Background Inherited retinal degeneration,one of the major causes of blindness worldwide,comprises a large number of disorders characterized by a slow and progressive retinal degeneration.Interleukin-1 (IL-1)was recognized to be involved in inherited retinal degeneration.Whether IL-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) can arrest retinal degeneration is worthy of investigation.Objective This study was to investigate the effects of IL-1ra on photoreceptor apoptosis in Royal College of Surgeons (RCS) rats.Methods The use of the animals complied with the Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.The SPF RCS rats aged 9,15,16,25,30,35,40,50 and 60 postnatal days were collected,with 9 rats for each age group.Retinal sections were used for the TdT-mediated biotin-dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL) cell apoptosis assay.1 μl of IL-1ra (1.8 g/L) was intravitreally injected in the right eyes of 9 RCS rats aged 15 postnatal days and PBS was used in the same way in the fellow eyes.The injection procedure was repeated on the 20 th and 25 th day,respectively.The rats were sacrificed on the 30 th day and retinal sections were prepared for the TUNEL assay.The differences in the percentage of the positive cellular nuclei area among different ages of rats were compared by one-way ANOVA,and the differences in retinal layer thickness between IL-1ra injection group and PBS injection group were assessed by paired t test.Results Photoreceptor apoptosis appeared in 20-day-old RCS rats and progressed and peaked in 30 and 35-day-old rats and then reduced,showing a significant difference among rat of various age groups (F=28.020,P＜0.01).Images from TUNEL assay showed a weaker and less TUNEL staining in the IL-1ra injected eyes than the PBS injected eyes in 30-day-old rats.The total area and relative area of TUNEL positive nuclei were (223.052±153.092) μm2 and (2.206±1.531) ％ in the IL-1ra injected group,and those in PBS injected group were (1235.050±359.767) μm2 and (7.269± 1.624) ％,with a significant difference between them (t =4.370,t=3.250,P＜0.01).The cone and rod thickness was (15.324±9.035) μm in the IL-1ra injected group and (49.566±4.605)μm in the PBS injected group,showing a significant difference (t =22.674,P＜0.01).However,no significant difference was seen in the outer nuclear layer thickness between the two groups (t =0.268,P＞0.05).Conclusions IL-1 participates in the pathogenesis and development of inherited retinal degeneration of RCS rats.The use of IL-1ra might be a potential approach in the treatment of inherited retinal degeneration.

In this study, we investigated the effect of Cigu Xiaozhi formula on HSC-T6 activity in hypoxic microenvironment based on network pharmacology and computer-aided drug design, and predicted and verified its possible targets and related signaling pathways. The potential active components and targets of Cigu Xiaozhi formula were screened by searching Traditional Chinese Medicine Systems Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), Encyclopaedia of Traditional Chinese Medicine (ETCM) and Bioinformatics Analysis Tool for Molecular Mechanism of Traditional Chinese Medicine (BATMAN-TCM) databases, and the liver fibrosis related targets retrieved from Gene Cards and Pharm GK database were integrated to obtain the potential targets of Cigu Xiaozhi formula in the treatment of liver fibrosis. GO enrichment analysis and KEGG signaling pathway enrichment analysis were performed on Omic Share platform, and Cytoscape software was used to construct the "potential active ingredient-key target-pathway" network. The active components and target proteins were subjected to molecular docking analysis by Auto Dock software. According to the results of molecular dynamics simulation and binding free energy calculation, the top 5 active components with degree were scored. The active components stigmasterol and β-sitosterol were subjected to molecular docking. CoCl₂ was used to induce HSC-T6 cells to construct hypoxia model in vitro. The cell viability was detected by CCK-8 assay, and the optimal time and concentration of hypoxia model of HSC-T6 cells was determined to be 100 µmol·L^-1 CoCl₂ for 24 h. Under hypoxia condition, HSC-T6 cells were activated, the wound healing rate was significantly increased, and the fluorescence signal of activation marker protein α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was significantly enhanced. However, 6% drug-containing serum could inhibit the activation of HSC-T6 cells, and the wound healing rate was significantly decreased, and the fluorescence signal of α-SMA was significantly weakened. Further studies showed that the expressions of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α), α-SMA and key proteins of Hedgehog (Hh) signaling pathway in HSC-T6 cells were up-regulated under hypoxia, while the expressions of HIF-1α, α-SMA, Patched-1 (Ptch-1) and glioma related oncogene homology-1 (Gli-1) were down-regulated in 6% drug-containing serum group, the YC-1 group and the cyclopamine group. These results indicated that HIF-1α and Hh signaling pathways were involved in the activation of HSC-T6 cells, and the traditional Chinese medicine Cigu Xiaozhi formula could inhibit the activation of HSC-T6 cells, and the mechanism may be related to the inhibition of HIF-1α expression and the blocking of Hh signaling pathway. In conclusion, Cigu Xiaozhi formula can inhibit the activation of HSC-T6 cells by directly acting on HIF-1α and Hh signaling pathway, and exert an anti-hepatic fibrosis effect. The animal experimental protocol has been reviewed and approved by Laboratory Animal Ethics Committee of Gansu University of Chinese Medicine, in compliance with the Institutional Animal Care Guidelines.

Fluoroquinolone can cause pathologic lesions in tendon tissue (tendinopathy).In some cases,fluoroquinolone usage can lead to partly rupture or complete rupture of the tendon and substantial subsequent permanent disability.This article reviews fluoroquinolone tendinopathy symptoms,diagnosis,risk factors and toxic mechanisms.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical features and epidemiological data of 72 cases of male perianal warts.

METHODSSeventy-two cases of perianal warts in our clinic dated from June, 2004 to April, 2006 were enrolled in the study, whose clinical information and epidemiological data were collected and analyzed.

RESULTSPerianal warts were most commonly seen in young and middle-aged men aged from 18 to 45, only 12.5% of whom had homosexual behaviors. Sauna was another predisposing factor of perianal warts in males in China (chi2 = 5.03, P < 0.05). Primary eruptions of the anus and rectum, like perianal pruritus, eczema, anus fissure, and haemorrhoids, often impaired the local integrity of skin/mucosa. Classical condyloma acuminate was found in 61 (84.72%) of patients, who were susceptive to the infections of HPV 6/11, and were flat condylomas related to HPV16/18. Cryotherapy was believed to be one of the most efficient therapeutic choices for flat perianal warts. Suppression of cellular immune response was identified in the patients by comparison between the subgroups of peripheral T cells and the normal control.

CONCLUSIONSauna is an essential predisposing factor of perianal warts in males, while anus sexual intercourse is not the main route of HPV infection. Classical condylomata acuminate constitute the majority of the eruptions, and flat condylomata come next. The study also provides some useful data for understanding the clinical and epidemiological features of perianal warts in Chinese males for the sake of prevention and treatment of the disease.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Anus Diseases ; classification ; epidemiology ; Condylomata Acuminata ; classification ; epidemiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged

Objective:To investigate the effect of IL-34 on the phenotype of monocyte derived dendritic cells in RA,and to speculate the role of IL-34 in the differentiation of myeloid dendritic cells.Methods:The peripheral blood of RA patients was collected to harvest PBMC by Ficoll density gradient centrifugation and cultured for 4h.Adherent cells were stimulated with GM-CSF+IL-4,IL-4, IL-4+IL-34 for 3 days,and then the expression of CD83,CD86 and CD14 was tested by flow cytometry.In addition,the cells stimulated by GM-CSF and IL-4 were added by TNF-α with or without IL-34 for another four days.The expression of CD83,CD86 and/or CD14 was detected by flow cytometry.Results:(1)The expression of CD83 and CD86 on immature DC induced by IL-34+IL-4 was upregulated compared with IL-4 alone(P<0.01),but no difference of the CD14 levels between the two groups(P>0.05).The levels of CD86 and CD14 induced by IL-34+IL-4 were slightly decreased compared with GM-CSF+IL-4 stimulation(P<0.05),but no difference of CD83 expression between the two groups(P>0.05).(2)The expression of CD83 and CD86 stimulated by GM-CSF+IL-4+IL-34 was lower than the GM-CSF+IL-4+TNF-α group(P<0.05),but no difference compared with GM-CSF+IL-4 group(P>0.05). (3)The CD83 expression induced by GM-CSF+IL-4+TNF-α+IL-34 was lower than GM-CSF+IL-4+TNF-α group(P<0.05),but there was no difference of CD86 and CD14 expression between the two groups(P>0.05).Conclusion:IL-34 played roles in the process of immature DC differentiation,but the effect was slightly weaker than that of GM-CSF.IL-34 did not effect the phenotype change of mature DC,but involved in the maintainence of immature DC.

The outbreaks and the increased prevalence of carbapenem -resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa have been continuously reported in hos-pitals worldwide , along with the increasing usage of Carbapenems .The infection caused by CRPA poses a serious public health threat . The mainly mechanisms of Pseudomonas aeruginosa resistant to carbapenems are the decreasing expression of outer membrane protein ( the mutation or loss of OprD 2 ) , the over-expression of efflux pump system , and the ca-pability of metallo-β-lactamases to hydrolyze most carbapenems , and so on.The effective antibiotics against carbapenem -resistant Pseudo-monas aeruginosa are limited.The insights into mechanisms of Pseudo-monas aeruginosa resistant to carbapenems may contribute to the develop-ment of new drugs and rational application of antibiotics in clinic .

Objective To understand the current situation and influencing factors of abnormal glucose metabolism in junior middle school students in Yanqing District, Beijing. Methods With the mothod of stratified cluster random sampling, the questionnaire, physical examination and fasting capillary blood glucose were conducted in 2 493 students from 4 junior high schools. Results The prevalence of diabetes, impaired fasting glucose, and abnormal glucose metabolism were 2.5%, 11.4%, and 13.9%, respectively. The prevalence of abnormal glucose metabolism varied significantly among different ages, grades, regions, obesity, central obesity and hypertension (all P<0.05); Unconditional multiple Logistic regression analysis showed that urban, centripetal obesity, and hypertension were positively associated with the risk of abnormal glucose metabolism in middle school students in Yanqing District; daily breakfast was negatively associated with the risk of abnormal glucose metabolism. Conclusion The prevalence of abnormal glucose metabolism is high among junior middle school students, urban, central obesity, high blood pressure and daily breakfast are influencing factors of abnormal glucose metabolism in Yanqing District of Beijing.

Objective To evaluate the antibiotic effects of colistin con-bined with biapenem against 85 isolates of Carbapenems -resistant Pseudomonas aeruginosa( CRPA) in vitro.Methods The minimal inhib-itory concentration ( MIC ) of colistin or biapenem against 85 strains of CRPA was determined by agar dilution method.The broth microdilution and checkerboard method were used to determine the MICs of colistin or biapenem and fractional inhibitory concentration index ( FICI ) was calcu-lated according to MIC results.The time-killing curves of colistin and biapenem alone or combination were determined.Results The MIC of all the combined antimicrobials was reduced significantly (P<0.01).Of 85 isolates, 11.76% synergism, 17.65% section synergism, 34.12%additive effect, 36.47%indifference, no antagonism found.At 24 h the combination resulted in more than 2 log10 CFU? mL-1 reduction in viable bacteria compared with colistin or biapenem alone.Conclusion The activities of colistin combined with biapenem are mainly synergistic and additive.

OBJECTIVETo probe blood serum Ab-IgG characteristics of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) patients in Guangzhou and investigate the related factors.

METHODSThe serum of such population diagnosed as SARS convalescent patients, non-SARS patients, family consanguineous contraction persons, wild animal and vegetable salesman and community common people was collected. The lab detective method of ELISA was adopted for these serum samples. And the epidemic investigations for the SARS patients were also carried out.

RESULTSOf these populations, the detective rate of Ab-IgG for the clinic diagnosed SARS patients, which was 53.7%; That for the wild animal salesman and community common people were 16.7% and 0.9%, respectively. Among the clinic diagnosed SARS patients, the positive antibody detective rate was 90.4% for those which had specific contact history or infectivity, which was higher than that for other population. Among the specific contact history or infectivity cases, the antibody positive rate for the young and the old was lower than that for the adult. Meanwhile the difference did not exist among other cases. The antibody positive rate was identical between the male and the female. And the antibody detective rate was decreased by the month.

CONCLUSIONAs a whole SARS-CoV Ab-IgG detective rate for the clinic diagnosed SARS patients was 53.7% only. The reasons for that mainly lie in the wrong clinic diagnosis besides these factors such as age, hormone use and reagent and so on. The combination of lab detection results and epidemic investigation was propitious to the diagnosis veracity. It was impossible for the sub-clinic infection of SARS-CoV virus. The importance in the virus transmitting course need to be further studied.

Adult ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Child ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; SARS Virus ; immunology ; Seroepidemiologic Studies ; Severe Acute Respiratory Syndrome ; epidemiology ; immunology

Objective To investigate the development of echinocandin research on fungal biofilm from international and domestic databases from 2001 to 2013.Methods All publications were searched on international and domestic databases ( SCI, PubMed, EmBase, CNKI and SinoMed) and were screened by Endnote X7 software, then analysis was performed according to the publication year, author, article types, literature source , times cited and research content.Results A total of 153 publi-cations ( most were research articles) including 148 international and 5 domestic papers were searched from databases.The highest citation fre-quency of the literature was 157 times.A total of 62 research articles focused on Candida albicans.Most were monotherapy of echinocandin for fugal biofilm. A total of 24 research articles focused on caspofungin affecting the biofilm of C.Albicans.Fourteen papers concentrated on echinocandin combinations and few papers involved clinical research ( three papers ) .Conclusion The monotherapy of echinocandin can inhibit fugal biofilm, but combinations were not ideal.Biofilm infection model in vivo is still one of the key research areas, as well as the transition from basic research to clinical research.