AIM:To examine the efficacy and safety of cryotherapy in the management of Fusarium corneal ulcer.
METHODS: Retrospective contract analysis of the clinical data of 41 patients ( 41 eyes ) who infected with Fusarium corneal ulcer. All of them underwent focal lesion keratectomy combined with amniotic membrane transplantation between January 2010 and May 2013. The cryotherapy treatment group of 22 cases (22 eyes), non-cryotherapy group of 19 cases ( 19 eyes ) . All the cases were followed up for 3 ~12mo. We analyzed the healing of corneal ulcer, corneal neovascularization, postoperative visual acuity, complications and ulcer recurrences.
RESULTS: There were no significant difference for the two groups at the cure rate and the recovery rate, the corneal neovascularization and postoperative visual acuity (P>0. 05). The total effective rate and corneal healing time in cryotherapy group was significantly higher than that in non - cryotherapy group ( P < 0. 05 ). The postoperative visual acuity of two group were higher than that of preoperatively ( P < 0. 05 ). There was no complication occurred in cryotherapy group while there was 1 patient of secondary glaucoma in non-cryotherapy group.
CONCLUSION: Cryotherapy is an effective and safe method for the treatment of Fusarium corneal ulcer.

The applicator therapy is a unique method to treat infant diarrhea in traditional Chinese medicines and widely applied in clinical practice. Currently, many researchers have proved the rationality of the therapy based on the traditional Chinese medicine mechanism and on the data from clinical practice, but its action mechanism is uncertain at present. In this study, with the assistance of pediatric practitioners, the automated ribosomal intergenic-spacer analysis (ARISA) was adopted to study the effect of the adjuvant therapy with Dingguier umbilical paste on intestinal flora of diarrhea infants, in which Dingguier umbilical paste served as the adjuvant therapy in oral traditional Chinese medicines and fecal samples of infants with different diarrhea symptoms were collected and used as the study materials. The results showed that the adjuvant therapy had a significant effect on the shift of intestinal flora, which was associated with the decrease in the similarity difference to the normal control group and the increase in the number of operational taxonomic units (OTUs) shared with the normal control group. Additionally, adjuvant therapy with Dingguier umbilical paste also showed long action duration and increased OTUs number. These results indicated that Dingguier umbilical paste has the effect in restoring the micro-ecosystem of unbalanced intestinal bacteria. Intestinal flora may be one of major targets for the applicator therapy for the infant diarrhea, but not for the single oral traditional Chinese medicine for infant diarrhea.
Adjuvants, Pharmaceutic ; therapeutic use ; Diarrhea ; drug therapy ; microbiology ; Feces ; microbiology ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Intestines ; drug effects ; microbiology ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; methods ; Ointments ; Treatment Outcome ; Umbilicus

AIMTo investigate the effects of iptakalim, a new structural potassium channel opener (KCO), on intracellular calcium concentration ([Ca2+]i), protein kinase C (PKC), and cAMP-dependent kinase (PKA) activities in rat tail artery smooth muscle cells (RTA-SMC), and to analyze mechanisms involved in iptakalim reversing hypertensive vascular remodeling.

METHODSRTA-SMC was cultured and passages 3-4 were used for experiment. [Ca2+] i was measured by laser scanning confocal microscope after loaded with fluorescent indicator fluo-3-acetoxymethylester, and activities of PKA and PKC were detected by commercial assay kits (the nonradioactive PepTag system) following instructions.

RESULTSCompared with baseline, [Ca2+] i reduced significantly after iptakalim- or pinacidil-treatment at concentrations of 0.1, 1 and 10 micromol x L(-1), while diazoxide caused significant decrease at concentration of 1 and 10 micromol x L(-1). After preincubation with 1 micromol x L(-1) glibenclamide, [Ca2+] i was not significantly changed when iptakalim, pinacidil or diazoxide were added at concentration of 0.1 and 1 micromol x L(-1). Activities of PKA and PKC increased significantly by 1 micromol x L(-1) iptakalim- or pinacidil-treatment, while 1 micromol x L(-1) diazoxide induced significant change in activity of PKC but not in that of PKA.

CONCLUSIONThe characteristics of iptakalim on [Ca2+] i, PKA and PKC are more or less similar to those of pinacidil. Iptakalim decreased [Ca2+] i while increased PKA and PKC activities of RTA-SMCs, which may contribute to its ability to reverse antihypertensive vascular remodeling.

Animals ; Antihypertensive Agents ; pharmacology ; Calcium ; metabolism ; Cells, Cultured ; Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases ; metabolism ; Diazoxide ; pharmacology ; Male ; Muscle, Smooth, Vascular ; cytology ; metabolism ; Pinacidil ; pharmacology ; Propylamines ; pharmacology ; Protein Kinase C ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Tail ; blood supply

Animals ; Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor ; metabolism ; Hypothalamus ; metabolism ; Male ; Physical Conditioning, Animal ; physiology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective To explore the effects of comprehensive rehabilitation on patients with stable chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) in rural communities.Methods Between June 2010 and June 2012,212 stable COPD patients were randomly divided into management group (n =107) and control group (n =105).All patients received conveutional treatment.In addition,107 stable COPD patients relying on new rural cooperative medical service station in management group underwent community comprehensive rehabilitation including training in respiratory function,exercise training,nutrition intervention and psychological care.Effect of lung function,symptoms (times of acute attack & hospitalization) and quality-of-life (QOL) rated by SF-36 questionnaire between two groups were recorded at Month 6.Results The score changes of QOL had significant inter-group differences between 2 groups for PCS (scores for physical component summary) and MCS (scores for mental component summary) (11.4 ±8.2 vs.1.6 ± 1.2,5.5 ±3.5 vs.2.2 ±0.9,all P ＜0.01).In the scores for physical component summary,the score change of physical function,physiological function,body pain and general health were significantly different between two groups (6.7 ±4.3 vs.1.2 ±0.8,10.9 ±6.3 vs.1.9 ± 1.5,6.4 ±4.7 vs.3.6 ±2.7,3.2 ±2.7 vs.1.6 ± 1.1,P ＜ 0.01).In the scores for mental component summary,the score change of vitality,emotional function,social function and mental health were significantly different between two groups (4.9±3.2 vs.1.9±1.4,2.7±2.1 vs.1.6±1.1,11.6 ±9.2 vs.3.6 ±2.3,6.7 ±4.3 vs.1.4±0.9,P＜0.01).The times of acute attack and hospitalization were obviously lower than those of the control group.No significant inter-group difference existed in lung function.Conclusion Comprehensive rehabilitation may improve the QOL in stable COPD patients in rural communities and reduce their times of acute attack.

AIM: To evaluate cell proliferation, apoptosis and migration of human retinal pigment epithelial cells ( RPE) when co - cultured with human marrow mesenchymal stem cells ( hMSCs ) in condition of hypoxia and hyperglycemia so as to explore possible mechanisms of diabetes aggravating choroidal neovascularization ( CNV) preliminarily.
METHODS:Both hMSCs and RPE cells were co-cultured in a transwell system. The experiment was divided into four groups: 21% O2 with 5. 56mmol/L glucose ( control group, A ), 21% O2 with 30mmol/L glucose ( hyperglycemia and normoxia group, B ) , 5% O2 with 5.56mmol/L glucose ( normoglycemia and hypoxia group, C ) and 5% O2 with 30mmol/L glucose ( hyperglycemia and hypoxia group, D) . Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) was used to detect the proliferation of RPE cells in each group at 12, 24 and 48h respectively. Flow cytometry was performed to observe apoptosis of RPE cells at 24h. Additionally, we assessed migration
capabilities of RPE via transwell assay under the condition of hyperglycemia and hypoxia by co-culturing of hMSCs.RESULTS:In this co-culturing system, at 12, 24 and 48h, group B (1. 61±0. 41, 1. 80±0. 34;1. 91±0. 35), C (1.34±0. 46, 1. 94±0. 40, 2. 14±0. 41) and D (1. 98±0. 47, 2.26±0.42, 2. 55±0. 40) showed significantly higher proliferation rate than group A (0. 92±0. 45, 1. 27±0. 32, 1.59±0. 41, P<0. 05). The migration capabilities of RPE in group B (149. 5±9. 19), C (140±9. 90) and D (170. 5±7. 78) increased dramatically compared with group A ( 114. 5±7.78, P<0.05) at 24h, whereas there was no significant difference of apoptosis ratio among four groups (P>0. 05).
CONCLUSION:By coexistence with hMSCs, the synergy of hyperglycemia and hypoxia can improve migration and proliferation of RPE cells, and have no effect on apoptosis of RPE cells within short period.

Objective:To evaluate the fit of titanium alloy removable partial denture framework fabricated by selective laser melting(SLM) technique.Methods:7 Kennedy Ⅲ Ti-6Al-4V removable titanium alloy partial denture frameworks were fabricated by SLM technology.An optical scanner was used to scan the gypsum model adhered with the silicone rubber film obtained by the impression method before and after removal of the film.Geomagic Qualify 2013 software was used to analyze the gap between the model and the tissue surface of the major connector of the framework,the fit of the frame work was evaluated.Results:The overall 3D deviation between the titanium alloy frameworks and the gypsum model was (0.221 9±0.07) mm.Conclusion:The fit of the titanium alloy removable partial denture framework made by SLM technology can basically met the clinical requirements.

MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Free running EMG and stimulus triggered EMG, including time, frequency, amplitude, muscle group were observed and recorded simultaneously. Never root functional injury and restoration after surgery were detected.RESULTS: 378 pedicle screws in 74 patients were monitored intraoperatively, and only 3 pedicle screw malposition (2 of L_4, 1 of L_5) was detected and then replaced with the help of C-arm fluoroscopic examination. Myoelectricity appeared when the current intensity was less than 10 mA. The correct rate of implantation was 99.2%. Nerve root impingement was found in two cases during laminectomy for L_5 and S_1 decompression and never root solution, which alerted the surgical team of critical neural structures. Nerve symptoms of the lower limb were aggravated after surgery and restored following 2-4 weeks of conventional treatment. The error injury rate of nerve root was 2.7%. In all reported cases, no irreversible neurological deficit was observed 2-4 weeks after operation.CONCLUSION: Intraoperative EMG monitoring can find improperly placed screws and detect impending nerve root injury promptly. Combined EMG and 3-D imaging modality monitoring is a reliable and practicable method that can be used to protect neural structures during complex lumbosacral surgery.

A novel Aspergillus terreus strain M11 was isolated from the compost containing cellulose and identified. The isolate grow best at 45℃ and pH2.0. It was found that the activity of the CMCase was up to 3.680IU/mL with high heat stability and the optimal reaction conditions of the CMCase were at 60℃ and pH2.0.

Background:Glioblastoma is one of the most common malignant brain tumors.Conventional clinical treatment of glioblastoma is not sufficient,and the molecular mechanism underlying the initiation and development of this disease remains unclear.Our study aimed to explore the expression and function of miR-873a-5p in glioblastoma and related molecular mechanism.Methods:We analyzed the most dysregulated microRNAs from the Gene Expression Omnibus (GEO) database and examined the expression of miR-873-5p in 20 glioblastoma tissues compared with ten normal brain tissues collected in the Zhejiang Tongde Hospital.We then overexpressed or inhibited miR-873-5p expression in U87 glioblastoma cell lines and analyzed the phenotype using the cell counting kit-8 assay,wound healing assay,and apoptosis.In addition,we predicted upstream and downstream genes of miR-873-5p in glioblastoma using bioinformatics analysis and tested our hypothesis in U87 cells using the luciferase reporter gene assay and Western blotting assay.The differences between two groups were analyzed by Student's t test.The Kruskal-Wallis test was used for the comparison of multiple groups.A P ＜ 0.05 was considered to be significant.Results:The miR-873-5p was downregulated in glioblastoma tissues compared with that in normal brain tissues (normal vs.tumor,0.762 ± 0.231 vs.0.378 ± 0.114,t =4.540,P ＜ 0.01).Overexpression of miR-873-5p inhibited cell growth (t =6.095,P ＜ 0.01) and migration (t=3.142,P ＜ 0.01) and promoted cell apoptosis (t=4.861,P ＜ 0.01),while inhibition of miR-873-5p had the opposite effect.Mechanistically,the long non-coding RNA HOTAIRM1 was found to act as a sponge of miR-873-5p to activate ZEB2 expression in U87 cells.Conclusions:We uncovered a novel HOTAIRM1/miR-873-5p/ZEB2 axis in glioblastoma cells,providing new insight into glioblastoma progression and a theoretical basis for the treatment of glioblastoma.