Academic Dissertations as Topic ; Bibliometrics ; China ; Health Systems Agencies ; Occupational Diseases ; prevention & control ; Publishing

AIM: To evaluate the effects induced by topical antiglaucomatous drugs, Travoprost eyedrops on tear film.
METHODS: Eighteen patients ( 32 eyes ) with primary open-angle glaucoma or ocular hypertension were all treated with Travoprost eyedrops once every night. The symptom score, Schirmer's test ( S Ⅰ t ) , corneal fluorescein staining ( FL ) , tear film break - up time (BUT), were observed before the treatment and 1, 2 and 3mo after the treatment.
RESULTS: The average symptom score, FL of all patients were 1. 34 ± 1. 56 and 0. 44 ± 0. 73 before the treatment, and 2. 75±1. 63, 1. 08±0. 84; 5. 10±1. 68, 1. 53±0-67;6. 33±1. 40, 1. 98±0. 50 respectively after 1, 2 and 3mo of the treatment. There was significant increase in symptom score and FL after the treatment for 1, 2 and 3mo (P=0. 00). The average BUT, SⅠt of all patients were (7. 76±0. 92s), (8. 47±2. 73mm/5min) before the treatment, and (7. 08±1. 15s), (7. 73±3. 44mm/5min);(5-59±1. 33s), (6. 82±3. 05mm/5min); (4. 29±1. 87s), (6-04±3. 15mm/5min) respectively after 1, 2 and 3mo of the treatment. There was significant decrease in BUT and ST after the treatment for 1, 2 and 3mo (P=0. 00).
CONCLUSION: Travoprost eyedrops can obviously aggravate patients’ corneal irritation after treatment. Our results show abnormal decreased tear secretion and stability of tear film induced by Travoprost eyedrops over the short term.

Paeoniflorin is the main active ingredient of Chinese herbaceous peony. This study is to investigate the protective effect of paeoniflorin (Pae) on acute brain damage induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS) in mice. The mice were randomly assigned to the normal control, model control (LPS), as well as groups of paeoniflorin and lipopolysaccharide (Pae + LPS). Then the mice were administered intraperitioneally with normal saline or Pae (10, 30 mg · kg(-1)) once daily for 6 d. One hour after intrapertioneally treatment on the seventh day, each group were injected LPS (5 mg · kg(-1)) to establish the endotoxin lipopolysaccharide inflammation model except the normal group. The mice were sacrificed after 6 h and the brain homogenates were prepared and measured. The malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px), total antioxidant capacity (T-AOC), hydrogen peroxide (H2O2), succinatedehydrogenase (SDH), Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase were dectected by the colorimetric method. The levels of HO-1 and Nrf2 protein in subcellular fractions of brain tissue were detected by Western blot. The results demonstrated that the administration with paeoniflorin reduced the levels of the MDA production; significantly increase the activities of antioxidant enzyme (SOD and GSH-PX). In addition, paeoniflorin could enhance the total antioxidant capacity, decrease the level of H2O2, and increase the activities of SDH, Na(+)-K(+)-ATPase and Ca(2+)-Mg(2+)-ATPase. Furthermore, paeoniflorin can increase the expression of HO-1 and activate the nuclear transfer of Nrf2. Taking together, these findings suggest that paeoniflorin alleviate the acute inflammation in mice brain damage induced by LPS, which is related with its antioxidant effect and improvement of energy metabolism.
Animals ; Energy Metabolism ; drug effects ; Glucosides ; pharmacology ; Heme Oxygenase-1 ; genetics ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Monoterpenes ; pharmacology ; Oxidative Stress ; drug effects ; Sodium-Potassium-Exchanging ATPase ; metabolism

The establishment of high specificity and sensitivity method of small molecule monoclonal antibody-based immunoassay has a great importance in the study of small molecule compounds in Chinese medicine, wherein synthesis of small molecule artificial antigen is a critical step in the preparation of small molecule antibodies. Oxidation method using sodium iodide was used to synthesize immunogenic antigen (FRn-BSA) and coating antigen (FRn-OVA) of forsythin. UV spectroscopy and thin layer chromatography showed that forsythin was successfully conjugated with BSA and OVA. After immuned FRn-BSA, the mice could specifically produce anti-forsythin antibodies with titer up to 1:8 000, and the linear range was from 1 mg x L(-1) to 100 mg x L(-1). In this paper, the artificial antigen of forsythin was successfully synthesized, which can be applied for preparation of monoclonal antibodies and establishment of appropriate immune method.
Animals ; Antibodies ; immunology ; Antigens ; chemistry ; immunology ; Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic ; chemistry ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Furans ; chemistry ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C

BACKGROUNDCataracts is considered be formed because of an abnormal glucose metabolic pathway or oxidative stress. We explored the damaging role of ONOO- and antagonism of cholecystokinin octapeptide-8 (CCK-8) in diabetic cataractal rat lenses.

METHODSA diabetic cataractal animal model was established by peritoneal injection of streptozotocine (STZ). Thirty-six normal SD rats were taken as control group; seventy-two were given STZ (45 mg/kg) and then divided into STZ group and CCK-8 group (peritoneal injection CCK-8). STZ induced diabetic rats were treated with CCK-8 for 60 days. Lenses were examined with slit lamp at 20, 40 and 60 days. Immunofluorescent staining and Western blot analysis were used for determining nitrotyrosine (NT, a marker for ONOO-). PT-PCR and gene array analysis were used for determining the expression of inducible nitric oxide synthetase mRNA (iNOS mRNA) in lens epithelium (LEC).

RESULTSSTZ group rats developed lens opacity by 20 days that reached a high level by 60 days after STZ injection. CCK-8 group rats delayed the cataract formation. CCK-8 group rats delayed the cataract formation. There was no distinct expression of NT and iNOS mRNA in control group. In STZ group, there were distinct expression of NT and upregulation of iNOS mRNA; however, CCK-8 group showed weak expression of NT and downregulation of iNOS mRNA.

CONCLUSIONSNT, which may be a new form of oxidative stress, was expressed in diabetic rat LEC although CCK-8 could reverse NT damage in LEC. The results suggested that CCK-8 might be a useful therapeutic agent against diabetic cataract. The antagonizing mechanism of CCK-8 may be related to direct antagonism of ONOO- as well as its inhibition of the expression of iNOS mRNA for production of NO and therefore decrease in the formation of ONOO-.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Cataract ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; complications ; Fluorescent Antibody Technique ; Male ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; genetics ; Oxidation-Reduction ; Peroxynitrous Acid ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sincalide ; pharmacology ; Streptozocin ; Tyrosine ; analogs & derivatives ; genetics

ObjectiveTo analyze the clinicopathologic features of hereditary cutaneomucosal venous malformation (VMCM) in a Chinese family.MethodsFamily history was investigated in a family with VMCM,and tissue specimens were obtained from the lesions of the proband and subjected to histopathological analysis.ResultsAmong 65 members from 5 generations of the family,19 were affected by VMCM,hinting an autosomal dominant inheritance.None of the family members experienced gastrointestinal bleeding,central nervous system disorders,or cardiac defects.Affected individuals usually presented with multiple irregularly sized,blue-violet,elevated and slightly indurated masses located in the oral mucosa and subcutaneous tissue of the extremities.Pathological analysis showed malformed veins with abnormally dilated cavities and irregularly thickened walls.Although small veins were abnormally proliferating and clustered,there was no endothelial discontinuity.The smooth muscle layer was thickned in a varying degree or absent.ConclusionA diagnosis of VMCM is made according to the inheritance manner,clinical manifestation and pathological findings.

The present study was designed to observe if puerarin decreases lens epithelium cell (LEC) apoptosis induced partly by peroxynitrite (ONOO(-)). One hundred and eight rats were randomly divided into control group (n=36), streptozotocin (STZ) group (n=36) and STZ + puerarin group (n=36). The rats in the control group intraperitoneally (i.p.) received 0.5 ml of saline. The rats in STZ group and STZ + puerarin group received intraperitoneal injection of STZ (45 mg/kg). Three days later, the rats in STZ + puerarin group were given puerarin (140 mg/kg per day, i.p.). On days 20, 40 and 60 of the experiment, morphologic changes of lenses were observed with slit lamp. Then the animals were sacrificed for further analysis. The amount and percentage of apoptotic LECs were determined by flow cytometry. Nitrotyrosine (NT, the foot print of ONOO(-)) was examined by immunohistochemistry. Apoptosis-related genes (iNOS, etc.) were analyzed by gene array. The results showed that in the control group, all the lenses were clear. In STZ group, gradually severe opacity of the lens was observed on days 20, 40 and 60. But in STZ + puerarin group, mild opacity of the lens was observed on day 20 and more severe on day 40, but markedly decreased on day 60. In the control group, mild apoptosis of LECs was observed. In STZ group, time-dependent increase in apoptosis of LECs was observed. In STZ + puerarin group, mild apoptosis of LECs was observed on day 20, significantly increased on day 40, but markedly decreased on day 60. There was no expression of NT in the lens in the control group, but an increased expression of NT in STZ group. In STZ + puerarin group, mild expression of NT was observed on day 20, significantly increased on day 40, but markedly decreased on day 60. There was no expression of iNOS in the lens in the control group, but continuous up-regulation of iNOS expression in STZ group. In STZ + puerarin group, mild expression of iNOS was observed on day 20, significantly increased on day 40, but markedly decreased on day 60. Except the changes of iNOS related to NO production, the other apoptosis-related genes, including BCL-2 and SOD were down-regulated, while NF-kappaB and TNFR1-FADD-caspase signal transduction way were up-regulated in STZ group. The results were opposite in STZ + puerarin group and the control group. These findings show that NT is expressed in diabetic rat lens, which proves that LEC apoptosis in diabetic lens is partly induced by ONOO(-) which may be a new oxidative damage way to form cataract. Puerarin partly decreases LEC apoptosis induced by ONOO(-) and is a potential medicine for therapy of diabetic cataract. The mechanism of puerarin dealing with diabetic cataract may be related to its direct inhibition of LEC apoptosis and antagonism of ONOO(-) in diabetic rats.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cataract ; chemically induced ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Lens, Crystalline ; cytology ; Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II ; metabolism ; Peroxynitrous Acid ; Rats ; Tyrosine ; analogs & derivatives ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the transformative potential of hepatic progenitor cells to differentiate into liver stem cells using a normal adult mouse system and to determine the effects of HBx protein in these liver stem cells' differentiation into hepatic cells.

METHODSHepatic progenitor cells were obtained from mice by means of an optimized two-step digestion and perfusion method followed by joint differential centrifugation and density gradient centrifugation. Transformation of the hepatic progenitor cells into liver stem cells was observed by immunofluorescent detection of CD 133, EPCAM, CD49f and CK19. Differentiation of the resultant liver stem cells into hepatic cells and bile duct epithelial cells was observed after DMSO addition by Periodic Acid-Schiff (PAS) staining followed by cell immunofluorescence and flow cytometry. To determine the effects of HBx on these liver stem cells' ability to differentiate into hepatic cells, cell transfection was used followed by observation of morphology and proliferation capacity.

RESULTSCell viability of the isolated hepatic progenitor cells was 78.67+/-4.04%. Stimulation with EGF and collagen led to growth of some of the paving-stone shaped cells attached to the hepatic progenitor cells which had gathered into spherical clumps, as is the nature of stem cells. The liver stem cells showed high expression of CD133, CD49f and CK19, and low expression of EPCAM. Under the effect of DMSO, the liver stem cells differentiated into hepatocytes and bile duct epithelial cells. After HBx transfecfion, the liver stem cells maintained the characteristic shape of stem cells and showed enhanced proliferation.

CONCLUSIONEPCAM-positive adult hepatic progenitor cells can transform into liver stem cells.The HBx protein may play an important role in maintaining the stability of liver stem cells in the adult mouse.

Animals ; Antigens, Neoplasm ; metabolism ; Bile Ducts ; cytology ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; Epithelial Cell Adhesion Molecule ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; Flow Cytometry ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; Liver ; cytology ; Mice ; Stem Cells ; cytology

[Objective] To compare the influence of first-degree relatives' cancer history on the genetic tendency of gastric and colorectal cancer. [Methods] Patients with gastric and colorectal cancer from six towns of Suzhou City were investigated by means of face-to-face survey based on the "Family History and History of Population Diseases Questionnaire"which included general conditions, family composition and cancer occurrence of all their three degree relatives. [Results] If there were first-degree relatives with history of cancer, individual risk of gastric cancer would be higher than that of colorectal cancer by 55％, with the adjusted OR (95％ CI) being 1.551 (1.021, 2.356). If there were first-degree relatives with history of digestive tract cancer, the risk of the subject would increase to 104％, with the adjusted OR (95％CI) being 2.037 (1.279, 3.246). Men with first-degree relatives who had cancer history was at91％ higher risk of developing gastric cancer than colorectal cancer, with the adjusted OR (95％CI) being1.911 (1.080, 3.381). And for history of digestive tract cancer, the risk would reach 156％, with the adjusted OR (95％ CI) being 2.559 (1.337, 4.897). The number of cancers suffered by first-degree relatives of those patients with gastric cancer was higher than that of patients with colorectal cancer, with Z =-6.873, P<0.001, while the number of digestive tract cancer was also higher, with Z =-6.137, P<0.001. [Conclusion] The history of cancer and digestive tract cancer with first-degree relatives, is more common in patients with gastric cancer than with colorectal cancer. It is necessary to focus health education on men with first-degree relatives suffering from cancer or digestive tract cancer and suggest some changes in their living habits and regular medical examinations to reduce the occurrence of gastric cancer.

AIM:To investigate the antidepressant effect of dextromethorphan(DXM)and its mechanism. METHODS:The antidepressant effect of DXM was observed by the methods of forced swimming test,tail suspension test and open field test.The N-methyl-D-aspartate(NMDA)receptor activity in brain,and the effects of total nitric oxide syn-thases(NOS)and various types of NOS were examined by molecular biology methods.The mice pretreated with NMDA re-ceptor antagonist MK-801(MK),NMDA,NO precursor L-arginine(L-ARG),endothelial NOS(eNOS)inhibitor Nω-ni-tro-L-arginine methyl ester(L-NAME),inducible NOS(iNOS)inhibitor aminoguanidine(AG),neuronal NOS(nNOS) inhibitor 7-nitroindole(7-NI)or phosphodiesterase 5 inhibitor sildenafil were given DXM to explore the mechanism of DXM as an antidepressant.RESULTS: DXM had a dose-dependent antidepressant effect.DXM inhibited the activity of brain NMDA receptor in a dose-dependent manner, and inhibited the expression of eNOS and nNOS.MK, L-NAME and 7-NI were able to promote the antidepressant effect of DXM.NMDA,L-ARG and sildenafil were able to inhibit the antidepres-sant effect of DXM.AG did not influence the antidepressant effect of DXM.CONCLUSION:DXM has an antidepressant effect,and NMDA receptor and L-ARG-NO-cGMP signaling pathways are involved in this process.