Contribution of inwardly rectifying K+ channel 4.1 of supraoptic astrocytes to the regulation of vasopressin neuronal activity by hypotonicity.

Astrocytic morphological plasticity and its modulation of adjacent neuronal activity are largely determined by astrocytic volume regulation, in which glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP), aquaporin 4 (AQP4), and potassium channels including inwardly rectifying K+ channel 4.1 (Kir4.1) are essential. However, associations of astrocyte-dominant Kir4.1 with other molecules in astrocytic volume regulation and the subsequent influence on neuronal activity remain unclear. Here, we report our study on these issues using primary cultures of rat pups' hypothalamic astrocytes and male adult rat brain slices. In astrocyte culture, hyposmotic challenge (HOC) significantly decreased GFAP monomer expression and astrocytic volume at 1.5 min and increased Kir4.1 expression and inwardly rectifying currents (IRCs) at 10 min. BaCl2 (100 µmol/l) suppressed the HOC-increased IRCs, which was simulated by VU0134992 (2 µmol/l), a Kir4.1 blocker. Preincubation of the astrocyte culture with TGN-020 (10 µmol/l, a specific AQP4 blocker) made the HOC-increased Kir4.1 currents insignificant. In hypothalamic brain slices, HOC initially decreased and then increased the firing rate of vasopressin (VP) neurons in the supraoptic nucleus. In the presence of BaCl2 or VU0134992, HOC-elicited rebound increase in VP neuronal activity was blocked. GFAP was molecularly associated with Kir4.1, which was increased by HOC at 20 min; this increase was blocked by BaCl2 . These results suggest that HOC-evoked astrocytic retraction or decrease in the volume and length of its processes is associated with increased Kir4.1 activity. Kir4.1 involvement in HOC-elicited astrocytic retraction is associated with AQP4 activity and GFAP plasticity, which together determines the rebound excitation of VP neurons.

[Analysis of Wumei Pills in treating chronic digestive system diseases with concept of "treating different diseases with same method" based on network pharmacology and molecular docking].

The present study explored the material basis and underlying mechanism of Wumei Pills in the treatment of ulcerative colitis(UC), diabetic enteropathy(DE), and irritable bowel syndrome(IBS) based on network pharmacology and molecular docking.The active components and targets of Wumei Pills were obtained and screened out from TCMSP, and the target names were standardized by UniProt.The related targets of UC, DE, and IBS were searched from GeneCards, DisGeNET, DrugBank, and OMIM.The Venn dia-gram was constructed using the Venny 2.1 online analysis tool to obtain the common targets of the drug and diseases.The "drug-active ingredient-target" network was constructed by Cytoscape 3.7.2.Gene Ontology(GO) function enrichment and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG) pathway enrichment analyses of common targets were carried out by DAVID.The main active components and targets were docked by AutoDock.The therapeutic mechanism of Wumei Pills was presumedly related to the regulation of the cancer pathway, TNF signaling pathway, HIF-1 signaling pathway, PI3 K-Akt signaling pathway, NF-κB signaling pathway, Toll-like receptor signaling pathway, JAK-STAT signaling pathway, etc.The results of molecular docking showed that the main active components could bind to the core targets, possessing stable conformation.The therapeutic effects of Wumei Pills against three diseases involved a variety of compounds such as flavonoids, sterols, and alkaloids in the prescriptions, which acted on key targets through multiple organs and participated in multiple signaling pathways such as apoptosis and immune inflammation, thereby exerting the therapeutic action on different diseases with the same method.This study explained the underlying mechanism of Wumei Pills in "treating different diseases with same method", and is expected to provide a theoretical basis for further understanding the mechanism of Wumei Pills and exploring the new clinical application.

Synthesis and Evaluation of the Antitumor Activity of Novel 1-(4-Substituted phenyl)-2-ethyl Imidazole Apoptosis Inducers In Vitro.

Novel imidazole derivatives were designed, prepared, and evaluated in vitro for antitumor activity. The majority of the tested derivatives showed improved antiproliferative activity compared to the positive control drugs 5-FU and MTX. Among them, compound 4f exhibited outstanding antiproliferative activity against three cancer cell lines and was considerably more potent than both 5-FU and MTX. In particular, the selectivity index indicated that the tolerance of normal L-02 cells to 4f was 23-46-fold higher than that of tumor cells. This selectivity was significantly higher than that exhibited by the positive control drugs. Furthermore, compound 4f induced cell apoptosis by increasing the protein expression levels of Bax and decreasing those of Bcl-2 in a time-dependent manner. Therefore, 4f could be a potential candidate for the development of a novel antitumor agent.

[Cloning and expression analysis of LncRNA-RgAGT2 responding to consecutive monoculture in Rehmannia glutinosa].

The consecutive monoculture obstacle is a major problem in the field of Rehmannia glutinosa( R. glutinosa),has severely declined the yield and quality of R. glutinosa. Here,using hi TAIL-PCR and RACE techniques,we have cloned the full-length transcript( 1 573 bp) of Unigene 29334＿All screened by DGE as a consecutive monoculture obstacle response gene of R. glutinosa. Based on ORF Finder prediction,all ORFs detected in the full-length transcript were less than 300 nt,which suggested that the above transcript was confirmed to be a long non-coding RNA( LncRNA). With alignment in R. glutinosa transcriptome,this LncRNA was partially homologous to alanine glyoxylate transaminase 2 gene( Rg AGT2),which was named LncRNA-RgATG2. To further explore the function of LncRNA-RgAGT2,we have examined expression patterns of LncRNA-RgAGT2 and Rg AGT2 at five critical development stages( seedling,elongation,pre-expanding,mid-expanding,late-expanding) in the first and second year replanting of R. glutinosa,respectively. The results indicated that LncRNA-RgAGT2,as a potential regulator,is possible to play a vital role in Rg AGT2 expression regulation. Meanwhile,LncRNA-RgAGT2 has presented significant variation in all development stages of R. glutinosa,which could be used as a " diagnostic label" to assess consecutive monoculture obstacle. This study,for the first time,showed that LncRNA was responsible for the response and regulation of consecutive monoculture obstacle,which would be a powerful supplement to reveal the molecular mechanisms of consecutive monoculture obstacle of R. glutinosa.

Expression, secretion and bactericidal activity of type VI secretion system in Vibrio anguillarum.

The type VI secretion system (T6SS) was recently shown to modulate quorum sensing and the stress response in Vibrio anguillarum serotype O1 strain NB10. It is not known whether there is a functionally active T6SS in other serotypes of V. anguillarum. Here, homologues to T6SS cluster VtsEFGH and hemolysin-coregulated protein (Hcp)-encoding genes were found to be prevalent and conserved in clinical isolates of V. anguillarum from fish, including four O1 and five non-O1 serotype strains. Unexpectedly, only the non-O1 serotype strains expressed VtsEFGH and Hcp under laboratory and marine-like conditions, in contrast to the serotype O1 strains. This suggested that the V. anguillarum non-O1 serotype strains tested have constitutive expression of T6SS. Examination of a representative non-O1 strain, MHK3, showed that Hcp production was growth phase dependent and that maximum Hcp production was observed in the exponential growth phase. Moreover, Hcp production by MHK3 was most active under warm marine-like conditions. Further examination revealed a correlation of the constitutive expression of T6SS with bactericidal activity against Escherichia coli and Edwardsiella tarda. The work presented here suggests that the constitutive expression of T6SS provides V. anguillarum with advantage in microbial competition in marine environments.

Efficacy and safety of therapeutic anticoagulation for the treatment of isolated calf muscle vein thrombosis - a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Diverse treatment suggestions range from monitoring with duplex examinations to therapeutic anticoagulation (TA) for managing isolated calf muscle vein thrombosis (ICMVT). However, the small sample sizes and low-level evidence provided by most studies in the literature mean that the benefits of promising new treatment protocols are unclear. Hence, this meta-analysis is intended to assess the efficacy and safety of TA for patients with ICMVT. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Articles comparing TA with no anticoagulation (NA) or no therapeutic anticoagulation (NTA) in patients with ICMVT were collected from PubMed, the Cochrane Library, EMBASE, and Web of Science. The risk ratio (RR) and 95 % confidence interval (95 % CI) were generated for each outcome of interest. The data were pooled using a random-effects or fixed-effects model to evaluate differences in outcomes between the TA and control groups. RESULTS: Five of 377 initially identified papers were included. One randomized controlled trial, one non-randomized controlled trial and three retrospective cohort studies (a total of 744 patients, 390 in the TA group and the remaining 354 in the NA or NTA group) were included in this meta-analysis. The occurrence of thrombosis progression was significantly less frequent in those who received TA compared with those receiving NTA (RR = 0.33, 95 % CI 0.20 to 0.54, p < 0.01). The rate of complete recanalization was higher, albeit not significantly, in the TA group than in the NTA group (RR = 1.96, 95 % CI 1.01 to 3.80, p = 0.05). None of the pooled outcomes were significantly different when comparing the TA and NA groups. CONCLUSIONS: This study suggests that TA may result in a significant reduction in the rate of thrombosis progression and a marginally significant increase in the rate of complete recanalization for patients with ICMVT. Further studies are needed to confirm these findings and clarify whether the benefits of TA outweigh the potential harm.

[Observation of prime position and driving zones in process of tuberous root expanding and expression analysis of phytohormone relative genes in Rehmannia glutinosa].

In order to study the development characteristics of Rehmannia glutinosa tuberous root expansion and reveal the regulation mechanism of the genes related to hormones in this process, R. glutinosa "wen-85" was used as the experimental material in this study. R. glutinosa tuberous roots of different developmental stages were collected to observe phenotype and tissue morphology using resin semi-thin sections method. The genes related to hormone biosynthesis and response were chosen from the transcriptome of R. glutinosa, which was previously constructed by our laboratory, their expression levels at different development stages were measured by real-time quantitative PCR. The results showed that the root development could be divided into six stages: seeding, elongation, pre-expanding, mid-expanding, late-expanding and maturity stage. The anatomic characteristics indicated that the fission of secondary cambium initiated the tuberous root expansion, and the continuous and rapid division of secondary cambium and accessory cambium kept the sustained and rapid expansion of tuberous root. In addition, a large number oleoplasts were observed in root on the semi-thin and ultra-thin section. The quantitative analysis suggested that the genes related to biosynthesis and response of the IAA, CK, ABA,ethylene, JA and EB were up-regulated expressed, meanwhile, GA synthesis and response genes were down-regulated expressed and the genes of GA negative regulation factors were up-regulated expressed. The maximum levels of most genes expression occurred in the elongation and pre-expansion stage, indicating these two stages were the key periods to the formation and development of tuberous roots. Oleoplasts might be the essential cytological basis for the formation and storage of the unique medicinal components in R. glutinosa. The results of the study are helpful for explanation of development and the molecular regulation mechanism of the tuberous root in R. glutinosa.

Altitudinal variations and seasonal dynamics of near-surface and soil temperatures in subtropical forests of Mt. Guanshan, Jiangxi Province, China.

Temperature lapse rate (TLR), measured as the degree of temperature change along an altitudinal gradient, is a key indicator of multiple ecological processes of mountain systems. Although many studies have examined temperature changes of open air or near-surface along altitudes, we know little about altitudinal variations of soil temperature, which play an important role in regulating growth and reproduction of organisms, as well as ecosystem nutrient cycling. Based on temperature data of near-surface (15 cm above ground) and soil layers (8 cm below ground) from 12 sampling sites of subtropical forest along an altitudinal gradient (300-1300 m) in Jiangxi Guan-shan National Nature Reserve from September 2018 to August 2021, we calculated the lapse rates of mean, maximum, and minimum temperatures, as well as accumulated temperatures by using simple linear regression for both near-surface and soil temperature. The seasonal dynamics of aforementioned variables were also evaluated. The results showed that there were large differences among mean, maximum, and minimum lapse rates for annual near-surface temperature, which were 0.38, 0.31 and 0.51 ℃·(100 m)-1, respectively. But little variation was documented for soil temperature which were 0.40, 0.38 and 0.42 ℃·(100 m)-1, respectively. The seasonal variations of temperature lapse rates for near-surface and soil layers were minor except for minimum temperature. The lapse rates of minimum temperature were deeper in spring and winter for near-surface and in spring and autumn for soil layers. For growing degree days (GDD), the accumulated temperature under both layers were negatively correlated with altitude, and the lapse rates of ≥5 ℃ were 163 ℃·d·(100 m)-1 for near-surface and 179 ℃·d·(100 m)-1 for soil. The ≥5 ℃ GDD in soil were about 15 days longer than that in near-surface at the same altitude. The results showed inconsistent patterns of altitudinal variations between near-surface and soil temperature. Soil temperature and its lapse rates had minor seasonal variations compared with the near-surface counterparts, which was related to the strong buffering capacity of soil.

Interactions between the Astrocytic Volume-Regulated Anion Channel and Aquaporin 4 in Hyposmotic Regulation of Vasopressin Neuronal Activity in the Supraoptic Nucleus.

We assessed interactions between the astrocytic volume-regulated anion channel (VRAC) and aquaporin 4 (AQP4) in the supraoptic nucleus (SON). Acute SON slices and cultures of hypothalamic astrocytes prepared from rats received hyposmotic challenge (HOC) with/without VRAC or AQP4 blockers. In acute slices, HOC caused an early decrease with a late rebound in the neuronal firing rate of vasopressin neurons, which required activity of astrocytic AQP4 and VRAC. HOC also caused a persistent decrease in the excitatory postsynaptic current frequency, supported by VRAC and AQP4 activity in early HOC; late HOC required only VRAC activity. These events were associated with the dynamics of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) filaments, the late retraction of which was mediated by VRAC activity; this activity also mediated an HOC-evoked early increase in AQP4 expression and late subside in GFAP-AQP4 colocalization. AQP4 activity supported an early HOC-evoked increase in VRAC levels and its colocalization with GFAP. In cultured astrocytes, late HOC augmented VRAC currents, the activation of which depended on AQP4 pre-HOC/HOC activity. HOC caused an early increase in VRAC expression followed by a late rebound, requiring AQP4 and VRAC, or only AQP4 activity, respectively. Astrocytic swelling in early HOC depended on AQP4 activity, and so did the early extension of GFAP filaments. VRAC and AQP4 activity supported late regulatory volume decrease, the retraction of GFAP filaments, and subside in GFAP-VRAC colocalization. Taken together, astrocytic morphological plasticity relies on the coordinated activities of VRAC and AQP4, which are mutually regulated in the astrocytic mediation of HOC-evoked modulation of vasopressin neuronal activity.

Effects of degree of quaternization on the preparation and characterization of insulin-loaded trimethyl chitosan polyelectrolyte complexes optimized by central composite design.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of varying degrees of quaternization (DQ: 22, 35 and 41%) on the preparation and characterization of insulin (INS)-loaded polyelectrolyte complexes (PECs) prepared by N-trimethyl chitosan chloride (TMC). A two factor-five level central composite design was used for the optimization. The concentrations of INS and TMC were defined as independent variables, while the entrapment efficiency (EE%) and loading efficiency (LE%) as dependent variables. The three optimized INS-TMC PECs were characterized for their size, zeta potential, EE% and LE%. The morphology and electrostatic interaction of PECs were evaluated. Then, the stability in the enzyme solution and in vitro release as well as mucoadhesive properties of the three PECs were all investigated. The results showed that the size and EE% of the optimum formulations were significantly decreased using TMC of higher DQ, while the zeta potential and LE% were slightly influenced by DQ. The stability assay exhibited partial protection of TMC PECs, and the better protective effect was observed for PECs of higher DQ. The in vitro release study presented different initial and sustained release behaviors of INS-TMC PECs and the mucin adsorption study confirmed a positive correlation between the DQ and the mucoadhesive property of PECs.

[Study on the treatment of dry eye with Loteprednol Etabonate].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the efficacy and safety of 0.5% Loteprednol Etabonate ophthalmic suspension in the treatment of moderate dry eye. METHODS: Totally 34 dry eye patients (68 eyes) in grade 2 or grade 3 (DEWS standard) enrolled in our hospital from March 2009 to September 2010 were randomly divided into two groups: the experimental group (Loteprednol Etabonate Group) and the control group (Cyclosporine A, CsA group). 0.5% Loteprednol Etabonate ophthalmic suspension or 1% CsA eye drops was applied 2 times a day respectively together with 0.2% Liposic eye drops (4 - 6 times/day). Questionnaire was used in these patients before the treatment and repeated every 2 weeks during the treatment till 8 weeks. Slit lamp microscope examination, fluorescent staining, tear break-up time (BUT), Schirmer I test (SIt) and intraocular pressure measurement were carried out at the same time point. The conjunctival impression cytology (IC) was performed before the treatment and 8 weeks after the treatment. The mean of the results were compared by t-tests and χ(2) test. RESULTS: After 2 weeks of the treatment, the mean score of the questionnaire was significantly lower than that before the treatment in each group (t = 5.36, 3.63, P < 0.01). After 4 weeks of the treatment, the inflammation of the ocular surface was relieved obviously in both group and the mean score of the corneal fluorescein staining (FL) was lower than that before the treatment in each group. The average density of the goblet cells before the treatment was (181.2 ± 16.1)/mm(2) and (179.4 ± 17.5)/mm(2) in each group respectively. After 8 weeks of the treatment, this increased to (348.6 ± 22.5)/mm(2) and (360.4 ± 27.8)/mm(2) significantly (t = 16.9, 16.3, P < 0.05). BUT was significantly prolonged in each group after the treatment (P < 0.01). There was no significant change in ST I or NCT in each group (P > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Topical 0.5% Loteprednol Etabonate ophthalmic suspension is safe and effective for the treatment of moderate dry eye.

Comparison of clinical outcomes of tracheotomy in patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury at different timing.

Respiratory failure is the leading cause of early death after acute CSCI. Tracheotomy is an effective approach to reduce mortality and improve the clinical outcomes. However, the optimal timing for tracheotomy remains controversial. Hence, the study aimed to compare the clinical outcomes of tracheotomy in patients with acute cervical spinal cord injury (CSCI) at different timing. A retrospectively review was performed of acute CSCI patients who underwent tracheotomy in the intensive care unit of Haian Hospital between January 2014 and June 2019. 124 CSCI patients were included and stratified into three groups based on the timing of tracheotomy: early group (≤4 days from initial intubation), medium group (4-10 days from initial intubation), and late group (≥10 days from initial intubation). The clinical outcomes and functional outcomes were analyzed. No significant intergroup differences in baseline characteristics were observed. The late group needed significantly longer duration of mechanical ventilation, longer ICU stay, and suffered higher ICU mortality, higher pneumonia after tracheotomy than the early and medium groups. More patients in the early and medium groups successfully weaned from mechanical ventilation. The early and medium groups achieved better improvement of JOA and NDI scores than the late group at one year after surgery and at the final follow-up. Early to medium term tracheotomy may lead to better clinical and functional outcomes in patients with acute CSCI who require prolonged mechanical ventilation.

[Correlation of HO-2 expression in the corpus cavernosum with erectile disfunction in rats with chronic renal failure].

OBJECTIVE: To detect the expression of HO-2 in the corpus cavernosum of rats with chronic renal failure (CRF) , and investigate the role of HO-2 in penile erection and its association with testosterone. METHODS: Fifteen 10-week-old SD rats underwent 5/6 kidney removal for the establishment of CRF models, and another 15 included as controls. Twelve weeks later, both the two groups of animals were subjected to electrostimulation of the cavernous nerve for the detection of intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and mean arterial pressure (MAP), and the protein contents of HO-2, nNOS and eNOS in the penile tissues were determined by Western blot and immunohistochemical analysis. RESULTS: The ICPmax/MAP after 3 V and 5 V stimulation of the cavernous nerve was (0.121 +/- 0.084) and (0.135 +/- 0.088), the serum testosterone level was (1.190 +/- 0.946) nmol/L, and the expression of HO-2 was (0.510 +/- 0.397) in the CRF group, all significantly lower than in the control rats, which were (0.263 +/- 0.147 and 0.244 +/- 0.089), (7.800 +/- 5.001) nmol/L (P<0.01) and (2.672 +/- 1.720, P<0.01), respectively. There was a correlation between the decrease of HO-2 expression and the reduction of serum testosterone (r = 0.902, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The lowered level of serum testosterone and decreased contents of HO-2, eNOS and nNOS may play a role in CRF-induced ED.

[Expression of Rho-kinase and heme oxygenase in the corpus cavernosum of spontaneous hypertensive rats].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of Rho-kinase and heme oxygenase and the interaction among NOS/NO, HO/CO and RhoA/Rho-kinase in the corpus cavernosum of spontaneous hypertensive rats (SHRs). METHODS: A series of electric stimuli were applied to the corpus cavernosum nerves of 7 SHRs, the changes of ICP/MAP observed continuously and the expressions of ROCK2, HO-2 and eNOS analyzed by Western blot and immunohistochemistry. Another 7 WKY rats were taken as controls. RESULTS: Compared with the controls, ICP/MAP did not rise obviously (P < 0.05), HO-2 dropped sharply (P = 0.006) and the expression of the ROCK2 protein was elevated markedly (P = 0.017) in the SHRs. Immunohistochemistry showed HO-2 to be distributed in the smooth muscle cells and nervous cells of the corpus cavernosum, and eNOS mainly in the vascular endothelial cells. The expressions of HO-2 and eNOS were obviously reduced in the SHRs. CONCLUSION: NOS/NO, HO/CO and RhoA/Rho-kinase are related with erectile dysfunction in SHRs and may interact on one another.

[Expression of heme oxygenase 2 in the corpus cavernosum of castrated rats].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the expressions of HO-2 and eNOS in the corpus cavernosum of castrated rats and investigate the correlation of HO-2 and eNOS with erectile dysfunction. METHODS: Forty SD rats of 10 weeks were equally divided into 3 castrated groups (4, 8 and 12 weeks respectively after removal of bilateral testes) and a sham operation control group. All the rats were detected for serum testosterone (T), intracavernosal pressure (ICP) and mean arterial blood pressure (MAP) 2, 8 and 12 weeks after the surgery, the content of HO-2 analyzed by Western blot and the expressions of eNOS and HO-2 determined by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Testosterone level and ICP/MAP ratio were markedly decreased after the castration (P < 0.05). The HO-2 expression was detected in the corpus cavernosum of all but the 12-week castrated rats, and the area under the curve was (341.50 +/- 99.70) in the 4-week castrated group, significantly less than in the 8-week (705.00 +/- 152. 74) and the control group (876 +/- 443. 36) (P < 0. 05), with no obvious difference between the latter two. eNOS was found mainly in the vascular endothelial cells of the corpus cavernosum, significantly less in the castrated (123.94 +/- 30. 23) than in the control group (421.21 +/- 125. 12). CONCLUSION: Androgens might mediate the penile erectile function through HO-2 and eNOS in the corpus cavernosum of rats.

Lipid layer thickness and tear meniscus height measurements for the differential diagnosis of evaporative dry eye subtypes.

AIM: To explore a new diagnostic index for differentiating the evaporative dry eye (EDE) subtypes by analysis of their respective clinical characteristics. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 139 patients (139 eyes) with EDE who were enrolled and classified as obstructive meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) (n=81) and non-obstructive MGD (n=58) EDE. All patients completed a Standard Patient Evaluation of Eye Dryness (SPEED) questionnaire and were evaluated for average lipid layer thickness (LLT), tear meniscus height measurements (TMH), tear break-up time (TBUT), ocular surface staining score, Schirmer I test (SIT), lid margin abnormalities, and meibomian gland function and morphology. RESULTS: Age, average LLT, TMH, scores of lid margin abnormalities, meibum quality, meibomian gland loss (MGL) (all P≤0.001), and TBUT (P=0.03) were all significantly different between obstructive MGD EDE patients and non-obstructive MGD EDE patients. Average LLT in obstructive MGD EDE was correlated with meibomian expressibility (r=-0.541, P≤0.001), lid margin abnormalities were marginally not significant (r=0.197, P=0.077), and TMH was correlated with MGL (total MGL: r=0.552, P≤0.001; upper MGL: r=0.438, P≤0.001; lower MGL: r=0.407, P≤0.001). Average LLT in non-obstructive MGD EDE, was correlated with meibomian expressibility and Oxford staining (r=-0.396, P=0.002; r=-0.461, P≤0.001). The efficiency of combining average LLT and TMH was optimal, with a sensitivity of 80.2% and a specificity of 74.1%. Obstructive MGD EDE patients had an average LLT≥69 nm and TMH≥0.25 mm, while non-obstructive MGD EDE patients had an average LLT<69 nm and TMH<0.25 mm. CONCLUSION: Obstructive MGD EDE and non-obstructive MGD EDE have significantly different clinical characteristics. Combining average LLT and TMH measurements enhanced their reliability for differentiating these two subtypes and provided guidance for offering more precise treatments for EDE subtypes.

A comparison of diagnostic performance of vacuum-assisted biopsy and core needle biopsy for breast microcalcification: a systematic review and meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Core needle biopsy (CNB) and vacuum-assisted biopsy (VAB) are both popularly used breast percutaneous biopsies. Both of them have become reliable alternatives to open surgical biopsy (OSB) for breast microcalcification (BM). AIMS: It is controversial that which biopsy method is more accurate and safer for BM. Hence, we conducted this meta-analysis to compare the diagnostic performance between CNB and VAB for BM, aiming to find out the better method. METHODS: Articles according with including and excluding criteria were collected from the databases, PubMed, Embase, and the Cochrane Library. Preset outcomes were abstracted and pooled to find out the potential advantages in CNB or VAB. RESULTS: Seven studies were identified and entered final meta-analysis from initially found 138 studies. The rate of ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) underestimation was significantly lower in VAB than CNB group [risk ratio (RR) = 1.83, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.40 to 2.40, p < 0.001]. The microcalcification retrieval rate was significantly higher in VAB than CNB group (RR = 0.89, 95% CI 0.81 to 0.98, p = 0.02), while CNB owned a significantly lower complication rate than VAB (RR = 0.18, 95% CI 0.03 to 0.93, p = 0.04). The atypical ductal hyperplasia (ADH) underestimation rates were not compared for the limited number of studies reporting this outcome. CONCLUSIONS: Compared with CNB, VAB shows better diagnostic performance in DCIS underestimation rate and microcalcification retrieval rate. However, CNB shows a significantly lower complication rate. More studies are needed to verify these findings.

Low concentration of sodium hyaluronate temporarily elevates the tear film lipid layer thickness in dry eye patients with lipid deficiency.

AIM: To investigate the effects of different concentrations of artificial tears on lipid layer thickness (LLT) and blink rate (BR) in dry eye patients. METHODS: This study included 106 eyes of 58 patients with dry eye. The lipid deficiency type was defined as the LLT baseline <75 nm. The LLT and BR were measured at baseline and 1, 5 and 15min after the instillation of 0.1% or 0.3% sodium hyaluronate (SH) eye drops by using the LipiView ocular surface interferometer. RESULTS: In the lipid deficiency group, the LLT increased from baseline at 1min post instillation. The LLT after the instillation of 0.1% SH was significantly higher than that after the instillation of 0.3% SH (P<0.001). The LLT returned to baseline at 15min post instillation of 0.1% SH and at 5min post instillation of 0.3% SH. In the non-lipid deficiency group, the LLT decreased from baseline at 1min and returned to baseline at 5min for both treatments. The BRs were not significantly different at different time points for both treatments. CONCLUSION: SH eye drops induce a short-term increase in LLT of patients with lipid deficiency. A low concentration of artificial tears have a stronger effect than a high concentration of artificial tears on the increase in LLT. In comparison, SH eye drops induce a transient and slight decrease in LLT of patients without lipid deficiency. A low concentration of artificial tears might be better for patients with lipid deficiency.

[Expressions of heme oxygenase-1 and apoptosis-modulating proteins in peri-hematoma cortex after intracerebral hemorrhage in human being].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the expression of heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) and Bcl-2, an apoptosis-modulating protein, in the neurons surrounding the hematoma in human being. METHODS: Specimens of cerebral cortex tissue 1 - 3 cm around the hemorrhagic focus with the size of 2.0 cm x 1.5 cm x 0.3 cm were collected during autopsy from 39 patients, 17 males and 22 females, aged 62.8 (36 - 84), who died from intracerebral hemorrhage 2 - 10 h, 17 - 30 h, 36 - 96 h, 120 - 216 h, or 240 - 408 h before. Specimens of brain tissue of the same size at the opposite side were collected as controls. Immunohistochemistry was used to examine the expression of HO-1 and Bcl-2 protein. RESULTS: (1) Expression of HO-1 could be detected in the specimens of the 2 h group, increased in the specimens of the 2 - 10 h group [(5.1 +/- 2.0)/HP], reached the peak in the 17 - 30 h group [(11.3 +/- 0.9)/HP], then began to decrease in the specimens of the 240 - 408 h group [(6.4 +/- 0.6)/HP] (F = 42.80, P < 0.001). The HO-1 expression of the control group remained negative at any time-point. (2) Expression of Bcl-2 could be detected in the specimens of the 2 - 10 h group [(4.2 +/- 1.7)/HP], was increased in the 17 - 30 h group [(6.6 +/- 0.5)/HP], reached the peak in the 36 approximately 96 h group [(8.9 +/- 1.1)/HP], then began to decrease, and was (4.7 +/- 0.6)/HP in the 240 approximately 408 h group (F = 29.59, P < 0.001). The Bcl-2 expression remained negative at any time point in the control group. (3) The expressions of HO-1 was positively correlated with the expression of Bcl-2 (r = 0.66, P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Over-expression of HO-1 and Bcl-2 in the neurons provide a potential protection or destruction mechanism after intracerebral hemorrhage in human.

[Cytogenetic analysis of partial trisomy 9p resulting from a reciprocal balanced 9/21 translocation].

In this study, a four-generation Chinese family in Nanyang, Henan Province was identified with partial trisomy 9p syndrome. Of the 23 family members studied, six were characterized with mental retardation and mild facial and little finger anomalies. All affected family members demonstrated significant intrafamilial homogeneous phenotype except concomitance epilepsy in proband. On the basis of G-banding, the proband showed a translocation between chromosomes of 9p and 21q and partial 9p trisomy. The karyotype was 46, XY, der (21) t (9; 21) (9p22.2; 21q22.3) pat. Further karyotyping of other affected members and their patients in this family revealed translocation of chromosomes of 9p and 21q, with partial 9p trisomy in all affected members. The partial 9p trisomy was the direct result of abnormal segregation of a balanced translocation cell between chromosome 9 and 21 in one of the parents. The extra distal half of the short arm of chromosome, 9pter-->9p21, is responsible for the major clinical features such as mental retardation and mild facial anomaly. The cause of epilepsy in proband was discussed.