Background The development of retinopathy of prematurity(ROP) is associated with many regulatory cytokines related to neovascularization;however,the retinal expression and regulated mechanism of stromal cell-derived factor-1 (SDF-1) in mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) remain uncertain.Objective This study was to investigate the expression of SDF-1 in retina of mouse model of OIR.Methods Forty 7-day-old C57BL/6J mice were divided into OIR group and control group.In OIR group,20 mice were exposed to 75% oxygen for 5 days and then to room air for 5 days.In control group,20 mice were raised in room air.The expression of SDF-1 in retina of mice was studied by immunochemistry and quantified by real time reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).Results The positive immunohistochemical staining for SDF-1 was found mainly locating at the ganglion cell layer in 12-day-old mice of OIR group;the stronger positive immunohistochemical staining for SDF-1 was noted mainly locating at the ganglion cell layer,vascular endothelial cells of inner retina,neovascular endothelial cells in 17-day-old mice of OIR group;the delicate positive immunohistochemical staining for SDF-1 was both found mainly locating at the inner retina and being around the retinal vascular in 12-day-old mice of control group and 17-day-old mice of control group.The expression of SDF-1 mRNA in 17-day-old mice of OIR group was higher than that of 12-day-old mice of OIR group (t=8.072,P＜0.05)and 17-day-old mice of control group(t=10.026,P＜0.05),respectively.The expression of SDF-1 mRNA in 12-day-old mice of OIR group was lower than that of 12-day-old mice of control group (t=4.336,P＜0.05).Conclusion SDF-1 might improve the onset of retinal neovascularization of OIR.

AlM: To introduce a new color pediatric visual acuity chart and its clinical application.
METHODS:The color pediatric visual acuity chart was designed based on principle of visual angle. The optotype on the color chart had graphics. The progression rate of optotype size between 2 lines was 10 10 and 1. 2589. A regular geometric progression of optotype sizes and distribution was employed to arrange 8 lines with 11 optotype on the color chart. The testing distance was 3m. The visual acuity score could be recorded as logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution notation or decimal notation. The reliability of naked distant measurements with this new chart was tested in one eye of 100 children (4 ~ 6 years old) taking the Chinese national standard logarithm visual acuity chart standard.
RESULTS: The color pediatric visual acuity chart and logarithmic chart controls, visual acuity test results that in the two groups had no significant difference (t=1. 2671, P> 0. 05 ). Two sets of vision data existed positive correlation (r= 0. 924, P<0. 01). Cooperation rate was 100%, the recognition rate was more than 90%.
CONCLUSlON:Children are easier to accept used new color pediatric visual acuity chart to inspect vision. New chart is reliability and apply to children's vision screening.

OBJECTIVETo explore the relation of the anogenital distance (AGD) with cryptorchidism in male newborns.

METHODSThis study included 350 male infants delivered in two community hospitals between September 2013 and September 2014. Within 24 hours after birth, a pediatric surgeon measured the AGD of the neonates and determined whether they had cryptorchidism. According to the testicular position, we divided the undescended testes into three types: upper scrotal, inguinal, and non-palpable.

RESULTSTotally 39 cases of cryptorchidism were found in the 350 newborns. The AGD of the cryptorchidism infants was significantly shorter than that of the normal neonates ([2.01 ± 0.22] vs [2.35 ± 0.19] cm, P < 0.01), and statistically significant differences remained even when preterm and low birth-weight infants were excluded ([2.32 ± 0.14] vs [2.06 ± 0.19] cm; (2.37 ± 0.17) cm vs (2.12 ± 0.12) cm, all P < 0.01). The newborns with higher-position cryptorchidism had a shorter AGD, though with no significant difference (F = 0.434, P > 0.05). No significant differences were observed in the AGD between unilateral and bilateral cryptorchidism ([1.96 ± 0.13] vs [2.02 ± 0.17] cm, P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONShorter AGD is associated with a higher incidence of cryptorchidism in male newborns. AGD could serve as a potential biomarker for disruption of androgen action during the male programming window period.

Androgens ; physiology ; Cryptorchidism ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Infant, Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Male ; Perineum ; abnormalities

The incidence of deacclimatization to high altitude syndrome (DAHAS) prevailed up to 80% in highland troops, and 100% in manual workers, and severe DAHAS could significantly affects patients' health, work and life. So it is imperative to develop effective prevention and treatment measures for DAHAS. The present review analyzes effective prophylactic and therapeutic measures against DAHAS, implemented at our hospital.
Acclimatization ; Altitude ; Altitude Sickness ; prevention & control ; therapy ; Humans

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the feasibility and safety of transperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy in live-donors.

METHODSTwo cases of live-donor underwent laparoscopic nephrectomy in May and August 2008 respectively and both were followed up.

RESULTIn two cases the operation time was 130, 10 min; blood loss was 50 ml; warm ischemic time was 30 s and 2 min; the length of artery was 4.0 cm and 3.5 cm; the length of vein was 3.0 cm. The grafted kidneys started to produce urine at 30 s and 10 s after blood supply. Renal function of donor returned to normal after two days. The donors were discharged at 7th day after the operation. Renal function of recipient was normal after 3 days.

CONCLUSIONTransperitoneal laparoscopic nephrectomy in live-donor is a safe and effective procedure, which provides kidney with satisfactory blood vessels and ureter for graft.

Female ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; Laparoscopy ; Living Donors ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nephrectomy ; methods ; Peritoneum ; surgery ; Tissue and Organ Harvesting

OBJECTIVETo investigate non-invasive prenatal genetic diagnosis of beta-thalassaemia using a single fetal nucleated erythrocyte (NRBC) from maternal blood by comparing with the genotype obtained from chorionic villus or amniocytes, and to evaluate the diagnostic results in reliability and feasibility of this method.

METHODSMaternal blood samples were obtained from 28 pregnant women at risk of beta thalassaemia during 9 - 34 weeks of gestation. NRBCs in maternal blood were enriched by single density gradient separation, stained with benzidine, and then collected by micromanipulation individually. After primer extension preamplification (PEP) of the entire genome from each single NRBC, short tandem repeat (STR) genotype was analyzed after further amplification of this gene. Single NRBC was tested individually to identify if it was fetal or maternal in origin by STR genotype of NRBC and its corresponding parents. beta-globin DNA fragments were amplified with nested-PCR using PEP product of a single fetal NRBC that was determined to be fetal in origin. Fetal beta-globin genotypes were analyzed by reverse dot-blot hybridization (RDB), the accuracy was evaluated by comparing with genotype which had been determined on DNA obtained from chorionic villus (CVS) or amniocytes.

RESULTSA total of 298 NRBCs were found in all of 28 pregnant women at a range of 4 to 13 per 5 ml venous blood. After PEP, about 43.6% of NRBCs were determined to be fetal in origin by STR typing. Using PEP product of a single fetal NRBC as template, beta-globin DNA fragment was examined on agarose gel after nested-PCR, amplification efficiency was 90.8% (118/130). Fetal beta-globin genotypes were achieved successfully in all cases with RDB. Comparing with the genotypes which were obtained from CVS or amniocytes, the rate of diagnostic accuracy was 85.7% (24/28).

CONCLUSIONSPEP technique and STR genotype analysis provide effective method for identification of single nucleated erythrocyte from maternal blood in origin. With the techniques PEP and RDB, fetal beta-globin genetic diagnosis was achieved using a single fetal NRBC from maternal blood. The method had a high accuracy and reliability in diagnosis. It may become an optional approach to non-invasive prenatal diagnosis of beta-thalassemia.

Adult ; DNA Primers ; Erythroblasts ; physiology ; Female ; Humans ; Microsatellite Repeats ; genetics ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Trimester, Third ; Prenatal Diagnosis ; methods ; Two-Hybrid System Techniques ; beta-Thalassemia ; diagnosis ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo determine the chroma value of sintered IL1-IL5 zirconia materials in comparison with the Vita In-Ceram YZ color shade.

METHODSFive types of shading dental zirconia ceramics with color gradient were prepared by adding Fe2O3, CeO2, and Bi2O3 to the zirconia powder, and their chroma values were determined using a spectrophotometer and the color difference was calculated.

RESULTSThe chroma value ranges were L: 67.76-77.78, a: -2.19-3.80, and b: 12.13-25.01. Slight deltaE was found between IL1 and LL1, IL2 and LL2, and IL3 and LL3. The deltaE between IL4 and LL4 could be compensated by veneering porcelain, whereas deltaL between IL5 and LL5 could not be compensated in this manner.

CONCLUSIONShading dental zirconia ceramics can be prepared by addition of metal oxides with color similar to the Vita In-Ceram YZ color shades to match that of the veneering porcelain in clinical practice.

Color ; Dental Porcelain ; Dental Veneers ; Metal Ceramic Alloys ; Prosthesis Coloring ; methods ; Spectrophotometry ; Zirconium

To explore the new method of discriminating Astragali Radix and Hedysari Radix by using PCR amplification of specific alleles, 30 samples of the different Astragali Radix materials and 28 samples of Hedysari Radix were collected. The total DNA of all samples were extracted, trnL-trnF sequence from Astragali Radix and Hedysari Radix was amplified by PCR and sequenced unidirectionally. These sequences were aligned by using Clustul W. Primer was designed and the PCR reaction systems including annealing temperature, dNTP, etc were optimized. All samples were amplified by PCR with specific primer, DNA from Astragali Radix would be amplified 136 bp, whereas PCR products from all of Hedysari Radix were 323 bp. This method can detect 10% of intentional Hedysari Radix DNA into Astragali Radix. PCR amplification of alleles can be used to identify Astragali Radix and Hedysari Radix successfully and is an efficient molecular marker for authentication of Astragali Radix and Hedysari Radix.
Alleles ; Astragalus Plant ; classification ; genetics ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; DNA, Plant ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical and pathological features of progressive muscular dystrophy (PMD) in children and to provide help for the early and accurate diagnosis of PMD.

METHODSRetrospective analysis was performed on the clinical data of 99 hospitalized children with PMD, including clinical manifestations, age of onset, family history, creatase, electromyogram (EMG) and pathological changes of muscles.

RESULTSOf the 99 children with PMD, the age of onset was 0.5-14.5 (4.7 ± 3.1) years. Eleven cases (11%) had a family history of PMD. Twenty-six (26%) were misdiagnosed as other diseases. All patients presented with muscle weakness when seeing the doctor, and 66 (67%) of them had muscle atrophy and/or hypertrophy. All patients had elevated creatine kinase (CK) levels. The 2-7-year-old group (n=51) had a mean CK level of 9965 ± 8876 U/L, and the 7-15-year-old group (n=48) had a mean CK level of 5110 ± 4498 U/L, with a significant difference between the two groups (P<0.01). The EMG examination performed on 66 patients showed that 54 cases (82%) had myogenic damage and 10 cases (15%) had neurogenic damage. Light microscopy revealed coexistence of atrophy and hypertrophy of muscle fibers, hyaline degeneration and granular degeneration. Electron microscopy showed that muscle fibers were different in thickness, some atrophic or hypertrophic; muscle cell nuclei moved inwardly, myofilaments dissolved and disappeared mildly under the sarcolemma, there were scattered melting lesions within muscle fibers, the numbers of glycogen granules and mitochondria increased, mild hyperplasia and expansion of sarcoplasmic reticulum were seen, and a small number of muscle fibers had necrosis.

CONCLUSIONSWeakness of both lower extremities remains the main reason for PMD patients seeing the doctor. CK is the main laboratory indicator for diagnosis of PMD. PMD is mainly manifested as myogenic damage in the early stage and may be accompanied by neurogenic damage in the late stage, according to the EMG examination. With a high misdiagnosis rate, PMD may be misdiagnosed as many other diseases. Pathological examination under light microscope and electron microscope is the main means for confirming a PMD diagnosis.

Adolescent ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Creatine Kinase ; blood ; Electromyography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Muscle, Skeletal ; pathology ; Muscular Dystrophies ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Retrospective Studies

Drug resistant bacteria is an increasingly urgent challenge to public health. Bacteria adaptation and extensive abuse of antibiotics contribute to this dilemma. Active efflux of antibiotics is employed by the bacteria to survive the antibiotic pressure. Efflux pump is one of the hot spots of current drug related studies and ideal targets for the improvement of treatment. The efflux pumps and related mechanisms of action, regulation of expression and methodologies were summarized. Comparative genomics analyses were employed to elucidate the underlying mechanisms of action and evolution of efflux pump as exemplified by the Mycobacterium in our lab, which is a crucial re-emerging threat to global public health. The pathway and state-of-art drug development of efflux pump related drugs are included too.
ATP-Binding Cassette Transporters ; antagonists & inhibitors ; drug effects ; physiology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Bacteria ; metabolism ; Drug Resistance, Multiple, Bacterial ; drug effects ; genetics ; Ion Pumps ; antagonists & inhibitors ; drug effects ; physiology ; Membrane Transport Proteins ; drug effects ; physiology ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins ; drug effects ; physiology ; Mycobacterium ; metabolism