Anemia, Iron-Deficiency ; complications ; Female ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Telangiectasia, Hereditary Hemorrhagic ; complications

Objective To provide reliable indicators for effective prevention and control of COVID-19, we examined the biochemical indicators as well as anti-SARS-CoV-2 IgM and IgG antibodies in confirmed and suspected COVID-19 patients. Methods A total of 56 confirmed and suspected COVID-19 cases quarantined during January-March, 2020 in Gansu Provincial People′s Hospital and People′s Hospital of Xigu District, Gansu Province were included.Based on the results of nucleic acid testing and CT scan finding, they were divided into three groups: positive in both nucleic acid testing and CT scan finding; positive in nucleic acid testing but negative in CT scan finding; negative in both nucleic acid testing and CT scan finding.COVID-19 viral nucleic acid was detected and chest CT scan was performed.The following biochemical indicators were examined: total protein, albumin, total bilirubin, alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, γ-glutamyltranspeptidase, creatine kinase and lactate dehydrogenase.SPSS 22.0 statistical software was used to analyze the differences in the biochemical indicators among these three groups, as well as the temporal trend of IgM and IgG antibodies at different points of time. Results There were significant differences in the mean values of alanine aminotransferase, aspartate aminotransferase, alkaline phosphatase, and lactate dehydrogenase between these three groups (P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference in the mean value of total protein and albumin (P>0.05).ROC curve indicated that aspartate aminotransferase had the largest maximum area under the curve (AUC, 0.834), whereas alanine aminotransferase had the highest sensitivity (1.0) and total bilirubin had the highest specificity (0.927).Thus, aspartate transaminase provided the best prediction for the diagnosis of COVID-19, with sensitivity of 0.786, specificity of 0.854, and the maximum AUC of 0.834.In 12 of 16 confirmed COVID-19 patients tested IgG positive after 10 days of diagnosis, and 10 of 10 confirmed COVID-19 patients tested IgG positive after 14 days of diagnosis. Conclusion Aspartate aminotransferase may be the most useful indicator in the diagnosis of COVID-19.

Twelve flavonoids were isolated from an ethanol extract of Machilus wangchiana by a combination of various chromatographic techniques including column chromatography over silica gel and Sephadex LH-20 and reversed-phase flash chromatography and HPLC. Their structures were identified by spectroscopic data analysis (IR, MS, and NMR) as (+)-catechin (1), (-)-epicatechin (2), 3'-O-methyl-(+)-catechin (3), 3'-O-methyl-(-)-epicatechin (4), 3, 5, 7, 2', 5'-pentahydroxy flavan (5), (-)-naringenin (6), (-)-eriodictyol (7), (-)-liquiritigenin (8), (2R,3R)-(+)-dihydrokaempferol (9), (2R,3S)-(-)-dihydro- kaempferol (10), (2R, 3R)-(+)-taxifolin (11), and quercetin (12). Compounds 1-10 are isolated from the genus Machilus for the first time.
Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; Flavonoids ; chemistry ; Lauraceae ; chemistry ; Mass Spectrometry ; Molecular Structure ; Plant Roots ; chemistry

Objective To investigate antifungal activities of AMB, ICZ, VRC, CBF against 72 strains of filamentous fungi in vitro. Methods Based on CLSI M38-P and M38-A scheme, MIC of antifungal drugs were determined. The growing inhibitory concentration of 100%, 100%,≥80%, for AMB, VRC ,ICZ act as respective MIC. For caspofungin, the minimal effective concentration (MEC) was determined as the lowest drug concentration showing morphology change of filaments. The fractional inhibitory concentration (FIC) was used to evaluate the effect of combination therapy. FIC was calculated by the following equation: FIC = MICcombination/MICA drug alone+ MICcombination/MICB drug alone. Results MIC90 of AMB, ICZ, CBF, VRC against 72 isolates of filamentous fungi were 8 μg/ml, 4 μg/ml, 2 μg/ml, 8 μg/ml, respectively. MICs range of combined AMB + ICZ, AMB + VRC, ICZ + VRC were 0. 125-16. 97, 0. 2452-1.25, and 0.0625-8. 25 μg/ml respectively. The percent of synergistic interaction of AMB + VRC against filamentous fungi (20.0%-88.9% ) was higher than those of AMB + ICZ ( 10.0% -62.5% ) and ICZ + VRC ( 20.0% - 44.4% ) ( P=0.007 <0.05 ). Conclusions The antifungal activities of four kinds antifungal drugs against 72 strains of filamentous fungi vary in vitro. The therapy of AMB combined with VRC is maybe better than AMB + ICZ and ICZ + VRC for severe fungi infection.

Background Fundus photography is a traditional method for detecting local retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) defects,but the evaluation of its result depends on the observer's experience.The spectral domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) exhibit the defects of RNFL very clearly.Objective This study was to evaluate the diagnosis value and correlation between topographic profiles of localized RNFL defects determined by spectral domain and time domain OCT with fundus photography.Methods Forty-one normal eyes of 41 subjects and 55 eyes of 55 glaucomatous patients with localized,wedge-shaped RNFL defects identified by two glaucoma specialists in fundus photographs were enrolled in the clinical study.The angular location and width of RNFL defects determined on the images of fundus photography,Cirrus HD-OCT and Stratus OCT were analyzed respectively using Pearson's correlation coefficient and linear regression analysis.This study followed the Helsinki declaration and was approved by Ethic Committee of Shenzhen Eye Hospital.Written informed consent was obtained from each individual before the clinical examination.Results Seventy-five RNFL defects were identified in 55 eyes by two glaucoma specialists unanimously with the defect position at superior-temporal and inferior-temporal quadrants.The sensitivity of Cirrus HD-OCT and Stratus OCT to determining RNFL defects were 88.0% and 69.3% respectively and their specificities were 92.7% and 97.6% respectively.The angular locations of RNFL defects by Cirrus HD-OCT and Stratus OCT were highly correlated with those by fundus photography(r=0.993,r=0.992,P＜0.001);while the angular widths of RNFL defects by Cirrus HD-OCT and Stratus OCT were moderately correlated with those by fundus photography(r=0.420,r=0.432,P=0.019,P=0.002).No significant differences were found in the defect width of RNFL between Cirrus HD-OCT or Stratus OCT and fundus photography(Cirrus HD-OCT:P=0.114;Stratus OCT:P=0.074),and significant difference was found in that between Cirrus HD-OCT and Stratus OCT(P=0.002).Conclusion Spectral domain OCT and time domain OCT can localize RNFL defects with high sensitivity and specificity.The measure value of Cirrus HD-OCT and Stratus OCT for RNFL defects shows a good diagnostic agreement with fundus photography.

Background Glaucoma is primarily characterized by the damage of retinal ganglion cells.The macular ganglion cell complex (GCC)thickness can be quantitatively measured using spectral domain optical coherence tomography(SD-OCT). Objective This clinical study was to explore the macular GCC thickness change in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) patient with SD-OCT. Methods A serial case-controlled study was designed.A total 101 eyes of 101 POAG patients and 41 normal eyes of 41 age- and refract power-matched normal subjects were cnrolled in the study.POAG patients were assigned to normal perimetry POAG group,early stage POAG group,advanced POAG group and late stage POAG group.Average macular GCC thickness(GCC-Avg),superior GCC thickness(GCC-Sup) and inferior GCC thickness (GCC-Inf)of subjects were measured by SD-OCT and compared among POAG patients and normal controls.Peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL) thickness was measured with time domain OCT(TD-OCT).The correlation between GCC thickness with RNFL thickness or mean deviation(MD) of perimetry were evaluated and analyzed.Informed consent was obtained from each patient prior to entering this study.Results GCC-Avg thickness,GCC-Sup thickness and GCC-Inf thickness were significantly decreased in the normalperimetry POAG group and early stage POAG group compared with the normal control group (GCC-Avg:t =5.411,10.247,P ＜ 0.01 ; GCC-Sup:t =6.171,9.484,P＜ 0.01 ; GCC-Inf:t =5.281,8.592,P ＜ 0.01 ).Also,GCC-Avg thickness,GCC-Sup thickness and GCC-Inf thickness were significantly decreased in the advanced POAG group compared with the early stage POAG group ( GCC-Avg:t =4.246,P＜0.01 ; GCC-Sup:t - 2.419,P - 0.019 ; GCC-Inf:t =4.636,P＜0.01 ),and GCC-Avg thickness,GCC-Sup thickness and GCC-Inf thickness were significantly decreased in the late stage POAG group compared with the advanced POAG group (GCC-Avg:t=2.095,P=0.040;GCC-Sup:t=2.756,P＜0.01:GCC-Inf:t =2.018,P =0.040 ).The positive correlations were seen between GCC-Avg thickness,GCC-Sup thickness,GCC-Inf thickness and RNFL-Avg thickness,RNFL-Sup thickness,RNFL-Inf thickness respectively( r =0.802,0.825,0.856,P ＜ 0.01 ).MD value of perimetry was positive correlated with GCC-Avg thickness in POAG patients ( r =0.601,P ＜ 0.01 ). Conclusions SD-OCT can quantitatively measure and differentiate the GCC thickness in POAG patients.The GCC thickness gradually decreases with the development of POAG.There exist a well correlation between visual field defect and RNFL thinning.

AIM:To study the feasibility of recombinant adeno-associated virus(rAAV)as a vector to transfer the green fluorescent protein(GFP)gene as a target gene into rabbit retina.METHODS:Intravitreal injection of rAAV-gfp was performed in either eye for each rabbit with the other eye taken as control.At the 3rd,7th,and 14th day after injection,the eyeballs were removed,and the retinas were flat-mounted on glass slides to inspect the retinal fluorescence,respectively.RESULTS:After intravitreal injection of rAAV-gfp,the presence of fluorescent spots in the cytoplasm of retinal cells indicated that GFP gene was efficiently transferred and expressed in the rabbit retina.CONCLUSION:Recombinant adeno-associated virus is a reliable and simple vector for transferring target gene,e.g.,GFP gene,to the retina.

Objective To observe the protective function of recombinant human thioredoxin(TRX) on HeLa cell injury induced by Coxsackie virus 3m(CVB3m) and to study the inhibiting effect of TRX on viral replication. Methods We infected HeLa cells with 10TCID50 CVB3m and then protected these cells with TRX (2,5,10 mg/L). The protective group of TRX, viral group, control group of TRX, and normal control group were included. Six parallel wells were set up in each group. The cell growth was observed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) and contrast phase microscope. Results The results of contrast phase microscope revealed that HeLa cells were arranged tightly and polygon in normal control group; untightly, became circle and abscission in viral group; HeLa cells morphous improved by increasing TRX concentration in TRX protective group(2,5,10mg/L). MTT results of the inhibitory ratio on cell growth of TRX(2,5,10 mg/L) control group(1.2%,2.9%,6.3%) were compared with normal control group(0), there was no significant difference(all P > 0.05); and while the inhibitory ratio on cell growth of TRX(2,5,10 mg/L) protective group(32.0%,28.0%,27.0%) was compared with virus infective group(51.7%), there was a significant difference (all P < 0.05). The inhibition study of viral replication showed that compared the inhibitory ratio on cell growth of TRX(2,5,10 mg/L) protective group(26.0%,27.0%, 10.9%) with virus infective group(60.0%), there was a significant difference(all P < 0.05). In the protective groups, there was a significant difference (all P < 0.05) between low dose groups(2,5 mg/L) and high dose groups( 10 mg/L). Conclusions The recombinant TRX(2,5,10 mg/L) may alleviate HeLa cell's injury induced by virus and the construct has no significant toxicity. TRX(2,5,10 mg/L) is effective in inhibiting virus CVB3m replication.

Abstract： Objective　To investigate and analyze the factors influencing the direct medical costs of tuberculosis patients in Hainan Province, so as to provide scientific reference for reducing the medical burden of patients and adjusting the medical insurance reimbursement policies in the local area. Methods　Using the total health expenditure accounting data of Hainan Province in 2020, including the outpatient and inpatient data of 14 provincial medical institutions, 235 city and county level medical institutions, and other relevant data from the 2020 Hainan Statistical Yearbook and Health Financial Yearbook, the direct medical costs of tuberculosis patients in the province in that year were calculated, and the influencing factors were explored using single factor analysis and multivariate generalized linear model. Results　The final number of cases included in this study was 11 979, including 7 526 males (62.83%) and 4 453 females (37.17%). The total direct medical costs of patients were 43.207 3 million yuan, of which the total outpatient costs were 2.733 9 million yuan (6.32%) and the total inpatient costs were 40.473 4 million yuan (93.67%). In the cost composition analysis, the drug cost was 17.971 million yuan (41.44%), the examination cost was 8.854 7 million yuan (20.49%), other costs were 16.445 5 million yuan (38.06%), and the median (quartile) M(P25,P75) direct medical cost of each patient was 177.50 (66.73,764.89) yuan. The multivariate generalized linear model analysis showed that hospitalization, new rural cooperative medical insurance (NRCMI) and urban employee medical insurance were the influencing factors of the increase in direct medical costs of tuberculosis patients the median (quartile) M(P25,P75) of direct medical costs are 10 425.04 (6 560.87,17 374.9), 10 246.5 (5 871.28,17 220.33), 3 177.2 (293.09,7 730.23) yuan respectively; the OR(95%CI) values were -3.505 (-3.499- -3.517), 1.559 (1.551-1.569) and 2.191 (2.188-2.207) respectively. Conclusions　The direct medical costs of tuberculosis patients in Hainan Province are high. Hospitalization, the new rural cooperative medical insurance and the medical insurance for urban workers are the influencing factors of the increase in costs.

OBJECTIVETo establish a rapid method for the determination of chlorogenic acid in aqueous solution of Flos Lonicerae Japonicae extraction.

METHODChlorogenic acid content in aqueous solution of Flos Lonicerae Japonicae extraction was measured by RP-HPLC. The UV spectrum of the same samples were scanned simultaneously. The wavelength of the best correlation between UV absorbance and chlorogenic acid content determined by HPLC was chosen and the chlorogenic acid content of aqueous solution of Flos Lonicerae Japonicae extraction was estimated by prediction equation. Other 10 batches of aqueous solution of Flos Lonicerae Japonicae extraction was used for testing the equation by comparison of the values of chlorogenic acid content determined by HPLC and equation.

RESULTGood linearity of chlorogenic acid was obtained within the range of 0.09-2.25 microg by HPLC; The recovery was 100.4%; RSD was 1.1% (n = 5). The best wavelength in UV spectrum correlating with chlorogenic acid content was 294 nm. The prediction equation: chlorogenic acid content C = 2.703 425A(294 nm) - 0.129 18; Good correlation between chlorogenic acid content determined by HPLC and predicted results was found (r = 0.995 2, n = 11). RSD was 0.2% (n = 6).

CONCLUSIONThis method is simple, rapid and accurate for determination of chlorogenic acid and can be used for the rapid control of aqueous solution of Flos Lonicerae Japonicae extraction.

Chlorogenic Acid ; analysis ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; analysis ; chemistry ; Flowers ; chemistry ; Lonicera ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Quality Control ; Solutions ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet ; methods