AIM: To describe the prevalence and causes of low vision and blindness in a population within Sichuan province in southwestern China.METHODS: A stratified, multi-phased and cluster probability sampling design was employed to enumerate 125 641 participants from 40 351 households within 38 counties/cities. Participants underwent a comprehensive eye examination, including standardized visual acuity (VA) tests using logarithm of the minimum angle resolution charts. Prevalence was age- and gender-standardized to the 2000 China Census.RESULTS: Population-weighted prevalence of blindness was 0.77% (95% CI: 0.72- 0.82, n=966) and low vision was 1.22% (95% CI: 1.14-1.27, n=1 513). Overall, the prevalence of visual disability was 1.40% in the urban population, and 2.22% in the rural population (P<0.01). Cataract was the leading cause of visual disability (55.7%, n=1 381), and was of similar frequency in both urban and rural populations. Retinal disease was the second leading cause (9.7%, n=236), but was more common in urban than rural participants (34.3% vs 2.7%, P<0.01). Corneal disease accounted for 6.5% (n=161) of cases of visual disability, and was more common in the rural population (7.2% vs 3.9%, P=0.006). CONCLUSION: We estimate that 1.72 million people suffer from visual disability within Sichuan province, of which 525 000 are blind, the focus of blindness prevention should be in rural area.

Background Choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a serious complication of many fundus diseases.A variety of factors are associated with CNV.Research showed that recombinant human endostatin ( rhendostatin ) can arrest the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) pathway and inhibit the proliferation of endothelial cells and angiogenesis.Objective This study was to observe the inhibition of rh-endostatin on experimental CNV.Methods The CNV animal models were created by Argon laser with the wavelength 532 nm to irradiate the inferior retina away optical disc 1-2 DD for 25 spots in 32 eyes of 16 chinchilla rabbits.The laser parameters were as follows:power 800 mW,spot diameter 75 μm and time shutter 50 ms.The models were then divided into model control group and rh-endostatin group.Rh-endostatin was intravitreously injected via scleral incision in 16 eyes of 8 model rabbits at 1 week after photocoagulation.Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and optical coherence topography(OCT) were performed at 1,2,4 weeks after photocoagulation respectively.The eyeballs were enucleated and the retinal sections were prepared for the histopathologieal examination,and the contents of VEGF and pigment epithelial derived factor(PEDF) in rabbit vitreous,and blood serum were detected by ELISA at 2,4 weeks after photocoagulation.Results Retinal edema and exudes were seen in 1 week and scarring in 4 weeks after photocoagulation.In rh-endostatin injection group,the hyperfluorescence masses were seen in the background phase and early arterial phase in 42％ (84/200) of spots in the first week.The fluorescence leakage was decreased in the rh-endostatin injection group compared with control group in the second week and ceased at the third week on the FFA after injection.Variety forms of hyperreflective zones were found below the retinal pigment epithelium on the seventh day after photocoagulation.But the partial vessel occlusion and fibroplasias were identified in the rh-endostatin injection group in the third week by the OCT.The histopathological examination showed that the morphological abnormality was mild in the rh-endostatin injection group in comparison with model group.The serum PEDF concentration was significantly elevated but the VEGF/PEDF values in vitreous and serum were declined in rhendostatin injection group compared with model group (P ＜ 0.0 1 ).Conclusions Argon laser photocoagulation could induce the experimental CNV in chinchilla rabbit.Intravitreous injection of rh-endostar can effectively inhibit laser-induced CNV in rabbit.

Background Conventional chemical method to fix the entire eyeball results in the edema of retinal nerve fiber layer and therefore influent the evaluation of tissue structure.Research showed that microwave irradiation can avoid this phenomenon. Objective This study was to investigate the appropriate energy and time duration of microwave irradiation for fixation of rabbit eyes specimen and compare the influence of different fixation methods on retinal structure. Methods Twenty-two New Zealand white rabbits were sacrificed by using venous air embolism.The eyeballs were enucleated from the rabbits and immersed in chemical reagents with glacial acetic acid,methyl aldehyde and chloroform for 2 days as the control group.The eyeballs were immersed in 400 ml physiological balance solution immediately,and then were fixed by microwave irradiation for 80,160,240 and 320 seconds under the lower power as the microwave irradiation groups.In the microwave irradiation+chemical fixation group,the specimens were immersed in chemical reagents for 1-2 hours after the microwave radiation.The morphology of retinal structure was examined and area of retinal detachment was calculated by hemotoxylin and eosin staining under the light microscope. Results A better fixation effect was obtained in the retinal section of microwave radiation for 240 seconds in comparison with that of the traditional chemical reagent fixation method for 2 days.The retina detachment ratio was 16.3%±11.5% for simple microwave method,50.0%±24.5% for chemical method,and 6.7%±7.8% for microwave+chemical method.showing a significant difference among 3 groups(F=32.43,P=0.000).Retinal staining was clear and retinal structure was almost normal in the specimens of microwave+chemical fixation group with 200-240 seeonds microwave irradiation and 1-2 hours chemical fixation. Conclusion Microwave irradiation method is a more ideal way for the fixation of retina because of taking short duration,lower toxicity and better staining.The combination of microwave radiation and chemical reagents can acquire an excellent quality of retinal section.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; Child ; Cysts ; pathology ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Epithelium ; pathology ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Keratin-19 ; metabolism ; Keratin-5 ; metabolism ; Keratin-6 ; metabolism ; Keratin-7 ; metabolism ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; surgery ; Reoperation ; Submandibular Gland ; surgery ; Submandibular Gland Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Transcription Factors ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; metabolism

