·α-crystallin is the predominant structural protein in the lens.lt is a member of small heat shock proteins ( sHSPs) which has the common functions of HSPs.lt also has anti-apoptotic activity etc.Recently, it has been proved to combine with the cellular membrane of retinal ganglion cells ( RGCs ) to enhance the survival of RGCs and the regeneration of axons, thereby partly restore visual function.But we haven’t come to a unified conclusion of the mechanism.This review is focused on structure and functions of α-crystallin, the protection function and mechanism of α-crystallin towards RGCs after the optic nerve injury.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Audiometry, Pure-Tone ; methods ; Auditory Cortex ; physiopathology ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Humans ; Magnetoencephalography ; Male ; Young Adult

To study the chemical constituents from the the deep-sea fungus Alternaria sp. F49. Seven compounds were isolated from the EtOAc extract by using silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, ODS and HPLC methods. Based on the spectroscopic analysis, their structures were identified as (8R)-5-O-methyl-orcinotriol (1), orcinotriol (2), α-acetylorcinol (3), 3'-hydroxyalternariol 5-O-methyl ether (4), altenusiol (5), altenusin (6), and 5'-methoxy-6-methyl-biphenyl-3,4,3'-triol (7). (8R)-5-O-Methyl-orcinotriol (1) is a new phenolic compound which has never been reported in the literature. Compounds 4-7 showed strong DPPH free radical scavenging activity; whereas compounds 1-7 showed strong ABTS free radical scavenging activity.

Indeterminate dendritic cell tumor (IDCT) is a proliferation of CD1a+, S100+ and langerin- histiocytes with a generally benign course. Here, we describe a case of a 90-year-old male who developed skin lesions on his scalp mimicking angiosarcoma and lymphadenopathy. He died six months after the onset of skin lesions despite of months' radiotherapy. Pathological examination ruled out scalp angiosarcoma and showed a high Ki-67 index. The appearance of skin lesions and lymphadenopathy led to challenges in diagnosis and the development of a treatment plan.
Aged, 80 and over ; Dendritic Cells* ; Diagnosis ; Hemangiosarcoma* ; Histiocytes ; Humans ; Lymphatic Diseases ; Male ; Radiotherapy ; Scalp* ; Skin

Objective To investigate the prevalence of transfusion-transmitted virus (TTV) and human papillomavirus (HPV) co-infection in cervical smears of patients with cervical lesions in littoral of Zhejiang province and analysis of transmitted route.Methods Nested polymerase chain reaction (nPCR) was established.TTV DNA were tested by nPCR in cervical smears of 95 patients with cervical lesions and 55 healthy women,paired serum samples were available from 55 and 42 women,and their viral titer.The genotypes of 95 specimens of cervical cytology were detected with HybriMax.The phylogenetic group of TTV was determined by means of nPCR with N22 primers.Results The prevalence of TTV DNA in cervical smears of patients with cervical lesions and healthy women was 52.7% (29/55) and was comparable with that in paired serum sample (50%).Symptomatic women had significantly higher prevalence of TTV DNA in cervical smears (74.7%)than healthy controls (P=0.005).The TTV DNA prevalence in patient serum samples was 51%.The phyiogenetic groups of TTV serum isolates were concordant with those of TTV from cervical smears of the same subjects,and genotype was G1b.The TTV viral titer in cervical smears were 10 to 1000 times as high as in serum.The total infection rate of HPV was 98.9% in patients,and was 27.3% in healthy women.The frequently detected genotype was HPV16,18,33 of HSIL,and HPV6 of LSIL.The HPV positive study subjects had significantly higher TTV DNA prevalence than HPV negatives (P=0.02).Conclusion High prevalence of TTV in cervical smears suggests that sexual transmission is another mode of expansion of TTV infection among the population.The higher viral titer in cervical smears than in the respective serum samples might indicate active TTV replication in the female genital tract.Nevertheless,cooperation between TTV and HPV needs to be further investigated.

Background/Aims: Achalasia is a rare disease, but the incidence is increasing recently. Peroral esophageal myotomy (POEM) is an effective treatment.Regurgitation is a common symptom before and after POEM. Our aim is to investigate the factors related to preoperative and postoperative reflux symptoms. Methods: Our study was retrospective. The achalasia patients diagnosed by high-resolution manometry and gastroscopy were divided into reflux group and non-reflux group before and after POEM, respectively. General information, symptoms, POEM information, and manometric results were compared. Results: (1) Ninety-six of 130 patients had reflux symptoms before POEM. The lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) in the reflux group was significantly higher than the non-reflux group (P = 0.023), while integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) was similar. The reflux group had longer esophagus than the non-reflux group (P = 0.006). Reflux symptoms were not related to subtypes of achalasia.(2) Twenty-five of 84 patients had reflux symptoms after POEM. Postoperative Eckardt scores, LESP, and 4-second IRP (4sIRP) were significantly lower than the preoperative values (P < 0.001). The preoperative values and POEM information were similar between the postoperative 2 groups and there was no significant difference in the presence of preoperative reflux symptoms between 2 groups.The postoperative LESP and 4sIRP were similar between the 2 groups, however, the postoperative UESP was significantly higher in the reflux group than the non-reflux group (P = 0.042). The non-reflux group had more declines in Eckardt scores and LESP than the reflux group. Conclusions The reflux symptoms of achalasia patients without treatment were mainly due to food retention. The postoperative reflux symptoms were not the sign of the excessive relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter.

Background/Aims: Achalasia is a rare disease, but the incidence is increasing recently. Peroral esophageal myotomy (POEM) is an effective treatment.Regurgitation is a common symptom before and after POEM. Our aim is to investigate the factors related to preoperative and postoperative reflux symptoms. Methods: Our study was retrospective. The achalasia patients diagnosed by high-resolution manometry and gastroscopy were divided into reflux group and non-reflux group before and after POEM, respectively. General information, symptoms, POEM information, and manometric results were compared. Results: (1) Ninety-six of 130 patients had reflux symptoms before POEM. The lower esophageal sphincter pressure (LESP) in the reflux group was significantly higher than the non-reflux group (P = 0.023), while integrated relaxation pressure (IRP) was similar. The reflux group had longer esophagus than the non-reflux group (P = 0.006). Reflux symptoms were not related to subtypes of achalasia.(2) Twenty-five of 84 patients had reflux symptoms after POEM. Postoperative Eckardt scores, LESP, and 4-second IRP (4sIRP) were significantly lower than the preoperative values (P < 0.001). The preoperative values and POEM information were similar between the postoperative 2 groups and there was no significant difference in the presence of preoperative reflux symptoms between 2 groups.The postoperative LESP and 4sIRP were similar between the 2 groups, however, the postoperative UESP was significantly higher in the reflux group than the non-reflux group (P = 0.042). The non-reflux group had more declines in Eckardt scores and LESP than the reflux group. Conclusions The reflux symptoms of achalasia patients without treatment were mainly due to food retention. The postoperative reflux symptoms were not the sign of the excessive relaxation of lower esophageal sphincter.

Objective: To determine the pharmacokinetics of ephedrine hydrochloride in rats after intragastric administration of Shegan mixtures. Methods:Shegan mixtures (1. 0 ml/100 g) were administered to each rat by gavage. Blood samples were collected after the administration. Plasma concentration of ephedrine hydrochloride was determined by LC-MS/MS. The pharmacokinetic parame-ters of ephedrine hydrochloride were obtained using the pharmacokinetic software. Urine and fecal samples were collected in 24 hours after the administration using metabolic cage to determine the recovery of ephedrine hydrochloride. Results: The pharmacokinetic pa-rameters of ephedrine hydrochloride were as follows:Tmax of (1. 30 ± 0. 23)h,T1/2 of (21. 17 ± 1. 35)h, Cmax of (278. 86 ± 46. 41)ng ·ml-1,AUC0~∞ of (1221.98 ±412.64)ng·ml-1 and Vc/F of (1.70 ±0.15)L. Totally 85.66% ephedrine hydrochloride could be recovered from urine in 24 hours after the administration;however, it was not detected in the fecal samples. Conclusion: Most of e-phedrine hydrochloride is excreted through kidney in 24h,therefore, Shegan mixtures can't cause the accumulation of ephedrine hydro-chloride in rats.

AIMTo investigate the mechanisms of 17beta-estradiol on the production of endothelin-1 in vascular smooth muscle cells.

METHODSAfter incubation VSMC with various concentrations of 17beta-estradiol (10(-9) - 10(-7) mol/L) or plus L-NAME(10(- 6) mol/L) for different times, the concentration of endothelin-1 was measured. At the same time, the activity of endothelin converting enzyme-1 was analyzed, and the expression of preproET-1mRNA was measured by RT-PCR.

RESULTSIn basal conditions, 17beta-estradiol could inhibit the production of endothelin-1 in VSMC, and the action of 17beta-estradiol had nothing to do with the activity of endothelin converting enzyme-1. L-NAME inhibited the effect of 17-estradiol on the production of endothelin-1 in VSMC. RT-PCR results showed that 17-estradiol inhibited the preproET-1 mRNA expression, and whereas L-NAME reversed this action of 17beta-estradiol.

CONCLUSIONIn basal conditions, 17beta-estradiol decreases the preproET-1 mRNA expression through NO-pathway to inhibit the production of endothelin-1 in cultured VSMC.

Animals ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelin-1 ; biosynthesis ; Estradiol ; pharmacology ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects

In this study, we prepared PLLA/bpV(pic) microspheres, a bpV(pic) controlled release system and examined their ability to protect nerve cells and promote axonal growth. PLLA microspheres were prepared by employing the o/w single emulsification-evaporation technique. Neural stem cells and dorsal root ganglia were divided into 3 groups in terms of the treatment they received: a routine medium group (cultured in DMEM), a PLLA microsphere group (DMEM containing PLLA microspheres alone) and a PLLA/bpV(pic) group [DMEM containing PLLA/bpV(pic) microspheres]. The effects of PLLA/bpV(pic) microspheres were evaluated by the live-dead test and measurement of axonal length. Our results showed that PLLA/bpV(pic) granulation rate was (88.2±5.6)%; particle size was (16.8±3.1)%, drug loading was (4.05±0.3)%; encapsulation efficiency was (48.5±1.8)%. The release time lasted for 30 days. In PLLA/bpV(pic) microsphere group, the cell survival rate was (95.2 ±4.77)%, and the length of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) was 718±95 μm, which were all significantly greater than those in ordinary routine medium group and PLLA microsphere group. This preliminary test results showed the PLLA/bpV(pic) microspheres were successfully prepared and they could promote the survival and growth of neural cells in DRG.
Animals ; Axons ; drug effects ; physiology ; Cells, Cultured ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Drug Compounding ; Female ; Ganglia, Spinal ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Lactic Acid ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Microscopy, Electron ; Microspheres ; Neural Stem Cells ; drug effects ; physiology ; Neurofilament Proteins ; metabolism ; Neurons ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Organometallic Compounds ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Polyesters ; Polymers ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; pharmacology ; Pregnancy ; Rats