Prediction of spherical equivalent refraction and axial length in children based on machine learning

Purpose: Recently, the proportion of patients with high myopia has shown a continuous growing trend, more toward the younger age groups. This study aimed to predict the changes in spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and axial length (AL) in children using machine learning methods. Methods: This study is a retrospective study. The cooperative ophthalmology hospital of this study collected data on 179 sets of childhood myopia examinations. The data collected included AL and SER from grades 1 to 6. This study used the six machine learning models to predict AL and SER based on the data. Six evaluation indicators were used to evaluate the prediction results of the models. Results: For predicting SER in grade 6, grade 5, grade 4, grade 3, and grade 2, the best results were obtained through the multilayer perceptron (MLP) algorithm, MLP algorithm, orthogonal matching pursuit (OMP) algorithm, OMP algorithm, and OMP algorithm, respectively. The R2 of the five models were 0.8997, 0.7839, 0.7177, 0.5118, and 0.1758, respectively. For predicting AL in grade 6, grade 5, grade 4, grade 3, and grade 2, the best results were obtained through the Extra Tree (ET) algorithm, MLP algorithm, kernel ridge (KR) algorithm, KR algorithm, and MLP algorithm, respectively. The R2 of the five models were 0.7546, 0.5456, 0.8755, 0.9072, and 0.8534, respectively. Conclusion: Therefore, in predicting SER, the OMP model performed better than the other models in most experiments. In predicting AL, the KR and MLP models were better than the other models in most experiments.

Impact of non-valvular atrial fibrillation on global cognitive function and executive function / 中华心血管病杂志

Objective: To explore the impact of non-valvular atrial fibrillation (AF) on the global cognitive function and executive function of patients without dementia, and to observe the differences between different types of AF. Methods: This research is a prospective and cross-sectional study. Non-dementia patients admitted to the department of neurology in the third people's hospital of Chengdu from July 2018 to July 2019 were included. Patients with non-valvular AF were included in the AF group and those with sinus rhythm were included in the control group. General clinical data and compared global cognitive function (mini-mental state examination (MMSE) and montreal cognitive assessment (MOCA)) and executive function (shape trails test (STT) and stroop color and word test (SCWT)) data were obtained and compared between 2 groups, and between different AF type groups. Results: A total of 386 participants were included, including 203 in AF group (52.6%), age was 68 (63, 71) years old, 119 were male (58.6%) and 183 in control group, age was 68 (63, 71) years old, 101 were male (55.2%). MMSE(28 (27, 29)) and MOCA (25 (22, 26)) scores were lower in AF group than those in control group (P<0.05), while STT-A time (84 (64, 140) s), STT-B time (248 (184, 351) s), STT time difference((159 (106, 245) s), SCWT-A time (50 (50, 50) s), SCWT-B time (55 (46, 63) s), SCWT-C time (100 (86, 120) s) and SCWT time interference (46 (34, 65) s) were higher than those in control group (P<0.05). Moreover, there was no difference in above indexes between paroxysmal AF and non-paroxysmal AF. Conclusion: The global cognitive function and executive function of patients with non-valvular AF are both decreased, while there is no obvious difference of the global cognitive function and executive function between paroxysmal AF and non-paroxysmal AF patients.

Clinical efficacy of different rehabilitation modes for lumbar degenerative diseases after operation / 中国骨伤

OBJECTIVE@#To compare clinical effects of different postoperative rehabilitation modes on lumbar degenerative diseases, and explore influence of rehabilitation mode and other factors on postoperative effect.@*METHODS@#From June 2013 to July 2016, totally 900 patients were admitted from nine tertiary hospitals in Beijing to perform single segment bone grafting and internal fixation due to lumbar degenerative diseases were prospectively analyzed. There were 428 males and 472 females, the age of patient over 18 years old, with an average of (51.42±12.41) years old;according to patients' subjective wishes and actual residence conditions, all patients were divided into three groups, named as observation group 1 (performed integrated rehabilitation approach and orthopedic treatment model intervention), observation group 2 (performed integrated rehabilitation approach and orthopedic treatment, classified rehabilitation model intervention), and control group(performed routine rehabilitation model intervention). Visual analogue scale(VAS), Oswestry Disability Index(ODI) and Japanese Orthopaedic Association (JOA) were used to evaluate postoperative efficacy among three groups at 24 weeks. Possible factors affecting the postoperative efficacy including age, age grouping, gender, body mass index (BMI), BMI grouping, education level, visiting hospital, payment method of medical expenses, preoperative complications, preoperative JOA score, clinical diagnosis, surgery section, operative method, intraoperative bleeding volume, postoperative complications and rehabilitation mode were listed as independent variables, and postoperative ODI score at 24 weeks as dependent variables. Univariate analysis was used to analyze relationship between influencing factors and postoperative efficacy. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze relationship between influencing factors, rehabilitation mode and postoperative ODI score at 24 weeks, in further to find out the main reasons which affect postoperative efficacy, and to analyze impact of rehabilitation mode on postoperative efficacy.@*RESULTS@#All patients were followed up for 24 weeks after operation. All incisions healed at stage I with stable internal fixation. (1)Evaluation of postoperative efficacy:① There were no statistical differences in preoperative VAS and ODI among three groups(@*CONCLUSION@#Preoperative JOA score, gender, age could predict postoperative clinical effects of lumbar degenerative diseases in varying degrees treated with single level bone graft fusion and internal fixation. Different rehabilitation modes could improve clinical effects. Intergrated rehabilitation orthopedic treatment model and integrated rehabilitation approach and orthopedic treatment with classifiedrehabilitation model are superior to conventional rehabilitation model in improving patients' postoperative function and relieving pain, which is worthy of promoting in clinical.

Corydalis Rhizoma as a model for herb-derived trace metabolites exploration:A cross-mapping strategy involving multiple doses and samples / 药物分析学报

Deciphering the metabolites of multiple components in herbal medicine has far-reaching significance for revealing pharmacodynamic ingredients.However,most chemical components of herbal medicine are secondary metabolites with low content whose in vivo metabolites are close to trace amounts,making it difficult to achieve comprehensive detection and identification.In this paper,an efficient strategy was proposed:herb-derived metabolites were predicted according to the structural characteristics and metabolic reactions of chemical constituents in Corydalis Rhizoma and chemical structure screening tables for metabolites were conducted.The fragmentation patterns were summarized from represen-tative standards combining with specific cleavage behaviors to deduce structures of metabolites.Ion abundance plays an important role in compound identification,and high ion abundance can improve identification accuracy.The types of metabolites in different biological samples were very similar,but their ion abundance might be different.Therefore,for trace metabolites in biological samples,we used the following two methods to process:metabolites of high dose herbal extract were analyzed to char-acterize those of clinical dose herbal extracts in the same biological samples;cross-mapping of different biological samples was applied to identify trace metabolites based on the fact that a metabolite has different ion abundance in different biological samples.Compared with not using this strategy,44 more metabolites of clinical dose herbal extract were detected.This study improved the depth,breadth,and accuracy of current methods for herb-derived metabolites characterization.

Synergistic effects of autophagy/mitophagy inhibitors and magnolol promote apoptosis and antitumor efficacy

Mitochondria as a signaling platform play crucial roles in deciding cell fate. Many classic anticancer agents are known to trigger cell death through induction of mitochondrial damage. Mitophagy, one selective autophagy, is the key mitochondrial quality control that effectively removes damaged mitochondria. However, the precise roles of mitophagy in tumorigenesis and anticancer agent treatment remain largely unclear. Here, we examined the functional implication of mitophagy in the anticancer properties of magnolol, a natural product isolated from herbal

Retrospective study on transcrestal sinus floor elevation with simultaneous implantation of short implants / 华西口腔医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To explore the changes in bone height of the maxillary sinus floor at different sinus ridge heights after transcrestal sinus floor elevation (tSFE) with the simultaneous implantation of short implants.@*METHODS@#A total of 74 Bicon short implants were implanted into 37 patients during the same period of maxillary sinus elevation. The residual bone height (RBH)<4 mm group has 43 sites, and the RBH≥4 mm group has 31 sites. After 5 years of follow-up observation, the implant survival rate and the change in bone height achieved in the maxillary sinus over time were measured and analyzed via clinical examination and X-ray imaging.@*RESULTS@#In the 74 implantation sites, the elevation height of the sinus floor was (6.64±1.32) mm and the bone height of the sinus floor was (3.35±1.29) mm 5 years after loading. No statistical difference was observed in the bone resorption of the implant neck between the RBH<4 mm and RBH≥4 mm groups. Meanwhile, a statistical difference was noted in the bone height obtained in the maxillary sinus between the two groups.@*CONCLUSIONS@#When RBH in the maxillary posterior tooth area was <4 mm, the simultaneous implantation of Bicon short implants with tSFE can achieve a high implant survival rate and bone gain in the maxillary sinus, but does not increase the absorption of the alveolar ridge bone.

Associations of psychological resilience with family cohesion and non-suicidal self-injury of middle school students in Fujian Province / 中国学校卫生

Objective@#To explore the relationship between family cohesion, psychological resilience and non-suicidal self-injury among middle school students.@*Methods@#By using the stratified random cluster sampling method, 2 065 students from 4 middle school from Fujian province were investigated with family cohesion scale, adolescent psychological resilience scale and adolescent self-injury behavior questionnaire.@*Results@#The report rate of self-injury was 40.34%, which differed by childhood migration experiences, parenting style as well as academic pressure (χ2=11.66，29.45，12.48，P<0.01). Total scores and dimensional scales in family cohesion and psychological resilience showed significant differences in students with or without self-injury (t=-8.33，-12.08，-7.29，-11.53，-3.38，-7.37，-7.68，P<0.01). The family cohesion was positively correlated with the psychological resilience and each dimension (r=0.27-0.56, P<0.01), but negatively correlated with non-suicidal self-injury (r=-0.18, P<0.01). The psychological resilience and each dimension were negatively correlated with non-suicidal self-injury (r=-0.24--0.14, P<0.01). Psychological resilience had a partial mediating effect between family cohesion and non-suicidal self-injury, with mediating effect accounting for 61.11% of the total effect.@*Conclusion@#Psychological resilience played a mediating role between family cohesion and non-suicidal self-injury. By promoting family cohesion to improve psychological resilience, it is helpful to prevent non-suicidal self-injury among middle school students.

Farrerol inhibits AngII-induced VSMCs proliferation by reducing Cx43 expression / 中国药理学通报

Aim To study the role of Cx43 in inhibi-tion of AngII-induced vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs) proliferation by farrerol. Methods The primary VSMCs were isolated and cultured by direct adherent culture methods. VSMCs were identified by immunohistochemstry. The cells were divided into the following groups:control group,AngII group,AngII+Farrerol group. The cell viability was measured by CCK-8 cell vitality test. The proliferation of VSMCs was measured by the methods of Edu. The cell cycle of VSMCs was detected by flow cytometry. The mRNA levels of Cx43 were measured by Real-time PCR. The protein levels of Cx43 were measured by Western blot. Results 60 μmol·L-1farrerol could significantly de-crease the cell viability and EdU rate of VSMCs in-duced by AngII(P<0.05),which could also prevent the transformation of VSMCs from G0/G1phase to S phase. The results of real-time PCR and Western blot showed that,compared with the model group,Farrerol could significantly reduce the mRNA and protein ex-pression level of Cx43(P <0.01). After the interfer-ence of Cx43 by siRNA, the inhibition of proliferation by farrerol decreased significantly. Conclusion Far-rerol inhibits AngII-induced VSMCs proliferation signif-icantly, which might be associated with reducing the expression of Cx43.

Vasodilation of quercetin on rat renal artery and the relationship with L-type voltage-gated Cachannels and protein kinase C / 生理学报

To investigate the diastolic function of quercetin on rat renal artery in vitro and its mechanism, the tension of rat renal artery was recorded by multi myograph system, and the L-type voltage-gated Ca channels (LVGC) current was recorded by whole-cell patch clamp technique. Quercetin produced relaxation effect on rat renal artery pre-contracted by 60 mmol/L KCl or 1 × 10 mol/L phenylephrine, and the maximal diastolic percentage was  (84.53 ± 7.35)% or (76.42 ± 4.63)%. There was no statistical difference in the maximal diastolic percentage between endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded groups. Pre-incubation of protein kinase C (PKC) inhibitor C6303 inhibited the maximal diastolic amplitude induced by quercetin. The peak current density of LVGC in rat renal artery vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMCs) was (23.17 ± 1.33) pA/pF. Quercetin (10 μmol/L) inhibited the peak current to (10.46 ± 1.35) pA/pF, and the inhibition percentage was 54.86%. C6303 (1 μmol/L) partially reversed the inhibitory effect of quercetin, and the inhibition percentage was 62.08% (P < 0.05). These results suggest that quercetin can relax rat renal artery in vitro in a concentration-dependent and endothelium-independent manner. The vasodilation of quercetin may be related to inhibition of LVGC current and activation of PKC.

