AIM: To observe clinical efficacy of the intravitreal injection of conbercept treatment for exudative age -related macular degeneration.
METHODS:Prospective study. Totally 112 senile patients (112 eyes) with exudative macular degeneration were randomly divided into study group and the control group, 56 cases in each group. The study group were treated with intravitreal injection of conbercept. The control group received conservative treatment. Uncorrected visual acuity and foveal retinal thickness were observed before and after treatment in the two groups.
RESULTS: Visual acuity of study group improved significantly, and the most obvious improvement was observed at 6mo after treatment. Foveal retinal thickness of study group was reduced after treatment, and the most obvious decrease was observed at 6mo after treatment.CONCLUSION: Intravitreal injection of conbercept can improve visual acuity reduced foveal thickness in senile patients with exudative age - related macular degeneration.

Background The main cause of filtering surgery failure is over proliferation of fibroblasts in filtering channels,leading to excessive fibrosis and scar formation.Researches determined that p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase(MAPK) signaling pathway plays an important role in fibroblast phenotype transition. Objective The present study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of p38 MAPK inhibitor on myofibroblasts transdifferentiation and the extracellular matrix synthesis after filtration surgery in rabbit eyes. Methods Trabeculectomy was performed on 24 eyes of 12 clean New Zealand white rabbits to establish the filtering operative models.The models were randomized into model group,SB203580 group and mitomycin C ( MMC ) group.1 ml SB203580 ( 0.2 g/L) was conjunctively injected at the end of operation in the rabbits of the SB203580 group,and the cotton piece with 0.2 g/L MMC solution was placed on the operative area for 3 minutes intraoperatively in the rabbits of the MMC group.The bleb appearances were examined under the slit lamp microscope,and intraocular pressure(IOP) was measured with Icare tonometer I,3,7,10,14 days after operation.0.2 ml aqueous humor was extracted and the conjunctive tissue at the filtering area was obtained 14 days after operation for the detection of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibronectin protein by ELISA.Expression of ACTA2 mRNA,connective tissue growth factor(CTGF) mRNA and alpha2 chain of type Ⅰ collagen( COL1A2 )mRNA in conjunctive tissue was assayed with fluorescence real-time PCR. Results Vascularization of fibrosis of filtering bleb were obvious in the eyes of the model group,and the bleb was flat and diffuse in the eyes of the SB203580 group and MMC group on 14 days following operation.No significant difference was seen in IOP before trabeculectomy among these three groups( F=0.065,P=0.937 ).IOP was gradually elevated with the increase of time after operation ( F =32.873,P =0.030 ).ELISA assay showed that α-SMA level in conjunctiva was lower in the SB203580 group and MMC group compared with the model group,and that of MMC group was significant lower than the SB203580 group( P＜0.05 ).Fibronectin level in conjunctiva was lower in the SB203580 group and MMC group compared with the model group,and that of MMC group was significant lower than the SB203580 group (P＜0.05).Fluorescence real-time PCR showed that expressions of the ACTA2 mRNA,CTGF mRNA and COL1A2 mRNA were significantly different among the three groups( P＜0.01 ),with the highest expression in model group and the lowest expression in the MMC group ( P ＜ 0.05 ). Conclusions Fibrotic reaction after trabeculectomy can be suppressed by inhibiting p38 MAPK signal pathway.The mechanism of SB203580 is to reduce the synthesis of myofibroblasts transdiffercntiation and extracellular matrix.

Objective To evaluate protective effects of recombinant human thioredoxin(TRX) in myocardial injury of mice with viral myocarditis. Methods We established viral myocarditis models by intraperitoneal injection with 0.1 ml 100TCID50 Coxsackie virus 3m(CVB3m), along with tail vein injection of recombinant human TRX (2 mg/kg) for protection. The control group was given equivalent volume of normal saline. The mice were killed 7 days following the injections. Serum lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) activity was determined and myocardial injury was examined with light microscopy. Results The somm LDH activity in Coxsackie virns-infected mice [(3130.50±390.57)U/L] was higher than that of animals in the control group[ (1617.86±155.42)U/L] and that of TRX protection group[ (1959.43±540.75)U/L], the difference being statistically significant (P<0.05); there was no significant difference between TRX protection group and the control group(P 0.05). Light microscopy showed that five of the eight Coxsackie rims-infected mice had myocardial lesions, including focal myocardial necrosis and inflammatory infiltration. There was no myocardial injury in the TRX protection group. Conclusions Recombinant human TRX can lessen myocardial injuries induced by infection with CVB3m, and so can protect myocardium.

Background Primary open angle glaucoma(POAG) is a common type of glaucoma.It has been well known that a lot of factors are associated with the pathogenesis of POAG,but genetic factor plays a critical role.Optineurin (OPTN)gene is the second confirmed POAG-relevant gene,and screening its mutation in the population contribute to the deeply understanding of the pathogenesis of POAG.Objective The present study was to investigate the association between sequence variants of OPTN gene and POAG in Chinese patients.Methods DNA was isolated from peripheral blood of 100 POAG patients and 60 cataract individuals.The coding exons of OPTN gene were amplified by PCR.PCR products were then sequenced directly to assay the variants and contrasted to original sequence in GenBank.This study was approved by the Ethical Committee of Shenzhen Eye Hospital.All the subjects signed the written inform consent.Results A case-controlled study was designed.The mean intraocular pressure (IOP)of the POAG patients was (29.0±6.5)mmHg,and that of the cataract patients was (13.7 ±2.4)mmHg.Variant of synonymous coding T34T was found in 60 POAG patients.Genetic type frequencies of AA,GA and GG were 10％,50％ and 40％ in the POAG patients,and those of cataract patients were 0,25％ and 75％ respectively,showing significant difference between them (x2 =20.416,P =0.000).The allele frequencies of A and G were 35％ and 65％ in the POAG patients,and those of cataract patients were 12.5％ and 87.5％,with a statistically significant difference (x2 ＝ 19.464,P =0.000).The sequence changes of non-synonymous coding variants (M98K,691-692insA G,R545Q,H486R) were also found in both POAG and cataract patients,but no significant difference was seen in the genetype and allele frequencies between two groups (P＞0.05).Conclusions No obvious association of OPTN gene variant with POAG is verified.The variant of T34T maybe increase the risk of POAG.

Adolescent ; Alkaline Phosphatase ; metabolism ; Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols ; therapeutic use ; Bleomycin ; therapeutic use ; Cisplatin ; therapeutic use ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Dysgerminoma ; pathology ; Etoposide ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Gonadoblastoma ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Humans ; Hysterectomy ; methods ; Inhibins ; metabolism ; Isoenzymes ; metabolism ; Ovarian Neoplasms ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; surgery ; Young Adult

The marine biological source of mineral drugs recorded in Chinese Pharmacopoeia (2010 version) mainly including pearl, nacre, clam shell, common oyster shell, ark shell, cuttle bone, and sea-ear shell are widely used in clinical. Calcium carbonate and a small amount of protein are the main components in this type of drugs. In this paper, a systematical and comparable study were carried out by determination of calcium carbonate by EDTA titration method, the crystal of calcium carbonate by X-Ray powder diffraction and the total amino acids (TAAs) of the hydrolyzed samples by ultraviolet spectrophotometry method. As a result, the crystal structure is calcite for common oyster shell, mixture of calcite and aragonite for nacre and sea-ear shell, aragonite for the other drugs. The content of calcium carbonate ranged from 86% to 96%. Cuttle bone has the highest amount of TAAs among the seven drugs which reached 1.7% while clam shell has the lowest content of 0.16% on average. In conclusion, an effective method was developed for the quality control of marine mineral drugs by comprehensive analysis of calcium carbonate and TAAs in the seven marine mineral drugs.
Amino Acids ; analysis ; chemistry ; Animal Shells ; chemistry ; Animals ; Calcium Carbonate ; analysis ; chemistry ; Crystallization ; Edetic Acid ; chemistry ; Mollusca ; chemistry ; classification ; Pharmaceutical Preparations ; analysis ; chemistry ; standards ; Quality Control ; Reproducibility of Results ; Seawater ; Species Specificity ; Spectrophotometry, Ultraviolet ; X-Ray Diffraction

BACKGROUND:Chinese medicine therapy is effective for patients with mild-to-moderate lumbar spinal stenosis and also has a better long-term effect than surgical patients, which can enhance perioperative efficacy and prevent spinal restenosis. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of “Tongmai songjin yigu” massage therapy on lumbar spinal stenosis. METHODS:Eighty-four patients with degenerative lumbar spinal stenosis were randomly and equaly divided into treatment group and control group. Treatment group were treated with “Tongmai songjin yigu” massage therapy; patients in the control group were treated according to the guidelines for diagnosis and treatment of common disease in orthopedics and traumatology promulgated by China Association of Chinese Medicine, once a day, continuous for 2 weeks. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:After treatment, the visual analog scale score in the treatment group was improved significantly (P < 0.05), and there was a significant difference in the Japanese Orthopaedic Association Scores on subjective symptom and daily life between the treatment and control groups (P < 0.05). The effective rate of the treatment group was higher than that of the control group (P< 0.05). These findings indicate that “Tongmai songjin yigu” massage therapy is better than traditional massage, but clinical large-sample studies are required.

Objective To study the effect of recombinant interlukin-2 plus chemotherapy in treatment of multiple myeloma. Methods We divided into two groups: chemotherapy plus rIL-2 group and simple chemotherapy group. The patients were given at dose of rIL-2 1×l06 IU/d, iH, qd, for 4 weeks and 4cycles. After 4 cycles the changes of T-cell subsets of their peripheral blood were determined. Response was evaluated according to Blad criteria. Adverse events were graded according to the National Cancer Institute Common Toxicity Criteria,version 3.0. Results The positive percentages of CD_3, CD_4 NK, CD_(69) and CD_4/CD_8ratio after chemotherapy in chemotherapy plus rIL-2 group were significantly higher than those before chemotherapy in the same group and those after chemotherapy in the other group. The overall response rate and complete response rate were 66.7 % and 25.0 % vs 50.0 % and 8.3 % respectively. The side effects of rIL-2 were predictable and manageable. Conclusion Recombinant interlukin-2 plus chemotherapy could increase immune function of patients with multiple myeloma and has a higher response rate as compared with simple chemotherapy.

Objective To observe the protective function of recombinant human thioredoxin(TRX) on HeLa cell injury induced by Coxsackie virus 3m(CVB3m) and to study the inhibiting effect of TRX on viral replication. Methods We infected HeLa cells with 10TCID50 CVB3m and then protected these cells with TRX (2,5,10 mg/L). The protective group of TRX, viral group, control group of TRX, and normal control group were included. Six parallel wells were set up in each group. The cell growth was observed by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT) and contrast phase microscope. Results The results of contrast phase microscope revealed that HeLa cells were arranged tightly and polygon in normal control group; untightly, became circle and abscission in viral group; HeLa cells morphous improved by increasing TRX concentration in TRX protective group(2,5,10mg/L). MTT results of the inhibitory ratio on cell growth of TRX(2,5,10 mg/L) control group(1.2%,2.9%,6.3%) were compared with normal control group(0), there was no significant difference(all P > 0.05); and while the inhibitory ratio on cell growth of TRX(2,5,10 mg/L) protective group(32.0%,28.0%,27.0%) was compared with virus infective group(51.7%), there was a significant difference (all P < 0.05). The inhibition study of viral replication showed that compared the inhibitory ratio on cell growth of TRX(2,5,10 mg/L) protective group(26.0%,27.0%, 10.9%) with virus infective group(60.0%), there was a significant difference(all P < 0.05). In the protective groups, there was a significant difference (all P < 0.05) between low dose groups(2,5 mg/L) and high dose groups( 10 mg/L). Conclusions The recombinant TRX(2,5,10 mg/L) may alleviate HeLa cell's injury induced by virus and the construct has no significant toxicity. TRX(2,5,10 mg/L) is effective in inhibiting virus CVB3m replication.

Objective To explore the molecular regulation mechanism of asporin in the matrix synthesis and secretion of the intervertebral disc,and to clarify its role in degenerative lesions of intervertebral disc.Methods There were 8 cases of intervertebral disc tissue in patients with severe intervertebral disc herniation (including typical clinical symptoms,signs and Pfirrmann's grade Ⅲ).There were 6 male and 2 female with an average age of (20.25 ± 3.37) years old (ranged from 11 to 28 years).After primary culture and redifferentiation in alginate beads,cells were reseeded and treated with different concentrations of TGF-β1 for 6,12,18 and 24 h.Total RNA extracted from the cells and was subjected to real-time PCR analysis to examine the expression of asporin.After silencing the expression of endogenous asporin by siRNA,the cells stimulated 24 h with TGF-β1.Total RNA extracted from the cells and was subjected to real-time PCR analysis to examine the expression of asporin,collagen Ⅱ and proteoglycans.After treatment of specific p38 inhibitor or ERK inhibitor for 12 h,cells were stimulated with TGF-β1 for 24h.Protein extracted from the cells by protein extraction kit to examine the level of asporin.Results In the primary intervertebral disc cell experiment,TGF-β1 stimulation induced asporin transcription significantly in a dose and time dependent manner.After 24 h stimulation,a significant difference between different concentration groups (5,10 and 15 ng/ml) was observed,2.754±0.24,3.651 ±0.319 and 4.583±0.38,respectively (F=24.782,P=0.001).Knockdown of endogenous asporin led to the upregulated expression of aggrecan and collagen]Ⅱ (aggrecan:t=7.387,P=0.002,collagen Ⅱ:t=4.443,P=0.0113).Specific p38 inhibitor was used to block p38 phosphorylation,and TGF-β1 on asporin induction was significantly inhibited.Conclusion Our results have verified a functional feedback loop between TGF-β1 and asporin in human intervertebral annulus cells indicating that TGF-β1 can increase asporin expression,whereas asporin inhibits TGF-β 1 signaling pathway by negative feedback,thereby inhibiting TGF-β1 mediated synthesis of extracellular matrix,and TGF-31 can increase asporin expression by p38 in human intervertebral disc cells.