Background It is well known that sclera remodeling occurs during axial elongation in myopia under the control of growth hormone or its downstream effectors.The role of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in myopia has been determined in previous studies.Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) is one of members of the TGF-β superfamily,but if it plays an important role in the genesis and development of myopia is not completely clear.Objective This study was to identify the presence of BMPs in normal guinea pigs sclera and investigate the change of BMPs in the sclera in form-deprivation myopia (FDM) of guinea pigs.Methods Thirty young guinea pigs were randomized into normal control group and experimental group using table of random number.FDM models were established by occluding unilateral eyes of guinea pigs with a translucent lens for 14 days in the experimental group,and the fellow eyes served as the controls.Diopter of all eyes was tested by retinoscopy optometry,and ocular axial length was measured by A-sonography before and after modeling.Posterior sclera tissue of the animals was obtained on 14 days,and the relative expression level of BMPs mRNA and protein were assayed by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blot.The use and care of the animals complied with ARVO Statement.Results On 14 days after occluding of unilateral eyes,the refraction diopter of the experimental group was (-0.48±0.51) D,and that of the fellow eyes was (3.22 ±0.34) D,showing a significant difference between them (t =-12.814,P =0.000).Also,a significant difference in the diopter was seen between the experimental group and normal control group ([-0.48±0.51]D vs.[2.97±0.70]D,t =-11.878,P=0.000).Axial length was (8.30 ± 0.05) mm in the experimental group,(8.11 ±0.06) mm in the fellow eyes and (8.06±0.06) mm in the normal control group,showing a significant increase in the experimental group compared with the fellow eyes and normal control group (t =7.230,P =0.000 ; t =9.084,P=0.000).The expressions of BMP-2 mRNA,BMP-4 mRNA,BMP-5 mRNA in posterior sclera were detected in the normal guinea pigs.Fourteen days after the induction of myopia,the relative levels of BMP-2 mRNA and BMP-5 mRNA in sclera were 0.41 ± 0.11 and 0.65 ± 0.06 in the experimental eyes,which were significantly lower than 0.62 ± 0.07 and 0.84 ± 0.03 in the fellow eyes with the descent range of 34.48％ and 23.67％ respectively (t=2.838,P=0.017; t=2.524,P=0.028).The relative values of BMP-2 protein and BMP-5 protein were 0.44±0.06 and 0.70±0.05 in the experimental eyes,and those of the fellow eyes were 0.61±0.05 and 0.82±0.03,showing significant decline in the experimental eyes with the lowing range of 23.42％ and 15.21％,respectively (t =2.465,P =0.030;t =2.445,P=0.031).No significant differences were found in the expression of BMP-4 mRNA and protein in posterior sclera between the experimental eyes and the normal control eyes (mRNA:t =0.704,P=0.460;protein:t=0.987,P=0.365).Conclusions The expressions of the BMP-2 and BMP-5 in sclera down-regulate significantly in FDM eyes,which suggest that BMP-2 and BMP-5 participate in sclera remodeling during myopia induction.

Anti-Infective Agents, Local ; therapeutic use ; Biosensing Techniques ; Chlorhexidine ; therapeutic use ; Chlorine Compounds ; therapeutic use ; Chromatography, Gas ; Dehydroascorbic Acid ; therapeutic use ; Dental Disinfectants ; therapeutic use ; Halitosis ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; therapeutic use ; Mouthwashes ; therapeutic use ; Odorants ; prevention & control ; Oils, Volatile ; therapeutic use ; Oral Hygiene ; instrumentation ; Oxides ; therapeutic use ; Sodium Bicarbonate ; therapeutic use ; Sulfur Compounds ; analysis

Halitosis ; etiology ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Helicobacter Infections ; complications ; Helicobacter pylori ; Humans ; Oral Hygiene ; Periodontal Diseases ; complications ; Smoking ; Volatile Organic Compounds ; metabolism

Objective: To establish the chemical fingerprint of Sophora alopecuroides extracts based on high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and determine the LD50 of different extracts of S. alopecuroides to analyze its “spectrum toxicity” relationship. Methods: A series of extracts were prepared by 75% ethanol reflux (ER), water decoction (WD), 75% ethanol ultrasound (EU) and water ultrasound (WU), and their fingerprints were established to determine the acute toxicity LD50 of different extracts. The relationship between chemical composition and acute toxicity LD50 of S. alopecuroides extracts were studied by means of fingerprint similarity evaluation system. Results: The LD50 of ER, WD, EU, and WU extracts were 38.397, 24.994, 18.536, and 19.957 g/kg, respectively. The ocular lesions of mice viscera were mainly manifested in liver and kidney, and the toxicity of ER extracts was the greatest. The 10 common peaks of S. alopecuroides extracts can be divided into two categories; Peaks 4 and 10, oxymatrine and sophocarpidine were negatively correlated with acute toxicity LD50. Conclusion: The spectral toxicity relationship analysis method of S. alopecuroides was constructed. The unidentified peaks 4, 10 and oxymatrine and sophocarpidine were the main chemical components of the toxicity reaction, which laid a good foundation for clinical application and scientific and rational development of S. alopecuroides.

Abstract: Objective To investigate the function and molecular mechanism of LRH-1 in regulating the sensitivity of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) cells to oxaliplatin, providing new ideas for the treatment of liver cancer. Methods Knockdown and overexpression of LRH-1 in HCC cell lines were constructed, and the effect of LRH-1 on oxaliplatin resistance of HCC cells was explored by detecting IC50, cell proliferation, and plate colony formation assay. The transcriptional regulation of the MDR-1 gene by LRH-1 was detected through quantitative PCR. The transcriptional activation ability of LRH-1 on the MDR1 gene was evaluated by luciferase reporter assay. Results In HuH7 cells overexpressing LRH-1, the IC50 significantly increased to 18.012 μmol/L under oxaliplatin treatment, significantly higher than the 2.042 μmol/L in the HuH-7 control group, showing statistically significant differences (P<0.05). After overexpression of LRH-1 in HuH-7 cells, the cell proliferation ability was significantly increased, with a noticeable increase in MDR1 mRNA level. In HepG2 cells with knockdown LRH-1 expression, the IC50 significantly dropped to 1.012 μmol/L, significantly lower than the 6.294 μmol/L in the HepG2 control group, with statistically significant differences (P<0.05). After knockdown of LRH-1 in HepG2 cells, the cell proliferation and plate colony formation ability were significantly inhibited, with a notable decrease in MDR1 mRNA expression level. Luciferase reporter assay confirmed that LRH-1 can activate the transcriptional activity of the MDR1 promoter in a dosedependent manner, and its specific inhibitor ML-180 can significantly reduce LRH-1′s transcription activation ability on the MDR1 promoter. Conclusions LRH-1 may promote oxaliplatin resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma cells by regulating the transcriptional activity of MDR1 gene. Since its specific small molecule inhibitor has been successfully synthesized, LRH-1 can potentially become a target for the treatment of drug resistance in hepatocellular carcinoma.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the feasibility of detecting of Y-STR of fetal DNA in maternal plasma using Ion Torrent PGM™ System. METHODS: A total of 16 fetal DNA samples from maternal plasmas (8 cases from 38 weeks gestational age and 8 ones from 12 weeks) were prepared and a multiplex assay with 7 STR loci (DYS390, DYS391, DYS393, DYS438, DYS437, DYS456, DYS635) was designed for multiplex-PCR amplification. Using Ion Torrent PGM™ System, the results of Y-STR sequences and capillary electrophoresis were obtained and compared. RESULTS: Y-STR specific alleles were detected in the maternal plasma of all the pregnant women having male babies of second and third trimester, which were higher than that detected by capillary electrophoresis. Consistent Y-STR genotypes were observed between fetal DNA from maternal plasma and genomic DNA from the newborn babies. CONCLUSION Based on Ion Torrent PGM™ System, the prenatal Y-STR detection method may provide a high-sensitive and high-throughput choice for prenatal STR detection in forensic testing.
Alleles ; Chromosomes, Human, Y/genetics* ; DNA/blood* ; Family ; Female ; Fetal Blood/chemistry* ; Genotype ; Haplotypes ; Humans ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Pregnancy ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Sex Determination Analysis ; Tandem Repeat Sequences/genetics*

Objective To investigate the effect of hypoxic preconditioning on the biological function of bone mar-row-derived endothelial progenitor cells (BM-EPCs). Methods Mononuclear cells were collected by density gradient cen-trifugation from the bone marrow of rats. The isolated cells were cultivated in dishes coated with the vitronectin from rat plas-ma,filled with the endothelial cell basal medium-2. Cells were then cultured under the conventional culture conditions (37℃and 5%CO2). The cultured cells were divided into control group and hypoxia training group after four-day culture. Cells of the control group were cultured in previous conditions for another three days. However, cells of the hypoxia training groups were cultured in previous conditions for 0, 1 and 2 days,and then under the hypoxic condition (1%O2+5%CO2+94%N2) for another 72 hours, 48 hours and 24 hours, respectively. After seven days,cells in all of groups were collected for the following study. The immunofluorescence labeling and cell analyzer were used to indentify BM-EPCs. The tube formation of BM-EPCs was tested by Matrigel assay. Annexin V/PI antiapoptotic assay was used to detect the apoptotic rate of BM-EPCs. Results The early apoptotic rate of BM-EPCs was increased obviously with extended hypoxia. There was no significant dif-ference in the early apoptotic rate of BM-EPCs between control group (0.89±0.20)%and hypoxic 24-h group (1.33±0.07)%(P>0.05). There was significant increase in the early apoptotic rate of BM-EPCs in hypoxic 48-h group (3.25±0.12)%and hypoxic 72-h group (7.48 ± 1.53)%(P<0.05). Compare with control group, the tube formation ability was significantly in-creased in hypoxic 24-h group (P<0.01), but the tube formation ability was significantly decreased in hypoxic 48-h group and hypoxic 72-h group (P<0.01). Conclusion After hypoxic preconditioning for 24 hours, the apoptotic rate was not obvi-ous in BM-EPCs, but the tube formation ability was markedly increased.

Objective:Taking Chongyang county of Hubei Province as an example, the paper describes the in-tegration of the maternal and child health ( MCH) and family planning ( FP) service system and analyses the key ele-ments to provide reference for promoting integration. Methods: qualitative interviews and quantitative questionnaire were used to collect data. The software QSR Nvivo 8. 0 and SPSS 17. 0 were used for qualitative and quantitative data analysis. Results:Based on the correct understanding of integration, Chongyang implements the supporting policies actively, maintains the original compensation mode unchanged, follows the principle of“no reducing headcounts and no downsizing” strictly, promotes the merger of institutions rapidly, adjusts the service contents and methods reasona-bly, and integrates the maternal and child and family planning information platform. Conclusion:The correct concept of integration, appropriate staffing, and stable funding in Chongyang provide rich experiences for future research. However, there is room for improvement in staffing, incentive mechanisms, service content, and forms.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of SKy bone expander system in percutaneous kyphoplasty for treat- ment of osteoporotie verterbral compression fracture.Methods:Twenty-two patients(aged 62-90 years,32 vertebrae)under- went percutaneous kyphoplasty using SKy bone expander system.The bone cement was injected into the collapsed vertebrae. The vasual analogue scale(VAS)and complications were recorded during follow up.Results:The operations were successful in all patients via unilateral or bilateral approach.The operation time ranged from 30 to 120 min.The mean volume of cement in- jected into each vertebra body was(4.8?1.1)ml,ranged from 3.1 to 6.8 ml.Extravertebral leakage of bone cement was ob- served in two vertebrae with no symptoms.All patients had their pain relieved;the VAS was 7.6?0.8 before operation,3.5?0.5 one day after operation,2.8?0.6 one week after operation,and 2.4?0.6 one month after operation,with significant difference found between preoperation and postoperation(P

Lymphocyte function associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) is a member of integrin family, that plays an important role in the adhesion of lymphocytes with other cells and matrix. To investigate the role of LFA-1 in collagen-induced arthritis (CIA), the incidence of CIA, histological and radiological assessments in the LFA-1 deficient (LFA-1~ -/- ) mice and control mice were examined. LFA-1~ -/- mice and control mice were immunized with 100?g collagen type II(CII) emulsified with an equal volume of Freund’s complete adjuvant (CFA), followed by the booster injection of the same amount of CII in CFA on day 21. Then, clinical, histological and radiological assessments were done. It showed that 57% control mice developed arthritis and apparently changed in the histological and radiological assessment, whereas the all of LFA-1~ -/- mice had the normal histological and radiographic response and none developed arthritis. These results suggeste that LFA-1 is indispensable for the onset of CIA.