Alcoholic liver disease ( ALD ) , a chronic progres-sive disease, threatens human health seriously. An increasing number of studies have shown that gut flora dysbiosis plays an important role in the development of ALD. Intestinal microbiota maintains a steady state under normal conditions, regulating gut flora normal physiological function. However, chronic alcohol consumption produces intestinal bacteria overgrowth and dysbio-sis, including the alteration of the composition of intestinal mi-croflora, the increment of gut permeability and bacterial translo-cation. Subsequently, the host immune is activated, promoting the production of inflammatory cytokines in liver, which plays a central role in the development of ALD. Notably, the supple-ment of prebiotics or probiotics reverses the intestinal flora disor-der,ameliorating the clinical symptoms effectively in ALD pa-tients. The evidence impies that the modulation of dysbiosis may be effective in the prevention and treatment of ALD. This review summarizes the research progress on the mechanism of the devel-opment of dysbiosis-mediated ALD, to provide a theoretical basis for the research on intestinal flora and ALD.

Background It is well known that sclera remodeling occurs during axial elongation in myopia under the control of growth hormone or its downstream effectors.The role of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in myopia has been determined in previous studies.Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) is one of members of the TGF-β superfamily,but if it plays an important role in the genesis and development of myopia is not completely clear.Objective This study was to identify the presence of BMPs in normal guinea pigs sclera and investigate the change of BMPs in the sclera in form-deprivation myopia (FDM) of guinea pigs.Methods Thirty young guinea pigs were randomized into normal control group and experimental group using table of random number.FDM models were established by occluding unilateral eyes of guinea pigs with a translucent lens for 14 days in the experimental group,and the fellow eyes served as the controls.Diopter of all eyes was tested by retinoscopy optometry,and ocular axial length was measured by A-sonography before and after modeling.Posterior sclera tissue of the animals was obtained on 14 days,and the relative expression level of BMPs mRNA and protein were assayed by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blot.The use and care of the animals complied with ARVO Statement.Results On 14 days after occluding of unilateral eyes,the refraction diopter of the experimental group was (-0.48±0.51) D,and that of the fellow eyes was (3.22 ±0.34) D,showing a significant difference between them (t =-12.814,P =0.000).Also,a significant difference in the diopter was seen between the experimental group and normal control group ([-0.48±0.51]D vs.[2.97±0.70]D,t =-11.878,P=0.000).Axial length was (8.30 ± 0.05) mm in the experimental group,(8.11 ±0.06) mm in the fellow eyes and (8.06±0.06) mm in the normal control group,showing a significant increase in the experimental group compared with the fellow eyes and normal control group (t =7.230,P =0.000 ; t =9.084,P=0.000).The expressions of BMP-2 mRNA,BMP-4 mRNA,BMP-5 mRNA in posterior sclera were detected in the normal guinea pigs.Fourteen days after the induction of myopia,the relative levels of BMP-2 mRNA and BMP-5 mRNA in sclera were 0.41 ± 0.11 and 0.65 ± 0.06 in the experimental eyes,which were significantly lower than 0.62 ± 0.07 and 0.84 ± 0.03 in the fellow eyes with the descent range of 34.48％ and 23.67％ respectively (t=2.838,P=0.017; t=2.524,P=0.028).The relative values of BMP-2 protein and BMP-5 protein were 0.44±0.06 and 0.70±0.05 in the experimental eyes,and those of the fellow eyes were 0.61±0.05 and 0.82±0.03,showing significant decline in the experimental eyes with the lowing range of 23.42％ and 15.21％,respectively (t =2.465,P =0.030;t =2.445,P=0.031).No significant differences were found in the expression of BMP-4 mRNA and protein in posterior sclera between the experimental eyes and the normal control eyes (mRNA:t =0.704,P=0.460;protein:t=0.987,P=0.365).Conclusions The expressions of the BMP-2 and BMP-5 in sclera down-regulate significantly in FDM eyes,which suggest that BMP-2 and BMP-5 participate in sclera remodeling during myopia induction.

