Background One of the difficulties in identifying early glaucoma is the variability of perimetry performance.For this reason,a field defect have to be reproduced more than two consecutive examinations before it is confirmed.The relationship between visual field sensitivity and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness may give us a more efficient and objective assessment to the early diagnosis of glaucoma.Objective This diagnostic test was to evaluate the application of functional-structural relationship between automated perimetry and RNFL in the early diagnosis of open-angle glaucoma.Methods Sixty-four eyes of 64 patients with early open-angle glaucoma and 50 eyes of 50 normal volunteers with the matched age and gender were enrolled in Xiangya Hospital January to June 2007.Visual field examinations,including standard automated perimetry (SAP),short wave automated perimetry (SWAP),and imaging of scanning laser polarimetry with variable corneal compensation(GDxVCC),were performed on the subjects with the informed consent.The sensitivity and specificity of the joint or single measurement of GDxVCC,SAP and SWAP under the local diagnostic criteria,and overall diagnostic criteria were calculated.Results According to the overall diagnostic criteria,the sensitivity of GDxVCC,SWAP and SAP were 70％,63％,61％ respectively,and the specificity were 84％,80％,78％,respectively.According to the local diagnostic criteria,the sensitivity of GDxVCC,SWAP and SAP were 78％,86％,78％,respectively,and the specificity were 54％,40％,50％,respectively.With the local diagnostic criteria,the sensitivity and specificity of serial test of GDxVCC,SWAP and SAP were 86％ and 90％ respectively,and the positive likelihood ratio and negative likelihood ratio were 8.59 and O.16,respectively.Conclusions The functional-structural relationship between automated perimetry and RNFL which can provide valuable individual diagnostic information for patients,and serial test of GDxVCC,SWAP and SAP can reduce the false positive rate and improve the diagnostic performance significantly.

Aza Compounds ; analysis ; Heterocyclic Compounds ; analysis ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet ; methods ; Workplace

Vaccination is the primary strategy for the prevention and control of pandemic influenza. Because influenza virus is highly variable across strains, universal influenza vaccines need to be developed to address this problem. This review describes the research progress in conserved epitopes of influenza virus, the advances in the research and development of universal influenza vaccines based on the relatively conserved sequences of NP, M2e, HA2, and headless HA, the mechanisms of cross-protection, and the methods to improve cross-protection.
Animals ; Cross Reactions ; Humans ; Orthomyxoviridae ; immunology ; Species Specificity ; Viral Proteins ; immunology ; Viral Vaccines ; genetics ; immunology

Objective To explore issues of the human tissue biobank, ranging from its establishment, collection and preservation of samples, quality control, management and application. Methods Development of standardized operational procedures, collection of such samples as fresh frozen tissues from the surgery, paraffin-embedded tissues, whole blood, serum, plasma, and cerebrospinal fluid. Specimens were classified and made aliquots according to different requirements, and then stored at room temperature, -80℃ refrigerator or in liquid nitrogen. Microsoft Access database system was used in the management of these specimens. Results From September 2004 to September 2008, a total of 11 872 samples from patients with benign and malignant diseases were collected and preserved. Among them, 4360 tubes of fresh frozen tissue samples from 2500 cases were provided within and beyond the province. These samples were also applied to DNA, RNA, protein extraction and tissue microarray, and immunohistochemistry-related research. Conclusion Human tissue biobank is highly useful in sharing human tissue resources effectively, as it can provide high quality specimens from benign and malignant diseases and normal control. In addition, it plays a very important role in exploring pathogenesis, developing new technologies for early detection of disease and new therapeutic strategies.

Objective To analyze the characteristics,electroencephalographic(EEG)features,neuroimaging findings,therapeutic effects and prognoses of 114 cases of idiopathic nocturnal frontal lobe epilepsy (NFLE). Methods The clinical data of 114 patients with idiopathic NHLE admitted in the epilepsy outpatient department from June,1999 to January,2007 were collected and analyzed. Results Idiopathic NFLE was clinically characterized by nocturnal clustered,postural or dystonic seizures and complex motor activities.The interictal routine EEG in 22.9% and dynamic EEG in 28% of the cases in wakefuIness and the interictal dynamic EEG in 38% of tbe cases in sleep showed frontal lobe epileptiform discharge,which was found in the EEG during seizure attacks in66.7% of the cases.Drug therapy was effeclive in 79.8% of the cases.with 29.7% of the cases showing complete seizure control. Conclusions Idiopathic NFLE has distinct clinical features wim relatively low rate of EEG abnormality during seizure attack or the interictal period.Frontal lobe epilepsy is more likely to occur in sleep,and sleep EEG is therefore of much importance in the diagnosis of idiopathic NFLE.

The research aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and mechanisms of Opuntia dillenii Haw polysaccharide (OPS) on atherosclerosis of rats. First atherosclerotic rat models were established by high-fat and high-calcium diet. Thirty days later, the rats were treated with low dosage of OPS (0.2 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) or high dosage of OPS (0.4 g x kg(-1) x d(-1)) by intraperitoneal injection for 60 days continuously. At the end of treatment, thoracic aorta rings were prepared and vasorelaxation of rat thoracic aorta in different experiment groups were determined by using 620M multi wire myograph system in vitro. Blood and livers of rats were collected. Then plasma levels of total cholesterol (TC), triglyceride (TG) and low density lipoprotein (LDL) of rats were separately determined using whole automatic biochemical analyzer; protein level of hepatic apolipoprotein B (ApoB) and that of hepatic diglyceride acyltransferase (Dgat1) were measured by Western Blot technique. Results showed that the ability of rat thoracic aorta to relax decreased markedly in the model group compared with that in the normal group, and significant differences existed in vasorelaxation ratios induced by different concentrations of carbamylcholine chloride (Carb) between these two groups (P < 0.01). After OPS treatment, the ability of rat thoracic aorta to relax improved markedly, the vasorelaxation ratios induced by Carb at 5 and 10 μmol x L(-1) were respectively 0.34 ± 0.08 and 0.62 ± 0.15 in the group treated with low dosage of OPS, while the ratios induced by Carb at 1 and 5 μmol x L(-1) were respectively 0.54 ± 0.08 and 0.98 ± 0.02 in the group treated with high dosage of OPS, which were all significantly different with those in the model group (P < 0.01). Plasma contents of TC, TG and LDL reduced significantly by the treatments both with low and high dosages of OPS compared with those in the model group (P < 0.01). Protein level of hepatic ApoB and that of hepatic Dgat1 decreased significantly after the treatment with high dosage of OPS compared with those in the model group (P < 0.01). These results indicate that OPS can markedly improve the vasorelaxation of thoracic aorta of atherosclerotic rats and has significant anti-atherosclerotic effect; inhibiting the expression of ApoB and Dgat1 and thus decreasing the amounts of TC, LDL and TG serving as one of the molecular mechanisms of its antiatherosclerosis effect.
Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; drug effects ; Atherosclerosis ; drug therapy ; Cholesterol ; blood ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; blood ; Opuntia ; chemistry ; Phytotherapy ; Rats ; Triglycerides ; blood

Objective To investigate the expression of Toll-like receptor(TLR) 9 of circulating plasmacytoid dendritic cell (pDC) and analyze the frequency and interferon (IFN)-?production of circulating pDC during hepatitis B virus(HBV) infection.Methods Peripheral blood was collected from 69 HBV-infected patients,including 14 cases of asymptomatie HBV infection,30 cases of chro- nic hepatitis B(CHB),25 cases of HBV-related liver cirrhosis,and 21 healthy blood donors as con- trols.Flow cytometry was used to analyze the frequency of circulating pDC and the mean fluorescence intensity(MFI) of TLR9.Fresh peripheral blood mononuclear cells(PBMC) were stimulated by CpG ODN 2216 for 24 h in vitro.IFN-?in the supernatant was measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA) to analyze the frequency and IFN-?production of pDC during HBV in- fection.Data were analyzed with SPSS 13.0 for windows.Results Compared with healthy controls (62.6?10.7),the MFI of TLR9 of patients with asymptomatic HBV infection,those of CHB and HBV-related cirrhosis were significantly reduced (P

OBJECTIVETo find the effects of lead taken by pregnant mice on learning and memory and the expression of synaptosomal-associated protein (SNAP)-25 mRNA and protein, in order to reveal the mechanism of neurotoxicity induced by lead.

METHODSLead exposure was conducted through freely drinking the corresponding lead acetate solutions with dosages of 0.3, 1.0, 3.0 g/L respectively. Each group was composed of 10 mice. 7, 14 and 21 days after their birth. The lead contents in blood and hippocampus of the offspring were determined. At the 21st day the expression of SNAP-25 mRNA and protein in hippocampus of all the offspring in various dosages groups were determined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry assay.

RESULTSThe lead contents in blood and hippocampus of various lead exposed groups were significantly higher than those of the control group (P < 0.05). The lead levels in blood and hippocampus changed accordingly to the days of growth. In Water Morris Maze experiment, the result of 0.3 g/L group was not significantly different from that of the control group (P > 0.05), however, the results of 1.0, 3.0 g/L groups (5.89 ± 0.54, 9.53 ± 1.03) were significantly different from those of the control group (1.73 ± 0.07) (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The expression of SNAP-25 mRNA and protein was lower in lead exposed groups than that of the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONMaternal lead exposure may induce the damage in the ability of learning and memory of the offspring. The neurotoxicity of lead may be induced by decreasing the expression of SNAP-25 mRNA and protein so as to affect the release of neurotransmitter from presynaptic terminal resulted in nerve damages.

Animals ; Female ; Hippocampus ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Lead ; toxicity ; Maternal Exposure ; Maze Learning ; drug effects ; Memory ; drug effects ; Mice ; Pregnancy ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Synaptosomal-Associated Protein 25 ; metabolism

Objective To analyze the ultrasonographic features of retroperitoneal ifbrosis (RPF). Methods Totally 13 patients with retroperitoneal ifbrosis from February 2000 to October 2012 in the Long Gang central Hospital of Shenzhen were retrospectively analyzed. Results In all patients who underwent ultrasound examination, there were ten cases of idiopathic RPF and three cases of secondary RPF with abdominal tumors. In 11 cases, the masses were hypoechoic locating at retroperitoneum and surrounding the abdominal aorta without deifnitive margin. One case showed hypoechoic mass with clear boundary. In ten cases, the internal echogenicity of masses were uniform. In two cases, the internal echogenicity of masses were uneven with a small amount of ifbrous separator with slightly higher echogenicity. No blood was found in all masses. The encasement of inferior vena cava was found in three casesand the masses extended to iliac arteries in three cases. Hydronephrosis could be found in 11 patients (84.6%) and ureter dilatation was found in ten cases. Ureteral localized stenosis were found in two cases. Conclusion Ultrasonography is a preferred imaging method in diagnosing RPF.

To figure out the stability and intestinal bacteria metabolites of rats in vitro of astragaloside IV ( AST), this research was done to explore the stability of AST in the artificial gastric juice. artificial intestinal juice and rat liver homogenate and the metabolism in rat intestinal in vitro. HPLC was used to calculate the remaining rate of AST in biological samples by measuring the content of AST, while metabolites were determined by combining the methods of TLC, HPLC and LC-MS/MS. It turned out that AST was difficult to metabolize in the artificial gastric juice, artificial intestinal juice and rat liver. Also, the metabolic pathway of AST was stepped by deglycosylation. Firstly, AST was converted to its secondary etabolites (6-O-β-D-glucopyranosyl- cycloastragenol, CMG) by removal of xylose moiety at C-3, then transformed into cycloastragenol (CAG) after hydrolytic removal of the glucose moiety at C-6. All the results suggested that the metabolism of AST in vivo occurs mainly in the intestinal by hydrolysis of glycosyl. In conclusion, hydrolysis of intestinal flora is the main reason that AST metabolizes.
Animals ; Bacteria ; metabolism ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drug Stability ; Intestines ; microbiology ; Liver ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Saponins ; chemistry ; metabolism ; Tandem Mass Spectrometry ; Triterpenes ; chemistry ; metabolism