Ion channels are membrane proteins that are found in a number of viruses and which are of crucial physiological importance in the viral life cycle.They have one common feature in that their action mode involves a change of electrochemical or proton gradient across the bilayer lipid membrane which modulates viral or cellular activity.We will discuss a group of viral channel proteins that belong to the viroproin family,and which participate in a number of viral functions including promoting the release of viral particles from cells.Blocking these channel-forming proteins may be"lethal",which can be a suitable and potential therapeutic strategy.In this review we discuss seven ion channels of viruses which can lead serious infections in human beings: M2 of influenza A,NB and BM2 of influenza B,CM2 of influenza C,Vpu of HIV-1,p7 of HCV and 2B of picornaviruses.

Abstract?AIM:To compare the loss of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer ( RNFL ) thickness measurements by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography ( SD -OCT ) in healthy individuals and glaucoma patients with or without progression.? METHODS: A total of 60 eyes, comprising 36 glaucomatous eyes with primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and 24 healthy controls, were included in the study over a 2-year period.All eyes underwent at least 4 serial RNFL measurements performed by Cirrus OCT every half a year over a period of 2a.Visual field ( VF) testing was performed by using the Swedish interactive threshold algorithm( SITA) Standard 30-2 program of the Humphrey field analyzer within the same week as the optic disc/RNFL photography. By masked comparative analysis of VF test results and optic disc/RNFL photographs, the eyes were classified into non -progressive and progressive glaucoma cases. Longitudinal loss of RNFL thickness was compared.?RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 2.1 ±0.3a. Seventeen from 36 subjects were identified as progressors. Mean rates of change in average RNFL thickness were significantly higher for progressors compared with nonprogressors (2.46μm/a vs.1.21μm/a;P <0.001 ). Inferior quadrant RNFL thickness were significantly correlated with MD reduction in glaucoma eyes with progression(r=0.423, P=0.03).? CONCLUSION: Longitudinal measurements of RNFL thickness using SD-OCT show a pronounced reduction in patients with progression compared with patients without progression.Inferior RNFL thickness parameters might be more important in discriminating eyes with progressive glaucomatous optic nerve damage.

BACKGROUND:Psychological factors could influence the degree of pain after total knee arthroplasty. However, the effects of perioperative psychological intervention on postoperative pain and joint function are rarely reported. OBJECTIVE:To study the efficacy and safety of alprazolam for patients with anxiety and depression before total knee arthroplasty. METHODS:Sixty-one patients with anxiety and depression before unilateral total knee arthroplasty were recruited. The patients were given the treatment of alprazolam (experimental group) or placebo (control group) at 2 weeks preoperatively. Baseline data were collected, preoperative anxiety and depression were assessed with Hamilton Anxiety Scale and Beck Depression Inventory, perioperative pain at rest and in activity at each time point was evaluated, postoperative NSAIDs drugs and intravenous self-control analgesia pump usage were recorded, the peripheral neurotransmitters were detected by ELISA, short-and mediate-term joint fuction was evaluated through Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index and Knee Society Score after joint replacement, patient satisfaction and in-hospital relevant indexes and adverse reactions were detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) After the application of alprazolam, anxiety and depression were improved notablely, and the levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine andγ-aminobutyric acid in peripheral blood were increased at 2 weeks. (2) The visual analogue scale scores at rest in the experiemntal group were significnatly lower than those in the control group at 12 hours, 1, 2, 3, 5 and 7 days postoperatively (P<0.05);the visual analogue scale scores in activity in the experiemntal group were significnatly lower than those in the control group at 12 hours, 1, 2, 3, and 5 days postoperatively (P<0.05). (3) Analgesia pump and analgesic drug usage in the experiemntal group were significantly less than those in the control group, and the analgesic drug dosage and preoperative anxiety depression were correlated. (4) There were no significant differences in the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index and Knee Society Score between two groups. (5) The patient satisfaction, sleep index and hospitation time in the experimental group were superior to those in the control group. No obvious adverse reactions occurred during medication. (6) Our results suggest that for patients diagnosised with anxiety and depression before total knee replacement, the preoperative application of alprazolam can alleviate anxiety and depression, improve perioperative pain at rest and in activity, reduce postoperative analgesia drug useage, and increase patient satisfaction.

ObjectiveTo understand the clinical and microbiological characteristics of AIDS-associated bloodstream infection (BSI).MethodsThe clinical and laboratory ifndings of 143 cases of BSI in AIDS patients who were hospitalized during the period from 2013 to 2014 were retrospectively analyzed.ResultsThe prevalence of BSI in AIDS patients was 22.1%. The 143 patients were divided into two groups in terms of fungal or bacterial infection. The incidence of speciifc skin rashes, anemia, hepatosplenomegaly and lymph node enlargement in fungal infection group was higher than those in bacterial infection group (allP<0.05). CD4+ cell count, WBC, neutrophils, RBC, hemoglobin, and platelet count in fungal infection group were lower than those in bacterial infection group, while AST and Cr were the opposite (allP<0.05).Penicillium marneffei(84/143, 58.7%) was the most common pathogen isolated from AIDS-associated BSI, followed byEscherichia coli (10/143, 7.0%),Cryptococcus neoformans (9/143, 6.3%),Klebsiella pneumoniae (7/143, 4.9%),Salmonella (6/143, 4.2%),Candida albicans(3/143, 2.1%), andAeromonas (3/143, 2.1%). Most strains were still susceptible to the commonly used antibiotics.ConclusionsThe prevalence of BSI is high in AIDS patients. Fungal BSI is more likely to have skin rash, anemia, hepatosplenomegaly and lymphadenopathy, hematologic abnormalities, liver and renal function impairment. Fungi, especiallyPenicillium marneffei, are the main pathogen of AIDS-associated BSI. Most strains are susceptible to the commonly used antibiotics.

Objective To screen microRNA (miRNA) that inhibit expression of the metastasisrelated gene ezrin in ovarian cancer cells and explore their correlation to the invasion and metastasis of ovarian cancer. Methods The differential expression of ezrin in two paired high-metastatic and lowmetastatic cell lines were examined by real time reverse transcription (RT)-PCR and western blot. A functional screen with microarray was employed to identify miRNA that were differentially expressed between SKOV3 and SKOV3ip cell lines. Three programs, TARGETSCAN ( http://www. targetscan. org ),MICROCOSM ( http ://www. ebi. ac. uk/enright-srv/microcosm/htdocs/targets/v5/) and PICTAR (http://www. pictar. mdc-berlin. de), were employed to identify all miRNA, which may inhibit the expression of ezrin and were differentially expressed between SKOV3 and SKOV3ip cells. To test the repressive potential of these miRNA, synthetic mimetics were transfected individually into SKOV3ip cells and endogenous ezrin expression levels monitored by western blot and real-time RT-PCR. Results ( 1 ) The mRNA average level of ezrin were (81.74 ± 5.34) -fold higher expression level in SKOV3ip versus SKOV3 cells ( P ＜ 0. 01 ), while (2. 61 ±0. 14)-fold in HO-8910PM versus HO-8910 cells (P ＜0. 01 ). Elevated protein level of ezrin were observed in SKOV3ip cells compared with that in SKOV3 cells, and the same that in HO-8910PM cells compared with HO-8910 cells. Paired SKOV3 and SKOV3ip cells were employed to study the more significant difference in ezrin expression between them. (2) By a functional screen using miRNA microarray combined with bioinformatics analysis,the miR-183 and miR-22 were indentified as two candidate miRNA,which may have the potential regulatory role in ezrin expression. Real time RT-PCR assays revealed that miR-183 and miR-22 were, respectively, an average of (5.84 ± 0.66)-fold and(6.67 ± 0.67)-fold higher expression level in SKOV3ip versus SKOV3 cells (P ＜0. 01 ), which were in agreement with the microarray data. A subsequent validation by western blot and real time RT-PCR revealed that over-expression of miR-183 and miR-22 could both lead to an obvious decrease in ezrin protein level,while there were not signicant difference in the level of ezrin mRNA( P ＞0. 05 ). Conclusion Increased expression of miR-183 and miR-22 may both repress the protein level of ezrin,indicating that miR-183 and miR-22 may bear a potential role in inhibiting ovarian cancer metastasis in a ezrin-mediated way.

Objective To explore the correlation between the unstability of carotid plaques and ischemic cerebrovascular diseases. Methods 112 cases were divided into 6 types according to their carotid ultrasonic examination, counted the focus of ischemic stroke by CT of each patient, then compared the difference of the quantities a-mong the 6 types. Results There were significant differences between the stable and unstable types in the quantities of focus. Conclusion There is a closed relationship between the unstability of carotid plaques by ultrasonic and ischemic cerebrovascular diseases.

Head ; Hearing Loss, Sudden ; therapy ; Humans ; Otolaryngology ; Practice Guidelines as Topic ; Reading ; United States

Treatment options of retinoblastoma should be individualized. Patients with early intraocular stage may be managed with focal treatments, including cryotherapy, thermotherapy, laser photocoagulation, brachytherapy and so on. Patients with middle in- traocular stage may be treated with chemoreduction plus focal therapy. In patients with advanced stage, enucleation and chemotherapy are recommended, with the addition of orbital radiation for patients with extraocular retinoblastoma. Patients with systemic metastases require intensive chemotherapy and consolidation with autologous hematopoietic stem cell rescue.

AIM: To investigate the pentanucleotide repeat(PNR) polymorphism of apolipoprotein(a) in patients with coronary heart disease(CHD) in Hubei area, and evaluate the association of polymorphism of apo(a) PNR with the level of serum lipid. METHODS: Objects examined were composed of two groups: 88 patients with CHD and 153 healthy controls. Lp(a), TC,TG, HDL-C, LDL-C, ApoAⅠand ApoB of two groups were tested. Meanwhile,the PNR in the 5' control region of the Apo(a) was detected by using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and high voltage polyacrylamid gels electropherosis. RESULTS: The serum Lp(a), TC, TG and LDL-C levels were remarkably higher in the CHD than that in control( P