AIM: To explore the fundus fluorescein angiographic characteristics and relevant clinical significance of age-related macular degeneration(AMD).METHODS: Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) was performed on 149 eyes of 112 patients using Nikon NF-505 fundus camera.RESULTS: Out of 149 eyes, 90 eyes were atrophic AMD (60.4%), 59 eyes were exudative AMD (39.6%) which were further divided, according to the composition and location of lesion, into subfoveal choroidal neovasculari-zation (CNV)(7 eyes of classic type, 26 eyes of occult type, 9 eyes with disciform cicatrices, juxtafoveal CNV(2 eyes of classic type, 12 eyes of occult type), and extrafoveal CNV(3 eyes of occult type).CONCLUSION: FFA can show CNV of AMD patients and its quality and location, which is helpful to guide the treatment and evaluate the prognosis.

Objective:To evaluate the safety and feasibility of the in-situ needle fenestration combined with the in vitro physician modified fenestration technique to reconstruct supra-aortic branches during thoracic endovascular aortic repair (TEVAR) for aortic arch lesions requiring landing at Z0 and Z1.Methods:From Nov 2017 to Dec 2019, eighteen patients who underwent both the in-situ needle fenestration and the in vitro physician modified fenestration techniques to extend the proximal landing zone to Z0 and Z1 during TEVAR were included in our study.Results:Sixteen patients underwent in vitro physician modified fenestration ,two patients underwent in vitro physician modified fenestration to reconstruct both the left common carotid artery and the innominate artery. All eighteen patients received in-situ needle fenestration to preserve the left subclavian artery. Supra aortic branches were preserved in all patients (38/38, 100%). There was no Type Ⅰ endoleak. Type Ⅱ endoleak was found in four paitnets (4/18). Type Ⅲ endoleak occurred in one patient (1/18). Type Ⅳ endoleak in four patients (4/18). Type Ⅲ endoleak needed open aortic arch repair 6 months later. The median follow-up time was 12 months. One (1/18) died in 12 months and the other patients were doing well.Conclusions:The joint application of the in-situ needle fenestration and the in vitro physician modified fenestration to reconstruct supra-aortic branches during TEVAR for aortic arch pathologies requiring landing at Z0 and Z1 was satisfactory.

Platinum-based anticancer drugs have been becoming one of the most effective drugs for clinical treatment of malignant tumors for its unique mechanism of action and broad range of anticancer spectrum. But, there are still several problems such as side effects, drug resistance/cross resistance and no-specific targeting, becoming obstacles to restrict its expanding of clinical application. In recent years, supramolecular chemistry drug delivery systems have been gradually concerned for their favorable safety and low toxicity. Supramolecular macrocycles-platinum complexes increased the water solubility, stability and safety of traditional platinum drugs, and have become hot focus of developing novel platinum-based anticancer drugs because of its potential targeting of tumor tissues/organs. This article concentrates in the research progress of the new drug delivery system between platinum-based anticancer drugs with three generations of macrocycles: crown ether, cyclodextrin, cucurbituril and calixarene.
Antineoplastic Agents ; pharmacology ; Calixarenes ; Crown Compounds ; Cyclodextrins ; Drug Delivery Systems ; Humans ; Macrocyclic Compounds ; pharmacology ; Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Platinum Compounds ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ARNT2 on invasion and migration of HCCLM6 cells.

METHODSFour short hairpin oligos targeting to ARNT2 were s cloned into the pLVTHM vector. Lentiviral vectors shRNA-ARNT2i, pCMV-dR8.74 and pMD2G were cotransfected into 293T cells using Lipofectamine 2000. HCCLM6 was infected with virus supernatant. ARNT2 mRNA and protein expressions were detected using quantitative Real time-PCR and Western blot, respectively. The invasion and migration of HCCLM6 cells were evaluated using wound healing assay and cell invasion assay in vitro. Statistical analysis was performed with SPSS 16.0.

RESULTSThe relative mRNA levels of ARNT2 were 0.154+/-0.024, 0.860+/-0.145, 1.004+/-0.009 in shRNA-ARNT2i virus infected HCCLM6 cells, mock-infected cells and control vector virus infected cells (F = 113.14, P more than 0.01). The expression of ARNT2 at protein level was 16.45+/-1.6, 44.56+/-2.07 in the HCCLM6 cells infected with shRNA-ARNT2i virus and negative control vector virus, respectively (t = 18.58, P less than 0.01). The scrape wound of HCCLM6 cells infected with shRNA-ARNT2i virus healed faster than cells infected with control vector virus or mock-infected cells. The number of cells invading through Matrigel was higher in the HCCLM6 cells infected with shRNA-ARNT2i virus (13.25+/-1.04) than that in mock-infected HCCLM6 cells and the HCCLM6 cells infected with negative control vector virus (6.50+/-2.56, 6.75+/-2.05) (F = 29.645, P less than 0.01).

CONCLUSIONInhibition of ARNT2 gene promotes the invasion and migration of HCCLM6 cells.

Aryl Hydrocarbon Receptor Nuclear Translocator ; genetics ; metabolism ; Basic Helix-Loop-Helix Transcription Factors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Blotting, Western ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; Gene Expression Regulation, Neoplastic ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Humans ; Lentivirus ; genetics ; Liver Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; methods ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Transfection

BACKGROUND: Although Becker's nevus (BN) is a relatively common disease, the systematic studies of clinicopathological and immunohistochemical results are poorly reported. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinicopathological features and immunohistochemical alterations of keratinocyte proliferation, melanocyte density, smooth muscle hyperplasia and nerve fiber distribution in BN. METHODS: Clinical and pathological data were collected in 60 newly-diagnosed BN cases. Immunohistochemical stain of Ki-67, Melan-A, keratin 15, smooth muscle actin and protein gene product 9.5 was performed in 21 cases. RESULTS: The median diagnostic and onset age was 17 and 12 years, respectively. Skin lesions usually appeared on the upper trunk and upper limbs. The pathological features included the rete ridge elongation and fusion and basal hyperpigmentation. Epidermal Ki-67, Melan-A and keratin 15 expression and dermal nerve fiber length were significantly higher in lesional and perilesional skin than in normal skin (p<0.05~0.01), while smooth muscle actin expression was upregulated only in skin lesion (p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Although the clinical diagnosis of BN is often straightforward, histopathology is helpful to differentiate from other pigmentary disorders. The hyperproliferation of keratinocytes, melanocytes, arrector pili muscle and dermal nerve fibers could be involved in the pathogenesis of BN.
Actins ; Age of Onset ; Diagnosis ; Hyperpigmentation ; Hyperplasia* ; Keratin-15 ; Keratinocytes* ; MART-1 Antigen ; Melanocytes* ; Muscle, Smooth* ; Nerve Fibers* ; Nevus* ; Skin ; Upper Extremity

Poly (ADP-ribose) polymerase-1 (PARP-1) plays as a double edged sword in cerebral ischemia-reperfusion, hinging on its effect on the intracellular energy storage and injury severity, and the prognosis has relationship with intervention timing. During ischemia injury, apoptosis and oncosis are the two main cell death pathway sin the ischemic core. The participation of astrocytes in ischemia-reperfusion induced cell death has triggered more and more attention. Here, we examined the protective effects and intervention timing of the PARP-1 inhibitor PJ34, by using a mixed oxygen-glucose deprivation/reperfusion (OGDR) model of primary rat astrocytes in vitro, which could mimic the ischemia-reperfusion damage in the "ischemic core". Meanwhile, cell death pathways of various PJ34 treated astrocytes were also investigated. Our results showed that PJ34 incubation (10 μmol/L) did not affect release of lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) from astrocytes and cell viability or survival 1 h after OGDR. Interestingly, after 3 or 5 h OGDR, PJ34 significantly reduced LDH release and percentage of PI-positive cells and increased cell viability, and simultaneously increased the caspase-dependent apoptotic rate. The intervention timing study demonstrated that an earlier and longer PJ34 intervention during reperfusion was associated with more apparent protective effects. In conclusion, earlier and longer PJ34 intervention provides remarkable protective effects for astrocytes in the "ischaemic core" mainly by reducing oncosis of the astrocytes, especially following serious OGDR damage.
Animals ; Apoptosis ; Astrocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; Cell Survival ; Cells, Cultured ; Glucose ; deficiency ; Humans ; Lactate Dehydrogenases ; metabolism ; Male ; Models, Biological ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology ; Poly(ADP-ribose) Polymerase Inhibitors ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects