Objective To study the development of visual function in blepharophimosis-ptosis-epianthusinversm syndrome(BPES) and evaluate the clinical effect of Multistage Correction.Design Retrospective case series.Participants 51 cases of BEPS in Beijing Tongren Hospital from June 2005 to May 2009.Methods Refraction and general ophthalmology were performed for each patient. Family history was inquired and corrected surgery were performed for every one.Main Outcome Measures Refraction,the length, width of palpebral fissure,and inner canthal distance were measured both preoperatively and postoperatively.Results 13 of the 51 cases had family history,27 cases had amblyopia and 12 cases had refractive error.4 cases combined with strabismus.Conclusions The risk of refractive error and amblyopia in patients with BPES is much higher than that of normal population,so careful regular visual follow -up and early surgery are necessary.BPES patients tend to have much more chance to get amblyopia,which will impact on the development of visual function,therefore surgery correction at early age is highly suggested.

Objective To explore the expression of tumor necrosis factor(TNF) ligand-related molecule-1A(TL1A) in mice with viral myocarditis(VM) and the role of astragaloside.Methods Fifty-five male Balb/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group,model group,low-dose intervention group and high-dose intervention group.Mice in model group,low-dose intervention group and high-dose intervention group were inoculated with 0.1 mL coxsackie B3 virus intraperitoneally.Then,mice in low-dose intervention group and high-dose intervention group were treated with 10 g?L-1 and 90 g?L-1 astragaloside solution,respectively.Mice in control group and model group were treated with 0.1 mL carboxymethycellulose solution.All mice were killed on the 15thday.Histological cross sections of heart were stained with hematoxylin-eosin and myocardial histopathologic scores were counted under optical microscope.The expressions of myocardial TL1A mRNA and protein were detected by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction and immunohistochemistry.Results The mortality were 0,46.7%,40.0% and 13.3% in control group,model group,low-dose intervention group and high-dose intervention group,respectively.Compared with model group and low-dose intervention group,the mortality was significantly lower in high-dose intervention group(?2=9.46,8.95,Pa

The sequences of ITS, matK, rbcL and psbA-trnH of 9 Gynostemma species or variety including 38 samples were compared and analyzed by molecular phylogeny method. Hemsleya macrosperma was designated as outgroup. The MP and NJ phylogenetic tree of Gynostemma was built based on ITS sequence, the results of PAUP phylogenetic analysis showed the following results: (1) The eight individuals of G. pentaphyllum var. pentaphyllum were not supported as monophyletic in the strict consensus trees and NJ trees. (2) It is suspected whether G. longipes and G. laxum should be classified as the independent species. (3)The classification of subgenus units of Gynostemma plants is supported.
Gynostemma ; classification ; genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phylogeny ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Sequence Analysis, DNA

This study analysed the tissue specific expression of critical genes involved in chlorogenic acid and luteolin biosynthesis, for exploiting the molecular mechanism of components biosynthesis in Lonicera confusa. Expression of PAL, 4CL, C4H, CHS, CHI, FNS and HQT gene families of chlorogenic acid and luteolin biosynthesis-related genes in buds and leaves of L. confusa were analyed by Real-time PCR. Expressions of PAL1, C4H1, 4CL1, CHS1, CHI3 and HQT2 in buds were lower than that in leaves, and expressions of PAL3, 4CL2, CHI2 and FNS2 in buds were higher than that in leaves. The results indicated that that PAL3 and 4CL2 may be associated with accumulation of chlorogenic acid, and the expression patterns of PAL1, CHS1, CHI3 and HQT2 in buds and leaves of L. confusa were different with L. japonica. This study provided some theoretical basis for the further research on genetic mechanism of active components differences in L. confusa and L. japonica.
Biosynthetic Pathways ; Chlorogenic Acid ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Plant ; Lonicera ; genetics ; metabolism ; Luteolin ; biosynthesis ; Multigene Family ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

Alzheimer Disease ; metabolism ; therapy ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; immunology ; metabolism ; Antibodies ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Immunotherapy

Objective:To explore the effects of aloe vera extra (AVE) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammatory response of human periodontal ligament cells(hPDLCs).Methods:hPDLCs were induced with LPS at 1 μg/ml for the simulation of periodontitis model(model group) and then treated by AVE at 0.05,0.1,0.2 mg/ml respectively(AVE group).Cell viability was examined by MTT assay.The level of interleukin-6(IL-6) from cell culture medium was measured by ELISA.The expression of Toll like receptor 4(TLR4) protein was detected by immunocytochemistry staining and the transfer of nuclear factor-kappa B p65 (NF-κB-p65) was observed by immunofluorescence staining.Results:There was no significant difference of the cell viabilities among the groups.IL-6 in culture medium,the expression of TLR4 protein and the transfer of NF-κB-p65 into the nucleus were increased in model group.AVE at 0.05-0.2 mg/ml inhibited the secretion of IL-6 in the cell culture supernatant down-regulated the TLR4 expression,attenuated the transfer of NF-κB-p65 into the nucleus in a concentration-dependent manner.Conclusion:Aloe vera extract can inhibit the inflammation response of hPDLCs induced by LPS through TLR4/ NF-κB-p65 signaling pathway.

Objective To analyze the relationship between the levels of plasma total homocysteine (Hcy) and umbilical arterial with color doppler ultrasound with the severity of preeclampsia(PE).Methods A total of 70 cases of the third trimester of normal pregnancy, 72 cases of mild PE, and 66 cases of severe PE were selected.Then plasma Hcy levels and umbilical arterial with color doppler ultrasound were detected.Results Hcy levels were statistically significant difference among the normal control group,mild PE group,and severe PE group((8.950±0.585), (11.116±0.615), (14.648±0.620) μmol/L,P＜0.05).Umbilical artery blood flow parameter S/D values in severe PE group was significantly higher in mild PE group and in contrg.1 group (3.43 ±0.72 vs.2.86 ± 0.82 vs 2.75 ± 0.56, P＜ 0.05), while the control group, mild PE group had no significant difference(P＞0.05).Resistance index(RI) ,Pulsatility index(PI) in mild PE group and severe PE group were significantly higher than control group(0.60±0.05,0.78±0.07 vs.0.57±0.06;1.24±0.21,1.47±0.64 vs.0.67±0.35), and the differences among three groups were significant(P＜0.05), while the mild PE, severe PE group had no significant difference(P＞0.05).Hcy of mild PE group was positively correlated with S/D, RI and PI(r=0.548,P=0.009;r=0.587,P=0.008;r=0.324,P=0.02).Hcy of severe PE group was positively correlated with S/D,RI and PI(r=0.752,P=0.001;r=0.627,P=0.003;r =0.438,P=0.024).Hcy and the severity of PE was positively correlated (r =0.450, P ＜ 0.05), S/D and the severity of PE was positively correlated(r=0.316, P =0.002).RI, PI and the severity of PE was no correlation (r =0.024, P =0.726;r =0.054,P =0.649).Conclusion The levels of Hcy and S/D were related to the severity of PE.To reduce Hcy,and monitor S/D were new ways for the diagnosis and treatment of pre-eclampsia.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of astragaloside (Astr), one of the active components of the Chinese medical herb Astragulus membranaceus, on cardiac fibrosis in chronic myocarditis and its relevant mechanisms.

METHODSEighty mice were randomized into 3 groups, the control group (n=20), the model group (n=30) and the Astr group (n=30). Mice in the model group and the Astr group were monthly intraperitoneally inoculated with CVB3, but to the control group equal amount of culture fluid was given instead. Mice in the control and the model group were fed with drinking water while those in the Astr group with drinking water containing Astr-sodium carboxymethycellulose at a concentration of 300 mg/L. All the survived mice were sacrificed 3 months later. Heart tissue of mice was stained by picrosirius red for calculating collagen volume fraction (CVF) with an automatic image analysis system. Expressions of transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), platelet derived growth factor (PDGF), matrix metalloproteinase 1 (MMP-1), tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 1 (TIMP-1), MMP-13 and MMP-14 in heart tissue were detected by Western blot analysis.

