?DJ-1 has been reported to act as aredox-activated chaperone and sensor of oxidative stress participated in a variety of activities in cellular, playing an important role in resisting oxidative stress, regulating signaling pathways and gene transcription, and maintaining mitochondria dynamic balance. DJ -1 is closely related to the occurrence and development of various diseases. Recently, the effect of DJ-1 in eye diseases has drawn more attention, and researchers have found its significant role of resistance to oxidative stress in the pathogenesis of Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy ( FECD) and age-related macular degeneration ( AMD ) .This review will state the mechanism of DJ-1 against oxidative stress and its role in the development of eye diseases.

AIM: To explore the fundus fluorescein angiographic characteristics and relevant clinical significance of age-related macular degeneration(AMD).METHODS: Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) was performed on 149 eyes of 112 patients using Nikon NF-505 fundus camera.RESULTS: Out of 149 eyes, 90 eyes were atrophic AMD (60.4%), 59 eyes were exudative AMD (39.6%) which were further divided, according to the composition and location of lesion, into subfoveal choroidal neovasculari-zation (CNV)(7 eyes of classic type, 26 eyes of occult type, 9 eyes with disciform cicatrices, juxtafoveal CNV(2 eyes of classic type, 12 eyes of occult type), and extrafoveal CNV(3 eyes of occult type).CONCLUSION: FFA can show CNV of AMD patients and its quality and location, which is helpful to guide the treatment and evaluate the prognosis.

Objective To explore the effect of fluoride and arsenic pollution on bone metabolism in exposed population. Methods One hundred and fifty-two fluoride and arsenic exposed people were selected from Jiaole village, Yuzhang town, Xingron county, Guizhou province in 2006, and 59 not exposed people from Daguoduo village 13 km away from Jiaole village were selected as control. Urinary fluorine(UF), urinary arsenic (UAs), urinary hydroxyproline (UHYP), cross-linked N-telopeptides of type I collagen (UNTX) and bone strength index(STI) were detected. Results The main effect of fluoride on UHYP and UNTX were statistically significant (F = 9.785, 4.225, P < 0.01 ), but was not significant on STI(F = 0.183, P > 0.05). The main effect of arsenic on UNTX was statistically significant (F = 2.660, P < 0.05 ), but was not significant on UHYP and STI(F = 2.012, 0.183,all P > 0.05). The interaction between fluoride and arsenic on UNTX was statistically significant (F= 2.429, P <0.01), but was not significant on UHYP and STI(F= 1.218, 1.001, all P> 0.05). Conclusions Fluoride exposure can affect the metabolism of collagen and bone resorption, and Arsenic exposure main affect bone resorption, fluoride and arsenic co-exposure have more significant effect on bone resorption. UNTX may be used as biological biomarker of bone metabolism for population co-exposed to fluoride and arsenic in health monitoring.

Artemisnin is a novel sesquiterpene lactone with an internal peroxide bridge structure, which is extracted from traditional Chinese herb Artemisia annua L. (Qinghao). Recommended by World Health Organization, artemisinin is the first-line drug in the treatment of encephalic and chloroquine-resistant malaria. In the present study, transgenic A. annua plants were developed by overexpressing the key enzymes involved in the biosynthetic pathway of artemisinin. Based on Agrobacterium-mediated transformation methods, transgenic plants of A. annua with overexpression of both HDR and ADS were obtained through hygromycin screening. The genomic PCR analysis confirmed six transgenic lines in which both HDR and ADS were integrated into genome. The gene expression analysis given by real-time quantitative PCR showed that all the transgenic lines had higher expression levels of HDR and ADS than the non-transgenic control (except ah3 in which the expression level of ADS showed no significant difference compared with control); and the HPLC analysis of artemisinin demonstrated that transgenic A. annua plants produced artemisinin at significantly higher level than non-transgenic plants. Especially, the highest content of artemisinin was found in transgenic line ah70, in which the artemisinin content was 3.48 times compared with that in non-transgenic lines. In summary, overexpression of HDR and ADS facilitated artemisinin biosynthesis and this method could be applied to develop transgenic plants of A. annua with higher yield of artemisinin.
Artemisia annua ; genetics ; metabolism ; Artemisinins ; metabolism ; Biosynthetic Pathways ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Mixed Function Oxygenases ; genetics ; Oxidoreductases ; genetics ; Plant Proteins ; genetics ; Plants, Genetically Modified ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate molecular epidemiologic features of rotaviruses circulating in Shanghai, China.

METHODSStool samples were collected from 1230 hospitalized children with community-acquired and nosocomially acquired diarrhea in Children's Hospital Affiliated to Fudan University between November 1, 1999 and December 31, 2001. Polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis (PAGE) was used to detect rotavirus genomic RNA and identify electropherotypes of group A rotavirus RNAs. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) was performed to amplify full length VP7 gene and dot blot hybridization was performed to identify rotavirus G serotypes using digoxigenin-labelled variable regions from VP7 genes as probes. These probes were amplified by PCR from recombinant plasmids containing full length G1, G2, G3 and G4 VP7 genes from rotavirus field strains detected in Beijing and digoxigenin labelled dUTP was integrated into the PCR products. The Kruskal-Wallis analysis of variance was employed to analyze whether there were significant differences in variables.

RESULTSOut of 1230 samples investigated, 493 (40.1%) were group A rotavirus gene positive by PAGE, among which 397 (80.5%) showed long electropherotypes, 55 (11.2%) showed short electropherotypes, 18 (3.7%) showed mixed electropherotypes which suggested that the children were co-infected by rotaviruses with different electropherotypes, 23 (4.7%) were non-typable because of degradation of some of the genomic RNA fragments. No group B or group C rotavirus was found. RT-PCRs were performed for 328 fecal specimens containing sufficient rotavirus RNAs and VP7 gene products were obtained from 254 (77.4%) samples. Dot blot hybridization showed serotype G1 accounted for 55.5% (141) of these samples, serotype G3 accounted for 27.6% (70), serotype G2 accounted for 9.4% (24), co-infection by 2 rotaviruses with different G types accounted for 6.3% (16), only 1 G4 was detected and 2 were non-typable. The genomic RNA patterns of all G2 strains were short and those of G1, G3 and G4 strains were long. There were no statistically significant differences for age distribution and clinical manifestations among those infants and children infected by rotaviruses with different G serotypes.

CONCLUSIONGroup A rotavirus is the major pathogen for diarrhea in infants and children in Shanghai during the period of Nov. 1999 to Dec. 2001. Rotaviruses with long electropherotype were dominant during these years. Serotypes G1 to G3 constituted 98.8% of all 254 strains tested, and G1 was the most common serotype followed by G3 and G2, whereas serotype G4 was seldom found. Some of the children were co-infected by rotaviruses with different G serotypes. Clinical manifestations were not related to the infecting rotavirus with different G serotypes.

Age Factors ; Antigens, Viral ; Capsid Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Data Collection ; Dysentery ; epidemiology ; etiology ; Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel ; Feces ; virology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Male ; RNA, Viral ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rotavirus ; classification ; genetics ; Rotavirus Infections ; complications ; epidemiology ; virology ; Serotyping

OBJECTIVETo explore the changes of regulatory T (Treg) cells and Th17 cells in a novel mouse severe aplastic anemia (SAA) model induced by interferon-γ (IFN-γ) combined with busulphan (BU), and to demonstrate the rationality of the model in immunology level.

METHODSThe BALB/c female mice SAA model was constructed by intraperitoneal injection with IFN-γ and intragastric administration with BU (combined group), with BU group, IFN-γ group and normal group as controls. After collecting the mononuclear cells in the peripheral blood (PB) and spleen of mice in each group, the percentage of CD4(+)CD25(+)FOXP3(+) Treg cells and Th17 cells in the mononuclear cells were detected by flow cytometry(FCM), and to analyze the changes.

RESULTSThe percentage of the Treg cells in PB and spleen was (3.19 ± 0.76)% and (4.77 ± 1.05)% respectively in combined group, being significantly lower than in other three groups (all P < 0.01). The percentage of the Th17 cells in PB and spleen was (2.07 ± 0.12)% and (3.18 ± 0.46)% respectively in combined group, being significantly higher than that in other three groups (P < 0.05 and 0.01, respectively).

CONCLUSIONSLower Treg cells and higher Th17 cells was found in the novel mouse SAA model induced by IFN-γ combined with BU, which demonstrates that this SAA model may be more close to the human immune-mediated marrow failure.

Anemia, Aplastic ; immunology ; Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Female ; Interferon-gamma ; metabolism ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology ; Th17 Cells

OBJECTIVETo compare the pituitary down-regulatory effects of the two gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists Alarelin and Triptorelin in the long protocol of ovulation induction in in vitro fertilization and embryo transfer (IVF-ET).

METHODSWe included in this study 122 patients aged 24-39 years treated by IVF-ET for secondary infertility, with 10-20 pre-antral follicles and obstruction of the fallopian tube. Seventy-eight of them received Alarelin, and the other 44 Triptorelin. Comparative analyses were made on the pituitary down-regulatory effects of the two gonadotropin-releasing hormone agonists and the clinical outcomes of IVF-ET.

RESULTSNo premature LH surge and ovulation, nor severe hyperovarian stimulation syndrome was found in either group. There were no significant differences between the two groups in the mean dose and duration of gonodatropin treatment, the numbers of oocytes retrieved, mature oocytes and top-quality embryos, and the rates of 2PN, multi-sperm fertilization, cleavage, embryo transfer, embryo implantation, clinical pregnancy and early miscarriage (P > 0.05), but the rate of cancelled cycles was significantly higher in the Triptorelin than in the Alarelin group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAlarelin and Triptorelin can achieve similar pituitary down-regulatory effects and clinical outcomes in IVF-ET when used in the long protocol of ovulation induction.

Adult ; Embryo Transfer ; methods ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; methods ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; agonists ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Infertility, Female ; therapy ; Ovulation Induction ; methods ; Pituitary Gland ; drug effects ; Triptorelin Pamoate ; pharmacology

Microdialysis technique in free-moving animals can be used to monitor continuously the changes of many extracellular neurotransmitters in certain brain areas and study the relationship between neurotransmitter and functions. Using detection of capillary electrophoresis combined with laser-induced fluorescence (CE-LIF) further improves the above-mentioned technique. In the present study, fluorescein isothiocyanate (FITC) was used to derivatizate amino acid in very low concentration. We found that increasing derivatization temperature could shorten derivatization time and that the derivatizative efficiency was not different from that when experiment was performed under the traditional derivatization condition (room temperature for 16 h). We also got an optimized condition of amino acid derivatization with FITC at 30 degrees C water bath for 5 h. Using the optimized condition of amino acid derivatization, we investigated the changes in L-arginine (L-Arg) and L-glutamate (L-Glu) concentration in periaqueductal gray matter (PAG) microdialytes of free-moving morphine-withdrawal rats. The results indicated that there was no significant difference in the concentration of L-Arg and L-Glu in PAG between non-dependent and dependent rats. The concentration of L-Arg and L-Glu in PAG increased by 63% and 105%, respectively, in the first 10 min after naloxone-precipitated withdrawal and then declined gradually. These changes were in correspondence with the scores of morphine withdrawal symptom.
Animals ; Arginine ; analysis ; metabolism ; Electrophoresis, Capillary ; methods ; Fluorescence ; Glutamic Acid ; analysis ; metabolism ; Lasers ; Microdialysis ; methods ; Morphine ; adverse effects ; Periaqueductal Gray ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Substance Withdrawal Syndrome ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo explore effects of chewing-side preference (CSP) on cerebral cortical response during clenching task with functional magnetic resonance imaging (fMRI).

METHODSSeven patients with left CSP and 7 patients with right CSP were selected to perform the maximum voluntary clenching in intercuspal position, and block designed blood oxygenation level-dependent (BOLD) fMRI scan covering the whole brain was carried out.

RESULTSThere was activation in the parahippocampal gyrus in the four patients among seven with left CSP. But there was no activation in the parahippocampal gyrus among the patients with right CSP.

CONCLUSIONSThis research shows that the parahippocampal gyrus, which is associated with human memory and study, is activated during clenching task in the patients with left CSP.

Adult ; Bite Force ; Female ; Functional Laterality ; physiology ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Mastication ; physiology ; Memory ; physiology ; Parahippocampal Gyrus ; physiology ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo establish the scale of the norm of occupational stress on the professionals and put it into practice.

METHODST scores were linear transformations of raw scores, derived to have a mean of 50 and a standard deviation of 10. The scale standard of the norm was formulated in line with the principle of normal distribution.

RESULTS(1) For the occupational role questionnaire (ORQ) and personal strain questionnaire (PSQ) scales, high scores suggested significant levels of occupational stress and psychological strain, respectively. T scores >/= 70 indicated a strong probability of maladaptive stress, debilitating strain, or both. T scores in 60 approximately 69 suggested mild levels of maladaptive stress and strain, and in 40 approximately 59 were within one standard deviation of the mean and should be interpreted as being within normal range. T scores < 40 indicated a relative absence of occupational stress or psychological strain. For the personal resources questionnaire (PRQ) scales, high scores indicated highly developed coping resources. T scores < 30 indicated a significant lack of coping resources. T scores in 30 approximately 39 suggested mild deficits in coping skills, and in 40 approximately 59 indicated average coping resources, where as higher scores (i.e., >/= 60) indicated increasingly strong coping resources. (2) This study provided raw score to T-score conversion tables for each OSI-R scale for the total normative sample as well as for gender, and several occupational groups, including professional engineer, professional health care, economic business, financial business, law, education and news. OSI-R profile forms for total normative samples, gender and occupation were also offered according to the conversion tables.

CONCLUSIONThe norm of occupational stress can be used as screening tool, organizational/occupational assessment, guide to occupational choice and intervention measures.

China ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Occupations ; Reference Values ; Stress, Psychological ; psychology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; standards ; utilization