Glaucoma is a group of diseases which can threaten and damage the optic nerve and its visual pathway, leading to visual impairment as a result. Glaucomatous optic neuropathy is a chronic disease accompanied by apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells ( RGCs ) , visual field defect and cupping of optic nerve head. The gold standard in functional glaucoma evaluation is standard automated perimetry ( SAP) , but it is often limited to the subjective feelings of the patients. Still, visual electrophysiological techniques cannot replace the conventional inspection, but with its rapid development, it has provided a new strategy for the early diagnosis of glaucoma as a supplement because it can show changes in amplitude and latency before visual field defect. Here we review three special electroretinograms and multifocal focal visually evoked potentials in the early diagnosis of glaucoma.

Objective To explore and evaluate the effect of improved drinking method on the respiratory failure patients with non-invasive mechanical ventilation.Methods Totals of 80 cases with noninvasive mechanical ventilation in the Chinese PLA General Hospital between October 2010 and October 2011 were recruited and randomly divided into observation group( n =40 ) receiving the improved drinking during non-invasive mechanical ventilation and control group( n =40) receiving the traditional drinking,taking off the mask and drinking.Pulse oxygen saturation,respiratory rate,heart rate,mean blood pressure,thirst score,cough and dyspnea were observed and recorded before drinking,at the end of drinking,5 min,30 min after drinking.Results There was no significant difference in gender,age and APACHE Ⅱ score between two groups( P ＞ 0.05 ).The observation group always had higher oxygen saturation than that of control group (95.2±2.3 vs 94.4 ±2.3,94.8 ±2.5 vs 91.8 ±3.4,95.1 ±2.0 vs 92.4 ±3.2,96.0 ±1.9 vs 93.4 ±2.9,P ＜0.05 ),and the incidence of cough,dyspnea was significantly lower than that of the control group ( 10.0％ vs 45.0％,5.0％ vs 22.5％ ),and after drinking 30 minutes,thirst score increased significantly in control group than that of the observation group ( 1.30 ± 0.60 vs 1.97 ± 0.65 ),and the difference was statistically significant( P ＜ 0.05 ).Conclusions Improved drinking method can achieve satisfied oxygen saturation during non-invasive mechanical ventilation with less possibility of cough and dyspnea.

Objective To study the needing of different payments of inpatients for nursing operation inform and to provide theoretical guidance for clinical nursing operation inform,so as to meet patients' personalities and diversification needs.Methods Totals of 774 inpatients in four hospitals of Guilin city were investigated with self-designed questionnaire from January to March in 2011,then the results were analyzed.Results Inpatients' needs for nursing operation inform were high both in four groups public expense,selfexpense,basic medical insurance of city,new type of rural cooperative medical care insurance,and especially 85％ inpatients needed most was 11 items of needs.Most of patients selected nurses to be the informer and they were willing to informed in oral way.There were significant difference on the needing of 12 items nursing operations among inpatients with different payments ( P ＜ 0.05 or P ＜ 0.01 ).Conclusions It is necessary to sufficiently assess the needing of different payments inpatients for inform in order to meet their infromed needs of nursing operations.Nurses as important informers,we should pay attention to their role.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy and safety of etanercept, a tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-alpha inhibitor, in the treatment of ankylosing spondylitis (AS), and investigate its effect on serum levels of matrix metalloproteinase-3 (MMP-3).

METHODSForty-eight patients with AS received etanercept 25 mg twice a week for a treatment course of 12 weeks. The patients' symptoms, signs, Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Disease Activity Index (BASDAI), Bath Ankylosing Spondylitis Functional Index (BASFI), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP) levels and side effects were observed before and after the treatment. The serum levels of MMP-3 was determined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSAll the patients completed the treatment. The degree of spinal pain and pain at night, the duration of morning stiffness, the finger-to-floor distance, BASDAI and BASFI were significantly improved after the treatment (P<0.05). Etanercept treatment resulted in a significant reduction in serum MMP-3 level in the AS patients to 31.22-/+10.26 ng/ml as compared with the level before treatment (46.17-/+25.74 ng/ml, P<0.05). The reduction of serum MMP-3 was positively correlated to decrement of ESR and CRP (r=0.397 and 0.474, respectively, P<0.05). The most common adverse events of etanercept included injection site reaction and upper respiratory infection.

CONCLUSIONEtanercept treatment has obvious therapeutic effects on AS without serious adverse effects. MMP-3 may be a potentially useful indicator to assess the effect of anti-TNF-alpha treatment in AS patients.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Antirheumatic Agents ; therapeutic use ; C-Reactive Protein ; metabolism ; Etanercept ; Female ; Humans ; Immunoglobulin G ; therapeutic use ; Male ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 3 ; blood ; Middle Aged ; Receptors, Tumor Necrosis Factor ; therapeutic use ; Spondylitis, Ankylosing ; blood ; drug therapy ; pathology ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; antagonists & inhibitors ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo study the anatomy of the cutaneous branch (CB) of supratrochlear artery and its relevance to the design of frontal flap in nasal reconstruction.

METHODS10 fresh cadavers were dissected to study the position and course of the CB of supratrochlear artery (supraorbital rim and facial midline as landmark). The communication between the CB and supraorbital artery was also studied. 5 cases of ultra-thin frontal flaps and 11 cases of bi-flap( cutaneous flap and muscular flap) were designed on anatomic basis. The survival rate of flap, the stability and aesthetic appearance of the reconstructed nose were followed up.

RESULTSThe supratrochlear artery gave off constant CB (1.18 +/- 0.36) cm from upper orbital rim and (1.35 +/- 0.34) cm from the midline of face. The CB passed in a subcutaneous plane and communicated with the bilateral muscular branch, CB of the opposite side and bilateral supraorbital artery. The supratrochlear artery only had CB with no muscular branch in 3 cases. All the flaps survived completely except one with blister on the nose tip which healed spontaneously. The postoperative aesthetic appearance was very satisfactory.

CONCLUSIONSThe supratrochlear artery has constant CB. The frontal ultra-thin flap pedicled with the CB can improve the therapeutic effect of nasal reconstruction.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Arteries ; anatomy & histology ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Nose ; surgery ; Rhinoplasty ; methods ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; Trochlear Nerve ; blood supply ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effective method of preserving composite facial allograft so as to attenuate ischemic injury.

METHODSThe composite facial allografts were harvested from dog, perfused and preserved with 4 degrees C physiological sodium chloride and UW solution respectively. Immediately after the removal of the flap, after 12, 24, 48 h of preservation, MTT assay was used to determine the viability of several kinds of tissue, including skin, mucosa, muscle, bleed vessel, nerve and gland. The results of the two groups were compared in term of viability percentage. The pathology of several tissues were observed after 24 and 48 h of storage.

RESULTSThe viability percentage of every tissue conserved in UW solution for 48 hours was more than 75%. There was significant difference between physiological sodium chloride group and UW group (P < 0.05). Some changes, including Porous arrangement of fibers in connective tissue of skin and mucosa, hyalinization of tissue around the hair follicle and edema of cell in hair follicle, enlargement of space between muscle bundles and unclearness of boundary of acinus could be seen in physiological sodium chloride group while no significant change in UW group.

CONCLUSIONSUW solution could be considered as preservation solution for composite facial allograft.

Adenosine ; Allopurinol ; Animals ; Dogs ; Face ; Female ; Glutathione ; Insulin ; Male ; Organ Preservation Solutions ; Raffinose ; Tissue Preservation ; methods ; Transplantation, Homologous

OBJECTIVETo develop an experimental model of composite facial and scalp allograft in canine in order to investigate technical and immunological aspects and functional recovery of facial muscles of this new approach to facial reconstruction.

METHODS(1) Anatomic study: Four mongrel dogs were used for anatomical dissection of the head and neck region and for harvesting flap experiment. (2) Autologous transplantation (group I): Three types composite facial and scalp autologous transplantation were performed in five mongrel dogs. Type I composite tissue flap (group I a n = 2) included bilateral external ear and orbicularis oculi muscle. Type II (group I b n = 1) included single-lateral external ear, orbicularis oculi muscle, external nose upper and lower lip. Type III (group I c n = 2) included single - lateral external ear and orbicularis oculi muscle. (3) Allograft transplantation (group II): In group II a (n = 2), two allograft transplantation were performed with type III composite facial and scalp . In group II b (n = 4), four allograft transplantation were performed with the modified type III composite facial and scalp which included single - lateral external ear, orbicularis oculi muscle and one third of inferior tarsal plate and palpebral conjunctiva. To prevent allograft rejection, Cyclosporin A (CsA) and Methylprednisolone (MP) or Prednisone (PS ) were combined used as immunosuppressive protocol . Dose of CsA was adjusted depending on its blood drug level. Electromyogram (EMG) of orbicularis oculi muscle was carried out at 4 weeks, 6 weeks, 12 weeks and 6 months postoperation.

RESULTS(1) The facial anatomic characteristic of dog is similar to that of human being, external carotid artery and external jugular vein afford good blood supply to composite facial and scalp. (2) The dogs in group I c were long-term surviving with leakage of salivary juice. (3) In group II a (n = 2), one dog presented rejection reaction at 28th day postoperation, the reversal of rejection was achieved by increasing the dose of CsA and prednisone and with topical clobetasol for 2 weeks, the dog survived indefinitely( > 309 days). In group II b (n = 4), there were three dogs survived indefinitely ( > 159 days, > 129 days, > 108 days) without complication, EMG showed the function of orbicularis oculi muscle was gradually improving.

CONCLUSIONThe modified type III composite facial and scalp allograft transplantation model is an ideal model for facial allograft transplantation study.

Animals ; Dogs ; surgery ; Face ; Facial Transplantation ; Models, Animal ; Scalp ; transplantation ; Skin Transplantation ; Surgical Flaps ; Tissue Transplantation ; Transplantation, Homologous

A rich diversity of wild medicinal plant resources is distributed in China, but the breeding of new plant varieties of Chinese medicinal plants started late and the breeding level is relatively weak. Chinese medicinal plant resources are the foundation for new varieties breeding, and the plant variety rights(PVP) are of great significance for the protection and development of germplasm resources. However, most Chinese medicinal plants do not have a distinctness, uniformity, and stability(DUS) testing guideline. The Ministry of Agriculture and Rural Affairs has put 191 plant species(genera) on protection lists, of which only 30 are medicinal species(genera). At the same time, only 29 of 293 species(genera) plants in the Protection List of New Plant Varieties of the People's Republic of China(Forest and Grass) belong to Chinese medicinal plants. The number of PVP applications and authorization of Chinese medicinal plants is rare, and the composition of variety is unreasonable. Up to now, 29 species(genera) of DUS test guidelines for Chinese medicinal plants have been developed. Some basic problems in the breeding of new varieties of Chinese medicinal plants have appeared, such as the small number of new varieties and insufficient utilization of Chinese medicinal plant resources. This paper reviewed the current situation of breeding of new varieties of Chinese medicinal plants and the research progress of DUS test guidelines in China and discussed the application of biotechnology in the field of Chinese medicinal plant breeding and the existing problems in DUS testing. This paper guides the further application of DUS to protect and utilize the germplasm resources of Chinese medicinal plants.
Agriculture ; Biotechnology ; Plant Breeding ; Plants, Medicinal/genetics*

Chinese medicinal resources are the cornerstone of the sustainable development of traditional Chinese medicine industry. However, due to the fecundity of species, over-exploitation, and limitations of artificial cultivation, some medicinal plants are depleted and even endangered. Tissue culture, a breakthrough technology in the breeding of traditional Chinese medicinal materials, is not limited by time and space, and can allow the production on an annual basis, which plays an important role in the protection of Chinese medicinal resources. The present study reviewed the applications of tissue culture of medicinal plants in the field of Chinese medicinal resources, including rapid propagation of medicinal plant seedlings, breeding of novel high-yield and high-quality cultivars, construction of a genetic transformation system, and production of secondary metabolites. Meanwhile, the current challenges and suggestions for the future development of this field were also proposed.
Sustainable Development ; Plants, Medicinal/genetics* ; Plant Breeding ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Technology

OBJECTIVE: This study was conducted to explore the mechanism of intestinal inflammation and barrier repair in Crohn's disease (CD) regulated by moxibustion through bile acid (BA) enterohepatic circulation and intestinal farnesoid X receptor (FXR). METHODS: Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into control group, CD model group, mild moxibustion group and herb-partitioned moxibustion group. CD model rats induced by 2,4,6-trinitrobenzene sulfonic acid were treated with mild moxibustion or herb-partitioned moxibustion at Tianshu (ST25) and Qihai (CV6). The changes in CD symptoms were rated according to the disease activity index score, the serum and colon tissues of rats were collected, and the pathological changes in colon tissues were observed via histopathology. Western blot, immunohistochemistry (IHC) and immunofluorescence were used to evaluate the improvement of moxibustion on intestinal inflammation and mucosal barrier in CD by the BA-FXR pathway. RESULTS: Mild moxibustion and herb-partitioned moxibustion improved the symptoms of CD, inhibited inflammation and repaired mucosal damage to the colon in CD rats. Meanwhile, moxibustion could improve the abnormal expression of BA in the colon, liver and serum, downregulate the expression of interferon-γ and upregulate the expression of FXR mRNA, and inhibit Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and myeloid differentiation factor 88 (MyD88) mRNA. The IHC results showed that moxibustion could upregulate the expression of FXR and mucin2 and inhibit TLR4 expression. Western blot showed that moxibustion inhibited the protein expression of TLR4 and MyD88 and upregulated the expression of FXR. Immunofluorescence image analysis showed that moxibustion increased the colocalization sites and intensity of FXR with TLR4 or nuclear factor-κB p65. In particular, herb-partitioned moxibustion has more advantages in improving BA and upregulating FXR and TLR4 in the colon. CONCLUSION Mild moxibustion and herb-partitioned moxibustion can improve CD by regulating the enterohepatic circulation stability of BA, activating colonic FXR, regulating the TLR4/MyD88 pathway, inhibiting intestinal inflammation and repairing the intestinal mucosal barrier. Herb-partitioned moxibustion seems to have more advantages in regulating BA enterohepatic circulation and FXR activation. Please cite this article as: Shen JC, Qi Q, Han D, Lu Y, Huang R, Zhu Y, Zhang LS, Qin XD, Zhang F, Wu HG, Liu HR. Moxibustion improves experimental colitis in rats with Crohn's disease by regulating bile acid enterohepatic circulation and intestinal farnesoid X receptor. J Integr Med. 2023; 21(2): 194-204.
Rats ; Animals ; Crohn Disease/pathology* ; Moxibustion/methods* ; Toll-Like Receptor 4/metabolism* ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Myeloid Differentiation Factor 88/metabolism* ; Colitis ; Inflammation ; Enterohepatic Circulation ; RNA, Messenger/metabolism*