BACKGROUND: The posterior approach for ptosis, including the Fasanella-Servat procedure and Muller's muscle-conjunctival resection (MMCR), has been proven effective for mild- to moderately affected patients whose levator muscle function remains relatively intact. Traditionally, MMCR was reserved for phenylephrine test-positive patients for whom various modifications and several nomograms have been developed. METHODS: We reviewed the literature for the Fasanella-Servat procedure and MMCR. The methods and results of the different modifications were analyzed and compared. Nomograms of these two procedures were summarized. RESULTS: MMCR mainly involved resection of Muller's muscle and conjunctiva in the original design by Putterman and co-workers. The suggested resection ranged from 8 to 9 mm for the achievement of the maximal effect produced by topical epinephrine. Perry included tarsectomy in his procedure and developed a new nomogram that included a 1:1 ratio of the ptosis correction to the amount of tarsus resection. The effect of tarsectomy for the Fasanella-Servat procedure in terms of eyelid elevation was approximately one-half the value seen in phenylephrine test-negative patients. We've performed MMCR with tarsectomy regardless of the response to phenylephrine with similar results to Perry. Surgical indications and possible complications of MMCR with tarsectomy for Asian patients are discussed. CONCLUSIONS: MMCR is an effective and simple method for the correction of ptosis. With baseline MMCR, the additional tarsectomy has proven to be a powerful tool for ptosis correction irrespective of phenylephrine test results.
Ankle ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Blepharoplasty ; Blepharoptosis ; Conjunctiva ; Epinephrine ; Eyelids ; Humans ; Nomograms ; Phenylephrine

By a orthogonal experiment, the influence of different ratio of phosphorus and potassium fertilizers on imperatorin, isoimperatorin and psoralen contents and yield of Glehnia littoralis were studied. The results showed that root dry weight and the yield of G. littoralis increased when reasonably applied phosphorus fertilizer combined with potassium fertilizer within a certain range. And the influence of phosphorus fertilizer was greater than that of potassium fertilizer. The optimal value of root dry weight and yield achieved at both P2O5 360 kg x hm(-2), K2O 270 kg x hm(-2) and P2O5 360 kg x hm(-2), K2O 180 kg x hm(-2). The effects of different phosphorus and potassium treatments on the content of imperatorin, isoimperatorin and psoralen in G. littoralis were determined, which shows that the content increased with the moderate increase of phosphorus and potassium. And the effects of phosphorus fertilizer were more significantly. The isoimperatorin content achieved the largest value at P2O5 360 kg x hm(-2), K2O 270 kg x hm(-2), also a larger content of imperatorin and psoralen. The imperatorin content is the largest when applied P2O5 360 kg x hm(-2), K2O 180 kg x hm(-2), and the isoimperatorin content was higher as well. So that the treatment of P2O5 360 kg x hm(-2), K2O 180 kg x hm(-2) are suitable for promote to the agricultural production, which could improve the quality and yield of G. littoralis.
Agriculture ; Apiaceae ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Coumarins ; analysis ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; metabolism ; Fertilizers ; analysis ; Phosphorus ; analysis ; metabolism ; Potassium ; analysis ; metabolism

Objective:To investigate the clinical efficacy of mizolastine in the treatment of dermatographism. Method:32 patients were randomly allocated to two groups.Their efficacy was compared with ketotifen.A two-period cross trial was adopted.Result:The clinical efficacy of mizolastine in the treatment of dermatographism corresponded to ke- totifen,the ADRs were markedly lower than ketotifen.Conclusion:Mizolastine is effective in the treatment of dermatogra- phism.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic etiology of a fetus with autosomal recessive polycystic kidney disease (ARPKD). METHODS: Prenatal ultrasonography has revealed oligohydramnios and abnormal structure of fetal kidneys. After careful counseling, the couple opted induced abortion. With informed consent, genomic DNA was extracted from the muscle sample of the abortus and peripheral blood samples of the couple. High throughput whole exome sequencing was carried out to detect potential variants in relation with the disease. Suspected variants were verified by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: Prenatal ultrasound revealed increased size of fetal kidneys, with multiple hyperechos from the right kidney, and multiple hyperechos with anechoic masses within the left kidney. DNA sequencing revealed that the fetus has carried heterozygous variants of the PKHD1 gene, including c.7994T>C inherited from its father, and two heterozygous variants of the PKHD1 gene c.5681G>A from its mother. CONCLUSION The compound heterozygous c.7994T>C and c.5681G>A variants of the PKHD1 gene probably underlay the pathogenesis of ARPKD in this fetus. Above results can provide guidance for subsequent pregnancies of the couple.
Female ; Fetus ; Genetic Testing ; Humans ; Mutation ; Polycystic Kidney, Autosomal Recessive/genetics* ; Pregnancy ; Receptors, Cell Surface/genetics*

