Animals ; Endothelium, Vascular ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Environmental Exposure ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Sound ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

Background Though nitric oxide (NO) and NO synthase (NOS) have a critical role in angiogenesis,their effects on corneal neovascularization (CNV) and mechanism need to be further explored.Objective The aim of this study was to explore the effects of NOS and its antagonist,Nw-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) on experimental CNV in mice,and investigate the influence of NOS and L-NAME on the tube formation of human retinal endothelial cells (RECs) in vitro.Methods The CNV models were established in the left eyes of 36 male BALB/c mice aged 7-8 weeks by application of the filter paper with NaOH in the center of corneas.The mice were randomized into two groups.L-NAME of 10 g/L (0.5 ml) was intraperitoneally injected 1 week before induction of CNV three times a week for three weeks in the mice of the L-NAME injection,and PBS was used in the same way in the control group.CNV was examined under the slit lamp biomicroscope 2,4,7,14 days after NaOH burn.The expression of CD31 in the CNV was assayed to calculate the ratio of CNV area and total corneal area using whole mount technique.The expression of NOS mRNA in the corneal tissue was detected by reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (PCR),and VEGF expression in the human RECs was assayed by Western blot.The vessel formation number of cultured human RECs with or without L-NAME was performed by matrigel in vitro.Grouped t test was used to compare the differences of the parameters between the two groups.Results CNV developed and peaked 2 weeks after the application of NaOH on the mice corneas,and the CNV was obviously less in the L-NAME group compared with the control group.The expression of NOS mRNA in the corneas (NOS mRNA/ GAPDH mRNA)was significantly lower in the L-NAME group than that of the control group 2,4,7 days after CNV induction (t =19.481,t=22.059,t=10.961,all at P＜0.01).The ratio of the CD31 positive area in whole corneal area was 0.59± 0.01 in the L-NAME group,and that of the control group was 0.78±0.10,showing a significant difference between the two groups (t =3.078,P＜0.05).Western blot assay showed that the relative expression of VEGF protein in human RECs was declined in the L-NAME group compared with the control group 0,2,4,7 days,with statistically significant differences in 4 days and 7 days after NaOH burn(t=7.696,t=17.953,both at P＜0.01).The number of vessel network was 46.33±1.86 in the L-NAME group and 64.00±4.51 in the control group,with a significant difference between them (t =3.623,P＜0.05).Conclusions NOS participated in the pathogenesis and aggravation of CNV induced by NaOH.L-NAME arrests CNV formation and human RECs tube formation through down regulating the VEGF expression and NOS activity.

OBJECTIVETo observe the changes in Aβ40, Aβ42 and ADDLs in brains of 3 month-old APPswe/PS1dE9 double transgenic mice after six-month intervention with curcumin, in order to discuss the neuroprotective effect of curcumin.

METHODAPPswe/PS1dE9dtg mice were randomly divided into the model group, the Rosiglitazone group (10 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and curcumin high (400 mg x kg9-1) x d(-1)), medium (200 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and low (100 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) dosage groups, with C57/BL6J mice of the same age and the same background in the normal control group. After 6 months, the immunohistochemical staining (IHC) and the Western blot method were used to observe the changes in positive cell of Aβ40, Aβ42 and ADDLs in hippocampal CA1 area, their distribution and protein expressions.

RESULTBoth of the immunohistochemical staining and the Western blot method showed more positive cell of Aβ40, Aβ42 and ADDLs in hippocampal CA1 area and higher protein expressions in the model group than the normal group (P < 0.01). IHC showed a lower result in the Rosiglitazone group than the model group (P < 0.05), while Western blot showed a much lower result (P < 0.01). The number of Aβ40, Aβ42 and ADDLs positive cells and the protein expressions decreased in the curcumin high group, the medium group showed a significant decrease (P < 0.01), and the low dose group also showed reductions in the protein expressions of Aβ40 and Aβ42.

CONCLUSIONThe six-month intervention with curcumin can significantly reduce the expressions of hippocampal Aβ40, Aβ42 and ADDLs in brains of APPswe/PS1dE9 double transgenic mice. Whether curcumin can impact Aβ cascade reaction by down-regulating expressions of Aβ40, Aβ42 and ADDLs and show the neuroprotective effect needs further studies.

