AIM:To discuss the application value of retro-mode imaging by F-10 confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (cSLO) for detecting drusen in patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD).METHODS:This was a retrospective case study.During the period of October 2015 to December 2016, 67 patients with unilateral AMD (67 affected eyes and 67 fellow eyes) were included in this study.All patients underwent color fundus photography, optical coherence tomography (OCT) and retro-mode imaging by F-10 cSLO.The features of drusen by color fundus photography, OCT and retro-mode imaging were comparatively observed in the affected eyes of patients with unilateral AMD.Positive numbers of drusen in the fellow eyes of patients with unilateral AMD detected by color fundus photography, OCT and retro-mode imaging were calculated and compared.RESULTS:Retro-mode imaging by F-10 cSLO gave easier to identify images of drusen than color fundus photography and OCT in the affected eyes of patients with unilateral AMD.In the fellow eyes of 67 patients with unilateral AMD, retro-mode imaging showed drusen in 56 cases(84%), color funds photography showed drusen in 36 cases(54%), OCT showed drusen in 48 cases(72%), the difference was statistically significant(χ2=14.31, P<0.05).The positive numbers of drusen detected by retro-mode imaging were significantly higher than color fundus photography, the difference was statistically significant(χ2=13.87, P′<0.0125).There was no statistically significant difference in the positive numbers of drusen detected by retro-mode imaging and OCT(χ2=2.75, P′>0.0125).CONCLUSION:Retro-mode imaging by F-10 cSLO provides a non-invasive technique and should be useful for detecting and monitoring drusen in AMD.

Cell Transformation, Neoplastic ; drug effects ; genetics ; Dimethyl Sulfoxide ; pharmacology ; Electroporation ; methods ; HL-60 Cells ; Humans ; Membrane Proteins ; genetics ; Neoplasm Proteins ; genetics ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Stromal Interaction Molecule 1 ; Transfection

Objective To explore the diagnostic merits of the average apparent diffusion coefficient(ADCav) for leukoencephalopathy in neonates and children.Methods One hundred and fifty-six neonates and children with central nervous system signs or symptoms were classified into 6 groups according to their ages(1 d-0.05).Contrast to the normal,the ADCav of leukoencephalopathy in neonates and children decreased.With increasing age,there showed a linear downtrend in each group.Conclusions The ADCav rises in neonates and children with leukoencephalopathy.The ADCav variation precedes changes in routine MRI.

To investigate the role of ion channels in the coupling responses of neutrophils to extracellular stimulus, it is necessary to study the membrane ion channel activities using patch-clamp technique. However, little has been known about the ion channel activities in neutrophils due to the difficulties in forming giga-seal with pipettes because of small diameter of neutrophils and the easily developed polarization. Some studies indicated that favorable results could be achieved through pretreatment at low temperature before electrophysiological recordings. But it remains unclear whether the pretreatment affects the membrane current and why the seal rate increases after low temperature pretreatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of 4 degrees C pretreatment on the membrane current and cell polarity in human neutrophils. In the experiments, human neutrophils were isolated from fresh peripheral blood of healthy volunteers and divided into two groups (room temperature group and 4 degrees C pretreatment group). Voltage-dependent K(+) (Kv) currents were recorded in whole-cell voltage-clamp mode and large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (BK(Ca)) currents were recorded using inside-out patches. The results showed that 4 degrees C pretreatment significantly inhibited cell polarity (P<0.05), and it took more time for neutrophils to form a polarity-cycle [(534+/-32) s, n=20] compared with those at room temperature [(257+/-24) s, n=20]. Meanwhile, seal rate significantly increased in 4 degrees C pretreatment group (64%) compared with that in the room temperature group (27.5%). The seal rate and cell polarity rate during 0 approximately 1 min after 4 degrees C pretreatment were significantly different from those at room temperature, while no significant difference was found during 9 approximately 10 min between the two groups. Our results suggest that 4 degrees C pretreatment can inhibit cell polarity and increase seal rate, but has no effects on membrane currents. It is also suggested that 0 approximately 1 min after 4 degrees C pretreatment is a more suitable time for electrophysiological recording in neutrophils.
Cell Polarity ; Cold Temperature ; Humans ; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels ; physiology ; Membrane Potentials ; Neutrophils ; physiology ; Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated ; physiology

Trichosanthes kirilowii has been widely cultivated as its medicinal use, health care and food value. Drought resistance of seedlings is an important feature in breeding. Seeds of two T. kirilowii strains were used to research the difference of surface ultrastructure characteristic and drought resistance. Scanning electron microscope was used to identify the surface ultrastructure characteristic of seeds and PEG was used to simulate drought stress. The seeds germination rate, MDA content, chlorophyll content and the antioxidant enzymes activity were measured under the drought stress. The results showed that the seed surface colour of KXY-001 was lighter than that of KXY-005. The testa cobwebbing of KXY-001 was more intensive than that of KXY-005. The germination rate of KXY-001 was higher than that of KXY-005 under drought stress. The MDA content was increased and the chlorophyll content was decreased with the increasing of drought degree. The SOD activity of KXY-001 was higher than that of KXY-005, while the activity of POD and CAT was also increased firstly and decreased later. Surface reticulate of seeds and hilar traits can be used as identification points to identify the investigated strains. SOD and POD are activated to resist drought in T. kirilowii seedlings and the drought resistance of KXY-001 is superior than that of KXY-005.
Adaptation, Physiological ; drug effects ; Catalase ; metabolism ; Chlorophyll ; metabolism ; Droughts ; Germination ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Microscopy, Electron, Scanning ; Peroxidase ; metabolism ; Polyethylene Glycols ; pharmacology ; Seedlings ; metabolism ; Seeds ; growth & development ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Species Specificity ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism ; Trichosanthes ; classification ; growth & development ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo identify specific proteins of Helicobacter pylori (H. pylori) that associated with gastric carcinoma.

METHODSThe whole-cell proteins of H. pylori were separated by two-dimensional electrophoresis (2-DE). The protein maps of four H. pylori strains associated with gastric carcinoma and nine strains that isolated from patients with non-gastric carcinoma were then compared by ImageMaster 2D v3.1. MALDI-TOF mass spectrometry was performed to identify the proteins of interest. The proteins were searched by software mascot and identified by peptide fingerprint map.

RESULTSThree proteins seemed to be associated with gastric carcinoma including acylneuraminate cytidylyltransferase with Mowse score 79 with the sequence coverage of 32%. The other two had no unambiguous protein to match.

CONCLUSIONAcylneuraminate cytidylyltransferase seemed to be a specific H. pylori protein associated with the presence of gastric carcinoma. Other two were novel proteins that might be associated with gastric carcinoma. However, the mechanism needs to be explored.

Amino Acid Sequence ; Bacterial Proteins ; analysis ; Electrophoresis, Gel, Two-Dimensional ; Helicobacter pylori ; chemistry ; Humans ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Sequence Data ; Stomach Neoplasms ; microbiology

OBJECTIVETo analyze the monitoring results of the occupational hazard factors in workplaces in Zhejiang Province, China in 2006 - 2010.

METHODSDescriptive analysis was performed on the monitoring results of the occupational hazard factors in workplaces in Zhejiang Province from 2006 to 2010.

RESULTSFrom 2006 to 2012, the number of monitored objects for each occupational hazard factor increased gradually, and the qualified rate for each factor remained unchanged or rose slightly. The qualified rates for silica dust and asbestos dust were less than 60%. The qualified rates for benzene, toluene, and xylene, which were always the factors highlighted in the monitoring of toxic chemicals, were all above 85%. The numbers of monitored objects for hexane, hydrogen sulfide, and cyanide grew significantly in recent years. However, the qualified rates for physical factors, which mainly included high temperature and noise, were less than 70%, lower than those for chemical factors.

CONCLUSIONThe qualified rate is as important as the number of monitored objects in the monitoring of the occupational hazard factors in workplaces in Zhejiang Province, China. The acute and chronic factors, physical and chemical factors, and traditional and new factors should be balanced in monitoring.

China ; epidemiology ; Dust ; analysis ; Environmental Monitoring ; Occupational Diseases ; epidemiology ; prevention & control ; Risk Factors ; Workplace

OBJECTIVETo investigate the Hantavirus infection and their genotype in rodents in Huludao.

METHODSRodents were collected from the main epidemic areas to detect antigen of Hantavirus in rat lungs by indirect immunofluorescence assay. Antigen-positive samples were inoculated onto cultures of confluent Vero E6 cells for the isolation of virus. The genotypes of viruses in all antigen-positive samples were identified by reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS200 rats were collected in the main epidemic areas, and 11 Hantavirus-positive samples were tested. The positive rate of Hantavirus in rats was 5.5%. Three strains of Hantavirus were isolated in Vero E6 cell culture. Data from the phylogenetic trees constructed by partial S segment (620-999 nt) or partial G1 segment (180-580 nt) showed that the three isolates carried by rats from Huludao were all genetic subtype SEOV 3. Furthermore, the phylogenetic tree constructed by partial G2 segment (2003-2302 nt) divided SEOV strains into 7 genetic subtypes, and the three isolates were having a closer evolutionary relationship with isolates CP211, ch302 and dc501 from Beijing, and the isolates SD10 and SD227 form Shandong.

CONCLUSIONData indicated that the rate of carrying virus was high and the main genetic subtype of Hantavirus was S3 of Seoul virus in Huludao area.

Animals ; Carrier State ; China ; Hantavirus ; classification ; genetics ; isolation & purification ; Hantavirus Infections ; veterinary ; Lung ; virology ; Phylogeny ; Rats ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

OBJECTIVETo apply theory of reasoned action at survey on welding workers occupational health protection behaviors and explore related influencing factors.

METHODSnine companies were randomly selected from areas with many welding works in Zhejiang Province. All welding workers were surveyed using a questionnaire based on theory of reasoned action.

RESULTS10.06%, 26.80% and 37.50% of the respondents never or seldom used eyeshade, mask and earplug, respectively. After controlling the socio-demographic factors, welding workers' behavioral belief was correlated with the behaviors of eyeshade-mask and earplug use (χ(2) = 31.88, 18.77 and 37.77, P < 0.01). the subjective norm of company was correlated with all protection behaviors (χ(2) = 20.60, 10.98 and 19.86, P < 0.01), the subjective norm of colleague was correlated with mask and earplug use, (χ(2) = 27.43, 36.39, P < 0.01), and the subjective norm of family was correlated with mask use (χ(2) = 5.73, P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTheory of reasoned action is suitable for welding worker occupational health related behaviors. It is useful to improve occupational health education, to effectively select health education objective and to tailor health education contents.

Adult ; Health Behavior ; Health Education ; Humans ; Male ; Occupational Diseases ; prevention & control ; Occupational Health ; Protective Devices ; utilization ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Welding ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy of cryoablation combined with CpG ODN in the treatment of murine transplanted colon carcinoma.

METHODSColon carcinoma model was established by subcutaneously inoculating CT26 cells into the right flank in BALB/c mice. The tumor-bearing mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:the group of PBS injected in peritumoral area, the group of cryoablation, the group of cryoablation combined with CpG ODN, the group of CpG ODN injected in peritumoral area. The tumor size changes were measured. Serum levels of interleukin (IL)-12 and interferon-gamma(IFN-gamma) were assayed by ELISA. The rates of CD3(+)CD4(+)T, CD3(+)CD8(+)T lymphocytes in serum were counted with flow cytometry. Mice in the cryoablation group and the combined group with tumor regression were re-challenged with CT26 cells.

RESULTSThe survival time of cryoablation group and combined therapy group were (80.3 + or - 5.4) days and (83.8 + or - 5.5) days, respectively, longer than (53.7 + or - 3.7) days in PBS group and (51.5 + or - 6.8) days in CpG ODN group(all P<0.05). The suppress rates of tumor cells in cryoablation group and combined therapy group were 83.8% and 86.2% respectively. After 20 days following treatment, CD3(+)CD4(+)T/CD3(+)CD8(+)T ratio and the concentrations of IL-12 and IFN-gamma in mice serum of cryoablation group and combined therapy group were higher than those in PBS group and CpG ODN group(all P<0.05). No significant difference was found in CD3(+)CD4(+)T/CD3(+)CD8(+)T ratio between cryoablation group and combined therapy group(P>0.05). However, the concentrations of IL-12 and IFN-gamma in combined therapy group were higher than those of cryoablation group(all P<0.05). After re-challenging, tumor formation rate in the cryoablation combined with CpG ODN group was 16.7%, significantly lower than that in the cryoablation group(83.8%)(P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONCryoablation combined with CpG ODN can increase antitumor immune response in mice, and therefore can decrease the tumor formation when re-challenged with CT26 cells.

Animals ; Colonic Neoplasms ; therapy ; Cryosurgery ; Female ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Oligodeoxyribonucleotides ; therapeutic use