As one of the serious complications of diabetes, diabetic retinopathy( DR) has become a main eye disease which causes blindness. The occurrence and development of DR is related to many factors. The pathogenesis is complicated, and the mechanism has not been clear. Early data suggest that the occurrence and development of DR has relations with many factors such as blood sugar level, diabetes duration and the environment. Among the factors, mitochondrial dysfunction and oxidative stress is the important mechanisms of DR and has become research focus in recent years. Consequences of mitochondrial dysfunction within cells include elevation of the rate of reactive oxygen species( ROS) production due to damage of electron transport chain proteins, mitochondrial DNA ( mtDNA ) damage, and loss of metabolic capacity. Clear understanding on the mechanism of mitochondrial functional change under high sugar level and oxidative stress response in the occurrence and development of DR is of great significance on prevention and cure of DR. ln this article, the development of mitochondrial metabolism and oxidative stress of DR is reviewed.

Objective To investigate the role of RhoA/Rho associated kinase-2 (RhoA/ROCK-2) in the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH) in patients with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OS-AHS). Methods Thirty patients diagnosed as OSAHS by polysomnograshy(PSG) test in our sleep laberatoty were recruited as the observation group, and fifteen healthy subjects matched in gender, age and body mass index (BMI) were recruited as the controls. Pulmonary arterial pressure was measured by echocardiography. Serum RhoA/ROCK-2 levels were measured. Results The level of PAP was (47.30±12.85)mm Hg in OSAHA patients complicated with PH, (22.31±3.07)mm Hg in OSAHA patients without PH, which were significantly higher than that in the controls (19.47±1.92) mm Hg (W=175.50, P < 0.05). The serum RhoA and ROCK-2 in OSAHA patients with-out PH (10.43±3.10 and 22.31±16.10 μ/L, respectively) were significantly higher those in the controls (2.94±1.20)μg/L and (6.04±0.28)μg/L, respectively) (W=120.00, W= 121.00, respectively, P<0.05), whereas significantly lower than that in OSAHA patients complicated with PH(14.85±8.49)μg/L, (36.81±12.69) μg/L, respectively) (H =29.172, H =30.242, respectively, P <0.05). There was a positive correlation between PAP and AHI in patients with OSAHS, whether complicated with PH or not(r_s=0.793, r_s=0.887,P <0.05), and there was a negative correlation between PAP and LSaO2 in patients with OSAHS (r_s=-0. 562,r_s = -0.751, P <0.05). There were positive correlations between the level of RboA/ROCK-2 and PAP in patients with OSAHS(r_s = 0.793,r_s = 0.887,P < 0.05). Finally, there was a positive correlation between the level of RhoA and ROCK-2 in patients with OSAHS (r_s = 1.000,r_s = 1.000,P < 0.05). Conclusions OSAHS is an inde-pendent risk factor for pulmonary hypertension. The levels of serum RhoA/ROCK-2 in OSAHS patients with PH were increased in the development of the disease. It may play an important role in the process of pulmonary hyper-tension in patients with OSAHS.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of cholinesterase inhibitor on endotoxin-induced brain injury in rabbits.Methods Twenty-one healthy male rabbits were randomly assigned into three groups ( n ＝ 7each):group sham operation (group S),lipopolysaccharide (LPS) group and cholinesterase inhibitor (tacrine hydrochloride,THA) group.LPS 200 μg/kg was intracerebroventricularly injected in LPS group,LPS 200μg/kgand tacrine hydrochloride 150 μg/kg were injected in THA group,while same volume of normal saline was injected in S group.Then blood and tissue samples were collected in different groups after 4 hours.Nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB) p65 activity of brain tissues was determined by using Western blot analysis.Tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) levels in plasma,cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissues were measured using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay.The brain tissue's myeloperoxidase (MPO) activity and the ratio of wet to dry weight (W/D) were also analyzed.ResultsAs compared with S group,TNF-α level in plasma,cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissues,NF-κB p65 level,MPO activity and W/D ratio increased in LPS and THA groups (P < 0.05).When compared with LPS group,TNF-α level in plasma,cerebrospinal fluid and brain tissues,NF-κB p65 level,MPO activity and W/D ratio decreased in THA group ( P < 0.05 ).ConclusionCholinesterase inhibitor can attenuate the endotoxin-induced brain injury through inhibiting local inflammatory responses.

Aged ; Ear, Middle ; Female ; Foreign Bodies ; etiology ; Hearing Aids ; adverse effects ; Humans

Objective To study the effect of Sarcandra Glabra on the expression of signal transduction molecules of TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway in miniature pig of radiation-induced lung injury.Methods 75 miniature pigs were divided into control group,radiation group and radiation plus medication group randomly.At 1 week before exposure of right lung with 15 Gy γ-rays,the miniature pigs in radiation plus medication group were given Sarcandra glabra,while those in the other groups received an equal amount of saline.Right lung were taken at weeks 2,4,8,12 and 24 after irradiation,the pathological changes in the lung tissue were observed by HE staining,and the expression of mRNA and protein of TGF-β1,Smad2,Smad3,and Smad7 were detected by real-time PCR and western blotting,respectively.Results Sarcandra glabra reduced the inflammation and fibrosis of the lung tissue in miniature pig after irradiation.Compared with control group,the expressions of TGF-β1 and Smad3 were significantly increased at 2 weeks after irradiation(P ＜ 0.05),Smad2 and Smad7 were increased at 8 and 12 weeks after irradiation(P ＜ 0.05),respectively,in the radiation group.Compared with the radiation group,the expressions of TGF-β1 and Smad2 were significantly decreased(P ＜ 0.05) from the fourth and eighth week,respectively,Smad3 had no obvious change while Smad7 was significantly increased from the second week in the radiation plus medication group (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Sarcandra Glabra plays protective effect on radiation-induced lung injury in miniature pig by regulating TGF-β1,Smad2 and Smad7 expressions in the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway.

Objective To evaluate the safety of compound Qinghuang powder for myelodysplastic syndromes(MDS). Methods A total of108 patients with MDSwere collected, 60 patients were treated with Qinghuang powder(Qinghuang powder group)and 48 with compound Qinghuang powder(compound Qinghuang group). The treatment time of 3 months was as one course, and all the patients were treated for more than one course. The patients who developed adverse reactions in the Qinghuang powder group changed to receive compound Qinghuang powder. The adverse reactions were recorded during the treatment. Results The overall incidence of adverse reactions in the compound Qinghuang powder group was significantly lower than that in the Qinghuang powder group(18.75% vs. 41.7%; χ2=6.492, P<0.05). None in the compound Qinghuang powder group and 3 patients in the compound Qinghuang powder group developed moderate to severe adverse reactions. The incidences of various adverse reactions in the compound Qinghuang powder group were lower than those in the Qinghuang powder group, especially, lower limb swelling (4.17%vs. 25%;χ2=9.205, P<0.05) epigastric discomfort(18.75% vs. 41.67%; χ2=6.492, P<0.05). Twenty patients who developed adverse reactions in the Qinghuang powder group changed to receive compound Qinghuang powder. Among them, 5 patients (25%) maintained adverse reactions. The various adverse reactions after changing to compound Qinghuang powder were decreased, especially, facial swelling (10% vs. 30%; χ2=2.50, P<0.05), leg swelling (5%vs. 45%;χ2=8.533, P<0.05), and abdominal pain and diarrhea(10%vs. 30%;χ2=2.50, P<0.05). No patient developed liver or kidney dysfunction after the treatment with Qinghuang powder or Compound Qinghuang powder. Conclusion Compound Qinghuang powder is safer than Qinghuang powder in the treatment of MDS.

The ancient documents and modern literature in recent 15 years have been retrieved and reviewed on acupuncture treatment of migraine.This article has analyzed syndrome and disease differentiation,acupoint-selection and combination as well as therapies and manipulations,and further provided clinical application thoughts based on therapeutic evaluation of the above aspects.

Objective To discuss methods treating complex distal radius fractures(types B and C fractures according to AO classification). Methods Seventy-eight patients(83 fracture parts)with complex distal tadius fractures were treated by surgical operation from June 2005 to June 2007.There were 51 males and 27 fenlalcs at an average age of 34.6 years.According to AO Classiiication.there were 12 typc B1 fractures,22 types B2 and B3,21 type C1,16 type C2 and 12 typc C3.The operation in-volved open reduction,external fixator,bone grafting for correcting the palm tilted angle and the ulna devi-ated angle. Results AIl patients were followed up for an average period of 10.5 months.After opera-tion the sinking or displacement of the articular surface was less than 2 mm.with average palm tilted an-gle of 10.6°and average ulna deviated angle of 20.3°.All fractures were healed.The ioint function was assessed by Gatrland and Werley score,which showed excellent result in 33 patients,good in 41.fair in 7 and poor in 2,with excellence rate of 89%. Conclusions Surgical operation is effective for treat-ment of complex distal radius fractures,for it can reduce the itaiured articular surface.correct the palm tilted angle and the ulna deviated angle and eliminate forearnl longitudinal shortening stress.

Solute Carriers (SLC) superfamily is one of the most important membrane transporter families in the cell membrane (including intracellular membrane) of human,it is involved in some essential physiological functions such as intercellular substance transporting,energy transfer,nutrition and metabolism,signal transduction and so on.Solute Carriers (SLC) superfamily contains 52 subfamilies,with more than 400 members.Studies have shown that abnormal protein expression or functional defects of SLC caused by human genetic mutations are closely related with a variety of serious diseases such as diabetes,hypertension and depression,so the function research of SLC had attracted much attention in recent years.The known three-dimensional structures of SLC transporters help to explain the precise molecular mechanism of substrate binding and transporting,it provides a fine structure basis to study the molecular mechanism of related diseases and structure-based drug discovery.In this review,we summarized the progress on the structure and function of SLC superfamily transporters of late years,try to provide some common rules of SLC superfamily transporters.

Objective To establish an UPLC method for the determination of sinomenine in Sinomenine External Applied Powder. Methods The UPLC method was carried out on a C18 column by using acetonitrile-water-ethylene diamine (50:50:0.25) as mobile phase. The flow rate was 0.2 mL/min; the sample quantity was 2 μL; the detection wavelength was 283 nm. Results The peak time was within 1 min or so. The calibration curve of sinomenine was in the linear range of 34.2–2188.0 ng. Conclusion The method is simple, rapid, stable and reliable, which can be used for the determination of sinomenine in Sinomenine External Applied Powder.