Objective:To investigate the efficacy and safety of accelerated epithelium-off corneal collagen cross-linking (CXL) in the treatment of corneal ectasia after keratorefractive surgery.Methods:An observational case series study was performed.Twelve patients (22 eyes) diagnosed with corneal ectasia after keratorefractive surgery in the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University were enrolled from January 2016 to December 2018.All the patients received accelerated epithelium-off CXL and were followed up for 12 months.Before and 1 week, 1, 3, 6, and 12 months after the operation, the uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) converted to the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) unit were measured.The sphericity, cylindricity, and spherical equivalent were examined by Topcon auto refractor.The maximum keratometry (Kmax) of the front surface, mean keratometry (Km) of the front surface, Km of the back surface, symmetry index of front surface (SIf), symmetry index of back surface (SIb), thinnest corneal thickness (TCT), total aberrations, total high-order aberrations, coma aberration, trefoil aberration and spherical aberration were detected by the Sirius analyzer.The depth of corneal demarcation lines was determined by optical coherence tomography.The intraocular pressure was measured by the non-contact tonometry.The corneal endothelial cell density was assayed by the endothelial cell densitometry.The inflammatory reaction and haze were observed with a slit lamp at different time points after surgery.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the First Affiliated Hospital of Army Medical University (No.KY2020063). Written informed consent was obtained from each patient before entering the cohort.Results:Among the 22 eyes of 12 cases, 3 eyes of 2 cases (13.64%) underwent small incision lenticule extraction, and 19 eyes of 10 cases (86.36%) underwent excimer laser in situ keratomileusis.The UCVA (LogMAR), BCVA (LogMAR), cylindricity and spherical equivalent before the operation were 0.61±0.42, 0.24±0.23, (-2.83±2.39)D, (-3.60±2.66)D, which were significantly worse than 0.45±0.31, 0.12±0.15, (-2.11±1.67)D, (-3.12±2.31)D at 12 months after the operation ( t=4.054, 4.956, -3.728, -2.742; all at P<0.05). The front surface Kmax, front surface Km and SIf at 12 months after the operation were (48.37±5.80), (41.49±3.04), (5.36±4.07)D, which were significantly lower than (49.61±5.97), (41.66±2.97), (5.85±4.18)D before the operation ( t=5.949, 2.278, 2.719; all at P<0.05). There was no significant difference in sphericity, Km of the back surface, SIb, TCT, total aberrations, total high-order aberrations, coma aberration, trefoil aberration, spherical aberration, intraocular pressure and endothelial cell density between before and 12 months after the operation (all at P>0.05). Grade 0.5-2 haze occurred in 8 eyes of 4 patients one month postoperatively.After administration of prednisolone acetate eye drops, haze decreased or disappeared 3 months postoperatively, with UCVA and BCVA unchanged.A corneal demarcation line with a depth of (285.40±51.61)μm was found in 11 eyes of 6 cases at 1 month after operation. Conclusions:Accelerated epithelium-off CXL can significantly improve visual acuity, reduce corneal astigmatism and corneal curvature, as well as effectively prevent the progress of corneal ectasia.

Objective To explore the risk factors of early neurological deterioration(END)in patients with acute cerebral infarction(ACI)based on the characteristics of computed tomography angiography(CTA)images of head and neck plaques.Methods A total of 218 ACI patients were selected,and according to whether END occurred within 72 h after onset,they were divided into an END group(54 cases)and non END group(164 cases).The clinical data and imaging indicators were compared and analyzed between the two groups.Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze risk factors,and a nomograph prediction model was constructed and evaluated.Results National Institutes of Health Stroke Scale(NIHSS)score at admission ≥4 points,glycated hemoglobin(HbA1c)≥7.7％,severe or above ipsilateral carotid artery stenosis,and unstable plaque(soft plaque and mixed plaque)were the independent risk factors in END patients(P＜0.05).The result of nomograph prediction model showed that its discrimination,accuracy and effectiveness were better.Conclusion NIHSS score at admission,HbA1c level,ipsilateral carotid artery stenosis degree,and plaque type are all independent influencing factors for the occurrence of END.

OBJECTIVES: Inflammation especially the overexpression of inflammasome and inflammatory cytokines, is one of the important reasons that affect the occurrence and development of acute cerebral infarction, including the initiation of cerebral infarction, the progress and recovery of post-infarction injury. This study aims to explore expressions of absent in melanoma 2 (AIM2), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), and interleukin-18 (IL-18) in plasma of patients with acute cerebral infarction and its significance. METHODS: A total of 85 patients with acute cerebral infarction were enrolled in the cerebral infarction group. They were assigned into mild, moderate, and severe groups according to the severity of neurological deficits. They were assigned into small, middle, and large cerebral infarction groups according to the area of cerebral infarction. They were assigned into a good prognosis group and a poor prognosis group according to the Modified Rankin Scale (mRS) score on the 90th day after the onset. A total of 85 healthy controls were selected as a control group. The levels of AIM2, IL-1β, and IL-18 in plasma of the cerebral group and the control group were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: The levels of plasma AIM2, IL-1β, and IL-18 in the cerebral infarction group were significantly higher than those in the control group (all CONCLUSIONS Expressions of AIM2, IL-1β, and IL-18 are up-regulated in the plasma of patients with acute cerebral infarction, and they are closely related to the severity of neurological deficit, cerebral infarction area, and prognosis in patients with acute cerebral infarction, suggesting that AIM2, IL-1β, and IL-18 may play an important role in the occurrence and development of acute cerebral infarction.
Cerebral Infarction ; DNA-Binding Proteins ; Humans ; Interleukin-18 ; Interleukin-1beta ; Melanoma ; Plasma ; Stroke

Objective To investigate the changes of soluble lectin-like oxidized low-density lipoprotein receptor-1 (sLOX-1) and omentin-1 in patients with H-type hypertension complicated with acute ischemic stroke, and to analyze the correlation of sLOX-1 and omentin-1 levels with the severity and prognosis of the disease.Methods Totally 136 patients with H-type hypertension complicated with acute ischemic stroke from February2017 to May 2018 were selected as observation group, and 136 non-acute ischemic stroke patients with H-type hypertension in the same period as the control group. The patients of observation group were divided into mild, moderate and severe sub-groups according to NIHSS score, and they were also divided into good prognosis group and poor prognosis group based on modified RANKIN scale (mRS) score. The serum sLOX-1 and omentin-1 levels were detected, and the correlation of sLOX-1 and omentin-1 levels with severity and prognosis of disease was analyzed. Results The serum sLOX-1 level of the observation group was higher, but the serum omentin-1 level lower than that of control group (P < 0.05). With the severity of the disease, the serum sLOX-1 level increased, but the serum omentin-1 level decreased (P < 0.05). The serum sLOX-1 level of good prognosis group was significantly lower, whereas the serum omentin-1 level significantly higher than that of poor prognosis group (P < 0.05). sLOX-1 was positively correlated with NIHSS score and mRS score, while omentin-1 was negatively correlated with NIHSS score and mRS score (P < 0.05). Conclusions The levels of serum sLOX-1 and omentin-1 are closely related to the severity and prognosis of patients with H-type hypertension complicated with acute ischemic stroke, which could be used as markers for evaluating the severity and prognosis of the patients.

Objective To study the effect of citicoline on mild cognitive impairment MCI) in pa tients with middle cerebral artery stenosis (MCAS).Methods Eighty-six MCAS patients with MCI were divided into citicoline group (n=44) and control group (n=42).The patients in citicoline group were treated with citicoline (0.2 g,3 times a day) for 6 months on the basis of conventional treatment.Cerebrovascular reserve,PI,BHI and Vm between the two groups were compared by transcranial Doppler ultrasonography after treatment.MCI between the two groups was assessed according to the MoCA after treatment.Results The rate of cerebrovascular reserve,PI,BHI and Vm were significantly higher in citicoline group than in control group (13.59％± 1.16％ vs 7.61％±1.12％,P＜0.01;0.51±0.16 vs 0.58±0.12,P＜0.05;1.36±0.08 vs 0.74±0.11,P＜ 0.01;32.63％ ±2.32％ vs 16.92％ ± 1.68％,P＜0.05).The total MoCA score,attention,language,visuospatial and executive function,abstract,naming,orientation and memory were significantly higher in citicoline group than in control group (P＜0.01).Conclusion Early citicoline treatment can improve cerebrovascular reserve and alleviate MCI in MCAS patients.

Objective To investigate the risk factors of progressive motor deficit (PMD) in patients with acute middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) beyond thrombolysis time.Methods The clinical data of 123 patients with acute MCAO beyond thrombolysis time,admitted to our hospital from March 2015 to March 2017,were analyzed retrospectively.According to whether patients having National Institute of Health Stroke Scale (NIHSS) scores increased＞2 within 5 d of admission and continued for 24 h,these patients were divided into two groups:PMD group and non-PMD group.Single factor analysis was performed on all clinical parameters that might influence PMD;in addition,the influencing factors of PMD were analyzed by multiple factor Logistic regression analysis.Results Fifty-one patients (41.5％) had PMD and 72 patients (58.5％) did not have PMD.Single factor analysis showed that the differences of randomized blood glucose level,ratio of patients with PH2 type hemorrhagic transformation,intracurricular infarct pattern,radiation crown infarct and collateral circulation pathway between the PMD group and the non-PMD group were statistically significant (P＜0.05).Multiple factor Logistic regression analysis showed that ratio of patients with PH2 type hemorrhagic transformation,radiation infarct site,internal watershed infarct model and collateral circulation pathway were significantly correlated to PMD (OR=2.857,95％CI:1.037-7.869,P=0.042;OR=2.585,95％CI:1.219-5.481,P=0.013;OR=2.876,95％CI:1.327-6.232,P=0.007;OR=2.332,95％CI:1.120-4.867,P=).024).Conclusion PH2 type hemorrhagic transformation,corona radiate infarct,intemal watershed infarct model and insufficient collateral circulation pathway are the important risk factors of PMD in patients with acute MCAO beyond thrombolysis time.

Insomnia is the most common type of sleep disorder in the clinic. Long-term insomnia seriously affects people's work and life, and the incidence of insomnia is increasing year by year.In order to provide reference for the clinic, this paper summarizes the current advances in the treatment of insomnia, including pharmacotherapy and non-pharmacotherapy. Non-pharmacotherapy includes cognitive behavioral therapy and physical therapy. Pharmacotherapy includes benzodiazepine receptor agonists, including benzodiazepine and non-benzodiazepine hypnotics, melatonin and melatonin receptor agonists, antidepressant drugs with sedative effects, antipsychotic drugs, antihistamines that have central inhibitory effects, Chinese medicine.

Objective To establish ovarian cancer cell line SKVO3 that can stably express human ADP ribosylation factor-4 (ARF4). Methods A eukaryotic expression vector pCDH-CMV-MCS-EF1-Puro/ARF4 was constructed and transfected into SKOV3 cells after verifying by DNA sequencing. The expression of ARF4 mRNA was verified by real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR). Then, the recombinant plasmid with lentiviral packaging plasmids were co-transfected into SKOV3 cells for packaging. The recombinant lentiviral particles LV-ARF4 were collected and transfected into SKOV3 cells, and the stable transfected SKOV3 cell line was screening by culture with puromycin. The expression of ARF4 gene was detected by qRT-PCR and Western Blot. Results A eukaryotic expression vector pCDH-CMV-MCS-EF1-Puro/ARF4 was successfully constructed. The vector could significantly up-regulate the expression of ARF4 mRNA in SKOV3 cells and be successfully packaged into recombinant lentiviral particles in HEK-293T cells. Compared with the control group, the relative expression level of ARF4 mRNA and protein in SKOV3 cells was significantly increased after the infection with LV-ARF4 (all P<0.001). Conclusion The recombinant plasmid pCDH-CMV-MCS-EF1-Puro/ARF4 and lentiviral vector LV-ARF4 were successfully constructed. The establishment of stably infected SKOV3 cell line with LV-ARF4 provides an experimental foundation for further studies on the biological function of ARF4 in ovarian cancer.

Latent reservoir (LR) of HIV is the cells (such as CD4(+)T cell) where HIV is able to hide. These cellular reservoirs are located throughout the body, including the spleen, lymph nodes, gastrointestinal lymphoid tissues, and become the major obstacle to cure HIV infection. To truly cure patients, a new strategy "shock and kill" was put forward by scientists, which is to shock HIV-infected cells out of hidden reservoirs in the body and then kill them. Quantitatively evaluating the size of long-lived LR is essential to this strategy. This paper reviews assays that measure the magnitude of the latent HIV reservoir, including Alu-gag PCR, quantitative viral outgrowth assay (Q-VOA) and tat/rev induced limiting dilution assay(TILDA). Alu-gag PCR can differentiate the integrated and un-integrated HIV DNA, however, it cannot distinguish defective virus from competent virus, leading to overestimate the real size of LR. Q-VOA is based on cell culture, and is the golden standard for measuring the LR since it provides a definitive minimal estimate of reservoir size. Its disadvantages are being more costly, large amount of blood sample required, and underestimating the true size, which was resulted from particles being not released after one round of stimulation. TILDA measures cells with inducible msRNA as these transcripts are absent in latently infected cells but induced upon viral reactivation. It requires small blood sample size, does not need extraction of viral nucleic acids, can be completed in 2 d and covers a wide dynamic range of reservoir sizes, but has the disadvantage of overestimating the true size of LR.

Objective:To investigate the protective effect of Epigallocatechin-3-gallate (EGCG) on triptolide (TP)-induced immunological liver injuries, and explore the relevant mechanisms of action. Methods: A total of 40 female C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups:control group,EGCG group,TP group and TP+EGCG group. The ALT levels in serum was examined by Reitman Frankel method. The activity of hepatic MDA,SOD and GSH was examined by spectrophotometry. HE staining was used to observed the changes of the hepatic histopathology. The hepatic IL-17,IL-6 levels was examined by ELISA and the expression of hepatic TLR4 protein was examined by Western blot. Results:The results showed that serum alanine aminotransaminase ( ALT) levels of TP group were obviously elevated (P<0. 005,vs normal control group) and serum ALT levels were obviously reduced in EGCG treatment group(P<0. 005,vs normal TP group). There were no significantly differences between EGCG group and control group (P>0. 05). Meanwhile,EGCG could ameliorate hepatic pathological damage. Furthermore,in TP group,the activity of malondialdehyde ( MDA) ,the expression of Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) protein and the contentration of hepatic interleukin (IL)-17,IL-6 were higher than normal control group ( P<0. 005 ) . On the contrary, the activity of superoxide dismutase ( SOD ) and restored glutathione ( GSH ) were significantly lower than normal control group ( SOD, P<0. 05;GSH, P<0. 005 ) . In EGCG treatment group, the expression of TLR4 protein and the concentration of MDA,hepatic IL-17 and IL-6 were lower than TP group ( TLR4,P<0. 05;MDA,P<0. 005;IL-17,P<0. 005;IL-6,P<0. 005). On the contrary,SOD and GSH were significantly higher than TP group (SOD,P<0. 05;GSH,P<0. 005). Conclusion:This study suggests that EGCG possesses hepatoprotective effect against TP-induced immunological liver injury through its anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant actions.