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@#AIM: To observe the effect of transepithelial photorefractive ketatectomy(TPRK)on corneal curvature, asphericity and aberrations. <p>METHODS: Twenty-nine patients(58 eyes)were enrolled. The 1mm-8mm zone curvature, target curvature and 3mm ring curvature, corneal asphericity(Q value)and corneal aberration was measured and analyzed before and 6mo after TPRK surgery. <p>RESULTS: In the 1mm-8mm zone, the corneal curvature all had significant decrease after TPRK surgery. The curvature 3mm ring after operation was 39.20±1.99D, and the curvature target was 39.51±1.99D. And both values had a significant correlation(<i>r</i>=0.98). The Q values before and after operation were -0.44 to -0.30, 0.34-0.66 respectively <i>(P</i><0.05). The total high-order aberration, spherical aberration and vertical coma of cornea before and after operation were 0.41±0.10, 0.17±0.08, -0.07±0.23 and 0.72±0.23, 0.41±0.17, -0.24±0.32, respectively, and these differences were significant. The pre-and postoperative horizontal coma was -0.03±0.12, and -0.03±0.30 respectively(<i>P</i>>0.05).<p>CONCLUSION: After TPRK operation, corneal curvature decreased significantly, and the change in zone of 3mm was the largest. The Q value, total high-order aberration, spherical aberration and vertical coma increased significantly after TPRK operation.
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Objective To investigate the health effects on practitioners occupationally exposed to acrylonitrile and to provide scientific bases for the study of toxicological effects of acrylonitrile on human bodies. Methods 465 medical practitioners exposed to acrylonitrile and ( a control group of ) 488 medical practitioners unexposed to acrylonitrile were selected .Age, smoking habits , alcoholic habits and other relevant factors are well-considered in selecting these two groups and all of them had lived in Ningbo for at least three years .Blood samples were collected to measure the level of Alanine aminotransferase ( ALT) , aspartate aminotransferase ( AST ) , alkaline phosphatase ( ALP ) , pancreatic acyl transferase (GGT), total bilirubin (STB), blood urea (UREA), blood uric acid (UA), serum creatinine (SCr), total protein ( TP ) , albumin ( Alb ) , globulin ( Glb ) , ratio of Alb to Glb ( A/G ) , white blood cell ( WBC ) , red blood cell ( RBC ) , platelet ( PLT ) and hemoglobin ( Hb ) .These serum biochemical indices of the two groups were compared to find the differences thereof and to examine the effect of work years on various above-mentioned indices for medical practitioners exposed to acrylonitrile . Results The levels of ALT(t=-2.77,P=0.006), AST(t=-5.74,P<0.001), UREA(t=3.51,P<0.001), UA (t=-3.51,P<0.001)and SCr(t=-7.62,P<0.001)for medical practitioners exposed to acrylonitrile were all significantly higher than those for the control group; however, the levels of ALP(t=18.87,P<0.001), Alb(t=6.92,P<0.001), Glb(t=7.99,P<0.001), A/G(t=11.93,P<0.001), and WBC (t=4.48,P<0.001) were all lower than those for the control group , with the exposure time exhibiting positive correlations with ALT(r=0.564,P<0.001)and AST(r=0.493,P<0.001). Conclusion Acrylonitrile has certain health effects on the hepatorenal function as well as the routine blood test results of medical practitioners occupationally exposed to acrylonitrile .
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Objective To assess the health risk of heavy metals in rice from key areas in a city.Methods Based on the distribution of pollution sources,34 rice samples were collected in 2012 from key areas of A county,B county and C county.Five kinds of heavy metals were detected.Health risk associated with the five kinds of heavy metals were assessed using USEPA health risk assessment model.Results The total rate of over standard was 52.9% and the mean concentrations of As,Cd,Cr,Hg and Pb were 0.183 mg/kg,0.115 mg/kg,0.049 mg/kg,0.014 mg/kg and 0.247 mg/kg respectively.The total health risk level was 6.12 ×10 -4/a and the health risk levels in A,B and C county were 7.01× 10 -4/a,5.19 ×10 -4/a and 6.20 ×10 -4/a respectively.Conclusion The total health risks of three counties are higher than USEPA recommended level (1×10 -4/a).
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<p><b>OBJECTIVE</b>To investigate the effects of cardiac resynchronization therapy (CRT) on left ventricular (LV) diastolic function measured by speckle tracking imaging (STI) in patients with dilated cardiomyopathy (DCM).</p><p><b>METHODS</b>CRT was performed in 21 DCM patients [15 male, mean age: 61.2 ± 11.2 (49-82) years].LV synchronization, LV systolic function and LV diastolic function were evaluated with conventional echocardiography, tissue Doppler imaging and STI before and 6 months after CRT.NYHA heart function was also assessed. Clinic Response to CRT was defined as improvement of more than 1 NYHA class.Response to CRT in echocardiography was defined as ≥ 15% reduction in LV end systolic volume at 6 months post CRT.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>There were 16 responders and 5 non-responders at 6 months post CRT.In terms of diastolic function, conventional echocardiography derived deceleration time was both prolonged in non-responders and responders. At 6 months post CRT, STI derived LV isovolumetric diastolic strain rate [(0.19 ± 0.11) /s vs.(0.14 ± 0.09)/s, P < 0.001] was significantly increased while early diastolic mitral valve blood flow velocity/left ventricular isovolumetric diastolic strain rate (680 ± 600 vs.787 ± 690, P < 0.04) was significantly reduced in responder group while remained unchanged in non-responder group.Furthermore, left ventricular isovolumetric diastolic strain rate negatively correlated with plasma brain natriuretic peptide level (r = -0.68, P < 0.05).</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>In CRT responders of DCM patients, LV diastolic function is significantly improved and this change could be detected more effectively by STI derived LV diastolic function parameters.</p>
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Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Female , Humans , Male , Middle Aged , Cardiac Resynchronization Therapy , Cardiomyopathy, Dilated , Therapeutics , Diagnostic Imaging , Ventricular Function, LeftABSTRACT
OBJECTIVE@#To measure the expression pattern of STAT2 in cervical cancer initiation and progression in tissue sections from patients with cervicitis, dysplasia, and cervical cancer.@*METHODS@#Antibody against human STAT2 was confirmed by plasmids transient transfection and Western blot. Immunohistochemistry was used to detect STAT2 expression in the cervical biopsies by using the confirmed antibody against STAT2 as the primary antibody.@*RESULTS@#It was found that the overall rate of positive STAT2 expression in the cervicitis, dysplasia and cervical cancer groups were 38.5%, 69.4% and 76.9%, respectively. The STAT2 levels are significantly increased in premalignant dysplasia and cervical cancer, as compared to cervicitis (P< 0.05). Noticeably, STAT2 signals were mainly found in the cytoplasm, implying that STAT2 was not biologically active.@*CONCLUSIONS@#These findings reveal an association between cervical cancer progression and augmented STAT2 expression. In conclusion, STAT2 increase appears to be an early detectable cellular event in cervical cancer development.