BACKGROUND:Age-related macular degeneration and deep vein thrombosis may share common pathophysiological mechanisms,but there is a lack of direct evidence regarding their relationship.Traditional studies are confounded by confounding factors and reverse causation.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the causal relationship between age-related macular degeneration and deep vein thrombosis based on Mendelian randomization design.METHODS:Through a two-way Mendelian randomization analysis,single nucleotide polymorphisms of exposure and outcomes were obtained from publicly available genome-wide association studies,with deep vein thrombosis data from the FinnGen database in a European population with a sample size of 363 612 and 1 048 575 single nucleotide polymorphisms.In addition,we obtained data on age-related macular degeneration from the IEUOpenGWAS project,also from a European population sample of 105 248 cases covering 11 304 110 single nucleotide polymorphisms.In R4.4.1,we used the TwoSampleMR package(version 0.6.8)to explore the causal effects of exposure factors on outcomes.At the same time,we also conducted a sensitivity analysis via MR-Egger regression,weighted median,weighted model and simple model methods to ensure that the assessment results were robust and reliable.In addition,we used the"heterogeneity"function to test for heterogeneity,and the"horizontal pleiotropy"function and the MR-PRESSO test to further assess horizontal pleotropy.The Cochran's Q test was used to determine whether there was statistical heterogeneity between single nucleotide polymorphisms,and the leave-one-out method was used to assess whether single nucleotide polymorphisms would significantly interfere with Mendelian randomization analysis.Funnel plots were drawn to assess the potential bias of single nucleotide polymorphisms.Forest plots were plotted to show the effect estimates of single nucleotide polymorphisms on exposure and outcomes,and their confidence intervals were plotted.Scatter plots were plotted to evaluate the relationship between the potency of single nucleotide polymorphisms and their causal effect size on outcome estimates.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Both forward and reverse studies showed that there was no causal association between age-related macular degeneration and the occurrence of deep vein thrombosis(P＞0.05).Sensitivity analysis showed that the main analysis results were reliable and robust,with no outliers,heterogeneity,and horizontal pleiotropy,and no single nucleotide polymorphism significantly affected the overall effect estimate.Although it is based on European population data,it has methodological reference value for Chinese biomedical research on complex disease associations.In this field,China can carry out multi-center large-sample studies,accurately analyze the internal links between Chinese population-related diseases,and provide a basis for prevention and treatment strategies and clinical practice.

BACKGROUND:Age-related macular degeneration and deep vein thrombosis may share common pathophysiological mechanisms,but there is a lack of direct evidence regarding their relationship.Traditional studies are confounded by confounding factors and reverse causation.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the causal relationship between age-related macular degeneration and deep vein thrombosis based on Mendelian randomization design.METHODS:Through a two-way Mendelian randomization analysis,single nucleotide polymorphisms of exposure and outcomes were obtained from publicly available genome-wide association studies,with deep vein thrombosis data from the FinnGen database in a European population with a sample size of 363 612 and 1 048 575 single nucleotide polymorphisms.In addition,we obtained data on age-related macular degeneration from the IEUOpenGWAS project,also from a European population sample of 105 248 cases covering 11 304 110 single nucleotide polymorphisms.In R4.4.1,we used the TwoSampleMR package(version 0.6.8)to explore the causal effects of exposure factors on outcomes.At the same time,we also conducted a sensitivity analysis via MR-Egger regression,weighted median,weighted model and simple model methods to ensure that the assessment results were robust and reliable.In addition,we used the"heterogeneity"function to test for heterogeneity,and the"horizontal pleiotropy"function and the MR-PRESSO test to further assess horizontal pleotropy.The Cochran's Q test was used to determine whether there was statistical heterogeneity between single nucleotide polymorphisms,and the leave-one-out method was used to assess whether single nucleotide polymorphisms would significantly interfere with Mendelian randomization analysis.Funnel plots were drawn to assess the potential bias of single nucleotide polymorphisms.Forest plots were plotted to show the effect estimates of single nucleotide polymorphisms on exposure and outcomes,and their confidence intervals were plotted.Scatter plots were plotted to evaluate the relationship between the potency of single nucleotide polymorphisms and their causal effect size on outcome estimates.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Both forward and reverse studies showed that there was no causal association between age-related macular degeneration and the occurrence of deep vein thrombosis(P＞0.05).Sensitivity analysis showed that the main analysis results were reliable and robust,with no outliers,heterogeneity,and horizontal pleiotropy,and no single nucleotide polymorphism significantly affected the overall effect estimate.Although it is based on European population data,it has methodological reference value for Chinese biomedical research on complex disease associations.In this field,China can carry out multi-center large-sample studies,accurately analyze the internal links between Chinese population-related diseases,and provide a basis for prevention and treatment strategies and clinical practice.

Objective To observe the changes of iNOS, COX-2 and NF-κB in breast cancer MCF-7 cells treated with Yanghe decoction containing serum. Methods The MCF-7 human breast cancer cells were divided into blank group, low dose group, middle dose group and high dose group (4.5, 9, 18 g/kg, respectively). Real-time RT-PCR was used to detect the mRNA expression of iNOS and COX-2 at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours, and Western-blot was used to detect the expression of NF-κB protein. Results Compared with the blank group, the expression of iNOS and COX-2 mRNA in the low dose group, middle dose group and high dose group decreased significantly at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours(P<0.05), the the expression of NF-κB protein in the low dose group, middle dose group and high dose group decreased significantly at 24, 48, 72 and 96 hours (P<0.05). So it reduced with the increase of drug concentration and time. There was no significant difference in 72 hours after intervention. Conclusions The Yanghe decoction could reduce the expression of NF-κB, and then reducing the related inflammatory factors COX-2 and iNOS.

Recently, single Chinese medicine extract on the treatment of diabetic retinopathy became popular. Some progress of experimental and clinical studies of single Chinese medicine extract on the treatment of diabetic retinopathy has been made. Thus, this paper summarized the recent progress of both clinical and experiment studies on Single Chinese medicine extract for diabetic retinopathy.

Objective To measure the pressure-volume changes and uroflow rate,and assess the function of upper urinary tract in sigmoidorcctal pouch patients.Methods Between 2007 and 2011,a to-tal of 10 patients who had a radical cystectomy because of muscle-invasive bladder tumor underwent a Mainz pouch Ⅱ procedure were evaluated.The ureters were implanted into the post walls of the detubularized sigmoid segment at least 30 cm in length.In all cases,sigmoidoscopy was done and the anal pressure was measured preoperatively,and video urodynamic study of sigmoidorectal pouch as well as the intravenous pyelography was conducted after 3 to 6 months postoperatively.Results Video urodynamic study of sigmoidorectal pouch revealed that no reflux up to an average volume of 360 ml (270-532 ml) of the descending colon.The sigmoidal colon pressure was 26 cm H2O during the 3 to 6 months post-operative follow-up.The anal sphincter pressure was 90 cm H2O on average preoperatively and did not change postoperatively.The renal function and upper urinary tract were preserved well.The Qmax was 30 ml/s and the average uroflow rate was 8 ml/s under abdominal strain.All the patients suffered slight incontinence in the first two months and became continent since the 3 month postoperatively with nocturnal voiding one to four times.Conclusions The sigmoidorectal pouch provides a reservoir with a higher capacity,lower pressure without reflux to the upper urinary tract and descending colon and lower metabolic acidosis problem.It is also a good alternative diversion procedure that would preserve upper urinary tract and good quality of life.

Objective To investigate the feasibility and efficacy of transurethral prostate enucleation with 2 μm laser in the treatment of benign prostatic hyperplasia (BPH). Methods One hundred and seven patients with BPH were treated by transurethral prostate enucleation with 2 μm laser under continuous epidural anesthesia or laryngeal mask anesthesia. The patient′s, average age was 67±9 yrs (52 to 85 yrs). Of whom, 10 patients had a history of urinary retention. The mean prostate volume was 72.5±17.6 ml (45 to 158 ml). Two deep trenches were cut at the 5 and 7 o, clock position from the bladder neck to the verumontanum. The incision continued to the urethral mucosa and submucosa along with the verumontanum bilaterally in an arc-shape and ended at the internal arc of urethral sphincter. Then the urethral mucosa at the level of the verumontanum was cut and the surgical capsule plane was identified. A retrograde blunt dissection was made along the surgical capsule plane with the resectoscope sheath front-end, and the sheath was swung from side to side to extend the capsule plane. The significantly enlarged middle lobe was treated with laser vaporization resection. In the same way, a trench was made at the 12 o, clock position, and the lateral lobe were removed by the sheath from the verumontanum level, finally only two cord-like pedicles were kept at the 1 and 11 o, clock position at the bladder neck, so that the removed gland tissue was fixed and hung in the gland fossa. For prostate volume less than 60 ml, the laser vaporization resection was carried out directly. If the prostate volume was greater than 60ml, transurethral resection would be performed instead of laser vaporization resection. With 4% mannitol irrigation, the enucleated prostate tissue was then cut into small pieces and washed out by a Braun plastic bottle through the resectoscope sheath. Intraoperative bleeding, operative time, catheterization time, postoperative voiding status, maximum urinary flow rate (Qmax) and length of hospital stay were recorded and analyzed. Results All patients successfully completed the transurethral prostate enucleation. The average operative time was 74±12 min (45-150 min). Five cases required blood transfusion. There was no recorded urethral stricture and no urinary incontinence except for one patient who recovered 1 mon after the operation. The follow-up time was 2-6 mon. The average Qmax was 6.3±0.6 ml/s before and increased to 17.5±1.5 ml/s after the operation. The international prostate symptom score (IPSS) and quality of life (QOL) were reduced from 26.4±5.5 and 4.6±0.5 to 9.3±2.1 and 2.8±0.3 after the operation, respectively, P<0.01. Postoperative secondary bleeding was not observed. Conclusions Transurethral prostate enucleation with 2 μm laser for BPH is a safe and effective minimally invasive treatment. Its efficacy is superior to open surgery, and even better than TURP.