AIM:To investigate the expression and the significance of VEGF-C/D in rat cornea after alkali burning as well as the role of lymphangiogenesis in the high-risk corneal transplantation rejection.
●METHODS:The model of alkali burn corneal was made. Different times corneas were taken to electron microscope for vascularization, and examined the expression of VEGF-C/D and VEGFR-3 in l, 3, 5, 7, 14, 28d. The other rat cornea after alkali burn were divided into four parts to penetrate keratoplasty, containing only blood vessels in the cornea ( group A ) , angiogenesis and lymphangiogenesis ( group B ) , lymphangiogenesis degenerating period ( group C ) , angiogenesis degenerating period ( group D ) . ln addition, there are also normal groups ( group N ) to compare the Rl values and survival time of corneal graft.
●RESULTS: Electron microscopy showed that, when the first 7d rat cornea appeared neovascularization after alkali burn, but not lymphangiogenesis. The occurrence of new blood vessels and lymphatic in 2wk. There were no obvious lymphangiogenesis in 5wk and the angiogenesis gradually subside in 8 wk. The expression of VEGF-C/D and VEGFR-3 in the corneas of rats were up-regulated in the third days after the injury, and reached its peaks at 5d. The average survival time of group N, A, B, C, D were (14.25±0.62)d, (9.35±1.02)d, (5.06±1.13)d, (8.71±0.83) d, (9. 44±1. 05)d after transplant cornea. Compared to the rest of the group, group B plant average survival time significantly shortened (P<0. 05), while compared with group B, the survival time of A, C, D groups were significantly longer (P<0. 05).
● CONCLUSION: VEGF - C/D and VEGFR - 3 are expressed significantly after corneal alkali burn. New lymphatic vessels can accelerate high - risk corneal transplantation immune rejection.

This study is to investigate the effect of Euphorbia humifusa effective fraction (EHEF) on the CYP51 enzyme activity, the lanosterol content and the MEP, SUB gene expression of Trichophyton rubrum. Trichophyton rubrum was treated by EHEF for 7 days at 26 degrees C. The activity of CYP51 enzyme of Trichophyton rubrum in the cell membrane was determined by using ELISA kit, and the lanosterol content was investigated by using high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC), and the MEP, SUB gene expression of Trichophyton rubrum was detected with the reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) method. Results showed that EHEF can decrease the membrane CYP51 enzyme activity, and it also can accumulate the fungal lanosterol in a dose-dependent manner, and it also can decrease the gene expression of MEP and SUB. The antifungal mechanism of EHEF may be related to the inhibition on CYP51 enzyme activity, and to the effects on fungal cell membrane ergosterol biosynthesis. It may also play an antifungal effect by inhibiting the MEP, SUB gene expression of fungal proteases.
Antifungal Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cell Membrane ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Enzyme Activation ; drug effects ; Euphorbia ; chemistry ; Gene Expression Regulation, Fungal ; Lanosterol ; metabolism ; Metalloproteases ; metabolism ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Sterol 14-Demethylase ; metabolism ; Subtilisins ; metabolism ; Trichophyton ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: Mitochondrial deoxyribonucleic acid (mtDNA) 8344 A>G (m.8344A>G) mutation is the common mutation associated with mitochondrial myoclonus epilepsy with ragged-red fibers (MERRF) syndrome. Herein we report a rare case with mitochondrial encephalopathy, lactic acidosis and stroke-like episodes/MERRF/Leigh (MELAS/MERRF/Leigh) overlap syndrome caused by m.8344A>G mutation. METHODS: The clinical and imaging data of the patient were collected and an open muscle biopsy was carried out. We further employed molecular genetic analyses to detect mtDNA mutation in the proband and his mother. And then a clinical and neuroimaging follow-up was performed. RESULTS: This patient was a 25-year-old male, who developed exercise intolerance since the age of 6. At age 10, he suffered from acute episodes of hemianopia, and cranial magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed occipital stroke-like lesions and cranial magnetic resonance spectroscopy (MRS) revealed a lactate peak corresponding to the lesion. After that the patient presented slowly progressive psychomotor decline. He had myoclonic seizures and cerebellar ataxia since the age of 12. At age 21, he was admitted to our hospital because of confusion and cranial MRI revealed symmetrical lesions in bilateral posterior putamen, thalami and midbrain. Then repeated MRI showed progression of original lesions and new frontal multiple stroke-like lesions. Symptomatic and rehabilitation treatment relieved his condition. Follow-up cranial MRI at age 24 showed the lesions in basal ganglia and thalami diminished, and the midbrain lesions even completely vanished. Muscle pathology indicated the presence of numerous scattered ragged-red fibers (RRF), suggestive of a mitochondrial disorder. Polymerase chain reaction-restricted fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) detected the m.8344A>G mutation of the MT-TK gene encoding mitochondrial transfer RNA for lysine in the patient's blood. Next generation sequencing (NGS) of the whole mitochondrial genome identified that the proportion of m.8344A>G was 90%, and no other mtDNA mutation was detected. Sanger sequencing further identified this mutation both in the proband and his mother's blood, although the mutation load was much lower in his mother's blood with approximately 10% heteroplasmy. CONCLUSION The present study is the first to describe a patient with m.8344A>G mutation in association with the MELAS/MERRF/Leigh overlap syndrome, which expands the phenotypic spectrum of the m.8344A>G mutation.
Acidosis, Lactic ; Adult ; Child ; DNA, Mitochondrial/genetics* ; Humans ; Male ; Mitochondrial Encephalomyopathies ; Mutation ; Stroke ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the relationship between raf kinase inhibitor protein (SKIP), a novel metastasis suppressor gene, and metastasis of ovarian carcinoma. Methods Immunohistochemistry, RT-PCR, and western blot analysis were performed to examine the expression of SKIP in clinical samples of ovarian tumors and five human ovarian carcinoma cell lines. Stable cell lines over-expressed or deleted of SKIP were cloned to investigate the function of SKIP in ovarian cancer cells. The recombinant plasmids expressing sense (ss) or antisense (as) SKIP cDNA or empty vector was transfected into ovarian cancer cell line SKOV3 by lipofectamine. The expression level of mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase kinase (MEK) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) in ovarian cancer cells were detected by western blot analysis. Assays of cell proliferation, soft-agar colony formation, cell adhesion, and cell invasion in vitro were used to examine the malignant phenotypes of the transfected cells. Flow cytometric analysis was performed to observe the effect of SKIP on cell cycle distribution before and after transfection. Results (1 ) The expression levels of SKIP protein in ovarian carcinoma tissues from patients were found to be reduced than those in ovarian benign tumor and borderline tumor. SKOV3 clones stably expressing full-length recombinant ssRKIP, asRKIP, and their respective empty vector were obtained. (2)RKIP was able to block basal levels of MEK and ERK in ovarian cancer cells. The expression level of phosphorylation MEK in ssRKIP#1 and ssRKIP#4 cells were 0. 35, 0. 34; while the expression level of phosphorylation ERK in ssRKIP#1 and ssRKIP#4 cells were 0.48 and 0.46. (3) Abilities of cell proliferation in the ssRKIP vector-transfected cells were decreased compared with that in the non-transfected cells (P ＜0. 01 ). (4)Anchorage-independent growth in the ssRKIP#1 and ssRKIP#4 cells (83.7 ± 5.7, 106. 0±9. 2) were decreased compared with that in the empty vector-transfected cells (158.3 ± 14. 6, P＜ 0. 01). (5)Cell adhesion in the ssRKIP#1 and ssRKIP#4 cells [(68.3±0. 8)%, (64. 1±0. 9)%] were decreased compared with that in the non-transfected cells [(100. 0 ± 1.1 )%, P ＜ 0. 01]. (6) Cell invasion in the ssRKIP#1 and ssRKIP#4 cells (24 ± 5, 25±4) were decreased compared with that in the non-transfected cells (68 ± 5, P ＜ 0. 01 ). (7) ssRKIP cells had a significant increase in the G1 phase and decrease in the G2 + S phase. Conclusion RKIP could inhibits the metastasis, but also the growth of ovarian cancer cells.

