Applications of the isolated-check visual evoked potential in primary open angle glaucoma with or without high myopia.

Aim: To explore the diagnostic performance of isolated-check visual evoked potential (icVEP) for primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in both highly myopic and non-highly myopic populations and compare it with those of optical coherence tomography (OCT) and Heidelberg retinal tomography (HRT) parameters.

Methods: A total of 126 participants were recruited, including 31 highly myopic participants with POAG (HM-POAG), 36 non-highly myopic participants with POAG (NHM-POAG), 25 highly myopic participants without POAG (HM) and 34 controls without high myopia (Normal). All the participants underwent a complete ophthalmic examination.

Comparison of corneal biomechanics among primary open-angle glaucoma with normal tension or hypertension and controls.

Background: Normal tension glaucoma (NTG) is a less pressure-dependent type of glaucoma with characteristic optic neuropathy. Recently, the biomechanical mechanism has been thought to account for glaucomatous optic neuropathy to some degree. We intended to compare dynamic corneal response parameters (DCRs) among patients with primary open-angle glaucoma with normal tension or hypertension and controls.

Three new bioactive flavonoid glycosides from Viscum album.

Two new flavonoid glycosides, named viscumneoside XII (1), and viscumneoside XIII (2); a new dihydrogen flavonoid glycoside product named viscumneoside XIV (3), were isolated from the aerial part of Viscum album, along with seven known compounds (4-10). Their structures were identified by analysis of spectroscopic data. In addition, cytotoxicity assay showed that 1, 2 and 3 possessed significant inhibitory activities against C6, A549 and MDA-MB-231 (the inhibition rate arrived about 50%, 70% and 74% respectively with IC ≤ 60.

Development of polymorphic simple sequence repeat markers in (Lycopodiaceae).

Premise: The natural population size of (Lycopodiaceae) has dramatically decreased and the species has become endangered due to overexploitation. Here, we developed simple sequence repeat (SSR) markers for to survey both its genetic diversity and population structure.

Methods And Results: Based on 177 individuals, 120 SSR primer pairs were developed and optimized from five regions of the transcriptomic data.

Two symmetrical unsaturated acids isolated from Viscum album.

In the present study, two new acetylene conjugate compounds, dibutyl (2Z, 6Z)-octa-2, 6-dien-4-yne dioate (1), and dibutyl (2E, 6E)- octa-2, 6-dien-4-yne dioate (2), were isolated from the dry stem leaves of Viscum album, along with nine known compounds (3 - 11). Their structures were confirmed on the basis of spectroscopic data. Compounds 1 and 8 showed antioxidant activity against xanthine oxidase (XOD) and 1,1-diphenyl-2-picrylhydrazyl radical 2,2-diphenyl-1-(2,4,6-trinitrophenyl) hydroxyl (DPPH), with the IC of 1.

Anti-cancer effects of Grailsine-Al-glycoside isolated from Rhizoma Sparganii.

Background: An embryonic toxicity of Rhizoma sparganii was observed in mice. This study was aimed to evaluate the anticancer effects of Grailsine-Al-glycoside, the bioactive component of Rhizoma sparganii, on estrogen receptor-positive (ER+) and estrogen receptor-negative (ER-) cancer cell lines.

Methods: After A549, HeLa, HepG-2 and MCF-7 cells were treated with Grailsine-Al-glycoside, cell proliferation was analyzed by MTT, cell cycle and apoptosis by flow cytometry, and morphology with an immunofluorescence microscope.

Recent advances and safety issues of transgenic plant-derived vaccines.

Transgenic plant-derived vaccines comprise a new type of bioreactor that combines plant genetic engineering technology with an organism's immunological response. This combination can be considered as a bioreactor that is produced by introducing foreign genes into plants that elicit special immunogenicity when introduced into animals or human beings. In comparison with traditional vaccines, plant vaccines have some significant advantages, such as low cost, greater safety, and greater effectiveness.

Improvement of drought and salt tolerance in Arabidopsis and Lotus corniculatus by overexpression of a novel DREB transcription factor from Populus euphratica.

A novel DREB (dehydration-responsive element binding) gene, designated PeDREB2a, was isolated from the desert-grown tree, Populus euphratica Oliv. PeDREB2a is classified into the A-5 group of DREB subfamily based on multiple sequence alignment and phylogenetic characterization. Using semi-quantitative RT-PCR, we found that the PeDREB2a was greatly induced by drought, NaCl, low temperature, 1-naphthaleneacetic acid (NAA), 6-benzyl aminopurine (6-BA) and gibberellic acid (GA3) treatments in P.

Effect of lanthanum on rooting of in vitro regenerated shoots of Saussurea involucrata Kar. et Kir.

In present study, the effect of lanthanum (La) on the rooting of regenerated shoots of Saussurea involucrata Kar. et Kir was analyzed. Rooting occurred from regenerated shoots inoculated on a medium supplemented with La, the plant rooting hormone indole-3-acetic acid (IAA), or both La and IAA together.

Reproductive toxicity of Rhizoma Sparganii (Sparganium stoloniferum Buch.-Ham.) in mice: mechanisms of anti-angiogenesis and anti-estrogen pharmacologic activities.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Indications and preliminary studies of Rhizoma Sparganii (RS) suggest its pharmacological mechanism is involved with endocrine/angiogenesis functions. We therefore studied its potential toxicity on reproduction in mice.

Materials And Methods: Reproductive toxicity of 100, 200 and 400 mg/kg RS extract were studied in pregnant ICR mice and its offspring.

Overview of expression of hepatitis B surface antigen in transgenic plants.

Hepatitis B virus (HBV), a pathogen for chronic liver infection, afflicts more than 350 million people world-wide. The effective way to control the virus is to take HBV vaccine. Hepatitis B surface antigen (HBsAg) is an effective protective antigen suitable for vaccine development.