OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficiency of Spanishneedles Herb eye drops in treating perimenopausal xerophthalmia in rabbits.

METHODTotally 36 rabbits (36 right eyes) were ovariectomized, and 2 months later divided into three groups: the experimental group (group A, n = 12) given Spanishneedles Herb eye drops, the control group (group B, n = 12) given PBS and the model group (group C, n = 12) given no drug. The Schirmer I test (SIT), fluorescent (FL), total tear protein, diastase activity, lactoferrin and lysozyme contents and confocal scanning microscopy were performed at before the treatment and at 1 w, 2 w, 1 mo, 2 mo after the treatment.

RESULTBefore the treatment, There was no significant difference in SIT, FL, total tear protein, lysozyme, lactoferrin and amylase activity between two groups. Two months later after the treatment, both the group B and the group A showed differences degrees of changes in SIT, FL, total tear protein, lysozyme, lactoferrin and amylase activity compared with that before the treatment, with statistical differences (P < 0.05); At each time point, both groups revealed statistical differences in SIT, FL, total tear protein, lysozyme, lactoferrin and amylase activity (1 < 0.05). Two months later alter the treatment, densities of basal epithelial cells and inflammatory cells in the group A were (4 122 ±416) cells/mm2 and (339 ± 131) cells/mm2, while that in the group B were (3 343 ± 424) cells/mm2 and (49 ± 17) cells/mm2, with statistical differences between them (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSpanishneedles Herb eye drops could effectively treat perimenopausal xerophthalmia in rabbit caused by sex hormones decline.

Animals ; Asteraceae ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Humans ; Ophthalmic Solutions ; administration & dosage ; Perimenopause ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Tears ; secretion ; Xerophthalmia ; drug therapy ; metabolism

Objective To detect quantitatively hepatocyte growth factor(HGF)mRNA expressions of bone marrow mononuclear cells(MNCs)in acute leukemia(AL)and investigate its clinical significance.Methods Total mRNA of quantitated bone marrow MNCs isolated from 67 de novo AL cases was extrated and then cDNA was synthesized.Expression of HGF mRNA was quantified absolutely using real-time fluorescence quantification PCR(FQ-PCR).Results Expressions of HGF mRNA in a group of AL were higher significantiv than these in a control group(6.936 ±1.613,0.407 ±0.170,P<0.001),but there was similafitv between a group of acute myeloid leukemia(AMI,)and group of acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)(7.127±1.911,6.635±0.934,P>0.05).In AL subtypes,the expression of M5(9.998 4±1.454)was higher than that of M2,M3,M4,L1,L2 and L3(P<0.001),but there ware no differences among the latters(P>0.05). Meanwhile,there was no statistical significance on the expressions of HGF mRNA between different age and sex(P>0.05).In addition,expressions of HGF mRNA in the remission group were lower than these in the non.remission group(6.393±1.165,8.041±1.848,P<0.005).Conclusions There are statistical significances of the expressions of bone marrow MNCs HGF mRNA among the AL group and control group.As to AL subtypes,there are no statistically significant differences between AML and ALL as well as between different age and sex.Besides,lower HGF mRNA level is correlated with better curative effect.It is suggested that HGF mRNA is a suitable index for AL diagnosis and treatment.

Objective To construct quantitative standard for quantification of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) mRNA and establish its real-time fluorescence quantitative(FQ)-PCR assay to estimate its clinical relevance in lymphoma.Methods Recombinant plasmid Was constructed with target cDNA obtained from isolated total RNA by RT-PCR After PCR products were identified and purified,recombined plasmids were quantitated and then acted as quantitative standard.A new real time FQ-PCR analysis system Was established with the second pair of primers and the probe after amplification condition and the concentrations of components were optimized.HGF mRNA expressions in 47 lymohoma cases[11 Hodgkin disease(HD) cases,36 non-Hodgkin lyphoma(NHL)cases.among these patients,36 patients in remission while 11 patients without remission ] were analyzed quantitatively,and its specificity and sensitivity for lymphoma diagnosis were evaluated by receiptor operation character(ROC)curve method.Results HGF mRNA quantitative standard was constructed successfully.and its real time FO.PCR analysis system Was established combined with hot.start PCR and down.touch PCR technique. According to slope of standard curve (-3.513)and correlation cofficient(0.999),amplification efficiency of the system was 92.6%.Coefficient variation of intra-assay,intra-day and inter-day-assay were 2.1%,4.0% and 6.8%,respectively.Sensitivity of FQ-PCR Was 2 eopies/μl.Expressions of HGF mRNA in lymphoma group Was higher than that in control group(6.425±2.172 and 0.317±0.192,respectively,t=15.883,P<0.001),and its expressions in remission group was lower than no remission group(6.157±1.712 and 7.59l ±1.184,respectively,t=2.768,P<0.05).However,there Was not difference of HGF mRNA level between group HD and group NHL(P>0.05).According to ROC analysis,its sensitivity and specificity were 93.6% and 100% when cutoff value for lymphoma clinical diagnosis Was 3.136.Conclusion HGF mRNA'8 quantitative standard and its real time F9-PCR analysis system have been successfully constructed,and it can be used for quantitative detection of its mRNA expression in lymphoma.

In the present study, we investigated the inhibitory action of ketanserin on wild-type (WT) and Y652 mutant human ether-a-go-go-related gene (HERG) potassium channels expressed in Xenopus oocytes and the effects of changing the channel molecular determinants characteristics on the blockade with and without ketanserin intervention using standard two-microelectrode voltage-clamp techniques. Point mutations were introduced into HERG gene (Y652A and Y652R) and subcloned into the pSP64 plasmid expression vector. Complementary RNAs for injection into oocytes were prepared with SP6 Cap-Scribe after linearization of the expression construct with EcoR I. Clampfit 9.2 software was employed for data collection and analysis. Origin 6.0 software was used to fit the data, calculate time constants and plot histograms. The results showed that ketanserin blocked WT HERG currents in voltage- and concentration-dependent manner and showed minimal tonic blockade of HERG current evaluated by the envelope of tails test. The IC50 value was (0.38+/-0.04) micromol/L for WT HERG potassium channel. The peaks of the I-V relationship for HERG channel suggested a negative shift in the voltage-dependence of activation after using ketanserin, whose midpoint of activation values (V1/2) were (-16.59+/-1.01) mV (control) vs (-20.59+/-0.87) mV (ketanserin) at 0.1 micromol/L, (-22.39+/-0.94) mV at 1 micromol/L, (-23.51+/-0.91) mV at 10 micromol/L, respectively (P<0.05, n=6). Characteristics of blockade were consistent with an open-state channel blockade, because the extent and rate of onset of blockade was voltage-dependent, increasing at more potentials even in the condition of leftward shift of activation curve. Meanwhile, in the different depolarization duration, the fractional blockade of end-pulse step current and peak tail current at 100 ms duration was significantly lower than that at 400 ms and 700 ms, which indicated that following the channel activation fractional blockade was enhanced by the activated channels. Ketanserin could also modulate the inactivation of HERG channel, which shifted the voltage-dependence of WT HERG channel inactivation curve from (-51.71+/-2.15) mV to (-80.76+/-14.98) mV (P<0.05, n=4). The S6 mutation, Y652A and Y652R, significantly attenuated the blockade by ketanserin. The IC50 value were (27.13+/-9.40) micromol/L and (20.20+/-2.80) micromol/L, respectively, increased by approximately 72-fold for Y652A and 53-fold for Y652R compared to that of WT HERG channel blockade [(0.38+/-0.04) micromol/L]. However, between the inhibitory effects of Y652A and Y652R, there was no significant difference. In conclusion, ketanserin blocks WT HERG currents in voltage- and concentration-dependent manner and preferentially blocks open-state HERG channels. Tyr-652 is one of the critical residues in the ketanserin-binding sites.
Animals ; Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Humans ; Ketanserin ; pharmacology ; Mutation ; Oocytes ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Potassium Channel Blockers ; pharmacology ; Xenopus

The objective of this study was to detect the expression levels of VEGF-C, VEGF-D, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 in plasma of newly diagnosed lymphoma patients, and analyze their possible relationships with clinicopathological characteristics and prognosis. The expression levels of VEGF-C, VEGF-D, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 in plasma from 86 newly diagnosed lymphoma patients were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). As a results, the multivariate analysis showed that VEGF-C level in non-Hodgkin's lymphoma patients was low, but high in Hodgkin's lymphoma patients; VEGFR-2 level was higher in patients > 60 years, while VEGF-D level was lower in patients with IPI > 2. The univariate analysis showed that VEGF-D level was lower in patients with IPI > 2, while VEGF-D and VEGF-C levels were higher in patients without B symptoms. Relationship analysis between these factors indicated that the relation of VEGF-D expression level with VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 was positive. It is concluded that VEGF-C, VEGF-D, VEGFR-2 and VEGFR-3 play important roles in the pathogenesis of lymphoma, and may be used as indicators of prognosis evaluation or even guide for the antiangiogenesis treatment of lymphoma.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphoma ; blood ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Prognosis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C ; blood ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor D ; blood ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; blood ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 ; blood ; Young Adult

AIMTo explore a method of the stable and persistent expression of HERG(human ether-a-go-go-related gene) channels in Xenopus oocytes, and investigate the alteration of rest membrane potential of oocytes and electrophysiological properties of expressed channel in different culture duration.

METHODSHERG mRNA for injection was prepared with in intro transcription using vector plasmid pSP64 containing HERG cDNA fragment. Expressed HERG current was recorded using standard two-microelectrode voltage-clamp technique.

RESULTS(1) Functional channels, with electrophysiological properties consistent with those of HERG channels were persistently expressed in oocytes membrane with this method. Furthermore, channel current could be recorded stably in 10-15 days. (2) The negative value of rest membrane potential increased gradually in the 3, 6, and 9 days of culture, and then decreased in the 12 days. The potential of peak value of inward rectification shifted gradually to the positive direction in 3, 6 and 9 days, and recovered in 12 days. Half-maximal activation potential (V1/2) of heterological expressed current shifted gradually to the negative direction in 3, 6 and 9 days of culture and then recovered in 12 days, the tendency of change was coincident with that of membrane rest potential.

CONCLUSIONThe investigation provides a method of persistent expression of HERG channel in Xenopus oocytes and offers evidences for the difference of electrophysiological experimental data of studies of molecular site and drugs effect of HERG channel in different experimental conditions.

Animals ; Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Membrane Potentials ; Oocytes ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Xenopus laevis

BACKGROUNDKetanserin (KT), a selective serotonin (5-HT) 2-receptor antagonist, reduces peripheral blood pressure by blocking the activation of peripheral 5-HT receptors. In this study electrophysiological method was used to investigate the effect of KT and potassium ion on Kv1.3 potassium channels and explore the role of blocker KT in the alteration of channel kinetics contributing to the potassium ion imbalances.

METHODSKv1.3 channels were expressed in xenopus oocytes, and currents were measured using the two-microelectrode voltage-clamp technique.

RESULTSKCl made a left shift of activation and an inactivation curve of Kv1.3 current and accelerated the activation and inactivation time constant. High extracellular [K(+)] attenuated the blockade effect of KT on Kv1.3 channels. In the presence of KT and KCl the activation and inactivation time constants were not influenced significantly no matter what was administered first. KT did not significantly inhibit Kv1.3 current induced by tetraethylammonium (TEA).

CONCLUSIONSKT is a weak blocker of Kv1.3 channels at different concentrations of extracellular potassium and binds to the intracellular side of the channel pore. The inhibitor KT of ion channels is not fully effective in clinical use because of high [K(+)](o) and other electrolyte disorders.

Animals ; Electrophysiology ; Female ; Ketanserin ; pharmacology ; Kv1.3 Potassium Channel ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Oocytes ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Potassium ; pharmacology ; Serotonin Antagonists ; pharmacology ; Xenopus laevis

With the development of biotechnology, forensic DNA identification technology in protection of wild animals has been used more and more widely. This review introduces the global status of wildlife crime and the relevant protection to wildlife, outlines the practical applications of forensic DNA identification technology with regard to species identification, determination of geographic origin, individual identification and paternity identification. It focus on the techniques commonly used in DNA typing and their merits and demerits, as well as the problems and prospects of forensic DNA technology for wildlife conservation.
Animals ; Animals, Wild/genetics* ; Commerce/legislation & jurisprudence* ; Conservation of Natural Resources ; Crime/legislation & jurisprudence* ; DNA/genetics* ; DNA Fingerprinting/methods* ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics* ; Forensic Genetics ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Polymerase Chain Reaction/methods* ; Polymorphism, Restriction Fragment Length ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Sequence Analysis, Protein ; Species Specificity

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the value of (18)F-FDG PET/CT in detecting residual disease and predicting relapse following first-line treatment in patients with diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL).

METHODSThe clinical data of 39 patients with DLBCL, who underwent PET/CT scan after first-line treatment, were analyzed retrospectively. Kaplan-Meier method was used to analyze the survival of patients.

RESULTSPET/CT findings were interpreted as negative, mild metabolism and positive. Seventeen patients' PET/CT findings were judged as negative, none of them relapsed with a median follow-up of 24.1 months, 13 were judged as mild metabolism, 2 of them relapsed with a median follow-up of 17.1 months. Of the rest 9 findings were judged as positive with a median follow-up of 16.3 months, 4 patients were considered as disease progression according to clinical manifestations and other radiographic results, 2 patients relapsed at the time points of 13.5 and 6.8 months after PET/CT scan respectively, the other 3 patients were diagnosed as negative by biopsy, none of them relapsed at the time points of 5.9, 9.6 and 20.0 months after PET/CT scan respectively. One-year progression-free-survival (PFS) for negative, mild metabolism and positive groups was 100%, 83% and 56%, respectively. Two-year PFS was 100%, 83% and 42%, respectively. Overall survival (OS) at 1 year for negative, mild metabolism and positive groups was 100%, 100% and 89%, respectively. Two-year OS was 100%, 100% and 63%, respectively (P = 0.004).

CONCLUSIONDLBCL patients with negative and mild metabolism PET/CT following first-line treatment had good prognosis, who needed no additional therapy. While patients with positive PET/CT had poor prognosis, those patients should receive biopsy before adjusting treatment regimen because of the high false-positive rate.

Aged ; Female ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Large B-Cell, Diffuse ; diagnostic imaging ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Positron-Emission Tomography ; methods ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo analyze the status of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection in non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) patients.

METHODSThe serum HBV markers in NHL patients were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The infection rate of HBV in NHL patients was compared with that in nationwide general population.

RESULTSThe positive rates of HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc in 405 cases of NHL were 11.6%, 39.8% and 47.9%, respectively, which were statistically different from those in general population (P < 0.01). The positive rates of HBsAg, anti-HBs and anti-HBc in B-cell NHL and T-cell NHL were 13.3% vs 7.1% (P = 0.083), 40.6% vs 37.5% (P = 0.567), 53.2% vs 33.9% (P = 0. 001), respectively. The HBV DNA positive rate was 23.7% in 93 cases of NHL, and was 50.0% in 38 cases of HBsAg-positive NHL while 5.5% in 55 cases of HBsAg-negative but HBcAb-positive NHL.

CONCLUSIONSThe infection rate of HBV in NHL patients is higher than that in general population, in which occult hepatitis B virus infection can not be ignored. The positive rate of anti-HBc in B-cell NHL is significantly higher than that in T-cell NHL. For NHL patients infected with HBV, prophylactic anti-HBV therapy to prevent viral reactivation should be given before the anti-cancer treatment. Further study in the relationship between HBV and NHL should be carried out in the future.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Child ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; Hepatitis B Antibodies ; blood ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; isolation & purification ; Humans ; Lymphoma, Non-Hodgkin ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult