To explore the changes of retrobulbar hemodynamics in diabetes via color doppler ultrasound.
●METHODS: Totally 80 patients ( 160 eyes ) with eye diseases in type 2 diabetes from June 2010 to May 2013 in our hospital were enrolled as research group. By fundus photography and direct ophthalmoscopy, patients were assigned to diabetes without retinopathy group ( DNR subgroup), non- proliferative diabetic retinopathy group (NPDR subgroup) and proliferative diabetic retinopathy group (PDR subgroup). Of 60 healthy patients (120 eyes) over the same period were chosen as control group. The doppler parameters of central retinal artery ( CRA ), posterior ciliary artery (PCA) and ophthalmic artery (OA) were measured.
●RESULTS: There were significant differences on circulatory parameters of CRA, PCA and OA between both groups ( P < 0. 05 ). Significant differences were also observed on peak systolic velocity ( PSV), end diastolic velocity ( EDV) and resistance index ( Rl) of CRA, PCA and OA among DNR subgroup, NPDR subgroup and PDR subgroup ( P < 0. 05). The EDV, Rl and PSV of control group differed from those of DNR subgroup, NPDR subgroup and PDR subgroup (P<0. 05).
●CONCLUSlON: The monitoring of retinal blood flow and analysis of blood spectrum morphology via color doppler ultrasound can effectively evaluate the degree of diabetic retinopathy lesions, especially before DR vascular disease. Early detection can reveal the hemodynamic change pattern of DR, facilitating the prevention of diabetic eye complications and improvement of the quality of life.

Objective To evaluate the clinical value of multi-slice spiral CT in diagnosing tracheobronchial foreign bodies in chil-dren.Methods 139 patients with airway foreign body confirmed by bronchoscopy were examined with 128-slice spiral CT,and then the CT data was reconstructed by using multiple-planar reconstruction(MPR),curved planar reconstruction (CPR),volume render-ing(VR),minimum intensity projection(MinIP)and virtual endoscopy (VE).The CT results were compared with bronchofibersco-py findings.Results Among the 139 cases,the foreign bodies located at trachea in 13 cases,right bronchia in 75 cases,left bronchia in 48 cases,and bilateral bronchia in 3 cases.137 cases (98.6%)were correctly diagnosed,and 2 cases (1.4%)were missed on CT.Although the difference of the results at trachea and right main stem bronchus was statistically significant (P <0.05),the over-all results was not significant difference between CT and bronchoscopy examination (P =0.340).Associated findings included em-physema in 74 cases,pneumonia in 48 cases,atelectasis in 22 cases,mediastinal displacement in 57 cases,lung interstitial emphyse-ma in 4 cases,pneumomediastinum and pneumoderma in 4 cases,bronchiectasis in 2 cases,and pleural effusion in 4 cases.Conclu-sion MSCT and its postprocessing techniques can accurately and intuitively display the tracheobronchial foreign body and complica-tions,which has important value for clinical application.

Child ; Humans ; Otolaryngology ; Pediatrics

Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; Humans ; Serine Proteinase Inhibitors ; Serpins

Objective To detect the atherosclerotic progression in low density lipoprotein receptor (LDL-R) gene knock-out mouse by ultrasound biomicroscopy(UBM) technique,and to monitor the intima media thickness (IMT) and changes in plague of aortic wall.Methods 10 male LDL-R gene knock-out mice of 16 weeks age and 10 LDL-R gene knock-out mice of 24 weeks age were in the experimental group,and 10 male C57BL/6 mice of 16 and 24 weeks age were in the control group.The shapes of their aortic roots,ascending aorta,aortic arch and CCA were detected by UBM,and the IMT at aortic root view and carotid artery bifurcation were measured,then the data were compared with histopathology of the corresponding vascular segments.Results The difference between the IMT of aortic root and carotid artery bifurcation of the 16 week old LDL-R mice and the control group of the same age had no statistical significance.The difference between the IMT of carotid artery bifurcation of the 24-week-old LDL R mice and the control group of the same age had no statistical significance.The IMT of aortic root thickened compared with control group of the same age(P ＜0.01).Conclusions The UBM technique can be used to detect the atherosclerotic progression in LDL-R gene knock-out mouse.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Constipation ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Vascular Diseases ; prevention & control

Objective To investigate the effect of luxS inactivation on the oxidative stress of Streptococcus mutans and perform preliminary analysis of potential mechanism.Methods Strains were grown to mid-logarithmic phase and divided into three groups,one was used as control and inoculated into normal TPY medium,and the other two groups were experimental groups,and there were separately inoculated into TPY containing 58.8 mmol/L hydrogen peroxideor TPY containing 58.8 mmol/L hydrogen peroxide and 0.1 mmol/L 2,2'-dipyridyl.The survival rate of strain was calculated at 0.5,1,and 2 h.All the data were statistically analyzed.Results Compared with the control group,the survival rate of luxS mutation was always higher than standard strain at all pre-determined time inexperimental groups (P＜0.05),and compared with experimental group without iron chelator,the survival rate of strains was not raised with the added of iron chelator (P＞0.05).Conclusion luxS gene is involved in oxidative stress tolerance of Streptococcus mutans,and the oxidative stress tolerance is not achieved by avoiding the toxic effects of the Fenton reaction

Autoimmune diseases (AID) are characterized by autoimmune disorder, as autologous tissue is attacked by the autoimmune system. It is reported that the imbalance of autoimmune tolerance and ingrained inflammatory response are the core events of AID undoubtedly. Peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ (PPARγ) which belongs to the nuclear hormone receptor superfamily is a ligand activated transcription factor. PPARγ combines with retinoid X receptor (RXR) to form heterodimer. When PPARγ is activated, the complex regulates gene expression by binding to a specific peroxisome proliferator response element (PPRE). In addition, PPARγ has diversified biological functions, playing important roles in regulating metabolism, controling inflammation, modulating glucose and lipid metabolism, ameliorating atherosclerosis, anti-tumor, and regulating immune response. However, recently researches indicate that PPARγ participates in the pathogenesis of AID. PPARγ plays key roles in regulating activation and polarization of macrophages, function of dendritic cells, proliferation and differentiation of T cells, and modulation of the function of related stromal cells. This article summarizes the biological functions and signal transduction pathways of PPARγ and the protective effects of agonists of PPARγ on AID, aiming to provide theoretical support for the research of mechanism and prevention and treatment of AID.

Objective To compare the effect of transthoracic contrast echocardiography (cTTE) with transesophageal contrast echocardiography (cTEE) for detecting right to left shunt (RLS) in patients with patent foramen ovale (PFO). Methods The prospective study was conducted in 29 consecutive patients with PFO who suffered from cryptogenic stroke and/or migraine. Contrast echocardiography was performed in all 29 patients. The cTTE was performed using transducer with second harmonic imaging modality (transmitting frequency 1.7 MHz, receiving frequency 3.4 MHz). The cTEE was performed using transducer with frequency 7 MHz. Ten milliliter saline solution of contrast were rapidly administrated through an antecubital vein. According to whether microbubble (MB) appearing in left atrium after complete opaciifcation of right atrium within the ifrst 3 circles, the results were classiifed by a four-level semi-quantitative categorization:Level 1 (no PFO-RSL), no MB in left atrium; Level 2 (small PFO-RSL) 1-10 MBs; Level 3 (medium PFO-RSL) 10-30 MBs;Level 4 (large PFO-RSL)>30 MBs. Results The total detection rate of PFO-RSL was signiifcant different between cTTE and cTEE (86.2%vs 55.2%,χ2=5.711, P=0.017). In cTTE there were 4 cases at level 1, 1 case at level 2, 5 cases at level 3 and 19 cases at level 4. In cTEE there were 13 cases at leverl 1, 2 cases at level 2, 6 cases at level 3 and 7 cases at level 4. The comparison of semi-quantitative grading derived from cTTE and cTEE was also signiifcant different (Wilcoxon signed ranks test showed Z=-3.789, P=0.000). Conclusions The efifciency in detection of PFO-RLS with cTTE was better than with cTEE. Compared with cTEE, cTTE was easier in practice and brought less discomfort and complications to patients.