To compare and analyze the clinical treatment effect of primary pterygium with amniotic membrane transplantation, autologous corneal limbus stem cell transplantation and intraoperative application of 0. 2g/L mitomycin C.METHODS: Retrospective analysis of 232 patients who were underwent primary pterygium surgery was performed. Eighty-two cases were treated with amniotic membrane transplantation, 90 with autologous corneal limbus stem cell transplantation, and 60 with intraoperative application of 0. 2g/L mitomycin C. The postoperative recurrence and complications of three operative methods were compared.RESULTS: The recurrence rate of autologous corneal limbus stem cell transplantation and intraoperative application of 0. 2g/L mitomycin C was lower than that of amniotic membrane transplantation ( P < 0. 05 ). The recurrence rate between autologous corneal limbus stem cell transplantation and intraoperative application of 0. 2g/L mitomycin C had no difference ( P > 0. 05 ). Corneal epithelium defect, tears and photophobia were higher in 0.2g/L mitomycin C group (P<0. 05), which were no statistical difference between autologous corneal limbus stem cell transplantation and amniotic membrane transplantation (P>0. 05). Conjunctival congestion and subconjunctival hemorrhage in three groups had no statistical difference (P>0. 05).CONCLUSlON: Compared with other two operative methods, autologous corneal limbus stem cell transplantation for primary pterygium has the advantages of lower recurrence rate and less complications.

0.05).Conclusions The expression of myostatin gene mRNA is increased in myotonic dystrophy.Up-regulated expression of myostatin in skeletal muscle might be associated with the mechanism of myotonic dystrophy.

To observe the relationship between positive rate of β1-adrenergic and AT1 receptors autoantibodies with serum concentration of cystatin C in 371 patients with diabetic nephropathy patients,107 patients with type 2 diabetes,and 47 subjects as healthy control.In patients with diabetic nephropathy,the positive rates of the β1 and AT1 receptors autoantibodies were significantly higher than those in patients with type 2 diabetes and normal controls.The titers of β1 and AT1 receptors autoantibodies in diabetic nephropathy patients with abnormal cystatin C were significantly higher than those with normal cystatin C concentration.These findings suggested that β1 and AT1 receptors autoantibodie may play important roles in the pathogenesis of diabetic nephropathy.

OBJECTIVETo compare the clinical, pathological, laboratory test and follow-up data between familial and sporadic patients with distal myopathy with rimmed vacuoles (DMRV) and discuss the characteristics of this disorder in Chinese population.

METHODSThe clinical and pathological features, laboratory data and follow-up results of 33 sporadic and 4 familial cases of pathologically confirmed DMRV were summarized and compared retrospectively.

RESULTSThe patients age, onset age, or disease duration showed no significant difference between sporadic and familial cases; the onset pattern and affected muscle groups were also similar, but the sporadic cases showed more frequent dysmorphic features than the familial cases. The patients showed mild to moderate elevation of the muscle enzymes by one to three folds, and the familial patients had more significant elevation than the sporadic ones. No correlation was found between the disease duration and the level of muscle enzymes. The pathological findings were similar between the cases, and Gomori staining showed rimmed vacuoles and inclusion bodies without inflammatory cell infiltration. Follow-up results of 29 cases showed no significant difference between the two groups. The disease was slowly progressive and severely affected the quality of life of the patients, but did not produce obvious effect on the life expectancy.

CONCLUSIONThe clinical, pathological and laboratory data of Chinese DMRV patients are basically similar to those of Japanese cases. Sporadic cases tend to show more dysmorphic features than the familial ones, and occasional sporadic cases have early disease onset in early childhood.

Adult ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Distal Myopathies ; classification ; genetics ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Inclusion Bodies ; pathology ; Male ; Pedigree ; Retrospective Studies ; Vacuoles ; pathology ; Young Adult

Objective To study the changes in Bcl-2/adenovirus EIB 19kD-interacting protein 3(BNIP3)expression in the hippocampus of rats following transient forebmin ischemia. Methods Ten adult male Wistar rats were randomized into sham operation group(n=5)andischemia-rcperfosion group(n=5),and the rats in the latter group were subjectedto global ischemia for 15 min followed by repeffusion for 72 h.Nissl's staining was used to examine the neuronal death in the hippocampus induced by global brain isehemia.Another 14 adult male Wistar rats Were randomly divided into 3 groups,namely group 1 with sham operation(n=4),group 2 with global cerebral isehemia followed by reperfusion for 1 h(n=5),and group 3 with global isebemia and reperfusion for 6 h(n=5).All the rats were sacrificed to examine BNIP3 expression in the hippocampus using Western blotting. Results Compared with the sham operation group,the ischemia-reperfusion(72 h)group showed obvious neuronal death in the hippoeampal Cal region,where the neurons presented with irregular shape,cell shrinkage and nuclear fragmentation. BNIP3 monomer expression significantly increased in the hippocampus after isehemia-reperfusion in comparison with that in the sham operation group(P<0.05),but the length of reperfusion time(1 and 6 h)did not significantly affected BNIP3 monomer expression (2.543±0.473vs3 2.942±0.777,P>0.05).No significant difference was found in the expression level of BNIP3 dimers between the sham operation, ischemia-reperfusion 1 h and 6 h groups(P>0.05).Conclusion The expression of BNIP3 is up-regulated in the hippocampus of rats with transient forebrain ischemia.

OBJECTIVETo observe the impact of heat-sensitive moxibustion on lung function in chronic persistent bronchial asthma and analyze its effect on the improvement of life quality as well as compare its efficacy with Seretide inhaler.

METHODSFifty-seven cases were divided into a heat-sensitive moxibustion group (28 cases) and a Seretide group (29 cases) according to the random number table. In heat-sensitive moxibustion group, the therapy of heat-sensitive moxibustion was applied to the regions at the level of Feishu (BL 13) and Geshu (BL 17), or to the heat-sensitized points in the region 6 cun lateral from the 1st and 2nd intercostal spaces in the chest. The treatment was given continuously for 8 days, once per day, 12 treatments should be ensured in the later 22 days of the 1st month. In the later two months since then, 15 treatments should be ensured each month (< or = 1 treatment each day). In Seretide group, Seritide manufactured in GlaxoSmithKLine was used, one inhalation each time, twice per day. The cases in both groups were received treatment for 3 months. The changes in lung function such as forced expiratory volume one second (FEV1), TCM symptoms score, Asthma Control Test (ACT) and St George's Respiratory Questionnaire (SGRQ) were assessed and compared between two groups and within group separately.

RESULTSLung function as FEV1 was improved in either group (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The terminal improvement effects on symptoms of Chinese medicine, life quality and others were same between two groups (all P > 0.05). But the improvements in general situation, chills, fever and sweating in heat-sensitive moxibustion group were superior to those in Seretide group (both P < 0.05). Concerning to the improvement in respiratory symptoms, the effect of Seretide was better than that of heat-sensitive moxibustion (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHeat-sensitive moxibustion improves lung function, relieves clinical symptoms and benefits life quality for patients with chronic persistent bronchial asthma. It's efficacy on the disease is equal to the internationally-recognized effect of Seretide.

Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Asthma ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Lung ; physiopathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Quality of Life

Cell Line ; Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Cation Channels ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Electrophysiology ; Humans ; Hyperpolarization-Activated Cyclic Nucleotide-Gated Channels ; Muscle Proteins ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Potassium Channels ; Transfection

BACKGROUNDShen song Yang xin (SSYX) is a compound of Chinese medicine with the effect of increasing heart rate (HR). This study aimed to evaluate its electrophysiological properties at heart and cellular levels.

METHODSThe Chinese miniature swines were randomly assigned to two groups, administered with SSYX or placebo for 4 weeks (n = 8 per group). Cardiac electrophysiological study (EPS) was performed before and after drug administration. The guinea pig ventricular myocytes were enzymatically isolated and whole cell voltage-clamp technique was used to evaluate the effect of SSYX on cardiac action potential (AP).

RESULTSSSYX treatment accelerated the HR from (141.8 +/- 36.0) beats per minute to (163.0 +/- 38.0) beats per minute (P = 0.013) without changing the other parameters in surface electrocardiogram. After blockage of the autonomic nervous system with metoprolol and atropin, SSYX had no effect on intrinsic HR (IHR), but decreased corrected sinus node recovery time (CSNRT) and sinus atrium conducting time (SACT). Intra cardiac EPS showed that SSYX significantly decreased the A-H and A-V intervals as well as shortened the atrial (A), atrioventricular node (AVN) and ventricular (V) effective refractory period (ERP). In isolated guinea pig ventricular myocytes, the most obvious effect of SSYX on action potential was a shortening of the action potential duration (APD) without change in shape of action potential. The shortening rates of APD(30), APD(50) and APD(90) were 19.5%, 17.8% and 15.3%, respectively. The resting potential (Em) and the interval between the end of APD(30) and APD(90) did not significantly change.

CONCLUSIONSThe present study demonstrates that SSYX increases the HR and enhances the conducting capacity of the heart in the condition of the intact autonomic nervous system. SSYX homogenously decreases the ERP of the heart and shortens the APD of the myocytes, suggesting its antiarrhythmic effect without proarrhythmia.

Action Potentials ; drug effects ; Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Female ; Guinea Pigs ; Heart ; drug effects ; physiology ; Heart Rate ; drug effects ; Heart Ventricles ; In Vitro Techniques ; Male ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; physiology ; Sinoatrial Node ; drug effects ; physiology ; Swine ; Swine, Miniature

A 62-year-old woman with frequent occurrence of symptomatic atrial tachycardia with a foci located at the root of the upper crista terminalis was found to have right diaphragm paresis after receiving a total of 8 radiofrequency energy deliveries (40-60 W, 50-60ºC) and a total duration of 540 seconds of ablation therapy (7Fr 8 mm deflectable ablation catheter). The right diaphragm paresis remained resolved up to 14 months after the procedure as confirmed by repeated chest X-rays.
Catheter Ablation ; adverse effects ; Diaphragm ; injuries ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Tachycardia, Supraventricular ; therapy

Objective To observe the clinical efficacy of Tangzhiping Prescription on non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) and the effects on serum vascular epithelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelium derived factor (PEDF). Methods Totally 86 NPDR patients were randomly divided into treatment group (43 cases) and control group (43 cases). Both groups were given hypoglycemic, anti hypertensive and lipid-regulatory basic therapy. The control group was given calcium distillate capsules, 0.5 g per time, 3 times a day, orally; the treatment group was treated with Tangzhiping Prescription based on the control group, 1 dosage per day, twice a day, orally. Four weeks were set as one treatment course. Treatment for both groups lasted for three courses. Clinical efficacy and fundus efficacy of both groups were evaluated. TCM symptom scores, fundus scores, and visual condition were observed; FPG, 2 h PG, Hb A1 C, TC, TG, HDL-C and LDL-C and changes in the contents of VEGF and PEDF were detected. Results The control group and the treatment group lost 2 and 3 cases respectively. The total effective rate of clinical efficacy and total fundus efficiency of the control group were 65.00％ and 68.35％, respectively, and the treatment group were 87.50％ and 84.62％ respectively, with statistical significance (P＜0.05). Compared with before treatment, TCM symptom scores and fundus scores decreased significantly after treatment in both groups (P＜0.01); After treatment, the TCM symptom scores and fundus scores in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group (P＜0.05, P＜0.01). Compared with before treatment, visual acuity improved significantly after treatment in both groups (P＜0.05, P＜0.01). Compared with before treatment, levels of FPG, 2 h PG, Hb A1 c, TC, TG, and LDL-C decreased significantly in both groups after treatment (P＜0.01). After treatment, the levels of 2 h PG, Hb A1 c, TC, TG, and LDL-C in the treatment group were significantly lower than the control group (P＜0.05, P＜0.01). Compared with before treatment, the levels of VEGF decreased and PEDF levels increased in both groups, with statistical significance (P＜0.01). After treatment, the improvement of VEGF and PEDF in the treatment group was better than that in the control group (P＜0.05, P＜0.01); negative correlation was found between VEGF and PEDF (r=-0.320, P＜0.01). Conclusion Tangzhiping Prescription can effectively improve the clinical symptoms of patients with NPDR and slow down the progress of NPDR via reducing the blood glucose and blood lipids, and regulating the contents of VEGF and PEDF.