· Application of capsular tension ring ( CTR ) in phacoemulsification has become a common method to increase the stability of the capsular bag. CTR can effectively reduce the posterior capsular opacification ( PCO) , prevent intraocular lens ( lOL ) decentration and tilt, not cause lOL degree deviation and aberration increase.ln this review, we summarized the development overview of CTR in phacoemulsification.

To determine the etiologic agent of an outbreak of influenza viruses from Changsha Foothill Mountain International School in 2009, and to analyze the HA Gene Characteristic of the H1N1 influenza viruses. Twenty-five nasopharyngeal swab specimens from the outbreak of influenza viruses were tested by conventional RT-PCR and influenza viruses isolated simultaneously. Virus isolated (A/Yuelu/314/2009) from the outbreak was sequenced by CEQTM 8000 Genetic Analysis System and the sequencing results submitted to GenBank (Accession No: FJ912843), then the sequencing data was analyzed by ClustalX and Mega4.1softwares. Results showed the influenza viruses A(H1N1) of positive were 18 cases by influenza viruses isolated tests and 21 cases by conventional RT-PCR, respectively. The nucleotide and amino acid sequence homology of the HA gene of A/Yuelu/314/2009 are 99% compare with the vaccine strain (A/Brisbane/59/2007) in 2008~2009 years. The HA sequence data also showed that had 6 amino acid mutations (V148A, S158N, G202A, I203D, A206T, W435R), and the S158N located at antigenic site B of HA protein. Nine potential glycosylation sites (27, 28, 40, 71, 151, 176, 303, 497, 536) in the HA sequence of A/Yuelu/314/2009 is the same with A/Brisbane/59/2007, and the sequences of potential glycosylation sites were conserved. In this study, laboratory evidence diagnosed seasonal influenza A virus (H1N1) as the etiologic agent of the outbreak. The virus isolated (A/Yuelu/314/2009) strain of H1N1 subtype is not a new variant in Changsha in 2009 compare with the vaccine strain (A/Brisbane/59/2007), the outbreak of influenza A virus (H1N1) from Changsha Foothill Mountain International School maybe are caused by the change in genetic characteristics between vaccine strains and the decreased of immunity to influenza A virus (H1N1) in the crowd.

AIMTo evaluate the joint action of phoxim and fenvalerate on the reproductive function in male Sprague-Dawley rats.

METHODSThe 2 x 2 factorial analysis experiment was used in the study. The pesticides were orally given at daily doses of phoxim (Pho) 8.2 mg/kg, fenvalerate (Fen) 3.3 mg/kg and Pho 8.2+Fen 3.3 mg/kg (Pho:Fen = 5:2), 5 days a week for 60 days. Sperm motility was measured with computer-assisted sperm motility analysis (CASA) and daily sperm production estimated. Immunoenzymatic method and electron microscopy were used to evaluate the serum testosterone and the testicular morphology, respectively.

RESULTSThere were significant decreases in sperm motility parameters in the treated animals, including straight line velocity (VSL), beat cross frequency (BCF), linearity (LIN) and straightness (STR). After treated with Fen, significant decreases in VSL, LIN and STR were demonstrated. Significant decreases of daily sperm production were seen in animals treated with Pho and Pho+Fen in comparison with the controls. Serum testosterone levels were not significantly changed in the treated groups. Factorial ANOVA showed that no significant interactions were noted between Pho and Fen in sperm motility, sperm production and serum testosterone. Both the single and mixed pesticides caused various degrees of testicular lesions, involving vacuolation of endoplasmic reticulum and necrosis of Sertoli cells.

CONCLUSIONThe pesticides may cause sperm motility changes and testicular lesions in male rats. The action of Pho and Fen may be additive.

Animals ; Drug Interactions ; Insecticides ; pharmacology ; Male ; Nitriles ; Organothiophosphorus Compounds ; pharmacology ; Pyrethrins ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reproduction ; drug effects ; Sperm Motility ; drug effects ; Spermatozoa ; drug effects ; Testis ; cytology ; drug effects ; ultrastructure ; Testosterone ; blood

OBJECTIVETo observe the effects of fenvalerate on calcium homeostasis in rat ovary.

METHODSFemale Sprague-Dawley rats were orally given fenvalerate at daily doses of 0.00, 1.91, 9.55, and 31.80 mg/kg for four weeks. The ovary ultrastucture was observed by electron microscopy. Serum free calcium concentration was measured by atomic absorption spectrophotometry. The activities of phosphorylase a in rat ovary were evaluated by the chromatometry. The total content of calmodulin in ovary was estimated by ELISA at each stage of estrous cycle. Radioimmunoassay (RIA) was used to evaluate the level of serum progesterone.

RESULTSHistopathologically, damages of ovarian corpus luteum cells were observed. An increase in serum free calcium concentration was observed in rats treated with 31.80 mg/kg fenvalerate. The activities of phosphorylase a enhanced in all treated groups, and fenvalerate increased the total content of calmodulin significantly in estrus period. Serum progesterone levels declined in fenvalerate exposed rats in diestrus.

CONCLUSIONFenvalerate interferes with calcium homeostasis in rat ovary. Also, the inhibitory effects of fenvalerate on serum progesterone levels may be mediated partly through calcium signals.

Animals ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Calcium-Transporting ATPases ; metabolism ; Calmodulin ; metabolism ; Endocrine Disruptors ; toxicity ; Female ; Homeostasis ; drug effects ; Insecticides ; toxicity ; Nitriles ; toxicity ; Ovary ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Progesterone ; blood ; Pyrethrins ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of carbaryl on serum steroid hormone and function of antioxidant system in female Sprague Dawley rats.

METHODSCarbaryl was administrated to the adult female rats at doses of 0, 1.028, 5.140 and 25.704 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1) for 30 d. Vaginal smears of rats were taken to determine estrous cycle. Serum 17beta-estradiol (E(2)) and progesterone (P(4)) concentrations were measured by radioimmunoassay. The activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione-s-transferase (GST), and the levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and glutathione (GSH) were measured by spectrophotometry.

RESULTSThe number of estrous cycle in exposed groups were obviously lower than in control group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Body weight gain in high dose group (25.704 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) was significantly lower than that in control. Meanwhile, the organ coefficient of ovary and uterus declined in a dose-dependent manner. Serum E(2) level [(19.93 +/- 2.21) nmol/L] in 25.704 mg group was lower than in control group [(28.76 +/- 6.12) nmol/L, P < 0.05], and P(4) level (1.21 +/- 0.40) nmol/L in 1.028 mg group was higher than that in control group [(0.63 +/- 0.39) nmol/L, P < 0.05]. The activity of SOD first reduced then rose in ovary, and first rose then reduced in serum. The contents of MDA increased in ovary, while decreased in the serum. GSH contents and GST activity increased in ovary, while in serum GSH contents decreased and GST activity first increased then decreased.

CONCLUSIONCarbaryl could disrupt estrous cycle and affect serum steroid hormone, and the function of antioxidant system in female SD rats.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Carbaryl ; toxicity ; Estradiol ; blood ; Female ; Glutathione ; blood ; Glutathione Transferase ; blood ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Progesterone ; blood ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxide Dismutase ; blood

OBJECTIVERett syndrome (RTT) is a neurodevelopmental disorder which causes severe mental retardation. This study aimed at elucidating clinical features of 66 Chinese RTT cases diagnosed by The Department of Pediatric Neurology, Peking University First Hospital since 1987, and at analysis of the MeCP2 genotype / phenotype correlation.

METHODSSixty-six RTT cases were followed up every one to two years to get the information of their clinical manifestations and the response to the L-carnitine treatment which was administered to the patients at a dose of 80-100 mg/(kg d). MeCP2 mutation analysis by PCR and sequencing were performed on 39 cases.

RESULTSIn this cohort of cases, the onset of the disease occurred between 3 and 38 months of age, 89% of the cases lost their purposeful hand use at 7 months to six years of age, all the cases had stereotype hand movement which presented at 1 to 5 years of age, 85% of the cases lost language ability at 11 months to eight years of age, 21% of the cases lost the ability of walking at ages of 2 years and 9 months to 15 years. The symptoms/signs such as small head circumference, seizures, breathing irregularities, teeth grinding, scoliosis/ kyphosis were presented in many of the cases. The clinical manifestations were improved in 6 cases after L-carnitine treatment. MeCP2 gene mutation was found in 64% of the cases. Two cases with non-sense mutation C502t (amino acid change R168X) died, two cases with missense mutation C397T (amino acid change R133C) and one case with missense mutation A398T (amino acid change R133H) preserved several words.

CONCLUSIONDeceleration of the head growth, loss of acquired purposeful hand use, stereotype hand movement and language deterioration were the main characteristics of RTT. L-carnitine could improve the clinical manifestation of some cases. There are some correlations between MeCP2 genotype and phenotype.

Adolescent ; Carnitine ; administration & dosage ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chromosomal Proteins, Non-Histone ; genetics ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; genetics ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Genotype ; Hospitals, University ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Methyl-CpG-Binding Protein 2 ; Mutation ; Phenotype ; Repressor Proteins ; genetics ; Rett Syndrome ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Treatment Outcome

Objective To establish high-performance liquid chromatography with electrochemical detector(HPLC-ECD) method for the determination for metanephrine and normetanephrine in 24 h urine, and provide a superior test for the diagnostic of pheochromocytomas over plasma/urine catecholamine.Methods MCX solid-phase cartridge was used for extraction of metanephrine and normetanephrine,HPLC-ECD was used for their measurements.The intra-assay CVs,interassay CVs and recoveries of metanephrine and normetanephrine were also calculated.104 hypertensive patients without pheochromocytomas and 5 pheochromocytomas patients were selected in this study.The concentrations of metanephrine and normetanephrine were compared with the plasma and 24h urinary catecholamines concentrations.Results The intra-assay CV,inter-assay CV and recovery of metanephrine were 5.9%, 7.5%,91.1% respectively;the intra-assay CV,inter-assay CV and recovery of normetanephrine were 6.3%,6.6%,88.5%,respectively.The MN,NMN,plasma CA and urine CA of all pheochromocytomas patients were positive.MN and NMN were negative in controls,while plasma CA and urine CA are false positive in 15 patients and 14 patients in controls,respectively.Conclusions The study establish a fast and accurate method for quantification of metanephrine and normetanephrine in 24 h urine by HPLC-ECD.These findings also prove that it is the best biochemical assays for pheochromocytomas at present.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of terephthalic acid (TPA) on lipid metabolism in Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats.

METHODSFive groups of SD rats that ingested 0%, 0.04%, 0.2%, 1%, and 5% TPA, respectively, were included in a 90-day subchronic feeding study. Effects of TPA on levels of serum protein, total cholesterol (TC), triglycerides (TG), high-density lipoprotein cholesterol (HDL), total antioxidative capability (T-AOC), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) were observed. Urine samples were collected and analyzed for concentration of ion.

RESULTSTPA decreased the level of serum T-AOC in a dose dependent manner. The contents of serum and bladder MDA significantly decreased in 1% and 5% TPA ingestion groups. Serum CuZn superoxide dismutase (CuZnSOD) lowered in groups of 0.2%, 1%, and 5% TPA. TPA subchronic feeding had no significant influences on serum TC, LDL or HDL, but increased serum TG, TP and ALB after administration of 0.04% and/or 0.2% TPA. Concentrations of urinary Ca2+, Mg2+, Na+, and K+ were elevated in 1% and 5% TPA groups.

CONCLUSIONAntioxidative potential decreased after TPA exposure. MDA increase in serum and bladder tissues was one of the most important reactions in rats which could protect themselves against TPA impairment. The decrease of serum CuZnSOD was related to the excretion of Zn2+.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; analysis ; Blood Proteins ; analysis ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Female ; Ions ; urine ; Lipid Metabolism ; drug effects ; Lipoproteins ; blood ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; blood ; Phthalic Acids ; toxicity ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Superoxides ; blood ; Triglycerides ; blood ; Weight Gain

In order to investigate the transmission risk of H5N1 avian influenza viruses (AIV) from sewage in Changsha poultry markets, the evolution relationship and molecular characteristics of non-structural (NS) genes of H5N1 AIV from sewage were analyzed. Nine H5N1 AIV environmental sewage specimens were collected from Changsha poultry markets. The NS genes were amplifyed by PCR and then sequenced with TA cloning. Amino acid(aa) sequence alignment and phylogenetic tree analysis were conducted by Lasergene and Mega5 software. Eight NS genes TA cloning were constructed successfully. Phylogenetic tree indicated that they were belonged to the allele A subgroup. Aa homology analysis showed 90.1% 92.5% identity in NS1 proteins and 91.0% - 92.6% identity in NS2 proteins compared with reference viruses of the allele A (A/chicken/ Hubei/ w h/ 1999). The homologies of the amino sequences of NS1 and NS2 in this study were 93.8%-100.0% and 98.4%-100.0%, respectively. The C terminal of all eight H5N1 NS1 proteins from sewage in poultry markets carried a ESEV of PL motif and the 92 amino acids were E, furthermore, the 80 to 84aa were missed which were the characteristics of highly pathogenic AIV. The NS genes of H5N1 AIV from sewage in poultry markets have molecular characteristics of highly pathogenic and have the potential risk of H5N1 virus spreading.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; chemistry ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Influenza in Birds ; transmission ; virology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Poultry ; Sequence Homology, Amino Acid ; Sewage ; virology ; Viral Nonstructural Proteins ; chemistry ; genetics

OBJECTIVEThis study was designed to examine the in vitro effects of fenvalerate on steroid production and steroidogenic enzymes mRNA expression level in rat granulosa cells.

METHODSUsing primary cultured rat granulosa cells (rGCs) as model, fenvalerate of various concentrations (0, 1, 5, 25, 125, 625 micromol/L) was added to the medium for 24 h. In some cases, optimal concentrations of 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol (25 micromol/L), Follicle stimulating hormone (FSH, 2 mg/L), or 8-Bromo-cAMP (1 mmol/L) were provided. Concentrations of 17 beta-estradiol(E2) and progesterone (P4) in the medium from the same culture wells were measured by RIA and the steroidogenic enzyme mRNA level was quantified by semi-quantitative RT-PCR.

RESULTSFenvalerate decreased both P4 and E2 production in a dose-dependent manner while it could significantly stimulate rGCs proliferation. This inhibition was stronger in the presence of FSH. Furthermore, it could not be reversed by 22(R)-hydroxycholesterol or 8-Bromo-cAMP. RT-PCR revealed that fenvalerate had no significant effect on 3 beta-HSD, but could increase the P450scc mRNA level. In addition, 17 beta-HSD mRNA level was dramatically reduced with the increase of fenvalerate dose after 24 h treatment.

CONCLUSIONFenvalerate inhibits both P4 and E2 production in rGCs. These results support the view that fenvalerate is considered as a kind of endocrine-disrupting chemicals. The mechanism of its disruption may involve the effects on steroidogenesis signaling cascades and/or steroidogenic enzyme's activity.

3-Hydroxysteroid Dehydrogenases ; analysis ; metabolism ; 8-Bromo Cyclic Adenosine Monophosphate ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cells, Cultured ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Estradiol ; analysis ; metabolism ; Female ; Follicle Stimulating Hormone ; pharmacology ; Granulosa Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Hydroxycholesterols ; pharmacology ; Nitriles ; pharmacology ; Progesterone ; analysis ; metabolism ; Pyrethrins ; pharmacology ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; metabolism ; Rats ; Steroids ; metabolism