Background Recent studies have demonstrated that glaucoma progression had great relationship with corneal biomechanical properties.However,there are not enough studies about corneal biomechanical properties in different types of glaucoma.Objective This study was to evaluate the corneal biomechanical properties in chronic primary angle-closure glaucoma (CPACG) and primary open angle glaucoma (POAG).Methods Prospective observational study was adopted.Sixty-eight cases (68 eyes) with CPACG and 69 POAG patients (69 eyes) from Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center were investigated by a novel technique named Corvis-ST which can measure corneal deformation.The Cronbach's αt coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were used to evaluate the repeatability of the parameters from Corvis-ST.The differences of corneal biomechanical properties between POAG and CPACG were evaluated by independent-samples t test.Multiple regression analysis was used to assess the association between parameters of deformation response and clinical factors.This study protocol was approved by Ethic Committee of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center and complied with Helsinki Declaration.Written informed consent was obtained from each patient prior to any medical examination.Results There were no statistic differences about age,sex and intraocular pressure (IOP) between CPACG and POAG patients (all at P＞0.05).However,differences existed in the number of anti-glaucoma medications (t =-2.388,P =0.020).Measurements of central corneal thickness (CCT),deformation amplitude (DA),and peak distance (PD) demonstrated excellent repeatability (ICC≥ 0.8).There were no statistic differences about CCT,first applanation time/length/velocity (A1 T,A1 L,A1V),second applanation time/length/velocity (A2T,A2L,A2V),DA between CPACG and POAG patients (all at P＞ 0.05).The highest concavity time was shorter (t =2.920,P =0.005),PD was bigger (t =-2.453,P =0.017),and central curvature radius (CCR) was smaller (t =1.997,P =0.050) in POAG than those in the CPACG patients.DA,A1V,A2T and PD were negatively associated with IOP (r =-0.709,-0.531,-0.645,-0.554;all at P＜0.001).However,A1T and A2V were positively associated with IOP (r=0.744,0.546;both at P＜0.001).And CCR was positively associated with CCT (r =0.181,P =0.039).Conclusions It is useable to evaluate corneal biomechanical properties of glaucoma by Corvis ST.Under the same level of IOP,the corneal concavity of POAG is easier than that of CPACG,which indicates that cornea in POAG patients is more deformable.

Objective To study the genetic diversity in Fujian Sanming Sarcandra Glabra from different geographical provenances;To construct genetic relationship diagram.Methods DNA in leaves was extracted by CTAB. Analysis and evaluation of DNA molecular level of 45 samples of different geographical provenances were conducted by ISSR method. POPgen32 software was used to calculate the genetic diversity and establish gene trees. NTSYS software was used to carry out cluster analysis.Results Six ISSR primers amplified 630 bands. Genetic diversity analysis showed that the average effective number of alleles of 45 varieties was 1.620 2;the average Nei's genetic diversity index was 0.364 5;the average Shannon information index was 0.543 2. Each point had different levels of genetic diversity. Nei's genetic diversity index of the maximum value was 0.497 2, and the minimum value was 0.107 8;Maximum Shannon information index was 0.690 3, and the minimum value was 0.219 2. Cluster analysis results showed that 45 varieties and 14 loci band data were the primitive matrix. 630 genetic similarity coefficients between two different species were obtained. The maximum similarity coefficient among different groups was 1.0, and the minimum was 0.516.Conclusion Different varieties of Fujian Sanming Sarcandra Glabra exist abundant genetic variation and has the molecular basis of abundant species. Using 0.610 as the threshold value can divide Sarcandra Glabra from 45 different geographical provenances into 6 groups. The genetic distance and geographical distance was not related.

Hymenolepis nana and Hymenolepis diminuta are globally widespread zoonotic cestodes. Rodents are the main reservoir host of these cestodes. Brown rats (Rattus norvegicus) are the best known and most common rats, and usually live wherever humans live, especially in less than desirable hygiene conditions. Due to the little information of the 2 hymenolepidid species in brown rats in China, the aim of this study was to understand the prevalence and genetic characterization of H. nana and H. diminuta in brown rats in Heilongjiang Province, China. Total 114 fecal samples were collected from brown rats in Heilongjiang Province. All the samples were subjected to morphological examinations by microscopy and genetic analysis by PCR amplification of the mitochondrial cytochrome c oxidase subunit 1 (COX1) gene and the internal transcribed spacer 2 (ITS2) region of the nuclear ribosomal RNA gene. In total, 6.1% (7/114) and 14.9% (17/114) of samples were positive for H. nana and H. diminuta, respectively. Among them, 7 and 3 H. nana isolates were successfully amplified and sequenced at the COX1 and ITS2 loci, respectively. No nucleotide variations were found among H. nana isolates at either of the 2 loci. Seventeen H. diminuta isolates produced 2 different COX1 sequences while 7 ITS2 sequences obtained were identical to each other. The present results of H. nana and H. diminuta infections in brown rats implied the risk of zoonotic transmission of hymenolepiasis in China. These molecular data will be helpful to deeply study intra-specific variations within Hymenolepis cestodes in the future.
Animals ; Cestoda ; China* ; Electron Transport Complex IV ; Genes, Mitochondrial ; Genes, rRNA ; Humans ; Hygiene ; Hymenolepiasis ; Hymenolepis diminuta ; Hymenolepis nana* ; Hymenolepis* ; Microscopy ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Prevalence* ; Rats* ; Rodentia

Objective:To prepare the multilayer alginate chitosan microspheres loading vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and vancomycin (VAN), and to study in vitro release characteristics.Methods:The microspheres were prepared by emulsion cross-linking and self-assembly techniques.The effects of sodium alginate concentration, calcium chloride concentration, oil/water ratio and span80 concentration on the entrapment efficiency(EE) and drug loading(DL) of VEGF and VAN were investigated by orthogonal experimental design to optimize the preparation process.The surface morphology and particle size of microspheres were observed by scanning electron microscope (SEM).Self-assembly was detected by Fourier transform infrared spectroscope (FTIR).The EE, DL and in vitro release of VEGF and VAN were detected by ELISA double antibody sandwich method and ultraviolet spectrophotometry,and the cumulative release curve was drawn.Results:The prepared microspheres were yellowish brown powder.The SEM results showed that the microspheres were spherical, the surface was smoothy, and the dispersity was better.The average particle size was about 50 μm.Sodium alginate concentration of 1.0 g·mL-1, CaCl2 concentration of 8 g·mL-1, oil to water ratio of 3∶1, and span80 concentration of 2% were the best formula.The EE of VEGF and VAN were 49.63% and 16.67%, respectively.In vitro, the cumulative release last 16.5 d and 12.5 d respectively and the amount reached up to 95%.Conclusion:The multilayer alginate chitosan microspheres loading VEGF and VAN present several advantages, such as smaller particle size, higher EE and better controlled release.

Gallbladder cancer is a highly malignant tumor of the digestive system,and its incidence in China has been increasing year by year.Due to the lack of specific symptoms in the early stage,early diagnosis is difficult for gallbladder cancer and it is often at advanced stage once discovered.Surgery is still the only method to cure gallbladder cancer.Therefore,early diagnosis is particularly important for radical resection and improving overall prognosis of gallbladder cancer patients.However,there is still no specific molecular diagnostic target for gallbladder cancer.The continuous improvement of research and surgical skills have made the operational procedure of gallbladder cancer more standardized.With the increasing understanding on the epidemiology and pathogenesis of gallbladder cancer and the improvement of imaging,radiotherapy and chemotherapy technology,the comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of gallbladder cancer has also developed rapidly in recent years.However,high-quality clinical research is still needed.Comprehensive treatment model including radical surgery,adjuvant radiotherapy and chemotherapy,targeted therapy and immunotherapy will be the trend of gallbladder cancer treatment in the future.This article summarizes the advances in comprehensive diagnosis and treatment of gallbladder cancer by reviewing literatures.

Objective To develop, optimize and preliminarily verify an indirect immunofluores-cence assay ( IFA) for detecting the titer of recombinant baculovirus. Methods Conditions for performing IFA, including cell concentration, co-incubation time, reaction temperature, dilution ratio, reaction time and types of fixative solution, blocking liquid and antibodies, were optimized to establish an IFA method for the detection of baculovirus titer. Specificity, accuracy, reproducibility and intermediate precision of the es-tablished assay were verified. And the results were compared with those of baculovirus rapid titer kit. Re-sults The optimal cell concentration for coating was 0. 6×106 cell/ml, and the optimal reaction time be-tween viruses with cells was 3 d. The optimal conditions for conducting IFA were as follows: formaldehyde buffered acetone (-20℃) was used as fixative, normal goat serum was used as blocking liquid and the first and second generation antibodies at a dilution of 1 : 200 were incubated at 37℃ for 1 h, respectively. Spe-cific fluorescence was observed only in baculovirus but not in others by using the method. No significant difference in virus titers was observed between the established IFA and baculovirus rapid titer kit. The two methods showed a good linear correlation (R2=0. 996). Coefficients of variation for evaluating the reproduc-ibility and intermediate precision were less than 10％. Conclusion IFA for the detection of baculovirus ti-ter was established with good specificity, accuracy, reproducibility and intermediate precision.

Objective:To design and compile quality evaluation questionnaire on problem-based learning (PBL) of Neurology and to test its reliability and validity.Methods:Referring to the framework of the evaluation system and according to the characteristics of the discipline, we designed the questionnaire on PBL of Neurology. The clinical medical students who participated in neurologic PBL course were taken as the objects of investigation. The reliability of the questionnaire and the reliability of internal consistency were tested. Correlation analysis and exploratory factor analysis were used to evaluate the validity of the questionnaire.Results:The questionnaire on PBL of Neurology included three first-level indicators: teaching plan quality evaluation, teaching method evaluation and teaching quality evaluation, containing 6 second-level indicators and 25 third-level indicators. The correlation coefficient ρ=0.990 ( P<0.01) showed that the retest reliability was good. The cronbach's α coefficient is 0.901, meeting the internal consistency reliability requirement. And the content validity correlation coefficient was 0.307-0.7 ( P<0.05), indicating that each third-level index had a significant correlation with the total score, and the questionnaire item design was good. The three first-level indicators were used as common factors to evaluate the structural validity by exploratory factor analysis and identify the direction of optimization. Conclusion:The questionnaire has good reliability and validity, which can be used as a tool for scientific evaluation on PBL of neurology, and also provide an optimization direction for further research in the future.

Objective:To explore the potential clinical value of 99Tc m-methoxyisobutylisonitrile(MIBI) SPECT/CT muscle imaging in the diagnosis of cervical dystonia (CD). Methods:From January 2021 to April 2022, 50 patients with CD (14 males, 36 females; age (45.8±12.5) years) who were treated in Second Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were prospectively included. The 99Tc m-MIBI SPECT/CT muscle imaging results of 400 pieces of muscle (bilateral sternocleidomastoid, musculus scapulae, splenius capitis and musculus trapezius; each of 100 pieces) in 50 patients were analyzed and divided into the dystonic muscle group and normal muscle group according to the electromyography (EMG). Toronto western spasmodic torticollis rating scale (TWSTRS) score, SUV max and target-to-background ratio (TBR) of single superficial cervical muscle and total cervical muscle, and EMG diagnosis results were obtained before botulinum toxin injection. ROC curves of SUV max and TBR of dystonic muscles were constructed to determine AUCs and the difference was compared by Delong test. Differences of SUV max and TBR between 2 groups were analyzed by Mann-Whitney U test. Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation of SUV max, TBR and TWSTRS scores of total cervical muscle. Results:There were 205 pieces of muscle in dystonic muscle group and 195 pieces of muscle in normal muscle group. The uptake of 99Tc m-MIBI in dystonic muscle was significantly increased in CD patients, and the non-whole uptake of 99Tc m-MIBI was increased in some dystonic muscles, which was manifested as uneven uptake of the whole muscle. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy, positive predictive value and negative predictive value of visual analysis were 95.12%(195/205), 75.90%(148/195), 85.75%(343/400), 85.58%(195/242) and 93.67%(148/158), respectively. There were significant differences of SUV max (1.74(1.42, 2.12) vs 0.92(0.81, 0.99)) and TBR (2.55(1.92, 3.27) vs 1.44(1.22, 1.73)) between the dystonic muscle group and the normal muscle group ( z value: -15.29, -12.69, both P<0.001). The diagnostic efficiency of SUV max in dystonic muscle was better than TBR (AUC: 0.942 vs 0.867; z=5.03, P<0.001). SUV max, TBR and TWSTRS score in the neck muscles of patients with CD showed positive correlation ( rs values: 0.44, 0.45, both P<0.001). Conclusion:99Tc m -MIBI SPECT/CT muscle imaging is a good diagnostic method for dystonic muscle in patients with CD.

Objective:To explore any effect of pulsed electromagnetic field (PEMF) stimulation on intervertebral disc degeneration (IDD).Methods:Forty Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a control group, an IDD model group, a PEMF group and an observation group. An IDD model was induced in all except those in the control group. Both the PEMF and observation groups were given PEMF stimulation, while the latter was additionally injected with the A2AR agonist CGS-21680. Eight weeks after the modelling any pathological changes in the morphology of the rats′ intervertebral disc tissues were evaluated using saffron solid green staining. The expression of A2AR, cyclic adenosine phosphate (cAMP), protein kinase A (PKA), cysteine aspartate proteolytic enzyme-3 (Caspase-3), type II collagen (COL-II) and matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP3) in the intervertebral discs were evaluated.Results:The nucleus pulposus had shrunk, while fibrous tissues and chondrocytes had increased in the IDD model group. In the observation group the nucleus pulposus was intact and of basically normal shape. A2AR mRNA and protein levels were higher in the intervertebral disc tissue of the model group than among the control group, on average, while the levels in the observation group were significantly higher than in the other groups. In the PEMF and observation groups cAMP and PKA mRNA were significantly higher than in the IDD model group. The p38 MAPK and P-P38 MAPK levels of the IDD model group and its average P-P38 MAPK/p38 MAPK ratio were significantly higher than in the control group. In the PEMF and observation groups those indices had decreased to varying degrees, with those of the observation group significantly lower than among the model and PEMF groups on average, except for the p38 MAPK values. Caspase-3 and its mRNA were significantly higher in the model group than in the control group, on average, and those values were significantly lower in the PEMF and observation groups than in the IDD model group. The average MMP3 contents of the IDD model group had increased significantly compared with the control group, while the Col-Ⅱ level had decreased significantly. Compared with the IDD model group, the MMP3 level had decreased but Col-Ⅱ expression had increased in both the PEMF and observation groups, with significant differences between the IDD model and observation groups.Conclusions:The activation of the p38 MAPK signaling pathway by inflammatory factors to induce apoptosis is one of the important reasons for the aggravation of IDD lesions. PEMF combined with A2AR agonists can activate the A2AR/cAMP/PKA signaling pathway, inhibit p38 MAPK phosphorylation, reduce apoptosis of nucleus pulposus cells, and relieve IDD damage.

Humans ; Parkinson Disease/diagnosis* ; Machine Learning