Background Lowing intraocular pressure (IOP) is the only effective treating method in glaucoma.Making sure the change of optic disc parameters and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness(RNFLT) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patients after IOP reduced can provide objective evidence for evaluating the effect of lowing-IOP on the function of optic nerve.Objective The present study was to evaluate the change of optic disc parameters and RNFLT in POAG patients after trabeculectomy,and analyze the affecting factors of image parameters.Methods A serial case-observational study was adapted.Forty eyes of 39 patients with POAG underwent trabeculectomy were recruited in the study.IOP was examined and perimetry was performed before operation and 2 weeks,1 month,3 months,6 months and 1 year after surgery.Optical parameters and RNFLT were measured using Heidelberg retina tomography (HRT) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) in above-mentioned time points.The correlations between lowing-IOP range or disease severity and optical disc parameters or mean RNFLT (mRNFLT) were analyzed by Pearson linear correlation.Results Mean IOP of the 40 eyes was (32.77±8.64) mmHg before operation and (12.45 ±3.65) mmHg,(13.05±3.90) mmHg,(13.42± 3.33) mmHg,(14.22± 2.60) mmHg and (14.74±2.46)mmHg 2 weeks,1 month,3 months,6 months and 1 year after operation,with a significant difference among various time points (F=13.73,P =0.00).However,no significant difference was seen in the mean defect of perimetry among the different time points (F=1.02,P=0.41).The cup area (CA),cup/disc area ratio (C/DAR),cup volume (CV),mean cup depth (MCD),cup shape measurement (CSM),horizontal C/D,vertical C/D,rim area (RA),rim/disc area ratio (R/DAR),height variation contour (HVC),rim volume (RV),mRNFLT,RNFL cross sectional area (RNFLA) were gradually improved after operation in comparison with before operation.One year after operation,RV,CSM,mRNFLT,RNFLA were still increased,but vertical C/D was reduced after operation than that of before (P＜0.05).No significant differences were found in the whole mRNFLT and superior quadrant mRNFLT,inferior quadrant mRNFLT,nasal quadrant mRNFLT and temporal quadrant mRNFLT among before and after operation (F=1.63,P=0.16; F=0.51,P=0.77; F=1.44,P=0.20;F=1.02,P=0.32; F=1.31,P=0.30).Positive correlations were found between lowing-IOP range and the improvement of RV,CSM,vertical C/D (r =0.45,P =0.02; r=0.41,P=0.04; r=0.58,P=0.00),and negative correlations were seen between absolute value of MD and the improvement of RV,CSM 1 year after operation (r=-0.43,P=0.03; r=-0.62,P=0.00).Conclusions Reduction of IOP after trabeculectomy results in the reversal of optic disc parameters.The improvement of the optic disc parameters may be a protective factor for progression of glaucomatous optical nerve damage.

The yeast Sacchromyces cerevisiae is most widely used for producing bioethanol in alcoholic industry due to its higher ethanol yield and fermentation rate. However, the toxic effect of accumulated ethanol is one of the main factors, which limit high ethanol production. Thus, investigating the mechanisms of yeast ethanol tolerance will provide the basis for solving the industrial problem. This article reviewed the mechanisms of Sacchromyces cerevisiae ethanol tolerance focusing on its cell physiological behaviors, structure and biochemical composition, as well as its genetic basis.

Objective To study the Clinical characteristics of Parkinson′s disease(PD) in natural population.Methods All the patients diagnosed as Parkinsonism from a prevalence study in Beijing in 1997 were collected for investigation. The spectrum of the clinical features of Parkinsonism and the onset, progression and prognosis of PD were analysed, as well as the impact factors to the prognosis were analysed. Results 109 cases were ascertained as PD from the sample population, in which 64(58.7% ) were PD, 11 (10. 1% ) were Parkinsen plus syndrome and 34(31.2% ) were symptom Parkinsonism. 30 of the 64 PD cases were male. The median age of PD was 74. 5 years. The median age at onset was 68 years old. The median duration was 5 years. The average Hoehn-Yahr staging score was 2. 81. The clinical characteristics of PD and other Parkinsonism were compared, as asymmetry of symptoms and signs was an important feature to differentiate PD from other Parkinsonism. 20. 3 percent of PD cases were associated with dementia.16(25% )of the 64 PD cases initiated with essential tremor and developed to PD during 6 ～ 49 years after the onset of tremor. Tremor was the dominant initial symptoms of PD(60. 9% ). Type of initial symptoms was a relatively definite impact factor to the prognosis of PD. Levodopa treatment was likely to delay the duration of PD. Conclusions The clinical features of Parkinsonism in natural population were different as compared with previous studies. A further study on the natural history of PD thoroughly is needed.

To investigate the neurotoxic effect of human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) gp120 on cultured dorsal root ganglion (DRG)neurons in vitro, dissociated and organotypic mouse embryo's DRG cell culture models were established. Both dissociated and organotypic DRG cultures were treated with HIV gp120 in different concentration (250 pmol/L and 1 nmol/L, respectively, 2 times/7 days). For dissociated DRG cultural cells, microtubule-associated protein 2 (MAP2) immunofluorescent labeling was processed for observing the changes of neuronal cell body and neurites. The change of the ultrastructure in the organotypic cultured DRG was observed by electron microscopy.The difference of the number and length of neurites between the control group and HIV gp120 treated groups were significant (P＜0.001),whereas there was no significant difference in the diameter of neurons between them (P＞0.05). The ultrastructural changes included the decrease or loss of cristae in mitochondria and accumulation of many high densed particles between the microtubules and the neurofilaments by using both the concentrations of HIV gp120 treatment. The present results indicate that HIV gp120 had a directly neurotoxic effect on the cultured DRG neurons, especially more sensitive to mitochondria.

OBJECTIVETo study a feasible method of measuring right ventricular pressure by catheterization in mice.

METHODSMeasuring the right ventricular pressure and the pulmonary artery pressure by homemade PE pipe through venous cannula in external jugular vein, using catheterization in mice with powerlab multimodal biometric signal recording system.

RESULTSForty-six out of 51 mice were experimented with this method smoothly and got a total success rate of 90.2%. Thirty of 33 normal mice and 16 of 18 mice with pulmonary arterial hypertension (PAH) were catheterized successfully. The right ventricular pressure were as follow: systolic blood pressure: (23.4 +/- 5.7) mmHg in normal group vs (32.2 +/- 2.8) mmHg in mice with PAH, diastolic blood pressure: (3.7 +/- 2.6) mmHg vs (3.8 +/- 2.0) mmHg, mean pressure: (12.0 +/- 3.7) mmHg vs (14.9 +/- 2.3) mmHg. After autopsy for those 5 failed cases, we found that 2 cases were into the inferior vena cava, another 2 cases pierced the right auricle and the last one punctured the axillary vein into the chest wall.

CONCLUSIONMeasuring the right ventricular pressure through venous cannula in external jugular vein with homemade PE pipe in mice gets not only a high success rate but also help to save time. Moreover, this method can be popularized easily. It is a good and feasible method for measuring right ventricular pressure in mice.

Animals ; Cardiac Catheterization ; methods ; Jugular Veins ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Ventricular Pressure

Objective To determine the effects of gutter oil on liver function,renal function and serum lipid metabolism in mice.Methods A total of 72 mice were averagely divided into 6 groups.Mice were gavaged with different dosages (5 μL/g,1 0 μL/g and 20 μL/g)of gutter oil or cooking oil every other day for continuing 8 weeks.The indexes of liver, kidney and serum lipid parameters were assayed.Results The moisture,acid value and peroxide value of the gutter oil exceeded the national standard.After continuing 8 weeks'intake of oils,alanine aminotransferase (ALT)of gutter oil group with a dosage of 5 μL/g,as well as aspartate aminotransferase (AST)of gutter oil group with a dosage of 1 0 μL/g significantly increased (P <0.05),compared with the cooking oil group.Serum creatinine (Scr)of the gutter oil groups with 3 dosages significantly increased compared with the control groups (P <0.05 ).Meanwhile,blood urea nitrogen (BUN)of gutter oil groups with a dosage of 5 μL/g and 1 0 μL/g were also significantly increased respectively(P <0.05). However,no significant differences were observed in triglyceride (TG)and total cholesterol (TC)among the groups. Conclusion Eight weeks'intake of gutter oil could cause the damage to liver and renal functions.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the serum level of soluble transferrin receptor (sTfR) and its association with the degree of anemia in children with hemoglobin H (HbH) disease. METHODS: A total of 55 children with HbH disease were enrolled as the HbH group, and 30 healthy children were enrolled as the control group. The HbH group was further divided into a deletional HbH disease group and a non-deletional HbH disease group. A retrospective analysis was performed for hematological parameters and serum sTfR level in all groups. RESULTS: Of the 55 children with HbH disease, 39 had deletional HbH disease and 16 had non-deletional HbH disease. Compared with the control group, the deletional and non-deletional HbH disease groups had significantly lower hemoglobin (Hb), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH) and a significantly higher serum level of sTfR. Compared with the deletional HbH disease group, the non-deletional HbH disease group had significantly lower red blood cell count (RBC) and Hb level and significantly higher MCV, MCH, and serum sTfR level. In children with HbH disease, serum sTfR level was negatively correlated with RBC and Hb level (r=-0.739 and -0.667 respectively, P<0.05) and positively correlated with MCV and MCH (r=0.750 and 0.434 respectively, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS Serum sTfR level is associated the degree of anemia in children with HbH disease, and sTfR may be a target for the treatment of HbH disease.
Child ; Erythrocyte Count ; Hemoglobin H ; Humans ; Receptors, Transferrin ; Retrospective Studies ; alpha-Thalassemia

The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of bcl-2 siRNA on bcl-2 gene expression and apoptosis of lymphoma cell line CA46. A siRNA was designed and synthesized. Then siRNA was transfected into CA46 cells by cationic liposome. At 48 hours after transfection, apoptosis and mitochondria transmembrane potential of CA46 cells were detected by flow cytometry, the expression of bcl-2 mRNA and BCL-2 protein in CA46 cells were detected by RT-PCR and flow cytometry respectively. The results showed that at 48 hours after transfection, apoptosis of CA46 cells occurred, mitochondria transmembrane potential changed. The expression of bcl-2 mRNA and BCL-2 protein in CA46 cells decreased significantly. In conclusion, bcl-2 siRNA depresses the expression of bcl-2 gene in CA46 cells specifically, then changes the mitochondria transmembrane potential, resulting in apoptosis of CA46 cells.
Apoptosis ; genetics ; Burkitt Lymphoma ; genetics ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Genes, bcl-2 ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Transfection

OBJECTIVETo investigate the constitution and health status of the Beijing residents, and the primary influencing factors on nutrition and health, as to finding out the epidemiological characters and the changing trend of chronic diseases and to establish scientific basis for the establishment of public health and disease prevention policies of Beijing.

METHODSA stratified multi-stage cluster randomly sampling method was used. In total, 18 districts were surveyed, and among them, 9 were conducted dietary survey. The investigation was based on household, and all family members were surveyed at their home. After having got the compliance from the family members, question asking, medical examination, laboratory test and dietary investigation were carried out in these people.

RESULTSThe incidence rate of hypertension was 25.0% for the resident > or = 15 year-old, and over 50% for middle-aged and elderly people (> or = 45 years old). The incidence of diabetes for those not younger than 15 years old was 7.7%. The over-weight rate and the obesity rate for adults were 35.1% and 20.6%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe following risk factors of chronic disease, such as unreasonable diet pattern, deficient intake of some micronutrients, over-weight and obesity, lack of physical examination, smoking and over-drinking, should be the important factors influencing the health of Beijing residents severely.

China ; epidemiology ; Diabetes Mellitus ; epidemiology ; Female ; Health Status ; Humans ; Hypertension ; epidemiology ; Incidence ; Life Style ; Male ; Nutritional Status ; Obesity ; epidemiology ; Surveys and Questionnaires