· AIM: To inspect and compare the functional vision of an aspheric intraocular lens (Tecnis) with those of conventional monofocal silicone and acrylic intraocular lens and multifocal intraocular lens (Array).· METHODS: The IOLs were tested in the eye model, which was designed to be optically equivalent to the theoretical eye model. The eye model is a combination of a spherical photographic lens with 35mm focal length ( IOL put in a water cell)and a charge coupled device (CCD) camera. The images constructed by the lenses are observed on a monitor of personal computer and the contrasts of the images are analyzed by using commercial image processing software.· RESULTS: The modulation transfer function of the eye model equals the scale produced by the theoretical eye model. The images constructed by changing the diameter of aperture stop and IOL.· CONCLUSION: The proposed eye model is useful for testing functional vision and for inspecting differences of intraocular lens.

A bacterial strain which could grow well on the substrate of PAEs as the sole source of carbon and energy was isolated from contaminated sludge in the river of WeiFang in ShangDong province and it was designated as JDC-3. Based on the morphology,biophysical and biochemical properties as well as molecular characteristics,this isolate was preliminarily identified as Delftia sp.. A fragment of phthalate dioxygenase gene was successfully amplified from the genus of Delftia for the first time using a set of degenerate primers. Meanwhile,the degradation capability of JDC-3 was determined by HPLC using DMP as test substrate. The results showed that the optimal pH and temperature were at 7.0～8.0 and 30?C～35?C respectively. The degradation kinetics of JDC-3 was studied in different initial DMP concentration under optimal conditions. The results indicated that the degradation dynamic equation was ln C =-0.06837 t + A when DMP concentration was lower than 300 mg/L,with half life of 12.48 h. The degradation rate decreased and half life of JDC-3 prolonged as the initial concentration kept on increasing.

OBJECTIVETo review the clinical features of the thoracolumbar fracture with ankylosing spondylitis (AS) in order to avoid delayed or missed diagnosis.

METHODSFive patients of thoracolumbar fracture with AS treated from April 2005 to June 2007 in our department were studied retrospectively, male 4 cases, female 1 case, the age from 26- to 72-years-old with an average of 44.8 years. Analysis including: case history, number of the ankylosed vertebras, characteristic of fracture, active state rheumatism.

RESULTSThe patients had the history of AS for average 22.6 years. The mean number of the ankylosed vertebras was 18.2. Of the 5 cases, 1 case encountered traffic accident, 1case was sprained, and 3 cases without trauma were diagnosed as stress fracture. Two cases were trans-vertebra fracture: the fracture line was through T6, T7, or L1 vertebral body respectively; 3 cases were through the disc space: 2 cases were through L1,2 disc space, 1 case was through L2,3. No compression fracture and neurological injury were found. The acute inflammatory index such as ESR and CRP in 4 cases didn't correlate with the degree of pain. The non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) hadn't significant effectiveness in relieving pain. The patients were diagnosed as 'relapse' of AS in other hospital, and had been misdiagnosed for average 1.51 months.

CONCLUSION1) the fracture is prevalent at the middle or late period of AS when extensive ankylosis has been existed at the thoracolumbar region; 2) the fracture is common at the lower thoracal spine and the upper lumbar spine, and the majority is the stress fracture; 3) the fracture line may be through the vertebral body, but more often through the disc space; 4) it is like an exacerbation of AS and therefore to be missed diagnosis; 5) when the back pain exacerbated suddenly in the middle or late period of AS, the degree of pain not correlating with acute inflammatory index, and the NSAIDs ineffective, the thoracolumbar fracture should be considered.

Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Lumbar Vertebrae ; injuries ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fractures ; diagnosis ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; complications ; Thoracic Vertebrae ; injuries

This study was aimed to investigate the effect of arsenic trioxide (As2O3) on expression of vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C) and its receptor VEGFR-3 in gastric cancer in order to clarify the role of As2O3 in lymphangiogenesis and metastasis of tumor. The gastric cancer model was established in nude mice by using gastric cancer cell line SGC-7901. As2O3 was injected to the two treatment groups (2.5 mg/kg and 5 mg/kg) and the same volume of saline solution was injected to the control group. Expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 were detected by immunohistochemistry and were analyzed with QWin550cW image Acquiring & Analysis System. The results showed that the expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in cancer cells significantly reduced in the arsenic -treated groups. The expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 in 5 mg/kg group was significantly less than that in 2.5 mg/kg group. The gray ratio analysis confirmed that there were significant difference between control group and two treated group, as well as between 2.5 mg/kg-treated group and 5 mg/kg-treated group. It is concluded that As2O3 can inhibit expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3 of human gastric cancer xenografts in nude mice, which suggests that As2O3 may inhibit the lymphangiogenesis by suppressing the expression of VEGF-C and VEGFR-3.
Animals ; Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Nude ; Oxides ; pharmacology ; Stomach Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C ; metabolism ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-3 ; metabolism ; Xenograft Model Antitumor Assays

This study was aimed to investigate on effect of As(2)O(3) on expressions of COX-2, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in SGC7901 and K562 cells. SGC7901 and K562 cells were cultured in RPMI 1640 medium and were inoculated in culture medium with different concentrations of As(2)O(3) and at different times. Expressions of COX-2, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in SGC7901 and K562 cells were measured by using Western blot, while the levels of COX-2 mRNA and MMP-2 mRNA were measured with fluorescence quantitative RT-PCR. The results showed that the expression of COX-2, MMP-2 and MMP-9 decreased in dose- and time-dependent manners after treating with As(2)O(3). The levels of COX-2 mRNA and MMP-2 mRNA reduced in groups treated with As(2)O(3). In conclusion, As(2)O(3) inhibits expressions of COX-2, MMP-2 and MMP-9 in K562 and SGC7901 cells, suggesting that As(2)O(3) inhibits tumor development through its effect on angiogenesis involved in solid and hematologic malignancies.
Arsenicals ; pharmacology ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation, Leukemic ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Oxides ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of Bushen Huoxue Fang (BSHX) on the apoptosis of epithelial cells in the prostatic ductal system of rats with benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH) and its possible action mechanism.

METHODSOne hundred 3- month-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into four groups of equal number (control, castrated, BPH model, and BSHX). BPH models were made by subcutaneous injection of testosterone following castration; the rats in the BSHX group were treated intragastrically with BSHX at 2.34 g/ml after modeling, while those in the other two groups with equal volume of saline, all for 37 days. On the 38th day, all the rats were sacrificed and their prostates harvested for detection of the distribution of TGF-beta1 and alpha-actin and the count of positive cells in the prostatic ductal system by immunohistochemical staining. The apoptosis rate of epithelial cells in the prostatic ductal system was determined by TUNEL assay.

RESULTSThe expression of TGF-beta1 was significantly increased in the rats of the BSHX group as compared with the BPH models in both the proximal prostatic duct ([15.28 +/- 4.30]% vs [36.42 +/- 8.10]%, P < 0.01) and the distal prostatic duct ([4.42 +/- 2.07]% vs [8.71 +/- 2.28 ]%, P < 0.05), while the expression of alpha-actin in the proximal duct was remarkably higher in the BSHX-treated rats than in the models ([28.14 +/- 7.43]% vs [18.28 +/- 4.07]%, P < 0.01), but lower than in the control animals ([33.57 +/- 6.85]%, P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the BPH models and BSHX-treated rats both exhibited markedly decreased apoptosis of epithelial cells in the proximal prostatic duct ([39.42 +/- 9.20]% vs [3.86 +/- 1.34]%, P < 0.01, and [31.14 +/- 5.64]%, P < 0.01) and distal prostatic duct ([17.60 +/- 4.86]% vs [3.07 +/- 1.14]%, P < 0.01, and [12.37 +/- 2.25]%, P < 0.05). The apoptosis rate of epithelial cells in the prostatic ductal system was significantly higher in the BSHX-treated rats than in the BPH models (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONBy upregulating the expression of TGF-beta, BSHX can suppress the reduction of smooth muscle cells in the proximal prostatic duct, promote the apoptosis of prostatic epithelial cells, and thus effectively inhibit benign prostatic hyperplasia.

Actins ; metabolism ; Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Prostatic Hyperplasia ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the imaging methods,characteristics,diagnostic value of multi- slice CT urography(MSCTU)in congenital abnormities of urinary system.Methods To collect 33 urinary congenital abnormities cases in three years and to analyses these MSCTU images.All examinations were performed with a multi-slice spiral CT scanner.The patients were intravenously injected with 90 ml of Iohexol 300 with a power injector at the rate of 3 ml/s.Nephrographic-phase images were obtained at 75 s after initiation of the injection of contrast material,the appropriate delay time is according to Kidney's enhancement extent and nephrohydrosis degree.Excretory-phase images were obtained through the abdomen and pelvis from 10 min.to 23 h after initiation of the injection of contrast material without abdominal compression.Excretory-phase images were transferred to the workstation and performed maximun intensity projection(MIP),multiplanar reconstruction(MPR),volume rendering(VR),and virtual cystoscopy (VC).Results The urinary congenital abnormities diagnosed by MSCTU in 33 cases,including 1 ectopic kidney,1 horseshoe kidney,1 renal malrotaion,2 supernumerary kidneys,2 ureteral valves,2 retrocaval ureters,4 congenital megaureters,6 ureteropelvic junction stenosis,9 pelviureteric duplication malformations and 5 bladder diverticula.The displaying rate of ureter was 91%(61/66).The scanning time of excretory-phase was less than 20 seconds in All cases.The average CT value of contrast media in displayed ureter lumens was 520 HU.The postprocessing images had clear,dimensional feature and It was satisfy the diagnosis.Conclusion MSCTU has clear,dimensional feature and has strong ability of displaying total anatomy shape and tiny pathology change of congenital abnormities in the urinary system.It is a very useful method for detecting the congenital abnormities in the urinary system.

Objective To investigate the CT findings of Madelung's disease in the head and neck region,and to evaluate the value of CT in demonstrating the Madelung's disease in the head and neck region.Methods CT findings of Madelung's disease in the head and neck region in 7 cases were analyzed retrospectively.All were males,with the age from 36 to 60 years,mean 51 years.All patients were underwent CT native scan,and enhanced CT scan was performed on 3 of them.Results CT images in the neck of all patients showed accumulation of nonencapsulated fat within the subcutaneous tissue and(or) deep to the platysma,and(or)within the spaces between the muscles.The fat deposits were ill-defined and symmetrical.In most cases the fat deposits involved the anterior part of the neck(infrahyoid and suprahyoid),submandibular region,the subcutaneous tissue of the nape and deep to the stenomastoid muscles.Conclusions Madelung's disease in the head and neck region have characteristic CT findings,and CT has great value in qualitative and quantitative diagnosis in Madelung's disease.

Electrocardiography ; Humans ; Lung Abscess ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Pulmonary Veins ; diagnostic imaging ; Radiography ; Tachycardia, Paroxysmal ; etiology ; surgery

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the curative effects of AO clavicular hook plate in the treatment of dislocation of acromioclavicular joint and fracture of distal clavicle. METHODS: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 39 patients with acromioclavicular joint dislocation or distal clavicle fractures treated with clavicular hook plate: 16 suffered from dislocation of acromioclaviculr joint, 18 suffered from far end collarbone fractures, and 5 patients had both symptoms. RESULTS: The 39 patients were followed up for 12 months averagely. All patients got good reduction and fixation. The acromioclavicular joint subluxation, breakage, and loosening of the clavicular hook plate were not observed. The acromioclavicular joint recovered quickly. CONCLUSION AO clavicular hook plate is a good choice for acromioclavicular joint dislocation and distal clavicular fracture.
Acromioclavicular Joint ; injuries ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Plates ; Clavicle ; injuries ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Fractures, Bone ; surgery ; Humans ; Joint Dislocations ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies