AIM:To evaluate the clinical characteristics in retinal nerve fiber layer ( RNFL) thickness of the 8~17 years old near sightedness, provide the basis for juvenile glaucoma diagnosis, to avoid missed diagnosis and misdiagnosis.
METHODS:A total of 165 eyes from 99 healthy subjects ( age range 8 ~ 17 years ) were divided into low, moderate, high myopia and normal group. Cirrus HD OCT was used to measure the RNFL thickness. Each subject was performed circular scans around the optic nerve with a circle size of 3. 46mm. Total average, mean quadrant and clock - hour RNFL thicknesses were recorded and compared between the four groups. The characteristics of the RNFL thickness of myopia were observed.
RESULTS: Compared myopia groups with normal group, the mean RNFL thickness decreased, there was statistically significant difference in high myopia group (P<0. 05). The mean RNFL thickness of superior, inferior and nasal quadrant decreased, temporal quadrant was thickened. Compared moderate and high myopia groups with normal group, superior, inferior quadrant RNFL thickness were thinning, temporal quadrant was thickening, the differences had statistical significance ( P< 0. 05 ). The RNFL measurements were statistically significant thinner in the myopia groups compared with normal group at 1:00, 5:00, 6:00 and 12:00 o'clock ( P<0.05) and thicker at 8:00, 9:00, 10:00 o'clock (P<0. 05). The RNFL measurement was statistically significant thicker in the low myopia group compared with normal group at 3:00 o'clock (P<0. 05).
CONCLUSION: Compared adolescent myopia with normal, the Avg ( mean RNFL thickness ) , S ( superior quadrant RNFL thickness ) , I ( inferior quadrant RNFL thickness), 1:00, 5:00, 6:00 and 12:00 o'clock RNFL thickness is thinner, which is decreased with the increasing SE. While the temporal ( T) quadrant, 8:00, 9:00, 10:00 o'clock RNFL thickness is thicker, which increased with the increasing SE. Analysis of RNFL thickness in the evaluation of glaucoma should always be interpreted with reference to the refractive status, so as not to cause misdiagnosis of glaucoma. The highest diagnosis efficiency position of glaucoma is infratemporal (7:00~8:00 o'clock) and superior temporal (10:00 ~11:00 o'clock), which is not thinner in juvenile myopia, if these positions become thinner, it may be the possibility of glaucoma.

Objective To analyze the correlation factors between CT imaging features of pulmonary embolism(PE)and clinical severity stratification,to explore the value of CT pulmonary angiography (CTPA)in acute PE severity stratification.Methods According to the clinical severity,48 patients with acute PE proved by CTPA were classified into two groups,including 21 critical and 27 non-critical patients. Embolism index,ratio of central pulmonary involvement,ratio of right ventricle maximum minor axis (RVMMA)to left ventricle maximum minor axis(LVMMA),namely RV:LV,dilation of main pulmonary and/or right pulmonary trunk,and dilation of bronchial arteries in both groups were analyzed comparatively. The correlation factors between CT imaging features and PE clinical severity stratification were explored.The correlation between RV:LV and embolism index of 48 patients was analyzed.Results Pulmonary embolism index(22.0%—85.0%,median 38.0%),ratio of central pulmonary involvement(42.5%),RV:LV (0.90—1.90,median 1.30),dilation of pulmonary artery(14 cases),and dilation of bronchial artery (8 cases)in critical group(21 cases)were higher than those corresponding factors(5%—48%,median 21.5%,31.25%,0.80—1.40,median 1.00,5 eases,and 3 eases)in non-critical group(27 cases) (Z=4.27,X~2=5.40,Z=2.58,X~2=11.45,X~2=4.87,P

AIMTo explore the changes of rat platelet phospholipase A2 (PLA2) mRNA content in bacteria infected rat and study the cDNA and amino acid sequences of the PLA2 structure to lay a good foundation for the development of new antibiotics.

METHODSThe PLA2 mRNA level in blood was determined by RT-PCR. The DNA sequence was cloned and analyzed.

RESULTSAfter injection of bacteria in rats, the mRNA level of PLA2 in blood increased markedly. The cDNA and amino acid sequence were highly homologous to other PLA2 cDNA from different tissues of the rat.

CONCLUSIONPlatelet PLA2 in blood responded quickly to bacteria infection in gene level. Therefore, the PLA2 protein was produced increasingly which was shown to control the infection with bacteria. Although there are little difference between PLA2 cDNA cloned from blood and other sources in DNA and amino acid sequences, the catalytic site for enzymatic activity and basic structure are identical.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Animals ; Base Sequence ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; metabolism ; Male ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Phospholipases A ; blood ; genetics ; metabolism ; Phospholipases A2 ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Staphylococcal Infections ; blood ; Staphylococcus aureus

Total saponins of Panax notoginseng (PNS) have been shown to ameliorate renal interstitial fibrosis. Ginsenoside Rg1, a panaxatriol saponin, is one of the major active molecules from PNS. The present study was undertaken to investigate the effect of ginsenoside Rg1 on renal fibrosis in rats with unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). The rats were randomly divided into 3 groups: sham-operation (n=15), UUO (n=15) and UUO with ginsenoside Rg1 treatment (n=15, 50 mg per kg body weight, intraperitoneally (i.p.) injected). The rats were sacrificed on Days 7 and 14 after the surgery. Histological examination demonstrated that ginsenoside Rg1 significantly inhibited interstitial fibrosis including tubular injury as well as collagen deposition. alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) and E-cadherin are two markers of tubular epithelial-myofibroblast transition (TEMT). Interestingly, ginsenoside Rg1 notably decreased alpha-SMA expression and simultaneously enhanced E-cadherin expression. The messenger RNA (mRNA) of transforming growth factor-beta1 (TGF-beta1), a key mediator to regulate TEMT, in the obstructed kidney increased dramatically, but was found to decrease significantly after administration of ginsenoside Rg1. Further study showed that ginsenoside Rg1 considerably decreased the levels of both active TGF-beta1 and phosphorylated Smad2 (pSmad2). Moreover, ginsenoside Rg1 substantially suppressed the expression of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1), a cytokine which can promote the transcription of TGF-beta1 mRNA and the activation of latent TGF-beta1. These results suggest that ginsenoside Rg1 inhibits renal interstitial fibrosis in rats with UUO. The mechanism might be partly related to the blocking of TEMT via suppressing the expression of TSP-1.
Actins ; biosynthesis ; Animals ; Cadherins ; biosynthesis ; Collagen Type I ; genetics ; metabolism ; Fibronectins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Ginsenosides ; pharmacology ; Immunohistochemistry ; Male ; Nephritis, Interstitial ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Panax notoginseng ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Smad2 Protein ; biosynthesis ; Thrombospondin 1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Ureteral Obstruction ; metabolism ; pathology

AIMTo investigate the effects of oxygen-glucose deprivation on cultured rat hippocampal neurons.

METHODSThe hippocampal neurons cultured for 12 d were exposed to combined oxygen-glucose deprivation for 0.5 - 4 h and then cultured with original medium in normoxia for 28 h. Necrotic neurons were identified by 0.4% trypan blue staining and apoptotic neurons were detected by a TUNEL technique. Meanwhile, the area, perimeter and circle diameter of cell bodies were measured respectively by a photography analysis system.

RESULTSThe percentage of necrotic cells in cultured hippocampal neurons increased significantly during oxygen-glucose deprivation, but the percentage of apoptotic cells increased significantly after 28 h oxygen-glucose recovery. Photography analysis showed that area, perimeter and circle diameter of the necrotic cell bodies were larger than those of the apoptotic ones.

CONCLUSIONOxygen-glucose deprivation can lead to severe damage of cultured hippocampal neurons. The necrosis is major during acute oxygen-glucose deprivation, while the apoptosis is major 28 h after oxygen-glucose recovery.

Animals ; Cell Hypoxia ; Cells, Cultured ; Glucose ; deficiency ; Hippocampus ; cytology ; Neurons ; cytology ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo construct a high metastatic potential human hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) orthotopic transplantation model with palliative liver resection in nude mice.

METHODSA human HCC orthotopic nude mice model was established by administering a single inoculation of the highly metastatic MHCC97H tumor tissue (size 2 mm * 2 mm * 2 mm) into the left liver lobe. At day 14 post-inoculation, a random group of the mice received palliative liver resection; the unresected mice served as controls. Changes in expression levels of 113 genes with metastasis-related functions were evaluated in the residual HCC tissues. At day 35 post-resection, a random group of the mice were sacrificed by cervical dislocation and a comprehensive metastases examination was performed. The remaining mice were used to observe life span. All statistical analyses were performed by the SPSS v17.0 software, and significance was defined as P less than 0.05.

RESULTSThe nude mouse model of highly metastatic HCC with palliative liver resection was successfully established. Incidences of intrahepatic and abdominal metastases were higher in the palliative resected group (vs. unresected group: 11.7+/-4.7 vs. 6.3+/-2.8, t = -2.412, P less than 0.05 and 9.8+/-3.4 vs. 5.2+/-2.6, t = -2.641, P less than 0.05 respectively). In addition, the palliative resected group showed significantly enhanced pulmonary metastasis (vs. unresected group: 14.3+/-4.7 vs. 8.7+/-4.7, t = -2.348, P less than 0.05). Differential gene expression levels were found for MTSS1, TGFbl, SMAD2, IL-1b, and MMP7, and were situated in the central position of gene function net of residual HCC. The life-span of the palliative resected group was significantly longer than that of the unresected group (60.8+/-2.7 vs. 51.3+/-1.4 days, x2 = 12.850, P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe highly metastatic human HCC nude mouse model with palliative liver resection that was successfully constructed in this study represents a useful investigational tool to assess the biological characteristics of residual cancer and to screen therapeutic strategies.

Animals ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; pathology ; surgery ; Disease Models, Animal ; Hepatectomy ; Humans ; Liver Neoplasms, Experimental ; pathology ; surgery ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Metastasis ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Tumor Cells, Cultured

Using a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over silica gel, Sephadex LH-20, macroporous adsorbent resin, and reversed-phase HPLC, 115 compounds including diterpenes, sesquiterpenes, treterpenes, coumarins, lignans, fatty acid derivatives, and simple aromatic derivatives were isolated from an ethanol extract of branch of Fraxinus sieboldiana (Oleaceaue), and their structures of the compounds were elucidated by spectroscopic methods including 1 D, 2D NMR and MS techniques. Among them, 41 compounds were new. In previous reports, we have been described the isolation, structure elucidation, and bioactivities of the 41 new compounds and 22 known orii including 8 coumarins, 4 phenolic and 12 phenylethanoidal glycosides. As a consequence, we herein reported the isolation and structure elucidation of the remaining 50 known compounds including 8- hydroxy-12-oxoabieta-9(11),13-dien-20-oic 8, 20-lactone(1), 6beta-hydroxyfcrruginol(2),(+)-pisiferic acid(3), (+)-pisiferal(4),(+)-7-dehydroabiet6none(5), 1-oxomiltirone(6), subdigitatone(7), linarionoside B(8), (9S)-linarionoside B(9), (3R,9R)-3-hydroxy-7,8-dihydro-beta-ionol 9-O-beta-D-apiofuranosyl-(1-->6)-beta-D-glucopyranoside(10), ursolic acid(11), betulinic acid(12), euscaphic acid(13), (+)-syringaresinol(14), (+)-fraxiresinol(15), (+)-1-hydroxysyringaresinol(16), pinoresinol(17), medioresinol(18), 8-acetoxypinoresinol(19), epipinoresinol(20), (-)-olivil(21), (+)-cyclo-olivil(22), 3,3'-dimethoxy-4,4',9-trihydroxy-7,9'-epoxylignan-7'-one(23),(+)-1-hydroxypinoresinol 4'-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (24), (+)-1-hydroxypinoresinol 4"-O-beta-D-glucopyranoside(25),(+)-syringaresinol O-beta-D-glucopyranoside (26), liriodendrin (27), ehletianol D(28), icariside E5(29) (-)-(7R, 8R)-threo-1-C-syringylglycerol(30),(-)-(7R, 8S)-erythro-guaiacylglycerol (31),(-)-(7R, 8R)-threo-guaiacylglycerol(32), 3-(4-beta-D-glucopyranosyloxy-3-methoxy)-phenyl-2E-propenol(33),2,3-dihydroxy-l-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanone(34), 2,3-dihydroxy-1-(4-hydroxy-3-methoxyphenyl)-1-propanone (35), 3-hydroxy-l-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanone(36), omega-hydroxypropioguaiacone(37), sinapyladehyde(38), trans-p-hydroxycinnamaldehyde(39), syringic acid(40), vanilic acid(41), vanillin(42), 4-hydroxy-benzaldehyde (43), (24R)-24-ethyl-5alpha-cholestane-3beta,5,6beta-triol(44), beta-sitosterol(45), daucosterol(46), 2,6-dimethoxy-I,4-benzoquinone(47), 2,6-dimethoxy-pyran-4-one(48), 1-(beta-D-ribofuranosyl)uracil(49), and mannitol(50). Compouds 1-7,12,18,28-37,44 and 48 were obtained from the genus Fraxinus for the first time.
Fraxinus ; chemistry ; Magnetic Resonance Spectroscopy ; Mass Spectrometry ; Plant Extracts ; analysis

To investigate the adjuvant effect of granulocyte macrophage colony stimulating factor (GM-CSF) in Flaviviridae virus DNA vaccines. After DNA immunization, the antibody levels of serum from mice were detected by ELISA and indirect immunofluorescence assay. Co-immunization of GM-CSF suppressed the immune responses induced by DV1 and DV2 candidate vaccines whereas enhanced the immune response induced by HCV C and E1 DNA vaccines. As genetic adjuvant for DNA vaccines, GM-CSF might display complex diversity on the immune responses: an augmentation or suppression due to different immunogens. Therefore, GM-CSF should be used with some cautions in clinic.
Adjuvants, Immunologic ; administration & dosage ; Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; immunology ; DNA, Viral ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology ; Dengue ; immunology ; prevention & control ; virology ; Dengue Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology ; Dengue Virus ; genetics ; immunology ; Female ; Granulocyte-Macrophage Colony-Stimulating Factor ; administration & dosage ; immunology ; Hepacivirus ; genetics ; immunology ; Hepatitis C ; immunology ; prevention & control ; virology ; Humans ; Immunization ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Vaccines, DNA ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology ; Viral Vaccines ; administration & dosage ; genetics ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of schistosomiasis control by forbidding livestock denaturing on marshland with Oncomelania snails and to analyse its influencing factors.

METHODSThe village of Aiguo, Xinhe, Huangjia, Fanrong, Fengfu and Caomen and its respective nearby marshland, i.e., Aiguoniu, Liulingwei, Huangjianiu, Da, Goulian, and Litouzui, in Jinxian county, Jiangxi province were selected as the pilot areas for implementing the measures of forbidding livestock denaturing on the marshlands with Oncomelania snails during the period of the year 2005 to 2007. A total of 300 residents in each village were randomly chosen for stool examination with the Kato-Katz technique every year. The snail survey was carried out in spring and autumn every year on the marshlands close to the villages with systemic sampling method. The marshlands with a height 16.5 m above the sea level in Futian was selected for snail survey and planting with sesame. The residents aged 20 - 50 years old in Fengfu and Aiguo villages were studied by using questionnaire on the compliance of forbidding livestock pasturing on marshlands with Oncomelania snails.

RESULTSBefore implementation of the measures, human infection rate with Schistosoma japonicum was 11.35% (90/793) in Aiguo, 4.00% (12/300) in Xinhe, 4.00% (6/150) in Huangjia, 8.00% (12/150) in Fanrong, 3.17% (4/126) in Fengfu and 6.64% (14/211) in Caomen. After implementation in 2008, human schistsome infection rate in the aforementioned 6 villages was declined to 0.18% (1/551), 0.00% (0/348), 0.00% (0/316), 2.27% (7/308), 1.17% (5/428) and 1.16% (5/430), respectively. Only in Fengfu village the decline of the human prevalence was not significant (χ(2) = 2.4, P = 0.12), while in the other 5 villages, human prevalence rate had been declined significantly (χ(2) = 126.77, P < 0.01; χ(2) = 16.31, P < 0.01; χ(2) = 18.79, P < 0.01; χ(2) = 10.39, P < 0.01; χ(2) = 14.17, P < 0.01, respectively). Infected snails were not found in 5 out of the 6 marshlands close to the villages. Three infected snails were founded in Da marshland because of poor environmental isolation. Before planting, the living snail density was 0.063/0.11 m(2) (34/540), and after planting, the living snail density was 0.0074/0.11 m(2) (4/538), a 88.25% reduction (Z = 12.47, P < 0.01) was recorded through economy crop planting at Futiandaan marshland in 2008. A total of 986 pieces of questionnaire were provided, and 968 valid ones were collected. The results of questionnaire indicate that compliance of forbidding livestock denaturing on marshland with Oncomelania snails in Aiguo and Fengfu villages was 84.38% (216/256) and 75.42% (537/712), respectively. Using logistic regression model, knowledge level on harmfulness of livestock denaturing on marshland with Oncomelania snails, willingness of culture with machine to substitute traditional cattle culture, and willingness of investment to marshland culture development are 3 varieties that affect residents' implementation of forbidding livestock denaturing on marshland with Oncomelania snails.

CONCLUSIONThe infected snail density and human schistosome infection rate were reduced on the marshlands of well environmental isolation after 2 - 3 years implementation of forbidding livestock denaturing on marshlands with Oncomelania snails. The key influencing factors of forbidding livestock denaturing on marshland with Oncomelania snails are knowledge level on harmfulness of livestock denaturing on the snail infested marshlands, the willingness of machine culture to substitute cattle culture, and the willingness of investment to marshland culture development.

Adult ; Animal Husbandry ; methods ; Animals ; Cattle ; Environmental Restoration and Remediation ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Middle Aged ; Risk Factors ; Schistosomiasis ; prevention & control ; Young Adult

Objective Based on time-coupled multiscale coupling algorithm, to simulate the hemodynamics after systemic-pulmonary shunt procedure on single ventricular patient so as to obtain the local three-dimensional (3D) fluid field and global hemodynamic information before and after surgery. MethodsFirstly, the 0D-3D coupled multiscale hemodynamic model of systemic-pulmonary shunt procedure was established based on the lumped parameter model (0D) before surgery and the shunt model (3D), then the 0D-3D interface coupling condition and the time coupling algorithm were discussed. Secondly, the multiscale simulation of 3D CFD (computational fluid dynamics) model coupled with 0D lumped parameter model was realized based on lattice Boltzmann method. Finally, the multiscale simulation results were compared with patient’s 0D simulation results to study the hemodynamic changes before and after surgery. Results The global hemodynamic change and local 3D flow pattern were obtained by this multiscale simulation. The pulmonary blood flow distribution ratio was increased from 32.21% to 57.8%. Conclusions The systemic-pulmonary shunt procedure can effectively increase the blood supply of pulmonary circulation by implanting the shunt between the systematic circulation and pulmonary circulation. The geometrical multiscale method can effectively simulate both the coarse global and detailed local cardiovascular hemodynamic changes, which is of great significance in pre-operation planning of cardiovascular surgery.