AIM: To report a two- year's results of iontophoresis-assisted transepithelial corneal cross-linking (I-CXL) for progressive keratoconus.
METHODS: Thirty - four eyes in 24 patients with progressive keratoconus ( mean age 21. 0 ± 5. 6 years;range: 14-32 years) were treated. After 1g/ L riboflavin-distilled water solution was administered by iontophoresis-assited (current 1mA) transepithelial method for 5min in total, standard surface UVA irradiation ( 370nm, 3mW/cm2 ) was performed at a 1 - cm distance for 30min. The best corrected visual acuity ( BCVA ) measured as LogMAR number, corneal refractive astigmatism, K1, K2, Kmean, Kmax, intraocular pressure, endothelial cell density, the thickness at corneal apex and the thinnest point were measured preoperatively and 2a postoperatively.
RESULTS:At 2a after the procedure, BCVA (LogMAR) improved from 0. 32 ± 0. 25 to 0. 25 ± 0. 19 ( t = 2. 849, P =0. 015). K1 decreased from 47. 12±4. 33 to 46. 06±4. 77 (t =2. 652, P= 0. 015). K2 decreased from 51. 36±5. 59 to 50. 40±6. 16 (t= 2. 121, P= 0. 047). Kmean decreased from 49. 12±4. 76 to 48. 10±5. 25(t = 2. 663, P = 0. 015). Kmax decreased from 57. 57±8. 30 to 55. 91±8. 14 (t = 2. 398, P = 0. 026). The corneal apex thickness decreased from 476. 90±38. 71μ m to 454. 43 ± 40. 86μ m ( t = 2. 853, P = 0. 010 ). The thinnest thickness decreased from 464. 38 ± 39. 92μ m to 433. 86 ±50. 78μ m ( t = 3. 485, P = 0. 002 ). Corneal refractive astigmatism, intraocular pressure and endothelial cell density did not show significant changes.
CONCLUSION: I - CXL for progressive keratoconus is safe and effective which can prevent deterioration of progressive keratoconus within 2a, but further long-term studies are necessary still.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate therapeutic effect of acupuncture at Sifeng (EX-UE 10) on infantile malnutrition.

METHODSMulticentral, randomized, controlled and single blind test was adopted. 222 infants of malnutrition were divided into an acupuncture group (n=110) and a medicine group (n=112). The acupuncture group were treated with acupuncture at bilateral Sifeng (EX-UE 10), once each week, for 4 times; and the medicine group were treated with oral administration of Yiqi Jianpi Oral Liquid, twice each day, one ample each time, for 4 weeks. The therapeutic effect was evaluated by improvement of symptoms and signs in the syndrome cumulative score scale, and changes of serum insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I), pre-albumin (PA), hemoglobin and red-cell count.

RESULTSTwo hundred and twenty-two cases were enrolled in the 4 centers and 212 cases completed the test. The acupuncture group in improvement of appetite, body weight, subcutaneous fat thickness of the abdomen, etc. were superior to the medicine group (P < 0.01), but there was no significant difference between the two groups in improvement of the body height. There was no significant increase of serum IGF-I level in the two groups, and the acupuncture group in increase of PA was superior to the medicine group (P < 0.05). After treatment, hemoglobin and red-cell count increased significantly in the treatment group (P < 0.01), and hemoglobin increased significantly in the medicine group.

CONCLUSIONAcupuncture at Sifeng (EX-UE 10) has obvious therapeutic effect on infantile malnutrition.

Acupuncture Points ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Appetite ; Humans ; Infant Nutrition Disorders ; Single-Blind Method ; Treatment Outcome

Astrocytoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Brain Neoplasms ; genetics ; metabolism ; Frizzled Receptors ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glioblastoma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Glioma ; genetics ; metabolism ; Humans ; Paraffin Embedding ; RNA, Messenger ; metabolism ; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled ; genetics ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; Wnt2 Protein ; genetics ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; genetics ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo compare the differences in uptake of 2-deoxy-D-glucose (2-DG)-conjugated nanoparticles between breast carcinoma MDA-MB-231 cells with high metabolism and breast fibroblasts with normal metabolism, and investigate the feasibility of using the coated nanoparticles as a MRI-targeted contrast agent for highly metabolic carcinoma cells.

METHODSThe γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG was prepared. The glucose metabolism level of both cell lines was determined. The targeting efficacy of γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG and γ-Fe2O3@DMSA NPs to breast carcinoma MDA-MB-231 cells and breast fibroblasts at 10 min, 30 min, 1 h and 2 h was measured with Prussian blue staining and UV colorimetric assay. MRI was performed to visualize the changes of T2WI signal intensity.

RESULTSPrussian blue staining showed more intracellular blue granules in the MDA-MB-231 cells of γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG NPs group than that in the γ-Fe2O3@DMSA NPs group, and the γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG uptake was greatly competed by free D-glucose. As revealed by UV colorimetric assay, MDA-MB-231 cells also showed that the cellular iron amount of γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG group was significantly higher than that of the γ-Fe2O3@DMSA group and γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG + D-glucose group, statistically with a significant difference between them. MRI showed that the signal intensity of γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG group was decrease significantly, the T2 signal intensity was decreased by 10.5%, 37.5%, 72.9%, 92.0% for 10 min, 30 min, 1 h and 2 h, respectively. In contrast, the signal intensity did not show obvious decrease in the γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG group, the T2 signal intensity was decreased by 8.5%, 11.4%, 32.0%, 76.7% for 10 min, 30 min, 1 h and 2 h, respectively. However, HUM-CELL-0056 cells did not produce apparent difference for positive staining in the γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG group, γ-Fe2O3@DMSA group and γ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG+D-glucose group, and the signal intensity also did not produce apparent difference.

CONCLUSIONSγ-Fe2O3@DMSA-DG has good targeting ability to highly metabolic breast carcinoma (MDA-MB-231) cells. It is feasible to serve as a specific MRI-targeted contrast agent for highly metabolic carcinoma cells, and deserves further studies in vivo.

Breast Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cells, Cultured ; Colorimetry ; methods ; Contrast Media ; pharmacokinetics ; Deoxyglucose ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Female ; Ferric Compounds ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Fibroblasts ; cytology ; metabolism ; Glucose ; metabolism ; Humans ; Iron ; metabolism ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Nanoconjugates ; chemistry ; Particle Size ; Succimer ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics

To examine the phylogenetic information regarding the gene pool of AIV in domestic ducks in eastern China, the NA genes of twenty-six viruses isolated during 2002-2006, including two H1N1 strains, tenH3N1 strains and fourteen HSN1 strains, which reflected the predominant N1 subtype viruses were subjected to phylogenetic analysis. The results indicated that AIVs of N1 subtype circulating in domestic ducks in eastern China were undergoing a gradual evolution. Analysis of the deduced amino acid sequences revealed that NAs from all isolated H5N1 viruses had a 20-aa deletion in the stalk region (residues 49-68), whereas no deletion was seen in the NAs from other HA subtype viruses. The viruses of H3N1 and H1N1 might have a propensity for reassortment of NA genes, whereas no direct evidence of reassortment of NA gene was obtained in H5N1 viruses.
Animals ; Birds ; China ; DNA, Viral ; analysis ; Evolution, Molecular ; Humans ; Influenza A Virus, H1N1 Subtype ; classification ; genetics ; Influenza A Virus, H3N2 Subtype ; classification ; genetics ; Influenza A Virus, H5N1 Subtype ; classification ; enzymology ; genetics ; Influenza A virus ; classification ; enzymology ; genetics ; Influenza in Birds ; virology ; Influenza, Human ; virology ; Neuraminidase ; genetics ; Phylogeny ; Poultry Diseases ; virology ; Sequence Alignment ; Sequence Deletion

Objective To study the suppressive effect of knockdown of miR-21 on the U87 human giioma xenograft growth and the possible mechanism. Methods Nude mice bearing U87 human glioblastoma subcutaneously were treated with miRNA-21 anfisense oligonucleotides(AS-miR-21)intratumomlly every 3 d until the observation peded ended.The tumor volume of the mice treated withAS-miR-21 was measured regularly as compared with that in the control untreated mice and in the mice treated with scramble oligonucelotides(ODN).Finally,the tumors were removed from nude mice for the examination.In-sire hybridization and real-time PCR were conducted to detect the miRNA expression of miR-21.The biological charaetedsties of the tumors were evaluated by HE and immunohistochemieal staining, and the cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL method. Resulls During the observation period,the tumor growth was delayed and the final tumor volume of AS-miR-21 heated group was smaller than that in the control and scramble ODN treatedg roup(F=6-056,P=0.007).The expression of miRNA precursor was knocked down in As-miRNA treated tunlors compared with that in untreated or scramble ODN treated tumors.Histopathological examination exhibited the appearance of degraded malignancy.The expressions of PCNA and MMP-9 were down-regulated while Septin-7 and P21 were up-regulated and apoptotic index was increased significantly (F=141.021,P=000) as well.Conclusion The suppressive effect of anti-miR-21 ODNs on the growth of U87 human glioma xenogratts is significant and miR-21 Call be taken as a candidate for gene therapy ofhuman glioma.

To obtain water-soluble holothurian glycosides with high tumor suppressing activities from Apostichopus japonicus, macroporous resin, silica gel and gel-filtration column chromatograghy were used to purify the water-soluble holothurian glycosides, and their tumor suppressing activity and inducing apoptosis of tumor cells were examined in this study. The 70% ethanol fraction of macroporous resin column, the pSC-2 and pSC-3 fractions from silica gel column showed very strong tumor suppressing activity towards HeLa cells, A-549 lung cancer cells, SGC-7901 stomach cancer cells and Bel-7402 liver cancer cells. SC-2 and SC-3 fraction purified from Sephadex LH-20 gel-filtration column chromatography, with a purity above 99.6%, all had the properties of triterpenoid glycosides. Purified SC-2 fraction had remarkable tumor suppressing activity on HeLa cells in a dose- and time-dependent manner, and had prominent tumor suppressing activity to mouse S180 solid tumors in a dose-dependent manner. Besides, the SC-2 fraction also had remarkable ability in elevating mouse thymus index and spleen index. The purified SC-2 fraction could induce apoptosis of HeLa cells in a dose-dependent manner, and DNA fragmentation of HeLa cells occurred after treated 12 h with 10 mg x L(-1) and 50 mg x L(-1) of SC-2 fractions. From the results, it can be concluded that the purified SC-2 fraction of water-soluble holothurian glycosides has extremely strong tumor suppressing activity, and the suppression is realized by inducing tumor cells to undergo apoptosis. This study lays solid foundation for development of highly effective new natural anticancer agents from sea cucumbers.
Animals ; Antineoplastic Agents ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Glycosides ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; HeLa Cells ; Humans ; Inhibitory Concentration 50 ; Mice ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Random Allocation ; Sarcoma 180 ; pathology ; Stichopus ; chemistry ; Tumor Burden ; drug effects

BACKGROUNDAn implantable cardioverter-defibrillator (ICD) has been suggested for heart failure patients for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death. However, few data have been reported on the application of ICD as primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in China. We evaluated the value of primary prevention ICD therapy in Chinese patients with heart failure.

METHODSThirty-four patients at an average age of (60.2 +/- 13.7) years seen in Peking Union Medical College Hospital were treated with ICD implantation for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death from November 2005 to July 2009. Single-chamber ICDs were implanted in 16 (47.0%) cases, and dual-chamber or cardiac resynchronization therapy defibrillators in 18 (53.0%) cases. The patients had an average left ventricular ejection fraction of (26.9 +/- 5.5)% (11% to 35%), of which 18 (53.0%) patients had ischemic cardiomyopathy and 16 (47.0%) patients had non-ischemic cardiomyopathy. All patients were followed up at three months after the implantation and every six months thereafter or when prompted by an ICD event.

RESULTSThere were five (14.7%) deaths, including two of heart failure and three with a non-cardiac course, during an average follow-up of (15.0 +/- 11.9) months. Forty-one ICD therapy events were recorded, including 19 (46.3%) appropriate ICD therapies in six patients and 22 (53.7%) inappropriate ICD therapies in four patients with single chamber leads. Inappropriate ICD therapies were mainly due to supraventricular tachyarrhythmias, especially atrial fibrillation. Patients with ischemic cardiomyopathy and non-ischemic cardiomyopathy did not differ in the incidence of either appropriate or inappropriate therapy.

CONCLUSIONSICD for primary prevention of sudden cardiac death in China prevents patients from arrhythmia death. Relatively high incidence of inappropriate therapies highlights the importance of an atrial lead.

Aged ; Death, Sudden, Cardiac ; prevention & control ; Defibrillators, Implantable ; adverse effects ; Female ; Heart Failure ; mortality ; therapy ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Treatment Outcome

To evaluate the efficacy and safety of interferon-alpha-2b (IFN-α-2b) in polycythemia vera patients(PV patient) with or without post-polycythemic myelofibrosis (post-PV MF), 30 patients with mutated JAK2V617F were enrolled in this study, from which 29 patients were evaluable. The percentage of mutated JAK2V617F allele (V617F%) was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) before and after treatment with IFN-α-2b. The correlation of V617F allele burden with the major clinical outcomes was studied. Adverse effects appeared in patients was observed. The results showed that the median follow-up was 24 (12 - 42) months for 29 evaluable patients. Complete hematologic response was achieved in 10%, 48%, 72% and 78% of patients after treatment for 6, 12, 24 and 36 months respectively. The detection of V617F allele burden revealed that the molecular remission of patients (V617F%) was achieved in 41%, 76%, 89% and 89% after treatment for 6, 12, 24 and 36 months respectively. Molecular complete remission (JAK2V617F undetectable) was achieved in 4 patients, lasted from 6 to 12 months after IFN-α-2b discontinuation. The decrease of V617F% in patients with post-PV MF was significantly higher than that in patients without post-PV MF (53 ± 18% vs 32 ± 22%, respectively; p = 0.031) after treatment for 12 months. PV patients had a good tolerance to IFN-α-2b. It is concluded that IFN-α-2b can decrease the mutated V617F allele burden. Patients with PV, especially with post-PV MF, can achieve molecular remission after treatment with IFN-α-2b.
Adult ; Alleles ; Female ; Humans ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Janus Kinase 2 ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Mutation ; Polycythemia Vera ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Primary Myelofibrosis ; drug therapy ; genetics ; pathology ; Recombinant Proteins ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo study the anti-invasion effect of SEPT7 gene on U251MG glioma cells and its possible molecular mechanism.

METHODSRecombinant adenovirus vector carrying SEPT7 gene (rAd5-SEPT7) was transduced to human glioma cell line U251MG, and empty adenovirus vector was used as control. Tumor invasion was examined by Transwell method and 3 D-Matrigel assay, and tumor cell migration by wound-healing method and 2 D-Matrigel assay. Three major molecular events associated with cell motility and migration, including changes of expression in MMP2, MMP9, MT1-MMP, TIMP1 and TIMP2, the alteration of integrin alpha(v)beta(3) expression, and the structural change of cytoskeleton protein, tubulin-alpha, in U251 cells transduced with rAd5-SEPT7 were studied by Western blotting, immunofluorescence and laser scanning confocal microscope, respectively.

RESULTSThe invasive and migratory capabilities of cells transduced with rAd5-SEPT7 were inhibited. The expression of extracellular matrix metalloproteinases MMP-2, MMP-9, MT1-MMP and integrin alpha(v)beta(3) was significantly decreased, while the expression of matrix metalloproteinase inhibitor TIMP1, TIMP2 was upregulated. Intracellular cytoskeleton protein-tubulin-alpha in U251 cells exhibited prominent morphological changes which including the appearance of distortion and aggregation resulting from redistribution of tubulin-alpha, and this feature of alteration was similar to the tubulin-alpha structure in normal non-tumor cells.

CONCLUSIONSEPT7 gene can inhibit the invasion and migration ability of U251 glioma cells. Its molecular mechanism may include that SEPT7 gene reverses the imbalanced state of MMPs/TIMPs, downregulates the expression of integrin alpha(v)beta(3) and alters the structure of tubulin-alpha of U251MG glioma cells. It is suggested that SEPT7 gene could be a good candidate for gene therapy of gliomas.

Adenoviridae ; genetics ; Blotting, Western ; Cell Cycle Proteins ; genetics ; physiology ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cell Movement ; genetics ; Genetic Vectors ; genetics ; Glioma ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Integrin alphaVbeta3 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 14 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 2 ; metabolism ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9 ; metabolism ; Microscopy, Confocal ; Neoplasm Invasiveness ; genetics ; Septins ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-1 ; metabolism ; Tissue Inhibitor of Metalloproteinase-2 ; metabolism