Objective To investigate the effects of enteral nutrition with galactooligosaccharides (GOS) on serum inflammatory cytokines in rats with severe acute pancreatitis (SAP). Methods SD rats were randomly divided into sham operation control group, SAP with enteral nutrition (EN) group and SAP with EN supplemented with GOS (GOS-EN) group, and each group was divided into 4 d and 7 d subgroups according to the time that animals were sacrificed (n=8 in each subgroup). Rat SAP models were established by injection of 38 g/L sodium taurocholate beneath the pancreatic capsule. The serum amylase, inflammatory cytokines TNF-α, IL-2 and IL-10 were detected. Results At each time point, the levels of serum amylase in all SAP groups were significantly higher than those in sham operation control group (P < 0.01), and the levels in GOS-EN group were significantly lower than those in EN group (P < 0.01). The levels of serum TNF-α and IL-10 in all SAP groups were significantly higher than those in sham operation control group (P < 0.01), while the levels of IL-2 in all SAP groups were significantly lower than those in sham operation control group. The levels of TNF-α in GOS-EN group were significantly lower than those in EN group (P <0.05), while the levels of IL-2 and IL-10 and the ratio of IL-10/TNF-α were significantly higher than those in GOS-EN group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Early EN supplemented with GOS could modulate the balance of pro- and anti-inflammatory response.

BackgroundIt is important to measure the corneal curvature, anterior chamber depth (ACD) and axial length accurately for calculating IOL power. The interchange outcomes from different measuring methods and apparatus will cause unreliable IOL power. ObjectiveThe present study was to compare the differences of corneal curvature, anterior chamber depth (ACD) measured by IOLMaster and Orbscan Ⅱbefore and after laser in situ keratomileusis(LASIK) and further compare the axial length measured by IOLMaster and A-ultrasound. Methods One hundred and thirty eyes from 65 consecutive myopic patients before LASIK and 56 eyes of 28 cases with 1-month follow-up duration after LASIK in Henan Eye Institute were enrolled in this study. The K value, ACD between IOLMaster and Orbscan Ⅱ as well as results of axial length between IOLMaster and A-ultrasound were compared by using paired t test. The agreements of the measured values among IOLMaster, Orbscan Ⅱ and A-ultrasound were evaluated using Bland-Altman plot. ResultsBefore LASIK,the K value measured by IOLMaster,Orbscan Ⅱ were ( 43.32 ± 1.52 ) D and ( 42.99 ± 1.45 ) D respectively with the difference value of( 0. 33 ±0. 03 ) D, showing a significant difference(t=10. 380,P=0.000) and a positive relation between them(r=0.971,P=0.000). After LASIK,the K value measured by IOLMaster, Orbscan Ⅱwere(39. 02±2. 14) D and ( 38.91 ±2. 04) D with the difference value (0. 12±0. 33 ) D, presenting a significant differences between them (t =2.715, P =0.009). Bland-Altman plots indicated the disagreement in K value and uninterchangeable. Before LASIK, the ACD measured by IOLMaster,Orbscan Ⅱ and A-ultrasound were ( 3.72 ± 0. 22 ) mm, ( 3.69 ±0. 22 ) mm and ( 3.75± 0.27 )mm respectively and no significant differences were found between them (P ＞ 0. 05 ). Axial length measured by IOLMaster significantly prolonged in comparison with A-ultrasound(25.59± 1. 01 mm vs 25.22±0.99 mm ) , and the difference was( -0. 37 ±0. 30 ) mm, showing significant difference ( t =- 14. 098, P =0. 000 ) and positive correlation ( r =0. 954, P =0. 000 ). Axial length values measured by IOLMaster were ( 25.54 ± 1.05 ) mm in preoperation and ( 25.48 ± 1.01 ) mm in postoperation with the difference (0.052±0. 412)mm, showing statistically insignificant difference between them (t=0. 946,P=0. 348). ConclusionsKeratometries measured by IOLMaster,Orbscan Ⅱ are much more different. Therefore,these two methods are not recommended to use interchangely. ACD measured by IOLMaster,Orbscan Ⅱ and A ultrasound are proved to obtain the similar results and is clinically interchange. Axial length measured by IOLMaster is longer than that measured by A-ultrasound.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of omega-3 polyunsaturated fatty acids (omega-3 PUFA) on inflammation in lung tissue of rats with severe scald and its mechanism.

METHODSSeventy-two adult SD rats were divided into sham scald group (SS, n = 8), treatment group 1 (T1, n = 32), treatment group 2 (T2, n = 32) according to the random number table. Rats in T1 group and T2 group were inflicted with 30% TBSA full-thickness scald, and then they were respectively injected with 100 g/L omega-3 PUFA (1 mL/kg) and 200 g/L long-chain fatty acid (2 mL/kg) via tail vein within 5 minutes after burn. The above two fatty acids with equivalent calories were continuously injected for 10 days (once a day). On post burn day (PBD) 1, 4, 7, and 10, serum level of TNF-alpha and level of macrophage inflammatory protein 1alpha (MIP-lalpha) in lung homogenate of T1 and T2 groups were detected, the levels of NF-kappaBp65 and macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) in lung tissue of T1 and T2 groups were observed with immunohistochemical staining (recorded as score). Above-mentioned parameters were also determined in SS group. Data were processed with t test.

RESULTSThe levels of 4 parameters in T1 and T2 groups on PBD 1, 4, 7, 10 were higher than those in SS group (with t values from 3.411 to 8.782, P values all below 0.01), and those in T1 group on PBD 4, 7, 10 were lower than those in T2 group (with t values from 2. 321 to 2.785, P values all below 0.05). The serum level of TNF-alpha and levels of MIP-1alpha, NF-kappaBp65, and MIF in lung tissue in SS group was respectively (0.96 +/- 0.32) ng/mL, (76 +/- 16) pg/mL, 0.24 +/- 0.03, 1.31 +/- 0.03, and those in T1 and T2 groups all peaked on PBD 7 [(2.43 +/- 0.32) ng/mL, (210 +/- 56) pg/mL, 4.23 +/- 2.15, 4.69 +/- 1.83; (3.15 +/- 0.54) ng/mL, (274 +/- 64) pg/mL, 5.15 +/- 2.31, 5.37 +/- 2.16].

CONCLUSIONSOmega-3 PUFA can effectively reduce serum level of TNF-alpha and levels of MIP-1alpha, NF-kappaBp65, and MIF in lung tissue of rats with severe scald, showing that it has a protective effect against injury of lung tissue.

Animals ; Burns ; metabolism ; pathology ; therapy ; Chemokine CCL3 ; metabolism ; Fatty Acids, Omega-3 ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Inflammation ; metabolism ; Intramolecular Oxidoreductases ; metabolism ; Lung ; metabolism ; Macrophage Migration-Inhibitory Factors ; metabolism ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transcription Factor RelA ; metabolism ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood

OBJECTIVEIt is to study the effect of tripterygium (TW) on the plasma IL-18 content in patients with lupus nephritis (LN) and its treatment value.

METHODThe patients with LN treated with prednisone were divided into active groupand inactive group with active index. The active group was given tripterygium additionally. The changing of plasma IL-18 and release of nephritis were observed after treatment for three months.

RESULTThe level of plasma IL-18 lowered down obviously, urinary protein decreased, LN activity index, hematuria and renal function improved.

CONCLUSIONTripterygium caninhibitroduction of plasma IL-18. It has definite treatment value on controlling LN activity.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Interleukin-18 ; blood ; Lupus Nephritis ; blood ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Tripterygium ; chemistry ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the expressions of metastasis-associated protein (S100A4) and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) in human non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) and investigate their correlations to the infiltration, metastasis and prognosis of NSCLC.

METHODSThe expressions of S100A4 and MMP9 were detected in 41 NSCLC specimens and 6 normal lung tissue specimens using immunohistochemistry with SP method. Univariate and multivariate survival analysis were used to analyze the correlations of S100A4 and MMP9 to the clinicopathological characteristics and progrnosis of NSCLC.

RESULTSCompared with normal lung tissues, NSCLC showed significantly increased positivity for S100A4 and MMP9 expression (P<0.05); their expression were significantly higher in adenocarcinoma than in squamous cell carcinoma (P<0.01), and higher in metastatic NSCLC than in that without lymphatic metastasis (P<0.01). The positive expression rates of S100A4 and MMP9 were significantly higher in tumors in TNM stages III +IV than in stages II+I (P<0.05). S100A4 expression was positively correlated to tumor size (P<0.001), while MMP9 was inversely correlated to tumor differentiation (P<0.05). The expressions of S100A4 and MMP9 were both correlated to lymphatic metastasis, TNM stages and pathological types (P<0.05), and they also showed a mutual correlation (P<0.01). Univariate survival analysis confirmed the effects of histological types, lymphatic metastasis, clinical TNM stages and expressions of S100A4 and MMP9 on the survival time of NSCLC patients (P<0.001). Multivariate survival analysis identified clinical TNM stages and expressions of S100A4 and MMP9 as the independent factors affecting the prognosis of NSCLC (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe expressions of S100A4 and MMP9 are up-regulated in NSCLC and have significant correlations to the clinical and biological behaviors of NSCLC. S100A4 and MMP9 status are independent prognostic predictors of NSCLC, and detection of their expressions may help evaluate the prognosis of NSCLC.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kaplan-Meier Estimate ; Lung Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; biosynthesis ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Prognosis ; S100 Calcium-Binding Protein A4 ; S100 Proteins ; biosynthesis

AIM: To explore and analyze the image features, diagnosis and treatment of the central serous chorioretinopathy ( CSCR) fundus.
METHODS:From May 2008 to May 2014, 97 cases of 121 eyes with central serous chorioretinopathy were treated in in our hospital. The imaging features were compared and analyzed through different methods.
RESULTS:Sixty-one cases (61 eyes) were ≤45 years, including 13 case with disease in both eyes, single stove leak accounted for 48. 6%, multifocal leakage (25. 7%), atypical leakage accounted for 25. 7%. Thirty-six cases (47 eyes) were >45 years, 11 cases with disease in both eyes, single focal leakage ( 8. 5%), multifocal leakage (48. 9%), atypical leakage accounted for 42. 6%. FFA results showed acute hairstyle at the beginning of 89 eyes, chronic deferment type 32 eyes. OCT examination showed that the main features were neuroepithelial detachment, as well as the change of the retinal pigment epithelium ( RPE) layer, which was divided into RPE layer detachment 93 eyes, accounting for 76. 9%, rough and RPE little ridges in 28 cases, accounting for 23. 1%. The average thickness of macular center concave on the cortex of microns was 137. 87 ± 19. 21μm, and there was no significant difference conpared with normal ( 137. 32 ±4.98μm) microns (t=0. 30, P>0. 05). The closer leakage area to macular fovea, the worse of eyesight. .
CONCLUSION: Different imaging examination on central serous chorioretinopathy can show different features. For clinical diagnosis and treatment it had different and complementary roles, but were given significant help for diseases treatment.

OBJECTIVETo establish two-dimensional electrophoresis profiles from human laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma tissue and paired normal tumor-adjacent mucosa epithelia tissue, and to identify differential expression proteins.

METHODSThe total proteins of human laryngeal squamous carcinoma tissue and paired normal tumor-adjacent mucosa epithelia tissue were separated by immobilized pH gradient-based two-dimensional gel electrophoresis (2-DE). The differential expression proteins were analyzed using image analysis software, then identified using mass spectrometry and database searching.

RESULTSWell-resolved, reproducible 2-DE patterns of laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma and adjacent normal mucosa epithelial were obtained. Differential protein spots were defined as spots in 2-DE gels. Thirteen proteins were preliminarily identified, naming which 10 proteins were upregulated in laryngeal cancer tissue. Such as cofilin-1, nuclear body protein SP140, GRP94, HSP 90, GSTP1-1, superoxide dismutase [Mn], cyclophilin A, proteasome activator complex subunit 2, apolipoprotein A-I precursor, CaM-like protein and so on. There were 3 proteins downregulated in laryngeal cancer tissue, which were fatty acid-binding protein, calgranulin A and calgranulin B.

CONCLUSIONSThirteen proteins which are associated with the tumorigenesis of the laryngeal squamous cell carcinoma were characterized. These extensive protein variations indicate that multiple protein molecules should be simultaneously targeted as an effective strategy to counter the disease. It is better for understanding of the oncogenesis and pathogenesis in a global way, which in turn is a basis-for the rational designs of diagnostic and therapeutic methods.

Aged ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; metabolism ; Humans ; Laryngeal Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Proteins ; metabolism ; Proteomics ; methods

According to the amino acid sequence of monellin, a single chain 294bp monellin gene was synthesized and inserted into vector pET-22b to yield the recombinant secretion plasmid pETMO. The single-chain monellin gene was designed based on the biased codons of E. coli so that its expression would be then optimized. Under the expressing conditions, monellin was produced accounting for 44.8% of total soluble proteins. The E. coli-expressed single-chain monellin is 3000 times sweeter than sucrose. The thermal-stability and acid-resistance of the protein are higher than the natural monellin.
Escherichia coli ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Protein Engineering ; methods ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo study long-term behavioral and ultrastructural alterations in a hypoxic-ischemic brain damage (HIBD) model of neonatal rats.

METHODSSixty seven-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly subjected to unilateral carotid artery ligation followed by hypoxic exposure (HIBD group) or sham operation (n=30 each). A battery of behavioral tests, including Morris water maze test and sensorimotor tests, were performed at a postnatal age of 5 weeks. Nissl staining was used for counting neurons. Transmission electron microscopy was used for observing synapse structures and measuring the thickness of the postsynaptic density area and the length of the postsynaptic active area. The correlations of histological changes with the results of behavioral tests were evaluated.

RESULTSThe HIBD group showed a significantly longer escape latency (P<0.05) and a lower frequency of original platform crossing (P<0.05) in the Morris water maze test compared with the sham operation group. The sensorimotor function test showed that the sensorimotor function in the HIBD group was worse than in the sham operation group. Nissl staining showed that the number of neurons in the HIBD group was significantly reduced (P<0.01) compared with the sham operation group. Transmission electron microscopy showed that synapses were significantly reduced in number, and that the thickness of the postsynaptic density area and the length of the postsynaptic active area were reduced in the HIBD group. The thickness of the postsynaptic density area was negatively correlated with escape latency in the Morris water maze test (r=-0.861, P<0.01), and also negatively correlated with the total score of sensorimotor function tests (r=-0.758, P<0.05) in the HIBD group.

CONCLUSIONSHypoxia ischemia can lead to neuron loss and ultrastructure damage, resulting in long-term deficit of behavioral functions in neonatal rats.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Brain ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Female ; Hypoxia-Ischemia, Brain ; pathology ; psychology ; Male ; Maze Learning ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reaction Time

OBJECTIVE: To study the gene distribution characteristics of neonatal thalassemia in Dongguan, China and the changing trend of the gene distribution characteristics of neonates with thalassemia in Dongguan in 2014-2018. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was performed for the data on neonatal thalassemia screening from the Dongguan Neonatal Disease Screening System between January 2014 and December 2018. A total of 616 718 neonates were enrolled who were born in Dongguan. RESULTS: Among the 616 718 neonates, 52 308 were positive for primary screening, 10 366 were recalled, 8 576 underwent genetic diagnosis, and 6 432 were confirmed with thalassemia by genetic diagnosis. The carrying rates of thalassemia genes in 2014-2018 were 5.81%, 5.47%, 5.96%, 6.91%, and 7.90% respectively, and showed an upward trend (P<0.001). The positive rates of neonatal thalassemia screening in 2014-2018 were 9.12%, 8.34%, 7.54%, 8.13%, and 9.32% respectively (P<0.001). The positive rates of genetic diagnosis of neonatal thalassemia in 2014-2018 were 0.89%, 1.11%, 1.24%, 0.90%, and 1.09% respectively (P<0.001). In 2014-2018, 5 098 cases of α-thalassemia were detected, accounting for 79.26% of all cases, and 1 230 cases of β-thalassemia were detected, accounting for 19.12% of all cases. The detection rate of α-thalassemia was significantly higher than that of β-thalassemia in each year (P<0.001). In 2014-2018, static α-thalassemia, mild α-thalassemia, and mild β-thalassemia were the main types observed in neonates. CONCLUSIONS Most of the neonates with thalassemia have α-thalassemia in Dongguan, with static α-thalassemia and mild α-thalassemia as the main types. The carrying rate of thalassemia genes keeps increasing in neonates in Dongguan, and the prevention and treatment of thalassemia is still challenging.
China ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Neonatal Screening ; Retrospective Studies ; alpha-Thalassemia ; beta-Thalassemia