Background There still is no a uniform diagnostic criteria for increasing population of dry eye.Studies showed that high tear osmotic pressure is one of causes of a variety of ocular surface discomfort,and the change of tear osmolality has been included in the definition of dry eye syndrome by Dry Eye World Study Group (DEWS) in 2007.It is very clinically significant to study the relationship of tear osmolality with dry eye.Objective This clinical trial was to study the correlation between tear osmolarity and dry eye severity based on Preferred Practice Pattern(PPP)of DEWS.Methods A descriptive study was performed.Fifty-four eyes of 54 patients with dry eye disease were asked to complete an evaluation of dry eye signs and symptoms questionnaire based on PPP.The ocular anterior segment was examined under the slit lamp biomicroscope.Cornealfluorescein staining,tear-film breakup time (BUT),Schirmer test Ⅰ (S Ⅰ t)without anesthesia were performed,and tear sample was collected for tear imageology and tear osmolarity admeasurement.The correlation between dry eye score with tear osmolarity was evaluated using Pearson linear correlation analysis.Written informed consent as obtained prior to any relevant medical procedure.Results The ratio of male and female patients was 1: 2 in this study.The negative correlations were found between tear osmolarity with S Ⅰ t or BUT(r =-0.456,-0.699,P＜0.01),and significantly positive correlations were found between tear osmolarity with tear imaging examination,corneal fluorescein staining,conjunctival hyperemia or dry eye symptom score(r=0.545,0.686,0.691,0.803,P＜0.01).Conclusions As a diagnostic method,tear osmolarity can objectively reflects dry eye severity.It can be a biomarker in dry eye severity grade when combined with clinical symptom.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Polygala tenuifolia Willd YZ-50 on the mRNA expression of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BNDF) and its receptor TrkB in rats with chronic stress depression.es.

METHODSNormal male Wistar rats were divided in to control group, model group, desipramine (20 mg/kg) group, and low and high-dose (2.8 and 5.6 g/kg) YZ-50 groups. The total RNA was extracted from the rats with chronic stress depression, and the mRNA expression of BDNF and TrkB was detected by RT-PCR.

RESULTSCompared with the model group, YZ-50 at both low and high doses significantly increased the mRNA expression of BDNF and TrkB in the hippocampus of rats with chronic stress depression, and the effect was more obvious in the high-dose group (P<0.01).

CONCLUSIONYZ-50 can up-regulate the expression of BDNF and TrkB mRNA to promote the recovery of the neurons from chronic stress-induced damages and produces anti-depressant effect.

Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; genetics ; metabolism ; Depression ; drug therapy ; etiology ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Male ; Polygala ; chemistry ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Receptor, trkB ; genetics ; metabolism ; Stress, Physiological ; physiology ; Up-Regulation ; drug effects

Objective To observe the combined poisonous effects of fluoride and aluminum on sex hormone of male rats.Methods Sixteen weaned SD healthy male rats aged two week were selected and divided into control group,aluminum group,fluoride group,fluorine-aluminum group,four rats in each group.All rats in the experimental groups were fed with corn collected from the prevailng areas containing different fluorine contents respectively for 90 days.Serum testosterone(T)and estradiol(E2)were detected.Results Compared separatelv with the control group[(3.317±0.635)μg/L],serum T level of fluorine-aluminum group[(15.994±6.558)μg/L]was higher(P＜0.05),but aluminum[(8.134±3.134)μg/L]and fluorine[(1.868±0.367)μg/L]groups had no significant differences(P＞0.05).Compared separately with the control group[(0.319±0.072)nmol/L],E2 level of the fluorine group[(0.172±0.030)nmol/L]being lower(P＜0.05),and it was not significant differences(P＞0.05)in the control group when compared with aluminum group[(0.282±0.012)nmol/L],and fluorine-aluminum group[(0.265±0.047)nmol/L].Fluorine and aluminum interacted with each other(F=9.82,P＜0.05).Conclusion The combined poisonous effects of fluorine and aluminum may influence sex hormone levels of male rats.

Objective To study the early protective effect of NADPH on human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) and the expression of occludin and MMP9 induced by oxygen glucose deprivation and reoxygenation (OGD/R). Methods HUVECs were cultured and divided into blank control group, OGD/R group and OGD/R+NADPH 20 μmol/L group. The proliferation of HUVECs after treatment was detected by CCK-8 assay. The cytotoxicity was detected by LDH release assay. The morphological changes of HUVECs were observed by inverted microscope. Superoxide dismutase (SOD MDA) activity and malondialdehyde (MDA) were detected by commercially available kit. The expressions of occludin and MMP9 were detected by Western blot assay. Results Compared with the OGD/R, NADPH enhanced the cell viability significantly (P<0.05), reduced the release of LDH (P<0.05), promoted the maintance of HUVECs morphology, reduced MDA generation (P<0.05) and increased SOD activity (P<0.05). Following OGD/R,the treatment of NADPH can inhibit MMP9 level (P<0.05) and promote the recovery of occludin level (P<0.05). Conclusion NADPH can protect HUVECs from the damage induced by OGD/R by reducing oxidative stress and regulating the expressions of MMP9 and occludin.

Objective To establish a rat model of coal-burning-borne fluorosis,and to observe the expression changes of bone morphogenetic protein-2 (BMP-2) and bone morphogenetic protein-3 (BMP-3) in the serum of rat treated with different dose of fluoride and different treatment duration.Methods A total of 120 clean grade SD rats(body mass between 80 to 120 g) weaned for 4 weeks were randomly assigned into four groups,which were control,low-dose fluorid,medium-dose fluorid and high-dose fluorid groups,respectively,and 30 rats in each group (female 15,male 15).All of the rats were fed with coal drying corn from fluorosis area.Ten rats were killed by femoral artery bleeding 30 d,90 d and 180 d after exposed to fluoride,respectively.Serum BMP-2 and BMP-3 level was tested by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).Results ①Results of BMP-2:after exposed to fluoride for 90 d and 180 d,the differences of serum BMP-2 level between groups were statistically significant(F=385.08,173.98,all P ＜ 0.01).In low-dose fluorid,medium-dose fluorid and high-dose fluorid groups,the expression of serum BMP-2 at 90 d[(18.80 ± 0.43),(22.22 ± 0.85),(25.14 ± 0.69)μg/L] and 180 d[(7.98 ± 0.68),(8.97 ± 0.78),(15.04 ± 0.89)μg/L] was higher than that of control group[(12.54 ± 1.29),(7.53 ± 0.97)μg/L,all P ＜ 0.05],and the level of BMP-2 increased with increasing dose of fluoride (all P ＜ 0.05).Within each group,the difference of serum BMP-2 was statistically significant(F =55.42,511.58,686.35,671.64,all P ＜ 0.01).The expression of BMP-2 in each group at 90 d [(12.54 ± 1.29),(18.80 ± 0.43),(22.22 ± 0.85),(25.14 ± 0.69)μg/L] was higher than that at 30 d[(11.75 ± 1.15),(11.42 ± 1.07),(11.38 ± 0.92),(11.15 ±1.03)μg/L,all P ＜ 0.05].The expression of BMP-2 in each group at 180 d[(7.53 ± 0.97),(7.98 ± 0.68),(8.97 ± 0.78),(15.04 ± 0.89) μg/L] was lower than that at 90 d.②Results of BMP-3:the difference between groups was not statistically significant at every experimental stage(F =0.7215,1.2951,0.0964,all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusions Longer excessive fluoride intake stimulates the expression of BMP-2 in rats,but with prolonged fluoride intake,the stimulation becomes weak.The effect of fluoride on BMP-3 is not as sensitive as that on BMP-2.

Abstract: Objective　To investigate the clinical and laboratory characteristics of pulmonary infection caused by Nocardia otitidiscaviarum. Methods　The clinical data of a patient with pulmonary infection caused by Nocardia otitidiscaviarum were reported, and the clinical characteristics, laboratory characteristics and drug sensitivity of pulmonary infection caused by Nocardia otitidiscaviarum were summarized in combination with the relevant literature at home and abroad from January 2010 to December 2022. Results　A 67-year-old female patient was admitted to the hospital on June 30, 2020 because of "repeated chest tightness and shortness of breath for 3 years, aggravated cough, expectoration and fever". The sputum, alveolar lavage fluid and blood of the patient were collected for culture, and the detected pathogenic bacteria were identified. There are pathogenic bacteria growing in sputum and alveolar lavage fluid, which are identified as Nocardia otitidiscaviarum by Autof ms mass spectrometer. According to the results of pathogenic bacteria and the patient's condition, meropenem combined with compound sulfamethoxazole tablets were given anti-infection treatment, and the patient's condition improved and discharged. Conclusion　The clinical manifestations and imaging features of nocardiosis are lack of specificity, and are prone to misdiagnosis and missed diagnosis. Etiology is the key to disease diagnosis, and clinical examination and culture should be conducted in time.

AIM: To explore the relationship between the expression of caspase-2 and caspase-3 and the apoptosis in retinal ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of rats, as well as the therapeutic effects of brain derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)on the ischemic and reperfused retina.METHODS: This experiment was conducted at the laboratory of Affiliated Hospital of Qingdao University Medical College from February 2007 to July 2007. The models of retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury were made by transiently elevating intraocular pressure. A total of 28 rats were divided into Normal and Operative Groups. Operative group was divided into six subgroups. In each subgroup there were four rats. The left eyes of rats were used for I/R and the right eyes were used for intravitreal injection of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) as treatment group. After reperfusion we divided our subgroups according to the reperfusion time as 1, 6, 12, 24, 48, 72 hours. The retinal ganglion cell number was counted by using optic microscope(BX-51,Olympus). Apoptosis was assessed by the terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP-biotin nick-end labelling (TUNEL) method, and the expression of caspase-2,caspase-3 was studied by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and strept avidin-biotin complex (SABC)immunohistochemistry.RESULTS: No positive apoptotic cells were observed in the normal rats' retinae, but there were a significant number of positive apoptosis cells in 6-24 hours after transient ischemia followed by a decrease at 48 hours. The number of apoptotic cells reached a maximum at 24 hours after ischemia .The expression of caspase-2 gradually increased as early as at 6 hours, reached a peak at 24 hours, then decreased between 48 and 72 hours. Similarly, caspase-3 has the same rule with caspsae-2 in the time courses of expression in retinal tissues.BDNF administered before reperfusion inhibited the expression of apoptosis and ameliorated the retinal tissue damage. It also decreased caspase-2 and caspase-3 expression in ischemic/reperfused retina.CONCLUSION: Retinal ischemia-reperfusion can induce apoptosis of cells in the retina. BDNF rescues retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) from retinal ischemia/reperfusion injury through down-regulation of cell apoptosis and caspase-2 and caspase-3 expression. BDNF have a neuroprotective effect on retina.

Objective To investigate the operative indication,timing,method,selective standards of fetieided fetus and the number of reduced fetuses of selective multifetal pregnancy reduction in second trimester,and the pregnancy outcome of multifetal pregnancy by this operation.Methods Trans-abdominal selective multifetal pregnancy reductions in 37 cases of multiple pregnancy (twins 6 cases,triplets 21cases, quadruplets 8 cases,and quintuplets 2 cases) during 12~(+1) -25 weeks were performed under ultrasound guidance.The fetus to be reduced was injected potassium chloride (KC1) intraeardiacally until the fetal heartbeat stopped gradually.Totally 46 fetuses were reduced.Periodic prenatal examination and monitoring of coagulation function were carried out after the procedure.The pregnancy complications and pregnancy outcome of all cases were recorded.Results (1) The successful ratio of reduction was 100% (46/46 fetuses) and the successful pregnancy ratio was 88.9% (24/27).(2) Among all the 37 cases,fifteen deliveried after 36 weeks,seven deliveried in 32-36 weeks,three deliveried in 28-32 weeks,two aborted after feticide,and ten cases were in pregnancy at the time of this study.The mean gestational age of all was (34.9?4.1) weeks,and the delivery ratio after 28 weeks was 92.6% (25/27).(3) The mean birth weight of singletons was (3014?640) g,and of twins was (2557?573) g.The neonates of three triplets all died except for in one case two fetuses were alive.(4) Except in two cases after reducing one fetus of monoamniotie twins,another one died within 24 hours,the remaining fetuses were all alive.(5) Pre- eclampsia occurred in three cases.None of the cases had blood coagulation disturbances.Conclusion (1) Selective muhifetal pregnancy reduction in second trimester can feticide the abnormal fetus objectively or reduce the fetal number effectively.It is a safe procedure to decrease the complications of multifetal pregnancy and increase the birth weight.(2) ff the intention is reducing the fetal number,we choose the fetus who lies in the fundus uteri and reduce the muhifetal pregnancy to twins.(3) It is advised to aviod performing the procedure during vaginal bleeding.We reduce fetus after vaginal bleeding stops for one or more weeks.(4) Selective second-trimester multifetal pregnancy reduction will not result in the disturbance of blood coagulation and the death of remaining fetus.The incidence of pre-eclampsia is decreased after muhifetal pregnancy reduction.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Creatine Kinase ; blood ; Female ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; blood ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Thymidine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Young Adult

Objective To predict and identify liner B-cell epitopes in the hemagglutinin ( HA) of human-infected avian-origin H7N9 influenza virus and analyze the specificity of H7 subtype.Methods Three serum samples collected at different times from the same patient who was confirmed to be infected with H7N9 influenza virus were provided by Shaoxing People’s Hospital, and one serum sample from healthy person was collected as the control.The extracellular region of HA protein was predicted by TMHMM Sever v.2.0.The potential B-cell epitopes were predicted by DNAStar Lasergene’ s Protean, BcePred and ABCpred tools, and the immunogenicity of the predicted B cell antigen epitopes was assessed by indirect enzyme-linked immunosordent assay ( ELISA ) .H7 subtype specificity was analyzed by comparing HA protein amino acid sequence with H7N9 and H1-H16 subtype influenza virus from Genbank using Clustal X 2.1 software, and Cn3D 4.3.1 software was used to detect the distribution and 3D structure of predicted epitopes on the HA protein of H7N9.Results The potential B-cell epitopes may be located in 172-183, 363-380, 452-472 and 491-506 of extracellular N-terminus of HA protein.ELISA showed that four predicted eptiopes specifically reacted with positive serums from patient.Multi-sequence alignment demonstrated that peptide 172-183 and 363-380 had higher H7 subtype specificity compared with amino acid sequences of other subtypes.Moreover, the predicted linear B-cell epitopes all located on the surface of HA protein according to the 3D structure analysis.Conclusion Four potential B-cell epitopes were identified, in which peptide 172-183 and 363-380 have higher H7 subtype specificity, and may be used in the design of epitope-based vaccines and diagnostics tests.