ObjectiveTo study the morphological and functional changes of thyroid in lactating rats and their offspring in iodine deficiency and iodine excess animal models.MethodsOne hundred and twenty Wistar rats(30 males and 90 females) were selected.Based on their body weight,the 90 females were stratified and randomly divided into five groups( 18 in each group):low iodine group 1 and group 2(fed with low iodine feed and deionized water containing iodine of 0,5 μg/L) ; high iodine group 1,group 2 and control group(feed with normal diet and deionized water containing iodine of 3000,10 000,50 μg/L).After fed for 3 month,all female rats were mated with males in a ratio of 3 ∶ 1.After birth for 10 days,8 female rats and their offspring in each group were sacrificed.Changes of thyroid were observed by naked eyes.The thyroid weight was measured and pathological changes of thyroids were observed under light microscope.Results①Absolute and relative weight of lactating rats thyroid in low iodine group 1 and group 2 [ (92.02 ± 24.40 ),(77.11 ± 23.32 )mg,(0.509 ± 0.072),(0.384 ± 0.089) mg/kg] were much higher than that of control group[ (17.41 ± 9.25)mg,(0.102 ± 0.016)mg/kg,all P＜ 0.05].Absolute and relative weight of lactating rats thyroid in high iodine group 1 and group 2[(8.22 ± 0.41 ),(9.42 ±0.43)mg,(0.047 ± 0.006),(0.035 ± 0.005)mg/kg] were lower than that of control group(all P ＜ 0.05).Absolute and relative weight of lactating rats and their offspring thyroid was decreased with increase of iodide intake in the diet.②Thyroid enlargement of lactating rats in low iodine group 1 and group 2 was evident,but that of high iodine group 1 and group 2 was not.③Epithelial cell hyperplasia and smaller follicular cavity were observed in low iodine group 1 and group 2 under light microscope.Epithelial cell deformation and mostly flat were observed in high iodine group 1 and group 2.ConclusionsThyroid morphology is changed with iodide intake in the lactating rats and their offspring,and the changes are consistent between female rats and their newborns.

Objective To observe the expression of Na+/I- symporter(NIS) in cultured lactating mammary cells with different levels of iodine and the effect of tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α). Methods Original generation of mouse lactating mammary cells cultured in vitro were divided into low iodine group Ⅰ (LI-Ⅰ), low iodine group Ⅱ (LI-Ⅱ), adequate iodine group(AI), high iodine group Ⅰ(HI-Ⅰ), and high iodine group Ⅱ(HI-Ⅱ). Cells were cultured in DEME/F12 culture medium for 24 h with different concentrations of iodine (0,5,50,3000 and 10 000 μg/L, respectively), and TNF-α( 10-2 mg/L) was added to some of cultured cells for 24 h. The expression of NIS mRNA of lactating mammary cells was determined by real-time quantitative PCR and the expression of NIS protein was detected by In-Cell Western. Results In iodine alone group, the expression of NIS mRNA in LI-Ⅰ group [ (64.66 ± 14.99) x 10-4] was higher than that of AI group[ (22.76 ± 7.36) × 10-4, P ＜ 0.01 ]; HI-I group[ (10.18 ±3.53) × 10-4] and HI-Ⅱ group[ (8.59 ± 2.89) × 10-4] were lower than that of AI group(all P ＜ .0.05); With increased iodine concentration, the expression of NIS mRNA decreased. The expression of NIS mRNA in LI-Ⅰ group [(2.72 ± 0.45) × 10-4], LI-Ⅱ group[ (2.69 ± 0.68) × 10-4] and AI group[(1.80 ± 0.67) × 10-4] with iodine plus TNF-o were all lower than that of LI-Ⅰ group, LI-Ⅱ group[ (29.82 ± 4.47 ) × 10-4], and AI group without TNF-α (all P ＜ 0.01). In iodine plus TNF-α, the expression of NIS mRNA in HI-Ⅰ group[(6.58 ± 2.87) × 10-4] and HI-Ⅱ[(7.04 ± 1.36) × 10-4] group were all higher than that of AI group(all P ＜ 0.05); With increased iodine deficiency or iodine excess, the expression of NIS mRNA increased. With increased iodine concentration, the expression of NIS protein decreased in iodine alone group. The expression of NIS protein in iodine plus TNF-α was all lower than that in iodine alone group. In iodine plus TNF-α, the expression of NIS protein increased in both iodine deficiency and iodine excess conditions. Conclusions Iodine may decrease the expression of NIS mRNA and protein of lactating mammary cells. The expression of NIS mRNA and protein of lactating mammary cells was inhibited by TNF-α under different levels of iodine.

Objective To explore the therapeutic effects and mechanism of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) transplantation in mice autoimmune hepatitis (AIH).Methods AIH model was established in 44 C57BL/6 mice,which were induced by homologous series liver-specific antigen S-100 and Freund's complete adjuvant.After modeling,six mice were collected for AIH model confirming.The other 38 mice were divided into three groups.Fourteen mice of MSC transplantation group (group A) were treated by MSC tail vein injection,12 mice of dexamethasone (DXM) group (group B) were treated by DXM intraperitoneal injection,and 12 mice of PBS control group (group C) received phosphate buffer saline (PBS) intraperitoneal injection.Eighteen mice of healthy control group (group D) weren't modeled and received no treatment.At the 5th and 9th week,the mice weights and serum alanine aminotransferase (ALT) level were tested,mice liver tissues of each group were estimated by pathological examination and Knodell scoring,and spleen T lymphocytes of mice were isolated for proliferation-inhibition examination.The data were analyzed by rank sum test,ANOVA and t test.Results After treatment,mice weights of both group A and B showed upward trend (F=15.678,P＜0.01; F=3.730,P=0.037).Before and after treatment,there was no significant difference in group C (P＞0.05).At the 5th and 9th week,the ALT level of group A and B gradually decreased,there was statistical significance between the time points (F=20.267,P＜0.01; F=4.277,P=0.034).Before and after treatment,there was no significant difference in ALT level of group C (P＞0.05).At the 5th and 9th week,the degree of mice serum ALT reduction of group A was larger than that of group B,and the difference was statistically significant (t=3.566 and 3.218,both P＜0.05).At the 5th and 9th week,the Kondell scores of group A and B gradually decreased,there was statistical significance between the time points (F=8.070,P=0.003; F=6.547,P=0.009).Before and after treatment,there was no significant difference in Kondell scores of group C (P＞0.05).At the 9th week,there was statistical significance in Kondell scores among group A,group B and group C (F =4.477,P =0.029).The in vitro spleen lymphocytes proliferation-inhibition experiment demonstrated that the supernatant of MSC could significantly inhibit the proliferation of T lymphocytes stimulated by S-100 antigen and concanavalin A,the absorbance values were0.267±0.167 vs.0.217±0.128 and0.165±0.187 vs.0.082±0.051 respectively,the differences were statistically significant (t =7.187 and 4.602,both P＜ 0.01).Conclusion MSC transplantation may play a therapeutic role in mice AIH through inhibiting T lymphocyte proliferation.

Objective To investigate the synergistic anticancer effect of ATO combined with Rad001 on human ovarian cancer cells in vitro and the underlying mechanisms. Methods SKOV3 cells were treated with Rad001, ATO and a combination of Rad001 and ATO, respectively. Cell relative luminescence units, viability, and combination index were tested. The apoptosis was quantified by Flow cytometry. Autophagy and apoptosis associated proteins were measured with immunoblotting. Results Significant decrease in live cell number were observed in cells treated with combination of Rad001 and ATO , compared with single compound treatment (P <0.05). Moreover, a higher rates of autophagy as well as apoptosis were observed in the combination treatment compared with single compound treatment (P < 0.05). Conclusions combination of Rad001 and ATO can result in synergistic cytotoxicity through activation of the excessive autophagy and apoptotic pathway.

Objective To investigate the distribution of surfactant protein-C( SP-C) gene single nu-cleotide polymorphisms and to study the association between the SP-C gene polymorphisms and neonatal respiratory distress syndrome( NRDS) in infants. Methods Fifty-one infants with NRDS( NRDS group) and 51 infants without RDS( control group) were selected. PCR gene analysis and polymerase chain reaction were used to establish the genotype and allele frequencies of SP-C exon 4(T138N) and exon 5(S186N),SP-C exon 4 and 5 for the mutation,and then the association between the polymorphisms and NRDS was analyzed. Results SP-C gene mutations were not found in exon 4 and 5. In the Mongol nationality of the Inner Mon-golia region,SP-C exon 4(T138N) genotypes could check out three genotypes:namely AA,AC and CC. The frequencies of allele A and allele C of SP-C exon 4(T138N) were not statistically different between NRDS group and control group(χ2 =0. 454,P=0. 797). In the Mongol nationality,SP-C exon 5(S186N) genotypes could check out three genotypes:namely AA,AG and GG. The frequencies of allele A and allele G of SP-C exon 5(S186N) were not statistically different between NRDS group and control group(χ2 =0. 493,P =0. 782). Conclusion SP-C exon 4(T138N) and exon 5(S186N) gene polymorphism in Inner Mongolia newborns displays no significant correlation with sex,birth weight or gestational age. SP-C gene mutations are not found in exon 4 and 5. SP-C gene exon 4(T138N) and exon 5(S186N) polymorphisms are not found to be associated with NRDS in Mongol nationality of the Inner Mongolia.

Objective Objectives: To introduce the technique of performing minimally invasive concomitant Cox Maze Ⅳ ablation procedure entirely by bipolar clamp through right lateral minithoracotomy for patients with atrial fibrillation(AF) associated with mitral valve diseases.Methods Sixty nine patients with mitral valve disease and long-standing persistent AF received minimally invasive Cox Maze Ⅳ ablation procedure combined with mitral valve surgery from June 2012 to January 2015.The etiology of mitral valve disease was rheumatic(41 cases) and degenerative(28 cases).Age at operation ranged from 52 to 71 years.There were 43 males and 26 females.AF duration ranged from 1.5 years to 13 years.Diameter of the left atrium ranged from 42 to 60 mm.Diameter of the left ventricle ranged from 43 to 66 mm.Left ventricle ejection fraction (LVEF) ranged from 0.45 to 0.67.Concomitant Maze Ⅳ ablation procedure was performed through right lateral minithoracotomy entirely by bipolar radiofrequency clamp.Results All patients successfully underwent this minimally invasive concomitant Maze Ⅳ ablation procedure and mitral valve surgery.The mean cardiopulmonary bypass time was(130.3 ± 17.7) minutes.The mean aortic crossclamp time was(91.8 ± 12.7) minutes.No patient needed conversion to sternotomy during the surgery.There was no early death or pacemaker implantation in the perioperation.The average length of hospital stay was(9.8 ± 3.3) days.At discharge, 65 patients(65/69, 94.2％) maintained sinus rhythm.At a mean follow-up time of(21.0 ± 8.6) months, sinus rhythm was restored in 62 patients(62/69, 89.9％).Cumulative maintenance of normal sinus rhythm without AF recurrence at 2 years postoperatively was(85.1 ± 5.8)％.Conclusion The minimally invasive concomitant Maze Ⅳ ablation procedure performed entirely by bipolar clamp through right lateral minithoracotomy was a safe, feasible, and effective technique for patients with AF associated with mitral valve diseases.

Objective To observe the long dwell ultrafiltration volume after using 7.5% icodextrin in different peritoneal transport characteristics of peritoneal dialysis patients. Methods Subgroup analysis of a perspective multicenter randomized double blind and parallel control study was performed. Continuous ambulatory peritoneal dialysis (CAPD) patients were divided into high transport (H) group, high-average transport (HA) group, low-average transport (LA) group and low transport (L) group according to D/Pcr and Twardoski standard. Ultrafiltration volume of night long dwell dialysate was calculated before and after clinic trial for 2 weeks and 4 weeks to evaluate the different effect of transporters on ultrafiltration volume. Results A total of 201 CAPD patients were enrolled in the study, including 98 patients in icodextrin group (ICO group) and 103 patients in glucose group (GLU group). Male and female cases were 96 and 105 respectively. Age was (56.1±13.7) years old (range from 18 to 81). One hundred and ninety-eight patients finished peritoneal equilibrium test (PET), including 24 (12.1%) of H, 72(36.2%)of HA, 81(40.7%)of LA,and 21 (11.0%)of L. After follow-up for four weeks, the ultrafiltration volume was much higher than baseline in H, HA and LA groups. Also ultrafiltration volume in icodextrin group was much higher than that in glucose-based dialysate. Howerve, the increased volume was not significantly difference in L group. Ultrafiltration volume of icodextrin was positively correlated to D/Pcr (R2=0.1681,P＜0.01), while ultratration volume of dextrose was negatively correlated to D/Pcr (R2=0.0949,P＜0.01). Conclusion Compare to glucose-based dialysate (Dineal), 7.5% icodextrin dialysate (Extraneal) improves the ultrafiltration and peritoneal creatinine clearance of long dwell notabily in H, HA and LA group.

Objective To sunomanize the experience of consecutive 353 patients and mean 2-years follow-up following Mei mini maze procedure for atrial fibrillation.Methods Between June 2010 and May 2015,353 patients(240 males, 113 females) of atrial fibrillation received this therapy.The age of these patients were(59.7 ± 8.5) years.Among them, 186 were with paroxysmal and 167 were with non-paroxysmal.The procedure, through three ports on left chest wall, included pulmonary vein isolation and ablations of the roof and posterior wall of left atrium which were achieved by bipolar radiofrequency ablation.Ganglionic plexus ablation was made by the ablation pen.Left atrial appendage was excluded.Results Durations of their procedures were(92.3 ± 19.1) mins.No conversion to sternotomy or pacemaker implantation occurred and none of the patients died.The hospital stay was(8.5 ± 2.1) days.The mean follow-up duration was (25.0 ± 15.1) months.308 (90.1％) patients were in sinus rhythm.34 patients could not maintain sinus rhythm.Stroke, thrombus in the left atrium and stenosis of pulmonary vein were not found after their procedures.Conclusion Mei mini maze procedure is a safe, effective, and appropiiate treatment for AF, which restores sinus rhythm and may be associated with the prevention of AF-related stroke.It deserved to be promoted in future.