Alzheimer Disease ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; genetics ; metabolism ; Animals ; Brain ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Curcumin ; administration & dosage ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Transgenic ; Neuroprotective Agents ; administration & dosage ; Plant Extracts ; administration & dosage

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of nano-hydroxyapatite/polyamide 66 (n-HA/PA66) cage on recovering and maintaining lumbar curvature, lumbar heights and fusion rate when used in the transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion.

METHODSFrom February to July 2012, 50 patients with degenerative lumbar disease(lumbar disc herniation in 32 cases and lumbar spondylolisthesis in 18 cases) were treated with transforaminal lumbar interbody fusion using the n-HA/PA66 cage, and their preoperative and postoperative clinical outcomes were analyzed. The patients were followed up for 2, 4, 6 and 8 months after operation, during which the CR and CT film of lumbar vertebra were checked to get relative height of vertebral space, Taillard index,index of lumbar spinal curvature,angle of segmental and full lumbar lordosis. The data were analyzed respectively with pair t-test, analysis of variance or LSD-t-test.

RESULTSAll the patients were followed up, and the duraion ranged from 8 to 13 months, with a mean of 11.32 months. There were significant differences in relative height of vertebral space, Taillard index, index of lumbar spinal curvature, angle of segmental and full lumbar lordosis after surgery, but there were no significant differences in different periods after operation. The fusion time of lumbar ranged from 4 to 8 months.

CONCLUSIONThe n-HA/PA66 cage can recover and maintain lumbar normal stability with higher rate of fusion and less complications.

Adult ; Durapatite ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nylons ; Spinal Fusion ; adverse effects ; instrumentation ; methods ; Spondylolisthesis ; surgery ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Humans ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor-Proline Dioxygenases ; metabolism ; Ki-67 Antigen ; metabolism ; MicroRNAs ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Grading ; Neoplasm Staging ; Neprilysin ; metabolism ; Neuroendocrine Tumors ; classification ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; PAX8 Transcription Factor ; Paired Box Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Pancreatic Neoplasms ; classification ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Prognosis ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: Research on sociocultural factors associated caregiver-provider relationship is needed to enhance family involvement in psychiatric care. This study examines from the caregiver's perspective the associations of schizophrenia attributions, stigmatization, and caregiving experiences with caregiver-psychiatrist working relationship in Taiwan. METHODS: This cross-sectional study used a convenience sample of 152 Taiwanese family caregivers of persons diagnosed with schizophrenia, recruited from a grassroots organization, 4 community mental health rehabilitation centers and 2 psychiatric hospitals between July 2012 and March 2013. Multiple linear regression models were used for analysis. RESULTS: Biological attribution was positively associated with perceived family collaboration, and so was environmental attribution with perceived informational support. Internalized stigma was negatively associated with perceived family collaboration. Caregiving rewards were positively related to both perceived family collaboration and informational support, and so was experience of problems with services to perceived family collaboration. CONCLUSION: The examination of family perceptions informs Western psychiatric care providers of the importance of culturally sensitive practices in developing an effective working relationship with family caregivers, particularly in regards to caregivers' casual attributions, impact of stigma, and caregiving experiences.
Caregivers ; Cooperative Behavior ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Hospitals, Psychiatric ; Humans ; Linear Models ; Mental Health ; Rehabilitation Centers ; Reward ; Schizophrenia ; Stereotyping ; Taiwan*

In this paper, the chloroplast psbK-psbI intergenic spacers of 18 species of Dendrobium and their adulterants were amplified and sequenced, and then the sequence characteristics were analyzed. The sequence lengths of chloroplast psbK-psbI regions of Dendrobium ranged from 474 to 513 bp and the GC contents were 25.4%-27.6%. The variable sites were 71 while the informative sites were 46. The inter-specific genetic distances calculated by Kimura 2-parameter (K2P) of Dendrobium were 0.006 1-0.058 1, with an average of 0.028 4. The K2P genetic distances between Dendrobium species and Bulbophyllum odoratissimum were 0.093 2-0.120 4. The NJ tree showed that the Dendrobium species can be easily differentiated from each other and 6 samples of the inspected Dendrobium species were identified successfully through sequencing the psbK-psbI intergenic spacer. Therefore, the chloroplast psbK-psbI intergenic spacer can be used as a candidate marker to identify Dendrobium species and its adulterants.
Chloroplasts ; DNA, Chloroplast ; genetics ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; genetics ; Dendrobium ; classification ; genetics ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; genetics

