Age-related macular degeneration ( AMD ) is one of a leading worldwide cause of blindness. AMD is a multifactorial disease, and major risk factors include increasing age, current smoking, previous cataract surgery, environmental factors, nutritional factors, genetic markers through genetic regulate complement, lipid, angiogenesis and extracellular matrix. In addition to treatment, epidemiology, risk factors and genetics research of AMD have been significantly progressed. This article will review risk factors of AMD.

Epilepsy, Generalized ; etiology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Malformations of Cortical Development ; complications

Objective:To observe the effect of acupuncture plus medium-frequency electric stimulation on bladder function after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer. Methods:A total of 170 patients confirmed by biopsy and surgical pathology and treated with radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer were randomly divided into an acupuncture group, an observation group and a control group by random digital table. Fifty-six cases in the acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture after surgery, one session each day, till the extubation day; 58 cases in the observation group were treated with acupuncture plus medium-frequency electric stimulation after surgery, one session each day, till the extubation day; and 56 cases in the control group didn't receive any intervention, and the catheter was retained till the extubation day. On the postoperative day 14, all groups were dealt with catheterization to determine the residual urine volume, in order to observe the occurrence rate of urinary retention and the recovery of bladder function and to compare the differences of the therapeutic effects among the groups. Results:The occurrence rates of urinary retention were respectively 16.1%, 20.7% and 46.4% in the acupuncture group, observation group and control group, with significant differences (P<0.05). When comparing the acupuncture group and the observation group with the control group, there were significant differences (bothP<0.05). In comparison between the acupuncture group and the observation group, there was no significant difference (P>0.05). The recovery rates of bladder function in the three group were respectively 42.9%, 60.3% and 41.1% without significant differences (P>0.05). Moreover, there were no significant between-group differences (P>0.05), but acupuncture plus medium-frequency electric stimulation showed a better tendency. Conclusion: The single application of acupuncture therapy is effective and able to prevent urinary retention after radical hysterectomy for cervical cancer. Acupuncture plus medium-frequency electric stimulation can effectively enhance the recovery of bladder function and reduce the residual urine volume in the bladder to the maximum.

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of Flos Daturae alkaloids (FDA) on TGF-beta1-1uuuu;U epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) of human pulmonary adenocarcinoma A549 cells.

METHODSA549 cells in vitro cultured were randomly divided into 5 groups, i.e., the blank control group, the TGF-beta1 group, the low dose FDA group, the medium dose FDA group, and the high dose FDA group. The morphologies of A549 cells were observed. Expressions of cytokeratin (CK)-19 and alpha-smooth muscle actin (alpha-SMA) were detected by Western blot and real-time PCR at 24, 48, and 72 h, respectively.

RESULTSA549 cells in the TGF-beta1, group turned from cobblestone to spindle shape gradually. Those in low, medium and high dose FDA groups showed similar shapes to those of the TGF-beta1 group. There was no statistical difference in the morphology of A549 cells among the 3 dose FDA groups (P > 0.05). Western blot showed that, when compared with the blank control group, the expression of CK-19 was down-regulated, but the expression of alpha-SMA was up-regulated in the TGF-beta1 group (P < 0.01). Compared with the TGF-beta1, group, the expression of CK-19 was up-regulated, but the expression of alpha-SMA was suppressed in low, medium and high dose FDA groups (P < 0.01). The CK-19 expression obviously increased, but the alpha-SMA expression was suppressed in high dose FDA group at 72 h (P < 0.01). Real-time PCR results showed, as compared with the TGF-beta1 group, the mRNA expression of CK-19 was increased, but the mRNA expression of alpha-SMA was reduced in low, medium and high dose FDA groups (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSFDA had no effect on EMT morphological changes of TGF-beta1 induced A549 cells. FDA could reverse characteristic markers of A549 cells during EMT to some extent, such as expressions of CK-19 and alpha-SMA. The expression of CK-19 (as the epithelium marker) increased and the expression of alpha-SMA (as the mesenchymal marker) was reduced. Besides, they were most obviously seen in the high dose FDA group at 72 h in a dose- and time-dependent manner.

Actins ; Adenocarcinoma ; Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Datura ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Epithelial Cells ; Epithelial-Mesenchymal Transition ; Epithelium ; Humans ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism

Objective To evaluate the impact of epidural anesthesia with levobupivacaine combined with general anesthesia on colon surgery. Methods Sixty patients undergoing elective radical procedure for colon carcinoma were randomLy divided into four groups: saline group (group S), 0.125% levobupivacaine group (group L1), 0.25% levobupivacaine group (group L2), and 0.5% levobupivacaine group (group L3). Group S received normal saline of 10 mL epidurally and then infusion of 5 mL·h-1 until the procedure was finished; groups L1, L2, and L3 received levobupivacaine instead. Anesthetic induction was performed after epidural puncture. Mean blood pressure and heart rate were recorded at 8 time points including 5 min after entering into the operation room, 1 min after intubation, skin incision, abdominal exploration, 1 h after skin incision, completion of operation, extubation, and leaving PACU; meanwhile blood glucose and cortisol were detected, anesthesia time, time to PACU stay, bleeding, transfusion volume, adverse reaction, and doses of propofol, remifentanil, ephedrine, and fentanyl were noted. Results Time to PACU stay was longer in S group than in other 3 groups. Doses of remifentanil and fentanyl were larger in L1 group than in L2 group and L3 group. Ephedrine dose in L3 group was larger than in other 3 groups. Blood sugar in L1 group was higher than L2 group and L3 group. Cortisol in S group was higher than in other 3 group. Cortisol in L1 group was higher than in L3 group. The number of patients with hypotension was greater in L3 group than other 3 groups. Conclusions Continue epidural infusion of 0.25%levobupivacaine can reduce stress response and opioid uses, shorten PACU stay, whereas it does not increase use of ephedrine.

Objective To study a novel method for the high-dose-rate brachytherapy (HDR) CT image to the intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT) CT image deformable image registration and dose accumulation.Methods The applicator in the HDR CT image is first segmented and removed,then a deflation step is performed on the applicator-free HDR CT image by solving the Navier-Stokes equation.Demons algorithm is utilized to register the deflated HDR CT image to the IMRT CT image,along with the HDR dose.The deformed HDR dose is then added on the IMRT dose and yield the final accumulated dose.Results The HDR CT image and IMRT CT image,as well as the corresponding dose distribution,from five cervical cancer patients are used for evaluation of the proposed algorithm,the results show that the proposed method can effectively get rid of the influence of the applicator and produce an accurate accumulated dose.Conclusions Dose accumulation and supervision is an important step in adaptive radiotherapy for accurate dose delivery and treatment plan re-optimization.The proposed method in this study can effectively accumulate the HDR dose to the IMRT dose domain,and the accuracy is proved to be sufficient for clinical needs.

Objective: To search for a best method for management mandible fractures by evaluating the effects of different treatments.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 148 cases of mandible fractures treated in our department from January 1996 to June 2007.Results: Among the total number,134 cases were restored to normal occlusion,while 6 cases experienced local occlusive disfunction and 8 malocclusion.The effect of treatment was correlated with the types of fracture and methods of diaplasis.Conclusion: Mandible fractures should be treated with a new concept of combined and sequential multidisciplinary methods.Sound diaplasis followed by reliable fixation can produce a satisfying curative effect.At present,intermaxillary elastic traction with internal titanium plate fixation is the most effective method for the management of mandible fractures.

Objective To investigate the current situation of maternal self- efficacy of breastfeeding and explore its influencing factors in Zhengzhou. Methods Using the general condition questionnaires, breast feeding self-efficacy scale, perceived social support scale and Edinburgh postnatal depression scale to assess the situation of 180 puerperas by the convenience sampling in one obstetric hospital of Zhengzhou. Results The total score of maternal breast feeding self-efficacy was(114.04 ± 21.57)points.The frequency of delivery, the way of delivery and feeding ways, the average income of family were effected with breastfeeding self-efficacy. The total score of social support was(68.87 ± 10.43) points, the total score of puerperas depression was(7.61 ± 4.25) points.The social support score had positive correlation with breastfeeding self-efficacy(r=0.423, P<0.01). Puerperas depression had negative correlation with breastfeeding self- efficacy(r=- 0.342, P<0.01). Conclusions The maternal breastfeeding level in Zhengzhou was at a lower level. The level of maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy scale was impacted by maternal social support degree, the degree of depression. Measures should be taken to enhance maternal social support degree, reduce the degree of depression, in order to improve the level of maternal breastfeeding self-efficacy.

Objective: Maxillary and mandible fractures are severe intermaxillary injuries,frequently involving other vital organs,and usually difficult to be treated.This study discusses the treatment of maxillary and mandible fractures.Methods: We retrospectively analyzed the clinical data of 39 cases of maxillary fractures and/or mandible fractures.Results: Of the 39 cases,34 males,5 females and 84.64% aged from 20 to 50,87.17% were caused by vehicle accidents,and 94.87% were accompanied by injuries of other parts of the body.After surgical treatment,78.95% gained normal or basically normal ocular esthetic results and 68% achieved good or improved facial esthetic results.Conclusion: The results of treatment are closely related with the type and severity of fracture and the time and plan of treatment.Preoperative CT scanning and facial profile three-dimensional reconstruction are necessitated for a thorough evaluation of the fractures and an analysis of the causes and extent of facial and ocular changes.The best treatment plan for maxillary and/or mandible fractures would include anatomic reduction by surgery,intermaxillary elastic traction and rigid internal fixation with the Ti plate.

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of sodium tanshinone II (A) sulfonate (STS) on Ang II -induced atrial fibroblast collagen synthesis and TGF-beta1 activation.

METHODAtrial fibroblasts of neonatal rats were cultured to determine the content of collagen protein. The original synthesis rate determined by the [3H]-proline incorporation method was taken as the index for myocardial fibrosis. The content of active TGF-beta1 and total TGF-beta1 in cell culture supernatants were tested and cultured by ELISA. The expression of thrombospondin-1 (TSP-1) was assessed by using Western blot.

RESULTAng II could significantly increase the content of atrial fibroblast collagen and the collagen synthesis rate, the TSP-1 expression and the concentration of active TGF-beta1, without any obvious change in total TGF-beta1. After the STS treatment, all of the indexes, apart from total TGF-beta1, were obviously down-regulated.

CONCLUSIONSTS could decrease the secretion of Ang II -induced atrial fibroblast collagen and the synthesis rate. Its mechanism is related to the inhibition of TSP-1/TGF-beta1 pathway.

Angiotensin II ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Collagen ; biosynthesis ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; drug effects ; Heart Atria ; cytology ; Phenanthrenes ; pharmacology ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Thrombospondin 1 ; metabolism ; Transforming Growth Factor beta1 ; metabolism