Objective To investigate the macular vascular density after successful repair of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) for one year using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA),and discuss the correlation between the macular vascular density and visual acuity.Methods Totally 42 patients of the RRD (42 eyes),their contralateral eyes (A group) and 42 patients of the normal eyes (B group) were recruited into this study.All participants underwent examination with best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and OCTA.The difference in macular vascular density was compared and the correlation between BCVA and the vascular density was analyzed.Results The macular vascular density of superficial layer,deep layer and choroidal capillary layer was 0.422 4 ±0.089 3,0.4836 ±0.0748,0.527 1 ±0.039 0 in RRD group,respectively,0.469 3 ±0.112 5,0.550 0 ±0.074 0,0.546 2 ±0.034 3 in A group,respectively,0.5619 ±0.053 7,0.611 2 ±0.035 2,0.562 6 ±0.030 4 in B group,respectively.The macular vascular density was significantly decreased in RRD group when compared with A and B groups (all P ＜ 0.05).There was a positive correlation between BCVA and the macular vascular density in the deep layer and choroidal capillaries layer (r =0.629,0.654,both P =0.000).However,there's no correlation between the macular vascular density of superficial layer and BCVA (P =0.103).Conclusion All the macular vascular densities are decreased in patients of RRD after successful repair of retinal detachment one year later,which indicated that the blood flow does not completely recover.And there is a positive correlation between BCVA and macular vascular densities in deep layer and choroidal capillaries layer.And meanwhile,OCTA can objectively and effectively quantify the status of macular region blood flow.

Adult ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Hepatitis B Surface Antigens ; blood ; Humans ; Liver Transplantation ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Tissue Donors

OBJECTIVETo observe the liver oxidant damage for diabetic model in mice.

METHODSMale kunming mice were feed with high fat dietary for a week and then were randomly divided into two groups by weight, with 10 mice in each group. One group was induced by small dose streptozotocin (STZ) and obtained STZ-induced diabetic mice, and the other group was regarded as the control. Both of the two groups were feed with high fat dietary. After 6 weeks, the activities of enzymes, such as superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), glutathione peroxidase (GSH-PX) and nitric oxide synthase (NOS) were measured. Glutathione (GSH), maleic dialdehyde (MDA), nitric oxide (NO) levels in the liver and the liver viscera quotient were also measured. Liver histological manifestations were observed.

RESULTSIn diabetes group, there was a significant decrease in body weight, and the activities of GSH, CAT, and NOS decreased significantly (t value were 5.370, 10.639, 5.235, 3.089, respectively, P < 0.01). While, the liver viscera quotient, the levels of MDA, GSH-PX and NO increased remarkably (t value were -6.246, -2.728, -2.660, -4.924, respectively, P < 0.01 or P < 0.05). The significant difference was not observed in SOD between the two groups (t value was -0.405, P > 0.05). The liver histological damages were observed in diabetes group, light microscope observation showed hepatocytes swelling, ballooned changing and fatty droplets clustering.

CONCLUSIONThe oxidant damage might exist in the liver diabetic model in mice.

Animals ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; metabolism ; pathology ; Liver ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred Strains ; Nitric Oxide ; metabolism ; Oxidative Stress ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

Plants are known to be efficient hosts for the production of mammalian therapeutic proteins. However, plants produce complex N-glycans bearing β1,2-xylose and core α1,3-fucose residues, which are absent in mammals. The immunogenicity and allergenicity of plant-specific Nglycans is a key concern in mammalian therapy. In this study, we amplified the sequences of 2 plant-specific glycosyltransferases from Nicotiana tabacum L. cv Bright Yellow 2 (BY2), which is a well-established cell line widely used for the expression of therapeutic proteins. The expression of the endogenous xylosyltranferase (XylT) and fucosyltransferase (FucT) was downregulated by using RNA interference (RNAi) strategy. The xylosylated and core fucosylated N-glycans were significantly, but not completely, reduced in the glycoengineered lines. However, these RNAi-treated cell lines were stable and viable and did not exhibit any obvious phenotype. Therefore, this study may provide an effective and promising strategy to produce recombinant glycoproteins in BY2 cells with humanized N-glycoforms to avoid potential immunogenicity.
Amino Acid Sequence ; Blotting, Western ; Carbohydrate Sequence ; Cell Line ; Cloning, Molecular ; DNA, Complementary ; genetics ; Down-Regulation ; Epitopes ; genetics ; immunology ; Fucose ; metabolism ; Fucosyltransferases ; chemistry ; deficiency ; genetics ; immunology ; Glycoproteins ; chemistry ; genetics ; immunology ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Pentosyltransferases ; chemistry ; deficiency ; genetics ; immunology ; Polysaccharides ; chemistry ; immunology ; Protein Engineering ; methods ; RNA Interference ; Species Specificity ; Tobacco ; cytology ; genetics ; Xylose ; metabolism

Objective To achieve detailed genomic characterization and investigate the antibiotic-resistant mechanisms of plasmid pA1137 carrying the aminoglycoside resistance gene aacC2.Methods Antibiotic-resistant genes were deter-mined by PCR.Conjugation experiments were performed to verify the transferability of plasmid pA 1137.The minimum in-hibitory concentration(MIC)values of bacterial strains were tested with microdilution method.The genetic background, mobile elements and antibiotic resistance mechanisms of pA 1137 were determined using a whole genome sequencing meth-od.Results Both carbapenem-resistant gene blaIMP-8and aminoglycoside-resistant genes aacC2 and aacA4 were carried by A1137 isolated from Enterobacter cloacae(ECL).aacC2 was located in plasmid pA1137 while the other two resistant genes were observed in chromosomes.Plasmid pA1137 was an IncFⅡplasmid,whose total length was 68.97 kb,and GenBank accession number was MF190369.Plasmid pA1137 contained multiple replicons and intact conjugative transfer regions,so it could be transferred into ECL through conjugation experiments and confer corresponding antibiotic resistance to the transconjugant A1137-EC600.Conclusion IncFⅡ plasmid pA1137 has a single accessory region, the first reported Tn5403-based aacC2-tmrB-related region,which can cause stable inheritance and mediate the resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics in ECL A1137.

OBJECTIVETo prepare the PrP specific monoclonal antibodies (mAbs) that can be used for the detection of mammalian prions and study of pathogenesis of prion diseases.

METHODSSeveral BALB/c mice were immunized with recombinant hamster prion protein (HaPrP). Three hybridoma cell lines designated as B7, B9, and B10, secreting monoclonal antibodies against HaPrP, were established by hybridoma technique. The mAbs reactivities were evaluated with ELISA, Western blot, and immunohistochemistry.

RESULTSThe mAbs produced by these cell lines reacted well with different recombinant hamster PrP proteins. Western blot analyses showed that mAbs B7 and B9 reacted with PrPSc from the scrapie-infected animals after proteinase K digestion with three glycosylated forms. The mAbs exhibited cross-reactivity with various PrPC from several other mammalian species, including humans and cattles. Immunohistochemistry assays confirmed that mAbs B7 and B9 could recognize not only extracellular but also intracellular PrPsSc.

CONCLUSIONThe mAbs of prion protein are successfully generated by hybridoma technique and can be applied for the diagnosis of prion associated diseases.

Animals ; Antibodies, Monoclonal ; immunology ; Blotting, Western ; Brain ; metabolism ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cricetinae ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Immunization ; Immunohistochemistry ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; PrPC Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; PrPSc Proteins ; genetics ; immunology ; Recombinant Proteins ; immunology

PURPOSEThis prospective observational study aims to evaluate the accuracy of dead-space fraction derived from the ventilator volumetric capnography (volumetric CO₂) or a prediction equation to predict the survival of mechanically ventilated patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

METHODSConsecutive VD/VT measurements were obtained based upon a prediction equation validated by Frankenfield et al for dead-space ventilation fraction: VD/VT = 0.320 + 0.0106 (PaCO₂-ETCO₂)⁺ 0.003 (RR)⁺0.0015 (age) in adult patients who had infection-related severe pneumonia and were confirmed as having ARDS. Here PaCO₂ is the arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide in mmHg; ETCO₂, the end- tidal carbon dioxide measurement in mmHg; RR, respiratory rate per minute; and age in years. Once the patient had intubation, positive end expiratory pressure was adjusted and after Phigh reached a steady state, VD/VT was measured and recorded as the data for the first day. VD/VT measurement was repeated on days 2, 3, 4, 5 and 6. Meanwhile we collected dead-space fraction directly from the ventilator volu- metric CO₂ and recorded it as Vd/Vt. We analyzed the changes in VD/VT and Vd/Vt over the 6-day period to determine their accuracy in predicting the survival of ARDS patients.

RESULTSOverall, 46 patients with ARDS met the inclusion criteria and 24 of them died. During the first 6 days of intubation, VD/VT was significantly higher in nonsurvivors on day 4 (0.70 ± 0.01 vs 0.57 ± 0.01), day 5 (0.73 ± 0.01 vs. 0.54 ± 0.01), and day 6 (0.73 ± 0.02 vs. 0.54 ± 0.01) (all p =0.000). Vd/Vt showed no significant difference on days 1e4 but it was much higher in nonsurvivors on day 5 (0.45 ± 0.04 vs. 0.41 ± 0.06) and day 6 (0.47 ± 0.05 vs. 0.40 ± 0.03) (both p=0.008). VD/VT on the fourth day was more accurate to predict survival than Vd/Vt. The area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve for VD/VT and Vd/Vt in evaluating ARDS patients survival was day 4 (0.974 ± 0.093 vs. 0.701 ± 0.023, p = 0.0024) with the 95% confidence interval being 0.857-0.999 vs. 0.525-0.841.

CONCLUSIONCompared with Vd/Vt derived from ventilator volumetric CO₂, VD/VT on day 4 calculated by Frankenfield et al's equation can more accurately predict the survival of ARDS patients.

Adult ; Capnography ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; ROC Curve ; Respiration, Artificial ; Respiratory Dead Space ; physiology ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Adult ; mortality ; physiopathology

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the influence of Shenfu Injection (SHF) on the quality of life of patients with advanced non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) receiving chemotherapy.

METHODSA total of 133 patients with NSCLC receiving at least two cycles of chemotherapy with taxol plus cisplatin (TP)/vinorelbine plus cisplatin (NP) or gemcitabine plus cisplatin (GP) were randomized into SHF pre-treatment group (with SHF given only in the first cycle) and SHF post-treatment group (with SHF given only in the second cycle). The Quality of Life Questionnaire-Core 30 (QLQ-C30) and the Functional Living Index-Cancer (FLIC) were used to evaluate the quality of life of the patients after the treatments.

RESULTSBoth of the groups showed improved quality of life after the treatments (P<0.01), but the improvements were more obvious in SHF pre-treatment group (P<0.05). SHF showed favorable effects in relieving such adverse effects as fatigue, nausea, vomiting and diarrhea associated with the chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONSHF can improve the quality of life in NSCLC patients receiving chemotherapies.

Adult ; Aged ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; Cisplatin ; administration & dosage ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nausea ; prevention & control ; Paclitaxel ; administration & dosage ; Phytotherapy ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Vinblastine ; administration & dosage ; analogs & derivatives ; Vomiting ; prevention & control

OBJECTIVETo study the relationship of the types of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) strains with the classification and the severity of chronic gastro-duodenal diseases in children.

METHODSOne hundred and fifteen children with chronic upper gastrointestinal symptoms who were diagnosed as H. pylori infection by gastroscopy were enrolled in this study. H. pylori strains were serotyped by immunoblot technique. The gastric biopsy specimens of all patients were studied histologically.

RESULTSType I H. pylori strains were confirmed in 84 cases (73.0%), intermediate type strains in 21 cases (18.3%), and type II strains in 10 cases (8.7%). Type I H. pylori strains infection caused a moderate gastric mucosal inflammation in 83 cases and a severe inflammation in 1 case. Intermediate type H. pylori strains infection caused a moderate gastric mucosal inflammation in 21 cases. Type II H. pylori strains infection caused a mild gastric mucosal inflammation in 2 cases and a moderate inflammation in 8 cases. Different types of H. pylori strains resulted in different severity of gastric mucosal inflammation (x2=15.444, P < 0.01). The gastric mucosal inflammation due to type I H. pylori strains was the most severe, while the inflammation due to type II H. pylori strains was relatively mild. The incidence of nodulus lymphaticus of gastric mucosa due to type I, type II and intermediate type H. pylori strains infection was 76.2%, 47.6% and 40.0%, respectively (x2=10.171, P < 0.01). The classification of chronic gastro-duodenal diseases was not associated with the types of H. pylori strains.

CONCLUSIONSType I strains were the leading cause of H. pylori infection in children. All of types of H. pylori strains can cause pathohistologic changes of gastric mucosa. Type I H. pylori strains infection can result in the most severe gastric mucosal inflammation and the highest incidence of nodulus lymphaticus. The immunoblot serotyping of H.pylori strains may be useless for the classification of chronic upper gastrointestinal diseases but it is helpful for the evaluation of the severity of the diseases in children.

Adolescent ; Antibodies, Bacterial ; blood ; Antigens, Bacterial ; genetics ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Chronic Disease ; Female ; Gastric Mucosa ; pathology ; Gastrointestinal Diseases ; microbiology ; pathology ; Helicobacter Infections ; complications ; diagnosis ; Helicobacter pylori ; classification ; Humans ; Male

BACKGROUNDThe fluorosis derived from coal burning is a very serious problem in China. By using fluorine-fixing technology during coal burning we are able to reduce the release of fluorides in coal at the source in order to reduce pollution to the surrounding environment by coal burning pollutants as well as decrease the intake and accumulating amounts of fluorine in the human body. The aim of this study was to conduct a pilot experiment on calcium-based fluorine-fixing material efficiency during coal burning to demonstrate and promote the technology based on laboratory research.

METHODSA proper amount of calcium-based fluorine sorbent was added into high-fluorine coal to form briquettes so that the fluorine in high-fluorine coal can be fixed in coal slag and its release into atmosphere reduced. We determined figures on various components in briquettes and fluorine in coal slag as well as the concentrations of indoor air pollutants, including fluoride, sulfur dioxide and respirable particulate matter (RPM), and evaluated the fluorine-fixing efficiency of calcium-based fluorine sorbents and the levels of indoor air pollutants.

RESULTSPilot experiments on fluorine-fixing efficiency during coal burning as well as its demonstration and promotion were carried out separately in Guiding and Longli Counties of Guizhou Province, two areas with coal burning fluorosis problems. If the calcium-based fluorine sorbent mixed coal was made into honeycomb briquettes the average fluorine-fixing ratio in the pilot experiment was 71.8%. If the burning calcium-based fluorine-fixing bitumite was made into a coalball, the average of fluorine-fixing ratio was 77.3%. The concentration of fluoride, sulfur dioxide and PM10 of indoor air were decreased significantly. There was a 10% increase in the cost of briquettes due to the addition of calcium-based fluorine sorbent.

CONCLUSIONSThe preparation process of calcium-based fluorine-fixing briquette is simple yet highly flammable and it is applicable to regions with abundant bitumite coal. As a small scale application, villagers may make fluorine-fixing coalballs or briquettes by themselves, achieving the optimum fluorine-fixing efficiency and reducing indoor air pollutants providing environmental and social benefits.

Air Pollution ; prevention & control ; Calcium ; chemistry ; China ; Coal ; analysis ; Fluorine ; chemistry ; Humans