AIM: To evaluate the antioxidant activity of naringenin in human retinal pigment epithelium (ARPE-19) cells andhuman umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVEC).·METHODS: MTT assay was used to measure theviability and proliferation of ARPE-19 cells and HUVEC.·RESULTS: Three and 10mg/L naringenin significantlyincreased the proliferation of ARPE-19 cells by 10.8% and11.4%, respectively. Ten mg/L naringenin increasedhypoxia-, 0.3mmol/L NAN3-, and 200μmol/L H2O2- induced damage of ARPE-19 cells by 55.2%, 69.2%, and50.3%, respectively. One mg/L naringenin increased theviability of 50μmol/L t-BHP-, and 30mg/L NalO3-treatedARPE-19 cells by 20.2% and 30.4%, respectively. Thirtymg/L naringenin also increased the proliferation of50μmol/L t-BHP-treated ARPE-19 cells by 32.2%, and1mg/L naringenin increased the proliferation of 30, 100and 300 mg/L NalO3-treated ARPE-19 cells by 30.3%,10.3% and 18.5%, respectively. The reduction of HUVECwas 23.9%, 70.4% and 77.9% in the 3, 10 and 30mg/Lnaringenin-treated groups, respectively. Furthermore, 1and 3mg/L naringenin increased hypoxia-induced damagein HUVEC by 10.7% and 13.1%, and 300mg/L NalO3- induced damage in HUVEC by 41.2% and 37.7%. Threemg/L naringenin increased 200 and 400μmol/L H2O2-in-jured HUVEC by 20.1% and 21.5%, respectively.·CONCLUSION: Naringenin increases the proliferation ofARPE-19 cells and inhibites the growth of HUVEC, and haspotent antioxidant activity in ARPE-19 cells and HUVEC.

AIM: To study the effects of Tetramethylpyrazine (TMP) on retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) degeneration, choroidal blood flow and oxidative stress of RPE cells.METHODS: The 35mg/kg NaIO3-induced RPE degeneration rat eyes was given 25μg 1% TMP eye drops 3 times a day for 7 days before NaIO3 injection, and then 2 to 4 weeks after NaIO3 injection. RPE function was measured with c-wave of electroretinogram (ERG). Colored microsphere technique was used for in vivo experiments to determine the choroidal blood flow in ocular hypertensive (40mmHg) rabbit eyes. Methylthiazoltetrazolium (MTT) assay was used to study in vitro effect of TMP on various oxidants induced injury in the hRPE (ARPE-19 (ATCC, Manassas, VA, USA)) . RESULTS: Two weeks after NaIO3 injection, the amplitude of ERG c-wave fell markedly in NaIO3 group to 36% of control group (P<0.01). No apparent difference was observed in TMP+NaIO3 group. Four weeks later, the NaIO3 group fell to 46% of control group (P<0.01), while the TMP+NaIO3 group fell to only 77% of control group (P<0.01). There was a 67% reversal of the ERG c-wave by TMP as compared to NaIO3 group (P<0.01). The choroidal blood flow was significantly increased at all time points (at 30, 60 and 120 minutes after TMP instillation) as compared with corresponding controls. TMP had no effect on hypoxia-(1%O2), t-BHP- and H2O2-induced damage in RPE cells. 10μg/mL TMP could reverse 1 and 3mmol/L NaN3-induced loss of viability of RPE by 18.5% (P<0.01) and 23% (P<0.01), respectively. 30μg/mL TMP could reverse 30 and 100mmol/L NaIO3 induced loss of viability of RPE by 18.1% (P<0.05) and 16.8% (P<0.01), respectively.CONCLUSION: TMP can significantly protect RPE from NaIO3 induced degeneration in vivo and oxidative stress in vitro and can increase choroidal blood flow markedly in vivo .

BACKGROUNDEpidemiological study showed that the use of angiotensin-converting enzyme inhibitors was associated with higher bone mineral density (BMD) in older people, especially male subjects, which suggested that angiotensin II may have a detrimental effect on bone. Therefore, blocking its effect may have a beneficial effect on bone health.

METHODSSix-month-old male spontaneously hypertensive rats (SHR) and normotensive Wistar Kyoto rats (WKY) were used. Animals of each model were randomly assigned to the following four groups: Group 1, SHAM operated+vehicle; Group 2, orchidectomy (ORX)+vehicle; Group 3, ORX+low-dose losartan (10 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1)); and Group 4, ORX+high-dose losartan (25 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1)). Blood pressure was recorded weekly. SHAM and ORX operations were performed, followed by daily losartan and vehicle treatment from day 4 after operation for 16 weeks. Serum and 24-hour urine samples were collected for measurement of bone turnover markers before euthanasia and then the left femur was collected for measurements of BMD and microarchitecture before mechanical test.

RESULTSUrine deoxypyridinoline/urine creatinine (DPD/Cr) ratio was significantly higher in SHR than in WKY. BMD and microarchitecture parameters also showed bone deterioration in SHR. After ORX, serum osteocalcin concentration decreased and urine DPD/Cr ratio increased significantly accompanied by a significant decrease in cortical and trabecular BMD and cortical bone thickness in both WKY and SHR. High-dose losartan significantly increased DPD in urine in both SHR and WKY. Apart from marginal favorable changes in bone architecture in WKY treated with high-dose losartan, losartan did not show significant effect on BMD, bone area, bone microarchitecture, and mechanical properties in both SHR and WKY.

CONCLUSIONAngiotensin II type I receptor blocker losartan was not able to demonstrate significant effect on ORX-induced bone deterioration in both hypertensive and normotensive rats.

Angiotensin II Type 1 Receptor Blockers ; therapeutic use ; Animals ; Bone Density ; drug effects ; Bone and Bones ; drug effects ; pathology ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Losartan ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Orchiectomy ; Rats ; Rats, Inbred SHR ; Rats, Inbred WKY ; Systole ; drug effects

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship between TCM syndrome type and expression of human leucocyte antigen-DRB1 (HLA-DRB1) in patients with chronic hepatitis B.

METHODSUsing PCR method to amplify the related segments of DNA extracted from peripheral leucocytes by the routine methods, and gene array analysis was performed to detect the expression of HLA-DRB1.

RESULTSHLA-DRB1 * 13 was expressed in healthy person in the control group, but was not expressed in chronic hepatitis B patients, showing significant difference between the two groups. In the patients with five different syndrome types, i.e. the dampness blocking middle-jiao type (A), the Gan-stagnancy with Pi-deficiency type (B), the blood stasis blocking collaterals type (C), the Gan-Shen yin-deficiency type (D) and the Pi-Shen yang-deficiency type (E), the former three belonged to the excessive syndrome and the latter two were deficient syndrome. Most of the CHB patients were differentiated as excessive syndrome.

CONCLUSIONDifference of HLA-DR expression exists between chronic hepatitis B patients and healthy persons, the action of the difference is remained for further confirmation. HLA-DR expression in patients with different syndrome types, excessive or deficient, might be different, too.

Adult ; Alleles ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Gene Expression ; Gene Frequency ; HLA-DR Antigens ; genetics ; HLA-DRB1 Chains ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; diagnosis ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Syndrome ; Young Adult

Objective: To identify the spatial clustering and its temporal trends among newly detected female HIV/AIDS cases aged 15 years or older, in China from 2010 to 2016. Methods: Newly detected HIV/AIDS cases among aged 15 years or older women in China during 2010-2016 were collected, to describe their demographic characteristics, changing trends and spatial autocorrelation. This program was conducted at county level, using the ArcGIS 10.3. Results: The number of newly detected HIV/AIDS cases among aged 15 years or older women was increasing annually from 16 603 to 26 196 in 2010 and in 2016. As the main route proportion of heterosexual transmission increased from 84.25% (13 988/16 603) in 2010 to 96.29%(25 224/26 196) in 2016. Both the number and proportion of HIV/AIDS cases among elderly women ≥50 years of age increased significantly from 17.82%(2 959/16 603) to 38.10%(9 981/26 196) in 2016. Results from spatial analysis demonstrated a county-level clustered distribution of HIV/AIDS cases across the country with a rising global Moran's I value=0.55 over the years (Z=51.46, P<0.001), which was concentrating on western and southern China, covering 9 provinces/autonomous regions/municipalities (Yunnan, Guangxi, Sichuan, Xinjiang, Guizhou, Guangdong, Chongqing, Henan and Hunan). The temporal trends of hot spots differed by age groups, with the trend of epidemic shifting towards western border and southern coastal regions among women aged 15-49 years old, while the elderly women aged ≥50 years old were spreading northward from the southwestern regions. Conclusion: Our findings indicated that an increasing trend of clusters appeared on HIV epidemic among newly detected female HIV/AIDS cases aged 15 years or older in China, particularly in the western and southern regions. Prevention and intervention strategies should target on women according to their age distribution, particularly in regions with increasing trend of HIV epidemics.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Age Distribution ; Aged ; China/epidemiology* ; Epidemics ; Female ; HIV Infections/ethnology* ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Spatial Analysis ; Young Adult

In China, the control and prevention programs on any disease has always been based on comprehensive strategies. Take influenza as an example, related contents would include: strengthening the surveillance, recommendation and promotion of vaccination, rational use of antiviral drugs, conducting outbreak investigation and control, and publicizing individual protective measures, etc. In terms of the response to challenges, specific proposals would include: adjustment of case reports, optimization of surveillance systems, reinforcement of vaccination recommendation by health care workers, improvement of access to vaccination, development of rapid diagnostic reagents, and rational use of antiviral drugs, etc.
Antiviral Agents/therapeutic use* ; China/epidemiology* ; Disease Outbreaks/prevention & control* ; Health Personnel ; Humans ; Influenza Vaccines/administration & dosage* ; Influenza, Human/prevention & control* ; Primary Prevention/organization & administration* ; Program Development ; Seasons ; Vaccination

BACKGROUNDThe initiation and expansion of China's national free antiretroviral therapy program has led to significant improvement of survival among its participants. Success of further scaling up treatment coverage rests upon intensifying HIV screening and efficient linkage of care. Timely CD4 cell count testing after HIV diagnosis is necessary to determine whether a patient meets criteria for antiretroviral treatment, and represents a crucial link to engage HIV-infected patients in appropriate care, which has not been evaluated in China.

METHODSWe evaluated all patients ≥ 16 years who tested HIV positive from 2005 to 2009 in Yunnan and Guangxi. Multivariate Logistic regression models were applied to identify factors associated with lack of CD4 cell count testing within 6 months after HIV diagnosis.

RESULTSA total of 83 556 patients were included. Over the study period, 30 635 (37%) of subjects received a CD4 cell count within 6 months of receiving the HIV diagnosis. The rate of CD4 cell count testing within 6 months of HIV diagnosis increased significantly from 7% in 2005 to 62% in 2009. Besides the earlier years of HIV diagnosis, negative predictors for CD4 cell count testing in multivariate analyses included older age, not married or unclear marriage status, incarceration, diagnosis at sexual transmitted disease clinics, mode of HIV transmission classified as men who have sex with men, intravenous drug users or transmission route unclear, while minority ethnicity, receipt of high school or higher education, diagnosis at voluntary counseling and testing clinics, and having HIV positive parents were protective.

CONCLUSIONSSignificant progress has been made in increasing CD4 testing among newly diagnosed HIV positive patients in Yunnan and Guangxi from 2005 - 2009. However, a sizable proportion of HIV positive patients still lack CD4 testing within 6 months of diagnosis. Improving CD4 testing, particularly among patients with identified risk factors, is essential to link patients with ART services and optimize treatment coverage.

Adult ; CD4 Lymphocyte Count ; Female ; HIV Infections ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male

PURPOSE: This study aims to assess the association of sunlight exposure with breast cancer risk, measured by the breast density assessed from Tabar's mammographic pattern in Chinese women. METHODS: A total of 676 premenopausal women were recruited to participate in this study, in which 650 completed a validated sunlight exposure questionnaire via telephone. The mammograms were classified according to Tabar's classification for parenchyma, and patterns IV & V and I, II & III indicated respectively high and low risk mammographic patterns for breast cancer. The odds ratios (OR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) for sun exposure-related variables were estimated using unconditional logistic regression with adjustment for potential confounders. RESULTS: Among 646 participants, women with high breast cancer risk (Tabar's patterns IV &V) had less hours spent in the sun than those with low risk (I, II & III) at any age stage. A higher level of sunlight exposure was associated with a significantly lower risk having high risk Tabar's pattern. Women aged 40 to 44 years who were in the highest tertile of lifetime total hours spent in the sun had a multi-adjusted OR of 0.41 (95% CI, 0.18-0.92; p for trend=0.03) compared with those in the lowest tertile (>2.19 hr/day vs. <1.32 hr/day). For hours spent in the sun across the ages of 6 to 12 years, the comparable OR was 0.37 (95% CI, 0.15-0.91; p for trend=0.03). CONCLUSION: These findings suggest that higher sunlight exposure is related to a lower risk of having high risk breast density pattern in premenopausal women. Our results also suggest the most relevant period of exposure is during earlier life.
Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Mammary Glands, Human ; Odds Ratio ; Solar System ; Sunlight ; Telephone ; Vitamin D ; Surveys and Questionnaires

OBJECTIVETo investigate the differences between the Test of Infant Motor Performance (TIMP) data from the infants at 38-58 weeks of postconceptual age in three hospitals in Chongqing, China and the America norms, and to provide a reference for the introduction and application of TIMP in China.

METHODSTIMP was used to assess 642 infants with 38-58 weeks of postconceptual age who visited the departments of preterm infants or child healthcare in the Second Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University, Shapingba Maternal and Child Health Hospital in Chongqing, and Chongqing Maternal and Child Health Hospital between January and December, 2016. The assessment scores were analyzed and compared with the America norms.

RESULTSThe TIMP scores increased with the increasing postconceptual age, with 37±5 points in the 38-39week group and 83±12 points in the 56-57week group. All age groups had a significantly lower mean score than the America norms (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONSTIMP scores can reflect the motor performance in infants with various postconceptual ages. The TIMP scores from the infants with a postconceptual age of 38-58 weeks in three hospitals in Chongqing are significantly different from the America norms, suggesting that it is very necessary in China to establish the Chinese norms for assessing motor performance in infants using TIMP.

Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Behavior ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; Motor Skills

Using a fluorochrome Calcein-AM, leukemia cells were labeled and seeded into cell lines or bone marrow cells to establish three cell-models of grafts with leukemia. These cell-models were engaged with CD34 immunomagnetic beads and the purging efficacy was evaluated using both fluorescence microscopy and flow cytometry. The results showed that the cell-models established in this study could be evaluated successfully not only with fluorescence microscopy but also flow cytometry. After CD34 positive selection, KG1a cells were removed by (0.98 +/- 0.09) log in model II and NALM-6 cells were removed by (1.82 +/- 0.51) log in model III, respectively. It is concluded that the models established in this study are stable and direct with an excellent reproducibility and an accuracy, which can be used to evaluate purging efficacy of leukemia cells in model graft using immunomagnetic selection and the experimental studies on tumorcidal effect in vitro.
Bone Marrow Purging ; Flow Cytometry ; Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation ; Humans ; Immunomagnetic Separation ; methods ; Leukemia ; pathology ; therapy ; Microscopy, Fluorescence ; Models, Biological ; Transplantation, Autologous