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 construct a prokaryotic expression vector pET-22b+with Middle East respiratory syndrome ( MERS) coronavirus nuclocapsid protein( NP) gene and to express and purify N protein.Methods N gene amplified by PCR was inserted into the prokaryotic expression vector pET-22b+.Recombinant plasmid was confirmed using DNA elec-trophoresis and sequencing.NP was expressed in E.coli BL21(DE3) by IPTG induced and purified by cation exchange chromatography using the AKTA purification system.Results The NP gene sequence was proved to be correct by sequen-cing and the protein was expressed in both soluble and insoluble forms in E.coli BL21 ( DE3 ) after IPTG induction.The purity and concentration of recombinant protein was improved obviously by cation exchange chromatography and enrich-ment.Conclusion Recombiant NP of high purity and concentration is purified and will facilitate NP functional research.

BACKGROUND: Hypoxia program to alleviate type 2 diabetes insulin resistance has been recommended, but this program is still questioned because of the risk of osteoporosis caused by hypoxia in patients with diabetes. OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of vibration training on bone mineral density, bone structural mechanics, bone metabolism and insulin sensitivity in type 2 diabetic osteoporosis rats under hypoxia environment. METHODS: Ninety clean Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two groups, and subjected to high-fat diet (n=60), or normal diet (n=30), for 8 weeks. High-fat rats were given the injection of streptozotocin to establish the rat model of type 2 diabetic osteoporosis. The control rats were subdivided into normoxia control and hypoxia control groups; the model rats were subdivided into hypoxia modeling group, hypoxia modeling vibration group, normoxia modeling group, normoxia modeling vibration group. Hypoxia and vibration program was performed by hypoxia tank and vibration platform (PowerPlate?) for 12 weeks. Glucose metabolism, insulin sensitivity, bone metabolism and bone mineral density and modeling were detected at 4 weeks after modeling and 12 weeks after vibration training. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: At 12 weeks after intervention, the fast insulin level, fast blood glucose, and homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance in the hypoxia modeling vibration group were significantly superior to those in the hypoxia modeling, normoxia modeling, and normoxia modeling vibration groups (P < 0.05). The bone mineral density, maximum stress, maximum load, breaking load and elastic modulus in the normoxia modeling vibration and hypoxia modeling vibration groups were significantly lower than those in the normoxia control and hypoxia control groups (P < 0.05). After vibration training, all indexes were significantly increased (P < 0.05). These results suggest that hypoxic environment can promote the insulin sensitivity, improve glucose and lipid metabolism in type 2 diabetic rats, but can lead to a decrease in bone mineral density and increase bone resorption. Vibration training not only can significantly enhance the insulin sensitivity, but also can avoid the decreased bone mineral density, bone metabolism disorder, and biomechanical properties induced by hypoxia.

The aim of the present study was to study the effect of β-estradiol (β-E(2)) on the large-conductance Ca(2+)-activated potassium (BK(Ca)) channel in mesenteric artery smooth muscle cells (SMCs). The mesenteric arteries were obtained from post-menopause female patients with abdominal surgery, and the SMCs were isolated from the arteries using an enzymatic disassociation. According to the sources, the SMCs were divided into non-hypertension (NH) and essential hypertension (EH) groups. Single channel patch clamp technique was used to investigate the effect of β-E(2) and ICI 182780 (a specific blocker of estrogen receptor) on BK(Ca) in the SMCs. The results showed the opening of BK(Ca) in the SMCs was voltage and calcium dependent, and could be blocked by IbTX. β-E(2) (100 μmol/L) significantly increased open probability (Po) of BK(Ca) in both NH and EH groups. After β-E(2) treatment, NH group showed higher Po of BK(Ca) compared with EH group. ICI 182780 could inhibit the activating effect of β-E(2) on BK(Ca) in no matter NH or EH groups. These results suggest β-E(2) activates BK(Ca) in mesenteric artery SMCs from post-menopause women via estrogen receptor, but hypertension may decline the activating effect of β-E(2) on BK(Ca).
Aged ; Estradiol ; analogs & derivatives ; pharmacology ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; physiopathology ; Large-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels ; agonists ; metabolism ; physiology ; Mesenteric Arteries ; metabolism ; physiology ; Middle Aged ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; metabolism ; physiology ; Patch-Clamp Techniques ; Postmenopause ; physiology ; Receptors, Estrogen ; antagonists & inhibitors

OBJECTIVETo analyse the effects of buyang huanwu decoction (BYHWT) on differentially expressed genes during cerebral ischemia/reperfusion in rats with DNA microarray.

METHODcDNA microarray chips containing 512 cDNAs were made by Biostar Genechip Inc. Sprague-Dawley rats were subjected to 2 h of middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) with an filament. Saline or BYHWT was given p.o. after onset of cerebral ischemia and brains were removed after 24 h of recirculation for mRNAs isolation. A differential measurment of mRNAs from post-ischemic and BYHWT treated animals was performed with microarray.

RESULTUp-and down-regulated genes were 69 and 80 in ischemic group. Up-and down-regulated genes were 25 and 6 in BYHWT treated group.

CONCLUSIONBYHWT regulates the differential expression genes after focal brain ischemia/reperfusion in rats, due to its mechanism of protecting cerebral ischemia/reperfusion injury.

Animals ; Brain Ischemia ; complications ; genetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Male ; Neuroprotective Agents ; pharmacology ; Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Reperfusion Injury ; etiology ; genetics

Background Macular edema following phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation is a main factor to influent visual function.The administration of traditional medicine can relieve tissue edema,but its preventive and treatment efficacy on macular edema after phacoemulsification with IOL implantation remaines unclear.Objective This study was to investigate the protective effect of huoxuehuayu decoction on macula after phacoemulsification with IOL implantation.Methods A case-controlled observational study was designed.One hundred and eighty eyes of 150 patients with age-related cataract were randomized into operation group and operation + medicine group.Phacoemulsification with IOL implantation was performed in both groups,but huoxuehuayu decoction was orally administered for 14 days in operation+medicine group.The best corrected visual acuity,inflammatory reaction of the ocular anterior segment,and macular edema were recorded before operation and 1 week,2,4,6,8 and 12 weeks,and the central macular thickness was measured using optical coherence tomography.Results Twelve weeks after surgery,the ratio of visual acuity ≥ 1.0 was in significantly higher in operation+medition group than that of in operation group (x2 =1.066,P＞0.05).One week after surgery,the eyes of the aqueous flare were much nore in the operation group than that of operation+medicine group(x2 =9.341,P＜0.05).The thickness of the central fovea was significantly increased in both groups at 1 week,2,4,6,8 and 12 weeks after surgery,showing significant differences in comparison with preoperation (operation group:P ＜ 0.01 ; operation + medicine group:P ＜0.05).Macular edema occurred in 13 eyes in operation group during the following-up duration,including 11 eyes with thickened fovea and 2 eyes with cystoid macular edema.Maeular edema disappeared in 10 eyes 12 weeks later.In the operation+medition group,3 eyes happened macular edema,including thickened fovea in 2 eye and cystoid macular edema in 1 eye.Four to six weeks after surgery,macular edema disappeared in 3 eyes 12 weeks later.The fovea thickness in the operation+medicine group was statistically significantly lower from 2 through 8 weeks after surgery than that in the operation group(t=2.315,2.323,3.104,2.470,P＜0.05).Conclusions Oral administration of huoxuehuayu decoction is helpful for the restoration of the anterior ocular segment.Huoxuehuayu decoction can protect macula from the edema induced by phacoemulsification.

AIM: To investigate the protective effect of huoxuehuayu decoction on macula after phacoemulsification. Into A, B groups. The 80 eyes of A group were treated by conventional phacoemulsification; the patients (60 eyes) of B group were given huoxuehuayu decoction orally for two courses after phacoemulsification. Best-corrected visual acuity(BCVA), corneal and aqueous conditions ,thickness of macular central fovea and changes of macular retinal tissue in A, B groups were observed before surgery, 1 day; 1 week,2,4,6,8 weeks and 3 months after surgery. Was significantly higher than that of group A. One week after surgery the ratio of mild aqueous flare in group B was significantly lower than that of group A. The thickness of central fixation was significantly increased in both groups 1 week, 2, 4, 6, 8 weeks and 3 months after phacoemulsification; the difference between 2 to 8 weeks after surgery and pre-operation showed statistical significance in both groups. 11 eyes in A group had macular edema during 2 to 6 weeks after surgery, including 9 eyes with fovea thickened and 2 eyes with cystoid macular edema, and seven eyes' edema disappeared in 3 months. 2 eyes in B group had macular edema, including 1 eye fovea thickened and 1 eye cystoid macular edema, during 4 to 6 weeks after surgery, and the two eyes' edema disappeared 3 months after surgery. The fovea thickness in group B during 2 to 8 weeks after surgery was statistically lower than group A. Phacoemulsification.

Varicella(chickenpox)is an acute infectious disease with high incidence in children. It is mainly transmitted through the airborne route and vaccination is the best measure for the prevention and control. Data from post-marketing studies show the effectiveness of varicella vaccines is 80%-85%, and two-dose regimen is significantly more effective than one-dose. After inclusion of varicella vaccines into the national immunization programme, there has been a clear decrease in varicella morbidity. Despite the lack of direct evidence, there remains the risk that varicella-zoster virus might latent in the dorsal route ganglia after vaccination. Therefore, more safe and effective novel varicella vaccines are under development. This paper reviewed the progress in varicella vaccine development and their long-term efficacy and safety.

Objective To explore the effects of transcutaneous electrical acupoint stimulation(TEAS)combined with multi-model analgesia on infrared thermal imaging characteristics and pain after total knee arthroplasty(TKA).Methods A total of 74 patients with TKA were divided into the treatment group and the control group according to random number table method,with 37 cases in each group.The control group was treated with multi-model analgesia,and the treatment group was treated with TEAS on the basis of multi-model analgesia for 30 min,once in the morning and afternoon before the patient's rehabilitation exercise 1-7 days after surgery.The infrared thermal imaging data,visual analogue scale(VAS)score,Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC)score and pain threshold of the two groups were recorded and analyzed before and at different time points after operation.Results There were 2 cases dropped out in each group.Compared with before surgery,both groups had an increase in knee joint temperature on the surgical side 14 days after surgery(P<0.05),and the temperature in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05).The self knee temperature difference in the treatment group was lower than that in the control group 14 days after surgery(P<0.05).Compared with before surgery,the VAS score of the treatment group decreased 3 and 7 days after surgery(P<0.05),while the VAS score of the control group decreased 7 days after surgery(P<0.05);compared with the control group at 3 and 7 days after surgey,the VAS score of the treatment group was lower than that of the control group.Compared with before surgery,the WOMAC scores of both groups increased 7 days after surgery(P<0.05);after 7 days of surgery,the WOMAC score of the treatment group was lower than that of the control group(P<0.05).Compared with before surgery,the pain threshold values of both groups increased 7 days after surgery(P<0.05);compared with the control group at 3 and 7 days after surgery,the pain threshold values of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group(P<0.05).Conclusion TEAS combined with multi-model analgesia can reduce the temperature of the knee joint,relieve the pain of the operated limb,and promote the early functional recovery of the knee joint after TKA.Infrared thermal imaging technology has a certain application value in indirectly assessing the degree of postoperative pain and detecting early infection of the affected limb.

Objective:To investigate the value of immunoglobulin heavy chain(IgH)gene rearrangement in monitoring minimal residual disease(MRD)in multiple myeloma(MM)received autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation(auto-HSCT).Methods:The clinical data of 26 MM patients who received auto-HSCT in the Department of Hematology,Wuhan First Hospital from 2018 to 2022 were collected.IgH rearrangement was detected by multiplex PCR combined with capillary electrophoresis fragment analysis to evaluate minimal residual disease(MRD),and the outcome of the disease was analyzed statistically.Results:Among the 26 MM patients,18 were males and 8 were females,with a median age of 59(41-70)years.The median follow-up time after transplantation was 33(7-52)months.Compared with the IgH rearrangement negative group(n=17),the proportion of CR and sCR of patients with IgH rearrangement positive in bone marrow samples before auto-HSCT at 3 months after transplantation was lower(1/9 vs 14/17),and the duration of remission(DOR)after transplantation was shorter(10.78±4.35 vs 15.88±5.22 months),with statistically significant difference in DOR between the two groups(P＜0.05).Compared with IgH rearrangement negative group(n=21),the proportion of CR and sCR of patients with positive IgH rearrangement results from peripheral blood stem cell collection at 3 months after transplantation was lower(0/5 vs 15/21),the duration of remission(DOR)after transplantation was shorter(9.60±4.83 vs 15.19±5.11 months),and the difference in DOR between the two groups was statistically significant(P＜0.05).During the follow-up period,5 patients(5/9)with positive IgH rearrangement results in bone marrow specimens died,and all patients with negative IgH rearrangement results survived.Four patients(4/5)with positive IgH rearrangement results by peripheral blood stem cell samples died,while one patient(1/21)with negative IgH rearrangement results died.In both bone marrow and peripheral blood stem cell samples,the survival time of IgH rearrangement-positive patients after transplantation was shorter than that of IgH rearrangement-negative patients(P＜0.05).Logistic regression analysis showed that gender,disease stage,the proportion of bone marrow smear plasma cells at initial diagnosis,stem cell mobilization plan,efficacy evaluation before transplantation(≥ CR and＜CR),and CD34+cell count had no effect on IgH rearrangement results of stem cell collection(P＞0.05).Conclusion:By detecting IgH rearrangement of MM patients receiving auto-HSCT,the depth of MRD can be further evaluated,which has a certain guiding significance for the efficacy and prognosis of the disease.