Background Image clarity during near work is influenced by several factors,such as accommodative lag,pupil size and monochromatic aberrations.Since image clarity during extended reading at near distance has been cited as a possible inducement of myopia in childhood and a possible difference between myopic and emmetropic people throughout life,it is important to examine these factors in myopic and emmetropic myopic juvenile during reading at near distance. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships among wavefront aberrations,accommodative response and pupil size in early onset and progressive myopes eyes under the different reading status and explore the possible mechanism of the development of myopia as well. Methods Fiflyseven subjects aged from 12 to 16 years were enrolled and grouped as emmetropes,the onset of myopes and progressive myopes.Reading material were Chinese novels presented by rapid serial visual presentation at a distance of 25 cm. Accommodative response and pupil size were recorded by a Grand Seiko WV-500 autorefractor.The Image J software was used to calculate the pupil diameter.Wavefront aberrations were then measured with a WASCA wavefront analyzer. Results Aberrations and accommodative response showed large inter-subjeet variability.With accommodative stimulus of 4 diopter,the accommodative lag in the early-onset of myopes group and progressive myopes group were ( 1.72 ±0. 53) D and ( 1.74 ±0. 44) D, showing larger value in comparison with ( 0. 96 ±0. 55) D of emmetropes group( t＝4.25 ,t=4.47 ,P<0. 001). However,there were no significant differences in accommodative lag between the early-onset of myopes group and progressive myopes group( t = 0. 18, P>0. 05). The mean value of pupil diameter, total RMS value, high-order RMS value, spherical aberration and coma were all significantly reduced with the stimulus varied from 0 D to 4 D( P<0. 01). However,none of the pupil sizs,total RMS value,high-order RMS value,spherical aberration and coma had significant difference among different refractive groups( P>0. 05). Conclusion The early-onset of myopes and progressive myopes had larger accommodative lag. The lower sensitivity to defocus at near reading distance,inducing the larger accommodative lag and hyperopic defocus may be linked to the developing myopia.

BACKGROUNDTo evaluate three new chemotherapeutic regimens for non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) by pharmacoeconomic analysis in guiding rational use of drugs.

METHODSOne hundred and one cases of NSCLC in clinic stage III or IV were treated by one of the three chemotherapeutic schemes-PC: paclitaxel (135mg/m²,d1)+DDP; TC: docetetaxel (75mg/m²,d1)+DDP; VC: vinorelbine (25mg/m²,d1 and d8)+DDP, DDP were given at 80mg/m² in 3 groups. Pharmacoeconomic cost-effectiveness analysis was used to compare the efficacy of the three regimens.

RESULTSThe response rate was 46.9%, 48.6% and 47.1% and median survival duration was 7.8, 7.5 and 7.6 months for PC, TC and VC regimen respectively, with 1-year survival rate of 37.5%, 37.1% and 38.2% respectively. There was remarkable difference in the response rate and median survival duration between PC and TC, but no statistical difference was observed between PC and VC. There was no statistical difference in 1-year survival rate among the three regimens. The average cost of one patient for one therapeutic cycle was RMB 15840.5, 15831.1 and 9401.8 Yuan respectively. Escalation of 1% of response rate costed RMB 337.75, 325.74 and 199.61 Yuan respectively. Prolongation of 1 month of median survival duration costed RMB 2030.83, 2110.97 and 1237.08 Yuan respectively. Escalation of 1% of one year survival rate costed RMB 422.41 , 426.71 and 246.12 Yuan respectively.

CONCLUSIONSAmong these three new chemotherapeutic regimens for the advanced patients with NSCLC, the expenditure of VC is much cheaper than PC and TC. The cost effectiveness of VC is the lowest among the three regimens.

OBJECTIVETo discuss the significance of testing hepatitis B virus (HBV) from saliva in HBV patients.

METHODSHBV DNA content in serum and saliva of 200 HBV patients and 20 healthy subjects were detected by fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction. According to the serum level of HBV content, four groups were divided: control group A, group B negative, low virus C (1 x 10(3) - 1 x 10(5) copies/ml) and high-group D ( > 1 x 10(5) copies/ml). The relationship of serum and virus content in saliva was analysed.

RESULTSOf 200 HBV cases, 180 were found HBV DNA in serum with positive rate of 90.0%; while 145 were found HBV DNA in saliva with positive rate of 72.5%, and there was no significant difference (chi2 = 1.35, P > 0.05). The significant difference was observed in testing serum and saliva in Group C (100.0% vs. 38.5%; Z = 14.11, P < 0.01). In group D, there was no significant difference found either (100.0% vs. 83.8%; chi2 = 1.05, P > 0.05). Group D virus serum had a high average level of (6.63 +/- 1.55) log copies/ml virus and in the saliva had an average level of (5.21 +/- 1.85) log copies/ml; saliva had serum viral load lower than an order of magnitude average. No HBV DNA was found in serum or saliva from 20 health subjects.

CONCLUSIONWhen the serum contains a high content of HBV DNA virus, the content of saliva HBV DNA virus should be likely high, which might pose a threat of source of infection. A precise quantitative detection of HBV DNA in saliva might be used as evaluation of the level of virus in the body copy for judgment of infection.

Case-Control Studies ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; blood ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; diagnosis ; transmission ; Hepatitis B virus ; genetics ; Humans ; Male ; Saliva ; virology

OBJECTIVETo establish a rabbit tumor cell line and to characterize its biological parameters.

METHODSVX2 tumor tissue was used for the primary culture in vitro. After 40 passages, the cell morphology, CK expression (immunohistochemical staining), cell cycle, karyotype and tumorigenecity in rabbits and nude mice were investigated.

RESULTSThe newly established cell line VX2 was maintained in continuous culture for over 70 passages in 10 months. Morphologically, VX2 cells were polygonal to short spindled. Tonal fibril and tight junction were found under the electron microscope. CK was positive. The cell cycle analysis showed 69.3% in G1 phase, 5.6% in G2 phase and 25.1% in S phase. The population doubling time was 34.5 hours. The chromosomal analysis showed a hypotriploidy with a median chromosome number of 58 approximately 62. The tumorigenecity in rabbits and nude mice were both 100%.

CONCLUSIONThe established VX2 cell line derived from rabbit squamous carcinoma could serve as a model system for experimental oncology in the rabbit.

Animals ; Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; chemistry ; genetics ; pathology ; ultrastructure ; Cell Cycle ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Keratins ; analysis ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Polyploidy ; Rabbits

OBJECTIVETo identify the mutation of a Chinese family with inherited long QT syndrome(LQTS).

METHODSThe disease-causing gene was tentatively determined in light of the clinical manifestations and electrophysiological properties, and then polymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing were used for screening and identifying mutation.

RESULTSA missense mutation G940A(G314S) in the KCNQ1 gene was identified, which was the 'hot spot' of long QT syndrome mutation.

CONCLUSIONThe mutation that is involved with long QT syndrome in Chinese patients is the same as that in the European, American and Japanese patients.

China ; DNA Mutational Analysis ; Family Health ; Female ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease ; genetics ; Genotype ; Humans ; KCNQ1 Potassium Channel ; genetics ; Long QT Syndrome ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Male ; Mutation, Missense ; Pedigree ; Polymerase Chain Reaction

BACKGROUNDMaternal exposure to nitrate, nitrite, and N-nitroso compounds from drinking water or diet has been associated with an increased risk of neural tube defects (NTDs) in some studies. Pickled vegetables contain relatively large amounts of nitrite and N-nitroso compounds. We examined the association between maternal periconceptional consumption of pickled vegetables and NTDs in Shanxi Province of northern China.

METHODSData were derived from a population based case-control study of major external birth defects in four counties of Shanxi Province. Participants included 519 NTDs cases identified between 2003 and 2007 and 694 healthy controls. Exposure information was collected within 1 week after delivery. Multivariable non-conditional Logistic regression model was used to estimate the adjusted odds ratio (OR) controlling for potential confounding variables.

RESULTSThe risk of NTDs was positively associated with the frequency of the consumption of pickled vegetables by the mother. Compared with pickled vegetables consumption at < 1 meal/week, the adjusted OR for consumption at 1 - 3, 4 - 6, and > 6 meals/week were 1.3 (95% confidence interval (CI): 1.0, 1.8), 1.9 (1.1, 3.2), and 3.6 (1.9, 6.9), respectively. A protective effect was found for maternal meat consumption at ≥ 1 meal/week (adjusted OR: 0.6, 95%CI: 0.4, 0.7) and egg or milk consumption at ≥ 1 meal/week (adjusted OR: 0.6, 95%CI: 0.4, 0.8).

CONCLUSIONMaternal periconceptional consumption of pickled vegetables may increase the risk for NTDs in Shanxi Province.

Adult ; Case-Control Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Logistic Models ; Maternal Exposure ; adverse effects ; Multivariate Analysis ; Neural Tube Defects ; etiology ; Nitrites ; adverse effects ; Nitroso Compounds ; adverse effects ; Pregnancy ; Risk Factors ; Vegetables ; adverse effects ; chemistry ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETumor dormancy has been defined clinically as a condition in which tumor cells are present but do not grow for a long period of time. Breast cancer is noted for its long periods of tumor dormancy and metastases can occur many years after treatment.

METHODSimulating the characteristics of breast cancer patients after treatment, we established the animal model of breast cancer dormancy by inoculating 500 Ca761-03 cells into the limb muscle of 615 mice and then selecting animals with tumor dormancy 2 months post inoculation (corresponding to 5 years for humans).

RESULTSTwo months after inoculation of Ca761-03 cells into the muscle of 615 mice, tumor occurred in 30% of the mice. The remaining 70% of mice did not show tumor growth. After repeated traumatic stimulation, 90% of the mice developed tumors after 5 months, therefore representing tumor dormancy.

CONCLUSIONSThese results demonstrate that breast cancer cells can remain in a dormant state for long periods of time in vivo. Trauma can stimulate the dormant tumor cells to proliferate again, and causes tumor relapse. This murine model system promises a sound animal model for the study of solid tumor dormancy.

Animals ; Breast Neoplasms ; pathology ; physiopathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Survival ; Disease Models, Animal ; Disease Progression ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Mice ; Neoplasm Recurrence, Local ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Random Allocation ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; pathology ; physiopathology

We studied the effects of Chinese traditional medicine rhynchophylline (Rhy) on human ether-a-go-go related gene (HERG) channel and characterized the electrophysiological properties of Rhy's pharmacological effect on HERG channel using Xenopus oocytes. Xenopus oocytes were injected with either 23 nl (5.75 ng) HERG cRNA or 23 nl distilled water. Xenopus oocytes were randomly assigned to receive one of the following different concentrations of Rhy: (1) control, (2)10 mumol/L Rhy, (3)100 mumol/L Rhy, (4) 500 mumol/L Rhy, (5) 1 000 mumol/L Rhy, (6) 10 000 mumol/L Rhy. Cell currents were recorded in oocytes. The peak tail currents of HERG channel were inhibited by Rhy. The inhibition was in a dose-dependent manner [IC(50)=(773.4 +/- 42.5) mumol/L]. Experiment with 100 mumol/L Rhy indicated that the degree of HERG blockade showed some voltage dependence (within -40 mV to -20 mV ). Kinetic analyses revealed that Rhy decreased the rate of channel activation. The findings indicate that Rhy inhibits HERG encoded potassium channels. It may underline the molecular mechanism of myocardial electrophysiological characteristics associated with this drug.
Animals ; Depression, Chemical ; ERG1 Potassium Channel ; Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels ; drug effects ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Indole Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Oocytes ; drug effects ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; methods ; RNA, Complementary ; genetics ; pharmacology ; Xenopus

OBJECTIVETo investigate the molecular pathology in families with long QT syndrome (LQTS) including Jervell-Longe-Nielsen syndrome (JLNS) and Romano-ward syndrome (RWS) and Brugada syndrome (BS) in Chinese population.

METHODSPolymerase chain reaction and DNA sequencing were used to screen for KCNQ1, KCNH2, KCNE1, and SCN5A mutation.

RESULTSWe identified a novel mutation N1774S in the SCN5A gene of the BS family, a novel mutation G314S in a RWS family which had also been found in Europe, North America, and Japan, and a single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) G643S in the KCNQ1 of the JLNS family. In this JLNS family, another heterozygous novel mutation in exon 2a was found in KCNQ1 of the patients.

CONCLUSIONNew mutations were found in our experiment, which expand the spectrum of KCNQ1 and SCN5A mutations that cause LQTS and BS.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Base Sequence ; ERG1 Potassium Channel ; Ether-A-Go-Go Potassium Channels ; genetics ; Female ; Humans ; Jervell-Lange Nielsen Syndrome ; genetics ; KCNQ1 Potassium Channel ; genetics ; Long QT Syndrome ; congenital ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Muscle Proteins ; genetics ; Mutation ; NAV1.5 Voltage-Gated Sodium Channel ; Pedigree ; Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated ; genetics ; Romano-Ward Syndrome ; genetics ; Sodium Channels ; genetics

Objective To examine the impact of pregnancy termination before 28 weeks of gestation on the overall prevalence of neural tube defects (NTDs).Methods Data collected during the period of 2004 and 2010 from a birth defects surveillance system in Pingding county and Talgu county of Shanxi province were used.Number of births ≥28 weeks of gestation and number of cases with major birth defects among the births were collected.Terminations of pregnancies before 28 weeks of gestation due to prenatal diagnosis were also collected.The total prevalence of neural tube defects,prevalence before 28 weeks of gestation,and prevalenee of ≥28 weeks gestation were calculated using the total number of pregnancies of ≥28 weeks of gestation as denominator.The prevalence data were compared to examine the impact of pregnancy termination on the total prevalence.The proportions of pregnancy terminations before 28 weeks of gestation due to prenatal diagnosis of an NTD against the total number of NTD cases were also calculated.Results During 2004-2010,52 366 births were recorded,and 485 NTD cases were ascertained.The overall prevalence of NTDs was 92.6 per 10 000 births,with prevalence of ＜28 weeks gestation due to pregnancy terminations as 60.9 per 10 000 births,while the prevalence of ≥28 weeks of gestation was 31.7 per 10 000 births.NTD prevalence of ≥28 weeks gestation was 66.0％ lower than the total NTD prevalence.In the last two years,the proportion of NTDs ascertained ≥28 weeks gestation accounted for about 40.0％ of the total NTD cases.Conclusion A birth-defect-surveillance program that covered only tregnancies ≥28 weeks of gestation resulted in a severe underestimation of the total birth prevalence of NTDs,especially for anencephaly.We would recommend that the current national birth defects surveillance system should include pregnancy terminations before 28 weeks of gestation and the calculation of total NTD prevalence should also include these cases into the numerator,so as to better estimate true population NTD prevalence,upon which the related public health policy is based.