AIM: To screen TIGR/myocilin gene (MYOC) mutation in high myopic Chinese children with family history.METHODS: Gene sequencing was performed in exon 3 of the TIGR gene in high myopic Chinese Children. The coding sequence of TIGR exon 3 was screened by capillary electrophoresis sequencing. The sequence alterations were analyzed by bioinformatics.RESULTS: TIGR gene mutation was not found in high myopic patients and normal controls group.CONCLUSION: No identified gene mutation is found in TIGR gene in high myopic Chinese children.

BACKGROUNDThe feasibility of the mapping of quantitative cerebral blood flow (CBF) named flow-sensitive alternating inversion recovery exempting separate T1 measurement (FAIREST) is still controversial. This study aimed to evaluate the reliability of FAIREST in the measurement of regional CBF (rCBF) in healthy volunteers.

METHODSEighteen healthy volunteers underwent magnetic resonance (MR) scanning with the sequence of FAIREST. While they were at rest, rCBF values were obtained in various brain regions of interest (ROIs). The same scheme was repeated on every subject after two weeks. Statistical analysis was made to determine the effect of location, scan and side on the measurement of rCBF.

RESULTSThe mean CBF values were (122+/-28) ml x (100 g)(-1) x min(-1) and (43+/-10) ml x (100 g)(-1) x min(-1) in the gray and white matter respectively. There was significant main effect of location (t=-12.5, P<0.01), but no significant effect of side. Paired t-test of ROIs in the same slice showed no significant difference in most sites between two scans, except in the gray matter of the bilateral frontal lobes (t=2.18-2.34, P <0.05). However, the rCBF values of the same structure obtained from different slices showed a significant difference (t=-3.49, P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONFAIREST is a reliable technique in the measurement of rCBF, but different imaging slice may affect the agreement of rCBF across the scans.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Cerebrovascular Circulation ; Female ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of balance acupuncture predominantly by puncturing Jiaji points (EX-B2) from C4 to T1and from T12 to L1in treating hemiplegic balance disturbance after cerebral stroke. Method A total of 180 hemiplegia patients were randomized into 3 groups, 60 cases in balance acupuncture group, 60 cases in ordinary acupuncture group, and 60 cases in basic control group. After 1-month treatment and 3 months after the treatment, the motor function (Fugl-Meyer Assessment, FMA), balance function (Berg Balance Scale, BBS; Timed Up and Go Test, TUGT), and activities of daily living (ADL) (Barthel Index, BI) were observed.Result After 1-month treatment and 3 months after the treatment, limb function, balance ability and ADL were significantly different from those before the treatment in balance acupuncture group (P<0.01); after 1-month treatment, limb function in balance acupuncture group was significantly different from that in basic control group (P<0.05), and the differences were more statistically significant in comparing the rest indexes between the two groups (P<0.01); there were significant differences between ordinary acupuncture group and basic control group (P<0.05). Three months after the treatment, there was a significant difference in comparing balance function between balance acupuncture group and basic control group (P<0.05), and the differences were more statistically significant in comparing the rest indexes between the two groups (P<0.01), there was no significant difference in comparing balance function between ordinary acupuncture group and basic control group (P>0.05).Conclusion In combination with basic treatment, balance acupuncture works better than ordinary acupuncture and basic control in improving limb function, ADL and balance function of hemiplegia patients.

OBJECTIVETo culture human dental papilla cells (HDPCs)and to study its cytobiological characters in vitro.

METHODSHDPCs were isolated and cultured with explant culture technique in vitro; Type I collagen, fibronection and laminin were detected in HDPCs and its secreted matrix with the immunocyto-chemical stain; HDPCs were incubated in mineralized promoting solution containing 10 mmol/L beta-glycerophosphate, 100 mg/L of ascorbic acid and 10 nmol/L dexamethasone supplemented with 10% FBS and the form of mineralized nodules was tested with Alizarin Red S stainning.

RESULTSCultured HDPCs in vitro were well growing in DMEM/F12. Type I collagen, fibronection and laminin staining were all positive in both HDPCs and its secreted matrix, and laminin was stained with bunchiness in matrix. Mineralized nodules formed after cultured 27 days by Alizarin Red S stainning.

CONCLUSIONHDPCs isolated and cultured are well growing in vitro, have a capability of synthesizing and secreting matrix and in mineralized promoting solution, are able to form mineralizer, so, HDPCs have a capacity of seed cell of tissue engineering regeneration tooth.

Cell Culture Techniques ; Cells, Cultured ; Collagen Type I ; Dental Papilla ; Dexamethasone ; Glycerophosphates ; Humans ; In Vitro Techniques ; Tissue Engineering ; Tooth

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of interleukin-8 (IL-8) and its prognostic significance in breast cancer.

METHODSExpression of IL-8 in 113 breast cancers, 19 breast benign tumors and 20 breast normal tissues was examined by tissue microarray using immunohistochemistry, and the association of IL-8 expression with patient's clinico-pathological characteristics and prognosis was further analyzed.

RESULTSThe positive rate of IL-8 expression in breast cancer was 27.4%, which was significantly higher than that in benign tumor and normal tissue of breast (P = 0.002). IL-8 expression related to histological type (P = 0.040) and lymph node status (P = 0.021). The expression of IL-8 was observed to correlate negatively with ER and PR status (P = 0.015 and P = 0.034), and correlate positively with C-erbB-2 status (P = 0.002). In addition, Kaplan-Meier curves of disease-free survival analysis showed a significant difference between IL-8 positive groups and negative group (P = 0.031).

CONCLUSIONSIL-8 might be a poor prognostic factor for human breast cancer, and also might be a novel molecular marker to predicate the occurrence and progression of breast cancer.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Breast Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunohistochemistry ; Interleukin-8 ; biosynthesis ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Receptor, ErbB-2 ; biosynthesis ; Receptors, Estrogen ; biosynthesis ; Receptors, Progesterone ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo compare curative effects of acupuncture and nasal continuous positive airway pressure (nCPAP) on obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS), and to explore the characteristics and advantages of acupuncture in treatment of this disease.

METHODSSixty-six cases of OSAHS were randomly divided into an acupuncture group (n = 44) treated by acupuncture at Lianquan (CV 23) and Tianrong (SI 17) etc., and a nCPAP group (n = 22) treated by nCPAP. Indexes of respiration, blood oxygen and sleep were monitored before, during and after treatment.

RESULTSCompared with those before treatment, no significant differences of these indexes were found in the acupuncture group during treatment (P > 0.05), but hypopnea index (HI), apnea-hypopnea index (AHI), the maximal apnea duration, the maximal hypopnea duration, sleep time spent when SaO2 was below 90% (SaO2 < 90%T) and the microarousal index improved significantly at the end of treatment (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01); while all the indexes improved significantly in the nCPAP group during treatment (P < 0. 01), but the therapeutic effect was not maintained at the end of treatment with no significant difference as compared with those before treatment. The therapeutic effect in the nCPAP group was better than that in the acupuncture group during the treatment (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), but no significant difference of the therapeutic effect was found between the two groups at the end of treatment (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe therapeutic effect of nCPAP on OSAHS produces during treatment and the therapeutic effect of acupuncture produces after treatment, indicating they possibly have different mechanisms.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adult ; Aged ; Continuous Positive Airway Pressure ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ginsenoside R(g1) on the transdifferentiation of rat renal tubular epethelial cells induced by transforming growth factor-beta1, (TGF-beta1).

METHODCultured normal rat renal tubular epethelial cells (NRK-52E) were divided into control group, TGF-beta1-induced group and treated with ginsenoside R(g1) at different concentration (10, 20, 40 mg x L(-1)) group. The morphology of tubular epithelial-myofibroblast transdifferentiation induced by TGF-beta1 was observed through light microscope. alpha-SMA and E-cadherin protein expression were assessed by immunohistochemistry and western blot analyses. alpha-SMA, collagen I and and fibronectin gene expression were assessed by real-time quantitative chain reaction. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to quantitatively detect collagen I and fibronectin in the supernatant.

RESULT10 mg x L(-1) TGF-beta1 could induce the transdifferentiation of tubular epithelial myofibroblast, showing fibroblast-like in morphology, with significantly enhanced expression of alpha-SMA, depressed expression of E-cadherin and increased secretion of fibronectin and collagen I (P < 0.05). Compared to TGF-beta1-induced group, ginsenoside R(g1) partly abrogated the alpha-SMA expression and E-cadherin depression triggered by TGF-beta1 in tubular epithelial cells in a dose-dependent manner (P < 0.05). Meanhile, ginsenoside R(g1) blocked morphologic transformation of tubular epithelial cells and decreased levels of collagen I and fibronectin (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONGinsenoside R(g1) could inhibit TGF-beta1 induced the tubular epithelial-myofibroblast transdifferentiation and decreased levels of collagen I and fibronectin in NRK52E.

Animals ; Cadherins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Cell Transdifferentiation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Gene Expression ; drug effects ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Kidney Tubules ; cytology ; drug effects ; Panax ; chemistry ; Rats ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the pharmacological effects of Liangyuan Pipagao on cough reflex and ciliary action. Liangyuan Pipagao is a compound preparation of traditional Chinese medicine. METHODS: Cough was induced by aerosol citric acid in guinea pigs and aerosol capsacin in mice. Excretion function of the airway in mice was determined by phenol red method. Ciliary movement function of frog esophagus was examined by a migration method of charcoal granules. RESULTS: Liangyuan Pipagao inhibited both the citric acid-induced cough in guinea pigs and capsacin-induced cough in mice. ID(50)value 2.64 g/kg (95%Cl1.12 approximately 6.19) and 11.40 g/kg (95%Cl5.76 approximately 22.58) respectively. Further, Liangyuan Pipagao increased phenol red excretion in mice airways and stimulated ciliary action of frog esophagusin a dose-dependent fashion. ED(50) value 7.70 g/kg (95%Cl 4.62 approximately 12.83) and EC(25) value 1.07 X 10(-4) (95% Cl 0.394 approximately 2.92x10(-4)) respectively. CONCLUSION: Liangyuan Pipagao a traditional Chinese medicine may have anti-tussive as well as expectorant actions.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the feasibility of reducing THM precursors and controlling bromate taste and odor in drinking water taken from the Yellow River by an ozonation combined system.

METHODSThe appropriate ozone dosage was determined, and then the changes of TOC, UV254 and THM formation potential (THMFP) in the combined system were evaluated.

RESULTSOne mg/L ozone could effectively remove taste and odor and meet the maximum allowable bromate level in drinking water. The pre-ozonation increased THMFP, but the conventional treatment system could effectively reduce the odor. The bio-ceramic filter could partly reduce CHCl3FP, but sometimes might increase CHCl2BrFP and CHClBr2FP. The biological activated carbon (BAC) filter could effectively reduce CHCl3FP and CHCl2BrFP, but increase CHClBr2FP. Compared with other filters, the fresh activated carbon (FAC) filter performed better in reducing THMFP and even reduced CHClBr2FP.

CONCLUSIONThe combined system can effectively reduce taste, odor, CHCl3FP, and CHCl2BrFP and also bring bromate under control.

Bromates ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; China ; Chlorine ; Humans ; Odorants ; analysis ; prevention & control ; Ozone ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Rivers ; chemistry ; Taste ; Trihalomethanes ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; Water Supply ; analysis ; standards

OBJECTIVETo study the changes in expression and activity of protein phosphatases type 2A (PP2A ) during differentiation of NB4 and NB4-MR2 cells induced by all-trans retinoic acid (ATRA), and evaluate the role of PP2A in MR2 resistance to ATRA.

METHODSATRA, okadaic acid (OKA) and ATRA + OKA at the same dosage were incubated with NB4 and MR2 cells respectively. Wright's staining and NBT reduction test were employed to evaluate the change in the cells. The CD11b expression was measured by flow cytometry. The activity of PP2A was evaluated by serine/threonine phosphatase assay system, and the level of PP2A subunits was detected by Western blot.

RESULTS1) Wright's staining, NBT reduction test and flow cytometry results showed OKA could augment the differentiation of NB4 induced by ATRA, and OKA + ATRA induced slight differentiation of MR2 cells. 2) Phosphatase assay showed a decrease in PP2A phosphatase activity [(534 +/- 43) pmol x min(-1) x microg protein(-1)] in NB4 after ATRA treatment, accompanied with that activity [(959 +/- 83) pmol x min(-1) x microg protein(-1)] in untreated NB4 cells. OKA enhanced the inhibitory effect of ATRA on the activity in NB4. When OKA + ATRA was incubated with MR2, PP2A in the cells was significantly decreased [(229 +/- 23) pmol x min(-1) x microg protein(-1)]. 3) Western blot analysis showed that the level of PP2A catalytic subunit (PP2A/C) was decreased during the course of ATRA-induced NB4 cell differentiation, whereas expressions of every subunits of PP2A in MR2 cells were somewhat unaltered.

CONCLUSIONExpression of PP2A/C and activity of PP2A is decreased during differentiation of NB4 induced by ATRA, and no repression of the PP2 activity maybe related to MR2 resistance to ATRA.

Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Leukemia, Promyelocytic, Acute ; metabolism ; pathology ; Okadaic Acid ; pharmacology ; Phosphoprotein Phosphatases ; metabolism ; Protein Phosphatase 2 ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism ; Tretinoin ; pharmacology