OBJECTIVE:To observe the effects of recombinant human interferon (IFN)α1b on thyroid function of patients with chronic hepatitis C(CHC). METHODS:Retrospective collection 90 CHC patients,according to whether to merge with hyper-thyroidism into hypothyroidism group,hypothyroidism group and CHC group,30 cases in each group. 3 groups were given IFN-α1b 40μg,qod,combined with ribavirin 0.1 g,tid,for antiviral therapy. Before and after therapy,RVR,EVR,ETVR and SVR were observed in 3 groups,and the levels of T3,T4,FT3,FT4 and TSH were observed in hypothyroidism group,hypothyroidism group before and after antiviral therapy. RESULTS:After treatment,RVR,EVR,ETVR and SVR levels of 3 groups increased sig-nificantly,with statistical significance,compared with before treatment(P<0.05).After treatment,there was no statistical signifi-cance in RVR,EVR,ETVR and SVR among 3 groups,there was no statistical significance(P>0.05);there was no statistical sig-nificance in the levels of T3,T4,FT3,FT4 and TSH before and after treatment(P>0.05). CONCLUSIONS:IFN-α1b combined with ribavirin can obtain good antiviral effect and not worsen existing thyroid disease in the treatment of CHC complicated with thy-roid disease.

Objective To study the correlation among acute cerebral infarction area ,serum high sensitivity C reactive protein(hs‐CRP)andhomocysteine(Hcy)concentrations.Methods 112acutecerebralinfarctionpatientsreceivedinneurologicaldepartment of the hospital were enrolled in the study .They were divided into small infarction size group(n=56) and large infarction size group (n=56) ,according to the cerebral infarction area determined by using MRI and MRA .Common information of patients such as age , sex ,smoking ,drinking ,hypertension ,hyperlipidemia and diabetes history were recorded ,serum hs‐CRP and Hcy concentrations were also determined .The comparison between the 2 groups were performed on those common information and test results .Results There was no statistically significant difference on age ,alcohol consumption ,smoking ,hypertension and high cholesterol between the two groups(P>0 .05) .Serum concentrations of hs‐CRP ,Hcy and blood glucose in small infarction size group were lower than those in large infarction size group(P<0 .05) ,and the infarct areas were positively correlated with hs‐CRP ,Hcy and blood glucose levels(r=0 .625 ,0 .833 ,0 .651 ,P<0 .05) .Conclusion Serum hs‐CRP ,Hcy level are high risk factor for atherosclerosis plaque for‐mation of acute cerebral infarction patients ,the serum levels help predict the infarction area ,and diabetes is an important cause of cerebral infarction .

Background The incidence of dry eye is growing.However,the early diagnosis of dry eye is still difficult up to now.Keratograph 5M analyzer,a novel noninvasive ocular surface analyzer for dry eye may offer important parameters.Objective This study was to evaluate the clinical value of Keratograph 5M analyzer for clinical diagnosis of dry eye.Methods An observational study was proceeded with 88 cases who accepted myopia diagnosis in Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital from October to December 2013.A series of conventional dry eye-related examinations were performed on the patients,including tear film break-up time (TBUT),corneal fluorescein staining scoring,Schirmer Ⅰ test (S Ⅰ t),and then Keratograph 5M analyzer-related examinations were subsequently carried out,including noninvasive tear film break-up time (NITBUT) and conjunctival hyperemia scoring.The correlations between conventional dry eye-related examinations and Keratograph 5M analyzer-related examinations were assessed by using Spearman rank correlation analysis.Results A total of 88 patients were recruited with male 32 and female 56.No significant difference in age was found between different genders (P =O.34).In 88 patients,Keratograph 5M analyzer showed the non-dry eyes in 15 patients,suspicious 44 patients (50.0％) and dry eyes in 29 patients (33.0％).However,the non-dry eyes were checked out in 39 patients and dry eyes were in 49 (55.7％) based on China Dry Eye Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Consensus.The first NITBUT (NITBUTf) was less than the average NITBUT (NITBUTav) (P =0.00),and a positive correlation was seen between them (rs =0.62,P =0.00).Dry eye grade was significantly correlated with NITBUTf or NITBUTav or conjunctival hyperemia scoring (rs =-0.60,P =0.00 ; r,=-0.89,P =0.00 ; rs =0.24,P =0.02).A negative correlation was found between the conjunctival hyperemia scoring and NITBUTav (rs =-0.24,P =0.02).However,no significant correlation was seen between conjunctival hyperemia scoring and NITBUTf,TBUT,S Ⅰ t or corneal fluorescein staining scoring (rs=-0.13,P=0.22;rs=0.16,P=0.14;rs =-0.16,P=0.13;rs=-0.08,P=0.44).No significant difference was found between TBUT and NITBUTf (P =0.71).And TBUT was correlated with NITBUTf (rs =0.23,P =0.03),but not NITBUTav (rs =0.18,P =0.09).In addition,no significant correlations were seen between S Ⅰ t and NITBUTf or NITBUTav (rs=0.20,P=0.07;rs=0.05,P=0.66).Conclusions NITBUTav has an important significance in assessing overall ocular surface conditions.The conjunctival hyperemia score is one of refrent indicators to judge ocular surface status.

BACKGROUND: Many studies showed that neural stem cells (NSC) transplantation can promote functional improvements in rats subjected to spinal cord injury. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood.OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of NSC transplantation on expressions of Bax, Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 in the motor cortex in rats subjected to spinal cord transection.DESIGN, TIME AND SETTING: The randomized controlled animal experiment was performed at Institute of Neuroscience,Kunming Medical College from July 2007 to December 2008.MATERIALS: Five green fluorescent protein transgenic mice with 14-15 embryonic days were prepared for NSC. Additionally 88 adult female Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats were randomly divided into sham operation group (n=8), model group (n=40) and NSC transplantation group (n=40).METHODS: Model of spinal cord transection was established by cut transversely Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats T_9 segment. Rats in the sham operation group were subjected to laminectomy at T_8, without spinal cord injury. After the spinal cord was exposed at the lesion site, a small piece of 2 mm~3 gel foam soaked with 3×10~5 NSC were implanted into the gap to fill the lesion site of the T_9 level in rats of the NSC transplantation group. The measurements of relative indexes were performed at the days 3, 7,14, 21 and 28 after transplantation.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Changes of Bax, Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 expressions were detected by RT-PCR.RESULTS: Compared to the sham operation group, the Bax expression in the model group had no significant difference (P >0.05), the expression of Bcl-2 was decreased obviously at days 14 and 28 after operation (P < 0.05), while a significant increase on the expression of Caspase-3 at day 3 (P < 0.05). Compared to the model group, the expression of Bax was dramatically decreased in the NSC transplantation group at day 3 (P < 0.05), with a notably increased Bcl-2 expression at days 14 and 21 after transplantation (P < 0.05), but the expression of Caspase-3 presented a significant decrease at days 3 and 7 after transplantation (P < 0.05).CONCLUSION: NSC transplantation probably regulates the expression of apoptosis genes (Bax, Bcl-2 and Caspase-3 mRNA) to promote neurological function recovery in rats subjected to cord transection.

Objective To investigate the effect of thrombin and hemoglobin on aquaporin (AQP) and the correlation between AQP and hydrocephalus.Methods Eighty-four clean grade healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into 3 groups:a control group,a thrombin group,and a hemoglobin group using the random number table method.A hydrocephalus model was induced by injecting isotonic saline (0.3 ml),thrombin (0.3 ml[10,U/ml]) and hemoglobin (0.3 ml[150 mg/ml]),respectively into the cisterna magna.According to the deficiency and complement way,each group maintained 24 rats.The relative area of the lateral ventricles,the expression of AQP1 and AQP4,and the correlation between AQP and the area of the lateral ventricles were observed at 1,3,7,and 14 d after molding.Results (1) Compared with the control group,both the thrombin group and hemoglobin group showed hydrocephalus at 1 ,3 ,7 and 14 d,and they were most obvious at 1 day (6.94±0.19% and 6.58±0.15% vs.3.40±0.13%,6.06±0.12% and 5.79±0.09% vs.3.55±0.15%,5.80±0.13% and 5.58±0.08% vs.3.78±0.18%,5.66±0.14% and 5.47±0.13% vs.3.52±0.18 %,respectively).There were significant differences (all P<0.01).(2) The increase of AQP1 was mainly in the basal membrane and apical membrane of ventricular choroid plexus epithelial cells,and the increase of AQP4 was mainly in the ependymal cell of ventricle.The relative expression levels of AQP1 and AQP4 at 1,3,7,and 14 d in the control group were 1.09±0.07 and 1.30±0.15,0.91±0.06 and 1.18±0.12,1.33±0.17 and 1.16±0.08,1.22±0.11 and 1.00±0.10,respectively;the thrombin group were 4.40±0.14 and 3.69±0.11,3.88±0.11 and 3.17±0.07,3.55±0.07 and 2.86±0.13,and 3.36±0.07 and 2.70±0.07,respectively,the hemoglobin group were 4.24±0.07 and 3.55±0.10,3.77±0.08 and 3.04±0.09,3.46±0.07 and 2.76±0.08,and 3.31±0.10 and 2.62±0.08,respectively;the relative expression levels of AQP1 and AQP4 of the thrombin group and hemoglobin group at each time point were significantly higher than those of the control group.There were significant differences among the groups (all P<0.01).There were no significant differences in the relative expression levels of AQP1 and AQP4 mRNAs in the hemoglobin group at each time point (P>0.05);in the thrombin group and hemoglobin group,compared with those at 1 d,the expression levels of AQP1 and AQP4 at 3,7,and 14 d were significantly decreased (all P<0.01);compared with those at 3 d,AQP1 was decreased significantly at 7 and 14 d (P<0.05).The differences were statistically significant (P<0.05).(3) The relative expression levels of AQP1 (r=0.983,P<0.01) and AQP4 (r=0.987,P<0.01) in the thrombin group at each time point were positively correlated with the contralateral ventricular area;and the relative expression levels of AQP1 (r=0.964,P<0.01) and AQP4 (r=0.962,P<0.01) in the hemoglobin group at each time point were positively correlated with the contralateral ventricular area Conclusions After injecting thrombin and hemoglobin into subarachnoid space,it could cause the increased expression levels of AQP1 and AQP4 of ventricles and their surrounding areas.Thrombin and hemoglobin may be the important mediating factors of hydrocephalus after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Objective To establish a serial of stable and mature methods of primary culture hippocampus neurons of GFP-transgene embryonic mice,to get the morphologic data of cultured neurons.Based on this research,in future,we can give an important theoretical and practical support for the therapy of nervous system diseases by transplanting with hippocampus neurons of GFP-transgene embryonic mice.Methods We primarily cultured the hippocampus neurons derived from the GFP-transgene embryonic mice in vitro.Under the microscope,we found cultured hippocampus neurons could live for more than one month and appeared to be the best status in 5～7 d after culture.During this time,the processes of the neurons are thick and the neurons connected one another to form the"cells-net" through their processes.After 14 d,the growth of the hippocampus neurons became slow.Results A serial of culture methods of hippocampus neurons had been successfully established.These cultured neurons were identified by the immuno-histochemical methods.They grow well in different phases before 14 d after culture.Conclusion Culturing hippocampus neurons of GFP-transgene embryonic mice is a simple,stable and effective method which can be applied to scientific research by other researchers.

Objective To explore the effects of low dose amitriptyline (AMT) on gastrointestinal function and its adverse effects in healthy volunteers.Methods In this randomized,double-blind,placebo-controlled cross-over study,28 healthy volunteers were divided into AMT with placebo group (n=14) and placebo with AMT group (n=14).The former took AMT for seven days at first stage,followed with a 14 days wash out stage and then took placebo for seven days at second stage.Patients of the latter group took medication in reverse order.The dose of medication was 12.5 mg three times per day.The subjects underwent drinking-ultrasonography test and lactulose hydrogen breath test before taking medication and between the seventh and eighth day of first and second stage.The data were analyzed by two stages cross-over analysis,Wilcoxon signed-rank test and chi-square test.Results The results of drinking-ultrasonography test showed that there were no significant differences in proximal gastric cross-sectional area between AMT and placebo after drinking 200,400,600 and 800 mL water (all P＞ 0.05).After drinking 800 mL water,there were no significant differences in gastric liquid emptying rate between AMT and placebo at the fifth and the tenth minutes (both P＞0.05).After drinking 600 mL and 800 mL water,the visual analogue scale (VAS) of AMT was significantly lower than that of placebo (2.98±0.85 vs 3.57±0.94,Z=4.412,P＜0.01; 4.57±0.98 vs 5.57±0.82,Z=4.170,P＜0.01).The results of lactulose hydrogen breath test revealed that orocecal transit time of AMT was obviously longer than that of placebo ((109.29±29.68) min vs (96.61±23.90) min,F=9.918,P＜0.01)).The common adverse effects were mild sleepiness,bitter taste and dry mouth.Conclusions Low dose AMT can prolong orocecal transit time and improve gastric sensitivity,but can not significantly affect proximal gastric accommodation and gastric liquid emptying.The adverse effects are mild and the safety is good.

Background Researchers showed that posterior capsule opacification (PCO) may be associated with the materials of intraocular lenses (IOLs).However,there have long been controversies about the influence of IOLs materials on PCO pathogenesis.Objective This study was to compare the capsule biocompatibility of different materials of IOLs by observing the biological behavior of human lens epithelial cells (LECs) on the surface of IOLs,including adhesion,proliferation,epithelial mesenchymal transition (EMT) and the secretion of transforming growth factor-β2(TGF-β2),interleukin-6 (IL-6),matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2) and MMP-9 in vitro.Methods Human lens epithelial cell line (HLE-B3) was cultured on the surface of hydrophobic acrylic (Acrysof SA60AT) IOLs,silicone (Crystalens HD) IOLs and polymethyl methacrylate (PMMA) IOLs for 6 hours and 24 hours,respectively.The number and morphology of HLE-B3 cells on the surface of IOLs were observed under the optical microscope.The proliferation states of the cells on the IOL surface were detected with cell counting kit-8 (CCK-8).The expression of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA),a mesenchymal cell marker,in the cells was detected by immunofluoreseence technology,and the EMT rates of HLE-B3 cells were calculated.The contents of TGF-β2,IL-6,MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the medium of IOL surface were measured by ELISA assay.The examination results were compared among different IOLs.Results Six hours after cultured,attached cells showed polygon and round in shape on the surface of Acrysof IOLs and Crystalens IOLs,while those on the PMMA IOLs showed the fusiform.Twenty-four hours after cultured,the cells extended obviously.On the surface of Acrysof IOLs and Crystalens IOLs,the adherent cells showed less cobble-stone like and more spindle shape;while those on the PMMA IOLs showed the typical fiber and some cells clustered the pearl rolls.The number of the cells on the Acrysof IOLs,Crystalens IOLs and PMMA IOLs was 0.238 4 ± 0.007 1,0.178 1 ±-0.006 6 and 0.158 9 ± 0.006 9 respectively,showing a significant difference among the three types of IOLs (F =475.947,P =0.000),and the number of the cells was much more on the Acrysof IOLs than that on the Crystalens IOLs or PMMA IOLs (both at P＜0.001).The EMT rats of the cells on the Acrysof IOLs,Crystalens IOLs and PMMA IOLs were (9.99±3.80) ％,(17.33±5.71) ％ and (84.16±10.48) ％,with a significant difference among them (F =127.411,P =0.000),and the EMT rates of the cells on the PMMA IOLs were significantly higher than those on the Crystalens IOLs and A.crysof IOLs(both at P＜0.001).There were significant differences in the contents of TGF-β2,IL-6,MMP-2 and MMP-9 in the medium on the Acrysof IOLs,Crystalens IOLs and PMMA IOLs (F =0.846,0.947,0.255,0.922,all at P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions The hydrophobic acrylic IOLs have the best capsule biocompatibility followed by the silicone IOLs and then the PMMA IOLs.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), as a common systemic inflammatory autoimmune disease, affects approximately 1 in 100 individuals. Effective treatment for RA is not yet available because current research does not have a clear understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of RA. Xinfeng Capsule, a patent Chinese herbal medicine, has been used in the treatment of RA in recent years. Despite its reported clinical efficacy, there are no large-sample, multicenter, randomized trials that support the use of Xinfeng Capsule for RA. Therefore, we designed a randomized, double-blind, multicenter, placebo-controlled trial to assess the efficacy and safety of Xinfeng Capsule in the treatment of RA.

Objective To compare blood pressure control in community hypertensive patients with different management methods.Methods Two neighborhood committees in a community of Pudong were selected as study area using cluster sampling method.A total of 5 166 residents aged ≥35 y were screened for blood pressure; the subjects with high blood pressure and had antihypertensive medication in last 6 months were included,and patients with secondary hypertension was excluded.The patients who entered community hypertension management program and got medication from community were included in community group; those who did not enter in community management program and/or not get medication from community were included in non-community group.Self-designed questionnaire was used for investigation.The medication compliance,awareness of hypertension risk factors and high blood pressure control were compared between two groups.Results Among 5 166 residents 4 763 were surveyed for hypertension with a response rate of 92.2％ and hypertension prevalence rate of 23.2％ (1 105/4 763).Among 1 012 patients with drug treatment for more than 6 months,there were 878 cases in community (86.8％) and 134 cases (13.2％) in non-community group.There were no significant differences in gender,age,education,working condition between community group and non-community group (P ＞ 0.05).44.3％ (389/878) patients in community group had a history of high blood pressure ＞ 10 y and that was 56.7％ (76/134) in non-community group (P =0.011) ; 28.6％ (251/878) patients in community group were at high risk for risk stratification and that in non-community group was 47.8％ (64/134) (P ＜0.001).The awareness of hypertension risk factors in community group and non-community group was 83.9％ and 95.5％,respectively (P ＜ 0.001).The medication compliance and blood pressure control rates in two groups were 93.2 ％ and 84.3 ％ (P ＜ 0.001),68.6％ and 51.5 ％,respectively (P ＜ 0.001).Conclusion The outcomes of hypertension management in terms of medication compliance and blood pressure control in community group are better than those in non-community group.