AIM: To evaluate visual acuity outcomes after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation in patients with wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD).METHODS: We reviewed the medical documents of the patients who underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation surgery during June 2013 and January 2016.Totally 61 eyes of 48 patients with wAMD in the stable stage were recruited.The pre-and post-operative vision of selected cases were recorded and compared.RESULTS: After phacoemulsification and intralocular lens implantation, visual acuity changes were as follows: 49 eyes improved, 11 eyes retained, and 1 eye deteriorated.Visual acuity improvement after cataract surger were statistically significant (P<0.001).Visual acuity improvement was not related to age.CONCLUSION: Visual acuity improved in patients with wet AMD after phacoemulcification and intraocular lens implantation.

Postoperative pancreatic leakage remains a persistent problem after pancreaticoduodenectomy.For patients with a soft and nonfibrotic pancreas,double binding continuous hemstitch suture is an optimal method for anastomosis.From January 2011 to June 2012,92 cases of periampullary carcinoma with a soft pancreas underwent pancreaticoduodenectomy,and then a modified technique of pancreaticogastrostomy was performed with 2 continuous hemstitch sutures placed in the mucosal and seromuscular layers of the posterior gastric wall,respectively.The median time for pancreaticogastrostomy was 12 minutes,and only 15 patients had postoperative complications.Two patients developed pancreatic leakage(1 grade A and 1 grade B)postoperatively.Pancreaticogastrostomy with double binding continuous hemstitch sutures is a simple and safe reconstruction procedure for patients with a soft and fragile pancreas who received pancreaticoduodenectomy.

The impact of key physical properties on granulated products by the high-speed mixing wet method was studied. Andrographis extracts were utilized as the model drug. Four processing methods were adopted to prepare mixed powder of microcrystalline cellulose (MCC) and starch with the mass ratio 1:0.5, 1:1 and 1:2 by the high-speed mixing wet method. The properties of the prepared granules were evaluated with such indexes as granule yield, the ratio of lumps and fine powder, granule-AOR and granule-HR. The impact of key physical properties on granulated products was analyzed through stepwise regression analysis. The results showed that angle of repose, moisture content, pore volume, density and contact angle with water were key physical properties of the powder. The key physical properties of Chinese medical extracts powder are the important factor impacting granulated products made by the high-speed mixing wet method. In this study, the impact of key physical properties on granulated products of Chinese medical extracts was analyzed from the physical angle.
Andrographis ; chemistry ; Drug Compounding ; instrumentation ; methods ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Powders ; chemistry

Antineoplastic Agents ; chemistry ; Capillary Electrochromatography ; Chemistry, Pharmaceutical ; Drug Interactions ; Electrophoresis, Capillary ; methods ; trends ; Electrophoresis, Microchip ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; metabolism ; Pharmacokinetics ; Platinum ; chemistry ; Stereoisomerism

In the experimental study on the electrophysiology and functions of heart in the animal, the thorax should be opened to expose the heart, at the same time natural breathing is maintained instead of artificial breathing. The key procedure of this new method is to avoid injuring the pleural cavity, so pneumothorax can be prevented. By means of this new method some subject studies have been finished.
Electrophysiology/instrumentation ; Heart/*physiology ; *Models, Animal ; *Respiration ; Swine ; Thoracic Surgical Procedures ; Time Factors

Abstract: Objective To explore and analyze the diagnostic value of multicolor melting curve analysis (MMCA) for the resistance of five anti-tuberculosis drugs, so as to clarify the clinical value of MMCA in detecting drug resistance of Mycobacterium tuberculosis. Methods From April 2021 to May 2022, 200 patients with positive Mycobacterium tuberculosis admitted to the Fourth People's Hospital of Qinghai Province were selected as research objects, and sputum specimens were taken from the patients. Traditional Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug sensitivity test (modified Löwenstein-Jensen medium method) and MMCA analysis were respectively given to detect the resistance of five anti-tuberculosis drugs, including isoniazid, ethambutol, streptomycin, rifampicin and isoniazid, respectively. Those samples with inconsistent results between the two diagnosis methods were subjected to gene sequencing verification, and the diagnosis efficiency of MMCA for the five anti-tuberculosis drugs was compared. Results Using Mycobacterium tuberculosis drug sensitivity as the gold standard for drug resistance diagnosis, the sensitivity of MMCA for detecting drug resistance of rifampicin, ethambutol, streptomycin, isoniazid and levofloxacin were 95.83% (46/48), 93.75% (15/16), 100.00% (15/15), 100.00% (20/20) and 70.00% (7/10), respectively, with statistical differences between groups (P<0.05). There were no statistically significant differences in the specificity, positive predictive value, negative predictive value and accuracy of MMCA for the five anti-tuberculosis drugs (P>0.05). For the 8 samples with inconsistent results between MMCA and modified Löwenstein-Jensen medium method, gene sequencing was performed and compared with the results of gene sequencing. After comparison with gene sequencing results, it was found that the coincidence rate of MMCA and gene sequencing results was 75.00% (6/8). Conclusions In the detection of drug-resistant mutations in TB patients, multi-color probe fusion curve analysis has high diagnostic efficacy for first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs, but is not sensitive to second-line anti-tuberculosis drug levofloxacin. Therefore, for the detection of first-line anti-tuberculosis drugs, MMCA has a good clinical application prospect.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of calorie restriction on the high fat diet rats mRNA expressions of liver forkhead box O1(FoxO1), phosphoenolpyruvate carboxykinase (PEPCK), glucose-6-phosphatase (G-6-P) and to explore the possible mechanisms.

METHODS24 normal 6-week-old male Wistar rats were randomly divided into three groups: normal chow group (NC, n = 7), high fat diet group (HF, n = 9) and calorie restriction group (CR, n = 8). They were fed for 12 weeks. At the end of the experiment, the rats were sacrificed and their fasting blood glucose (FBG), insulin (INS), triglycerides (TG), total cholesterol (TC) were measured. Their visceral fat (VF) and body weight (BW) were also measured and VF/BW was calculated. Gene expression was investigated by using semi-quantitative RT-PCR methods. Liver histology was studied with HE stained slides.

RESULTSCompared with the NC group, HF group rats developed visceral obesity which was accompanied by higher FBG, plasma INS, TG, and TC. The levels of FoxO1, PEPCK, and G-6-P increased by 18.9%, 33.8%, and 24.6%, respectively (P less than 0.01). Liver steatosis was observed with microscopy. The BW, VF FBG, INS, TG and TC of the CR group rats were lower in comparison to those of the HF group. The levels of FoxO1, PEPCK and G-6-P were lower by 26.6%, 35.0%, 34.3% (P less than 0.01). Meanwhile, liver steatosis was also milder.

CONCLUSIONCalorie restriction can inhibit the expressions of FoxO1, PEPCK and G-6-P, strengthen insulin signal conduction, suppress gluconeogenesis and thus regulate glycometabolism.

Animals ; Caloric Restriction ; Dietary Fats ; Forkhead Transcription Factors ; genetics ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Gluconeogenesis ; genetics ; Glucose-6-Phosphatase ; genetics ; Liver ; metabolism ; Male ; Nerve Tissue Proteins ; genetics ; Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxykinase (ATP) ; genetics ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar

OBJECTIVETo investigate the association between rs1799864 single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of the C-C chemokine receptor 2 (CCR2) gene and susceptibility of hemophagocytic lymphohistiocytosis (HLH) in children.

METHODSThe clinical and laboratory data of 86 children diagnosed with HLH between January 2007 and December 2013 were retrospectively reviewed. The CCR2 gene rs1799864 was genotyped by SNaPshot technique in 86 HLH children and 128 healthy controls. The genotypic and allelic frequencies in the two groups were comparatively analyzed.

RESULTSNo significant difference either in genotypic or allelic frequencies of rs1799864 polymorphism of the CCR2 gene was observed between HLH patients and controls (P>0.05), but there were significant differences in the age of onset and the periods of temperature and platelet returning to normal after treatment (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThere is no association between CCR2 gene rs1799864 polymorphism and the risk for HLH in children. However, the genotypic differences of this polymorphism might be associated with clinical characteristics and prognosis of HLH.

Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Lymphohistiocytosis, Hemophagocytic ; genetics ; Male ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Receptors, CCR2 ; genetics

OBJECTIVETo assess the feasibility of gray-scale contrast-enhanced ultrasound for characterizing thyroid nodules.

METHODSForty thyroid nodules from 35 patients were studied both by conventional techniques and gray-scale contrast-enhanced ultrasound. Of the nodules examined, 15 were benign and 25 malignant. The enhancement of echogenicity was evaluated. The diagnosis was confirmed by surgical biopsy and histopathological examination.

RESULTSThe study using gray-scale contrast-enhanced ultrasound showed absent contrast-enhancement in 9 of 25 malignant nodules and 1 of 11 benign solitary nodules; intense enhancement in 6 of 25 malignant nodules, with perfusion defect in the center; diffuse faint enhancement in 10 of 25 malignant nodules and 10 of 11 benign solitary nodules. Benign cystic nodules all showed absent enhancement in the cystic components and 2 of 4 intense enhancement in the solitary components.

CONCLUSIONSGray-scale contrast-enhanced ultrasonography imaging may be a useful tool for evaluating the perfusion of thyroid nodules. Solitary nodules showing absent enhancement or intense enhancement with absent enhancement in the nodular center may suggest malignant.

Contrast Media ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Image Enhancement ; methods ; Male ; Thyroid Neoplasms ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Thyroid Nodule ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Ultrasonography ; methods

Objective:To investigate the clinical significance of bone metabolism indexes and human leukocyte antigen B27 (HLA-B27)in ankylosing spondylitis(AS)and analyze their diagnostic value. Methods:The subjects were 94 cases of AS patients,239 cases with other diseases and 80 healthy controls, and the results were retrospectively surveyed. Results:In the AS group, the concentration of the β-collagen specific sequence (β-CTX ) was higher ( P<0. 05 ) while the concentrations of osteocalcin ( OC ) , 25-hydroxyvitamin D[25-(OH)D] and parathyroid hormone(PTH)were lower than those in the control group. In the AS group,there was a positive correlation between the concentration of C-reactive protein(CRP)and β-CTX(P<0. 01),and the concentration of CRP was negatively correlated with the concentration of 25-(OH)D(P<0. 05). However,the concentrations of other bone metabolic indexes had no correlation with the concentration of CRP(P<0. 05). The positive rate of HLA-B27 in the AS group was significantly higher than that in other groups(P<0. 05),and HLA-B27 had highly sensitive and specific in the diagnosis of AS. In the AS group,the sensitivity of the concentration of 25-( OH) D was higher than β-CTX,while its specificity was lower than β-CTX. Conclusion:Bone metabolic indexes have great value in early screening and clinical diagnosis of AS,especially β-CTX and 25-( OH) D were more obvious.