AIM:To evaluate the repeatability of axial length (AL) and anterior chamber depth (ACD) obtained by A scan ultrasonography, and to compare AL and ACD obtained by A scan with those obtained by IOL Master.METHODS:Two hundred and fifty-seven cataract eyes of 170 patients were included.IOL Master and A scan were performed for each eye.Five measurements of IOL Master and 3 measurements of A scan were obtained.All the tested eyes were divided into 5 groups according to AL obtained by A scan:Group A (2129mm, 21 eyes).Cronbach's Alpha coefficient and intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) were applied to evaluate the repeatability of AL and ACD obtained by A scan.Paired t test and Pearson correlation coefficient were used to analyze the differences and correlations of AL and ACD obtained by the 2 devices, respectively.Bland-Altman plots were presented to analyze the agreements of AL and ACD obtained by the 2 devices.RESULTS:All the Cronbach's Alpha and ICCs of AL and ACD values were more than 0.98.The differences of AL values between A scan and IOL Master were-0.11±0.08mm in Group A,-0.15±0.10mm in Group B,-0.19±0.15 mm in Group C,-0.29±0.16mm in Group D and-0.45±0.29mm in Group E, respectively (all P<0.01).The differences of ACD values between A scan and IOL Master were-0.10±0.16mm in Group A,-0.06±0.13mm in Group B,-0.06±0.13mm in Group C,-0.19±0.10mm in Group D,-0.18±0.21mm in Group E, respectively (all P<0.01).In all groups, the AL and ACD values obtained by A scan and IOL Master presented good correlations (all r>0.89, all P<0.01).CONCLUSION:The AL and ACD values in cataract eyes obtained by A scan were repeatable.The AL and ACD values obtained by A scan were smaller than those obtained by IOL Master.With the increase of AL values, the differences of AL values between A scan and IOL Master increased.

Triptolide (TPT), an active compound extracted from Chinese herb Tripterygium wilfordii , has been used in therapy of rheumatoid arthritis (RA). In this study, after synovial fibroblasts from rheumatoid arthritis (RASFs) were treated with TPT, we investigated its effect on the differentiation of Th17 cells. Firstly, the mRNA level of cyclooxygenase (COX) wad detected by qRT-PCR and the protein level of prostaglandin E2 (PGE2) was tested by ELISA in RASFs treated with different concentrations (0, 10, 50, 100 nmol L-1 ) of TPT. Then after TPT pre-treated RASFs and RA CD4 + T cells wer e co-cultured for 3 days in the presence or absence of PGE2, IL-17 and IFN-gamma production in CD4 T cell subsets were detected by flow cytometry. The results showed TPT decreased the mRNA experssion of COX2 and the secretion of PGE2 in RASFs in a dose-dependent manner(P <0. 05). We further found that differentiation of Thl7 cells was downregulated in a dose-dependent manner, and exogenous PGE2 could reverse the inhibition of Th17 cell differentiation(P <0. 05). Taken together, our results demonstrated that TPT inhibited the mRNA level of COX2 and the secretion of PGE2 in RASFs, which partly led to impaired Th17 cell differentiation in vitro.
Arthritis, Rheumatoid ; drug therapy ; enzymology ; immunology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Line ; Cyclooxygenase 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Dinoprostone ; metabolism ; Diterpenes ; pharmacology ; Epoxy Compounds ; pharmacology ; Fibroblasts ; drug effects ; immunology ; Gene Expression Regulation, Enzymologic ; drug effects ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology ; Synovial Fluid ; drug effects ; Th17 Cells ; drug effects ; pathology

Objective To create a canine model of premature ventricular contraction-induced tachycardia-mediated cardiomyopathy, and to explore the effect of frequent premature ventricular contraction on the function of the left ventricular function. Methods Sixteen mongrel dogs were randomly divided into sham operation group and paced group. Animals in the paced group underwent the implantation of a dual-chamber pacemaker through right thoracotomy, and the pacemaker was connected to two epicardial right ventricular leads, with one creviced in the cardiac apex and the other one in the outflow tract of the right ventricle, with an atrioventricular delay adjusted to ensure the presence of coupled pacing to simulate ventricular bigeminy. Dogs in the control group were not connected to the leads. Echocardiographic measurements were obtained before and 4 weeks after operation. Results One dog in the paced group died of infection after 4 weeks. In the paced group (n = 7), LV end-diastolic diameter (LV-EDD) increased from (2. 86 ± 0. 10) cm before operation to (3. 35 ± 0. 27) cm after operation (P< 0. 05) and LV end-systolic diameter (LV-ESD) increased from (2. 07 ± 0. 20) cm before operation to (2. 72 ± 0. 21) cm after operation (P<0. 05). In addition, the left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) decreased from (67. 57 ± 4. 49)% before operation to (43. 66 ± 3. 88) % after operation (P<0. 05). No significant changes in LV dimensions or function were noted before and after operation in the control group. Conclusion It is feasible to simulate ventricular bigeminy with coupled pacing in canines. Premature ventricular contraction-induced cardiomyopathy can lead to increased LV dimensions and decreased LV.

Objective To investigate the effect of radiofrequency catheter ablation (RFCA) on the function and structure of left ventricle during treatment for frequent premature ventricular beats (PVBs). Methods Totally 56 patients with PVBs, who had been successfully treated with RFCA from Jan. 2006 to Dec. 2010, were included in the present study (ablation group). The other 42 patients with frequent PVBs, who received no RFCA treatment, served as controlsCnon-ablation group). The changes of total number of PVBs, left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVEDD), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD), interventricular septal diameter (IVSd), left ventricular posterior wall diameter (LVPWd) were observed before and after different treatments. Results (1) Compared with the non-ablation group, the ablation group had significantly reduced total number of PVBs ([125 ± 113]/24 h vs [17 813 ± 1 542]/24 h, P< 0.01), increased LVEF ([0.72 ± 0.06] vs [0.64 ± 0.08], P<0.05), and significantly decreased LVEDD ([44. 1 ±4. 0] mm vs [48.9 ± 3.8] mm), LVESD ([27. 0 ±3. 7] mm vs [30. 1 ± 4. 2] mm), IVSd ([7. 5 ±0. 8] mm vs [8.5 ± 0.8] mm), and LVPWd ([7. 5 ± 0. 8] mm vs [8. 5 ± 0. 9] mm) (P<0. 05). (2)Compared with the baseline levels, the total number of PVBs in the ablation group decreased from (23 662 ± 12 559)/24 h before RFCA to (125±113)/24 h(P<0. 01) after RFCA, and patients had relieved chest tightness and heart palpitations. Meanwhile, the LVEF was significantly increased after RFCA ([0. 72 ± 0. 06] vs [0. 64 ± 0. 09], P<0. 05), LVEDD ([44. 1 ± 4. 0] mm vs [50. 6 ± 5. 4] mm), LVESD ([27. 0 ± 3. 7] mm vs [32.1 ± 5.3] mm), IVSd ([7. 5 ± 0. 8] mm vs [8 8 ± 1. 1] mm), and LVPWd ([7. 5 ± 0. 8] mm vs [8.7 ± 1. 1] mm) were significantly decreased after RCFA (P<0. 05). Conclusion RFCA can effectively improve the structural remodeling and cardiac dysfunction induced by PVBs, relieving the patient symptoms.

In the present study, the specifically knockdown models of P-gp or MRP2 were constructed by using a series of chemically synthesized small interfering RNA (siRNA) in vitro. The expression of P-gp and MRP2 was measured by real-time PCR and Western blot, and the function was evaluated by applying P-gp and MRP2 substrate, rhodamine and methotrexate. The results showed that MRP2 siRNA-3 or P-gp siRNA-2 significantly decreased the mRNA expression of MRP2 or P-gp, the inhibition ratio was 68% or 84%; MRP2 siRNA-3 or P-gp siRNA-2 at a dose of 80 nmol x L(-1) significantly reduced the protein expression of MRP2 or P-gp at 48 h after treatment, the inhibition ratio was 62% or 70%. Meanwhile, other transporters were not influenced by siRNA. When pretreatment with MRP2 siRNA-3 or P-gp siRNA-2, the efflux of methotrexate or rhodamine decreased significantly and the intra-cellular concentration increased. The results suggested that chemically synthesized siRNA could significantly inhibit the expression and function of MRP2 and P-gp, and the model of RNAi in vitro could be used to evaluate the role of efflux transporters in transportation of drugs.
ATP-Binding Cassette, Sub-Family B, Member 1 ; genetics ; Gene Knockdown Techniques ; Multidrug Resistance-Associated Proteins ; genetics ; RNA Interference ; RNA, Small Interfering ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction

The metabolic characteristics of ligustrazin (TMPz) in liver microsomes were investigated in the present study. The reaction phenotyping of TMPz metabolism was also identified by in vitro assessment using recombinant human cytochrome P450 enzymes (CYP) and UDP glucuronosyltransferases (UGT). TMPz was incubated at 37 degrees C with human (HLM) and rat liver microsomes (RLM) in the presence of different co-factors. The metabolic stability and enzyme kinetics of TMPz were studied by determining its remaining concentrations with a LC-MS/MS method. TMPz was only metabolically eliminated in the microsomes with NADPH or NADPH+UDPGA. In the HLM and RLM with NADPH+UDPGA, t1/2, K(m) and V(max) of TMPz were 94.24 +/- 4.53 and 105.07 +/- 9.44 min, 22.74 +/- 1.89 and 33.09 +/- 2.74 micromol x L(-1), 253.50 +/- 10.06 and 190.40 +/- 8.35 nmol x min(-1) x mg(-1) (protein), respectively. TMPz showed a slightly higher metabolic rate in HLM than that in RLM. Its primary oxidative metabolites, 2-hydroxymethyl-3, 5, 6-trimethylpyrazine (HTMP), could undergo glucuronide conjugation. The CYP reaction phenotyping of TMPz metabolism was identified using a panel of recombinant CYP isoforms (rCYP) and specific CYP inhibitors in HLM. CYP1A2, 2C9 and 3A4 were found to be the major CYP isoforms involved in TMPz metabolism. Their individual contributions were assessed b) using the method of the total normalized rate to be 19.32%, 27.79% and 52.90%, respectively. It was observed that these CYP isoforms mediated the formation of HTMP in rCYP incubation. The UGT reaction phenotyping of HTMP glucuronidation was also investigated preliminarily by using a panel of 6 UGT isoforms (rUGT). UGT1A1, 1A4 and 1A6 were the predominant isoforms mediated the HTMP glucuronidation. The results above indicate that the metabolism of TMPz involves multiple enzymes mediated phase I and phase II reactions.
Animals ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP1A2 ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP2C9 ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 CYP3A ; metabolism ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme Inhibitors ; Cytochrome P-450 Enzyme System ; metabolism ; Drug Interactions ; Glucuronosyltransferase ; metabolism ; Humans ; Ligusticum ; chemistry ; Microsomes, Liver ; enzymology ; NADP ; metabolism ; pharmacology ; Pyrazines ; metabolism ; pharmacokinetics ; Rats ; Uridine Diphosphate Glucuronic Acid ; metabolism ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts of the acupoint catgut implantation on postpartum pain of uterine contraction with qi and blood deficiency.

METHODSOne hundred and ten primiparas of natural delivery differentiated as qi and blood deficiency pattern in TCM were selected as the subjects. They were randomized into an acupoint catgut implantation group (55 cases) and a routine nursing group (55 cases). In the acupoint catgut implantation group, the catgut was implanted in Zigong (EX-CA 1), Zusanli (ST 36), Sanyinjiao (SP 6), Pishu (BL 20) and Geshu (BL 17) in 6 h after delivery; additionally, the routine post-delivery nursing was adopted. In the routine nursing group, the routine post-delivery nursing was applied simply. Visual analogue scale (VAS) and the pain relief time of uterine contraction were compared in 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h after acupoint catgut implantation between the two groups.

RESULTSVAS Scores in 24 h, 48 h, 72 h and 96 h after acupoint catgut implantation in the acupoint catgut implantation group were lower apparently than those in the routine nursing group (3.31 +/- 0.39 vs 4.31 +/- 0.29, 1.86 +/- 0.29 vs 2.66 +/- 0.25, 0.89 +/- 0.21 vs 1.59 +/- 0.24, 0.35 +/- 0.10 vs 0.69 +/- 0.13, all P < 0.05). The pain relief was achieved in (72.06 +/- 6.83) h in the acupoint catgut implantation group and was (123.42 +/- 11.12) h in the routine nursing group. The pain relief in the acupoint catgut implantation group was achieved more quickly (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONThe intervention of acupoint catgut implantation in 6 h after natural delivery in primiparas prevents effectively postpartum pain of uterine contraction.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Catgut ; utilization ; Female ; Humans ; Labor Pain ; therapy ; Pain ; prevention & control ; Postpartum Period ; physiology ; Pregnancy ; Qi ; Uterine Contraction ; Uterus ; physiopathology ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the treatment of hypervascular hepatic metastasis with TACE. Methods One hundred and twenty nine cases of hepatic metastasis treated by TACE were selected retrospectively and then analyzed the survival rate,clinical effectiveness and lipidol deposition quantity in tumor.Results Malformation of tumor vessels and rich blood supply were found in all cases of this study.The survival rates of 6 months,1 year and 3 years were 100%,73.6% and 26.4% respectively.The clinical effective rate was 68.2%(88/129)and no-progress rate was 23.3%(30/129).The satisfactory lipidol deposition quantity was obtained in 80.9%(97/129).Conclusions TACE is a favorable method for hepatic metastasis,and discerning the hypervascular subgroup could improve the treating effectiveness and be useful to make an appropriate planning.

Adult ; Biopsy ; DNA ; genetics ; Female ; Gene Expression Profiling ; Glomerulonephritis, IGA ; genetics ; pathology ; Humans ; Kidney ; pathology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the efficacy and adverse effects of gefitinib in the treatment of fe- male patients with advanced adenocarcinoma of lung who had failed to previous chemotherapy.Methods These patients received 250mg of gefitinib orally,once daily until disease progression or development of intol- erable toxic reaction.They were evaluated one month after treatment and every other month thereafter.Results Among the 27 evaluable patients,there were 1 CR(3.7%),11 PR(40.8%),10 SD(37.0%)and 5 PD(18.5%). The overall response rate was 44.5%(95% CI 29%～68%);and 22 patients(81.5%)gained profit(CR+PR+ SD)from the clinical therapy(95% CI 62%～94%);the mean TTP was 7.2 months.Symptomatic improvement rate was 80.0%.The main adverse effects were mild rash and diarrhea.Conclusion gefitinib has significant efficacy in the treatment of female patients with advanced tung cancer who had failed to previous chemother- apy.Adverse effects are mild.gefitinib is a suitable therapy for these patients.