Objective:To study the effects of pioglitazone on atherosclerosis on ApoE-/-mice,and to investigate the roles of adiponectin and its receptors.Methods:ApoE-/-mice were fed with high-fat chow for the induction of atherosclerosis and were divided into three subgroups:placebo(n=10),low-dose[10 mg/(kg?d),n=10] pioglitazone therapy,and high-dose[20 mg/(kg?d),n=10] pioglitazone therapy.C57BL/6J wild type mice(n=9) were used as control.Aortic atherosclerosis and intima-media thickness(intima-media thickness,IMT) of abdominal aorta were monitored,and plasma adiponectin was also measured.Expression levels of the adiponectin receptor 1(AdipoR1)and adiponectin receptor 2(AdipoR2) in vessels were analyzed(RT-PCR).Results:(1) Aortic atherosclerotic lesions were observed in ApoE-/-mice but not in wild type mice.Interestingly,these lesions were significantly prevented by high-dose pioglitazone therapy.Compared with wild type mice,ApoE-/-mice had increased IMT of abdominal aorta [(0.290?0.063 vs 0.178?0.012) cm,P

[Objective] Expressions of human epidermal growth factor receptor 2(HER-2),p53,estrogen receptor (ER),and progesterone receptor (PR) in tissues of breast invasive ductal carcinoma are not only applied to determine the therapeutic regimen,but they may also be related to the prognosis.We investigated the levels of these proteins among different clinical stages and the correlations.[Method] One hundred and thirty-eight tissues from cases with breast invasive ductal carcinoma were tested with immunohistochemistry.New scoring standards and rank test were applied.The indices were digitalized and semi-quantified.[Results] In the tissues from high clinical stage,the expression of HER2 was significantly increased,while expression of PR was markedly decreased.[Conclusion] Expression of HER2 and PR might be better markers for predicting clinical stages and prognosis.

Objective To study dynamic expression of Oct-4 during development of colorectal cancer (CRC) and investigate the association between Oct-4 expression and prognosis of patients with CRC.Methods CRC tissues, matched non-tumor tissues and colonic polyp tissues were collected and Oct-4 expressions were analyzed by quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), flow cytometry analysis (FCM) and immunohistochemistry (IHC).Medical records of patients with CRC were reviewed.Clinicopathological analysis was performed to assess the association between Oct-4 expression and certain chnicopathological parameters.Kaplane-Meier survival curve was conducted to evaluate association between Oct-4 expression and survival time of patients with CRC.Results The results of qRT-PCR showed that the relative expressions of Oct-4 mRNA in matched non-tumor, colonic polyp and CRC tissues were (0.23 ±0.16) × 10-5, (1.19 ± 0.76) × 10-5 and (3.79 ± 1.94) × 10-5 respectively, with a significant difference (F =8.633, P =0.001).IHC analysis displayed that the positive expression ratios of Oct-4 in matched non-tumor tissues, colonic polyp tissues and CRC tissues were 4.43％, 12.68％ and 40.51％ respectively, and a significant difference was discovered among them (x2 =66.311, P ＜ 0.001).Oct-4 expre-ssion in CRC was significantly correlated with pathological stage (x2 =7.248, P =0.007), lymph node metastasis (x2 =4.888, P =0.027), distant metastasis (x2 =5.732, P=0.017) and TNM stage (x2 =4.174, P=0.041).Kaplan-Meier survival curve analysis demonstrated that Oct-4 positive cases had a shorter median survival time (37.0 months) compared with Oct-4 negative cases (76.0 months), with a significant difference (x2 =14.050, P =0.001).Conclusion The expression of Oct-4 is step-wise increased during development of CRC.The abnormal expression of Oct-4 may play certain roles in the development of CRC.Oct-4 may be an important biomarker for the clinical diagnosis, assessment of disease and prognosis in CRC.

Oblective To evaluate the corneal healing of non-epuality diopter response histopathologically,immunohistochemically and ultrastructurally after excimer laser photorefractive keratectomy(PRK) with SVS APEX PLUS(Summit Technology Inc. USA) excimer laser, and the effects of corticosteroid on the healing. Methods PRK on 6 white rabbits(12 eyes) was performed on right eye of the rabbit for an attampted correction of -4.00 diopter and on left eye for an attempted correction of -8.00 diopter. The rabbits were divided into 2 groups randomly and each group included 6 eyes: Group FLM (3 rabbits, 6 eyes) and group CM (3 rabbits, 6 eyes). Fluoromethalone was given to group FLM,and chloromycetin to group CM. On 10d, 30d and 100d ,the eyes of one rabbit in each group were enucleated randomly. Half of each cornea was prepared for electron microscope observation (SEM and TEM)and the rest embedded in OCT compound for immunohistochemical study to examine Ⅲ -C and FN. Results All eyes were reepithelialized within 3d after PRK. Subepithelial corneal haze was observed on 15d,which was dominant on 30 or 60d. On 100d postoperatively,corneal hazes of 11 eyes were grades 0 or 0. 5,only 1 eye(the left eye of group CM) was denser haze (grade 1). On 3d postoperatively, one or two layers of corneal epithelial cell covered the ablation zone. On 30d after PRK,the epithelial cells showed hyperplastic changes. The cells were larger and increased from normal 5 or 6 layers to 7 or 8 layers of cells on 100d after PRK,epithelium was clear with more bright epithelium. Microplicae and microvilli were less than before. The expression of Ⅲ -C and FN in group CM was significantly more evident than that in group FLM. Conclusion The study show that despite recovery of a continuous and smooth epithelial layer and nearly normal corneal tissues on 100d after PRK,abnormalities of both epithelium and superficial stroma can be detected in the area of ablation. The ablation depth of stroma can influence the appearance of corneal haze after PRK. The microplicae and microvilli of rabbit cornea epithelium become less after PRK,which can be one of cause leading to ocular dry sensation in some patients.

AIM:To compare the contrast sensitivity obtained through anterior surface modified prolate intraocular lens with the contrast sensitivity obtained through standard spherical intraocular Iens.METHODS:Patients presenting for cataract surgery in one eye were randomized to receive either the Acrysef IQ intraocular lens(AIcon)or the AR40e intraocular lens(AMO).50 eyes after phacoemulsification with IOL implantation were included,23 eyes received Acrysof IQ,and 27 eyes received AP40e intraocular lens (AMO).Contrast sensitivity testing under photopic conditions (85cd/m2)served as the prindpal outcome measure.The contrast sensitivity function was measured with CSV-1000E Vision Testing Instrument(provided by VECTOR ⅥSION COMPANY) at 30 days after surgery.RESULTS:The Acrysof IQ intraocular lens provided statistically significantly better contrast sensitivity at 6,12 and 18 cydes per degree under photopic conditions.CONCLUSION:The use of anterior surface modified prolate intraocular lens for cataract surgery has the potential to improve functional vision.

Abstract Long-term use of levodopa in the treatment of Parkinson's disease can cause motor complications, which seriously impair the patients'motor function, reduce the quality of life, and aggravate the functional disability. Since there has been no effective treatment for motor complications, clarifying the influencing factors and prevention methods are conducive to reducing the risk of incidence and improving the quality of life of the patients. This paper summarizes the types and mechanism of motor complications of Parkinson's disease, the influencing factors ( levodopa dose, onset age, Helicobacter pylori infection and high protein diet ) and preventive measures ( psychological intervention, low protein diet, rehabilitation exercise and drugs ), so as to provide reference for the prevention and control of the disease.

This study aimed to construct the dual expression vectors of wide type or N187D mutant P2X7 receptor and intracellular domain of Notch1 (ICN1) linked by 2A peptide to coexpress them in leukemia cells so as to lay a foundation for further investigating the role of P2X7 in development of leukemia. Overlap PCR was used to construct the dual expression vectors encoding wide type or N187D mutant type P2X7 receptor and ICN1 linked by the self-cleaving 2A sequence. The results showed that stable expressing cell lines were obtained by retroviral infection followed by cell sorting after DNA sequence analysis. RT-PCR, Western blot, intracellular free calcium concentration analysis were used to verify the functionally successful construction of K562 cell line expressing P2X7 receptor alone or with ICN1. DNA sequence analysis revealed that all construction were right. The infection efficiency of packaged constructed virus ranged from 40% to 70% for K562 cells. Stable infected cell line was obtained by cell sorting. RT-PCR analysis revealed that P2X7 receptor and/or ICN1 could be detected at high level in their stable infected cell lines, respectively. Western blot analysis also showed that P2X7 receptor was highly expressed in cell line infected by virus with P2X7 receptor. Sustained increase in intracellular free calcium concentration ([Ca(2+)]i) could be observed in K562 cells overexpressing either type of P2X7 receptor upon stimulation with BzATP. It is concluded that the wide type or N187D mutant P2X7 receptor and ICN1 are simultaneously and functionally over-express in leukemia cells, which lay a foundation for further studying the role of P2X7 receptor in the development of leukemia.
Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Receptor, Notch1 ; genetics ; Receptors, Purinergic P2X7 ; genetics ; Retroviridae ; genetics

Objective:To observe the efficacy, median progression-free survival (PFS) and adverse reaction induced by rh-endostatin injection (Endostar) plus platin-based chemotherapy for advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).Methods:Fifty five histologically or cytologically confirmed advanced NSCLC patients received Endostar combined with platin-based chemotherapy for more than 2 cycles. The evaluated parameters included PFS, response rate (RR), clinical benefit rate (CBR) and adverse reaction. Results:Of the 51 patients who can be evaluated for response, 15 (29.4%) achieved partial response (PR), 27 (52.9%) had stable disease (SD), 9 (17.6%) had progressive disease(PD), no patient had complete response(CR). The overall RR was 29.4% (15/51) and CBR was 82.4% (42/51). The median PFS was 6.3 months. There were no significant differences in the short-term efficacy and PFS between the patients who had different pathological features (P=0.037), those had naive or relapsed diseases (P=0.101), or those received different chemotherapeutic regimens (P=0.232). The total white cells and platelets decreased by 72.7% and 54.5%, respectively. The frequency of grade Ⅲ or Ⅳ neutropenia and thrombocytopenia were 36.4% (20 caces) and 21.8% (12 cases), respectively. Four patients stopped the therapy for adverse reaction. One died of gastrointestinal hemorrhage; one had uncontrolled grade Ⅲ hypertension; one had superventricular arrhythmia; one had grade Ⅳ hepatic dysfunction. Conclusion:The combination of Endostar and platin-based chemotherapy increased the CBR and prolonged the PFS of the patients with advanced NSCLC. The toxicities were tolerable.

· AIM: To inspect and compare the functional vision of an aspheric intraocular lens (Tecnis) with those of conventional monofocal silicone and acrylic intraocular lens and multifocal intraocular lens (Array).· METHODS: The IOLs were tested in the eye model, which was designed to be optically equivalent to the theoretical eye model. The eye model is a combination of a spherical photographic lens with 35mm focal length ( IOL put in a water cell)and a charge coupled device (CCD) camera. The images constructed by the lenses are observed on a monitor of personal computer and the contrasts of the images are analyzed by using commercial image processing software.· RESULTS: The modulation transfer function of the eye model equals the scale produced by the theoretical eye model. The images constructed by changing the diameter of aperture stop and IOL.· CONCLUSION: The proposed eye model is useful for testing functional vision and for inspecting differences of intraocular lens.

This paper is aimed to provide the methods of quality control and bioassay of traditional Chinese medicine injections including bioassay method. Shuanghuanglian freeze-dried powder for injection (SFPI) was chosen as study object. HPLC-ELSD fingerprints of SFPI had been established and the samples were differentiated by similarity calculation. Meanwhile, biological profiles of SFPI on Escherichia coli had been established by microcalorimetry. The similarity values were calculated using the correlation coefficient, based on quantitative thermo-kinetic parameters (T2m, Tj, I%). The results indicated that HPLC-ELSD fingerprints, which showed content changes of chemical components, could not monitor minimal variation of different samples, especially that of biological pollutants, while biological profiles could sensitively detect antibiotic activity alterations of the samples, which were kept under specific conditions. In conclusion, characterized by two-dimension, microcalorimetry could supply thermograms as biological profiles characterized to describe the bioactivity of drugs. This study could clearly demonstrate that the correlative detection was proposed as an efficient strategy for quality control of SFPI, based on HPLC-ELSD fingerprints and biological profiles, which could detect quality fluctuation of samples early and quickly and predict the potential adverse drug events (ADE) for ensuring clinical safety.
Calorimetry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Escherichia coli ; drug effects ; Freeze Drying ; Injections ; Light ; Powders ; Quality Control ; Quantitative Structure-Activity Relationship ; Scattering, Radiation