BackgroundCataract is a leading blinding eye disease,and the prevalence of cataract varies in different regions.ObjectiveThe present study was to investigate the incidence of cataract,surgical coverage rate of cataract and postoperative visual acuity,and to propose a strategy for blindness prevention in Chifeng Keshiketengqi.Methods This is a cross-sectional survey of research.A random cluster sampling method was performed in 12 populated areas in Keshiketengqi.Inhabitants over 50 years in the region were included in this survey.This study was approved by the Ethic Committee of Inner Mongolia People' s Hospital.Informed consents were obtained orally from all the subjects.Disease history,visual acuity,intraocular pressure and regular ophthamological examinations were performed.The inclusion criteria of a pilot study and detailed protocol were employed to calculate the incidence rate of cataract.The questionnaire survey was simultaneously adopted to analyze the cataract-related factors.The surgical coverage rate of cataract in this area was calculated.ResultsIn a total 4234 inhabitants,3826 subjects participated in the survey with a response rate of 90.36％.Cataract was found in 1200 participants with an incidence rate of 31.39％.Age,the female gender and illiteracy were identified as risk factors for cataract (x2 =101.005,P =0.000 ;x2 =58.853,P =0.000 ;x2 =12.037,P =0.007 ).The prevalence rates of cataract were 36.98％ and 33.56％ for illiterates and women,respectively.The incidence rate in the Mongol population was significantly higher than that of the Han population ( 34.83％ vs.29.76％ ) (x2 =9.734,P =0.001 ).The cataract surgery rate increased yearly since 1998.When the vision acuity of the fellow eye was ＜0.1,the surgery coverage rate was 20.60％,but the rates were lower in female,illiterates and the Mongol population (x2 =1.993,P =0.038 ;x2 =16.463,P =0.044 ;x2 =8.523,P =0.029).When a pinhole visual acuity of ＜0.05 was determined as the criteria of blindness,the surgical coverage rate was 28.36％.The cataract surgical coverage rates for Han and Mongolian were 30.67％ and 24.53％,respectively,with a significant difference between them (x2 =12.951,P=0.000).The social burden rate was 3.34％ in this area,with a majority of females,illiterates and the Mongol population ( P＜0.05 ).ConclusionsIn agricultural and pastoral areas of Chifeng Keshiketengqi,the ≥50 years old population has a high rate of cataract blindness and low surgery coverage rate.Surgery is still the preferred way for cataract treatment.

Autophagy dysregulation, mitochondrial dynamic abnormality and cell cycle re-entry are implicated in the vulnerable neurons of patients with Alzheimer's disease. This study was designed to testify the association among autophagy, mitochondrial dynamics and cell cycle in dividing neuroblastoma (N2a) cells. The N2a cells were cultured in vitro and treated with different concentrations of 3-methyladenine (3-MA). The cell viability was detected by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay. They were randomly divided into control group (cells cultured in normal culture medium) and 3-MA group (cells treated with 10 mmol/L 3-MA). The cell cycle was analyzed in the two groups 3, 6, 12, and 24 h after treatment by flow cytometry. Western blotting was used to evaluate the expression levels of mitofission 1 (Fis1), mitofusin 2 (Mfn2), microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 (LC3), cell cycle-dependent kinase 4 (CDK4) and cdc2. The flow cytometry revealed that the proportion of cells in G(2)/M was significantly increased, and that in G0/G1 was significantly reduced in the 3-MA group as compared with the control group. Western blotting showed that the expression levels of Fis1, LC3, and CDK4 were significantly up-regulated in the 3-MA group at the four indicated time points as compared with the control group. Mfn2 was initially decreased in the 3-MA group, and then significantly increased at 6 h or 12 h. Cdc2 was significantly increased in the 3-MA group at 3 h and 6 h, and then dropped significantly at 12 h and 24 h. Our data indicated that 3-MA-induced suppressed autophagy may interfere with the cell cycle progression and mitochondrial dynamics, and cause cell death. There are interactions among cell cycle, mitochondrial dynamics and autophagy in neurons.

Inflammation is part of the immune response, and inflammation may also induce or exaggerate some diseases through production of pro-inflammatory cytokines. More evidence have shown that the individual level of cytokine production is affected by single nucleotide polymorphisms in cytokine genes. Furthermore, as several nutrients participate in DNA protection and stabilization, altering gene expression and individual phenotype, nutrition has important interaction with inflammation. The purpose of this review is to give a recent update informations on the interaction of single nucleotide polymorphisms, inflammation and nutrition.
Fatty Acids ; pharmacology ; Fish Oils ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inflammation ; genetics ; therapy ; Nutrition Therapy ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; drug effects ; Vitamins ; pharmacology ; Zinc ; pharmacology

AIMTo investigate the possible involvement of glutamate(Glu) in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN) in the central regulation of baroreflex.

METHODSThe baroreflex was induced by intravenous injection of phenylephrine in conscious rats, and the extracellular concentration of Glu in the PVN region was measured by microdialysis and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques. To determine whether the observed Glu release was involved in the baroreflex, NMDA and non-NMDA receptor antagonists, MK-801 and CNQX, were perfused in the PVN region during baroreflex.

RESULTSDuring baroreflex, the Glu concentration in the PVN region immediately increased to 384.82% +/- 91.77% of basal level (P < 0.01). (2) During baroreflex, direct perfusion of MK-801 and CNQX in the PVN were attenuated the increase of blood pressure and enhanced the decrease of HR (P < 0.01),resulting a significant increase in baroreflex sensitivity (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONGlutamate in PVN is involved in central regulation of baroreflex, which may inhibit baroreflex via ionothopic glutamate receptors.

6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Baroreflex ; drug effects ; physiology ; Dizocilpine Maleate ; pharmacology ; Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Male ; Paraventricular Hypothalamic Nucleus ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

Objective To explore the relationship between some single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNP)loci of interferon regulatory factor 6(IRF6)gene,transforming growth faetor-?(TGFA)gene and nonsyndromic cleft lip with or without cleft palate(NSCL/P)in nuclear families consisting of fathers, mothers and affected offspring with NSCL/P from southeast China.Methods Some SNloci of IRF6 and TGFA were detected by applying microarray technology in nuclear families,and then haplotype relative risk (HRR)and transmission disequilibrium test(TDT)were performed.Results There were no significant difference in genotypes and alleles distribution between patients and their parents.The SNP locus——V274I of IRF6 was associated with NSCL/P(HRR:?~2=4.5816,P

PURPOSE: Staphylococcal enterotoxin B (SEB) has been well-documented to induce liver injury. miRNA-222-3p (miR-222-3p) was implicated in SEB-induced lung injury and several liver injuries. This study aimed to explore the role of miR-222-3p in SEB-induced liver injury. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Expression of miR-222-3p and suppressors of cytokine signaling 1 (SOCS1) was detected using real-time quantitative PCR and western blot. Liver injury was determined by levels of aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and inflammatory cytokines, numbers of infiltrating mononuclear cells using AST/ALT assay kit, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and hematoxylin-eosin staining, respectively. Target binding between miR-222-3p and SOCS1 was predicted on targetScan software, and confirmed by luciferase reporter assay. RESULTS: SEB induced liver injury in D-galactosamine (D-gal)-sensitized mice, as demonstrated by increased serum levels of AST and ALT, elevated release of interferon-gamma (INF-γ), tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and IL-2, and promoted infiltrating immune cells into liver. Expression of miR-222-3p was dramatically upregulated, and SOCS1 was downregulated in SEB-induced liver injury both in mice and splenocytes. Moreover, miR-222-3p knockout (KO) mice exhibited alleviated liver injury accompanied with SOCS1 upregulation. Besides, splenocytes under SEB challenge released less INF-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-2 during miR-222-3p knockdown. Mechanically, SOCS1 was targeted and downregulated by miR-222-3p. Upregulation of SOCS1 attenuated INF-γ, TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-2 release in SEB-induced splenocytes; downregulation of SOCS1 could block the suppressive role of miR-222-3p knockdown in SEB-induced splenocytes. CONCLUSION: Inhibition of miR-222-3p relieves SEB-induced liver inflammatory injury by upregulating SOCS1, thereby providing the first evidence of miR-222-3p in SEB-induced liver injury.
Alanine Transaminase ; Animals ; Aspartate Aminotransferases ; Blotting, Western ; Cytokines ; Down-Regulation ; Enterotoxins ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Interferon-gamma ; Interleukin-2 ; Interleukin-6 ; Liver ; Luciferases ; Lung Injury ; Mice ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; Up-Regulation

OBJECTIVETo explore the risk factors of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) recurrence in adult patients and establish a prognosis index (PI) calculation model in order to improve the prevention strategy of ALL in adults.

METHODS104 adult ALL patients from Blood Diseases Hospital & Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between August 2008 and November 2011 were enrolled. COX proportional hazards regression stratified by Dummy variable was used to set up the prediction model; Kaplan-Meier method and Log-rank test were used to estimate and compare the survival. After calculated individual PI value, patients' expected survival should be estimated by groups.

RESULTSThe overall median survival of adult ALL patients was 22.00 months (95% CI 17.00-27.00). COX regression analysis showed that chemotherapy group patients had a higher risk of recurrence than of ASCT group while setting treatment as the dummy variable (RR=2.052, 95%CI 0.877-4.799, P=0.007). Stratified Analysis showed that the risk factors of B-ALL recurrence in adult patients included HGB <100 g/L (RR=0.186, 95% CI 0.068-0.512, P=0.001), CNSL (RR=7.767,95% CI 2.951- 20.433, P=0.001), number of consolidation chemotherapy<3 (RR=0.445, 95% CI 0.211-0.940, P=0.034) and Ph chromosome positive (RR=2.771, 95% CI 1.353-5.674, P=0.005). Grouped by the PI value, the expected survival of each individual patient could be estimated as PI=0.58 base.

CONCLUSIONHGB, CNSL, number of consolidation chemotherapy and Ph chromosome were independent risk factors of B-ALL recurrence in adult patients. PI value could predict the survival of adult ALL patients and provide reference for individual therapy and prognostic evaluation.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma ; epidemiology ; pathology ; Prognosis ; Recurrence ; Risk Assessment ; Risk Factors ; Young Adult

Reproductive toxicity research takes an important place in traditional Chinese medicine pre-clinical safety evaluation. Modern reproductive toxicity experiment includes drug-related miscarriage, fetal death, teratism, and adverse effects on fertility, genital system, embryonic development and fetus, which is different from contraindicated in pregnancy in traditional Chinese medicine theory. Now the three-phases reproductive toxicity study is the method mainly applied in traditional Chinese medicine reproductive toxicity evaluation. Besides that, alternative methods of whole embryos culture and embryonic stem cell test are also used in traditional Chinese medicine embryo toxicity evaluation. This article reviews research progress and pre-clinical evaluation on reproductive toxicity of traditional Chinese medicine.
Animals ; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; toxicity ; Embryonic Development ; drug effects ; Embryonic Stem Cells ; drug effects ; Female ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Pregnancy ; Reproduction ; drug effects ; Toxicity Tests

Pseudoallergic reactions of Qingkailing injection (QKLI) was assessed by vascular hyperpermeability which were indicated by ear blue staining in ICR mice after single intravenous injection of QKLI mixed with Evans blue (EB) and skin blue spot formation in SD rats after intradermal injection of QKLI and intravenous injection of EB. In addition, QKLI-induced histamine, VEGF, TNF-alpha release was measured after ICR mice received the single dosing of QKLI iv. The mild vascular hyperpermeability characterized by ear blue staining could be observed in mice after intravenous injection of QKLI and EB. Intracutaneous injection of 50 micro L of test solution containing QKLI (25,50 microL) in rat back skin caused obvious local vascular hyperpermeability at the injection sites so as to result the larger diameters of blue spots than that in negative control group (P <0. 01). QKLI induced a significant increase of VEGF and a slight elevation of histamine in mice after intravenous administration, while TNF-alpha showed no change after QKLI iv. The results in this study indicated that both intravenous injection and intracutanous injection of QKLI could induce vascular hyperpemeability so as to cause pseudoallergic reaction in mice and rats. QKLI-induced pseudoallergic reaction may be associated with the release of histamine and VEGF.
Animals ; Drug Hypersensitivity ; blood ; etiology ; immunology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Histamine ; blood ; Injections ; Male ; Mice ; Rats ; Skin ; drug effects ; immunology ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; blood ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood

Objective: To determine the molecular weight and p urity of porcine platelet-derived growth factor (pPDGF) and to investigate its effect on DNA synthesis of human umbilical vein endothelial cells. Metho ds: In the present experiment, the high performance liquid chromatograph y was used and the molecular weight and purity of pPDGF were studied. Human umbi lical vein endothelial cells was cultured and effects of pPDGF on DNA synthesis of endothelial cells was observed by 3H-TdR incorporation in vitro. Results: The findings of high performance liquid chromatography showed that the molecular weight of pPDGF was 29 120 and the purity was 89.46%, a nd pPDGF significantly promoted DNA synthesis of quiescent endothelial cells wit h a maximal response at a concentration of 40 ng/ml at 48 h. Conclusion: The molecular weight of pPDGF is 29 120, and it can promote DNA synthes is of cultured human umbilical vein endothelial cells.