Pectic polysaccharides extracted from Rauvolfia verticillata (Lour.) Baill. var. hainanensis Tsiang increase LκB-α expression and ameliorate ulcerative colitis.

The therapeutic potential of pectic polysaccharides extracted from Rauvolfia verticillata (Lour.) Baill. var. hainanensis Tsiang in ulcerative colitis were investigated. This study showed that pectic polysaccharides extracted from Rauvolfia verticillata (Lour.) Baill. var. hainanensis Tsiang ameliorated ulcerative colitis and were proposed to exhibit anti-inflammatory effects via increased expression of IκB-α proteins and suppressing NF-αB translocation.

Fine mapping of the 9q31 Hirschsprung's disease locus.

Hirschsprung's disease (HSCR) is a congenital disorder characterised by the absence of ganglia along variable lengths of the intestine. The RET gene is the major HSCR gene. Reduced penetrance of RET mutations and phenotypic variability suggest the involvement of additional modifying genes in the disease. A RET-dependent modifier locus was mapped to 9q31 in families bearing no coding sequence (CDS) RET mutations. Yet, the 9q31 causative locus is to be identified. To fine-map the 9q31 region, we genotyped 301 tag-SNPs spanning 7 Mb on 137 HSCR Dutch trios. This revealed two HSCR-associated regions that were further investigated in 173 Chinese HSCR patients and 436 controls using the genotype data obtained from a genome-wide association study recently conducted. Within one of the two identified regions SVEP1 SNPs were found associated with Dutch HSCR patients in the absence of RET mutations. This ratifies the reported linkage to the 9q31 region in HSCR families with no RET CDS mutations. However, this finding could not be replicated. In Chinese, HSCR was found associated with IKBKAP. In contrast, this association was stronger in patients carrying RET CDS mutations with p = 5.10 x 10(-6) [OR = 3.32 (1.99, 5.59)] after replication. The HSCR-association found for IKBKAP in Chinese suggests population specificity and implies that RET mutation carriers may have an additional risk. Our finding is supported by the role of IKBKAP in the development of the nervous system.

[Progress of research on the environmental and genetic influencing factors of colorectal cancer].

Colorectal cancer is a global public health issue which possesses serious challenge. The incidence of colorectal cancer in developed countries and regions stands in the forefront worldwide, and has been rising sharply in some of the developing countries. It is unanimously recognized that the occurrence of colorectal cancer is closely related to environmental factors as diet and lifestyle, genetic factors, and gene-environment interactions of the people. Since there have been many studies on the influencing factors of colorectal cancer, the current review aims at providing evidence on colorectal cancer prevention by evaluating the relationships between the influencing factors and colorectal cancer, based on the published literatures. Environmental risk factors revealed by previous epidemiological studies facilitate the population-based prevention programs against colorectal cancer. The developments of sequencing and omics technologies provide more chances to illustrate the genetic susceptibility of colorectal cancer. With both, we are able to construct more accurate risk prediction models and subsequently developing personalized intervention plans to achieve the ultimate goal of reducing the burden of colorectal cancer.

[Association between genetic variants in p53 binding sites and risks of breast cancer in Chinese population].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the association between breast tissue specified variants in p53 binding sites and the risk of BC in Chinese women. METHODS: ChIP-seq database on p53 binding sites in MCF-7 cell lines was extracted to identify the possible variants in p53 target genes. A hospital-based case-control study was then performed to investigate the association between variants in p53 binding sites and the risk of BC in a Chinese women population. RESULTS: Three variants were identified from the bioinformatics analysis. A total of 1 274 BC cases and 1 255 frequency-matched cancer-free controls were included in this case-control study. The average age was comparable between the case and the control groups, with the P value as 0.318. Meanwhile, distributions on menopausal status, smoking and alcohol intake between cases and controls were similar with the P values as 0.539, 0.258 and 0.131, respectively. The genotype distribution of rs1295925 was significantly different between the case and the control groups. Individuals that carrying rs1295925-CT and rs1295925-TT genotypes were significantly associated with an increased BC risk when compared with rs1295925-CC genotype after adjustment of age, menopausal status, smoking and alcohol intake (OR=1.32, 95%CI: 1.07-1.62 and OR=1.41, 95%CI: 1.13-1.78, respectively). Positive associations were also observed under the allelic, dominant and additive models. CONCLUSION: rs1295925 which located in VMP1 gene was associated with increased BC risk in the Chinese women population.

[Report of 25 eyes with transsclerally sutured posterior chamber IOLs].

25 eyes with transsclerally sutured posterior chamber IOLs were followed up 2-18 months, averaging 6.5 months. Disregarding 4 amblyopic eyes, 19 (90.5%) of the remaining 21 eyes obtained satisfactory visual acuities of 0.5 or over. The technical procedures of the surgery and points of note were described, and the authors emphasized the use of fixation sutures of non-biodegradable materials like mersilene or prolene.

[A report of 412 consecutive posterior chamber intraocular lens implantations].

The series of 412 consecutive PC IOL implantations comprised 337 eyes of senile cataract, 16 eyes of membranous cataract, 25 eyes of traumatic cataract, 13 eyes of congenital cataract, 10 eyes of complicated cataract and 11 eyes of aphakia. 362 eyes were postoperatively followed up from 4 weeks to 1 1/2 years with the results that 251 (69.3%) eyes obtained visual acuities of 0.8 or over, and 328 (90.6%) eyes 0.5 or over. The authors discussed the technical improvement in anterior capsulotomy and the implantation procedures in cases of posterior capsule rupture. The importance of postoperative control and management of astigmatism, in the recovery of visual acuity was pointed out.

Laser treatment of macular holes.

Macular holes have not been treated with the laser because of the rarity of subsequent total retinal detachment (RD). The authors attempted to clear the subretinal fluid of the halo by laser coagulation of the rim of the hole. Eighteen eyes with visual acuity of 20/200 or less were treated with a laser and followed for a mean of 34.8 months. Ten eyes (55.6%) improved three to eight lines, five eyes (27.8%) remained the same, and the vision of three (16.6%) deteriorated three to five lines. The best visual results noted in three eyes (20/400-20/70, 20/200-20/80, and 20/200-20/60) correlated with the least late loss of pigment epithelium and pigment migration.