AIM:To report the safty and efficiency of intravitreal injection of bevacizumab (Avastin) in patients with macular edema (ME) due to branch retinal vein occlusion (BRVO).METHODS: A consecutive series of patients with ME due to BRVO who were treated with intravitreal bevacizumab injection (2.5g/0.1L) were retrospectively studied. Patients underwent complete ophthalmoscopic examination, including Snellen visual acuity testing, optical coherence tomography (OCT) imaging, and/or flurescence angiographic testing at baseline and follow-up visits.RESULTS: There were 32 eyes of 32 consecutive patients who received at least one intravitreal bevacizumab injections (range from 1 to 3). The mean length of follow-up was 4.7 (range from 3 to 8) months. The mean visual acuity improved from 20/200- at baseline to 20/100- at 1 month and 20/100+ at 3 months and last follow-up (P＜0.01). The mean central 1mm macular thickness was 483μm at baseline and decreased to 275, 314,and 301μm at 1 month,3 months, and last follow-up (P＜0.01)respectively.No adverse side effects were observed following injections in any eyes.CONCLUSION: Intravitreal bevacizumab (Avastin) showed a marked decrease in ME secondary to BRVO, improvement in visual acuity and lack of adverse side effects.

Objective To retrospectively evaluate the mammographic features of breast ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS)and DCIS with small invasive foci,and to analyze the correlation between the mammographic findings and the prognostic biologic factors.Methods The mammographic examination was performed in 95 consecutive women with breast DCIS(n = 50)and DCIS with invasive foci(n = 45 ).The prognostic biologic factors including progesterone receptor(PR),C-erbB-2,and p53 were evaluated in 62 of 95 cases.Categorical data were expressed as percentages and analyzed by using the X~2 test,and furthermore the odds ratio was measured.Results(1)Only one abnormality was seen on mammography in 62 patients. Combined two abnormalities on mammography were seen in 26 patients.Mammograms were normal in 7 patients.(2)Calcifications with or without other abnormality were noted in 62 cases.Of them,73% (n =45)had higher probability of malignancy calcifications and the others were intermediate concern calcifications.Clustered calcifications(36 lesions)was the most common distribution,which usually accompanied by another abnormality.And then were segmental(18 lesions)distributed pattern.As far as the shape of mass (n = 22)was concerned,the oval shaped lesion(13 cases)was the most common,and the margin of the mass appeared as ill-defined in 15 eases,microlobulated in 1,circumscribed in 4,and obscured in 2,respectively.Isodensity mass had a higher frequency in this group(12/22,55%).Other non-calcification findings included architecture distortion(7 cases),local asymmetry (15 cases),global asymmetry (5 cases),and solitary dilated duct (3 cases),and most of them accompanied with other signs. (3)For expression profile of the biological factors,significant differences were found among malignant calcification group,intermediate concern calcification group,and non-calcification group. The odds of PR positive for the lesions noted as non-calcification were 11.00 times higher (X~2 =8.571 ,P=0.003 ;95% CI, 1.998—60.572)than the lesions noted as intermediate concern calcifications,and 8.80 times higher (X~2 = 9.748,P=0.002 ;95% CI,2.024—38.253)than the lesions noted as malignant calcifications.The odds of C-erbB-2 positive for the lesions showed as malignant calcifications were 12.35 times higher (X~2=7.353, P=0.007 ;95% CI,1.447—105.443)than the lesions showed as non-calcification,and 5.74 times higher (X~2=4.977,P = 0.026;95% CI,1.110—29.645)than the lesions showed as intermediate concern calcifications.Conclusion The mammographic features of DCIS and DCIS with small invasive foci were characteristic.Mammographic findings could be a prognostic markers,which could provide a possibility for making a treatment plan.

Human violent behavior is a complex behavior which is influenced by genetic and environmental factors. There is a trend in investigating the mechanism of violent behavior by using the genetic methods. This article reviews several candidate genes and advances in epigenetics which are associated with violent behavior. The prospects and significance of violent behavior research from the view of gene polymorphism and epigenetics are also discussed.
Aggression ; Epigenesis, Genetic ; Forensic Genetics ; Humans ; Polymorphism, Genetic ; Violence

This study performed phylogenic analysis on a dengue strain isolated from an outbreak of dengue fever in 2009 at Yiwu City of Zhejiang Province,China,and further to analyze the immunogenicity of E protein of this viral isolate.Firstly,the viral genome was amplified by RT-PCR and phylogenetic trees were constructed by MEGA 4 based on both nucleotide and amino acid sequences of E and NS1 proteins.The phylogenetic analysis showed that the similarity of Yiwu strain with the Guangzhou GZ1D3 strain and the India GWL-25 strain was over 99％.Secondly,the expression plasmid of E protein was constructed and transfected into 293T cells.The secreted E protein were then purified by sucrose density gradient centrifugation and used to inoculate BALB/c mice.The humoral immunity was evaluated by ELISA and neutralizing antibody analysis.Resuits showed that the E protein of Yiwu strain could induce dengue specific IgG antibodies and neutralizing antibodies.Therefore,the study found that the Yiwu strain was classified into the subtype Ⅲ of dengue virus type 3 (DENV-3),and the E protein of this strain had strong immunogenicity

Objective Studies had suggested that risk of leukemia might be associated with occupational or residential exposures to electromagnetic fields and varied at distance to and level of the exposure or type of occupations. Through pooled analyses, etiologic insight on the associations between exposure and disease might be explained. Methods We carried out a Meta-analysis based on primary data (1980-2010) from 9 studies related to the electric and magnetic fields exposure and acute myeloid leukemia in adults to assess whether the combined results, adjusted for potential confounding, would indicate an association between them. Results In this study the overall estimated OR value was 1.24(95%CI: 1.11-1.37). The odds ratios for exposure categories of 0.1-0.2 μT, ≥0.2 μT, compared with ＜0.1 μT, were 1.17(95%CI: 0.98-1.39) and 1.51 (95%CI: 1.15-1.98),respectively. Conclusion Through employing the alternate cut points, stratification by level of exposure or distance and the relation on different ways of exposure, there appeared consistent evidence of increased risk between acute myeloid leukemia in adults and the extremely low frequency-electromagnetic to field exposure.

Objective: To investigate the effect of human vascular endothelial growth factor on restenosis after angioplasty. Methods: A rabbit model of injured carotid artery was established using percutaneous transluminal angioplasty. The pcDNA3/hVEGF165（500 μg,n=12） and pcDNA3 （500 μg,n=12） were separately transfected into injured arterial wall with 30 min incubation. The carotid artery was imaged by arotic angiography at the end of week 2 and week 4. Pathology analysis and Northern blot analysis were performed for harvested injured artery segment. Results: Arotic angiography showed carotid artery diameter narrowness were obviously lessened at week 2 and week 4 in experimental group than that in control group; H-E stains showed lumina narrow ratio were obviously reduced at week 2 and week 4 in experimental group than that in control group［（9.58±1.35）% vs (31.72±1.72)%；(18.09±2.93)% vs (44.05±3.28)%， P<0.01 ］; By Northern blot analysis, the expression of hVEGF165mRNA in experimental group were upregulated than in contol group. Conclusion: pcDNA3/hVEGF165 can be transfected into smooth muscle cell and continue to secret bioactivity protein at least for 4 weeks; it can accelerate reendothelialization and prevent restenosis.

Objective: To investigate the personal wellbeing index (PWI) among elderly aged 55 and above from the elderly day care centers in Macao, Hong Kong and Guangzhou, and associated factors. Methods: We used convenient sampling to select participants from 16 elderly day care centers in Macao, Hong Kong and Guangzhou. Inclusion criteria were: females aged 55 or above, males 60 or above, the participants who were conscious and clearly understood the questionnaire. Informed consent form was signed by the participants. A total of 324 elderly participated in the study: 90 from Macao, 100 from Hong Kong, and 134 from Guangzhou. Close-end questionnaire was used to collect demographic information and PWI inventory (Cantonese version) was used to assess the PWI scores. Comparison in the PWI scores difference was conducted. Multiple regression method was used to analyze factors associated with PWI. Results: The PWI was 7.3±1.9 (Macao: 7.7±1.9, Hong Kong: 7.2±1.7, Guangzhou: 7.0±1.9) (F=3.32, P=0.037). The multiple regression analysis showed that comparing to those who did exercised 3 times or less, or single/devoiced/separated, or had no education, the elderly who did exercised 4 times or more per week or married/widowed, or received education in primary school or above had higher PWI scores. The beta values (95%CI) were 0.82 (95% CI: 0.31-1.34), 1.03 (95% CI: 0.12-1.94), 0.51 (95% CI: 0.04-0.99) respectively. Conclusion The elderly participants aged 55 or above who went to elderly day care centers in three cities had higher PWI score generally. Marital status, participate in sufficient physical activity and advanced education level were significant related to PWI.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the relationship between the expression of EIIIA+ fibronectin in incised wound of rat's skin and injury time. METHODS: The wounding model was established by cutting the dorsal skin of 48 adult SD rats. The rats were sacrificed at the pre-set injury time as immediately, 0.5 h, 1 h, 2 h, 3 h, 4 h, 6 h, and 8 h. The skin samples were taken at the margin of wound. The expression of the EIIIA? fibronectin was detected by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting and the relationship be- tween its expression and injury time was observed. Results The expression of EIIIA+ fibronectin was not observed immediately. The basal cell of skin began to show positive expression 0.5 h after injury. With the extension of injury time, positive staining became stronger. The value of relative optical density was gradually increased with prolonged injury time by the Western blotting analysis. CONCLUSION The expression of EIIIA+ fibronectin could be used for estimation of injury time in the early stage of skin injury.
Animals ; Fibronectins/metabolism* ; Immunohistochemistry ; Proteins/metabolism* ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Skin/metabolism* ; Staining and Labeling ; Time Factors

BACKGROUNDStereotactic surgery has been used to treat heroin abstinence in China since 2000 by ablating the amygdaloid nucleus (AMY) and the nucleus accumbens (NAc), which also provides opportunity to identify the relationship between these nuclei and addiction. Our study aimed to explore the physiological and psychological effects of electrically stimulating the AMY and the NAc in heroin addicts after detoxification by observing changes of heart rate, arterial pressure and occurrence of euphoria similar to heroin induced euphoria.

METHODSA total of 70 heroin addicts after detoxification were recruited, and 61 of them were eligible to be given stereotactic surgery for heroin abstinence. The operation was carried out after determining the coordinates of all target nucleuses, and stimulation was performed at the AMY and the NAc solely or jointly. Heart rate, arterial pressure and occurrence of euphoria similar to heroin induced euphoria were recorded and analyzed.

RESULTSThe average heat rate was (66 ± 10) beats/min before electric stimulation, and significantly increased to (84 ± 14) beats/min during stimulation, and changed to (73 ± 12) beats/min 10 minutes after stimulation. There was a significant elevation of the average arterial pressure from 83 mmHg before stimulation to 98 mmHg during the stimulation, and it then decreased to 90 mmHg after stimulation. Forty-three of the 61 patients showed intense euphoria similar to heroin induced euphoria. The largest number (118/186) of euphoric responses occurred when the AMY and the NAc were stimulated at the same time. Odds ratio was 5.4 (95%CI: 2.4 - 11.9, P < 0.0001) to quantify the association. Results from a Logistic regression model showed a positive correlation between unilateral stimulation of either the AMY or NAC and induction of euphoria (OR > 1), especially when the left AMY or left NAc was stimulated (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSOur data are consistent with existing results that the AMY and the NAc are related to addiction. Different roles in drug dependence would be suggested according to the location of the AMY and NAc.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Amygdala ; surgery ; Blood Pressure ; physiology ; China ; Electric Stimulation ; methods ; Female ; Heart Rate ; physiology ; Heroin Dependence ; physiopathology ; psychology ; surgery ; Humans ; Inactivation, Metabolic ; Male ; Nucleus Accumbens ; surgery ; Radiosurgery ; methods ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEInvestigating the antioxidant activities of water and ethanol extracts of natural Cordyceps sinensis and Cordyceps militaris and their fermentation preparations.

METHODThe samples were tested through 6 assays: inhibition ability of linoleic acid oxidation; scavenging activity of DPPH, hydrogen peroxide, hydroxyl radical and superoxide anion; and metal chelating activity.

RESULTSamples showed different antioxidant ability, and there was not an extract that exhibited high activity in all assays; however, water extract of natural C. militaris could be regarded as the most powerful antioxidant among 8 samples. It had high activity in inhibition of linoleic acid oxidation, chelating metal ions, and scavenging DPPH and hydroxyl radical. The research also indicated that the contents of phenolic compounds in water and ethanol extracts of natural and cultured Cordyceps sp. had huge difference.

CONCLUSIONNatural Cordyceps sp. and its fermentation preparations could be used as potential natural antioxidants. The fermented process affected the antioxidant ability of cultured Cordyceps sp., and the antioxidant activity of both natural and cultured Cordyceps sp. did not significantly related with the quantity of phenolics.

Antioxidants ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Chelating Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Cordyceps ; chemistry ; growth & development ; metabolism ; Ethanol ; Fermentation ; Flavonoids ; analysis ; metabolism ; Free Radical Scavengers ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Linoleic Acid ; metabolism ; Materia Medica ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Oxidation-Reduction ; drug effects ; Phenols ; analysis ; metabolism ; Polyphenols