Treating Cervical Vertigo of Elderly Patients through Sling Exercise Combined with Drug / 中国运动医学杂志

Objective To observe the clinical effect of sling exercise therapy(S-E-T)combined with drug treatment for cervical vertigo in elderly patients.Methods Forty-nine elderly patients with cervical vertigo admitted to our hospital between January 2011 and July 2014 were randomly divided into an observation group(n=27)and a control group(n=22).The observation group was given 80 mg Ginaton(Extract of Ginkgo Biloba Leaves Tablets)produced by German Dr.Willmar Schwabe GmbH & Co.KG three times a day,combined with S-E-T,including cervical stability and stretching training for 40min,focusing on the neck global muscle and local stabilize muscle rehabilitation,once every other day.The control group was provided with the same drug treatment.During the 6-month intervention,both groups were given health education by the same therapist.Both groups were assessed using the neck disability index(NDI),visual analogue scale(VAS)and evaluation scale for cervical vertigo(ESCV) before and after the intervention,as well as at the last follow-up visit.Before the treatment and at the last follow-up visit,the cervical X-ray examination and trigger point check were also conducted for both groups.Results All the forty-nine patients were followed up for 4.83 to 6.70 months,with an average of(6.01 ± 0.49)months.Significant improvement was observed in the average ESCV score for both groups after the treatment.Compared with before the treatment,there was significant improvement in the average NDI and VAS right after the treatment and at the last follow-up visit in the observation group,but only at the last follow-up visit in the control group.From the cervical X-ray,no significant differences were found in the vertebral osteophyte formation,facet joints and uncovertebral joint degeneration between the 2 groups(P＞0.05),while significant differences were observed in the number of the neck trigger points(P＜0.05).Conclusion The sling exercise therapy combined with drug treatment can significantly improve cervical function,relieve pain and vertigo symptoms in elderly patients with cervical vertigo.The effect is better than drug treatment alone.

Clinical analysis of 1g/L bromfenac sodium eye drops in patients with high myopia astigmatism after sub-Bowman keratomileusis / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To investigate the curative effect of 1 g/L bromfenac sodium eye drops on high myopia astigmatism in patients after sub-Bowman keratomileusis.· METHODS:Totally 48 cases (96 eys) of High myopic astigmatism (-6.00D＜ equivalent sphere＜-11.00D) from our hospital were selected and randomly divided into 2 groups,24 cases(48 eyes) each.The control group was treated with fluorometholone eye drops,the experimental group was treated with 1g/L bromfenac sodium eye drops,and 2 groups were treated for 2wk.Uncorrected visual acuity,intraocular pressure and corneal topography (K1,K2,the degree of astigmatism) were recorded,at the same time visual symptoms and signs score,corneal haze and DLK were compared at preoperative and postoperative 1d,1wk,1 and 3mo.RESULTS:At different time points,uncorrected visual acuity,intraocular pressure,K1 value,K2 value,the degree of astigmatism of the two groups were statistically significant (P ＜ 0.05).Compared with preoperative,distance visual acuity increased at postoperative 1d,1wk,1 and 3mo;at postoperative 1 and 3mo intraocular pressure decreased(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,the patients in the experimental group had better uncorrected visual acuity at postoperative 3mo and lower intraocular pressure at postoperative 1 and 3mo(P＜0.05).Compared with preoperative,K1,K2 value of two groups decreased at postoperative 1 and 3mo,the degree of astigmatism increased(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in K1,K2 and astigmatism between the two groups at postoperative 1 and 3mo (P＞ 0.05).The symptoms and signs of the two groups were similar,and there was no haze phenomenon after operation.The DLK evaluation of the experimental group was better than that of the control group (P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:The 1 g/L bromfenac sodium eye drops and fluorometholone eye drops have similar efficacy in the treatment of SBK after operation,but it can effectively reduce the risk of DLK and intraocular pressure,avoid the adverse reactions caused by glucocorticoid,and is an effective treatment plan.

Effects of acupuncture intervention at different stages on urinary function reconstruction of neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury / 中国针灸

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of early intervention of acupuncture on urinary function reconstruction of neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury, so as to find the optimal treatment timing of acupuncture.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Fifty-three patients of neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury were randomly divided into a prior-to-catheter group (25 cases) and a posterior-to-catheter group (28 cases). For the prior-to-catheter group, one week before the removal of catheter, acupoints on the abdomen and back such as Guanyuan (CV 4), Zhongji (CV 3), Baliao (Shangliao (BL 31), Ciliao (BL 32), Zhongliao (BL 33), Xialiao (BL 34), Jiaji (EX-B 2) and acupoints at distal end such as Zusanli (ST 36) and Sanyinjiao (SP 6) were selected; after the catheter removal, simple method. of water column was used to measure bladder capacity pressure to classify the type of bladder, and then different acupuncture manipulations were given; intermittent catheterization was performed if condition was allowed. The posterior-to-catheter group applied identical treatment after removal of catheter as the prior-to-catheter group. The treatment was given 5 times per week; after one-month treatment, five aspects including the time of first effective urination, time of establishing reflex urination, average residual volume of urine, time of residual urine less than 100 mL and quality of life (QOL) were evaluated.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After treatment, the time of first effective urination, time of establishing reflex urination, average residual volume of urine and time of residual urineless than 100 mL in the prior-to-catheter group were all superior to those in the posterior-to-catheter group (all P<0. 05) ; the score of QOL was improved in two groups after treatment (both P<0. 01), but the difference between two groups was not statistically significant (P>0. 05); each index of urination function was not significant among patients with different injured segments of spinal cord (all P>0. 05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The early intervention of acupuncture (prior to catheter) has obvious improving function on establishing balanced bladder in patients with neurogenic bladder after spinal cord injury, which is superior to acupuncture intervention after removal of catheter, however, the effects of different injured segments on establishing balanced bladder are not different.</p>

Development and validation of an HPLC-MS/MS analytical method for quantitative analysis of TCBA-TPQ, a novel anticancer makaluvamine analog, and application in a pharmacokinetic study in rats / 中国天然药物

We have recently designed and synthesized several novel iminoquinone anticancer agents that have entered preclinical development for the treatment of human cancers. Herein we developed and validated a quantitative HPLC-MS/MS analytical method for one of the lead novel anticancer makaluvamine analog, TCBA-TPQ, and conducted a pharmacokinetic study in laboratory rats. Our results indicated that the HPLC-MS/MS method was precise, accurate, and specific. Using this method, we carried out in vitro and in vivo evaluations of the pharmacological properties of TCBA-TPQ and plasma pharmacokinetics in rats. Our results provide a basis for future preclinical and clinical development of this promising anticancer marine analog.

An analysis of RHD zygosity of Rh(D)-positive Chinese Han population / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the RHD zygosity of Rh(D)-positive Chinese Hans in order to study the mother-fetus Rh isoimmunization prophylaxis.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rh(D) blood group of 31 115 donors were serotyped, and the RHD zygosities were analyzed, or determined through a PCR method for 3628 donors of Rh(D)-positive individuals.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Among the 31 115 donors, 99 were tested Rh(D)-negative by indirect antiglobulin test (IAT) (0.318%). The d frequency was 0.056 41, D was 0.943 59, and Dd heterozygosity was 0.106 45 (10.6%). However the rate was 0.090 32 (about 9.0%) after excluding DEL (IAT-negative). For the 3628 PCR tested donors, 3383 were DD (93.2%), 245 were Dd (6.8%). After excluding nonfunctional RHD alleles, 7.4% of the donors were carrying one functional RHD. It showed that an Rh(D)-negative Chinese Han woman gives an Rh(D)-negative child at a rate of 3.7%-4.5% when her husband is Rh(D)-positive.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Fetus Rh(D) genotyping may be unnecessary for Chinese Hans if invasive operation was needed for prenatal diagnosis. The Rh prophylaxis could be chosen assuming an Rh(D)-positive fetus.</p>

Role of Ommaya reservoir in the management of neonates with post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus / 中华儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>Intra-ventricular hemorrhage (IVH) is one of the most serious complications of preterm infants. Significant numbers of the surviving infants with severe IVH go on to develop post-hemorrhagic hydrocephalus (PHH). The management of PHH remains a very challenging problem for both neonatologists and pediatric neurosurgeons. This study aimed to evaluate the efficacy and safety of the use of Ommaya reservoirs and serial cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) drainage in the management of a series of neonates with PHH.</p><p><b>METHOD</b>Between January 1, 2003 and December 30, 2005, 15 consecutive newborn infants with IVH grades III to IV, complicated with progressive ventricular dilatation, underwent placement of an Ommaya reservoir. CSF was intermittently aspirated percutaneously from the reservoir. The amount and frequency of CSF aspiration were based on the clinical presentation and the follow-up results of serial cranial ultrasonograms or CT scans. The changes of CSF cell counts and chemistries were also followed. Patients whose progressive ventricular dilatation persisted despite serial CSF aspiration through Ommaya reservoir eventually had ventriculo-peritoneal shunts (V-P shunt) placed. All the patients were followed up in the outpatient clinic after discharge from the hospital and the neurodevelopmental outcomes were evaluated through 18-36 months of age.</p><p><b>RESULT</b>A total of 15 infants were included in this series. Of them, 11 were preterm infants who were at gestational ages of 29 to 34 weeks and 4 infants were full-term. All of the 4 full term infants presented with progressive ventricular dilatation after suffering from the intra-cranial hemorrhage (3 infants were due to vitamin K deficiency and 1 was due to birth trauma). Thirteen infants had grade III IVH, and 2 had grade IV IVH based on initial cranial ultrasonographic and CT scans. The mean age when IVH was diagnosed was (9 +/- 1) days in preterm infants and (22 +/- 7) days in full-term infants; the mean age when Ommaya reservoir was placed was (18 +/- 11) days in preterm infants and (31 +/- 7) days in full-term infants. All the infants tolerated the surgical procedure well. The Ommaya reservoir was tapped for an average of (21.5 +/- 4.6) times per patient. The mean CSF volume per tap was (10.2 +/- 1.3) ml/kg. The values of CSF protein, glucose and cell counts slowly reached normal levels at approximately 3 - 5 weeks after the placement of the reservoir. The velocity of head circumference increase per week was less than 1 cm in 13 patients in 1 - 4 weeks after the placement of the reservoir and the size of ventricles decreased gradually. By 12 - 18 months, 12 infants had normal size ventricles, and 1 patient still had mild ventricular dilation at 36 months. Two infants developed progressive hydrocephalus after serial CSF aspiration through Ommaya reservoir. One infant had a V-P shunt placed at 2 months of age and another infant died at 3 months of age at home after parents refused further therapy. Complications consisted of reservoir leaking and CSF infection at 16th day of placement in one patient after repeated tapping. By the end of 18 - 36 months of follow-up, 11 of 14 infants were considered normal, two patients had mild impairment in neurodevelopmental outcome (both had spastic bilateral lower limbs paresis, and one of whom also had amblyopia) and the other had seizure disorder.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The results from this series indicate that the placement of an Ommaya reservoir is relatively safe in newborn infants and is useful in the initial management of neonates with PHH and may be beneficial in improving their neurodevelopmental outcomes. A multicenter randomized trial may be needed to further validate the results of this report.</p>

Phloretin induces apoptosis of BEL-7402 cells in vitro / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To examine the effect of phloretin on apoptosis of BEL-7402 cells.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The viability changes of BEL- 7402 cells as a result of phloretin-induced toxicity were analyzed using MTT assay, and the cell morphology changes were observed with fluorescence microscope. Flow cytometry was used to analyze the cell cycle and mitochondrial membrane potential changes, and chromogenic substrate assay performed to detect caspase activity.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Phloretin induced obvious cytotoxicity against BEL-7402 cells with IC50 of 89.23 microg/mL. The growth curve demonstrated decreased growth of the cells as phloretin concentration increased. Cell apoptosis occurred 24 h after treatment with 40-160 microg/mL phloretin. Morphological, the cells exposed to phloretin exhibited nuclear chromatin condensation and increased fluorescence intensity. The activity of caspase-9 reached the peak level 12 h after phloretin exposure, and leak levels of caspase-6 and caspase-3 activities occurred 18 and 24 h after the exposure, respectively.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Phloretin can induce BEL-7402 cell apoptosis though the mitochondrial pathway.</p>

The expression and significance of RUNX3 gene in hepatocellular carcinoma / 中国医师进修杂志

Objective To evaluatethe expression and significance of RUNX3 gene and protein in hepatocellular carcinoma.Method Reverse transcription-polymerase chain resction (RT-PCR) and immunoitistochemistry SP method were used to detect the expressions of RUNX3 gene and protein in 23 cases of hepatocellular carcinoma and their adjacent non-cancerous tissue.Results The expression of RUNX3 gene and protein were significantly reduced in hepatocellular carcinoma tissue (26.1% and 17.4% respectively),which were prominently lower than those in adjacent non-cancerous tissue:91.3% (21/23) and 87.0% (20/23),P＜0.01.Conclusion The lower-expression of RUNX3 gene and protein may play an important role in hepatocellular carcinoma.

The family investigation of a weak D type 15 donor / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the genetic feature of weak D type 15 allele (RHD845A) in a Chinese family.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Rh D, C, c, E and e phenotypes of 4 members in a weak D type 15 family were tested by serological and polymerase chain reaction (PCR), D antigen was proven by indirect antiglobulin test. A pair of primers specific for RHD845A were designed, and a sequence specific primer-PCR (PCR-SSP) method was established to detect RHD845A allele in all family members. Subsequently the dual-tube PCR method was used to determine the RHD zygosity of 4 members.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The RHD845A allele existed in all 4 family members and the RHD zygosity test showed that all members were RHD +/RHD + homozygous. The parents and nephew possessed one normal RHD gene as RHD845A allele carriers, which caused RhD positive. The proband and his old-sister took two RHD845A alleles, which caused weak D phenotype.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The proband is the weak D type 15 allele homozygous. The weak D type 15 gene is an ancestral allele, but not a mutation.</p>

Cox regression analysis on influencing factors of coronary heart disease among people over 40 years of age / 中华流行病学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the affecting factors on coronary heart disease among people over 40 years of age in Guangxi area, China.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Baseline data was gathered through the Third National Blood Pressure Survey in 1991 in China. A total number of 11 818 adults over 40 years old had been studied in Guangxi province. Data of morbidity and mortality of coronary heart disease was obtained.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Cardiovascular events were related to systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure, pulse pressure, smoking, BMI regardless of their myocardial infarct (MI) history. Cox regression analysis showed that the relative risk for cardiovascular events increased by 21 [95% confidence interval (CI): 9.06-48.44] times for those people having MI history. When pulse pressure, systolic blood pressure, diastolic blood pressure increased by every 10 mm Hg, the relative risk for cardiovascular events increased by 1.29 (95% CI: 1.11-1.49), 1.18 (95% CI: 1.02-1.22), 1.13 (95% CI: 1.05-1.28) respectively. There was 1.23 (95% Cl: 1.05-1.45) times higher in smoker than non-smoker on relative risk for cardiovascular events. When BMI increasing 1, the relative risk for cardiovascular events would increase 1.03 (95% CI: 1.01-1 .05) times.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Hypertension, smoking, increase of BMI were the risk factors of coronary heart disease among people who were over 40 years of age.</p>

Investigation on culture of rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells and their viscoelasticity / 生物医学工程学杂志

It is the infent of this study to establish a simple method for cultivation of rat pulmonary microvascular endothelial cells(PMVECs) and investigate the viscoelasticity of PMVECs. First, we obtained rat's peripheral pulmonary tissue, which then was cut into small pieces and cultured with 3 ml DMEM containing 20% bovine calf serum, 90 U/ml heparin, 4 mmol L-glutamine, 100 U/ml penicillin and 100 micrograms/ml streptomycin. Next, moved away the pulmonary tissue pieces 60 h later, and started passage 2-4 days after continued culture. Last, digested and separated PMVECs and studied viscoelastic coefficients of PMVECs by using micropipette aspiration technique. The results revealed that the cultured PMVECs showed regular cobblestone morphology and conformed with endothelial cells morphological characterization by phase contrast microscopy. PMVECs elastic modulus K1 was 49.3 +/- 9.2 Pa, K2 was 73.2 +/- 24.8 Pa, and it's viscosity factor mu was 19.2 +/- 7.2 Pa. s. These data demonstrate that it is feasible to cultivate PMVECs with tissue pieces method, and PMVECs is of greater rigidity.