AlM: To explore the clinical therapeutic effect of the integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine treatment of idiopathic panuveitis.
METHODS: Totally 47 patients ( 69 eyes ) with the idiopathic panuveitis were included in this study, which were randomly divided into control group and treatment group. Twenty-four cases (33 eyes) with the method of Western medicine-glucocorticoid and mydriatic were in control group, while 23 cases (36 eyes) with integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine were in treatment group. Those patients were followed up 12-36mo, the vision before and after treatment, the therapeutic effects, the complications and the side effects of glucocorticoid were recorded.
RESULTS: Both of two groups' vision after treatment were improved, but the vision of treatment group was better than the control group. The effective rate and the cure rate of the treatment group were increased significantly. Of all of the complications, the incidence rate of complicated cataract and secondary glaucoma of the treatment group were reduced significantly. Of all of the side effects of glucocorticoid, the central excitation, hypertension and central obesity of the treatment group were reduced significantly (P<0. 05).
CONCLUSlON: Dialectical therapy of integrated traditional Chinese and Western medicine has better therapeutic effect than simple Western medicine treatment of idiopathic panuveitis, and could better reduce the side effect of glucocorticoid long-term use. lt is worthy applying in clinical practice.

Objective To explore the value of abnormal imaging findings on susceptibility weighted imaging (SWI) in delayed graft function (DGF). Methods The conventional MRI and SWI images of 26 cases with DGF and 20 cases with normal renal function of transplanted kidneys were retrospectively analyzed. Patients with cysts and angiomyolipomas were excluded. Normal structures of transplanted kidney were identified. If lesions of abnormal signal intensity were found in the transplanted kidney, the location, border and signal intensity compared to renal cortex would be analyzed. The differences in signal intensity between the abnormal signal lesions and normal renal cortex in the same SWI layer of DGF were compared by using independent-sample t test. The differences in positive detection rate of discovering the abnormal signal lesions in DGF between conventional MRI and SWI were compared by using McNemar test. Results Of the 26 cases with DGF, one case was found to exhibit abnormally low signal lesions with fuzzy boundary located at junctional zone between cortex and medulla on both conventional MRI and SWI images. Ten cases were found to exhibit abnormally low signal lesions with fuzzy boundary located at junctional zone between cortex and medulla on SWI images only. Fifteen cases exhibited no abnormal signal lesions on both conventional MRI and SWI images. Twenty cases with normal renal function of transplanted kidney, no abnormal signal lesions were found on both conventional MRI and SWI images. The differences in signal intensity between the abnormally low signal lesions (130±20) and normal renal cortex (177±25) in the same SWI layer of 11 cases with DGF were statistically significant (t=-4.582,P<0.01). The differences in positive detection rate of discovering the abnormally low signal lesions in DGF between conventional MRI [3.8%(1/26)] and SWI [42.3% (11/26)] were statistically significant (χ2=8.100,P=0.002). Conclusions Abnormally low signal lesions with fuzzy boundary located at junctional zone between cortex and medulla on SWI images suggest the presence of DGF. Compared with conventional MRI, SWI appears to be superior in detecting the abnormally low signal lesions.

Objective To investigate the prevalence and risk factors of metabolic obesity with normal weight (MON W) in Han nationality adult population,and to identify the cut-off points of body fat percentage (％ BF) by dualenergy X-ray absorptiometry(DXA) for defining MONW.Methods Six hundred and sixty subjects (403 men and 257 women) with body mass index(BMI) ranged from 18.5 to 23.9 kg/m2 were recruited into this study.Waist circumference(WC),blood pressure (BP),BM1,and ％ BF were measured.Serum concentrations of glucose,triglycerides(TG),total cholesterol (TC),high-density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C),low-density lipoproteincholesterol(LDL-C),serum insulin,and high-sensitivity C-reactive protein (hsCRP) were tested.Those within the highest quartile in the homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (HOMA-IR) with a normal BM1 between 18.5 and 23.9 kg/m2 were classified as MONW.Results The prevalence of MONW was 11.34％ for men and 16.34％ for women amongst normal-weight subjects,there was no significant different between men and women in the prevalence(P＞0.05).Multivariable Logistic regression analysis showed that TG(OR =5.92,P=0.001),LDLC (OR =13.65,P =0.009),hsCRP (OR =2.09,P =0.011),WC (OR =2.35,P ＜ 0.01),％ BF (total,OR =3.65,P＜0.01) and ％ BF(abdominal,OR =26.07,P＜0.01) were the risk factors of MONW amongst men.For women,TG (OR =9.12,P＜0.01),LDL-C (OR =2.64,P =0.005),HDL-C (OR =0.020,P＜ 0.01),hsCRP (OR =2.15,P =0.039),WC (OR =1.32,P =0.045),％ BF(total,OR =1.73,P＜0.01) and ％ BF(abdominal,OR =8.43,P＜0.01) were the risk factors of MONW.The cut-off points of ％ BF for diagnosing MONW by ROC were ％ BF≥25％ for men,％ BF ≥35.0％ for women.Conclusion MONW is quite common in Han nationality adult population;.％ BF,WC,hsCRP and lipid profiles were independently associated with MONW ％ BF ≥25 ％ for men,％ BF≥35.0％ for women can be used as reference cut-off.point for diagnosing MONW.

Objective To explore the normal range of cingulate cortex volumes of Chinese adults of the Han nationality and its relationship with age, which provide morphological data for the construction of database for Chinese Standard Brain.Methods This is a clinical multi-center study.One thousand Chinese healthy volunteers ( age range = 18 to 70) recruited from 15 hospitals were divided into 5 groups, i.e.,Group A (age range = 18 to 30), B (age range=31 to 40), C (age range =41 to 50), D (age range =51 to 60), and E (age range =61 to 70).Each group contained 100 males and 100 females.All of the volunteers were scanned by MR using T1 weighted three-dimensional magnetization prepared rapid acquisition gradient echo sequence.Cingulate cortex volume (including bulk volume and the left/right volume) was measured semi-manually using 3D volume analysis software.Cingulate cortex volumes among age groups were compared by one-way ANOVA.Right and left cingnlate cortex volumes between sexualities were analyzed by paired samples t test.The relationship between cingulate cortex volume and age was analyzed by Pearson correlations and regression analysis.Results Cingulate cortex volumes of male and female were (20 347 ± 2504) and ( 19 432 ± 2184) mm3 respectively, and the male's was significantly larger than that of female's (two sample t'-test for independent samples, t'= 6.156, P < 0.05 ).Right and left cingnlate cortex volumes of male were ( 10 717 ± 1629) and (9630 ± 1498) mm3 respectively, and those of female's were ( 10 064 ± 1407 ) and ( 9368 ± 1441 )mm3 respectively.The volumes of cingulate cortex were significantly different between right and left in male or female ( t = - 12.960, - 8.511, P < 0.05 ),and right was larger than left.Bilateral cingulate cortex volume in male among group A, B, C, D and E[left: ( 10 132 ± 1291 ), ( 10 113 ± 1638), (9599 ± 1576), (9594 ± 1288), (8710 ± 1212) mm3 ; right:(11 212±1442), (11 096±1602), (11 040±1403), (10 633±1638), (9604±1522) mm3] had statistical differences (F = 16.738, 18.707, P < 0.01 ) ; and those in female among five age groups[left:(9689 ± 1426), (9652 ± 1676), (9347 ± 1500), (9098 ± 1225), (9053 ± 1233) mm3 ; fight: ( 10 558 ±1325), ( 10 266 ± 1463), ( 10 100 ± 1497), (9779 ± 1304), (9617 ± 1254) mm3] also had significant differences (F = 16.859,7.528,P <0.01 ).Bilateral cingnlate cortex volume in both male and female were negatively correlated with age ( r = - 0.330, - 0.324, - 0.169, - 0.243, P < 0.05 ), though the correlation coefficient is not high.Conclusions Cingnlate cortex volume could be accurately measured on the high-resolution MRI with 3D volume analysis software, which can provide morphological data for the construction of database for Chinese Standard Brain.The results may provide normal range for the diagnosis of the volumetric deficits of cingulate cortex.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effects of prenatal stress on neurological functions after middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) in adult offspring rats.

METHODSPregnant rats were randomly assigned to prenatal stress treatment, which was exposed to restraint three times daily in the last week of pregnancy, and no prenatal stress treatment. Adult male offspring rats were subjected to transient focal cerebral ischemia by MCAO. They were randomly divided into four groups: sham group, prenatal stress + sham group, MCAO group and prenatal stress + MCAO group (n = 10). After 24 hours of reperfusion, the neurological deficits were evaluated. The infarct size, cell apoptosis and expression of Caspase 3, cleaved Caspase 3 and Bcl-2 were detected.

RESULTSCompared with MCAO group, the neurological deficits, infarct size and apoptotic cells in prenatal stress + MCAO group were increased significantly (all P < 0.05). The expressions of Caspase 3 and cleaved Caspase 3 were much greater in prenatal stress + MCAO group than those of MCAO group, while the expression of Bcl-2 was significantly decreased in prenatal stress + MCAO group compared with MCAO group (all P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONPrenatal stress might exacerbate neuroloeical deficits in the offspring rats after MCAO by increasing cell apoptosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Caspase 3 ; metabolism ; Female ; Infarction, Middle Cerebral Artery ; physiopathology ; Ischemic Attack, Transient ; physiopathology ; Male ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects ; physiopathology ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Stress, Physiological

OBJECTIVETo observe the impacts of acupoint catgut embedding therapy and acupuncture-moxibustion therapy on the long-term efficacy and patient's life quality in the treatment of allergic rhinitis.

METHODSSixty-nine patients were randomized into the combined acupuncture-moxibustion and acupoint catgut embedding therapy group (combined therapy group, 36 cases) and an acupuncture-moxibustion group (33 cases). In the acupuncture-moxibustion group, acupuncture was applied at Yingxiang (LI 20), Shangyingxiang (EX-HN 8), Yintang (GV 29), Shangxing (GV 23), Tongtian (BL 7) and Zusanli (ST 36). Moxibustion was applied at Zusanli (ST 36), Feishu (BL 13), Dazhui (GV 14) and Fengmen (BL 12). In the combined therapy group, on the basis of the treatment as acupuncture-moxibustion group, the catgut embedding therapy was applied at Feishu (BL 13), Fengmen (BL 12), Pishu (BL 20), Shenshu (BL 23), Zhongwan (CV 12) and Qihai (CV 6). The treatment duration was 4 weeks in the two groups. The clinical efficacy of allergic rhinitis and rhinoconjunctivitis quality of life questionnaire (RQLQ) score were observed before and after treatment as well as in the 4-weeks follow-up after the end of treatment respectively.

RESULTSThe markedly effective rate was 72.7% (24/33) in the combined therapy group and 48.4% (15/31) in the acupuncture-moxibustion group after treatment. The efficacy was similar between the two groups (P > 0.05). It was 57.6% (19/33) in the combined therapy group and was 22. 6% (7/31) in the 4-week follow-up after treatment, indicating the long-term efficacy in the combined therapy group was superior to that in the acupuncture-moxibustion group (P<0. 05). Scores of RQLO after treatment and in 4-week follow-up after treatment in both groups were improved as compared with those before treatment (all P < 0.05). In 4-week follow-up, the improvements in sleep and affection in the combined therapy group were superior to the acupuncture-moxibustion group (3.27 +/- 3.23 vs 4.61 +/- 3.56, 3.48 +/- 3.67 vs 5.81 +/- 4.15, both P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe acupoint catgut embedding therapy combined with acupuncture-moxibustion therapy are safe and effective in the treatment of allergic rhinitis and display the more roles in the long-term efficacy.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; instrumentation ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Catgut ; utilization ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Moxibustion ; Quality of Life ; Rhinitis, Allergic ; Rhinitis, Allergic, Perennial ; therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Objective To evaluate the changes of the waveform of the photopic negative response in flash-electroretinogram, visual acuity and central retinal thickness in the treatment of intravitreal injections of bevacizumub. Design Retrospective self-comparative case series. Partidpants 8 subjects (9 eyes) with exudative age-related macular degeneration and 3 subjects (3eyes) with proliferative diabetic retinopathy. Method Evaluation protocol included examinations of the Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy study visual acu-ity, visual field, intraocular pressure, fundus fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography and flash-electroretinogram. Intravit-real injections of bevacizumab, 1.25 mg (0.05ml), were given under an operating microscope and aseptic conditions. All the subjects were followed-up one month later. Main outcome Measure The amplitudes of PhNR, visual acuity and central retinal thickness. Re-sult At 1 months, the mean amplitudes of PhNR and mean visual acuity in all cases had no obvious change (n=12, P>0.05).The central retinal thickness reduced obviously (n=12, P<0.05), but it was neither significantly correlated with PhNR (r=0.294, P=0.145) nor with visual acuity(r=-0.358, P=0.073). Conclusion The single intravitreal injection of bevacizumab is showed promising in absorption of in-traretinal edema and subretinal fluid in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration and proliferative diabetic retinopathy, but the changes of visual function (including PhNR) might need further investigation. (Ophthalmol CHN, 2009, 18: 243-246)

To express recombinant carboxypeptidase from Thermus aquaticus (Cpase Taq) in Pichia pastosis, the open reading frame coding thermostable Cpase Taq was optimized based on the preference of P. pastoris codon usage and synthesized in vitro. The novel gene was cloned into P. pastoris expression vector pHBM905A and the sequence coding 6xHis tag was fused with the ORF of Cpase Taq gene. The recombinant plasmid was named pHBM905A-Cpase Taq and transformed into P. pastoris GS 115. Transformants were induced with 1% methanol for 72 h until the enzyme yield reached 0.1 mg/ml. The enzyme was purified and its enzymatic properties were analyzed. The results showed that the specific enzyme activity reached maximum at 75 °C and pH 7.5, which was about 80 U/mg. It was the first report about the secretory expression of Cpase Taq in P. pastoris GS115. Because of its large-scale preparation, this enzyme may be applied in industrial hydrolysis of peptides into amino acids in the future.
Bacterial Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Carboxypeptidases ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Cloning, Molecular ; Codon ; Hydrolysis ; Open Reading Frames ; Pichia ; metabolism ; Recombinant Proteins ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Thermus ; enzymology

Background Sweep pattern visual evoked potential (SVEP) is an objective method of visual test.There is a clear correlation between SVEP acuity and subjective vision,but they are not identical.Recent studies showed that new regression method can improve the accuracy of SVEP acuity. Objective This trial was to investigate and compare the outcome between amplitude-spatial frequency (A-SP) regression method and amplitudelogVA (A-logVA) regression method in extrapolating the SVEP acuity.Methods SVEP was recorded in 113 eyes of 64 subjects using GT-2000 ( Guo Te,China) with the gratings of 10 different spatial frequency from 0.99 to 12.89 cpd as stimulus.The 1 13 eyes included cataract,glaucoma,corneal disease,optical neuropathy,retinal disease,ocular trauma,refractive error and normal eyes.The correlation were analyzed of SVEP acuity,decimal visual acuity and LogMAR visual acuity.The response were averaged and DFT on the monitor display.SVEP acuity was calculated by extrapolating 0 response amplitude.Results The correlation indices of decimal visual acuity curves obtained by the A-logVA function was 0.663,and that obtained by the A-SP function was 0.705.The positive correlation was seen between subjective decimal visual acuity and A-logVA decimal visual acuity (r =0.540,P＜ 0.01 ) and between subjective decimal acuity and decimal acuity calculated by the A-SP regression method (r=0.620,P＜0.01 ).SVEP decimal acuity calculated by the A-SP function regression method was significantly different from the that calculated by the A-logVA function regression method (Z =-8.688,P＜0.01 ).And the correlation indices of LogMAR visual acuity curves obtained by the A-logVA function was 0.733 and that obtained by the A-SP function was 0.715.The positive correlation was found between the subjective LogMAR acuity and that calculated by the A-SP regression method (r=0.700,P＜ 0.01 ) and between the subjective LogMAR acuity and LogMAR acuity calculated by the A-logVA regression method (r=0.710,P＜0.01 ).SVEP LogMAR acuity from A-SP function regression method was significantly different from the LogMAR acuity from A-logVA function regression method (Z=-8.748,P＜0.01 ).No significant differences of VA LogMAR were found in gender,eyes,type of disease and age(x2 =2.171,P=0.338;x2 =0.976,P=0.614;x2 =6.032,P=0.420;x2 =14.720,P=0.257 ).Conclusions SVEP can obtain the visual outcome in human.The amplitude-logVA function regression method is more accurate in extrapolating SVEP acuity.

Objective To evaluate of impact of thalidomide on CD4 +CD25 +T lymphocytes in patients with acute myeloid leukemia and its clinical curative effect.Methods 71 cases of patients with AML were randomly divided into the control group and the experiment group, and 31 healthy people were selected to be the normal group.The experiment group and the control group patients were treated with the same chemotherapy, the experiment group was treated with thalidomide.The levels of CD4 +CD25 +T lymphocyte, CD3 +T lymphocyte, CD4 +T lymphocyte, CD8 +T lymphocyte, ratio of CD4 +/CD8 +and NK cells were detected at before treatment, 10 to 14d after treatment, complete remission 6 months follow-up.In normal group, the same index was detected before and after chemotherapy, and 10-14 d.The clinical curative effect of the experiment group and the control group were observed.Results The effective rate of the experiment group was higher than of the control group(P<0.05); The levels of CD4 +CD25 +T lymphocyte in the experiment group and control group were significantly higher than in the normal group(P<0.05), the two groups decreased compared with the control group, the level of CD4 +CD25 +T lymphocyte in the experiment group was significantly decreased(P<0.05).And with thalidomide treatment, the experiment group in the CD3 +T lymphocytes, CD4 +T lymphocytes and ratio of CD4 +/CD8 +, NK cells were significantly higher than the control group ( P<0.05 ) .Conclusion Thalidomide can improve both the immunity cell function and the clinical efficiency in patients with AML.The mechanism is related to reduce the level of CD4 +CD25 +T lymphocyte.