AIM:To investigate the changes of subfoveal choroidal thickness ( SFCT ) in central serous chorioretinopathy ( CSCR) eyes and to compare them with normal control eyes.
METHODS: This was a case-control study and a Meta-analysis. Forty - six CSCR patients diagnosed by the fundus pre - set lens, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) were enrolled in this study. Sixty two age-, sex-, diopter- and axial length-matched 62 normal subjects ( 62 eyes ) were enrolled in this study as the control group. Using enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography ( EDI-OCT) , SFCT of CSCR eyes and normal control eyes were measured and compared. Univariate and multivariate linear regression analysis were performed to assess the association between SFCT and clinical factors. The Meta - analysis were conducted using the Stata software package to calculate the summary weighted mean differences ( WMDs) .
RESULTS:The mean SFCT of the CSCR group and the normal control group was 397. 34±83. 91μm and 274. 48±62. 57μm, respectively. The CSCR eyes had a thicker choroid than the control eyes at the SFCT (P<0. 01). Univariate and multivariable linear regression analysis showed that the SFCT was significantly thicker in association with the CSCR diagnosis. The result of our case-control study was consistent with the results of the further Meta-analysis with the pooled WMD of 156. 13μm (95% CI:137. 43, 174. 83) for SFCT.
CONCLUSION:Along with the comprehensive Meta-analysis, SFCT in CSCR eyes was thicker than that of normal control eyes. Increased SFCT might be associated with CSCR.

To study the influence of the compatibility of ophiopogonis tuber and Chinese magnoliavine fruit with gastrodia rhizome on the pharmacokinetics of gastrodin in rat, three dosages of compound Tianma granule extract (equivalent to gastrodin 50, 100, 200 mg x kg(-1)) and one dosage of Tianma extract (equivalent to gastrodin 100 mg x kg(-1) were administered to rats by intragastric administration separately. Plasma samples were collected at different times and treated with methanol and acetonitrile to precipitate protein. The contents of gastrodin in plasma were determined by HPLC method. The mean plasma concentration-time curves of different medication administration teams were processed with WinNonlin 5.2.1 pharmacokinetic software. The pharmacokinetic parameters of different medication administration teams were analyzed with SPSS statistics 17.0 software. The results indicated that the in vivo kinetic process of gastrodin was fitted to first-order absorption un-compartment model at low, middle dosages and zero-order absorption un-compartment model at high dosage of compound Tianma granule extract. By comparison with the pharmacokinetic parameters of gastrodin (100 mg x kg(-1)) in Tianma extract, the significant decrease for Cmax and significant increase for MRT0-infinity in compound Tianma granule extract indicated that the compatibility of ophiopogonis tuber and Chinese magnoliavine fruit with Gastrodia rhizome can delay the absorption, reduce the elimination rate and prolong the action time of gastrodin in vivo.

Objective To evaluate the feasibility of 80 kV tube kilovoltage in aortic artery CT angiography with 256-slice CT. Methods A total of 62 patients undergoing aortic artery CTA were enrolled into this study and divided into conventional tube kilovoltage (120 kV, n = 31 ) and low tube kilovoltage (80 kV, n = 31 ). The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) , contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR), volume CT dose index (CTDIvol) and effective dose (E) were evaluated, respectively. Results The mean image SNR was ( 35.92 ± 5.04) and ( 33.95 ± 8. 30) for conventional tube kilovoltage and low tube kilovoltage,respectively, with no significant difference (t = 1. 131, P =0. 263). The mean image CNR was (30. 32 ±4.78) and (28.71 ± 7.96 ) for conventional tube kilovoltage and low tube kilovoltage, respectively, with no significant difference ( t = 0. 964, P = 0. 339 ). The average effective dose ( E ) was ( 14. 28 ± 0.96 )mSv and (9. 72± 0. 81 )mSv for conventional tube kilovoltage and low tube kilovoltage, respectively, with significant difference ( t = 20. 12, P ＜ 0. 001 ). Conclusions 80 kV tube kilovoltage aortic artery CTA can reduce radiation dose by 31.9% , and contrast dose 50% ,and maintain image quality compared with 120 kV tube kilovoltage.

BACKGROUND:Poly-D,L-lactic-co-glycolic acid (PLGA) that was characterized as absorbable,weak cytotoxicity,and adjustable hardness was ideal to be synthetized artificial spinal dura mater.Because of lacking of functional group at the surface of PLGA,it should be modified to fit the demand of satisfied biocompatibility.OBJECTIVE:To study the biocompatibility of PLGA membrane modified by type-Ⅰ collagen and chitosan.DESIGN,TIME AND SETTING:Contrast observation study,which was carded out in the Biochemistry and Molecular Biology Laboratory Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine from May to December 2007.MATERIALS:Porous PLGA membrane was provided by Jinan Banzheng Biology-Technology Co.,Ltd.,type-Ⅰ collagen by Sigma Company,USA,chitosan by Shanghai Qisheng Biological Agent Medical Apparatus and Instrument Company,and L929 L cell by Cellular Institute of Shanghai Academy of Life Science,Chinese Academy of Science.METHODS:PLGA membrane (P membrane),PLGA/type-Ⅰ collagen composite membrane (PG membrane),PLGA/type-Ⅰ collagen/chitosan (9:1) composite membrane (PGC 9:1 membrane) and PLGA/type-Ⅰ collagen/chitosan (5:5) composite membrane (PGC 5:5 membrane) were produced through a certain process.MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES:Contact angle,absorption rate and cytotoxicity were tested.Morphological changes of L929 L cell cultured for 1,3,and 7 days were observed under fiberscope.RESULTS:Contact angle was shown as PG membrane＜PGC 9:1 membrane＜PGC 5:5 membrane＜P membrane (P＜0.01 );absorption rate was shown as P membrane＜PGC 5:5 membrane＜PGC 9:1 membrane＜PG membrane (P＜0.01).L929 L cell was characterized as well distribution,expansion and appearance after inoculation of PG membrane,PGC 9:1 membrane and PGC 5:5 membrane.Cytotoxic experiment (MTT methods) showed that,on the 1st day,there was no significant difference in absorbency among groups (P＞0.05).On the 3rd and 7th days,there were significant differences between P membrane and PG membrane or PGC 9:1 membrane,and between PGC 9:1 membrane and PCK2 5:5 membrane (P＜0.05).PGC 9:1 membrane could further improve cell adhesion and proliferation,and PGC 5:5 membrane could inhibit cell proliferation and differentiation.CONCLUSION:Type-Ⅰ collagen and chitosan appended to the exterior of PLGA can enhance the biocompatibility of membrane.In terms of biocompatibility,PLGA/type-Ⅰ collagen/chitosan (9:1) composite membrane can be fit to the qualification as a type of material of artificial spinal dura mater.

Objective To explore the serum levels of cytokines in patients with depression and their correlations with sex,age,depression severity and anxiety severity.Methods After enrolling subjects into the corresponding patient group and control group,the same trained researcher should continue to collect general information of the enrolled subjects as well as the HAMA and HAMD scoring results collection and assessment;And the serum levels of interlukin-1β (IL-1β),interlukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) were detected with the method of enzyme-linked Immuno-sorbent assay (ELISA) in two groups.Results ① The serum levels of IL-1β,IL-6 and TNF-α of depression group were significantly higher than these in control group (P＜0.05),which were ((5.45±3.60) pg/ml vs(2.63± 1.92) pg/ml,(5.09±3.74) pg/ml vs (3.83±2.71) pg/ml,(5.77±3.94) pg/ml vs (4.05±3.25) pg/ml) respectively.②There was no significant difference in serum levels of IL-1 β,IL-6 and TNF-α between male and female patients with depression (P＞0.05).③ No conspicuous differences were found between the young group and the middle-aged group in serum levels of IL-1β,IL-6,TNF-α (P＞0.05).④ Serum level of IL-6 in major depressive disorder group((6.24±4.68) pg/ml) was more higher than that in mild to moderate depression group((3.95± 1.97)pg/ml),and the difference was statistically significant (t=2.467,P＜0.05).⑤There was significant differences in serum level of IL-6 between two groups,which were depression patients with and without anxiety (separately(5.80±4.37) pg/ml vs(3.87±1.80) pg/ml) (t=2.397,P＜0.05).Conclusions ①There is a phenomenon of immune activation,and levels of blood cytokines are raised in patients with depression.②Age and gender have no impact on depression in the level of cytokines.③IL-6 may be an important biological index that reflected the severity of depression and anxiety.

Objective To explore the behavior characteristics in children with benign epilepsy combined with centro-temporal spikes(BECTS).Methods Eighty-two children with BECTS aged 2.5-3.0(2.65?2.31)years old,51 male,31 female,who were free of mental retardation assessed with Gesell developmental schedules,untreated with antiepileptic drugs,and were investigated 15 days after the latest seizure.Eighty-two healthy children with sex and age matched to the cases,53 male,29 female,aged 2.5-3.0(2.6?0.4)years old.The behavior characteristics of infants in BECTS group and control group were assessed with CBCL,including 6 behavior factors which were sleep problem,social flinches,depression,physical aspect,attacking,act of sabotage and the infants-middle school student social ability scale.Results The total scores of behavior characteristics and the scores of depression,sleep problem,attacking and act of sabotage in BECTS group were all higher than those in control group,the differences were statistically significant.However,scores of social flinches,and physical aspect in BECTS group had no significant differences compared with those of control group.There were no significant difference of social adaptive component between the BECTS and control group.Conclusions Children with BECTS have behavior disorders to some extent,but their social adaptive capacity are the same as normal children.

ObjectiveTo determine whether glutamate induces the alteration of aquaporin 4 (AQP4) expression in cultured rat astrocytes. MethodsThe secondary cultured astrocytes were treated with 1 mmol/L L-glutamate for 1 h, 3 h, 6 h, 12 h, 24 h and 48 h. The morphologic changes of astrocytes were observed through microscope after GFAP immunostaining and AQP4 mRNA expression were detected with real-time PCR. ResultsThe astrocytes swelled when exposed to glutamate for 1 h and remained with prolonged treatment. Meanwhile, the AQP4 mRNA expression were early down-regulated and subsequently up-regulated, featured with the lowest AQP4 mRNA level at 12 h after treatment (P<0.01) and higher at 48 h (P<0.05). ConclusionAquaporin 4 may be involved in the occurrence and development of astrocyte swelling induced by glutamate.

Objective To examine the sensitivity of human glioblastoma multiforme cell line BT325 to 5 antineoplastic drugs, including cisplatin (DDP), teniposide (VM26), nimustine (ACNU), temozolomide (TMZ) and vincristine (VCR). Methods BT325 cells were incubated in DMEM with 10% or 20% fetal bovine serum (FBS) or without FBS respectively. The cell numbers were counted at 24 h, 48 h, 72 h,96 h, 120 h, and 144 h, then platting and growth curve were drafted. Cell counting kite-8 was used to detect the influence of 5 drugs with different concentrations on human glioma cell line BT325. Results DDP and VM26 significantly suppressed BT325 cells(>75%) viability in a dose-dependent manner, while VCR inhibited BT325 cells (50%) growth without dose-effect relationship. In contrast, ACNU and TMZwere not effective on the viability of BT325 cells. Conclusion BT325 cells were very sensitive to chemotherapeutic drugs DDP amd VM26.

Arthropods of medical importance such as mosquitoes, ticks and sandflies are one of the key drivers of arthropod-borne diseases outbreak, posing a great threat to global public health security. For further understanding the transmission mechanisms of arthropod-borne diseases and establishing the prevention and control measures, a series of experiments of arthropods infection need to be carried out under laboratory conditions. Besides the regular biosafety requirements, some specific considerations need to be taken into account when performing arthropod infection and the infected arthropod rearing. Except for the physical containment composed of biosafety facilities, a comprehensive assessment of the biosafety risks during operations and corresponding preventive measures are also critical to eliminate or mitigate the biosafety risks. In this paper, we introduce our practice in handling mosquito infection with Risk Group 2 pathogens in Arthropod Containment Level-2 (ACL-2) laboratory, with an aim to provide a reference for researchers in related fields.