[Interaction Between Occupational Vanadium Exposure and hsp70-hom on Neurobehavioral Function].

OBJECTIVE: In determine the effect of heat shock protein 70-hom gene (hsp70-hom) polymorphism on the neurobehavioral function of workers exposed to vanadium. METHODS: Workers from the vanadium products and chemical industry were recruited by cluster sampling. Demographic data and exposure information were collected using a questionnaire. Neurobehavioral function was assessed by Neurobehavioral Core Test Battery. The hsp70-hom genotype was detected by restricted fragment length polymorphism-polymerase chain reaction (RFLP-PCR). A neurobehavioral index (NBI) was formulated through principal component analysis. RESULTS: Workers with a T/C genotype had worse performance in average reaction time, visual retention, digital span (backward), Santa Ana aiming (non-habitual hand), pursuit aiming (right points, total points), digit symbol and NBI score than others (P < 0.05). The relative risk of abnormal NBI score of the workers with a T/C genotype was 1.748 fold of those with a T/T genotype. The relative risk of abnormal.NBI score of the workers exposed to vanadium was 3.048 fold of controls (P < 0.05). But after adjustment with age and education, only vanadium exposure appeared with a significant effect on NBI score. When gene polymorphism and vanadium exposure coexisted, the effect of vanadium on neurobehavioral function was attenuated, but the influence of T/C genotype increased Codds ratio (OR = 4.577, P < 0.05). After adjustment with age and education, the OR of T/C genotype further increased to 7.777 (P < 0.05). Vanadium exposure and T/C genotype had.a bio-interaction effect on NBI score Crelative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) = 4.12, attributable proportion (AP) = 0.7, synergy index (S) = 6.45]. After adjustment with age and education, the RERI became 2.49 and the AP became 0.75, but no coefficient of interaction was produced. CONCLUSION: Priorities of occupational protection should be given to vanadium-exposed workers with a hsp70-hom T/C genotype and low education level.

[Oxidative Stress Level of Vanadium-exposed Workers].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the oxidative stress level in peripheral blood of vanadium-exposed workers, as an indication of population health effect of vanadium on human neurobehavioral system. METHODS: 86 vanadium-exposed workers and 65 non-exposed workers were recruited by cluster sampling. A questionnaire was administered to collect demographic and occupational exposure information. Serum activity of superoxide dismutase (SOD), inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) and malonaldehyde (MDA) contents were detected by kit assay. The differences in oxidative stress level between vanadium-exposed and non-exposed workers were compared. RESULTS: Vanadium-exposed workers had higher levels of MDA contents than the controls. The total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD) activity in vanadium-exposed workers was significantly lower than that in the controls, which was associated with lowered levels of manganese superoxide dismutase (Mn-SOD) activity. No changes in serum levels of cupro-zinc superoxide dismutase (CuZn-SOD) was found in vanadium-exposed workers. No difference in iNOS activity was found between vanadium-exposed workers and controls. CONCLUSION: Vanadium exposure increases free radical production in serum and reduces antioxidant capacity. But the relationship between vanadium exposure and iNOS damage remains uncertain.

Artificial intelligence-aided diagnosis and treatment in the field of optometry.

With the rapid development of computer technology, the application of artificial intelligence (AI) to ophthalmology has gained prominence in modern medicine. As modern optometry is closely related to ophthalmology, AI research on optometry has also increased. This review summarizes current AI research and technologies used for diagnosis in optometry, related to myopia, strabismus, amblyopia, optical glasses, contact lenses, and other aspects. The aim is to identify mature AI models that are suitable for research on optometry and potential algorithms that may be used in future clinical practice.

Srgap2 suppression ameliorates retinal ganglion cell degeneration in mice.

Slit-Robo GTPase-activating protein 2 (SRGAP2) plays important roles in axon guidance, neuronal migration, synapse formation, and nerve regeneration. However, the role of SRGAP2 in neuroretinal degenerative disease remains unclear. In this study, we found that SRGAP2 protein was first expressed in the retina of normal mice at the embryonic stage and was mainly located in the mature retinal ganglion cell layer and the inner nuclear layer. SRGAP2 protein in the retina and optic nerve increased after optic nerve crush. Then, we established a heterozygous knockout (Srgap2+/-) mouse model of optic nerve crush and found that Srgap2 suppression increased retinal ganglion cell survival, lowered intraocular pressure, inhibited glial cell activation, and partially restored retinal function. In vitro experiments showed that Srgap2 suppression activated the mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway. RNA sequencing results showed that the expression of small heat shock protein genes (Cryaa, Cryba4, and Crygs) related to optic nerve injury were upregulated in the retina of Srgap2+/- mice. These results suggest that Srgap2 suppression reduced the robust activation of glial cells, activated the mammalian target of rapamycin signaling pathway related to nerve protein, increased the expression of small heat shock protein genes, inhibited the degeneration of retinal ganglion cells, and partially restored optic nerve function.

[Purification of human VLDL apolipoproteins by middle pressure liquid chromatography].

OBJECTIVE: To purify human VLDL apolipoproteins by middle-pressure liquid chromatography. METHODS: Human VLDLs were isolated by one step density ultracentrifugation. Delipided human VLDL was separated by Sephacryl S-200 molecular sieve chromatography. ApoE was purified by heparin Sepharose CL-6B affinity chromatography. ApoC I ,C II and C III were purified from apoC. fraction by DEAE-Sephacel ion exchange chromatography: RESULTS: Purified apoE, apoC I, apoC II and apoC III were obtained. SDS-PAGE and immunodiffusion tests indicated the isolated proteins were pure. CONCLUSION: We have established a purification procedure for human VLDL apolipoproteins with highly efficiency and simplicity by MPLC.

[Purification of human serum apolipoprotein A I and A II by middle-pressure liquid chromatography].

OBJECTIVE: This study is made for the purification of human HDL apolipoproteins by middle-pressure liquid chromatography (MPLC). METHODS: Human HDL was isolated by one step density ultracentrifugation. Delipided human HDL was separated by Sephacryl S-200 molecular sieve chromatography. Sephadex G-75 molecular sieve chromatography was used to separate apoA I and apoA II. RESULTS: Purified apoA I and apoA II were obtained and SDS-PAGE and immunodiffusion test indicated that the proteins are the same as those theoretically predicted. CONCLUSION: We have established a purification procedure for human HDL apolipoproteins with high efficiency and simplicity by MPLC. It could serve as a base for preclinical and clinical trials of HDL apolipoproteins.

Concise asymmetric synthesis of (5R)-6-hydroxy-3,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane derivatives.

[reaction: see text] A concise method to asymmetrically synthesize 6-hydroxy-3,8-dioxabicyclo[3.2.1]octane (HDBO) derivatives was devised.

[Effects of hypertriglyceridemia on platelet activities in endogenous hypertriglyceridemic patients].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the effects of hypertriglyceridemia on platelet activities. METHODS: The plasma prothrombin time (PT), activated partial thromboplastin time (APTT), fibrinogen (Fg), blood platelet count (BPC) and platelet alpha granule membrane protein-140 (GMP-140) levels in endogenous hypertriglyceridemic patients were determined, and the relationship between platelet activities and fasting plasma lipids was assessed. RESULTS: It was found that PT, Fg levels, BPC and plasma GMP-140 concentration showed no statistically significant difference between the control and hypertriglyceridemic subjects (P > 0.05). PT was correlated with the levels of plasma BG and apo E (r = 0.500, P = 0.012), the levels of Fg was positively correlated with BG (r = 0.598, P = 0.000), and BPC of HTG subjects was negatively correlated with TG (r = -0.489, P < 0.05). GMP-140 content was positively correlated with the levels of plasma TC and LDL-C (r = 0.647, 0.833, P < 0.01); in HTG patients it was inversely correlated with age and PT (r = -0.480, -0.490, P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: All of these indicated that increasing of coagulation activity in hypertriglyceridemic patients was correlated with dysfunction of plasma lipids and change of apolipoproteins levels. Plasma GMP-140 was not obviously correlated with plasma TG content, but was positively correlated with plasma TC and LDL-C contents.