BACKGROUND:To date,no single material can completely meet the clinical requirements.However,the composite materials characterized by good biodegradability,biocompatibility and osteoconductivity have become a highlight of the artificial bone materials.OBJECTIVE:To synthesize the basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF)-poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microspheres/hydroxyapatite (HA)/poly(I-lactic acid) (PLLA) porous bone scaffolds,and to observe the physicochemical properties and biocompatibility of the composite material.METHODS:The bFGF-PLGA microspheres were prepared by double emulsion method,and then six kinds of materials were made including PLLA,PLLNHA,PLLAJPLGA,PLLNHNPLGA,PLLNHA/bFGF,and bFGF-PLGA microspheres/PLLA/HA.The characterization of the materials were observed by particle size analyzer,transmission electron microscopy,X-ray diffraction,Fourier transform infrared spectrometer,microcomputer differential thermal balance,and scanning electron microscope.Toxicity of these materials and proliferation of bone marrow mesechymal stem cells seeded onto these materials were analyzed and compared.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The average particle size of bFGF-PLGA microspheres was about 250 nm,the average drug-loading capacity was (26.03±0.17)％,and the entrapment percentage was (90.65±2.68)％.The prepared bFGF-PLGA microspheres were spherical and had good dispersibility.In addition,all the six kinds of materials had a porous structure with similar pore diameter,in which the microspheres and particles exhibited a rational distribution.The toxic level of bFGF-PLGA microspheres/PLLNHA,bFGF/HNPLLA and HAP/PLLA was graded as 1 (with a relative survival rate ≥ 80％),indicating no obvious toxicity or slight toxicity.All these six kinds of composite materials can promote the proliferation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,and the bFGF-PLGA microspheres/PLLNHA shows the best effects on cell proliferation and has good biocompatibility.

Objective To investigate the type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)prevalence and related risk factors in adult population with obesity in Tianjin. Methods With stratified cluster randomized sampling, 2888 obese people with BMI≥28 kg/m2, aged 18 years old and over were selected from three urban and three rural regions of Tianjin, in 2006. Information on risk factors was collected with questionnaire through face-to-face interview by trained workers and data on fasting blood glucose(FBG)was collected at the same time. 2hrPPG was tested among the people who' s FBG ≥6.1 mmol/L at the hospital. Prevalence of T2DM was calculated and the distribution of T2DM in the described subgroups and the risk factors analyzed with SPSS software. Results The prevalence of T2DM in adult population with obesity was 11.74%, with females(13.90%)higher than males (8.75%). The prevalence rates of T2DM were statistically different among different groups, classified by age, education, occupation, district and BMI. Results from the univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the risk factors of T2DM were age(OR=1.383, 95% CI: 1.254-1 .525)and sex(OR= 1.591,95% CI: 1.230-2.059)while the protective factor was fruit intake(OR=0.867, 95% CI: 0.774-0.971). Conclusion The prevalence of T2DM in adult with obesity was considered to be high. The distribution of T2DM in different subgroups and affecting factors of T2DM in obese adults were different from general population.

Objective To study the expression and regulation of polycystic ovary syndrome ( PCOS) susceptibility gene Hmga2 in endometrial receptivity and decidualization. Methods Experiments including early pregnancy, delayed implantation and activation, artificial decidualization and ovarian steroid hormone treatment were performed, and Q-PCR and Western blot analyses were applied to explain the role of Hmga2 in endometrial receptivity. Results The Hmga2 ex-pression increased gradually with pregnancy. Its expression at the implantation site was significantly higher than that at the inter-implantation site,in the embryo activation group than in delayed implantation group, and in the artificial decidualiza-tion than the non-decidualization. The expression of Hmga2 was positively correlated with the expression of estrogen and progesterone, and was positively regulated by estrogen and progesterone in vivo. Conclusions Our findings indicate that the expression of Hmga2 is closely related to the embryo implantation process in early pregnancy in mice, is involved in the process of endometrial decidualization, and is influenced by the activated blastocyst and steroid hormones.

Based on the 2 x 2 contingency table, by using multi-species relevance (variance ratio, VR), chi2-test, Ochiai index, Dice index, Jaccard index, t-test of v/x and F-test of Morisita, s index, the interspecific relationships and the spatial distribution pattern between 20 dominants in Kangding Zheduo Mountain of Sichuan province were studied. The results indicated that the interspecific association between dominants of Sinopodophyllum hexandrum community in this area did not show significant association, which suggested that the S. hexandrum community was in mature stage, and showed stronger independency, among total 190 pairs in 20 dominant species, 2 species pairs exhibited extremely significantly positive association, 12 species pairs showed significantly positive association, 6 species pairs exhibited significantly negative association and there were no pairs showed extremely significantly negative association. S. hexandrum in community did not show significant association, which indicates they are independent in community, the spatial distribution pattern of S. hexandrum is characterized by random distribution.
Berberidaceae ; classification ; growth & development ; Biodiversity ; China ; Ecosystem ; Endangered Species ; Plants, Medicinal ; classification ; growth & development

OBJECTIVETo compare the bidirectional effect of rhubarb total anthraquinone (TA) and total tannins (TT) on rats' liver.

METHODSOne hundred rats were randomly divided into 10 groups, i.e., the blank group, the model group, the blank + high dose TA group, the blank +low dose TA group, the blank + high dose TT group, the blank + low dose TT group, the model + high dose TA group, the model + low dose TA group, the model +high dose TT group, and the model + low dose TT group, 10 in each group. The carbon tetrachloride (CCI4) was used to prepare the acute liver injury rat model. TA and TT of rhubarb (at 5.40 g crude drugs/kg and 14.69 g crude drugs/kg) were intragastrically administrated to rats in all groups except the blank group and the model group, once daily for 6 successive days.The general state of rats, biochemical indices such as alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alkaline phosphatase (ALP), laminin (LN), hyaluronic acid (HA), transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1), as well pathological results of rat liver tissues. Finally the protection laws of TA and TT for rats' liver were analyzed using factor analysis.

RESULTSCompared with the blank control group, all biochemical indices increased in the blank group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). HA also increased in the blank + high dose TA group; AST, ALT, and HA also increased in the blank +high dose TT group (P < 0.05). Compared with the model group, AST, ALT, ALP, HA, and TGF-beta1 significantly decreased in the model + low dose TA group, the model + high dose TA group, the model + low dose TT group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Serum AST, ALT, and ALP also decreased in the model + high dose TT group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). Pathological results showed that mild swollen liver cells in the model + high dose TA group. Fatty degeneration and fragmental necrosis around the central veins occurred in the blank + high dose TA group. The pathological injury was inproved in the model +low dose TA group. Two common factors, liver fibrosis and liver cell injury, were extracted by using factor analysis. TA showed stronger improvement of the two common factors than TT.

CONCLUSIONSRhubarb TA and TT showed protective and harmful effects on rats' liver. At an equivalent dosage, TA had better liver protection than TT. High dose TT played a role in liver injury to some extent.

Animals ; Anthraquinones ; adverse effects ; pharmacology ; Carbon Tetrachloride ; toxicity ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Female ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Rheum ; chemistry ; Tannins ; adverse effects ; pharmacology

Purpose To investigate the expressions of PTP1B in epithelial ovarian cancer tissues and to analysis its correlation with clinical pathological and survival significance.Methods The expression of PTP1B in ovarian cancer tissues was detected by Oncomine database and immunohistochemistry.The relationships between PTP1B expression and clinicopathological features, including prognosis significance, were analyzed. Results Oncomine database showed that the mRNA expression of PTP1B in ovarian cancer was significantly higher than that in normal tissues (P<0.001). Immunohistochemical staining showed that PTP1B expression was significantly correlation with FIGO stage (P<0.001), omentum majus metastasis (P=0.002). Kaplan-Meier analyses revealed that ovarian cancer patients with high PTP1B expression tumors had a significantly worse overall survival rate than those with low PTP1B expression tumors (P<0.001). Multivariate analysis showed that FIGO stage, PTP1B expression were independent survival predictors.Conclusion PTP1B expression may be involved in the tumor progression and poor prognosis of patients with ovarian cancer, and it might be used as one of the valuable markers for poor prognosis in patients with ovarian cancer.