Objective: Fungal keratitis is one of the most common diseases leading to blindness.It has a high incidence in China,and its early diagnosis and treatment are of vital importance.We aimed to investigate the value of laser confocal corneal microscopy in the clinical diagnosis of fungal keratitis.Methods: We conducted laser confocal corneal microscopy on 37 patients suspected of fungal keratitis,and compared the results with those obtained from the corneal tissue smears and fungal cultivation.Results: The fungus-infected corneas histologically exhibited defected epithelial cells,damaged subepithelial nerves and disordered stroma with reduced transparence.The hyphae showed bright,disordered,interlaced thread-or short rod-like structures.The positive rates of smear examination,fungus cultivation and laser confocal corneal microscopy were 48.65,62.16 and 78.39% for the 37 eyes,75.00,87.50 and100% for the 16 untreated eyes,and 28.57,42.85 and 61.90% for the other 21 pretreated eyes.Conclusion: Confocal laser corneal microscopy,rapid,effective and noninvasive,can be used as an important new alternative in the diagnosis of fungal keratitis

Background Phlyctenular ophthalmia is a delayed hypersensitivity reaction to some microprotein and affected mainly by adolescent in high incidence.Objective This study was to investigate the microscopy findings of phlyctenular ophthalmia and evaluate the histological changes by laser scanning confocal microscope.Methods Twenty-nine eyes suffered from phlyctenular ophthalmia and twenty normal eyes were examined using laser scanning confocal microscope.The pictures were taken by a CCD camera.All the cases had initially chest X-ray,tuberculin test,bacterial and mycobacteria culture.Results Dendritic and inflammatory cells were increased and concentrated in conjunctiva,and epithelial cells were deformed and squamatizated.The capillaries engorged and the goblet cells were injured.The corneoscleral Vogt meshing of the phlyctenular keratitis was obscured and dendritic cells were intruded into the corneas.The corneal epithelium of phlyctenular keratitis was absent and the subepithelial nerve plexus were bended and fractured,and the dendritic and inflammatory cells were intruded.Scarring of corneal stroma was seen under the laser scanning confocal microscope.Conclusions Laser scanning confocal microscopy is valuable for basic research and clinical diagnosis of phlyctenular ophthalmia.

To explore the antibacterial activity and mechanism of total alkaloids and berberine from Coptidis Rhizoma on Aeromonas hydrophila, and determine the effect of total alkaloids and berberine from Coptidis Rhizoma on minimum inhibitory concentrations, permeability and fluidity of cell membrane, conformation of membrane proteins and virulence factors of A. hydrophila. The results showed that both total alkaloids and berberine from Coptidis Rhizoma had antibacterial activities on A. hydrophila, with minimum inhibitory concentrations of 62.5 and 125 mg · L(-1), respectively. Total alkaloids and berberine from Coptidis Rhizoma could increase the fluidity of membrane, change the conformation of membrane porteins and increase the permeability of bacteria membrane by 24.52% and 19.66%, respectively. Besides, total alkaloids and berberine from Coptidis Rhizoma significantly decreased the hemolysis of exotoxin and the mRNA expressions of aerA and hlyA (P < 0.05, P < 0.01), the secretion of endotoxin and the mRNA expression of LpxC (P < 0.05, P < 0.01). The results suggested that the antibacterial activity of total alkaloids and berberine from Coptidis Rhizoma on A. hydrophila may be related to the bacteria membrane injury. They inhibited the bacterial growth by increasing membrane lipid fluidity and changing conformation of membrane proteins, and reduced the secretion of virulence factors of A. hydrophila to weaken the pathogenicity.
Aeromonas hydrophila ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Anti-Bacterial Agents ; pharmacology ; Bacterial Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism ; Bacterial Toxins ; biosynthesis ; Berberine ; pharmacology ; Cell Membrane ; drug effects ; genetics ; metabolism ; Coptis ; chemistry ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Membrane Fluidity ; drug effects ; Rhizome ; chemistry

The leading cause of drug withdrawal from market and clinical trials failure is drug-induced liver injury (DILI). Varying clinical, histological and laboratory features of DILI, as well as undefined underlying mechanisms, hinder patients to be diagnosed in the early-stage of the disease and receive effective treatments. Conventional indicators, like serum transaminases and bilirubin, have inevitable limitations referring to sensitive prediction and specific detection of DILI. In order to reduce the occurrence of DILI, researchers have attempted to discover potential biomarkers with higher specificity and sensitivity from blood and urine in recent years. This article aims to review recent advances in biomarkers of DILI.
Biomarkers ; blood ; urine ; Chemical and Drug Induced Liver Injury ; diagnosis ; Humans ; Sensitivity and Specificity

Partial nature of "promoting blood circulation and dieresis" of Salvia Miltiorrhizain was initially demonstrated by investigating the regulation effect of AQP2 expression in kidney of trauma blood stasis model rats with the Salvia Miltiorrhizain so as to provide guidance for its clinical deployment of administration. Random allocation was taken to averagely divide 30 SD rats into two groups: 10 rats in normal group and 20 rats in blood stasis syndrome group. Trauma blood stasis rat model was established by quantitatively beating. Then the rat model group was divided into model group and salvia group. After 7 days of treatment, the rat kidney AQP2 expression was detected, the content of urine AQP2 was compared and the damaged local muscle and kidney pathological changes were observed by immunohistochemical method and western blot method. Compared with that of the normal group, rats in model group had inflammatory cells infiltration, blood stasis and edema of the injured local muscles and up-regulated AQP2 expression, decreasing urinary output, and kidney tissues blood stasis and edema (P < 0.05). On the other hand, compared with that of the model group, those parameters of rats in salvia group were all decreasing except urine output (P < 0.05). Such result indicated that Salvia Miltiorrhiza can reduce trauma blood stasis rat content of urine AQP2 and down-regulated AQP2 expression in kidney tissue, so as to reduce the reabsorption of water by renal tubular and increase urine output. The promoting blood circulation effect of Salvia Miltiorrhizain can alleviate the degree of the damaged tissue edema and encourage urine drainage. This therapy is closely related to the effect of regulating AQP2 in kidney by salvia, so the purpose of this study by verifying "promoting blood circulation and diuresis" as the mechanism for the regulation effect of the salvia on AQP2 expression.
Animals ; Aquaporin 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Blood Circulation ; drug effects ; Diuresis ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Kidney ; blood supply ; drug effects ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Kidney Diseases ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; physiopathology ; Male ; Rats ; Salvia miltiorrhiza ; chemistry

Objective To evaluate the effect of heparin binding epidermal growth factor-like growth factor (HB-EGF)on liver regeneration after partial orthotopic liver transplantation.Methods Fourty SD rats were used to establish the model of partial orthotopic liver transplantation with ameliorated two-cuff technique.Then all the rats were divided into 2 groups:experiment group and control group.Twenty rats of experiment group were adminis- tered 500?g/kg HB-EGF via vena caudalis immediately after operation twice a day,while the same volume of saline was administered to the rats in control group.Five rats in each group were selected randomly and killed at the 6th hour,day 2,4 and 7 after operation,respectively.The serum levels of albumin(Alb)and alanine aminotransferase (ALT)in the blood sample were detected.Every liver was removed and weighed.The expression of Ki-67 was de- tected by using immunohistochemistry assay.The regeneration activity of hepatocytes was evaluated by flow cytom- etry.Results The wet weights of liver in experiment group were all significantly higher than that in control group at the 6th hour,day 2 and 4 after transplantation(P

Objective To explore the value of shear wave elastrography (SWE) in diagnosis of prostate cancer.Methods SWE quantitative elastography was preformed in 55 patients with suspected prostate cancer,to obtain the elastic modulus (mean,maximum).Each patient underwent sonography-guided prostatic biopsy on the same day.With the pathologic results as reference,ROC curves were used to assess diagnostic performance.Results ①Pathological tests showed that 39 lesions were benign(hyperplasia) and 16 lesions were malignant.The mean elasticity value of benign lesions was (39.04 ± 8.22) kPa,and the maximum value was (54.10 ± 9.18)kPa,whereas of malignant ones were (53.31 ± 3.92)kPa and (68.71 ±2.57)kPa,respectively (P ＜0.05).② The area under the ROC curve (AZ) of the maximum and mean elasticity value was 0.951 and 0.944.Taking 48.07 kPa as the threshold of the mean elasticity value,the sensitivity was 91.8％ and the specificity was 89.7％.Then taking 65.50 kPa as the threshold of the maximum elasticity value,the sensitivity was 92.1％ and the specificity was 87.5％.Conclusions SWE is helpful to diagnose and differentiate prostate diseases by measuring elastic modulus.

Chromosomes, Human, Pair 22 ; Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Trisomy

Objective To evaluate the feasibility and efficacy of atlantoaxial fusion by flipping periosteum pedicle occipital outer plate.Methods Between March 2010 and June 2013,27 patients with atlantoaxial instability were treated by atlantoaxial fusion with flipping periosteum pedicle occipital outer plate and combining pedicle screws fixation.There were 16 males and 11 females with the age ranging from 23 to 56 years (with an average of 45.6 years) at time of surgery.There were 12 cases of fresh odontoid fracture with atlantoaxial instability,7 cases of old odontoid fracture combined with uneducable atlantoaxial dislocation,7 cases of congenital loose of odontoid process,and 1 case of rheumatoid arthritis.The visual analog scale (VAS) scores and Frankel grades were respectively used to evaluate the axial neck pain and the neurological deficit,and the results were compared before and after the operation.Bony fusion was observed by the midline sagittal CT scan images.Results All the patients were successfully operated.The operation time was 90 to 140 mins (with an average of 100 mins),and the blood loss was 100 to 600 ml (with an average of 160 ml).All patients were followed up for 18 to 39 months,with an average of 32.6 months.19 cases got solid fusion 3 months after surgery,and 7 cases got solid fusion 6 months after surgery,while 1 case got solid fusion 9 months after surgery.The average VAS score at final follow-up was 2.87± 1.03,which was significantly lower than that preoperatively 7.23± 1.65.Before the operation,nine cases presented spinal nerve function damage.At the final follow up time,7 cases returned to complete normal and 2 cases improved from grade C to grade D according to the Frankel classification.1 case was complicated with veiniplex injury with no heavy blood loss,due to successful hemostasia.Two screws were placed close to the vertebral artery canal,without clinical consequences.Conclusion The flipping periosteum pedicle occipital outer plate as a bone graft is one effective method for atlantoaxial fusion,which got great feasibility and safety.

BACKGROUND:Studies have found that adipose-derived stem cells (ADSCs)/collagen complexes can promote the ADSCs differentiation and maturation into mature adipocytes and promote angiogenesis.OBJECTIVE:To explore the biological properties of the ADSCs/collagen sponge composite material and to detect its effect on angiogenesis.METHODS:(1) ADSCs were cultured on collagen sponge (experimental group) or cultured alone (control group).After 24 hours of culture,cell adhesive rate of ADSCs was determined with flow cytometry.After 2,4,6 days of culture,cell proliferation and level of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in the culture medium were detected.(2) Chick embryo chorioallantoic membranes were exposed and incubated for 7 days and then divided into four groups:0.2 mL of sterile PBS was added in the blank group,0.2 mL of 2× 108/L passage 3 ADSCs suspension was added in the ADSCs group,collagen sponge was added in the collagen sponge group,and collagen sponge with 0.2 mL of 2× 108/L passage 3 ADSCs suspension was added in the composite group.After 7 days of incubation,the microvessel count around the chorioallantoic membrane was measured.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1) The cell adhesive rate of ADSCs to collagen sponge reached to (93.04±0.67)％.(2)The absorbance value (at 6 days of culture) and level of VEGF (at 4 and 6 days of culture) in the experimental group were significantly higher than those in the control group (P ＜ 0.01 or P ＜ 0.05).(3) Compared with the blank group,the number of microvessels was significantly higher in the ADSCs,collagen sponge and composite groups (P ＜ 0.05).Moreover,higher amount of microvessels were found in the composite group than the ADSCs and collagen sponge groups (P ＜ 0.05).To conclude,ADSCs can adhere well to the collagen sponge with good biocompatibility and their combined use can improve angiogenesis further by enhancing cell proliferation and VEGF secretion of ADSCs.