AIM:To investigate the cause of blindness, except those caused by cataract, in Haimen city.METHODS:According to the WHO`s criteria of blindness, the blindness level was decided through ophthalmic tests by associate chief or chief ophthalmologists who were trained especially for disability evaluation.The analysis of the the leading cause were taken too.RESULTS:Totally 3 266 persons were blindness, in which 2 118 were first level blindness, 1 148 persons were second lever blindness, and 1 308 persons were male, 1958 were female.The leading cause of blindness were retina and uveitis diseases (31.58%), genetic diseases(23.47%), cornea disease(14.49%).CONCLUSION:The leading cause of blindness are retina and uveitis diseases, genetic diseases, cornea diseases in Haimen city of Jiangsu province.Early prevention and treatment should be strengthened to reduce the occurrence of blindness.

Codon usage bias is an important characteristic of genetic information transfer in organisms. Analysis of codon usage bias of different species is important for understanding the rules on genetic information transfer. The previous method for analysis of codon usage bias is mainly based on genomic data. However, this method is greatly limited, because the genome sequences of higher organisms are still not available up to now. In this study, we found that we could obtain the same optimal codons of Ganoderma lucidum (Curtis: Fr.) P. Karst based on its whole genomic data or large-scale transcriptomic data from its liquid-cultured hyphae, primordium and fruiting body, separately. This result indicated the feasibility to understand the codon usage bias based on the large-scale transcriptomic data. By calculating the proportion of rare codons of Escherichia coli and Saccharomyces cerevisiae in 26 terpene synthases (TS) of G. lucidum, we found that the rare codons of S. cerevisiae have a higher proportion in TS genes, while the rare codons of E. coli have relatively lower, suggesting that the TS genes of G. lucidum are possibly more difficult to be expressed in S. cerevisiae than in E. coli. Chemical synthesis of TS genes according to the yeast optimal codons will be an effective way to solve the problem on the mismatch of gene codon bias between the foreign genes and the host strain.
Codon ; Escherichia coli ; Genome, Fungal ; Reishi ; genetics ; Saccharomyces cerevisiae ; Transcriptome

AIMTo prepare recombinant human tumor necrosis factor-alpha (rHuTNF-alpha) -loaded stealth nanoparticles with different PEG chain lengths and sizes, and investigate the stability of nanoparticle suspensions.

METHODSThe poly( MePEG cyanoacrylate-co-hexadecyl cyanoacrylate) (MePEG-PHDCA) and poly(hexadecyl cyanoacrylate) (PHDCA) were synthesized and characterized with Fourier transform infrared spectrum (FTIR), 1HNMR, 13CNMR and gel permeation chromatography (GPC). Uniform design was used to optimize the entrapment efficiency. The nanoparticle suspensions were stored at 2 - 8 degrees C for 4 weeks, and the particle size evolution was studied.

RESULTSFTIR, 1HNMR and 13CNMR were consistent with the structures of MePEG-PHDCA and PHDCA whose polydispersity indexes were all less than 1.1, indicating narrow distributions. The entrapment efficiency of all nanoparticles was satisfactory. The three different mean diameters of MePEG-PHDCA and PHDCA nanoparticles were about 80 nm, 170 nm and 240 nm, separately. The nanoparticle suspensions maintained their sizes at 2 - 8 degrees C for 4 weeks

CONCLUSIONMePEG-PHDCA with three different molecular weight MePEG and PHDCA were synthesized successfully. There are negligible aggregations and bulk or surface erosion as for both stealth MePEG-PHDCA and conventional PHDCA nanoparticles in distilled water.

Cyanoacrylates ; chemistry ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Drug Stability ; Humans ; Nanotechnology ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemistry ; Recombinant Proteins ; administration & dosage ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; administration & dosage

Objective To investigate the effects of different hepatic perfusion procedures for small-for-size liver transplantation in rats. Methods A total of 156 rats were randomly divided into two groups: portal vein perfusion group (groupⅠ, n=78) and abdominal aorta perfusion group (groupⅡ, n=78). After harvesting graft, the left lobe of the liver and the middle lobe were resected and the remaining approximately 30%volumes of the liver were transplanted in groupⅠand groupⅡ. The body weights of donor and acceptor, the weight of graft, the time of operating in donor, the cold ischemia time, anhepatic phase, the blocking time of inferior hepatic vena cava and the time of operating in receptor were recorded in two groups. The serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), pathological HE staining and 7-day survival rate in 6 h, 1 d, 3 d and 7 d after operation were compared between two groups. Results The serum levels of ALT and AST were decreased gradually in two groups, but the levels decreased slowly in groupⅠ. The serum levels of ALT and AST were significantly higher in groupⅠthan those of groupⅡ(P<0.05). HE staining showed greater damage of mi-crostructure of liver tissue at early stage in group Ⅰthan that in groupⅡ. The 7-day survival rate was lower in group Ⅰthan that of groupⅡ(χ2=4.050,P=0.044). Conclusion There is a higher survival rate and mild liver damage in small-for-size liver transplantation in rats using perfusion by abdominal aorta.

