtubers could be observed at both sides of the petioles. Gus staining and PCR verification on the regenerated plants showed that the exogenous gene sHSP had been integrated into genome of P. ternata.

Agrobacterium tumefaciens ; genetics ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Genetic Engineering ; methods ; Glucuronidase ; genetics ; metabolism ; Heat-Shock Proteins, Small ; genetics ; Pinellia ; genetics ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Plant Leaves ; genetics ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Reproducibility of Results ; Tissue Culture Techniques ; methods ; Transformation, Genetic

In order to explore the genetic mutations of the H9N2 subtype avian influenza viruses isolated in Shandong, sixteen avian influenza virus subtype H9N2 were isolated from different areas of Shandong Province. The complete HA fragments of the viruses were amplified by RT-PCR and the sequences were analyzed on homology and heredity evolution after the cloning and sequencing of the products. The results showed that the amino acid motif of cleavage sites for all the sixteen virus in the HA gene were RSSR decrease GLF, which was consistent with the characterization of the LPAIV. Seven to nine potential glycosylation sites were found during the analysis and the receptor binding sites were relatively conservative except the 198 site. The Leucine(L) at the amino acid position 234 in the HA genes of all isolates indicated the potential of binding with SAalpha,2-6 receptor of mammals. Homology analysis showed that the homology of HA nucleotide and amino acid sequences was 96.3%-99.9% and 97.1%-99.6% for different strains. They belonged to a branch of the A/Duck/Hong Kong/Y280/97 in the phylogenetic tree.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Birds ; China ; Genetic Variation ; Hemagglutinin Glycoproteins, Influenza Virus ; chemistry ; genetics ; Influenza A Virus, H9N2 Subtype ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza in Birds ; virology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

BACKGROUNDSrc homology 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-2 (SHP-2) is a kind of intracellular protein tyrosine phosphatase. Studies have revealed its roles in various disease, however, whether SHP-2 involves in renal fibrosis remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the roles of myeloid cells SHP-2 in renal interstitial fibrosis.

METHODSMyeloid cells SHP-2 gene was conditionally knocked-out (CKO) in mice using loxP-Cre system, and renal interstitial fibrosis was induced by unilateral ureter obstruction (UUO). The total collagen deposition in the renal interstitium was assessed using picrosirius red stain. F4/80 immunostaing was used to evaluate macrophage infiltration in renal tubular interstitium. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and enzyme linked immunosorbent assay were used to analyze the production of cytokines in the kidney. Transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling stain was used to assess the apoptotic renal tubular epithelial cells.

RESULTSSrc homology 2 domain-containing protein tyrosine phosphatase-2 gene CKO in myeloid cells significantly reduced collagen deposition in the renal interstitium after UUO. Macrophage infiltration was evidently decreased in renal tubular interstitium of SHP-2 CKO mice. Meanwhile, the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines was significantly suppressed in SHP-2 CKO mice. However, no significant difference was observed in the number of apoptotic renal tubular epithelial cells between wild-type and SHP-2 CKO mice.

CONCLUSIONSOur observations suggested that SHP-2 in myeloid cells plays a pivotal role in the pathogenesis of renal fibrosis, and that silencing of SHP-2 gene in myeloid cells may protect renal from inflammatory damage and prevent renal fibrosis after renal injury.

Animals ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Fibrosis ; enzymology ; pathology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney Diseases ; enzymology ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; Myeloid Cells ; metabolism ; Protein Tyrosine Phosphatase, Non-Receptor Type 11 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ureteral Obstruction ; enzymology ; pathology

BACKGROUNDTransurethral resection of the bladder tumor (TURBT) remains the gold standard for non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC). Laser techniques have been widely used in urology. This analysis aimed to assess the safety and efficacy of holmium resection of the bladder tumor (HoLRBT) vs. TURBT.

METHODSA systemic search of MEDLINE, Embase, Web of Science, and The Cochrane Library as well as manual bibliography searches were performed to identify the relevant studies. The pooled estimates of operation time, obturator nerve reflex rate, bladder perforation rate, bladder irrigation rate, catheterization time, hospital stay, and one- and two-year recurrence free survivals were calculated.

RESULTSFive studies were enrolled into our meta-analysis. No significant difference was observed in the operation time between groups (weighted mean difference (WMD) 1.01, 95% confidential interval (95% CI) -3.52 - 5.54, P = 0.66). The significant difference in the obturator nerve reflex (OR 0.05, 95% CI 0.01 - 0.04, P = 0.004), bladder perforation (OR 0.14, 95% CI 0.03 - 0.61, P = 0.009), bladder irrigation (OR 0.13, 95% CI 0.04 - 0.45, P = 0.001), catheterization time (WMD -0.96, 95% CI -1.11 to -0.82, P < 0.00001), and hospital stay (WMD -1.46, 95% CI -1.65 to -1.27, P < 0.00001) showed advantages of HoLRBT over TURBT. The 2-year recurrence free survival rate favors the HoLRBT group (OR 1.46, 95% CI 1.02 - 2.11, P = 0.04).

CONCLUSIONSAs a promising technique, HoLRBT is safe and efficient, and showed several advantages over TURBT. HoLRBT can be used as an alternative procedure for TURBT in terms of low-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma or low-grade early TNM-stage urothelial carcinoma.

Aged ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Lasers, Solid-State ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Urethra ; Urinary Bladder Neoplasms ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of eye-needling combined with medication for treatment of ophthalmoplegia and explore the possible mechanism.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty cases were randomly divided into a treatment group and a control group. According to etiological factors, the control group were treated with medication and the treatment group with the medication plus eye-acupuncture at main point ocular muscles. Changes of the rima oculi, the range of ocular movement and the dialopia angle after treatment were recorded and statistically analyzed in the two groups.

RESULTSThe total effective rate was 93.4% and the cured rate was 54.1% in the treatment group, and 74.6% and 18.6% in the control group, with significant difference between the two groups (P < 0. 01).

CONCLUSIONEye-needling combined with medication has an obvious therapeutic effect which is better than simple medication for ophthalmoplegia.

Acupuncture Therapy ; methods ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Ophthalmoplegia ; therapy