Central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC) is characterized by serous detachment of the sensory retina as a consequence of the focal leakage of fluid from the choriocapillaries to subretinal space through a defect of the retinal pigment epithelium(RPE). The exact cause of CSC is not well unknown. Psychological stress is thought to contribute to CSC, but the physiologic mechanisms are unclear. It is hypothesized that psychological stress can induce CSC through the mechanism of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) system. Psychological stress can adversely affect HPA axis and causes glucocorticoid levels to elevate. Increased glucocorticoids constrict choroid vessels, which leads to ischemia of choroids and damage vascular endothelial cells, thus causing vasopermeability to increase. RPE dysfunction will occur as a result of abnormalities in the choroidal circulation. The large molecules including protein may enter the subretinal space through the damaged vessels and RPE.

·AIM: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of intravitreal triamcinolone acetonide(TA) as treatment for macular edema associated with retinal vein occlusion(RVO).·METHODS: The study group consisting 30 patients (30 eyes) with RVO combined with macular edema received intravitreal 4mg TA. Changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure(IOP), examination with slit-lamp microscope, fluorescein angiography and optical coherence tomography(OCT) were observed during the follow-up. Statistical analysis was conducted with SPSS 12.0 software.·RESULTS: The visual acuity(VA) of all patients was significantly improved and the central macular thickness (CMT) was significantly relieved. There was no correlation between course, age, CMT before injection and the type of RVO. There was positive correlation between visual acuity before injection and after injection.·CONCLUSION: Intravitreal injection of TA is an easy-operated and safe therapy. After injection, macular edema can be rapidly relieved. VA at baseline is the predictor for the prognosis of VA. Some patients experience recurrence of macular edema between 3 to 6 months after injection.

Objective:To construct a DNA vaccine co-expressing the HBV compound multi-epitope antigen gene, the hIL-12 and the anti-HBV siRNA genes, and to express this DNA vaccine in HepG2 cells. Methods:The HBV multi-epitope antigen gene was designed and synthesized before it was fused with enhanced green fluorescent protein(EGFP) gene, and cloned into the multi-clone site(MCS) of the eukaryotic expression vector pVAX1. The expressinig units of hIL-12 and siRNA were cloned into the BspH I and Mlu I site of pVAX1 respectively. Then the recombinant plasmid pVAX1-siHBV-HB-EGFP-hIL12 was transiently transfected HepG2 cells. The expression of HBV compound multi-epitope gene was observed through EGFP report gene. The expression of hIL-12 was analyzed by ELISA and the effects of anti-HBV siRNA was confirmed with rtPCR . Results: The analysis of enzyme digestion and sequencing both demonstrated that the trible-expressing HBV DNA vaccine has been constructed successfully. The green fluorescent image was detected in the transfected cells which could confirm the expression of the multi-epitope antigen gene. The amount of hIL-12 secretion was 1289pg/ml in supernatant at 48h after transfection and 1712pg/ml at 72h after transfection. The mRNA amount of HBV S gene, which was the siRNA target, had been obviously knockdown. Conclusion: The DNA vaccine co-expressing the HBV compound multi-epitope antigen gene, the hIL-12 and the siRNA genes was constructed and transiently expressed in HepG2 cells, and siRNA had shown us a good anti-HBV effect. It laid a foundation of further study on anti-HBV effect of the new DNA vaccine.

Objective To explore the best time point for the ipsilateral hepatocellular apoptosis and the contralateraI hepatic hypertrophy after selective portal vein embolization(SPVE)in rabbit.Methods In a randomized study design,forty rabbits were divided into 5 groups with 8 rabbits per-group,including one as the control and the other 4 were treated with SPVE during open surgery.The rabbits were killed postoperatively,in 3,7,14,21 days respectively after the embolization.The hepatic lobes volume,the ipsilateral hepatocellular necrosis rates and apoptosis index,and liver functions were determined as well. Results In the treatment groups,the average amount of the right liver volumes decreased from 46.4 cm~3 preoperatively to 46.0,44.4,42.0,39.7 cm~3 in groups of 3,7,14,21 days postoperatively;meanwhile,the left liver volumes increased from 54.0 cm~3 preoperatively to 54.5,56.3,61.7,63.9 cm~3 respectively during 3, 7,14,21 days after the procedures.The rates of future remaining live volumes(FRLV)increased from 53.8% preoperatively to 54.2%,55.9%,59.0%,61.0% at 3,7,14,21 days postoperatively.The apoptosis indexes of hepatocells from group A to E were 8.1%,12.2%,19.4%,20.1%,14.2% respectively.Conclusions SPVE leads to atrophy of the ipsilateral hepatic lobe and hypertrophy of contralateral lobe,indicating that hepatocytes undergone apoptosis,rather than necrosis.The time point is 7 to 14 days.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the clinical value of gnome-wide chromosome microarray (CMA) technique in genetic etiological diagnosis of fetal cerebral ventriculomegaly.

METHODSA retrospective analysis was conducted in 109 women with singleton pregnancy, who were admitted in Nanfang Hospital with the diagnosis of cerebral ventriculomegaly in the fetuses by ultrasound between January, 2014 and December, 2016. Routine karyotype analysis and chromosome microarray analysis were performed to identify the chromosomal abnormalities in the fetuses.

RESULTSKaryotype analysis detected chromosomal abnormalities at a rate of 12.84% in these fetuses, significantly lower than the rate of 26.60% with CMA technique (P=0.004); the combined detection rate of the two techniques was 28.44%. In 17 cases, karyotype analysis yielded normal results while CMA microarray showed abnormalities with an extra abnormal detection rate of 15.60%. Among the 17 fetuses with chromosomal abnormalities, 6 had micro-deletion, 9 had micro-duplication, 1 had both micro-deletion and micro-duplication, and 1 had heterozygous loss of single parent diploid.

CONCLUSIONCMA technique can be used to detect abnormal chromosomal copy numbers in fetuses with cerebral ventriculomegaly to increase the detection rate of chromosomal abnormalities and facilitate prenatal consultation and prognostic evaluation.

OBJECTIVETo observe the clinical manifestations of bullous retinal detachment and analyze the etiological factors.

METHODSA retrospective analysis of the clinical data was conducted in 22 patients with multifocal retinal pigment epitheliopathy (DRPE) and big bullous retinal detachment (BBRD), who were admitted between 2003 and 2008 in Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center with the diagnoses established by ocular fundus examination, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and/or indocyanine green angiography (ICGA).

RESULTSThe patients included 15 men (68%) and 7 women (32%), with a mean age at the initial visit of 42 years, ranging from 25 to 64 years. Four patients (18%) received previously systemic corticosteroid therapy, and 2 of them used corticosteroids before retina detachment, 1 suffered progression of retinal detachment after corticosteroid therapy, and the other developed retinal detachment in the healthy eye during the therapy. Multifocal bullous retinal detachment was diagnosed as diffuse pigment epitheliopathy (DRPE) in 9 cases. Most of the 13 cases of big bullous retinal detachment had poor vision after operation and laser therapy.

CONCLUSIONBullous retinal detachment occurs most frequently in mid-life and more often in men than women. Abnormal retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and hyperpermeability of the choroid vessels are associated with its occurrence. Systemic corticosteroid therapy and mental stress may induce and aggravate this disease. Early medication and laser therapy are effective, and surgical intervention may save only part of the vision in advanced cases.

Adult ; Female ; Fundus Oculi ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retinal Detachment ; diagnosis ; etiology ; pathology ; therapy ; Retrospective Studies

OBJECTIVETo study the apoptosis inducing effects of bufalin on various human osteosarcoma cells and the concerning molecular mechanisms.

METHODMTT assay was used to detect the growth inhibition rates of osteosarcoma cells U-20S, U-20S/MTX300, SaOS-2, IOR/OS9 treated with bufalin in different concentrations and times. The apoptosis of cells was observed flow cytometry 48 h following bufalin treatment. The proteomic techniques were used to separate and compare the treated and control groups 48 h after bufalin-incubation. Then, the proteomic results were validated by western blot.

RESULTBufalin inhibited the growth of human osteosarcoma cells U20S, U20S/MTX300 (methotrexate resistant cells), SAOS2, IOR/OS9 in a dose- and time-dependent manner. The 72 h IC50 were (37.43 +/- 4.1), (32.24 +/- 5.3) nmol x L(-1) in U20S,U20S/MTX300 cells,respectivly. Flow cytometry showed that the apoptosis cells were increased following bufalin treatment. The protein expression profile showed 24 differentiated expression proteins. Among these proteins, the level of an anti-apoptotic protein, heat shock protein 27 (Hsp27) decreased significantly and the result was then validated by western blot. Ectopic expression of Hsp27 could reduce the bufalin-induced apoptosis remarkably in U20S and U20S/MTX300 cells.

CONCLUSIONBufalin could inhibit the cell growth and induce apoptosis on human osteosarcoma cells. The effect of bufalin may be related to the joint intervention with multiple protein targets. Among them, downregulation of Hsp27 plays a critical role in the bufalin-induced apoptosis in human osteosarcoma cells.

Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Bufanolides ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Screening Assays, Antitumor ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Osteosarcoma ; pathology ; Proteomics

OBJECTIVETo study the expression of KiSS-1, nuclear factor kappa B (NF-kappaB) p50 and matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP-9) in breast cancer tissue and the relationship with clinicpathological factors.

METHODSImmunohistochemical staining for KiSS-1, NF-KappaBp50, and MMP-9 protein was performed in 152 cases of human breast tissue [92 cases of BC, 30 cases of epithelial hyperplasia, and 30 cases of peritumoral breast tissue (PMT)] and 54 cases of axillary lymph node metastases. In-situ hybridization for KiSS-1 mRNA was done in 50 cases of breast cancer, and 20 cases of PMT.

RESULTS(1) The expression of KiSS-1 gene was significantly higher in well-differentiated breast cancer than in PMT, and this expression progressively decreased with decreasing degree of tumor differentiation, increasing pathological grade, TNM stage and the presence of lymph node metastases. The expression of KiSS-1 gene in lymph node metastasis was markedly lower than the corresponding primary tumor. There was correlation between the expression of KiSS-1 mRNA and KiSS-1 protein in breast cancer group. (2) The expression of NF-kappaKBp50 and MMP-9 increased progressively with decreasing degree of tumor differentiation, increasing TNM stage, large tumor size ( >2 cm) and the presence of lymph node metastases.

CONCLUSIONSThe expression of KiSS-1 protein showed negative correlation with that of NF-kappaBp50 and MMP-9 respectively. MMP-9 protein expression was positively correlated with NF-kappap50 protein expression. These suggest that the genes of KiSS-1, NF-kappaBp50 and MMP-9 could be involved in the progression and metastasis of breast cancer.

Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Humans ; Kisspeptins ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; physiopathology ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; genetics ; metabolism ; NF-kappa B ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Statistics as Topic ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the distribution of ornidazole in the salivary and serum of healthy adults and explore the feasibility of monitoring serum drug concentration with salivary.

METHODSSix volunteers received a single dose of 0.6 g ornidazole via intravenous infusion. The concentrations of ornidazole in the saliva and serum were assayed by high-performance liquid chomatography, and the correlation of the drug concentrations in saliva to that in serum was analyzed.

RESULTSThe concentration of ornidazole in the saliva was strongly associated with that in the serum (r = 0.825-0.969), and the ratio of saliva-to-serum concentration (S/P) of ornidazole was 0.99 ± 0.13.

CONCLUSIONDetection of saliva ornidazole concentration is feasible for monitoring the therapeutic concentration of ornidazole.

Adult ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Ornidazole ; analysis ; blood ; pharmacokinetics ; Saliva ; metabolism ; Young Adult

PURPOSE: Gastric cancer surgery is a common operation in East Asia, such as Korea and Japan, and there has been a significant increase in the need for this procedure due to the aging population. As a result, surgery for the treatment of gastric cancer for elderly patients is expected to increase. This study examined the effect of old age on gastric cancer surgery, and analyzed the operative risk factors for elderly patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: From November 2008 to August 2010, 590 patients, who underwent a curative resection for gastric cancers, were enrolled. Patients who underwent palliative or emergency surgery were excluded. A retrospective analysis of the correlation between surgical outcomes and age was performed. The elderly were defined as patients who were over the age of 65 years. RESULTS: The mean age of all patients was 58.3 years, and complications occurred in 87 cases (14.7%). The most common complication was wound infection and severe complications requiring surgical, endoscopic, or radiologic intervention developed in 52 cases (8.8%). The rate of complications increased with increasing age of the patients. Univariate analysis revealed age, comorbidity, extent of resection, operation time, and combined resection to be associated with surgical complications. In particular, age over 75 years old, operation time, and comorbidity were predictive factors in multivariate analysis. In the elderly, only comorbidity was associated with surgical complications. CONCLUSIONS: The patients' age is the most important factor for predicting surgical complications. Surgeons should pay an attention to the performance of gastric cancer surgery on elderly patients. In particular, it must be performed carefully for elderly patients with a comorbidity.
Aged ; Aging ; Comorbidity ; Emergencies ; Far East ; Gastrectomy ; Humans ; Japan ; Korea ; Multivariate Analysis ; Retrospective Studies ; Risk Factors ; Stomach Neoplasms ; Wound Infection