AIM: To investigate the clinical features of fundus diseases of familial congenital nystagmus.?METHODS: Totally 40 eyes of 20 nystagmus patients from 3 congenital nystagmus families were enrolled in our study. The eye position, refractive error, anterior segment and fundus, including fundus photograph, optical coherence tomography ( OCT) , and visual evoked potential ( VEP) were performed on them.?RESULTS: There were 8 patients in Family A, all of which were horizontal nystagmus, in that 6 cases of strabismus ( 2 of which combined with compensatory head posture) , 2 cases of nuclear cataract, 2 cases of posterior polar cataract, 1 case of retinopathy of prematurity, 2 cases of severe ametropia. There were 6 patients in Family B, all of which were horizontal nystagmus, in that 3 cases of albinism ( 2 of which combined with macular hypoplasia) , 2 cases of severe ametropia, 1 case of achromatopsia, 1 case of nuclear cataract. There were 6 patients in Family C (5 of which were horizontal nystagmus and 1 rotatory nystagmus) ,2 cases of Leber congenital amaurosis, 1 case of familial exudative vitreoretinopathy, 2 cases of posterior polar cataract, 1 case of iris atrophy, 2 cases of strabismus.?CONCLUSION:We have to do detailed examinations on patients suffered from familial congenital nystagmus to understand its causes and to improve their visual functions as well as possible.

This study was aimed to evaluate the frequencies and prognostic significance of the nucleophosmin 1 (NPM1) mutation, the fms-like tyrosine kinase 3 (FLT3) mutation and c-KIT mutation in acute myeloid leukemia (AML) and to explore their relevance to clinical characteristics, cytogenetics and survival. Genomic DNA from 78 newly diagnosed AML from August 2010 to October 2012 was screened by PCR and sequencing or capillary electrophoresis (CE) for NPM1, FLT3 and c-KIT mutations. The results showed that the incidence of NPM1 mutation was 14.1% in AML patients and 26.7% in normal karyotype AML patients. NPM1 mutant cases were significantly associated with old age (P < 0.05), high peripheral white cell count and platelet counts (P < 0.05) and low expression of CD34 (P < 0.05), but no statistic difference was found in sex, percentage of bone marrow blasts, Hb, expression of CD117 and HLA-DR, complete remission rate, overall survival and relapse rate (P > 0.05). The prevalences of FLT3-ITD and FLT3-TKD mutations were 11.5% (9/78) and 3.8% (3/78) respectively, and no one patient has both of the two mutations. Patients with FLT3-ITD mutation had higher white blood cell counts and percentage of in bone marrow blasts (P < 0.05), and lower overall survival (P < 0.05), more relative to normal karyotype (P < 0.05), while no statistic difference was found in sex, age, platelet count, Hb level, complete remission rate and relapse rate (P > 0.05). No statistic analysis was performed due to the cases of less FLT3-TKD mutation. C-KIT mutation accounts for 7.7% (6/78). Patients with C-KIT mutation had a higher percentage in abnormal karyotype (P < 0.05), and higher relapse rate (P < 0.05), and lower overall survival, whereas no statistic difference was found in sex, age, percentage of bone marrow blasts, peripheral blood cell count, complete remission rate (P > 0.05). It is concluded that the detection of NPM1, FLT3 and C-KIT mutations may contribute to guiding treatment and evaluating prognosis of patients with AML.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Karyotyping ; Leukemia, Myeloid, Acute ; diagnosis ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Nuclear Proteins ; genetics ; Prognosis ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-kit ; genetics ; Young Adult ; fms-Like Tyrosine Kinase 3 ; genetics

BACKGROUNDRegulatory T-cells (Treg) play key roles in suppressing cell-mediated immunity in cancer patients. Little is known about perioperative Treg fluctuations in nonsmall cell lung cancer (NSCLC). Video-assisted thoracoscopic (VATS) lobectomy, as a minimal invasive procedure for treating NSCLC, may have relatively less impact on the patient's immune system. This study aimed to observe perioperative dynamics of circulating Treg and natural killer (NK) cell levels in NSCLC patients who underwent major lobectomy by VATS or thoracotomy.

METHODSTotally, 98 consecutive patients with stage I NSCLC were recruited and assigned into VATS or thoracotomy groups. Peripheral blood samples were taken on 1-day prior to operation, postoperative days (PODs) 1, 3, 7, 30, and 90. Circulating Treg and NK cell counts were assayed by flow cytometry, defined as CD4 + CD25 + CD127 low cells in CD4 + lymphocytes and CD56 + 16 + CD3- cells within CD45 + leukocytes respectively. With SPSS software version 21.0 (SPSS Inc., USA), differences between VATS and thoracotomy groups were determined by one-way analysis of variance (ANOVA), and differences between preoperative baseline and PODs in each group were evaluated by one-way ANOVA Dunnett t-test.

RESULTSIn both groups, postoperative Treg percentages were lower than preoperative status. No statistical difference was found between VATS and thoracotomy groups on PODs 1, 3, 7, and 30. On POD 90, Treg percentage in VATS group was significantly lower than in thoracotomy group (5.26 ± 2.75 vs. 6.99 ± 3.60, P = 0.012). However, a higher level of NK was found on all PODs except on POD 90 in VATS group, comparing to thoracotomy group.

CONCLUSIONSLower Treg level on POD 90 and higher NK levels on PODs 1, 3, 7, 30 in VATS group might imply better preserved cell-mediated immune function in NSCLC patients, than those in thoracotomy group.

Aged ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; immunology ; surgery ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Killer Cells, Natural ; immunology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Postoperative Period ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology ; Thoracic Surgery, Video-Assisted ; methods ; Thoracotomy ; methods

BACKGROUNDWith the progress of perinatal medicine and neonatal technology, more and more extremely low birth weight (ELBW) survived all over the world. This study was designed to investigate the short-term outcomes of ELBW infants during their Neonatal Intensive Care Unit (NICU) stay in the mainland of China.

METHODSAll infants admitted to 26 NICUs with a birth weight (BW) < l000 g were included between January l, 2011 and December 31, 2011. All the data were collected retrospectively from clinical records by a prospectively designed questionnaire. The data collected from each NICU transmitted to the main institution where the results were aggregated and analyzed. Categorical variables were performed with Pearson Chi-square test. Binary Logistic regression analysis was used to detect risk factors.

RESULTSA total of 258 ELBW infants were admitted to 26 NICUs, of whom the mean gestational age (GA) was 28.1 ± 2.2 weeks, and the mean BW was 868 ± 97 g. The overall survival rate at discharge was 50.0%. Despite aggressive treatment 60 infants (23.3%) died and another 69 infants (26.7%) died after medical care withdrawal. Furthermore, the survival rate was significantly higher in coastal areas than inland areas (53.6% vs. 35.3%, P = 0.019). BW < 750 g and GA < 28 weeks were the largest risk factors, and being small for gestational age was a protective factor related to mortality. Respiratory distress syndrome was the most common complication. The incidence of patent ductus arteriosus, intraventricular hemorrhage, periventricular leukomalacia, bronchopulmonary dysplasia, retinopathy of prematurity was 26.2%, 33.7%, 6.7%, 48.1%, and 41.4%, respectively. Ventilator associated pneumonia was the most common hospital acquired infection during hospitalization.

CONCLUSIONSOur study was the first survey that revealed the present status of ELBW infants in the mainland of China. The mortality and morbidity of ELBW infants remained high as compared to other developed countries.

China ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Mortality ; Infant, Extremely Low Birth Weight ; Infant, Newborn ; Intensive Care Units, Neonatal ; statistics & numerical data ; Male ; Morbidity ; Respiratory Distress Syndrome, Newborn ; mortality ; Retrospective Studies ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Because the red and bright color of corolla is the main indicator for the quality assessment of good safflower,the dyed safflower is sometimes found at the herbal market,what is influence on this herb quality and efficacy. A total of 127 safflower samples was therefore collected from different cultivating areas and herbal markets in China to develop a rapid method to identify the dyed safflower. Near-infrared spectroscopy(NIRS) combined with characteristic identification,high performance liquid chromatography(HPLC),principal component analysis(PCA) and partial least squares regression analysis(PLS) were employed to differentiate safflower from dyed safflower samples,and further quantify the levels of the 6 dyes,i.e. tartrazine,carmine,sunset yellow,azorubine,acid red 73 and orange Ⅱ in the dyed safflower. The results indicated that the 50 safflower samples and 77 dyed safflower samples were located at different regions in PCA cluster diagram by NIR spectra. Tartrazine,carmineand and sunset yellow were found in the 77 dyed safflower samples with the amounts of 0. 60-3. 66,0. 11-1. 37,0. 10-0. 71 mg·g-1,respectively. It indicated that the three dyes were the common and main dyes in the dyed safflower. However,azorubine,acid red 73 and orange Ⅱ were not detected in all herb samples. A total of 62 dyed safflower samples were chosen as calibration samples to develop the model for estimating the amount of dyes in dyed safflower. The estimating accuracy was verified by another 15 dyed safflower samples. The values of tartrazine,carmine and sunset yellow in dyed safflower samples were compared between the NIRS and HPLC methods. Each value of mean absolute difference(MAD) was less than 5%. The correlation coefficients of tartrazine,carmineand and sunset yellow were 0. 970,0. 975,0. 971,respectively. It indicated the data quantified by NIRS and HPLC were consistence. It is concluded that NIRS can not only differentiate safflower from dyed safflower,but also quantify the amount of the dyes. NIRS is suitable for rapidly identify the quality of safflower.
Azo Compounds ; Benzenesulfonates ; Carmine ; Carthamus tinctorius ; chemistry ; China ; Coloring Agents ; analysis ; Naphthalenesulfonates ; Spectroscopy, Near-Infrared ; Tartrazine

Objective: To investigate the effects and mechanism of Holothurian Glycosaminoglycan (hGAG) alone in combination with cisplatin (DDP) on apoptosis of pulmonary adenocarcinoma cell A549. Methods: A549 cells were separately treated with blank, hGAG, DDP and hGAG combined with DDP (hGAG + DDP). The cell morphology in 4 groups was observed using light microscope. CCK8 assay was used to determine the cell viability. Flow cytometry by Hoechst 33258 and AnnexinV-FITC/PI staining was applied to detect cell apoptosis. Western blot was then used to detect the protein expression of Bax, Bcl-2, survivin and caspase-3. Results: After treatment for 24 h, the inhibitory rates of A549 cells in control, hGAG, DDP and hGAG + DDP groups were 0, (19.74±5.39)%, (42.01±2.57)% and (53.89±4.58)%, respectively. Moreover, after treatment for 48 h and 72 h, the inhibitory rates in each group were 0, (23.17±4.78)% and (29.17±4.21 )%, (54.00±7.64)% and (59.35±7.31)%, as well as (77.58±4.26)% and (79.94±4.58)%, respectively. The cell viability was significantly lower in drug treatment groups compared with those in control group at the same time point (P<0.05). Hochest 33258 staining showed that no obvious apoptotic cells were detected in the control group, while apoptotic cells were visible in hGAG, cisplatin and combination groups. Flow cytometry showed that cell apoptotic rates were (2.38±0.59)%, (12.59±4.22)%, (16.36±3.63)% and (44.60±5.45)% in the control, hGAG, DDP and hGAG + DDP groups, respectively. The cell apoptosis was significantly lower in drug treatment groups compared with those in control group at the same time point (P<0.05). Furthermore, western blot results showed that the expression of Bax and caspase-3 protein was increased (P<0.05), whereas Bcl-2 and survivin was decreased (P<0.05) in the hGAG+ DDP group compared with cisplatin alone (P<0.05). Conclusions HGAG can inhibit the proliferation and promote the apoptosis of human lung adenocarcinoma A549 cells. Meanwhile, it can strengthen the chemosensitivity of A549 cells to DDP via up-regulation of Bax, caspase-3 and down-regulation of Bcl-2 and survivin.

OBJECTIVEWe investigated the feasibility and efficacy of cognitive training for older adults in rural settings and with low education levels, who have mild cognitive impairment (MCI).

METHODSForty-five older adults (ages >65 years) with MCI were assigned to treatment or control groups, at a 2:1 ratio. Cognitive training occurred in the treatment group for 2 months. The cognitive abilities of the participants were assessed at pre-training, metaphase, and post-training time points, using the Mini-Mental State Examination (MMSE), Montreal Cognitive Assessment (MoCA), Loewenstein Occupational Therapy Cognitive Assessment (LOTCA), and Hamilton Depression Scale (HAM-D).

RESULTSFollowing training, cognitive abilities improved in the treatment group, based on the total scores of all 4 measures, as well as specifically on the MoCA and LOTCA. There were differences in the main effects of group and time point on some subscales, but these differences had little, if any, effect on the overall analyses.

CONCLUSIONThe present study demonstrated that cognitive training has beneficial effects on attention, language, orientation, visual perception, organization of visual movement, and logical questioning in patients with MCI. Furthermore, the observed effects are long-term changes.

Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; China ; Cognition ; Cognitive Dysfunction ; prevention & control ; psychology ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Neuropsychological Tests

OBJECTIVE: To analyze the clinical efficacy of hip arthroplasty with femoral calcar prosthesis and proximal femoral nail fixation(PFNA) in the treatment of elderly patients(≥80 years old) with unstable intertrochanteric fractures(Evans Ⅲ, Ⅳ). METHODS: From June 2016 to March 2018, 60 elderly patients with unstable intertrochanteric fractures treated with prosthetic replacement and PFNA were retrospectively analyzed. According to the surgical methods, they were divided into PFNA group and prosthesis group. In PFNA group there were including 21 males and 15 females, with an average age of(84.3± 2.9) years old;in the prosthetic group, there were 10 males and 14 females with an average age of (82.9±2.4) years old. The operation time, hemoglobin difference between preoperative and postoperative 1 day, postoperative ambulation time, hospitalization time and complications were observed and compared between the two groups. Harris hip score was performed 3 and 12 months after operation. RESULTS: All patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months (19.3±4.8) months. One patient in the prosthesis group died of lung cancer one year later and the follow-up was terminated. The operation time of prosthetic group was longer than that of PFNA group( CONCLUSION The elderly patients with intertrochanteric arthroplasty can reduce the burden of intertrochanteric arthroplasty and improve the quality of life.
Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Bone Nails ; Female ; Fracture Fixation, Intramedullary ; Hip Fractures/surgery* ; Humans ; Male ; Patients ; Quality of Life ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome