Background Myopia is an important risk factor of glaucoma.Investigation of the characteristics of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness (RNFLT) and optical head morphology in myopia patients was helpful for differentiating myopic change and glaucomatous change in myopic eye.Objective This study was to investigate the peripapillary RNFLT and papillary parameters in different degrees of myopic eyes.Methods A 5-year case series study was retrospectively analyzed.Total 168 eyes of 168 myopic patients without visual field defect were recruited and divided into three age matched groups according to spherical equivalent (SE):low myopia group (SE:-0.25 ～-0.75 D) (57 eyes),moderate myopia group (SE:-3.0 ～-5.75 D) (57 eyes) and high myopia group (SE:-6.0～-12.0 D) (54 eyes).The RNFLT was measured with scanning laser polarmetry (GDxVCC) and papillary parameters measured with confocal scanning laser ophthalmoscope (HRT Ⅱ).Intergroup difference of parameters from GDxVCC and HRT Ⅱ were analyzed using one-way analysis of variance and SNK-q test.The correlations between spherical equivalent and RNFLT or papillary parameters was evaluated with multiple linear regression analysis.Results The global average,superior and inferior average,standard deviation,inter-eye symmetry of RNFLT were gradually reduced as the increase of SE with significant differences among the three groups (F=6.193,7.127,3.874,4.098,3.128,P ＜ 0.05).Global average,superior average,standard deviation,inter-eye symmetry of RNFLT were significantly lower in the high myopia group than those in the low myopia group (q =5.334,4.526,4.586,20.679,P＜0.05).An statistically significant reduce in inter-eye symmetry was seen between the high myopia group and the moderate myopia group (q =6.225,P＜0.05) as well as between the moderate myopia group and the low myopia group (q =10.035,P＜0.05).The multiple regression analysis showed that global average,superior average,inferior average,standard deviation,inter-eye symmetry of the R NFLT decreased with the increase of SE (β=0.441,t=6.329,P=0.000;β=0.471,t=6.880,P=0.000;β=0.339,t=4.641,P=0.000;β=0.389,t=5.445,P =0.000 ; β =0.338,t =4.621,P =0.000).Cup volume,linear cup/disk ratio,mean cup depth and maximum cup depth in the high myopia group were significantly lower than those of the moderate myopia groups (q =2.603,P =0.0l 1 ;q =2.105,P =0.037 ; q =2.825,P =0.006 ; q =2.495,P =0.014).Mean cup depth and height variation contour were significantly decreased in the high myopia group compared with the low myopia group (q =2.562,P =0.013 ;q =2.203,P =0.030).Rim area,rim volume,height variation contour were positively correlated with the degree of myopia (β=0.195,t=-2.565,P=0.011 ;β=0.199,t=-2.611,P=0.010;β=0.177,t =-2.311,P=0.022) ; while mean cup depth were negatively correlated with the degree of myopia (β =0.153,t =1.997,P =0.047).Conclusions As the increase of myopia degree,superior and inferior quadrants of RNFLT and cup depth are declined,but rim volume is elevated.Myopia is a confounding factor when RNFL data is interpreted by GDxVCC and papillary parameter by HRT Ⅱ.

Background Goldmann applanation tonometry (GAT) is a gold standard of intraocular pressure measurement.But its utilization iS limited because of its complexity and high requirement of cooperation.iCare rebound tonometer (iCare RBT) is a new type of applanation tonometry,and its accuracy and safety in clinical application need to be evaluated.Objective Present study was to investigate the reproducibility and tolerability of iCare RBT and its measurement agreement with GAT over a wide intraocular pressure (IOP) range. Methods The IOP were measured in bilateral eyes of 36 glaucoma and glaucoma suspect patients by 2 examinees with iCare RBT at the 1-minute interval to assess the interobserver reproducibility.Then the IOP of both eyes from 56 Subjeets and other 52 subjects were separately measured twice for each by two operators with iCare RBT for the evaluation of intraobserver reproducibility.Finally.IOP of 182 eyes of 92 glaucoma and glaucoma suspect patients was obtained by examiner 2 with RBT first and examiner 1 with GAT subsequently at a 2.minute interval in a masked fashion to perform an agreement evaluation of two readings by using Bland-Ahman method.The tolerance of subjects to iCare RBT measurement were surveyed.Oral informed consent was obtained prior to the IOP measurement. Results Concerning the iCare RBT readings.interobserver correlation coefficients were 0.937 in the right eye and 0.887 in the left eye.Intraobserver correlation coefficients of examiner 1 were 0.986 in the left eyes and 0.969 in the fight eyes.And those of examiner 2 were 0.990 and 0.979.Mcan values of iCare RBT readings and GAT were(18.74±8.36)mmHg and(19.33±8.20)mmHg and the mean difference values(iCare-GAT)was(-0.59 4±2.60)mmHg with the 95%confidence interval of -5.80-4.60 mmHg.The correlation coefficient between two modalities of IOP measurement WaS 0.95 1.No severe pain and discomfort were complained in all the subjects during or after measurement of iCare RBT. Conclusion iCare RBT has good interobserver and intraobserver reproducibility and good tolerance.It was proved that this is a good correlation between iCare RBT readings and GAT readings.

BackgroundDry eye is a multi-factorial-induced tear film and ocular surface disorder.Immunoinflammation plays a key role in the pathogenesis of dry eye.As inhibitor of the cyclo-oxygenase pathway,nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs play an anti-inflammatory and anti-hypersensitivity role,and it can be a potential treatment for dry eyes.ObjectiveThis study was to investigate the effectiveness of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (0.1％topical pranoprofen) on moderate to severe dry eyes and its mechanism.MethodsThis was a small sample of randomized controlled clinical trial.Thirty right eyes of 30 patients with moderate to severe dry eyes were included in the study according to the diagnosis criteria and randomized into two groups.The patients of the trial group received topical administration of 0.1％ pranoprofen plus 0.1％ sodium hyaluronate,and those of the control group received the topical 0.1％ sodium hyaluronate only.Ocular surface inflammation index scores (OSDI) and ocular surface fluorescine staining (OSS) scores were measured under the slit lamp,and tear film break-up time (BUT),Schirmer Ⅰ test values were evaluated.The expression of human leucocyte antigen-DR (HLA-DR) and CD11b in conjunctiva epithelial cells were detected by impression cytology and flow cytometry (FCM).All the indexes were compared between the two groups before and after treatment.Informed consent was obtained from all patients.ResultsThere were no significant differences in terms of age and gender and their baseline values between the trial group and control group (t=0.412,P=0.684;x2=0.240,P=0.624),and so were all the indexes (P＞0.05).Compared with the control group,the OSDI,OSS scores and cells positive for HLA-DR were lowered but the BUT was delayed in the trial group on day 15 ( t=2.43,P=0.03;t=2.83,P=0.01;t=3.29,P=0.00;t=3.23,P=0.00 ).No significant differences were found in the Schirmer Ⅰ test value and CD11b expression between these two groups (t=0.17,P=0.87;t=0.28,P=0.79).The OSDI,OSS scores and BUT were significantly improved,and the number of cells positive for HLA-DR were reduced 15 days after administration of drugs in comparison with before treatment in the trial group ( t =12.30,10.70,6.10,7.92,P =0.00 ).However,there were no comparable alteration seen in these indexes before and after the usage of drugs in the control group ( P＞0.05).Positive correlations were found in HLADR expression with OSDI and OSS ( r =0.601,P =0.018 ; r =0.586,P =0.022 ) and a negative correlation in HLADR expression with BUT (r=-0.697,P=0.004) on day 15 in the trial group.ConclusionsTopical usage of 0.1％ pranoprofen is beneficial for remitting the ocular signs and symptoms in moderate to severe dry eyes.This study illustrates that topical usage of 0.1％ pranoprofen can down-regulate the expression of inflammatory markers in conjunctival epithelial cells.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of serotonin (5-HTIA) receptors in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) on active avoidance learning in rats.

METHODSTotally 36 SD rats were randomly divided into control group, antagonist group and agonist group(n = 12). Active avoidance learning ability of rats was assessed by the shuttle box. The extracellular concentrations of 5-HT in the DG during active avoidance conditioned reflex were measured by microdialysis and high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC) techniques. Then the antagonist (WAY-100635) or agonist (8-OH-DPAT) of the 5-HT1A receptors were microinjected into the DG region, and the active avoidance learning was measured.

RESULTS(1) During the active avoidance learning, the concentration of 5-HT in the hippocampal DG was significantly increased in the extinction but not establishment in the conditioned reflex, which reached 164.90% ± 26.07% (P <0.05) of basal level. (2) The microinjection of WAY-100635 (an antagonist of 5-HT1A receptor) into the DG did not significantly affect the active avoidance learning. (3) The microinjection of 8-OH-DPAT(an agonist of 5-HT1A receptor) into the DG significantly facilitated the establishment process and inhibited the extinction process during active avoidance conditioned reflex.

CONCLUSIONThe data suggest that activation of 5-HT1A receptors in hipocampal DG may facilitate active avoidance learning and memory in rats.

8-Hydroxy-2-(di-n-propylamino)tetralin ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Avoidance Learning ; Dentate Gyrus ; physiology ; Piperazines ; pharmacology ; Pyridines ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptor, Serotonin, 5-HT1A ; physiology ; Serotonin ; physiology ; Serotonin Receptor Agonists ; pharmacology

Objective To investigate the effect of early enteral nutrition combined with probiotics on the nutritional status of patients with severe head injury. Methods Thirty-five patients with severe head injury were randomized into early enteral nutrition group ( control group, n = 18 ) and early enteral nutrition combined with probiotics group (observational group, n = 17). All the patients received enteral nutrition via nasogastric tube within 24-48 hours following admission. Hemoglobin, lymphocyte count,plasma concentrations of total protein, albumin, prealbumin, cholinesterase, and fasting blood glucose were determined before enteral nutrition and at days 8, 15, 21 after enteral nutrition. Arm circumference (AC), triceps skinfold thickness (TSF) and ann muscle circumference ( AMC ) were measured at the same time points. Gastrointestinal reactions as well as the time to first defecation were recorded. Glasgow coma scale (GCS) was assessed. Results There was no difference in terms of hemoglobin, lymphocyte count, plasma concentrations of total protein, prealbumin, and GCS score at each time point between the two groups ( P ＞ 0. 05 ). At day 8 after enteral nutrition, the patients in the observational group exhibited significantly lower level of fasting blood glucose than those in the control group (P ＜ 0.05 ). At day 15,the concentration of plasma cholinesterase in the observational group was significantly higher than that in the control group ( P ＜ 0. 05 ). At day 21, the observational group showed a tendency in increase of plasma albumin level in comparison with the control group( P = 0. 054), and the decrease of AC and AMC was obviously lower than that in the control group ( P ＜0. 05 ) compared with pre-enteral nutrition. The observational group showed less gastro-oesophageal reflux and constipation as well as earlier time to first defecation compared with the control group ( P ＜ 0. 05,0. 01 ). Conclusion Compared with the ordinary enteral nutrition, the enteral nutrition combined with probiotics can attenuate metabolic disorders and improve the nutritional status of the patients with severe head injury.

Lycii Cortex, a popular herb medicine in traditional Chinese medicine, is used to treat different inflammation-related diseases. The aim of our work is to find the key constituents inhibiting NF-kappaB, a key regulator of inflammation. In the investigations of cell-based in vitro assays of extracts, we found that both ethyl acetate extract and methanol extract of Lycii Cortex inhibited the TNF-alpha-induced activation of NF-kappaB. Through bioassay-guided fractionation, we identified 4 phenolic amides including trans-N-(p-coumaroyl) tyramine (1), trans-N-feruloyltyramine (2), trans-N-caffeoyltyramine (3), and dihydro-N-caffeoyltyramine (4). Four phenolic amides showed differently inhibitory activities on TNF-alpha-induced NF-kappaB activation. Trans-N-caffeoyltyramine (3) was identified as the key component with an IC50 of 18.41 micromol x L(-1). It was suggested that the hydroxyl group at C-3 in trans-N-caffeoyltyramine might be a key binding site and its C-7,8-double bond might play an important role on NF-kappaB inhibitory activities as the link of the conjugation of pi electrons leading to a partial planar conformation. It might be inferred that the biological activity of compound 3 is attributed to the structure of Michael reaction acceptor containing alpha, beta-unsaturated ketones and benzene along with hydroxyl group in o-diphenol.
Biological Assay ; Cell Line ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Inflammation Mediators ; antagonists & inhibitors ; immunology ; Lycium ; chemistry ; Molecular Structure ; NF-kappa B ; antagonists & inhibitors ; immunology

In order to mutate a carbofuran degrading strain CFDS-1,transposon of pSC123 was introduced into the genomic DNA of strain CFDS-1 by conjugation with E.coli DH5? (pSC123) as donor and strain CFDS-1 as recipient,6 mutants which lost carbofuran degrading ability were obtained with a kanamycin resistant gene in the middle of transposon and the disappearance of a red compound during the degrading of carbofuran as preliminary selecting marks,they were designated as CFDS-M1～CFDS-M6. UV scanning and GS assay results also proved their mutations. PCR was carried out respectively with primers designed according to the sequence of transposon and genomic DNA of 6 mutants as templates,restriction analysis of PCR products showed that the mutation of carbofuran degrading genes of these mutants was caused by transposon insertion.

Objective To investigate the clinical significance of generalized epilepsy with febrile seizures plus(GEFS+ ). Methods The data of one family with GEFS+ were retrospectively analyzed by studying clinical manifestations, physical examinations, electroencephalogram(EEG), 24 hours dynamic EEG monitoring, et al. Some of the patients were examined by CT. Results Ⅳ 12, her chief complaints when admitted to hospital were frequent spasm for 3 days. She began to appear febrile seizures (FS) from 8 months after birth, and frequent generalized tonic - clonic FS appeared during that time. There were 36 people in 5 generations of the family including 14 patients (8 males and 6 females) ,aged from 4 years and 5 months to 82 years. FS presented in 8 cases (Ⅱ 2, Ⅲ1, Ⅲ4, Ⅲ6, Ⅳ1, Ⅳ11, Ⅳ17, Ⅴ2),febrile seizures plus(FS +) in 4 cases ( Ⅳ2, Ⅳ12, Ⅳ13, Ⅳ14), ES + and absence seizures in 1 case ( Ⅴ1 ), uncertain type in 1 case (Ⅰ2). The results of EEG indicated that 12 cases were normal and 4 cases with FS+ and 1 case with absence seizures had epileptic discharges. Apart form Ⅳ13, Ⅳ14 who were treated with magnesium valproate, the dosage for the other patients decreased, or medicine terminated or without medicine, and all the patients had no recurrence of seizures. The intelligence, movement development and neurological examinations of the family were all normal. Head CT scan of 3 cases were normal. Conclusions GEFS+ is autosomal dominant inheritance disease with conspicuous genetic heterogeneity and phenotypic heterogeneity. The apprehension of GEFS+ plays an important role in diagnosis and differential diagnosis of epilepsy in childhood.

Objective To explore the temporal and spatial expression pattern of tenascin-c(tnc) and tenascin-w(tnw) in zebrafish early development,to further explore the role of tenacsin in zebrafish embryo development,and the association between them.Methods Zebrafish embryos at 2 hours post fertilization(hpf),4 hpt,8 hpt,10 hpf,24 hpt,48 hpr,72 hpf and 7 days post fertilization(dpf) were collected to extract RNA for reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR) and fix the embryos at different stages for in situ hybridization.Temporal and spatial expression pattern of tnc and tnw on different stages of zebrafish early development was observed.Results tnc and tnw all expressed in zebrafish from 24 hpf to 7 dpf,but did not expressed from 2 hpf to 10 hpf.Tnc expressed at pharyngeal arch,notochord,somite in 24 hpf,then weakly expressed at somite,but highly expressed at otic vesicle,pectoral fin and hindbrain in 48 hpf,and tnc was expressed at hindbrain,pharyngeal and notochord and disappeared at somite and pectoral.tnw expressed at hindbrain,midbrain and otic vesicle in 24 hpf,expressed at somite,notochord,hindbrain,otic vesicle and pharyngeal in 48 hpf.In 72 hpf,tnw expressed weakly at somite and notochord.Conclusions Zebrafish tnc and tnw have special temporal and spatial expression pattern,and share partial overlapping expression pattern.

Objective To explore the expression pattern of tenascin-c(tnc)gene in zebrafish embryo abnormal development which was induced by ethanol,and to further understand the function of tnc gene in embryo develepment.Methods Zebrafish were treated with ethanol at different concentration from 100 to 500 mmol/L,and embryos at 24 and 48 hours were collected and fixed,then tnc expression pattern was observed by in situ hybridization and reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR).Results The result of RT-PCR showed that ethanol at 100 and 200 mmol/L could increase the expression of tnc,while the result of in situ hybridization showed that,while ethanol at 300 mmol/L and above decrease the expression of tnc in presumptive position at 24 hours,and ethanol at 100 mmol/L and above caused increase expression of tnc in zebrafish heart.Conclusions tnc is increased when treated with 100 and 200 mmol/L ethanol and is presented in the abnormal development of hearts of zebrafish,which can promote the normal development of embryos in some degrees.The expression pattern of tnc in pathologic state is highly conserved in all vertebrate,and in adult and embryos as well.