Interleukin-1 receptor antagonist eye drops promoting high-risk corneal allografts survival in rats

Background Immune rejection is the main reason of grafts failure after corneal transplantation. This study was to determine whether interlerkin-1 receptor antagonist (IL-1ra) eye drops could prolong corneal allografts survival in high-risk corneal orthotopic allotransplantation in rat model and to study the effect of IL-1ra on the expression of CD1-positive cells in the grafts. Methods For all experiments, the Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats’ corneas were transplanted into Wistar rats’ eyes. High-risk transplants included those that had been sutured into Wistar recipient beds with corneal neovascularization induced by placement of three interrupted sutures in the host cornea 7 days earlier. All the animals were divided, in a masked fashion, into three treatment groups and one control group. Each treatment group received IL-1ra eye drops of different concentrations (1 mg/ml, 3 mg/ml, or 5 mg/ml, respectively) four times a day for 30 days. The control group received 0.9% normal saline (NS) eye drops in the same way as the treatment groups. All allografts were evaluated for signs of rejection from the first day after surgery. Ten days later, corneal specimens were processed to examine the expression of CD1-positive cells and histopathological changes. Results The survival time of the transplants was 5.80±0.79, 5.89±1.05, 6.78±0.83, and 9.00±2.36 days respectively in the control or three treatment groups. Compared with the control group, 1 mg/ml IL-1ra eye drop did not prolong the survival time of the allografts (t=0.210, P>0.05). However, 3 mg/ml and 5 mg/ml IL-1ra eye drop did prolong the survival time of the grafts (t≥2.627, P<0.05), with the latter showing more obvious effect. Immunohistochemical examinations showed a significant decrease in inflammatory cell and CD1-positive cell infiltration in IL-1ra treated groups compared with the control group. Conclusions IL-1ra can promote corneal allograft survival in a dose-dependant manner by reducing the infiltration of CD1-positive cells in high-risk corneal transplantation.     

Protection of retina from lipid peroxidation with super''''oxide dismutase

Our previous experiments demonstrated the occurrence of retinal lipidperioxidation following vitreous hemorrhage.In the present study,0.2ml ofautologous whole blood was injected into the vitreous of both eyes in rabbits.One eye of each rabbit received an additional injection of 0.2ml of superoxidedismutase (SOD,794 U);the other eye served as a control.The malondialdehyde(MDA) in the retina was assayed with fluorescence spectrophotometry.The resultsshowed that the MDA was significantly lower in eyes injected with SOD (0.047±0.010 nmol/mg) than in control eyes (0.096±0.011 nmol/mg,P<0.05) 10d afterinjection.Ultrastructural examination revealed that the photoreceptor cells of theeyes with SOD injection were relatively normal.It is suggested that SOD can pro-tect the retina from lipid peroxidation.     

Penetrability of interleukin-1β and its effect on the concentration of tumor necrosis factor-α and interleukin-6 in the aqueous humor of rabbits treated with interleukin-1β

Background Interleukin （IL）-1β may effectively decrease introcular pressure （IOP） when administered by subconjunctival injection in normal rabbit. However, IL-1β is a large molecular agent and an inflammation factor. The aim of this study was to evaluate the penetrability of IL-1β, and the concentrations of both tumor necrosis factor （TNF）-α and IL-6 in the aqueous humor of normal rabbits treated with IL-1β. Methods A total of 170 rabbits were used in the study and were assigned to several different treatment groups as follows： 125 of the rabbits were assigned to two groups. In one group, 33 rabbits were injected subconjunctivally with IL-1β and 39 were injected with saline alone. In the other group, 27 rabbits were given eye drops containing IL-1β （400 ng/ml） and 26 were given saline alone. Aqueous humor （AH） was drawn and the concentration of IL-1β within the fluid measured. The lOP was measured in another six rabbits after administration of eye drops containing IL-1β （400 ng/ml）. A further 20 rabbits were assigned to 3 groups as follows： eight untreated normal controls; six injected subconjunctivally with IL-1β; and six injected subconjunctivally with saline alone. AH was drawn and the concentration of TNF-a in the fluid was measured. Another 19 rabbits were assigned to 3 groups as follows： seven untreated normal controls; and six injected subconjunctivally with IL-1β; and six injected subconjunctivally with saline alone. AH was drawn and the concentration of IL-6 in the fluid measured. Measurement of cytokine concentration was by radio-immunoassay in all cases. Results The IL-1β concentration in the AH was higher in those animals in which it had been administered subconjunctivally （P 〈0.01）. The IL-1β concentration in the AH of the animals given eye drops was almost the same as that in the controls （P 〉0.05）. The administration of IL-1β in the form of eye drops had little effect upon lOP reduction. Lower TNF-α concentrations were seen in the AH after the subconjunctival administration of IL-1β, but the concentration of IL-6 was the same as in the normal controls. Conclusions IL-1β shows good corneal penetrability after subconjunctival injection into normal rabbit eyes. The lOP reduction induced by IL-1β is unlikely be associated with an inflammatory response.     

Remote postconditioning induced by brief pulmonary ischemia and reperfusion attenuates myocardial reperfusion injury in rabbits

Background The lung is one of the most important organs that are sensitive to ischemia. We hypothesized that remote postconditioning (RPostC) induced by brief occlusion and reperfusion of the pulmonary artery could attenuate myocardial reperfusion injury.Methods Thirty rabbits were randomized into three groups. Group ischemia-reperfusion (IR) (n=10) were anesthetized rabbits subjected to 30-minute occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery followed by 180-minute reperfusion. Group RPostC (n=10) had the left pulmonary artery blocked for five minutes followed by a 5-minute reperfusion, and the left anterior descending coronary artery (LAD) occluded for 30 minutes with a 180-minute reperfusion. Group L-Nw-nitro-L-arginine methylester (L-NAME) + RPostC (n=10) had the left pulmonary artery blocked for five minutes followed by a 5-minute reperfusion and intravenous infusion of L-NAME (10 mg/kg), and the LAD occluded for 30 minutes with a 180-minute reperfusion. Blood samples were taken for levels of creatine kinase (CK),superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) at three different time points. At the end of the experiment,tissue samples of the infarcted region were harvested to calculate the cardiomyocyte apoptosis index (Al) by TUNEL. A piece of left and right lung tissue was harvested to evaluate the damage to the lung.Results After reperfusion for 180 minutes, the concentration of CK was lower in group RPostC, (4.79±0.27) U/ml, than that in group IR, (6.23±0.55) U/ml (P ＜0.01), and group L-NAME + RPsotC, (5.86±0.42) U/ml (P ＜0.01). The concentration of MDA was lower in group RPostC, (6.06±0.36) nmol/ml, than that in group IR, (11.41±0.91) nmol/ml (P ＜0.01), and group L-NAME + RPostC, (11.06±0.62) nmol/ml (P＜0.01). The activity of SOD was higher in group RPostC,(242.34±25.02) U/ml, than that in group IR, (148.05±18.24) U/ml (P＜0.01), and group L-NAME + RPostC, (160.66±9.55) U/ml (P＜0.01). The apoptosis index was lower in group RPostC, (14.25±5.20)%, than that in group IR, (35.77±10.09)% (P ＜0.01), and group L-NAME + RPostC, (30.37±7.76)% (P ＜0.01). No significant difference caused by pulmonary ischemia was found in the lung tissue among the three groups.Conclusions RPostC may attenuate myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury connected to the activity of endothelial nitric oxide synthase. Brief pulmonary ischemia may not be harmful to lungs.     

Electron paramagnetic resonance in monitoring of nitric oxide production after kidney transplantation in rats

Background Much research has been focused on ischemia/reperfusion injury (IRI) to the transplanted organs. As a free radical, nitric oxide （NO） plays an important role in IRI. In this study, the production of NO and its functions during IRI were monitored in rat models after allotransplantation of kidney grafts.Methods Of 75 male LEW rats, 30 served as donors, and the remaining 45 rats were divided into three groups (15 rats in each group): controls (group 1), kidney allotransplantation followed by bilateral nephrectomy during reperfusion (group 2), 2 hours before operation, donors and recipients were treated with N（G）-nitro L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME), a NO synthase inhibitor, at a dose of 30 mg/kg (group 3). Bilateral nephrectomies were performed while kidney grafts were reperfused. The kidney grafts were hypothemically stored for 24 hours. The production of NO before and after reperfusion was measured by electron paramagnetic resonance (EPR). The creatinine level, the glomerular filtration rate (GFR) and the protein carbonyl content in tissue samples were recorded on the first and the fifth day after operation. The data were evaluated by one-way analysis of variance. Differences were considered to be statistically significant when a P value was less than 0.05.Results After reperfusion for 15 minutes, the production of NO increased remarkably and kept increasing till 120 minutes, after which the level returned to normal. In group 3, which was pretreated with L-NAME, creatinine levels were higher than those in group 2 at the 24th hour (4.10±0.50 mg/dl vs. 3.77±0.42 mg/dl, P&lt;0.05) and the 120th hour (3.19±0.79 mg/dl vs. 2.22±0.53 mg/dl, P&lt;0.05). GFR levels in group 3 were lower than those in group 2 at the 24th hour (0.50±0.12 ml/min vs. 0.71±0.19 ml/min, P&lt;0.05) and the 120th hour (0.59±0.38 ml/min vs. 1.27±0.23 ml/min, P&lt;0.01). The content of protein carbonyl in tissue samples of group 3 was lower than that in group 2 at the 24th hour (29.01±7.02 nmol/mg protein vs. 49.39±13.13 nmol/mg protein, P&lt;0.05), but was higher than that at the 120th hour (75.71±16.74 nmol/mg protein vs. 57.93±15.32 nmol/mg protein, P&lt;0.05).Conclusions After transplantation of hypothemically stored kidney grafts, the increased NO production in the early stage has protective effects on the transplanted kidney. Application of L-NAME to inhibit NO production is harmful to the recovery of the renal functions of kidney grafts.     

A STUDY OF α-1,4-GLUCOSIDASE ACTIVITY IN HUMAN SEMINAL PLASMA

The activity of α-1, 4-glucosidase in seminal plasma from 105 fertile Chinese was 42.7±2.0 mIU/ml and 136.5±8.1 mIU/total. The specific activity was 874.3±84.0 mIU/g protein. There was a significantly positive correlation between the activity (mIU/ml) and the number of spermatozoa. The activity for infertile group was lower than that of the fertile group. For the azoospermia group, the activity was 28.7±3.4 mIU/ml and 47.8±4.9 mIU/total (n=29). There was a significant difference as compared with that of fertile group. The enzyme activity of varicocele group was 35.6±5.1 mIU/ml and 120.3±13.6 mIU/total (n=18). It was higher than that of the azoospermia group (P<0.001). There was no significant difference between the varicocele group and the fertile group. The possible role of the enzyme in seminal plasma and the significance of measurement of the activity in clinical investigation are discussed briefly.     

The Expression of PLF in Placenta in Pregnancy-Induced Hypertension and the Relationship between the PLF and Serum VCAM-1

Summary:To study the expression of placental isoferritin(PLF)in placental tissue of pregnancy-in-duced hypertension(PIH)and the relationship between the level of expression of PLF and theamount of vascular cell adhesion molecule-1(VCAM-1)in serum,immunohistochemical techniquewas used to detect the expression of PLF in placenta tissue in 45 PIH patients(PIH group)and 15normal pregnant women(normal group).High resolution pathological image analysis system(HPIAS-100)was employed to determine the quantity of PLF.The VCAM-1 in serum was exam-ined by enzyme linked immunoabsorbent assay(ELISA).The results showed that the levels of PLFexpressions in moderate and severe PIH patients were significantly lower than that of normal group(P<0.01).The serum VCAM-1 was significantly decreased in PIH group(1310±177ρ/mg/ml)than that of normal group(609±72ρ/ng/ml,P<0.01).The significant negative correlation exist-ed betweene the expression of PLF in placental tissue and the serum VACM-1(r=0.58,P<0.01).It was concluded     

Relationship between Cytosol Estrogen receptor Level in Uterine Leiomyoma and Sex Steroid Level in Plasma,Leiomyoma and Myometrium

This study was designed to evaluate the effect of estrogen on thegrowth of leiomyomas and the mechanism of testosterone propionate action on thetumor.The levels of estrogen receptors in uterine tissues and of estradiol andprogesterone in uterine tissues and plasma were determined in 47 women withleiomyoma.The levels of estrogen receptor and estradiol in leiomyomatous tissueswere 37.6±4.0 fmol/mg protein and 401.7±92.6 pg/g tissue respectively.Both ofthem were higher than the corresponding values in normal uterine tissues(P<0.05).The concentration of estrogen receptor in the leiomyomas of 11 patientstreated with testosterone propionate was 18.9±9.4 fmol/mg protein,significantlylower than that of the untreated group(P<0.05).It is suggested that the changesof the levels of estrogen receptor and estradiol in the leiomyomatous tissues berelated to the growth of the tumor and one of the ways for testosterone propionateto inhibit the growth of leiomyomas might be due to the suppression of theestrogen receptor content in leiomyomas.     

Effects of aspirin on atherosclerosis and the cyclooxygenase-2 expression in atherosclerotic rabbits

Background Atherosclerosis is a complex vascular inflammatory disease. Aspirin is a mainstay in the prevention of vascular complications of atherosclerosis. In this study, the effectiveness of aspirin in suppressing atherosclerosis and the inflammation process was evaluated in rabbits fed with a high fat diet.Methods　Eighteen male New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 3 groups: control group, untreated cholesterol-fed group, aspirin treated cholesterol-fed group, which were fed for 12 weeks. After 12 weeks, the aorta was harvested for pathologic morphology observation. Immunohistochemical analysis of cyclooxygenase-2 (COX-2), macrophage and vascular smooth muscle cell (VSMC) was performed. The statistical analysis was performed by the statistical program SPSS10.0.Results　The aorta plaque/intima size (P/I) by pathologic morphology observation was 0%, (59.6±13.7)% and (36.3±16.5)% in the control, untreated cholesterol-fed group and aspirin treated group, respectively. The maximum plaque thickness, the degree of artery stenosis and the proportion of the intimal circumference occupied by atheroma of the 3 groups were significantly different from each other (P&lt;0.01). The expression of COX-2 and macrophage in plaque of the aspirin treated group were decreased compared with that in untreated cholesterol-fed group. However, no difference was found in the expression of VSMC between the aspirin treated and the untreated cholesterol-fed group. Conclusion The mechanism of atherosclerosis suppression by aspirin in cholesterol-fed rabbits is related to the inhibition of COX-2 expression together with the reduced inflammation followed by, but not related to the hypolipidemic effects.     

The influence of insulin on secretion of IGF-Ⅰ and IGFBP-Ⅰ in cultures of human endometrial stromal cells

Objectives To study the influence of insulin on IGF-Ⅰ and IGFBP-Ⅰ secretion of the human endometrial stromal cells. Methods Late proliferative phase endometrial stromal cells were isolated from endometrium tissues and then cultured for 24 h in Hams F-12 only as a control and in Hams F-12 with different concentrations of estradiol (E2) and insulin (INS) as treated groups. Simultaneously, the endometrial stromal cells from late secretory phase endometrium were cultured for 24 h in Hams F-12 only as a control and in Hams F-12 supplemented with different concentrations of progesterone (P) and insulin as treated groups. After 24 h of culturing, the mediums were collected for either IGF-Ⅰ or IGFBP-Ⅰ assays. Result The concentrations of IGF-Ⅰ in medium from cultured endometrial stromal cells in the proliferative phase were 0.78±0.47 ng/ml in the hormone-free control group; 1.44±0.59 ng/ml and 1.39± 0.33 ng/ml in 100 pg/ml E2 group and 20 μU/ml INS group, which was higher than that of the control group (P&lt;0.05 and P&lt;0.01, respectively). The IGF-Ⅰ concentration in the 100 μU/ml INS group was 2.03±0.53 ng/ml, which was higher than that of the 20 μU/ml INS group (P&lt;0.01). Levels of IGF-Ⅰ in the 100 pg/ml E2 plus 20 μU/ml INS group was 2.18±0.36 ng/ml, which was significantly higher than that of the 20 μU/ml INS and 100 pg/ml E2 group (P&lt;0.01), but lower than that of the 100 pg/ml E2 plus 100 μU/ml INS group (3.42±0.75 ng/ml), P&lt;0.01. The concentration of IGFBP-Ⅰ in medium from cultured endometrial stromal cells in the secretory phase was 2.50±1.39 ng/ml in the hormone-free control group and 5.44±2.09 ng/ml in the 10 pg/ml P group, which was significantly higher than that of the control (P&lt;0.01). IGFBP-Ⅰ concentration in 20 μU/ml INS group was 0.16±0.58 ng/ml, which was lower compared with control, but higher compared with the 100 μU/ml INS group (P&lt;0.01). The level of IGFBP-Ⅰ in the 10 ng/ml P plus 20 μU/ml INS group was 2.10±1.17 ng/ml, lower compared with the 10 ng/ml P group, but higher compared with the 10 pg/ml P plus 100 μU/ml INS group, P&lt;0.01. Conclusions Insulin can stimulate basal (without hormone) and E2-stimulated IGF-Ⅰ secretion in cultured stromal cells from human late proliferative endometrium in a dose-dependent manner. Insulin can suppress basal (without hormone) and P-stimulated IGFBP-Ⅰ secretions in cultured stromal cells from human secretory endometrium in a dose-dependent manner.     

WH-1和WH-2滴眼液对实粒性过敏性葡萄膜炎的影响

观察了麝香中分离出来的水溶性多肽WH—1和相当于从WH—1中分离出来的第一色带成份的人工合成代用品WH—2对牛血清的蛋白诱发的过敏性葡萄膜炎(EAU)的影响。结果显示,2％WH—1滴眼液对EAU无抑制,甚至有一定的刺激作用;0.5％WH—2滴眼液降低了房水中抗体反应和房水蛋白含量,眼球病理也证实其明显地抑制了EAU的炎症反应。     

粤华牌WH-801数码超声波雾化器原理与检修

本文介绍了粤华牌WH-801数码超声雾化机的工作原理、故障检修及日常使用的注意事项.     

Acupuncture Treatment of Vomiting

CASE HISTORY A female patient, 46 years old, head of the foreign affairs department of a certain university in Beijing, paid her first visit on October 9, 2006, with the chief complaint of vomiting for one month. She got vomiting after meals in early September. Before that, she had discomfortable sensation in the stomach due to angry with others, but she didn't pay much attention. Later, it developed into vomiting after eating. After the vomiting, the discomfort would be relieved, but with slight hypodynamia. She was once diagnosed as having 'neurogenic vomiting'. Having taken some western and Chinese drugs, the above symptoms were a little bit improved, but she would have nausea upon eating and with regurgitation. Because of the fear for vomiting, she did not dare to have food intake, with body weight reduction of 6 kilos in one month.     

Qiu Baoguo''''s Experience in Treating Consumptive Syndromes after Radio-Chemotherapies

Radiotherapy and chemotherapy are the important modern medical therapies for malignant tumors,yet they can also bring about serious local and systemic toxic side reactions so to decrease the patient;'s life quality,manifested by a series of consumptive symptoms.Having engaged in the combined work of Chinese and western medicine for nearly 50 years,the research fellow Qiu Baoguo in Henan Provincial Academy of TCM has developed his unique views on the TCM study of consumptive syndromes.The author of this essay had once the fortune tO follow Dr.Qiu in clinic,and specially would like to introduce in the following Dr.Qiu's experience in treating consumptive syndromes after radio-chemotherapies for patients with malignant tumor.     

Insomnia Due to Deficiency of Both the Heart and Spleen Treated by Acupuncture-Moxibustion and Chinese Tuina

OBJECTIVE: To observe therapeutic effects of the comprehensive therapy of acupuncture-moxibustion and Chinese Tuina for treatment of insomnia due to deficiency of both the heart and spleen. METHODS: 92 cases were divided randomly into the treatment group (treated by acupuncture-moxibustion and Chinese Tuina) and the control group (treated by acupuncture-moxibustion). RESULTS: The therapeutic effect of the treatment group was obviously superior to that of the control group (the CHI2 test showed P < 0.01). CONCLUSIONS: The comprehensive therapy of acupuncture-moxibustion and Chinese Tuina can give marked therapeutic effects for treatment of insomnia due to deficiency of both the heart and spleen.     

Analysis of CK-19,PDX-1,Nestin,Ngn3 in different donor islet purity in rats

Objective: To investigate if there are the CK-19, PDX-1, Nestin, Ngn3 positive cells in the donor islets of different purity in rats. Methods: Thirty male adult SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups. Islets were isolated using digestion by ductal injection of collagenase. Group Ⅰ (n=10): Separating cell preparations were not purified, Group Ⅱ(n=10): Islet sediment was purified with 25% Ficoll400 ,Group Ⅲ (n=10): Islet sediment was purified with 25% and 11% Ficoll-400. The levels of protein of CK-19, PDX-1, Nestin and Ngn3 were detected by immunohistochemistry and the mRNA of CK-19, PDX-1, Nestin, Ngn3 was amplified by RT-PCR. Results: After two different purification methods applied, three islet preparations of different purities were obtained. The difference of islet purity was significant among various groups (P＜0.05). Compared with group Ⅱ and group Ⅲ,the protein and mRNA of CK-19, PDX-1, Nestin,Ngn3 were both higher in group Ⅰ; group Ⅲ was poorly expressed. Conclusions: The three different islet purity donor islet have different CK-19, PDX-1, Nestin, Ngn3 positive cells within them, indicating that there are some islet stem cells in the purified donor islet.     

A preliminary screening study on the associated proteins in human psoriasis vulgaris by serum proteomics technologies

Objective：To investigate the optimum screening conditions of associated proteins in human psoriasis vulgaris by serum proteomics technique, and to screen the different expression proteins related with psoriasis vulgaris. Methods：Serum samples of peripheral blood were collected from newly diagnosed psoriasis vulgaris patients in the clinic, and 20 matched healthy persons. Serum albumin IgG was removed by filtering with ProteoExtract Albumin/IgG. After comparative proteomics analysis the different protein spots were identified using 2-DE and MS. Results ：Electrophoresis figures with high resolution and reproducibility were obtained. Three different expression proteins were found only in the serum from psoriasis vulgaris patients, while nine other different proteins expressing from healthy volunteers. Conclusion：The protein expression was different in the serum between the psoriasis vulgaris patients and healthy volunteers. It was hoped that we could find the biomarkers related to psoriasis vulgaris by using proteomics.     

A CASE OF HUGE GASTRIC DISOPYROBEZOAR

PYTOBEZOARS are common bezoars in gastrontestinal tract, commonly seen in stomach and mall intestine,1but huge disopyrobezoars are     

Acupuncture Treatment of Chest Bi Syndrome

CASE HISTORY A male,a retired officer of 61 years old,paid his first visit on May 12,2006.The patient stated that 2 weeks before he suddenly got paroxysmal precordial choking pain,with irregular attacks.Each attack would last several seconds to several minutes.The attack was accompanied with heavy oppressed sensation in the precordial region,palpitation,lassitude,and in severe cases,sweating,which was once diagnosed by a hospital as'coronary heart disease'.Recalling the case history,the patient said that several days before he got angry with others because of some affairs in work,and he was not so used to the life pattern since he had just retired from his busy working post.At usual times,he was quick tempered and peevish.In recent days,he had poor appetite,and loose stool.