ObjectiveTo investigate the relationship of the polymorphism of endothelial nitric oxide synthase (eNOS), the 27-bp variable number of tandem repeats (VNTR) in intron 4 with essential hypertension (EH) of the northern Han nationality in China.MethodsGenotypes, the level of plasma nitric oxide metabolites (NOx) and the activity of nitric oxide synthase (NOS) of 207 EH subjects and 231 healthy subjects were measured by polymerase chain-reaction (PCR).ResultsThe frequencies of ecNOS4a/a,ecNOS4b/a, and ecNOS4 b/b in the healthy group were 0.43%, 13.42% and 86.15% respectively. The frequency of the b allele was 92.86%, and the frequency of the a allele was 7.14%. While the frequencies of ecNOS4 a/a, ecNOS4 a/b,and ecNOS4 b/b in the EH group were 0.49%, 19.32% and 80.19% respectively. The frequency of the a allele in EH group (n=42, 10.15%) was significantly higher than that in the healthy group (n=33, 7.14%)(P<0.05). The plasma NOx level of the EH group was 70.04±14.68 mol/L, and significantly lower than that 84.09±27.27 mol/L in the healthy group (P<0.05). Similarly, both the plasma TNOS and iNOS activities of the EH group were 35.49±12.8 U/ml and 14.92±7.93 U/ml, and markedly lower than that 41.47±13.2 U/ml and 10.11±6.21U/ml in the healthy group (P<0.05). But the activities of eNOS in the EH group and healthy group were not significantly different (P>0.05).ConclusionThe variations of ecNOS4 gene locus may be responsible for the decrement of plasma NOx, both plasma NOx level and activity of NOS decreases in EH patients, so it may be a genetic susceptibility marker for EH of the Han nationality in China.

AIM: To explore the predisposing factors, population characteristics and clinical features of severe fungal keratitis.
METHODS:The data of 233 cases 233 eyes of severe fungal keratitis in my hospital from January, 2008 to November, 2013 was retrospectively reviewed. The predisposing factors, population characteristics and clinical features were analyzed.
RESULTS: In 233 cases of severe fungal keratitis, the number of male patients was 153 ( 65. 7%) and the number ratio of male to female was 1. 9:1. The average age of them was (52. 7±11. 3), and most of them were middle-aged and elderly people living in the rural area (78. 1%) and were farmers ( 66. 1%) with low literacy (59. 7%). In 233 cases, 188 cases (80. 7%) possessed a clear history of ocular trauma, mainly caused by plant-based trauma (60. 9%). 90 cases (57. 3%) were infected with Fusarium, and 47 cases ( 29. 9%) by Aspergillus. The main treatment of severe fungal keratitis was surgery (87. 9%). 83 cases ( 52. 9%) were treated with penetrating keratoplasty, and in Fusarium and Aspergillus infected patients with severe fungal keratitis, 58. 4% ( 80/137 ) were performed with penetrating keratoplasty. In addition, patients treated with eye enucleation or evisceration, 68. 4% (13/19) were infected with Fusarium species.
CONCLUSION: Patients with severe fungalkeratitis in our hospital are mainly elderly male farmers living in rural, because of low economic condition and poor diagnosis consciousness. The main pathogens are Fusarium and Aspergillus species, and the major treatment is penetrating keratoplasty. Most of patients with poor clinical outcomes are infected with Fusarium species.

Objective To assess the correlation between coronary heart disease and common carotid artery and femoral artery atherosclerosis with two-dimensional color Doppler ultrasound (2D-CDUS). Methods Ninety patients with coronary heart disease were divided into three subgroups according to the extent of coronary artery stenosis observed with coronary angiography, and 50 normal subjects were taken as normal group. Ultrasound examination with high-frequency linear array probe was performed to measure IMT of common carotid and femoral artery in order to observe the plaque and extent of stenosis, the formation of blood dynamics, physical characteristics and hemodynamic environmental parameters. Results Among the coronary disease groups, common carotid artery and the femoral artery IMT, atherosclerotic plaque in the number, rate and all points increased along with the degree of coronary artery stenosis increasing. Physical characteristics and its hemodynamic environmental parameters had some changes with the increase of atherosclerosis. Conclusion The atherosclerosis of common carotid artery and the femoral artery are closely related with coronary atherosclerosis.

Objective To investigate drug resistance mechanism of aminoglycoside-resistant Acinetobacter baumannii by detecting 16S rRNA methylase gene and three common genes of aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes in Acinetobacter baumannii infected patients at EICU. Methods The 48 Acinetobacter baumannii strains were collected,and antimicrobial susceptibility tests were performed by VITEK automicroscan. The MIC was detected by 2-fold agar dilution method,and genes were analyzed by polymerase chain reaction( PCR) . Results Among 48 strains,28 were highly resistant to aminoglycosides and 20 showed lower resistances. The 16S rRNA armA,APH(3')-I,ANT(3'')-Ia,AAC(6')-Ib genes were detected in 71. 43%,60. 71%,82. 14%, and 53. 57%of the 28 highly resistant strains,but only present in 0. 00%,0. 05%,0. 05%,and 0. 05%of the low-resistant isolates(P<0. 01). Conclusion The aminoglycoside-modifying enzymes and 16S rRNA methylase were frequently found in Acinetobacter baumannii clinical isolates,which is closely related to the high-level resistance to aminoglycoside antibiotics.

Objective To observe the effects of family cognitive training on patients with vascular cognitive impairment but without dementia.Methods Sixty patients with non-dementia type vascular cognitive impairment were divided at random into a group which received family cognitive training (30 cases) and a control group (30 cases).The 2 groups all took routine drugs and exercise.The family cognitive training group received cognitive training additionally.Before treatment and after 1 and 6 months of treatment,all of the patients of both groups were assessed using the mini-mental state examination (MMSE),the Montreal cognitive assessment (MoCA) and the modified Barthel index (MBI).Results After 1 month of treatment there was no significant difference between the 2 groups in any of the assessments.After6 months the scores on each item of the MMSE,MoCA and MBI had improved significantly more in the family cognitive training group than in the control group.Conclusion Family cognitive training is effective in treating non-dementia type vascular cognitive impairment.It can delay disease progression and improve cognitive function and ability in the activities of daily living.

In recent years, the discovery and studies on aquaporin have made us have a more in-depth understanding about the physiological and pathological processes of water metabolism. Over years, however, there has been no quantitative study on the target sites of diuretic traditional Chinese medicines at the molecular level. In that case, aquaporin was found to been a new target molecule to explain the efficacy exertion of diuretic traditional Chinese medicines. By studying aquaporin, researchers can understand the implicit meaning of the diuretic effect of traditional Chinese medicines and conduct quantitative studies on the diuretic effect. So far, many scholars have conducted a series of studies in the traditional Chinese medicine field by using the findings on aquaporin and made certain advances. This article provides a summary about the efficacy exertion of diuretic traditional Chinese medicines through target molecule aquaporin.
Animals ; Aquaporins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Diuretics ; pharmacology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Water ; metabolism

Objective: To observe the clinical efficacy of DZWJY-1 type electronic moxibustion apparatus and traditional moxibustion in treating knee osteoarthritis (KOA). Methods: A total of 76 eligible patients were randomized into an electronic moxibustion apparatus group and a traditional moxibustion group, with 38 cases in each group. The electronic moxibustion apparatus group was intervened by DZWJY-1 type electronic moxibustion apparatus, and the traditional moxibustion group received moxa stick moxibustion for treatment. Neixiyan (EX-LE 4), Dubi (ST 35), Xuehai (SP 10) and Liangqiu (ST 34) were selected for both groups and the treatment was conducted 3 times a week for a total of 12 times. The visual analog scale (VAS) and the Western Ontario and McMaster Universities osteoarthritis index (WOMAC) scores were observed before treatment and after 6 and 12 sessions of treatment, respectively. Results: There were 4 dropout cases in the traditional moxibustion group. Therefore, this trial had 72 valid cases, including 38 cases in the electronic moxibustion apparatus group and 34 cases in the traditional moxibustion group, the differences in the baseline data between the two groups were statistically insignificant (P>0.05). After 6 and 12 sessions of treatment, the VAS scores decreased significantly with the increase of treatment sessions in both groups (all P<0.01), and the betweengroup differences were statistically insignificant at the same time points (both P>0.05). The pain intensity was evaluated using the weighted value of VAS score. The markedly effective rate was 47.4％ and the total effective rate was 89.5％ in the electronic moxibustion apparatus group, versus 50.0％ and 94.1％ in the traditional moxibustion group, and the betweengroup differences were statistically insignificant (both P>0.05). After 6 and 12 sessions of treatment, the total score and the component scores including pain, stiffness and difficulty moving in the WOMAC decreased significantly with the increase of treatment sessions in both groups (all P<0.01), and the between-group differences were statistically insignificant (all P>0.05). Conclusion: Electronic moxibustion apparatus and traditional moxibustion both are effective in reducing joint pain and improving joint function in KOA patients, and they are equivalent comparing the clinical efficacy.

Objective To investigate the diagnostic significance of endoscopic findings in Henoch-Schonlein purpura(HSP),especially when abdominal pain preceded the cutaneous lesions.Methods The clinical data and gastroscopic findings in 37 cases of children with HSP were studied and analysed retrospectively in order to detect the pathological changes in the stomach and duodenum mucosa.The biopsy was taken in the pathological changeing place,and the relationship between clinical and endoscopic findings was analyzed.Results Detection rate of the pathological changes in the stomach and duodenum mucosa was 62.2%,31.3% of which experienced only cutaneous lesions,100% of which presented the acute abdominal pain.Three patients were not checked up the pathological changes.Of them,1 had arthritis,2 had Henoch-Schonlein nephritis.Characteristically endoscopic findings in the stomach and duodenum mucosa were found.The endoscopic findings included anabrosis,hyperemia,edema and hemorrhage.Conclusions Detection rate of the pathological changes in the stomach and duodenum mucosa is higher.Endoscopy is very helpful to the early diagnosis of HSP in children,especially abdominal pain presented firstly.

AIM: To analyze the electronic product use time, writing time, playing piano time and outdoor activity time and the distribution of myopia in 586 cases of school age children in our hospital. ·METHODS: A retrospective analysis of 586 cases of children aged 6 to 12 years old in the outpatient department was established. Personalized files were used to record the uncorrected visual acuity, optometry, slit lamp, fundus mirror and strabismus. The cumulative use time of electronic products ( including computer, mobile phone, iPad) , writing time, whether to play the piano and outdoor activities time with the eye situation were recorded. Statistical analysis of the age group of myopia, the cumulative use of electronic age in different age groups, writing time, whether playing piano and outdoor activities and the distribution of myopia occurred. · RESULTS: ( 1 ) With the increasing of age, the distribution of uncorrected eyesight was in children mostly mild myopia, and the proportion of mild myopia was significantly higher than that of moderate and high myopia. ( 2 ) Electronic products use time distribution:the proportion of playing electronic products ( including mobilephone, computers, iPad) accounted for 76. 8%, of which 9 years old, 10 years old the cumulative use of electronic products with a long time was higher than other age groups. ( 3 ) Distribution of writing time: the proportion of write homework ≤1h was significantly lower than the proportion of writing homework > 1h (37. 2% vs 62. 8%), of which 9 and 10 years old children cumulative write time was higher than other age group. ( 4 ) Distribution of playing the piano: the proportion of playing piano time less than 1h was significantly higher than the proportion of playing piano time more than 1h ( 89. 1% vs 10. 9%). ( 5 ) Distribution of outdoor activities: the proportion of outdoor activities ≤1h in children at school age was significantly higher than that of outdoor activities > 1h (91. 8% vs 8. 9%). ·CONCLUSION: With the age exposure to electronic products becoming younger, heavy learning tasks and less outdoor activities, myopia occurred in advance of age. So health examination and eye guidance, reducing the amount of work appropriately, increasing outdoor activities will slow the development of early childhood myopia.

Background It is well known that sclera remodeling occurs during axial elongation in myopia under the control of growth hormone or its downstream effectors.The role of transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β) in myopia has been determined in previous studies.Bone morphogenetic protein (BMP) is one of members of the TGF-β superfamily,but if it plays an important role in the genesis and development of myopia is not completely clear.Objective This study was to identify the presence of BMPs in normal guinea pigs sclera and investigate the change of BMPs in the sclera in form-deprivation myopia (FDM) of guinea pigs.Methods Thirty young guinea pigs were randomized into normal control group and experimental group using table of random number.FDM models were established by occluding unilateral eyes of guinea pigs with a translucent lens for 14 days in the experimental group,and the fellow eyes served as the controls.Diopter of all eyes was tested by retinoscopy optometry,and ocular axial length was measured by A-sonography before and after modeling.Posterior sclera tissue of the animals was obtained on 14 days,and the relative expression level of BMPs mRNA and protein were assayed by reverse transcription PCR (RT-PCR) and Western blot.The use and care of the animals complied with ARVO Statement.Results On 14 days after occluding of unilateral eyes,the refraction diopter of the experimental group was (-0.48±0.51) D,and that of the fellow eyes was (3.22 ±0.34) D,showing a significant difference between them (t =-12.814,P =0.000).Also,a significant difference in the diopter was seen between the experimental group and normal control group ([-0.48±0.51]D vs.[2.97±0.70]D,t =-11.878,P=0.000).Axial length was (8.30 ± 0.05) mm in the experimental group,(8.11 ±0.06) mm in the fellow eyes and (8.06±0.06) mm in the normal control group,showing a significant increase in the experimental group compared with the fellow eyes and normal control group (t =7.230,P =0.000 ; t =9.084,P=0.000).The expressions of BMP-2 mRNA,BMP-4 mRNA,BMP-5 mRNA in posterior sclera were detected in the normal guinea pigs.Fourteen days after the induction of myopia,the relative levels of BMP-2 mRNA and BMP-5 mRNA in sclera were 0.41 ± 0.11 and 0.65 ± 0.06 in the experimental eyes,which were significantly lower than 0.62 ± 0.07 and 0.84 ± 0.03 in the fellow eyes with the descent range of 34.48％ and 23.67％ respectively (t=2.838,P=0.017; t=2.524,P=0.028).The relative values of BMP-2 protein and BMP-5 protein were 0.44±0.06 and 0.70±0.05 in the experimental eyes,and those of the fellow eyes were 0.61±0.05 and 0.82±0.03,showing significant decline in the experimental eyes with the lowing range of 23.42％ and 15.21％,respectively (t =2.465,P =0.030;t =2.445,P=0.031).No significant differences were found in the expression of BMP-4 mRNA and protein in posterior sclera between the experimental eyes and the normal control eyes (mRNA:t =0.704,P=0.460;protein:t=0.987,P=0.365).Conclusions The expressions of the BMP-2 and BMP-5 in sclera down-regulate significantly in FDM eyes,which suggest that BMP-2 and BMP-5 participate in sclera remodeling during myopia induction.