AIM:To discuss the application value of retro-mode imaging by F-10 confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (cSLO) for detecting drusen in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).METHODS:This was a retrospective case study.During the period of October 2015 to December 2016, 67 patients with unilateral AMD (67 affected eyes and 67 fellow eyes) were included in this study.All patients underwent color fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and retro-mode imaging by F-10 cSLO.The features of drusen by color fundus photography, OCT and retro-mode imaging were comparatively observed in the affected eyes of patients with unilateral AMD.Positive numbers of drusen in the fellow eyes of patients with unilateral AMD detected by color fundus photography, OCT and retro-mode imaging were calculated and compared.RESULTS:Retro-mode imaging by F-10 cSLO gave easier to identify images of drusen than color fundus photography and OCT in the affected eyes of patients with unilateral AMD.In the fellow eyes of 67 patients with unilateral AMD, retro-mode imaging showed drusen in 56 cases(84%), color funds photography showed drusen in 36 cases(54%), OCT showed drusen in 48 cases(72%), the difference was statistically significant(χ2=14.31, P<0.05).The positive numbers of drusen detected by retro-mode imaging were significantly higher than color fundus photography, the difference was statistically significant(χ2=13.87, P′<0.0125).There was no statistically significant difference in the positive numbers of drusen detected by retro-mode imaging and OCT(χ2=2.75, P′>0.0125).CONCLUSION:Retro-mode imaging by F-10 cSLO provides a non-invasive technique and should be useful for detecting and monitoring drusen in AMD.

Liver can regenerate after chemical damage or partial hepatectomy. Liver regeneration is a complex process involving a variety of cytokines und multiple signal pathways. NK2 is a sensitive transcription factor of oxidation-reduction, which plays a regulatory role in cell defense, oxidation-reduction balance, inflammation and intermediate metabolism. It is closely related to cell proliferation. Some reports ha\e proved that liver regeneration is delayed after partial hepalectomy. Furthermore, ihis phenomenon is observed in the mice with absence of Nrf2. There fore. NrQ signaling pathway is involved in the process of liver regeneration. This article reviews the role of Nri2 signaling pathway in the process of liver regeneration according to the existing research results. We have also summarized the drugs that may affect liver regeneration or hepatocyte proliferation, hoping to find more drugs for liver diseases and provide ideas for the mechanism of the drugs.

Objective To analyse the diagnosis and treatment of testicular torsion. Methods The clinical data of 66 cases of testicular torsion were retrospectively analysed. Results Among the 66 cases,32(48.5%) paid the first medical visit within 10 h,and 24(36.4%)were confirmed diagnosis at the first visit.False negative results occurred with color Doppler flow imaging(CDFI),and 8 testicles were damaged due to the false negative diagnosis.Thirty-three patients without prophylactic contralateral orchidopexy were followed up for 6 months to 20 years,and one experienced recurrent torsion. Conclusion The testicular torsion must be considered when a sudden acute scrotum pain is occurred.Testicular damage is closely related to the torsion time,and delayed medical intervention contributes to the testicular damage.Highly suspected cases should be performed surgical exploration timely due to the false negative results with CDFI.Prophylactic contralateral orchidopexy is recommended.

Objective To investigate the relationship between calcific aortic valve stenosis and inflammatory cells in peripheral blood and dyslipidemia in elderly patients(age ≥65 years).Methods A total of 76 elderly patients(≥65 years old)diagnosed as calcific aortic stenosis in our hospital from June 2015 to June 2017 were selected as the case group,and 78 seniors(excluding valvular heart disease)hospitalized due to chest discomfort were selected as the control group.The white blood cell count (WBC), neutrophil ratio (N%), neutrophil count (N), lymphocyte count (L), neutrophil lymphocyte ratio (NLR),hypersensitive C-reactive protein(hs-CRP),N-terminal B-type natriuretic peptide(NT-pro BNP),total cholesterol (TC),triglyceride(TG),apo-α,high-density lipoprotein(HDL),low-density lipoprotein(LDL),very low-density lipoprotein (VLDL)and other indicators were tested on admission.All these indicators were compared between the two groups. Results The levels of WBC, N%,N,NLR, hs-CRP, NT-pro BNP,VLDL were higher in the case group than those in the control group.The levels of L and HDL were significantly lower in the case group than those of the control group(P<0.05).Multiple regression analysis showed that smoking, the increased hs-CRP and NT-pro BNP levels were independent risk factors for senile calcific aortic stenosis.Conclusion Senile calcific aortic stenosis is not a simple degenerative disease.It is closely related to systemic inflammatory response and abnormal lipid metabolism.

OBJECTIVESTo investigate the effects of Arg-Gly-Asp-Ser (RGDS) tetrapeptide on integrin signaling and apoptosis in fibronectin (FN) -stimulated hepatic stellate cells (HSCs).

METHODS3H-thymidine incorporation, annexin-V/propidium iodide double-labeled flow cytometry (FCM) and transmission electron microscopy were employed to estimate the influence of RGDS on the proliferation and apoptosis of HSCs. And the adhesion rates were observed by toluidine blue colorimetric assay. The expression of focal adhesion kinase (FAK) mRNA and protein in HSCs was detected using RT-PCR and western blotting analysis, respectively.

RESULTSRGDS tetrapeptide at the concentrations of 25 microg/ml, 50 microg/ml and 100 microg/ml inhibited the proliferation of HSCs and induced HSCs apoptosis in dose-dependent and time-dependent manners, with the apoptotic rates of 9.49%, 27.67%, 31.59%, and the necrotic rates of 3.47%, 5.38%, 9.10%, respectively. Both the rates were higher than those in FN group (apoptotic rate: 3.44%; necrotic rate: 2.39%), F=8.02, P<0.05. After adding RGDS tetrapeptide to HSCs for 2 hours, the adhesive inhibition rates were 8.82%, 29.41% and 45.59%, respectively, which were higher than that in FN group (F=20.58, P<0.01). After exposure of HSCs to RGDS tetrapeptide for 24 hours, FAK protein decreased, and FAK mRNA was down-regulated earlier, about 2 hours after exposure to RGDS tetrapeptide.

CONCLUSIONThese results suggest that RGDS tetrapeptide may induce apoptosis of HSC in both dose-dependent and time-dependent manners in vitro, which may be related to the disruption of cell matrix adhesion and down-regulation of FAK expression.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Fibronectins ; pharmacology ; Focal Adhesion Kinase 1 ; Focal Adhesion Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; Hepatocytes ; cytology ; physiology ; Humans ; Integrins ; metabolism ; physiology ; Liver ; cytology ; physiology ; Oligopeptides ; pharmacology ; Platelet Aggregation Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Protein-Tyrosine Kinases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVETo study the chemical constituents of Bauhinia championii.

METHODCompounds were isolated from the ethanolic extract of B. championii by silica gel column Chromatography, and their structures were elucidated by spectral analyses.

RESULTFive compounds were isolated and elucidated as 2,4,6-trimethoxyphenol 1-O-beta-D-(6'-O-galloyl)-glucopyranoside (1), (+/-)-lyoniresinol (2), daucosterol (3), beta-sitosterol (4) and gallic acid (5).

CONCLUSIONCompounds 1-4 were isolated from B. championii for the first time.

Anisoles ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Bauhinia ; chemistry ; Gallic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Glucosides ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Molecular Structure ; Naphthalenes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Plant Stems ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Sitosterols ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo identify whether SH3GL1 gene serves as a disease associated gene of adolescent idiopathic scoliosis (AIS).

METHODSPositioning candidate cloning: "case-sibling or case-family control design" research scheme based on family constellation was designed. Fifty-six AIS patients (15 male and 41 female, mean age 15 years old, ranged from 8 to 22 years old, Cobb angle from 25 degrees to 110 degrees , average Cobb angle of 67.5 degrees ) from November 2007 to December 2008 were recruited. In all patients, blood preparation was collected, and genome DNA was extracted. According to nucleotide sequence of gene SH3GL1, primer pair for PCR amplification, cloning, and sequencing with 10 exons as emphasis was designed. Sequence comparative analysis for exon sequencing result between sib pairs or family pairs, and that between sib pair or family pairs and NCBI (National Center for Biotechnology Information) were conducted through Vector NTI Advance 10.3 software to judge whether basic group mutation occurred or not. Amino acid sequence comparative analysis for prediction was made.

RESULTSTen exons of the candidate gene SH3GL1 were successfully amplified and cloned in genome DNA of an AIS sib pair and family pairs, and the sequencing obtained positive results. Twelve basic group mutations were found in 10 exons of the candidate gene SH3GL1 of patients with AIS. These mutations were located in the second exon (3 mutations), the fourth exon (1 mutations), the fifth exon (4 mutations), the sixth exon (1 mutations), the eighth exon (1 mutations), and the tenth exon (2 mutations, noncoding region). If basic group in 515 of mRNA was mutated to T, termination codon(TAG) came into being and open reading frame was altered. The sequence of protein showed brachytmema protein was encoded, which could cause changes of primary structure.

CONCLUSIONSH3GL1 is possibly one of the disease associated genes of AIS.

Adolescent ; Base Sequence ; Child ; Exons ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; Male ; Scoliosis ; genetics ; Sequence Alignment ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo develop an HPLC method for the determination of serum level of Crebanine (Cre) and study on the pharmacokinetics of Cre injection in rabbits.

METHODTo sample blood serum from the rabbits' ears which were injected the Cre by 2.0 mg x kg(-1) at different time and use HPLC to determine the concentration of Cre in it, the pharmacokinetic parameters were accessed by the DAS software.

RESULTCre was fitted to a two compartment open pharmacokinetic model in rabbits. There was no signifiant difference between the male and female rabbits'pharmacokinetic by t-test. The mainly pharmacokinetic parameters were: t1/2alpha = (3. 246 +/-0.222) min, t1/2beta = (36.67+/-5.52) min, Cmax = (1.401 +/- 0.062) mg x L(-1), Vd = (5.928 +/- 0.877) L x kg(-1), Cl = (0. 051 +/-0.003) L x min(-1) x kg(-1).

CONCLUSIONThis experiment can objectively show the pharmacokinetics regularity of Crebanine injection in rabbits. Crebanine injection was a speeding disposition drug (t1/2 <1 h) and disposed extensively and rapidly in rabbits.

Animals ; Aporphines ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Female ; Injections ; Male ; Metabolic Clearance Rate ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rabbits ; Stephania ; chemistry

Objective To explore the plague epidemical trend of nearly a 10 years data in Qinghai province to provide basis for making the prevention and control measures. Method The regional distribution and time distribution of animal and human plague, monitoring and plague foci of survey data in Qinghai from 2001 to 2010 were analyzed with Excel software 2003. Results In Qinghai province, a total of 167 strains of Yersinia pestis were isolated from infected animals and insects in 10 years. Yersinia pestis was mainly distributed in Wulan,Delinha, Geermu, and Tianjun, along the Qinghai-Xizang railway. Human plague was occurred every year from 2001 to 2010 except 2002, 2007, 2008, and 2010. In the 10 years, there were 37 plague cases and 16 of these cases died, the mortality was 43.24％. The plague cases were mainly distributed in Nangqian, Qumalai, Chenduo,Zhiduo, Xinghai, Tongde, Tianjun, Wulan and Qilian. And these cases were found mostly in the period from May to October, especially in the period from August to October. Major clinical type of the plague cases was lung-type (62.16％,23/37). Conclusions The plague epidemic situation in Qinghai province is still severe, animal plague occurred year after year, and human plague outbreaks occasionally. Monitoring and early warning in the key areas should be strengthened, and the comprehensive measures of plague prevention and control should be carried out to reduce the incidence and prevalence of plague.

Objective To verify the determination of iodine in foodstuff by dry ashing As3+-Ce4+catalytic speetrophotometry.Methods The mixture of foodstuff powder and the solution of K2CO3,ZnSO4,KClO3 and NaCl was heated and dried at 105℃ for 3 hours,then heated by a adjustable electric heater for around 0.5 hour,transferred into muffle fumace to eremated at 600℃ for 4 hours.The dissolved ash was measured by As3+-Ce4+catalytic speetrophotometry.The linear range of the calibration and sensitivity were tested;The precision and accuracy for three kinds of iodine in samples of difierent pumpkins were tested:The iodine contents of standard urine samples and the American standard materials were tested as well.Results This testing covers iodine ranged from 4.4 ng to 250 ng.The relevance coefficient of standard curve was from-0.9997 to-0.9993.The pumpkin iodine contents detected were 45.8,145.0,195.6 μg/kg,with constant variables of 4.3%,3.0%and 3.9%respectively.The recovery was 96.8%,97.8%and 97.6%for three kinds of iodine in samples[(47.2±2.6),(71.9 4-3.3),(95.9±2.4)μg/kg].The relative error was-6.5%when the American standard materials were assessed.The relative error were 11.0%.10.7%and 10.7%when the standard urine samples of three kinds were tested.Conclusion This method,easy to be pefformed with better precision and accuracy,is suitable to measure food iodine as well as total iodine in urine.