Correlation between contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters and Crohn's disease activity / 中华内科杂志

Objective: By investigating the correlation between quantitative parameters of contrast enhanced ultrasound (CEUS) and commonly used activity assessment indicators of Crohn's disease (CD), and comparing the predictive power of laboratory inflammatory indicators with CEUS on Crohn's disease (CD), the significance of CEUS was evaluated. Methods: A case-control study. From October 2019 to December 2021, the clinical data of 67 patients with CD who were diagnosed by endoscopy and underwent contrast-enhanced ultrasonography were retrospectively analyzed in the First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, and their routine ultrasound and CEUS parameters, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), fecal calprotectin (FC), Crohn's disease activity index (CDAI) and simplified endoscopic score for Crohn's disease (SES-CD) were collected. Using SES-CD as the standard, the patients were divided into a remission group and an active group, and the correlation of laboratory inflammatory indexes and contrast-enhanced ultrasound parameters with CDAI and SES-CD were evaluated. Besides, the ROC curve was used to analyze the predictive efficacy of each index on CD endoscopic activity. Results: A total of 67 patients were included in this study. According to the SES-CD score, there were 17 patients in the remission group and 50 patients in the active group. Except for the coefficient of the enhancement wash in slope and time to peak (TTP), the peak intensity (PI), area under the angiography curve, and laboratory inflammatory indexes were significantly different between the two groups (P<0.05), which also showed a moderate positive correlation with CDAI and SES-CD (P<0.05). ROC analysis showed that among the non-invasive indicators, PI and area under the angiography curve had the highest AUCs for predicting CD endoscopic activity, which were 0.912 and 0.891, respectively; with SES-CD taking >3 as the cut-off value, the corresponding sensitivities were 78.0% and 72.0%, with specificities of 100.0% and 94.1%, respectively. Conclusion: CEUS can objectively and repeatedly evaluate the disease activity of CD patients, and has great clinical application value, which can be used as a reliable imaging method for diagnosis and follow-up of patients with Crohn's disease.

Research on Mechanisms of Chinese Medicines in Prevention and Treatment of Postoperative Adhesion / 中国结合医学杂志

Postoperative adhesion (PA) is currently one of the most unpleasant complications following surgical procedures. Researchers have developed several new strategies to alleviate the formation of PA to a great extent, but so far, no single measure or treatment can meet the expectations and requirements of clinical patients needing complete PA prevention. Chinese medicine (CM) has been widely used for thousands of years based on its remarkable efficacy and indispensable advantages CM treatments are gradually being accepted by modern medicine. Therefore, this review summarizes the formating process of PA and the efficacy and action mechanism of CM treatments, including their pharmacological effects, therapeutic mechanisms and advantages in PA prevention. We aim to improve the understanding of clinicians and researchers on CM prevention in the development of PA and promote the in-depth development and industrialization process of related drugs.

Changes in serum levels of Hcy and MMP-9 and risk factor analysis in patients with coronary heart disease complicating Helicobacter pylori infection in Chengdu area / 公共卫生与预防医学

Objective To study the changes in serum homocysteine (Hcy) and matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) levels and risk factors in patients with coronary heart disease (CHD) complicated with Helicobacter pylori (HP) infection in Chengdu area, and to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention of HP infection in patients with coronary heart disease. Methods A total of 348 CHD patients admitted to our hospital in Chengdu from 2019 to 2021 were selected. Hp infection status was detected by C14 urea breath test. Patients were classified into control group (n=197) and HP infection group (n=151) according to the detection results. Data including gender, age, body mass index and peptic ulcer history were collected, and univariate analysis and logistic regression were used to screen the risk factors affecting the occurrence of HP infection in patients with CHD. Results The prevalence rate of HP infection was 43.39% (151/348) among the selected CHD patients. Serum levels of Hcy and MMP-9 were notably elevated in HP infection group compared with control group (P<0.05). The proportion of patients with age ≥60 years old, hyperlipidemia, proton pump inhibitor use history, and frequent consumption of out-of-home food and spicy food in HP infection group was obviously larger than that in control group (P<0.05). Hyperlipidemia (OR=3.719), history of proton pump inhibitor use (OR=3.254) and frequent consumption of out-of-home food (OR=2.721) were independent risk factors for HP infection in CHD patients (P<0.05). Conclusion CHD patients in Chengdu suffer a prevalence rate of HP infection, and have elevated levels of serum Hcy and MMP-9. Furthermore, the intervention measures for patients with hyperlipidemia, proton pump inhibitor drug use history and frequent consumption of out-of-home food are of vital importance for decreasing the risk of HP infection.

Application of SifaInDel 45plex System in the Han and Mongolian Populations / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the genetic polymorphism of InDel loci in SifalnDel 45plex system in the Han population in Jiangsu Province and the Mongolian population in Inner Mongolia, and to evaluate the effectiveness of the system in forensic medicine.@*METHODS@#SifaInDel 45plex system was used for genotyping in blood samples of 398 unrelated individuals from the above two populations, and allele frequencies and population genetic parameters of the two populations were calculated respectively. Eight intercontinental populations in the gnomAD database were used as reference populations. The genetic distances between the two studied populations and eight reference populations were calculated based on the allele frequencies of 27 autosomal-InDels (A-InDels). The phylogenetic trees and multidimensional scaling (MDS) analysis diagrams were constructed accordingly.@*RESULTS@#Among two studied populations, the 27 A-InDels and 16 X-InDels showed no linkage disequilibrium between each other and the allele frequency distributions were in Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium. The CDP of the 27 A-InDels in two studied populations were all higher than 0.999 999 999 9, and the CPEtrio were all less than 0.999 9. The CDP of the 16 X-InDels in Han in Jiangsu and Mongolian in Inner Mongolia female and male samples were 0.999 997 962, 0.999 998 389, and 0.999 818 940, 0.999 856 063, respectively. The CMECtrio were all less than 0.999 9. The results of population genetics showed that the Jiangsu Han nationality, Inner Mongolia Mongolian nationality and East Asian population clustered into one branch, showing closer genetic relationship. The other 7 intercontinental populations clustered into another group. And the above 3 populations displayed distant genetic relationships with the other 7 intercontinental populations.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The InDels in the SifaInDel 45plex system have good genetic polymorphism in the two studied populations, which can be used for forensic individual identification or as an effective complement for paternity identification, and to distinguish different intercontinental populations.

Genetic Polymorphism of 16 X-STR Loci in Xinjiang Uygur Population / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To study the genetic polymorphism and population genetic parameters of 16 X-STR loci in Xinjiang Uygur population.@*METHODS@#The Goldeneye® DNA identification system 17X was used to amplify 16 X-STR loci in 502 unrelated individuals (251 females and 251 males). The amplified products were detected by 3130xl genetic analyzer. Allele frequencies and population genetic parameters were analyzed statistically. The genetic distances between Uygur and other 8 populations were calculated. Multidimensional scaling and phylogenetic tree were constructed based on genetic distance.@*RESULTS@#In the 16 X-STR loci, a total of 67 alleles were detected in 502 Xinjiang Uygur unrelated individuals. The allele frequencies ranged from 0.001 3 to 0.572 4. PIC ranged from 0.568 8 to 0.855 3. The cumulative discrimination power in females and males were 0.999 999 999 999 999 and 0.999 999 999 743 071, respectively. The cumulative mean paternity exclusion chance in trios and in duos were 0.999 999 997 791 859 and 0.999 998 989 000 730, respectively. The genetic distance between Uygur population and Kazakh population was closer, and the genetic distance between Uygur and Han population was farther.@*CONCLUSIONS@#The 16 X-STR loci are highly polymorphic and suitable for identification in Uygur population, which can provide a powerful supplement for the study of individual identification, paternity identification and population genetics.

Chinese Medicine Meets Conventional Medicine in Targeting COVID-19 Pathophysiology, Complications and Comorbidities / 中国结合医学杂志

OBJECTIVE@#To investigate how the National Health Commission of China (NHCC)-recommended Chinese medicines (CMs) modulate the major maladjustments of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), particularly the clinically observed complications and comorbidities.@*METHODS@#By focusing on the potent targets in common with the conventional medicines, we investigated the mechanisms of 11 NHCC-recommended CMs in the modulation of the major COVID-19 pathophysiology (hyperinflammations, viral replication), complications (pain, headache) and comorbidities (hypertension, obesity, diabetes). The constituent herbs of these CMs and their chemical ingredients were from the Traditional Chinese Medicine Information Database. The experimentally-determined targets and the activity values of the chemical ingredients of these CMs were from the Natural Product Activity and Species Source Database. The approved and clinical trial drugs against these targets were searched from the Therapeutic Target Database and DrugBank Database. Pathways of the targets was obtained from Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes and additional literature search.@*RESULTS@#Overall, 9 CMs modulated 6 targets discovered by the COVID-19 target discovery studies, 8 and 11 CMs modulated 8 and 6 targets of the approved or clinical trial drugs for the treatment of the major COVID-19 complications and comorbidities, respectively.@*CONCLUSION@#The coordinated actions of each NHCC-recommended CM against a few targets of the major COVID-19 pathophysiology, complications and comorbidities, partly have common mechanisms with the conventional medicines.

Forensic Application of Next Generation Sequencing Technology in the Typing of Y Chromosome Genetic Markers / 法医学杂志

The paternal inheritance characteristics of Y chromosome have been widely used in the forensic genetics field to detect the genetic markers in the non-recombining block, and used in the studies such as, genetic relationship identification, mixed stain detection, pedigree screen and ethnicity determination. At present, capillary electrophoresis is still the most common detection technology. The commercial detection kits and data analysis and processing system based on this technology are very mature. However, the disadvantages of traditional detection technology have gradually appeared with the rapid growth of bio-information amount, which promotes the renewal of forensic DNA typing technology. In recent years, next generation sequencing （NGS） technology has developed rapidly. This technology has been applied to various fields including forensic genetics and has provided new techniques for the detection of Y chromosome genetic markers. This article describes the current situation and application prospects of the NGS technology in forensic Y chromosome genetic markers detection in order to provide new ideas for future judicial practice.

Application of Artificial Intelligence Automatic Diatom Identification System in Practical Cases / 法医学杂志

Objective To discuss the application of artificial intelligence automatic diatom identification system in practical cases, to provide reference for quantitative diatom analysis using the system and to validate the deep learning model incorporated into the system. Methods Organs from 10 corpses in water were collected and digested with diatom nitric acid; then the smears were digitally scanned using a digital slide scanner and the diatoms were tested qualitatively and quantitatively by artificial intelligence automatic diatom identification system. Results The area under the curve （AUC） of the receiver operator characteristic （ROC） curve of the deep learning model incorporated into the artificial intelligence automatic diatom identification system, reached 98.22% and the precision of diatom identification reached 92.45%. Conclusion The artificial intelligence automatic diatom identification system is able to automatically identify diatoms, and can be used as an auxiliary tool in diatom testing in practical cases, to provide reference to drowning diagnosis.

Light therapy: a new option for neurodegenerative diseases / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

Given the increasing incidence of neurodegenerative disease (ND), recent research efforts have intensified the search for curative treatments. Despite significant research, however, existing therapeutic options for ND can only slow down the progression of the disease, but not provide a cure. Light therapy (LT) has been used to treat some mental and sleep disorders. This review illustrates recent studies of the use of LT in patients with ND and highlights its potential for clinical applications. The literature was collected from PubMed through June 2020. Selected studies were primarily English articles or articles that could be obtained with English abstracts and Chinese main text. Articles were not limited by type. Additional potential publications were also identified from the bibliographies of identified articles and the authors' reference libraries. The identified literature suggests that LT is a safe and convenient physical method of treatment. It may alleviate sleep disorders, depression, cognitive function, and other clinical symptoms. However, some studies have reported limited or no effects. Therefore, LT represents an attractive therapeutic approach for further investigation in ND. LT is an effective physical form of therapy and a new direction for research into treatments for ND. However, it requires further animal experiments to elucidate mechanisms of action and large, double-blind, randomized, and controlled trials to explore true efficacy in patients with ND.

The transcription factor NF-kB1 regulates miR-195 expression in prostate cancer / 中华男科学杂志

Objective@#To investigate the regulatory effect of the transcription factor NF-kB1 on the expression of miR-195 in prostate cancer (PCa).@*METHODS@#We analyzed the possibility of NF-kB1 binding to the miR-195 promoter and the expression of NF-kB1 in PCa using the JASPAR and Oncomine databases, respectively, and determined the expressions of NF-kB1 and miR-195 in PCa cells by real-time quantitative PCR after inhibiting the former by interfering RNA targeting NF-kB1. We detected the activity of the luciferase reporter gene after constructing its gene plasmid in the miR-195 promoter region and having it co-transfected with the NF-kB1 plasmid. Then we analyzed the correlation between the expressions of miR-195 and NF-kB1 in the prostate tissue.@*RESULTS@#NF-kB1 was overexpressed in PCa. After inhibition of the expression of NF-kB1, that of miR-195 was increased in PC-3 and DU-145 cell lines, with a negative correlation between the NF-kB1 and miR-195 expressions in the PCa tissue. The results of luciferase reporter gene assay showed direct binding of NF-kB1 to the miR-195 promoter zone.@*CONCLUSIONS@#NF-kB1 regulates the expression of miR-195 in prostate cancer.

Annual Frequency in Traditional Chinese Medicine Physique, Syndrome Differentiation and Western Medicine Staging of 482 Eczema Patients / 中国实验方剂学杂志

Objective:To make statistics on the annual frequency of patients with eczema by traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) physique, syndrome differentiation, and western medicine staging based on questionnaire survey, in order to infer the distribution and characteristics of the annual frequency by different TCM physique, syndrome differentiation and western medicine stage, and provide new ideas and new methods for the prevention and treatment of Eczema. Method:According to the Dermatovenerology of Traditional Chinese Medicine edited by QU Xing, and Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment of Chinese Medicine for Dermatovenerology edited by CHEN Da-can, and Traditional Chinese Medicine for Dermology edited by YU Wen-qiu, and Physique Classification and Patient Self-Testing Table formulated by China Association of Chinese Medicine and Professor WANG Qi's nine categories of physique, the TCM Physique Classification and Patient Self-Testing Table for eczema patients and the Syndrome Differentiation and Classification Table for Eczema Patients were formulated. General conditions of 482 cases of eczema patients treated at Tianjin Academy of Traditional TCM Affiliated Hospital and their types of TCM physique, TCM syndrome differentiation, western medicine staging and annual frequency were surveyed. Result:There were significant differences in the annual frequency of patients with different physical constitutions. By single physique, Tanshi, Shire and Qiyu had more frequent occurrences every year, and Pinghe had the lowest annual frequency. There were differences in the annual occurrences among cases with different TCM syndrome types. Shire syndrome patients have more frequent annual occurrences than other types of eczema patients. There were significant differences in the annual occurrences among cases of different western medicine staging, and the annual occurrences of acute eczema were more than those of subacute and chronic eczema. Conclusion:The annual occurrences of patients with Tanshi, Shire and Qiyu physique were higher than those of other physiques. There are fewer outpatients with Pinghe physique than other physiques. The annual occurrences of Shire syndrome patients are higher than that of other types of eczema patients. The annual occurrences of acute eczema are more than those of subacute and chronic eczema. The annual occurrences of chronic eczema are less than acute and subacute eczema.

Spectrum-effect relationships on enriching blood activities of fresh and dry roots of Angelica sinensis / 中国中药杂志

Ultra performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(LC-MS) was used to establish the chromatography fingerprint for fresh(FRAS) and dry(RAS) roots of Angelica sinensis from 10 different places. The rat model of blood deficiency was established by acetyl-phenyl-hydrazine(APH) and cyclophosphamide(CTX). Then grey relational analysis(GRA) and partial least squares regression(PLS) were used to investigate the spectrum-effect relationship between the relative contents and the data of enriching blood pharmacodynamics efficacy. The results showed that the FRAS and RAS had certain enriching blood activities(P<0.05). The contribution degree of the FRAS and RAS to enriching blood activities of each common peaks were determined by regression coefficient. Among them, 4 common peaks contributed significantly to the effect of enriching blood activities, P1(unknown), P2(unknown), P7(ferulic acid), and P11(senkyunolide A) respectively. This paper investigated the spectrum-effect relationship between enriching blood activities and LC-MS chromatography fingerprint of RAS and FRAS, and determined the effective compositions of RAS and FRAS with enriching blood activities. It lays a theoretical foundation for the comprehensive development and utilization of A. sinensis.

Spectrum-effect relationships on enriching blood activities of aerial parts of Angelica sinenis / 中国中药杂志

Ultraperformance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry(UPLC-Q-TOF-MS) was used to establish the chromatography fingerprint for aerial parts of Angelica sinenis(AAS) from 10 different places. Acetyl-phenyl-hydrazine(APH) was used to duplicate the mouse model of blood deficiency. Then partial least squares regression was used to investigate the spectrum-effect relationship between the relative contents and the data of enriching blood pharmacodynamics efficacy. The results showed that the three groups of high, medium and low doses of AAS had certain enriching blood activities(P<0.05), and the high dose group had the best effect(P<0.01). The contribution degree of the AAS to enriching blood activities of each common peaks were determined by PLS regression coefficient. Among them, 7 common peaks, including P17(unknown), P18(unknown), P19(unknown), P28(alisol B 23-acetate or its isomer), N5(luteolin), N11(1-caffeoylquinicacid,1-O-caffeoylquinic acid) and N14(unknown), contributed significantly to the effect of enriching blood activities. This paper dealed with the investigation on the spectrum-effect relationship between enriching blood activities and LC-MS chromatography fingerprint of AAS, and determination of the effective compositions of AAS with enriching blood activities. It provided theoretical foundation for the comprehensive development and utilization of AAS.

Relationship Between Volatile Components in Angelicae Sinensis Radix from Different Regions in Gansu Province and Its Growing Environment with GC-MS-based Metabolomics / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To explore the relationship between the volatile components in Angelicae Sinensis Radix from different regions of Gansu Province and its growing environment with metabolomics based on GC-MS. Methods The GC-MS method was used for detecting the volatile components in Angelicae Sinensis Radix from 31 different regions in Gansu province, and principal component analysis (PCA) and partial least squares (PLS) methods were used for analyzing and evaluating its relationship with the growing environment. Results The results of PCA showed that the volatile components in Angelicae Sinensis Radix from different regions in Gansu province were related to the altitude and the soil types. The PLS method could divide 31 samples of Angelicae Sinensis Radix from different regions in Gansu Province into three groups according to the difference of altitude. There were significant differences in the volatile components in the samples taken at different altitude regions. After analyzing linear loading plots from PCA and PLS, 11 charateristic components were screened out, including 7 compounds were identified by the retrieval of NIST11 database. Conclusion The volatile components in Angelicae Sinensis Radix from different regions in Gansu Province are closely related to the altitude and the soil type.

Effects of Drought Stress on Physiological Characteristics of Codonopsis Radix / 中国中医药信息杂志

Objective To study the physiological characteristics of Codonopsis Radix under drought stress; To reveal the physiological mechanism of Codonopsis Radix in response to drought stress. Methods Method of pot experiment was used to set up 4 water treatments: normal water supply, mild stress, moderate stress and severe stress. Through the determination of leaf relative water content, cell membrane permeability, osmotic adjustment contents and protective enzyme activity, the effects of drought stress on physiological characteristics of Codonopsis Radix were studied. Results With the drought stress increased, the chlorophyll a, total chlorophyll content and leaf relative water content of Codonopsis Radix decreased, but chlorophyll b had no obvious change; The conductivity increased first and then decreased; MDA contents increased first and then decreased and then increased; There was no significant change in the rate of superoxide anion production; POD and CAT activity increased; SOD had no significant change; The proline content increased first and then decreased; soluble sugar decreased; soluble protein had no significant change. Conclusion Under the condition of drought stress, by increasing the content of proline to regulate cell osmotic potential, Codonopsis Radixcan increase the antioxidant enzyme activity to reduce membrane lipid peroxidation damage to cells.

Comparison of MPure-12 Automatic Nucleic Acid Purification and Chelex-100 Method / 法医学杂志

<p><b>OBJECTIVES</b>To explore the forensic application value of MPure-12 automatic nucleic acid purification （MPure-12 Method） for DNA extraction by extracting and typing DNA from bloodstains and various kinds of biological samples with different DNA contents.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>Nine types of biological samples, such as bloodstains, semen stains, and saliva were collected. DNA were extracted using MPure-12 method and Chelex-100 method, followed by PCR amplification and electrophoresis for obtaining STR-profiles.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>The samples such as hair root, chutty, butt, muscular tissue, saliva stain, bloodstain and semen stain were typed successfully by MPure-12 method. Partial alleles were lacked in the samples of saliva, and the genotyping of contact swabs was unsatisfactory. Additional, all of the bloodstains （20 μL, 15 μL, 10 μL, 5 μL, 1 μL） showed good typing results using Chelex-100 method. But the loss of alleles occurred in 1 μL blood volume by MPure-12 method.</p><p><b>CONCLUSIONS</b>MPure-12 method is suitable for DNA extraction of a certain concentration blood samples．Chelex-100 method may be better for the extraction of trace blood samples．This instrument used in nucleic acid extraction has the advantages of simplicity of operator, rapidity, high extraction efficiency, high rate of reportable STR-profiles and lower man-made pollution.</p>

Forensic Application of HuaxiaTM Platinum Kit / 法医学杂志

OBJECTIVES@#To investigate the genetic polymorphism of 23 autosomal STR loci of Huaxia™ Platinum kit in Chinese Han population, and to evaluate the forensic efficiency of Huaxia™ Platinum kit.@*METHODS@#A total of 500 unrelated healthy individuals from Han population were genotyped with Huaxia™ Platinum kit. The frequency distribution and the parameter of population genetics of STR loci were analysed statistically. Huaxia™ Platinum kit was compared with other 7 commercial STR kits commonly seen at home and abroad in the number of STR loci, interior label, fluorescent mark, total number of alleles in Ladder and system effectiveness.@*RESULTS@#All the 23 autosomal STR loci were consistent with Hardy-Weinberg equilibrium （P>0.05）. The discrimination power was 0.791 5-0.986 2. The polymorphism information content （PIC） was 0.559 0-0.914 0. The combined discrimination power （CDP） was 1-4.1×10⁻²⁸, while combined probability of paternity exclusion in trio （CPET） and in duo （CPED） were 1-4.1×10⁻¹⁰ and 1-8.4×10⁻⁷, respectively. Compared with other 7 kits, Huaxia™ Platinum kit contained the most number of alleles within the Ladder.@*CONCLUSIONS@#All the 23 autosomal STR loci of Huaxia™ Platinum kit with highly polymorphic in Han population can be used for paternity testing and individual identification. Compared with other 7 kits, it appears that Huaxia™ Platinum kit can provide more genetic information.

Application of retinal nerve fiber layer thickness detected by OCT in the diagnosis of primary open angle glaucoma and its relationship with mean defect of visual field / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To investigate the application of retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness detected by OCT in the diagnosis of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) and its relationship with the mean defect of visual field.METHODS:A retrospective study was carried out.Totally 158 cases (158 eyes) of patients with POAG were selected as POAG group, including 81 cases in early stage, 47 cases in middle stage and 30 cases in late stage.At the same time, 50 cases of persons without eye related diseases were selected as the control group.The upper, lower, nasal and bitamporal RNFL thickness and mean defect of visual field were detected, and the patients with POAG were followed up for 3mo.RESULTS:The upper, lower, nasal and bitamporal RNFL in POAG group were thinner than those in the control, and the mean defect of visual field was higher than that in the control group at different time (P0.05).The RNFL thickness of various parts was higher than that in patients with middle and late POAG, and the mean defect of visual field was lower than that in patients with middle and late POAG (P0.05).Pearson correlation analysis showed that the upper, lower, nasal and bitamporal RNFL thickness was negatively correlated with the mean defect of visual field (r=-0.719,-0.615,-0.681,-0.518, P<0.05).CONCLUSION:OCT can monitor the change of RNFL thickness in patients with POAG, and has a negative correlation with mean defect of visual field, which can be used for early diagnosis of POAG.

Role of optical coherence tomography angiography in myopic choroidal neovascularization after intravitreal injections of Ranibizumab / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM: To investigate the change of myopic choroidal neovascularization treated by ranibizumab and evaluate their value in monitoring the effect of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor ( VEGF) therapy. ·METHODS: The study enrolled 30 patients ( 30 eyes ) diagnosed with myopic choroidal neovascularization. All affected eyes were treated with intravitreal ranibizumab 0. 05mL ( 10mg/mL ). Best corrected visual acuity ( BCVA ) , non-contact tonometer, ophthalmoscope, fundus fluorescein angiograph ( FFA ) and OCTA were evaluated monthly until 6mo. The changes of BCVA and central macular thickness ( CMT) were compared at 1, 3 and 6mo after treatment. ·RESULTS:All patients received an average of 1. 70±0. 65 injections. BCVA was 0. 96 ± 0. 17 ( LogMAR ) before therapy, and BCVA 1, 3 and 6mo after treatment respectively improved by 0. 23 ± 0. 09, 0. 34 ± 0. 07, 0. 38 ± 0. 11. The differences were significant ( t=5. 461, 8. 191, 8. 894; P<0. 05 ). Mean CMT decreased form 281. 07 ± 13. 72μm to 261. 33 ± 13. 13μm, 243. 47 ± 16. 65μm, 234. 73 ± 17. 52μm respectively 1, 3 and 6mo after treatment, showing significant differences (t=12. 007, 13. 360, 9. 531;P<0. 05). OCTA revealed a progressively smaller vascular lesion and reduction in capillary density. · CONCLUSION: Intravitreal ranibizumab for CNV secondary to pathologic myopia is effective and safe;OCTA is a noninvasive and time-saving new technology, and it also is a promising tool for clinicians to make preliminary diagnosis and assess treatment efficacy in the follow-up visits.

Tonic Electromyogram Density in Multiple System Atrophy with Predominant Parkinsonism and Parkinson's Disease / 中华医学杂志(英文版)

<p><b>BACKGROUND</b>Both Parkinson's disease (PD) and multiple system atrophy (MSA) have associated sleep disorders related to the underlying neurodegenerative pathology. Clinically, MSA with predominant parkinsonism (MSA-P) resembles PD in the manifestation of prominent parkinsonism. Whether the amount of rapid eye movement (REM) sleep without atonia could be a potential marker for differentiating MSA-P from PD has not been thoroughly investigated. This study aimed to examine whether sleep parameters could provide a method for differentiating MSA-P from PD.</p><p><b>METHODS</b>This study comprised 24 MSA-P patients and 30 PD patients, and they were of similar age, gender, and REM sleep behavior disorder (RBD) prevalence. All patients underwent clinical evaluation and one night of video-polysomnography recording. The tonic and phasic chin electromyogram (EMG) activity was manually quantified during REM sleep of each patient. We divided both groups in terms of whether they had RBD to make subgroup analysis.</p><p><b>RESULTS</b>No significant difference between MSA-P group and PD group had been found in clinical characteristics and sleep architecture. However, MSA-P patients had higher apnea-hypopnea index (AHI; 1.15 [0.00, 8.73]/h vs. 0.00 [0.00, 0.55]/h, P = 0.024) and higher tonic chin EMG density (34.02 [18.48, 57.18]% vs. 8.40 [3.11, 13.06]%, P < 0.001) as compared to PD patients. Subgroup analysis found that tonic EMG density in MSA + RBD subgroup was higher than that in PD + RBD subgroup (55.04 [26.81, 69.62]% vs. 11.40 [8.51, 20.41]%, P < 0.001). Furthermore, no evidence of any difference in tonic EMG density emerged between PD + RBD and MSA - RBD subgroups (P > 0.05). Both disease duration (P = 0.056) and AHI (P = 0.051) showed no significant differences during subgroup analysis although there was a trend toward longer disease duration in PD + RBD subgroup and higher AHI in MSA - RBD subgroup. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis identified the presence of MSA-P (β = 0.552, P < 0.001) and RBD (β = 0.433, P < 0.001) as predictors of higher tonic EMG density.</p><p><b>CONCLUSION</b>Tonic chin EMG density could be a potential marker for differentiating MSA-P from PD.</p>