Objective To observe the effects of Weipixiao on the ultrastructure of gastric mucosa capillaries in rats with precancerous lesions of gastric cancer ( PLGC). Methods The rats were randomized into six groups, including normal group, model group, Vatacoenayme Tablets group ( 0.2 g·kg-1·d-1) , and high-, middle-, and low- dose Weipixiao groups ( 15, 7.5, and 3.75 g·kg-1·d-1 respectively) . The rats received spontaneous intake of N-methyl-N’-nitro-nitrosoguanidine ( MNNG, 200 μg/mL) solution combined with irregular diet and intragastric administration of purgative herbs Xiao Chengqi Decoction ( 2 mL, containing 1 g/mL crude drug) for 18 weeks to induce spleen-deficiency PLGC. The pathological changes in gastric mucosa and the ultrastructure of gastric mucosa capillaries were observed under the transmission electron microscope. Results The model has been established successfully. Transmission electron microscopy results in the model group showed as severely swollen endothelial cells of gastric mucosa capillaries, severely-narrowing or even blocked vascular lumens, rough and discontinuous basement membrane, and swollen, degenerated or even absent pericytes. And the ultrastructure of gastric mucosa capillaries in high-, middle-, and low- dose Weipixiao groups were improved to some degrees, the effect of low-dose Weipixiao group being the best. Conclusion The improvement of the mucosal microcirculation of spleen-deficiency PLGC rats may be one of the pathohistological mechanisms of Weipixiao for spleen-deficiency PLGC.

The misuse of toxic drugsisseriousone of the threats of public health. In this study, toxic Hyoscyami Semen and its adulterants were identified by DNA barcoding. The genomic DNA was extracted from 61 samples including Hyoscyami Semen and its adulterants by reagent kit method. Their ITS2 sequences were amplified, and purified PCR products were sequenced. Sequence assembly and consensus sequence generation were performed using CodonCode Aligner v 4.25. The genetic distances, variable sites and the neighbor-joning (NJ) phylogenetic tree were computed by MEGA 6.0 in accordance with the Kimura 2-parameter(K2P) model. The results showed that the intra-specific genetic distances of Hyoscyamusniger were 0.005 which were smaller than inter -specific ones (0.360) of H. niger and their adulterants. The NJ tree showed that H. niger was clustered into one monophyletic branch, and clearly separated with other species. Therefore, ITS2 sequence was able to identify Hyoscyami Semen and its adulterants to ensure the safty of medicines.

Objective To evaluate the effects of curcumin on the expression of phosphorylated extracellular signal-related kinase (p-ERK) and phosphorylated cAMP response element binding protein (p-CREB) in the spinal dorsal horn and dorsal root ganglion (DRG) in type 2 diabetic neuropathic pain (DNP) in rats.Methods Type 2 diabetes mellitus was induced by high-fat and high-sucrose diet and intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ) 35mg/kg,and confirmed by fasting blood glucose level≥ 16.7 mmol/L in male Sprague-Dawley rats.Type 2 DNP was confirmed by the mechanical withdrawal threshold (MWT) and thermal withdraw latency (TWL) measured on day 14 after STZ administration ＜ 80％ of the baseline value,and the rats with type 2 DNP were randomly divided into 3 groups (n =27 each):type 2 DNP group (group DNP),curcumin group (group Cur) and solvent control group (group SC).Curcumin and corn oil 100 mg/kg (25 mg/ml) were injected intraperitoneally once a day for 14consecutive days starting from 14 days after administration of streptozocin in Cur and SC groups,respectively.Another 27 normal rats were served as control group (group C) and were fed with common forage.MWT and TWL were measured at 3,7 and 14 days after curcumin injection (T1 3),and the lumbar segment 4-6 of the spinal cord and DRGs were removed at the same time for determination of the expression of p-ERK and p-CREB (by Western blot).Results Compared with group C,MWT was significantly decreased,TWL was shortened,and the expression of p-ERK and p-CREB in spinal dorsal horn and DRGs was up-regulated at T1-3 in DNP and SC groups,and at T1 in Cur group (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with group DNP,MWT was significantly increased,TWL was prolonged,and the expression of p-ERK and p-CREB in spinal dorsal horn and DRGs was down-regulated at T2,3 in Cur group (P ＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the MWT,TWL and expression of p-ERK and p-CREB between DNP and SC groups (P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion Curcumin can attenuate type 2 diabetic DNP by inhibiting up-regulation of the expression of p-ERK and p-CREB in the spinal dorsal horn and DRG in rats.

