BackgroundHypoxia and hyperglycemia are the common causes of retinal neovascularization.In these states,H+ accumulates because of the elevated glycolysis and failure of retinal circulation,thus the retinas readily acidified. ObjectiveThe present study was to explore whether retinal acidosis independently regulates the production of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) and whether the regulation is related to oxidative stress.Methods The retinas from 2-week-old male SD rats were cultured with explant method in DMEM modulated by NaHCO3,and culture retinas were randomly divided into pH 7.2,6.8 and 6.5 groups for 24 hours.In addition,after 24 hours of culture as above described,retinas were washed using PBS two times and then followed by again culture in DMEM with pH 7.2 for another 24 hours.Also,antioxidant was added in different pH values of DMEM for culture as above described.The retinal samples were prepared for histopathological examination.The expressions of VEGF and PEDF proteins and their mRNA in retina tissue were detected by Western blot and fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) respectively.Results The retina showed the clear structure and morphology in pH 7.2 group and pH 6.8 group,but retinal vacuoles change was seen in pH 6.5 group after culture for 24 hours.No significant difference was seen in the expressing level of VEGF mRNA in retina between normal group and pH 7.2 group( 112％ ±11％ vs 100％ ±7％ ) (P=0.55),but those in pH 6.8 group and pH 6.5 group were significant increased in comparison with pH 7.2 group( 196％ ±43％ vs 100％ ±7％ ;251％ ±29％vs 100％ ±7％ )( P＜0.05 ).The expressing level of PEDF mRNA in retina in normal group was similar to that of pH7.2 group(86％ ±19％ vs 100％ ±33％) (P=0.64),but that in pH 6.5 group was significantly higher than pH 7.2 group( 230％ ±66％ vs 100％ ±33％ ) ( P＜0.05 ).The resemble results were found in the expressions of VEGF and PEDF protein.After pH reversion,the expressing levels of VEGF mRNA were 100％ ±13％,111％ ±9％,113％ ±9％ in pH 7.2 group,pH 6.8 group and pH 6.5 group respectively without significant difference among them (F=2.51,P=0.16).The expressing levels of PEDF mRNA were 100％ ±13％,110％ ±9％,108％ ±11％in different groups ( F =0.98,P =0.43 ).Under the presence of antioxidant,the expressing level of VEGF mRNA in pH 6.5 group increased in comparison with pH 7.2 group and pH 6.8 group ( P ＜ 0.05 ).The expressing levels of PEDF mRNA were significant different among pH 7.2 group( 100±31 )％,pH 6.8 group( 282±45 )％ and pH 6.5 group(480±117)％ (F=20.73,P=0.00). Conclusions VEGF can be induced by retinal acidification alone,which may be regulated by oxidative stress.Under the retinal acidification,antioxidants promote the expression of PEDF,suggesting that oxidative stress inhibits the production of PEDF.

Air Pollutants, Occupational ; analysis ; Solvents ; analysis

Using isoeugenol as the sole carbon source,a novel strain,producing high amounts of vanillin from isoeugenol,was isolated from soil.According to the physiological and biochemical characteristics and its 16S rRNA gene sequence analysis,it was identified as Bacillus fusiformis.The initial results showed that 4.20 g/L vanillin was obtained by bioconversion of 2% isoeugenol with Bacillus fusiformis.

BACKGROUND: +Gz-induced acute dysencephalia and its protection is one of the significant topics in Aero-medical researches. Its pathological mechanism, however, is still unclear and protective measures should be developed further. OBJECTIVE: To observe the expression of inducible nitricoxide synthase (iNOS) in brain tissue after +Gz exposure and to analyze the protective effects of danshen and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) on repeated +Gz exposure-induced brain injury. DESIGN: Randomized controlled animal study. SETTING: Researching Center of Molecular Biology, Air-force General Hospital of Chinese PLA.MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out at the Researching Center of Molecular Biology, Air-force General Hospital of Chinese PLA from April to August 2000. A total of 20 healthy SD rats of clean grade were divided into 5 groups according to randomly digital table, including control group, +Gz exposure group, bFGF group, danshen group and saline group with 4 in each group.METHODS: All rats were fixed on rotatory arm of centrifugal apparatus,and their heads were towards core of the apparatus. Except the rats in control group, the value of +Gz exposure was +14 Gz, and the growth rate was 1.5 G/s. The exposure at peak value lasted for 45 s. +Gz exposure was done for three times, and the interval was 30 minutes. Rats in the control group were also treated with the same +Gz exposing procedure, but the G value was +1 Gz. Rats in bFGF group and danshen group were intraperitoneally injected with 100 μg/kg of bFGF and/or 15 g/kg of danshen solution, respectively, at 30 minutes before centrifugation and immediateness after centrifugation; moreover, rats in saline group were injected with the same volume of saline. Six hours after exposure, rats were cut off their heads to obtain the brains which were maintained in liquid nitrogen for RNA extraction. The expression of iNOS mRNA in brain tissues of the rats in each group was detected with semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and calculated on the basis of ratio between iNOS and glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrognase.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Expressed level of iNOS mRNA in brain tissue of rats.RESULTS: Expression of iNOS mRNA in brain tissue was higher in repeated +Gz exposure group than that in control group (0.452 ±0.014,0.065±0.008, P ＜ 0.01); however, that was lower in bFGF group and dan-shen group than that in +Gz exposure group (0.196±0.010, 0.183±0.011,0.452±0.014, P ＜ 0.01).CONCLUSION: Repeated +Gz exposure can increase the expression of iNOS mRNA, this plays an important role in cerebral injury induced by repeated +Gz exposure. Moreover, bFGF and danshen have protective effects on cerebral injury induced by +Gz exposure.

Objective: To observe the effect of Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises) on the muscle strength in senile sarcopenia. Methods: Sixty-five old people with sarcopenia were randomized into Yi Jin Jing group and a blank control group. Thirty-three patients in Yi Jin Jing group practiced Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises), while 32 patients in the blank control group didn't receive any interventions. The muscle strength was measured before and after 12-week training. Results: During the study, each group had 1 dropout. The muscle strength was improved after 12-week training in Yi Jin Jing group, and the difference was statistically significant (P<0.05); there was no significant difference in the blank control group (P>0.05). After the intervention, there was a significant difference between Yi Jin Jing group and the blank control group in comparing the muscle strength (P<0.05). Conclusion: Constant Yi Jin Jing (Sinew-transforming Qigong Exercises) training can notably improve skeletal muscle strength in senile sarcopenia.

In this study,nearly 200 endophytic bacteria were isolated from different part of Huperzia serrata, over 60 bacterium with clear antifungal activity were selected from those cultures.Among them,strain H-6 exhibited the highest antifungal activity which was strongly inhibits the growth of many plant pathogenic fungi such as Sclerotinia scleroliorum,Fusarium graminearumt,Sclerotinia libertiana,Phytophthora capsici Leonia and Sesame fusarium wilt.According to the characteristics of morphology,physiology and biochem- istry tests and the comparison of 16S rDNA sequence,the strain H-6 was similar to the Burkholderia.So strain H-6 was identified as Burkholderia sp.H-6.The results also showed that Burkholderia sp.H-6 was markedly different from Burkholderia cepacia that was applied widely in agriculture as antagonistic bacteria. The medium and culture conditions of the strain all were optimized by single factor and orthogonal experiments.In the investigation of the culture condition,growth was carried out in a basal medium(potato juice)and gradually supplemented with the various ingredients to be investigated.The major ingredients be- ing investigated included carbon sources and nitrogen sources.The optimal antifungal activity production condition is growth in a medium(potato juice with 2.5%mannitol and 0.1%NaNO3),initial pH 4.0 at 28℃.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Animals ; Bone Marrow ; metabolism ; Brain ; metabolism ; Brain Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; CDC2 Protein Kinase ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Glioma ; classification ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Neoplastic Stem Cells ; metabolism ; Young Adult

Adult ; Foot Diseases ; diagnostic imaging ; Humans ; Male ; Melorheostosis ; diagnostic imaging ; Radiography ; X-Rays

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in the therapeutic effect on irritable bowel syndrome (IBS) between acupuncture at Tianshu (ST 25) and Dachangshu (BL 25) and western medication with Trimebutine Maleate.

METHODSForty cases were divided randomly into an acupuncture group and a western medication group, 20 cases in each one. In acupuncture group, acupuncture was applied to Tianshu (ST 25) and Dachangshu (BL 25). Ziwu Daojiu needling technique was adopted, once daily. In western medication group, Trimebutine Maleate capsule was administered, 2 capsules in each time, 3 times per day. The assessment on the therapeutic effect was performed in 4 weeks of treatment in two groups.

RESULTSAs compared with those before treatment, the time of abdominal pain, the frequency of abdominal pain, the morbidity of abnormal stool appearance, the morbidity of defecation abnormality, the morbidity of mucus stool and the score of bloating or abdominal pain on bowel movement were all reduced after treatment in two groups (all P < 0.01). The results in acupuncture group were much more significant than those in western medication group (the total score: 16.70 +/- 2.40 vs 15.70 +/- 3.01, P < 0.01). The total effective rate in acupuncture group was 95.0% (19/20), which was superior to that of 70.0% (14/20) in western medication group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at Tianshu (ST 25) and Dachangshu (BL 25) may remarkably relieve the clinical symptoms of IBS and its efficacy is superior to that of oral medication with Trimebutine Maleate.

Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Irritable Bowel Syndrome ; drug therapy ; therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Trimebutine ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo observe the efficacy and side effects of the combination therapy of oxaliplatin and S-1 in treating postoperative colorectal cancer patients.

METHODS54 postoperative colorectal cancer patients received the combination therapy of oxaliplatin and S-1 regimen, repeated every 3 weeks, and evaluate the efficacy after 3 cycles.

RESULTSAll of the 54 patients but 2 (changed the chemotherapy regimen after the first cycle because of economic reason) finished 6 cycles of the chemotherapy treatment. There were 6 cases (11.5%) with complete response (CR), 28 cases (53.8%) with partial response (PR), and the overall response rate was 65.4%. Major adverse effects were hematological toxicities, gastrointestinal disturbance, neurosensory toxicity. There were no chemotherapy-related deaths.

CONCLUSIONSOxaliplatin combined with S-1 is an effective and better tolerated chemotherapy treatment for postoperative colorectal cancer patients, with no serious side effects for liver and kidney. Therefore, it can be used as an alternative chemotherapy regimen for postoperative colorectal cancer patients.

Adenocarcinoma ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Adenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Colonic Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Diarrhea ; chemically induced ; Female ; Humans ; Leukopenia ; chemically induced ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Organoplatinum Compounds ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Oxonic Acid ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Postoperative Period ; Pyridines ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Rectal Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; surgery ; Remission Induction ; Tegafur ; administration & dosage ; adverse effects ; Vomiting ; chemically induced