AIM: Firstly to evaluate the changes of corneal sensation and its effect to dry eye syndrome after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK); secondly to evaluate the relation between the changes of corneal sensation and the laser ablation depth. ·METHODS: 30 patients (60 eyes) had bilateral LASIK with a superior-hinged flap. Every patient underwent preoperative and postoperative (after one week, one month and three months) evaluations, including corneal sensation, Schirmer's basic tear secretion test, tear breakup time (TBUT), corneal fluorescein stainting, and a questionnaire evaluating dry eye obtained from each patient.·RESULTS: Compared with preoperative level, after one week and one month, the difference of corneal sensation was very significant (P＜ 0.01); after three months, there was no statistical difference (P ＞ 0.05). After one week, there was no statistical difference (P ＞ 0.05) in the subjective dry eye symptoms, after one month, the difference was significant(P=0.025 ＜0.05) and after three months, the difference was very significant (P=0.001 ＜ 0.01). Compared with preoperative level, the basic tear secretion decreased significantly after one week and one month(P＜ 0.01), it did not return to the baseline level after three months (P ＜ 0.01). Tear breakup time decreased significantly after the surgery, and after three months, there was still statistical difference compared with preoperative level (P ＜ 0.01); with cornea fluorescence staining, we found corneal epithelial defect was most serious after one month after LASIK, and did not return to the baseline level after three months (P ＜ 0.01). Linear regression analysis and relevant were used to evaluate the relation between the changes of corneal sensation and the laser ablation depth (r=0.798, P ＜ 0.01). ·CONCLUSION: The central corneal sesation decreased noticeable after LASIK, and it recovered three months postoperatively, but the indicators of dry eye syndrome did not return to their preoperative levels following it. We have found that the decreasation of corneal sensation had positive correlation with the laser ablation depth.

Objective To compare the consistency of immunohistochemistry (IHC) and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) in detecting c-erbB-2 status in breast cancer tissues. Methods A total of 50 breast cancer paraffin embedded samples were selected, of which there were 10 cases of c-erbB-2 protein expression (+), 20 cases of (++) and 20 cases of (+++). FISH was used to assess the amplification of c-erbB-2 gene, and SPSS 13.0 software was employed to analyze the difference and consistency between the two methods. Results IHC and FISH methods had a good consistency when detecting c-erbB-2 (+) and (+++) expressions in breast cancer tissues, with the coincidence rate of 89.2%. However, when IHC was used to test c-erbB-2 (++), the result of FISH was quite different, with the coincidence rate of only 35.3%. Conclusion IHC is a preliminary method to detect c-erbB-2 status in breast cancer. IHC and FISH methods have a good consistency in detecting c-erbB-2 (+) and (+++) status in breast cancer tissues. As detection of c-erbB-2 (++) with IHC has a different result from FISH, such patients should receive FISH confirmation for herceptin therapy.

Objective To review and sum up the experience of diagnosis and surgical treatment of cardiac myxoma. Methods 133 patients with cardiac myxoma of different locations from January 1990 to May 2007 admitted in Qilu Hospital of Shandong University and Department of Cardivovascular Affdiafed Zhong shan Hospital of Xiamen Unversity were clearly diagnosed by two dimensional echecardiography. The tumors of 109 patients were located in left atrium ,22 in right atrium and 2 in both cardiac atria. All the patients underwent tumor extirpation under extracor-poreal circulation. Atrioventricular valve plasty was performed when necessary. 11 underwent bicuspid valvuloplasty and 6 underwent tricuspid valvuloplasty at the same time. All the minors were sent to histopathology examination. Re-suits Two patients died of low cardiac output syndrome in early postoperative period. Cerebral embolism happened in 6 cases,left lower extremity embolism and pulmonary embolism in 1 ease respectively. Other patients' symptoms were improved and the physical sign disappeared. All the tumors were demonstrated to be benign cardiac myxoma. Conclusions Most cardiac myxoma is benign but its clinical consequence is severe. So tumor extirpation should be performed as soon as possible and the following-up is important after operation. Prevention of tumor defluvium is im-portant. Two dimensional echocardiography is preferred in the diagnosis of cardiac myxoma.

Objective To explore the best ratio of platelet-rich plasma (PRP) to activator and the synergistic action of thrombin and the growth factors in PRP gel on proliferation of human marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (hBMSCs). Methods The activator was made up of 1000 U bovine thrombin and 1 mL 10% calcium chloride solution. PRP was mixed with the activator at the ratios of 1:1, 5:1, 10:1, 20:1, 40:1 respectively in groups A, B, C, D and E. A quantitative sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) was used for examining the amounts of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1) and platelet derived growth factnr-AB (PDGF-AB) in PRP gel in each group after incubation for 0,1,8,24, and 120 hours. MTT assay was used to evaluate the effect of PRP gel in each group on hBMSCs proliferation. Results When PRP was mixed with thrombin, concentrations of PDGF-AB and TGF-β1 in PRP gel increased immediately and reached the peak value in 1 hour. The PRP gel in groups B, C, and D contained the highest amounts of PDGF-AB and TGF-β1, and accelerated hBMSCs growth re-markably. The cells proliferation in group A was inhibited. Conclusions The effect of PRP on the hBMSCs proliferation depends on the concentrations of PDGF-AB and TGF-β1 in PRP. Thrombin may influ-ence the hBMSCs proliferation by regulating concentrations of growth factors in PRP to certain extent, but too high a level of thrombin may inhibit hBMSCs growth.

Objective To enhance the understanding of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) associated with intestinal pseudo-obstruction (IPO) and ureterohydronephrosis. Methods Ten cases of SLE with IPO and ureterohydronephrosis were analyzed retrospectively. Results IPO was the initial manifestation of SLE in three patients. Seven cases (7/9) had concurrent bilateral ureterohydronephrosis, 5 (5/9) had thickened bladder wall, and 6 cases (6/8) were associated with thickened gallbladder wall simultaneously. All cases were ANA positive and hypocomplementemia, 6 had positive anti-dsDNA, 5 had positive anti-SSA, 6 had positive anti-RNP, and 4 were ACA-IgG positive (4/7). IPO responded readily to high dose steroid therapy within one week in all patients. Conclusions The pathogenic mechanism of IPO is not fully understood. The coexistence of IPO, ureterohydronephrosis and thickened gallbladder wall probably suggests a visceral smooth muscle dysmotility. Early recognition of the syndrome is necessary for the initiation of the appropriate medical treatment and prevention of inappropriate surgical intervention.

ObjectiveTo investigate imaging features of the liver, portal vein and hepatic vein or transhepatic inferior venacava in patients with severe liver cirrhosisin multidetector row computed tomography ( MDCT), and assess the feasibility, safety and clinical significance of percutaneous transhepatic intrahepatic portosystemic shunt (PTIPS). MethodsFifty patients with severe liver cirrhosis confirmed by clinical data and imaging examination were enrolled in this study. Simulation of intrahepatic portosystemic shunt by percutaneous transhepatic approch is as follows. The right midaxillary line (the eighth or ninth intercostal space) was selected as puncture point A the right branch of portal vein was puncture point B,transhepatic inferior vena cava was puncture point C, and the distal part of right portal vein was D. A-B-C connection is simulated as percutaneous transhepatic puncture tract, C-B-D connection is simulated as portosystemic shunt tract.After tri-phase contrast-enhanced CT scanning, postprocessing images through multiple planner reconstruction ( MPR ) were obtained. The data were indicated statistically by x ± s. And 95％ confidence interval for mean was calculated.Anatomic relationship among the right portal vein,transhepatic inferior vena cava, hepatic artery and bile duct were analyzed for all patients. ResultsThe length of the needle (A-B-C) is ( 145. 7 ± 14. 8 ) mm. The curvature of the needle ( the angle of A-B line and B-C line) is ( 145.0 ±9.9)°. The length of transhepatic shunt tract (B-C) is (42.7 ±7.2) mm. The length of the shunt tract (C-B-D) is ( 117. 7 ±11.6 ) mm; The angle of the shunt tract ( the angle of B-C line and B-D line) is (1O8.5 ± 5.9)°. In 24/50 patients, transhepatic inferior vena cava locate in the dorsal of the right portal vein, in 26/50 patients they are in the same plane.In all patients, the right branches of hepatic artery and bile duct locate in the ventral of the right portal vein.Conclusion The procedure of PTIPS is feasible and safe. To quantify the length and angle of the needle and the length and angle of the shunt tract provides the anatomic basis for clinical application.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of garlic oil (GO) against the peroxidation damage of rat nerve tissue and the peripheral motor neuropathy induced by 2, 5-HD.

METHODSMale Wistar rats were divided into four groups, with 10 in each group. The model group, and low and high doses of GO groups were administrated with 2, 5-HD (ip, 300 mg/kg), respectively; The control group was treated with sodium chloride, five times per week for six weeks. Pretreatment with GO gavaged (40 mg/kg or 80 mg/kg) started one week be-fore 2, 5-HD treatment, and lasted to the end of the experiment. Neurobehavioral indexes were examined at the zero, second and fourth week. At the end of the experiment, the scores of the gait, and the concentration of MDA and GSH, the level of TAOC and the ability of inhibition of.OH in cerebrum, spinal cord and sciatic nerve were examined.

RESULTSCompared with the zero week, except of the control group rats, the hind limb landing foot splay of three groups rats decreased by 44%, 50% and 49% at the fourth week, respectively without significant difference. The threshold value of balance in model, GO low and high doses groups rats decreased by 30%, 45% and 68% at the fourth week, respectively, and lower than the control group rats (P < 0.01). GO low and high doses groups rats showed the serious abnormality at the fourth week, before one week of the model group rats. The scores of gait of model, and GO low and high doses groups rats increased significantly compared with control group rats, and the GO high dose group rats were higher than model group rats (P < 0.05). Increase of the concentration of MDA, and decrease of the level of the ability of inhibition of.OH were induced by 2, 5-HD in cerebrum, spinal cord and sciatic nerve. The concentration of MDA increased, and the level of the ability of inhibition of.OH decreased (P < 0.05 or P < 0.01), respectively. The results showed that the concentration of MDA decreased, and the level of the ability of inhibition of.OH induced by GO in cerebrum, spinal cord and sciatic nerve increased, the concentration of MDA of GO low doses group rats decreased, the level of the ability of inhibition of.OH increased, the concentration of MDA of GO high doses group rats decreased (P < 0.01) respectively, and the level of the ability of inhibition of.OH increased (P < 0.01) in nerve tissue.

CONCLUSIONGO has antagonist effect on the 2, 5-HD induced peroxidation damage, but can not improve the function of the peripheral motor nerve, indicating that the lipid peroxidation does not play an important role in 2, 5-HD neurotoxicity.

Allyl Compounds ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Drug Antagonism ; Garlic ; chemistry ; Hexanones ; toxicity ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Male ; Nerve Tissue ; drug effects ; metabolism ; pathology ; Plant Oils ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Sulfides ; pharmacology

Adult ; Balloon Occlusion ; instrumentation ; Cardiac Catheterization ; methods ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Vessel Anomalies ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Vascular Fistula ; therapy

BACKGROUNDPlatelet-rich plasma (PRP) as a storage vehicle of growth factors has been successfully used in clinical applications, but in most cases the platelets were autologous. However, the large volume of blood withdrawn has detrimental effects on patients with anemia or poor general health. To overcome these limitations, this study was designed to separate the growth factors in homologous platelet-rich plasma.

METHODSThe gel chromatography with Superdex-75 column was applied to separate PRP supernatants into 4 major fractions. Then the four fractions were vacuumed freeze-dried and re-dissolved in phosphate buffered saline. Proteins concentrations in PRP and in four fractions were detected by bicinchoninic acid protein assay; platelet derived growth factor-AB (PDGF-AB) and transforming growth factor beta1 (TGF-beta1) levels were determined by sandwich enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays. The effects of fractions on the proliferation of human marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) were determined by 3-(4, 5- dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2, 5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) assay.

RESULTSPRP supernatants were separated into four major fractions by gel chromatography. The proteins recovery was 96.72%. Of the four fractions, fraction B contained the highest TGF-beta1 and PDGF-AB levels, and the highest proteins concentrations. Cell proliferation curves of MSC demonstrated that fraction B and C induced a remarkable increase of MTT values compared to the untreated culture (P < 0.05), and the effects of fraction B and C showed no significant difference compared to the PRP group (P > 0.05). Fraction A and D showed no significant difference to the negative control group (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe growth factors in PRP supernatants could be preliminarily separated into four fractions by gel chromatography, and the freeze-drying fractions retained the biological activity of growth factors. The growth factors were mostly presented in fraction B and C, and they promoted cell proliferation effectively.

Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Chromatography, Gel ; Humans ; Mesenchymal Stromal Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Platelet Count ; Platelet-Derived Growth Factor ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Platelet-Rich Plasma ; chemistry ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo investigate the vasorelaxant effect of puerarin in rat aortic rings and the mechanism.

METHODThe isolated thoracic aortic rings of male Sprague-Dawley rats were mounted on the organ bath and the contractile responses of the vessel were recorded.

RESULTPuerarin completely relaxed the contractions induced by phenylephrine in a concentration-dependent manner in endothelium-intact and endothelium-denuded rat aorta, but it had no effect on those preconstricted by a high concentration of potassium chloride (KCl, 60 mmol x L(-1)). The relaxant effect of puerarin was significantly inhibited by pretreatment of endothelium-denuded aorta with potassium channel antagonists tetraethylammonium, 4-aminopyridine but not glibenclamide.

CONCLUSIONPuerarin induces an endothelium-independent relaxation in rat aortic rings. The mechanisms may involve the reduction in Ca2+ influx through the calcium channels operated by alpha-adrenergic receptor and the activation of the potassium channels (Kv and BKca, but not KATP).

4-Aminopyridine ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Aorta, Thoracic ; drug effects ; physiology ; Endothelium, Vascular ; physiology ; In Vitro Techniques ; Isoflavones ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Male ; Phenylephrine ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Potassium Channel Blockers ; pharmacology ; Potassium Channels ; drug effects ; Pueraria ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tetraethylammonium ; pharmacology ; Vasoconstriction ; drug effects ; Vasodilation ; drug effects ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology