Color blindness represents a group of vision disorders characterized by lack of ability to distinguish different colors.The inherited color blindness has been regarded as incurable for a long period of time.Recently,adeno-associated virus(AAV) mediated gene therapy has successfully restored cone system vision in animal models with color blindness caused by different gene mutations.These mutations are presented in human color blindness patients.It is predicted that gene therapy will become a novel treatment for these color blindness victims.In addition,a single gene transfer may achieve long-term correction of color deficiency.

Objective To investigate an association between Toll-like receptor(TLR)4 Asp299Gly or CD14 C-260T polymorphisms and colorectal cancer in Chinese patients.Methods By a method of polymerase chain reaction-based restriction fragment length polymorphism(PCR-RFLP), TLR4 Asp299Gly and CD14 C-260T polymorphisms in unrelated 110 patients with colorectal cancer and 160 healthy controls in Chinese Han race population were genotyped.Results Significant differences of CD14 genotypes were found between healthy controls and the patients with colorectal cancer.The fre- quency of the CC genotype in healthy controls was extremely lower than that in the group of colorectal cancer(15.6% vs.31.8%,P=0.0027,OR=0.3968,95%CI:0.2209-0.7129)while the frequency of the CT genotype in healthy controls was significantly higher than that in the group of colorectal cancer (48.1% vs.30.9%,P=0.0056,OR=2.074,95%CI:1.246-3.452).No TLR4 Asp299Gly mutant genotype was detected in any patients and healthy controls in Chinese Han population.Conclusion The polymorphism of CD14 C-260T but not TLR4 Asp299Gly is associated with colorectal cancer in Chinese patients.

China ; epidemiology ; Cross Infection ; epidemiology ; Hospitals ; Humans

Objective To observe the effect of low arsenic sub-chronic exposure on blood routine test index in rabbits to pave a way for screening early injury of the low arsenic exposure. Methods Twelve healthy male rabbits were randomly divided into four groups. They were administrated with As at the concentration of 0(control), 10, 50 and 250 μg/L in the drinking water. Blood samples were collected from the vein of the ear edge in 8 weeks, and blood test routine including leukocyte (WBC), lymphocyte (LYM), lymphocyte percentage (LYM%), neutrophil (GRA), neutrophil percentage (GRA%), monocyte (MON), monocyte percentage (MON%), red blood cell (RBC), hemoglobin (HGB), hematocrit (HCT), mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin content (MCH), mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration(MCHC), RDW, platelets(PLT), mean platelet volume(MPV), platelet hematocrit(PCT) and platelet distribution width (PDW), were detected by the ABX-60 hemocyte analyzer. Results Compared with the control group, the WBC, GRA and GRA% increased in 0, 50 and 250 μg/L groups, but there was no significance(P > 0.05). PLT and MPV had a statistical significance in 4 groups(F = 4.07,4.20, all P < 0.05). Compared with the control group[(292.00±16.97)×109/L, (7.10±0.99)fL], PLT decreased in the 250 μg/L group [(221.33±22.50)×109/L] and MPV decreased in the 50μg/L group [(5.57±0.46)fL] significantly (P < 0.05). The other index didn't change obviously. Conclusions Sub-chronic low level arsenic exposure may lead to the change in the blood system. The blood routine test may be considered for early injury of the arsenic poisoning.

Objective: To study the recombinant epitope antigens of hepatitis C virus (HCV), in order to fulfil the requirements of recombinant immunoblot assay kit. Methods: An expressing vector pBVIL1 for expression of recombinant antigens in a fusion manner with IL-1β was constructed. A series of selected genes from the HCV antigens including the C, NS3, NS4 and NS5 were amplified from HCV gene-containing plasmids using PCR and the expression plasmids for these genes were constructed in pBVIL1, respectively. The activity of the purified recombinant antigens were tested against an identified HCV antibody positive and negative panel with ELISA. Results and Conclusions: All the cloned genes of chosen antigen epitopes were highly expressed in pBVIL1 in E.coli. The activity of the C and NS4 antigens were slightly higher than the RIBA3.0 antigens, while the activity of NS3 was slightly lower than the RIBA3.0 antigen. But the total evaluation for the panel was same as RIBA3.0. That means the cloned antigens were suitable for the use in RIBA test kit.

OBJECTIVEIn order to explore the role of toll-like receptors 2 (TLR2) in initiating inflammatory response, the expression of TLR2 of the liver and IL-18, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma of plasma in fulminant hepatic failure was analysed.

METHODSD-galactosamine (D-Gal, 900 mg/kg) and lipopolysaccharide (LPS, 10 microg/kg) were administered intraperitoneally into the BALB/C mice. To evaluate the hepatic injury, serum transaminase (ALT and AST) and plasma IL-18, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma were determined and the mortality was observed at various time points following the intraperitoneal injection. The level of TLR2 mRNA was measured by semiquantitative RT-PCR. The protein expression of TLR2 in the liver was detected by immunohistochemistry. The data was analyzed by SAS software.

RESULTSAfter 4 hours of intraperitoneal injection of D-Gal/LPS, the serum transaminase and plasma IL-18, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma levels were elevated. The treated mice began to die at 7 hours. The mortality reached up to 80% at 10 h. TLR2 mRNA was expressed at a low level in liver tissues of normal mice, while it was significantly increased and maintained at a higher level following intraperitoneal injection with D-Gal/LPS. The expression of TLR2 protein was similar to that of the TLR2 mRNA, and the expression of TLR2 mRNA was positively correlated with the concentration of plasma IL-18, TNF-alpha and IFN-gamma (r=0.36, P=0.02; r = 0.48, P 0.003; r = 0.72, P<0.001) at different time points.

CONCLUSIONSOur results showed that TLR2 was involved in initiating and inducing the expression of proinflammation cytokines in this model of fulminant hepatic failure. The results suggest that adjusting the expression of TLR2 might be a new strategy in preventing the development of infectious diseases

Animals ; Galactosamine ; Interferon-gamma ; blood ; Interleukin-18 ; blood ; Lipopolysaccharides ; Liver ; metabolism ; Liver Failure, Acute ; chemically induced ; metabolism ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Toll-Like Receptor 2 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the percutaneous lag screw internal fixation of LX technique for sacroiliac joint diseases or injuries.

METHODSThere were 38 patients (25 male and 13 female) with an average age of 35.6 years ranged from 18 to 59 years. Among them, thirty-one cases with trauma of Tile B type, five cases with sacroiliitis and two cases with sacral cystis degeneration. There were 11, 15, 5 cases of Tile B1, B2, B3 type respectively. Pelvic anterior-posterior radiography and spiral computed tomography (CT) were undertaken for all patients. Axis planar, coronal planar, sagittal planar and curve planar of sacral reconstruction of spiral CT images were obtained for every patient. There were 28 cases with delitescence posterior ring injury. All these patients were performed percutaneous lag screw fixation procedures of LX technique under epidural anesthesia. Localization with spiral CT guidance was performed by the radiologist using spiral CT followed by the orthopaedic surgeon. Percutaneous fusion of sacroiliac joint was performed for seven patients who suffered from sacroiliac joint diseases.

RESULTSThe blood loss were from 25 to 70 ml (means 36 ml) during operation. All patients were followed up for 3 to 39 months (means 15.6 months). There were no postoperative complications such as infection, fracture nonunion, iatrogenic injuries of nerve and blood vessel, breakage and slippage of fixtors. According to the evaluation of pelvic injuries, the results of imageology were excellent in 34 cases and good in 4, the results of clinical were excellent in 32 and good in 6.

CONCLUSIONPercutaneous lag screw internal fixation of LX technique minimizes operation injury during a short procedure with few subsequent complications and allows early mobilization of the patients. That is an ideally safe and effetive operation technique for the sacroiliac joint diseases and injuries.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Bone Screws ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Internal Fixators ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sacroiliac Joint ; diagnostic imaging ; injuries ; surgery ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo explore clinical effects of Ilizarov technique at stage I for repairing tibial post-traumatic osteomyelitis with bone and skin defect.

METHODSFrom June 2010 to December 2013,44 patients with tibial post-traumatic osteomyelitis with bone and skin defect were treated with Ilizarov technique at stage I . Among them, there were 35 males and 9 females aged from 18 to 70 years old with an average of 42.5 years old. Bone defect ranged from 4 to 16 cm, skin defect ranged from 3 cm x 4 cm to 5 cm x 16 cm. The operation was performed debridement thoroughly, removed inflammatory bone section, osteotomy invasively, install circular external fixator by Ilizarow technique; screw nut were rotated at 1 week after operation, and prolonged 0.5 to 1.0 mm everyday. Wound surface, new born callus and bone healing were observed to evaluate clinical effects.

RESULTSAll patients were followed up from 11 to 36 months with an average of 18.5 months. Bone defect after osteotomy was from 6 to 22 cm with an average of 11.5 cm; the time of wound healing time ranged from 21 to 79 d with an average of 38 d; bone defect healing time was from 8 to 15 months with an average of 12.5 months. All patients were cured, no recurrent infection, refracture and shorten of calf deformity were occurred.

CONCLUSIONRepairing tibial post-traumatic osteomyelitis with bone and skin defect by llizarov technique at stage I has advantages of less trauma, low inflammatory recurrence rate, could avoid multiple complex operation, and receive definite curative effect.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Ilizarov Technique ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Osteomyelitis ; surgery ; Osteotomy ; Tibia ; surgery

Objective To examine the dosimetric advantages of three-dimensional (3D) computed tomography (CT)-guided interstitial brachytherapy (BT) for target volume and surrounding normal tissue in patients with locally advanced cervical cancer,and to provide a simple and effective clinical treatment approach.Methods A total of 52 patients who had poor tumor response to external beam radiotherapy (EBRT) with a residual tumor greater than 5 cm at the time of BT were included.The patients were treated by 3D CT-guided interstitial BT using a hybrid applicator comprised of uterine tandem and free metal needles.The high-risk clinical target volume (HR-CTV),intermediate-risk clinical target volume (IR-CTV),and organs at risk (OAR) were contoured.The total dose,including external beam radiotherapy and high dose-rate BT,was biologically normalized to conventional 2 Gy fractions (EQD2).D90and D100for both HR-CTV and IR-CTV,and D2 ccfor the bladder,rectum,and sigmoid were analyzed.Results The mean D90value for HR-CTV was 88.4±3.5 Gy.The D2 ccfor the bladder,rectum,and sigmoid were 81.1±5.6,65.7±5.1,and 63.1±5.4 Gy,respectively.D2 cc≤90 Gy for the bladder and D2 cc≤70 Gy for the sigmoid were observed in all the patients.D2 cc≤70 Gy for the rectum was observed in 89% of patients.Conclusions 3DCT-guided interstitial BT has a significant dosimetric advantage for target volume accompanied by few minor complications,and thereby may be clinically feasible for treating locally advanced cervical cancer.However,its long-term efficacy and possible toxicities will require further clinical observation.

OBJECTIVETo summarize our experiences with the treatment of non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with cetuximab and compare the therapeutic effects of cetuximab applied in the first line and non-first line settings.

METHODSFrom October 1, 2006 to December 31, 2009, 16 NSCLC patients were treated with cetuximab combined with standard chemotherapy in Sun Yat-sen University Cancer Center. The short-term efficacy of the therapeutic protocols were analyzed.

RESULTSA total of 115 cycles of cetuximab treatment were administered in these patients with a median of 6 cycles (7.5 in the first line setting and 2 in non-first line setting). In the 10 patients with cetuximab treatment in the first line setting, the ORR was 40.0% (4/10), DCR was 80.0% (8/10), median TTP was 6.5 months (2-19), and median OS was 8.5 months (2-48); in the non-first line setting, these indices were 33.3% (2/6), 33.3% (2/6), 3.5 months (3-4) and 18 months (4-28), respectively. Both ORR and DCR were similar between the first and non-first line settings (P=0.790, P=0.062). Ten of the patients (62.5%) developed acne-like rash within 3 weeks, who had an ORR of 60% (6/10) and DCR of 90% (9/10); the ORR and DCR in patients without acne-like rash were both 10.4% (1/6), showing no significant difference in ORR (P=0.080) but a significant difference in DCR between the two groups (P=0.003). No treatment-associated death or cetuximab-associated discontinuation occurred. Altogether 11 patients (68.8%) developed acne-like rash, which occurred within 3 weeks in 10 cases. Seven patients showed side effects associated with the chemotherapy.

CONCLUSIONCetuximab combined with standard chemotherapy is a good option for Chinese patients with NSCLC and the current data support the application of cetuximab in the first line setting.

Adult ; Aged ; Antibodies, Monoclonal, Humanized ; administration & dosage ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Carcinoma, Non-Small-Cell Lung ; drug therapy ; Cetuximab ; Female ; Humans ; Lung Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome