ABSTRACT
Retinal ganglion cells are closely related to visual function. Retinal ganglion cell apoptosis and axonal injury can be found in many blinding eye diseases, such as primary glaucoma, optic neuritis, diabetic retinopathy, and atrophic age-related macular degeneration. Ganglion cells mainly exist in the retinal nerve fiber layer, the ganglion cell layer and the inner plexiform layer of the macular area. These three structures are collectively referred to as the retinal ganglion cell complex, and change of the thickness reflects the state of the retinal ganglion cell. It has been reported that ganglion cell complex thickness is thinner in the injured retinal ganglion cells. Therefore it is important to detected thickness of retinal ganglion cell complex in the diagnosis of ocular disease and the evaluation of its severity and prognosis. In this paper, we reviewed the recent progress in the detection of retinal ganglion cell complex thickness in various eye diseases to assist the early diagnosis, treatment and evaluating prognosis of associated ophthalmopathy.
ABSTRACT
Objective To study the role of interleukin-22 (IL-22) in murine asthmatic airway inflammation and airway models, and explore the mechanism of astragaioside (AS) Ⅳin the treatment of asthma.Methods Ovalbumin(OVA) was used as an allergen to sensitize and challenge the mice .Thirty-two female specific-free ( SPF) four-week BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group , asthma group , budesonide treatment group ( BUD group ) and AS-Ⅳgroup.HE staining and AB-PAS were used to measure the inflammation scores and goblet cells hyperplasia , enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to analyze IL-22 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), flow cytometry was performed to analyze the proportion of Th22 cells in spleen single cell suspension , and realtime-PCR was performed to analyze the IL-22 mRNA levels in lung tissue .Results The inflammation scores of asthma group were elevated compared with the control group(P<0.05).An overall reduction of asthmatic airway inflammation was observed in the BUD group and AS-Ⅳgroup by the end of the trial .IL-22 levels in BALF and the proportion of Th22 cells in spleen single cell suspension were significantly increased after treatment in BUD and AS-Ⅳ groups(P<0.01), while the mRNA levels of IL-22 were obviously decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion The increase of IL-22 can induce airway inflammation of asthma . AS-Ⅳcan reduce Th22 cell differentiation and the expression of IL-22, thereby inhibiting the development of airway inflammation of asthma.
ABSTRACT
Objective To study the role of interleukin-22 (IL-22) in murine asthmatic airway inflammation and airway models, and explore the mechanism of astragaioside (AS) Ⅳin the treatment of asthma.Methods Ovalbumin(OVA) was used as an allergen to sensitize and challenge the mice .Thirty-two female specific-free ( SPF) four-week BALB/c mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:control group , asthma group , budesonide treatment group ( BUD group ) and AS-Ⅳgroup.HE staining and AB-PAS were used to measure the inflammation scores and goblet cells hyperplasia , enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) was used to analyze IL-22 levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF), flow cytometry was performed to analyze the proportion of Th22 cells in spleen single cell suspension , and realtime-PCR was performed to analyze the IL-22 mRNA levels in lung tissue .Results The inflammation scores of asthma group were elevated compared with the control group(P<0.05).An overall reduction of asthmatic airway inflammation was observed in the BUD group and AS-Ⅳgroup by the end of the trial .IL-22 levels in BALF and the proportion of Th22 cells in spleen single cell suspension were significantly increased after treatment in BUD and AS-Ⅳ groups(P<0.01), while the mRNA levels of IL-22 were obviously decreased(P<0.01).Conclusion The increase of IL-22 can induce airway inflammation of asthma . AS-Ⅳcan reduce Th22 cell differentiation and the expression of IL-22, thereby inhibiting the development of airway inflammation of asthma.
ABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To analyze the incidence of tuberculosis (TB) in people who were in close contact with smear-positive TB patients.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 19 159 subjects, including 17 334 family members and 1825 classmates of patients, in close contact with 6653 smear-positive TB patients in Shijiazhuang city from 2007 to 2008 were observed. All the classmates were tested by purified protein derivative (PPD) test and symptom screening, and all family members were screened by symptoms. All these subjects were trained with knowledge related to TB. The ones with positive PPD test and suspected TB symptoms were further examined by chest X-ray and sputum smear microscopy, and those without any symptom were followed up monthly throughout a two year period and were examined at any time if symptoms occurred.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A total of 281 patients with pulmonary TB were diagnosed in 2 years, including 176 family members and 105 classmates in all close contacts. The smear-positive incidences were 1466.67/100 000. The incidences for 14 - 25 years old group and more than 75 years old group were 2907.18/100 000 (83/2855) and 2650.96/100 000 (18/679), which were higher than those for other groups. Two higher incidences were related to close contact time periods of 6 months (929.07/100 000, 178/19 159) and 13 - 18 months (369.12/100 000, 70/18 964). Three highest incidences were observed in the roommates (11 384.62/100 000, 37/325), classmates (4533.33/100 000, 68/1500) and couples (1624.17/100 000, 86/5295).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Closer contact with smear-positive patients with TB may result in the higher chance of TB. Close contact for 6 months or 13 to 18 months caused more patients, and the 14 - 25 years old group and more than 75 years old group had higher incidences of TB.</p>
Subject(s)
Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Child , Child, Preschool , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Young Adult , China , Epidemiology , Cohort Studies , Contact Tracing , Incidence , Tuberculin Test , Tuberculosis, Pulmonary , EpidemiologyABSTRACT
<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To determine the expression level of Smad ubiquitination regulatory factor 1 (SMURF1) gene in hepatocellular carcinoma, and to explore its role in liver cancer.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With non-neoplastic adjacent normal tissues as controls, real-time PCR and Western blotting were used for measuring the expression of SMURF1 mRNA and protein in 89 samples of hepatocellular carcinoma. Correlations between SMURF1 expression and clinical features were explored. Following transfection of SMURF1--specific small interference RNA(siRNA), the apoptosis and proliferation of hepatic cancer cells Hep G2 were detected using flow cytometry and MTT assays .</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The expression of SMURF1 mRNA and protein were significantly higher in hepatocellular cancer tissues compared with the paired normal tissues (P< 0.05). The expression of SMURF1 however did not correlate with any clinical features (P> 0.05). Transfection of SMURF1-specific siRNA can promote the apoptosis whilst inhibit the proliferation of Hep G2 cells.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The expression of SMURF1 is enhanced in hepatocellular carcinoma, which may have played a role in the disease through affecting apoptosis and proliferation of hepatic cancer cells.</p>
Subject(s)
Female , Humans , Male , Hep G2 Cells , Liver Neoplasms , Pathology , RNA, Messenger , Transforming Growth Factor beta , Physiology , Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases , Genetics , PhysiologyABSTRACT
<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Women with a history of preeclampsia have twice the risk of cardiovascular diseases, and there is a graded relationship between the severity of preeclampsia and the risk of cardiac disease. Moreover, metabolic scores are associated with developing preeclampsia. However, since there are no diagnostic criteria for metabolic syndrome during pregnancy and pregnant women undergo metabolic changes, it is difficult to elucidate the relationship between preeclampsia and metabolic syndrome. We carried out a cross-sectional study to investigate the relationship between metabolic syndrome and preeclampsia among women with a history of severe preeclampsia shortly after an indexed pregnancy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>We recruited 62 women with a history of severe preeclampsia 1 to 3 years after an indexed pregnancy. Blood pressure and body compositional indices were recorded. Fasting blood samples were tested for glucose, total cholesterol, high density lipoprotein-cholesterol, low density lipoprotein-cholesterol, triglycerides, and insulin. A questionnaire was used to collect demographic data including pre-pregnancy weight and family history of diseases associated with cardiovascular diseases. Criteria for metabolic syndrome were defined by the National Cholesterol Education Program, Adult Treatment Panel III 2001 (NCEP III) and International Diabetes Federation 2005 (IDF). Data were analyzed by the a2 test and multivariate Logistic regression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>According to NCEP III and IDF standards, 17 (27%) and 24 (39%) women, respectively, were identified as having metabolic syndrome. Being overweight pre-pregnancy and currently overweight were risk factors, and currently overweight was an independent risk factor. A combination of blood pressure and waist circumference was predictive of metabolic syndrome with a sensitivity of 91.67% and specificity of 94.74%.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>An unfavorable metabolic constitution in women may lead to metabolic syndrome, preeclampsia, and long-term cardiovascular disease. In women with severe preeclampsia, therapeutic interventions should include weight-control shortly after pregnancy, especially among women who were previously overweight.</p>
Subject(s)
Adult , Female , Humans , Middle Aged , Pregnancy , Cardiovascular Diseases , Epidemiology , Follow-Up Studies , Metabolic Syndrome , Epidemiology , Pre-Eclampsia , Epidemiology , Risk FactorsABSTRACT
Objective To better understand the epidemiology of rabies during the past ten years in Yancheng city,Jiangsu province. Methods Data was collected and analyzed on rabies cases in Yancheng. Density and vaccination rate on Canine,Rate of injured people bit by dogs,and the information of post-exposure prophylaxis were studied. Rabies virus in the dog brains,collected around the epidemic areas of Yancheng,were detected and analyzed. Results A total of 135 human rabies cases occurred from 1999 through 2008,and formed the second epidemic peak since 1958. Of these victims,84% (114) were farmers. In general,the rate of people having dogs were 3%-6% per 100 people,and the injured person-times of 100 dogs were 6.37 per year. Notably,the vaccination rate of dogs was only 20%. Of those people injured by dogs and other animals,77% had received post-exposure treatment,and only 5%-10% had been administered anti-rabies serum. Rabies virus antigen was found in 4 (3.6%) of 111 brain specimens among dogs collected from epidemic areas. Genetic analysis of N and G genes,which were amplified from brain specimens,indicated that these viruses belong to genotype Ⅰ rabies and expressing a close relationship with the Chinese vaccine strain CTN. Conclusion The large number of dogs with low vaccination rate among them,together with the incorrect and low post-exposure treatment in rural areas seemed to be responsible for the outbreak of rabies in Yancheng city.
ABSTRACT
The infection process of Exserohilum monoceras and alteration of cellar ultrastructure in infected barnyardgrass were observed by using scanning electron microscope and transmission electron microscope. The observation showed that the hypha began to form from the basal point of the conidia 8 hours after inoculation (HAI) and then penetrated barn-yardgrass leaves through stornata 13 HAI. The infection process finished from 24 to 26 HAI. After infected, cell membranes of the host were dramatically changed; starch particles disappeared in chloroplasts and lots of phenolic compounds occurred in the infected cells.