The prenylation of aromatic compounds plays an important role in the natural product research because it not only gives rise to an astounding diversity of primary and secondary metabolites in plants, fungi and bacteria but also enhances the bioactivities and bioavailabilities of these compounds. However, further investigation of prenylated aromatic compounds is frequently hindered due to their low content in nature and difficulties in chemical synthesis. Cloning aromatic prenyltransferase genes followed by heterologous expression would be attractive tools for the chemoenzymatic synthesis of bioactive molecules. This review summarizes the classifications, structural investigations, enzymatic catalysis and other progress in aromatic prenyltransferases originated from microorganisms.

AIM:To evaluate the changes of the corneal surface morphology undergoing overnight orthokeratology treatment and assess the effect of optical center deviation in controlling the development of myopia.METHODS:This was a retrospective clinical study.One hundred and thirty-four children (134 eyes) with myopia aged 10.66 ± 1.79 years were treated with overnight orthokeratology lenses.The examinations of visual acuity,axial length and corneal topography were performed before and 3,6,12,18 and 24mo after wearing orthokeratology.The results of right eye were taken as the object of this study,SPSS19.0 for statistical analysis.RESULTS:The distance of decentration about 134 children at 3,6,12,18 and 24mo after wearing orthokeratology were 0.84±0.45mm,0.77±0.40mm,0.79± 0.41 mm,0.78±0.41 mm,and 0.79±0.42mm respectively.The difference between these groups were not statistically significant (F=1.187,P=0.319).The mean distance of decentration after orthokeratology treatment was 0.79 ± 0.35mm,the growth of axial length after 24mo was 0.32± 0.30mm,the mean distance of decentration divided into 3 groups,mild (＜0.5mm) 27 eyes,medium (0.5-1.0mm)79 eyes,severe (＞ 1.0mm) 28 eyes,the growth of axial length frow 3 groups after 24mo were 0.45±0.34mm,0.32 ±0.28mm,0.23 ± 0.29mm,were statistically significant difference between each groups (F=3.825,P=0.024).By linear-regression analysis,the growth of axial length and the mean distance of decentration after 24mo was statistically significant difference (F =7.246,P =0.008),equation of linear regression was Y=0.478-0.194X.At 24mo after wearing orthokeratology,the mean distance of decentration about 18 eyes with monocular diplopia was 1.18±0.36mm,and 116 eyes without monocular was 0.73± 0.31mm,the distance of decentration were statistically significant difference (t=5.59,P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:The degree of decentration tended to be stable after 3mo of orthokeratology treatment and influenced the effect of myopia control and visual quality.

This study was aimed to dynamically observe the expression level of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) in MDS patients and to explore the significance of LDH level for prognostic judgement of MDS patients. The expression level of LDH in 163 confirmedly diagnosed patients from 2001 to 2009 years in our hospital, the changes of LDH level in follow-up patients and relation of the LDH changes to prognosis, survival time and MDS progression, as well as the relation of LDH level to blood cell count, ratio and karyotype of blast cells in bone marrow were analyzed retrospectively. The results showed that the median LDH level in 163 MDS patients at diagnosis was 214 U/L (range 102 - 865 U/L), the median survival time of patients with increased LDH (> 240 U/L) was 25.6 months which was significantly shorter than that of patients with normal LDH level (56.8 months)(p < 0.05). When MDS patients were classified according to IPSS, the increased LDH level in MDS patients was observed in high risk and intermediate II groups (337.20 ± 298.00 U/L and 234.07 ± 216.00 U/L, respectively) which was significantly higher than that in low risk group (154.94 ± 46.08 U/L) (p < 0.05). The LDH level in patients with MDS progression was obviously enhanced while LDH level in patients without progression was not enhanced, mainly maintained in stable level as compared with LDH level at diagnosis and before progression (p < 0.005). By multivariate analysis, the increase of LDH level was found to be an independent prognostic factor. It is concluded that the LDH level may be used as indicator for judging prognosis of MDS patients, which is helpful to early recognition of MDS progression and risk stratification of disease, as well as selection of rational therapy.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; L-Lactate Dehydrogenase ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myelodysplastic Syndromes ; blood ; diagnosis ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult

Objective To assess the safety and efficacy of subthreshold micropulse yellow laser (577 nm) in the treatment of chronic central serous chorioretinopathy with foveal leakage.Methods This was a prospective study of 12 patients (12 eyes) with chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC).All patients had been treated using multiple spots of subthreshold micropulse yellow laser at 577 nm with a duty cycle of 5％ over areas of focal and diffuse leakage.And lweeks,1 months,3 months,and 6 months after treatment,the best corrected visual acuity (BCVA),central macular thickness (CMT) and reduction in subretinal fluid (SRF) were recorded.Results The mean BCVA measured at 6 months after laser treatment was 0.19 ±0.11,which was in comparison to 0.27 ± 0.08 before laser treatment,and the difference was statistically significant (P =0.016).The mean CMT was significantly reduced from (432.42 ±134.17) μm before laser treatment to (248.75 ±36.06) μm after 6 months (P =0.002).The mean SRF height was significantly decreased from (213.58 ± 132.60) μm at baseline to (17.25 ±21.90) μm (P =0.002).At the last follow-up,the SRF had disappeared completely in 6 out of 12 eyes,but there were still 6 eyes suffering from SRF.There was no evidence of retinal or choroidal damage during 6-month follow up.Conclusion Subthreshold micropulse yellow laser (577 nm) is an effective treatment option for chronic CSC with foveal leakage.

Familial isolated pituitary adenoma (FIPA) is an autosomal dominant disease, characterized by low penetrance, early-onset disease, more invasive tumor growth, as well as somatotroph and lactotroph adenomas in most cases. It has been indicated that the aryl hydrocarbon receptor interacting protein (AIP) gene is a tumor suppressor gene. Many heterozygous mutations have been discovered in AIP in about 20% of FIPA families. However, the exact molecular mechanism by which its disfunction promotes tumorigenesis of pituitary is unclear.
Growth Hormone-Secreting Pituitary Adenoma ; genetics ; Humans ; Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; genetics

The tumor multidrug resistance reversal effect of NPB304, a novel taxane, was studied. MTT assay was used to determine the IC50 of chemotherapy drugs. Western blotting assay was applied to analyze the expression of P-glycoprotein (P-gp). The effect of compounds on the P-gp function and P-gp ATPase activity was determined by rhodamine 123 (Rh123) accumulation assay and analysis kit, respectively. Molecular docking was employed to predict the binding force between compounds and P-gp. Transmembrane transport of NPB304 was analyzed using MDCK II and MDR1-MDCK II cell model. NPB304 displayed multidrug resistance reversal effect on KBV cells and MCF-7/paclitaxel cells, NPB304 collaborative with P-glycoprotein (P-gp) inhibitors verapamil enhanced the reversal activity, specifically, 10 μmol x L(-1) verapamil in combination with paclitaxel reversed resistance by 56.5-fold, while combined with NPB304 increased the reversal fold; NPB304 synergistically increased Rh123 accumulation in the resistant cells when combined with verapamil, and NPB304 at 0-1 μmol x L(-1) enhanced the ATPase activity activated by verapamil was observed. NPB304 existed the hydrophobic interactions with the TM regions of P-gp, and the binding force between NPB304 and the A chain of the TM region was stronger. P-gp ATPase activity assay demonstrated NPB304 at lower concentrations (0-1.5 μmol x L(-1)) could activate the P-gp ATPase, playing a role on inhibition of P-gp function. However, NPB304 did not have an obvious feature of P-gp substrate. NPB304 exerted itself and synergy with verapamil activity on reversing tumor resistance via inhibiting the P-gp function.
ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; metabolism ; Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Biological Transport ; Drug Resistance, Multiple ; Drug Resistance, Neoplasm ; Drug Synergism ; Humans ; MCF-7 Cells ; Rhodamine 123 ; Taxoids ; pharmacology ; Verapamil ; pharmacology

Objective To explore the effects of sulfentanil on the per-centage of β1 -band power of quantitative pharmaco-electroencephalo-graphy ( QPEEG ) in rabbits, and its relationship with opioid recep-tor.Methods Thirty-six healthy rabbits were divided randomly into six groups(n=6):normal group (0.9%NaCl 1 mL? kg-1), low, medium, high doses sulfentanil groups ( 1.5 , 3 , 6 μg? kg -1 ) , naloxone group (400 μg? kg-1 ) and naloxone and sulfentanil group ( naloxone 400μg? kg -1 and sulfentanil 3 μg? kg-1 ) .The percentage of each band power was respectively noted down 30 s before administration and 1, 3, 5, 10, 20, 25 min after administration.Results Compared with the baseline, the percentage ofβ1 -band power was decreased in the groups of medium, high doses sulfentanil ( P <0.05 ) , which had a negative correlation with sulfentanil dose ( P <0.05 ) . There was no obvious change in the percentage of β1 -band power in the group of naloxone compared with the baseline ( P >0.05 ) .Conclusion Sulfentanil de-creases the percentage ofβ1 -band power in a dose-dependent manner, and this effect is mediated by the opioid receptor.

