Background Blepharitis is a common ocular surface disease.It is associated with the disorder of lipid secretion of meibomian gland.The change of tear film stability can cause dry eye symptoms,so blepharitis is thought to be one of the factors causing dry eye,but the relation between them is in study. Objective This study was to observe the morphology of meibomian gland in blepharitis patients and to investigate the correlation of morphology of meibomian gland with dry eye. Methods A series of case-observational study was designed in this study.A total of 83 eyes of consecutive 83 blepharitis patients were enrolled in Henan Eye Institute from October 2010 to April 2011.Blepharitis was diagnosed based on American Preferred Practice Pattern Guidelines.Some relevant ocular examinations were performed under the informed consent of the subjects,including the anterior segment manifestation by the slit lamp,such as meibography,lid margin abnormality,and the dry eye-relevant examinations,such as tear film break-up time (BUT),Schirmer test Ⅰ and corneal fluorescein staining also been carried out.Tear film shape was examined by film interference images and scored.Absent degree of meibomian gland was graded under a Noncontact Infrared Meibography.The correlations of absent degree of meibomian gland with ocular syndrome score,dry eye examination results were evaluated using Spearman rank correlation coefficients.Informed consent was obtained prior to this trail. Results No significant difference in the frequencies of blepharitis was found between male and female among different ages (x2 =2.69,P =0.75 ).Absent grading of the meibomian glands was positively correlated with age of blepharitis patients ( r =0.58,P =0.00 ),lid margin abnormality scores ( r =0.64,P =0.00 ),conjuntival hyperemia score ( r=0.50,P =0.00),tear film interference imaging grade ( r =0.23,P =0.04 ),corneal fluorescein staining score( r =0.50,P =0.00 ) but was negatively correlated with BUT ( r =-0.32,P =0.00 ).No significant correlation was found between meibography grading and gender( r =-0.09 ; P =0.99 ) or Schirmer test Ⅰ ( r =-0.05;P =0.69 ).No significant difference was found in meibography grading between male and female in different age groups(Z=-0.09,P=0.93). Conclusions Blepharitis can irriter dry eye symptom because of overevaporation of tear fluid and abnormality of secreting function of meibomian glands.The missing of the meibomain glands increases with age in the patients with blepharitis.Noncontact Meibography System is an assistant tool to the diagnosis of blepharitis.

OBJECTIVETo explore the role of Xuebijing Injection (XBJI) in inhibiting inflammatory factors associated with anoxia/reoxygenation myocardial inflammatory response of rats.

METHODSTotally 36 healthy male Sprague-Dawley rats, 280 ± 30 g were randomly divided into six groups, i.e., the normal control group (N group), the balanced perfusion group (BP group),the model group (M group),the low dose XBJI group (XBJI(L) group), the middle dose XBJI group (XBJI(M) group),and the high dose XBJI group (XBJI(H) group), 6 in each group. The myocardial anoxia/reoxygenation rat model was established by Langendorff isolated heart perfusion. The concentration of TNF-α in the myocardial tissue was detected by ELISA. The expression of nuclear factor kappa B p65 (NF-κB p65) protein and Toll like receptor 4 (TLR4) protein were detected using Western blot. The expression of NF-κB p65 mRNA and TLR4 mRNA was detected by RT-PCR. Ultrastructural changes of anoxia-reoxygenation rats' heart muscle were observed under transmission electron microscope.

RESULTSCompared with the M group,the TNF-α concentration, expression levels of NF-κB p65 protein and mRNA, TLR4 protein and mRNA decreased to various degrees in the XBJI(L) group, the XBJI(M) group, and the XBJI(H) group. The TNF-α expression level decreased most significantly in the XBJI(L), group (P < 0.01), while other indices decreased most obviously in the XBJI(M) group (P < 0.01, P < 0.05). Expression levels of NF-κB p65 and TLR4 protein were obviously lower in the XBJI(M) group than in the XBJI(L) group (P < 0.05). There was no statistical difference in other indices among the three XBJI groups (P > 0.05). Myocardial fibers were loose and broken with disappearance of transverse striation, and mitochondrial cristae was dissolved and severely damaged in the M group. The aforesaid condition was improved after treated by XBJI, with the most obvious effect obtained in the XBJI(M) group.

CONCLUSIONSDifferent doses of XBJI could attenuate inflammatory reactions after myocardial anoxia/reoxygenation rats' heart muscle through inhibiting TLR4-NF-κB-TNF-α signal transduction pathway. The best effect could be obtained by 4 mL/100 mL XBJI.

Animals ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Hypoxia ; Male ; Myocardium ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Oxygen ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Signal Transduction ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; metabolism ; Transcription Factor RelA ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo compare the results of observed individual means (OIM) model with beta binomial-normal (BBN) model and to apply the two models to assessment of long-term dietary lead exposure.

METHODSFood consumption data were obtained from the National Nutrition and Health Survey conducted in 2002 by 24-hour recall method. Contamination data were derived from the national food contamination monitoring program from 2000 to 2006 and from monitoring data of Customs exports for agricultural products between 2005 and 2006. By multiplying the average consumption of food with the average concentration of contaminant, the OIM model calculated dietary intake per day. By correcting the within-person variation and keeping the between-person variation, the BBN model built dietary intake in the long-term.Using the example of food lead data, the results of two models were compared.

RESULTSThe high-end percentile of OIM model was higher than the BBN model in various age groups.In the general population, the dietary intake of OIM model from 25th percentile to 99.9th percentile was between 1.167 and 7.313 µg×kg(-1)×d(-1), and the dietary intake of BBN model with the same percentile range was between 1.193 and 5.729 µg×kg(-1)×d(-1). The median of various groups was similar between the two models. The dietary intakes in the general population of two models were 1.543 and 1.579 µg×kg(-1)×d(-1).

CONCLUSIONThe high-end percentile of OIM model is more conservative than BBN model in the long-term dietary exposure assessment.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Food Contamination ; Humans ; Lead ; Lead Poisoning ; epidemiology ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Models, Statistical ; Risk Assessment ; methods ; Young Adult

Animals ; Female ; Interferon-alpha ; therapeutic use ; Interferon-gamma ; therapeutic use ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; parasitology ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred ICR ; Schistosoma japonicum ; Schistosomiasis japonica ; complications

OBJECTIVETo investigate the expressions of phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT), phosphorylated glycogen synthase kinase 3β (p-GSK3β) and β-catenin proteins and to evaluate their relationship with the clinical pathological characteristics in epithelial tumors of the ovary.

METHODSThe expression of p-AKT, p-GSK3β, and β-catenin was detected with immunohistochemical staining (EnVision method) in 10 cases of benign epithelial neoplasia, 10 cases of borderline epithelial neoplasia and 70 cases of ovarian carcinoma. The relationship of the expression of p-AKT, p-GSK3β and β-catenin with the clinical pathological features was analyzed.

RESULTSThe positive expression rates of p-AKT, p-GSK3β and β-catenin in epithelial ovarian carcinoma were 67.1% (47/70), 60.0% (42/70) and 71.4% (50/70), respectively. Compared to the results of benign and borderline epithelial neoplasia, the expression of the three proteins in carcinoma of the ovary was significantly different (all P < 0.05).Positive correlation was found between p-AKT and p-GSK3β, p-GSK3β and β-catenin, and p-AKT and β-catenin in epithelial ovarian carcinoma (r = 0.546, 0.581, 0.500, respectively; all P < 0.05). Compared to the results of benign and borderline epithelial neoplasia, the expression of p-AKT protein in epithelial ovarian carcinoma was significantly different (all P < 0.05). The expression of p-AKT was correlated with the differentiation of epithelial ovarian carcinoma (P < 0.05), but no relationship was found between its expression and histological classification and FIGO staging (P > 0.05). The expression of p-GSK3β and β-catenin in epithelial ovarian carcinoma were both higher than that in benign and borderline epithelial neoplasia (P < 0.05), and correlated with tumor differentiation and FIGO staging (P < 0.05), but no relationship were found between their expression with histological classification (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSPositive correlations are found between p-AKT, p-GSK3β and β-catenin in epithelial ovarian carcinoma. The activation of β-catenin is possibly correlated with inactivation of p-GSK3β that binds to p-AKT.

Adult ; Aged ; Carcinoma, Endometrioid ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cell Differentiation ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenoma, Mucinous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Cystadenoma, Serous ; metabolism ; pathology ; Female ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 ; metabolism ; Glycogen Synthase Kinase 3 beta ; Humans ; Middle Aged ; Neoplasm Staging ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Phosphorylation ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-akt ; metabolism ; beta Catenin ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the performance of computer-assisted imaging system in the detection of cervical squamous intraepithelial lesion and quality-assurance.

METHODSManual PAP screening (n = 140 580) and image-assisted screening (n = 32 885) were compared for the detection rates of squamous cell abnormalities, the atypical squamous cells (ASC) to squamous intraepithelial lesion (SIL) ratio, the positive rates of high risk human papillomavirus (HR-HPV) test in the case of atypical squamous cells of undetermined significance (ASC-US), and the correlation between cytopathology and histopathology.

RESULTSCompared with manual screening, computer-assisted imaging system showed increased overall positive detection by 0.32%, decreased detection of ASC by 0.21%, increased detection of low-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion (LSIL) by 0.22%, increased detection of high-grade squamous intraepithelial lesion or worse (HSIL) by 0.31%, and decreased ASC to SIL ratio from 2.59 to 1.60. Computer-assisted imaging system did not change the HR-HPV positive rate of the patients who were ASC-US, or the coincidence rate between cytopathology and histopathology. Moreover, the productivity of the laboratory operation increased 58.33%.

CONCLUSIONComputer-assisted imaging system significantly increases the overall positive detection rate of cervical SIL, improves accuracy and work efficiency of screening, decreases the ASC/SIL rate, and strengths the quality-assurance of laboratory testing.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; pathology ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; pathology ; Female ; Humans ; Image Interpretation, Computer-Assisted ; Papillomaviridae ; isolation & purification ; Papillomavirus Infections ; pathology ; Uterine Cervical Dysplasia ; pathology ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; pathology ; Vaginal Smears ; methods

Adolescent ; Adult ; Ambulatory Surgical Procedures ; instrumentation ; methods ; Child ; Child, Preschool ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Radio Waves ; Tonsillectomy ; instrumentation ; methods ; Young Adult

The changes of kernel nutritive components and seed vigor in F1 seeds of sh2 sweet corn during seed development stage were investigated and the relationships between them were analyzed by time series regression (TSR) analysis. The results show that total soluble sugar and reducing sugar contents gradually declined, while starch and soluble protein contents increased throughout the seed development stages. Germination percentage, energy of germination, germination index and vigor index gradually increased along with seed development and reached the highest levels at 38 d after pollination (DAP). The TSR showed that, during 14 to 42 DAP, total soluble sugar content was independent of the vigor parameters determined in present experiment, while the reducing sugar content had a significant effect on seed vigor. TSR equations between seed reducing sugar and seed vigor were also developed. There were negative correlations between the seed reducing sugar content and the germination percentage, energy of germination, germination index and vigor index, respectively. It is suggested that the seed germination, energy of germination, germination index and vigor index could be predicted by the content of reducing sugar in sweet corn seeds during seed development stages.
Carbohydrates ; analysis ; Germination ; Seeds ; growth & development ; Zea mays ; chemistry ; growth & development

Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Genotype ; Hepatitis B ; epidemiology ; genetics ; virology ; Hepatitis B virus ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Molecular Epidemiology ; Renal Dialysis

OBJECTIVETo explore the clinical feature, imaging and their diagnostic value for Joubert syndrome (JS).

METHODThe clinical data, imaging feature, and 31 references from China Biomedical literature database (CBMdise) were reviewed and analyzed.

RESULTThe age of onset of 32 patients including male 20 and female 12 ranged from 3 days to 6 years (mean 2.2 years). All the 32 patients with Joubert syndrome showed "slow growth" and "reduced muscle tension", 26 cases (81.3%) showed "gasp for breath", 26 cases (81.3%) showed "unusual motion of eyeball", 2 cases (6.3%) showed additional fingers (toes), 6 cases (18.8%) showed stretching tongue with agape. The typical imaging features of Joubert syndrome included "molar tooth sign", "midline cleavage" between cerebellar hemispheres and "bat-wing" like fourth ventricle, all the 32 patients with Joubert syndrome showed "midline cleavage", "molar tooth sign" was present in 29 cases (90.1%), and "bat-wing" like fourth ventricle in 30 cases (93.8%).

CONCLUSIONJoubert syndrome is a rare congenital brain malformation. The typical clinical manifestations included "gasp for breath", "reduced tension of muscle", "slow growth" and "unusual motion of eyeball", and at the same time the patients had the following typical imaging features of brain: "molar tooth sign", "midline cleavage" and "bat-wing" like fourth ventricle.

Abnormalities, Multiple ; Cerebellar Diseases ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Cerebellum ; abnormalities ; Child ; Eye Abnormalities ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Female ; Humans ; Kidney Diseases, Cystic ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; Male ; Retina ; abnormalities ; physiopathology