Objective　To apply two-dimensional (2-D) gel electrophoresis to resolve specially expressed proteins related to retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in the retina of rds mice.Methods　Proteins, prepared from the retinas of rds mice and normal C3B mice at different ages, were separated by using two-dimensional electrophoresis and then analyzed by 2-DE imaging analyzer.Results　2-D gel electrophoresis was established for the retinal proteome analysis. Retinal neuronal tissue was lysed by using chemical lysis solution and ultrasonic. Using carrier ampholyte to set up pH gradient as first dimension and casting vertical 12% SDS-acylamide-bis slab as second dimension, the major retinal proteins showed maps of proteome on 2-D gels clearly. Retinal proteome of rds and C3B mice at 37d has different expressive patterns. Some proteins only expressed in the retina of rds mice while another only in the retina of C3B mice and others had different level between the two kinds of mice.Conclusion　2-D gel electrophoresis is effective to separate specially expressed retinal proteins. The expressed proteins in the rds retina are different in quality and quantity from that in the normal C3B mice.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics and to screen for causative mutations in CRX and GUCY2D genes in children with cone or cone-rod dystrophy. Methods Clinical data and genomic DNA was collected from 18 children with cone or cone-rod dystrophy, aged from 4 months to 8 years. The coding sequence of the cone-rod homeobox (CRX) gene and two exons of the retinal-specific guanylate cyclase GUCY2D gene (exons 2 and 8) were analyzed by using polymerase chain reaction(PCR) and heteroduplex combined with single-strand conformational polymorphism (heteroduplex-SSCP) analysis. Results All of the 18 patients manifested obvious visual impairment. Nystagmus, photophobia and mild ocular fundus changes were found in 13, 8,and 7 cases respectively. Normal fundus was seen in 11 cases. The visual acuity was less than 0.3 in 4 cases and was unable to measure in the other 14 cases because they were too young. Clinical ocular manifestations between cone and cone-rod dystrophy were overlapped. Mutation in the CRX and GUCY2D genes was not detected in the 18 children with cone and cone-rod dystrophy. Conclusion Visual impairment appeared more early and obvious than fundus changes in children with cone or cone-rod dystrophy. Mutation in the CRX gene may not contribute to this series of patients with cone and cone-rod dystrophy.

Objective　To determine the sensitivity and specificity of using the computer-photoscreener and non-cycloplegic retinoscopy in the detection of amblyopiogenic factors in nine to fifty months old infants.Methods　Three hundred children whose ages range from nine to fifty months were screened with the computer-photoscreener and non-cycloplegic retinoscopy. With a masked standardized clinical assessment as the standard, an overall comparison of the results obtained with the two techniques revealed a sensitivity and specificity. Photoscreen images on the computer monitor screen were reviewed and analyzed immediately by two independent observers for indicators of amblyopiogenic risk factors. Simultaneously, the results were compared to the findings of a full ophthalmologic examination.Results　The computer-photoscreener revealed a sensitivity of 94.2% and specificity of 90.1%, and the non-cycloplegic retinocopy revealed a sensitivity of 85.7% and specificity of 81.1% for the detection of amblyopiogenic risk factors, including hyperopia (+2.75 D or more), myopia (-1.50 D or more), astigmatism (2.00 D or more),anisometropia (2.00 D or more), ocular misalignment (5 degrees or more), and media opacity (1.5mm or more). Conclusion　The computer-photoscreener offers an opportunity to identify problems that limit vision, and could provide a feasible and sufficiently reliable screening technique in infants and preschool children who can be screened successfully for amblyopiogenic risk factors.

Objective To investigate the occurrence and the characteristics of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV)-1 co/super-infection among high-risk populations in Myanmar.Methods Forty-six HIV-1 positive plasma in Myanmar were collected. Possible cases with HIV-1 co/super infection were identified by discordant sequence results obtained with different polymerase chain reaction (PCR)/sequencing primers or by ambiguous readings in direct sequencing. HIV-1 quasispecies in plasma were then characterized by clonal sequence analysis of independent PCR-clones generated by TA cloning method. Thereafter, their phylogeny and recombinant structure were investigated. Results Co/super infection was identified in 3 (6.5 %) cases among the 46 screened HIV-1 positive patients.All of these three patients were heterosexuals and were co/super infected with CRF01_AE/subtype B′recombinants. Conclusions HIV-1 co/super infections are relatively common and provide a prerequisite for rapid generation of new recombinant forms in Myanmar.

Objective To induce the immune tolerance of heart grafts with infusion of isogeneic bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in heart transplant rats.Method Donor Wistar rats and recipient F344 rats were randomly divided into 4 groups:acute rejection group (group A),Wistar rats as the donors and F344 rats as the recipients for heart transplantation; low dose cyclosporin A(CsA) group (group B),recipient F344 rats given low dose CsA; BMSCs group (group C),recipient F344 rats given isogeneic BMSCs; BMSC and low dose CsA group (group D),the recipient F344 rats given isogeneic BMSCs and low dose CsA.The serum cytokine levels were determined,and the donor heart pathological changes and survival were observed postoperatively.The relative level of Foxp3 mRNA expression in the spleen of the recipient F344 rats was also observed.Result The blood levels of interleukin-2 (IL-2) and interferon-γ(INF-γ) were significantly reduced,but IL-4 and IL-10 levels were increased (P＜0.05),and the survival time of donor heart was significantly prolonged in group D as compared with groups A,B and C (P＜0.05 for all).Heart pathological examination revealed a mild acute rejection in group D,moderate acute rejection in groups B and C group,and severe acute rejection in group A respectively.The expression of Foxp3 mRNA was significantly lower in group A than in groups B,C and D (P＜0.05 for all),and that in group D was significantly higher than in groups B and C (P＜0.05 for both),but there was no significant difference between between groups B and C (P＞0.05).Conclusion Intravenous administration of BMSCs can alleviate immunorejection in heterotopic rat heart transplantation.Low-dose CsA acts synergistically with BMSCs to significantly inhibit acute rejection after heart transplantation.The partial mechanisms involve the suppressive effect of BMSCs on the expression of Foxp3 mRNA and modulation on cytokine.

Tree shrews get more and more concerns due to many of its physiological , biochemical and anatomical characteristics similar to those of human beings .Therefore, tree shrews models of human diseases such as viral diseases , neurological diseases and tumors attract more and more attention of researchers .In this article we will review the recent ad-vances in application of tree shrew models in research on human viral diseases .

Viral hepatitis is a major liver disease caused by virus infection .Viral hepatitis is popular in China , mainly caused by hepatitis B and hepatitis C viruses .Experimental animal model is a necessary platform for the research on mechanism of viral infection and pathogenicity , for treatment and vaccine development .Up to date, a great progress in the development of viral hepatitis animal models has been achieved in spite of the most of findings are limited to hepatitis B and C.Here, we summarize the recent findings of viral hepatitis animal models , focusing on the tree shrew animal model and its modeling strategy .

Objective To establish an enterovirus 71(EV71) infection model of tree shrew primary renal cells.Methods Tree shrew primary renal cells were obtained by trypsin digestion.After subculture and purification,EV71 virus was used to infect these primary cells.The culture supernatant of these EV71-infected cells was collected for virus titer detection at 1,2,4,6 and 8 days post-infection.The cells were collected for detection of EV71 VP1 protein by Western blot assay.Furthermore,the expression and location of VP1 protein in the infected cells were detected by indirect immunofluorescence assay.Vero cells were taken as positive control to evaluate the infectivity of EV71 virus to tree shrew primary renal cells.Results Morphologically,the cultured cells were proved to be majorly consisted of the primary renal cells after subculture and purification.The obtained primary cells were infected by EV71 virus.The virus titer was up to 1.3×106 TCID 50/mL during 48-96 h post-infection,proving that EV71 virus infected and proliferated in the tree shrew primary renal cells.Western blot showed that the viral VP1 protein was detected from infected primary cells at 2 to 8 d post infection.VP1 protein was also observed in the cytoplasm at 2 to 6 d post infection by indirect immunofluorescence.Compared with Vero cells,the infectivity of EV71 virus to tree shrew primary renal cells and its proliferation were confirmed.Conclusions Based on the successful establishment of cell culture of tree shrew primary renal cells,the infectivity to the obtained cells and proliferation of EV71 virus in the cells are confirmed.The model of EV71 virus-infected tree shrew primary renal cells is initially established.

AIM: To understand the effect of the RB1 gene mutation on the function of pRB (the protein product of the RB1 gene) in the patients with retinoblastoma (RB). METHODS: The genomic DNA from retinoblastoma patients was extracted. After amplification, the promoter and all 27 exons were screened by SSCP-heteroduplex method. The mutation was cloned and identified by sequencing. The effect of the mutation product on the function of pRB was analyzed. RESULTS: One missense mutations of the exon 4 of the RB1 gene was identified in the genomic DNA from RB patients. This mutation was outside the large pocket of the pRB. No mutation of the RB1 gene was found in the genome DNA of the patient's parents. This is the fourth report that there was a genome mutation located outside the large pocket of pRB in the RB patients. CONCLUSION: The amino-terminus of the pRB may be essential for growth suppression.

AIM: To investigate the single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the METTL4 gene which was mapped to 18p11.31, and the relationship between the SNPs and high myopia. METHODS: Genomic DNA was collected from 71 control subjects and 177 individuals with high myopia. Among them, there were 59 autosomal dominant high myopia probands (AD group), 46 autosomal recessive probands (AR group) and 72 patients non-transmitted (SF group). The exons of METTL4 gene were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction, heteroduplex-single strand conformation polymorphism (HA-SSCP) and sequencing. RESULTS: There were 2 SNPs of METTL4 gene in high myopia individuals and control subjects: SNP7438A→C, Glu230Asp, which hadn't been reported in GenBank;and SNP131C→A, Gln310Lys. SNP7438A→C genotypes between controls and high myopia groups were not different. SNP131C→A genotypes between controls and AR or SF groups were not different, while SNP131C→A genotypes showed a significant difference between AD group and control subjects. CONCLUSION: In METTL4 gene, SNP7438A→C is not responsible for high myopia. Further studies are needed to confirm whether SNP131C→A is responsible for autosomal dominant high myopia.