Objective To explore the regulation function of Icariine on the expression of bone morphogenetic protein signaling pathway Smad1,Smad5,Smad4 and to explore the mechanism of promoting MC3T3-E1 cell proliferation and differentiation.Methods MC3T3-E1 cells were treated by 0,10-9,10-8 and 10-7 mol/L Icariine respectively.After stimulated by Icariine 1 d,2 d and 3 d,MTT method and population diploid time were used to observe the cell proliferation,and the cell alkaline phosphatase (ALP) level was assayed.At 21 days later,the alizarin red staining was proceeded.At 1,2 and 3 days later,the RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression level about Smad1,Smad5 and Smad4,and the Western blot was to detect the Smad1,5 and Smad4 protein.At 2 days later,the RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression level about Runx2,BMP-2 and osteoprotegerin (OPG),and the Western blot was used to analyze osteocalcin (OCN) protein level.Results After simulated by Icariine,the proliferation (MTT test),the ALP activity and mineralization of osteoblasts were increased,the cell population diploid was reduced (P＜0.05).At 1,2 and 3days later,the results of RT-PCR showed that Icariine continued increasing the mRNA level of Smad1,5 and Smad4 in 10-8 mol/L.At 2 days later,Smad1,Smad5 and Smad4 mRNA expression were obviously reduced in 0 mol/L group,and At 3 days later,Smad1,Smad5 and Smad4 mRNA expression were obviously reduced in 10-9 and 10-7 mol/L groups.At 2 days later,BMP-2,Runx2 and OPG mRNA were obviously increased in 10-8 mol/L group.The results of Western blot showed that OCN,Smad1,Smad5 and Smad4 protein were obviously up-regulated in 10-8 mol/L group.Conclusion Icariine occurs the expressions of BMP-2,Runx2,Smad1,Smad5 and Smad4 by stimulating the bone morphology of MC3T3-E1 cells directly,and promotes the osteogenic differentiation in the manner of expression level synchronous rising.

Objective To explore the mechanism of preventive effect of Chinese medicine with Replenishing kidney and invigorating Qi on osteoarthritis. Methods 72 male Long-eared white rabbits aged 4 months were randomly divided into six groups, A group (blank control group), B group (model group), C group (traditional Chinese medicine high-dose prevention group), D group (Chinese herbal medicine with medium-dose prevention group), E group (Chinese herbal medicine with low-dose prevention group), F group (glucose-amino acid hydrochloride capsules prevention group).All the animals apart from A group were established osteoarthritis model by immobilizing knee joint with plaster cast for 6 weeks. In the same time of immobilization, traditional Chinese medicine and glucose-amino acid hydrochloride capsules were given to C, D, E and F group for 4 weeks. Physiological saline was given to B group. After 6 weeks of modeling, synovial fluid was extracted and the changes of TNF-α in it were analyzed by ELISA. Results Articular cartilage degeneration of B group was most obviously compared with C, D, E and F group. There was a significant difference of TNF-α level in comparison of A and B group (P＜0.05), B and C, D, E and F group (P＜0.05), and among C, D and E group. Conclusion Chinese medicine with replenishing kidney and invigorating Qi can prevent osteoarthritis by reducing TNF-α level in synovial fluid, enhancing cartilage cell metabolism, and slowing down cartilage degradation.

In order to authenticate the components of antler powder in the market, DNA barcoding technology coupled with cloning method were used. Cytochrome c oxidase subunit I (COI) sequences were obtained according to the DNA barcoding standard operation procedure (SOP). For antler powder with possible mixed components, the cloning method was used to get each COI sequence. 65 COI sequences were successfully obtained from commercial antler powders via sequencing PCR products. The results indicates that only 38% of these samples were derived from Cervus nippon Temminck or Cervus elaphus Linnaeus which is recorded in the 2010 edition of "Chinese Pharmacopoeia", while 62% of them were derived from other species. Rangifer tarandus Linnaeus was the most frequent species among the adulterants. Further analysis showed that some samples collected from different regions, companies and prices, contained adulterants. Analysis of 36 COI sequences obtained by the cloning method showed that C. elaphus and C. nippon were main components. In addition, some samples were marked clearly as antler powder on the label, however, C. elaphus or R. tarandus were their main components. In summary, DNA barcoding can accurately and efficiently distinguish the exact content in the commercial antler powder, which provides a new technique to ensure clinical safety and improve quality control of Chinese traditional medicine
Animals ; Antlers ; DNA Barcoding, Taxonomic ; Deer ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Powders ; Quality Control