Analyzed in this paper are the distribution of the first completed institutions, districts and cooperative projects of the awarded medical achievements, the number of papers published by Gansu health institutions and their cited frequencies from 2006 to 2013 with the scientific research strength of these institutions assessed in order to provide reference for increasing the output of high level medical achievements.

AIM: To study the serum lipids changes and lipid ratiosin patients with pterygium.

METHODS: Based on the retrospective study, 500 pterygium patients who were admitted to the department of ophthalmology and had finished physical examination in the physical examination center of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from January 2016 to February 2019 were included. As well as 500 people who underwent health examination and were matched in age and gender at the same time. The serum levels of triglycerides(TG), total cholesterol(TC), low density lipoprotein cholesterol(LDL-C), and high-density lipoprotein cholesterol(HDL-C), were measured by professionals in hospital. TG/HDL, TC/HDL, LDL/HDL were calculated and analyzed statistically between the two groups.

RESULTS: Among the 500 patients with pterygium, abnormal serum lipid content accounted for 68.2%(341/500). TG, TC, LDL-C level and TG/HDL, TC/HDL and LDL/HDL were higher in pterygium group than control, and with statistically significant differences(P<0.001). While serum HDL level was lower than that in control group and with no statistically significant differences(P>0.05). According to Logistic analysis, TG(OR=4.132), TC(OR=2.194), TG/HDL(OR=2.184)and TC/HDL(OR=2.007)were risk factors for pterygium(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Dyslipidemia is an important factor in the pathogenesis of pterygium. It is very necessary for the patients with pterygium to control the level of blood lipids because it has important clinical significance for the attack and treatment of them.

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of hepatitis B virus (HBV) infection on the expression of Furin, an important proprotein convertase, in liver cells to provide insights towards its potential as a therapeutic target for improved antiviral efficacy.

METHODSFurin expression was measured in human liver specimens (infected tissues from patients with chronic HBV hepatitis vs. normal tissues from healthy donors) and in hepatoma cell lines (HBV-infected HepG2.2.15 cells vs. uninfected parental cell lines HepG2) using quantitative real-time RT-PCR (for mRNA), western blotting and immunohistochemistry (for protein).

RESULTSCompared to the uninfected tissues and cells, the HBV-infected tissue and cells showed down-regulated expression of furin at both the mRNA and protein levels. In particular, the HepG2.2.15 cells showed -50% less furin mRNA expression than the HepG2 cells and the difference was statistically significant (P less than 0.05).

CONCLUSIONHBV may suppress the host cell's expression of furin, possibly to benefit its survival and replication in the host cell.

Cell Line ; Furin ; metabolism ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Hep G2 Cells ; Hepatitis B virus ; physiology ; Hepatitis B, Chronic ; metabolism ; Host-Pathogen Interactions ; Humans ; Liver ; metabolism ; virology ; Proprotein Convertases ; metabolism ; Virus Replication

OBJECTIVETo investigate the relationship between germ cell apoptosis and expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in contralateral testes of experimental unilateral cryptorchid rats.

METHODSTwenty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into 2 groups (namely cryptorchid group and control group), with 10 rats in each group. Cryptorchid animal model was established, and contralateral testes were captured 90 days later. The evidence of germ cell apoptosis was detected by TUNEL assay. The expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax were detected by immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSIn the contralateral testes of experimental unilateral cryptorchidism, apoptosis index of germ cell and Bax expression significantly increased compared with those in the control group, respectively (P < 0.01), while Bcl-2 expression and testis weight obviously decreased (P <0.01). The apoptotic cells were mostly pachytene spermatocytes and round spermatids.

CONCLUSIONThe germ cell apoptosis is highly correlated with expressions of Bcl-2 and Bax in contralateral testes of experimental unilateral cryptorchidism. Bcl-2/Bax plays an important role in germ cell apoptosis.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; Cryptorchidism ; metabolism ; pathology ; Gene Expression ; Germ Cells ; pathology ; Male ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; biosynthesis ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Testis ; metabolism ; pathology ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; biosynthesis

OBJECTIVETo investigate the protective effect of pentoxifylline on spermatogenesis following testicular torsion/detorsion in rats.

METHODSHealthy male Sprague-Dawley rats (n = 24) were divided into three groups randomly, each comprising 8 rats. In Group I, rats underwent a sham operation. In Group II and III, animals were submitted to unilateral 720 degrees testicular torsion, then detorsion in two hours. Infusion of isotonic saline and pentoxifylline into tail vein was initiated 15 minutes prior to relief of torsion in Group II and III respectively. Twenty four hours later, testes were examined for evidence of germ cell apoptosis by the flow cytometry and the level of total antioxidant capability (T-AOC) and malondialdehyde (MDA) by spectrophotometry.

RESULTSCompared with that of group II, the number of apoptotic germ cell and the level of MDA decreased remarkably in Group III, but T-AOC increased significantly (P <0.01).

CONCLUSIONPentoxifylline provided significant rescue of testicular function after acute experimental torsion.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Flow Cytometry ; Germ Cells ; drug effects ; pathology ; Male ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Pentoxifylline ; pharmacology ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley ; Spermatic Cord Torsion ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; pathology ; Spermatogenesis ; drug effects ; Vasodilator Agents ; pharmacology

OBJECTIVE: To explore the genotypic and phenotypic characteristics of a child with congenital Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease. METHODS: Clinical, imaging and genetic characteristics of the child were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The patient manifested significantly reduced muscle tension, apparent tremor of eyeballs, and retardation of motor development after birth. Cranial MRI at 6-month-old showed no myelinization of brain white matter, though no pathogenic variant was detected by clinical exome sequencing. A copy number variation was found at chrX: 102 192 246-103 045 526. The duplication has spanned approximately 853 kb and was recorded in the Decipher database to be associated with Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease. Quantitative PCR confirmed that the duplication has derived from his mother. CONCLUSION Reduced muscle tension, nystagmus, poor motor development, and absence of myelinization of white matter should alert the diagnosis of congenital type Pelizaeus-Merzbacher disease. Both sequence variant and copy number variation should be searched upon genetic testing. A clear diagnosis is required for genetic counseling.

With the continuous progress of tumor treatment methods in recent years, more and more emerging antitumor drugs have been approved to market and put into clinical use. In addition, some treatments that are in clinical trials such as gene therapy are also continuously making new breakthroughs. In this review, we mainly give a brief introduction to the novel antineoplastic therapies that have been clinically used in recent years, as well as the ones with remarkable efficacy and are expected to be approved for marketing.

Objective: To explore the comprehensive intervention mode of compliance with analgesics for home-based patients with moderate or severe cancer pain and to improve the medication compliance of home-based patients with cancer pain. Methods: A self-designed questionnaire was designed to investigate the influencing factors of taking analgesics for home-based patients with moderate or severe cancer pain, 143 home-based patients with moderate to severe cancer pain were conveniently selected from Hospice Unit of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University, from February 2016 to December 2017. To investigate the subjective, objective and psychological factors affecting patients' compliance with analgesics, comprehensive interventions such as health education, behavioral intervention, cognitive intervention and psychological counseling were carried out. Before and after the intervention, Morisky′s self-report questionnaire on medication compliance, pain digital grading (NRS score), and pain relief degree were assessed. Using self control design method and comparing the compliance of patients taking analgesics, number of complete compliance and non-compliance in patients taking analgesics and NRS score and pain relief before and after 8 weeks of intervention. Pain degree, pain relief degree and pain relief efficiency between patients with complete compliance and non-compliance after comprehensive intervention were evaluated. Results: The main factors affecting patients' medication compliance with analgesics were fear of morphine addiction(16.37%, 37/226), single use of drugs and insufficient dosage (15.93%, 36/226), and fear of adverse drug reactions(13.72%, 31/226). The scores of NRS decrease in patients with different influencing factors were compared, with statistical difference (F=5.367, P=0.006). There were significant differences in the number and compliance of patients with complete compliance and non-compliance before and after 8-week-comprehensive intervention (χ²=25.583, P=0.000; t=-7.387, P=0.000). There were significant differences in pain degree, pain relief degree and pain relief efficiency between patients with complete compliance and non-compliance after 8-week-comprehensive intervention (χ²=76.572, 62.998, all P=0.000). Conclusions Comprehensive intervention on subjective, objective and psychological factors affecting the medication compliance of home-based patients with moderate or severe cancer pain can improve the medication compliance of patients to take analgesics and alleviate pain.

Objective: To preliminarily evaluate the clinical efficacy of endoscopic argon plasma coagulation (APC) combined with sub-mucosal injection of norepinephrine saline in the treatment of radiation proctitis (RP), especially for refractory RP. Methods: Clinical data of 22 RP patients were retrospectively analyzed. The severity of RP was evaluated by a modified endoscopy scoring system (A) or Sherman′s classification (B). The criteria of successful treatment are the improvement of clinical symptoms or the cessation of bleeding (or only occasional traces of blood on the stools that do not need further treatment). Results: All 22 patients were successfully treated. Among them, 18 patients (82%) had no bleeding. According to the classification of A, 15 patients (68%) had mild proctitis and 7(32%) experienced severe proctitis. Based on B classification, 9 patients (41%) were categorized as mild proctitis and 13(59%) as severe proctitis. Using the classification of A, the number of treatment sessions was significantly correlated with the endoscopic grade (or endoscopic total score)(Spearman’s r=0.86, P<0.001). Conclusions Preliminary evidence demonstrates that endoscopic APC combined with sub-mucosal injection of norepinephrine saline is not only effective for mild and moderate RP, but also maintains long-term efficacy for refractory RP. Modified endoscopy scoring system (A) assessment is more suitable for clinical application compared with B assessment.

PURPOSE: The -1237T/C polymorphism of the Toll-like receptor 9 (TLR9) gene has been implicated in the susceptibility of inflammatory bowel diseases (IBDs), but the results remain conflicting. We further investigated this association via meta-analysis. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Multiple electronic databases were extensively searched until February, 2015. The strength of association was evaluated by calculating the pooled odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: A total of 2987 cases and 2388 controls from eight studies were analyzed. Overall, association was found between TLR9 -1237T/C polymorphism and the risk of IBDs when all the studies were pooled (recessive model, OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.02-2.47, p=0.04; homozygote comparison, OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.04-2.52, p=0.03; allele model, OR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.00-1.27, p=0.05). Stratification by ethnicity indicated an association between TLR9 -1237T/C polymorphism and IBDs risk in Caucasians (recessive model, OR: 1.59, 95% CI: 1.02-2.47, p=0.04; homozygote comparison, OR: 1.62, 95% CI: 1.04-2.52, p=0.03; allele model, OR: 1.12, 95% CI: 1.00-1.27, p=0.05). When stratified by disease type, significant correlation were only found in the Crohn's disease subgroup (recessive model, OR: 1.69, 95% CI: 1.05-2.73, p=0.03; homozygote model, OR: 1.74, 95% CI: 1.07-2.82, p=0.02; allele model, OR: 1.15, 95% CI: 1.01-1.32, p=0.04). CONCLUSION: The present study suggested that the TLR9 -1237T/C polymorphism might act as a risk factor in the development of IBDs, particularly in Caucasians.
Alleles ; European Continental Ancestry Group/genetics ; Genetic Predisposition to Disease/*genetics ; Homozygote ; Humans ; Inflammatory Bowel Diseases/ethnology/*genetics ; Odds Ratio ; Polymorphism, Genetic/*genetics ; Risk Factors ; Toll-Like Receptor 9/*genetics/metabolism