Objective: To study whether the neuroprotective effect of tibolone during cerebral ischemia injury is associated with its anti-apoptosis effect. Methods: A total of 30 healthy adult female Sprague Dawley rats were evenly randomized into sham-operated group, ovariectomized group, and tibolone group(0.25 mg/[kg·d]). Brain ischemia model was induced by left middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) for 2 hours followed by 24 hours reperfusion. All animals were killed and the cerebral infarction volumes were determined by 2,3,5-triphenyltetrazlium chloride (TTC) staining and image analysis. Apoptotic cells were labeled by Terminal deoxynucleotidyl Transferase-mediated dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL). The expression of Bcl-2, Bax, and caspase-3 was analyzed by immunohistochemical SP method. Results: Compared with the sham-operated group(P<0.05), cerebral infarction volume was significantly reduced, TUNEL positive cells was significantly decreased(P<0.01), Bcl-2 positive cells were significantly increased, and Bax(P<0.01), caspase-3 postive cells were significantly reduced compared with tibolone treated groups (P<0.01). Conclusion: Tibolone can inhibit the neuron apoptosis following cerebral ischemia injury in OVX rats, displaying a neuroprotective effect.

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in the directional differentiation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into Leydig cells.

METHODSAfter purification and identification, we inoculated the third-generation BMSCs of SD rats onto a six-orifice board and then randomly divided them into groups A (normal saline control), B (human chorionic gonadotropin [hCG] + platelet-derived growth factor [PDGF] induction), C (hCG + PDGF + 5.0 ng/ml bFGF induction), D (hCG + PDGF + 10.0 ng/ml bFGF induction), and E (hCG + PDGF + 20.0 ng/ml bFGF induction). On the 7th, 14th and 21st day of induction, we observed the morphological changes of the cells and measured the level of testosterone (T) and expression of 3 beta hydroxy steroid dehydrogenase (3β-HSD) in the supernatant by immunofluorescence staining.

RESULTSAfter induction, the BMSCs of groups B, C, D, and E exhibited microscopic features of enlarged size, inter-connection, long-shuttle or irregular shape, adherent growth, and large round nuclei, all characteristic of Leydig cells. With the prolonging of time and enhanced concentration of bFGF, gradual increases were observed in the T level and the count of 3β-HSD-positive BMSCs in the four induction groups, with statistically significant differences between group B and groups C, D, and E (P < 0.05), as well as between group C and groups D and E (P < 0.05), but not between D and E (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe bFGF has an obvious promoting effect in the in vitro induced differentiation of rat BMSCs into Leydig cells.

Animals ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cell Differentiation ; Cells, Cultured ; Chorionic Gonadotropin ; metabolism ; Fibroblast Growth Factor 2 ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Leydig Cells ; cytology ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testosterone ; metabolism

To compare posterior choroidal thickness in high myopia amblyopia eyes at different points to high myopia and normal eyes of Chinese children and investigate the relationships between choroidal thickness, axial length and age.METHODS: Fifty Chinese children (65 eyes) with age 4~15 years ( mean 9. 91 ± 3. 41 years) were recruited. By atropine optometry they were divided into high myopia amblyopia group ( 24 eyes ) , high myopia group ( 19 eyes ) , and normal group ( 22 eyes ) . Choroidal scans were obtained for all eyes using enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography ( EDl-OCT) . Subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), macular thinkness, choroidal thickness and retinal thickness at 0. 5, 1. 0, 1. 5, 2.0, 2.5, 3.0mm superior (S, 12:00 position), temporal ( T, 9:00 position) , inferior ( l, 6:00 position) , nasal ( N, 3:00 position) were measured. Meanwhile, axial lengths of all eyes were measured by A-Scan. RESULTS: Compared high myopia group and emmetropia group, SFCT and the thickness of choroids on each position were thinnest in high myopic amblyopia group, with statistically significant differences (P<0. 05). There was a significant negative correlation between SFCT and axial length in high myopic amblyopia group (r=-0. 531, R2 =0. 282, F=7. 476, P=0. 013), with no relative in age (r=-0. 292, R2=0. 085, F=2. 044, P=0. 167).CONCLUSlON: The choroidal thickness thinning in high myopic amblyopia shows a negative correlation with axial length.

