BackgroundThe aim of the study was to evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of the Trabectome for Chinese glaucoma patients.

MethodsThis was a multicenter, retrospective, observational study. Glaucoma patients, except those with neovascular glaucoma, with/without a visually significant cataract were enrolled. The patients received Trabectome or a combined surgery with phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation. The primary outcome evaluation was a reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP), and the secondary outcomes were a reduction in glaucoma medication, the 2-year success percentages, and complications. Success was defined as an IOP <21 mmHg and at least a 20% IOP reduction from baseline after 3 months for any two consecutive visits, without additional glaucoma surgery. The data were processed using the R Stats Package version 3.0.0. The Wilcoxon test was used to compare the postoperative IOP and the number of glaucoma medications with baselines. The Kaplan-Meier test was used to calculate the 2-year success percentage. The risk factors related to Trabectome failure were determined by logistic regression.

ResultsA total of 120 glaucoma patients were enrolled. The Trabectome efficiently reduced the IOP from a baseline of 22.8 ± 1.34 mmHg to 17.6 ± 0.96 mmHg, and the use of glaucoma medications from 2.2 ± 0.17 mmHg to 1.4 ± 0.21 in a 2-year follow-up (both, P < 0.01). The overall success percentage was 80%. No risk factor related to Trabectome failure was identified. No vision-threatening complication was observed. Ten patients, who required secondary glaucoma surgery, all reached the target IOP.

ConclusionsIn a 2-year follow-up, Trabectome was an efficient and safe procedure for Chinese glaucoma patients.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the irregular antibody production and its relationship with Rh factor genotypes and the loci of thalassemia gene mutations for the β-thalassemic children with long-term transfusion, so as provide experimental basis for clinical safe and effective transfusions for thalassemic children.

METHODSThe peripheral blood from 246 children with β-thalassemia was collected in our hospital; the extraction of genomic DNA and Rh factor (C/c, E/e) genotypes were assayed by PCR-SSP method, the irregular antibodies were screened and identified by serological method, the genotypes for thalassemia and gene mutations were analysed by PCR-RD method.

RESULTSThe genotypes of Rh factors classified by PCR- SSP in the 246 cases of β-thalassemia children were as follws: Ce/Ce (143/246, 58.1%), CE/ce (59/246, 24%), cE/cE (14/24, 5.7%), Ce/ce (12/246, 4.9%); The positive rate of irregular antibody was 7.7% (19/246), including anti-E (7/19), anti-c (5/19), anti-C (2/19), anti-E and anti-c (2/19), anti-e (1/19), anti-D (2/19); Of the 19 cases with positive irregular antibody, the genotypings of Rh factor were: Ce/Ce (11/19), CE/ce (2/19), cE/cE (2/19), Ce/ce (2/19), cE/ce (2/19); the gene mutations location of thalassemia for 19 cases with positive irregular antibody: CD41-42M (13/19), CD71-72M (2/19), IVS-II-654M (3/19), -28M (1/19).

CONCLUSIONThe irregular antibody production for β-thalassemic children with long-term transfusion may have some relevance with Rh factor genotypes and thalassemia genetic mutations. This study possesses a certain significance for effective prevention of RBC alloimmune response of β-thalassemia children and improvement of efficacy and safety of clinical transfasion blood.

Blood Group Antigens ; Blood Transfusion ; Child ; Genotype ; Histocompatibility ; Humans ; Mutation ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Rh-Hr Blood-Group System ; Rho(D) Immune Globulin ; beta-Thalassemia

This study was aimed to investigate 1 case of rare RHD845A/1227A genotype pedigree and analyse their characters. The D antigen was determined by saline method and indirect anti-globulin test (IAT), the RHD1227A, RHD845A alleles and RHD zygosity were detected by PCR-SSP assay, the RHD coding region was analysed by gene sequencing. The results showed that the serological result of RH(D) antigen was found to be negative in one sample by saline assay, but positive by IAT. The analysis of RHD gene sequence indicated that RHD genes in the 845th and 1227th location were G/A base heterozygosis, it was speculated that the individual genotype may be RHD845A/1227A. Family investigation demonstrated the proband's father was RhD negative, his mother was RhD positive, the results of PCR-SSP assay showed that his father carried the RHD1227A alleles, whose genotype was RHD1227A/RHD(-), however, his mother carried RHD845A alleles, her genotype was RHD845A/RHD(+), which proved that the proband's genotype was RHD845A/1227A, inheriting the RHD1227A and RHD845A alleles from his father and mother respectively. It is concluded that 1 case of rare RHD845A/1227A genotype is found, further study proved that this rare heterozygosis come from the hereditary of RHD845A and RHD1227A alleles, rather than the formation of individual gene mutation.
Alleles ; Female ; Genotype ; Humans ; Male ; Pedigree ; Rh-Hr Blood-Group System ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVETo assess the association between 2 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) of ETS1 gene and susceptibility to systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) in a northern Chinese Han population.

METHODSTwo SNPs within the ETS1 gene mapped to 11q23 were selected based on HapMap data. Genotyping was conducted with Taqman method in 231 patients with SLE and 474 healthy controls from Qilu Hospital, Shandong and analyzed with PLINK1.07 software. Haplotypes were analyzed with SHEsis software.

RESULTSA statistically significant difference was detected in the distribution of rs1128334 and rs4937333 genotypes between the two groups (all P< 0.01). For rs1128334, the frequency of the minor allele was 0.291 and 0.428 in controls and cases, respectively. For rs4937333, the minor allele frequency was 0.381 and 0.476 in controls and cases respectively. An A-C haplotype was found to be strongly associated with increased risk for SLE, while another haplotype G-C may reduce this risk.

CONCLUSIONOur study has suggested that rs1128334 and rs4937333 are strongly associated with the risk for SLE in northern Chinese Han population.

3' Untranslated Regions ; Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; ethnology ; genetics ; Female ; Genetic Association Studies ; Humans ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic ; ethnology ; genetics ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Proto-Oncogene Protein c-ets-1 ; genetics ; Young Adult

OBJECTIVEUsing infant and child feeding index (ICFI) to evaluate the relationship between infant feeding and physical development indicators in rural areas of Lhasa.

METHODSIn July and August 2010 in the rural areas of Lhasa, the multi-stage cluster random sampling method was adopted to select 540 Tibetan children who were between 6 to 35 months of age. There were 70, 79 and 391 cases in 6 to 8, 9 to 11 and 12 to 35-month-old group respectively. The basic status of infants, information about breastfeeding and complementary feeding were collected by using designed questionnaires. Their height and weight were measured to calculate the children's weight for age Z-score (WAZ), height for age Z-score (HAZ) and weight for height Z-score (WHZ) and assess feeding index score (out of 17 scores) and analyze the relationship between feeding index and HAZ, WAZ and WHZ.

RESULTSThe mean ICFI score of 540 cases was 8.90 ± 2.82.It was 6.84 ± 3.16, 8.16 ± 2.78 and 9.41 ± 2.55 for 6 to 8, 9 to 11 and 12 to 35-month-old infants respectively. There was significant difference between the different month group (F = 30.99, P < 0.05).For the three month groups, the scores of WAZ were 0.10 ± 1.18, -0.09 ± 1.20 and -0.38 ± 0.96; HAZ were -0.60 ± 1.68, -1.02 ± 1.72 and -1.30 ± 1.30; WHZ were 0.62 ± 1.23, 0.69 ± 0.96 and 0.43 ± 0.95 respectively. The ICFI scores of 9 to 11, 12 to 35 and 6 to 35-month-old infants were positively correlated with HAZ (correlation coefficients were 0.25,0.12 and 0.09 respectively, all P values <0.05). There was no correlation with WAZ (correlation coefficients were 0.15,0.08 and 0.03 respectively, all P values >0.05) and WHZ (correlation coefficients were -0.08, -0.02, and -0.07 respectively, all P values >0.05). There were no correlation between ICFI score with HAZ, WAZ and WHZ for 6 to 8 month-old infants (correlation coefficient were 0.06,0.16 and -0.07 respectively, all P values >0.05).

CONCLUSIONTo some extent, the feeding index can effectively reflect the growth status of these infants and can serve as a comprehensive assessment of feeding situations among Tibetan children in rural areas of Lhasa.

Breast Feeding ; Child Development ; Child, Preschool ; China ; Female ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant Food ; Male ; Nutritional Status ; Rural Population ; Somatotypes

OBJECTIVETo study the alveolar bone surrounding situation and the length of the root of the maxillary labial inverted impacted incisor in mixed dentition after orthodontic treatment.

METHODSFourteen cases with maxillary labial inverted impacted incisor in mixed dentition were collected. Modified Nance arch and conventional appliance were used. Cone-bean CT (CBCT) was taken after the treatment. Simplant13.0 three-dimensional reconstruction and multi-planer reconstruction (MPR) method were used to observe the labial and lingual alveolar bone crest morphology, besides, the labial and lingual length from the alveolar bone crest to cemento-enamel junction (CEJ) of the impacted incisor and the homonym tooth after treatment, along with their root length and their labial and lingual length ratio of the root surrounded by the alveolar bone to the total root length were measured. The idependent samples t-test were used to analyze the variable differences.

RESULTSThe labial and lingual alveolar bone of fourteen cases crest of the diseased tooth after treatment presented general symmetry U shape from qualitative observation through the three-dimensional reconstruction. The labial and the lingual length of the diseased incisor from alveolar bone crest to CEJ [(2.47 ± 1.35) and (1.47 ± 0.84) mm] was significant increased than those of the homonym incisor [(1.03 ± 0.35) and (0.90 ± 0.37) mm] (P < 0.05); the length of the diseased incisor's post-treatment root [(9.82 ± 2.82) mm] was no statistically significant decreased than that of the homonym incisor root [(10.28 ± 1.38) mm, P = 0.59]; the labial and the lingual length ratio of the impacted tooth's root surrounded by the alveolar bone to the total root length [(72.83 ± 17.16)% and (85.32 ± 5.98)%] was statistically significant decrease than those of homonym teeth[(89.66 ± 3.98)% and (90.84 ± 4.61)%] (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSThe diseased tooth's root had gotten enough length after the treatment. The labial and lingual alveolar bone of the maxillary labial inverted impacted incisor in mixed dentition can't offer sufficient adaptive hyperplasia after treatment, of which labial alveolar bone is more apparent, prompting careful protection when they were used.

Alveolar Process ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Child ; Cone-Beam Computed Tomography ; Dentition, Mixed ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Humans ; Incisor ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Male ; Maxilla ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; surgery ; Orthodontic Extrusion ; Tooth Root ; diagnostic imaging ; pathology ; Tooth, Impacted ; diagnostic imaging ; surgery

OBJECTIVETo understand the growth and malnutrition status of Tibetan children aged 0 to 35 months in rural Lhasa in 2010.

METHODSCross-sectional study and multistage sampling design were used to randomly select sampling units. A total of 640 children were studied. Height and weight were measured and nutritional status was evaluated with WHO reference in 2006 using Z-scores. Z-scores of weight-for-age (WAZ), Z-scores of height-for-age (HAZ) and Z-scores of weight-for-height (WHZ) were analyzed.

RESULTSAt the age of 18 - 35 months, the children in rural Lhasa were 3.0 cm shorter as compared to the China national length reference. At the age of 6 - 11, 12 - 17 months, weight ((8.84 ± 1.23) and (10.20 ± 1.08) kg) and length ((70.45 ± 4.46) and (76.73 ± 4.78) cm) of boys were significantly higher than girls (weight: (8.42 ± 1.30) and (9.59 ± 1.26) kg; length: (67.61 ± 3.98) and (74.25 ± 4.50) cm) (all P values < 0.05). WAZ and HAZ were -0.17 ± 1.11 and -1.11 ± 1.46, respectively. The HAZ of 18 - 23 months children (-1.51 ± 1.24) was significantly different from the HAZ of 0 - 5, 6 - 11, 12 - 17 months children (HAZ: -0.75 ± 1.50, -0.83 ± 1.72, -1.07 ± 1.55, respectively) (all P values < 0.05), comparison with the HAZ of 24 - 29, 30 - 35 months children (HAZ: -1.41 ± 1.25, -1.24 ± 1.05), the results showed that there were no significant difference (all P values > 0.05), HAZ of 18 - 23 months children was the lowest. The prevalence of stunting, underweight, and wasting were 24.6% (155/630), 5.4% (33/616) and 1.0% (6/608), respectively. The malnutrition of boys was more serious than that of girls, the stunting of 18 - 23 and 24 - 29 months children had reached 35.0% (36/103) and 29.1% (25/86), respectively.

CONCLUSIONThe growth and development status of children in rural Lhasa under 3 years old was poor, and the malnutrition of local children should not be ignored with variations by gender and months of age.

Asian Continental Ancestry Group ; Child, Preschool ; China ; epidemiology ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Female ; Growth Disorders ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; Humans ; Infant ; Infant, Newborn ; Male ; Malnutrition ; epidemiology ; ethnology ; Nutritional Status ; Rural Population

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the veracity of the C1 lateral mass screw insertion in the atlantoaxial fixation using plate and screw method without A-P fluoroscopic guiding.

METHODSIn the atlantoaxial fixation, without A-P fluoroscopic guiding, we probe lateral mass edge and identify the entrance point of C1 lateral mass screw indirectly. 159 patients treated with atlantoaxial fixation using plate and screw method were studied. Postoperative CT was used for analysis, and the position of the lateral mass screws in atlas was identified by coronary and axial CT scan. Three areas were delimited in and around the lateral mass of atlas in the axial CT scan, so as to analyze the location of screws: area A (inside the joint face), area B (outside the joint face but still in lateral mass), and area C (outside the lateral mass).

RESULTSAmong the 318 screws, 308 (96.9%) were located in area A, 5 in area B (1.6%), and 5 in area C (1.6%). All cases got atlantoaxial union at 4 months after operation.

CONCLUSIONProbing lateral mass edge and identifying the lateral mass indirectly is reliable for identifying the path of screw in atlas.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Atlanto-Axial Joint ; surgery ; Bone Screws ; Cervical Atlas ; surgery ; Child ; Female ; Follow-Up Studies ; Fracture Fixation, Internal ; methods ; Humans ; Joint Instability ; surgery ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Spinal Fusion ; methods

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effect of different kinds of mechanical stress on the mRNA expression of integrin beta1 subunit in cultured human periodontal ligament fibroblasts (hPDLF).

METHODSTo scalp and remove the periodontal ligament attached to the mid-third part of the fresh root of young premolars extracted for the cause of orthodontics. Cultured hPDLF by the method of digesting by I-type collagenase combining with tissue adhering. Then hPDLF was isolated and purified by cells passage. The sixth passage's cells were selected to be loaded. A new cyclic strain loading apparatus. Forcel four point bending device was used for mechanically loading. Cells were loaded by three levels (1000, 2000, 4000 microstrain) of tensional and compressive forces and collected at different times (0, 0.5, 1, 4, 8, 12 h) course after strain loading. The quantity of integrin beta1 mRNA in every group was analyzed by means of quantitative real-time PCR with the special primers of up- and down-regulated genes.

RESULTSDynamic mechanical forces down-regulated the expression of integrin beta1 subunit mRNA in hPDLF and the difference in groups by different magnitude, different kinds, and different time of mechanical forces loading were statistically significant. The stronger stimulated forces, the more down-regulated expression. Compression down-regulated the expression of integrin beta1 subunit mRNA more than tension did.

CONCLUSIONDynamic mechanical forces could regulate the expression of integrin beta1 subunit mRNA. The difference among all the groups by different magnitudes, different kinds, and different time of mechanical forces loading were statistically significant.

Cells, Cultured ; Fibroblasts ; Humans ; Integrin beta1 ; Periodontal Ligament ; RNA, Messenger ; Stress, Mechanical

To test the hypothesis that concentration polarization of atherogenic lipids may occur in the arterial system and play an important role in localization of atherosclerosis, we simulated and measured in vitro the luminal surface concentration of low density lipoprotein (LDL) in local stenosis at the distal end of carotid artery by number simulation and laser scanning confocal microscopy, then we designed carotid stenosis model to test the role of LDL concentration polarization in atherogenesis. The in vitro experiment showed that the luminal surface LDL concentration was higher than the bulk concentration as predicted by the concentration polarization theory. The relative luminal surface LDL concentration changed with the flow velocity and ratio of stenosis. The wall concentration of LDL was highest in the round tube with 40% stenosis at the same velocity, while the wall concentration of LDL was higher when Re was 250 than Re was 500 at the same extent of narrowness. The animal experiment also revealed that general atherogenic plaques obviously occurred at the distal end of local stenosis where concentration polarized. The results strongly support our hypothesis that concentration polarization of lipoproteins occurs in local stenosis at the distal end of carotid artery, and this in turn promotes the localization of atherosclerosis which develops in the arterial system.
Animals ; Atherosclerosis ; physiopathology ; Carotid Stenosis ; physiopathology ; Disease Models, Animal ; Lipoproteins, LDL ; metabolism