RESULTSAs compared with the model group, in the Astr group, the mortality and CVF were significantly lower (53.3% vs. 23.3%, chi2 = 4.23, P < 0.05), and (17.4 +/- 1.2% vs. 8.6 +/- 0.9%, chi2 = 5.38, P < 0.05), respectively. As compared with the control group, Western blot analysis showed that expression of TGF-beta1 was decreased, MMP-1 and TIMP-1 were down-regulated, while expressions of MMP-13 and MMP-14 were up-regulated after Astr treatment.

CONCLUSIONAstr could lower the mortality and alleviate the myocardial fibrosis of mice with chronic myocarditis. Its antifibrotic effect might be realized by way of inhibiting TGF-beta1 expression and up-regulating the expressions of MMP-13 and MMP-14 in the heart tissues.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Chronic Disease ; Coxsackievirus Infections ; complications ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Endomyocardial Fibrosis ; etiology ; metabolism ; prevention & control ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 13 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 14 ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Myocarditis ; complications ; drug therapy ; virology ; Random Allocation ; Saponins ; therapeutic use ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; metabolism ; Triterpenes ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo explore the expression of p-p38 MAPK protein and the number of astrocytes expressing p-p38 MAPK in CA1 hippocampus in rats during the induction of brain ischemic tolerance induced by intermittent hypobaric hypoxia (IH) preconditioning.

METHODSThirty healthy adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into 6 groups (n = 5 in each group): sham 0 min group, IH + sham 0 min group, sham 7 d group, IH + sham 7 d group, Ischemia (Is) 7 d group, and IH + Is 7 d group. Neuropathological evaluation was performed by thionine staining in CA1 hippocampus in rats. The expression of p-p38 MAPK in CA1 hippocampus was observed by immunohistochemical staining. And the number of astrocytes expressing p-p38 MAPK was observed by immunofluorescent double labeling.

RESULTSThe results showed that IH preconditioning induced brain ischemic tolerance successfully. At the same time, IH preconditioning obviously up-regulated the expression of p-p38 MAPK protein in CA1 hippocampus, and also increased the number of astrocytes expressing p-p38 MAPK.

CONCLUSIONIt might be concluded that IH preconditioning induced brain ischemic tolerance by up-regulating the expression of p-p38 MAPK protein in pyramidal neurones and astrocytes.

Animals ; Astrocytes ; enzymology ; pathology ; Brain Ischemia ; enzymology ; pathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hippocampus ; enzymology ; Hypoxia ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; methods ; Male ; Phosphorylation ; Pressure ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE To explore the risk factors of gas gangrene after open trauma for its early diagnosis and precaution.METHODS The data of 42 patients with gas gangrene after open trauma from Aug 2003 to Aug 2008,were collected.The risk factors of gas gangrene after open trauma had been retrospectively analyzed from the cause of the injuries,the distribution of latent period,wound,systemic symptoms,laboratory examination and treatment.RESULTS Gas gangrene after injury was related with open wounds for various reasons.Latent period of gas gangrene was 24-72 h.Early risk factors of gas gangrene among them mainly included degloved or avulsed skin-injury(100%),musce trauma(100.00%),contaminated wound and retained foreign bodies(95.24%),weak pulse of peripheral artery(95.24%),nervous injury(90.48%),and lower temperature of skin aound the wound(83.33%).There were obviously systemic symptoms in infective stage but in early stage were not.CONCLUSIONS Gas gangrene is extremely rare in injury patients but it is life-threatening.So more attention should be paid to the risk factors in order to decrease the incidence of gas gangrene after trauma.Improving the prognosis of patients;the wounded locations should be effectively treated early so as to improve the prognosis.