AIM: To investigate the effects of apelin-13 on proliferation, migration and capillary-like tube formation of a monkey choroid / retinal endothelial cell line, RF/6A, to clarify whether apelin-13 could promote retinal angiogenesis in vitro.METHODS: RF/6A cells in good conditions were administrated with DMSO (the control group), apelin-13 at 0.1μmol/L (low dose group) or apelin-13 at 1μmol/L (high dose group).Cell proliferation, migration and capillary-like tube formation were detected by using the MTT assay, scratch assay and matrigel assay, respectively, at 24h after plating the cells.RESULTS: Cell proliferation was promoted in both low and high dose apelin-13 groups compared to the control cells (P<0.05);the cell migration distance of both apelin-13 groups was significantly greater than that of the control group (P<0.05);and the number of capillary-like tube structures of both apelin-13 groups was significantly larger than that of the control cells (P<0.05).In addition, cell proliferation, migration and tube formation increased as the concentration of apelin-13 increased.CONCLUSION: Apelin-13 could obviously promote the angiogenesis capacity of RF/6A cells, suggesting that apelin-13 was an important pro-angiogenic factor in retinal endothelial cells.

ObjectiveTo analyze the mental health level and the correlative factors of elderly reflux esophaditis patients.Methods86 elderly reflux esophagitis patients were tested with Symptom Check List-90 (SCL-90) and the Correlative Factor Inquiry List.ResultsThe total SCL-90 scores of the patients was 137.5±27, the number of symptomatic items was 29.9±17, which was significantly higher than that of domestic norm ( P<0.01). Besides of psychopathic and phobic, other factor scores of SCL-90 were also significantly higher than that of domestic norm ( P<0.05～0.01). The somatization, depression and anxiety were first three factors according to significant level. The constitution of patients showed the normal distribution at the level of total SCL-90 score.ConclusionMental health level of elderly reflux esophaditis patients is lower than that of normal people. The two primary reasons are long-term trend and stress of disease.

Methods: A total of 10 specific pathogen free (SPF) grade female DBA/2J mice were randomly divided into model group and QGA II group (n = 5 for each group), while additional 5 SPF-grade female C57BL/6J mice were assigned to control group. Mice presented spontaneous high IOP and showed elevated approximately at the age of seven months. The high IOP was maintained until week 38, when gavage was initiated. Mice in control group underwent the same intragastric treatment, while those in QGA II group were gavaged with QGA II (9.67 g/kg), once a day for four weeks. Retinal morphology was examined using hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining, with the number of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) counted. The expression level of Brn3a protein, a specific marker for RGCs, was detected by immunofluorescence, with the mean optical density (OD) measured for quantitative analysis. In addition, 16S rDNA sequencing was leveraged to analyze changes in the diversity of gut microbiota, including their α-diversity (Chao1, Shannon, Pielou’s evenness, and observed species index) and β-diversity. Venn diagrams and linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe) analysis was employed to investigate the number of amplicon sequence variants (ASVs), the abundance of differential gut microbiota species, and the classification of species at both the phylum and genus levels within the three groups of mice. Results: HE staining revealed that compared with control group, model group showed significant reduction in the number of RGCs (P < 0.01), with intracellular vacuolar degeneration and nuclear pyknosis. After QGA II treatment, the number of RGCs was significantly increased compared with model group (P < 0.01), with notable improvements in intracellular vacuolar degeneration. Immunofluorescence analysis showed that the mean OD of Brn3a protein was significantly decreased in model group compared with control group (P < 0.01), while QGA II treatment significantly elevated its expression level (P < 0.01). Analysis of α-diversity showed that after QGA II intervention, the Chao1, Shannon, and Pielou’s evenness indices were significantly increased (P < 0.01), and the observed species index was elevated (P < 0.05). β-Diversity analysis demonstrated distinct clustering among the three groups, indicating relatively low similarity in bacterial community structures. ASV clustering identified a total of 14 061 ASVs across all groups, with 9 514 ASVs shared between model and QGA II groups. At the phylum level, the abundance of Bacteroidetes was significantly decreased in model group compared with control group (P < 0.01), while Firmicutes and the Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes (F/B) ratio were significantly increased (P < 0.01). QGA II treatment significantly reduced both Firmicutes abundance and the F/B ratio (P < 0.01). At the genus level, Lactobacillus was dominant across all groups, with its abundance significantly increased in model group (P < 0.01) and subsequently decreased following QGA II intervention (P < 0.05). Conclusion QGA II restructured the gut microbiota of DBA/2J mice with chronic high IOP, bringing changes in their diversity and abundance of components. Firmicutes, Bacteroidetes, Lactobacillus, along with their associated microorganisms, are likely critical components of the gut microbiota that contribute to the optic neuroprotective effects of QGA II on chronic high IOP mice.

To study the B cell linear epitopes of rabies virus CVS-11 nucleoprotein, peptides were synthesized according to the amino acid sequences of B cell linear epitopes. Linear epitopes predicted by bioinformatics analysis were evaluated with immunological techniques. Indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay showed that titers of antibodies to peptides (355-369 and 385-400 residues of rabies virus CVS-11 nucleoprotein) were above 1:12 800 in mouse sera. The antibodies recognized denatured rabies virus CVS-11 nucleoprotein in Western blot analysis. Purified anti-peptide antibodies recognized natural rabies virus CVS-11 nucleoprotein in BHK-21 cells in indirect fluorescent antibody test. The 355-369 and 385-400 residues of rabies virus CVS-11 nucleoprotein were validated as B cell linear epitopes.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; Epitope Mapping ; Epitopes, B-Lymphocyte ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Nucleoproteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology ; Rabies ; immunology ; virology ; Rabies virus ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology

Objective The purpose of the study was to compare the P63 expression in non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) between Xuanwei and other regions, and to investigate the relationship of P63 expression and biological behavior. Methods Immunohistochemical method was used. Results The results indicated that the expression of P63 in lung squamous cell carcinoma was extraordinarily high. P63 was related to the TNM staging system,tissue differentiation degree and lymph node metastasis,but not related to gender. In NSCLC,there was no significant difference of the P63 positive expression rate in the same pathological types, staging, tissue differentiation degree, lymph node metastasis and gender between Xuanwei and other regions. It indicated that the expression of P63 was not the reason why it was high incidence of lung cancer in Xuanwei region.

Purpose:We observed and compared the therapeutic effects of CO_2 and dehy- drated ethanol as sclerosing agent,in percutaneous interventional methods for treatment of hepatic and renal cysts,Materials and methods:Twenty-two simple cysts,14 in livers,8 in kidneys,af- ter percutaneous puncture and aspiration,we instilled CO_2 or dehydrated ethanol into the cysts once, twice or thrice with followed-up for 2 to 29 months,Results:All the 22 cysts in 22 patients were better after treatment especially of them,including 8 of 12 cases(66.7%)treated with dehydrated ethanol only once.The maximum diameters of 8 renal cysts(8/8,100%)after one treatment re- duced to less than 2cm in the follow-up,comparing with only 5 of 14 hepatic cysts(5/14,35. 7%).Conclusion:1)Pereutaneous interventional method by guidance of ultrasound is safe and ef- fective in simple hepatic or renal cyst treatment.2)CO_2 is similar to dehydrated ethanol as a scleros- ing agent.3)The therapeutic effect of simple renal cyst is better than that of hepetic cyst.

Objective To establish a rapid fluorescent inhibition test (RFFIT) for testing rabies virus neutralizing antibody and the titer of rabies virus neutralizing antibody.CVS-11 was used as the standard challenge virus,and three generations prepared for the establishment of the virus library.Methods International standard for rabies immunoglobulin was used as the reference serum.RFFIT test was established under consulting the protocol of Institute of Pasteur,and its specificity,stability and reproducibility were validated.Results We established the RFFIT which showed both good specificity ( 100% ) and reproducibility (P＞0.5).Conclusion The establishment of RFFIT test perfected the rabies laboratory techniques and would enhance the overall ability in detecting rabies in China.

Objective To investigate the method and value of adjustable interatrial fistulization in the operation of congenital heart disease(CHD) accompany with severe pulmonary arterial hypertension(PH).Methods Twenty-seven patients(19 male,8 females) accompany with severe PH were entered the study,age ranged from 4 to 14 years old,weight from 13.7 to 42.0 kilogram.The enrolled diseases included 11 cases of atrial septal defect(ASD),10 cases of ventricular septal defect(VSD),4 cases of patent ductus arteriosus(PDA),and 2 cases of Ebstein syndrome accompany with severe tricuspid insufficiency.All patients were diagnosed as CHD accompany with severe PH(bidirectional shunt)which was the contraindications for routine operation before operation through chest X-ray,electrocardiography,ultrasonic cardiography,cardiac catheteri-zation and cardiac angiography.Results With adjustable interatrial fistulization and treatment to the abnormalities,14 fistulaes were closed immediately after operation,7 fistulaes were closed 2 days after operation,3 fistulaes were closed 3 days and 1 fistulae was closed 4 days after operation and accompanied with empyema discharged initiatively.One fistula was never closed,1 case died from low cardiac output symptom.The effective rate was 92.6%,closed to that of routine operations.Conclusion Adjustable interatrial fistulization is an easy procedure,and it can decrease the danger of PH post-operation effectively and provide operation opportunity for those patients with CHD approaching terminal stage.

Objective To summarize the experience of the ventriculoperitoneal shunt (VPS) in communicating hydrocephalus and its complications. Methods The clinical features, operative techniques and outcome of 100 patients with hydrocephalus were analysed retrospectively. Results Ninety-five (95%) cases had a good result. Postoperative complications were found in 6(6%) cases including shunt apparatus blockage (4 cases) and shunt infection (2 cases). All the cases improved after taking the corresponding measures. Conclusion VPS is the most common shunt style for communicating hydrocephalus. The shunt apparatus blockage and infection are common postoperative complications. Intraoperative aseptic technique, the minimally invasive procedure, and the optimal placement of shunt tube may play an important role in improving the outcome of cerebrospinal fluid shunting surgery for communicating hydrocephalus.

Objective To explore the clinical characteristics,diagnosis,treatment and outcomes of anti-N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor(anti-NMDAR) encephalitis in children.Methods Six children diagnosed as anti-NMDAR encephalitis were recruited at the Department of Neurology,Capital Institute of Pediatrics,from December 2011 to April 2013.The data of clinical characteristics and laboratory examinations were retrospectively analyzed.All the children had long-term follow-ups and the prognosis was assessed.Results (1) Age and course of the disease at the time of the admission:the mean age of the 6 patients (2 female) was 3 years and 5 months,ranging from 2 years and 2 months to 6 years and 8 months.The course of the disease at the time of the admission ranged from 15 to 80 days,with a mean time of 39 days.(2)Clinical characteristics:5 cases had afebrile convulsion and 1 case had speech impairment at the onset of disease.Convulsion occurred in all the 6 cases,4 cases of whom had persistent convulsion,and 5 cases had impaired consciousness.All the 6 cases exhibited aphasia,and complicated with mental or emotional abnormalities,irritability or shouting.Five cases developed into sleep disorders such as sleep deprivation.Five cases had limb and facial involuntary movement,in which 2 cases had stereotyped action.Prominent autonomic nervous dysfunction including hidrosis was found in 1 case.(3) Laboratory examination:cerebrospinal fluid test was normal in 6 cases,and 1 case had slightly increased white blood cell level.Specific anti-NMDAR antibody was positive in serum and/or cerebrospinal fluid in the 6 cases.Electroencephalograph of the 6 cases showed slow wave background during lucid interval,and 5 cases had interictal epileptiform discharges.The skull MRI showed cerebral atrophy 4 cases,and 2 cases of them were complicated with encephalomalacia.No tumor was found in the patients.(4) Treatment and follow-ups:6 cases received gamma globulin or methylprednisolone or other immunotherapy.Three cases received combined therapy with Rituximab,1 case received plasmapheresis,and 1 case received Cyclophosphamide.Follow-ups lasted for 2 to 31 months.Three patients had clinical recovery,and varying degrees of neurological complications were found in 3 cases.Conclusions (1) Anti-NMDAR encephalitis is common in children.(2) The specificity of its clinical symptoms is not strong.The incidence of convulsion is high,and different degrees of consciousness disorders may occur in some of the severe patients.Degeneration of language function and emotional changes can be observed.Most pediatric patients have abnormal movement,and the symptoms of automatic nervous system are not prominent.(3) The disease can be confirmed by the specific anti-NMDAR antibody in the spinal fluid or plasma.(4) The time of clinical recovery is long,and an early immunotherapy is associated with a better prognosis.