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

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.

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.

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

Objective To explore the relationship between the diabetic retinopathy (DR) and the carotid artery intima-media thickness(IMT) in type 2 diabetic patients to reveal the relationship between macroangiopathy and microangiopathy in diabetic patients further. Methods One hundred and tweenty-three diabetic cases in patient chosen from 2008 to 2009 were divided into diabetic retinopathy group(DR) and non-diabetic retinopathy group(NDR) by fundus examination. The patients were asked about their disease history including durations, smoking and so on. Meanwhile the carotid artery IMT, systolic pressure (SBP), diastolic pressure (DBP), serum total cholesterol, triglycerides, high density lipoprotein (HDL)-cholesterol, low density lipoprotein (LDL)-cholesterol, glycosylated hemoglobin(HbAlc), body mass index(BMI) were measured of all the cases. The incidence of increased carotid artery IMT was cmpared with χ2 test, as well as the average IMT between the two groups, the influencing factors artery IMT was 50.98%(26/51) in DR group, and 33.33%(24/72) in NDR group, having a statistically significant showed the diabetic retinopathy risk factors were smoking(χ2=6.20, P<0.05), duration(t=-4.13, P<0.01). carotid artery IMT(t=-2.21, P<0.05), SBP(t=-2.37, P<0.05), and HDL-cholesterol(t=4.49, all P<0.01). 12.77, all P<0.01), carotid artery 1MT and smoking(χ2=6.05,4.15, all P<0.05). Conclusions Type 2 diabetic patients complicated with DR have a prominent increase in IMT thickening proportion and average IMT, which reveals the relationship between the DR and the IMT.

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

Objective To study prospectively the safety and efficacy of the thromblytic therapy in acute submassive pulmonary thromboembolism (PTE) without randomized control.Methods A total of consecutive 177 patients with acute submassive PTE admitted to the emergency intensive care unit were screened from June of 2005 to May of 2012.After a comprehensive screening,102 patients were treated with thrombolytic therapy (TT group),and 75 with anticoagulation therapy (AT group).Clinical signs and physical examination findings were recorded 2 hours,24 hours and 7 days after treatment.Echocardiography (ECG) was repeated 24 hours later.Lung perfusion scan and CT pulmonary artery (CTPA) were repeated on the 7th day.All data was analyzed by paired t test and Chi-square test.Results ①Bleeding happened in 6 patients of TT group and in 1 patient of AT group (P ＞ 0.05),and no lethal hemorrhage occurred in the two groups.There were no statistically significant differences in demographics and clinical history of patients between TT group and AT group (P ＞ 0.05).②There were statistically significant changes in respiratory rate,heart rate and systolic blood pressure in the TT group 2 hours after treatment and great changes in systolic pressure of pulmonary artery (SPAP) and tricuspid regurgitation at 24 hours after treatment (P ＜0.01),whereas obvious change in respiratory rate in AT group was found 24 hours after treatment.③In the TT group 7 days after treatment,significant efficiency rate and total improvement of the deep vein thrombosis (DVT) identified by ultrasonography were 83.0％ and 96.2％ respectively,and those of CTPA and lung perfusion scan were 66.7％ and 98％ respectively.The efficiency of TT was significantly superior over AT in this respect (P ＜ 0.01).④The efficiency of TT given within 3 days after onset of PTE was significantly higher than that of TT conferred over 3 days after onset of PTE (P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions ①Thrombolytic therapy is safe and effective for the submassive PTE,but atypical cerebrovascular accident must be rule out first.②Thrombolytic therapy can improve the symptom of the patient in 2 hours compare with AT.③ Thrombus burden can be reduced more obviously in TT group after 7 days treatment compare with the AT group.④The effect of thrombolytic therapy depends on the time as ti given during the course of disease,the earlier administration the better efficacy.