To evaluate the efficacy and safety of resection and cryotherapy combined with amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) for the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) with giant papillae (GP). Eight patients (16 eyes involved) with VKC, characterized by GP on the upper tarsal conjunctiva, underwent resection and cryotherapy in combination with AMT. The follow-up lasted for 3-22 months. The results showed that corneal shield ulcers and superficial punctuate keratitis healed during the first week after surgery and did not recur. Fourteen eyes (87.5 %) were symptom-free 1 month after surgery, and no GP, ectropion, trichiasis and other complications were noted, but the blood vessels of upper tarsal conjunctiva could not be clearly seen and a little conjunctival scar was observed. Recurrence of GP was observed in 2 eyes (12.5 %), with the area being less and irritation milder as compared with those before the operation. Among the two eyes, one eye was treated by cyclosporine eyedrops with improvement, but the other eye showed no improvement after the treatment, and underwent a second surgery with a cotton patch soaked in fluorouracil applied onto the supratarsal area after resection and cryotherapy. Four months after the treatment the patient presented no symptoms and GP did not recur. It is concluded that the resection and cryotherapy combined with AMT is an effective and safe treatment for VKC with GP.

Objective To explore the effect of different position replacement orders on single side effect of blue light treatment of neonatal jaundice.Methods 100 cases newborns requiring phototherapy were randomly divided into the control group and the observation group.The control group adopted conventional phototherapy position change sequence (horizontal position-lateral position-prone position),the observation group used the new position replacement order (prone position-lateral position-horizontal position).The resistance reaction of babies and treatment effect of phototherapy were observed in two groups.Results Significant difference existed in resistance reaction (cry loudly,milk refusal)and phototherapy effects between the observation group and the control group.Conclusions The position change order such as prone position-lateral position-horizontal position by neonates during phototherapy,can reduce resistance reaction and improve treatment effect.

Objective The predictive value of the metabolic syndrome (MetS) for mortality from all-cause and cardiovascular disease (CVD) in the Chinese population is unclear. The aim of this present study was to compare MetS with its individual components as predictors of mortality in Chinese elderly adults. Methods A cohort of 1,535 subjects (994 men and 541 women) aged 50 years or older was selected from employees of a machinery factory in 1994 and followed until 2009. Cox models were used to estimate the hazard ratios (HRs) predicted by MetS according to the harmonized definition and by its individual components. Results The baseline prevalence of MetS was 28.0% in men and 48.4% in women. During a median follow-up of 15 years, 414 deaths occurred, of these, 153 participants died from CVD. Adjusted for age and gender, the HRs of mortality from all-cause and CVD in participants with MetS were 1.47 (95% confidence interval (CI): components. On evaluating the MetS components individually, we found that, independent of MetS, only hypertension and impaired glucose predicted higher mortality. Conclusions The number of positive MetS components seems no more informative than classifying (dichotomous) MetS for CVD risks assessment in this Chinese cohort.

The expression of VEGF-C and molecular mechanisms of lymphangiogenesis in rat cornea after alkali injury was studied. The rat alkali injured corneal models were made. Under electron microscopy, the lymphatic vessels in the rat injured corneas were examined. The expression of VEGF-C proteins was detected by using immunohistochemical assay at day 1, 3, 5, 7, 9 after injury. The expression levels of VEGF-C mRNA were quantified with reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR). The results showed that the lymphatic vessels were found in the injured rat corneas 14 days after the injury. The VEGF-C protein was detectable 3 days after injury, reached the peak 5 days after injury, and gradually decreased. In the control group, no VEGF-C proteins were detected. The VEGF-C mRNA was minimally detected in the normal rat corneas, but it was highly expressed 5 days after the injury. The difference was statistically significant. It was concluded that VEGF-C might be one of the most important relevant factors in corneal lymphangiogenesis after alkali injury.
Animals ; Biomarkers ; Burns, Chemical ; metabolism ; Cornea ; metabolism ; Corneal Injuries ; Eye Burns ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor C ; biosynthesis ; genetics

w biomarker to predict the presence of vulnerable plaque.

AIM: To explore the expressive role of lipoprotein-associated phospholipase A_2, high sensitive C-reactive protein and matrix metalloproteinase-9 in vulnerable atherosclerotic plaques in a rabbit model. METHODS: Forty eight New Zealand white male rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups (12 rabbits each): control group, stable plaque group, p53 group, and p53+drug group. Rabbits in control group were fed with a regular diet and underwent sham operation. Rabbits in stable plaque group, p53 group and p53+drug group underwent balloon induced arterial wall injury and then were fed on a diet with 1% cholesterol. The animals were all fed for 3 months, then the rabbits in p53 group and p53+drug group underwent Ad5-CMV p53 transfection at 10th week. Before killed, the animals in p53+drug group underwent pharmacological triggering with Russell's viper venom (RVV) and histamine to induce the rupture of the atherosclerotic plaques. At the 1st day and before sacrifice, the serum was collected for measuring Lp-PLA_2, hs-CRP, MMP-9, HDL, LDL and VLDL. The expressions of Lp-PLA_2, hs-CRP and MMP-9 in tissues were determined by the methods of hybridization and immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: At the end of 12th week, the serum and tissue levels of Lp-PLA_2 and MMP-9 in stable plaque group, p53 group and p53+drug group were significant different from those in control group and in each group at the first day (P<0.05). The serum levels of Lp-PLA_2 and hs-CRP in p53 group and p53+drug group were significantly higher than those in control group and stable group (P<0.05). The serum levels of Lp-PLA_2, hs-CRP and MMP-9 were all significantly different between p53 group and p53+drug group (P<0.05). At the end of 12th week, pathological results showed that 4 groups were normal artery, stable plaque, vulnerable plaque and rupture plaque, respectively. The fabric cap was thicker in plaque groups than that in normal group (P<0.05). The rupture and formation of thrombus were more significant in p53+drug group than those in p53 group. The serum level of Lp-PLA_2 had negative interrelated relationship with fabric cap in plaque groups (r=-0.710, P<0.01), and hs-CRP, MMP-9 had no interrelated relationships with fabric cap in plaque groups. CONCLUSION: Base on the successful establishment of the atherosclerotic plaque animal model, serum Lp-PLA_2 shows better interrelated relationships to plaques stability. Combination with hs-CRP and MMP-9, we can exactly evaluate the nature of plaques.

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of resection and cryotherapy combined with amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) for the treatment of vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC) with giant papillae (GP). Eight patients (16 eyes involved) with VKC, characterized by GP on the upper tarsal conjunctiva, underwent resection and cryotherapy in combination with AMT. The follow-up lasted for 3-22 months. The results showed that corneal shield ulcers and superficial punctuate keratitis healed during the first week after surgery and did not recur. Fourteen eyes (87.5 %) were symptom-free 1 month after surgery, and no GP, ectropion, trichiasis and other complications were noted, but the blood vessels of upper tarsal conjunctiva could not be clearly seen and a little conjunctival scar was observed. Recurrence of GP was observed in 2 eyes (12.5 %), with the area being less and irritation milder as compared with those before the operation. Among the two eyes, one eye was treated by cyclosporine eyedrops with improvement, but the other eye showed no improvement after the treatment, and underwent a second surgery with a cotton patch soaked in fluorouracil applied onto the supratarsal area after resection and cryotherapy. Four months after the treatment the patient presented no symptoms and GP did not recur. It is concluded that the resection and cryotherapy combined with AMT is an effective and safe treatment for VKC with GP.

Objective To explore the impact of IL-10 gene polymorphisms on the outcome in HLA matched sibling hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).Methods PCR-sequencespecific primer (PCR-SSP) assay was used to analyze the SNP of IL-10 in 77 recipient and donor pairs:-1082 A/G,-819 T/C,-592 C/A.Results IL-10 ATA/ATA (1082,-819,-592) genotype in recipients significantly decreased the incidence of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ acute graft vursus-host disease (aGVHD) (6.1％ vs.25.0 ％,P＜0.05),reduced 5-year transplant-related mortality (TRM) (10.7 ％± 5.9％ vs.29.7％ ± 5.2％,P＜0.05) and increased disease free survival (DFS) (81.8％ ± 6.7％ vs.56.8％ ± 7.5％,P＜0.05).With regard to the donor genotype,the incidence of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD,extensive chronic GVHD,5-year TRM and DFS had no signicant difference between IL-10 ATA/ATA and non ATA/ATA subgroup.Multivariable analysis also revealed that IL-10 non-ATA/ATA genotype in recipients and high-risk status of disease were two independent risk factors for DFS (HR =2.911,P =0.029; HR =2.686,P =0.027).Conclusion In HLA-matched sibling HSCT,the presence of recipient IL-10 ATA/ATA significantly decreased the incidence of grade Ⅱ-Ⅳ aGVHD and TRM,and increased DFS.

Objective To evaluate the efficacy of the traditional Chinese medicine NAOAN capsule in primary prevention of stroke in high?risk populations. Methods A multicenter, randomized controlled study was performed in community setting, involving 1 088 individuals at high risk of stroke, with cerebrovascular function scores<75 and 10?year Framingham stroke risk ≥6%. Subjects were recruited in communities at Beijing, Shanghai, Changsha, and Chengdu communities, through resident committees or the village unit. A total of 559 subjects were randomized into a group treated with the NAOAN capsule, and 529 subjects in an aspirin treatment group. Follow?up was performed every 2 months for 2 years. At the mid?point and end of the intervention, we compared cerebrovascular function differences between the 2 groups. Results During the 2?year community trial, 531 subjects in the NAOAN capsule group and 465 in the aspirin group followed the protocol. Cerebrovascular function scores increased from 45.2±19.7 at baseline to 61.7±26.5 after the 2?year trial (t=－12.931, P<0.001) in the NAOAN capsule group, and from 47.2±18.9 at baseline to 53.7 ± 25.1 (t=－5.058, P<0.001) in the aspirin group; greater increases in cerebrovascular function scores were found in the NAOAN capsule group than that in the aspirin group (t=4.906, P<0.001). Conclusions Cerebrovascular function in individuals at high risk of stroke was improved by taking NAOAN capsule. Cerebrovascular function scores improved more with NAOAN capsules than with aspirin.

CD146 is a newly identified endothelial biomarker that has been implicated in angiogenesis. Though in vitro angiogenic function of CD146 has been extensively reported, in vivo evidence is still lacking. To address this issue, we generated endothelial-specific CD146 knockout (CD146(EC-KO)) mice using the Tg(Tek-cre) system. Surprisingly, these mice did not exhibit any apparent morphological defects in the development of normal retinal vasculature. To evaluate the role of CD146 in pathological angiogenesis, a xenograft tumor model was used. We found that both tumor volume and vascular density were significantly lower in CD146(EC-KO) mice when compared to WT littermates. Additionally, the ability for sprouting, migration and tube formation in response to VEGF treatment was impaired in endothelial cells (ECs) of CD146(EC-KO) mice. Mechanistic studies further confirmed that VEGF-induced VEGFR-2 phosphorylation and AKT/p38 MAPKs/NF-κB activation were inhibited in these CD146-null ECs, which might present the underlying cause for the observed inhibition of tumor angiogenesis in CD146(EC-KO) mice. These results suggest that CD146 plays a redundant role in physiological angiogenic processes, but becomes essential during pathological angiogenesis as observed in tumorigenesis.
Animals ; CD146 Antigen ; genetics ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Endothelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Female ; Fibrosarcoma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Male ; Melanoma, Experimental ; metabolism ; pathology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Knockout ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Neovascularization, Physiologic ; drug effects ; Phosphorylation ; drug effects ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; Retinal Vein ; growth & development ; pathology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Transplantation, Homologous ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; pharmacology ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor Receptor-2 ; metabolism