OBJECTIVETo observe the prevention and clinical efficacy of combination of Liuwei Dihuang Pill (LDP) and Ginkgo Leaf Tablet (GLT) for early diabetic retinopathy (DR).

METHODSUsing randomized, double-blind, double simulation, parallel controlled clinical trial, 140 type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) outpatients were recruited and assigned to the treatment group and the control group, 70 in each group. All patients received basic Western medicine treatment (such as blood glucose and pressure control). Patients in the treatment group took LDP (8 pills each time, 3 times per day) and GLT (19.2 mg each time, 3 times per day), while those in the control group took LDP placebos and GLT placebos. All treatment lasted for 24 consecutive months. All subjects were followed-up every month. The general clinical data as sex, age, and metabolic data such as blood glucose, blood pressure, blood lipid, and DR prevalence rate were collected and statistically analyzed.

RESULTSThere was no significant difference in levels of blood glucose, blood pressure, or blood lipid between the two groups (P > 0.05). After treatment the DR incidence rate was significantly lower in the treatment group than in the control group [3.1% (2/64) vs 18.6% (11/59), P < 0.05)]. Meanwhile, the DR prevalence rate of the treatment group was also significantly lower than that of the control group [6.3% (4/64) vs 20.0% (13/59), P < 0.05].

CONCLUSIONCombination of LDP and GLT could effectively prevent and treat the development of DR in T2DM patients.

Blood Glucose ; analysis ; Blood Pressure ; Diabetes Mellitus, Type 2 ; complications ; Diabetic Retinopathy ; drug therapy ; Double-Blind Method ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Humans ; Phytotherapy ; Tablets

A promoter fragment (7S?P ) of ? subunit gene was isolated by PCR from genomic DNA in various soybean accessions, including cultivars Nannong99-10,N2899,Nannong 88-1, and wild soybeans Jiangpu -1 and ZYD4174.The sequences of 7S?P fragment from these five soybean accessions shared 99% homology, this indicated that the promoter regions of ? subunit gene were conserved. Meanwhile , sequencing analysis showed that the 7S?P fragment contained several seed-specific motifs, such as RY motif, AGCCCA motif, ACGT motif and A/ T rich motif. The expression vector pBI121-7S?P was constructed with the 7S?P fragment (from Nannong99-10) and the GFP reporter gene for functional analysis. Arabidopsis plants were transformed by Agrobacterium mediated method. Southern blot results showed that the 7S?P had been integrated into the genome of Arabidopsis. Assay of GFP expression in the seeds of transgenic Arabidopsis was determined to identify the function of 7S?P promoter. The results showed that 7S?P was a seed-specific promoter.

BACKGROUND:Caveolin-1 is expressed in mammalian brain and involved in the normal development of the brain, which can affect the proliferation of neural stem cells in the brain. OBJECTIVE:To acquire neural stem cells from caveolin-1 knockout embryonic mice in vitro and study their biological characteristics. METHODS:The whole brain was separated from C57BL/6 mice and caveolin-1 knockout C57BL/6 mice respectively at encyesis 14-16 days. Single cellsuspension was obtained by enzyme digestion, and cultured in the conditioned medium of neural stem cells. Fol owing 7 days of primary culture, the cells were induced in Dulbecco’s modified Eagle’s medium/Ham’s nutrient mixture F-12 containing 10%fetal bovine serum for 7 days. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The major cells of the cellsuspensions from the fetal mouse brain were dead at 1 day after culture, and some single cells floated in the medium and their transmittance were better, and then they gradual y formed multicellular bal s after 3 days. A smal amount of cells were adhered at the bottom of culture plate after passage, and a great amount of cellbal s appeared after 7 days. The proliferation rate of neural stem cells from caveolin-1 knockout mice was higher than that from normal mice. The cellbal s were nestin-positive and their differentiated cells was positive for neurofilament 200, glial fibril ary acidic protein or O4, respectively. Al of the cells from normal mouse brain were positive for caveolin-1, but the cells from caveolin-1 knockout mice were negative for caveolin-1 by immunocytochemistry. Moreover, the speed of cellbal formation and the number of cellbal s in neural stem cells from caveolin-1 knockout mice were better than those from normal mice. Caveolin-1 negative neural stem cells were cultured successful y from caveolin-1 knockout mouse brain, and the results show that caveolin-1 can promote the proliferation of neural stem cells and inhibit their differentiation in vitro.

Objective: To analyze the correlation of miR-625 expression with clinicopathological characteristics in esophageal squa-mous cell carcinoma (ESCC) and to explore the effect of miR-625 on the migration and proliferation of ESCC cells. Methods:The expres-sion level of miR-625 was determined through real-time PCR in 86 paired human ESCC tissue specimens and tumor-adjacent normal esophageal tissue specimens, ESCC cell lines, and esophageal epithelial cell line. The associations of miR-625 expression with clinico-pathological characteristics and survival in ESCC patients were analyzed. Transwell and CCK-8 assays were performed to examine the effect of miR-625 expression on migration and proliferation of ESCC cells. Results:Compared with tumor-adjacent normal specimens, miR-625 was significantly downregulated in ESCC tissue specimens (P<0.05). MiR-625 expression was decreased in ESCC cell lines com-pared with human esophageal epithelial cell lines (P<0.05). Lower miR-625 expression was associated with poorer prognosis and sur-vival. The migration and proliferation abilities of ESCC cells were inhibited by miR-625 overexpression (P<0.05). Conclusion:MiR-625 acts as a tumor suppressor gene in the development and progression of ESCC, suggesting that miR-625 may serve as an efficient prog-nosis biomarker and a potential therapeutic target for ESCC.

Objective To study the state and trends of Kesan disease in Henan province from 2004 to 2009. Methods Surveillance sites were selected: Guxian village of Luoning country from 2004 - 2007, Zuyang town of Lingbao city in 2008, and Shahe village of Lushi country in 2009. All residents of surveillance sites were examined by clinical and electrocardiogram, and suspected patients were inspected by chest X-ray to measure ardiothoracic ratio. Hair and wheat flour samples were collected and selenium levels were detected with hydride generation atomic fluorescence spectrometry. Results From 2004 to 2009, a total of 4034 people were examined.The numbers of chronic and latent KSD patients were 21 and 75 cases,respectively, and the incidence rates were 0.52%(21/4034) and 1.86%(75/4034), respectively . The number of abnormal electrocardiogram was 751 cases, and the incidence rate was 18.62%. The highest proportion of abnormal electrocardiogram was ST-T changes,accounting for 24.63%(185/751), followed by high-voltage, accounting for 18.11%(136/751), and left ventricular accounting for 13.85% (104/751). Sixty-one grain samples were collected and the wheat flour selenium level was averaged 0.034 mg/kg. Thirty hair samples were collected and the selenium median was 0.285 mg/kg. Conclusions The state of Keshan disease is in a steady state in Henna province, but higher rates of abnormal electrocardiogram is a serious problem and should be studied and prevented.

Objective To understand Kaschin-Beck disease(KBD) status in Henan Province and provide the basis for the further prevention and treatment of KBD. Methods Children aged 7 to 12 in 3 villages(Yaodian, Miaowa and Zhuyang) with the same environment such as topography, physiognomy,production mode and living habits in Shan County and Lingbao City were selected to undertake KBD clinical examination in 2008, X-ray examination of right hand and child hair samples and food samples were collected to determine the content of selenium. Selenium was determined using 2,3-Diaminonaphthalene method. Adults who were 16 years or older in 5 counties(Luoning, Lingbao, Mianchi, Shah and Lushi) were selected and examined for KBD. Results One hundred and ninty children aged 7 to 12 were clinically examined and clinical KBD were found, whereas 3 children were diagnosed as KBD by X-ray examination, the positive rate was 1.58% (3/190). All 20 521 adults were clinically examined and KBD prevelance rate was 6.10%(1251/20 521), including degree Ⅰ (3.97%,814/20 521), degree Ⅱ (1.77%, 364/20 521 ), degree Ⅲ (0.36%, 73/20 521). The average selenium contents in hair and food samples were (0.319±0.128)mg/kg and (0.031±0.009)mg/kg, respectively. Conclusions Child KBD in Henan Province is under control or almost under control, whereas the prevalence of adult KBD was relatively serious, which suggested that secondary prevention with the objective of clinically treating KBD patients should be strengthened.

Objective To explore the effects of hepatocyte growth-promoting factor(pHGF) on renal function and cell apoptosis in kidney of rats with renal ischemia reperfusion injury(IRI).Methods Thirty-two male Sprague-Dawley rats were divided into 4 groups:sham-operated control group(groupⅠ),renal ischemia reperfusion control group(groupⅡ),one experimental group injecting pHGF(50 mg/kg,intraabdominal injection) before renal IRI(group Ⅲ),and another experimental group injecting pHGF(50 mg/kg,intraabdominal injection) after renal IRI(group Ⅳ).The animals with renal IRI exposed to 45 min bilateral renal pedicle clamping.All ischemia reperfusion rats in group Ⅰ and Ⅱ were intraabdomially injected equal volume of physiological saline(0.8 mL) at the time when the rats in experimental groups were administered 50 mg/kg pHGF.Twelve hours after IRI,samples for serum and the left renal tissue of each animal were taken.The serum sample was used to detect expression of serum creatinine(Scr),and the renal tissue sample for evaluation of apoptosis.Results Compared with the level of Scr in groupⅠ(22.775?6.508) ?mol/L,Scr was markedly higher in groupⅡ(120.850?22.237) ?mol/L(P0.05).Conclusions The laboratory investigation suggests that pHGF might be an effective pharmacological agent against renal IRI according to the findings of the evaluated parameters,and protective effect by pHGF against renal IRI might involved in the mechanisms decreasing tubular cells apoptosis.It is likely that pHGF is a potential therapentic agent in clinical renal IRI circumstances.

Objective To observe the change of conditions and study the epidemiology of Keshan disease from 1995 to 2009 in Henan province.Methods From 1995 to 2009,seriously ill township (village) of Keshan disease were selected as monitoring sites,and one cross-sectional survey was conducted annually.Resident population were asked of their disease history,and were taken clinical examination.Suspicious or suspected cases of Keshan disease and people with abnormal ECG were taken 2 m X-ray.Hair and wheat flour samples were collected for selenium testing.Results From 1995 to 2009,about 6632 people were checked,130 chronic and 52 latent cases of Keshan disease were identified,the total detection rates were between 1.12％ and 5.06％.The detectable rate for abnormal electrocardiogram and heart enlargement found through chest X-ray examination were 10.24％ -30.65％ and 32.4％ - 77.8％,respectively.The content of hair selenium tended to increase,the highest was in 2009 (357.12 μg/kg),and the lowest was in 1997( 142.68 μg/kg).Conclusion Keshan disease is stable in Henan province,and prevention and control measures should be strengthen gradually.

Objective To evaluate the effect of health education on endemic diseases in Henan province in 2010.Methods According to the requirements of The Education Program for Endemic Diseases Control in 2009 Henan Province,50 counties (districts) of 18 cities with endemic diseases were selected.Referring to the health education questionnaire in the program,knowledge of endemic diseases were asked of pupils and housewives.Intervention effects were evaluated two months after teaching pupils and housewives in counties,towns,villages and schools with the knowledge of endemic diseases and the questionnaire was used.Results Among 50 counties investigated,5523 pupils and 3206 housewives were surveyed in the baseline according to the requirement,and 5417 pupils and 2891 housewives were surveyed for outcome evaluation.The results showed that after this education,pupils' knowledge about endemic diseases increased from 66.31％(10 987/16 569) in the baseline survey to 93.84％(15 250/16 251),the difference have statistical significant(x2 =3877.78,P ＜ 0.01) ; housewives from 67.56％(6133/9078)to 92.67％(8037/8673),the difference have statistical significant(x2 =1736.33,P ＜ 0.01).After the education,the pupils' knowledge about the iodine deficiency disorders,drinking-water-borne fluorosis and arsenic poisning,coal-burning-borne fluorosis increased from 70.15％ (6263/8928),62.29％(4423/7101),42.96％ (185/270),68.52％ (116/270) to 94.19％ (8344/8859),93.05％ (6376/6852),99.63％ (261/270),96.67％ (269/270),the difference have statistical significant (x2 =1749.85,1939.26,211.83,74.43,all P ＜ 0.01),housewives' knowledge about the iodine shortage diseases,drinking-water-borne fluorosis,the endemic fluorine,the arsenic poisoning increased from 73.27％ (3330/4545),62.79％ (2677/4263,30.37％ (85/135),62.96％(41/135) to 93.96％(4228/4500),91.08％(3555/3903),97.04％(123/135),91.11％(131/135),the difference have statistical significant (x2 =751.03,924.65,129.75,30.23,all P ＜ 0.01).Conclusions Health education intervention has a marked effect in increasing the peoples' knowledge of endemic diseases.Therefore health education should be enhanced in the future.

Objective To investigate focal cerebral ischemia on cell proliferation and expression of glial fibrillary acidic protein(GFAP) in caveolin-1 knockout mice.Methods Focal cerebral ischemia was induced by middle cerebral artery occlusion(MCAO) to caveolin-1-knockout mice and homologous C57 wild-mice.Expression of BrdU and GFAP in the brain were detected using immunohistochemistry in the postoperative 7d.Results The number of BrdU( (29.04 ± 1.68 )/mm2 ; (24.13 ±- 1.57 )/mm2 ) and GFAP-positive cells ( ( 10.75 ± 2.32 )/mm2 ; ( 18.14 ± 1.95 )/mm2 ) were increased in wild-type and caveolin-1 -knockout mice after ischemia,and there was significant difference compared with sham group (BRDU( 6.15 ± 1.09 )/mm2,(6.23 ± 1.05 )/mm2 ; GFAP (2.31 ±0.98)/mm2,(2.07 ± 1.01 )/mm2 ) (P＜0.05).Expression of BMU in knockout mice was less than that in wild mice,but expression GFAP in knockout mice was stronger than that in wild mice,and the difference was statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusion Cerebral ischemia can promote cell proliferation and glial activation in brain,loss of caveolin-1 reduced cell proliferation and enhanced glial activation early stage of brain ischemia.