?AlM: To investigate theprotective effect of melatonin against hydrogen peroxide ( H2 O2 )-induced oxidative damage to human lens epithelial cells.
?METHODS: Sub-culture human lens epithelial cells preprocessed with different concentrations of melatonin for 12h and then 100 μmol/L H2 O2 for 24h. The impact of melatonin on H2 O2-induced lens epithelial cell viability was detected by MTT assay, rate of apoptosis was detected by flow cytometry instrument and activity of apoptosis-related factors, Caspase-3 and Caspase-9, were detected by colorimetric method.
?RESULTS: MTT assay showed that melatonin had no effect on the activity of lens epithelial cells, and the drug can inhibit the decrease of H2 O2-induced cell activity, as well as flow cytometry showed that melatonin can inhibit H2 O2-induced apoptosis. ln addition, melatonin can also reduce H2 O2-induced Caspase-3 and Caspase-9 activity in lens epithelial cells, and their activity decreased with effect of melatonin along with extending time.
?CONCLUSlON: Melatonin can obviously inhibit H2 O2 -induced apoptosis of human lens epithelial cells, which provide reliable experimental basis for drug on treatment of cataract.

Objective Through the investigating the molecular expressions of integrin?_5?_1,Fn and CD_(44v6) in ovarian epithelial neoplasms,this study is trying to explore the relationship between the lymphatic spread of the tumor with these molecules.Methods The expression of 80 cases of integrin?_5?_1,Fn and CD_(44v6) was examined through ElivisionTM immunohistochemistry method in ovarian epithelial neoplasm.The system of image analysis was used to measure the expression of various molecules quantitatively.Results Qualitative and semi-quantitative results:The expression levels of integrin?_5?_1 and Fn in the ovarian epithe- lial neoplasms had downward tendency in the order of benign,boundary and malignant neoplasms and there was a significant difference in the expression levels of integrin?_5?_1 and Fn(P

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of melittin and 5-Fu, DDP, and TXT on human gastric cancer cell line BGC-823 and to primarily explore their possible mechanisms.

METHODSMedian effect analysis was employed to determine the interaction between melittin and 5-Fu, DDP, TXT by analyzing the relationship between fraction affected (FA) and the combination index (CI) acquired from the dose-effect curve. Expressions of chemotherapeutic agent-associated genes of BGC-823 cells with or without treatment were measured by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR.

RESULTS(1) Both melittin and chemotherapeutic agents inhibited the growth of BGC-823. (2) For BGC-823 cells were acted by 5-Fu +melittin, when FA ranged between 0.35-0.75, CI was less than 1. For BGC-823 cells were acted by DDP + melittin, when FA ranged 0.55 or so, CI = 1; when Fa ranged below 0.55, CI was less than 1. For BGC-823 cells were acted by TXT + melittin, CI less than 1 could be seen in the whole interval. (3) After treatment suppressed were the expressions of chemotherapeutic agent-associated genes of BGC-823 cells such as thymidylate synthetase (TS), excision repair cross-complementing gene 1 (ERCC1), breast cancer susceptibility gene 1 (BRCA1), beta-tubulin III (TUBB3), and microtubule-associated protein tau (MAPT).

CONCLUSIONSMelittin had a synergistic effect on the cytotoxicity of chemotherapeutic agents. The possible mechanisms might be associated with down-regulating chemotherapeutic agent-associated genes.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drug Synergism ; Fluorouracil ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Melitten ; pharmacology

Objective To explore the correlation between-173G/C gene polymorphism of macrophage migration inhibitory factor(MIF) and Henoch-Schonlein purpura(HSP),Henoch-Schonlein purpura nephritis(HSPN) in children in Jiangxi Province.Methods One hundred and thirty-one ethnic Han children with HSP were enrolled,including 80 children with concurrent nephritis(HSPN group) and 51 children without nephritis(HSP without nephritis group).One hundred and five healthy children were used as the healthy control group.Germline DNA was extracted from peripheral blood by Promega blood genomic DNA kit.Polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP) was used for genotyping the-173G/C polymorphism of MIF.Genotype distribution and allele frequencies were obtained by direct counting.Statistical analysis was performed by using SPSS 11.5 software.Allele and genotype distribution were compared by using the chi-square test.The relative risk of allele was described by odds ratios(OR) and 95% confidence intervals(95%CI).Results Three genotypes(GG,GC,CC) were detected in MIF-173 G/C.GG,GC genotypes were detected in HSP without nephritis and healthy control group.GG,GC and CC genotypes were detected in HSPN group.Mutant genotype(37.5%) and C allele frequency(20.0%) in HSPN group were significantly higher than those in healthy control group(20.0% and 10.0%,respectively)(?2=6.964,7.400,Pa

Objective To investigate the radiologic and angiographic findings of dilated superior ophthalmic vein(SOV)associat- ed with orbital arteriovenous malformations(AVM).Design Retrospective case series.Participants Six cases of orbital AVM patients, with clinical symptoms and signs mimicking a carotid cavernous fistula(CCF).Methods Examinations of the six cases,such as CT, MRI,and selective cerebral angiography,were summarized and analyzed.Main Outcome Measures Images findings and hemodynam- ics.Results All patients were found with dilated SOV on CT and MRI.Additional radiographic findings included proptosis and AVM. All six AVM were located at the orbit,and one of them was also found with AVM in brain.The main draining vein was SOV in all cas- es.The branches contributing to the fistula's blood supply were the middle meningeal artery,the internal maxillary artery,and the oph- thalmic artery.Conclusions Orbital AVM can cause similar clinical signs and radiologic features to those associated with a CCF.How- ever,the bulging cavernous sinus cannot be found in most AVM.Angiography is necessary for definitive management,non-invasive techniques have an important role in pre-angiographic diagnostic decisions.(Ophthalmol CHN,2007,16:395-398)

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of methylprednisolone pulse therapy in the treatment of thyroid-associated oph- thalmology. Design Meta analysis. Participants Published literatures about methylprednisolone pulse therapy for thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy. Methods A meta-analysis of published randomized clinical trials was used. Published literatures were selected for study based on a computerized search of the literature and a manual search of the bibliographies of relevant papers. Studies meeting se- lected criteria were reviewed systematically by meta-analysis. Data was extracted on the basis of the intention-to-treat principle. Treat- ment effect was measnred as relative risk(RR) of response rates. Main Outcome Measures The effective rate and the relative risk(RR). Results A total of 6 articles were included in this meta-analysis. The RR (95%CI) were 7.50 (1.14, 49.26) when comparing methylpred- nisolone pulse therapy with placebo, 3.33 (0.51, 21.89) when comparing methylprednisolone pulse therapy with surgical decompression, and 1.50 (1.12, 2.00) when comparing methylprednisolone pulse therapy with oral steroids. The combination of methylprednisolone pulse therapy and orbital radiotherapy was significantly effective than oral steroids combined with orbital radiotherapy which pooled RR (95% CI) was 1.42 (1.11, 1.81). Conclusions Methylprednisolone pulse therapy appears to be an effective treatment for thyroid-associated ophthalmology, and seems to have increased effect when given with orbital radiotherapy.

Objective To evaluate the influence of self-etch adhesive,total-etch adhesive and glass ionomer cement on the marginal microleakage of class II restorations. Methods Thirty human premolars were randomly divided into 3 groups(n=10),and cuboid class II cavities(4.0 mm?3.5 mm?2.5 mm) were prepared.Restoration was performed using self-etch adhesive+nano-resin(self-etch group),total-etch adhesive + nano-resin(total-etch group) or glass ionomer cement(glass ionomer group).Half of each group underwent 200 thermocyclings and the other half underwent 500 thermocyclings.The specimens were immersed in 0.5% basic fuchsin for staining.Each tooth was then evaluated the microleakage at the axial wall and the gingival wall section by section under a stereomicroscope.The data were statistically analyzed. ResultsSelf-etch group had significantly more miroleakage than total-etch group and glass ionomer group after 200 and 500 thermocyclings(P

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between JWA polymorphisms and the susceptibility to hypertension in workers exposed to heat stress.

METHODSThe exposure group included 158 steelworkers and rollers and 76 workers unexposed to heat stress served as control group. The general information was collected according to a questionnaire and the blood pressure was examined for all subjects. The polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) technique was used to analyze the site 76 in promoter and site 723 in the 3rd exon of JWA gene in the peripheral lymphocytes. PHASE 2.0 software was utilized to calculate the haploid type.

RESULTSIn the exposure group, JWA76 G/G genotype frequencies of sub-group with normal blood pressure, sub-group with higher blood pressure and sub-group with hypertension were 82.35%, 69.70% and 65.00%, respectively, there were significant differences among 3 sub-groups (P < 0.05). JWA 76 G/G genotype frequencies decreased with blood pressure (χ² = 4.86, P = 0.027). The multiple logistic regression analysis showed that the subjects with G/C genotype were compared to the subjects with G/G genotype in the exposure group, the adjusted OR value was 3.67 (95%CI: 1.21 approximately 11.05) for the risk of hypertension and higher blood pressure. the subjects with GG/CT haploid type were compared to the subjects with non-GG/CT haploid type in the exposure group, the adjusted OR values for the risks of hypertension and higher blood pressure were 8.30 (1.39 approximately 49.44) and 8.55 (1.53 approximately 47.48), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe gene polymorphisms at site 76 and GG/CT haploid type of JWA gene were associated with hypertension in workers exposed to high temperature.

Adult ; Blood Pressure ; genetics ; Control Groups ; Gene Frequency ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Heat-Shock Proteins ; genetics ; Hot Temperature ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; genetics ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Workplace

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of transforming growth factor-β activated kinase-1 (TAK1) gene silencing on the proliferation and apoptosis of Kasumi-1 cells induced by arsenic trioxide (As₂O₃).

METHODSAcute myeloid leukemia with t(8;21) cell line Kasumi-1 cells were treated with As₂O₃ or in combination with TAK1 siRNA interference technology. The experiment was divided into four groups: Kasumi-1 cells without any treatment, TAK1 specific siRNA transfection alone, Kasumi-1 cells treated with different concentration of As₂O₃, TAK1siRNA transfection combined with As₂O₃. CCK-8 was used to detect the cell viability. The expression of phosphorylated c-Jun N-terminal kinase (P-JNK) was determined by Western Blot. Cell apoptosis and growth were examined by morphological and colony formation assay.

RESULTSAfter Kasumi-1 cells were treated with As₂O₃, the rate of cell inhibition was concentration-dependent, and the 50% inhibitory concentration was 3.5 μmol/L. The highest expression level of P-JNK appeared in 30 minutes after cells were treated with As₂O₃. The apoptosis rates of Kasumi-1 cells without any treatment, TAK1 siRNA interference alone group, As₂O₃ alone group and the combined group were (5.02 ± 1.13)%, (6.18 ± 0.28)%, (48.33 ± 2.70)% and (86.07 ± 2.21)%; colony formation rates were (73.83 ± 2.78)%, (76.03 ± 1.46)%, (55.07 ± 1.50)% and (22.20 ± 1.15)%; apoptosis rate of TAK1 siRNA group and the untreated group has no significant difference (P = 0.052); colony formation rate between TAk1 siRNA group and the untreated group has no significant difference (P = 0.179), but the difference in other groups was significant (P = 0.000).

CONCLUSIONSilencing the expression of TAK1 can enhance the anti-proliferative and pro-apoptotic effect of As₂O₃ on Kasumi-1 cells, and its mechanism may be through the TAK1 downstream JNK signal pathway.

Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; JNK Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; enzymology ; pathology ; MAP Kinase Kinase Kinases ; genetics ; metabolism ; Oxides ; pharmacology ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Signal Transduction

OBJECTIVERefractory temporal lobe epilepsy (TCE) shows a unique type of hippocampal damage, referred to as hippocampal sclerosis. The mechanisms underlying drug-refractoriness in TCE are poorly understood, which may be connected with pharmacoresistance to antiepileptic drugs (AEDs). Some studies show that expression of the multidrug resistance gene (mdr1a and mdr1b) and p-glycoprotein encoded by mdr1a and mdr1b are high in the brain, especially in the hippocampus, and the expression may lead to reduction of AEDs concentration in the brain. But most of these studies focused on acute epileptic activity shortly after status epilepticus (SE), spontaneous seizures are seldom studied. The authors used a rat model of kainic acid induced spontaneous seizures to investigate expression of mdr1a and mdr1b mRNA, and explore whether topiramate (TPM) affects expression of mdr1a and mdr1b in the hippocampus.

METHODSSeizures were induced by intraperitoneal injection of 10 mg/kg kainic acid at postnatal day 28. Control rats were injected with sodium chloride. All rats were divided into 4 groups 1 week after spontaneous seizures developed: status epilepticus complicated with spontaneous seizures (SE, n = 8) group, status epilepticus complicated with spontaneous seizures treated with TPM (SE + TPM, n = 9) group, spontaneous seizures without status epilepticus (N-SE, n = 7) group, spontaneous seizures without status epilepticus treated with TPM (N-SE + TPM, n = 8) group, control (n = 7) group and control treated with TPM (control + TPM, n = 7) group. The treated rats were given therapeutic dose of TPM (25 mg/kg). All the rats were killed on the 42nd day of administration. The mdr1a and mdr1b mRNAs in the hippocampus were measured by RT-PCR.

RESULTSExpression of mdr1a and mdr1b mRNA in the hippocampus increased significantly in the SE + TPM group, SE group and N-SE + TPM group compared with control group (P < 0.001 or < 0.05). The mRNA in SE + TPM group increased significantly compared with the SE group, too (P < 0.01). The mdr1a and mdr1b mRNA expression in the hippocampus in control + TPM and N-SE groups did not change.

CONCLUSIONFrequent seizures, especially status epilepticus resulted in overexpression of mdr1a and mdr1b mRNAs in the hippocampus. The drug-refractoriness mechanism in TCE may be related to overexpression of mdr1a and mdr1b mRNAs. TPM could enhance the expression of mdr1a and mdr1b mRNAs in the hippocampus. Seizure activity and TPM are likely to be the main determinant in enhancing mdr1a and mdr1b mRNA expression in epilepsy.

ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; metabolism ; Animals ; Anticonvulsants ; pharmacology ; Fructose ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Hippocampus ; metabolism ; Kainic Acid ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Seizures ; chemically induced ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Status Epilepticus ; drug therapy ; metabolism