Objective To evaluate the changes of the waveform of the photopic negative response in flash-electroretinogram, visual acuity and central retinal thickness in the treatment of intravitreal injections of bevacizumub. Design Retrospective self-comparative case series. Partidpants 8 subjects (9 eyes) with exudative age-related macular degeneration and 3 subjects (3eyes) with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Method Evaluation protocol included examinations of the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy study visual acu-ity, visual field, intraocular pressure, fundus fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography and flash-electroretinogram. Intravit-real injections of bevacizumab, 1.25 mg (0.05ml), were given under an operating microscope and aseptic conditions. All the subjects were followed-up one month later. Main outcome Measure The amplitudes of PhNR, visual acuity and central retinal thickness. Re-sult At 1 months, the mean amplitudes of PhNR and mean visual acuity in all cases had no obvious change (n=12, P>0.05).The central retinal thickness reduced obviously (n=12, P<0.05), but it was neither significantly correlated with PhNR (r=0.294, P=0.145) nor with visual acuity(r=-0.358, P=0.073). Conclusion The single intravitreal injection of bevacizumab is showed promising in absorption of in-traretinal edema and subretinal fluid in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration and proliferative diabetic retinopathy, but the changes of visual function (including PhNR) might need further investigation. (Ophthalmol CHN, 2009, 18: 243-246)

Background Sweep pattern visual evoked potential (SVEP) is an objective method of visual test.There is a clear correlation between SVEP acuity and subjective vision,but they are not identical.Recent studies showed that new regression method can improve the accuracy of SVEP acuity. Objective This trial was to investigate and compare the outcome between amplitude-spatial frequency (A-SP) regression method and amplitudelogVA (A-logVA) regression method in extrapolating the SVEP acuity.Methods SVEP was recorded in 113 eyes of 64 subjects using GT-2000 ( Guo Te,China) with the gratings of 10 different spatial frequency from 0.99 to 12.89 cpd as stimulus.The 1 13 eyes included cataract,glaucoma,corneal disease,optical neuropathy,retinal disease,ocular trauma,refractive error and normal eyes.The correlation were analyzed of SVEP acuity,decimal visual acuity and LogMAR visual acuity.The response were averaged and DFT on the monitor display.SVEP acuity was calculated by extrapolating 0 response amplitude.Results The correlation indices of decimal visual acuity curves obtained by the A-logVA function was 0.663,and that obtained by the A-SP function was 0.705.The positive correlation was seen between subjective decimal visual acuity and A-logVA decimal visual acuity (r =0.540,P＜ 0.01 ) and between subjective decimal acuity and decimal acuity calculated by the A-SP regression method (r=0.620,P＜0.01 ).SVEP decimal acuity calculated by the A-SP function regression method was significantly different from the that calculated by the A-logVA function regression method (Z =-8.688,P＜0.01 ).And the correlation indices of LogMAR visual acuity curves obtained by the A-logVA function was 0.733 and that obtained by the A-SP function was 0.715.The positive correlation was found between the subjective LogMAR acuity and that calculated by the A-SP regression method (r=0.700,P＜ 0.01 ) and between the subjective LogMAR acuity and LogMAR acuity calculated by the A-logVA regression method (r=0.710,P＜0.01 ).SVEP LogMAR acuity from A-SP function regression method was significantly different from the LogMAR acuity from A-logVA function regression method (Z=-8.748,P＜0.01 ).No significant differences of VA LogMAR were found in gender,eyes,type of disease and age(x2 =2.171,P=0.338;x2 =0.976,P=0.614;x2 =6.032,P=0.420;x2 =14.720,P=0.257 ).Conclusions SVEP can obtain the visual outcome in human.The amplitude-logVA function regression method is more accurate in extrapolating SVEP acuity.

Objective To analyze the risk factors for postoperative infection of patients with colorectal cancer,and to investigate the distribution of pathogenic bacteria and drug resistance.Methods A total of 300 patients with colorectal cancer who underwent operation were selected from June 2013 to June 2017 in the Central Hospital of Tongchuan Mining Bureau,and the patients were divided into the infection group and the non-infection group according to the postoperative infection.The clinical data were compared between the two groups,and the risk factors for postoperative infection in colorectal cancer patients were analyzed by logistic regression.The total automatic bacterial culture apparatus was used for bacterial culture,and the drug sensitivity test was carried out by Kirby-Bauer.Results Among the 300 colorectal cancer patients,there were 61 cases of incision infection (infection group) and 239 cases without incision infection (non-infection group) after operation,the postoperative infection rate was 20.33％ (61/300).There were significant differences in the operation method,red blood cell counts,the levels of albumin,prealbumin and hemoglobin between the two groups (P ＜ 0.05);but there was no significant difference in sex,age,body mass index,diabetes mellitus history,abdominal surgery history,smoking history,drinking history,operation time,intraoperative bleeding volume,hospitalization time,indwelling time of urethral catheter,white blood cells and C-reactive protein levels between the two groups(P ＞ 0.05).Multiple factor logistic regression analysis showed that the decrease of albumin and prealbumin level was the independent risk factor for postoperative infection in patients with colorectal cancer (P ＜0.05).A total of 52 strains of pathogenic bacteria were detected in 61 cases of colorectal cancer combined with postoperative infection,including 38 strains of gram negative bacteria (73.08％),10 strains of gram positive bacteria (19.23％) and 4 strains of fungi (7.69％).Escherichia coli,Klebsiella pneumoniae,Enterobacter cloacae,Pseudomonas aeruginosa had high drug resistance to ampicillin,cefaclor,ceftriaxone,ceftizoxime,cefepime,cefoperazone,ceftazidime and ofloxacin;but they had low drug resistance to piperacillin,imipenem and amikacin.Conclusion The incidence of postoperative infection in patients with colorectal cancer is higher,the decrease of albumin and prealbumin is the independent risk factor for postoperative infection in patients with colorectal cancer.Gram-negative bacteria are the main pathogens of postoperative infection in patients with colorectal cancer and have high resistance to common antibiotics.

BackgroundSweep pattern visual evoked potential(SPVEP) acuity,as an objective detective technique of visual function,can be used to measure visual acuity in children and uncooperative adults.Recent studies have shown that the amplitude-logarithm of the visual angle (A-LogVA) function regression method was more accurate than the amplitude-spatial frequency (A-SP)function regression method in evaluating SPVEP acuity.Objective This study was to explore the clinical use of SPVEP acuity in visual developing children and compare the evaluating the SPVEP acuity of children between A-SP function regression method and A-LogVA function regression method.Methods Twenty-six eyes of 26 asthenopic children with age range of 3-12 years and 31 age-matched normal children were enrolled in this study.SPVEP acuity was recorded with GT-2000 NV ( GUOTE MEDICAL APPARATUS LTD,China) using sinusoidally modulated horizontal gratings of 10 different spatial frequencies from 0.99 to 12.89 cpd as stimulus.The responses were averaged and displayed through discrete Fourier transformations (DFT) on the monitor display.SPVEP acuity was estimated by using both the SPVEP A-SP function regression method and the SPVEP A-LogVA function regression method.The LogMAR chart was used to acquire LogMAR visual acuity.ResultsIn the normal group,the correlation coefficient between LogMAR visual acuity and acuity calculated by the A-SP function regression method was 0.600 (P＜0.01).The correlation coefficient between LogMAR visual acuity and acuity calculated by the A-LogVA function regression method was 0.733 ( P＜0.01 ).The ANOVA of the LogMAR acuity and the SPVEP acuity calculated from the A-SP function regression method and A-LogVA function regression method were 113.173 (P＜0.01 ),which indicated that there were significant difference among all of subjects.The differences of the mean values of LogMAR visual acuity and the SPVEP acuity calculated from the A-SP function regression method and A-LogVA function regression method were respectively 0.40±0.02,0.26 ±0.02 and 0.14 ± 0.02.In the amblyopia group,the correlation coefficient between LogMAR visual acuity and acuity calculated by the A-SP function regression method was 0.134 (P =0.515 ).The correlation coefficient between LogMAR visual acuity and acuity calculated by the A-LogVA function regression method was 0.456 ( P＜0.05 ).The ANOVA of the LogMAR acuity and the SPVEP acuity calculated from the A-SP function regression method and A-LogVA function regression method were 3.433 (P＜0.05),indicating that there were significant difference among all of subjects.The differences of the mean values of LogMAR visual acuity and the SPVEP acuity calculated from the A-SP function regression method and A-LogVA function regression method were 0.07±0.05,0.12±0.05 and 0.05 ±0.01 respectively.Conclusions SPVEP can evaluate the visual acuity in children,although SPVEP acuity may overestimate or underestimate acuity in comparison with different LogMAR visual acuities.The amplitude-LogVA function regression method is more accurate in extrapolating SPVEP acuity.

Aortic Valve ; surgery ; Endocarditis ; surgery ; Humans

BACKGROUNDThe shape memory effect of nickel-titanium (NiTi) archwires is largely determined by the phase transition temperature. It is associated with a reversible transformation from martensite to austenite. The aim of this study was to characterize austenite, martensite and R phase temperatures as well as transition temperature ranges of the commonly used clinical NiTi orthodontic arch wires selected from several manufacturers.

METHODSDifferential scanning calorimetry (DSC) method was used to study the phase transformation temperatures and the phase transition processes of 9 commonly used clinical NiTi alloys (types: 0.40 mm (0.016 inch), 0.40 mm x 0.56 mm (0.016 inch x 0.022 inch)).

RESULTSThe austenite finish temperatures (Af) of 0.40 mm Smart, Ormco and 3M NiTi wires were lower than the room temperature, and no phase transformation was detected during oral temperature. Therefore, we predicted that these types of NiTi did not possess shape memory property. For 0.40 mm and 0.40 mm x 0.56 mm Youyan I NiTi wires, no phase transformation was detected during the scanning temperature range, suggesting that these two types of wires did not possess shape memory either. The Af of 0.40 mm x 0.56 mm Smart, L&H, Youyan II Ni-Ti wires were close to the oral temperature and presented as martensitic-austenitic structures at room temperature, suggesting the NiTi wires listed above have good shape memory effect. Although the 0.40 mm x 0.56 mm Damon CuNiTi wire showed martensitic-austenitic structures at oral temperature, its Af was much higher than the oral temperature. It means that transformation from martensite to austenite for this type of NiTi only finishes when oral temperature is above normal.

CONCLUSIONThe phase transformation temperatures and transformation behavior varied among different commonly used NiTi orthodontic arch wires, leading to variability in shape memory effect.

Objective To characterize austenite,martensite and R phase temperatures as well as transition temperature ranges of the commonly used nickel-titanium(NiTi)orthodontic arch wires selected from several manufacturers.Methods Differential scanning calorimetry(DSC) method was used to study the phase transformation temperatures and the phase transition processes of 9 commonly used NiTi alloys (types:0.406 mm,0.406 mm×0.559 mm).Results The austenite finish temperatures of A,B,D NiTi wires were 22.4℃.21.9℃,22.5℃,respectively.No phase transformation was detected during oral temperature.It indicated that these types of NiTi wires did not possess shape memory property.For C and H NiTi wires,no phase transformation was detected during the scanning temperature range,suggesting that these two types of wires did not possess shape memory either.The austenite finish temperatures of E,G and I NiTi wires were 34.3℃,36.6℃,38.5℃,respectively,which were close to the oral temperature and presented as martensitic-anstenitic structures at room temperature,suggesting that the NiTi wires listed above had good shape memory effect.Although F NiTi wire also showed martensitic-austenitic structures at room temperature.its austenite finish temperature(61.5℃)was much higher than oral temperature.Conclusions The transformation phase temperatures and transformation behavior were varied among different NiTi alloys,leading to variability in shape memory effect.

Objective To observe the methylation and expression of 14-3-3 sigma gene in human breast cancer.Methods 40 breast cancer tissues and 18 mammary gland tissues with benign lesions were analyzed by methylation specific PCR(MSP),RT-PCR,and Western-blot(WB)so as to detect the methylation status and expression of 14-3-3 sigma mRNA or protein.Results Methylation of 14-3-3 sigma gene was detectable in 85%(34/40)of patients with breast cancers.RT-PCR showed negative in 12.5% of breast cancers(5/40),WB also indicated that 14-3-3 sigma was not detected in 32 of 40 breast carcinomas (80%).Furthermore,both RT-PCR and WB were negative in 30 of 34 positive cases by MSP.While methylation of 14-3-3 sigma was not detectable and its expression was demonstrated by RT-PCR and WB among 18 cases of benign breast diseases.These evidences proposed that methylation of 14-3-3 sigma gene had great relevance with its silence.Conclusion Methylation and loss of expression in 14-3-3 sigma gene were high frequent events in breast cancers.And methylation of 14-3-3 sigma gene might be related to its loss.

Objective To study the relationship between TGF-?signaling pathway and pathogenesis of gastric carcinoma.Methods The expression of TGF-?RⅠ,TGF-?RⅡand Smad4 protein was deter- mined by immunohistochemistry in normal gastric mucosa(26 cases),intestinal metaplasia(22 cases),dysplasia (20 cases)and gastric carcinoma(43 cases).Results The positive expression rate of TGF-?RⅠ,TGF-?RⅡand Smad4 decreased following the malignant degree in gastric tissues(P

The influences of E23K polymorphism of inwardly rectifying K~+channel 6.2 (Kir6.2) gene on the clinical phenotype of type 2 diabetes and glucose-lowering effect of gliclazide were investigated.The result showed that E23K polymorphism did not influence glucose-lowering effect of gliclazide,but serum creatinine level of patients with K/K genotype was higher than those of E/E and E/K genotypes (P