Objective To understand the health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of migrant workers with pneumoconiosis who received basic medical treatment in Hunan Province. Methods A total of 613 migrant workers with pneumoconiosis who received basic medical treatment and assistance in Hunan Province was selected as the study subjects using stratified random sampling method. The European Quality of Life-5 Dimensions (EQ-5D) questionnaire was used to assess their HRQOL. Results The abnormality of the five dimensions of the EQ-5D health description system, from high to low, were as follows： daily activities, mobility, pain/discomfort, anxiety/depression, and self-care, with the abnormal rates of 50.9%, 46.8%, 41.1%, 21.0%, and 14.5%, respectively. The visual analogue scale (VAS) score of EQ-5D was (63.5±18.6) points. Patients with stage Ⅲ pneumoconiosis had high abnormality in mobility, daily activities, and pain/discomfort compared with those with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ disease (all P<0.02). Patients in stage Ⅱ and Ⅲ of pneumoconiosis had higher incidence of anxiety/depression compared with those with stage I disease (all P<0.02). Patients with complications in addition to pneumoconiosis had higher abnormality in mobility, self-care, and pain/discomfort compared to those with simple pneumoconiosis or those eligible for lung lavage treatment (all P<0.02). Patients with simple pneumoconiosis had a higher incidence of anxiety/depression compared with those eligible for lung lavage treatment (P<0.02). Patients with stage Ⅲ pneumoconiosis had lower average VAS scores compared with stage Ⅰ and Ⅱ patients (all P<0.02). Patients with simple pneumoconiosis or those with complications had lower average VAS scores compared with those eligible for lung lavage treatment (all P<0.05). Conclusion The HRQOL of pneumoconiosis patients among migrant workers needs improvement, especially for patients with stage Ⅲ disease and those with complications. This study indicates the need of optimizing policies, raising the hospitalization expense limit for critically ill patients with stage Ⅲ pneumoconiosis or with complications, and improving their HRQOL.

Objective To investigate the status of dental caries in the human of Tang dynasty. Methods All teeth in 62 human skulls of Tang dynasty excavated from the Chang'an county in Xi'an city were examined and analyzed by statistics. The difference of prevalence in different group including age, sex and tooth position was tested with Chi-square test. Results The prevalence of dental caries was 62.9%. And there were 92 caries teeth, which was 14.6% of the whole teeth. The root caries(33.3%) was more than the oeclusal caries(28.7% ). The most frequent recorded caries were the third molar, followed by the second molar, then the first molar. There was no significant difference between male and female. Conclusions The dental caries was popular in human of Tang dynasty, but the prevalence lowers than the modem people. And with the human evolution and the improvement of the social productivity, the prevalence of dental caries was gradually ascending.

Objective:To explore whether acute pancreatitis, chronic pancreatitis and alcoholic pancreatitis are related to the incidence of pancreatic cancer in Mendelian randomization study.Methods:Using data from a genome-wide association study (GWAS) of European ancestry, the pancreatic cancer data in the UK population is obtained from the GWAS. Acute, chronic, and alcoholic pancreatitis data in the Finnish population is obtained from the Finnish database version R10. The correlation between acute, chro-nic pancreatitis, alcoholic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer was analyzed by two-sample Mendelian randomization through five Mendelian analysis methods mainly based on inverse variance weighting. Q heterogeneity test, pleiotropy test and reverse test were carried out to ensure the robustness of the results.Results:Chronic pancreatitis was positively associated with pancreatic cancer ( OR=1.332, 95% CI: 1.044-1.698, P=0.021). The results of Q heterogeneity test, pleiotropy test and reverse Mendelian randomization showed that the conclusions were reliability, all P>0.05. While acute pancreatitis ( P=0.953), acute alcoholic pancreatitis ( P=0.862) and chronic alcoholic pancreatitis ( P=0.682) were not significantly associated with pancreatic cancer. Conclusion:This study further confirmed the strong correlation between chronic pancreatitis and pancreatic cancer at the genetic level.