AIM: To explore the long-term efficacy of Q-factor guided laser epithelial keratomleusis ( LASEK ) for myopia and astigmatism with positive Q-factor.
METHODS: There were 158 eyes which were myopia and astigmatism with positive Q- factor taken in two groups randomly: 86 eyes accepted Q - factor guided LASEK as observation group and 72 eyes accepted routine LASEK as control group. The difference between the two groups about all data was similar. The uncorrected visual acuity ( UCVA ) and the best corrected visual acuity ( BCVA ) as well as diopter, ocular tension, corneal topography, Keratometry value K, aspherical factor Q, Higher-order aberrations ( HOA ) , corneal thickness by ultrasound and, contrast sensitivity ( CS ) , Haze were examined and compared before and after surgery. All the cased were followed up for 14d, 1, 3, 6, 12mo. And there were no statistical difference among the data before surgery.
RESULTS: After 12mo there were no statistical difference between the two groups about UCVA and BCVA. But the safety index of observation group was 1.10, that of control group was 1. 07. The validity index of observation group was 1. 06, that of control group was 0.99. The HOA of observation group was 0. 45±0. 17μm, and that of control group was 0. 72±0.25μm, there was statistically significant difference (t=-8. 193,P=0. 000). Q factor of observation group was 0. 41±0. 17, that of control group was 0. 77±0. 22, there was significant difference (t=11. 377,P = 0. 028). The contrast sensitivity of 3mo post surgery of patients in the observation group returned to the level of before surgery. But in the control group the contrast sensitivity of the patients did not returned until 6mo.
CONCLUSION:Q-factor guided LASEK for myopia and astigmatism with positive Q-factor is stable, safe and effective. The operation allow for reducing the high order aberrations, maintaining the most asphericity of cornea, saving more in corneal tissue, which cause faster recovery of contrast sensitivity, less haze and better visual quality.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the efficacy of Chinese medicine Huangban Bianxing Recipe (HBR) for treatment of choroidal neovascularization (CNV).

METHODSEighty patients (97 eyes) suffered from CNV were assigned to two groups, the treated group treated by HBR orally taken one dose every day and the control group treated with ginkgo leaf tablet 1 tablet (19.2 mg) thrice a day, all for 3 months. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus hemorrhagic area were measured; the neo-genetic vascular leakage area determined by fluorescent fundus angiography (FFA); and the out-layer high reflective band thickness (OHRBT) estimated by optical coherent tomography (OCT) were recorded before and after treatment.

RESULTSAfter treatment, in the treated group, BCVA was improved, with an effective rate of 67.12%, while in the control group, it was 33.33%, the former was better than the latter significantly (P < 0.05). The effective rate in reducing fundus hemorrhagic area in the two groups (85.11% vs 47.62%) and that in the CNV closure showed by FFA (67.50% vs 37.50%) were also superior in the treated group (P < 0.05). Besides, OCT showed that the OHRBT reduced significantly after treatment in the treated group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONHBR can improve the vision, reduce the CNV leakage in the macular region, and advance the absorption of fundus hemorrhage in CNV patients.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Choroidal Neovascularization ; drug therapy ; etiology ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Macular Degeneration ; complications ; drug therapy ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Visual Acuity ; drug effects ; Young Adult

0.05),but a significant difference at weeks 4,8,and 12 between two groups(P

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of Jisuikang (Chinese characters) on Nogo-NgR gene expression, and to explore the protective effects and mechanism of Jisuikang (Chinese characters) on spinal cord injury in rats.

METHODSOne hundred eighty female rats were randomly assigned to 6 groups(30 rats per group). Sham group: T10 lamina was resected only and spinal cord was untreated. Model group: spine cord injury (SCI) was created with a modified impinger of Allen's by impacting on the T10 spinal cord. Prednisolone group: Prednisolone (0.06 g/kg) was given by intragastric administration at a time interval of 24 hours after operation. The Jisuikang (Chinese characters) high, moderate and low dose groups: Jisuikang (Chinese characters) was supplied with different dose (50 g/kg, 25 g/kg, 12.5 g/kg) by intragastric administration in rats after operation,for the first time at 30 min after surgery. Animals were killed 3, 7, 14 days after surgery. The expression levels of Nogo-A and NgR were observed by Western Blot and Real-time PCR.

RESULTSThe expression of Nogo-A and NgR was at the basic level at all time points in sham group. Compared with model group, the protein expression levels of Nogo-A and NgR in sham, prednisolone, Jisuikang (Chinese characters) moderate dose groups were statistically significant at all time points (P < 0.05). No difference was found in Jisuikang (Chinese characters) high and low dose groups (P > 0.05). Three days after surgery, the mRNA levels of Nogo-A and NgR in treatment group were significantly lower than that in model group (P < 0.01); 7 days after surgery,Nogo-A and NgR mRNA expression were dramatically upregulated and peaked; 14 days after operation, the expression was decreased, but still significantly higher than that in other treatment groups (P < 0.01). Prednisolone and Jisuikang (Chinese characters) moderate dose groups showed the most significant effects among all groups,but there was no statistically significant difference between two groups (P > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe decoction Jisuikang (Chinese characters) can promote the nerve cell regeneration by regulating Nogo-A and NgR gene expression, activating Nogo- NgR signaling pathways after acute spinal cord injury.

Animals ; Female ; GPI-Linked Proteins ; analysis ; genetics ; physiology ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Myelin Proteins ; analysis ; genetics ; physiology ; Nerve Regeneration ; drug effects ; Nogo Proteins ; Nogo Receptor 1 ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Receptors, Cell Surface ; analysis ; genetics ; physiology ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Spinal Cord Injuries ; drug therapy ; metabolism

To perform a systemic review and meta-analysis of the diagnostic accuracy of PET (CT) and metaiodobenzylguanidine (MIBG) for diagnosing neuroblastoma (NB),electronic databases were searched as well as relevant references and conference proceedings.The diagnostic accuracy of MIBG and PET (CT) was calculated for NB,primary NB,and relapse/metastasis of NB based on their sensitivity,specificity,and area under the summary receiver operating characteristic curve (AUSROC) in terms of per-lesion and per-patient data.A total of 40 eligible studies comprising 1134 patients with 939 NB lesions were considered for the meta-analysis.For the staging of NB,the per-lesion AUSROC value of MIBG was lower than that of PET (CT) [0.8064±0.0414 vs.0.9366±0.0166 (P＜0.05)].The per-patient AUSROC value of MIBG and PET (CT) for the diagnosis of NB was 0.8771±0.0230 and 0.6851±0.2111,respectively.The summary sensitivity for MIBG and PET (CT) was 0.79 and 0.89,respectively.The summary specificity for MIBG and PET (CT) was 0.84 and 0.71,respectively.PET (CT) showed higher per-lesion accuracy than MIBG and might be the preferred modality for the staging of NB.On the other hand,MIBG has a comparable diagnosing performance with PET (CT) in per-patient analysis but shows a better specificity.

BACKGROUND:Periplaneta americana extract is recognized to have a positive effect on gastrointestinal mucosa. This study aimed to investigate the effects of periplaneta americana extract on immune function, nutrition status and gastrointestinal complications of early enteral nutrition patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome (SIRS). METHODS:Patients with SIRS were randomly divided into two groups:treatment and control groups. All patients in the two groups received conventional therapy including enteral nutrition, but periplaneta americana extract, an additional Chinese medicine, was given to the patients in the treatment group. At the beginning of treatment (0 day) and 1, 3, and 7 days after treatment, the levels of immunoglobulin (IgA), total lymphocyte count (TLC), total protein (TP) and prealbumin (PA) were respectively tested in patients' venous blood. The incidences of bloating, diarrhea, aspiration pneumonia and high blood sugar at 7 days after treatment were recorded. The mortality of the patients in 28 days was recorded. RESULTS:At 3 and 7 days after treatment, the levels of IgA and TLC in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). At 7 days after treatment, the levels of TP and PA in the treatment group were higher than those in the control group (P<0.05). The incidences of bloating and diarrhea in the treatment group were lower than those in the control group, the differences were significant (P<0.05). The mortality of treatment group was lower than that of the control group (P>0.05). CONCLUSION:Periplaneta americana extract could reduce gastrointestinal complications and improve immune function and nutritional status in patients with systemic inflammatory response syndrome.

Objective To investigate the changes of hydrogen sulfide (H_2S) level in plasma in order to explore the role of H_2S in the development of pulmonary hypertension (PH) secondary to congenital heart disease (CHD).Methods There were 9 CHD patients and 9 normal children in this study. The plasma concentration of H_2S and pulmonary artery pressure (PAP) of each child were measured. Meanwhile, the relationship between H_2S level and PAP was analyzed.Results The plasma level of H_2S in the group of CHD significantly decreased compared with control group (32.13?2.25) ?mol/L vs [(43.69?2.05)?mol/L, P

Objective Using olfactory event related potentials(OERP) and magnetic resonance to evaluate olfactory function in patients with posttraumatic anosmia. Methods Twenty four patients with posttraumatic anosmia were reviewed retrospectively. A thorough medical history,physical examination,nasal endoscopy,T&T olfactory testing,olfactory event-related potentials,brain computed tomography scan and magnetic resonance image of olfactory pathway were performed in all patients. Results Subjective olfactory testing indicated 20 of 24 patients were birhinal anosmia. 2 with right nostril anosmia and left impairment,2 with left anosmia and right normal. No OERP were obtained in 24(20 were birhinal,4 was monorhinal),except 4 cases with single nostril. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed the injures to the olfactory bulbs(100%),rectus gyrus(91.7%),orbital gyrus(67%),olfactory tracts(8%) and temporal lobes(8%). Conclusions OERP can objectively evaluate posttraumatic olfactory function,and magnetic resonance of olfactory pathway can precisely identify the location and extent of injures.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the therapeutic effects of vitamine B(6) (Vit B(6)) and Xuefu Zhuyu Decoction (XFZY, for activating blood circulation to remove stasis) in patients with localized scleroderma(LSD).

METHODSThirty-three patients were treated with XFZY and Vit B(6), with 15 cases taking orally prednisone acetate and 20 healthy volunteers as the control. Their level of soluble interleukin-2 receptor (sIL-2R) and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-alpha) in the patients with LSD before and after treatment were observed.

RESULTSThe level of sIL-2R and TNF-alpha in the serum from the patients with LSD were higher than those of healthy volunteers (P < 0.01). After treatment with Vit B(6) and XFZY, the level of sIL-2R and TNF-alpha from the patients with LSD decreased significantly (P < 0.01), but there were no difference between the group taking Vit B(6) plus XFZY and the group given prednisone.

CONCLUSIONThe activating blood circulation to remove stasis approach in treating LSD with integrative Chinese and Western drugs got better results, and metabolic disorder of tryptophan might be correlated with the etiology of LSD.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Child ; Controlled Clinical Trials as Topic ; Drug Therapy, Combination ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Glucocorticoids ; therapeutic use ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prednisone ; therapeutic use ; Receptors, Interleukin-2 ; blood ; Scleroderma, Localized ; blood ; drug therapy ; Treatment Outcome ; Tumor Necrosis Factor-alpha ; metabolism ; Vitamin B 6 ; therapeutic use

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of Shenluotong Decoction (SD) on serum levels of aldosterone, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), α-smooth muscle protein (α-SMA), and nuclear factor-KB (NF-κB) in obstructive nephropathy rats, and to explore the initial mechanism of SD for inhibiting renal interstitial fibrosis.

METHODSTotally 48 healthy Wistar rats were randomly divided into the sham-operation group (n =12) and the model group (n =36). Renal interstitial fibrosis rat model was established by unilateral ureteral obstruction (UUO). After successful modeling, 36 rats were randomly divided into the model group, the Chinese medicine group, and the Western medicine group, 12 in each group. Eplerenone was added in the forage at the daily dose of 100 mg/kg for rats in the Western medicine group. Chinese medicine was added in the forage at the daily dose of 26 g/kg for rats in the Chinese medicine group. Equal volume of normal saline was administered to rats in the sham-operation group and the model group. All medication was performed once daily. The obstructive kidneys were extracted ten days after medication. The pathomorphological changes were observed. The contents of serum aldosterone and MCP-1, and the protein or mRNA expression of MCP-1, α-SMA, and NF-KB were detected.

RESULTSCompared with the sham-operation group, infiltration of a large amount of inflammatory cells and collagen deposition significantly increased, serum contents of aldosterone and MCP-1 obviously increased (P < 0.01), the expression of MCP-1 mRNA and protein were significantly up-regulated (P <0.01), the protein expression of α-SMA and NF-KB were significantly enhanced in the model group (P <0.01). Com- pared with the model group, infiltration of inflammatory cells and renal collagen deposition were attenua- ted in the Chinese medicine group and the Western medicine group, the serum MCP-1 level were reduced, and the mRNA and protein expression of MCP-1 were significantly down-regulated (P <0.01), the protein expression of α-SMA and NF-KB were obviously inhibited (P <0. 01). At the same time, serum aldosterone level was reduced in the Chinese medicine group (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONSinflammatory lesions of the renal tissue could promote the progress of interstitial fibrosis in rats with obstructive nephropathy. SD could attenuate interstitial fibrosis through reducing serum contents of aldosterone and MCP-1, down-regulating MCP-1/ NF-KB, and inhibiting the expression of α-SMA.

Animals ; Chemokine CCL2 ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Down-Regulation ; drug effects ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Fibrosis ; Kidney ; drug effects ; Kidney Diseases ; drug therapy ; genetics ; NF-kappa B ; drug effects ; metabolism ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Ureteral Obstruction ; drug therapy ; genetics