AIM: To investigate whether carnosine can inhibit cataract formation and protect Na+-K+ATPase against inactivation induced by a glucocorticoid.METHODS: Two hundred and twenty clear lenses cultured in vitro were randomly divided into five groups: control group (DMEM), steroid group (DMEM+Dexamethason 10μmol/L),lower concentration carnosine-treated group (DMEM+Dexamethason 10μ mol/L+Carnosine 2mmol/L), higher concentration carnosine-treated group (DMEM+Dexamethason 10μmol /L+Carnosine 5mmol/L) and carnosine group (DMEM + Carnosine 5mmol/L). Progression of cataract formation was evaluated daily using a dissecting microscope. On 1, 3, 5 and 7d, 10lenses of every group were homogenized and the activity of Na+-K+ATPase was measured by using spectrophotometer.RESULTS: During the incubation, mistlike opacity was observed in the lenses of the control group and carnosine group,but in the steroid group appeared dense nuclear opacity, while both two carnosine-treated groups came out visible demarcation between nuclear and cortical regions on 7d. A decrease in the activity of Na+-K+ATPase was found in the lens of the steroid group. On 3, 5, 7d, Na+-K+ATPase activity decreased 22.34% (P=0.002),47.98% (P＜0.001),75.37% (P＜0.001) compared with that at 1d, respectively. In the carnosine group,the activity of Na+-K+ATPase remained at the level of the control throughout the 7-d incubation, indicating that carnosine itself did not interfere with the original lens enzyme activity. In the lower concentration carnosine-treated group, on 3, 5, 7d,the activity of Na+-K+ATPase increased 10.8% (P＜0.05),44.6% (P＜0.01), 57.4% (P＜0.01) of control activity, respectively. In the higher concentration carnosine-treated group, on 3, 5, 7d, the activity of Na+-K+ATPase increased 11.3% (P＜0.05), 45.7% (P＜0.01), 57.6% (P＜0.01) of control activity,respectively. The activity of Na+-K+ATPase in both two carnosine-treated groups were only 6.7% and 6.5% lower than that of the control group after 7-d incubation. After the 7-d incubation, the Na+-K+ATPase activity of the lenses in the steroid group decreased significantly compared with carnosine-treated groups (P＜0.01).CONCLUSION: Carnosine prevents the cataract formation induced by a glucocorticoid, and significantly inhibits the inactivation of Na+-K+ATPase induced by a glucocorticoid.

Dental Porcelain ; classification ; Humans

Humans ; Infant, Newborn ; Syphilis Serodiagnosis ; Syphilis, Congenital ; diagnosis

To analyze the specific mechanism of Jinxueyuan granules, the relationship between the Jinxueyuan granules increased the saliva secretion of xerostomia model SD rats and excitement of receptors were studied in this experiment. In the study, three groups of xerostomia model rats were successfully established by using M-receptor blockers-4-diphenyl-acetoxy-N-methyl-piperidine (4-DAMP) and atropine, or adrenergic receptor blocker phentolamine; after the modeling, the medicine Jinxueyuan granules were gavaged. According to the clinical dose of Jinxueyuan granules and SD rats body surface area, the rats in atropine group were divided three dose groups respectively, namely low, medium and high dose of Jinxueyuan granules groups. The 4-DAMP group and phentolamine group were gavaged medium dose of Jinxueyuan granules. And the amount of salivary secretion for 150 minutes in all groups continuously were measured, and the effect of Jinxueyuan granules increased salivation and the relationship between characteristics and the receptors were observed; and submandibular gland tissue of the rats was isolated, then the effect of Jinxueyuan Granules for expression of the water channel protein aquaporin-5 (AQP5) in submandibular gland cells was analyzed by the Western blot technology. It was found that the saliva secretion of Jinxueyuan Granules groups was increased significantly, and compared with the saline control group, phentolamine group, 4-DAMP group and atropine group, difference was significant, P < 0.05. There was no significant difference between the low-dose of Jinxueyuan granules group and the saline group, but the medium dose of Jinxueyuan granules group had a significant difference, compared with the saline group (P < 0.05). In the time distribution of increasing saliva secretion, there was a significant difference between the saline and Jinxueyuan granules group in the saliva secretion (P < 0.05). After administration of Jinxueyuan granules, the expression of AQP5 protein in the submandibular gland cells expressing of treatment groups was increased, and compared with the blocker groups, there was a significant difference, P < 0.05. Except the atropine group, there was no significant difference in Jinxueyuan granules relieving the inhibition induced by blocks in phentolamine group and 4-DAMP group, compared with the saline group. Compared the AQP5 expression in three blockers groups, there was no significant difference in the efficacy of Jinxueyuan granules between phentolamine group and 4-DAMP group; but there was a significant difference between the atropine group and other groups (P < 0.05). Therefore, it was considered that the mechanism of Jinxueyuan granules increasing saliva secretion (effectiveness of nourishing Yin and generating body fluid ) possibly through the pathway mediated by muscarinic M receptor, especially M3 receptor, or adrenergic receptor, and increased expression of salivary gland AQP5 membrane, and then stimulate saliva production.
Animals ; Disease Models, Animal ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Humans ; Male ; Rats ; Saliva ; secretion ; Salivary Glands ; drug effects ; secretion ; Xerostomia ; drug therapy ; metabolism

Objective To observe the characteristics of images of fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) in patients with acute retinal necrosis syndrome (ARNS), and investigate the applied value of FFA and ICGA in clinical diagnosis. Method The data of the ocular fundus, FFA and ICGA of 20 patients (28 eyes) with ARNS were retrospectively analyzed. Results The images of FFA indicated hyperfluorescence of optic disc in 24 eyes (85.71%) at the late phase; widespread retinal vascular occlusion at the peripheral focus in 23 eyes (82.14%) with some occlusive vascular shadow and the fluorescein in some white-line-like blood vessels; fluorescent leakage at the junction of normal and abnormal retina in 22 eyes (78.57%); retinal detachment in 20 eyes (71 42%), including 9 with retinal hole (45% of the patients retinal detachment); and macular cystoid edema in 8 eyes (28 57%). The images of ICGA showed hyperfluorescence of optic disc in 8 eyes (28 57%) including 5 with dotted staining at the optic disc at the late phase; unclear choroidal vasculature in the peripheral focus in 20 eyes (71.42%); and choriodal scattered hypofluorescent patch at the focus area in 19 eyes (67.85%). At the late phase of ICGA, some intravascular emboli and segments of retinal vascular occlusion were clearly demonstrated. Conclusion The main manifestations of patients with ARNS in the images of FFA were hyperfluorescence of optic disc and retinal vascular occlusion; and unclear choroidal vessels and scattered hypofluorescent patch at the focus area.Combination of FFA and ICGA is helpful to understand the extent of the lesions and the relations between choroids and retina, which has great significance in diagnosing ARNS.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effects of vitrectomy on chronic and refractory Beh et′s diseases. Methods The clinical data of 8 patients (10 eyes) with Beh et′s diseases from 0.5 to 3 years after vitrectomy were retrospectively analyzed. Pre-and post-operative visual acuity, control of inflammation after the surgery, and the recurrence were observed and analyzed. Both of the eyes were involved in all of the patients, including complete Beh et′s diseases in 5 and incomplete in 3. Results Vitreous opacity and liquefaction were found in all of the involved eyes, dark retina and thin retinal vessels were seen in most of the eyes, and vascular obstruction or sheath-like changes in different degrees were detected in some eyes. Improvement of visual acuity was observed in all of the eyes which had undergone the treatment after the operation. There was significant difference between the visual acuity before the surgery and at the 1st and 2nd week and the 1st and 6th month after the surgery. During the follow-up period, recurrence of the inflammation was found in 3 eyes within 1 month and in 6 eyes within 6 months; no recurrence was found in 4 eyes after the operation. No acute recurrence of inflammation was found after operation in the involved eyes. Conclusion Vitrectomy for chronic and refractory Beh et′s diseases may improve the visual acuity of the involved eyes, and the surgery is safe and effective.

Objective To analyse the cause of misdiagnosis of tuberculosis peritonitis and discuss feasibility for diagnosis of tuberculosis peritonitis by laparoscopy. Methods 12 patients misdiagnosed as tuberculosis peritonitis were retrospectively analysed. Results Tuberculosis peritonitis wrongly diagnosed because of atypical clinical behaviors in spite of specific laboratory examination. However, laparoscopy could diagnose tuberculosis peritonitis exactly and quickly. Conclusion Laparoscopy is an effective method of diagnosis for tuberculosis peritonitis.

Purpose To observe the changes of choroidal circulation and the retinal lesions caused by ocular contusion with indocyanine green angiography (ICGA). Methods ICGA examination was performed on 30 cases (30 eyes) of various traumatic condition in conjunction with fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA). Results FFA of 19 cases (63.3%) showed the hypofluorence in quadrant or whole disc in accordance with the area of delayed filling of choroid. Twenty six cases (86.2%) showed defected choroidel perfusion in ICGA,among them 16 cases showed localized delayed perfusion, in which the shortest perfusion time was 1 min 50 s and the longest time was 5 min.43 s,and 10 patients showed localized perfusion defect,and reversed filling time of retinochoroid vessels in 6 patients. Five cases (16.6%) had delayed filling time in both choroidal and central retinal vessels. Damage of retinal pigment epithelium was found in the areas of choroidal abnormal perfusion. Conclusion ICGA combined with simultaneously FFA, is valuable in evaluating blunt injury of the ocular fundus and beneficial to its diagnosis and treatment.

AIM: To assess the prevalence of refractive errors in middle school students in Lanzhou city and explore the risk factors for myopia.METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted. A questionnaire assessed the students' socioeconomic background and visual tasks followed by visual acuity assessment and a full eye examination including slit lamp examination, fundus evaluation, retinoscopy, and subjective refraction.RESULTS: Among 2 256 enumerated students aged 15-19 years, 2 037 (90.3%) students had significant refractive errors. Myopia was the leading refractive error (1 951/2 256,86.5%), astigmatism was the second most common refractive error (921/2 256, 40.8%), but amblyopia (10/2 256, 0.4%),strabismus (5/2 256, 0.2%), hyperopia (4/2 256, 0.2%) and other treatable eye disorders were uncommon. Almost 95.3% of students with significant refractive errors wore spectacles before the survey. Age, sex, visual tasks, and a parental history of myopia were risk factors for myopia.CONCLUSION: The prevalence of refractive errors and the risk factors for myopia in schoolchildren in Lanzhou city are similar to those reported in other regions of China.Interventions of myopia progression should be performed to protect the visual acuity of school-aged students.

AIM: To observe the efficacy of Medpor porous polyethylene implants in treatment of enophthalmos combined with orbital fracture.
METHODS: Seventeen cases ( 17 eyes ) with enophthalmos caused by orbital fracture underwent surgical treatment with Medpor porous polyethylene implants. All accepted a 6-mo follow-up and the data of enophthalmos, eyeball movement and diplopia were collected.
RESULTS: The average difference of exophthalmos between damaged eyes and undamaged eyes was (3. 4±1. 5 ) mm preoperatively, two cases had residual 1mm enophthalmos 6mo after surgery, while other 15 cases were completely corrected. Seventeen cases suffered from eyeball movement restriction and diplopia preoperatively, 16 cases had normal eyeball movement without diplopia 6mo after surgery, 1 case with limitation of abduction and horizontal diplopia. There was no extrusion, rejection, infection or other complications occurred during follow-up.
CONCLUSION: Medpor porous polyethylene implants can effectively improve the orbit volume to repair enophthalmos caused by orbital fracture.