[Characteristics of Epiphytic Bacterial Community on Submerged Macrophytes in Water Environment Supplemented with Reclaimed Water].

Biofilms attached to submerged macrophytes play an important role in improving the water quality of the water environment supplemented with reclaimed water. In order to explore the effects of reclaimed water quality and submerged macrophyte species on the characteristics of an epiphytic bacterial community, different types of submerged macrophytes were selected as research objects in this study. 16S rRNA high-throughput sequencing technology was used on the epiphytic bacteria and the surrounding environmental samples to analyze the bacterial community structure and functional genes. The results showed that approximately 20%-35% of the nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients were absorbed and utilized in the water environment supplemented with reclaimed water. However, the COD, turbidity, and chroma of the downstream water were significantly increased. The bacterial community of the biofilms attached to submerged macrophytes was significantly different from that in the surrounding environment (soil, sediment, and water body) and in the activated sludge that was treated by reclaimed water. In terms of bacterial community diversity, the richness and diversity were significantly lower than those of soil and sediment but higher than those of plankton bacteria in water. In terms of bacterial community composition, dominant genera and corresponding abundances were also different from those of other samples. The main dominant bacterial genera were Sphingomonas, Aeromonas, Pseudomonas, and Acinetobacter, accounting for 7%-40%, respectively. Both macrophyte species and the quality of reclaimed water (BOD5, TN, NH4+-N, and TP) could affect the bacterial community. However, the effect of water quality of the bacterial community was greater than that of macrophytes species. Additionally, the quality of reclaimed water also affected the abundance of functional genes in the bacterial community, and the relative abundance of nitrogen and phosphorus cycling functional genes was higher in areas with higher nitrogen and phosphorus concentrations.

Status quo of the public's knowledge of probiotics based on video-sharing platforms.

BACKGROUND: Probiotics have been deemed multipotent and unprecedentedly applied in the health field recently. However, there are challenges in promoting credible and reliable resources while avoiding misinformation regarding probiotics for the public. METHODS: This study analysed 400 eligible probiotic-related videos selected from YouTube, and the three most popular video-sharing platforms (Bilibili, Weibo and TikTok) in China. Video retrieval was performed on September 5th, 2022. GQS and tailored DISCERN tool assess each video's quality, usage, and reliability. A comparative analysis of videos from different sources was carried out. RESULTS: The identity distribution of probiotic video-producers was predominantly experts (n = 202, 50.50%), followed by amateurs (n = 161, 40.25%) and health-related institutions (n = 37, 9.25%). The videos' content category mainly discussed the function of probiotics (n = 120, 30%), the way to choose suitable products (n = 81, 20.25%), and the methods for taking probiotics (n = 71, 17.75%).The overall quality of videos was moderate (3/5 point) assessed by GQS, while the usage (1/6 point) and reliability (2/5 point) detailing probiotics assessed by tailored DISCERN tool were poor. The attitude of probiotic video-producers was primarily positive (n = 323, 80.75%), followed by neutral (n = 52, 13.00%) and negative (n = 25, 6.25%) (P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: The current study showed that videos on social media platforms publicise important information including the concepts, usage, and precautions of probiotics to the public. But the overall quality of uploaded videos about probiotics was unsatisfactory. More efforts are needed to improve the higher-quality content of probiotic-related online videos and better propagate probiotic knowledge to the public in the future.

Alterations in the Gut Microbiota and Metabolomics of Seafarers after a Six-Month Sea Voyage.

Maintaining the health of seafarers is a difficult task during long-term voyages. Little is known about the corresponding changes in the gut microbiome-host interaction. This study recruited 30 seafarers undertaking a 6-month voyage and analyzed their gut microbiota using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. Fecal untargeted metabolomics analysis was performed using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry. Significant changes in the composition of the gut microbiota and an increased ratio of Firmicutes/Bacteroidetes at the end (day 180) of the 6-month voyage, relative to the start (day 0), were observed. At the genus level, the abundances of Holdemanella and Plesiomonas were significantly increased, while the abundance of Bacteroides was decreased. Predicted microbial functional analysis revealed significant decreases in folate biosynthesis and biotin metabolism. Furthermore, 20 differential metabolites within six differentially enriched human metabolic pathways (including arginine biosynthesis, lysine degradation, phenylalanine metabolism, sphingolipid metabolism, pentose and glucuronate interconversions, and glycine, serine, and threonine metabolism) were identified by comparing the fecal metabolites at day 0 and day 180. Spearman correlation analysis revealed close relationships between the 14 differential microbiota members and the six differential fecal metabolites that might affect specific human metabolic pathways. This study adopted a multi-omics approach and provides potential targets for maintaining the health of seafarers during long-term voyages. These findings are worthy of more in-depth exploration in future studies. IMPORTANCE Maintaining the health of seafarers undertaking long-term voyages is a difficult task. Apart from the alterations in the gut microbiome and fecal metabolites after a long-term voyage, our study also revealed that 20 differential metabolites within six differentially enriched human metabolic pathways are worthy of attention. Moreover, we found close relationships between the 14 differential microbiota members and the six differential fecal metabolites that might impact specific human metabolic pathways. Accordingly, preventative measures, such as adjusting the gut microbiota by decreasing potential pathobionts or increasing potential probiotics as well as offsetting the decrease in B vitamins and beneficial metabolites (e.g., d-glucuronic acid and citrulline) via dietary adjustment or nutritional supplements, might improve the health of seafarers during long-term sea voyages. These findings provide valuable clues about gut microbiome-host interactions and propose potential targets for maintaining the health of seafarers engaged in long-term sea voyages.

Measurement of the depths at different regions of the anterior chamber in healthy Chinese adults.

AIM: To measure the depths of different regions of the anterior chamber (AC) in healthy Chinese adults, and to explore possible correlations with age or gender. METHODS: The AC was imaged by swept-source optical coherence tomography in healthy Chinese adults. The horizontal scan of the right eye was used to measure the anterior chamber depth (ACD) at 199 points. RESULTS: A total of 309 images from 309 subjects were analyzed. The ACD values at nearly all locations were negatively correlated with age (all P<0.05), except for ACD1, 2, 198, and 199 (correspond to the iris roots). The mean annual decrease 0.013±0.005 mm/y for all ACDs combined, 0.008±0.004 mm/y for the peripheral region, 0.017±0.003 mm/y for the middle peripheral region, and 0.014±0.001 mm/y for the central region. The mean annual decrease was significantly different among these three regions (P<0.001). The ACD was greater in males than in females (P<0.05). The mean difference in ACD between males and females was 0.081±0.025 mm. CONCLUSION: This study showed that optical coherence tomography can be used to measure the ACD of different regions of the AC. We found reductions in ACD with age, although the reduction varied among different points, in healthy Chinese adults.

Focal choroidal excavation complicated with choroidal neovascularization in young and middle aged patients.

AIM: To investigate the clinical and optical coherence tomography (OCT) features of focal choroidal excavation (FCE) complicated with choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in young and middle aged patients. METHODS: We performed a retrospective review of 26 patients with FCE accompanied by CNV. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmic examination. We analyzed the clinical characteristics of patients, focusing on the spectral-domain OCT features. All patients received intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) agents. And we assessed the changes of central retinal thickness and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after anti-VEGF therapy. RESULTS: The mean age of 26 patients was 35.5±7.3y (range, 21-48y). Of the 26 FCE lesions, 11 were located subfoveal, 6 were parafoveal, and 9 were extrafoveal. The mean FCE depth was 129.8±50.3 µm, and the mean width was 901.3±306.0 µm. The FCE depth was correlated positively with the width, but not correlated with age or refractive error. CNV was located within the excavation (19 eyes) or adjacent to the excavation (7 eyes). After anti-VEGF therapy, the central retinal thickness was significantly reduced and the BCVA was significantly improved. In the absorption process of subretinal fluid, we found that the fluid in the excavations needed to be absorbed at the last. A small amount of residual fluid could still be seen in a few deep excavations even after a long-term follow-up. CONCLUSION: FCE may be an important reason to cause CNV. Especially in young patients with idiopathic CNV, we should pay attention to the use of OCT to check the presence of FCE. Anti-VEGF therapy is generally effective for CNV associated with FCE.

Effects of perfluorooctane on the retina as a short-term and small amounts remnant in rabbits.

AIM: To investigate changes in the rabbit retina after short-term and small amounts tamponade of perfluorooctane (PFO). METHODS: New Zealand rabbits were used, and 48 eyes were randomly and evenly assigned into four different groups. The PFO groups received a residue of 0.1 mL of PFO for ophthalmic surgery or 0.1 mL of F-Octane at the end of surgery; eyes from the pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) group were filled with balanced salt solution and those having not received surgical intervention served as controls. Eyes were collected at 1, 4 and 12wk and studied. RESULTS: Under a microscope, nuclear counts of the inner nuclear layer (INL) and outer nuclear layer (ONL) did not differ among the four groups at all time points; however, slight disarrangement of the ONL and occasional vacuolization of the INL were found in the inferior retina only at 12wk in two PFO groups. Four of the groups had similar results of Caspase-3 and TNF-α staining at all time points. Alternatively, IL-8 was increased in PFOa and PPV control groups at 4wk and in all three PPV groups at 12wk; also, the apoptotic index (%) was similarly increased in all three PPV groups at 4 and 12wk. CONCLUSION: Both PFOs are well tolerated in rabbit eyes for up to 12wk, which suggests that they can be used safely as intraoperative tools or for short-term and small amounts tamponade after surgery.

Long-term follow-up of vitrectomy in patients with pathologic myopic foveoschisis.

AIM: To report the long-term surgical outcomes of pathologic myopic foveoschisis (MF) following vitrectomy. METHODS: We performed a retrospective case series analysis of 50 consecutive patients diagnosed with MF who experienced vision loss due to progression of foveoschisis. The 50 patients (67 eyes) were treated in our hospital with vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling from December 2004 to September 2010. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refractive error, optical coherence tomography (OCT), and routine examination results were analysed. The changes of BCVA, foveal anatomical features on OCT scan, and complications were the main outcome measures. RESULTS: The mean follow-up duration was 42±17mo (range 24 to 93mo). BCVA improved significantly postoperatively (0.76±0.65 logMAR) compared with preoperative baselines (1.31±0.78 logMAR, P<0.0001), and in 53 eyes (79%) including 3 lines gain in 44 eyes (66%) at the last follow-up visit. OCT scans showed that central retinal thickness decreased from 580.0±270.0 µm preoperatively (n=67) to 179.7±84.7 µm postoperatively (n=58, P<0.0001). Total resolution of foveoschisis occurred in 41 eyes (61%). Preoperative BCVA correlated well with postoperative BCVA, whereas other factors such as age, axial length, and refractive error were not correlated. The most common complications were cataract and full-thickness macular hole formation in 14 and 9 cases, respectively. CONCLUSION: Patients with progressive vision loss due to MF who were treated with vitrectomy with ILM peeling show favourable outcomes. In most eyes, visual acuity and foveal structure remain stable during long-term observation.

Effects of melatonin on liver function and lipid peroxidation in a rat model of hepatic ischemia/reperfusion injury.

The present study aimed to investigate the effects of melatonin (MT) on liver function and lipid peroxidation following hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury (IRI). A total of 66 male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into three groups: Normal control (N) group, ischemia-reperfusion (IR) group and the MT-treated group. A hepatic IRI model was developed by blocking the first porta hepatis, and subsequently restoring hepatic blood inflow after 35 min. Following reperfusion, changes in the levels of alanine aminotransferase (ALT), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), lactate dehydrogenase (LDH), malondialdehyde (MDA), superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione (GSH) were detected by a chemical method at various time points. In the MT group, the MDA levels were significantly reduced (P<0.05) at all time points, as compared with the IR group. Furthermore, SOD activity was significantly increased (P<0.05) in the MT group, as compared with the IR group at all time points; and the levels of GSH in the MT group were significantly higher (P<0.05) than those of the IR group at 2, 4, and 8 h post-reperfusion. The levels of ALT, AST and LDH were significantly reduced in the MT group at each time point, as compared with that of the IR group (P<0.05). In conclusion, MT exhibits potent antioxidant properties that may create favorable conditions for the recovery of liver function following IRI.

Comparison of functional magnetic resonance imaging in cerebral activation between normal Uygur and Mandarin participants in semantic identification task.

PURPOSE: This study utilized blood oxygenation level-dependent functional magnetic resonance imaging (BOLD-fMRI) technology to study the activated cerebral regions in normal participants whose native language was Uyghur or Chinese. METHODS: We collected the fMRI data from 15 Uyghur-speaking volunteers and 15 Mandarin-speaking volunteers when executing the semantic identification task and compared the results of two groups. RESULTS: Statistically significant difference of brain activation was found primarily in the left anterior cingulate gyrus (BA23) and the midline precuneus (P<0.05). When performing the semantic identification task, the Uyghur group exhibited significant activation in these two regions, whereas the Chinese group demonstrated relatively weak activation in these areas. CONCLUSION: The cerebral regions activated by Uyghur and Chinese semantic identification are not identical, the dominant hemisphere for both languages is the left cerebral hemisphere. The left anterior cingulate gyrus might have a language function in Uyghur semantic processing.

αA-crystallin gene CpG islands hypermethylation in nuclear cataract after pars plana vitrectomy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the DNA methylation status of αA-crystallin gene in cataract secondary to pars plana vitrectomy. METHODS: Anterior capsular membranes of 40 eyes of 40 patients with cataract secondary to vitrectomy were collected. Another 20 eyes of 20 patients who received pars plana vitrectomy and phacoemulsification in the primary procedure, were recruited as control. Methylation status of the CpG islands of αA-crystallin gene was analyzed by pyrosequencing. Expression of αA-crystallin was evaluated by real-time polymerase chain reaction and western blot. RESULTS: In the post vitrectomy group, five patients with posterior subcapsular opacity and four patients with cortical opacity were excluded from further analysis. The remaining 31 patients with nuclear cataract were assigned into two groups according to tamponade types: 19 of octafluoropropane (C3F8) and 12 of silicone oil (SiO). The average nuclear color grading was elevated both in C3F8 and SiO groups after vitrectomy. Compared to the control group, hypermethylation of the CpG islands in the αA-crystallin gene promoter was found in both post vitrectomy groups, accompanied by significantly reduced αA-crystallin expression. No statistically significant differences were found between the C3F8 and SiO groups either for DNA methylation status or αA-crystallin expression. CONCLUSIONS: CpG islands hypermethylation of αA-crystallin gene may be involved in nuclear cataract formation after pars plana vitrectomy.

Enhancement of aerobic granulation by zero-valent iron in sequencing batch airlift reactor.

This study elucidates the enhancement of aerobic granulation by zero-valent iron (ZVI). A reactor augmented with ZVI had a start-up time of aerobic granulation (43 days) that was notably less than that for a reactor without augmentation (64 days). The former reactor also had better removal efficiencies for chemical oxygen demand and ammonium. Moreover, the mature granules augmented with ZVI had better physical characteristics and produced more extracellular polymeric substances (especially of protein). Three-dimensional-excitation emission matrix fluorescence showed that ZVI enhanced organic material diversity. Additionally, ZVI enhanced the diversity of the microbial community. Fe(2+) dissolution from ZVI helped reduce the start-up time of aerobic granulation and increased the extracellular polymeric substance content. Conclusively, the use of ZVI effectively enhanced aerobic granulation.

Ellagic acid protects Lipopolysaccharide/D-galactosamine-induced acute hepatic injury in mice.

Ellagic acid, a natural polyphenol found in certain fruits, nuts and vegetables, has been reported to have anti-inflammatory, anti-tumor, and antioxidant activities. However, the effects of ellagic acid on acute hepatic injury have not been reported. In the present study, we investigated the effects of ellagic acid on Lipopolysaccharide/d-galactosamine-induced acute hepatic injury in mice. The results showed that LPS/GalN increased hepatic malondialdehyde (MDA) content, TNF-α level, serum ALT and AST levels and TNF-α level. However, these changes were attenuated by ellagic acid. Western blot analysis showed that ellagic acid inhibited LPS/GalN-induced NF-κB activation. Furthermore, ellagic acid induced the expression of Nrf2 and heme oxygenase-1. In conclusion, our results showed that ellagic acid protected against LPS/GalN-induced liver injury by enhancing the antioxidative defense system and reducing inflammatory response.

Proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy in the evaluation of infiltration zone of cerebral alveolar echinococcosis.

BACKGROUND: Cerebral alveolar echinococcosis (CAE) grows infiltratively like a malignant tumor, causing great harm to the human body. It is possible to display mass lesions of CAE using various imaging systems, but regarding the infiltrating proliferation active regions, it is difficult to evaluate its actual range using conventional magnetic resonance imaging (cMRI). This research focused on proton magnetic resonance spectroscopy ((1)HMRS) techniques to find the mass and infiltration zone of CAE. We explored the marginal zone (MZ) of CAE nearly close to the actual infiltrating scope, to provide reliable images for clinical purposes, to overcome shortcomings of cMRI, to formulate beneficial clinical surgical plans and assess prognosis. METHODS: Between September 2005 and May 2011, 15 patients who were suffering from CAE (36 effective lesions altogether) were examined by (1)HMRS at the first affiliated hospital of Xinjiang Medical University. Multi-voxel (1)HMRS was acquired with a 1.5T MRI scanner. Concentrations and the ratios of the metabolites of CAE were calculated. Furthermore, changes in the concentrations of the metabolites containing N-acetyl-aspartic-acid (NAA), choline (Cho), creatine (Cr), lipids and lactate (Lip + Lac) and the ratios of Cho/Cr, NAA/Cr, (Lip + Lac) /Cr were compared in the substantial region, 0 - 10 mm MZ, and 11 - 20 mm MZ of the infiltration zone, as well as the corresponding contralateral part of the normal brain parenchyma area (control group). RESULTS: In this study, the ratios of Cho/Cr in the substantial region, 0 - 10 mm MZ of infiltration zone and the control group were 1.78 ± 0.70, 1.90 ± 0.54, and 0.78 ± 0.15, respectively; the ratios of NAA/Cr were 1.60 ± 0.20, 1.80 ± 0.42, 2.24 ± 0.86, respectively; the ratios of (Lip + Lac)/Cr were 25.69 ± 13.84, 25.18 ± 16.03, and 0.61 ± 0.15, respectively. From the control group, 11 - 20 mm MZ to 0 - 10 mm MZ and the substantial region of CAE, the concentrations of the metabolites showed that NAA and Cho decreased gradually and markedly. But (Lip + Lac) increased gradually and markedly. The ratios of Cho/Cr and NAA/Cr, (Lip + Lac)/Cr were statistically significant (P < 0.0083) between the substantial region and the control group, as well as between the 0 - 10 mm MZ and the control group. The ratios of Cho/Cr and NAA/Cr, (Lip + Lac)/Cr displayed no statistically significant differences (P > 0.0083) between the substantial region and the 0 - 10 mm MZ. CONCLUSIONS: There was a pathological spectrum surrounding the infiltration zone of CAE. Multi-voxel 1HMRS has great clinical value for discerning the main lesion and the infiltration zone of CAE.

[Effects of exogenous nitric oxide on the subcellular distribution and chemical forms of copper in tomato seedlings under copper stress].

A nutrient solution culture experiment was conducted to study the effects of exogenous NO donor (sodium nitroprusside) on the subcellular distribution and chemical form of copper (Cu) in tomato seedlings under the stress of 50 micromol x L(-1) of Cu2+ (CuCl2). Under this stress, the biomass and plant height of tomato seedlings decreased by 33.7% and 23.1%, respectively. Exogenous NO alleviated this inhibition effect significantly, but the Cu concentration and accumulation in the seedling organs still had a significant increase. Under the Cu stress, the Cu concentration and accumulation in the seedling organs were in the order of root > leaf > stem > petiole. Exogenous NO limited the absorbed Cu transferred from root to shoot, but could not remove this translocation. Exogenous NO increased the Cu concentration in vacuole and cell wall significantly, and decreased the Cu concentration in organelle, which lessened the damage of Cu on the regular metabolic balance in cytoplasm and increased the tolerance of organelle against Cu. Exogenous NO increased the acetic acid-extractable Cu (F(HAc)) in root, sodium chloride-extractable Cu (F(NaCl)) in stem, F(HAc) in petiole, and ethanol-extractable Cu (F(E)) and F(NaCl) in leaf, while decreased the concentration and distribution of water-extractable Cu (F(W)) in different organs, which efficiently reduced the bio-toxicity of excessive copper.

[Clinical observations of macular hole with and without retinal detachment in high myopic eyes].

OBJECTIVE: To study the clinical features and the pathogenesis of macular hole with and without retina detachment (RD) in high myopic eyes. METHODS: It was a retrospective series case study. The charts of high myopic patients with macular hole at our hospital from June 2006 to February 2007 were retrospectively reviewed and analyzed. Patients were divided into two groups (the RD group and non-RD group) depending on the presence of RD or not. Their clinical data and optic coherence tomography (OCT) results were further analyzed. SPSS 13.0 was used for the statistic analysis. When comparing the quantitative aspects like age, axial length and refraction, t-test was used. Categorical data, such as sex ratio, occurrence of vitreous traction, posterior staphyloma and retinoschisis were compared by using χ(2) test. Fisher's test was used in comparing eye laterality, incidence of white hole, visual acuity and posterior vitreous detachment (PVD). RESULTS: During this period, there were 43 patients fitting the including criteria. Among them, 36 patents (37 eyes) were in the RD group and 7 patients (7 eyes) in the no-RD group. In the RD group, the average age was 56.1, 24.3% of them (9/37) were male; percentage of left and right eyes was (11/37) and 70.3% (26/37), respectively; average refraction was (-8.9 ± 2.2) D; average axial length was (28.7 ± 2.0) mm. Visual acuity was ≤ 0.05 (72.2%) in 26 eyes and 0.05 - 0.2 (27.8%) in 10 patients. The incidence of complete and non-complete PVD was 89.2% (33/37) and 10.8% (4/37), respectively. White hole presented in 35.1% (3/37) patients. Vitreous traction and retinoschisis presented in 27.0% (10/37) and 35.1% (13/37) patients, respectively. In the non-RD group, the average age was 47.6; 16.7% of them (1/7) were male; left and right eyes were involved in 42.9% (3/7) and 57.1% (4/7), respectively. Average refraction was (-9.0 ± 1.9) D; average axial length was (28.9 ± 1.5) mm. Vision acuity was ≤ 0.05 in 3 patients (42.9%); between 0.05 - 0.2 in 3 eyes (42.9%) and ≥ 0.2 in 1 eye (14.3%). Incidence of complete and non-complete PVD was 85.7% (6/7) and 14.3% (1/7), respectively. White hole was observed in 14.3% (1/7) patients; 42.9% (3/7) patients were accompanied with vitreous traction and 71.4% (5/7) with retinoschisis. B-scan ultrasonography showed posterior staphyloma in all 44 eyes. The results of statistical analysis showed that the gender (χ(2) = 0.008) and eye laterality (χ(2) = 0.449) as well as refraction (t = 0.193), axial length (t = -0.25) and visual acuity (χ(2) = 4.509) of these two groups were similar (P > 0.05). The incidences of vitreous traction (χ(2) = 0.709), white hole (χ(2) = 1.179), PVD (χ(2) = 0.071) and retinoschisis (χ(2) = 3.207) were also similar (P > 0.05). But the age of the non-RD group is significantly younger than the RD group (t = 1.66, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Various pathogenesis may involved in the occurrence of retinal detachment in highly myopic eyes with macular hole. Further study is required to improve our understanding of this entity.

[Clinical study of intraocular lens power calculation methods after cornea refractive surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the results of cataract surgery in myopia patients after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and to compare the predictability of various methods of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation. METHOD: Seventeen cases (24 eyes) who had LASIK for myopia were divided into two group by with or without history of corneal power data. Corneal power was obtained by autokeratometry, corneal topography, Pentacam and IOL Master. The IOL power was calculated with the clinical history method, Feiz-Mannis formula, Feiz-Mannis method and other methods. Postoperative final refraction and the deviation of the final spherical equivalent (SEQ) from the refractive target were measured 3 month after the surgery. Two sample t-test, linear correlation and regression analysis, paired t-test and Bland-Altman method of agreement were used to analyze these data. RESULTS: In the group with history data, the mean corneal power was (43.28 ± 1.21) D and the mean SEQ was (-15.33 ± 4.36) D before the LASIK surgery. In the group without history data, the mean SEQ was (-10.11 ± 3.12) D. Before cataract surgery, the mean corneal power was (36.96 ± 2.07) D and (36.85 ± 1.40) D in these two groups. The mean arithmetic refractive prediction error after cataract surgery was (-0.66 ± 1.27) D and (-0.47 ± 0.82) D in these two groups, respectively. Data calculated by using Hamed-Wang-Koch method, Masket Formula, Koch/Maloney method, Shammar method and Pentacam ERK method were lower than the emmetropic IOL power. Data calculated by using Feiz-Mannis Formula, Latkany Method, Savini method, Armberri Double K method were overestimated. The mean arithmetic errors of clinic history method, Corneal Passby Method and Haigis-L Formula were not significantly different from the predict refraction (P = 0.364, 0.318 and 0.069; t = 0.956, -1.057 and -1.911, respectively). There was strong correlation between the value calculated by using Feiz-Mannis Method or Haigis-L Formula and the true power (r = 0.921, 0.915; P = 0.000 and 0.000, respectively). But none of the values calculated by these method could fully agree with the true value. CONCLUSIONS: IOL power should be calculated accurately to avoid undercorrection. We recommend the combination of clinical history method, Feiz-Mannis Method, Corneal Passby Method and Haigis-L Formula for the calculation of IOL power.

Expression of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and its receptor in streptozotocin-induced diabetic rats.

PURPOSE: To demonstrate the expression and location of macrophage colony-stimulating factor (M-CSF) and its receptor (CSF-1R) in the retinas of diabetic rats, as well as in vitreous human proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: The retinas of streptozotocin-induced diabetic rat were studied. Real-time PCR was applied to evaluate M-CSF and its receptor CSF-1R mRNA expression in the retinas. The protein levels of M-CSF and CSF-1R were evaluated by Western blot analysis. Cellular sources of M-CSF and CSF-1R were determined by double-immunofluorescence staining. M-CSF levels in vitreous samples from patients with PDR were measured by ELISA. RESULTS: M-CSF and CSF-1R mRNA were upregulated in the retinas as early as two weeks after the onset of diabetes and increased over time. A similar pattern was observed for M-CSF/CSF-1R protein expression levels. Double-immunofluorescence staining revealed that increased M-CSF immunoreactivity occurred mainly in the nerve fiber layer in diabetic retinas, co-localizing with glial fibrillary acidic protein. Increased CSF-1R immunoreactivity was observed in OX-42-labeled microglia and ganglion cells in the ganglion cell layer. The vitreous level of M-CSF was elevated in patients with PDR compared to control subjects. CONCLUSIONS: The early upregulation of MCSF/CSF-1R signaling may be an important regulatory pathway among neurons, microglia, and glia in diabetic retinopathy.

[Function of portal pressure during operation on the choice of surgical approaches in portal hypertension].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the relationship between perioperative free portal pressure (FPP) after devascularization or spleno-renal shunt operation added devascularization and rebleeding or encephalopathy in patients with portal hypertension, and evaluate the relationship between dynamic changes of FPP and surgical approaches. METHODS: The clinical data of 170 patients with portal hypertension receiving devascularization or devascularization with spleno-renal shunt operation (combination group) from January 2001 to December 2007 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients were divided into three groups: low pressure group [L group, after devascularization FPP 22 mm Hg, n = 60) and combination group (C group, n = 47). There was no significant difference in preoperative Child-Pugh score and pre-operation FPP (P > 0.05) among the three groups. Perioperative FPP, morbidity of rebleeding and encephalopathy were compared with each other. RESULTS: The values of postoperative FPP were (27.1 +/- 1.9) mm Hg, (20.8 +/- 1.8) mm Hg and (21.5 +/- 2.2) mm Hg among the H group, L group and C group respectively. The rebleeding rates were 21.7%, 4.6% and 4.5% among the three groups respectively. All the values in H group were higher than those in L group and C group remarkably. The encephalopathy rate in C group (10.4%) was higher than that in L group (7.0%) or H group (3.3%), but there were no statistical significance (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: FPP after splenectomy and devascularization may be a basis of choice of surgical approaches in portal hypertension. The spleno-renal shunt operation should be performed in the patients when FPP is over 22 mm Hg after devascularization.

[Clinical features of Best vitelliform macular dystrophy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features of Best vitelliform macular dystrophy (BVMD) in Chinese patients. METHODS: Ten consecutive patients (20 eyes) were diagnosed as BVMD by the fundus photography, EOG, fluorescein angiography (FFA) and optical coherence tomography (OCT). Their clinical data were analyzed retrospectively. RESULTS: Of the twenty eyes from ten patients, three eyes from three patients (age range 9-18 years, mean 12.33+/-4.93 years) in Stage II, two eyes from two patients (age range 9-18, mean 13.50+/-6.36 years) in Stage IIa, four eyes from two patients (age range 11-29 years, mean 20.00+/-10.39 years) in Stage III and eleven from six patients (age range 9-44 years, mean 27.09+/-14.02 years) in Stage IV were found at their first presentation to our hospital. OCT scan showed the broadening of the outer-retina-choroid-complex signal with the retinal elevation in Stage II. The moderately reflective material which represents the vitelliform material may accumulate forming a conical mound that would elevate the retinal sensory layer in Stage IIa. In 'pseudohypopon' or atrophy phase there may be a large volume of serous retinal detachment. If a fibrous macular or foveal atrophy was seen in the fundus photograph, the thinning of the outer-retina-choroid-complex signal with serous retinal detachment may be shown by OCT. CONCLUSIONS: The present observation is a first study on the clinical findings of Chinese BVMD patients. It supports the hypothesis that the yellowish material is located under the RPE. Long term evaluation with more patients should be done to acknowledge more characteristics of BVMD in Chinese patients.