AIM: To explore the fundus fluorescein angiographic characteristics and relevant clinical significance of age-related macular degeneration(AMD).METHODS: Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) was performed on 149 eyes of 112 patients using Nikon NF-505 fundus camera.RESULTS: Out of 149 eyes, 90 eyes were atrophic AMD (60.4%), 59 eyes were exudative AMD (39.6%) which were further divided, according to the composition and location of lesion, into subfoveal choroidal neovasculari-zation (CNV)(7 eyes of classic type, 26 eyes of occult type, 9 eyes with disciform cicatrices, juxtafoveal CNV(2 eyes of classic type, 12 eyes of occult type), and extrafoveal CNV(3 eyes of occult type).CONCLUSION: FFA can show CNV of AMD patients and its quality and location, which is helpful to guide the treatment and evaluate the prognosis.

Objective To clone and express cathepsin B gene of Echinococcus granulosus(EgCatB)and analyze EgCatB protein by using bioinformatics tools and online databases. Methods The total RNA of E. granulosus was extracted and reverse?ly transcribed into cDNA as the template sequence for PCR. The EgCatB gene was cloned by using the In?Fusion PCR cloning method and expressed by a wheat germ cell?free system,and then the recombinant protein was identified by Western blotting. The signal peptide,transmembrane helices and subcellular location of the EgCatB sequence were predicted by the online soft?ware SignalP 4.1,TMHMM sever v. 2.0 and TargetP 1.1 respectively. Subsequently,the homologue sequence and conserved sites were aligned by using BLASTP and GeneDoc software. Finally,the structures and the glycosylation modification site of the EgCatB encoding protein were analyzed and predicted in turn by ProtParam,SMART,Predictprotein,Swiss?model,NetOGlyc 4.0 and NetNGlyc 1.0 approaches. Results The EgCatB gene was successfully amplified from cDNA of E. granulosus and ex?pressed in the soluble fractions. The molecular weight of the expressed protein was estimated 35 kDa. The bioinformatics analysis revealed that EgCatB was a classical secreted protein containing a Pept_C1 domain. The homology analysis indicated that the amino acid sequence of EgCatB was highly conserved in the active enzyme sites. The protein structure prediction showed a cata?lytic active center was formed through Gln106,Cys112,His282 and Asn302. It was found that there were nine O?glycosylation sites in the EgCatB sequence,but no N?glycosylation sites. Conclusions The EgCatB gene is cloned and expressed successfully,and the recombinant protein is analyzed by bioinformatics approaches and structure predication. The study provides useful informa? tion for further functional study of the EgCatB protein.

Nowdays, it is common seen that criminals tend to use the lock-against-theft for motorcycle to harm others as a tool. In order to find out the chief characters of this kind of injury, 28 cases in which victims were hurt by lock-against-theft for motorcycle were analyzed. In each case, the victims carefully questioned to confirm the damage procedure. Furthermore, the wound configuration was observed and the forming mechanism was deduced to provide morphological evidences for the judgement in this kind of case.
Female ; Forensic Medicine ; Fractures, Bone/pathology* ; Humans ; Male ; Motorcycles ; Skin/pathology* ; Violence ; Wounds and Injuries/pathology* ; Wounds, Nonpenetrating/pathology*

OBJECTIVETo apply pulse-field gel electrophoresis analysis(PFGE) in the analysis of cholera outbreak events and to determine the molecular epidemiological characteristics of Vibrio cholerae ( V. cholerae) isolates.

METHODSPFGE using restriction enzyme Not I was employed in the molecular subtyping of forty-one strains of V. cholerae isolated in cholera outbreak events from 2003 to 2005 in Guangzhou area and PFGE patterns were analyzed by BioNumerics Version 4.0 software to perform cluster analysis. Pattern profiles were compared by utilizing of Dice coefficient and UPGMA(unweighted pair group method with arithmetic averages). Comparison of PFGE typing results was performed with phage-biological typing and pathogenicity-associated genes typing.

RESULTSIn cholera outbreak events, PFGE could discriminate epidemiologically related and unrelated strains, having more discriminatory power than phage-biological typing and pathogenicity-associated genes-typing.

CONCLUSIONSMolecular sub-typing by PFGE could disclose the epidemiological relationships of strains from humans and the environment, providing molecular epidemiological evidence and support for the source-tracking of cholera outbreak events.

Bacterial Typing Techniques ; methods ; Cholera ; epidemiology ; microbiology ; Disease Outbreaks ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Pulsed-Field ; Humans ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Vibrio cholerae ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVEHypopharyngeal carcinoma has a high risk for early regional lymphatic dissemination. However, reports about regional lymph node metastases, especially retropharyngeal lymph node metastases, are rare. This research explored the spread of hypopharyngeal carcinoma, especially metastases of the retropharyngeal lymph nodes by studying computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images.

METHODSThe CT/MRI images of 88 patients with pathologically confirmed hypopharyngeal carcinomas that were performed at our hospital between August 2000 and March 2009 were analyzed retrospectively. The interrelations among local stage and lymph nodes in various regions were analyzed by Chi2 test and multivariate logistical regression.

RESULTSThe rate of regional lymph node metastasis for all patients was 73.9%, and the highest rates of positive lymph nodes were at levels IIa (61.4%), IIb (44.3%), and III (37.5%). Metastases to levels I, IV, V, and VI were rare, as were retropharyngeal lymph-node metastases, which were always combined with metastases at levels II and III. Univariate analysis showed that level-IV metastases correlated to metastases at levels Ib and III; retropharyngeal lymph node metastases were correlated to level IIb and bilateral cervical lymph node metastases. Multivariate analysis showed that level-VI metastases correlated to level IV and that retropharyngeal lymph-node metastases correlated to bilateral cervical lymph node metastases.

CONCLUSIONSRegional lymph node metastases in patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma follow some regulations, and skip metastasis is rare. The highest rates of positive lymph nodes are at levels II and III. Bilateral lymph node metastases may be a risk factor for retropharyngeal lymph node metastases.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma in Situ ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypopharyngeal Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Lymph Nodes ; diagnostic imaging ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Neck ; Neoplasm Staging ; Pharynx ; Retrospective Studies ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed

Background and Objective:Hypopharyngeal carcinoma has a high risk for early regional lymphatic dissemination.However.reports about regional lymph node metastases, especially retropharyngeal lymph node metastases,are rare.This research explored the spread of hypopharyngeal carcinoma, especially metastases of the retropharyngeal lymph nodes by studying computed tomography(CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) images. Methlods:The CT/MRI images of 88 patients with pathologically confirmed hypOpharyngeaI carcinomas that were performed at our hospital between August 2000 and March 2009 were analyzed retrospectively.The interrelations among local stage and lymph nodes in vanous regtons were analyzed by χ~2 test and multivariate logistical regression. ResulIts:The rate of regional lymph node metastasis for all patients was 73.9%.and the highest rates of positive lymph nodes were at levels 11 a(61.4%),11 b(44.3%),and Ⅲ (37.5%).Metastases to levels Ⅰ,Ⅳ,Ⅴ,and Ⅵ were rare,as were retropharyngeal lymph-node metastases,which were always combined with metastases at levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ.Univariate analysis showed that level-Ⅳ metastases correlated to metastases at levels Ⅰ b and Ⅲ:retropharyngeal lymph node metastases were correlated to level Ⅱ b and bilateral cervical lymph node metastases. Multivariate analysis showed that level-Vl metastases correlated to level Ⅳ and that retropharyngeal lymph-node metastases correlated to bilateral cervical lymph node metastases.Conclusions:Regional lymph node metastases in patients with hypopharyngeal carcinoma follow some regulations,and skip metastasis is rare.The highest rates of positive lymph nodes are at levels Ⅱ and Ⅲ.Bilateral lymph node metastases may be a risk factor for retropharyngeallymph node metastases.

Objective To study the clinical characteristics of children with anti-neutrophil cytoplasmic antibody(ANCA)-associated vasculitis(AAV).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 25 children diagnosed with AAV at the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University from January 2010 to June 2022.Results Among the AAV children,there were 5 males and 20 females,with a median age of onset of 11.0 years.Involvement of the urinary system was seen in 18 cases(72%);respiratory system involvement in 10 cases(40%);skin involvement in 6 cases(24%);eye,ear,and nose involvement in 5 cases(20%);joint involvement in 4 cases(16%);digestive system involvement in 2 cases(8%).Eleven cases underwent kidney biopsy,with 5 cases(46%)showing focal type,2 cases(18%)showing crescentic type,2 cases(18%)showing mixed type,and 2 cases(18%)showing sclerotic type.Immune complex deposits were present in 5 cases(45%).Seven cases reached chronic kidney disease(CKD)stage Ⅴ,with 2 cases resulting in death.Two cases underwent kidney transplantation.At the end of the follow-up period,2 cases were at CKD stage Ⅱ,and 1 case was at CKD stage Ⅲ.Of the 16 cases of microscopic polyangiitis(MPA)group,13(81%)involved the urinary system.Of the 9 cases of granulomatosis with polyangiitis(GPA),6 cases(66%)had sinusitis.Serum creatinine and uric acid levels were higher in the MPA group than in the GPA group(P<0.05),while red blood cell count and glomerular filtration rate were lower in the MPA group(P<0.05).Conclusions AAV is more common in school-age female children,with MPA being the most common clinical subtype.The onset of AAV in children is mainly characterized by renal involvement,followed by respiratory system involvement.The renal pathology often presents as focal type with possible immune complex deposits.Children with MPA often have renal involvement,while those with GPA commonly have sinusitis.The prognosis of children with AAV is poor,often accompanied by renal insufficiency.

Living organisms are exposed to the geomagnetic field (GMF) throughout their lifespan. Elimination of the GMF, resulting in a hypogeomagnetic field (HMF), leads to central nervous system dysfunction and abnormal development in animals. However, the cellular mechanisms underlying these effects have not been identified so far. Here, we show that exposure to an HMF (<200 nT), produced by a magnetic field shielding chamber, promotes the proliferation of neural progenitor/stem cells (NPCs/NSCs) from C57BL/6 mice. Following seven-day HMF-exposure, the primary neurospheres (NSs) were significantly larger in size, and twice more NPCs/NSCs were harvested from neonatal NSs, when compared to the GMF controls. The self-renewal capacity and multipotency of the NSs were maintained, as HMF-exposed NSs were positive for NSC markers (Nestin and Sox2), and could differentiate into neurons and astrocyte/glial cells and be passaged continuously. In addition, adult mice exposed to the HMF for one month were observed to have a greater number of proliferative cells in the subventricular zone. These findings indicate that continuous HMF-exposure increases the proliferation of NPCs/NSCs, in vitro and in vivo. HMF-disturbed NPCs/NSCs production probably affects brain development and function, which provides a novel clue for elucidating the cellular mechanisms of the bio-HMF response.
Animals ; Cell Proliferation ; physiology ; Female ; Magnetic Fields ; Male ; Mice ; Nestin ; metabolism ; Neural Stem Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; SOXB1 Transcription Factors ; metabolism

Accumulative evidence has shown the adverse effects of a geomagnetic field shielded condition, so called a hypomagnetic field (HMF), on the metabolic processes and oxidative stress in animals and cells. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. In this study, we evaluate the role of HMF on the regulation of cellular reactive oxygen species (ROS) in human neuroblastoma SH-SY5Y cells. We found that HMF exposure led to ROS decrease, and that restoring the decrease by additional HO rescued the HMF-enhanced cell proliferation. The measurements on ROS related indexes, including total anti-oxidant capacity, HO and superoxide anion levels, and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity and expression, indicated that the HMF reduced HO production and inhibited the activity of CuZn-SOD. Moreover, the HMF accelerated the denaturation of CuZn-SOD as well as enhanced aggregation of CuZn-SOD protein, in vitro. Our findings indicate that CuZn-SOD is able to response to the HMF stress and suggest it a mediator of the HMF effect.
Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Hydrogen Peroxide ; metabolism ; Magnetic Fields ; Neoplasm Proteins ; metabolism ; Neuroblastoma ; metabolism ; Stress, Physiological ; Superoxide Dismutase-1 ; metabolism

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical characteristics, the medicine application and to evaluate the disease activity in patients with osteoarthritis (OA) in China. METHODS: This was a cross-sectional study. Totally 1 066 cases of OA from 40 hospitals in China from April to October 2017 were retrospectively enrolled. Demographic characteristics, clinical data, medicine application, and joint function were evaluated. All the data were analyzed by SPSS software 19.0. t test, Mann-Whitney U test and chi-square test were used for statistical analysis. RESULTS: In the 1 066 cases, the male-to-female ratio was 1:3.6 and the average age was (61.9±11.0) years, with an age range from 36 to 94 years. The incidence of knee OA, hip OA, and hand OA were respectively 81.9% (873/1 066), 14.1% (150/1 066), and 36.3% (387/1 066). In the study, 242 (22.7%) cases had two kinds of joint areas involved and three joint areas were involved in 51 cases (4.8%), and 56.6% (603/1 066) of the patients used more than one kind of non-steroid anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) while 61.2% (652/1 066) used disease modifying osteoarthritis drugs (DMOADs), including glucosamine (37.5%, 400/1 066), chondroitin sulfate (2.0%, 21/1 066), diacetate (5.9%, 63/1 066), and the combination of these drugs (15.8%, 168/1 066). 8.6% (92/1 066) patients only took analgesics to relieve the pain, not using any kind of NSAIDs or DMOADs. And 232 patients (21.7%) had intra-articular injections, including 9.2% (98/1 066) sodium hyaluronate, 4.5%(48/1 066) glucocorticoid, and 8.1% (86/1 066) combination of the two drugs. The proportion of the patients taking topical drugs accounted for 26.5% (283/1 066) and physical therapy accounted for 15.8% (168/1 066). Compared with those who suffered from knee OA, the patients who suffered from hip OA had more severe disease assessment. Moreover, there were significant differences in pain (Z=-7.625, P<0.001), morning stiffness (Z=-6.229, P<0.001), and joint function (Z=-6.777, P<0.001) between the two groups of the patients who suffered from knee or hip OA with The Western Ontario and McMaster Universities (WOMAC) osteoarthritis index. Furthermore, patients with hip OA took more analgesics (χ²=24.838, P<0.001). CONCLUSION Oral NSAIDs and DMOADs are wildly used in patients with OA in China. However, the treatment of some patients still need to be improved. Patients with hip OA are more seriously ill and require aggressive treatment.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteoarthritis, Hip/drug therapy* ; Osteoarthritis, Knee/drug therapy* ; Practice Patterns, Physicians'/statistics & numerical data* ; Retrospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires