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

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 .

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

Objective Intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) plays an important role in mediating pulmonary infiltration of neutrophils .The aim of the study was to observe the expression of ICAM-1 and its potential regulators MK 2/HuR in pulmonary micro-vascular endothelial cells ( PMVEC ) in mice with acute respiratory distress syndrome ( ARDS) induced by lipopolysaccharide ( LPS) . Methods Ten 6-8 weeks old healthy C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into an LPS and a control group of equal number , the former injected intraperitoneally with LPS diluted in 100 μL PBS while the latter with PBS only , both at 5 mg per kg of the body weight .At 24 hours after injection , all the mice were sacrificed .Real-time PCR was used to determine the mRNA expressions of HuR and ICAM-1 in the PMVECs, Western bolt employed to detect the protein expressions of MK2, HuR and ICAM-1, and flow cytometry adopted to measure the ICAM-1 expression on the surface of the PMVECs and pulmonary infiltration of neutrophils . Results The W/D ratio in the lung tissue of the mice was significantly lower in the LPS than in the control group (3.61 ±0.28 vs 6.16 ±0.40, P<0.05), while the rate of neutrophil infiltration markedly higher in the former than in the latter ([13.92 ±3.23]%vs [3.24 ±1.24]%, P<0.05).The mRNA and protein expressions of ICAM-1 in the PMVECs were significantly elevated in the LPS group as compared with that in the control (P<0.05), and so was the mRNA expression of HuR (P<0.05).No remarkable changes were observed in the expressions of total MK 2 and HuR proteins, but phosphorylated MK2 (p-MK2) and cytoplasmic HuR were increased in the LPS-stimulated mice. Conclusion Specific blockage or reduction of the HuR expression in PMVECs may lower the expression of ICAM-1, reduce neutrophil infiltration , and lessen pathophysiological changes in mice with ARDS .

Objective: To explore the relationship between expression of tumor necrosis factor-α( TNF-α) and electrophysiological heterogeneity in isolated heart tissues and isolated rat ventricular myocytes.The arrhythmogenic mechanisms of TNF-αwere further studied.Methods:Langendorff perfused heart tissues models were used to verify the arrhythmogenic effects of TNF-α.The monophasic action potentials( MAPs) of the endocardium and epicardium from the isolated heart tissues were recorded by elec-trophysiological experiments.The isolated rat ventricular myocytes were obtained by enzymatic dissociation.K+currents(Ito,IK1)were recorded by using whole cell patch clamp technique.Results: Compared to the control group, the difference in MAPD between endocardium and epicardium dramatically increased with TNF-α( P<0.05 ) .TNF-αcould cause MAP duration ( MAPD ) prolongation, and a single dose of TNF-αdifferentially affected the MAPs of endocardium and epicardium of isolated heart tissues.Compared to the control group,the K+currents(Ito,IK1)were dose-dependently decreased with TNF-αin rat ventricular myocytes(P<0.05).However, etanercept had no effects on the MAPD in the absence of TNF-α.Conclusion:TNF-α-induced heterogeneity of MAPD between the endo-cardium and epicardium may provide the substrate for the onset of ventricular arrhythmias during acute myocardial infarction.The effect might be associated with TNF-αcontribute to re-entrant ventricular arrhythmias which resulted from decreased K+currents(Ito,IK1).