Evaluation of choroidal thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in Chinese pregnant women and healthy non-pregnant women.

Purpose: To evaluate choroidal thickness and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in different trimesters using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT). Methods: A prospective comparative study included 45 healthy pregnant women in the first trimester, 45 women in the second, 45 women in the third and 45 healthy non-pregnant women as the control group. Macular choroidal thickness was measured at three locations: The subfoveal, 1 â€‹mm temporal, and 1 â€‹mm nasal from the fovea with EDI-OCT. Peripapillary choroidal thickness (PPCT) and RNFL thickness parameters were automatically calculated by the Spectralis OCT. Results: The subfoveal, temporal and nasal macular choroidal thickness were all significantly thicker in the second trimester, compared with those parameters in the first, the third trimesters and the control group (all P â€‹< â€‹0.05). The PPCT was significantly increased in the second trimeter compared with the control group at global, temporal, temporal inferior, nasal and nasal inferior positions (all P â€‹< â€‹0.05). The RNFL thickness was also significantly increased in pregnant women at nasal superior and nasal inferior quadrants (all P â€‹< â€‹0.05). Conclusions: The choroidal thickness in pregnant women was found to be thicker than the control group, regardless of macular or optic disc location. Findings of RNFL thickening might indicate subclinical involvement of the central nervous system.

Quantitative Assessment of Abiotic Stress on the Main Functional Phytochemicals and Antioxidant Capacity of Wheatgrass at Different Seedling Age.

The wheat seedlings of 6 days old were daily subjected to ultraviolet irradiation (irradiating for 5, 10, 20, 40, and 60 min/day, respectively), Polyethylene glycol 6000 (5, 10, 15, 20, 25% in 1/2 Hoagland solution, respectively), and salinity solution (10, 25, 50, 100, 200 mM in 1/2 Hoagland solution, respectively), while the control group (CK) was supplied only with the Hoagland solution. The wheatgrass was harvested regularly seven times and the total soluble polysaccharides, ascorbic acid, chlorophyll, total polyphenol, total triterpene, total flavonoid, and proanthocyanins content were tested. The antioxidant capacity was evaluated through 2,2'-azino-bis (3-ethylbenzthia-zoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS), 2,2-diphenyl-1-picrylhydrazyl (DPPH) scavenging ability, and ferric ion reducing power. Technique for order preference by similarity to ideal solution (TOPSIS) mathematical model was adopted to comprehensively assess the functional phytochemicals of the different treatments. The results showed that the accumulation patterns of phytochemicals under abiotic stress were complex and not always upregulated or downregulated. The antioxidant activity and functional phytochemicals content of wheatgrass were significantly affected by both the stress treatments and seedling age, while the latter affected the chemicals more efficiently. The top five highest functional phytochemicals were observed in the 200 mM NaCl treated group on the 21st and 27th day, 25% PEG treated group on the 24th day, 200 mM NaCl treated group on the 24th day, and the group of 40 min/day ultraviolet exposure on 27th day.

Comprehensive Evaluation of the Effect of Ultraviolet Stress on Functional Phytochemicals of Hulless Barley (Qingke) Grass in Different Growth Times at Vegetative Stage.

The present study was executed to analyze the functional phytochemicals of hulless barley grass grown under different intensities of ultraviolet stress. The wheat seedlings were imposed to 0.5, 1.0, 1.5, 2.0, and 2.5 h ultraviolet radiation and harvested in different times at vegetative stage. Specifically, the contents of total polyphenols, total flavonoids, total triterpenes, total polysaccharides, proanthocyanidins, and chlorophyll were determined and antioxidants capacity was evaluated by OH• and 2,2'-azino-bis(3-ethylbenzothiazoline-6-sulfonic acid) (ABTS) scavenging ability. A mathematical model (Technique for Order Preference by Similarity to Ideal Solution, TOPSIS) was also employed for the comprehensive evaluation of functional components of hulless barley grass at different growth stages. The results showed that the UV stress could efficiently improve/preserve the contents of total polyphenols, total flavonoids, total triterpenes, total polysaccharides, proanthocyanidins, chlorophyll a, chlorophyll b, and total chlorophyll, as well as the OH• and ABTS scavenging capacity. TOPSIS evaluation revealed that the highest phytochemical contents were yield on the 15th day under 1.0 h ultraviolet treatment.

Melanosis coli: A comprehensive review / Melanosis coli: una revisión exhaustiva

Melanosis coli (MC) is a common condition characterized by a black or brown pigment deposited in the colorectal mucosa. It is a reversible condition that is influenced by many factors, such as living habits and bowel function. However, the epidemiology and etiology of MC are still unclear. Most studies show that there is a significant correlation between the use of anthraquinone laxatives and the occurrence of MC. At present, the mechanism of the apoptosis theory is widely recognized as regards the pathogenesis of MC. There is no specific clinical manifestation of MC, and its diagnosis is mainly based on a complimentary examination, such as endoscopic and histopathological tests. General treatment, such as changing living habits, is preferred, and medical or surgical treatment should not be considered in the absence of serious malignancy. The aim of this review is to systematically present and outline the concepts of the epidemiology, etiology, histopathology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of MC, in order to improve the understanding of this condition

La melanosis coli (MC) es una entidad común caracterizada por el pigmento negro o marrón depositado en la mucosa colorrectal. Es una entidad reversible que está influenciada por muchos factores, como los hábitos de vida y la función intestinal. Sin embargo, la epidemiología y la etiología de la MC todavía no están claras. La mayoría de los estudios apoyan que existe una correlación significativa entre el uso de laxantes antraquinónicos y la aparición de MC. Actualmente, el mecanismo de la teoría de la apoptosis es ampliamente reconocido con respecto a la patogénesis de la MC. No existe una manifestación clínica específica de la MC, y el diagnóstico de la MC se basa principalmente en un examen auxiliar, como las pruebas endoscópicas e histopatológicas. Se prefiere el tratamiento general, como el cambio de hábitos de vida; por el contrario, no se debe considerar el tratamiento médico o quirúrgico en ausencia de una malignidad grave. El objetivo de esta revisión es entregar y resumir sistemáticamente los conceptos de la epidemiología, la etiología, la histopatología, la patogénesis, las manifestaciones clínicas, el diagnóstico y el tratamiento de la MC para mejorar la comprensión de esta entidad

Melanosis coli: A comprehensive review.

Melanosis coli (MC) is a common condition characterized by a black or brown pigment deposited in the colorectal mucosa. It is a reversible condition that is influenced by many factors, such as living habits and bowel function. However, the epidemiology and etiology of MC are still unclear. Most studies show that there is a significant correlation between the use of anthraquinone laxatives and the occurrence of MC. At present, the mechanism of the apoptosis theory is widely recognized as regards the pathogenesis of MC. There is no specific clinical manifestation of MC, and its diagnosis is mainly based on a complimentary examination, such as endoscopic and histopathological tests. General treatment, such as changing living habits, is preferred, and medical or surgical treatment should not be considered in the absence of serious malignancy. The aim of this review is to systematically present and outline the concepts of the epidemiology, etiology, histopathology, pathogenesis, clinical manifestations, diagnosis and treatment of MC, in order to improve the understanding of this condition.

Therapeutic effect of dental pulp stem cell transplantation on a rat model of radioactivity-induced esophageal injury.

Dental pulp stem cell (DPSC) transplantation has been demonstrated to promote the regeneration and repair of tissues and organs and is a potentially effective treatment for radioactive esophageal injury. In this study, to explore the therapeutic effects of DPSCs on acute radiation-induced esophageal injury, DPSCs were cultured and transplanted into rats with acute radioactive esophageal injuries induced by radioactive 125I seeds in vivo. In the injured esophagus, PKH26-labeled DPSCs co-localized with PCNA, CK14, CD71, and integrin α6, and the expression levels of these four makers of esophageal stem cells were significantly increased. After DPSC transplantation, the injured esophagus exhibited a greater thickness. In addition, the esophageal function and inflammation recovered faster. The results demonstrated that transplanted DPSCs, which trans-differentiated into esophageal stem cells in vivo, could repair the damaged esophageal tissue.

Mesenchymal Stem Cells with Enhanced Bcl-2 Expression Promote Liver Recovery in a Rat Model of Hepatic Cirrhosis.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Mesenchymal stem cell (MSC) transplantation has emerged as an option for the treatment of chronic hepatic cirrhosis, while its therapeutic efficacy could be improved. The bcl-2 gene is anti-apoptotic and can help cell survival and proliferation. Therefore, we explored whether transplanted MSCs with enhanced bcl-2 expression may be beneficial in the treatment of experimental cirrhosis in rats. METHODS: MSCs were isolated from rat bone marrow, expanded in vitro and transfected with adeno-associated virus (AAV) engineered the bcl-2 gene (AAV-bcl-2). Rats with cirrhosis induced by carbon tetrachloride (CCl4) were treated with AAV-bcl-2 infected BMSCs-AAV-bcl-2, with the cells traced in vivo post transplantation. Liver pathology and function were evaluated 7, 14, 21, and 28 days post transplantation, respectively. RESULTS: On day 7 post transplantation, the infused AAV-bcl-2 had integrated into the hepatocyte-like cells (HLCs) that expressed albumin (ALB), Cytokeratin 18 (CK18), and hepatocytes nuclear factor 4a (HNF4a). On day 28 post transplantation, rats in the cirrhosis + BMSCs-AAV-bcl-2 group showed the most dense HLCs, highest mRNA and protein levels of ALB, CK18, and HNF4a, compared to the other groups. Their liver function recovered most rapidly in 4 week observation, while histological sign of cirrhosis remained at the end of this period. CONCLUSION: BMSCs over expressing bcl-2 gene showed better survival, and enhanced the differentiation into hepatocytes-like cells, and appeared to promote the recovery of liver function in rats with experimental cirrhosis.