Adolescent ; Biopsy, Fine-Needle ; Chromosomes, Human, Pair 18 ; Female ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Oncogene Proteins, Fusion ; genetics ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Sarcoma, Synovial ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Soft Tissue Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Translocation, Genetic ; Vimentin ; metabolism

AIM: To study the characteristic of liver X receptor alpha (LXRα), its target gene expression and cholesterol efflux in human macrophages treated with atorvastatin. METHODS: Human monocyte-derived macrophages were collected and cultured. Macrophages were treated with or without atorvastatin. Apolipoprotein A-I mediated human monocyte-derived macrophage cholesterol efflux was detected by liquid scintillation counting method. Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was used to evaluate the mRNA expression of LXRα and some of its target genes ABCA1, SREBP2, CETP, PLTP, apoE, MMP-9 and MIP-1α. The protein expression of LXRα, ABCA1, MMP-9 and MIP-1α was determined by Western blotting. RESULTS: Pre-incubation of human monocyte-derived macrophages with atorvastatin dose dependently (1-2 μmol/L) stimulated cholesterol efflux mediated by apolipoprotein A-I. Atorvastatin also increased the mRNA expression of LXRα, ABCA1, SREBP2, CETP, PLTP, and protein expression of LXRα, ABCA1, but decreased the expression of MMP-9 and MIP-1α at both mRNA and protein levels. CONCLUSION: Atorvastatin enhances the cholesterol efflux, upregulates LXR and some genes associated with cholesterol metabolism and inhibits inflammatory responses in macrophages, indicating that statins may affect the formation of foam cells by activating LXR signaling pathway.

Objective To analyze the correlation of visual acuity and metamorphopsia with foveal morphology before and after vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling (ILMP) in idiopathic macular epiretinal membrane (IMEM) eyes.Methods This is a retrospective case series of 47 IMEM patients (49 eyes).All the patients underwent 25G pars plana vitrectomy with IMEM removal and ILMP.The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was measured using the international standard visual acuity chart,and the results were converted to the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) visual acuity.The severity of metamorphopsia was measured using M-charts.The central macular thickness (CMT),inner nuclear layer thickness (INT),inner retinal layer thickness (IRT),outer retinal layer thickness (ORT),the status of ellipsoid zone (EZ) were assessed with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography at baseline and each month postoperatively.The differences in BCVA,CMT,INT,IRT,ORT and status of EZ before and after surgery were analyzed,so did the correlations between these indexes at the same time.Results Compared with baseline,the postoperative BCVA was significantly increased (F=6.133,P＜0.001),but the M value,CMT,INT,IRT,ORT were significantly decreased (F=12.481,10.565,15.739,6.046,10.569;P＜0.001);the integrity of EZ was improved significantly (x2=12.309,P＜0.001).Preoperative BCVA was positively related to the CMT (r=0.720) and ORT (r=0.720,0.887;P＜0.05),while negatively related to preoperative integrity of EZ (r=-0.295,P＜0.05).The postoperative BCVA was positively related to the preoperative BCVA and postoperative CMT,ORT (r=0.774,0.754,0.842;P＜0.05),while negatively related to postoperative integrity of EZ (r=-0.676,P＜0.05).The preoperative M value was positively related to the preoperative CMT,INT,IRT,and ORT (r=0.931,0.668,0.840,0.637;P＜ 0.05).The postoperative M value was positively related to the preoperative M value and postoperative CMT,INT,IRT,and ORT (r=0.723,0.722,0.767,0.825,0.387;P＜0.05).Conclusions Vitrectomy with ILMP for IMEM can improve the visual acuity,metamorphopsia and foveal morphology.Both visual acuity and metamorphopsia correlate with foveal morphology.

The aim of this study was to explore the effect of small hairpin loop RNA (shRNA) silencing hypoxia-induced factor 1alpha (HIF-1alpha) gene on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) in human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells under hypoxic condition. Two target sites of HIF-1alpha mRNA were chosen and two kinds of shRNA were designed and synthesized against the target sites. Then the two kinds of shRNA were transfected into human RPE cells in vitro, respectively. These cells were cultured under hypoxic condition that was simulated by using 150 mumol/L CoCl(2). The mRNA expressions of HIF-1alpha, VEGF and PEDF were tested by semi-quantitative reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR). The protein levels of HIF-1alpha, VEGF and PEDF were analyzed by Western blotting. After the two kinds of HIF-1alpha-specific shRNA were transfected into RPE cells respectively, the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA and the levels of HIF-1alpha protein were decreased significantly in RPE cells under hypoxic condition. The expression of VEGF mRNA and the levels of protein significantly were also decreased. However, the levels of PEDF protein was significantly increased, but the expression of PEDF mRNA showed no significant changes. In conclusion, HIF-1alpha-specific shRNA can effectively silence the HIF-1alpha gene, and consequently down-regulate VEGF and up-regulate PEDF expression against hypoxia. These results reveal that HIF-1 is associated with posttranslational mechanism for down-regulating PEDF under hypoxia and provide an explanation for hypoxia-provoked increases in VEGF/PEDF ratios. These results also suggest that HIF-1 is one of the key cytokines to retinal neovascularization.

In order to explore the effect of high glucose concentration and high glucose concentration with hypoxia on the production of hypoxia-inducible factor-1alpha (HIF-1alpha) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), human RPE cells were cultured in 5.56 mmol/L glucose (control group), 5.56 mmol/L glucose with 150 micro mol/L CoCl2 (hypoxic group), 25 mmol/L glucose (high glucose group) and 25 mmol/L glucose with 150 micro mol/L CoCl2 (combination group). RT-PCR was used to detect the expression of HIF-1alpha and VEGF mRNAs. Western blot analysis was used to measure the levels of HIF-1alpha and VEGF proteins. Although the small amount of HIF-1alpha protein was able to be detected in high glucose group but not in control group, there was no significant difference between the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA of RPE cells in high glucose group and that of RPE cells in control group. As compared with RPE cells in control group, the mRNA expression and the protein synthesis of VEGF in high glucose group were up-regulated. As compared with RPE cells in hypoxic group, the expression of HIF-1alpha mRNA of RPE cells in combination group was not different, but the protein synthesis of HIF-1alpha, the mRNA expression and the protein synthesis of VEGF were more obviously up-regulated. In conclusion, high concentration glucose mainly influence the protein synthesis of HIF-1alpha of RPE cell, and HIF-1alpha protein is able to be accumulated in high concentration glucose. Under hypoxia, the HIF-1alpha protein induced by high concentration glucose is more stable, and the expression of VEGF is obviously increased. It is suggested that high concentration glucose may play a role in retinal neovascularization, especially at ischemia stage of diabetic retinopathy.

Objective To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of vitrectomy combined with internal limiting membrane (ILM) tamping on macular hole and retinal detachment (MHRD) in highly myopic eyes.Methods 23 patients (23 eyes) were retrospectively reviewed,who were diagnosed as MHRD through examination of the ocular ftmdus,optic coherence tomography (OCT) and B-mode ultrasonography.There were 5 males (5 eyes) and 18 females (18 eyes).The mean age was (62.35 ± 8.28) years.The mean course of disease was 1.1 months.The logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was 2.31 ± 0.72.The mean axial length was (28.66 ± 1.99) mm.All patients underwent 23G microincision vitrectomy.After vitreous gel and cortex were gently resected,the ILM around the edges of the macular hole was stained with indocyanine green,and was folded and pushed to fill the macular hole gently.Then silicone oil or C3F8 gas tamponade was applied in 18 eyes and 5 eyes,respectively.The silicone oil was removed after 3 months.The follow-up was 6 months.The BCVA,macular hole closure,retinal anatomical reattachment were retrospectively observed,and were used to evaluate the safety and effectiveness of the surgery.Results At the 6 months after surgery,the logMAR BCVA was improved to 1.13 ± 0.38,the difference was significant (t=l 5.33,P=0.00).The postoperative macular hole closure rate and retinal anatomical reattachment rate were 100％.There were no ocular or systemic adverse events observed in all patients.Conclusion Vitrectomy combined with ILM tamping is an effective and safe treatment for the high myopic eyes with MHRD.

In this study,the rDNA ITS sequence of isolate of Lactarius deliciosus(L.)Gray was sequenced.Molecular identification was accomplished using phylogenetic tree analysis of 22 Lactarius nrDNA-ITS nucleotide sequence including the 2 new and 20 GenBank sequence.

Objective To explore the application value of the modified hypotonic method of intestinal system contrast ultra-sonography in elder patients with small intestinal diseases .Methods Group A were 28 patients with small intestine disease and 8 patients who was found abdominal mass suspected source of intestinal tumors by routine abdominal ultrasound inspection .We con-trast the mannitol intestinal system contrast ultrasound with modified hypotonic method of intestinal system ultrasound contrast , and compare with gastrointestinal ,gastrointestinal barium meal contrast ,then contrast the results of pathology .Group B were 37 patients ,with definite diagnosis with duodenal ulcers ,polyps ,the descending part of the diverticulum ,who respectively treated with drinking water method and modified hypotonic method of intestinal system ultrasound contrast ,then carry the two methods into comparison .Results The nidus detection increase from 9 to 12 in group A ;the nidus detection increase from 13 to 33 in group B . The modified hypotonic method of intestinal system contrast ultrasonography ,which eliminate intestinal gas more obvious and relax the intestinal lumen more sufficient than conventional contrast ,can improve the nidus detection rate .Conclusion The modified hy-potonic method of intestinal system contrast ultrasonography could be as a routine inspection method for elder small intestinal dis-ease paitents .

OBJECTIVETo explore the laws of anovulatory infertility patients of Gan-yin deficiency syndrome (GYDS), and to analyze the correlation between GYDS and partial sex hormones and metabolic parameters.

METHODSRecruited were 103 anovulatory infertility patients, including 48 of GYDS and 55 of non-GYDS. At the same time, 20 healthy pluripara at the child-bearing period were recruited as the control group. The body mass index (BMI) and waist to hip ratio (WHR) were measured. Serum levels of luteinizing hormone (LH), follicle stimulating hormone (FSH), testosterone (T), prolactin (PRL), estradiol (E2), sex hormone binding globulin (SHBG), fasting blood glucose (FBG), fasting insulin (FINS), total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG), low density lipoprotein-cholesterol (LDL-C), high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C), and leptin were detected. The inter-group difference of the above indices was compared between the two groups.

RESULTSLevels of BMI, FINS, HOMA-IRI, leptin, TC, TG, LDL-C, T, PRL, and LH were higher in the GYDS group and the non-GDS group than in the control group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05), while SHBG was lower in the GYDS group and the non-GYDS group than in the control group (P < 0.01). Only the PRL level was higher in the GYDS group than in the non-GYDS group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSGan-yin deficiency is a predominant manifestation in anovulatory infertility patients. Partial disorder of some sex hormones and metabolic derangement might be common pathological factors for anovulatory infertility, while increased PRL levels was dominant in GYDS.

Adult ; Anovulation ; metabolism ; Body Mass Index ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Gonadal Steroid Hormones ; blood ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; metabolism ; Lipids ; blood ; Prolactin ; blood ; Yin Deficiency

In this study, we investigated the pharmacokinetics parameters of SPIO-shRNA dual functional molecular probe and observed the main organ distribution by MRI in vivo. Eighteen New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups and injected intravenously with different doses of SPIO-shRNA molecular probe, respectively. The blood samples were collected to analyze the pharmacokinetic parameters by measuring the iron content at 30 minutes before and after the injection. Twenty-four Kun Ming (KM) mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: the control group was injected intravenously with physiological saline 200 µL per mouse via the tail vein, the other 3 groups were injected intravenously with different doses of SPIO-shRNA molecular probe. MRI observation was performed in 24 hours, and the liver, spleen, kidney, brain and muscle were collected for iron quantification with Prussian blue staining to determine distribution of the SPIO-shRNA molecular probe in the main organ in vivo. Our results suggest that the molecular probe blood half-life is more than 3 hours. The data of MRI suggest the probe was distributed in liver and spleen, and the MRI signal was reduced with the increase in probe's doses (P < 0.05). The results of Prussian blue staining confirmed the results of MRI. Most of the probe could escape the phagocytosis of mononuclear phagocyte system. Our data provide the pharmacokinetic and distribution of SPIO-shRNA molecular probe in organs. Meanwhile, it suggests the choice of the time and dose of probe for MR imaging of tumor in vivo.
Animals ; Half-Life ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Magnetite Nanoparticles ; Mice ; Molecular Probes ; pharmacokinetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; chemistry ; Rabbits