Objective: To evaluate the safety and effectiveness of eyelid margin cleaning using Deep Cleaning Device for the treatment of meibomian gland dysfunction-associated dry eye. Methods: This was a prospective, randomized, open-label, investigator-masked, and self-controlled study. We randomly assigned one eye of patients with meibomian gland dysfunction-associated dry eye to the treatment group, and the other eye to the control group. Both groups received artificial tears and lid warming; the treatment group received an additional one-time in-office eyelid margin cleaning using Deep Cleaning Device. Non-invasive tear break-up time (NITBUT) and tear meniscus height (TMH) of each eye, and Standard Patient Evaluation for Eye Dryness II (SPEED II) score of each patient were evaluated before and at one week after treatment. Results: Thirty eyes of 15 patients were enrolled. No adverse effects occurred during the treatment. Compared with the baseline values, the SPEED score decreased significantly at one week after treatment (mean±95% confidence interval, 11.00±0.99 vs. 5.67±1.67, P<0.0001), the NITBUT-first in the treatment group increased significantly at one week after treatment ((4.74±1.27) s vs. (7.49±2.22) s, P=0.01). The NITBUT-first was significantly longer in the treatment group ((7.49±2.22) s) than in the control group ((5.17±0.91) s) at one week after treatment (P=0.042). No significant differences were found in other tear film parameters between the two groups. Conclusions: Eyelid margin cleaning using the novel Deep Cleaning Device is a convenient, effective, and safe treatment for patients with meibomian gland dysfunction-associated dry eye.

Objective To investigate the characteristics and risk factors of abdominal lymph node metastasis in thoracic esophageal squamous cell cancer.Methods The clinical data of 586 patients with thoracic esophageal cancer who underwent surgery via transabdominal and transthoracic approaches between June 2009 and June 2014 at the Sichuan Cancer Hospital were retrospectively analyzed.All the patients received resection of esophageal cancer and lymph node dissection, and the transabdominal right thoracic approach or cervico-thoracicabdominal triple incision was selected according to the condition of patients.No.18, 19, 20 lymph nodes were dissected seperately and No.16, 17 and lesser curvature lymph nodes were separated.All the specimens of lymph nodes were detected by regular pathological examination.Measurement data with normal distribution were presented as x ± s and count data were described as rate.Comparisons of rate between 2 specimens and among the multiple specimens were respectively analyzed using the chi-square test and partition of chi-squared.The multivariate analysis was done using the logistic regression.Results The number of lymph node dissected in 586 patients was 12 524 with an average number of 20 ± 11 per case, and the rate of lymph node metastasis was 55.63％ (326/586).The number of mediastinal lymph node dissected was 7 012 with an average number of 12 ± 5 per case, and a rate of mediastinal lymph node metastasis was 40.96％ (240/586).The number of abdominal lymph node dissected was 5 512 with an average number of 9 ± 8 per case, and a metastasis rate was 31.74％ (186/586).The abdominal lymph node metastasis rate of the upper, middle and lower thoracic esophageal cancer were 13.73％ (14/102), 31.51％ (92/292) and 41.67％ (80/192), respectively, showing a significant difference among the above 3 indexes (x2 =25.91, P ＜ 0.05).The lymph node metastasis rate in No.16, 17, 18,19, 20 and lesser curvature lymph nodes were 12.80％ (75/586), 16.89％ (99/586), 1.71％ (10/586),0.68％ (4/586), 1.71％ (10/586) and 2.05％ (12/586), respectively, with a significant difference among the above 6 indexes (x2 =287.95, P ＜ 0.05).The results of univariate analysis showed that the tumor location,surgical procedure, T stage, N stage, G stage, pathological stage and mediastinal lymph node metastasis were risk factors affecting abdominal lymph node metastasis of thoracic esophageal cancer (x2 =24.02, 23.97, 37.87,136.85, 38.79, 7.70, 154.27, P ＜ 0.05).The tumor in the lower thoracic portion, N3 stage and stage Ⅳ were independent risk factors affecting abdominal lymph node metastasis of thoracic esophageal cancer in the multivariate analysis (RR =5.80, 2.36, 2.76, 95％ confidence interval: 1.022-1.813, 1.317-3.950, 1.652-12.351, P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Abdominal lymph node metastasis is common in thoracic esophageal cancer in which No.16 and 17 lymph nodes predominate, and it is easy to occur in patients with lower thoracic esophageal cancer, and advanced N stage and pathological type.

Objective To explore the ultrasound images features of breast infiltrating ductal carcinoma. Methods Retrospective analysis of operation pathology ,55 patients diagnosed preoperatively infiltrating ductal carcinoma of color Doppler ultrasound diagnostic information. Results Before operation, 55 patients with breast tumors had color Doppler shows in 49 cases,no color doppler showed 6 cases,color Doppler shows with pathologic diagnosis is 89.1%. An infiltrating ductal carcinoma ultrasound image characteristics:the larger mass was irregular form,no coated, posterior acoustic attenuation,burr levy ,and crabs foot shape more inside,bump such change for not uniformity hypoechoic,with tiny clusters of calcified or irregular flare,shadow,blood flow distribution after silent for AlderⅡmore performance level Ⅲ,axillary lymph node enlargement,a different level hilus structure was clear,the peak systolic velocity in 12-80cm/s (average 35.1 cm/s ) , resistance index in 0.62-0.92 (average for 0.79 + 0.10). Conclusion Color doppler ultrasonography had important value in early diagnosis of infiltrating ductal carcinoma.

The status of health inspection,the setting of courses,teaching reform,requirement of professional and the training pattern of innovative professional were deeply discussed and researched.The pros and cons of several patterns on professional training were summarized.The courses setting and reform emphasis of the innovative professional training were proposed,all of which provided useful view and ideas for training health inspection professionals.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of cryptoporus polysaccharide(CP)on lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced production of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1(MCP-1)in human lung epithelial A549 cells.

METHODSA549 cells were stimulated with LPS in the presence or absence of CP. The protein concentration and mRNA expression of MCP-1 were determined by enzyme-linked-immunosobent assay(ELISA)and semi-quantitative RT-PCR, respectively.

RESULTThe protein concentration of MCP-1 was significantly increased by LPS 1000 microg/L at 24 h. There were no effects on the growth and viability of A549 cells in the presence of CP 100 microg/L or dexamethasone 1 mumol/L. However, CP 100 microg/L or dexamethasone 1 micromol/L significantly inhibited the protein concentration and mRNA expression of MCP-1 induced by LPS.

CONCLUSIONCP can regulate MCP-1 production, which may be associated with its effects on lung inflammation.

Cell Line ; Chemokine CCL2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Humans ; Lipopolysaccharides ; pharmacology ; Polyporaceae ; chemistry ; Polysaccharides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Pulmonary Alveoli ; cytology ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo construct a recombinant bacillus Calmette-Guérin vaccine (rBCG) secreting human interferon-alpha 2b (IFN alpha-2b).

METHODSBCG Ag85B signal sequence and IFN alpha-2b gene were amplified from the genome of BCG and of human peripheral blood by polymerase chain reaction (PCR), respectively. IFN alpha-2b gene was cloned in E. coli-BCG shuttle-vector pMV261 to get pMV261-IFN alpha-2b. A new recombinant plasmid pMV261-IFN alpha-2b was constructed by inserting BCG Ag85B signal sequence into pMV261-Ag85B-IFN alpha-2b. Then, BCG was transformed with this recombinant plasmid by electroporation, and designated as rBCG-IFN alpha-2b. The DNA and protein expressions of IFN alpha-2b gene in rBCG were determined by PCR and Western blot respectively. Also the quantity of IFN alpha-2b protein secreted by rBCG in culture supernatants was determined by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSBy partial nucleotide sequencing, the DNA sequences of human IFN alpha-2b and BCG Ag85B were consistent with that in the Gene Bank, and were correctly inserted into the shuttle expression vector pMV261 to construct recombinant plasmid pMV261-Ag85B-IFN alpha-2b. BCG was successfully transformed with this recombinant plasmid by electroporation and the recombinant BCG (rBCG-IFN alpha-2b) was capable of synthesizing and secreting cytokine IFN alpha-2b. The concentration of IFN alpha-2b in culture supernatants was quantified by ELISA and calculated to be approximately 301.45 pg/ml.

CONCLUSIONSRecombinant BCG secreting human IFN alpha-2b (rBCG-IFN alpha-2b) was constructed successfully and the specific IFN alpha-2b protein can be expressed highly and steadily by rBCG vaccine.

BCG Vaccine ; genetics ; immunology ; metabolism ; Gene Expression ; Genetic Vectors ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; genetics ; metabolism ; Plasmids ; genetics ; Recombinant Proteins ; Transformation, Bacterial

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the application of various obstructive sleep apnea (OSA) screening scales in patients with acute ischemic stroke.

METHODSOne hundred and two patients with acute ischemic stroke were enrolled continuously during July 2016 and March 2017 from Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital, Zhejiang University School of Medicine. All patients were assessed by the same physician with various OSA screening scales, including Epworth scale, Berlin questionnaire, STOP-Bang questionnaire, SOS scale, four-variable scale and its modified version. Polysomnography was performed in Sleeping Disorder Center on each patient. According to the apnea-hypopnea index (AHI) acquired from polysomnography, patients were divided into moderate-severe OSA group (AHI ≥ 15, =58) and normal-mild OSA group (AHI<15, =44). The efficiencies of the scales in identification of patients with moderate or severe OSA were analyzed and compared.

RESULTSThe ROC curves showed that the four-variable scale and its modified version had higher area under curve (0.806 and 0.807, both <0.01) for diagnosis of moderate-severe OSA, and the cut-off values for Epworth scale, Berlin questionnaire, STOP-Bang questionnaire, SOS scale, four-variable scale and its modified version were 9, 2, 4, 15, 11, 10, respectively. The sensitivities, specificities, positive and negative predictive values of four-variable scale and its modified version in diagnosis of moderate-severe OSA were higher than those of other scales.

CONCLUSIONSCompared with Epworth scale, Berlin questionnaire, STOP-Bang questionnaire and SOS scale, the four-variable scale and its modified version are more effective in screening of OSA for patients with acute ischemic stroke.

Brain Ischemia ; Humans ; Mass Screening ; Polysomnography ; ROC Curve ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive ; Stroke ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective: To investigate the sonographic features of primary thyroid lymphoma (PTL) and to evaluate the clinical significance of ultrasound-guided core needle biopsy (US-CNB) in PTL. Methods: A total of 24 patients with suspected PTL in Sir Run Run Shaw Hospital from January 2013 to June 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. All cases were confirmed by pathology, of them 23 patients received US-CNB and 1 patient chose operation without US-CNB, including 5 males and 19 females, aged from 39 to 75 years old. The effectiveness and safety of 23 patients with US-CNB were evaluated, and the sonographic features of 20 patients with PTL diagnosed by pathology were analyzed. Descriptive statistical methods were used in the study. Results: In the 23 patients with suspected PTL underwent US-CNB, 18 patients were diagnosed as PTL, 4 patients were respectively diagnosed as subacute thyroiditis, anaplastic carcinoma, Hashimoto's thyroiditis, and fibro thyroiditis, and the another patient was hard to diagnose by US-CNB and then was diagnosed as PTL by surgical biopsy. The success rate of US-CNB for diagnosis of PTL was 18/19, and no severe complications occurred in the patients with US-CNB. The other case was diagnosed as PTL by surgical biopsy without US-CNB. Sonographic features of 20 cases with PTL (18 cases diagnosed by US-CNB and 2 cases by surgery or surgery biopsy) were as follows: (1) Most nodules had irregular shapes and unsmooth margins; (2) Hypoechoic or markedly hypoechoic nodules with honeycombed or cord structures were observed in most cases; (3) Calcification was rare; (4) Multiple lesions were common; (5) Abundant intralesional vascularization was commonly observed; (6) Most cases had intensification of posterior acoustic enhancement; (7) Thyroid gland enlargement or with irregular shape; and (8) PTL often accompanied with lymph nodes enlargement in lateral neck or central region. Conclusion: PTL has certain sonographic features, with assistance of US-CNB, more accurate diagnosis of PTL can be obtained.
Adult ; Aged ; Biopsy, Large-Core Needle ; Female ; Humans ; Image-Guided Biopsy ; Lymphoma/diagnostic imaging* ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Thyroid Gland ; Thyroid Neoplasms/diagnostic imaging* ; Thyroid Nodule ; Ultrasonography, Interventional

The clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) is widely used for targeted genomic and epigenomic modifications, transcriptional regulation and real-time cell imaging, and has already demonstrated great potential for applications in agriculture, industry and medicine. The promise of the technology depends upon the five intrinsic properties of CRISPR/Cas: targeting, target unwinding, target cutting, target residence, and collateral cleavage. Here, mainly using Streptococcus pyogenes CRISPR/Cas9 as example, we will focus on the target residence of CRISPR/Cas in applications of the CRISPR/Cas technology, summarize the recent progress, and discuss the effect of CRISPR/Cas target binding and residence on DNA double strand break repair pathway choices and the opportunities that CRISPR/Cas target residence presents to optimize the CRISPR/Cas technology.