AIM:To discuss the related factors that affected the stability of posterior corneal surface after laser in situ keratomileusis ( LASIK) .
METHODS:About 64 patients (64 eyes) were enrolled. The correlation among the changes in posterior corneal surface 6 month after LASIK, surgery method, corneal flap thickness ( FT ) , ablation thickness ( AT ) , postoperative residual corneal stroma thickness ( RCST ) , preoperative thinnest corneal thickness ( CT ) , flap thickness/preoperative thinnest corneal thickness ( FT/CT ) , ablation thickness/preoperative thinnest corneal thickness ( AT/CT) , postoperative residual corneal stroma thickness/preoperative thinnest corneal thickness ( RCST/CT) , anterior and posterior preoperative corneal height, the difference of the forward shift in posterior corneal surface ( diff value ) of preoperative and preoperative intraocular pressure were analyzed.
RESULTS: The changes of diff value between preoperative and postoperative were related with diopter (r=0.419, P=0.014), AT (r=0.394, P=0.023), AT/CT (r=0.501, P=0.004), Diff value of preoperative (r=0.501, P=0. 004), RCST (r=-0. 385, P=0. 033) and RCST/CT (r=-0. 401, P=0. 025). The changes of height value from posterior corneal surface between preoperative and postoperative were related with diopter (r=0. 520, P=0. 002), AT (r=0.504, P=0. 003), AT/CT (r=0. 442, P=0. 013), Diff value of preoperative (r=0. 624, P=0. 000) and RCST/CT (r=-0. 394, P=0. 028).
CONCLUSION: AT, RCST, AT/CT, RCST/CT and diff value of preoperative should be the key index that predicted the stability of posterior corneal surface after LASIK,the further research will give the range of safety value.

OBJECTIVE To explore the antidepressant effect and the underlying mechanisms of schisandrin (SCH), a component of the fruits of Schizandra chinesis. METHODS The forced swimming test (FST) and tail suspension test (TST) in mice were used to evaluate the antidepressant activity of SCH (5, 10, and 30 mg · kg-1) following single administration intragastrically, and the locomotor activity was investigated to exclude its neural excitatory effects. Effects of SCH on neural monoamine systems were studied in two pharmacological models, including reserpine induced monoamine depletion test and yohimbine toxicity potentiation test. RESULTS In behavioral despair models, SCH (30 mg·kg-1) signif?icantly decreased the immobility time in the TST and FST (P<0.05) compared with normal control group. Results of the locomotor activity experiment showed that SCH had no excitatory or inhibitory actions on the central nervous system. In the reserpine reversal experiment, SCH (30 mg · kg-1) antagonized thepalpebral ptosis and akinesia symptoms caused by reserpine(2.5 mg · kg-1) treatment (P<0.05) compared with model group, but had little effect on the drop of the anal temperature. Moreover, SCH did not increase the lethality caused by subcutaneous injection of yohimbine (30 mg · kg-1)at the threshold lethal dosage. CONCLUSION SCH exerts potential antidepressant-like effect in mice.

OBJECTIVE To study the influence of glycogen synthase kinase3β (GSK3β) over expres?sion in the hippocampus on the antidepressant and anxiolytic effects of total flavoids from Xiaobuxin Tang (XBXT-2). METHODS Adeno-associated virus containing GSK3β(S9A) mutation was microinjected into the hippocampus. After three weeks of recovery, GSK3βand p-GSK3βwere detected by Western blotting, and open field test (OFT) was used to evaluate the locomotor activity. Then, AAV group and GSK3β over expression group were divided into administration group and solvent group, respectively. XBXT-2 (100 mg · kg-1) and solvent were ig administered chronically. After 14 d and 16 d of administra?tion, the tail suspension test (TST) and forced swimming test (FST) were used to investigate the influence of GSK3βover expression on the antidepressant effect of XBXT-2, respectively. After 18 d and 20 d of administration, the elevated plus maze test (EPMT) and staircase test (ST) were used to investigate the influence of GSK3β over expression on the anxiolytic effects of XBXT-2, respectively. RESULTS Western blotting analysis showed that the protein level of GSK3βincreased significantly in GSK3βover expression group (P<0.01) compared with AAV group, but there was no significant difference in p-GSK3β. In OFT, the number of crossings and rearings showed no difference between AAV group and GSK3β over expression group. The results of TST and FST showed that compared with AAV group, the immobility time was significantly reduced in AAV+XBXT-2 group (P<0.05, P<0.01), but compared with GSK3β over expression group, the immobility time showed no difference in GSK3β over expression+XBXT-2 group. In EPMT, compared with AAV group, the percentage of entrances and time into open arms in AAV+XBXT-2 group was significantly increased (P<0.01, P<0.05), but compared with GSK3βover expression group, these indexes showed no difference in GSK3βover expression+XBXT-2 group. In ST, compared with AAV group, the number of rearings was significantly reduced in AAV+XBXT-2 group (P<0.05), but there was no difference between GSK3β over expression+XBXT-2 group and GSK3βover expression group. CONCLUSION GSK3βover expression in the hippocampus can reverse the antidepressant effects of XBXT-2 in the TST and FST, and the anxiolytic effects in the EPM and ST.

Objective To investigate the expression of water channel aquapoin-4 (AQP4) and its relationship to brain edema formation after status epilepticus (SE) in rats. Methods Fifty-four Sprague-Dawley rats (weighing 250～300 g) were randomly divided into 9 groups (n=6 in each group): the control group and the post-SE 6, 12, 24, 48, 72, 96, 120, 168 h groups. SE models were established with Lithium-pilocarpine. Immunohistochemistry and semi-quantitative reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) were used to assess AQP4 protein and mRNA expression following SE. Results AQP4 expression significantly increased at 24 h, reached to a peak level at 48 h, lasted for 3 d and then began to decline, but still existed at day 7 (P＜0.05 vs control group). The time-dependent change displayed an obvious positive correlation with the process of brain edema after SE (r=0.73, P＜0.05).Conclusion The time-related change of AQP4 expression after SE has a positive correlation with brain edema, indicating that AQP4 may play an important role in the formation of brain edema following SE.

OBJECTIVEHepatic stellate cells (HSC) in hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) transdifferentiate into extracellular matrix-producing myofibroblasts. Activated HSC can promote invasion and metastasis of HCC. To understand the differences of HSC in normal liver and HCC, we compared the gene expression patterns in HCC cell induction-activated and culture-activated rat HSC.

METHODSHSC were isolated by density centrifugation and exposed to conditioned medium from rat HCC cell line C5F. Expression of 22 012 genes in quiescent HSC, culture-activated HSC and HCC induction-activated HSC was analyzed by cDNA microarray and confirmed by real-time RT-PCR and Western blot.

RESULTS1672 genes were differentially expressed in culture-activated HSC, including proinflammatory factors, cell adhesion molecules, cell surface receptors, signaling transduction molecules and immune factors. 711 genes were differentially expressed in HCC induction-activated HSC. Some of them were identical to those in culture-activated HSC. HCC Induction-activated HSC showed specific gene expression patterns, including Raf1, Rac2, Adam17, Wnt6, MMP-9 and TNF, suggesting that HCC cells can specifically induce HSC activation.

CONCLUSIONThe gene expression patterns in HCC induction-activated HSC are different from those in culture-activated HSC. HCC induction-activated HSC may play a major role in the invasion and metastasis of HCC. In vivo activation should be considered as the standard for the study of HSC biology. HCC induction-activated HSC should be considered as the standard for HSC biology studies.

Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cells, Cultured ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Hepatic Stellate Cells ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred F344

BACKGROUNDSnake venom contains a number of components with different pharmacological and biological activities, especially in cancer therapy, and has increasingly become a research focus. This study was designed to isolate and purify a novel anti-clotting protein component from the venom of Agkistrodon acutus, and to explore its physico-chemical properties and biological activity.

METHODSThe venom of Agkistrodon was isolated and purified by ion-exchange chromatography on diethylaminoethyl (DEAE)-Sepharose Fast Flow, molecular sieve filtration through Sephadex G75, SP-Sepharose Fast Flow and molecular sieve filtration through Sephadex G50. We detected the activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT) of the eluant to select the anti-clotting protein component of interest. The molecular weight was determined by sodium dodecyl sulfate-polyacrylamid gel electrphoresis (SDS-PAGE) and liquid chromatography. Its protein content was detected by bicinchoninic acid (BCA).

RESULTSSDS-PAGE vertical gel electrophoresis showed that the anticoagulant factor is a tripolymer composed of three proteins whose molecular weights are 25 KDa, 30 KDa and 50 KDa. The factor contains about 65% percent protein.

CONCLUSIONSA novel anti-clotting protein component was purified by ion-exchange chromatography and molecular sieve filtration from the venom of Agkistrodon acutus and was found to be composed of three kinds of proteins.

Agkistrodon ; metabolism ; Animals ; Anticoagulants ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Chromatography, Ion Exchange ; Crotalid Venoms ; chemistry ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Proteins ; chemistry ; isolation & purification

OBJECTIVETo investigate the optimal alcohol precipitation parameters for extract of Carthamus tinctorius.

METHODSThe effects of different factors on the transfer rate of hydroxy safflower yellow A (HSYA) was studied via single factor experiments, including the final alcohol concentration of the liquor, the speed of stirring, the initial density of the extract, the temperature and the pH of the liquor. Based on the results of single factor experiments, the final alcohol concentration of the liquor, the speed of stirring, the initial density of the extract and the pH of the liquor were studied by an orthogonal test and a multiple guidelines grading method, and the transfer rate of HSYA, the yield and the purity of extract in the supernatant were used as comprehensive evaluation index.

RESULTThe optimal alcohol precipitation process of Carthamus tinctorius extract was as follows: the final alcohol concentration of the liquor 50%, the speed of stirring 500 r/min, the initial density of the extract 1.15 g/ml and the pH of the liquor 5.0.

CONCLUSIONThe proposed alcohol precipitation process is convenient and steady with high transfer rate of HSYA, high yield and purity of extract in the supernatant.

Carthamus tinctorius ; chemistry ; Chemical Precipitation ; Ethanol ; chemistry ; Plant Extracts ; isolation & purification

Objective To investigate the phenotypes and genotypes of a hereditary protein C(PC) deficiency pedigree.Methods Imrnunoassay(ELISA)was used for PC antigen and PS antigen; Immunoturbidimetry assay was used for measuring AT antigen;Chromogenic substrate assay was used for measuring the activity of PC,PS and AT in Sysmex 1500 automatic Blood Coagulation Analyzer.Polymerase chain reaction(PCR)for amplification of the fragment of each exon and side sequences of PC gene in 10 members of the 3 generations;Direct DNA sequencing was used to examine the mutation site.Results Among 10 members of the 3 generation pedigree,8 of them had a PC:Ag level of 1.06-1.92 mg/L(normal references 3.00-6.00 rag/L),the activity of PC was between 41% and 67%(normal references 70%- 140%),which was significantly lower than the normal references while the levels of PS:Ag,PS:A,AT:Ag and AT:A were all within normal range.DNA sequencing analysis showed that there was a G to T mutation in exon IX of the PC gene at 12 918 position in 8 members.This mutation resulted in the substitution of terminator TGA for TGG which encoding tryptophan at 372 amino acid.There was a polymorphism in 2 405C/ T,2 418A/G,2 583A/T in the promotor area.Conclusions This pedigree is a type I hereditary protein C deficiency.There is a G12 918T mutation in exon IX of PC gene.This mutation is reported for the first time and there is a polymorphism in 2 405C/T,2 418A/G,2 583A/T in the promotor area.

Objective To characterize the biological characteristics of natural vectors of Yesinia (Y.) pestis in China.Methods Species and genera of natural vectors of Y.pestis in China and their faunal distribution were characterized with modem insect taxonomic techniques.The ecological roles of natural vectors of Y.pestis in natural plague foci were determined according to insect ecological experiments.Results There were 63 species of natural vectors of Y.pestis including 28 major reservoirs and 35 secondary ones.Conclusion The biology characteristics of major vectors on Y.pestis and their roles in natural plague foci were defined.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the risk factors of post-renal biopsy bleeding (PBB).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 1 262 patients who received ultrasound-guided biopsy of native kidney at our hospital from January 2005 to December 2006.

RESULTSThe overall incidence of PBB was 30.3% (383/1,262), among which the incidence of hematoma was 29.4% (371/1,262) (the percentages of less and more than 5cm were 73.9% and 26.1%, respectively) while that of gross hematuria was only 1.3% (17/1,262). The incidences of minor, intermediate, and major bleeding complications were 21.4% (270/1,262), 8.4% (106/1,262), and 0.6% (7/1,262), respectively. In seven patients with major bleeding complications, six had renal disease secondary to rheumatic disease (lupus nephritis, n = 5; scleroderma crisis, n = 1), while the other one had IgA nephropathy (Lee's classification V). The risk of PBB was relatively higher in women and younger patients.

CONCLUSIONSPatients with chronic connective tissue diseases are vulnerable to severe PBB complications. A close monitoring of these patients is necessary.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy ; adverse effects ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Hemorrhage ; etiology ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Ultrasonography ; Young Adult