A Detachable Lens-Induced Myopia Model in Mice Based on Clasp Design / 中山大学学报(医学科学版)

ObjectiveTo explore a new model for lens-induced myopia （LIM） in mice and describe the changes of diopter and ocular biological parameters. MethodsTwenty-seven 21-day-old C57BL/6 mice were divided into three groups （ratio， 5：1：3）： LIM group， plano lens （PL） group and normal control （N） group. The right eyes were intervened while the left eyes were left as control. The refraction was detected with retinoscopy after the pupils were dilated with compound topicamide and ocular axial length was measured by optical coherence tomography （OCT） in vivo at baseline and 1， 2， 3， and 4 weeks after the intervention. Paired t test was performed between left and right eyes within each group. Welch's ANOVA was used for comparison among the three groups. When the difference was statistically significant， the Dunnett's T3 was used to correct P value for pairwise comparison. ResultsAfter 2 weeks of defocus induction， the refraction of the intervened eye in LIM group shifted to myopia about （-2.55±1.54） D（t=6.430， P＜0.000 1）， and the ocular axial length （AL） increased about （0.051±0.024） mm（t=7.837， P＜0.000 1）. The difference of interocular change in refraction in LIM group compared with PL group and N group was -2.30 D （P=0.014） and -2.55 D （P＜0.000 1）， respectively. The difference of interocular change in AL in LIM group was 0.048 mm （P<0.000 1） and 0.047 mm （P<0.000 1） compared with that in PL group and N group， respectively. With the extension of intervention time， the degree of myopia drift increased. ConclusionIn this study， a clasp-based and detachable LIM model was described and validated. After 2 weeks of intervention， the refraction shifted significantly toward myopia and the AL increased significantly. The LIM model is simple to construct and can provide a reference for the model construction of animal experiments in myopia research.

Calycosin down-regulates c-Met to suppress development of glioblastomas

The current case–control study sought the association of BDNF rs6265 and MC4R rs17782313 with metabolic syndrome(MetS), MetS components and other related metabolic parameters in a sample of Pakistani subjects. Fasting high-densitylipoprotein cholesterol (HDL-C) and homeostatic model assessment of insulin sensitivity showed a significantly lowermean whereas body mass index (BMI), waist circumference, systolic blood pressure (SBP), diastolic blood pressure (DBP),fasting blood glucose, insulin, total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol, very-low-density lipoproteincholesterol, triglycerides (TG), cholesterol to HDL-C ratio, TG to HDL-C ratio, homeostatic model assessment of insulinresistance, visceral adiposity index, lipid accumulation product and the product of TG and glucose showed a significantlyhigher mean in the presence of MetS. Reduced HDL-C appeared as the most frequent and hypertriglyceridemia as the leastfrequent component of MetS whereas clustering of reduced HDL-C ? abdominal obesity (AO) ? hyperglycemia appearedas the most prevalent combination of MetS components. Moreover, BDNF rs6265 showed BMI and gender independentassociation with increased risk of MetS in Pakistani individuals whereas MC4R rs17782313 showed BMI and genderdependent association with increased risk of MetS in Pakistani females. In addition, BDNF rs6265 and MC4R rs17782313showed gender-dependent associations with decreased risk of having low HDL-C in males and increased risk of havingabdominal obesity in females, respectively. However, no association was observed for metabolic variables other thancomponents of MetS across genotypes of both BDNF rs6265 and MC4R rs17782313.

Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate-induced hypospadias in SD rats is related with Mafb expression: a transcriptome profiling-based study / 南方医科大学学报

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate the transcriptome profile of genital tubercles (GTs) in male SD rats and explore the mechanism of hypospadias induced by Di (2-ethylhexyl) phthalate (DEHP).@*METHODS@#Forty time-pregnant SD rats were randomly divided into 4 equal groups, namely GD16 group and GD19 group (in which the male GTs were collected on gestation day[GD]16 and GD19 for RNA-seq, respectively), control group and DEHP exposure group (with administration of oil and 750 mg/kg DEHP by gavage from GD12 to GD19, respectively).In the control and DEHP exposure groups, the GTs were collected from the male fetuses on GD19.5, and scanning electron microscopy and HE staining were used to observe the morphological changes.The differentially expressed genes (DEGs) in the GTs were screened using lllumina HiSeq 2000 followed by GO and KEGG enrichment analyses to characterize the transcriptome profile.Immunofluorescence assay was performed to verify the DEGs (Mafb) identified by RNA-seq results.Immunofluorescence assay and Western blotting were used to examine the expression levels of Mafb in the penile tissue.@*RESULTS@#A total of 1360 DEGs were detected in the GTs between GD16 group and GD19 group by RNA-seq.Among these genes, 797 were up-regulated and 563 were down-regulated.These DEGs were mainly enriched in the cell adhesion plaque signaling pathway, axon guidance signaling pathway, and extracellular matrix receptor signaling pathway.Compared with that in GD16 group, Mafb was significantly up-regulated in GD19 group, which was consistent with the sequencing results.Mafb and β-catenin were significantly down-regulated in DEHP-exposed group compared with the control group ( < 0.01).@*CONCLUSIONS@#Mafb expression increases progressively with the development of GTs in male SD rats.DEHP exposure causes significant down-regulation of Mafb and β-catenin, suggesting that β-catenin signaling pathway that affects Mafb is related to DEHP-induced hypospadias in SD rats.

Comparison of short-segment monoaxial and polyaxial pedicle screw fixation combined with intermediate screws in traumatic thoracolumbar fractures: a finite element study and clinical radiographic review

OBJECTIVES: No studies have compared monoaxial and polyaxial pedicle screws with regard to the von Mises stress of the instrumentation, intradiscal pressures of the adjacent segment and adjacent segment degeneration. METHODS: Short-segment monoaxial/polyaxial pedicle screw fixation techniques were compared using finite element methods, and the redistributed T11-L1 segment range of motion, largest maximal von Mises stress of the instrumentation, and intradiscal pressures of the adjacent segment under displacement loading were evaluated. Radiographic results of 230 patients with traumatic thoracolumbar fractures treated with these fixations were reviewed, and the sagittal Cobb's angle, vertebral body angle, anterior vertebral body height of the fractured vertebrae and adjacent segment degeneration were calculated and evaluated. RESULTS: The largest maximal values of the von Mises stress were 376.8 MPa for the pedicle screws in the short-segment monoaxial pedicle screw fixation model and 439.9 MPa for the rods in the intermediate monoaxial pedicle screw fixation model. The maximal intradiscal pressures of the upper adjacent segments were all greater than those of the lower adjacent segments. The maximal intradiscal pressures of the monoaxial pedicle screw fixation model were larger than those in the corresponding segments of the normal model. The radiographic results at the final follow-up evaluation showed that the mean loss of correction of the sagittal Cobb's angle, vertebral body angle and anterior vertebral body height were smallest in the intermediate monoaxial pedicle screw fixation group. Adjacent segment degeneration was less likely to be observed in the intermediate polyaxial pedicle screw fixation group but more likely to be observed in the intermediate monoaxial pedicle screw fixation group. CONCLUSION: Smaller von Mises stress in the pedicle screws and lower intradiscal pressure in the adjacent segment were observed in the polyaxial screw model than in the monoaxial pedicle screw fixation spine models. Fracture-level fixation could significantly correct kyphosis and reduce correction loss, and adjacent segment degeneration was less likely to be observed in the intermediate polyaxial pedicle screw fixation group.

Long-term exposure to PM2.5 from automobile exhaust results in reproductive dysfunction in male rats / 中华男科学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To explore the effects of long-term exposure to particulate matter 2.5 (PM2.5) from automobile exhaust on the reproductive function of Sprague Dawley (SD) rats.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-five male SD rats, weighing 80 - 94 g and aged 28 days, were randomly assigned to receive intra-tracheal administration of 0.9% normal saline (control group, n = 15), PM2. 5 at 2 μg per 100 g body weight per day (low-dose PM2.5 group, n = 15), and PM2.5 at 16 μg per 100 g body weight per day (high-dose PM2.5 group, n = 15), qd, for 60 successive days. After the last 24-hour exposure, 10 rats were taken from each group for copulation with normal female ones, while the others were sacrificed, their testes removed for sperm count and deformity, pathological examination, and determination of the Connexin43 expression.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The conception rate was significantly decreased in the low- and high-dose PM2.5 groups as compared with that of the control (70% and 50% vs 100%), and so were the sperm count and quality. The rats in the PM2.5-exposed groups showed significantly disordered histological structure of the seminiferous tubules, reduced sperm count in the testicular lumen, some exfoliated secondary spermatocytes, downregulated Connexin43 expression in the testis, and damaged blood-testis barrier.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Long-term exposure to PM2.5 from automobile exhaust damages the reproductive function of male SD rats.</p>

Taurine inhibits serum deprivation-induced osteoblast apoptosis via the taurine transporter/ERK signaling pathway

