Genetic and Phenotypic Variation of Campylobacter jejuni NCTC11168 Caused by flhA Mutation during Laboratory Passage / 生物医学与环境科学（英文）

OBJECTIVE@#Campylobacter jejuni NCTC11168 is commonly used as a standard strain for flagellar biosynthesis research. In this report, two distinguished phenotypic isolates (CJ1Z, flhA mutant strain, lawn; CJ2S, flhA complemented strain, normal colony) appeared during laboratory passages for NCTC11168.@*METHODS@#Phenotypic assessments, including motility plates, transmission electron microscopy, biofilm formation assay, autoagglutination assay, and genome re-sequencing for these two isolates (CJ1Z, flhA mutant strain; CJ2S, flhA complemented strain) were carried out in this study.@*RESULTS@#Transmission electron microscopy revealed that the flagellum was lost in CJ1Z. Phenotypic assessments and genome sequencing of the two isolates were performed in this study. The capacity for biofilm formation, colony auto-agglutination, and isolate motility was reduced in the mutant CJ1Z. Comparative genomic analysis indicated a unique native nucleotide insertion in flhA (nt, 2154) that caused the I719Y and I720Y mutations and early truncation in flhA.@*CONCLUSION@#FlhA has been found to influence the expression of flagella in C. jejuni. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to describe the function of the C-terminal of this protein.

Application of single-pass four-throw releasable suture drainage tube ligation technique in Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To evaluate the application of single-pass four-throw releasable suture drainage tube ligation technique in Ahmed glaucoma valve(AGV)implantation.METHODS: A total of 78 patients(78 eyes)with refractory glaucoma who underwent AGV implantation in the People's Hospital of Leshan from May 2020 to January 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. According to the treatment, the patients were divided into the modified AGV implantation group, with 43 patients(43 eyes)treated by modified AGV implantation, ligating the drainage tube with single-pass four-throw releasable suture, and the traditional AGV implantation group, with 35 patients(35 eyes)treated by traditional AGV implantation. Followed-up for 6mo, the intraocular pressure(IOP), success rate and complications were observed at 1d, 1 and 2wk and 1 and 6mo after operation.RESULTS: Postoperative IOP at all follow-up visits was significantly lower than that before surgery in both groups(all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in IOP between groups at all follow-up visits(all P>0.05). The incidence of shallow anterior chamber was 5% in the modified AGV implantation group and 23% in the traditional AGV implantation group at 1wk after surgery(P<0.05). At 6mo after operation, the overall success rate was 98% in modified AGV implantation group and 89% in the traditional AGV implantation group(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:During AGV implantation, ligation of drainage tube with single-pass four-throw releasable suture can effectively reduce IOP and reduce the incidence of shallow anterior chamber in early postoperative stage. Furthermore, the technique is safe and efficacious.

Effect of Celastrol Based on IRAK4/ERK/p38 Signaling Pathway on Proliferation and Apoptosis of Multiple Myeloma Cells / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the effect of celastrol on the proliferation and apoptosis of human multiple myeloma (MM) cell lines, reveal the relationship between IRAK4/ERK/p38 signaling pathway and celastrol regulating the proliferation and apoptosis of H929 and ARP-1 cells, and explore whether celastrol combined with bortezomib has synergistic effect. @*METHODS@#CCK-8 method was used to detect the viability of MM cell lines H929 and ARP-1 treated by different concentrations of celastrol, bortezomib, and their combination, and the synergistic effect was determined by Kim's formula. The apoptosis rate of H929 cells and necrosis rate of ARP-1 were detected by Annexin V/PI method. The expression of key proteins and apoptosis proteins in IRAK4/ERK/p38 signaling pathway were detected by Western blot. @*RESULTS@#Celastrol could significantly inhibit the proliferation of H929 and ARP-1 cells (r=0.9018, r=0.9244) and induce apoptosis in a time-dependent manner. Compared with the control group, celastrol could significantly up-regulate the expression of PARP and cleaved caspase-3 while down-regulate the expression of p-IRAK4, p-ERK, and p-p38 in H929 and ARP-1 cells. Celastrol and bortezomib alone inhibited the proliferation of H929 and ARP-1 cells. Compared with celastrol and bortezomib alone, their combination had lower cell survival rate and higher apoptosis rate (P<0.05). @*CONCLUSION@#Celastrol can inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of H929 and ARP-1 cells, which may be related to inhibiting the phosphorylation of IRAK4 and blocking the activation of IRAK4/ERK/p38 signaling pathway. Celastrol combined with bortezomib has synergistic effect, which can more effectively inhibit the proliferation and induce apoptosis of H929 and ARP-1 cells.

Association between MTHFR gene polymorphism and primary hypertension in children / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the distribution characteristics of methylenetetrahydrofolate reductase (MTHFR) C677T gene polymorphism in children with primary hypertension, and to explore the association between MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism and H-type hypertension in children.@*METHODS@#A total of 121 children with primary hypertension who were hospitalized in the department of cardiovascular medicine from January to July 2021, newly diagnosed, and untreated were retrospectively selected as the subjects. The children were divided into three groups: CC genotype (19 children), CT genotype (51 children), and TT genotype (51 children). According to the serum homocysteine (Hcy) level, they were divided two groups: H-type hypertension (47 children) and simple hypertension (74 children). The medical data were compared between the groups. The association between MTHFR C677T gene polymorphism and H-type hypertension was evaluated.@*RESULTS@#The mutation frequency of T allele in children with primary hypertension was significantly higher than that in healthy adults in Beijing and Chinese Han adults (P<0.001). The serum Hcy level in the TT genotype group was significantly higher than that in the CC and CT genotype groups (P<0.001). The serum Hcy level in the H-type hypertension group was significantly higher than that in the simple hypertension group (P<0.001), and MTHFR C677T was mostly TT genotype, which was associated with the risk of H-type hypertension (OR=12.71, P<0.001). There was no significant difference in the incidence rate of target organ damage between the H-type hypertension and simple hypertension groups (P>0.05). However, multiple organ involvement was observed in the H-type hypertension group at diagnosis, accounting for 11% (5/47).@*CONCLUSIONS@#The mutation rate of MTHFR C677T T allele in children with primary hypertension is high and associated with the serum Hcy level. TT genotype is an independent risk factor for H-type hypertension in children, and it may be related to the severity of early target organ damage.

Analysis of Serum Metabonomics in Patients with Multiple Myeloma Based on Liquid Chromatography-Mass Spectrometry / 中国实验血液学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To observe the changes of serum metabolites in patients with multiple myeloma (MM) by metabonomics, and explore the potential biomarkers for diagnosis, prognosis, and progression of MM.@*METHODS@#Serum samples were collected from 26 patients with MM and 50 healthy controls. The data detected by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS) was input into SIMCA-14.0 software for multivariate statistical analysis. Principal component analysis (PCA), partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), and orthogonal partial least squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA) were used to analyze the changes of metabolites.@*RESULTS@#The metabolic change of uric acid and trans-vaccenic acid in serum samples of MM patients was 9.39 times and 2.77 times of these in healthy people, respectively, which were significantly higher than those of healthy people, and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.01).@*CONCLUSION@#Uric acid and trans-vaccenic acid are expected to be important metabolic indicators for the diagnosis, prognosis, and efficacy evaluation of MM, thus providing some clues for the pathogenesis of MM.

Acupuncture at acupoints along the meridians for primary insomnia: a multi-center randomized controlled trial / 中国针灸

OBJECTIVE@#To compare the clinical effect differences among different acupoint selection methods for primary insomnia.@*METHODS@#A total of 333 patients with primary insomnia were recruited from 3 study centers and randomly divided into a group A (111 cases, 7 cases dropped off), a group B (111 cases, 5 cases dropped off) and a group C (111 cases, 2 cases dropped off). The patients in the group A were treated with acupuncture at Shenmen (HT 7) and Baihui (GV 20), the patients in the group B were treated with acupuncture at Sanyinjiao (SP 6) and Baihui (GV 20), and the patients in the group C were treated with acupuncture at non-acupoint and Baihui (GV 20). All the treatment was given once a day, 30 min each time; 5 treatments were taken as a course and 5 courses of treatment were given. The Pittsburgh sleep quality index (PSQI) and Athens insomnia scale (AIS) scores were evaluated before and after treatment as well as 4 weeks after treatment. The encephalofluctuograph technology (ET) was observed before and after treatment.@*RESULTS@#Compared before treatment, the PSQI scores after treatment and at follow-up were significantly decreased in three groups (0.05).@*CONCLUSION@#The acupuncture at acupoints along the meridians could improve the sleep quality in patients with primary insomnia, and the therapeutic effect of acupoint along the meridians is better than that of non-acupoint.

Analysis of efficacy in individual-based treatment for malignant glaucoma / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To study individualized treatment of malignant glaucoma.<p>METHODS: Totally 19 malignant glaucoma patients(19 eyes)admitted in Leshan Ophthalmological Center from January 2016 to October 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. Main outcomes of best corrected visual acuitv, intraocular pressure(IOP), anterior chamber depth and complications were closely observed.<p>RESULTS: IOP were recovered by drug treatments in 7 eyes to anterior chamber depth. 3 eyes were treated by peripheral iridectomy combined with posterior capsule of lens and anterior vitreous membrane excision with YAG laser. 5 eyes were treated by cataract phacoemulsification with foldable intraocular lens implantation combined with posterior capsule excision and anterior vitrectomy. 1 eye was treated by vitrectomy.1 eye developed to malignant glaucoma during operation was treated by trabeculectomy combined with cataract phacoemulsification after vitreous water-bag was punctured. The post-treatment IOP(14.43±3.46mmHg)significantly declined compared with pre-treatment IOP(31.25±5.19mmHg), the post-treatment anterior chamber depth(2.64±0.47mm)significantly deepened compared with that of pre-treatment(0.69±0.57mm). The best corrected visual acuity in LogMAR before treatment was 0.71±0.25, after the treatment of 0.34±0.19(<i>P</i><0.05). There were no serious complications except 1 case with low intraocular pressure and choroidal detachment.<p>CONCLUSION: It is necessary to fully evaluate the specific conditions of patients after the occurrence of malignant glaucoma and adopt individualized treatments according to patient's condition.

Sero-prevalence of Babesia infection among voluntary blood donors in Jiangsu Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To evaluate the sero-positivity of Babesia infection in voluntary blood donors in Jiangsu region, so as to provide the evidence for transfusion safety. Methods A total of 950 blood samples were collected from voluntary blood donors in Jiangsu Provincial Blood Center from February to May, 2017, and detected by double antigen sandwich ELISA targeting peptides derived from B. microti-secreted antigen 1 (BmSA1). The positive samples were confirmed by microscopy and nested-PCR to determine parasitemia. The prevalence of anti-BmSA1 was analyzed between/among different genders, ages and occupations of the blood donors. Results Of the 950 blood screened samples, 5 were positive for anti-BmSA1, and the sero-prevalence of Babesia infection was 0.53%. The 5 samples were all negative by microscopy and nested-PCR. There were no gender- (χ2 = 0.01, P =0.92) or age-specific differences (χ2 = 0.11, P = 0.95) in the sero-prevalence of Babesia infection; however, there was an occupation-specific difference detected in the sero-prevalence of Babesia infection (χ2 = 11.93, P < 0.05). Conclusion Babesia infection is detected in voluntary blood donors in Jiangsu region, which should be paid much attention.

Sero-prevalence of Babesia infection among voluntary blood donors in Jiangsu Province / 中国血吸虫病防治杂志

Objective To evaluate the sero-positivity of Babesia infection in voluntary blood donors in Jiangsu region, so as to provide the evidence for transfusion safety. Methods A total of 950 blood samples were collected from voluntary blood donors in Jiangsu Provincial Blood Center from February to May, 2017, and detected by double antigen sandwich ELISA targeting peptides derived from B. microti-secreted antigen 1 (BmSA1). The positive samples were confirmed by microscopy and nested-PCR to determine parasitemia. The prevalence of anti-BmSA1 was analyzed between/among different genders, ages and occupations of the blood donors. Results Of the 950 blood screened samples, 5 were positive for anti-BmSA1, and the sero-prevalence of Babesia infection was 0.53%. The 5 samples were all negative by microscopy and nested-PCR. There were no gender- (χ2 = 0.01, P =0.92) or age-specific differences (χ2 = 0.11, P = 0.95) in the sero-prevalence of Babesia infection; however, there was an occupation-specific difference detected in the sero-prevalence of Babesia infection (χ2 = 11.93, P < 0.05). Conclusion Babesia infection is detected in voluntary blood donors in Jiangsu region, which should be paid much attention.

Clinical observation of mitomycin and 5-fluorouracil with adjustable sutural trabeculectomy for glaucoma / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

@#AIM: To take a contrastive analysis of glaucoma patients' clinical prognosis and complications after the usage of mitomycin(MMC)or 5-fluorouracil(5-FU)combined with adjustable sutural trabeculectomy. <p>METHODS: Retrospective case series reseach was undertaken. We divided the 71 cases(including primary open angle glaucoma and primary chronic angle-closure glaucoma)into two groups: MMC group(36 cases)and 5-FU group(35 cases). Both were treated with combined adjustable sutural trabeculectomy with the usage of MMC or 5-FU anti-cicatricial treatment, and followed up to compare intraocular pressure, filtered bubble form and complications. <p>RESULTS: The intraocular pressure of MMC group was lower than 5-FU group with statistical significance(<i>P</i><0.05); there was no significant difference in total surgical success rate between groups(<i>P</i>>0.05). Functional filtering bleb formation rate in MMC group was higher than 5-FU group while the formation rate of nonfunctional filtering bleb in MMC group was lower than 5-FU group(<i>P</i><0.05), which showed no significant difference in complication rate between groups(<i>P</i>>0.05), but the types of complications were different. <p>CONCLUSION: Both MMC and 5-FU can improve the success rate of glaucoma trabeculectomy as anti-cicatricial drugs. MMC can lower the intraocular pressure, is superior to 5-FU in the formation of functional filtering bleb. There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications between MMC and 5-FU according to personalized surgical protocols based on patients. When 5-FU is used, it is necessary to separate the filtering blebs repeatedly after operation and to reinject 5-FU under conjunctiva.

Clinical features and drug resistance in children with Salmonella infection / 中国当代儿科杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To study the clinical features and drug resistance in children with Salmonella infection.@*METHODS@#A total of 163 children with positive fecal cultures for Salmonella who were hospitalized between 2013 and 2017 were enrolled. A retrospective analysis was performed for their data on clinical features, distribution of Salmonella serotypes, and drug sensitivity test results.@*RESULTS@#Among the 163 children with Salmonella infection, 79 (48.5%) were aged ≤1 year. Main clinical manifestations included fever and diarrhea. Of all the children, 121 (74.2%) reached a body temperature of above 39°C, 52 (31.9%) had diarrhea more than 10 times a day, and 56 (34.4%) had respiratory infection. Salmonella infection often occurred in summer and autumn. Of all the children, 131 (80.4%) had the infection in May to October. Salmonella typhimurium was observed in 100 children (61.3%) and Salmonella enteritidis was observed 15 children (9.2%). All serotypes of Salmonella had a drug resistance rate of >20% to cefotaxime, as well as high sensitivities to β-lactamase inhibitors (amoxicillin/clavulanic acid and piperacillin/tazobactam). There were no strains resistant to carbapenems including imipenem.@*CONCLUSIONS@#Infants aged ≤1 year are susceptible to Salmonella infection in summer and autumn, and the most common serotype is Salmonella typhimurium. Main clinical manifestations are fever and diarrhea in children with Salmonella infection, and most children also have respiratory infection. Salmonella has an increased rate of drug resistance to third-generation cephalosporins. In clinical treatment, antimicrobial drugs should be used according to the results of drug sensitivity test.

p16INK4a protein is a specific molecular biomarker of breast cancer / 南方医科大学学报

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the expression of p16INK4a protein in breast cancer and analyze its clinical significance.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>A total of 132 surgical specimens of primary breast cancer obtained between 2014 and 2015 were examined for expressions of ER, PR, CK5/6, Her-2 and p16INK4a proteins using immunohistochemistry.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The breast cancer samples were classified into 5 molecular subtypes, namely Luminal A (58 cases), Luminal B (32 cases), Her-2-positive (21 cases), basal-like (12 cases) and normal-like (9 cases) types. p16INK4a expression was negative in 7/132 (5.30%) cases, weakly positive in 15/132 (11.36%) cases, positive in 40/132 (30.30%) cases, and strongly positive in 70/132 (53.03%) cases. When categorizing negative and weakly positive cases into negative group and the positive and strongly positive cases into positive group, the total negative and positive expression rates of p16INK4a were 16.67% (22/132) and 83.33% (110/132) in the carcinoma tissues. Statistical analysis showed the expression intensity of p16INK4a differed significantly between the age groups (P<0.05) but was not significantly correlated with ER, PR, Her-2, molecular subtypes or metastasis of the tumors.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The compensatory high expression of p16INK4a is the main mechanism of cell cycle deregulation in invasive breast cancer and can be an important specific molecular marker for invasive breast cancer.</p>

Preliminary clinical observation of Smart Plug canalicular plug for the treatment of aqueous-deficient dry eye / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To discuss the effect of Smart Plug canalicular plug on aqueous-deficient dryeye. METHODS:Forty-eight cases of aqueous-deficient dry eye patients in our hospital from May 2012 to April 2013 were selected for the study. After treated by Smart Plug canalicular plug, postoperative clinical efficacy, foundation Schirmer I test ( SIt) , tear film break-up time ( BUT ) , corneal fluorescein staining ( FL ) changes were observed. RESULTS: Forty-eight patients were cured, 31 cases were markedly effective(65%), effective 14 cases (29%), invalid in 3 cases (6%), the total effective rate was 94%. Before treatment, SⅠt, BUT, and FL was ( 3. 49±1. 24 ) mm/5min, ( 3. 15±1. 07 ) s, and ( 2. 52±0. 11 ) points, respectively. After treatment, SIt, BUT, FL were significantly improved compared with before treatment, the difference was statistically significant (PCONCLUSION: Smart Plug canalicular plug is an effective treatment for aqueous-deficient dry eye, can effectively relieve symptoms, worthy of promotion.

Association between rs1079595 polymorphisms in the DRD2 gene and the distractibility based the temperament in school-age children / 中国当代儿科杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the association between rs1079595 polymorphisms in the DRD2 gene and the distractibility in school-age children.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>The genotyping at rs1079595 was performed and the distractibility was measured based on the temperament questionnaire in 120 8-12 years old school-age children in order to analyze the effects of the rs1079595 polymorphism and its interaction with the gender, age and delivery mode on the distractibility.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There was an association between the distractibility and rs1079595 polymorphisms. The distractibility score in children with GG/GT genotypes was significantly higher than in children with the TT genotype (4.3 ± 0.6 vs 4.0 ± 0.7; P<0.05). The interaction between rs1079595 polymorphisms and the delivery mode produced an effect on the distractibility. The normal delivery children with T alleles were associated with a low distractibility (OR=0.037, P<0.01).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>The distractibility based the temperament might be influenced by the rs1079595 polymorphism and its interaction with the delivery mode in school-age children.</p>

Patterns of Lymph Node Recurrence after Radical Surgery Impacting on Survival of Patients with pT1-3N0M0 Thoracic Esophageal Squamous Cell Carcinoma

The aim of this study was to investigate how patterns of lymph nodes recurrence after radical surgery impact on survival of patients with pT1-3N0M0 thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma. One hundred eighty consecutive patients with thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma underwent radical surgery, and the tumors were staged as pT1-3N0M0 by postoperative pathology. Lymph nodes recurrence was detected with computed tomography 3-120 months after the treatment. The patterns of lymph nodes recurrence including stations, fields and locations of recurrent lymph nodes, and impacts on patterns of survival were statistically analyzed. There was a decreasing trend of overall survival with increasing stations or fields of postoperative lymph nodes involved (all P<0.05). Univariate analysis showed that stations or fields of lymph nodes recurrence, and abdominal or cervical lymph nodes involved were prognostic factors for survival (all P<0.05). Cox analyses revealed that the field was an independent factor (P<0.05, odds ratio=2.73). Lymph nodes involved occurred predominantly in cervix and upper mediastinum (P<0.05). In conclusion, patterns of lymph node recurrence especially the fields of lymph nodes involved are significant prognostic factors for survival of patients with pT1-3N0M0 thoracic esophageal squamous cell carcinoma.

Application of ROC curve for evaluation of the effect of prenatal screening during second trimester of pregnancy / 中华医学遗传学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To develop a method for evaluating the feasibility of prenatal screening using local median value and determining the cut-off value.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>With receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) analysis, results of second trimester prenatal screening calculated by a local median value in a new model and the built-in median value in 2T software were compared. The cut-off value was set by serial analysis of true and false positive rates and other relevant data.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The ROC curve has accurately estimated the difference in the screening efficacy between a local median value and that embedded in the 2T model, and established a reasonable cut-off value for the laboratory based on false positive rate and detection rate.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The method of ROC curve can be used to evaluate the performance of local median value in prenatal screening and to test the rationality of cut-off value established in the laboratory. As the result, a better cut-off value may be derived.</p>

Professor GUAN Ji-duo: a well-renowned acupuncturist in Sichuan province / 中国针灸

As a famous TCM physician and acupuncturist in our country, professor GUAN Ji-duo, who was determined to study medicine and save life from a child, has been engaged in teaching and clinical work of acupuncture and moxibustion for more than sixty years. With a lifetime writing and tireless teaching, he has made every effect, from small clue to see what is coming, to be well-versed in the learning of both ancient and modern times and learn widely from others' points to devote all his life for the development and innovation of acupuncture and moxibustion. With deep study on syndrome differentiation of meridians, he has focused on acupoint combination, advocated on painless insertion of needle, and made "smokeless moxa-stick" to form a unique academic thought. At the age of more than 90, professor GUAN still insists on outpatient clinic, which is highly respected.

Maxillary sinus floor augmentation using gene-enhanced tissue engineered bone / 中华口腔医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To evaluate the effect of maxillary sinus elevation with gene-enhanced tissue engineering bone in dogs.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>bone marrow stromal cells (BMSC) derived from dog marrow were cultured, and transduced with the adenovirus carrying bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) gene (AdBMP-2), the adenovirus carrying green fluorescent protein (GFP) gene (AdGFP) in vitro. The bone formation ability of gene modified BMSC with scaffold was examined in nude mice and in elevated maxillary sinus of dog. Student's t-test was used for statistical analysis with SPSS 11.0 software package.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>Gene transfection efficiency reached up to (83.95 ± 2.43)% as demonstrated by GFP expression. Ectopic bone formation was detected in nude mice. As for maxillary sinus floor elevation in a dog model, new bone formation area in the AdBMP-2 gene transduced BMSC with Bio-Oss group was significantly higher than in BMSC with Bio-Oss group at 120 d (P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>AdBMP-2 gene transduced BMSC can stimulate ectopic bone formation in nude mice, and promote bone formation and maturation in the dog maxillary sinus.</p>

The dynamic change of Brn-3a expression in retina of chronic high intraocular pressure rat / 中华实验眼科杂志

Background Brn-3a is a newly discovered specificity marker for retina ganglion cells(RGCs).It is well-known that RGCs damage is a important pathological basis of hypertension-visual disorder.But the study concerning expression of Brn-3a in RGCs in glaucoma eye is still rately.Objective The purpose of this work was to investigate the changes of Brn-3a expression in model eye with chronic high intraocular pressure(IOP) and its relation with morphology of retina and the expression of Brn-3a in chronic ocular hypertension rats.Methods Thirty-five clean adult SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group(5 rats) and model group(30 rats).Experimental chronic ocular hypertension models were induced unilaterally in the left eyes of 30 health adult SD rats by cauterizing super-scleral veins,and the conjunctival incision was made in the right eyes as sham operative group.The operated rats were subdivided into 6 groups according to the examination time points and 6 rats for each group.IOP was measured with Tono-Pen tonometer before and after 30 minutes,1,3,7,14,28 day after surgery respectively.The rat models were sacrificed in 1,3,5,7,14,28 days after operation by excessive anesthesia method,and retinal section was prepared for the histopathological examination and the RGCs were counted using Nissl staining method.Expression of Brn-3a in RGCs was detected by immunohistochemistry.This experimental complied with the Regulations for the Administration of Affair Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission.Results The IOP was significantly raised from 30 minutes to 28 days after operation in model eyes with the top IOP( 34.46±4.65 )mmHg in the 30 minutes after operation,showing statistically significant differences in various time groups ( F =95.631,P =0.001 ) and different eyes ( F =287.473,P =0.001 ).Compared with sham operative group,the IOP were elevated from 1 day through 14 days after operation ( q =18.418,15.261,10.987,6.931,4.975,2.962,P ＜ 0.05 ).The numbers of RGCs were ( 29.08 ± 1.98 ) in the normal control group and decreased gradually by 3.17％,7.84％,14.60％,22.40％ in 1,7,14,28 day after surgery in the model eyes with the considerable differences in comparison with normal eyes ( t =5.943,8.034,15.023,17.004,19.371,P ＜ 0.05 ).Immunochemistry revealed that Brn-3a was specially expressed in the RGCs layer and the positive RGCs for Brn-3a were evidently decreased as the prolong of high IOP duration ( F =127.583,P =0.000 ).Conclusions Chronic glaucoma model can be successfully established using Shareef-Sharma method.The loss of RGCs is associated with the high lOP duration.The expression level of Brn-3a is a reliable index of high-IOP-induced damage of optical nurve.

Correlation study of rhubarb and expression changes of antimicrobial peptides in the small intestine of mice / 中国中西医结合杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To study the correlation between rhubarb and expressions of antimicrobial peptides (AP) in the small intestine of mice by observing the effect of rhubarb on it.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Thirty healthy ICR mice were randomly divided into the test group and the control group, fifteen in each. Ten percent rhubarb decoction and equal volume of normal saline solution was respectively given to mice of the two groups by gastrogavage. Mice were sacrificed 24 h later. The small intestines from the ligament of Treitz to the ileocecal junction were removed by ventrotomy. The lumen of each resected intestine was rinsed with 10% acetic acid solution and the perfusate was collected. The small intestine homogenate was prepared using 30% acetic acid solution. The equivalent samples were electrophoresed on 12.5% AU-PAGE and Tricine-16.5% SDS-PAGE, and peptide bands were visualized with Coomassie brilliant blue R-250 or ammoniacal silver-stained respectively. And then analysis of gel imaging and gel overlay assay were performed. The bactericidal activity and expressions of AP in the small intestine of samples in the two groups were compared. The molecular weight of AP in the small intestine was measured.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>After gastrogavaged with rhubarb decoction, changes of AP contents in the small intestine homogenate of mice were not obvious, but the molecular weights of AP were different. But the AP contents in the small intestine perfusate obviously increased, with the molecular weights being 14.3 to 18.4 kDa. But its bactericidal capacity showed no statistical difference when compared with that of the control group (P>0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Rhubarb enhanced the expressions of partial APs in the small intestine, which might possibly be one of its mechanisms of protecting and strengthening the intestinal barrier.</p>