Objective To observe the corneal nerve fibres damage in different stage of diabetic retinopathy (DR) with type 2 diabetes.Methods A cross-sectional study.One hundred and twenty eyes of 120 patients with type 2 diabetes served as diabetes group.According to International Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy Disease Severity Scales (2002),diabetes patients were classified into 4 subgroups:patients without diabetic retinopathy (NDR),patients with mild or moderate non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (mNPDR),patients with severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (sNPDR) and patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR),each subgroup has 30 eyes of 30 patients.Another 30 eyes of 30 healthy participants served as control group.All eyes were scanned with HRT3 in vivo corneal confocal microscopy.Images of sub-basal nerve plexus were quantified including nerve fiber length (NFL),nerve fiber density (NFD),nerve fiber branch density (NFB),and nerve tortuosity (NT).The correlations of corneal nerve fiber with age,duration of diabetes and glycated hemoglobin (HbA1 c) were analyzed using Spearman correlation analysis.Results NFL,NFD and NFB were found to be significantly lower in diabetic patients (F=147.315,142.586,65.898;P=0.000,0.000,0.000),NT was significantly greater in diabetic patients (F=39.431,P=0.000),when compared to control group.In diabetic patients,NFL,NFD and NFB were gradually reduced with DR severity,NT was gradually increased with DR severity.While the difference ofNFL,NFD,NFB,NT was not statistically significant between sNPDR and PDR subgroups (P＞.0.05),but was statistically significant between other subgroups (P＜0.05).Spearman correlation analysis results showed that age (r=-0.071,-0.080,0.001,0.100;P=0.391,0.328,0.991,0.224) and HbAlc (r=-0.109,-0.115,-0.126,0.025;P=0.238,0.211,0.169,0.781) had no correlation with NFL,NFD,NFB,NT.Duration of diabetes was negatively correlated with the NFL,NFD (r=-0.212,-0.264;P=0.020,0.004),positive correlated with NT (r=0.261,P=0.004),and had no correlation with NFB (r=-0.119,P=0.194).Conclusions Corneal nerve fiber loss and nerve tortuosity increased were found in patients with type 2 diabetes,and even without diabetic retinopathy.The progress of corneal neuropathy was correlated with the severity of DR,but it was not change significantly between sNPDR and PDR.

Sini decoction (SND), a classical traditional Chinese medicine emergency formula recorded in Shanghan Lun (Treatise on Febrile Diseases), which is composed of Aconiti Lateralis Preparata Radix, Glycyrrhizae Preparata Radix and Zingiberis Rhizoma. Modern clinical and pharmacological researches have shown that SND can protect the myocardium effectively during myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury (MI-RI). A myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury model of H9c2 cardiomyocytes in vitro has been established. Four groups, control group, MI-RI Model group, SND group and SND without Glycyrrhizae Radix group, were arranged. The livability, the level of LDH and CK activity in H9c2 cardiomyocytes in different groups were tested. By combining with principal components analysis (PCA), partial least squares discriminant analysis (PLS-DA), orthogonal partial least squares projection of latent structures-discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA), 17 biomarkers in extracellular fluid were identified and 15 of them were related to the pathway of biological processes. The results showed that the attenuate and synergistic mechanism between Aconiti Lateralis Praeparata Radix and Glycyrrhizae Radix for toxicity reduction was related with the glycolysis, lipid metabolism, citrate cycle and nitrogen metabolism of amino acids metabolism. The study proved the effect on H9c2 cardiomyocyte treated by MI-RI injury both SND group and SND without Glycyrrhizae Radix group, and compared with the SND without Glycyrrhizae Radix, the protective effect of myocardial ischemia reperfusion injury model of H9c2 cardiomyocyte from SND was stronger.
Aconitum ; chemistry ; Animals ; Drug Synergism ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; Female ; Glycyrrhiza ; chemistry ; Humans ; Male ; Metabolomics ; Myocardial Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; genetics ; metabolism ; Myocytes, Cardiac ; drug effects ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

By means of genetic cloning and recombinant techniques, full genome cDNA sequences of rotavirus strain TB-Chen were isolated from an infantile hospitalized with acute gastroenteritis. Nucleotide sequences analyses showed that the full genome of strain TB-Chen contains 18613 nucleotides, encoding 5791 amino acids. Genotyping results showed that the strain TB-Chen belongs to genotype G2P[4]/NSp4[A]. This is the first report on a full genome of Group A rotavirus in China, and has important significance for deep understanding structure and functions of rotaviruses and developing rotavirus vaccines.

Objective The primary goal of this work is to discuss the molecular mechanism of multi-drug resistant Pseudomonas spp. resistance to carbapenam and aminoglycoside antibiotics. Methods From June 2012 to March 2013, six strains of P. aeruginosa and P. putida producing carbapenemasefrom 4 different district were collected. Species identification was performed using VITEK-2 compact system and by sequencing of 16S rDNA amplicons. Minimum inhibitory concentrations were determined by E-test method. Production of carbapenemase were detected by Carba NP method. Carbapenemase genes and aminoglycoside 16s rRNAmethylase genes were screened by PCR, and their subtypes combined with their immediate genetic context were worked out by assemble the sequence of overlapped PCR amplicons. SpeI-PFGE (Pulse field gel electrophoresis after SpeI enzyme digestion) were conducted to evaluate their clonal relatedness. S1-PFGE (Pulse field gel electrophoresis after S1 enzyme digestion) were conducted to conform the relatedness of plasmids they carried. Results Three multidrug resistant P. aeruginosa and three P. putida, were all positive for Carba NP test and conformed producing class B carbapenemase. PCR screening followed by sequencing confirmed carriage of blaIMP-45 and armA, which confer resistance to β-lactams (except aztreonam) and aminoglycosides. These two genes co-located in a Tn1548-associatedregion. SpeI-PFGE disclosed that these isolates were not clonal closely related to each other, except two P. aeruginosa isolates were clonal related. S1-PFGE results showed that these isolates all carried plasmids of large size (300-600 kb). Conclusions This study showed that Pseudomonas spp. isolates co-carried blaIMP-45 and armA were disseminated in clinical settings. Spread of these genes may attribute to horizontal gene transfer of related entities.

Objective:To investigate the prevalence of liver fibrosis in patients with HBV infection detected by ultrasound transient elastography.Methods:A total of 2 689 patients with HBV infection who received liver transient elastography examination at the Department of Hepatology, Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from November 2021 to April 2022 were enrolled in the study. The severity of liver fibrosis was graded according to the liver stiffness value. The association of liver fibrosis detection rate with gender, age and physiological stages of patients was analyzed, and the correlation between liver stiffness value and HBV DNA, HBsAg, HBeAg level, alanine aminotransferase (AST), aspartate aminotransferase (ALT) and serum albumin levels was further analyzed.Results:Among 2 689 patients with chronic HBV infection, there were 1 417 males aged 46 (34, 57) years and 1 272 females aged 45 (33, 55) years. A total of 1 382 patients (51.03%) showed varying degrees of liver fibrosis, including 381 cases (14.20%) of significant liver fibrosis and 259 (9.60%) cases of progressive fibrosis. Male patients had a significantly higher prevalence of liver fibrosis than that of female patients [60.78%(840/1 382) vs. 39.22%(542/1 382), χ2=74.566, P<0.001]. There were significant differences in liver stiffness values and liver fibrosis detection rates ( F=46.516, 199.079, P<0.001) among patients of different age groups. The liver stiffness index (9.41±4.49 vs. 8.10±3.89, t=9.011, P<0.001) and the prevalence of liver fibrosis in males was higher than those in females in age groups younger than 60 years [61.59%(643/1 044) vs. 38.41%(401/1 044), χ2=78.418, P<0.001]; However, there was no significant gender difference in people over 60 years of age [73.80%(200/271) vs. 71.71%(142/198), χ2=0.252, P>0.05; 20.30%(55/271) vs. 21.21%(42/198), χ2=0.059, P>0.05]. The prevalence of liver fibrosis was significantly lower in premenopausal and perimenopausal females than that in males of the same age groups [29.70%(188/633)and 52.20%(154/295) vs. 64.50%(202/313), χ 2=56.683, P<0.001; χ 2=9.519, P=0.029], whereas there was no significant difference between postmenopausal females and males in the same age group [65.40%(220/336) vs. 72.20%(319/441), χ 2=5.822, P=0.061]. The prevalence of liver fibrosis increased significantly in postmenopausal females as compared to premenopausal females[38.40%(497/1 294) vs. 67.50%(532/787), χ 2=56.683, P=0.002]. The value of liver stiffness in patients with chronic HBV infection was positively correlated with total bilirubin, AST and ALT levels( r=0.208, 0.227, 0.218, P<0.05). Conclusions:The prevalence of liver fibrosis detected by ultrasound transient elastography in chronic HBV-infected patients is substantial, the liver stiffness value and detection rate are higher in males than those in females, however, the prevalence is increased in postmenopausal females. The liver stifness value is related to some biochemical indicators of the liver.

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the effect of long-term therapy with entecavir and Fufang Biejia Ruangan tablet in patients with chronic hepatitis B (CHB)-associated fibrosis and explore the synergistic therapy that accelerates the reversion of liver fibrosis.

METHODSA total of 197 patients with CHB-associated fibrosis were recruited from Nanfang Hospital between June, 2010 and June, 2015. The patients were divided into two groups after matching for age, gender and liver stiffness measurement (LSM), namely group A (n=98) treated with Fufang Biejia Ruangan Tablet plus entecavir, and group B (n=99) to receive entecavir only. HBV DNA quantification, HBV serological indicators, blood biochemical indexes, and results of abdominal ultrasound and FibroScan were recorded every 12 weeks. FibroScan values were converted to Metavir staging.

RESULTSBoth groups showed significant decreases in serum levels of HBV DNA, alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and LSM value from baseline (all P<0.05). The median time to achieve Metavir fibrosis staging improvement were 72 weeks in group A and 96 weeks in group B (P<0.05), and the median time to achieve ALT and AST normalization were 12 and 24 weeks in Group A, respectively, significantly shorter than the time in group B (P<0.05). No significant difference was found between the two groups in HBV DNA undetectable rate and HBeAg seroconversion rate.

CONCLUSIONThe combination therapy with Fufang Biejia Ruangan tablet and entecavir produces a stronger efficacy than entecavir alone in the treatment of chronic hepatitis B patients with liver fibrosis, and Fufang Biejia Ruangan tablet shows an obvious hepatoprotective effect in these patients.

Alanine Transaminase ; blood ; DNA, Viral ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Guanine ; analogs & derivatives ; therapeutic use ; Hepatitis B e Antigens ; blood ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; drug therapy ; Humans ; Liver Cirrhosis ; drug therapy ; Tablets

BACKGROUNDThe etiologic agent of severe acute respiratory syndrome (SARS) has been confirmed to be a novel coronavirus (CoV), namely SARS-CoV. Developing safe and effective SARS-CoV vaccines is essential for us to prevent the possible reemergence of its epidemic. Previous experiences indicate that inactivated vaccine is conventional and more hopeful to be successfully developed. Immunogenicity evaluation of an experimental inactivated SARS-CoV vaccine in rabbits was conducted and reported in this paper.

METHODSThe large-scale cultured SARS-CoV F69 strain was inactivated with 0.4% formaldehyde and purified, then used as the immunogen combined with Freund's adjuvant. Eight adult New Zealand rabbits were immunized four times with this experimental inactivated vaccine. Twelve sets of rabbit serum were sampled from the third day to the seventy-fourth day after the first vaccination. The titers of specific anti-SARS-CoV IgG antibody were determined by indirect enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, and the neutralizing antibody titers were detected with micro-cytopathic effect neutralization test.

RESULTSRapid and potent humoral immune responses were induced by the inactivated SARS-CoV vaccine in all the eight test rabbits. Titers of both specific IgG antibody and neutralizing antibody peaked at about six weeks after first vaccination, with the maximum value of 1:81 920 and 1:20 480, respectively. After that, serum antibody levels remained at a plateau or had a slight decrease, though two boosters were given in the succedent 4 to 5 weeks. Cross neutralization response existed between SARS-CoV F69 strain and Z2-Y3 strain.

CONCLUSIONSThe inactivated SARS-CoV vaccine made from F69 strain owns strong immunogenicity, and the cross neutralization response between the two different SARS-CoV strains gives a hint of the similar neutralizing epitopes, which provide stable bases for the development of inactivated SARS-CoV vaccines.

Animals ; Antibodies, Viral ; blood ; Immunoglobulin G ; blood ; Neutralization Tests ; Rabbits ; SARS Virus ; immunology ; Vaccines, Inactivated ; immunology ; Viral Vaccines ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo explore the toxicological mechanism of hydroquinone in human bronchial epithelial cells and to investigate whether DNA polymerase beta is involved in protecting cells from damage caused by hydroquinone.

METHODSDNA polymerase beta knock-down cell line was established via RNA interference as an experimental group. Normal human bronchial epithelial cells and cells transfected with the empty vector of pEGFP-C1 were used as controls. Cells were treated with different concentrations of hydroquinone (ranged from 10 micromol/L to 120 micromol/L) for 4 hours. MTT assay and Comet assay [single-cell gel electrophoresis (SCGE)] were performed respectively to detect the toxicity of hydroquinone.

RESULTSMTT assay showed that DNA polymerase beta knock-down cells treated with different concentrations of hydroquinone had a lower absorbance value at 490 nm than the control cells in a dose-dependant manner. Comet assay revealed that different concentrations of hydroquinone caused more severe DNA damage in DNA polymerase beta knock-down cell line than in control cells and there was no significant difference in the two control groups.

CONCLUSIONSHydroquinone has significant toxicity to human bronchial epithelial cells and causes DNA damage. DNA polymerase beta knock-down cell line appears more sensitive to hydroquinone than the control cells. The results suggest that DNA polymerase beta is involved in protecting cells from damage caused by hydroquinone.

Bronchi ; cytology ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Comet Assay ; Cytotoxins ; toxicity ; DNA Damage ; DNA Polymerase beta ; antagonists & inhibitors ; physiology ; Epithelial Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Humans ; Hydroquinones ; toxicity ; RNA Interference

Alkaloids ; pharmacology ; Animals ; Antiviral Agents ; pharmacology ; Benzylisoquinolines ; Cercopithecus aethiops ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; SARS Virus ; drug effects ; Vero Cells

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the efficacy of one-stop hybrid coronary revascularization [simultaneous minimally invasive direct coronary artery bypass surgery (MIDCAB) and percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) procedures performed in an enhanced (or called "hybrid") operative unit] for the treatment of unprotected left main coronary artery (ULMCA) disease.

METHODSFrom June 2007 to April 2009, 14 patients [13 male, mean age: (60.4 +/- 15.4) years] underwent the one-stop hybrid approach in the "hybrid" operating room. Proximal lesions were evidenced in 5 patients and distal or bifurcation lesions in 11 patients. MIDCAB procedure for grafting of the left intramammary artery (LIMA) with the left anterior descending (LAD) artery was first performed via lower partial ministernotomy on the beating heart, followed by PCI on the LMCA disease and non-LAD coronary lesions.

RESULTSOperation was successful in all patients underwent the one-stop hybrid procedure. LIMA grafts were used in all 14 patients and confirmed to be patent by angiography. A total of 25 non-LAD coronary lesions were treated by PCI and 29 stents (27 drug-eluting stents and 2 bare-mental stents) were implanted to 23 lesions and coronary angioplasty was performed in the remaining lesions. There was no death, perioperative myocardial infarction, stroke or repeat revascularization during the procedure and the follow-up period. All the patients remained free from angina during the 7.9 months (range 1 - 15 months) follow-up period. LIMA grafts and stents were patent in 5 patients at 1-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSOur initial experience demonstrates that one-stop hybrid coronary revascularization provides a reasonable, feasible and safe alternative for selected patients with LMCA diseases.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Coronary Artery Bypass, Off-Pump ; Coronary Artery Disease ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Myocardial Revascularization ; methods ; Treatment Outcome