AIM: To analyze the effect of human amniotic homogenate extract on corneal neovascularization after corneal alkali burn in the process of pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) expression and the effect of corneal neovascularization.METHODS: Totally 32 patients with corneal alkali burn were selected from June 2015 to June 2016 in Foshan,and were randomly divided into Group A and Group B,with a total of 37 eyes.Group A of 17 cases,with a total of 19 eyes,were treated with 40mg/L human amniotic homogenate extract;Group B (n=15),and 18 eyes,treated with 3g/L prednisolone eye drops.In the treatment of 1,4,7,14,21 and 28d at different time points,we observed the growth of corneal neovascularization,and detected the expression of PEDF and VEGF during angiogenesis.RESULTS: Group A of patients in the use of human amniotic homogenate extract after the treatment,the expression level of PEDF was significantly higher than that in Group B(P=0.001),after 28d treatment,the expression level of PEDF reached 0.721±0.314.While patients in Group B the expression level of PEDF was only 0.538±0.253.Two groups had significant difference between the expression level of PEDF (P<0.05).The expression level of VEGF in Group A was lower than in Group B at different time points in the test.After the treatment of 28d patients in the Group A,the expression level of VEGF was 0.152±0.020,in Group B the expression level of VEGF was0.302±0.031.Two groups of patients with VEGF expression level between the differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).The patients number in Group A with corneal neovascularization was significantly lower than that in Group B,the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Human amniotic homogenate extract can increase the expression of PEDF in corneal neovascularization after corneal alkali burn,inhibit the expression of VEGF and the proliferation of corneal neovascularization.

Objective Respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) is the most common cause of lower respiratory infection in infants.It is very important to quantitative assay of RSV titer in the study on RSV pathogenesis,candidate vaccine and antiviral treatment.Therefore,we develop Real-time Quantitative PCR (Q-PCR) assay and enzyme immunospots (EIS) for titrating RSV and compare them with traditional 50% tissue culture infectious doses (TCID_(50)).Methods Q-PCR,based upon the RSV-L genes,and EIS were utilized to titrate samples from RSV culture supernatants and RSV infected mouse lungs.Then,the results were compared with TCID_(50).Results For the samples from RSV culture supernatants,the ratio of Q-PCR and EIS (plaque forming unit,pfu) was 10:1 and the ratio of EIS and TCID_(50) was 10:1 when TCID_(50) was converted as pfu.For the samples from RSV infected mouse lungs,the ratio of Q-PCR and EIS was 1000:1 and the ratio of EIS and TCID_(50) was 5:1.Conclusion We have successfully established Q-PCR and EIS to titrate RSV and compared them with TCID_(50).We concluded EIS is a cost-effective method to titrate RSV.

Objective To explore the quality of life (QOL) and its influential factors among patients with 3 major rheumatic diseases. Methods A total of 216 patients with rheumatic diseases (84 patients with systemic lu- pus erythematosus, SLE, 83 with rheumatoid arthritis, RA, and 49 with ankylosing spondylitis, AS) were recruited. The information with regard to their quality of life, sociopsychological factors and the evaluation of disease activity were obtained by using the medical outcomes study short form-36 (SF-36) and clinic documents. Results Patients with rheumatic diseases scored significantly lower with each subscale of SF-36 as compared to those of a healthy popu- lation in China (P

Three bactreiophages of Pseudomonas aeruginosa were isolated from sewage and named as PaP1, PaP2 and PaP3. All belong to double-strand DNA phages, their genome is about 47kb, 34kb and 24kb respectively. The titre (pfu/mL) of three phages is respectively 109, 1011 and 1011, PaP1 is lytic phage, both PaP2 and PaP3 are lysogenic. Under electron microscope, All show icosahedral heads with diameter of 70nm, 55nm and 65nm respectively. PaPl belongs taxonomically to Myoviridae, and both of PaP2 and PaP3 belong to Pedoviridae. The phage-re-sistance and substitution phenomenon of the resistant flora for the sensitive were observed, and the mutation frequence of Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to the phage is about 1.4 ? 10-7 ~ 7.9 ?10-7 determined by end-point -titer method.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of angiotensin converting enzyme inhibitor (ACEI) captopril on Calpain-mediated cardiomyocytes apoptosis and cardiac function in diabetic rats.

METHODSThirty adult male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups (n = 10), normal control group (NC group), diabetes mellitus group (DM group)and captopril treated group (Cap group). Streptozocin (STZ) were used to make the model of diabetes mellitus, captopril was administrated by gavage at the dose of 50 mg/kg every day, while in NC group and DM group the same volume of normal saline was administrated. Twelve weeks later, left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular end-diastolic pressure (LVDEP), maximal rise rate of left ventricular pressure (+ dp/dtmax) and maximal fall rate of left ventricular pressure (- dp/dtmax) were detected; Western blot was used to detect the expression of Calpain-1 Calpain-2, Bcl-2, Bax and total Caspase3 protein; apoptosis index (AI) were assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL).

RESULTSCompared with NC group, LVDEP was significantly higher; LVSP, + dp/dtmax and - dp/dtmax were significantly decreased (P < 0.05); Bcl-2 protein expression was decreased; the expression of Calpain-1, Calpain-2, Bax and total Caspase3 protein were increased; the value of AI was significantly increased. Compared with DM group, LVDEP was significantly lower; LVSP, + dp/dtmax and - dp/dtmax were significantly increased (P < 0.05); Bcl-2 protein expression was increased, the expression of Calpain-1, Calpain-2, Bax and total Caspase3 protein were decreased; the value of AI was significantly decreased (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONCaptopril can protect diabetic myocardial structure through inhibiting activation of Calpain-1 and Calpain-2, up-regulating the expression of Bcl-2, down-regulating the expression of Bax to inhibit Caspase3 dependent apoptosis, thereby improving the ventricular function and myocardial structure.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Calpain ; metabolism ; Cardiomyopathies ; pathology ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; metabolism ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; cytology ; drug effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

Animals ; Humans ; MicroRNAs ; physiology ; RNA, Small Interfering ; physiology ; RNA, Untranslated ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in the clinical efficacy on Alzheimer's disease between acupuncture and medicine.

METHODSOne hundred and forty-one patients were randomized into an acupuncture group (72 cases) and a medicine group (69 cases). In the acupuncture group, the needling technique for benefiting qi, promoting blood circulation, regulating mind and improving intelligence was used at Shenting (GV 24), Baihui (GV 20), Fengchi (GB 20), Wangu (GB 12), Danzhong (CV 17), Zhangwan (CV 12), Qihai (CV 6), Xuehai (SP 10) and Zusanli (ST 36). The supplementary acupoints were selected according to the symptoms and physical signs. Acupuncture was given once a day and 6 treatments were required for a week. In the medicine group, the choline sterase inhibitor, donepezil (aricept) was prescribed for oral administration, 1 tablet (5 mg) each time, once every night. Four weeks later, the dose was increased to 2 tablets (10 mg) each time. In the two groups, the treatment of 4 weeks made one session and 4 sessions were required. The changes of scores before and after treatment in the minimum mental state examination (MMSE), the activity of daily living scale (ADL), Alzheimer's disease assessment scale-cognition (ADAS-cog) and the digit span (DS) were observed.

RESULTSAfter treatment, scores of MMSE and DS were increased as compared with those before treatment (both P < 0.05) and scores of ADL and ADAS-cog were reduced as compared with those before treatment. The score differences in MMSE, ADL, ADAS-cog and DS before and after treatment were significant in the two groups (all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe needling technique for benefiting qi, promoting blood circulation, regulating mind and improving intelligence significantly improves the overall function, cognition and activity of daily life in the patients of Alzheimer's disease and the efficacy is better than donepezil.

Activities of Daily Living ; Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alzheimer Disease ; psychology ; therapy ; Cognition ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

To study the pharmacokinetic effect of different combined administration with monarch drug Ziziphi Spinosae Semen on its main components in rats. Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into Ziziphi Spinosae Semen group, Ziziphi Spinosae Semen-Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis group, Ziziphi spinosae Semen-Salviae Miltiorrhize Radix et Rhizoma group and Zaoren Ansheng prescription group. After oral administration, HPLC was eluted with the mobile phase of acetonitrle-0.03% phosphate acid water in a gradient mode. The detection wavelength was 280 nm. The pharmacokinetic parameters of spinosin and ferulic acid were calculated by DAS 2. 0 software. Compared with Ziziphi Spinosae Semen group, Ziziphi Spinosae Semen-Fructus Schisandrae Chinensis group, Ziziphi Spinosae Semen-Salviae miltiorrhizae Radix et Rhizoma group showed a lower maximum plasma concentration (C(max)) and area under curve (AUC(0-t)) for spinosin and ferulic acid but higher clearance speed (CL/F); whereas the Zaoren Ansheng prescription group showed higher maximum plasma concentration (C(max)) and area under curve (AUC(0-t)) for spinosin and ferulic acid but lower clearance speed (CL/F). Compared with Ziziphi Spinosae Semen group, prescription group showed slower metabolism of spinosin and ferulic
Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Coumaric Acids ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Drug Interactions ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; analysis ; pharmacokinetics ; Female ; Flavonoids ; administration & dosage ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Humans ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ziziphus ; chemistry

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of gastrodia in extracorporeal oriented inducing the differentiation of mesenchymal stem cells into neuron-like cells.

METHODSMesenchymal stem cells were separated from bone marrow of rats by wall sticking method, amplifying cultured in vitro, and differentiated into neuron-like cells by oriented induction with gastrodia. The morphology of cells was observed under light microscopy, neuro-specific enolase (NSE), nestin and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) were detected by immunocytochemistry.

RESULTSRats mesenchymal stem cells could be separated and amplified in vitro. After being induced by gastrodia for 2 hrs, most of the cells would be differentiated into meuron-like cells, revealing cytodendrite. By immunochemical staining, cells showed positive of NSE, nestin, and negative of GFAP.

CONCLUSIONRats' mesenchymal stem cells could be induced to differentiate into neuron-like cells.

Animals ; Animals, Newborn ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gastrodia ; Glial Fibrillary Acidic Protein ; metabolism ; Intermediate Filament Proteins ; metabolism ; Male ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; metabolism ; Nestin ; Neurons ; cytology ; Phosphopyruvate Hydratase ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo investigate the collagen constitution of hyperplastic scar (HS) in different ages and the change of relative factors.

METHODSThirty cases with HS were divided into two groups according to patients' age: group 1 (1 - 19 years, A) and group 2 (20 - 50 years, B). The normal skin (NS) from corresponding age of volunteers was employed as control group. The changes in TGFbeta1, collagenase (MMP-1) and tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase (TIMP-1beta) and the collagen ratio were observed by means of in situ hybridization technique and SABC (Strept-Avidin-Biotin complex) immunohistochemistry and image analysis.

RESULTSThe ratio of type I to type III collagen in A group was 6.48 in average and 3.76 in B group, but there was no evident difference in the ratio during the disease process in both groups. The expression of TGFbeta1 in A group was much higher than that in B group (P < 0.01). The TIMP-1 mRNA expression showed no difference among all age groups in HS patients, but it was much higher than that in NS group. The MMP-1 expression was evidently lower than TIMP-1 expression, and there was no difference in MMP-1 expression compared with NS group.

CONCLUSION(1) The TGFbeta1 expression in HS patients was negatively correlated with age, and the increased expression of TGFbeta1 produced an increase ratio of type I to type III collagen. (2) High level expression of TIMP-1 led to the formation of HS by inhibiting MMP-1 expression, and the expression was not related to age.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Factors ; Burns ; metabolism ; pathology ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Cicatrix, Hypertrophic ; metabolism ; pathology ; Collagen Type I ; biosynthesis ; Collagen Type III ; biosynthesis ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 1 ; biosynthesis ; Middle Aged ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; biosynthesis ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; biosynthesis ; Young Adult