BACKGROUNDOlder subjects tend to have smaller ocular anterior segment. The present study aimed to measure anterior segment dimensions with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and quantitatively assess the effect of age and other factors.

METHODSAnterior segment OCT images were obtained in normal subjects residing in the greater Los Angeles area. Four line scans were acquired at the 90°, 45°, 0° and 135° meridians of each eye. Computer calipers acquired anterior segment dimensions of corneal diameter, anterior chamber width, corneal vault and anterior chamber depth on OCT images. Measurements from 4 meridians were averaged. Axial length and corneal power were measured by partial coherence interferometry. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to assess correlations.

RESULTSSixty-six eyes of 33 normal subjects (aged 22 - 65 years, 19 Asians, 14 Caucasians) were enrolled. For every 1 year of age, corneal diameter was 0.033 mm narrower (P < 0.01), anterior chamber width was 0.031 mm narrower (P < 0.01), corneal vault was 0.016 mm lower (P < 0.01), and anterior chamber depth was 0.025 mm lower (P < 0.01). Asian eyes had smaller corneal diameter (P = 0.035) and anterior chamber width (P = 0.015) compared with those of Caucasian eyes. Body height showed positive correlation with corneal diameter (0.039 mm per centimeter of height, P < 0.01) and corneal vault (0.024 mm per centimetre of height, P < 0.01). Gender did not have an independent effect on anterior segment dimensions.

CONCLUSIONSAnterior segment dimensions were smaller in older subjects. Age-related changes may affect the tolerability of long-term implants such as phakic intraocular lens.

Adult ; Age Factors ; Aged ; Anterior Eye Segment ; anatomy & histology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multivariate Analysis ; Tomography, Optical Coherence

OBJECTIVETo discuss whether vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the peripheral blood can reflect the biological activities of pituitary adenomas.

METHODSThe concentrations of VEGF in peripheral blood were measured with ELISA in 203 patients with pituitary adenomas, 22 patients with pituitary hyperplasia, 7 patients with pituitary Rathke' pouch and 3 patients with pituitary abscess.

RESULTSThe serum VEGF levels were (366.8 +/- 211.1) pg/ml and (286.8 +/- 107.6) pg/ml in patients with pituitary adenomas and pituitary hyperhasia, respectively, which were higher than those in patients with pituitary Rathke' pouch [(180.5 +/- 61.7) pg/ml], patients with pituitary abscess [(147.5 +/- 46.3) pg/ml] and the health control [(180.8 +/- 56.2) pg/ml] (P < 0.05). In patients with pituitary adenomas, the VEGF levels were (380.0 +/- 234.5) pg/ml in macroadenomas and (380.1 +/- 2870.3) pg/ml in giant adenomas, higher than those in microadenomas [(294.6 +/- 111.6) pg/ml] and in pituitary hyperhasia respectively (P < 0.05). The serum VEGF levels were not significantly different in pituitary adenoma in terms of invasive growth, apoplexy, cyst and hormone secretory functions (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe upregulation of serum VEGF expression may reflect the biological activities of pituitary adenoma. However, it may not be associated with pituitary Rathke' pouch, pituitary abscess, adenoma with invasiveness, apoplexy, cyst and hormone secretory function. The serum VEGF levels could be helpful in differentiating pituitary adenoma from pituitary Rathke' pouch and pituitary abscess.

Adenoma ; blood ; diagnosis ; Adult ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Humans ; Hyperplasia ; blood ; diagnosis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pituitary Diseases ; blood ; diagnosis ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; blood ; diagnosis ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; blood

This study was aimed to retrospectively analyze and compare the clinical curative efficacy of patients with hematologic malignancies after G-CSF-mobilized sibling HLA-matched (sm) peripheral blood hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (sm-allo-PBHSCT) and sm-allo-PBHSCT combined with bone marrow transplantation (BMT). 100 patients received sm-allo-HSCT in a single center from October 2001 to October to 2010, included 38 patients received sm-allo-PBHSCT and 62 patients received sm-allo-PBHSCT combined with BMT. The myeloablative or reduced intensity conditioning regimens were chosen according to the condition of patients. All patients received standard cyclosporine (CsA) and mycophenolate mofetil (MMF) as prophylaxis for GVHD. The results showed that the rapid hematopoietic reconstitution was observed in all patients. The median time of ANC ≥ 0.5 × 10(9)/L in both groups were 12 days, the median time of platelet count ≥ 20 × 10(9)/L was 15 days in sm-allo-PBHSCT group and 16 days in sm-allo-PBHSCT + BMT group. The incidence of acute GVHD, acute GVHD of III-IV grade and chronic GVHD in sm-allo-PBHSCT and sm-allo-PBHSCT + BMT groups were 37.1% and 34.2%, 7.89% and 8.06%, 36.11% and 41.38% respectively, there were no statistical differences. The relapse rates were similar in two groups (sm-allo-PBHSCT 13.16% vs sm-allo-PBHSCT + BMT 12.9%). The 3-year disease-free survivals in sm-allo-PBHSC and sm-allo-PBHSCT + BMT groups were 57.1 ± 8.7% and 61.3 ± 6.4% respectively (p = 0.852). The 2-year overall survival of high-risk patients was 41.4 ± 12.8% in sm-allo-PBHSCT group, while 60.9 ± 9.6% in sm-allo-PBHSCT + BMT group (p = 0.071). It is concluded that the rhG-CSF mobilized sibling matched allo-PBHSCT + BMT is superior to the rhG-CSF mobilized sibling matched allo-PBHSCT in increasing the overall survival of high-risk hematologic malignancies.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Bone Marrow Transplantation ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Granulocyte Colony-Stimulating Factor ; therapeutic use ; HLA Antigens ; immunology ; Hematologic Diseases ; immunology ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Peripheral Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; Retrospective Studies ; Siblings ; Tissue Donors ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo discuss the etiology, diagnostic criteria and treatment of Nelson's syndrome.

METHODSTwenty-three patients with Nelson's syndrome who were treated in our department over the last 19 years were analyzed retrospectively. Removal of adenoma by the transsphenoidal approach was done in 21 patients and by transfrontal craniotomy in 2. The follow-up period ranged from six months to nine years.

RESULTSThe incidence of Nelson's syndrome was 7.7% in a series of 300 patients with Cushing's disease treated by microsurgery in the same period. Hyperpigmentation was relieved and adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) levels decreased in all patients after tumor excision. Eight patients with visual disturbance improved after surgery. The curative and remission rates were 56.5% and 26.1%, respectively.

CONCLUSIONSTranssphenoidal microsurgical removal of pituitary ACTH adenoma is the first choice in the prevention and treatment of Nelson's syndrome. Regular follow-up examinations should be performed over a long time.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incidence ; Male ; Microsurgery ; methods ; Middle Aged ; Nelson Syndrome ; epidemiology ; etiology ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy of the double-balloon and triple-channel catheter (DBTC) in the treatment of chronic bacterial prostatitis (CBP).

METHODSOne hundred and three CBP patients were randomly assigned to three different groups and received three different therapies, respectively: 1. 61 cases by transurethral perfusion and drainage with antibiotics with DBTC catheter; 2. 29 cases by intravenous antibiotics, and 3. 13 cases by transurethral irrigation with 0.9% saline. The lecithin, white blood cells (WBC) in expressed prostatic secretion (EPS) and Meares-Stamey's test fractionary urine culture pre- and post-therapies were compared.

RESULTSThe improvement rates of clinical symptoms and lecithin corpuscles were 81.9% and 68.9%, respectively. And the decline rate of WBC and bacteriological efficacy rate were 75.4% and 91.8%, respectively. There was a significant statistical difference between the DBTC group and the intravenous group in the lecithin, WBC and bacterial culture (P < 0.05, < 0.01 and < 0.01, respectively), and so was there between the saline group and the intravenous group in the decline of WBC(chi 2 = 5.6, P < 0.05), but with no difference in lecithin and bacterial culture. Among 61 patients treated with DBTC, 3 developed mild allergic reaction in urethra.

CONCLUSIONSTransurethral DBTC has a better clinical efficacy than traditional intravenous treatment for CBP. DBTC perfusion combined with other hypurgia holds obvious advantages of being safe, effective, easy and repeatable in the treatment of CBP.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bacterial Infections ; complications ; therapy ; Catheterization ; methods ; Chronic Disease ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Perfusion ; methods ; Prostate ; microbiology ; Prostatitis ; microbiology ; therapy

AIM: To investigate the curative effect of phacoemulsification and intraocular lens ( IOL ) implantation combined with goniosynechialysis in the treatment of age-related cataract merging with primary angle-closure glaucoma ( PACG) . · METHODS: Totally 80 patients with age-related cataract merging with PACG were in our hospital from January 2014 to January 2016. The preoperative average intraocular pressure ( IOP) was 33. 22 ± 3. 17mmHg; the average depth of anterior chamber was 2. 07 ± 0. 15mm;the dynamic situation of primary angle closure ≤1/2 cycle by gonioscope. They were randomly divided into Group A and B for doing a study. All the two groups were treated with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. And the Group A was with goniosynechialysis. The following up period was 2mo, and we observed the IOP, chamber depth and the anterior chamber angle. · RESULTS: The change of chamber depth and intraocular pressure about the two groups: the average intraocular pressure of the Group A was 15. 11 ± 3. 67mmHg,the chamber depth was 3. 11±0. 08mm;those of the Group B were 17. 24 ± 1. 67mmHg, 2. 76 ± 0. 15mm respectively; the differences had statistical significance (P<0. 05). Postoperatively, there were 28 eyes (70%) in Group A with fully open anterior chamber angle, and 18 eyes (45%) in Group B (P<0. 05). · CONCLUSION: The phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation combined with goniosynechialysis in the treatment of age-related cataract merging with primary angle-dosure glaucoma is safe and reliable. It's simple to operate, and do not increase the risk of surgery.

Objective To sythesize 99Tcm labeled asparagine-glycine-arginine (NGR)- interferon (INF)-α2a and investigate its biodistribution by scintigraphy in tumor bearing mice. Methods NGR-INFα2a was labeled with 99Tcm by a two-step method. Ethylenedicysteine (EC) and MDP were used as bifunctional and transferring chelating agents. The bioactivities of 99Tcm-NGR-IFN-EC-NGR-IFN-α2a, EC-NGRIFN-α2a and NGR-IFN-α2a were compared using least significant difference t-test. The hepatoma bearing mice models were established by subcutaneous injection of MHCC97-H cells. The mice were randomly divided into eight groups and 7.4 MBq 99Tcm-NGR-IFN-α2a was injected via the tail vein. The tissue uptake of the radiolabeled compound was measured as % ID/g. The scintigraphy was performed at 0.5, 1, 2, 4,6, 8, 12 and 24 h after injection. ROI were drawn around tumor and non-tumor tissue and the radioactivity ratio of T/NT was calculated. Results Both the labeling efficiency and radiochemical purity of 99Tcm-EC-NGR-IFN-α2a were more than 90%. The radiochemical purity was 71% after 24 h in saline. The bioactivity showed no significant difference among three compounds (t = 0.416, 0. 120 and 1. 300, all P >0.05). The tracer was mainly excreted through alimentary and urinary tract within 24 h after injection. The peak values of % ID/g in kidney, liver, interstinal tract and tumor were 41.5 ± 8.0_ (at 8 h), 31.3 ± 5.0(at 6 h), 36.0 ± 7.8 (at 6 h), 43.0 ± 4.8 (at 4 h), respectively. The tracer was cleared quickly from the blood and the highest T/NT ratio was 16.5. The optimal imaging time ranged from 4 to 8 h after injection. Conclusions The sythesis of 99Tcm-NGR-IFN-α2a is applicable and it may be used as a potential tumor imaging agent.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the effects of adrenalectomy (ADX) on the treatment of Cushing's disease(CD).

METHODSClinical data of 15 cases of CD between January 1980 and December 2005 were analyzed to evaluate operative indications, complications and the changes of hypercortisolism and hormone levels pre- and post- adrenalectomy.

RESULTSAll the patients involved underwent transsphenoidal pituitary surgery previously. Repeated transsphenoidal surgery was performed in 4 cases. Pituitary radiotherapy was done in 4 cases. The average time from original transsphenoidal operation to ADX was 25.7 months. Pre- and post- adrenalectomy serum cortisol median level were 1156.4 nmol/L and 99.4 nmol/L, the 24 h urinary-free cortisol median level were 315.0 and 5.4 microg, respectively. Hormone replacement therapy was needed in all cases. Average follow-up period was 47 months (9-120 months). Nelson syndrome (NS) appeared in 5 cases (33.3%), while 10 cases showed no NS.

CONCLUSIONSADX is an effective and symptomatic treatment to relieve hypercortisolism caused by CD but with the risk of NS. Longtime hormone replacement therapy and follow up are needed after ADX.

Adolescent ; Adrenalectomy ; adverse effects ; methods ; Adrenocorticotropic Hormone ; blood ; Adult ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hydrocortisone ; blood ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nelson Syndrome ; etiology ; prevention & control ; Pituitary ACTH Hypersecretion ; blood ; surgery ; Postoperative Complications ; prevention & control ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the factors of CXCR4, CXCL12, CD44, and CD147 as early potential diagnostic biomarkers by determining their expression levels in invasive and non-invasive pituitary adenomas.

METHODSFresh pituitary adenoma specimens were collected from 35 pituitary adenoma (21 invasive and 14 non-invasive) patients who underwent surgical treatment in our Neurosurgery Department between January and April of 2009. The expression levels of CXCR4, CXCL12, CD44, and CD147 were evaluated firstly by flow cytometry, fluorescence microscopy in single cell suspensions, and then by immunohistochemical staining of paraffin tissue sections.

RESULTSFlow cytometric analyses showed that the percentage of CXCR4- and CXCL12-positive cells from invasive pituitary adenomas (IPA) was significantly higher in the single cell suspensions than that from non-invasive pituitary adenomas (nIPA) (P<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining revealed that CXCR4 and CXCL12 staining index scores of the invasive pituitary adenomas were significantly higher than those of the non-invasive pituitary adenomas (P<0.05). In contrast, neither flow cytometry nor immunohistochemical staining demonstrated significant difference between CD44 and CD147 expression levels, respectively.

CONCLUSIONExpression levels of CXCR4 and CXCL12 are correlated with the invasiveness of pituitary adenomas. Therefore, rather than CD44 and CD147, CXCR4 and CXCL12 may potentially serve as biomarkers for early detection of pituitary adenomas.

Adenoma ; metabolism ; Adult ; Aged ; Biomarkers, Tumor ; metabolism ; CD47 Antigen ; metabolism ; Chemokine CXCL12 ; metabolism ; Female ; Humans ; Hyaluronan Receptors ; metabolism ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Receptors, CXCR4 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo analyze the transsphenoidal microsurgical results of non-invasive prolactinomas, in order to provide reference for their treatment choice.

METHODSTo review the transsphenoidal microsurgical results of 234 non-invasive prolactinomas treated in our department in recent 10 years, and to analyze the prognostic factors. There were 18 males and 216 females, aged between 13 and 58 years, averaged (31.1 +/- 8.5) years. The course ranged from half a month to 20 years, averaged (47.3 +/- 44.9) months. The preoperative serum PRL level ranged between 41 and 8406 ng/ml, averaged (400.5 +/- 888.0) ng/ml, with a median of 164.1 ng/ml. The primary symptoms were amenorrhea, galactorrhea and/or infertility in 211 cases. The tumor size was small (< 1 cm) in 100, large (> or = 1 cm) in 116 and giant (> or = 3 cm) in 18 cases. All the patients received transsphenoidal microsurgery and were followed-up for 12 to 132 months, averaged (43.8 +/- 35.0) months.

RESULTSThere was no mortality. One hundred and twenty-seven (54.3%) cases had transient postoperative imbalance of water and electrolytes. One hundred and eighty-eight cases (80.3%) were cured, 12 (5.1%) experienced clinical remission, 20 (8.5%) were improved, and 14 (6.0%) were ineffective. The male patient, the giant prolactinomas and those with higher preoperative serum PRL level had a relative poor postoperative prognosis. While the other factors had no influence on prognosis, including the course, preoperative bromocriptine intake, tumor texture, tumor apoplexy and intraoperative descending extent of the diaphragm of sella. The overall operative expense for transsphenoidal microsurgery ranged from 8323.8 to 22898.5 yuan, averaged (12912.0 +/- 2361.2) yuan.

CONCLUSIONSTranssphenoidal microsurgery may be chosen as the primary therapy for non-invasive prolactinomas, with the purposes of therapeutical efficacy, facilitating the patients, re-establishing the patients' self-confidence and reducing the overall expense.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Hypophysectomy ; methods ; Male ; Microsurgery ; Middle Aged ; Pituitary Neoplasms ; surgery ; Prolactinoma ; surgery ; Retrospective Studies ; Sphenoid Sinus ; surgery ; Treatment Outcome