Background The condition of the sclera is associated with many ocular diseases.The measurement of human scleral thickness in vivo is helpful for us to understand the features of the sclera and related diseases.Objective The present study was to measure the anterior sclera thickness(AST) in patients with senile cataract and to analyze the relationship among AST and other associated ocular parameters.Methods This study was approved by the Ethic Commission of First Hospital of Peking University.Written informed consent was obtained from each individual prior to examination.One hundred and five senile cataract patients were recruited in this study.Central corneal thickness (CCT),corneal curvature (CCV) and axial length were measured using ultrasonic pachymeter,keratometer,and A-scan unit,respectively.The AST was measured at 2 mm posterior to the scleral spur in the temporal meridian using ultrasound biomicroscope (UBM).The differences of CCT,CCV,ocular axial length and AST between bilateral eyes and the different sexes were compared by the Paired test and independent sample t test.The correlations among various parameters were assessed by the Pearson linear correlation analysis.The differences of CCT and AST among different axial length groups were evaluated by one-way ANOVA.Results No significant differences were found in the CCT,CCV,axial length and AST between bilateral eyes (t =0.584,P =0.561 ; t =1.161,P =0.248 ; t =0.140,P =0.889 ; t =0.342,P =0.773).Temporal AST at 2 mm posterior to the sclera spur was (0.589 ±0.051)mm in the right eyes.An insignificant decline in CCT was found in the male group compared with the female group (right eyes:t =0.469,P =0.641 ; left eyes:t =0.465,P =0.643).However,compared with the female group,the increase of axial length,reduction of the mean CCV value and enhancement of the mean AST were observed(right eyes:all P＜0.01 ;left eyes:all P＜0.01).CCV showed a negative correlation with ocular axial length (r =-0.50,P＜0.01),but no significant correlation was found among age,CCT,ocular axial length and AST(P＞0.05).No remarkable differences were found in CCT and AST among the various axial length groups (CCT:F =0.998,P=0.372;AST:F=1.919,P=0.383).Conclusions In senile cataract patients,correlation is not found between AST and CCT;the increase of axial length is not associated with the thinning of the eyeball wall to a certain extent.Differences exist in some ocular parameters between different sexes.

Background A close relation between sclera thickness and glaucoma has been determined.Clinical features vary in different types of glaucoma patients,which hints that the scleral thickness might be distinct among these patients.Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the differences of central corneal thickness(CCT),anterior scleral thickness(AST) and axial length in glaucomatous patients.Methods This study was approved by the Ethic Commission of First Hospital of Peking University.Written informed consent was obtained from each individual prior to the examination.A retrospective descriptive study was designed.One hundred and sixty consecutive patients were recruited from March,2009 to November,2010 in First Hospital of Peking University,including 35 eyes with primary angle closure glaucoma(PACG) (35 cases),34 eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma POAG) (34 cases),37 eyes with normal tension glaucoma(NTG) (37 cases)and 17 eyes of ocular hypertension OHT) (17 cases).Thirty-seven eyes of 37 subjects with incipient cataract served as the control group.CCT and ocular axial length were measured with ultrasonic pachymeter and A-scan unit,respectively,and AST at the temporal quadrant 2 mm posterior to the scleral spur was measured by ultrasonic biomicroscopy (UBM).The measuring parameters among different groups were compared by analysis of covariance,and the correlations of AST,CCT with ocular axial length were analyzed using Pearson linear correlation and linear regression.The differences and correlation of CCT,AST and AL among five groups were analyzed.Results The CCT values in PACG group,POAG group,NTG group,OHT group and control group were (535.54 ± 5.20),(550.47 ± 5.28),(521.61 ± 5.07),(575.75 ± 7.76) and (535.06± 5.06) μm,respectively,showing a significant difference among them (F =9.560,P =0.000),and the CCT value of OHT group was increased in comparison with POAG group,PACG group,NTG group and control group(all P =0.000).The CCT of the POAG group was thicker than that in the PACG group,NTG group and control group(P=0.046,0.000,0.040).No significant difference was found in CCT among NTG group,PACG group and control group(P=0.950,0.060).The AST values of PACG group,POAG group,NTG group,OHT group and control group were(0.593±0.050),(0.600±0.050),(0.592-±0.060),(0.610-±0.060) and(0.604±0.060) mm,respectively,showing a insignificant difference among them (F =0.700,P =0.590).The axial length in the patients with PACG was shorter than that of the POAG group,NTG group,OHT group and control group (all P =0.000).The Pearson correlation analysis showed significantly positive correlation between CCT and AST in POAG group and NTG group(r=0.445,P=0.008;r=0.400,P=0.014).Conclusions This study confirms that there is dissimilarity in CCT but not in AST among different types of glaucomatous patients.The changes of CCT and AST are consistent in POAG and NTG patients.

Objective To make up an exercise prescription based on traditional Chinese medical training (EP-TCMT) for patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD).Methods Eighty-five pa- tients with stable COPD were randomly divided into a control group (CG group),a traditional Chinese medicine group ( TC group) and an exercise prescription group ( EP group).The patients in the TC and EP groups were giv- en intensive training for 8 weeks.Their 6 rain walk distance (6MWD) and Borg scale scores were assessed before and after the treatment.Results The 6MWD in the TC group increased from 337.68?59.18 m to 386.14?76.71 m,while those in the EP group improved from 348.00?55.94 m to 425.17?53.22 m.The Borg scale scores in the TC group decreased from 3.14?1.94 to 2.32?1.25,while those in the EP group declined from 3.45?1.84 to 1.72?0.70.Conclusion Making up EP-TCMTs is feasible.Additional treatment was found to improve exercise tolerance and decrease dyspnea in COPD patients.Exercise therapy based on traditional Chinese methods is easy and safe.

Baculovirus DNA polymerase gene belongs to an early gene of baculovirus. It is a necessary gene required for replication of virus in insect cells. It can encode DNA polymerase induced by virus. In the process of replication, DNA polymerase can bind to homologous regions and non-homologous regions, which are believed to act as the origins of virus DNA replication with other replication factors. In addition, DNA polymerase has advantages over occlusion protein and egt gene for resolving deep branching taxonomic relationships of baculovirus phylogenies.

Objective To investigate the relationship between refractory hypertension and renal hemodynamics in end stage renal diseases (ESRD) patients.Methods ESRD patients were classified into:patients with refractory hypertension (group A) and patients with normal blood pressure(group B).Renal hemodynamic indices were ex- amined by duplex ultrasonography.Fasting serum lipid (TC,TG,HDL-C,LDL-C,Lp(a),ox-LDL) and serum parathyroid hormane (PTH) were determined in all patients.Results Significant differences were found in renal hemodynamic indices such as peak systolic velocity (PSV),mean flow velocity (MV),pulsatility index (PI),renal- aortic ratio (RAR) and in clinical index such as Lp(a) and ox-LDL between the two group.Refractory hyperten- sion patients had lower renal hemodynamic indices and higher Lp(a) and ox-LDL levels than in patients with con- trolled BP.Logistic regression analysis revealed that refractory hypertension was related with PSV,EDV,Pl and RAR,but not relevant with sex,age,dialysis time,hematocrit,BUN,creatinine,TC,TG,HDL-C,LDL-C, PTH,MV and RI.Conclusion Atherosclerotic renal artery stenosis and severe disorder in renal hemodynamics is likely the cause for refractory hypertention in ESRD patients.The rise of serum Lp(a) and ox-LDL might acceler- ate renal artery atherosclerosis.

Adolescent ; Child ; Cord Blood Stem Cell Transplantation ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Humans ; Leukocyte Count ; Male ; Siblings ; Transplantation, Homologous ; immunology ; Treatment Outcome

OBJECTIVETo investigate the impact of early rapid virological response on the outcomes of hepatitis B associated acute on chronic liver failure during antiviral treatment.

METHODS106 acute on chronic liver failure patients in our hospital from January 2008 to July 2010 were enrolled in present study retrospectively. Besides internal medicine therapy, all patients received lamivudine (100 mg/d) or entecavir (0.5 mg/d) treatment. The profile of liver biochemistry, prothrombin time activity and viral load were detected at baseline and week 4, respectively. The patients were divided into HBV DNA negative group and HBV DNA positive group according to the viral load at week 4. The clinical features and treatment outcomes were compared between groups. Frequency variables were compared by x2 test or Fisher's exact test. Continuous variables were compared using independent samples T-test. The factors that impact on the treatment outcomes were determined using stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis.

RESULTSAt the week 4, the TBil and PTA in HBV DNA positive group [(261.6+/-205.6)mumol/L and 44.7%+/-19.7%, respectively] were significantly different from those in HBV DNA negative group [(160.1+/-173.4) mumol/L and 56.8%+/-23.1%, respectively] ( t = 2.190 and -2.077, respectively, P less than 0.05). The non-effective rate of HBVDNA positive group (50%, 9/18) was significantly higher than that of HBV DNA negative group (14.8%, 13/88) (x2 = 9.235, P less than 0.01). By using stepwise multivariate logistic regression analysis, the disease stage and HBV DNA undetectable at week 4 were the independent factor. The OR values of disease stage and HBV DNA undetectable were 6.559 and 0.209, respectively, and 95% CI was 2.316~18.576 and 0.058~0.747, respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe rapid suppression of viral load by nucleotide analogue may improve the efficacy of hepatitis B associated acute on chronic liver failure treatment. The early rapid virological response within first 4 weeks may contribute to the prediction of the treatment outcomes.

Adult ; Antiviral Agents ; therapeutic use ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; End Stage Liver Disease ; drug therapy ; virology ; Female ; Hepatitis B ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Liver Failure, Acute ; drug therapy ; virology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prognosis ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Viral Load

BACKGROUNDOptical coherence tomography (OCT) is a high resolution noncontact imaging modality which can quantitatively detect the optic disc and retinal structure. This study was designed to evaluate the diagnostic capability of parameters of the optic disc, retinal nerve fiber layer thickness, and ganglion cell complex (GCC) using a new technology called Fourier-domain OCT (FD-OCT) for early primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients.

METHODSTwo groups of patients, early perimetric damage POAG and normal subjects were included in this observational cross-sectional study. All patients underwent FD-OCT and visual field examination in addition to full ophthalmic examinations. Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were studied for all parameters. The sensitivity and specificity for distinguishing between normal and early glaucomatous eyes, the areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves (AROC) and positive, negative likelihood ratios were evaluated for all the single parameters and selected combined parameters using arbitrary cutoffs.

RESULTSThirty-four eyes of 34 early POAG patients and 42 eyes of 42 normal subjects were analyzed. Cup/disc (C/D) vertical ratio presented the best sensitivity and positive likelihood ratio for selected specificities (95% and 85%) which were 79.4% and 88.2%, 33.4 and 7.4, respectively. Among all single parameters, the C/D vertical ratio demonstrated the highest AROC which was at 0.930. The average thickness of circumpapillary RNFL on 3.45 mm showed the highest AROC among all of the peripapillary RNFL parameters. The sensitivity at selected specificity and AROC of GCC were not as high as C/D vertical ratio and RNFL AT on 3.45 mm. When the C/D vertical ratio, RNFL AT on 3.45 mm, and rim area were combined using a logistical diagnostic model, the AROC was raised to 0.949 but not significantly different from the top single parameter, C/D vertical ratio.

CONCLUSIONSThe key parameters obtained by FD-OCT were able to show the significant differences of optic discs, thickness of RNFL and GCC between POAG patients and normal subjects. According to sensitivity, specificity, likelihood ratio and AROC, the top three parameters from FD-OCT for early diagnosis of POAG were C/D vertical ratio, RNFL AT on 3.45 mm, and the rim area.

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Glaucoma, Open-Angle ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Sensitivity and Specificity ; Tomography, Optical Coherence ; methods

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of folic acid cooperating with soybean isoflavone on the oxidative status of neural tube defects (NTDs) pregnant rats induced by cyclophosphamide, to observe the relationship of the two factors, folic acid and the isoflavone and to look for the best co-intervention group.

METHODSThe 100 pregnant rats of 2.5-3 months old were randomly divided into the control group, model group, co-intervention groups and solo-intervention groups. The animals were executed on the 20th day of gestation as to examining the levels of antioxidative indices (GSH, GSH-Px, Se, Mn, Fe) in blood. The incidence rates of NTDs were calculated.

RESULTSThe interaction of folic acid and isoflavone had significant effect on the indices related with antioxidation (P < 0.05). Folic acid 0.7 mg/kg cooperated with isoflavone 160 mg/kg had the best intervention effects in our study. Compared with the solo-intervention by folic acid 1.4 mg/kg and isoflavone 320 mg/kg, the effect of co-intervention (folic acid 0.7 mg/kg cooperated with isoflavone 160 mg/kg) was significantly better (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONFolic acid should be the main protective factor of NTDs, and isoflavone might reinforce the protective effects of folic the acid on NTDs by increasing the antioxidative ability, however, the effect is related with the ratio of the two factors.

Animals ; Cyclophosphamide ; Drug Interactions ; Female ; Folic Acid ; pharmacology ; Isoflavones ; pharmacology ; Male ; Neural Tube Defects ; chemically induced ; prevention & control ; Pregnancy ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Soybeans ; chemistry

BACKGROUNDAppendicitis is the most common surgical problem in pregnancy, however the particular dangers of appendicitis in pregnancy lie in the varied presentation of symptoms and the higher chance of delayed diagnosis. The aim of this study was to determine the risk factors associated with prenatal outcome in acute appendicitis during second and third trimester pregnancies.

METHODSThis was a retrospective single-center study that presented a descriptive analysis of the results. A total of 102 pregnant women who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis and operated upon in Peking University Third Hospital, China between January 1993 and December 2007 were presented. SPSS 12.0 for Windows was used for data analysis.

RESULTSSeventy-eight pregnant women who were diagnosed with acute appendicitis (sixteen patients had a perforated appendix, 62 patients had a non-perforated appendix) were operated upon during late pregnancy. The interval between symptom onset and surgery was the only predictive variable. A longer interval between symptom onset and surgery was associated with appendix perforation ((109.5 +/- 52.7) hours) than with no appendix perforation ((35.1 +/- 19.62) hours; P = 0.007). There was a significant difference in the rate of preterm labor (5.1% vs 1.3%) and the rate of fetal mortality (25% vs 1.7%) between patients with and without a perforated appendix.

CONCLUSIONSDelaying surgery correlates to more advanced disease with an increased risk of perforation. This contributes to an increased risk of further complications, including premature labor or abortion, and to higher maternal complication rates. Prompt diagnosis may improve the prenatal outcome.

Adult ; Appendicitis ; complications ; diagnosis ; surgery ; Female ; Gestational Age ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Complications ; etiology ; Pregnancy Outcome ; Retrospective Studies ; Young Adult