AIM: To explore the relationship of central retinal vein occlusion ( CRVO) and atherosclerosis ( AS) .
METHODS:Fifty cases of CRVO patients were chosen as the observation group in our hospital from October 2012 to October 2014, other 50 patients with AS ( non-CRVO) as control group. In the control group, 22 cases of AS mild stenosis, moderate stenosis in 24 cases, 4 cases of severe stenosis ( 3 cases implanted stent ) . According to the severity, two grade prevention primary prevention therapy, and cerebral vascular disease treating stroke, corresponding drug treatment was undergone. Two groups of patients were performed cervical carotid artery color Doppler ultrasound examination, including assessing plaque, carotid artery intima-media thickness ( IMT) , the degree of stenosis of internal carotid artery blood flow velocity and the systolic peak ( PSV ) , end diastolic blood flow velocity ( EDV) , resistance index ( RI) values for kinetic parameters etc. All the indexes of the two groups were compared with color Doppler ultrasound examination results, to evaluate the correlation between CRVO and AS.
RESULTS: In the observation group, 15 cases were detected of carotid artery with mild stenosis, 28 cases of arterial diameter reduced <50%, carotid artery moderate stenosis, arterial diameter was reduced from 50% ~69%, 6 cases of carotid artery stenosis, arterial diameter was reduced from 70% ~99%, 1 patient with ipsilateral carotid artery near occlusion. In the control group, 22 cases were of AS mild stenosis, moderate stenosis in 24 cases, 4 cases of severe stenosis ( 3 cases implanted stent ) . The eyes with CRVO increased IMT, PSV and EDV decreased, RI value increased (P<0. 05). Compared with the control group, hypertension, hyperlipidemia, hypercholesterolemia, diabetes mellitus in observation group were statistically significant difference (P<0. 05). The control group of 2a of follow-up showed no recurrence during CRVO.
CONCLUSION: CRVO and AS are highly correlated, the neck of Doppler ultrasound examination can clearly reflect the central retinal vein blood supply, the standard treatment for AS disease, can reduce the risk of CRVO, with certain clinical significance.

This study aims to analyze and compare the effect of cell wall-broken decoction pieces, conventional decoction pieces and conventional powder of Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma on the intestinal flora of normal mice. The conventional bacterial culture and PCR-DGGE (polymerase chain reaction-denaturing gradient gel electrophoresis) were adopted for the mice after the oral administration for 14 days. According to the bacterial culture results, the 1/8 dose cell wall-broken decoction pieces group showed fewer Enterococcus and Escherichia coli bacillus but more Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium than the conventional decoction pieces group and the traditional powder group (P <0.05). Meanwhile, on the basis of the PCR-DGGE results, the 1/8 dose cell wall-broken decoction pieces group revealed the highest Shannon-Wiener index (H) and species richness (S) among the seven groups, with extremely significant differences compared with the normal group (P <0.01), significant differences compared with the conventional decoction pieces group and the conventional powder group (P <0.05) and a high intra-group similarity. In conclusion, the long-term intake of 1/8 dose Rhodiolae Crenulatae Radix et Rhizoma cell wall-broken decoction pieces showed a certain effect in regulating intestinal tract by promoting the growth of Lactobacillus and Bifidobacterium. Furthermore, the intestinal flora community will become more stable.
Animals ; Bifidobacterium ; drug effects ; genetics ; growth & development ; Cell Wall ; Denaturing Gradient Gel Electrophoresis ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Lactobacillus ; drug effects ; genetics ; growth & development ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rhizome ; Rhodiola

Five new megastigmanes (1-5) were isolated from a decoction of Uncaria rhynchophylla by separation techniques of column chromatography using a combination of multiple stationary phases, including macroporous adsorbent resin, MCI resin, silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, and Toyopearl HW-40F, and reversed phase HPLC. Their structures were characterized by spectroscopic data analysis of HR-ESI-MS, NMR, and CD, in combination with Mosher's mothed as well as ECD and NMR calculations. The new compounds were named uncarphyllonone A (1), uncarphyllonols A (2) and B (3), and uncarphabscisic acids A (4) and B (5). Although the structures of 3 and 4 were previously reported, the reported NMR spectroscopic data were incorrect or do not support the assigned structures in literatures. This is also the first report of discovery of new megastigmane natural products from the Uncaria genus.

Seventeen minor triterpenoid acids (1-17) were isolated from an aqueous decoction of Uncaria rhynchophylla by a combinatory application of column chromatography using multiple stationary phases, including macroporous adsorbent resin, MCI resin, Sephadex LH-20, Toyopearl HW-40C, silica gel, and C18 reversed phase silica gel, combined with separation techniques of flash chromatography (FC) and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Their structures were determined by analysis of HR-ESI-MS, UV, CD, and IR as well as 1D and 2D NMR spectroscopic data, of which eight new compounds (1-8) are named successively uncarinic acids Q-X, while the structures of 2 and 7 were confirmed by single crystal X-ray diffraction. In the in vitro assays, 27-hydroxyolean-12-en-28-oic acid (17) inhibited TGF-β-induced HSC-T6 cell activation at the concentration of 5 μmol·L^-1.

Child, Preschool ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Rickets ; diagnosis ; etiology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Vitamin D Deficiency ; complications

OBJECTIVEHuman mannose-binding lectin (MBL) is a C-type serum lectin synthesized by the liver as an acute-phase protein. MBL can bind to glycoproteins terminated with mannose and N-acetylglucosamine present in the cell walls on a variety of microorganisms. Therefore, MBL appears to play an important role in the immune system. Low levels of MBL in human have been associated with a susceptibility to recurrent infections. MBL deficiency and low serum MBL levels are strongly associated with the presence of three point mutations at codon 52, 54 and 57 of exon 1 in the human MBL gene, and in Chinese population, the codon-54 mutation occurs at a frequency of 0.11 - 0.17. The data suggested that MBL insufficiency might also predispose to the development of autoimmune diseases such as systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and rheumatoid arthritis (RA). The possibility that Kawasaki disease (KD) is an infectious disease has been discussed and investigated for decades, in light of the implication that infections are involved in the pathogenesis of KD. It has been suggested that MBL insufficiency might predispose to the occurrence of KD. This study was aimed to investigate the genetic association of MBL codon-54 polymorphism in patients with KD, and to investigate possible associations with clinical manifestations of the disease.

METHODSThere were 95 patients with KD and 160 healthy subjects in the study. The genotype of MBL gene 54 codon was detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). Clinical characteristics and biochemical examination were also performed.

RESULTSThe genotype frequency of heterozygote (GGC/GAC) was significantly higher in KD group than that in healthy subjects (45.2% vs 25.0%, P < 0.01), and the allele frequency of GAC mutation was also higher in KD patients than that in control group (0.258 vs 0.138, P < 0.01). The variant allele (GAC) was markedly associated with KD (OR = 2.18, 95% CI = 1.38 approximately 3.44, P < 0.05). But there was no significant difference in the allele frequency of GAC between patients with and without coronary artery lesion (CAL) in KD cases (0.281 vs 0.246, P > 0.05). In addition, in cases of KD, more patients carrying the variant allele (GAC) had episodes of upper respiratory or gastrointestinal infections prior to the onset of KD than wild homozygotes (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe codon 54 polymorphism of MBL gene was associated with KD. It is possible that MBL gene codon 54 mutation might be related to the pathogenesis of KD.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Codon ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Mannose-Binding Lectin ; genetics ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; genetics ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length

OBJECTIVEKawasaki disease (KD) is an acute febrile vasculitic syndrome of unknown etiology that preferentially affects coronary artery. It has been suggested that proinflammatory cytokines like tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-alpha) and interleukin-10 (IL-10) are key players during acute KD. Recently, the polymorphisms relative to major transcriptional start site of TNF-alpha and IL-10 gene were shown to influence the level of TNF-alpha and IL-10 production in vitro. This study was aimed to investigate the genetic association of TNF-alpha and IL-10 promoter polymorphisms in juvenile patients of Han nationality with KD, and to investigate the possible associations with clinical manifestations of the disease.

METHODSFour polymorphism sites of TNF-alpha and IL-10 gene promoter regions from 96 children with KD were determined by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP). One hundred and sixty age-matched normal children of the Han nationality were used as control. All patients accepted Doppler echocardiography examination in order to differentiate coronary artery lesions.

RESULTSThere was significant difference in allele frequencies of -308 (A/G) site of the TNF-alpha gene between children of the Han nationality and those of Japanese and Caucasian in America. There were significant differences in the allele frequencies of -1082 (G/A), -819 (C/T) and -592 (A/C) of IL-10 gene between children of the Han nationality and their British Counterparts (P < 0.01). There was no significant difference in allele frequencies of -308 (A/G) site of TNF-alpha gene between children with KD and normal controls. There was no significant difference in the haplotypes and the allele frequencies of the above three sites of IL-10 between the two groups. However, when clinical features were examined, the genotype frequency of TNF-alpha-308A was significantly higher in IVIG-resistant KD patients than that of TNF-alpha-308G genotype (67% vs 5%, chi(c)(2) = 90.48, P < 0.01). The genotype of TNF-alpha-308A was closely associated with IVIG-resistant KD (P < 0.01, relative risk 42.25, 95% confidence interval 15.81-112.88). The haplotype frequency of IL-10 -1082A/-819T/-592A was also higher in patients with coronary artery lesion (CAL) caused by KD than those of Non-ATA haplotype (52% vs 20%, chi(2) = 18.36, P < 0.01). The haplotypes of IL-10 -1082A/-819T/-592A was significantly associated with CAL caused by KD (P < 0.01, relative risk 4.26, 95% confidence interval 2.20-8.25).

CONCLUSIONThe genotype of TNF-alpha-308A is one of the important factors that probably influence the therapeutic effect of KD. The haplotypes (-1082/-819/-592) of IL-10 gene promoter might be related to the pathogenesis of coronary artery complication of KD and -1082A/-819T/-592A haplotypes might be regarded as a genetic marker of risk factor for coronary artery lesion in KD.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Interleukin-10 ; genetics ; Male ; Mucocutaneous Lymph Node Syndrome ; genetics ; pathology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; genetics

Objective To study the molecular mechanism of interleukin 25 (IL-25)expression in the lung of asthmatic rats.Methods The expressions of IL-25 mRNA and protein in the lungs were detected by Real-time PCR and ELISA,respectively.The levels of IL-25 mRNA and protein were detected by ovalbumin (OVA)in human bronchial epithelial cells.And the transcription factors that regulate IL-2 5 expression were explored through site prediction.Results The expressions of IL-25 mRNA and protein in the lung of OVA-induced asthma rats were significantly increased during animal experiments.Cell experiments showed that OVA could increase the expression of IL-2 5 in human bronchial epithelial cells in a dose-dependent manner,and OVA could upregulate the expression of transcription factor AP1.AP1 was found in the promoter region of IL-25 by site prediction.The AP1 inhibitor (T5224)significantly reduced the expression of IL-25 in OVA-induced human bronchial epithelial cells. Conclusion The molecular mechanism of IL-25 expression induced by OVA in asthma is related to the increase of transcription factor AP1 .

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of cytotoxic T-lymphocyte-associated protein 4 (CTLA4) gene and susceptibility to cervical cancer.

METHODSOne hundred patients and 100 healthy controls from Hubei province were genotyped for 20 polymorphic loci using Sequenom.

RESULTSThe frequency of rs11571316 G allele and rs5742909 T allele, which are localized in the promoter region, and rs11571319 A allele, which is downstream of the gene, were significantly higher in patients than in controls. Luciferase assay showed that, as the previously reported rs5742909 T allele, rs11571316 G allele could significantly increase the expression of the reporter gene.

CONCLUSIONSNPs in the promoter region of (CTLA4) gene might increase the susceptibility to cervical cancer by increasing (CTLA4) gene expression.

Adult ; Aged ; Alleles ; Antigens, CD ; genetics ; CTLA-4 Antigen ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo develop a tight tetracycline-controlled HCV-C double transgenic mouse model.

METHODSBy crossbreeding of ApoE-rtTA-tTS transgenic mice with TRE-HCV-C transgenic mice, the double transgenic mice were produced in the F1 generation. The presence of HCV-C and tTS gene in the F1 generation was confirmed by PCR, followed by further identification and quantification of the transgene using Southern blot hybridization. The expression of HCV-C in the liver of the mouse model was detected immunohistochemically.

RESULTS AND CONCLUSIONTwo transgenic mice were obtained, which contained ApoE-rtTA-tTS and TRE-HCV-C genes in the genome. Five founders contained HCV-C gene as confirmed by PCR and Southern blot hybridization. The tight tetracycline-controlled system may facilitate further study of HCV-C gene expression and gene therapy of hepatic cellular carcinoma.

Animals ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Blotting, Southern ; Breeding ; Crosses, Genetic ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Viral ; drug effects ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis C Antigens ; genetics ; immunology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Transgenic ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tetracycline ; pharmacology ; Trans-Activators ; genetics ; Viral Core Proteins ; genetics