AIM:To evaluate the repeatability of axial length (AL) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) obtained by A scan ultrasonography, and to compare AL and ACD obtained by A scan with those obtained by IOL Master.METHODS:Two hundred and fifty-seven cataract eyes of 170 patients were included.IOL Master and A scan were performed for each eye.Five measurements of IOL Master and 3 measurements of A scan were obtained.All the tested eyes were divided into 5 groups according to AL obtained by A scan:Group A (2129mm, 21 eyes).Cronbach's Alpha coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were applied to evaluate the repeatability of AL and ACD obtained by A scan.Paired t test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to analyze the differences and correlations of AL and ACD obtained by the 2 devices, respectively.Bland-Altman plots were presented to analyze the agreements of AL and ACD obtained by the 2 devices.RESULTS:All the Cronbach's Alpha and ICCs of AL and ACD values were more than 0.98.The differences of AL values between A scan and IOL Master were-0.11±0.08mm in Group A,-0.15±0.10mm in Group B,-0.19±0.15 mm in Group C,-0.29±0.16mm in Group D and-0.45±0.29mm in Group E, respectively (all P<0.01).The differences of ACD values between A scan and IOL Master were-0.10±0.16mm in Group A,-0.06±0.13mm in Group B,-0.06±0.13mm in Group C,-0.19±0.10mm in Group D,-0.18±0.21mm in Group E, respectively (all P<0.01).In all groups, the AL and ACD values obtained by A scan and IOL Master presented good correlations (all r>0.89, all P<0.01).CONCLUSION:The AL and ACD values in cataract eyes obtained by A scan were repeatable.The AL and ACD values obtained by A scan were smaller than those obtained by IOL Master.With the increase of AL values, the differences of AL values between A scan and IOL Master increased.

Adult ; Biopsy ; DNA ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; genetics ; pathology ; Humans ; Kidney ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

In this paper, three kinds of chemotactic parameters (concentration, temperature and pH) were determined by plate assay and spore germination method to research the chemotactic response of Botrytis cinerea and Alternaria panax, and their spores on total ginsenosides. The results showed that Botrytis cinerea had strong chemotactic response at the mid-concentration of total ginsenosides (cultivation temperature was 20 degrees C and pH value was 6), and the data of chemotactic migration index (CMI) was 1.293 0, chemotactic growth rate (CGR) was 0.476 0, spore germination rate (SGR) was 53%, and dry weight of mycelial (DWM) was 0.452 6 g x L(-1); however, Alternaria panax had strong chemotactic response at the low-concentration of total ginsenosides (cultivation temperature was 25 degrees C and pH value was 6), and the data of chemotactic migration index (CMI) was 1.235 4, chemotactic growth rate (CGR) was 0.537 0, spore germination rate (SGR) was 67%, and dry weight of mycelial (DWM) was 0.494 8 g x L(-1). The results indicated that the low and middle concentration (2, 20 mg x L(-1)) of total ginsenosides had significant promoting effect on chemotactic response of these two pathogens, and the spore germination, mycelial growth rate, dry weight of mycelial of them were also significantly improved by this chemotactic response, whereas it decreased as the increase of total ginsenosides concentration.
Alternaria ; drug effects ; growth & development ; physiology ; Botrytis ; drug effects ; growth & development ; physiology ; Chemotaxis ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Ginsenosides ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Panax ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Plant Diseases ; microbiology ; Spores, Fungal ; drug effects ; growth & development ; physiology

Objective To explore the inputs and outputs of areas with different anti-HAY prevalence rates on universal childhood vaccination,and to provide a scientific basis for the formulation of the immunization strategy.Methods Since hepatitis A vaccination was scheduled at 12 and 18 months of age for all the healthy children,a single cohort including 1 000 000 individuals was formed in 2009,using the Chinese inactivated vaccine.Decision analysis was used to build Markov-decision tree model.The universal childhood hepatitis A vaccination was compared with nonvaccination group to evaluate the number of symptomatic infection,hospitalization,death,qualityadjusted life years (QALYs) lost,and the incremental cost-utility from the health system and the societal perspectives.Outcomes of the vaccination for the next 70 years were also predicted.The process of analysis was run separately in five regions defined by the anti-HAV prevalence rates (around 50％,50％-69％,70％-79％,80％-89％ and ＞90％ ).Sensitivity analysis was performed to test the stability or reliability of the results,and to identify sensitive variables.Results The study projected that,in the lowest,lower,and intermediate infection regions,the cost and output indicators of universal childhood hepatitis A vaccination were all lower than non-vaccinated group.Universal vaccination could gain QALYs and save both costs from the health systen or the society.In the regions with higher infection rate,the output indicators of universal childhood hepatitis A vaccination were lower than in those non-vaccinated groups,except for the number of death due to hepatitis A,which had a 20 cases of increase.The model also predicted that in the highest infected region,universal vaccination would increase 4 560 814 and 5 840 430 RMB Yuan in the total costs from both the health system and the societies,respectively,when compared to the non-vaccination groups.Universal vaccination would also decrease the numbers of symptomatic infection,hospitalization,and QALYs lost,but would increase 51 deaths due to hepatitis A,and 1507,1929 more RMB Yuan for each QALY gained from the health system and societal respectively,in the regions with highest infection rate.Sensitivity analyses discovered that the infection rate among those susceptible population and the proportion of those who initially under protection but subsequently lost their immunity every year,were the two main sensitive variables in the model.Conclusion Our research discovered that the universal vaccination strategy should be based on the protective period of the vaccine and the anti-HAV prevalence in different endemic areas.

OBJECTIVETo explore the effects of glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) on the stem cell factor (SCF), superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in the undescended testis tissue of rats.

METHODSModels of left cryptorchidism were made in 48 healthy male rats weighing (200 +/- 20) g and randomly divided into four groups: model control, GDNF 7 d, GDNF 14 d and GDNF 21 d. The rats in the latter three groups were killed at 7, 14 and 21 days after intravenous injection of GDNF, their left testes harvested for measurement of the activities of SOD and CAT and the content of MDA. The apoptosis index of spermatogenic cells was detected by TUNEL, the histological changes of the testis tissue observed under the light microscope, and the gene and protein expressions of SCF determined by real-time quantitative PCR and Western blotting, respectively.

RESULTSThe apoptosis indexes of spermatogenic cells were obviously decreased in the GDNF 7 d, GDNF 14 d and GDNF 21 d groups (8.42 +/- 0.16, 4.45 +/- 0.34 and 7.32 +/- 0.09) as compared with that of the model control (13.5 +/- 0.64), with statistically significant difference between the GDNF 14 d and control groups (P < 0.01). The SCF expression and SOD activity were remarkably increased while the MDA content markedly reduced in the GDNF groups in comparison with those in the model control (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONGDNF had a protective effect on the spermatogenic function of rat testes with unilateral cryptorchidism. It could enhance the antioxidant enzyme activity of the antioxidant enzyme system, elevate the expression of SCF and thus improve the testicular reproductivity, which were best indicated in the GDNF 14 d group.

Animals ; Antioxidants ; metabolism ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Cryptorchidism ; metabolism ; Glial Cell Line-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stem Cell Factor ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Testis ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the performance of BNII auto-analyzer system in detecting C3 and C4.

METHODSCLSI protocols (EP15-A, EP6-A, EP9-A2) and other relevant literatures were use to or evaluate the precision, accuracy, linearity of C3 and C4 detection by the auto-analyzer system, and the results were compared with the recognized standards.

RESULTSThe relative bias of C3 and C4 was less than one third of the CLIA'88 standard and the precision met the clinical requirement. The results tested by DADE BNII system were not compatible with those by Roche Modular System. C3 showed good linearity in the tests (R2>0.975, P<0.05) with a linearity range of 0.18-5.1 g/L. The linearity of C4 was not available because of lack of high-level samples.

CONCLUSIONThe performances of DADE BNII System basically meet the recognized standards in clinical detection of C3 and C4, but the method comparison needs further validation.

Autoanalysis ; methods ; Blood Chemical Analysis ; instrumentation ; methods ; Complement C3 ; analysis ; Complement C4 ; analysis ; Humans ; Nephelometry and Turbidimetry ; instrumentation ; methods ; Proteins ; analysis ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Objective To establish a method performance verification project and experimental method for the clinical chemiluminescence immunoassay.Methods Referring to CLSI evaluation protocols and pertinent literature,and by combining our actual works,we designed a verification procedure and experimental method.By Using these above,the precision,accuracy,analytical sensitivity,analytical measurement range,clinical reportable range and biotic interval of AFP on the Bayer Centaur 240 chemiluminescence immunoassay system were verificated.Results would be compared with the declaration of the manufacturer or desirable specifications derived from biologic variation.Results The results showed that the between-day inaccuracy on AFP levels at 77.4 ng/ml and 168.0 ng/ml was 5.70% and 4.84% respectively,these were consistent with manufacturer's inaccuracy claimed.The relative bias between the results measured for calibrator at four levels and target value was less 5.0%,and the relative bias between the results measured for EQA control sample at five levels and target value was-3.4% to 11.9%.Lower limit of detection was 1.04 ng/ml,lower slightly manufacturer's analytical sensitivity claimed.Biologic limit of detection was 2.65 ng/ml-3.53 ng/ml,functional sensitivity was 3.53 ng/ml.Analytical measurement range was 3.53-912.00 ng/ml,within manufacturer's liner range claimed.Clinical reportable range was 3.53-182 400.00 ng/ml.Reference interval was 0.6-7.7 ng/ml,within manufacturer' s claimed.Conclusions The main performances of the detection system are accorded with the declaration of the manufacturer.The performance verification procedure and experimental method of our research ars simple and practical,which has important significations for building medical laboratory and laboratory accreditation, improving quality of the chemiluminescence immunoassay.

Objective To analyze the correlation between SF-36 and QOL-35 and the consistency of the two kinds of life-quality questionnaires when evaluating the quality of life in patients with coronary heart disease. Methods 781 in-hospital-patients, who underwent coronary angiography from June 2008 to April 2009, were included in this study. Quality of life was measured by the Chinese versions of SF-36 and QOL-35. Demographic and clinical information were collected.Correlation Analysis was done between SF-36 and QOL-35 in the patients with coronary artery disease. Results The total score of SF-36 was 62.63 ± 12.47 and the QOL-35 total score was 62.70 ± 9.69. Data from the simple correlation analysis showed that SF-36 and QOL-35 total scores (r=0.725, P＜0.01 ), SF-36 physical functioning and QOL-35 independent living capacity (r=0.933, P＜0.01), SF-36 mental health and QOL-35 mental health (r=0.132, P＜0.01), SF-36 social function and QOL-35 social function score (r=0.215, P＜0.01 ) were all relevant. Canonical correlation analysis showed that there was significant correlation between SF-36 and QOL-35 (r=0.946, P＜0.01 ). Conclusion SF-36 and QOL-35 were consistent in the evaluation on the quality of life, at the overall level.

This study was aimed to investigate the correlation of FcγR polymorphisms with the susceptibility, severity and efficacy of immunotherapy for patients with immune thrombocytopenia (ITP). PCR and DNA sequencing were used to determine the polymorphisms of FcγRIIA, FcγRIIIA and FcγRIIB in 44 ITP patients, and in 97 healthy control subjects. The results indicated that FcγRIIIA-158V/F polymorphisms between patients and controls were statistically significantly different (P = 0.015); among FcγRIIIA genotypes, the frequency of 158V/V homotype was higher in ITP (P = 0.005). However, the FcγRIIA-131H/R or FcγRIIB-232T/I polymorphisms were not significantly different between patients and controls; there were no correlation of FcγRIIA, FcγRIIIA and FcγRIIB genotype frequencies with the platelet counts or the courses of ITP; among the 38 ITP patients who received treatments, the complete response (CR) rate was 42% (16/38), and partial response (PR) rate was 34% (13/38). The therapeutic response was significantly different between FcγRIIIA-158V/V homotype and 158F/V heterotype (P = 0.034). The CR of patients with 158V/V homotype was obviously lower than that of patients with 158F/V, but the frequencies of FcγRIIA and FcγRIIB genotypes not correlated with the responsiveness to treatment. The CR rate of 6 patients treated with rituximab was 67%, and PR rate was 17%. The overall response rate was as high as 84%, the adverse reactions were not observed. It is concluded that the polymorphism of FcγRIIIA-158V/F, but not FcγRIIA-131H/R or FcγRIIB-232T/I, correlates with the patient susceptibility and therapeutic response of ITP.
Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Murine-Derived ; therapeutic use ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Purpura, Thrombocytopenic, Idiopathic ; drug therapy ; genetics ; immunology ; Receptors, IgG ; genetics ; Risk Factors ; Rituximab ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Q-switched 1 064 nm Nd:YAG laser treatment on the proliferation of dermal collagen and expression of immunoglobulin binding protein/glucose related protein 78 (BiP/GRP78) in rats' skin and the mechanism of endoplasmic reticulum stress.

METHODSDorsal skin of 25 Wistar rats was divided into two parts equally after hair removal. Q-switched 1 064nm Nd:YAG laser was applied to treat rats' dorsal skin for 4 times at an interval of 2 days in the experiment part. The control part received no laser treatments. The rats' dorsal skin samples were taken on the 14th and 30th day after laser treatment to measure the dermis thickness and collagen bundles under HE stain and to measure the hydroxyproline content by alkaline hydrolysis method after laser treatment. The expression of BiP/GRP78 was also detected by immunohistochemical method. Statistics was used to analyze the data.

RESULTSThe dermis thickness increased by 29. 6% on the 14th day and 16.7% on the 30th day after laser treatment. The collagen bundles became thicker and denser. The hydroxyproline in the skin was also raised after laser treatment (P < 0.05). The immunohistochemical result showed the expression of BiP/GRP78 increased to 100% after laser treatment, showing a significant difference from the control group(X2 = 28.76, P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSThe Q-switched 1064 nm Nd:YAG laser treatment can induce endoplasmic reticulum stress, so as to enhance the protein folding and synthesizing precisely. The proliferation of dermis collagen is the base of effect of non-ablative skin rejuvenation.

Animals ; Endoplasmic Reticulum Stress ; Female ; Hydroxyproline ; chemistry ; Lasers, Solid-State ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Rejuvenation ; Skin ; radiation effects ; Skin Aging