Objective To study the impact of the off-pump coronary artery bypass compared to the on-pump coronary artery bypass technique on the rate of acute kidney injury.Methods A retrospective analysis of 824 patients accepted coronary artery bypass surgery in FuWai Hospital Surgical ICU from March 2011 to January 2013.Patients were divided into two groups according to the surgical approach,597 patients in on-pump group and 227 patients in off-pump group.Then compared the difference of acute kidney injury incidence in the two groups.Results 92 patients in the on-pump group occurred AKI,the incidence of AKI was 15.4％.32 patients in the off-pump group occurred AKI,the incidence of AKI was 14.1％.Two groups of patients had no statistical difference in the incidence of AKI,x2 =0.222,P =0.638.Based on the preoperative baseline creatinine clearance levels.We defined normal creatinine clearance (SCR ≥ 60 ml/min),mild renal insufficiency (45 ml/min ＜ SCR ＜60 ml/min),moderate renal dysfunction group(31 ml/min ＜ SCR ＜45 ml/min).Decline with the preoperative creatinine clearance rate,the AKI incidence was elevated significantly,P ＜0.05.Patients with moderate renal insufficiency,offpump patients had lower incidence of AKI than those in on-pump group,P ＜ 0.05.The incidence of renal replacement in the two group patients had no statistical differences.Conclusion The incidence of AKI after coronary artery bypass surgery had no statistical differences with or without pump.In the patients with preoperative moderate renal insufficiency,off-pump can reduce the incidence of AKI,but could not change the kidney the incidence of renal replacement treatment.

OBJECTIVETo identify the Cynomorii Herba and its analogues species using DNA barcoding technique.

METHODTotal genomic DNA extracted from all materials using the DNA extraction kit. The internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) regions were amplified using polymerase chain reaction (PCR), and purified PCR products were sequenced bi-directionally. Sequence assembly and consensus sequence generation were performed using the CodonCode Aligner 3.7.1. The Kimura 2-Parameter (K2P) distances and GC content were computed using MEGA 5. 0. Species identification analyses were conducted through the species identification system for traditional Chinese medicine and neighbor-joining (NJ) trees.

RESULTThe ITS2 sequence lengths of Cynomorii Herba were 229 bp. The average intra-specific genetic distances of Cynomorii Herba were 0.003. The average inter-specific genetic distances between Cynomorii Herba and its adulterants species were 0.760. The results showed that the minimum inter-specific divergence is larger than the maximum intra-specific divergence. The species identification system for traditional Chinese medicine and NJ trees results indicated that Cynomorii Herba and its adulterants species can be easily identification.

CONCLUSIONThe ITS2 region is an efficient barcode for identification of Cynomorii Herba, which provide a new technique to ensure clinical safety in utilization of traditional Chinese medicine.

Cynomorium ; classification ; genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; DNA, Intergenic ; genetics ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

INTRODUCTIONCeftaroline is a fifth-generation cephalosporin with activity against methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) that was recently launched in Singapore. It received approval from the United States (US) Food Drug Administration (FDA) and European Commission for the treatment of adult patients with community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) and complicated skin and soft tissue infections (cSSTI). This study aimed to review current published data and determine its clinical role, particularly in the local setting.

MATERIALS AND METHODSA literature review on published articles in English on ceftaroline, focusing in particular on clinical trials and other clinical reports. Susceptibility testing was also performed on a limited sample of local MRSA and Streptococcus pneumoniae isolates.

RESULTSCeftaroline has an extensive spectrum of activity, including coverage of MRSA and multidrug-resistant S. pneumoniae. However, it has limited activity against non-fermenting Gram-negative bacteria and is susceptible to hydrolysis by extended spectrum beta-lactamases. It is only available for intravenous delivery, with a reconstituted stability of just 6 hours, rendering it unavailable for use for outpatient antibiotic therapy. Clinical trials demonstrate non-inferiority compared to first-line comparators in the treatment of CAP and cSSTI. Published case reports/series suggest a potential greater role in the treatment of MRSA bacteremia and endocarditis. No resistance was found among local archived MRSA and S. pneumoniae isolates.

CONCLUSIONWe believe ceftaroline will occupy primarily niche roles for culture-directed treatment of various infections--in particular those caused by MRSA--until further clinical trial data become available. A variety of factors render it less useful or appealing for empirical treatment of CAP or healthcare-associated infections.

Cephalosporins ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Methicillin-Resistant Staphylococcus aureus ; drug effects ; Singapore ; Staphylococcal Infections ; drug therapy