Pooled analysis of the ophthalmic visual quality of life questionnaire scale / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

With people's attention and in-depth research on visual quality, many distinctive survey scales have been developed. The use of visual quality questionnaires is a subjective way to evaluate patients' visual quality, an expression of patients' self feelings, and an important part of reflecting visual quality. With objective detection methods, the results are more convincing. Many scales have been introduced into China and have been revised through translation, back translation, and cultural adaptation, playing an indispensable role in the visual quality evaluation system. It is particularly important to assess visual quality through psychological and sociological content, and whether the content can be appropriately combined with the subjective feelings of patients. The core of the visual quality of life survey questionnaire lies in its high repeatability. This article summarizes commonly used visual quality questionnaires, which have been verified in terms of validity, reliability, and responsiveness. The validity of the measurement scale, the consistency of the measurement results, the ability to reflect the smallest meaningful clinical changes after effective medical intervention, and the design characteristics, main application directions, and trends of the scale are listed to provide reference for clinical workers to choose appropriate survey scales.

Effect of Diurnal Temperature Range on the Number of Residents Hospitalized Due to Stroke in Lanzhou / 中国医学科学院学报

Objective To analyze the relationship between diurnal temperature range (DTR) and the hospitalization of stroke in Lanzhou,so as to provide a scientific basis for probing into the mechanism of temperature changes in inducing stroke and formulating comprehensive prevention and control measures for stroke by relevant departments.Methods The information of the patients hospitalized due to stroke in Lanzhou during January 2014 to December 2019 and the air pollutants (PM10,SO2,and NO2) and meteorological data in the same period were collected for statistical analysis.Spearman rank correlation analysis was performed to analyze the correlations between air pollutants and meteorological factors.The distributed lag nonlinear model was adopted to fit the relationship between DTR and the number of stroke inpatients,and three-dimensional diagrams and the correlation diagrams of DTR against stroke risk were established.The stratified analysis was performed according to gender and age (< 65 years and ≥65 years).Results From 2014 to 2019,a total of 92 812 stroke patients were hospitalized in Lanzhou,with a male-to-female ratio of 1.35:1.There was a nonlinear relationship between DTR and the number of stroke inpatients in Lanzhou,which presented a lag effect.The low DTR at 4.5 ℃ had the largest RR value of 1.25 (95%CI=1.16-1.35) for stroke inpatients at a cumulative lag of 18 d.The effect of high DTR (18.5 ℃) on the hospitalization of stroke patients peaked at a cumulative lag of 21 d,with an RR value of 1.09 (95%CI=1.01-1.18).The stratified analysis results suggested that low levels of DTR had greater effects on the hospitalization of male stroke patients and stroke patients <65 years.Conclusions Short-term exposure to different levels of DTR had an impact on the number of stroke inpatients,and low levels of DTR had a slightly greater impact on stroke inpatients than high levels of DTR.Importance should be attached to the protection of males and people aged <65 years at low levels of DTR.

Changes in fundus microcirculation of myopic adolescents after wearing orthokeratology observed by optical coherence tomography angiography / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To observe changes in fundus microcirculation of myopic adolescents after wearing orthokeratology by applying optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA).METHODS: Prospective study. A total of 40 cases(40 eyes)of adolescents with low to moderate myopia who chose orthokeratology to correct visual acuity at our hospital from April 2021 to June 2022 were collected. The uncorrected distant visual acuity and axial length were evaluated at 1, 3 and 6mo before and after wearing orthokeratology, respectively. Furthermore, the changes in superficial vessel density(SVD), deep vessel density(DVD), central retinal thickness(CRT), foveal avascular zone area(FAZ-A), foveal avascular zone perimeter(FAZ-P), retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL)thickness and radial peripapillary capillaries density(RPCD)were observed by applying OCTA.RESULTS: The uncorrected distant visual acuity was significantly improved at 1, 3 and 6mo after wearing orthokeratology(P<0.001). There was no statistically significant difference in axial length before and after wearing orthokeratology(P>0.05). Moreover, there were significant differences in both SVD of fovea quadrant and DVD of fovea and lower quadrant(P<0.01), but there were no differences in CRT, FAZ-A and FAZ-P, RNFL thickness and RPCD(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Wearing orthokeratology can significantly improve visual acuity and increase local retinal vessel density in the macula in adolescents with low to moderate myopia.

Prevalence of hepatitis C virus infection and the IL28B genotype polymorphism among blood donors and high-risk populations

INTRODUCTION@#To study the prevalence of hepatitis C virus (HCV) infection in blood donor (BD), haemodialysis (HD) and intravenous drug user (IVDU) populations in Singapore and assess the IL28B polymorphism if HCV positive.@*METHODS@#The BD population were healthy volunteers, the HD population were patients who were on haemodialysis for at least six months of follow-up between January 2009 and December 2014. IVDU population was from inmates at halfway houses who consented.@*RESULTS@#Between 2011 and 2014, of 161,658 individuals who underwent screening prior to blood donation, 95 (0.059%) were positive for HCV. Of the 42 sera available, common genotypes (GTs) were GT-3 (47.6%) and GT-1 (31.0%). Of 1,575 HD patients, 2.2% were anti-HCV positive. The HCV GT distribution was HCV GT-1 (32.4%), HCV GT-3 (20.5%) and GT-6 (8.8%). 83 halfway house inmates were screened. Of the 47 IVDUs, 36.2% were anti-HCV positive with predominant GT-3 (%). IL28B polymorphism was noted to be CC predominantly 85.3%.@*CONCLUSION@#Prevalence of HCV infection has decreased in both the BD and HD populations. However, it remains high in the IVDU population. GT-1 remains the most common in the HD population; however, GT-3 infection is now more common among the BD population in Singapore. IL28B - CC is the predominant variant among the HCV-infected individuals in Singapore.

Optimal liver stiffness measurement values for the diagnosis of significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in chronic liver disease in Singapore

INTRODUCTION@#Despite the widespread use of transient elastography for non-invasive assessment of liver fibrosis, the optimal cut-off liver stiffness measurement (LSM) values remain unclear. This study aimed to validate the optimal cut-off LSM values for significant fibrosis and cirrhosis in patients with chronic liver disease (CLD).@*METHODS@#Prospective multicentre data of CLD patients who underwent paired liver biopsy and LSM was analysed to determine the optimal cut-off LSM values for predicting significant fibrosis (METAVIR F ≥ 2) and cirrhosis (METAVIR F4). A high-quality cohort was selected by excluding those with failed LSM and invalid LSM readings.@*RESULTS@#Of the 481 patients recruited, 322 fulfilled the pre-defined quality criteria. CLD aetiology was chronic hepatitis B (CHB) in 49%, non-alcoholic steatohepatitis (NASH) in 16% and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) in 12%. Area under the receiver operating characteristic curve for LSM was 0.775 (95% confidence interval [CI] 0.724-0.826) for significant fibrosis and 0.810 (95% CI 0.738-0.882) for cirrhosis. Optimal cut-off LSM values were 9 kPa for significant fibrosis and 13 kPa for cirrhosis in the general cohort. Optimal cut-off LSM values were 9 kPa for significant fibrosis and 12 kPa for cirrhosis for both CHB and CHC, while the corresponding values for NASH were 11 kPa and 15 kPa.@*CONCLUSION@#Optimal cut-off LSM values should be selected based on disease aetiology. In Singapore, the optimal cut-off LSM values for CHB and CHC are 9 kPa for significant fibrosis and 12 kPa for cirrhosis. Optimal cut-off values for NASH require further validation.

Simultaneously Quantifying Isoniazid, Pyrazinamide, Ethambutol and Rifampicin in Human Cerebrospinal Fluid by HPLC-MS/MS / 中国药学杂志

OBJECTIVE: To develop a LC-MS method for simultaneously quantifying four anti-tuberculosis drugs [isoniazid(INH), pyrazinamide(PZA), ethambutol(EMB) and rifampicin(RIF)] in human cerebrospinal fluid and to help guide the clinical medication. METHODS: The drugs in cerebrospinal fluid were extracted by acetonitrile precipitation, and separated on ZORBAX Bonus-RP column(2.1 mm×150 mm, 3.5 μm) with the mobile phase of aqueous solution(containing 0.1% formic acid)-acetonitrile(containing 0.1% formic acid)(80:20) at a flow rate of 0.25 mL•min-1. Multiple reaction monitoring(MRM) mode was performed combined with electrospray ionization source operating in the positive ionization mode. RESULTS: The liner calibration curves of INH, PZA, EMB and RIF were obtained in the concentration range of 20-5 000(r=0.998 6), 120-30 000(r=0.997 7), 20-5 000(r=0.999 4), 60-15 000(r=0.996 2)ng•mL-1, respectively. The intra-and inter-day precision was less than 15% and the absolute recovery was above 75%. This method was successfully applied to analyze the drugs in cerebrospinal fluid from six clinical samples. CONCLUSION: The method is rapid, simple, sensitive and accurate, and proved to be suitable for clinical therapeutic drug monitoring.

Efficacy of EX - PRESS combined with amniotic membrane implantation for open angle glaucoma / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To explore the efficacy of EX-PRESS combined with amniotic membrane implantation for open angle glaucoma. METHODS:The data of 43 eyes of 43 patients with open angle glaucoma were enrolled from January 2014 to January 2017. The patients were randomly divided into amniotic group and mitomycin (MMC) group. All cases received EX-PRESS combined with amniotic membrane implantation (amniotic group) or with intraoperative application of mitomycin (MMC group). The early postoperative anterior chamber formation, filtering bleb, intraocular pressure ( IOP) and complications were analyzed. RESULTS: The intraocular pressure of the two groups were significantly lower at 1wk,1 and 6mo after operation than those before operation (P<0. 05). There was no significant difference in the best corrected visual acuity in the two groups at 1wk after operation compared with before operation(P>0.05). At 1 and 6mo postoperatively, the rate of functional bleb formation was 91% and 73% in amniotic group, and they were 90% and 86% in MMC group, respectively, the difference between the groups were not statistically significant (all P>0.05). At 1 and 6mo postoperatively,the total success rate was 95%,86% in amniotic group, and they were 95%, 90% in MMC group, respectively, the difference between the groups were not statistically significant (all P>0. 05). At 1wk postoperatively, the incidence of shallow anterior chamber was 9% in amniotic group and 33% in the MMC group, the difference was statistically significant (P <0 05). At 1mo postoperatively, the incidence of bleb leakage was 5% in amniotic group and 29% in MMC group, the difference was statistically significant (P <0 05). At the end of follow-up, there were 4 eyes of thin-wall bleb in MMC group and no cases in amniotic group. CONCLUSION: EX - PRESS combined with amniotic membrane implantation for open angle glaucoma is good on lowering intraocular pressure with less complications than the combination of MMC.

A new understanding of Pax6, a master regulator in eye and brain development / 中华实验眼科杂志

Background Paired box gene 6 (Pax6) is a master regulator for eye and brain development.Pax6 mutations or changes in its expression cause a series of ocular diseases including absence of iris,corneal opacity,cataract,glaucoma,abnormal fovea,retinoblastoma,and Wilm's tumor-aniridia-qenital ahormalies-retardation (WAGR).As a transcription factor,it is expressed in the region of anterior surface ectoderm corresponding to the future adenohypophyseal,olfactory and lens placodes,optic vesicle and other parts of the future brain and thus control the development of eye,brain,pituitary grand,nose and pancreas.Pax6 exists in 4 different isoforms,whose functions are subjected to regulation by different post-translation modifications.A complete understanding of the structure and functions of Pax6 and its associations with relevant diseases is helpful for ophthalmologists to investigate the pathogenesis and treatment of implicated ocular diseases caused by Pax6 gene mutation or changing in its expression.

Awareness of Glycosylated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) Among Type 2 Diabetes Mellitus Patients in Hospital Putrajaya

The glycosylated haemoglobin (HbA1c) test is the most widely accepted laboratory test for evaluating long term glycaemic control. Patient’s understanding of HbA1c can lead to better glycaemic control. This study is aimed to determine the awareness and level of understanding of HbA1c among type 2 DM patients and its association with glycaemic control. A cross-sectional descriptive study among Type 2 DM patients undergoing routine follow up in an endocrine clinic of a tertiary centre in Malaysia. Patients were invited to answer a validated questionnaire which assessed their awareness and understanding of HbA1c. Their last HbA1c results were retrieved from the laboratory information system. A total of 92 participants were recruited. Fifty-six (60.9%) were aware of the term HbA1c. Fifty percent were categorised as having good HbA1c understanding, with age, monthly income and level of education being the factors associated with understanding. No significant association was noted between HbA1c understanding and glycaemic control, although more patients with good HbA1c understanding had achieved the target glycaemic control compared to those with poor understanding. The level of HbA1c awareness and understanding was acceptable. Factors associated with understanding were age, income and level of education. Continuing efforts however, must be made to improve patients understanding of their disease and clinical disease biomarkers.

Epidemiology and Clinical Evolution of Liver Cirrhosis in Singapore

<p><b>INTRODUCTION</b>Liver cirrhosis is a common cause of morbidity and mortality and an important burden on the healthcare system. There is limited literature on liver cirrhosis in Singapore. We aimed to describe the epidemiology and clinical characteristics of cirrhotic patients seen in an ambulatory setting in a tertiary referral centre.</p><p><b>MATERIALS AND METHODS</b>This is a retrospective observational cohort study of cirrhotic patients attending the ambulatory clinic of Singapore's largest tertiary hospital over 5 years. Cirrhosis was diagnosed on characteristic radiological features and/or histology. Aetiology of cirrhosis was determined by history, serology, biochemistry and/or histology. Data on decompensation events and death were retrieved from computerised hospital records.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The study included 564 patients with median follow-up of 85 months. Mean age was 60.9 ± 12.5 years with 63.8% males. Main aetiologies of cirrhosis were chronic hepatitis B (CHB) (63.3%), alcohol (11.2%), cryptogenic (9%) and chronic hepatitis C (CHC) (6.9%). CHB was the predominant aetiology in Chinese and Malays whereas alcohol was the main aetiology in Indians. CHC cirrhosis was more common in Malays than other races. Majority had compensated cirrhosis with 76.8%/18.3%/5%; Child-Pugh A/B/C respectively. Decompensation events occurred in 155 patients (27.5%) and 106 of them (18.8%) died. Diagnosis of cirrhosis via surveillance ultrasound was associated with improved 10-year survival. Age at diagnosis, portal vein thrombosis, Child-Pugh class and decompensation within 1 year of diagnosis were independent predictors of mortality.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>CHB is the primary cause of liver cirrhosis in Singapore. The major aetiologies of cirrhosis vary amongst the different ethnic groups. Cirrhotics with advanced age, portal vein thrombosis, poorer liver function and early decompensation have a higher mortality risk.</p>

Influence of serum containing Liuwei Dihuang decoction (see text) on proliferation of osteoblasts under stretch-stress environment / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study influence of serum containing Liuwei Dihuang decoction (see text) on proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast form neonatal SD rats cultured in vitro at different times and different stretch stress.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>After osteoblast cultured for 24 hours in the serum containing Liuwei Dihuang decoction (see text) and serum in control group, the 0.5 Hz frequency, 6% and 12% stretch-stress were added. The MTT1 and the activity of ALP were measured at the 12th and 24th hours, and the data were analyzed.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>1. In the environment of stretch stress to the frequency of 0.5 Hz, and stretched for 24 hours, the osteoblast was stimulated under elongation rate of 6% and 12%; the proliferation and differentiation of osteoblast was more active under elongation rate of 12% than that of 6%. 2. There were no stimulating effects on osteoblast proliferation and differentiation of serum containing Liuwei Dihuiang decoction (see text) acted on osteoblast cells of SD rats cultured in vitro for a shot time.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Stretch stress environment can enhance osteoblast proliferation and differentiation cultured in vitro.</p>

Experimental study on the isolated culture of osteocytes and identification of osteoblasts in rats / 中国骨伤

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To establish a more stable method to isolate osteocytes in vitro, and then to find the differences with osteoblast biological characteristics.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Osteocytes and osteoblasts were isolated from the bone tissue of 3-day-old rats using sequential collagenase digestion. The cells were identified through cell morphology after 24 hours later. Alkaline phosphatase (ALP) kit was used to stain the first generation cells by Kaplow-way, the bone gla protein (BGP) of the cells were stained by immunocytochemitry. Measured ALP and computed its activity.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Osteocytes and osteoblasts showed obviously differences in cell morphology. Osteocytes were star-shaped or dendrite-shaped within more dendrites, while osteoblasts were spindle-shaped with short dendrites. Osteocytes were negative for ALP, but osteoblasts were positive; Osteocytes were more positive for BGP, and osteoblasts were less positive. The secretion of ALP in osteocytes was lower than that of osteoblasts.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Osteocytes can be isolated and cultured in vitro. These characteristics of osteocytes are apparently difference with those of osteoblasts.</p>

Morphology damages of rat articular cartilage induced by different doses of T-2 toxin / 中国地方病学杂志

Objective To study the damage of rat articular cartilage induced by different doses of T-2 toxin, and to explore the relationship between mini-dose T-2 toxin and articular cartilage damage. Methods A total of 120 Wistar rats, weighing 50 - 70 g, were randomly divided into four groups according to their body weights: T-2 toxin group 0(control), 100, 200, 300 μg/kg, 30 rats in each group. Animals in the control group were fed standard rat chow, and animals in the three T-2 toxin groups were fed T-2-toxin-contaminated chow (the dose was 100, 200, 300 μg/kg, respectively). After 6 months, rats were euthanized by ether asphyxiation. The bilateral knee joints were collected and section prepared. The articular cartilage was examined by light and electronic microscope. Results Light microscope showed, the rat articular chondrocytes were clear and arranged orderliness in the control group. The rat articular chondrocytes were disarranged in 100 μg/kg T-2 toxin group.Degeneration and necrosis were found in 200 μg/kg group. Chondrocytes were shrunken with hypereosinophilia cytoplasm and fragmented pyknotic nuclei, extensive areas of chondrocyte loss and chondrocyte clones were visible in 300 μg/kg group. Scanning electronic micrograph(SEM) showed, the rat articular chondrocytes were clear, well formed and arranged tidy in the control group. The surface of articular cartilage was rough in 100 μg/kg group.Collagen fasciculi ruptured and stacked up in 200 μg/kg group. Presented a typical articular dryness phenomenon,the cartilage surface collapsed and many pits appeared in 300 μg/kg group. Transmission electronic microscope (TEM) showed that chondrocytes were abundant with cytoplasm, well-developed rough endoplasmic reticulum in the control group; agglomerate chromatin scattered along the karyotheca, nuclear membrane was thickening, with vacuolar degeneration of the endoplasmic reticulum in the 100 μg/kg group; endoplasmic reticulum expended, with protein retention and organelles breaks in the 200 μg/kg group. A large number of chondrocytes lost organdles, the membrane structures disrupted and the cartilage matrix stromatolyzed in the 300 μg/kg group. Conclusions Within the range of 100 - 300 μg/kg, T-2 toxin induces dose-related articular cartilage injury, the greater the dose, the more serious damage.

The generation of the endothelial specific cdc42-deficient mice and the effect of cdc42 deletion on the angiogenesis and embryonic development / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>High microvascular permeability plays an essential role in pathological process of multiple diseases such as septic shock, acute lung injury and acute respiratory distress syndrome, and burns. Inhibiting hyperpermeability is significant for controlling these conditions. Cdc42, as a main member of the small Rho GTPase family, plays a critical role in controlling and regulating the endothelial junctional permeability. We aimed to generate and identify endothelial specific cdc42-deficient mice by the Cre/loxp recombination approach, for examination in an animal model of the contribution of the cdc42 gene in the microvascular barrier function.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We crossed cdc42(Flox/Flox) mice with mice expressing endothelial cell-specific Cre recombinase, and the offspring with the genotype cdc42(Flox/+)Tie2Cre(+/-) were back-crossed with the cdc42(Flox/Flox) mice. The cdc42(Flox/Flox)Tie2Cre(+/-) mice in the F2 generation were the target mice. If the cdc42 deficient mice did not survive, we would observe the cdc42 deficient mice embryos, and compare them with wild-type mice embryos.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Cdc42(flox/+)Cre(+/-) mice were mated with the cdc42(Flox/Flox) mice and among the living offspring there were no cdc42(Flox/Flox)Cre(+/-) target mice. We found the endothelial special cdc42 deficient embryos at the E7.5-E16.5 stage. We observed that cdc42 deficient embryos were much smaller, had fewer vessels and were a little more swollen compared with the wild-type embryos.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Endothelial specific knockout of cdc42 caused embryonic lethality and the mice did not survive to birth. The target embryos were much smaller, had fewer vessels and were a little more swollen compared with the wild-type embryos. These results demonstrated that the cdc42 plays an important role in development of embryos and in development of microvessels as well as microvascular permeability.</p>

The comparison between the vascular endothelial cells special cdc42-deficient heterozygous mice and the non-knockout mice on lung tissue pathological change and vasopermeability in acute lung injury / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To compare the change of lung tissue and vasopermeability between the vascular endothelial cells special cdc42-deficient heterozygous mice and the non-knockout mice in acute lung injury.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The mice with vascular endothelial cell-specific expression of cre recombinase were crossed with cdc42(flox/flox) mice. The cdc42(flox/+)Cre(+/-) F1 offspring mice were crossed back with cdc42(flox/flox) mice, resulting in the F2 generation mice with three genotypes, namely cdc42(flox/+)Cre(+/-), cdc42(flox/flox)Cre(-/-) and cdc42(flox/+)Cre(+/-). The heterozygous mice with cdc42(flox/+)Cre(+/-) genotype were selected as the model mice, with the other two genotype groups as the control. After intratracheal instillation of 2 mg/kg LPS to induce acute lung injury, the mice were sacrificed to examine the lung pathologies, lung wet/dry ratio and lung microvascular permeability.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The heterozygous mice with cdc42 gene knockout (cdc42(flox/+)Cre(+/-)) showed no significant differences from the two control groups in the lung pathological score, lung wet/dry ratio or the lung microvascular permeability coefficient.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>There were no significant difference on lung tissue and vasopermeability between the vascular endothelial cells special cdc42-deficient heterozygous mice and the non-knockout mice.</p>

Role of the AdeABC efflux pump in carbapenems resistance of clinical isolates of Acinetobacter baumannii / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the role of AdeABC efflux pump in carbapenems resistance of Acinetobacter baumannii in light of the phenotype and genetype of the efflux pump.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The phenotype of the efflux pump was detected in 138 clinical isolates of A.baumannii using the efflux pump inhibitor carbonyl cyanide 3-chlorophenylhydrazone (CCCP). The mRNA expression of pump-encoding gene adeB in the strains was detected using quantitative real-time RT-PCR.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Of the 138 strains, 28 showed positivities for AdeABC efflux pump identified by Mueller-Hinton Broth with CCCP. Of the 39 strains resistant to meropenem, 15 (38.4%) showed positive results in CCCP assay, a rate significantly higher than that among the 99 sensitive strains (13.1%, 13/99) (X(2)=12.477(b), P=0.01). The mRNA expression of efflux pump-encoding gene adeB was detected by real-time RT-PCR at a level of 0.899∓∓1.172 in meropenem-sensitive strains, significantly lower than the level of 21.101∓∓21.443 in meropenem-resistant strains (t=4.403, P=0.000).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Efflux plays a role in carbapenems resistance in the clinical isolates of A. baumannii. The AdeABC efflux pump may be an important factor in reducing carbapenems sensitivity in A. baumannii.</p>

Effect of toluene diisocyanate on reactive oxygen species production and permeability of human bronchial epithelial cells in vitro / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of toluene diisocyanate (TDI) on the production of reactive oxygen species (ROS) and the permeability of human bronchial epithelial (HBE) cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>TDI-human serum albumin (TDI-HSA) conjugate was prepared using a modified Son's method. MTT assay was used to assess HBE cell viability after exposure to different concentrations of TDI-HSA. The level of intracellular ROS of HBE cells was detected by flow cytometry with an oxidation-sensitive fluorescent probe 2',7'-dichlorofluorescein diacetate (DCFH-DA) uploading, and the permeability of cell monolayer was assessed by detecting the transepithelial electrical resistance (TEER).</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The exposure to 120 µg/ml TDI-HSA did not obviously affect the cell viability. Compared with the control group, the intracellular fluorescent intensity increased significantly in the cells exposed to 20, 60, and 100 µg/ml TDI-HSA (P<0.05). The intracellular ROS production increased significantly after 100 µg/ml TDI-HSA treatment (P<0.05), but the increment in ROS production was significantly suppressed by pretreatment of the cells with N-acetylcysteine (NAC) (P<0.05), which also enhanced the TEER decreased by TDI-HSA treatment (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>TDI enhances the permeability of HBE cell monolayer partially through a ROS-mediated pathway, suggesting the importance of oxidative stress in TDI-induced pulmonary diseases.</p>

Breeding and identification of estrogen receptor beta gene knock-out mice / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To breed estrogen receptor beta (ERbeta) gene knock-out female mice for studying postmenopausal osteoporotic fracture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Three pairs of ERbeta gene knock-out mice were bred for 3 months, and 14 2-month-old female wild-type C57BL/6J mice with the same genetic background were paired at the ratio of 2:1 and mated with the male ERbeta gene knock-out homozygote mice. After further breeding to obtain sufficient number of mice, the genome DNA was extracted from the tail of the mice for genotyping by PCR. Ten 4-month-old female filial mice with ERbeta gene knock-out and 10 wild-type female mice were randomly selected and sacrificed, and the right proximal tibiae were removed and subjected to micro CT for measuring the parameters of trabecular bone histomorphometry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 340 filial generation mice were reproduced in 2 months and genotypic identification revealed a proportion of ERbeta+ or + mice of 23.5%, ERbeta+ or - mice of 48.27 percent; and homozygous mutant (ERbeta- or -) mice of 28.3% (in which 54 were female). The MicroCT data revealed that the micro-architecture of the proximal tibiae was significantly different between ERbeta gene knock-out mice selected from the filial generation and wild type mice (P<0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>It is feasible to breed ERbeta knock-out female mice by introducing female wild-type mice to pair and mate with ERbeta knock-out homozygote male mice. This approach allows breeding of sufficient number of female ERbeta knock-out mice as the animal models for studying the role of ERbeta.</p>

Hydrogen dioxide increases the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor in human bronchiolar epithelium cell via a PI3K-dependent pathway / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effect of hydrogen dioxide (H(2)O(2)) on the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in human bronchiolar epithelial (HBE) cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>MTT assay was used to assess HBE cell viability after exposure to different concentrations of H(2)O(2). VEGF/beta-actin gene fragments were amplified simultaneously by RT-PCR from the total HBE cell RNA, and VEGF protein expression in the cells was detected using ELISA.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The exposure to 200 micromol/L H(2)O(2) did not obviously affected the cell viability. Compared with those in the control cell, VEGF165/beta-actin and VEGF189/beta-actin ratios were significantly increased in the cells after treatment with 50, 200, and 600 micromol/L H(2)O(2) (P<0.05). The protein expression of VEGF significantly increased after 50 micromol/L H(2)O(2) treatment (P<0.05), but significantly decreased with pretreatment with the PI3K inhibitor Ly294002 (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Oxidative stress increases the expression of VEGF via a PI3K-dependent pathway in human bronchiolar epithelial cells, which may play an important role in the onset and maintenance of chronic inflammation in asthma.</p>

Respiratory syncytial virus increases the expression and release of high mobility group Box-1 protein in the lung tissue of mice / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression and release of high mobility group Box-1 protein (HMGB1) in the lung tissue of mice with respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) infection.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Eighteen mice were randomized into PBS control group, RSV group and RSV/ribavirin group. Seven days after RSV infection in the mice in the latter two groups, the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) was collected for cell counting and classification, and the levels of IL-4, IFN-gamma and HMGB1 in the supernatants of the BALF were detected. The left lungs of the mice were harvested for pathological examination with HE staining, and the right lungs were taken for detecting the expression of HMGB1 by Western blotting.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>RSV induced a TH1 inflammation in the lung tissue as shown by significantly increased IFN-gamma and decreased IL-4 levels in the BALF. The total BALF cells, neutrophils and macrophages in the RSV group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P<0.05), and the cell counts were significantly decreased by ribavirin treatment (P<0.05). HE staining showed neutrophil and lymphocyte infiltration in the lumen and submucous layer of the airway in RSV group. The level of HMGB1 in the BALF significantly increased in the RSV group as compared with that in the control group (P<0.05), but was lowered by ribavirin treatment (P<0.05). The expression of the HMGB1 in the lung tissue significantly increased in the RSV group in comparison with that in the control group (P<0.05), and was not significantly decreased by ribavirin treatment (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The increased expression and release of HMGB1 in the lung tissue of mice with RSV infection is probably involved in the development of RSV infection-related lung diseases.</p>