?AIM:To compare the corrected vision and improvement of visual quality after wearing rigid gas permeable corneal lens ( RGPCL) or spectacles in aphakic patients.?METHODS: We selected 29 aphakic patients ( 29 eyes ) caused by different reasons wearing RGPCL and spectacle.The corrected vision, eye condition and visual quality were observed and all patients were followed up for 6mo.? RESULTS: RGPCL was better than spectacle on corrected vision (P<0.05).The patients who wore RGPCL for long had no corneal complications reported. The patients who wore RGPCL had better subjective visual quality than those wore spectacle.?CONCLUSION: RGPCL is a good choice for correcting high myopia and astigmatism for aphakic patients.The patients'compliance is good. Wearing RGPL long has high safety for patients'ocular surface.

Objectives To screen the differentially expressed proteins in serum of population chronically exposed to arsenic in drinking water,thus to provide candidate protein biomarkers for arsenic exposure and arsenicosis.Methods Subjects were selected from the drinking water type of endemic arsenicosis areas in Shanxi province,China.Demographic characteristics,history of arsenic exposure,cigarette smoking,alcohol drinking,health and other information were collected using questionnaire.The subjects were divided into low-arsenic group (with arsenic in drinking water ＜ 10 μg/L),medium-arsenic group( 10 - 50 μg/L),high-arsenic group( ＞ 50 μg/L),and arsenicosis group(the drinking water with arsenic ＞ 50 μg/L was replaced by low arsenic water ＜ 10 μg/L).The number of cases in each group was 30.The arsenicosis patients were diagnosed according to “Standard of Diagnosis for Endemic Arsenism” (WS/T 211-2001 ).With the principle of informed consent,blood samples were collected.Differentially expressed serum proteins of different arsenic exposure groups and arsenicosis group were screened by two-dimensional differential gel electrophoresis(2-D DIGE),and further identified by mass spectrometry (MS).Results An average of (1299 ± 167) protein spots were identified in 6 gel images and 688 protein spots were discovered repeatedly in at least 5 gels.There were 33 protein spots differentially expressed among low-,medium- and high-arsenic groups P ＜ 0.01).Fifty four protein spots were significantly different among low-,medium-,high-arsenic exposure groups and arsenicosis group(P ＜ 0.01 ).Twenty five protein spots were selected for MS analysis,and13 protein spots were identified.Compared with low-arsenic group,the expressions of apolipoprotein A-Ⅳ,retinol binding protein,and estrogen receptor hypothalamic isoform in medium- and higharsenic exposure groups were down regulated,and the expressions of component 4A and 4B were up regulated.Compared with low-,medium- and high-arsenic groups,the expressions of beta-2-glycoprotein Ⅰ,Keratin 1,hemopexin,complement C1r subcomponent,and ficolin-3 in arsenicosis group were down regulated,and the expressions of pigment epithelial-differentiating factor,alpha-1-microglobulin and carboxypeptidase N catalytic chain were up regulated.Conclusions Chronic arsenic exposure can significantly change population's serum protein expression.Differentially expressed proteins in arsenicosis patients will not decline with the decline of arsenic in a short term.Whether or not the differentially expressed proteins identified in this study can be used as biomarkers for arsenic exposure and arsenicosis needs to be further verified.

Objective To report the clinical and peripheral neuropathological findings in two patients with autosomal recessive Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease 2K(AR-CMT2K).Methods Case one was a nine year-old girl.She had distal weakness of lower limbs for six years, with calf atrophy and contracture of Achilles tendon for three years.Case two was an eight year-old boy.He had distal weakness of lower limbs with contracture of Achilles tendon and calf muscle atrophy for three years, and proximal weakness of low limbs for two years.The motor nerve conduction velocities in median nerves were 48.1 m/s in case one and 47.6 m/s in case two.The compound motor action potential amplitude of median nerves decreased by 46% in case one and 69% in case two.Sural nerve biopsies and gene targeted next-generation sequencing were performed in both patients.Results Density of myelinated fibers was 8 407/mm2 in case one and 7 714/mm2 in case two.The ratio of myelinated fibers with diameter over 8 μm was 2.6% in case one and 0 in case two.Both patients had small regenerating cluster of myelinated fibers.Thin myelinated fibers appeared in case one.In case two, atypical onion bulb formations with focal folded myelin appeared, and electromicroscopy revealed mitochondrial aggregate in axons.Compound heterozygous mutations of ganglioside-induced differentiation associated protein 1 gene were detected in both patients, including c.767A>G(p.H256R) and c.466G>A (p.A156T) in case one and c.767A>G and 845G>A(p.R282H) in case two.Conclusions Contracture of Achilles tendon may appear in early childhood of AR-CMT2K patients.The main pathological changes in sural nerve are loss of large myelinated fibers, mitochondrial aggregate in axons and myelin abnormalities.

Aim To study inhibitory effect of 5-fluorouracil encapsulated by galactosylceramide liposomes (5-Fu-GCL)on 5-Fu-resistent HepG_2 cells and its mechanisms. Methods Inhibitory effect of 5-Fu-GCL on established model of 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells was assessed with MTT assay in vitro. The concentration-time course of 5-Fu-GCL in intracellular fluid was detected with high performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Thymidylic acid synthase (TS) expression was observed with immunohistochemical method,and NO content was determined with chemical method. Results Obvious inhibitory effects of 5-Fu-GCL (75,150,300,600,1200?mol?L-1) on 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells were observed with IC_ 50 of 158.6 ?mol?L-1,far lower than that of free 5-Fu (400.9 ?mol?L-1). 5-Fu-GCL (300 ?mol?L-1) inhibited 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells in a time-dependent manner,and the inhibitory effect of 5-Fu-GCL was stronger than that of free 5-Fu during 12～48 h. Compared with free 5-Fu,5-Fu-GCL (300 ?mol?L-1) increased the content of intracellular fluid in 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells. 5-Fu-GCL(62.5,300,1200 ?mol?L-1) not only inhibited the expression of TS,but also increased the production of NO in 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells,and these effects of 5-Fu-GCL(300,1200 ?mol?L-1) were stronger than those of free 5-Fu. Conclusion 5-Fu-GCL has inhibitory effect on 5-Fu-resistant HepG_2 cells. The effect may be related to the increased concentration of 5-Fu-GCL in intracellular fluid,inhibited expression of TS and increased production of NO.

Objective To report the development of clinical symptoms in a Chinese family with autosomal dominant progressive external ophthalmoplegia(adPEO).Methods Electromyologram and muscle biopsy were performed in the proband and 4 family members with the disease.Results The proband was a 57 year-old woman,who developed bilateral ptosis after the age of 30,external ophthalmoplegia after the age of 35 years old,weakness of extremities at the age of 37 years old and bulb palsy with palmus at the age of 47 years old.In the family there were 20 male and female members from five generations.All of them complained about bilateral ptosis between 26—33 years old,external ophthalmoplegia(12/15)and weakness of all extremities(14/15)between 35—45,facial and masticatory weakness(9/9)as well as dysphagia(8/9)between 44—60,accompanied with heart lesions(4/7)after 50 years old.Some patients died due to cardiac impairment.Electromyologram showed myopathic abnormalities in the examined patients. The main myopathological changes were ragged red fibers,cytochrome c oxidase negative fibers and ragged blue fibers in succinate dehydrogenase staining.Conclusions The adPEO started from extra-ocular muscles to limbs,finally facial and bulbar muscles.Heart lesions were presented in late stage and lead to death in some members.The developing process of symptoms suggested that we should pay more attention to cardiac manifestations in this disease.

Objective To evaluate carotid intima-media thickness(IMT) and elasticity in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension(PIH) using ultrasound radio-frequency data(RF-data) technology.Methods Twenty-seven PIH women(mean brachial blood pressure:108 mm Hg,1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa)were included and thirty age- and gestational week-matched normal pregnant women served as controls.Carotid IMT and stiffness were evaluated using quality IMT(QIMT) and quantitative artery stiffness(QAS)techniques with color Doppler.Results Carotid IMT and elasticity parameters,including pulse wave velocity,pressure at T1,arterial augmented pressure(AP) and arterial augmented pressure index(AIx) were significantly higher in PIH group than in the normal group[IMT:(466.84±118.50)μm vs (386.58±125.79)μm;PWV:(7.09±1.97)m/s vs (5.95±1.11) m/s;PT1:(127.50±14.29) mm Hg vs (105.89±11.02)mm Hg;AP:(5.14±3.39) mm Hg vs (1.98±2.19)mm Hg;AIx:(7.58±8.73)% vs (-4.79±7.92)%)], and there were significant differences(t=2.660,2.660,3.460,3.460,3.460,all P＜0.01).Conclusions PIH women have significantly increased carotid IMT and decreased elasticity compared with normal pregnant women.Radio-frequency technique could reliably reflect the changes of the carotid arterial structure and elasticity in patients with pregnancy-induced hypertension.

Objective To investigate the function of soluble stem cell factor receptor(s-kit)and stem cell factor(SCF) in chronic aplastic anemia(CAA).Methods ELISA assay was employed to determine the levels of s-kit and SCF in peripheral blood of CAA patients and umbilical cord blood.Results The levels of s-kit and SCF in peripheral blood of CAA patients are lower than those of normal group and umbilical cord blood group.Conclusions The decreased levels of s-kit and SCF show that s-kit and SCF may play a role in CAA mechanism.The raised levels of s-kit and SCF show that s-kit and SCF may be applied in the field of cord blood transplantation.

Objective: Elsibucol is a metabolically stable derivative of probucol with the properties of anti-oxidation, anti-inflammation and anti-proliferation. We want to explore the effect of elsibucol on abdominal aorta injury in hypercholesterolemia rabbits. Methods: A total of 45 male New Zealand rabbits were divided into 3 groups: Control group, the rabbits were fed by high cholesterol diet, Elsibucol group, the rabbits received high cholesterol diet with 1% elsibucol and Probucol group, the rabbits received high cholesterol diet with 1% probucol.n=15 in each group. All animals were treated for 2 weeks followed by the procedure of abdominal aortic balloon injury and then, drug therapy was continued for 10 weeks. The area and load of atherosclerosis in abdominal aorta were evaluated by IVUS, the amount of macrophages in plaque were observed by immunohistochemistry, mRNA and protein expressions of MCP-1, MMP-9 were examined by RT-PCR and immunohistochemistry. Results: Compared with Control group, Elsibucol group showed decreased blood LDL-C and oxidative stress, decreased amount of macrophages and lower expression of inlfammatory factors in atherosclerosis plaque, reduced plaque area and load, allP<0.01. Compared with Probucol group, Elsibucol group presented even lower plaque area and load, allP<0.01. Conclusion: Elsibucol inhibits the progress of atherosclerosis in experimental rabbits via regulating blood lipids, anti-inlfammation and anti-oxidation.

Objective　To set up a reliable method for isolating and culturing cochlea microvascular endothelial cells. Methods　Cochlea stria was separated by micrergy from guinea pigs and the stria tissue nubbles were cultured in vitro. Results　Two days later, a few cells were seen disseminately around partial tissue nubbles and their number was increased with time prolongation. There were some cellular colonies consisted of large quantity of cells around the partial tissue nubbles on 10 th day. Under the inversion microscope, the single cultured cells presented a long fusiform and the confluent monolayer cells linked tightly and exhibited the typical structure of “scree” of cultured endothelial cells in vitro. After purification, over 95% of the cultured cells showed factorⅧ relative antigen positive reaction. Conclusion　The method used in this study can obtain cochlea microvascalar endothelial cells of guinea pig in vitro.

ObjectiveTo analyze past study on senile dementia in China, and shape the foundation for constructing social support system for elderly with dementia.MethodsA combination of qualitative and quantitative method was used to analyze 406 literatures related to the elderly with dementia published in China since 2000.ResultsDiagnosis method for the senile dementia has matured; but the causes of the disease is still not clear and there is no thorough remedy; study on early intervention, nursing care and social support are inadequate.ConclusionDiagnostic criteria should be standardized, community screening assessment should be done on a regular basis; etiology based on risk factors should be strengthened; systematic study on intervention should be carried out; training on home care techniques should be enhanced. Resolving the care of the elderly with dementia depends on the social support system construction eventually.