Objective To evaluate the correlation of lens density (LD) measured by opacity lensmeter (OLM) and Pentacam with phacodynamics in patients with age-related nuclear cataract.Methods A prospective study was conducted in 78 patients (78 eyes) with age-related nuclear cataract.The lens density was measured with OLM and Pentacam respectively before operation,and the phacoemulsification kinetic parameters in phacoemulsification,including ultrasound time (UST),cumulated dissipated energy (CDE) and balanced salt solution (BSS) usage,were recorded for the analysis of the correlations of LD values with phacodynamics.Results LD measured by OLM and Pentacam was 32.83 ± 14.41 and 15.26 ±5.82,respectively.LD from OLM and Pentacam was positively correlated with both UST (r =0.645,0.807,respectively;both P ＜ 0.05)and CDE (r =0.669,0.828,respectively;both P ＜ 0.05).UST and CDE were more strongly correlated with LD from Pentacam than from OLM (Z =2.153,2.283;both P ＜0.05).Conclusion LD from both OLM and Pentacam are correlated with UST and CDE,and a stronger correlation is observed in Pentacam than OLM.

Jiangsu province is rich in intertidal marine resources,especially gastropod and bivalve shellfish.In this study,we performed shotgun proteomic analysis on shellfish from Lüsi,Jiangsu to identify protein content.In total,265 proteins were identified in nine species of shellfish using nano LC-MS/MS.The highest number of proteins were identified in the gastropod Hemifusus tuba (HF) (105 proteins),whereas the bivalve Scapharca subcrenata (SSC) produced the fewest (39 proteins).The most abundant proteins are constituents of cytoskeleton,including actin,tubulin,tropomyosin,myosin heavy chain,as well as histone proteins.Additional proteins were also identified,including ribosomal proteins,enzymes such as arginine kinase and ATP synthase,and housekeeping proteins such as elongation factor and heat shock protein.Proteins were classified based on cellular components and molecular function using the principal component analysis (PCA).Results of PCA analysis revealed that Sinonovacula constrzcta (SC),Bullacta exarata (BE) and Hemifusus tuba (HF) showed similar protein profiles,whileSolen strictus (SS),Meretrix meretrix (MM),Ruditapes philippinarum (RP),and Mactra veneriformis (MV) also showed similar protein profiles.Hierarchical clustering results of heat map studies showed that RP and Mactra antiquate (MA) were classified into one group.SC,BE,HF,MM,SSC,and MV were classified into another group.SS showed the furthest distance from this group.We established a method for analyzing and characterizing the protein composition characteristics of predominant shellfish species in Jiangsu providence's intertidal zone area,which provides basic data for the development of shellfish resources.

Exotoxins produced by Actinobacillus (A.) pleuropneumoniae (Apx) play major roles in the pathogenesis of pleuropneumonia in swine. This study investigated the role of ApxI in hemolysis and cellular damage using a novel apxIA mutant, ApxIA336, which was developed from the parental strain A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 10 that produces only ApxI in vitro. The genotype of ApxIA336 was confirmed by PCR, Southern blotting, and gene sequencing. Exotoxin preparation derived from ApxIA336 was analyzed for its bioactivity towards porcine erythrocytes and alveolar macrophages. Analysis results indicated that ApxIA336 contained a kanamycin-resistant cassette inserted immediately after 1005 bp of the apxIA gene. Phenotype analysis of ApxIA336 revealed no difference in the growth rate as compared to the parental strain. Meanwhile, ApxI production was abolished in the bacterial culture supernatant, i.e. exotoxin preparation. The inability of ApxIA336 to produce ApxI corresponded to the loss of hemolytic and cytotoxic bioactivity in exotoxin preparation, as demonstrated by hemolysis, lactate dehydrogenase release, mitochondrial activity, and apoptosis assays. Additionally, the virulence of ApxIA336 appeared to be attenuated by 15-fold in BALB/c mice. Collectively, ApxI, but not other components in the exotoxin preparation of A. pleuropneumoniae serotype 10, was responsible for the hemolytic and cytotoxic effects on porcine erythrocytes and alveolar macrophages.
Actinobacillus pleuropneumoniae/genetics/*pathogenicity/*physiology ; Animals ; *Apoptosis ; Bacterial Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; Blotting, Southern ; Exotoxins/*genetics ; Hemolysin Proteins/genetics/metabolism ; *Hemolysis ; Macrophages, Alveolar/metabolism/*microbiology ; Polymerase Chain Reaction ; Sequence Analysis, DNA ; Swine ; Virulence

OBJECTIVETo analyze the clinical features, diagnosis and treatment of lung cancer associated paraneoplastic limbic encephalitis (PLE).

METHODSThe clinical data of 7 cases of patients with lung cancer associated PLE out of 8927 patients of lung cancer from January 2000 to May 2010 was analyzed retrospectively. All the patients were male, aging from 41 to 54 years with a mean of 48 years. The data including history, physical examination, laboratory tests, diagnosis, treatment and follow-up were collected and analyzed.

RESULTSAll the 7 patients had smoking history. All 7 patients had varying short-term memory loss, 6 had epilepsy, 4 had different degrees of mental disorders, and 2 had syndrome of inappropriate secretion of antidiuretic hormone. Malignancies were screened and detected by chest X-ray or CT scan, while the pathological diagnoses were obtained through biopsy or transbronchial needle aspiration through electronic bronchoscope (5/7), biopsy of supraclavicular lymph nodes (1/7) and open pulmonary lobectomy (1/7). The pathological diagnosis included small cell lung cancer in 6 cases, adenocarcinoma of lung in 1 case. During the follow-up, 1 patient was lost, and the mean time of follow-up of the remaining 6 patients was about 11.5 months (ranged from 4 to 21 months). Four patients received early immunosuppressive treatment in terms of corticosteroids, only slight relief of neurological symptoms was seen in 2 patients. However, after chemotherapy (6/6), radiation (3/6), or surgical removal of the tumor (1/6), complete remission (3/6, with negative anti-Hu antibody) or partial remission (3/6, 2 of whom with positive anti-Hu antibody) of neurological symptoms were observed. Till October 2010, 3 patients with poorer tumor stag died ( survival were 4, 10, and 14 months respectively), while the other 3 patients with negative anti-Hu antibody and relative better tumor stag were still in the follow-up (the period were 5, 15, and 21 months).

CONCLUSIONSPLE is a rare disease. In comparison with immunosuppressive therapy, chemotherapy, radiation or surgical removal of the tumor could provide better remission of the neurological symptoms. Positive serum anti-Hu antibody, poorer tumor stag, and together with poorer response to treatments seem to indicate a poorer prognosis.

Adult ; Carcinoma, Small Cell ; complications ; Humans ; Limbic Encephalitis ; etiology ; therapy ; Lung Neoplasms ; complications ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies

BACKGROUNDStenting strategies and clinical outcomes of bifurcation lesions in a chronic total occlusion (CTO) vessel after successful recanalization remain to be unknown.

METHODSBetween January 2001 and December 2009, 195 (41.1%) patients with 254 (47.0%) bifurcation lesions in CTO vessels from a pool of 564 patients with 659 CTO lesions were included and divided into proximal (n = 134) and distal (n = 120) groups, according to the location of the bifurcation lesions. The primary endpoint was the occurrence of major adverse cardiac events (MACE) at the end of clinical follow-up, including cardiac death, myocardial infarction, or target vessel revascularization (TVR).

RESULTSCollaterals with Rentrop class 3 were seen more in distal group (100% and 68.3%), compared to proximal group (76.9% and 45.6%). Two-stent technique for proximal bifurcation lesions was used in 24.6%, significantly different from the distal group (6.7%, P < 0.001), without significant difference in composite MACE between proximal and distal groups, or between one- and two-stent subgroups in proximal group. The composite MACE after 1-year in complete revascularization subgroup was 17.9% relative to 29.6% in the incomplete revascularization group (P = 0.044). Stents in long false lumen in main vessel were mainly attributive to decreased TIMI grade flow, with resultant increased in-stent restenosis, total occlusion, TVR and coronary aneurysms. Imcomplete revasculzarization (HR 2.028, P = 0.049, 95%CI 1.002 - 4.105) and post-stenting TIMI flow (HR 6.122, P = 0.020, 95%CI 1.334 - 28.092) were two independent predictors of composite MACE at the 1-year follow-up.

CONCLUSIONSTwo-stent was more used for proximal bifurcation lesions. No significant difference was observed in MACE between proximal and distal, or between one- and two-stent subgroups in the proximal group. Placement of a safety wire was critical for proximal bifurcation lesions. Complete revascularization was mandatory to improve clinical outcomes.

Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; adverse effects ; Coronary Stenosis ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Registries ; Stents ; adverse effects ; Treatment Outcome

BACKGROUNDAdoptive transfer of allogeneic tumor-specific T cells often results in severe graft-versus-host disease (GVHD). Here, we sought to maximize graft-versus-tumor and minimize GVHD by using haploidentical T cells in pre-irradiated B16-melanoma bearing mice.

METHODSC57BL/6 mice bearing B16-melanoma tumors were irradiated with 0, 5, or 7 Gy total body irradiation (TBI), or 7 Gy TBI plus bone marrow transplantation. Tumor areas were measured every 3 days to assess the influence of irradiation treatment on tumor regression. B16-melanoma bearing mice were irradiated with 7 Gy TBI; sera and spleens were harvested at days 1, 3, 5, 7, 9, 11, and 13 after irradiation. White blood cell levels were measured and transforming growth factor β1 (TGF-b1) and interleukin 10 (IL-10) levels in serum were detected using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. Real-time reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and flow cytometry were performed to test TGF-b1, IL-10 and Foxp3 mRNA levels and the proportion of CD4+CD25+Foxp3+ T-regulatory cells (Tregs) in spleens. B16-melanoma bearing C57BL/6 mice were irradiated with 7 Gy TBI followed by syngeneic (Syn1/Syn2) or haploidentical (Hap1/Hap2), dendritic cell-induced cytotoxic T lymphocytes (DC-CTLs) treatment, tumor areas and system GVHD were observed every 3 days. Mice were killed 21 days after the DC-CTLs adoptive transfer; histologic analyses of eyes, skin, liver, lungs, and intestine were then performed.

RESULTSIrradiation with 7 Gy TBI on the B16-melanoma-bearing mice did not influence tumor regression compared to the control group; however, it down-regulated the proportion of Tregs in spleens and the TGF-b1 and IL-10 levels in sera and spleens, suggesting inhibition of autoimmunity and intervention of tumor microenvironment. Adoptive transfer of haploidentical DC-CTLs significantly inhibited B16-melanoma growth. GVHD assessment and histology analysis showed no significant difference among the groups.

CONCLUSIONAdoptive transfer of haploidentical tumor-specific T cells in irradiation-pretreated B16-melanoma bearing mice preserved antitumor capacity without causing a GVHD response.

Animals ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Female ; Flow Cytometry ; Graft vs Host Disease ; Immunotherapy, Adoptive ; methods ; Male ; Melanoma, Experimental ; metabolism ; therapy ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Real-Time Polymerase Chain Reaction ; T-Lymphocytes ; immunology ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; immunology

BACKGROUNDFractional flow reserve (FFR)-guided percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) is associated with fewer unfavorable events. However, the hemodynamic change in FFR after different stenting approaches for bifurcation lesions is still not fully studied. The aim of this study was to analyze the hemodynamic changes in FFR after double kissing (DK) crush and provisional side branch (SB) stenting (PS) for true coronary bifurcation lesions.

METHODSSeventy-five patients with true bifurcated lesions were randomly divided into DK (n = 38) and PS (n = 37) groups. Additional SB stenting in the PS group was required if there was any pinched SB ostium > 70% stenosis, or ≥ type B dissection, or TIMI flow < grade 3. FFR at hyperemia in the main vessel (MV) and SB was measured prior- and post-stenting, and at 8 months follow-up.

RESULTSBaseline clinical, angiographic and lesion characteristics were matched well between the two groups, with the exception of the final kissing balloon inflation (FKBI, 100.0% in the DK vs. 83.8% in the PS group, P < 0.001). Baseline FFR was comparable between the DK and the PS groups, however, the acute gain and late loss of SB FFR at 8-month follow-up in the DK group were 0.18 ± 0.15 and -0.06 ± 0.11, compared to 0.12 ± 0.18 (P = 0.044) and -0.002 ± 0.07 (P = 0.037) in the PS group, respectively. MV FFR post-stenting > 0.94 was seen in about 40% of patients. There was no significant difference in the clinical events at 1-year follow-up between the two groups.

CONCLUSIONSDK crush was associated with improved acute gain and late loss of SB FFR. The lower rate of FFR > 0.94 after stenting underscored the further improvement of stenting quality.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; Coronary Artery Disease ; therapy ; Coronary Stenosis ; therapy ; Drug-Eluting Stents ; Female ; Hemodynamics ; physiology ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Percutaneous Coronary Intervention ; methods ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

BACKGROUNDSuperparamagnetic iron oxide (SPIO) particles have shown much promise as a means to visualize labeled cells using molecular magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Micrometer-sized superparamagnetic iron oxide (MPIO) particles and nanometer-sized ultrasmall superparamagnetic iron oxide (USPIO) are two kinds of SPIO widely used for monitoring stem cells migration. Here we compare the efficiency of two kinds of SPIO during the use of stem cells to treat acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODSAn AMI model in swine was created by 60 minutes of balloon occlusion of the left anterior descending coronary artery. Two kinds of SPIO particles were used to track after intracoronary delivered 10(7) magnetically labeled mesenchymal stem cells (MR-MSCs). The distribution and migration of the MR-MSCs were assessed with the use of 3.0T MR scanner and then the results were confirmed by histological examination.

RESULTSMR-MSCs appeared as a local hypointense signal on T₂*-weighted MRI and there was a gradual loss of the signal intensity after intracoronary transplantation. All of the hypointense signals in the USPIO-labeled group were found on T₂*-weighted MRI, contrast to noise ratio (CNR) decreased in the MPIO-labeled group (16.07 ± 5.85 vs. 10.96 ± 1.34) and USPIO-labeled group (11.72 ± 1.27 vs. 10.03 ± 0.96) from 4 to 8 weeks after transplantation. However, the hypointense signals were not detected in MPIO-labeled group in two animals. MRI and the results were verified by histological examination.

CONCLUSIONSWe demonstrated that two kinds of SPIO particles in vitro have similar labeling efficiency and viability. USPIO is more suitable for labeling stem cells when they are transplanted via a coronary route.

Animals ; Cell Survival ; Contrast Media ; Ferric Compounds ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; methods ; Male ; Myocardial Infarction ; diagnosis ; pathology ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; Swine

Our work focuses on the quality control and structural identification of Photocyanine as a cancer therapeutic photosensitizer. Photocyanine is a mixture which contains four ZnPcS2P2 type substituted Phthalocyanine isomers. In order to obtain the single component from Photocyanine, the mixture of four isomers possessing the similar structures and chemical property had been isolated and purified. An HPLC method with a mixture of methanol-acetonitrile-ion-pair buffer as the mobile phase was applied to isolate the four isomers by means of a semi-preparative C18 column. To remove the salts which were mixed in the preparative product, a SPE C18 column was used to separate the salts by elution with water and then the marker component was eluted by methanol. Subsequently, a column of Sephadex LH-20 gel was applied to elute the crudes with methanol to desalination. The purity of the isolated compound was measured by TLC and four different isomers of phthalocyanine were obtained. The chemical structures of them were elucidated by 1H NMR spectra, gCOSY and NOE1D. An HPLC-DAD method was developed for simultaneously determination of four major isomers in Photocyanine with a C18 column (Grace Smart, 150 mm x 4.6 mm ID, 5 microm). The separation was carried out with a gradient program at a flow rate of 1.0 mL x min(-1). The mobile phase was a mixture of acetonitrile and ion-pair buffer (0.01 mol x L(-1) hexadecyl trimethyl ammonium bromide and 0.01 mol x L(-1) potassium dihydrogen phosphate, adjusted the pH value to 6.8 with potassium hydroxide solution). The resolution values of four isomers were 2.5, 1.20, 1.33, and 1.8. Linear regression analysis for four compounds was performed by the external standard method. Four constituents were linear in the concentration range of 0.005 to 10 microg. The values of relative standard deviation (RSD) of intra-day were 0.12%, 0.66%, 0.99%, and 1.21%, respectively. The limits of detection for four compounds were 15 ng, 20 ng, 12 ng, and 25 ng, respectively. This method was simple, accurate and reproducible. The developed method can be successfully applied to analyze isomers in Photocyanine.
Antineoplastic Agents ; analysis ; chemistry ; Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid ; methods ; Indoles ; analysis ; chemistry ; Isomerism ; Molecular Structure ; Organometallic Compounds ; analysis ; chemistry ; Photochemotherapy ; Photosensitizing Agents ; analysis ; chemistry ; Quality Control

Aged ; Angina, Unstable ; pathology ; therapy ; Angioplasty, Balloon, Coronary ; methods ; Coronary Angiography ; Coronary Disease ; pathology ; therapy ; Female ; Humans ; Logistic Models ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Prospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome