Background Image clarity during near work is influenced by several factors,such as accommodative lag,pupil size and monochromatic aberrations.Since image clarity during extended reading at near distance has been cited as a possible inducement of myopia in childhood and a possible difference between myopic and emmetropic people throughout life,it is important to examine these factors in myopic and emmetropic myopic juvenile during reading at near distance. Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships among wavefront aberrations,accommodative response and pupil size in early onset and progressive myopes eyes under the different reading status and explore the possible mechanism of the development of myopia as well. Methods Fiflyseven subjects aged from 12 to 16 years were enrolled and grouped as emmetropes,the onset of myopes and progressive myopes.Reading material were Chinese novels presented by rapid serial visual presentation at a distance of 25 cm. Accommodative response and pupil size were recorded by a Grand Seiko WV-500 autorefractor.The Image J software was used to calculate the pupil diameter.Wavefront aberrations were then measured with a WASCA wavefront analyzer. Results Aberrations and accommodative response showed large inter-subjeet variability.With accommodative stimulus of 4 diopter,the accommodative lag in the early-onset of myopes group and progressive myopes group were ( 1.72 ±0. 53) D and ( 1.74 ±0. 44) D, showing larger value in comparison with ( 0. 96 ±0. 55) D of emmetropes group( t＝4.25 ,t=4.47 ,P<0. 001). However,there were no significant differences in accommodative lag between the early-onset of myopes group and progressive myopes group( t = 0. 18, P>0. 05). The mean value of pupil diameter, total RMS value, high-order RMS value, spherical aberration and coma were all significantly reduced with the stimulus varied from 0 D to 4 D( P<0. 01). However,none of the pupil sizs,total RMS value,high-order RMS value,spherical aberration and coma had significant difference among different refractive groups( P>0. 05). Conclusion The early-onset of myopes and progressive myopes had larger accommodative lag. The lower sensitivity to defocus at near reading distance,inducing the larger accommodative lag and hyperopic defocus may be linked to the developing myopia.

AIM: To investigate the sensibility of pattern visual evoked potential (P-VEP) on the diagnosis of glaucoma in different temporal frequency.METHODS: The P-VEP were recorded in 51 eyes of 30 primary glaucoma (PG) patients, 16 eyes of 13 ocular hypertension (OHT) patients and 46 eyes of 23 age-equivalent normal people using an array of different temporal frequency and then the patients were compared respectively with the normal group.RESULTS: The P100 wave amplitude in OHT group was significantly lowered at 8Hz, and was lowered at all temporal frequency in PG group, especially when the temporal frequency was higher.CONCLUSION: The P-VEP can be abnormal when the PG is still in its early stage, so it can be an index of early diagnosis and this is more obvious when the temporal frequency is higher, especially at 8Hz.

Child ; Electroencephalography ; Epilepsy ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Syndrome ; Video Recording

Objective To investigate the effects of high spermatic vessel dissection on testicular morphological alteration of SD rats in prepuberty,puberty and sexual maturity phases.Methods Thirty-day-old SD rats were divided into 2 groups underwent sham operation and left high spermatic vessel dissection as a simulation of Palomo′s maneuver.Detailed morphological investigations were made at 3 different postoperative intervals among the 3rd day,30th day and 56th day.Results High spermatic vessel dissection in prepubertal rats induced acute testicular ischemia in the operated testes on the 3rd day.Most of the operated testes on the 30th day showed testicular atrophy.And all the operated testes showed testicular atrophy and sperm disappearance in epididymis on the 56th day.Conclusion High dissection of spermatic vessel in prepubertal rats induced testicular ischemia in prepuberty and testicular growth failure in puberty,testicular atrophy completely and sperm production losing in sexual maturity phase.

OBJECTIVETo compare the efficacy of midazolam and diazepam for treatment of acute seizures in children.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty children with acute seizures were randomly divided into two groups: midazolam (0.1-0.3 mg/kg) and diazepam treatment (0.3-0.5 mg/kg) (n=60 each). In cases with seizure recurrence or statural convulsivus, a maintenance dose of midazolam (1-8 mg/kg per hour) and a maintenance dose of diazepam (0.5-1 mg/kg per hour) or along with phenobarbital sodium were given in the midazolam and diazepam treatment groups, respectively. The therapeutic effects were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSThe seizures were relieved in all cases from the two groups 10 minutes after administration of midazolam or diazepam. There were no significant differences in the average time of seizure control between the two groups. Five children in the midazolam group had seizure recurrence or statural convulsivus after 10 minutes compared with 13 children in the diazepan group (P<0.05). The time of seizure control averaged 40+/-32 minutes in the midazolam group compared with 69+/-24 minutes in the diazepam group after maintenance treatment (P<0.05). No midazolam and diazepam treatment related adverse events were observed.

CONCLUSIONSMidazolam is safe and effective in the treatment of acute seizures in children. Midazolam appears to be a better option in the treatment of recurrent seizures or statural convulsivus than diazepam.

Acute Disease ; Anticonvulsants ; therapeutic use ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Diazepam ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Midazolam ; adverse effects ; therapeutic use ; Seizures ; drug therapy

Objective: To prepare a nanoprobe, anti-human melanoma ganglioside single chain variable fragment (GD/ScFvMEL) antibody conjugated with CdTe quantum dot, and to observe its ability to specifically bind human malignant melanoma cells. Methods: The GD/ScFvMEL gene was cloned into pET32a (+), and the plasmid was then transformed into E. coli BL21 (DE3) for GD/ScFvMEL protein antibody expression. The expressed GD/ScFvMEL antibody was purified by denaturing method and further refolded by modified dialysis method. The purified GD/ScFvMEL antibody was analyzed by SDS-PAGE. The GD/ScFvMEL-QDs nanoprobe was prepared by conjugating GD/ScFvMEL antibody with CdTe quantum dot, and its specificity was observed by incubating with MGC-803 cells and melanoma A375 cells. Results: The recombinant pET32a-GD/ScFvMEL was constructed and confirmed by PCR, restriction endonuclease analysis and DNA sequencing. The proportion of expressed GD/ScFvMEL antibody in total bacteria proteins was about 40% as detected by SDS-PAGE. The purified- and refolded-GD/ScFvMEL antibody was effectively conjugated with CdTe quantum dot, and the resulting GD/ScFvMEL-QDs nanoprobe was successfully prepared. The GD/ScFvMEL-QDs nanoprobe could specifically bind melanoma A375 cells, but could not bind stomach cancer MGC-803 cells. Conclusion: We have successfully prepared an anti-human melanoma ganglioside single-chain antibody-CdTe quantum dot nanoprobe, which can specifically bind melanoma cells.

Animals ; Male ; Neovascularization, Pathologic ; diagnosis ; Vasa Vasorum ; physiology

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of pGCsi-H1-APRIL on the growth of human colorectal cancer cells in transplated tumor in nude mice and to improve the effect of APRIL on proliferation and apoptosis of colorectal cancer (CRC).

METHODSHuman CRC model was established in nude mice, and the nude mice were treated with APRIL siRNA twice per week for 2 weeks. APRIL mRNA expression was surveyed by PCR and APRIL protein expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. The expression of PCNA protein was detected by ELISA. The expression of bcl-2 and bcl-xl was assessed by immunohistochemical staining, and TUNEL staining was used to detect apoptosis.

RESULTSThe expression of APRIL mRNA in the APRIL siRNA group was (0.13 ± 0.05) × 10(-3), significantly lower than that in the vector group (0.95 ± 0.04) × 10(-3) and the PBS group (0.96 ± 0.05) × 10(-3). The expression of APRIL protein in the APRIL siRNA group was (87.5 ± 5.0)% lower than that in the vector and PBS groups (P < 0.05). APRIL siRNA significantly suppressed the growth of SW480 tumor: the IR (inhibitory rate) of APRIL siRNA group was (60.7 ± 1.5)% (P < 0.05). The expression of PCNA in APRIL siRNA group was (176.8 ± 18.1) ng/ml, was (56.5 ± 2.0)% lower than that of PBS group (328.4 ± 22.8) ng/ml. Furthermore, the expressions of anti-apoptosis proteins bcl-2 and bcl-xl of APRIL siRNA group were (82.6 ± 4.5)% and (79.2 ± 3.5)% lower than those of the PBS group. The apoptotic rate of the APRIL siRNA group was 40.1% ± 2.5%, significantly higher than that in the vector group (2.5 ± 0.1)% and PBS group (2.5 ± 0.2)% (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONAPRIL siRNA may significantly suppress the growth and promote apoptosis in transplanted tumor of human colorectal cancer in nude mice. APRIL may become a candidate gene of gene therapy of human colorectal cancer.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Proliferation ; Colorectal Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Ligands ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Nude ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Proliferating Cell Nuclear Antigen ; metabolism ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; RNA, Small Interfering ; genetics ; Random Allocation ; Tumor Necrosis Factor Ligand Superfamily Member 13 ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; bcl-X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expression profiles of serum Golgi protein-73 (GP73) in liver cirrhosis and primary hepatic carcinoma (PHC) and determine its clinical value for differential diagnosis.

METHODSSerum protein expressions of GP73 and alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and chemiluminescence assay, respectively, in patients with PHC (n=80), liver cirrhosis (n=65), and healthy controls (n=50). Inter-group changes were assessed by Kruskal-Wallis test, and significance of these differences was assessed by Mann-Whitney test. A receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted to evaluate the diagnostic efficiency and determine the cut-off values for GP73 and AFP. Sensitivity and specificity were compared by the Chi-squared test. Correlation between serum GP73 expression and clinical parameters was determined by Spearman's rank correlation analysis.

RESULTSThe PHC group showed significantly higher serum GP73 (282.0 mug/L) than the liver cirrhosis group (211.8 mug/L) and control group (58.3 mug/L) (H = 93.30, P less than 0.01). For differential diagnosis of PHC and liver cirrhosis, the cut-off value was 318.1 mug/L for GP73 and 13.4 mug/L for AFP. Sensitivity of GP73 was lower than AFP (45% (36/80) vs. 65% (52/80); X2 = 8.02, P less than 0.05). Specificity of GP73 was lower than AFP but no significance was found (83.1% (54/65) vs. 87.7% (57/65); X2=0.27, P more than 0.05). The areas under the ROC curves were not significantly different between GP73 and AFP (0.65 (95% confidence interval (CI): 0.54~0.72) vs. 0.75 (95% CI: 0.67~0.83); Z = 1.88, P more than 0.05). The area under the ROC curves increased but not significantly (0.80 (95% CI: 0.73~0.88) vs. 0.75 (95% CI: 0.67~0.83); Z=2.61, P more than 0.05). Serum GP73 was correlated with liver cirrhosis (r=0.27), vascular invasion (r=0.29), and TNM staging (r=0.27) (all P less than 0.05), but not with sex (r=0.13), age (r=0.10), enhanced AFP (> 13.4 mug/L; r=0.03), tumor size (r=0.18), or distant metastasis (r=0.04), all P less than 0.05.

CONCLUSIONSerum GP73 and AFP have comparable diagnostic efficiency, but the sensitivity of AFP is superior for differential diagnosis of liver cirrhosis and primary hepatic carcinoma. Elevated serum GP73 may be correlated with liver tumor load and aggressiveness.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; diagnosis ; Case-Control Studies ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Female ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; diagnosis ; Liver Neoplasms ; diagnosis ; Male ; Membrane Proteins ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Transcriptome ; alpha-Fetoproteins ; metabolism

OBJECTIVEGlomerulosclerosis is characterized by extracellular matrix accumulative and is often associated with mesangial cell proliferation. Curcumin showed a protective effect on anti-glomerular basement membrane (anti-GBM) nephritis in vivo, although their cellular localization and mechanism of action is still unclear. In this study, a glomerular mesangial cell line derived from fetus was used to determine whether curcumin could inhibit the cell proliferation and alter the extracellular matrix turnover.

METHODSThe cell activity was determined with MTT method. Mesangial cells were cultured in vitro and incubated with 0, 3.125, 6.25, 12.5, 25, 50, 100 and 200 micromol/L curcumin. In addition,human mesangial cells were cultured with or without LPS (10 microg/ml) in presence or absence of various concentrations of curcumin (4, 16 and 200 micromol/L), respectively. The supernatant and cells were collected. Then, the levels of the collagen type IV and III protein in the supernatant were determined by using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and the IL-1 beta and MCP-1 mRNA in the cells was measured by semi-quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) after subconfluent quiescent mesangial cells were incubated with various concentrations of curcumin for 24 h in vitro.

RESULTSCurcumin at the concentration equal to or over 6.25 micro mol/L was able to inhibit the proliferation of mesangial cells in a dose-dependent manner, the optical density according to the sequential concentrations of curcumin was 0.65 +/- 0.02, 0.62 +/- 0.04, 0.56 +/- 0.01, 0.53 +/- 0.02, 0.51 +/- 0.03, 0.44 +/- 0.05, 0.41 +/- 0.07 and 0.38 +/- 0.06. Without any stimulation, human mesangial cells secreted some collagen type IV and III (10 +/- 9.13 ng/ml and 29.5 +/- 0.58 ng/ml, respectively) and expressed some MCP-1 mRNA, but did not express IL-1 beta mRNA. LPS increased the expression of collagen type IV and III in the culture medium of mesangial cells in vitro [(138.75 +/- 23.23) ng/ml and (38.25 +/- 5.38) ng/ml] and up-regulated the IL-1 beta and MCP-1 mRNA expression [(16.91 +/- 1.68)% and (76.6 +/- 6.59)%]. Yet curcumin could significantly decrease collagen type IV and III in the supernatant of cultured mesangial cells induced by LPS (20.5 +/- 1.00, P < 0.05 and 20.5 +/- 4.12 ng/ml, P < 0.05) and down-regulated the mRNA expression of IL-1 beta and MCP-1 in mesangial cells induced by LPS (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONCurcumin could inhibit the human mesangial cell proliferation and alter the extracellular matrix turnover, meanwhile it could down-regulate the IL-1 beta and MCP-1 mRNA expression induced by LPS, which may be valuable in decreasing the progression of glomerulosclerosis.

Anti-Inflammatory Agents, Non-Steroidal ; pharmacology ; Cell Division ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Chemokine CCL2 ; genetics ; Collagen Type III ; analysis ; drug effects ; Collagen Type IV ; analysis ; drug effects ; Curcumin ; pharmacology ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Glomerular Mesangium ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Humans ; Interleukin-1 ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction