BackgroundSeveral cornea collagen crosslinking methods have been used to treat keratoconus.However,the safety of these methods is dissatisfactory.Glyceraldehyde is a very potent and highly reactive crosslinking agent,with little toxicity,but its effect on corneal biomechanical property is poorly clear.ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to evaluate the biomechanical effects of glyceraldehyde collagen crosslinking on rats cornea.Methods Fifteen clean SD rats were randomly divided into 0.005 mol/L glyceraldhyde group,0.050 mol/L glyceraldhyde group and blank control group.Glyceraldhyde drops was topically administered in the right ryes 2 times per day for consecutive 7 days in the 0.005 mol/L and 0.050 mol/L glyceraldhyde groups,and no any eye drops was used in the blank control group.Seven days later,the rats were sacrificed.Transparency of corneal buttons in these different groups was evaluated.The central corneal strips of 2 mm×6 mm with 2 mm scleral tiasue were obtained for the biomeehanical stress-strain measurement,including ultimate stress ( MPa),ultimate strain (％) and 6％ elastic modulus (MPa).Corneal collagen fibril density was assessed by histological examination under a light microscopy.The use of the animals followed the Regulations for the Administration of Affair Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.ResultsThe words could be clearly displayed transcorneally in all the three groups.When strain was 6％,the stress was (0.463±0.065 ) MPa in 0.005 mol/L glyceraldehyde group,(0.846±0.240) MPa in 0.050 mol/L glyceraldehyde group,both showing a significant increase in comparison with (0.195±0.103 ) MPa of the blank control group (P=0.029,0.000 ).Following the crosslinking treatment,the ultimate stress was significant elevated in 0.050 mol/L glyceraldehydes group compared with the blank control group ( ( 10.759 ± 3.337 ) MPa vs.(5.295± 1.313 ) MPa,P =0.007 ),but no significant change between the 0.005 mol/L glyceraldehydes group and the blank control group ( ( 6.043 ±2.084) M Pa vs.(5.295 ± 1.313 ) MPa,P =0.660 ).Corneal ultimate strain was lower in the 0.005 mol/L glyceraldehyde group and 0.050 mol/L glyceraldehyde group than the blank control group (36.57％ ±3.09％ vs.43.87％ ± 1.89％,P =0.009;28.53％ ±1.89％ vs.43.87％ ± 1.89％,P =0.000).However,significantly increased 6％ elastic modulus were seen in the 0.005 mol/L glyceraldehyde group and 0.050 moL/L glyceraldehyde group compared with the blank control group ( ( 7.718 ± 1.076 ) MPa,( 14.102 ± 4.011 ) MPa vs.( 3.252 ± 1.717 ) M Pa),with statistically significant differences ( P =0.029,0.000).Histological examination showed a increase of collagen fiber density in the 0.050 mol/L glyceraldehyde group.Conclusions Corneal collagen crosslinking induced by glyceraldehyde strengthens biomechanical intensity and increases the density of corneal collagen fiber.But the safety of glyceraldehyde crosslinking for keratoconus needs further study.

Objective To explore the effects of smoking and alcohol drinking on arsenic metabolism of people exposed to different concentrations of arsenic in drinking water.Methods Residents in Shanxi exposed to different concentrations of arsenic in drinking water and age ≥ 18 years old adults were chosen as the subjects for this study in 2008,the subjects were divided into three groups according to the concentrations of arsenic in drinking water: high-arsenic exposure group (more than 0.05 mg/L),low-arsenic exposure group (between 0.01 and 0.05 mg/L) and control group(less than 0.01 mg/L),excluded recently had eaten seafood and had poisoning symptoms of chronic arsenic in drinking water in the crowd.Smoking and alcohol drinking habits were investigated by questionnaire.Arsenic species in the urine samples were detected with hydride generation atomic absorption spectroscopy.Total arsenic(tAs) was the sum of iAs％,MMA％ and DMA％.iAs％,MMA％ and DMA％ were calculated as iAs/tAs,MMA/tAs and DMA/tAs,respectively.The first methylation ratio(FMR) and the secondary methylation ratio(SMR) were calculated as (MMA + DMA)/tAs and DMA/(MMA + DMA),respectively.Results Three hundred and ninety-five adults were chosen in this study.In the high exposure group the alcohol drinking and smoking subjects had higher MMA％(16.24％) but lower SMR(82.19％ ) than the non-drinking and non-smoking subjects (12.16％ and 86.13％,respectively).The differences of both MMA％ and SMR were significant(P ＜ 0.05 ).No significant difference was observed between the non-smoking/non-drinking subjects and the smoking or the drinking subjects(all P ＞ 0.05 ).In the low exposure group there were higher MMA％( 13.86％,13.99％) lower DMA％(72.87％,77.76％)and lower SMR (83.48％,83.90％ ) in those with smoking or drinking/smoking compared with the non-drinking and non-smoking subjects (11.83％,80.35％ and 86.54％,respectively,all P ＜0.05 ).No significant difference was observed between drinkers and non-drinking/non-smoking subjects(P ＞ 0.05).In the control group there were a higher MMA％( 17.27％,17.06％) lower DMA％ (73.89％,72.29％) and lower SMR (81.48％,82.58％ ) in those with smoking or drinking/smoking compared with the non-drinking and nonsmoking subjects( 11.52％,79.68％ and 87.19％,respectively,all P ＜ 0.05).No significant difference was observed between drinkers and the non-drinking/non-smoking subjects (all P ＞ 0.05).ConclusionThe arsenic methylation capacity of people with drinking and smoking is poorer than that of non-drinking and non-smoking subjects after arsenic exposure.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of low T3 syndrome in patients with acute myocardial infarction(AMI) and explore the effect of low T3 syndrome on outcome of AMI.MethodsThree hundred and thirty-eight patients with AMI admitted to cardiac care unit(CCU) underwent examinations of thyroid function and cardial ultrasound,and were further categorized according to thyroid hormone profile.The records of noninvasive bi-level positive airway pressure(BiPAP)ventilation utilization,length of hospital stay,mortality during hospitalization were evaluated,and the related factors were analysed.ResultsOne hundred and thirty-nine of the 338 patients(41.12%) with AMI complicated with low T3 syndrome.Free triiodothyronine(FT3) was the independent influential factor for length of hospital stay.Low FT3 was significantly correlated with noninvasive BiPAP ventilation utilization and mortality during hospitalization.The average time of follow-up was(21.4?8.1) months.It was revealed by multivariate Cox regression analysis that FT3 was the chief predictor for cumulative death(risk ratio,4.25;95% confidential interval,2.30-7.87),followed by age and left ventricular ejection fraction.ConclusionThe recognition of AMI complicated with low T3 syndrome plays an important role in predicting the disease severity and outcome.

AIMTo observe the damages induced by hydrogen peroxide in cultured bovine cerebral microvascular endothelial cells (BCMEC) and evaluate the protective effects of hydroxyethylpuerarin on hydrogen peroxide-injured BCMEC.

METHODSBCMEC were cultured and transferred into modified Eagle medium (MEM). The viability of cells was detected by MTT assay. Cell injury was determined by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity in the extracellular medium. Flow cytometry was employed to observe the occurrence of apoptosis. Morphologic changes of cells were visualized under phase contrast and electron microscopes.

RESULTSHydrogen peroxide (200 micromol x L(-1) for 4 hours) inhibited the viability of cultured BCMEC and stimulated LDH release. Hydrogen peroxide (100 micromol x L(-1) for 4 hours) induced the occurrence of apoptosis. Hydroxyethylpuerarin was shown to increase the survival rate and decrease the activity of LDH of BCMEC damaged by hydrogen peroxide. Hydroxyethylpuerarin was also found to protect BCMEC against apoptosis induced by hydrogen peroxide.

CONCLUSIONHydrogen peroxide induces BCMEC injury either by apoptosis or through necrosis. Hydroxyethylpuerarin protects BCMEC against hydrogen peroxide-induced injury in a concentration-dependent manner. Its antioxidant effects might be involved as the mechanism protection.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Brain ; blood supply ; Cattle ; Cell Survival ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Endothelial Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; toxicity ; Isoflavones ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Microcirculation ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Neuroprotective Agents ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Plant Roots ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Pueraria ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo retrospectively characterize clinical features of preterm infants born to mothers with systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE).

METHODSClinical data of preterm infants born to mothers with SLE in Peking Union Medical College Hospital over a period of more than 10 years (2000-2012) and preterm babies born to mothers without SLE in the same hospital and during the same time period were collected. Preterm-associated complications in the two groups of babies were comparatively analyzed.

RESULTSDuring the time period studied, 128 women with SLE delivered a total of 134 babies, 86 at full-term and 42 at preterm. Of the 42 preterm infants, 4 were diagnosed with neonatal lupus syndrome. Neonatal infection was the most common complication in preterm infants born to SLE mothers, which occurred in 20 cases (47.62%), followed by small for gestational age (28.57%), neonatal respiratory distress syndrome (26.19%), congenital heart disease (14.29%), and neonatal pulmonary hemorrhage (4.76%). In the same time period, 2 308 preterm babies were born to mothers without SLE. In these preemies, 16.81% experienced neonatal infection, 13.21% were small for gestational age, and 5.16% had congenital heart disease. All these parameters were significantly lower than in preterm babies born to mothers with SLE (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSSLE preterm offspring seem to be more prone to neonatal infection, small for gestational age and at a higher risk of congenital heart disease as compared to preterm babies from women without SLE.

Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Infant, Premature, Diseases ; etiology ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; complications ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo study clinical outcomes of Chinese medidine fumigation and massage therapy for the treatment of knee stability and functional recovery after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction operation,and to explore the effect on tendon-bone healing.

METHODSTotal 50 patients were divided into two groups: the control group (normal rehabilitation therapy group),the treatment group (Chinese medicine fumigation and manipulation group). There were 25 patients in the control group, including 16 males and 9 females, who were treated with isometric muscle training, with the gradually enlarging amplitude of flexion and progressive loading of bearing training for knee recovery. There were 25 patients in the treatment group, including 15 males and 10 females,who were treated with the conventional rehabilitation therapy combined with Chinese medicine fumigation and massage therapy. The Chinese herbs named as Haitongpi decoction was steamed by a special equipment to fumigate the knee after operation; Based on the biomechanical parameters of the ligament reconstruction, the massage therapy was designed to control the degree of the knee flexion and release the adhesion for early recovery of knee functions. The Lysholm knee function evaluation system was used, and MRI examination was performed to measure the change in width of ligament tunnel in femur and tibia to evaluate the safety and stability of the treatment.

RESULTSLysholm system showed that two groups both had improving results from the 1st month after operation to the 3rd month (treatment group, F=36.54, P<0.05; the control group, F=28.12, P<0.05), and the results of the treatment group was better than that of the control group at the observation point (the 1st month, t=0.105, P<0.05; the 3rd month, t=5.361, P<0.01). There was no difference between the two groups when evaluating the bone and tendon healing 3 and 12 months after operation (P>0.05), indicating that Chinese rehabilitation therapy was a safety treatment without the influence on the loosing of tendon.

CONCLUSIONChinese medicine fumigation and massage therapy can early improve the knee function after the anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction operation without the disturbance of the knee stability.

Adult ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament ; surgery ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Injuries ; Anterior Cruciate Ligament Reconstruction ; Case-Control Studies ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Female ; Fumigation ; Humans ; Knee Injuries ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; surgery ; therapy ; Knee Joint ; drug effects ; physiopathology ; surgery ; Male ; Massage ; Range of Motion, Articular ; Recovery of Function

AIMTo study the inhibitory effect and mechanism of nobiletin on Heps tumor bearing mice.

METHODSModels of Heps tumor bearing mice were established. The inhibitory rates of tumor growth were calculated, the apoptosis morphology of tumor tissue was observed. The T lymphocyte transformation capacity was tested by MTT assay, the TNFalpha and IL-2 production were measured by LDH kits.

RESULTSNobiletin could significantly inhibit Heps tumor growth. The inhibitory rates were 42.14% - 65.09% (P < 0.01). The morphology of tumor tissues in nobiletin group had typical characters of necrosis and apoptosis through transmission electron microscope. Nobiletin could stimulate T lymphocyte transformation and the production of TNFalpha and IL-2.

CONCLUSIONNobiletin has obvious antitumor effect on Heps, the main mechanism is to enhance the cellular immune function and induce apoptosis of tumor tissue.

Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents, Phytogenic ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Citrus ; chemistry ; Female ; Flavones ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 ; biosynthesis ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; pathology ; prevention & control ; ultrastructure ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; T-Lymphocytes ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; biosynthesis

This study was aimed to investigate the sensitizing effect of recombinant human PDCD5 (rhPDCD5) protein on chemotherapy of U937 cell line and its mechanism. The flow cytometry was performed to assess the changes of cell apoptosis and cell cycle influenced by rhPDCD5. Hochst 33258 staining was used to observe morphology of the apoptotic cells. The activity change of caspase-3 was detected to analyse the possible mechanisms of rhPDCD5-induced apoptosis. RT-PCR was performed to observe the expression level of drug-resistant genes. The results showed that the percentage of apoptotic cells and the activity of caspase-3 remarkably increased in U937 cells treated with rhPDCD5 combined with chemotherapeutic drug; the cell cycle arrest induced by anti-tumor drug was also enhanced when combined with rhPDCD5; meanwhile, the expression levels of drug-resistant genes were down-regulated in jointly treated U937 cells. It is concluded that the chemosensitizing mechanisms of rhPDCD5 are complex. rhPDCD5 may increase the cytotoxicity of anti-tumor drugs by promoting the caspase-3-related apoptosis, influencing cell cycle, decreasing the expression of drug-resistant genes and reversing drug-resistance.
Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Apoptosis Regulatory Proteins ; pharmacology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; drug effects ; Humans ; Neoplasm Proteins ; pharmacology ; Recombinant Proteins ; pharmacology ; U937 Cells

OBJECTIVESTo explore a sensitive and specific method for detection of bcl-2/IgH gene rearrangement in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and verify the credibility of the established method.

METHODSbcl-2/IgH hemi-nested PCR primers were designed using the professional primer design software. Fifty-two samples of pathologically diagnosed DLBCL and 10 fresh tonsil tissues were amplified using hemi-nested touch down-PCR to detect bcl-2/IgH gene rearrangement. The PCR products were cloned and sequenced.

RESULTSbcl-2/IgH gene rearrangement was detected in 6 of 52 DLBCL samples and 2 of 10 fresh tonsil tissues using one-way method. By using the hemi-nested PCR for the second round amplification, 5 of DLBCL were positive, but all of the fresh tonsil tissues were negative. The positive PCR products were sequenced and analyzed on the Internet, 3 of 8 cases obtained by one-way method were false positive, 5 positive cases amplified using hemi-nested PCR were all bcl-2/IgH gene rearrangement. PCR products of 3 false positive cases were homologous to BAC331191 and LLNLR-245D11 in human chromosome 19 and RP11-498P10 in chromosome 1.

CONCLUSIONThere are false positive results using common primers for detecting bcl-2/IgH gene rearrangement. The mechanism may be that highly homologous sequences to human genome exist in commonly used primers. The specificity of the diagnosis could be improved by hemi-nested PCR using the combination of primers we designed and the traditional ones.

Gene Rearrangement, B-Lymphocyte, Heavy Chain ; Genes, bcl-2 ; genetics ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods

Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; China ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Yellow Fever ; epidemiology ; Yellow fever virus ; immunology