Objective To investigate the factors associated with vision and hole closure for idiopathic macular hole (IMH) after vitrectomy surgery.Methods Eighty-nine eyes of 89 patients with IMH were enrolled in this retrospective study.There were 15 males and 74 females.The patients aged from 42 to 82 years,with the mean age of (64.13 ± 7.20) years.All subjects underwent best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) examinations.The BCVA ranged from 0.01 to 0.4,with the mean BCVA of 0.12 ± 0.09.The MH stages was ranged from 2 to 4,with the mean stages of 3.56 ± 0.77.The basal diameter ranged from 182 μm to 1569 μm,with the mean basal diameter of (782.52± 339.17) μm.The treatment was conventional 25G pars plana vitrectomy combined with phacoemulsification and intraocular implantation.Fortyone eyes received internal limiting membrane peeling and 48 eyes received internal limiting membrane grafting.The follow-up ranged from 28 to 720 days,with the mean follow-up of (153.73 ± 160.95) days.The visual acuity and hole closure were evaluated on the last visit and the possible related factors were analyzed.Results On the last visit,the BCVA ranged from 0.02 to 0.8,with the mean BCVA of 0.26±0.18.Among 89 eyes,vision improved in 45 eyes (50.56％) and stabled in 44 eyes (49.44％).Eighty-six eyes (96.63％) gained MH closure but 3 eyes (3.37％) failed.By analysis,patients of early stages of MH and smaller basal diameter of MH will gain better vision outcome (t=2.092,2.569;P＜ 0.05) and patients of early stage MH will gain high hole closure rate after surgery for IMH (t=-5.413,P＜0.05).However,gender,age,duration,preoperative BCVA,surgery technique,gas types and follow-up time had no relationship with the effect after surgery for IMH (P＞0.05).Conclusions Stages of MH and basal diameter of MH may be the factors associated with the visual outcome for idiopathic macular hole after surgery.However,age,gender,duration,surgery patterns,gas types and followup time showed no effects on operational outcomes.

Acupuncture has remarkable effects of pain relieving and functional restoration on injuries of soft tissue and joint due to military training. As more and more attention has been attached to the impact of psychological states and biorhythm disorder on the fighting ability of military staff, acupuncture has found its place in treating chronic fatigue, combat stress reaction, traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress disorder as well as regulating circadian rhythms. The therapeutic effect of acupuncture in military training-related physical damage and psychological trauma has already been proved by numerous clinical practices and researches. It is held that using acupuncture as an alternative could not only save medical resources, but also enhance the fighting ability of the army. However, the current clinical studies is facing the problem of limited sample size. Therefore, randomized controlled trials in large scale and multiple centers should be further carried out toward military staff, so as to provide more speaking evidences to the prevention and treatment of physical and psychological diseases.
Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Military Personnel ; psychology ; Pain Management ; Stress Disorders, Post-Traumatic ; therapy ; Wounds and Injuries ; therapy ; Young Adult

AIMTo study the crystalline characteristics of ceftezole sodium.

METHODSCeftezole sodium crystals were obtained from different solvents. X-ray diffraction, DSC, TGA, etc were used to analyze the crytals.

RESULTSCeftezole sodium crystal was easily obtained in isopropanol-water mixture. It consists of ceftizole sodium monohydrate, which consists of type I and type II two different crystal forms. Powder X-ray diffraction patterns showed differences between type I and the type II crystal forms. Peaks at 8 degrees and 18 degrees in diffractograms of the type I, but at 9 degrees and 18.6 degrees in the type II could be observed. Water molecules in different crystal forms had different combining condition. They lost during 35-117 degrees C in the type I form, but lost during 110-160 degrees C in the type II form.

CONCLUSIONStructure of ceftizole sodium monohydrate crystal obtained in different circumstance could be some vary, which influence upon the thermal stability of the compound. The type I crystal form is more stable than the type II.

Cefazolin ; analogs & derivatives ; chemistry ; classification ; Crystallization ; Crystallography, X-Ray ; Drug Stability ; Molecular Conformation ; Molecular Structure

OBJECTIVETo isolate and elucidate the chemical constituents with the cytotoxicity activity from the rhizome of Actaea asiatica.

METHODThe chemical constituents were isolated by repeated column chromatography (Toyopearl HW40C and preparative HPLC) and the structure of compound 1 was elucidated by spectral data analysis.

RESULTA cycloartane triterpene saponin com- pound was isolated and identified to be (23R)-16beta, 23: 23alpha, 26: 24alpha: 25-triepoxy-9, 19-cyclolanost-7-en-3beta-O-beta-D-xylopyranoside.

CONCLUSIONCompound 1 was a new compound and named (23R)-26-deoxycimicifugoside. The IC50 values of compound 1 for cell growth inhibition of Hela and L929 cell lines were 72.24 and 55.97 mg x L(-1), respectively.

Actaea ; chemistry ; Animals ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Humans ; Mice ; Plant Structures ; chemistry ; Saponins ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo study the protective effects of blueberry against rat immune hepatic fibrosis, specifically through the expression of hepatic cytochrome P450 2E1.

METHODFifty Wistar rats were randomly divided into five study groups (n = 10 each): Group A: normal control group, Group B: hepatic fibrosis model group, Group C: preventive group administered blueberry juice, Group D: preventive group administered Fu-Fang-Bie-Jia-Ruan-Gan tablet, and Group E: preventive group administered a combination of blueberry juice and Fu-Fang-Bie-Jia-Ruan-Gan tablet. The hepatic fibrosis model was established by intraperitoneal injection of porcine serum once daily for 12 weeks. Simultaneously, rats in preventive groups (Groups C-E) were perfused with blueberry juice or Fu-Fang-Bie-Jia-Ruan-Gan tablet or combinations of blueberry juice and Fu-Fang-Bie-Jia-Ruan-Gan tablet, respectively, for 12 weeks. The normal control group was perfused with saline for 12 weeks. All animals were sacrificed at the end of the 12 weeks, and serum levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT) were measured and activities of superoxide dismutase (SOD), malondialdehyde (MDA), and hydroxyproline (Hyp) in liver homogenates were determined. Pathology of hepatic fibrosis was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) and Masson staining. Expression of CYP2E1 was detected by real-time RT-PCR, immunohistochemical techniques, and Western blotting.

RESULTSSerum ALT levels were not significantly different in the control and treatment groups (F=4.056, P more than 0.05): A: 37.87+/-4.53 U/L, B: 49.23+/-9.81 U/L, C: 39.94+/-6.32 U/L, D: 40.50+/-5.70 U/L, and E: 38.24+/-8.43 U/L. Compared with Group B, the pathological stages of hepatic fibrosis were significantly reduced in the prevention groups (C-E) (F=95.097, P less than 0.05). Hyp and MDA in liver homogenates of groups C-E were significantly lower than those of Group B (Hyp: C: 472.68+/-44.14 mug/g, D: 416.12+/-39.38 mug/g, E: 429.51+/-55.14 mug/g vs. B: 603.16+/-68.92 mug/g, F=39.315, P less than 0.05; MDA: C: 0.83+/-0.06 nmol/mg, D: 0.96+/-0.08 nmol/mg, E: 0.85+/-0.06 nmol/mg vs. B: 1.24+/-0.15 nmol/mg, F=46.376, P less than 0.05). In contrast, SOD activities in Group C-E were significantly higher than those in Group B (C: 2.47+/-0.38 U/mg, D: 1.95+/-0.45 U/mg, E: 2.16+/-0.23 U/mg vs. B: 1.56+/-0.41 U/mg, F=25.557, P less than 0.05). Compared with Group A, the mRNA and protein expressions of CYP2E1 were increased in groups B-E, however the differences did not reach statistical significance (mRNA: F=0.897, protein: F=0.492, both P more than 0.05). The mRNA and protein expressions of CYP2E1 in groups C-E were lower than those of Group B, however the differences did not reach statistical significance (mRNA: F=0.897, protein: F=0.492, P more than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONBlueberry exhibits certain protective effects against porcine serum-induced hepatic fibrosis in rats. The expression of hepatic cytochrome P450 2E1 in rats with immune hepatic fibrosis is not significantly different from the normal rats. Blueberry has no effect on the expression of hepatic cytochrome P4502E1.

Animals ; Blueberry Plants ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2E1 ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fruit ; Immune System Diseases ; metabolism ; Liver Cirrhosis, Experimental ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

In order to explore if mature neurons derived from neural stem cells have the potentiality to divide, we utilized the chemical digestion method to disperse the adult rat brain tissue into single cells, and culture them in serum-free medium. After being cultured for about eight days in vitro, the neural stem cells were induced to differentiate into neurons. The neurons were further induced to divide. Utilizing the method of serial photograph and NF-160 immunocytochemistry, the processes of division of some neurons were recorded. At the same time, PCNA+NF-160 (or Chat, GABA, GAD) double label were used to investigate if the dividing-neurons were mature ones. After the neural stem cells were induced to differentiate in vitro for eight days, they possessed the shape and character of mature neurons. The differentiated neuron had a big nucleus and one or two distinct nucleolus in the nuclear. Within the perikaryon,there were a large amount of dense and Nissl body-like structure. Several long processes emerged from various locations of the cell body. Then, EGF and bFGF were added into the medium to induce division. After two days of induced-division, neuron-like cells were observed to divide; moreover, the number of neuron-like cells in the region increased continually. Immunocytochemistry demonstrated these cells were NF-160-positive. Serial photographs of dividing-process of neuron-like cells were obtained and their daughter cells were also NF-160-positive. After PCNA+NF-160 (or Chat, GABA, GAD) double label, some cells showed brown cell plasma and black nucleus. The above-mentioned results indicate that neurons, which were previously thought to be end-differentiated, can be re-called into cell cycle under appropriate conditions. Mature neurons still have the potential to divide, proliferate and self-renew.
Animals ; Brain ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cell Division ; Cell Separation ; Cells, Cultured ; Epidermal Growth Factor ; pharmacology ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; pharmacology ; Neurons ; cytology ; Photography ; methods ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Stem Cells ; cytology

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of acupoint thread embedding in preventing urinary retention after cervical cancer surgery.Method Fifty eligible patients were randomized into a treatment group and a control group, 25 cases each. The control group was given catheterization after gynecological surgery; the treatment group was intervened by thread embedding at Zusanli (ST36), Sanyinjiao (SP6), Yinlingquan (SP9), Guanyuan (CV4), and Shenshu (BL23) on the 7th day after the surgery in addition to the basic intervention given to the control group. The indwelling catheter was removed on the 14th day after the surgery, and the bladder function, urination, and residual urine volume were compared between the two groups.Result After the treatment, the bladder function in the treatment group was significantly better than that in the control group (P<0.05); the markedly effective rate of spontaneous micturition was 92.0% in the treatment group versus 72.0% in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).Conclusion Early intervention with acupoint thread embedding after cervical cancer surgery can effectively decrease the incidence of post-surgery urinary retention, and it's easy-to-operation and worth application in clinic.

Objective To investigate the current status of mouse euthanasia methods in China,and to provide the reference and basis for the administrative authorities of laboratory animal management to master the implementation of"euthanasia"and formulate related policies. Methods Research papers containing the terms of"mouse"and"execution"in Chinese characters during the period from 2015 to 2016 were searched in Wanfang database,and statistical analysis was performed with the articles meeting the searching criteria. Results A total of 890 research articles met the searching criteria,of which 351 articles clearly described the killing method, accounting for only 39.44%. The mouse-killing methods included cervical dislocation, decapitation, exsanguination and sampling after anesthesia, excessive anesthesia,abdominal aorta bleeding and carbon dioxide asphyxiation, among them cervical dislocation accounted for the highest rate,75.78%. Conclusions The current implementation of mouse euthanasia methods in our country has been far from optimistic. The mouse euthanasis methods have often been ignored in scientific articles and the description of the methods is not standardized. In order to promote the effective implementation of the regulations related to mouse euthanasia,it is needed to promote the study of related techniques and to strengthen personnel training.

To further study the characteristics of changes on the molecular level of rice mutants induced in space environment, we analyzed proteins in leaves and seeds of four rice mutants (two high-tillering and two low-tillering) in the 8(th) and 9(th) generations after a 15-day spaceflight, and compared with their ground controls by two-dimentional polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis and reverse phase liquid chromatography (RPLC). In addition, the albumin, globulin, prolamine, glutelin, and amylose of the mutant seeds were analyzed by RPLC and ultra-violet spectrometry. The results showed that the low-abundance proteins of leaves in the peak tillering stage are more likely to be induced compared with their corresponding controls. The albumin, globulin, and prolamine of the mutant seeds revealed changes when compared with their controls, and the characteristics of changes in different mutants were stably inherited in the 8(th) and 9(th) generations, suggesting that they can be used as bio markers to identity the mutants induced by spaceflight. Moreover, two proteins (SSP9111 and SSP6302) were found to be expressed with high intensity (two-fold change) in different mutants, which were both correlated with photosystem according to mass spectrometry and database searching.
Albumins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Amylose ; genetics ; metabolism ; Chromatography, Liquid ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Extraterrestrial Environment ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Genetic Variation ; Genomic Instability ; Globulins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Mass Spectrometry ; Mutation ; Oryza ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plant Leaves ; genetics ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Prolamins ; Seeds ; genetics ; Space Flight

BACKGROUNDThe CKLF-like MARVEL transmembrane domain-containing family (CMTM) is a novel family of proteins linking chemokines and TM4SF. Different members exhibit diverse biological functions. In this study, the effect of intracellular CMTM2 on regulating human immunodeficiency virus type-1 (HIV-1) transcription was evaluated.

METHODSThe effects of CMTM2 on regulating full-length HIV-1 provirus and the HIV-1 long terminal repeat (LTR)-directed transcription were assessed by luciferase assay. Transcription factor assays, using the luciferase reporter plasmids of AP-1, CRE, and NF-κB were conducted to explore the signaling pathway(s) that may be regulated by CMTM2. The potential relationship between CMTM2 and the transcription factor AP-1 was further analyzed by Western blotting analyses to investigate the effect of CMTM2 on PMA-induced ERK1/2 phosphorylation.

RESULTSThe results from the current study revealed that CMTM2 acts as a negative regulator of HIV-1 transcription. CMTM2 exerted a suppressive action on both full-length HIV-1 provirus and HIV-1 LTR-directed transcription. Transcription factor assays showed that CMTM2 selectively inhibited basal AP-1 and CREB activity. Co-expression of HIV-1 Tat, a potent AP-1 and CREB activator, can not reverse CMTM2-mediated AP-1 and CREB inhibition, suggesting a potent and specific effect of CMTM2 on negatively regulating these two signaling pathways.

CONCLUSIONIntracellular CMTM2 can negatively regulate HIV-1 transcription, at least in part, by targeting the AP-1 and CREB pathways. Exploring the mechanisms further may lead to new ways to control HIV-1 replication.

Chemokines ; physiology ; Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein ; antagonists & inhibitors ; HIV Long Terminal Repeat ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; Humans ; Intracellular Space ; metabolism ; Jurkat Cells ; MARVEL Domain-Containing Proteins ; Tetradecanoylphorbol Acetate ; pharmacology ; Transcription Factor AP-1 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Transcription, Genetic ; U937 Cells