AIM: To investigate the efficiency of intravitreal ranibizumab therapy ( IVR ) for polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy ( PCV) in single or multiple polyps.
METHODS: A total 63 patients diagnosed with PCV in Shaoxing City People's Hospital from May 2013 to May 2015 were enrolled and divided into single polyp group and multiple polyps group. All patients received intravitreal ranibizumab 3 monthly and were followed up for 12mo. Observe the changes of best corrected visual acuity ( BCVA ) and central retinal thickness ( CRT ) at different time points.
RESULTS: The single polyps group exhibited a better BCVA, shorter greatest linear dimension, and lower prevalence of fibro - vascular pigment epithelial detachment compared with the multiple polyp group before treatment (P<0. 05). Significant difference of BCVA were observed at 3, 6 and 12mo between the two groups (P<0. 05). BCVA at 3, 6, 12mo was significantly better than that at baseline in single polyps group. The single polyp group exhibited a significantly thinner CRT at 6 and 12mo compared with multiple polyps group (P<0. 05). The single polyp group showed improvement in CRT over the followed up period(P<0. 05). The CRT in multiple polyps group at 3 and 6mo significantly decreased compared with preoperative (P<0. 05).
CONCLUSION: IVR meet better result in PCV patients with multiple polyp and polyp numbers may be valuable to prognosis.

Objective Based on the principles of laser radiation protection, medical metroiogy and photoelectron technology, an automatic verification device and testing technology to provide verification and performance evaluation for laser protective spectacles and equipments which have the various functions in laser protection have been developed and established. Methods The current system comprises laser source, laser measuring instruments, software of computer detection and control and modules of optics and mechanics used in auxiliary equipment. By use of the verification device and the special test-recording method to be designed and studied by us, the measured data can be automatically acquired, processed, recorded, saved and printed and, furthermore, many parameters on protective performance of the measured laser protective spectacles can be tested and given. Results Laser wavelength of the verification apparatus are 1 064 nm and 532 nm, response range of wavelength is from 0.4 m to 1.1 μm, measuring range of laser energy is from 10-8 J to 0.3 J, measuring range of optical density for laser protective spectacles is from 0.1 to 8.0, stability is 0.21%, measuring uncertainty is 5%(k=2). Conclusion The automatic verification device is steady and reliable. The achieved performance indexes accord with the requirement of national standard on laser protection.

Multi-component traditional Chinese medicines are an innovative research mode for traditional Chinese medicines. Currently, there are many design methods for developing multi-component traditional Chinese medicines, but their common feature is the lack of effective connection of the traditional Chinese medicine theory. In this paper, the authors discussed the multi-component traditional Chinese medicine design methods based on medicinal property combination modes, provided the combination methods with the characteristics of traditional Chinese medicine for the prescription combinations, and proved its feasibly with hypertension cases.
Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Drug Combinations ; Drug Therapy ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; chemistry ; Humans ; Hypertension ; drug therapy ; physiopathology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Rats

The paper is aimed to identify SNP in Sarcandra glabra and Chloranthus spicatus, and authenticate S. glabra from Ch. spicatus and the mixture by using PCR amplification of specific alleles. SNPs in the ITS sequences of S. glabra and Ch. spicatus were found by ClustulX 2. 1 program and Bioedit software. Primers for authentic S. glabra and Ch. spicatus was designed according to the SNP site, and ITS sequence universal primers plus to the authentic primer to construct a multi-PCR reaction system, and then optimized the PCR reaction system. Five hundred and eighty band special for S. glabra and 470 bp band special for Ch. spicatus were found by using multi-PCR reaction. The multi-PCR reaction system could be applied to identify S. glabra and Ch. spicatus's leaves.
DNA, Plant ; analysis ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal ; genetics ; DNA, Ribosomal Spacer ; analysis ; genetics ; Magnoliopsida ; classification ; genetics ; Plant Leaves ; genetics ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; RNA, Ribosomal ; genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 18S ; genetics ; RNA, Ribosomal, 5.8S ; genetics ; Species Specificity

Objective To study the effect of RNA interference on the expression of CTGF in skin fibroblasts of systemic sclerosis(SS). Methods Four CTGF specific siRNAs and a negative control siRNA were designed and then synthesized by in vitro transcription. siRNAs labeled with carboxyfluorescein-6-succimidyl ester (FAM) were transiently transfected into SS skin fibroblasts. Forty-eight hours after the fibroblasts were treated with siRNAs, the mRNA and protein expression of CTGF was detected by semiquantitative RT-PCR and Western blot analysis, respectively. Results The mRNA and protein expression of CTGF in fibroblasts was significantly down-regulated by 4 and 3 CTGF specific siRNAs (both P

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of deferasirox in heavily iron-overloaded patients with beta-thalassemia major.

METHODSA single arm, open-label clinical trial was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of deferasirox in the treatment for 23 patients with beta-thalassemia major and heavily iron-overloaded in 3 years follow-up.

RESULTSThe 23 patients never received regular chelation before enrolling this trial [the mean baseline of serum ferritin was (5433.96 ± 2873.90) µg/L]. In this trial, a deferasirox dose of 20 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) could stabilize serum ferritin levels, while of ≥ 30 mg×kg(-1)×d(-1) reduced the levels and achieved negative iron balance. There were no serious adverse events related to the drug. Most common adverse events were mild increases of liver enzyme and serum creatinine levels. Overall, 23 patients could tolerate the drug on schedule and all completed the trial.

CONCLUSIONAs a new oral iron chelator, deferasirox has a significant efficacy for the treatment of iron overload. The effectiveness is dependent on the courses of treatment and the dose of deferasirox. The single-dose used is safe and tolerated, so deferasirox can remarkably improve life quality of patients.

Humans ; Iron ; blood ; Iron Overload ; Quality of Life ; Treatment Outcome ; beta-Thalassemia ; blood

This study is to prepare the in situ forming sustained-release injection which can perform sustained release behavior at the periodontal site for 7 days and to evaluate its in vitro and in vivo properties. After preparation of in situ forming sustained-release injection the in situ time was studied. And the surface of the solid injection was characterized by SEM. The rheological curve at 0 degrees C, 25 degrees C, 37 degrees C was determined and the impact of the temperature on the viscosity was examined. The in vitro release behavior was investigated. At last, rabbit periodontitis model was established to study its pharmacokinetics. The injection was stable, hard to stratify and decompose. The in situ forming time was about 6 seconds. It can easily adhere into periodontal pockets. There were lots of holes on the surface of the solid injection for the drug to diffuse. The drug releasing curves could be fit by Korsmeyer-Peppas equation. The drug smoothly released for 7 days at pH 7.4 PBS buffer with a very slight burst release and maintained a certain concentration. In vivo pharmacokinetics results indicated that after administration with the in situ forming injection, achievement of tinidazole (TNZ) concentration in gingival crevicular fluid (GCF) was more comparable and long-lasting than usual solution of TNZ management and relatively constant TNZ levels were attained until 168 h. All these results supported the prospect of tinidazole in situ forming sustained-release injection in clinical applications.
Animals ; Antitrichomonal Agents ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; Drug Carriers ; Drug Compounding ; methods ; Endotoxins ; Gingival Crevicular Fluid ; metabolism ; Injections ; Periodontal Pocket ; metabolism ; Periodontitis ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Polyesters ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacokinetics ; Polyethylene Glycols ; chemical synthesis ; pharmacokinetics ; Rabbits ; Random Allocation ; Rheology ; Tinidazole ; administration & dosage ; pharmacokinetics

The effect and mechanism of mulberry leaves extracts (MLE) on glucose uptake of insulin-resistant HepG2 cells in vitro was explored. The insulin resistant models of HepG2 were induced by high concentration of insulin for 24 h. The models were incubated in a buffer containing mulberry leaves extracts. The glucose consumption was detected by glucose assay kits and the AMP-activated protein kinase (AMPK), Akt activation was examined by Western blotting. Mulberry leaves polysaccharides, mulberry leaves flavonoids and mulberry leaves extracts advanced glucose uptake of insulin-resistant HepG2 cells; Mulberry leaves extracts enhance phosphorylation of AMPK. Mulberry leaves extracts do not change the phosphorylation status of Akt. The glucose consumptions of insulin resistant model of HepG2 were promoted by mulberry leaves extracts. MLE stimulates HepG2 cell AMPK activity acutely without changing the Akt activity.
AMP-Activated Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Flavonoids ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Hep G2 Cells ; Humans ; Hypoglycemic Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Insulin Resistance ; Morus ; chemistry ; Phosphorylation ; Plant Extracts ; pharmacology ; Plant Leaves ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo estimate prevalence of HIV/AIDS among children and the transmission routes in a highly endemic villages of AIDS.

METHODSTotally 208 high-risk women of child bearing age and 159 of their children aged 0 - 14 years were investigated. Their medical histories of blood donation or transfusion were collected, blood samples were taken and sera were separated for HIV test. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and Western blot assay were performed for HIV antibody. The Nested-polymerase chain reaction (PCR) assay amplifying gag gene p17 was performed on samples of children aged less than 18 months.

RESULTSThirty-seven HIV infected cases were found among 159 children aged 0 - 14 years of whom 33 were infected by mother-to-child transmission (89.2%, 33/37), 3 by blood transfusion (8.1%, 3/37) and one by iatrogenic route (2.7%, 1/37). Sixty seven mothers who were seropositive for HIV and their 86 children who were born after 1992 were investigated, 33 cases of them were infected with HIV. The rate of vertical transmission was 38.4% (33/86). The HIV vertical transmission rate among mothers with AIDS (68.8%, 22/32) was significantly greater than that among mothers with asymptomatic HIV infection (20.4%, 11/54, P < 0.05). The number of children infected with HIV through vertical transmission increased from 1993 to 2001. Among 37 children infected with HIV, 12 cases developed AIDS and 4 of them died, of whom 2 cases died from tuberculosis. The morbidity of AIDS was 27.3% (9/33). Ninety three point nine percent (31/33) of infected mothers didn't know their HIV seropositive status before pregnancy and delivery. Of 8 pregnant women infected with HIV, one had aggravation of AIDS, 2 miscarried, 2 terminated their pregnancy and 3 continued their pregnancy.

CONCLUSIONMother-to-child transmission of HIV was the major route of HIV/AIDS transmission to the children. The main reason leading to HIV infection in children was the lack of prenatal HIV counseling and testing for the high-risk women of childbearing age and lake of interventions. The countermeasures must be taken to control the further transmission of AIDS in order to protect the health of women and children in the highly endemic areas of AIDS.

Acquired Immunodeficiency Syndrome ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; transmission ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Female ; Gene Products, gag ; genetics ; HIV Antigens ; genetics ; HIV Infections ; diagnosis ; epidemiology ; transmission ; HIV-1 ; genetics ; immunology ; Humans ; Infant ; Infectious Disease Transmission, Vertical ; Male ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence ; Viral Proteins ; gag Gene Products, Human Immunodeficiency Virus

OBJECTIVETo investigate the genetic variation and typing of hepatitis B virus (HBV) in patients with chronic hepatitis B in relation to HBeAg status.

METHODSFluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was employed to detect serum HBV DNA in patients with chronic hepatitis B negative for HBeAg. Real-time fluorescent PCR and PCR-reverse dot blot hybridization were used to detect HBV genotypes and mutations, respectively.

RESULTSOf the 389 patients, 214 (55.01%) were positive and 175 (44.99%) were negative for HBV DNA; 102 (26.22%) had a HBV DNA copy number of 1×10(3), and 41 (10.54%) had a copy number of 1×10(4) (Χ(2)=226.6729, P<0.001). Of the 21 patients with a HBV DNA load of 1×10(5), 15 (71.43%) were found to have precore mutations, and 11 (52.38%) had basic core promoter (BCP) mutations; a higher HBV-DNA load was associated with an increased incidence of HBV mutations. In the 214 patients positive for HBV DNA, HBV genotypes A, B, C, D and the mixed type were found in 6 (2.80%), 84 (39.25%), 106 (49.53%), and 7 (3.27%), and 11 (5.14%) patients, who showed precore mutation rates of 16.67% (1 case), 36.90% (31 cases), 44.34% (47 cases), 0, and 0, and BCP mutation rates of 0, 19.05% ( 16 cases), 26.42% (28 cases), 0, and 0, respectively, demonstrating significant differences in HBV mutations between the genotype groups (P<0.001).

CONCLUSIONHBeAg-negative and HBV DNA-positive patients with chronic hepatitis B have a relatively low HBV replication level, and HBV DNA load is associated with HBV mutations. The B and C genotypes are more likely to have HBV mutations in HBeAg-negative patients.

DNA, Viral ; blood ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B virus ; classification ; genetics ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; virology ; Humans ; Male ; Mutation ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Viral Core Proteins ; genetics ; Viral Load