·AlM:To investigate the retinal thickness change of high myopia amblyopic children, so as to discuss the relationships between the retinal thickness of central fovea of macula and the factors of axis oculi and age. · METHODS:Thirty-nine children ( 65 eyes ) with the average age of ( 9.91 3.41 ) years were recruited.All eyes were ruled out the pathological changes of fundus diseases and front section. After a tropine optometry, they were divided into three groups: high myopia amblyopic group ( 24 eyes ) , high myopia group ( 19 eyes) and normal group ( 22 eyes ) .Retinal scans were obtained for all eyes using Heidelberg optical coherence tomography ( OCT ) . Subfoveal macular thickness, retinal thickness at 0.5mm, 1.0mm, 1.5mm, 2.0mm, 2.5mm, 3.0mm superior ( S, 12∶00 position), temporal (T, 9∶00 position), inferior (l, 6∶00 position) and nasal (N, 3∶00 position) from the fovea were measured and axial length was also surveyed by A -ultrasound. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate retinal thickness at each location and to correlate subfoveal macular thickness with axial length and age.
·RESULTS:The average subfoveal macular thinkness of the high myopia amblyopic group was thinner than high myopia group but thicker than normal group.There was no statistical difference between three groups (P>0.05). Retinal thickness inferior to the fovea at 0.5mm temporal and superior to the fovea in the high myopia amblyopic group at 1.0mm temporal were both thinner than normal group which had statistically significant ( P <0.05 ). Retinal thickness on nasal, superior, temporal, and inferior at 1.5mm, 2.0mm, 2.5mm, 3.0mm from the fovea were measured, high myopia amblyopic group were the thinnest in the three groups, and there was statistically significant between three groups ( P<0.05). There was no correlation between the average subfoveal macular thickness and axial length, age in high myopia amblyopic group.
· CONCLUSlON:There are significant abnormalities of macula retinal structure in high myopia amblyopic children.

AIM: To research the peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer ( RNFL ) thickness change in high myopia amblyopic children and to discuss the relationships among RNFL thickness, axial length and age.
METHODS:Thirty-five Chinese children (59 eyes) with a mean age of ( 9. 59 ±2. 90 ) years were recruited. All eyes were ruled out the pathological changes of fundus diseases and front section. By atropine optometry after they were divided into: high myopia amblyopia group (22 eyes), high myopia group (15 eyes), normal group (22 eyes) . RNFL scans were obtained for all eyes using optical coherence tomography and axial length was also surveyed by A - ultrasound. Statistical analyses were performed to evaluate RNFL thickness at each location with axial length and age.
RESULTS:The peripapillary RNFL thickness in temporal of high myopia amblyopia group was thinner than that in
high myopia group, and thicker than that in normal group. The peripapillary RNFL thickness in nasal, superior, inferior and the average thickness of high myopia amblyopia group were thinner than those in high myopia and normal gruops. The peripapillary RNFL thickness in inferior and average thickness of high myopia amblyopia group were significantly thinner than those of high myopia (P<0. 05). The peripapillary RNFL thickness in nasal, superior, inferior and the average thickness of high myopia amblyopia group were significantly thinner than those of normal (P<0. 01). The peripapillary RNFL thickness in temporal of high myopia group was significantly thicker, and in nasal, superior, inferior and the average thickness were significantly thinner than those of normal (P<0. 05). The thickness of peripapillary RNFL in inferior showed a negative correlation with axial length in high myopia amblyopia group (R=0. 474, R2=0. 225, F=4. 933, P=0. 040). The thickness of peripapillary RNFL in superior showed a negative correlation with axial length in high myopia group (R=0. 642, R2=0. 412, F=9. 104,P=0. 010). These were no correlation between the peripapillary RNFL thickness and age in high myopia amblyopia, myopia amblyopia and normal.
CONCLUSION:There are significant abnormalities of retinal structure in high myopia amblyopia.

Objective To observe the alteration of bone metabolism and to study the pathogenesis of osteoporosis and factors in elderly patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary diseases (COPD). Methods The biochemical markers of bone metabolism, bone mineral density (BMD) of the lumbar spine and the right femur, parameters of calcaneal quantitative ultrasound(QUS), blood partial pressure and pulmonary functions in 39 male patients with COPD and 30 controls were measured. Results The broadband ultrasonic attenuation (BUA) and the speed of sound (SOS), BMD of the lumbar spines and the femur were significantly lower than that in control group. The biochemical markers of bone metabolism such as HOP/Cr, Ca/Cr, and PTH in the COPD group was significantly raised than that in control group〔(60 2?7 0)dB/MHz vs (66 5?4 9)dB/Mhz,(1 328 4?41 5)m/s vs (1 505 8?26 9)m/s,23% vs 34%,21% vs25%〕. The serum levels of Testosterone(T) reduced significantly ( P

Objective To make the scale for the compliance of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) during home oxygen therapy.Methods By literature searching,semi-structured interview,expert consultation,as well as pre test,the tentative scale was formed at first.Then the investigation was conducted among 324 patients with COPD selected.Finally the scale was formed by testing the reliability and validity.Results The scale was made up of two dimensions with 16 items in total.It showed that Cronbach α coefficient was 0.984,split-half reliability was 0.976,and content validity index was 0.98.The exploratory factor analysis combined with AMOS 7.0 confirmatory factor analysis was used for construct validity of the home oxygen therapy compliance scale.Conclusions The self-management behavior scale for patients with COPD shows good reliability and validity,which can be used to evaluate the compliance during home oxygen therapy and provide reference tool for COPD patients' family intervention.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and safety ofGuipi Decoction vs. antidepressants for depression. Methods Articles about the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) ofGuipi Decoction for depression were searched in the databases of CNKI, VIP, Wanfang Data, CMB, Embase, PubMed, and Cochrane Library. Two researchers independently screened the articles, extracted the data, and evaluated the methodological quality. Meta-analyses were performed by using RevMan 5.2 software.Results A total of 9 RCTs articles involving 893 cases were included. Meta-analysis results suggested that as compared with antidepressants only,Guipi Decoction together with antidepressants was associated with a significantly greater reduction in HAMD scores (MD=-4.63, 95%CI [-5.95, -3.32];P<0.001). There was no significant difference in HAMD scores betweenGuipi Decoction used alone and antidepressants (MD=-0.30, 95%CI [-4.22, 3.62];P=0.88). As compared with antidepressants,Guipi Decoction together with antidepressants increased in the rates of total effective events (RR=1.26, 95%CI [1.14, 1.38];P<0.001). No serious adverse reactions were reported. Meta-analysis results suggested that the incidence of adverse reactions of Guipi Decoction(RR=0.48, 95%CI [0.40, 0.58];P<0.001) andGuipi Decoction together with antidepressants (RR=0.51, 95%CI [0.30, 0.85];P=0.010) were lower than that of antidepressants alone.Conclusion The present evidence suggests thatGuipi Decoction is effective and relatively safe for patients with depression. However, because the quality of included research was low, more large-scale RCTs with multicenter and high quality are needed for further verification.

Survivin is a protein that inhibits apoptosis and regulates cell division.The cDNA sequence of survivin was amplified by RT-PCR and sub-cloned into the prokaryotic expression vector pET-21b(+),followed by transformation into E.coli strain BL21(DE3) and induction with IPTG.The recombinant survivin protein fusing with 6?His tag was expressed in E.coli in the form of inclusion body at the expression level over 60% of the total cell protein.Results of Western blotting showed that recombinant survivin reacted specifically with anti-human survivin antibody.After gel filtration,the recombinant protein reached the purity over 95%,which facilitate the study of diagnosing and inhibitor agents targeting survivin.

Objective To study metabolism of polyunsantured fatty acid (PUFA) and to investigate the relationship between different PUFA compositions and △6 desaturase (D6D) activity in colorectal carcinoma (CRC).Methods Fresh frozen malignant CRC tissues were obtained from 61 patients and blood samples were detected in 38 patients.The PUFA composition in these samples was determined by gas-liquid chromatography on a capillary column.The fatty acid product-to-precursor ratios in blood and tissue as estimates of desaturase activity (D6D activity index),and its relationship with the ratios between different PUFA compositions were investigated.Results Metabolism of ω-6 PUFA dominated in PUFA metabolism path.The ratio of ω-6/ω-3 PUFA was 4.89 in blood samples and 10.15 in tissues.The ratio of LA/ALA was 101.92 in blood samples and 86.16 in tissues.The ratio of ω-6/ω-3 LC-PUFA was 2.86 in blood samples and 4.51 in tissues.The D6D activity index in ω-6 PUFA metabolic processes both in tissues (t =1 1.609,P =0.00) and blood samples (t =-9.151,P =0.00) were higher than that in ω-3 PUFA.Conclusion In colorectal carcinoma,the ω-6 PUFA metabolic not only plays an important role in the metabolism of PUFA,but also is more active than the ω-3 PUFA metabolic,and in some way links to the development of tumorigenesis in CRC.