Background The early diagnosis and treatment is vital for the age-related macular degeneration (AMD).Previous examining methods were fundus fluorescein angiography(FFA)and optical coherence tomography (OCT).However,a new diagnostic technique,fundus autofluorescence(FAF),is applying in ophthalmology.objective This study was to observe the FAF characteristics of atrophic AMD. Methods Thirty-nine eyes of 28 patients with atrophic AMD were diagnosed and collected in our hospital and classified based on the criteria of Chen Song.FAF was performed by a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope(Heidelberg Retina Angiograph 2,HRA2).Characteristics of FAF images were compared with FFA images or color fundus photographs.Written informed consent was obtained from each patient prior to the examination. Results Areas with abnormal increased or decreased FAF signals were consisted or unconsisted with funduscopically visible alterations.Seven manifestations of FAF were found in the eyes with preatrophic stage of atrophic AMD,including slight change,focal increase pattern,patchy pattern,linear pattern,lacelike pattern,reticular pattern,and speckled pattern.In atrophic stage of atrophic AMD,geographic atrophy showed a well-defined hypoautofluorescence area;while non-geographic atrophy showed a ill-defined hypoautofluorescence area.There were three abnormal FAF patterns(focal,band and diffuse)in the junctional zone of geographic atrophy and diffuse pattern in the junctional zone of non-geographic atrophy. Conclusion FAF imaging is helpful for the diagnosis of atrophic AMD as a new non-invasive technique.

Objective To systematically review the efficiency of 18 F-FDG PET in glioma grading by using Meta-analysis. Methods Retrieval in PubMed and China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI)was performed. Relevant papers concerning with glioma diagnoses with 18 F- FDG PET were selected. Paper quality was evaluated according to the standard of diagnostic test recommended by Cochrane Workshop. The data of glioma malignancy degree defined as semi-quantitatively and qualitatively were extracted from the papers. Meta-analysis was conducted with the Meta-Disc software to calculate pooled weighted sensitivity and specificity with 95% confidence interval (CI). Summary receiver operating characteristic (SROC) curve was performed and the areas under the curve (AUC) were calculated. Results Seven hundred and fifty-three patients from 17 papers ( 16 in English, 1 in Chinese) were included. Two hundred and seventy-two patients from 11 papers were using semi-quantitative (tumor to cortex ratio, T/C; tumor to white matter ratio,T/W) method and 481 patients from 9 papers were using qualitative method (visual observation, some of the papers had 2 or more methods). After heterogeneity test was done, different effect models were selected. The pooled weighted sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR) with 95% CI for T/C group was 0. 952 (95% CI: 0. 903 -0. 980), 0. 409 (95% CI: 0. 318-0. 504) and 11. 746 (95% CI:5. 368-25. 702) respectively. The pooled weighted sensitivity, specificity and DOR with 95% CI for T/W group was 0. 857 (95% CI: 0. 768-0. 922), 0. 538 (95% CI: 0. 431 -0. 642) and 22. 066 (95% CI:7. 077-68. 800) respectively. The pooled weighted sensitivity, specificity and diagnostic odds ratio (DOR)with 95% CI for qualitative method was 0.810 (95%CI: 0.757-0.855), 0.870 (95%CI: 0. 819-0.911 ) and 15.282 (95% CI: 3. 716-62. 851 ) respectively. The AUC for T/C group, T/W group and qualitative method was 0.8604, 0. 8373 and 0. 8724 respectively. Conclusions Grading glioma by 18 F-FDG PET with semi-quantitative method may provide high diagnostic sensitivity. If qualitative method is used, the diagnostic specificity may be higher.

BACKGROUNDFundus autofluorescence (FAF) imaging is a fast and noninvasive technique developed over the last decade. The authors utilized fluorescent properties of lipofuscin to study the health and viability of the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE)-photoreceptor complex. Observing the intensity and distribution of FAF of various retinal diseases is helpful for ascertaining diagnosis and evaluating prognosis. In this study, we described the FAF characteristics of cystoid macular edema (CME).

METHODSSixty-two patients (70 eyes) with CME were subjected to FAF and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) by a confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (Heidelberg Retina Angiograph 2 (HRA2)). Characteristics of FAF images were compared with FFA images.

RESULTSFAF intensity in normal subjects was highest at the posterior pole and dipped at the fovea. All cases of CME showed fluorescein dye accumulated into honeycomb-like spaces in macular and formated a typical petaloid pattern or atypical petaloid pattern in the late phases of the angiography. Sixty-one eyes with CME on FAF images showed mild or moderate hyperautofluorescence petaloid pattern in fovea, the FAF patterns of these CME was perfectly corresponding with shape in their FFA images; nine eyes with CME secondary to exudative age related macular degeneration (AMD) showed expansion of the hypoautofluorescence without petaloid pattern in macula.

CONCLUSIONFAF imaging can be used as a new rapid, non-invasive and ancillary technique in the diagnosis of the majority of CME, except for AMD and small part of other fundus diseases.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Female ; Fluorescein Angiography ; methods ; Fluorescence ; Fundus Oculi ; Humans ; Lipofuscin ; metabolism ; Macular Edema ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Background Studies showed plasma fibrinogen (FIB) is not only the independent risk factor of cardiovascular disease,but also associated with the prevalence and incidenc of hypertension.A gender difference was shown in the association of FIB with hypertension,while no epidemiological study has been reported in Chinese population.Objective To explore the association between plasma FIB concentration and ten-year accumulative risk of hypertension.Methods A prospective study of relationship between blood pressure and other traditional risk factors were carried out in a cohort of Chinese population of 2115 people aged 35-64 years old in 1992 and 2002. The association of plasma FIB concentration with ten-year accumulative risk of hypertension was analyzed.Results The ten-year accumulative incidence rate of hypertension was 34.8%,and incidence in males (39.3%) was signifi- cantly higher than that in females (31.5%) (P

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression and procoagulant activity of phosphatidylserine (PS) on the normal peripheral blood cells of adults.

METHODSNormal peripheral blood samples were collected from 10 healthy volunteers (5 ml from each volunteer), platelets, neutrophils, lymphocytes and erythrocytes were isolated. The expression and procoagulant activity of PS on normal blood cells were identified by flow cytometry, inhibition test with lactadherin as PS probe and coagulation anticoagulant, respectively.

RESULTSThere was PS expression on a few normal blood cells (9.1%, 5.4%, 3.9% and 3.2% in platelets, neutrophils, lymphocytes and erythrocytes, respectively). The PS on these normal blood cells in vitro showed significant procoagulant activity. The plasma recalcification time was shortened by 47%, 36.5%, 25% and 12.5% by platelets, neutrophils, lymphocytes and erythrocytes, respectively; the formation of factor Xa (through both intrinsic and extrinsic pathways) and thrombin was also increased by 13% - 26% by platelets, neutrophils, lymphocytes and erythrocytes, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe PS on normal blood cells in vivo may play a crucial role in the coagulation cascade.

Adult ; Blood Cells ; metabolism ; physiology ; Blood Coagulation Tests ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Male ; Phosphatidylserines ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo observe the suppressive effect on the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in liver from brain dead (BD) rats through inhibition of p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signaling pathway by SB203580.

METHODSA total of 30 male Wistar rats weighing from 180 to 200 g were randomly divided into 3 experimental groups: (1) BD group (n = 10): brain death was induced in rats; (2) BD+SB203580 group (n = 10): brain death was successfully induced and SB203580 (10 mg/kg) was given through dorsal vein of penis. After brain death artificial ventilation was maintained for 6 hours and only those with mean arterial blood pressure more than 80 mm Hg (1 mm Hg = 0.133 kPa) were accepted as BD donors. (3) Control group (n = 10): living healthy rats. The expressions of TNFalpha and IL-1beta mRNA in liver tissues were analyzed by RT-PCR and the protein expressions of TNFalpha, IL-1beta and phosphorylated p38MAPK were detected by Western blot.

RESULTSThe phosphorylated p38MAPK detected in the liver in BD group was significantly increased compared with the control group (q = 172.53, P < 0.01), and the expressions of TNFalpha and IL-1beta mRNA and proteins in liver were also significantly increased in BD group compared with the control group (q = 123.99, 135.35, 243.09 and 192.23, respectively, P < 0.01). The phosphorylated p38MAPK was decreased in BD+SB203580 group and significantly decreased compared with the BD group (q = 63.90, P is less than 0.05), but higher than that in control group (q = 108.63, P < 0.01). The expressions of TNFalpha and IL-1beta mRNA and proteins in liver were significantly decreased in BD+SB203580 group compared with the BD group (q = 55.11, 98.13, 61.03 and 50.85, respectively, P < 0.01), but higher than that in control group (q = 68.89, 37.22, 182.06 and 141.38, respectively, P < 0.01). SB203580 can suppress the expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines in the liver of brain dead rats through the inhibition of p38MAPK signaling pathway which may reduce the immunogenicity of donor livers.

Animals ; Brain Death ; metabolism ; Imidazoles ; pharmacology ; Inflammation ; Interleukin-1beta ; metabolism ; Liver ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; p38 Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases ; antagonists & inhibitors ; metabolism

Based our previous work, twelve purine derivatives were designed and synthesized as dual modulators of GPR119 and DPP-4by conjugating the GPR119 activating and DPP-4 inhibiting fragments with the position 6 and 9 of purine core via an approach of merged pharmacophores. Compound 11, bearing 2-fluoro-4-methylsulphonyl anilide and cyanopyrrolidine moieties, exhibited the most potent GPR119 agonistic activities (EC₅₀ = 0.33 μmol·L^-1, IA = 71.1%) and DPP-4 inhibitory (58.4% inhibition at 10 μmol·L^-1, 21.2% inhibition at 1 μmol·L^-1) activities in the in vitro antidiabetic study. Subsequently, we performed studies on structure activity relationships and molecular docking to guide the further drug design.

Objective To explore the effects of the comprehensive heat preservation methods on body temperature of patients undergoing laparoscopic surgery.Methods Totals of 98 patients who scheduled for selective laparoscopic surgery were randomly divided into experimental group (n =49) warmed with the comprehensive heat preservation methods during operation,and control group (n =49) warmed with the routine heat preservation methods during operation.The nasopharynx temperatures and the incidence of shivering were monitored at different operation time points (T0,T1,T2,T3,T4).Results No significant difference of nasopharynx temperature was found between T1 (36.65 ± 0.30) ℃,T2 (36.64 ± 0.42) ℃,T3 (36.62 ± 0.15) ℃,T4 (36.58 ±0.17)℃ and T0(36.65 ±0.23)℃ in experimental group(t =1.12,0.46,0.71,1.07,respectively;P ＞ 0.05).Compared with experimental group,the nasopharynx temperature of patients in control group was significantly lower at T2,T3,T4 (t =6.64,5.99,3.94,respectively; P ＜ 0.01).The incidence of shivering in experimental group (12.9％) was significantly lower than that in control group (55.8％) (x2 =20.148,P ＜0.01).Conclusions Comprehensive warming methods are effective in preventing complication induced by hypothermia.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the association between serum total cholesterol (TC) and the risk of cardiovascular diseases (CVD) in subjects aged 35-64 years.

METHODSThis prospective study was performed from 1992 to 2002 in 11 provinces of China and the association between baseline TC level and the development of cardiovascular diseases was analyzed in 30 384 subjects aged 35-64 years using Cox multivariate proportional hazards regression.

RESULTS(1) Compared with the group of TC < 3.64 mmol/L (140 mg/dl), multivariate-adjusted relative risk of ischemic cardiovascular disease (ICVD, including CHD and ischemic stroke) increased continuously with increasing TC level. (2) TC level was positively related to the occurrence of ischemic stroke, but not to hemorrhagic stroke. The risk of CHD increased by 74% (RR = 1.743) and the risk of ischemic stroke increased by 12% (RR = 1.119) in the group with TC > or = 5.72 mmol/L compared with the group with TC < 5.72 mmol/L (220 mg/dl). (3) High serum cholesterol was responsible to 5.9% of ICVD, 11.7% of the acute CHD and 2.9% of the acute stroke. (4) At each TC level, the 10-year risk of ICVD increased in the presence of other risk factors.

CONCLUSIONStarting from TC of 3.64 mmol/L, the risk of ICVD increases continuously with increasing TC level. Multiple risk factor intervention should be strengthened to reduce the overall risk of CVD.

Adult ; Blood Chemical Analysis ; Cardiovascular Diseases ; blood ; epidemiology ; China ; epidemiology ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVEInflammatory reaction and injury in immature lungs are associated with activation of nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-kappaB) to trigger proinflammatory cytokine release, but the mechanism thereof is not fully understood. The present study was conducted to understand possible relationship between expression of NF-kappaB and its inhibitor and severity and outcome of neonates with hyaline membrane disease (HMD).

METHODSSerial samples of bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were obtained during mechanical ventilation from 31 preterm infants with HMD. These infants were divided into two groups: survivors group [n = 22, birth weight (1500 +/- 320) g and gestational age (31.2 +/- 1.8) weeks] and nonsurvivors group [birth weight (1340 +/- 280) g, gestational age (30.8 +/- 2.1) weeks]. Nineteen preterm infants [birth weight (1470 +/- 280) g, gestational age (30.6 +/- 1.9) weeks] without respiratory disorders were enrolled as control subjects. Alveolar macrophages (AM) were isolated by differential adherence. AM was cultured and treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) for 1 hr. Then, nuclear extracts of AM were analyzed by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) for NF-kappaB expression. NF-kappaB inhibitor (IkappaB-alpha protein) in cytoplasmic extracts was detected by using Western blotting and IL-1beta and IL-8 in BALF by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSNF-kappaB complexes were observed by EMSA, they were characterized by competition with cold oligonucleotide and p65-specific antibodies. The addition of an excess of cold oligonucleotide, corresponding to the NF-kappaB binding site, turned off the signal of the band, showing that the band was specific. An excess of an irrelevant oligonucleotide (corresponding to the SP-1) did not show any effect. The addition of an anti-p65 antibody caused the supershift of the two upper bands. After EMSA, the NF-kappaB complexes were quantified by using a ImageQuant software. NF-kappaB expression in AM at 24 hrs was higher in all the patients with HMD as compared with control subjects (survives/control, 34.1 vs 11.4 RDU, P < 0.01; nonsurvivors/control, 55.2 vs 11.4 RDU, P < 0.01). The NF-kappaB expression in AM at 72 hrs was higher than that in control subjects but not for nonsurvivors (survivors/control, 47.8 vs 25.6 RDU, P < 0.01; nonsurvivors/control, 21.8 vs 25.6, P > 0.05). The NF-kappaB expression in AM from nonsurvivors was depressed at 72 hrs as compared to 24 hrs (21.8 vs 55.2, P < 0.01), whereas the NF-kappaB expression in AM from survivors was still higher at 72 hrs than that at 24 hrs (47.8 vs 34.1, t = 4.43, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONAltered NF-kappaB activation in AM of BALF of neonates with HMD was observed, and it may be mediated by decreased IkappaB synthesis, increased IkappaB degradation, or both. In HMD nonsurvivors NF-kappaB translocation was hampered upon LPS activation.

Birth Weight ; Blotting, Western ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage Fluid ; cytology ; Cell Culture Techniques ; Cell Nucleus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Cytoplasm ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Hyaline Membrane Disease ; immunology ; therapy ; I-kappa B Proteins ; immunology ; Infant, Newborn ; Infant, Premature ; immunology ; Interleukin-1beta ; immunology ; Interleukin-8 ; immunology ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Macrophages, Alveolar ; drug effects ; immunology ; Male ; NF-KappaB Inhibitor alpha ; NF-kappa B ; immunology ; Respiration, Artificial ; Severity of Illness Index ; Time Factors