Objectives To investigate the pathogenic mechanism of herpes simplex encephalitis (HSE) and the mecha-nism of action of dexamethasone and acyclovir. Methods 102 male mice were randomly assigned to normal control group, HSV-1 infection group, acyclovir-treated group and combination-treated group. The model of HSE was established by in-tracranial injection of HSV-1 in mice except normal controls. One day after intracranial injection, mice in acyclovir-treated group and combination-treated group were intragastrically administrated with acyclovir, and mice in normal control group and HSV-1 infection group were intragastrically administrated with normal saline. Three days after intracranial injection, mice in combination-treated group were intraperitoneally injected with dexamethasone and mice in other groups were in-traperitoneally injected with normal saline. The neurological injury score and the expressions of IL-2 and IL-10 of the mice brain tissues in each group were compared at 3, 6 and 9 days after model establishment. Results The survival rate of mice was lowest in HSV-1 infection group and highest in combination-treated group (P<0.05). The neurological injury scores at 3, 6 and 9 days were highest in HSV-1 infection group and lowest in the combination-treated group (P<0.05). The changes in brain tissue pathology and HE staining were closely corresponded to the neurological injury scores. At 3, 6 and 9 days, the expression of IL-2 was increased at first and then decreased, but the expression of IL-10 was gradually increased. The expressions of IL-2 and IL-10 were highest in HSV-1 infection group and lowest in combination-treated group. And differ-ences were significant among all groups at each time point (P<0.05) except between combination-treated group and normal control group (P>0.05). Conclusions In comparison with acyclovir monotherapy, combined treatment with dexamethasone and acyclovir for HSE can reduce the expression of IL-2 and IL-10, relieve the clinical symptoms, and increase the survival rate.

Objective To determine the incidence and risk factors of iatrogenic retinal breaks in eyes undergoing pars plana vit- rectomy for idiopathic macular pucker.Design Retrospective case series.Participant 88 consecutive vitrectomies performed on eyes with idiopathic macular pucker.Method Consecutive vitrectomies performed on eyes with idiopathic macular pucker at Beijing Tongren Eye Center between 2002 and 2006 were retrospectively reviewed.Cases with iatrogenic retinal breaks were recorded and analyzed. Main Outcome Measure Number and location of retinal breaks,and anatomic outcome after surgical managements.Result A total of 88 consecutive vitrectomies were included in the study.Of the 88 eyes,8 eyes had 14 iatrogenic retinal breaks detected,with an aver- age incidence of 9.1%.Peripheral retinal breaks(8.0%)were more common than posterior retinal breaks(1.1%).All peripheral retinal breaks occurred around the selerotomy sites(100%)and the quadrant of predominant hand was involved most commonly(62%).Most of the breaks(88%)were detected during the surgery.All eyes with iatrogenic retinal breaks obtained anatomic retinal reattachment (100%).Conclusion Despite improvements in instrumentation and surgical techniques,iatrogenic retinal break continues to be an im- portant complication of pars plana vitrectomy in eyes with idiopathic macular pucker.This complication tends to occur more commonly at peripheral retina and is mainly selerotomy-related.

To evaluate the automated segmentation algorithm for detection of intra - retinal layers to process images obtained from ultra- high resolution optical coherence tomography ( OCT ) . Graph theory and the shortest path search based on dynamic programming were applied to automatically segment the 8 intra - retinal layers. We experimentally verified the accuracy and reliability of the algorithm. The results showed that the intra-retinal layer boundaries between automated and manual segmentations matched well. The algorithm successfully segmented the intra- retinal layers in glaucoma, high myopia, and retinitis pigmentosa patients. The proposed automatic segmentation for intra-retinal layers provides a promising tool for quantitative analysis in clinical diagnosis and treatment.

OBJECTIVETo compare the effect and impact of holmium laser enucleation of the prostate (HoLEP) and 120-W thulium: YAG vapoenucleation of the prostate (ThuVEP) on erectile function in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSWe retrospectively analyzed 93 cases of symptomatic BPH treated by HoLEP or 120 W ThuVEP. We made comparisons between the two groups of patients in the baseline and postoperative clinical and surgical indexes as well as their IPSS, quality of life (QOL), maximum flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual urine volume (PVR), and IIEF-EF scores before surgery and during the 12-month follow-up.

RESULTSThuVEP, in comparison with HoLEP, achieved a significantly shorter operation time ([57.6 +/- 12. 8] vs. [70.4 +/- 21.8] min, P = 0.001) and a higher laser efficiency ([0.71 +/- 0.18] vs. [0.62 +/- 0.19] g/min, P = 0. 021). At 1, 6, or 12 months of follow-up, no significant differences were observed in IPSS, OOL, Omax, and PVR between the two groups (P > 0.05). Both the HoLEP and ThuVEP groups showed low incidences of complications and remarkably improved IIEF-EF scores at 12 months postoperatively, but with no significant differences (both P > 0.05). However, in those with relatively normal erectile functions before operation, the mean IIEF-EF score was reduced from 22.8 +/- 2.2 preoperatively to 21.0 +/- 2.7 after HoLEP, (P = 0.036).

CONCLUSIONBoth HoLEP and 120W ThuVEP are effective and safe in the treatment of BPH. Compared with HoLEP, 120 W ThuVEP has even a higher laser efficiency. However, neither can significantly improve erectile function, and HoLEP may have a short-term negative impact on the relatively normal erectile function of the patient.

Aged ; Holmium ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Lasers, Solid-State ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Penile Erection ; Prostatectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; surgery ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Thulium ; Transurethral Resection of Prostate ; Treatment Outcome ; Urine

The chemical investigation on Ganoderma philippii led to the isolation of sixteen compounds by silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 column chromatography. On the basis of spectroscopic data analyses, their structures were elucidated as 2, 5-dihydroxyacetophenone (1), methyl gentisate (2), (S) -dimethyl malate (3), muurola-4, 10 (14) -dien-11beta-ol (4), dihydroepicubenol (5), 5-hydroxymethylfuran carboxaldehyde (6), ergosta-7, 22E-dien-3beta-ol (7), ergosta-7, 22E-dien-3-one (8), ergosta-7, 22E-diene-2beta, 3alpha, 9alpha-triol (9), 6/beta-methoxyergo-sta-7, 22E-dien-3beta, 5alpha-diol (10), ergosta-4, 6, 8(14), 22E-tetraen-3-one (11), ergosta4, 6, 8-(14), 22E-etetraen-3beta-ol (12), 5alpha, 8alpha-epidioxy-ergosta-6, 22E-dien-3beta-ol (13), 7alpha-methoxy-5alpha, 6alpha-epoxyergosta-8-(14), 22E-dien-3beta-ol (14), ergosta-8, 22E-diene-3beta, 5alpha, 6beta, 7alpha-tetraol (15), and ergosta-5, 23-dien-3beta-ol, acetate (16). All the compounds were obtained from this fungus for the first time, and compounds 4 and 5 were isolated from the Ganoderma genus for the first time.
Ganoderma ; chemistry ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Organic Chemicals ; analysis ; isolation & purification

Objective To investigate effects of angelica polysaccharide on learning and memory abilities, Ach, ChAT, AChE, SOD, MDA in serum, APP and Aβ1-42 in hippocampus in model rats with Alzheimer disease (AD); To explore the mechanism of angelica polysaccharide for the treatment of AD. Methods Seventy SPF Wistar rats were selected for learning and memory ability by water maze. 10 rats were randomly selected (half female and half male) as sham-operation group, and the others were injected with Aβ25-35 by stereotatic techniques, copying AD model rats. 50 rats for learning and memory ability by water maze were successfully divided into model group, positive group, angelica polysaccharide low-, medium-, and high-dose groups, with 10 rats in each group. Rats in model group and sham-operation group were given normal saline for gavage, while rats in medication groups were given relevant medicine for gavage, 2 mL/(100 g?d), for 28 d. The learning and memory ability of rats in each group was tested by Morris water maze during 25-28 days, and the contents of Ach, ChAT, AChE, SOD, MDA in serum and APP and Aβ1-42 in hippocampus were determined. Results Compared with the sham-operation group, the escape latent period of model group was significantly prolonged in place navigation experiment; the target quadrant time was shortened; the latent time for the first time to reach the original escape platform was longer in spatial probe test; the residence time of crossing the original platform position and the target quadrant was shorter; the levels of Ach, the activity of ChAT and SOD in serum decreased; the levels of MDA, the activity of AChE in serum increased; the levels of APP and Aβ1-42 in hippocampus increased, with statistical significance (P<0.05, P<0.01). Compared with model group, the escape latent period of each medication group was shortened in different degrees after the intervention treatment; the residence time of target quadrant was prolonged; the latent time for the first time to reach the original escape platform was shortened; the number of cross platform increased; the levels of Ach, the activity of ChAT and SOD in serum increased; the levels of MDA and the activity of AChE in serum decreased; the levels of APP and Aβ1-42 in hippocampus significantly decreased, with statistical significance (P<0.05, P<0.01). Conclusion Angelica polysaccharide may effectively improve the learning and memory of ability of AD model rats to improve anti-free radical oxidation and promote Aβ metabolism and promote learning and memory ability of AD model rats, which have some preventive and therapeutic effects on AD.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of the micronucleus (MN) formation in lymphocytes from patients with the malignant degrees of colorectal cancer.

METHODSThe MN test in capillary blood lymphocytes was conducted in 112 patients randomly selected from in-hospital patients before therapy. Experimental data were analyzed by SPSS (v.10.1) software.

RESULTSThe differences in the frequency of MN between 7 pathological types of colorectal cancers and controls were statistically significant (P<0.01). The frequency of MN increased with the decrease of the histological differentiation in colorectal cancer, and the statistically significant differences were seen between low differentiation group and the other differentiation groups in colorectal cancers.

CONCLUSIONThere is a significant correlation between MN formation and the malignant degrees of colorectal cancer, and MN formation will be a useful biomarker for the identification of malignant degrees of colorectal cancer before operation or for the screening of high risk subgroup.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; blood ; genetics ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphocytes ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Micronucleus Tests ; methods ; Middle Aged

BACKGROUNDThis study compared the efficacy and safety between 120-W thulium:yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Tm:YAG) vapoenucleation of prostates (ThuVEP) and holmium laser enucleation of prostates (HoLEP) for patients with lower urinary tract symptoms (LUTS) due to benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH).

METHODSA retrospective analysis of 88 consecutive patients with symptomatic BPH was carried out, who underwent either 120-W ThuVEP or HoLEP nonrandomly. Patient demographics and peri-operative and 12-month follow-up data were analyzed with the International Prostate Symptom Score (IPSS), quality of life (QoL) score, maximum flow rate (Qmax), postvoid residual urine volume (PVR), and rates of peri-operative and late complications.

RESULTSThe patients in each group showed no significant difference in preoperative parameters. Compared with the HoLEP group, patients in the 120-W ThuVEP group required significantly shorter time for laser enucleation (58.3 ± 12.8 min vs. 70.5 ± 22.3 min, P = 0.003), and resulted in a significant superiority in laser efficiency (resected prostate weight/laser enucleation time) for 120-W Tm:YAG laser compared to holmium:YAG laser (0.69 ± 0.18 vs. 0.61 ± 0.19, P = 0.048). During 1, 6, and 12 months of follow-ups, the procedures did not demonstrate a significant difference in IPSS, QoL score, Qmax, or PVR (P > 0.05). Mean peri-operative decrease of hemoglobin in the HoLEP group was similar to the ThuVEP group (17.1 ± 12.0 g/L vs. 15.2 ± 10.1 g/L, P = 0.415). Early and late incidences of complications were low and did not differ significantly between the two groups of 120-W ThuVEP and HoLEP patients (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS120-W ThuVEP and HoLEP are potent, safe and efficient modalities of minimally invasive surgeries for patients with LUTS due to BPH. Compared with HoLEP, 120-W ThuVEP offers advantages of reduction of laser enucleation time and improvement of laser efficiency.

Aged ; Aluminum ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Laser Therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prostate ; surgery ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; surgery ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Thulium ; therapeutic use ; Treatment Outcome ; Yttrium ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo investigate the treatment for traumatic intervertebrae disk herniation in cervical thoracic junction.

METHODSFrom 2003 to 2008, there were 10 patients with trautimatic intervertebral disk herniation in cervical thoracic junction, which included 6 males and 4 females, aged from 23 to 66 years (means 41.5 years). All of them were performed through the transforminal approach combined with internal fixation. After operation all patient underwent hyperbaric oxygen treatment. The function of spine was evaluated by JOA score system.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up for 8 to 16 months(means 13 months). All patients got recovery of spine function to some extent except one case with complete spine damaged. The JOA scores was improved from (8 +/- 3) before operation to (15 +/- 2) after operation.

CONCLUSIONEarly and effective treatment by transforminal operation could be helpful for the recovery of spine function.

Adult ; Aged ; Cervical Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Intervertebral Disc Displacement ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries ; surgery

BACKGROUNDAscorbic acid has important antioxidant properties, and may play a role in the protective effects of ischemic preconditioning on later ischemia-reperfusion. Herein, we examined the role of endogenous extracellular ascorbic acid in ischemic preconditioning in the kidney.

METHODSWe developed a solitary rabbit kidney model where animals received ischemia-reperfusion only (ischemia-reperfusion group, n = 15) or ischemic preconditioning followed by ischemia-reperfusion (ischemic preconditioning group, n = 15). Ischemia-reperfusion was induced by occluding and loosening of the renal pedicle. The process of ischemic preconditioning included 15-minute brief ischemia and 10-minute reperfusion. In vivo microdialysis coupled with online electrochemical detection was used to determine levels of endogenous extracellular ascorbic acid in both groups. The extent of tissue damage was determined in kidney sections stained with hematoxylin and eosin. Serum creatinine and urea nitrogen were also detected to assess renal function.

RESULTSDuring ischemia-reperfusion, the extracellular ascorbic acid concentration during ischemia increased rapidly to the peak level ((130.01 +/- 9.98)%), and then decreased slowly to near basal levels. Similar changes were observed during reperfusion (peak level, (126.78 +/- 18.24)%). In the ischemic preconditioning group there was a similar pattern of extracellular ascorbic acid concentration during ischemic preconditioning. However, the ascorbic acid level was significantly lower during the ischemia and early reperfusion stage compared to the ischemia-reperfusion group. Additionally, the extent of glomerular ischemic collapse, tubular dilation, tubular denudation, and loss of brush border were markedly attenuated in the ischemic preconditioning group. Levels of serum creatinine and urea nitrogen were also decreased significantly in the ischemic preconditioning group.

CONCLUSIONSIschemic preconditioning may protect renal tissue against ischemia-reperfusion injury via use of extracellular ascorbic acid. In vivo microdialysis coupled with online electrochemical detection is effective for continuous monitoring extracellular ascorbic acid in the renal cortex.

Animals ; Ascorbic Acid ; metabolism ; Disease Models, Animal ; Ischemic Preconditioning ; methods ; Kidney ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rabbits ; Reperfusion Injury ; prevention & control