AIM: To evaluate the diagnostic accuracy of macular ganglion cell - inner plexiform layer ( GCIPL ) measurements using high- definition optical coherence tomography ( Cirrus HD - OCT ) ganglion cell analysis algorithm for detecting early and moderate to severe glaucoma.
METHODS:Twenty normal control persons, 26 patients with early glaucoma and 29 patients with moderate to severe glaucoma were enrolled in this study. Macular GCIPL, optic nerve head ( ONH ) parameters and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer ( RNFL ) thickness were measured in each subject. Then all measured results of each parameter were calculated using SPSS17. 0. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves ( AUC) of each parameter were calculated to compare the diagnostic accuracy for detecting early and moderate to severe glaucoma.
RESULTS: For detecting early glaucoma, AUC of average RNFL and seven clock value of RNFL were the biggest ( 0. 871 and 0. 896 respectively ), the AUC of parameters in GCIPL were also significant, among them,
the average GCIPL showed bigger AUC(0. 847) than the minimum GCIPL (0. 812). For diagnosing moderate to severe glaucoma, the AUC of rim area was 0. 992, which was bigger than that of average RNFL ( 0. 991 ). The minimum GCIPL showed bigger AUC ( 0. 983 ) than the average GCIPL (0. 967). For early glaucoma diagnosis, the sensitivity of average RNFL was the highest (76. 9%), while the average GCIPL has the highest specificity (93. 5%).
CONCLUSION: AS a new diagnostic parameter for detecting glaucoma, GCIPL shows similar diagnostic potential compared with RNFL. For early glaucoma diagnosis, average RNFL is the most important parameter, while screening early glaucoma, average GCIPL should be paid more attention.

0.05).The mRNA expression of Cyclin B1 of IMRT group was significantly higher than that of ART group at each dose point(P

Objective To investigate the mechanism of fluoroquinolone resistance in clinical isolates of Enterococcus faecium. Methods The MICs of six fluoroquinolones(norfloxacin,ciprofloxacin,ofloxacin,levofloxacin,gatifloxacin and moxifloxacin) against 35 clinical isolates of E.faecium from eight hospitals in Tianjin were determined by agar dilution method in the absence or presence of multidrug resistance efflux pump inhibitor reserpine.The quinolone-resistance determining region(QRDR)of parC and gyrA were amplified and sequenced.Results No less than twofold decrease in MIC values of the six fluoroquinolones in the presence of reserpine was observed in 35,29,1,0,6 and 2 of the 35 strains of E.faecium respectively.One fluoro- quinolone-susceptible isolate and five fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates were selected randomly to analyze the QRDR of parC and gyrA.All five fluoroquinolone-resistant isolates had single amino acid alteration in both GyrA and ParC.Ser-80 in ParC was substituted by lie(4 isolates)or Arg(1 isolates).Glu-87 in GyrA was replaced by Lys(2 isolates)or Gly(2 isolates). The other one had an Ser-83-to-Ile substitution.The one fluoroquinolone-suseeptible isolate had no alteration in the QRDR of either ParC or GyrA.Conclusions Both target alteration and active efflux are responsible for the resistance to fluoroquinolone in clinical isolates of E.faecium.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association of HLA class I and II alleles with generalized vitiligo in ethnic Han Chinese in north China.

METHODSBy employing polymerase chain reaction sequence-specific primer (PCR-SSP) procedure 34 generalized vitiligo patients in north China were studied for HLA I and II alleles and were compared with 102 healthy controls.

RESULTSThe allelic frequencies of HLA-A*30, Cw*06, DRB1*07, and DQB1*0201 were increased significantly in generalized vitiligo and especially in the patients without family history compared with the controls.

CONCLUSIONThese alleles positively associated with generalized vitiligo in Chinese Han patients in north China, might provide clues to reveal the susceptibility gene(s) of vitiligo in Chinese and as well as the immunnogenetic mechanisms of disease.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alleles ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genes, MHC Class I ; genetics ; Genes, MHC Class II ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Vitiligo ; ethnology ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of enhancer of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) in esophageal squamous cell carcinoma and its association with the prognosis of postoperative patients.

METHODSSurgical specimens were obtained from 102 patients with esophageal squamous cell carcinoma undergoing radical resection in our hospital from 1996 to 2006. Immunochemistry was employed to examine EZH2 protein expressions in the specimens, including 102 carcinoma tissue specimens, 30 adjacent tissue specimens and 30 normal esophageal tissue specimens. The expression levels of EZH2 were analyzed in relation to the clinicopathological parameters of the patients including gender, age, tumor differentiation, TNM, and lymph node metastasis. The postoperative patients were followed up to analyze the association of EZH2 expression with the clinical outcomes.

RESULTSThe esophageal squamous cell carcinoma tissue showed a higher EZH2 expression than the adjacent and normal esophageal tissues. EZH2 expression was higher in poorly differentiated carcinoma than in well differentiated tissue, and also higher in cases with lymph node metastasis than those without; the expression was higher in TNM stage II/III patients than in stage I patients but lower than in stage IV patients. The patients with low EZH2 expression was found to have a longer survival time than those with high EZH2 expression (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONEZH2 plays an important role in the differentiation and metastasis of esophageal squamous cell carcinoma, and a high EZH2 expression is associated with a poor outcome in the the postoperative patients.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Enhancer of Zeste Homolog 2 Protein ; Esophageal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Polycomb Repressive Complex 2 ; metabolism ; Postoperative Period ; Prognosis

Adult ; Antibodies, Anticardiolipin ; blood ; Antibodies, Antiphospholipid ; blood ; Autoantibodies ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phosphatidic Acids ; immunology ; Phosphatidylcholines ; immunology ; Phosphatidylethanolamines ; immunology ; Phosphatidylinositols ; immunology ; Phosphatidylserines ; immunology ; Reference Values

OBJECTIVETo determine the relation between the apolipoprotein E(apoE) promoter -427C/T polymorphism and Alzheimer's disease (AD) in a Chinese Han population in Shanghai.

METHODSThe apoE promoter -427C/T polymorphism in 104 AD cases and 110 healthy subjects was detected using polymerase chain reaction method and restriction fragment length polymorphism genotyping technique. The differences in polymorphic distribution between the two groups were tested, and odds ratio was computed.

RESULTSNo differences in apoE -427C/T genotypic distribution were observed between AD cases and controls (P>0.05). Even after stratification according to apoE epsilon 4 stratum, there was not any polymorphic distribution difference when epsilon 4 carriers or non epsilon 4 carriers were compared with controls (P>0.05). The association between AD and apoE epsilon 4 appeared in the TT group(OR=3.94,95%, CI:22067038, chi-square=21.48, P<0.05), but not in CT or CC group.

CONCLUSIONApoE -427C/T polymorphism was not a susceptibility factor for AD in this Han population in Shanghai.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Alzheimer Disease ; genetics ; Apolipoproteins E ; genetics ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; genetics ; China ; ethnology ; Female ; Gene Frequency ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; genetics

Zuotai (gTso thal) is a typical representative of Tibetan medicines containing heavy metals, but there is still lack of modem safety evaluation data so far. In this study, acute toxicity test, sub-acute toxicity test, one-time administration mercury distribution experiment, long-term mercury accumulative toxicity experiment and preliminary study on clinical safety of Compound Dangzuo were conducted in the hope of obtain the medicinal safety data of Zuotai. In the acute toxicity test, half of KM mice given the lethal dose of Zuotai were not died or poisoned, and LD50 was not found. The maximum tolerated dose of Zuotai was 80 g x kg(-1). In the subacute toxicity test, Zuotai could reduce ALT, AST, Crea levels in serums under low dose (13.34 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)) and medium dose (53.36 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)), with significant difference under low dose, and increase the levels of ALT, AST, MDA, Crea in serums under high dose (2 000 mg x kg(-1) x d(-1)); besides, the levels of BUN and GSH in serums reduced with the increase in dose of Zuotai, indicating a significant dose-effect relationship. In the one-time administration distribution experiment, the content of mercury in rat kidney, liver and lung increased after the one-time administration with Zuotai, with a significant dose-dependent relationship in kidney. In the long-term mercury accumulative toxicity experiment, KM mice were administered with equivalent doses of Zuotai for 4.5 months and then stopped drug administration for 1.5 months. Since the 2.5th month, they showed significant mercury accumulation in kidney, which gradually reduced after drug withdrawal, without significant change in mercury content in liver, spleen and brain and ALT, AST, TBIL, BUN and Crea in serum. At the 4.5th month after drug administration, KM mice showed slight structural changes in kidney, liver and spleen tissues, and gradually recovered to normal after drug withdrawal. Besides, no significant difference in weight gain was found between the Zuotai group and the control group. According to the findings of the clinical safety study of Dangzuo, after subjects administered Dangzuo under clinical dose for one month, their serum biochemical indicators, blood routine indicators and urine routine indicators showed no significant adverse change. This study proved that traditional Tibetan medicine Zuotai was slightly toxic, with a better safety in clinical combined administration and no adverse effects on bodies under the clinical dose and clinical medication cycle. However, long-term high-dose administration of Zuotai may have a certain effect on kidney.
Adult ; Animals ; Clinical Trials as Topic ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; pharmacokinetics ; toxicity ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney ; drug effects ; Liver ; drug effects ; Male ; Medicine, Tibetan Traditional ; Mice ; Middle Aged ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo find a procedure for facial rejuvenation which is simple, safe with lasting aesthetic results based on facial anatomic study.

METHODSAnatomy study was performed on 12 sides from 6 head specimens. Observe the range and thickness of fat lateral to the nasolabial grooves. Observed the location of the skin retaining ligaments and reappraised their functions combining with clinical observations.

RESULTSSkin and subcutis and SMAS (including mimic muscles) become slackening with aging, but the loosening degrees are different, especially in the region lateral to the nasolabial groove. So they should be handled respectively. The fat lateral to the nasolabial groove is thick and is mobile with aging . So the subcutaneous detachment need not beyond the anterior border of the masseter. In the past two years, we performed rhytidectomy on 100 patients by limited subcutaneous detachment and SMAS double-plication. Satisfactory results were obtained. There are no serious complications observed.

CONCLUSIONSRhytidectomy by limited subcutaneous detachment and SMAS double-plication is a simple and safe procedure with lasting aesthetic results.

Face ; anatomy & histology ; Head ; anatomy & histology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; anatomy & histology ; Rhytidoplasty ; methods

Objective To compare the difference of transformation profile and transformation rate of tecomin by using two in vitro liver metabolism models. Methods Liver microsomes and liver S9 fraction models were employed to transform tecomin. HPLC was used to determine the contents of tecomin and its metabolites at the detecting wavelength of 254 nm. The gradient elution (0–6 min, 5％–40％ A; 6–9 min, 40％–50％ A; 9–11 min, 50％–5％ A) was carried out by using mobile phase of acetonitrile (A) - 1％ acetic acid (B) at a flow rate of 1 mL/min. Results Both models could transform tecomin into veratric acid; however, the metabolites obtained with liver S9 were more than those obtained with liver microsomes, and the transformation rate of the former was higher than that of the latter. Conclusion The liver S9 fraction can more efficiently transform esters than liver microsomes.