Color blindness represents a group of vision disorders characterized by lack of ability to distinguish different colors.The inherited color blindness has been regarded as incurable for a long period of time.Recently,adeno-associated virus(AAV) mediated gene therapy has successfully restored cone system vision in animal models with color blindness caused by different gene mutations.These mutations are presented in human color blindness patients.It is predicted that gene therapy will become a novel treatment for these color blindness victims.In addition,a single gene transfer may achieve long-term correction of color deficiency.

Objective To investigate an association between Toll-like receptor(TLR)4 Asp299Gly or CD14 C-260T polymorphisms and colorectal cancer in Chinese patients.Methods By a method of polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP), TLR4 Asp299Gly and CD14 C-260T polymorphisms in unrelated 110 patients with colorectal cancer and 160 healthy controls in Chinese Han race population were genotyped.Results Significant differences of CD14 genotypes were found between healthy controls and the patients with colorectal cancer.The fre- quency of the CC genotype in healthy controls was extremely lower than that in the group of colorectal cancer(15.6% vs.31.8%,P=0.0027,OR=0.3968,95%CI:0.2209-0.7129)while the frequency of the CT genotype in healthy controls was significantly higher than that in the group of colorectal cancer (48.1% vs.30.9%,P=0.0056,OR=2.074,95%CI:1.246-3.452).No TLR4 Asp299Gly mutant genotype was detected in any patients and healthy controls in Chinese Han population.Conclusion The polymorphism of CD14 C-260T but not TLR4 Asp299Gly is associated with colorectal cancer in Chinese patients.

China ; epidemiology ; Cross Infection ; epidemiology ; Hospitals ; Humans

Objective To observe the effect of low arsenic sub-chronic exposure on blood routine test index in rabbits to pave a way for screening early injury of the low arsenic exposure. Methods Twelve healthy male rabbits were randomly divided into four groups. They were administrated with As at the concentration of 0(control), 10, 50 and 250 μg/L in the drinking water. Blood samples were collected from the vein of the ear edge in 8 weeks, and blood test routine including leukocyte (WBC), lymphocyte (LYM), lymphocyte percentage (LYM%), neutrophil (GRA), neutrophil percentage (GRA%), monocyte (MON), monocyte percentage (MON%), red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin content (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration(MCHC), RDW, platelets(PLT), mean platelet volume(MPV), platelet hematocrit(PCT) and platelet distribution width (PDW), were detected by the ABX-60 hemocyte analyzer. Results Compared with the control group, the WBC, GRA and GRA% increased in 0, 50 and 250 μg/L groups, but there was no significance(P > 0.05). PLT and MPV had a statistical significance in 4 groups(F = 4.07,4.20, all P < 0.05). Compared with the control group[(292.00±16.97)×109/L, (7.10±0.99)fL], PLT decreased in the 250 μg/L group [(221.33±22.50)×109/L] and MPV decreased in the 50μg/L group [(5.57±0.46)fL] significantly (P < 0.05). The other index didn't change obviously. Conclusions Sub-chronic low level arsenic exposure may lead to the change in the blood system. The blood routine test may be considered for early injury of the arsenic poisoning.

Objective: To study the recombinant epitope antigens of hepatitis C virus (HCV), in order to fulfil the requirements of recombinant immunoblot assay kit. Methods: An expressing vector pBVIL1 for expression of recombinant antigens in a fusion manner with IL-1β was constructed. A series of selected genes from the HCV antigens including the C, NS3, NS4 and NS5 were amplified from HCV gene-containing plasmids using PCR and the expression plasmids for these genes were constructed in pBVIL1, respectively. The activity of the purified recombinant antigens were tested against an identified HCV antibody positive and negative panel with ELISA. Results and Conclusions: All the cloned genes of chosen antigen epitopes were highly expressed in pBVIL1 in E.coli. The activity of the C and NS4 antigens were slightly higher than the RIBA3.0 antigens, while the activity of NS3 was slightly lower than the RIBA3.0 antigen. But the total evaluation for the panel was same as RIBA3.0. That means the cloned antigens were suitable for the use in RIBA test kit.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of Tauroursodeoxycholic acid (TUDCA) on Taurodeoxycholic acid (TDCA)-induced HepG2 cell apoptosis and to clarify the molecular mechanism of its anti-apoptosis effect of TUDCA.

METHODSMorphologic evaluation of apoptotic cells was performed by Hoechst 33258 staining and electron microscope. DNA fragment was detected by electrophoresis on 1.5% agarose gels. Apoptosis rate was measured by flow cytometry using PI dye. Following incubation of HepG2 cells either with TDCA alone, or coincubation with TUDCA and TDCA, the releasing level of cytochrome c from mitochondria into cytosol was determined by western blot, also the activity of caspase-3, 8, 9.

RESULTSIncubating the cells with 400 micromol/L TDCA for 12 h induced the cells apoptosis significantly. The apoptotic rate decreased from 50.35% +/- 2.20% to 13.78% +/- 0.84% after coincubation with TUDCA, and this anti-apoptotic effect of TUDCA was confirmed by morphological and DNA ladder detection. TUDCA significantly inhibited the release of cytochrome C from mitochondria into cytosol, and the activity of caspase-9, 3 (t > or = 13.00, P < 0.01), especially at 12 h, caspase-3 activity decreased by 54.9% (t = 16.88, P < 0.01) and 52.5%, however it had no obvious effect on the activity of caspase-8 (t = 1.94, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSTUDCA prevents HepG2 cells apoptosis induced by TDCA through modulating mitochondrial membrane stability, inhibiting the release of cytochrome c and the activation of procaspase-9 and 3. Anti-apoptotic mechanism of TUDCA may be considered to be one of the most important reasons that TUDCA exerts significant efficacy in the treatment of cholestatic liver diseases.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; Caspase 3 ; Caspase 9 ; Caspases ; metabolism ; Cytochromes c ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms ; pathology ; Taurochenodeoxycholic Acid ; pharmacology ; Taurodeoxycholic Acid ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) on pancreatic beta cell mass in type 1 diabetic mice.

METHODDiabetic mice induced by multiple low dose streptozotocin (MLD-STZ) were administered either APS (100, 200, 400 mg x kg(-1) body weight) or saline intraperitoneally daily, and sacrificed after 15 or 30 days of treatment. Streptavidin-peroxidase immunohistochemical method with counterstain was performed to determine the effect of APS on insulitis. Indirect double immunofluorescence for Insulin/Ki67 (counterstained by Hoechst33258) and Insulin/Cleaved caspase-3 was used to evaluate pancreatic cell (besides beta cell) proliferation, beta cell neogenesis, beta cell apoptosis and beta cell mass. Semi-quantitative RT-PCR was utilized to characterize pancreatic regenerating protein 1 mRNA levels, and ELISA method was performed to measure the levels of cytokine IFN-gamma and IL-4 secreted by splenocytes.

RESULTAttenuated insulitis, upregulated beta cell mass, increased number of neogenetic pancreas islets, decreased number of apoptosis beta cells and downregulation of Th1/Th2 cytokine ratio were significantly time-and dose-dependent on APS treatment, when compared to saline controls. However, no significant differences of the number of pancreatic proliferative cells or replicative cells and pancreatic regenerating protein 1 mRNA levels were demonstrated between APS (APS100, APS200 and APS400) and saline vehicle group on day 15 and 30 with APS treatment.

CONCLUSIONAPS can upregulate pancreatic beta cell mass in type 1 diabetic mice, strongly associated with improved autoimmunity.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Astragalus membranaceus ; chemistry ; Carrier Proteins ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 1 ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; pathology ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Insulin-Secreting Cells ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Interleukin-4 ; metabolism ; Islets of Langerhans ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Lithostathine ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Streptozocin ; Transcription Factors

OBJECTIVETo summarize our experiences with the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with cetuximab and compare the therapeutic effects of cetuximab applied in the first line and non-first line settings.

METHODSFrom October 1, 2006 to December 31, 2009, 16 NSCLC patients were treated with cetuximab combined with standard chemotherapy in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. The short-term efficacy of the therapeutic protocols were analyzed.

RESULTSA total of 115 cycles of cetuximab treatment were administered in these patients with a median of 6 cycles (7.5 in the first line setting and 2 in non-first line setting). In the 10 patients with cetuximab treatment in the first line setting, the ORR was 40.0% (4/10), DCR was 80.0% (8/10), median TTP was 6.5 months (2-19), and median OS was 8.5 months (2-48); in the non-first line setting, these indices were 33.3% (2/6), 33.3% (2/6), 3.5 months (3-4) and 18 months (4-28), respectively. Both ORR and DCR were similar between the first and non-first line settings (P=0.790, P=0.062). Ten of the patients (62.5%) developed acne-like rash within 3 weeks, who had an ORR of 60% (6/10) and DCR of 90% (9/10); the ORR and DCR in patients without acne-like rash were both 10.4% (1/6), showing no significant difference in ORR (P=0.080) but a significant difference in DCR between the two groups (P=0.003). No treatment-associated death or cetuximab-associated discontinuation occurred. Altogether 11 patients (68.8%) developed acne-like rash, which occurred within 3 weeks in 10 cases. Seven patients showed side effects associated with the chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONCetuximab combined with standard chemotherapy is a good option for Chinese patients with NSCLC and the current data support the application of cetuximab in the first line setting.

Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; administration & dosage ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; Cetuximab ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo study the percutaneous lag screw internal fixation of LX technique for sacroiliac joint diseases or injuries.

METHODSThere were 38 patients (25 male and 13 female) with an average age of 35.6 years ranged from 18 to 59 years. Among them, thirty-one cases with trauma of Tile B type, five cases with sacroiliitis and two cases with sacral cystis degeneration. There were 11, 15, 5 cases of Tile B1, B2, B3 type respectively. Pelvic anterior-posterior radiography and spiral computed tomography (CT) were undertaken for all patients. Axis planar, coronal planar, sagittal planar and curve planar of sacral reconstruction of spiral CT images were obtained for every patient. There were 28 cases with delitescence posterior ring injury. All these patients were performed percutaneous lag screw fixation procedures of LX technique under epidural anesthesia. Localization with spiral CT guidance was performed by the radiologist using spiral CT followed by the orthopaedic surgeon. Percutaneous fusion of sacroiliac joint was performed for seven patients who suffered from sacroiliac joint diseases.

RESULTSThe blood loss were from 25 to 70 ml (means 36 ml) during operation. All patients were followed up for 3 to 39 months (means 15.6 months). There were no postoperative complications such as infection, fracture nonunion, iatrogenic injuries of nerve and blood vessel, breakage and slippage of fixtors. According to the evaluation of pelvic injuries, the results of imageology were excellent in 34 cases and good in 4, the results of clinical were excellent in 32 and good in 6.

CONCLUSIONPercutaneous lag screw internal fixation of LX technique minimizes operation injury during a short procedure with few subsequent complications and allows early mobilization of the patients. That is an ideally safe and effetive operation technique for the sacroiliac joint diseases and injuries.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sacroiliac Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; surgery ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVEIn order to explore the role of toll-like receptors 2 (TLR2) in initiating inflammatory response, the expression of TLR2 of the liver and IL-18, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma of plasma in fulminant hepatic failure was analysed.

METHODSD-galactosamine (D-Gal, 900 mg/kg) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 microg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally into the BALB/C mice. To evaluate the hepatic injury, serum transaminase (ALT and AST) and plasma IL-18, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma were determined and the mortality was observed at various time points following the intraperitoneal injection. The level of TLR2 mRNA was measured by semiquantitative RT-PCR. The protein expression of TLR2 in the liver was detected by immunohistochemistry. The data was analyzed by SAS software.

RESULTSAfter 4 hours of intraperitoneal injection of D-Gal/LPS, the serum transaminase and plasma IL-18, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma levels were elevated. The treated mice began to die at 7 hours. The mortality reached up to 80% at 10 h. TLR2 mRNA was expressed at a low level in liver tissues of normal mice, while it was significantly increased and maintained at a higher level following intraperitoneal injection with D-Gal/LPS. The expression of TLR2 protein was similar to that of the TLR2 mRNA, and the expression of TLR2 mRNA was positively correlated with the concentration of plasma IL-18, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma (r=0.36, P=0.02; r = 0.48, P 0.003; r = 0.72, P<0.001) at different time points.

CONCLUSIONSOur results showed that TLR2 was involved in initiating and inducing the expression of proinflammation cytokines in this model of fulminant hepatic failure. The results suggest that adjusting the expression of TLR2 might be a new strategy in preventing the development of infectious diseases

Animals ; Galactosamine ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-18 ; blood ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Liver ; metabolism ; Liver Failure, Acute ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism