AIM: To better reveal the changing process of macula area after photodynamic therapy (PDT), the changes of tomographic imaging on macular fovea optical coherence tomography ( OCT ) scan at different follow- up time points after treating age-related macular degeneration ( AMD) by PDT were investigated.
METHODS: This cohort study included 30 eyes of 26 patients diagnosed as AMD. The dosage of verteporfin was calculated according to manufacturer's instruction. All participants got FFA, ICG, OCT scan and best corrected visual acuity before and followed up for 2wk, 1, 2, 3mo after PDT. The standard five lines combined with 6 lines OCT scan covered key parts of lesion and the scan locations before and after were kept the same. The bilaminar foveal thickness (BFT), outer high reflectivity band thickness ( OHRBT ) , and the total area of intraretinal fluid ( IRF ) and subretinal fluid ( SRF ) were measured at different time points. The relationship between the changes and follow up time was analyzed. Statistical analysis of the data was performed using SPSS for windows version 13. 0.
RESULTS: There months after treatment, an improvement of 2 lines or better on the Snellen chart was achieved on 22 eyes, visual acuity of 3 eyes without significant change, 3 eyes got decreased, 2 cases lost follow up. The average macular thickness of improved 22 eyes before treatment was 722. 5±55. 6μm, 2wk after treatment, 708. 3±45. 3μm, 1mo, 584. 4±49. 3μm, 2mo, 430. 7±50. 2μm and 180. 6 ±36. 3μm at 3mo. The OHRBT before and after treatment respectively were 302. 3 ±50-2μm, 277. 5±42. 3μm, 202. 7±40. 1μm, 180. 6±35. 7μm, 100. 8±22. 9μm. The total area of both IRF and SRF was estimated as 0. 34±0. 12mm2 , 0. 25±0. 07mm2 , 0. 10±0-05mm2 , 0. 08±0. 04mm2 , 0. 05±0. 01mm2 .
CONCLUSION:SRF and retinal edema of patients with AMD were absorbed 1mo after PDT, and the BFT, OHRBT were significantly tend to be thin.

BACKGROUND:The bispectral (BIS) index is a processed electroencephalogram (EEG) parameter with extensive validation and demonstrated clinical utility. The study aimed to investigate the correlation between the BIS index and the prognosis of patients with coma in the ICU. METHODS:A total of 208 patients with coma in the ICU were enrolled in this study. According to the BIS value, the patients were divided into four groups:group I, BIS value 0 to 20; group Ⅱ, BIS value 21 to 40; group Ⅲ, BIS value 41 to 60; and group IV, BIS value greater than 60. The difference in BIS values with the differences in prognosis of patients with coma was compared between the four groups, and the prognosis of patients with coma was stratified into consciousness, coma, vegetative state, and brain death. Subsequently, the best cut-off score of BIS values calculated for determining the correlation between BIS value and mental state was proposed. RESULTS:There are no significant differences in the age and APACHE Ⅱ scores between the four groups (P>0.05). An inverse correlation was observed between BIS value and mental state (r=–0.749, P=0.00). According to the ROC curve, as BIS value was greater than 42.5, there were higher sensitivity and specificity in conscious-coma patients. CONCLUSION:BIS value is correlated with the prognosis of patients with coma in ICU, and BIS value can be a useful marker for estimating the prognosis of comatose patients.

OBJECTIVETo observe the therapeutic effect of Shennong No. 33 (SN33) in treating multiple organ dysfunction syndrome (MODS) by APACHE II and APACHE II scoring.

METHODSOne hundred and twenty-nine patients of MODS were randomly divided into the treated group (n = 72) and the control group (n = 57), they were treated with comprehensive therapy and to the treated group, SN33 was given additionally. The changes of APACHE II and APACHE III scores and blood endotoxin level were observed at the time points of within 24 hrs after hospitalization, and the 3rd, 5th and 7th day.

RESULTSIn the treated group, 50 patients survived and 22 died, while in the control group, 25 survived and 32 died. The APACHE II and APACHE III scores of the survivors were higher than those of the decedent (P<0.05), which in the treated group was lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). The blood level of endotoxin in the treated group was also lower than that in the control group (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONSN33 in treating MODS could improve patients' condition, lead to the lowering of APACHE scores. APACHE scoring system could be applied as the criteria for evaluating the condition and prognosis of critical patients, and the APACHE III scoring is more accurate.

APACHE ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; therapeutic use ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Endotoxins ; blood ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Multiple Organ Failure ; drug therapy ; Phytotherapy

OBJECTIVETo investigate the absorption of the water soluble components of Salvia miltiorrhiza and establish methods to determine Danshensu in rat serum after ig compound Salvia recipe.

METHODUsed liquid-liquid extraction to deal with the serum, then determined the sample by high-performance liquid chromatography. The conditions for HPLC were as the following: the mobile phase, CH3OH-CH3CN-0.5% CH3COOH (2.5:3.5:94) with a flow rate of 1.0 mL.min-1; detection wavelength, 281 nm; internal standard, 4-hydroxy-benzoic acid.

RESULTDanshensu and an unknown compound whose reserved time was little shorter than protocatechuic aldehyde were found in the rat serum after ig compound Salvia recipe, while protocatechuic aldehyde weren't found in the serum.

CONCLUSIONDanshensu can be absorbed into blood after ig compound Salvia recipe.

Animals ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; isolation & purification ; pharmacokinetics ; Female ; Lactates ; blood ; Male ; Panax ; chemistry ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry

The opening of laboratories in universities is one of important parts in teaching reform and it is necessary for bringing up high-qualified students.Combined with the practical teaching,we have a primary discussion with the problems of the laborato- ry opening and put forward some suggestions and measures.

Objective?To observe the clinical effect of FURS combined with ultrasound guided all seeing needle treatment of low pole renal calculi.?Methods?From January 2016 to January 2017, 63 patients with low pole renal calculi were enrolled in this study. 16 patients with multiple stones and 47 cases with single stones were treated by FURS combined with ultrasound guided all seeing needle. We retrospectively analyzed all the patients clinical data, including the operation time, bleeding volume, stone clearance rate, the incidence of postoperative complications, then assess the safety and effectiveness of the surgical approach.?Results?The operation time was 30 ~ 60 min, the average time was 45 min, postoperative complications in 3 cases, 2 cases of pain; no blood transfusion; 2 cases of percutaneous nephrolithotomy. Postoperative hospital stay wad 2 ~ 3 d, an average of 2 d, postoperative residual stone in 3 cases, 2 weeks after the treatment of external lithotripsy, 1 case of stone clearance rate of 100.0%.?Conclusion?Retrograde FURS combined with ultrasound guided visual puncture for renal calculi is safe, effective and feasible.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the adaptation of root canal filled with three obturation techniques in vitro.

METHODSFifty-seven cleaned and shaped premolars were divided into three groups, each group including 10 single root canal premolars and 9 double root canal premolars, and filled respectively with following techniques: GuttaFlow paste with single master cone (GF group), cold lateral compaction technique with AH plus sealer (LC group), warm vertical compaction technique with AH plus sealer (VC group). The roots were invested and sectioned at 1 mm interval from crown to apex using a microtome saw under water cooling. Both surfaces of the sections were digitally photographed and measured using a stereomicroscope. The number of sections with voids and the area of voids were measured and analyzed.

RESULTSThe frequency of sections with voids: VC group (21.4%, 76/355) was significantly lower than GF group (47.7%, 173/363) and LC group (52.6%, 190/361), P < 0.0167. There was no significant difference between GF and LC group (P > 0.0167). The percentage of voids area (AV%): GF group was significantly higher than LC and VC group (P = 0.000, P = 0.008). The median of GF group was 2.67, LC group was 1.55, VC group was 1.01. No significant difference between VC and LC group (P = 0.076). The filling quality of isthmus: 86% (85/99) isthmus were well filled in VC, significantly higher than GF group (55%, 43/78) and LC group (58%, 49/84), P < 0.0167. There was no significant difference between GF and LC group (P > 0.0167).

CONCLUSIONSThe adaptation of root canal filled with warm vertical compaction technique was superior to cold lateral compaction technique and GuttaFlow technique.

Bicuspid ; Dental Pulp Cavity ; Dimethylpolysiloxanes ; Drug Combinations ; Epoxy Resins ; Gutta-Percha ; Root Canal Filling Materials ; Root Canal Obturation ; methods ; Root Canal Preparation

Ductus Arteriosus ; abnormalities ; Fatal Outcome ; Female ; Heart Septal Defects, Atrial ; etiology ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Rubella Syndrome, Congenital ; complications

Adenoma, Sweat Gland ; metabolism ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Humans ; Keratin-14 ; metabolism ; Keratin-17 ; metabolism ; Keratin-18 ; metabolism ; Keratin-7 ; metabolism ; Keratins ; metabolism ; Papilloma ; metabolism ; Sebaceous Gland Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Skin Neoplasms ; metabolism ; Sweat Gland Neoplasms ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo study the effect of glutamine on intestinal epithelial apoptosis by examining changes regarding Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA expressions in the small intestine of young rats with endotoxemia and to explore the protective mechanism that glutamine may have.

METHODSA total of 120 18-day-old rats were randomly assigned into Endotoxemia, Glutamine-treated and Control groups (n = 40 each). The endotoxemia model was established by intraperitoneal injection of endotoxin (4 mg/kg of O55B5 Escherichia coli lipopolysaccharide). Rats in the Glutamine-treated group were intraperitoneally injected with N (2)-L-alanyl-L-glutamine (2 g/kg) along with endotoxin. Rats in the Control group were intraperitoneally injected with an equal volume of normal saline. The entire ileum was collected at 2, 4, 6, 24, and 72 hrs after injection. Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA expressions were detected by semi-quantities reverse transcriptase chain reaction.

RESULTSBcl-2 mRNA was not expressed in the Control and the Endotoxemia groups but increased in the Glutamine-treated group at each time point. Bax mRNA expression was weak in the Control group, and significantly increased in the Endotoxemia group at each time point. The Glutamine-treated group showed noticeably reduced Bax mRNA expression at 2 hrs post-injection while other time points were similar to the Control group. The ratio of Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA expression at each time point in the Endotoxemia group was significantly higher than that in the Control group while the Glutamine-treated group demonstrated significantly lower ratio of Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA expression than both.

CONCLUSIONSGlutamine treatment increased Bcl-2 mRNA expression and decreased Bax mRNA expression, as a result, the ratio of Bax and Bcl-2 mRNA expression decreased. The effects of glutamine resulted in a suppression of intestinal epithelial apoptosis and maintained the integrity of the gut barrier structure.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Endotoxemia ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Female ; Glutamine ; pharmacology ; Intestine, Small ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; genetics