Taurine has positive effects on bone metabolism. However, the effects of taurine on osteoblast apoptosis in vitro have not been reported. The aim of this study was to investigate the activity of taurine on apoptosis of mouse osteoblastic MC3T3-E1 cells. The data showed that 1, 5, 10, or 20 mM taurine resulted in 16.7, 34.2, 66.9, or 63.75 percent reduction of MC3T3-E1 cell apoptosis induced by the serum deprivation (serum-free α-MEM), respectively. Taurine (1, 5, or 10 mM) also reduced cytochrome c release and inhibited activation of caspase-3 and -9, which were measured using fluorogenic substrates for caspase-3/caspase-9, in serum-deprived MC3T3-E1 cells. Furthermore, taurine (10 mM) induced extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) phosphorylation in MC3T3-E1 cells. Knockdown of the taurine transporter (TAUT) or treatment with the ERK-specific inhibitor PD98059 (10 μM) blocked the activation of ERK induced by taurine (10 mM) and abolished the anti-apoptotic effect of taurine (10 mM) in MC3T3-E1 cells. The present results demonstrate for the first time that taurine inhibits serum deprivation-induced osteoblast apoptosis via the TAUT/ERK signaling pathway.

Microendoscopic discectomy, a less traumatic procedure for lumbar disk herniation / 中华创伤杂志(英文版)

<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the change of serum levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6), C-reactive protein (CRP) and creatine kinase (CK) in patients undergoing microendoscopic discectomy (MED) and open discectomy.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Forty-four patients with single level lumbar disk herniation were treated, either by MED (Group A, n equal to 22) or open discectomy (Group B, n equal to 22). Peripheral venous blood samples were taken before surgery and at 24 and 48 hours postoperatively. The operating time, intraoperative blood loss, postoperative hospital stay were recorded. The pain severity of incision was evaluated by visual analog scale after operation and the clinical outcome was evaluated by Oswestry disability index. Statistical comparison was performed by the analysis of variance and Student's t test.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The data showed that patients in Group A had a less intraoperative blood loss (P < 0.05), shorter operating length (P < 0.05), shorter postoperative hospital stay (P < 0.05) and less postoperative pain of incision than those in Group B. Serum levels of IL-6 (mean, 31.60 ng/L +/- 9.88 ng/L vs 39.16 ng/L +/- 11.14 ng/L, P < 0.05) and CK (mean, 167.91 U/L +/- 51.85 U/L vs 401.55 U/L +/- 108.86 U/L, P < 0.05) all get to the peak at 24 hours after operation and Group A with the response statistically less than Group B. Serum level of CRP peaked at 24 hours in Group A (mean, 12.68 mg/L +/- 7.10 mg/L vs 20.82 mg/L +/- 8.79 mg/L, P less than 0.05)and peaked at 48 hours after surgery in Group B (mean, 10.77 mg/L +/- 5.25 mg/L vs 29.95 mg/L +/- 14.85 mg/L, P < 0.05). The clinical outcomes of both groups were the same at 6 months after surgery.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>Both MED and open discectomy have made good clinical outcomes, however, the less change of IL-6, CRP and CK after operation proves that MED procedure is less traumatic to patients than open discectomy.</p>

A Survey on Nephrolithiasis and Its Related Influencing Factors in Putuo District,Zhoushan City / 中国慢性病预防与控制

Objective To study the epidemiological characters and risk factors of nephrolithiasis in an island area,Putuo district, Zhoushan city.Methods With stratified cluster random sampling method,5 915 residents aged above 15 yrs and resided 5 yrs and above in Putuo district,Zhoushan city were selected,and surveyed with Ultrasound examination and questionnaire.X~2 tendency test and non-condition Logistic regression were conducted by means of SPSS software.Results After single factor analysis and Multi- factor analysis,the factors entered the model finally were sex(OR=0.543,95%CI:0.454~0.649),education status(OR=1.253,95%CI: 1.151～1.364),dietary habit(OR=0.882,95%CI:0.823～0.944),BMI(OR=1.274,95%CI:1.142～0.1.421),urinary tract infection(OR= 2.126,95%CI:1.663～2.718).Conclusion Risk factors for nephrolithiasis include dietary habit,education status,and urinary tract infection.The vegetables are the protection factor.

Isolation and identification of SARS virus in Guangdong province / 中华实验和临床病毒学杂志

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>To isolate and identify pathogen of atypical pneumonia in Guangdong.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Pathogens were isolated from variety of samples collected from atypical pneumonia patient by using MDCK cells, and identified with serological and molecular methods.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>A novel coronavirus was isolated from patients with atypical pneumonia, from which an RNA fragment of 279 nt was amplified by nested RT-PCR. And sequence assay showed that only 39-65 percent of sequence of the virus was homogenous to known coronavirus, but almost 100% homogenous (with one base exception, 12a to t) to SARS-associated coronavirus isolated from patients outside Guangdong, such as in Beijing, Hong Kong, Taiwan, Germany, Italy and so on. Indirect immunofluorescence test showed a specific antigen-antibody reactivity between the coronavirus and convalescent-phase sera of SARS patients.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>The pathogen of the atypical pneumonia in Guangdong province was a novel type of coronavirus, which could be isolated by using MDCK cells.</p>