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genetic basis for a child affected with cerebral creatine deficiency syndrome 1 (CCDS1). METHODS: High-throughput sequencing was carried out to screen pathogenic variant associated with the clinical phenotype of the proband. The candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: High-throughput sequencing revealed that the proband has carried heterozygous c.327delG variant of the SLC6A8 gene, which was verified by Sanger sequencing.Neither parent was found to carry the same variant. CONCLUSION The de novo heterozygous c.327delG variant of the SLC6A8 gene probably underlay the CCDS1 in this child.
Brain Diseases, Metabolic, Inborn/genetics* ; Creatine ; Genetic Testing ; Heterozygote ; Humans ; Mental Retardation, X-Linked ; Mutation

In this study, we investigate the status of calcium (Ca) homeostasis at parturition in three dairy farms (I, II, and III), Heilongjiang, China. Twenty multiparous Holstein cows from each farm were randomly assigned to this experiment. The dietary cation-anion difference (DCAD) was 91 mEq/kg of DM for farm I, 152 mEq/kg of DM for farm II, and 85 mEq/kg of DM for farm III. Incidence of hypocalcemia was above 75% and urine pH was above 7.25 at calving in each farm. Compared to other farms, cows in farm II that fed the greatest positive DCAD had the lowest concentration of serum Ca, the highest concentration of serum PTH, and the greatest urine pH at calving (p < 0.05). However, there was not significant difference in serum 1,25-dihydroxy-vitamin D and hydroxyproline concentration of the cows among three farms. This is the first study to confirm that hypocalcemia is very prevalent at calving in Chinese dairy farms, and the high positive DCAD is a major risk factor that results in hypocalcemia at calving, which may reduce ability of the cow to maintain Ca homeostasis.
Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Calcium ; China ; Homeostasis ; Humans ; Hydrogen-Ion Concentration ; Hydroxyproline ; Hypocalcemia ; Incidence ; Parturition ; Risk Factors

Purpose To investigate the expression characteristics and significance of P-selectin and HPA in benign and malignant hydatidform mole tissues. Methods By using immunohistochemical technique SP and RT-PCR, the expression of Pselectin and HPA was detected in 40 cases of benign hydatidiform mole tissues, and 12 malignant hydatidiform mole tissues.Meanwhile, 40 cases of normal placental villi tissues were observed. Results The protein positive rate and protein relative quantity expression and the mRNA relative quantity expression of P-selectin and HPA were gradually increasing in normal placenta villi tissues, benign hydatidiform mole tissues, and malignant hydatidiform mole tissues. The differences between groups were statistically significant (all P<0.05). The expression of P-selectin and HPA showed positive correlation (all P<0.05) in benign and malignant hydatidform mole tissues. Conclusion The over-expression of P-selectin and HPA promotes the occurrence and development of hydatidform mole. The detection of the expression levels of P-selectin and HPA is of great significance for the differential diagnosis and prognosis assessment of benign and malignant hydatidform mole. It could become a biological predictor of malignant development of hydatidform mole.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the vasoconstriction effect of Ixeris sonchifolia in rat thoracic aortic rings and the underlying mechanisms.

METHODI. sonchifolia 10-160 g x L(-1) was cumulatively added into organ bath to observe the isometric tension of thoracic aortic rings with intact endothelium or denuded endothelium in basal tension, preconstricted by phenylephrine (PE) or potassium chloride (KCl), and thoracic aortic rings with intact endothelium preincubated frist with captopril, phosphoramidon and indomethacin, respectively, then preconstricted by PE and KCl. The response was recorded and expressed by "relative contraction".

RESULTCumulative administration of I. sonchifolia 10-160 g x L(-1) did not affect the vasomotion of aortic rings with endothelium or without endothelium in basal tension. Exposure of intact endothelium rings preconstricted by PE or KCl to I. sonchifolia at concentration (20-160 g x L(-1) induced a significant constriction, which was inhibited by preincubation with captopril, but was not inhibited by preincubation with phosphoramidon or indomethacin. Exposure of endothelium-denuded rings preconstricted by PE or KCl to I. sonchifolia at concentration (10 to approximately 160 g x L(-1) did not effect the vasoconstriction.

CONCLUSIONThe results indicate that I. sonchifolia (20 to approximately 160 g x L(-1) can contract the rat thoracic aortic rings with endothelium. The effect of contraction may enhance angiotensin converting enzyme activity and promote endothelium to synthesize angiotensin II. It has no relationship to endothelin or thromboxane A2.

Angiotensin-Converting Enzyme Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; drug effects ; physiology ; Asteraceae ; chemistry ; Captopril ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Endothelium, Vascular ; physiology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Phenylephrine ; pharmacology ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vasoconstriction ; drug effects ; Vasoconstrictor Agents ; pharmacology

This study aimed to compare the clinical presentations of Aeromonas hydrophila, A. veronii biovar sobria and A. caviae monomicrobial bacteremia by a retrospective method at three hospitals in Taiwan during an 8-yr period. There were 87 patients with A. hydrophila bacteremia, 45 with A. veronii biovar sobria bacteremia and 22 with A. caviae bacteremia. Compared with A. hydrophila and A. veronii biovar sobria bacteremia, A. caviae bacteremia was more healthcare-associated (45 vs 30 and 16%; P = 0.031). The patients with A. caviae bacteremias were less likely to have liver cirrhosis (27 vs 62 and 64%; P = 0.007) and severe complications such as shock (9 vs 40 and 47%; P = 0.009) and thrombocytopenia (45 vs 67 and 87%; P = 0.002). The APACHE II score was the most important risk factor of Aeromonas bacteremia-associated mortalities. The APACHE II scores of A. caviae bacteremias were lower than A. hydrophila bacteremia and A. veronii biovar sobria bacteremia (7 vs 14 and 16 points; P = 0.002). In conclusion, the clinical presentation of A. caviae bacteremia was much different from A. hydrophila and A. veronii biovar sobria bacteremia. The severity and mortality of A. caviae bacteremia were lower than A. hydrophila or A. veronii biovar sobria bacteremia.
APACHE ; Adult ; Aeromonas caviae/drug effects/*pathogenicity ; Aeromonas hydrophila/drug effects/*pathogenicity ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bacteremia/complications/drug therapy/*microbiology/mortality ; Cross Infection/microbiology ; Female ; Gram-Negative Bacterial Infections/complications/drug therapy/*microbiology/mortality ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis/microbiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Shock, Septic/microbiology ; Taiwan ; Thrombocytopenia/complications ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo explore the regulatory effect of CpG methyltransferase (M.SssI) on expression of claudin-7 and claudin-8, promoting apoptosis and inhibiting proliferation of human colorectal cancer HT-29 cells.

METHODSHT-29 cells were treated with M.SssI (50 U/ml) for 24 hours. The methylation status of claudin-7 and claudin-8 gene promoters was assayed by bisulfite sequencing PCR (BSP). Real-time PCR with SYBR green I technique was used to detect the relative expression of claudin-7 and -8 mRNA, and claudin-7 and claudin-8 proteins were tested by cell immunofluorescence and Western blotting, while the effect on cell apoptosis was assessed by Hoechst 33342 fluorescence and flow cytometry. Inhibition of cell proliferation was measured by MTT assay.

RESULTSThe amounts of methylated claudin-7 and claudin-8 gene CpGs were 25, 10 in the M.SssI group, 9 and 5 in the PBS group, 0 and 3 in the 5-azacytidine group, respectively. Compared with the PBS group, Claudin-7 and -8 were significantly reduced by M.SssI (P < 0.05), but increased by 5-azacytidine (P < 0.05) at both mRNA and protein levels. Hoechst 33342 staining revealed that HT-29 cells treated with PBS and 5-azacytidine were not significantly different, showing even blue fluorescence, round shape and same cell volume. But the M.SssI group presented more apoptotic cells with intensive white fluorescence intensity. Cytometry indicated that early apoptotic index of the M.SssI group was increased by 84.7%, compared with that of the PBS group (P = 0.002). Measurement of MTT optical density demonstrated that cell growth of the M.SssI group was significantly lower than that of the PBS group (P = 0.002), with an inhibition rate of 32.1%, whereas the proliferation of 5-azacytidine group was similar to that of the PBS group (P = 0.084).

CONCLUSIONSOur findings suggest that M.SssI can down-regulate claudin-7, -8 mRNA and proteins in the human colon cancer HT-29 cells by up-regulating methylation status of claudin-7 and -8 gene promoters, and finally induce apoptosis and inhibit proliferation of the tumor cells.

Apoptosis ; physiology ; Cell Proliferation ; Claudins ; metabolism ; Colonic Neoplasms ; DNA-Cytosine Methylases ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; physiology ; Flow Cytometry ; Gene Expression Regulation ; HT29 Cells ; Humans ; RNA, Messenger ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction