Background Compare with the lamellar laser refractive surgery,the laser slip on the surface operation is a better method in the correct of refractive error without the flap-related complications.However,whether to remain corneal epithelial flap and its influence for epithelial healing and visual restoration are still under investigation.Objective The aim of this study was to compare the short-term clinical efficacy of epipolis laser insitu keratomileusis (Epi-LASIK) and flap-free Epi-LASIK for correction of refractive error in high myopia.Methods The paired control design was adopted.Sixty eyes of consecutive 30 patients with high myopia were collected in this study.The written consent form was obtained from each patients prior to operation.Regular EpiLASIK was performed in the right eyes and the flap-free Epi-LASIK was carried out in the left eyes.Patients were followed-up for one month.The postoperative ocular irritation symptoms were scored,and the healing period of corneal epithelium and uncorrected visual acuity were examined at 1,3 and 5 days after operation.The naked visual acuity,diopter,best corrected visual acuity and the grading of haze were recorded and compared between the two groups at one month after operation.Results After surgery,the scores of corneal irritation were 3.13 ±0.43 and 3.30±0.47on the first day,showing insignificant differences between these two groups (t =- 1.54,P＞0.05 ).However,there existed statistically significant difference in the scores of corneal irritation on the third day after operation between the two groups (t =- 17.95,P＜0.01 ).The average time of corneal epithelial healing were (2.58 ±0.49 ) days in the flapfree Epi-LASIK group and ( 3.98 ±0.74) days in Epi-LASIK group with the significant difference between them (t=-11.36,P＜0.01 ).There was no statistical difference in uncorrected visual acuity in the first day (0.59±0.12 vs 0.58±0.11,t=0.39,P＞0.05),the fifth day (0.69±0.08 vs 0.67±0.09,t=0.84,P＞0.05) and 1 month (t =-1.90,P＞0.05 ).No significant difference was seen in the diopter between the two groups in 1 month after surgery (-1.03±0.45 vs -1.07 ±0.38,t =-0.31,P＞0.05 ).The eye numbers of corneal haze for 0 grade were 27 ( 90.00％ ) and over the 0.5 grade were 3 ( 10.00％ ) in flap-free Epi-LASIK group respectively,and those of corneal haze for 0 grade were 26(86.66％ ) and above the 0.5 grade were 4 (13.33％) in Epi-LASIK group respectively,showing a considerably difference between the two groups (x2 =0.0031,P＞0.05).Conclusions Both the flapfree or reserved epithelial Epi-LASIK allow the safe and effective correction of refractive error in high myopia,showing good predictability and stability in short term.Flap-free Epi-LASIK can relieve the corneal irritation symptom and accelerate the healing of corneal epithelium and recovery of visual acuity.

Objective To study the relationship among apoptosis,NF-KB activation and uPA expres- sion in human colon carcinoma cell line HCTll6 induced by 5-fluorouracil,and to observe the effect of in- hibiting activity of NF-KB by PDTC on apoptosis as well as expression of uPA.Methods Cell apoptosis was analysed by Annexin V-FITC.Fluctuation of NF-KB and uPA was detected by semi-quantitative immuno- histochemistry.Results 5-fluorouracil could induce apoptosis and activate NF-KB.PDTC could significantly increase the apoptosis and suppress the activation of NF-KB induced by 5-fluorouracil.There was a positive correlation between the changes of uPA and NF-KB.Conclusion 5-fluorouracil could induce apoptosis,ac- tivate NF-KB and up-regulate expression of uPA of HCT116 cells.The mechanism of enhanced apoptosis by PDTC may be related to suppressing activation of NF-?B and down-regulating expression of uPA.

OBJECTIVEClinical cases of immediate loaded implants were retrospectively analyzed, in the aim of evaluating the clinical value of immediate loading.

METHODSFrom July 2005 to October 2009, 99 immediate loaded implants were implanted in 29 patients. The overall data including radiography, clinical examination were collected during the follow-up periods ranged from 4 to 46 months. The implants were evaluated with the survival rate, bone resorption, soft tissue esthetics (including gingiva papilla index and pink esthetic score).

RESULTSSurvival rate for immediate loaded implant was 97.0%. The average bone resorption were 0.22 mm at 4-6 months after surgery, bone increase of 0.15 mm were found at 6-12 month, and bone increase up to 0.16 mm at 12-46 months. The gingival papilla index was 2.68, while pink esthetic score was 12.58.

CONCLUSIONImmediate loaded implant is an effective repairing method for patients missing teeth and the esthetics effect is ideal.

Adult ; Crowns ; Dental Implants, Single-Tooth ; Humans ; Immediate Dental Implant Loading ; Male ; Maxilla ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDEarly diagnosis assumes a vital role in an effective treatment of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Most of the current studies can only make an AD diagnosis after the manifestation of typical clinical symptoms. The present study aimed to investigate typical and other biomarkers of AD to find a possible early biomarker.

METHODSA total of 14 5XFAD mice (at 3 and 6 months old), with 14 age-matched wild-type (WT) mice as control, were enrolled in this case-control study. Morris water maze test was performed to evaluate the cognitive function; buried food pellet test and olfactory maze test were employed to investigate the olfactory function; immunofluorescence to detect amyloid deposition and positron emission tomography to examine 2-deoxy-2-(18F) fluoro-D-glucose ([18F]-FDG) uptake in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex.

RESULTSWith the increasing age, cognitive performance (P = 0.0262) and olfactory function were significantly deteriorated (day 1 P = 0.0012, day 2 P = 0.0031, day 3 P = 0.0160, respectively) and the (18F)-FDG uptake was markedly decreased in multi-cerebral regions including the olfactory bulb (P < 0.0001), hippocampus (P = 0.0121), and cerebral cortex (P < 0.0001). Of note, in 3-month-old 5XFAD mice, a significant decline of (18F)-FDG uptake in the olfactory bulb was found when compared with that of age-matched WT mice (P = 0.023) while no significant difference was present when the uptakes in other cerebral regions were compared.

CONCLUSIONSThe decline of (18F)-FDG uptake in the olfactory bulb occurs earlier than other incidents, serving as an earlier in vivo biological marker of AD in 5XFAD mice and making early diagnosis of AD possibly.

Alzheimer Disease ; diagnosis ; Amyloid ; analysis ; Animals ; Animals, Genetically Modified ; Biomarkers ; analysis ; Fluorodeoxyglucose F18 ; metabolism ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Mice ; Olfactory Bulb ; metabolism ; Positron-Emission Tomography

Artemisiae Annuae Herba is a traditional Chinese medicine for clearing deficiency and heat. It is the only natural source of artemisinin, which is a specific antimalarial drug, and has been widely concerned all over the world. In addition to artemisinin, Artemisiae Annuae Herba also contains many sesquiterpenes, coumarins, flavonoids, volatile oils, polysaccharides and other chemical components, which show antipyretic, anti-inflammatory, antiviral microorganisms, anti-asthma, anti-oxidation, anti-tumor and other pharmacological activities. In addition to their own pharmacological activities, some components could enhance the antimalarial activity of artemisinin through different mechanisms at absorption and metabolism in vivo. In order to understand the pharmacokinetic characte-ristics of the chemical constituents contained in Artemisiae Annuae Herba and provide reference for the full development and clinical utilization of Artemisiae Annuae Herba resources in China, this present paper systematically collated the modern research literatures, and summarized the biosynthesis, in vivo analysis and pharmacokinetics of the chemical constituents in Artemisiae Annuae Herba.
Antimalarials ; China ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Oils, Volatile

Background/Aims: Oral EDP-514 is a potent core protein inhibitor of hepatitis B virus (HBV) replication, which produced a >4-log viral load reduction in HBV-infected chimeric mice with human liver cells. This study evaluated the safety, pharmacokinetics, and antiviral activity of three doses of EDP-514 in treatment-naive viremic patients with HBeAgpositive or -negative chronic HBV infection. Methods: Patients with HBsAg detectable at screening and at least 6 months previously were eligible. HBeAg-positive and -negative patients had a serum/plasma HBV DNA level ≥20,000 and ≥2,000 IU/mL, respectively. Twenty-five patients were randomized to EDP-514 200 (n=6), 400 (n=6) or 800 mg (n=7) or placebo (n=6) once daily for 28 days. Results: A dose-related increase in EDP-514 exposure (AUClast and Cmax) was observed across doses. At Day 28, mean reductions in HBV DNA were –2.9, –3.3, –3.5 and –0.2 log10 IU/mL with EDP-514 200 mg, 400 mg, 800 mg, and placebo groups, respectively. The corresponding mean change from baseline for HBV RNA levels was –2.9, –2.4, –2.0, and –0.02 log10 U/mL. No virologic failures were observed. No clinically meaningful changes from baseline were observed for HBsAg, HBeAg or HBcrAg. Nine patients reported treatment emergent adverse events of mild or moderate severity with no discontinuations, serious AEs or deaths. Conclusions In treatment-naïve viremic patients, oral EDP-514 was generally safe and well-tolerated, displayed PK profile supportive of once-daily dosing, and markedly reduced HBV DNA and HBV RNA.

Sojae Semen Germinatum was firstly recorded in Shennong Bencaojing， and it has a long history of edible and medicinal use. Most ancient medical practitioners described that Sojae Semen Germinatum was processed with black soya bean， while some others recorded that Sojae Semen Germinatum was processed with black soya bean and soybean or with soybean only. In modern times， black soya bean and soybean are both used. Before the Northern and Southern dynasties， the germination process of Sojae Semen Germinatum was mostly soil culture， and then changed into water culture later. The medicinal part of Sojae Semen Germinatum may also change from the initial aboveground part to the whole processed products including the soybean and the bud. The bud length was used to control the processing ending of Sojae Semen Germinatum， but there were different views of the bud length in ancient and modern times. Before the Tang dynasty， Sojae Semen Germinatum was mostly used directly. Since the Tang dynasty， various subsequent processed products of Sojae Semen Germinatum appeared. Most ancient medical practitioners confirmed that Sojae Semen Germinatum was sweet flavor， neutral in nature and non-toxic， and the mainstream believed that it belonged to the spleen， lung and stomach meridians. However， there were different opinions on its efficacy of relieving exterior syndrome by diaphoresis. In this paper， the evolution of Sojae Semen Germinatum was explored after consulting all kinds of ancient books， its historical name， processing history， quality evaluation and others were systematically summarized in order to clarify its historical development and lay a good foundation for the clinical use and further development of Sojae Semen Germinatum.

Objective:To study the antitumor effect of Xihuangwan on A549 lung cancer nude mice in inflammatory microenvironment, and explore the effect of Xihuangwan on the expressions of nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammatory bodies and their products in serum and tumor tissue of A549 lung cancer nude mice. Method:The lung cancer A549 cell model was established in nude mice with lung cancer, and the lung cancer A549 cell model was established in inflammatory microenvironment by adding lipopolysaccharide (LPS) + adenosine triphosphate (ATP) to the culture medium. After modeling, the rats were randomly divided into blank group (equal volume of normal saline), positive drug control group (MCC950 solution, 0.79 g·kg^-1), and low, medium, high-dose Xihuangwan groups (0.39, 0.78, 1.95 g·kg^-1). The rats were administered orally once a day for 21 days, and then sacrificed. The tumor tissues were stripped to measure the tumor body. The expressions of NLRP3, malondialdehyde（MDA）, interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-18 and NLRP3 were detected by Western blot, and the levels of IL-1β, IL-18 and MDA were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay（ELISA）. Result:Compared with the blank group, the tumor inhibition rates in the positive drug control group and the low, medium and high dose Xihuangwan group were 39.21%, 31.72%, 42.24% and 55.68%. ELISA showed that the high-dose Xihuangwan group could significantly reduce the expressions of MDA, IL-1β and IL-18 in the serum of nude mice (P<0.05). Western blot showed that the high-dose Xihuangwan group could effectively reduce the protein expressions of MDA, IL-1β, IL-18 and NLRP3 in tumor of nude mice (P<0.05), the results of immunohistochemistry showed that the expression rate of NLRP3 in the tumor tissues of nude mice was reduced in the positive drug group and each dose of Xihuangwan group (P<0.05). Conclusion:Xihuangwan can inhibit the growth of tumor tissue of A549 cells bearing lung cancer in nude mice. The mechanism may be that it can inhibit the growth of tumor cells by inhibiting the expression of NLRP3 inflammatory bodies, IL-1β, IL-18, MDA tables, and then inhibiting the inflammatory microenvironment of tumor cells.