Based on avian leukosis virus ( ALV) p19 gene terminal nucleotide sequence, a 82 bp double-stranded DNA fragment was chemically synthesized and cloned into the expression vector pGEMEX-1. The sequencing result indicated th at the cloned fragment was a correct version of the one designed both in nucleot ide sequence and in its open reading frame. The recombinant was used to transfor m E.coli BL21 (DE3). The cloned fragment was expressed as a fused protein wi th T7 gene 10 leader peptide and was shown to be 34 kD in size on SDS-PAGE gel when induced with 1 mmol/L IPTG. The expression product was able to bind immunol ogically to rabbit anti-ALV serum in Western-blot assay and is being tested to differentiate exogenous from endogenous ALV.

To evaluate the influence of phacoemulsification on corneal endothelium of senile cataract with lupus nephritis (LN).
●METHODS:This clinical trial involved 40 cataract patients with lupus nephritis (40 eyes), and 50 cases (50 eyes) without lupus nephritis. All of them underwent phacoemulsification+lOL implantation. The parameters of corneal endothelial cell including central corneal endothelium cell density ( CED ), average area of endothelial cell ( AVE) and coefficient of variation ( CV) were recorded by corneal endothelial microscope pre -operation and at one month after operation. The data were analyzed by SPSS 13. 0 statistical software.
● RESULTS: Both LN group and control group, the morphology of coneal endothelial was statistical significant differences between pre - operation and 1mo postoperation. The CED was lower, AVE and CV were higher ( P < 0. 05, respectively). A significant decrease in CED was seen in the LN group than did in the control group (P < 0. 05). Compared to control group,the post -operative AVE and CV in LN group was significantly increased (P<0. 05).
● CONCLUSlON: The corneal endothelial cell in lupus nephritis patients is more fragile. Safe and reliable operation should be selected for these patients.

Child ; Eosinophilia ; complications ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Fasciitis ; complications ; diagnosis ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Myositis ; complications ; diagnosis ; therapy

Adolescent ; Aortic Valve ; abnormalities ; Aortic Valve Insufficiency ; complications ; pathology ; surgery ; Aortic Valve Stenosis ; complications ; pathology ; surgery ; Child ; Endocarditis ; complications ; pathology ; surgery ; Female ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; complications ; pathology ; surgery ; Heart Valve Prosthesis Implantation ; Humans ; Male ; Rheumatic Heart Disease ; complications ; pathology ; surgery

Objective To evaluate the optical quality in patients with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) by using double-pass optical quality analysis system (OQAS-Ⅱ) for offering the reference data for clinical practices.Methods A total of 50 patients with a diagnosis of MGD,who were divided into MGD with dry eye disease (DED) group (n =22) and MGD without DED group (n =28) according to the results of tear film break-up time (BUT) and Schirmer I test (SIT),and another 25 healthy subjects were enrolled in this study.Then several parameters,including modulation transfer function cutoff (MTF cutoff),Strehl ratio (SR) and objective scattering index (OSI),were measured to evaluate the optical quality by using OQAS-Ⅱ.Additional clinical examination,including meibomian gland and tear film assessment were per formed and compared between the three groups.In addition,a correlation analysis was conducted among OSI,MTF cutoff,SR,BUT,SIT and meibomian gland assessment.Results Statistical differences were approached in MTF cutoff,SR,OSI of the three groups (all P ＜ 0.05).The MTF cutoff and SR in MGD without DED group were significantly lower than those in the control group [(31.36 + 1.83) c · deg-1 vs.(35.87 ± 1.59)c·deg-1,(0.21 +0.02) vs.(0.23 ±0.03)],but the OSI got higher [(0.57+ 0.06) vs.(0.45 ±± 0.06)] (all P ＜ 0.05).The SR and MTF cutoff in MGD patients with DED was significantly lower than those in MGD patients without DED [(27.87 ±± 3.08),c·deg-1 vs.(31.36±±1.83)c· deg-1,(0.16 ±±0.02) vs.(0.21 ± 0.02)],but OSIgot significantly higher [(0.72 ± 0.10) vs.(O.57 ± 0.06)] (all P ＜ 0.05).Among the three groups,OSI,MTF cutoff and SR showed no significant correlation with BUT,SIT and meibomian gland assessment (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion There is changes in visual quality parameters in MGD patients by OQAS-Ⅱ,and MGD with DED patients has significant changes than MGD patients without DED.

BACKGROUNDPulmonary embolism (PE) is a common and often fatal disease. Early after pulmonary thromboembolism, inflammation and associated intimal hyperplasia occur within the pulmonary arteries, similar to what is observed with chronic thromboembolic pulmonary hypertension. This study tested the hypothesis that thrombolytic and anticoagulant agents would have anti-inflammatory effects or inhibit intimal hyperplasia of involved pulmonary arteries.

METHODSSeventy-two male New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into two groups (54 rabbits in the PE group and 18 in the sham group). Experimental PE was induced in 54 rabbits by femoral vein injection of autologous blood clots and confirmed with pulmonary angiography, and other 18 rabbits underwent sham operations. Fifty-four rabbits in the PE group were randomly divided into three groups: a control group (treated with normal saline), a low-molecular- weight heparin (LMWH) group (treated with LMWH), and a urokinase (UK) group (treated with UK). Arterial blood gas was analyzed at 2, 7, and 28 days (n = 6 per time point by random group division), then lung tissues were removed and were analyzed for pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines, and were stained for intimal hyperplasia.

RESULTSThe overall survival of rabbits undergoing PE was 100%. PE distribution detected on digital signal angiography (DSA) and histopathology was shown in 67% of rabbits (36/54) in the bilateral low lobar pulmonary arteries (PAs). The results showed that alveolar-arterial partial pressure of oxygen (PO2) difference (PA-aO2) significantly increased and PO2 decreased in the control group compared with the sham group. Compared with controls, the UK group had a decreased level of PA-aO2 on day 2 (P < 0.05), however, there was no significant difference in the LMWH group. Compared with controls, the LMWH group had a decreased level of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) in affected tissue and serum samples on days 7 and 28 (P < 0.05), and the UK group had decreased levels on days 2 and 7 (P < 0.05). Compared with sham group, all PE groups had an increased level of interleukin-13 (IL-13) and transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in unaffected lung tissue samples at days 2 and 7. IL-13 in affected lung tissue in the LMWH group was decreased at all time points compared with controls (P < 0.05). However, TGF-β in affected lung tissue of the LMWH and UK groups increased at day 28. There was less intimal hyperplasia in involved pulmonary arteries at days 7 and 28 in the LMWH group compared with controls; there was no statistical difference in the UK group compared with controls.

CONCLUSIONSUK treatment can rapidly improve the V/Q mismatch in PE and appears a short-term anti-inflammatory benefit. However, LMWH maybe inhibit the later local inflammatory reaction and reduce intimal hyperplasia.

Animals ; Chemokines ; analysis ; Cytokines ; analysis ; Heparin, Low-Molecular-Weight ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Oxygen ; blood ; Pulmonary Artery ; drug effects ; pathology ; Pulmonary Embolism ; drug therapy ; immunology ; Rabbits ; Urokinase-Type Plasminogen Activator ; therapeutic use

Pulmonary vein thrombosis is a rare disease and is usually represented as a complication of atrial fibrillation, pulmonary tumors, and lobectomy. Although it is a potentially life threatening condition, the venous disease is easy to misdiagnose because of the non-specific symptoms. In this article, we present a 30-year-old patient who suffered from pulmonary vein thrombosis without any causes. He was diagnosed with other pulmonary disorders till the thrombus within the pulmonary vein extended into the left atrium. Left atrium mass resection and a left lower lobectomy were undertaken with relative urgency. The postoperative course was uneventful. The patient received a long course of oral anticoagulant therapy.
Adult ; Echocardiography, Transesophageal ; Heart Atria ; pathology ; Humans ; Male ; Pulmonary Veins ; Venous Thrombosis ; pathology ; surgery

OBJECTIVEIn children with congenital heart diseases who have undergone surgical interventions, postoperative arrhythmias frequently complicate the clinical course. "Incisional" atrial tachycardia or flutter is one of the most common forms of postoperative arrhythmias in these patients and can lead to significant morbidity and even mortality. The aim of this study was to investigate how to use antiarrhythmic drugs and the CARTO system to treat these cases.

METHODSThere were 12 patients with "incisional" atrial tachycardia or flutter complicating surgery for congenital heart diseases in this study (3 patients with correction of tetrology of Fallot, 3 with atrial septal defect repair, 2 with ventricular septal defect repair, 1 with switch, 1 with repair of Ebstein's anomaly, 1 with total anomalous pulmonary venous drainage, and 1 with atrial septal closure with the Amplatzer septal occlusion). Patients whose body weight was less than 10 kg or those who did not wish to accept ablation were treated with antiarrhythmic drugs, including digitoxin, propranolol, metoprolol and cordarone. CARTO system was used to map 6 patients whose body weight was more than 10 kg and who agreed with accepting ablation for atrial tachycardia and flutter. Radio-frequency ablation was performed in these 6 cases including two cases of "incisional" atrial tachycardia and 4 of atrial flutter.

RESULTS(1) The antiarrhythmic drug was successful in 6 patients with "incisional" atrial tachycardia. (2) Six patients including 2 children with "incisional" atrial tachycardia and 4 children with atrial flutter were successfully ablated. But one case of "incisional" atrial tachycardia relapsed after 3 months of ablation. This case, however, was successfully ablated again later. No further relapse was observed during the 2 - 24 months of follow-up.

CONCLUSIONAblation of "incisional" atrial tachycardia and flutter is the first choice to treat the patients whose body weight is more than 10 kg and those who agree with accepting ablation by CARTO system. Drug therapy of "incisional" atrial tachycardia and flutter is palliative and it is the only selection to treat the patients whose body weight is less than 10 kg or those who do not wish to accept ablation procedure.

Anti-Arrhythmia Agents ; therapeutic use ; Atrial Flutter ; etiology ; therapy ; Catheter Ablation ; methods ; Heart Defects, Congenital ; complications ; surgery ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Postoperative Care ; Tachycardia, Ectopic Atrial ; etiology ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression of matrix metalloproteinase-2 (MMP-2), matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9), transforming growth factor beta(1)(TGF-beta(1)) and IV-collagen (C-IV) in kidneys of diabetic rats.

METHODSRat diabetic model was induced by streptozotocin (70 mg/kg), and kidneys were examined pathologically and the expressions of MMP- 2, MMP-9, TGF-beta(1) and C-IV were studied by immunohistochemistry. The results were analyzed by imaging quantitative analysis technique.

RESULTImmunoreactive MMP-2 and MMP-9 were mainly expressed in the mesangial cells, endothelial cells, parietal layer of Bowman's capsule and tubular cells. The expression of MMP-2 was significantly weaker in the glomeluri of diabetic rats than that of the control animals (P<0.05), while the expression of TGF-beta(1) and C-IV in the glomeluri of diabetic rats was significantly stronger than that of the controls (P%lt;0.05). The expression of MMP-9 didn't show significant different in glomeluri of the two groups (P>0.05).

CONCLUSIONExpression of MMP-2 in glomeluri is decreased in diabetic rats, which may be related to the increased TGF-beta(1) and in turns promote the accumulation of C-IV.

Animals ; Collagen Type IV ; analysis ; Diabetes Mellitus, Experimental ; enzymology ; pathology ; Female ; Immunohistochemistry ; Kidney ; enzymology ; pathology ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; analysis ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Transforming Growth Factor beta ; analysis ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1

OBJECTIVETo study the clinical characters, the outcomes of treatments and the factors affecting long-term treatment results of adenoid cystic carcinoma (ACC) of the maxillary sinus.

METHODSThe clinical data of 80 patients with ACC of the maxillary sinus treated initially were analyzed retrospectively. Survival rate, local recurrence and distant metastasis were analyzed using Kaplan-Meier method. Prognosis factors were analyzed by Log-rank test and Cox regression.

RESULTSThe 5-, 10- and 15-year cumulative overall survival rates were 65.2%, 37.1%, 26.3% respectively and 5-, 10-, and 15-year disease-free survival rates 50.7%, 30.7% and 24.5% respectively. The 5-, 10- and 15-year cumulative local control rates were 68.5%, 47.3% and 47.3% respectively and the cumulative distant metastasis rate were 32.8%, 48.8% and 48.8% respectively. Prognostic factors affecting survival included T stage, pathologic grade and the modes of treatment (P < 0.05). Patients with combined therapy composed of surgery and radiation had a better local control, compared with surgery or radiation alone (χ(2) = 18.33, P < 0.01), and surgery combined with postoperative radiation was prior to preoperative radiation combined with surgery (χ(2) = 6.64, P < 0.05). Patients treated with surgery combined with preoperative radiation, either with doses of ≥ 60 Gy or with negative margins, had a better local control, compared with doses < 60 Gy and with positive margins (χ(2) = 5.06, P < 0.05). The most of patients (62.8%) died of local recurrence.

CONCLUSIONSThe most of failure was due to recurrence. Combined therapy composed of surgery and radiation improves the local control and survival in patients with ACC of the maxillary sinus, compared with surgery or radiation alone. Surgery combined with postoperative radiation provides the best overall survival and local control and should be the first choice of treatments.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Adenoid Cystic ; diagnosis ; radiotherapy ; therapy ; Combined Modality Therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Maxillary Sinus Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; radiotherapy ; therapy ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Survival Rate ; Young Adult