To determine alpha-linolenic acid and linoleic acid in extract of Portulaca oleracea L. by high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC).

SUMOylation is a post - translational modification consisting of covalent conjugation of ubiquitin - like proteins called small ubiquitin related modifier ( SUMO ) . SUMO modification has been shown to significantly alter protein activity, which can modulate protein stability, affect protein-protein interactions, and modify protein localization and trafficking. This process adds another layer of control in eukaryote gene expression, and it regulates both transcriptional activation and repression. This article reviews the current situation and future development of SUMOylation in ophthalmology.

Aim To detect the expression of hippocam-pus NGF gene in the mouse model of Parkinson 's dis-ease. Methods By intraperitoneal injection of 1-meth-yl-4-phenyl-1,2, 3, 6-tetrahydropyridine ( MPTP), a mice model of Parkinson ’ s disease was established. The success of PD model was identified by detecting the expression of mesencephalic tyrosine hydroxylase ( TH) with Western blot and immunofluorescence. The movement and cognitive ability of mice were evaluated by foot print analysis and step-through passive avoid-ance test. The expression of NGF gene in hippocampus of mice was detected with RT-PCR and in situ hybrid-ization. Results Compared with the control group, the levels of TH and NGF were reduced in the experi-mental group and the behavioral indexes were deflected significantly. Conclusion NGF may play an impor-tant role in the occurrence and development of the PD cognitive disorder.

Objective To evaluate monoenergetic imaging of dual energy CT in the visualization of metal fixation of factures. Methods In total, 29 patients with factures underwent 36 metal fixations,including 11 external fixations implanting in tibiofibula (n = 11 ) and 25 internal fixations (cervical spine,n=10; lumbar spine, n=4; tibiofibula, n=8; radial bone, n=3). They were recruited into this study.After dual energy CT scan, monoenergetic software was used to post-process with the following 6 photon energies: 40, 70, 100, 130, 160, 190 keV. Two radiologists evaluated and rated the reformatted images with 6 different photon energies and average weighted 120 kV images according to the following 4-score scale. Score 1: nonassessable, with marked artifact; score 2: assessable, moderate artifact; score 3: good,mild artifact, good visualization of bony structures; score 4: excellent, no artifact. Kruskal-Wallis was used to perform statistical analysis of image quality for total fixations, external and internal fixations with various selective kev settings and average weighted 120 kV. Results For total fixations, monoenergetic imaging of dual energy CT has 25 fixations with score 3 and 4, but 120 kV has only 4 fixations with score 3 and 4.Monoenergetic imaging of dual energy CT improved image quality of fractures with metal fixation compared to average weighted 120 kV images ( F = 116. 487, P ＜0. 01 ). Images of 130 kev had the best image quality for external metal fixation (9 fixations with score 3 and 4, F = 60. 902, P ＜ 0. 01), while 70 kev was best for internal metal fixation ( F = 122. 149, P ＜ 0. 01). Conclusions Monoenergetic imaging of dual energy CT improves image quality of fractures with metal fixation. Reformatted images at 70 keV and 130 keV havethe optimal image quality for internal and external metal fixation, respectively.

Objective To study the serum levels of low molecule weight IgM (LMW IgM) in ankylosing spondylitis (AS) patients and rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients and to evaluate the relationship of LMW IgM levels with the disease activities. Methods The levels of LMW IgM and pentameric IgM in AS patients, RA patients and healthy controls were measured with ELISA after separated using ultrafiltration assay. Differences in the percentage of LMW IgM between subject groups were analysed using Mann-Whitney U test. Results The percentages of LMW IgM increased dramatically in AS patients and RA patients compared with healthy controls (0.194 ± 0123, 0.061 ±0.026, 0.028 ±0.165 separately). The LMW IgM percentages were not correlated with the disease activities. Conclusion The increase of LMW IgM indicates humoral immune function abnormality in AS patients and RA. However, the mechanism needs further study.

A comparison of the volatile compounds in Rhizomes Curcumae （Ezhu） and Radix Curcumae （Yujin） was undertaken using gas chromatography mass spectrometi-y （GC-MS）. Ultrasonic extraction and GC-MS methods were developed for the simultaneous determination of five sesquiterpenes, namely, α-pinene, β-elemene, curcumol, germacrone and curdione, in Ezhu and Yunjin. Good linearity （r〉0.999） and high inter-day precision were observed over the investigated concentration ranges. The validated method was successfully used for the simultaneous determination of five sesquiterpenes in Ezhu and Yujin. The quantitative method can be effectively used to evaluate and monitor the quality of Chinese curcuma in clinical use.

AlM:To study the relationship between JAK-STAT pathway and epithelial - mesenchymal transition in human lens epithelial cells. Meanwhile, the function of AG490 as a JAK inhibitor was also demonstrated in this article.
METHODS:Human lens epithelial cells SRA01/04 ( LECs ) were treated by low concentration of glucose (5. 5mmol/L). High concentration of glucose (30. 5mmol/L) was used to treat the cells in order to form the high glucose model. According to adding AG490 or not, cells were divided into the control group and the experimental group, appropriate concentration 10ü mol/L and 50ü mol/L of AG490 were chosen and acting time of 6, 12, 24, 48h were selected. Effect of AG490 on cell migration was measured by wound healing test. The expression of TGF-β1 , FN,α-SMA mRNA were examined by RT-PCR.
RESULTS:With the prolonged acting time ( 6, 12, 24 and 48h), cell activity increased in the HG group, as well as more expression of TGF-β1 , FN,α-SMA mRNA were detected compared to the LG group (P<0. 05). ln AG490 group, the cell migration activity and expression of TGF-β1 , FN,α-SMA mRNA decreased compared to the HG group (P<0. 05).
CONCLUSlON:JAK-STAT pathway takes part in high glucose-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human lens epithelial cells. The mechanism is that it impacts the transcriptional expression of TGF- β1 and extracellular matrix. AG490, a JAK inhibitor, inhibits high glucose-induced epithelial-mesenchymal transition in human lens epithelial cells, And the inhibition enhances with the increasing concentration of AG490.

Objective The aim of our study is to establish and characterize the animal model for au- toimmune myositis.Methods Fifty male SD rats were randomly divided into 2 groups:model group(n=40) and control group(n=10).The model group rats were immunized with muscle homogenate every week for 5 weeks and received an injection of 2?g pertussis toxin at the first and second week.As controls,10 SD rats were injected with an equal volume of normal saline.Tissue specimens from limb skeletal muscles were ob- tained at 1,2,3,4,5 weeks after injection.At the same time,the blood samples were collected,and the level of CPK was measured.Results The model group had significantly elevated serum CPK levels.There were multiple inflammatory lesions in the skeletal muscles.Local degeneration and necrosis of muscle fibers with disappeared transverse striation,mononuelear cell infiltration in the interstitial could be observed.The patho- logic grade was mainly 2a.The infiltrating mononuclear cells were predominantly CD8~+T cells that mainly lo- cated in the endnmysium.MHC classⅠantigen expression on muscle fiber membranes in the model group was upregulated.Conclusion The experimental autoimmune myositis induced by syngeneic skeletal muscle ho- mogenate in SD rat is pathologically similar to human myositis.It can be used as a good model for human myositis and provides the basis for the etiopathology and therapeutical studies.

OBJECTIVETo validate the efficiency and accuracy of an improved Demons deformable registration algorithm and evaluate its application in contour recontouring in 4D-CT.

METHODSTo increase the additional Demons force and reallocate the bilateral forces to accelerate convergent speed, we propose a novel energy function as the similarity measure, and utilize a BFGS method for optimization to avoid specifying the numbers of iteration. Mathematical transformed deformable CT images and home-made deformable phantom were used to validate the accuracy of the improved algorithm, and its effectiveness for contour recontouring was tested.

RESULTSThe improved algorithm showed a relatively high registration accuracy and speed when compared with the classic Demons algorithm and optical flow based method. Visual inspection of the positions and shapes of the deformed contours agreed well with the physician-drawn contours.

CONCLUSIONDeformable registration is a key technique in 4D-CT, and this improved Demons algorithm for contour recontouring can significantly reduce the workload of the physicians. The registration accuracy of this method proves to be sufficient for clinical needs.

Algorithms ; Four-Dimensional Computed Tomography

OBJECTIVEIn this study, we aimed to investigate the expressions of adhesion molecules on human bronchial epithelial cells and neutrophils in co-culture system, assess the effects of puerarin on suppressing these adhesion molecules expressions, and explore the roles of two crucial signal-transduction elements p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) and nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) in modulating adhesion molecules expressions.

METHODSNeutrophils and BEAS-2B cells (one human bronchial epithelial cell line) were co-cultured, and adhesion molecules expressions on cell surface were detected using flow cytometry. The mRNA levels of adhesion molecules were assessed by real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (real-time qPCR). Phosphorylated p38 MAPK and inhibitor κB were analyzed by Western blot.

RESULTSIn co-culture system, adhesion molecules expressions on BEAS-2B cells and neutrophils were enhanced significantly (P<0.05). Correspondingly, the mRNA levels of adhesion molecules were also increased greatly. Moreover, the pretreatment of peurarin obviously suppressed adhesion molecules expressions on cell surface. Furthermore, phosphorylated p38 MAPK and inhibitor κB in BEAS-2B cells and neutrophils were elevated in co-culture system, but decreased significantly after upon the treatment of peurarin (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSCoculture boosted the interactions between human bronchial epithelial cells and neutrophils mimicking airway inflflammation, whereas peurarin decreased the expression of adhesion molecules on cell surface by suppressing the activities of p38 MAPK and NF-κB pathways, and exhibiting its anti-inflflammation activity.

Animals ; Base Sequence ; Bronchi ; cytology ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Cattle ; Cell Adhesion Molecules ; metabolism ; Cell Line ; Coculture Techniques ; DNA Primers ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Epithelial Cells ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Neutrophils ; enzymology ; metabolism ; Phosphorylation ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism