Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) has become a leading cause of irreversible visual loss in senior population with serious influence to their ability of living independently.Epidemiological researches have revealed various risk factors of AMD,some of which are not controllable such as age,heredity and race ;while others are modifiable such as lifestyle,eye conditions and other systemic diseases.However,the awareness of AMD risk factors is alarmingly low in public.Meanwhile,the understanding of AMD risk factors among ophthalmologists is also unsatisfactory.Therefore,the risk factors of AMD are reviewed here in order to improve the understanding of the ophthalmologists and better guide the clinical management of AMD.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of serum MUC1(sMUC1)in the patients with multiple myeloma.Methods The enzyme linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to compare the sMUC1 levels in the 12 cases of newly diagnosed multiple myeloma.15 cases of post-chemotherapy and 46 healthy donors.Results The mean concentration of sMUC1 in the newly diagnosed patients with multiple myeloma was 33.44 U/ml(10.86～88.80 U/ml).In the patients of post-chemotherapy the mean concentration was 11.6U/ml(3.92～22.22 U/ml),and in the healthy donors the concentration was 12.81 U/ml(3.84～30.45 U/ml).The level of sMUC1 in the new diagnosed patients was significandy higher than that in the patients of post-chemotherapy(P=0.001)and healthy donors(P=0.000).There was no significant difference between post-chemotherapy and healthy donors(P=0.461).Conclusion sMUC1 may be one of the tumor markers for the diagnosis of multiple myeloma.sMUC1 could also be used as one of the indicators of prognosis and the evaluation of the chemotherapy efficacy.sMUC1 might be a potential target for the immunotherapy to the patients with multiple myeloma.

Objective To construct short hairpin RNA (shRNA) expression plasmids against the inhibitor of differentiation 2 (Id2) gene and establish a suitable cell model for the role of Id2 in proliferation and differentiation of human Ewing sarcoma cell.Methods Three shRNA sequences targeting Id2 gene were designed and inserted into the pGPU6/GFP/Neo (-shRNA-Id2) expression vectors.The recombinant pGPU6/GFP/Neo-shRNA-Id2 plasmids were introduced into Ewing sarcoma RD-ES cells by liposome-mediated transfection.The knock-down efficiency of Id2 in infected RD-ES cells was verified by Western blot assay.The cell growth and cell cycle changes were evaluated by cell counting and flow cytometry between transfected cells and control cells.Results The Id2 expression decreased 54 ％ and 57 ％,respectively,in RD-ES cell line which were transfected with the shRNA-Id2-543 and shRNA-Id2-593 plasmids compared with the control group cells by Western blot analysis.The cell growth assay demonstrated that the cell number in transfected cells was significantly decreased during 6-7 d compared with the control group (P ＜ 0.05).The cells at the S-phase of cell cycle were increased [(36.60±1.53) ％ and (44.89E2.46) ％ vs (29.73±2.03) ％,P ＜ 0.05],and no significant changes at the G2 phase or even reduction in the transfected cells.Conclusions Id2 stable knock-down cell lines are successfully established.The reduced expression of Id2 is related with decreased cell growth and cell cycle arrest in the S-phase.Id2 maybe plays an important role in proliferation of Ewing sarcoma cell.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mental health of freshmen of university.MethodsSymptom Checklist 90 (SCL-90) was used to self evaluate 7763 freshmen of university in Ningbo.Results and ConclusionThe overall level of the mental health of this group was higher than that of the Chinese module, and the prevalence of psychological symptoms was 13.2%. The average level of mental health of female were inferior to male. The difference between the students from cities or towns and from the countryside were distinct. Students who were satisfied with their majority get noticeably higher average score than the ones who were not satisfied.

Objective To investigate that p53 expression in fibroblast-like synoviocytes (FLS) and its effects on CD4+ T lymphocytes from active rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients. Methods Human FLS was transfected with p53siRNA and cocultured with CD4+ T lymphocytes from active RA patients. The expression of osteoprotegerin and IL-6 secretion was detected in the transfected FLS. In addition, the expressions of IFN-γ, IL-17, IL-4 and CD25 as well as mRNA levels of IFN-γ RORγt, IL-17 and Foxp3 in cocuhured CD4+ T lymphocytes were also measured. Results IL-6 secretion decreased in p53-inhibited FLS while osteopro-tegerin expression was not altered, p53-inhibited FLS could significantly increase IL-17 and IFN-γ expres-sions. It also upregulated Foxp3 expression though had no effect on CD4+CD25high T lymphocytes. Conclusion p53 expression in FLS regulates Th1 and Th17 cells of RA patients, and therefore participate in the pathogenesis of RA.

OBJECTIVETo study the changes of biomarkers in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in cerebral amyloid angiopathy (CAA) dementia and Alzheimer(')s disease.

METHODSLevels of amyloid protein β (Aβ42, Aβ40) and phosphorylated Tau-protein (P-tau) in CSF and ratio of Aβ42/Aβ40 were tested in 5 cases with CAA dementia and 20 cases with Alzheimer's disease collected at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from December 2001 to March 2011.

RESULTSThe levels of Aβ42, Aβ40, and P-tau in CSF and ratio of Aβ42/Aβ40 were (660.4 ± 265.2) ng/L, (7111.0 ± 1033.4) ng/L, (71.8 ± 51.5) ng/L, and 0.077 ± 0.033, respectively in CAA dementia and (663.6 ± 365.6) ng/L, (5115.0 ± 2931.1) ng/L, (47.7 ± 38.8) ng/L, and 0.192 ± 0.140, respectively in Alzheimer's disease patients. There were no statistically significant differences between CAA dementia and Alzheimer's disease in terms of these CSF biomarkers (all P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONMeasurements of CSF biomarkers may not be helpful in differential diagnosis of CAA and Alzheimer's disease.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Amyloid beta-Peptides ; cerebrospinal fluid ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Biomarkers ; cerebrospinal fluid ; Cerebral Amyloid Angiopathy ; cerebrospinal fluid ; Dementia ; cerebrospinal fluid ; Humans ; Male ; tau Proteins ; cerebrospinal fluid

To study the effect of Gegen Qinlian decoction and its major effective components on five hepatic microsomal CYP450 isozymes in rats. The in vitro hepatic microsomal incubation technique was used to co-culture Gegen Qinlian decoction and its major effective components together with each probe substrate. HPLC-MS/MS was used to establish the analytical method for metabolites of the five isoform probe substrates of CYP450 isozymes, detect the linearity among micoromal protein concentration, incubation time and metabolite formation amount. And HPLC-MS/MS was applied to determine the formation rate (V) of corresponding metabolites (acetaminophen, 4-OH-chlorzoxazone, dextrophan, 6-OH-chlorzoxazone and 6β-hydroxytestosterone) specific probe substrates of the five isoform probe substrates of CYP450 isozymes (phenacetin, polbutamide, dextromethorphan, chlorzoxazone, testosterone), in order to determine the activity of each isozyme. The result showed good linearity among acetaminophen, 4-OH-tolbutamide, dextrophan, 6-OH-chlorzoxazone and 6β-hydroxytestosterone, satisfactory precision, stability and average recovery, suggesting the method was feasible. The optimized in vitro microsomal incubation conditions conformed to the requirements in the guideline of drug-drug interaction. Gegen Qinlian decoction showed different degrees of inhibitor effect on 5 CYP450 isoforms (CYP1A2, CYP2C11, CYP2D2, CYP2E1, CYP3A1/2). Its major effective component berberine could inhibit each CYP450 isoform at high concentrations (except for CYP1A2, CYP3A1/2).
Animals ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Isoenzymes ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Liver ; enzymology ; Rats ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; methods

Background:The diagnostic accuracy of APRI and FIB-4 for liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B is nothigh,especially for significant liver fibrosis (F≥2). Noninvasive diagnosis for liver fibrosis has become a research hotspot;and the diagnostic value of APRI combined with FIB-4 is not clear. Aims:To investigate the diagnostic value ofAPRI combined with FIB-4 for significant liver fibrosis in patients with chronic hepatitis B. Methods:A total of 171patients with chronic hepatitis B from January 2011 to October 2016 at General Hospital of Xinjiang Military Region wereenrolled. Liver biochemical indices,routine blood test and liver biopsy pathology were performed. APRI and FIB-4 werecalculated,ROC curve was drawn,and cutoff value of APRI and FIB-4 for diagnosing significant liver fibrosis wasdetermined,and mode of APRI combined with FIB-4 for diagnosing significant liver fibrosis was established. Results:Withthe increase in degree of liver fibrosis,APRI and FIB-4 were gradually increased (P < 0. 05). Area under ROC curve(AUC)for APRI and FIB-4 were 0. 812 and 0. 770,respectively. The sensitivity of FIB-4 for diagnosing significant liverfibrosis was higher than that of APRI. Sensitivity,specificity,negative predictive value,positive predictive value,andaccuracy of APRI combined with FIB-4 for diagnosing significant liver fibrosis were superior to APRI or FIB-4 used alone;and the specificity,accuracy of mode 2 were superior to mode 1. Conclusions:APRI combined with FIB-4 can increasethe accuracy for diagnosing significant liver fibrosis.

Objective To establish an animal model of severe blast lung injury in baby rabbits,and to provide a way to study the char-acteristic and treatment of blast lung injury in minors.Methods Randomly selected sixteen 4-weeks old New Zealand white rabbits,and the blast lung injuries were made by BST-Ⅰ biological shock tube with different drive pressure (4.0 MPa and 4.5 MPa)respectively.Then compared the injury severity of the 4.0 Mpa group and the 4.5 MPa group.Selected forty-eight 4-weeks old New Zealand white rabbits and di-vided them into the control group (8 rabbits)and the blast lung injury group (40 rabbits)Rabbits in the blast lung injury group were injured with 4.5 MPa drive pressure.Observed the vital signs,physiological index,gross anatomy of the lung,pathology,and pulmonary water content at the time of injury immediately (0 hour),2 hours,4 hours,6 hours,12 hours,24 hours,48 hours and 72 hours after the injury.Results Rabbits inthe 4.0 Mpa group and the 4.5 MPa group were all alive.The overpressure of blast wave of the 4.0Mpa group was (328.16 ± 4.78)kPa,rate of severe pulmonary defense was 12.5%,and the AIS score was (3.38 ±0.52)points.In the 4.5 MPa group,the overpressure of blast wave was (395.04 ±11.74)kPa,rate of severe pulmonary defense was 87.5%,and the AIS score was (4.13 ±0.64) points.Rabbits in the control group and the blast lung injury group were all alive.The spirits of rabbits were drooping immediately after inju-ry,and it last about 0.5 hour.Then the breathing and heart rate was accelerated,pulmonary water content was increased significantly,and there were extensive hemorrhage and edema in the lung.Most of the rabbits suffered severe lung injury,and the AIS score was (3.98 ±0.55) points.Lung tissue rupture,hemorrhage,edema,and inflammatory cells infiltration were the main pathological manifestations under light microscopy. Conclusion The model of severe blast lung injury in baby rabbits could be established with BST-Ⅰbiological shock tube and drive pressure of 4.5 MPa.It is relatively simple,easily controllable and highly repeatable,which can be used as a feasible model for the study of blast lung injury.

Objective To investigate the molecular mechanism of As 2 O3 in suppressing metastasis of esophagus carcinoma cells.Methods The 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyl-tetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay, adhesion and invasion assay were performed to observe the inhibitory effect of As 2 O3 on proliferation and metastasis of esophagus carcinoma cells .The expressions of matrix metalloproteinases ( MMP)2, MMP9, E-cadherin, and protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor-type O ( PTPRO) were analyzed with Western blot .Results Exposure to As 2 O3 significantly presented suppressive functions on growth and metastasis of esophagus carcinoma cells in a dose-dependent manner ( P <0.01 ) .Additionally , MMP2 and MMP9 expressions were increased after treatment with casticin ( P <0.01 ) , whereas E-cadherin and PTPRO expressions were down-regulated ( P <0.01 ) .Conclusions As2 O3 had a significant function to inhibit proliferation and metastasis of esophagus carcinoma cells .