Combining with volatilomic profiling and chemometrics to explore the volatile characteristics in five different dried Zanthoxylum bungeanum maxim.

Owing to the short picking period of the fresh Zanthoxylum bungeanum, the postharvest drying has become an essential operation before the storage and transportation of Z. bungeanum. To explore the effects of drying methods on volatile characteristics, the volatilomic profiling of five different dried Z. bungeanum was investigated by E-nose, HS-SPME-GC/MS, GC-IMS in combination with chemometrics. The results indicated that W1W, W2W and W5S sensors within E-nose analysis showed the strongest responses in both fresh and dried Z. bungeanum. According to the identification of volatile organic compounds (VOCs), terpenes, esters and alcohols played the major roles in the volatile formation of the fresh and dried Z. bungeanum. The samples derived from hot air drying showed the relatively similar features with the fresh sample based on the relative abundances of these major VOCs. According to the results of multiple factor analysis (MFA), GC-IMS showed the strongest ability in distinguishing the fresh and different dried samples. Compared with the high levels of terpenes in fresh group, the significant increasement of terpene alcohols and terpene esters from the degradation and transformation of bound terpenoids was the main characteristics of all dried Z. bungeanum. Using the GC-IMS datasets, a weighted correlation network analysis (WCNA) model was constructed to clarify the VOC characteristics in all detetected samples. Thereinto, 6 significantly correlated modules were identified in fresh and five different dried samples. Additionally, a total of 23 hub VOCs can be recognized as the potential biomarkers for better distinguishing the fresh and five different dried Z. bungeanum.

The impact of acute stress disorder on gallbladder interstitial cells of Cajal.

Physical and psychological stress exerts a substantial effect on gastrointestinal motility disorders, where trauma enhances symptoms of digestive dysfunction. Interstitial cells of Cajal (ICCs) act as pacemakers for gastrointestinal motility regulation and are likely important in stress-associated gastrointestinal motility disorders. This study explored the mechanisms underlying gallbladder ICCs function under acute stress conditions using a rabbit chest puncture and cholecystectomy model. The stem cell factor (SCF)/c-kit pathway is essential for the development of ICCs, and gene expression was investigated to identify stress-induced transcriptional alterations. Immunohistochemistry, terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling assays were used to determine ICCs apoptosis, whereas western blot analysis and reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction were used to detect changes in the SCF/c-kit signaling pathway. These methods revealed a reduction in ICCs via apoptosis following stress, and ICCs increased over time after stressor removal. Therefore, this study demonstrates the impact of stress on ICCs development and survival and further confirms the link between stress and gastrointestinal motility.

Influence of refractive error on pupil diameters in highly myopic eyes with implantable collamer lenses.

PURPOSE: To investigate the influence of refractive error on pupil diameters in highly myopic eyes with implantable collamer lenses. SETTING: Shanghai, China. DESIGN: A prospective consecutive observational study. METHODS: Sixty-six eyes of 66 patients that underwent ICL V4c implantation were included. Pupil diameters before and 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery were measured using an automatic pupillometry system (MonCv3; Metrovision, Pérenchies, France) under four standardized illumination conditions: 0, 1, 10, and 100 cd/m2. The correlations between changes in pupil diameter and spherical equivalent values and patient age were investigated. RESULTS: Based on preoperative spherical equivalent values, included eyes were divided into a high-myopia group (-6.3 to -9.9 D (diopters)) and a super-high-myopia group (-10 to -20 D). Pupil sizes remained unchanged after surgery in the high-myopia group and decreased at 1 and 10 cd/m2 in the super-high-myopia group. A between-group comparison showed that pupils were significantly smaller in the super-high-myopia group 1 week postoperatively under all illumination conditions and remained smaller at 1 month and 3 months under 1 and 10 cd/m2 lighting conditions. Preoperative spherical equivalent values were significantly correlated with the percent decrease in pupil diameter 1 week postoperatively under 0, 1, and 10 cd/m2 illumination conditions; the greater the degree of myopia, the greater the reduction in pupil diameter. CONCLUSION: Preoperative refractive error significantly affects pupil diameter in highly myopic eyes after implantable collamer lens implantation. Pupils of super highly myopic eyes remained smaller than preoperative levels under mesopic conditions after implantable collamer lens implantation.

The effect of mydriasis on moderate-to-high myopic eyes with implantable collamer lenses V4 and V4c.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the vault change and anterior segment movement induced by mydriasis in moderate-to-high myopic eyes with implantable collamer lenses (ICL). SETTING: Shanghai, China. DESIGN: A prospective consecutive observational study. METHODS: A total of 45 eyes of 24 patients with ICL V4 implantation and 128 eyes of 65 patients with ICL V4c implantation were included and analyzed. Anterior chamber depth, posterior corneal endothelium-to-ICL distance, and vault before and after mydriasis were measured by Pentacam (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany) at 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. RESULTS: Significant vault increases and anterior chamber depth increases induced by mydriasis were noted in both ICL V4 and V4c groups at 1, 3, and 6 months postoperatively. The corneal endothelium-ICL distance increased significantly in eyes with implanted ICL V4c after mydriasis at 3 and 6 months. Moreover, mydriasis-induced vault increases were greater in the ICL V4 group than in the ICL V4c group at 3 and 6 months. In eyes with implanted ICL V4c, mydriasis-induced vault increases were significantly greater at 1 month than at 3 and 6 months. CONCLUSION: Mydriasis results in a general vault increase in eyes with implanted ICLs. The adjustment of the pressure equilibrium via the central hole of the ICL V4c has an important role in vault change. The mydriasis-induced vault increases tend toward stability after 3 months postoperatively. Mydriasis is relatively safe in eyes with ICL implantation.

Static and dynamic pupillary characteristics in high myopic eyes with two implantable collamer lenses.

PURPOSE: To determine static and dynamic pupillometry characteristics before and after implantable collamer lens (ICL) (V4 and V4c) implantation. SETTING: Shanghai, China. DESIGN: Prospective consecutive observational case series. METHODS: Patients who had either V4 or V4c ICL implantation were included in this observational study. An automatic quantitative pupillometry system (MonCv3) was used for pupillometry preoperatively and 1 week, 1 month, and 3 months after surgery. Static pupillometry measurements (pupil diameters [PDs] at 4 standardized illumination levels) and dynamic parameters (including initial PD, amplitude of contraction, latency of contraction, duration of contraction, velocity of contraction, latency of dilation, duration of dilation, and velocity of dilation) were measured. RESULTS: The study comprised 98 eyes (50 patients). Mesopic and low photopic PDs declined by 0.32 mm and 0.27 mm, respectively, at 3 months after ICL implantation; scotopic PD declined at 1 week and recovered to preoperative levels at 3 months; and high photopic PD remained unchanged. Regarding the pupil light reflex, contraction amplitude and velocity declined after surgery, whereas other dynamic parameters remained unchanged. The static and dynamic pupillary characteristics were similar between the V4 and V4c ICL groups. CONCLUSIONS: The V4 and V4c ICLs had similar influences on iris motility. ICL implantation had a miotic effect under mesopic and low photopic illumination conditions, resulting in decreases in pupil contraction amplitude and velocity in light reflexes.

Changes in anterior chamber volume after implantation of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens in high myopia.

BACKGROUND: The present study aimed to assess changes in, and the factors that influence, anterior chamber volume (ACV) after implantable contact lens (ICL) implantation in high myopia eyes using a Pentacam. METHODS: The study sampled 26 high myopia patients (45 eyes) who were treated with ICL implantation. These patients were followed for an average of 4.28 months postoperatively. ACV was measured with a Pentacam preoperatively and at 3 months postoperatively. The data were analyzed by paired samples Wilcoxon signed-rank test. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) model adjusting within-patient intereye correlations in addition to Pearson's and Spearman's correlation tests were performed to determine associations. RESULTS: The mean ACV was 198.33 ± 33.08 mm3 before surgery and 118.65 ± 17.70 mm3 after surgery. A significant decrease of 79.68 mm3 (40.18%) (Z = 5.841, P <  0.001) was detected. Positive correlations were found between ACV changes and ICL central vault (r = 0.528, P <  0.001) and preoperative anterior chamber depth (ACD) (r = 0.665, P <  0.001). There were positive correlations between postoperative ACV and postoperative anterior chamber angle (ACA) at 3:00 o'clock (r = 0.448, P = 0.002) and at 9:00 o'clock (r = 0.405, P = 0.006). GEE regression model showed that postoperative ACV significantly positively correlated with preoperative ACV (P = 0.002), ACD (P = 0.002) and horizontal ACA (P = 0.005) and negatively correlated with ICL central vault (P <  0.001). CONCLUSION: Complementary to vault and ACD, ACV is a sensitive parameter with certain value of preoperative assessment and postoperative monitoring in ICL implantation.

[Study of gene differential display of hydatidiform moles].

OBJECTIVE: To screen the specific molecular maker of invasive hydatidiform moles (HM) by differential display analysis. METHODS: For dot hybridization, about 1.0 microg of each cDNA sample of invasive and non-invasive HM were labeled as probes using the Dig DNA labeling and Detection Kit (Boehringer Mannheim). The specific expression fragments of invasive HM recovered from PAGE gel were re-amplified by PCR, and the PCR products were dotted onto nylon membrane and hybridized by two probes of invasive and non-invasive HM cDNA respectively. Some fragments with a strong positive hybridization signal were cloned into the polylinker of lasmid PUC19 and were sequenced. The fragments' sequences were searched for homology in the NCBI data using the BLAST (Database: GenBank Human EST entries; Posted date:Aug 31, 2004; Number of letters in database: 1,697,659,032; Number of sequences in database: 3,677,722). RESULTS: The 20 fragments in 28 bands with specific expression in invasive HM were re-amplified, of which 13 showed positive hybridization signals, and 3 were cloned into the polylinker of lasmid PUC19. A fragment in the 3 was a new expressed sequence tag (EST) and the sequence was submitted to NCBI data (dbEST_Id: 10875704; GenBank_Accn: BM403211). CONCLUSION: There are more differences in gene expression between invasive and non-invasive HMs, and differential display analyses are of a potential significance to early diagnosis of invasive HM.

[The relationship between malignant transformation and fertilization types of hydatidiform moles].

OBJECTIVE: To study the relationship between malignant transformation and fertilization types of hydatidiform moles (HM). METHODS: Fifty four HM specimens were analyzed by using multiplex STR-PCR (9 loci) to determine the fertilization types and all patients were followed-up for the human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) over 1 year. RESULTS: Total malignant transformation cases were 10 in all the 54 HM. Ggenetics complete hydatidiform moles (g-CHM) with DNA from only paternal origin, were observed in 38 cases including 28 homozygote and 10 heterozygote cases. In homozygote and heterozygote cases,malignant transformation occurred in 8 cases of the empty eggs fertilized by single sperms and 2 by double sperms respectively. In all the 54 HMs, 16 cases of DNA from parents were genetic partial hydatidiform moles (g-PHM), and no malignant transformation occurred in each haploidy egg fertilized by double sperms. CONCLUSION: (1)Genetic complete hydatidiform moles (g-CHM) showed a higher malignant transformation risk than genetic partial hydatidiform moles (g-PHM) (P=0.024 2); (2)There was no significant difference in malignant transformation between homozygote and heterozygote of g-CHM (P=0.699).