[Mechanism study of platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha on the bidirectional differentiation regulation of glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1-positive mesenchymal stem cells in mice].

Objective: To investigate the role of platelet derived growth factor receptor alpha (PDGFRα) on bidirectional differentiation of glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1-positive mesenchymal stem cells (Gli1+-MSC). Methods: Breeding double reporter transgenic mice ROSAmT/mG/Gli1-CreERt2/PDGFRαfl (Experimental group) and ROSAmT/mG/Gli1-CreERt2 (Control group), 20 mice in each of the two groups at four weeks of age were selected, MSC were isolated from the mouse aortic epithelium. After tamoxifen inducement, the two groups of Gli1+-MSC were screened by green fluorescent protein (GFP) labeling and flow cytometry sorting. PDGFRα was conditionally knocked out in the experimental group, and the control group Gli1+-MSC expressed PDGFRα normally. The two groups of Gli1+-MSC were subjected to adipogenic induction and fibrogenic induction, the Western blotting was performed to detect PDGFRα, adipocyte markers [perilipin and CCAAT/enhancer binding protein alpha (C/EBPα)] and fibrogenic markers [alpha smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) and fibroblast-specific protein 1 (FSP-1)] and semi-quantitative analysis was performed. The degree of cellular adipose differentiation after bidirectional induction of Gli1+-MSC in both groups was observed by oil red O staining and analyzed semi-quantitatively. Results: After tamoxifen induction, Gli1+-MSC could be accurately isolated from flow cytometry by GFP labeling. Via adipogenic differentiation, the expression of PDGFRα in the experimental group (0.017±0.002) was significantly lower than that in the control group (0.184±0.012) (t=25.48，P=0.002). The protein expressions of perilipin (3.138±0.414) and C/EBPα (3.565±0.289) were significantly higher than those in the control group (2.312±0.218 and 2.179±0.103, respectively) (t=6.21，P=0.025；t=6.69，P=0.022). Thus, the knock-out of PDGFRα enhanced the adipogenic differentiation ability of Gli1+-MSC. After fibrogenesis induction, the protein expressions of PDGFRα, α-SMA and FSP-1 in the experimental group (0.030±0.001, 0.932±0.177 and 0.276±0.020, respectively) were significantly lower than those in the control group (0.439±0.006, 1.352±0.170 and 0.835±0.097, respectively) (t=149.40, P<0.001; t=66.38,P<0.001; t=11.41,P<0.08). This suggested that the knock-out of PDGFRα significantly inhibited Gli1+-MSC differentiation toward fibroblasts. After bidirectional induction, significantly less adipocyte formation was seen in the control group and more in the experimental group. Quantitative analysis showed that the amount of oil red O staining in the experimental group (0.461±0.042) was significantly higher than that in the control group (0.017±0.007) after bidirectional induction (t=23.20, P<0.01). Conclusions: PDGFRα plays an important role in the regulation of bidirectional differentiation of vascular adventitial Gli1+-MSC.

[Clinical value of health-related quality of life evaluation in community patients with hepatitis B].

Chronic hepatitis B (CHB) is a major infectious disease which threatens people's health around the world. Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has become an important index for evaluating the treatment and prognosis of patients with CHB. Many studies abroad have shown that the HRQoL of patients with CHB is influenced by various factors. Disease severity, clinical symptoms, and low self-efficacy are important influencing factors for patients' quality of life. Anti-viral therapy, proper physical therapy, or psychological intervention can significantly improve the HRQoL of community CHB patients, and HRQoL is even significantly improved in patients undergoing liver transplantation one year ago. These studies provide valid evidence for antiviral therapy for hepatitis B patients and liver transplantation techniques from the psychological level. At present, there still lacks studies on HRQoL of CHB patients in China. This article summarizes the measurement tools for HRQoL widely used in recent years in China and foreign countries, reviews the research advances in HRQoL in community patients with CHB, and discusses the perspectives for future studies.

Quasi mode-locking of coherent feedback random fiber laser.

Mode-locking is a milestone in the history of lasers that allows the generation of short light pulses and stabilization of lasers. This phenomenon is known to occur only in standard ordered lasers for long time and until recently it is found that it also occurs in disordered random lasers formed by nanoscale particles. Here, we report the realization of a so-called quasi mode-locking of coherent feedback random fiber laser which consists of a partially disordered linear cavity formed between a point reflector and a random distributed fiber Bragg grating array with an inserted graphene saturable absorber. We show that multi-groups of regular light pulses/sub-pulses with different repetition frequencies are generated within the quasi mode-locking regime through the so-called collective resonances phenomenon in such a random fiber laser. This work may provide a platform to study mode locking as well as pulse dynamic regulation of random lasing emission of coherent feedback disordered structures and pave the way to the development of novel multi-frequency pulse fiber lasers with potentially wide frequency tuning range.

Partially reduced graphene oxide based FRET on fiber-optic interferometer for biochemical detection.

Fluorescent resonance energy transfer (FRET) with naturally exceptional selectivity is a powerful technique and widely used in chemical and biomedical analysis. However, it is still challenging for conventional FRET to perform as a high sensitivity compact sensor. Here we propose a novel 'FRET on Fiber' concept, in which a partially reduced graphene oxide (prGO) film is deposited on a fiber-optic modal interferometer, acting as both the fluorescent quencher for the FRET and the sensitive cladding for optical phase measurement due to refractive index changes in biochemical detection. The target analytes induced fluorescence recovery with good selectivity and optical phase shift with high sensitivity are measured simultaneously. The functionalized prGO film coated on the fiber-optic interferometer shows high sensitivities for the detections of metal ion, dopamine and single-stranded DNA (ssDNA), with detection limits of 1.2 nM, 1.3 µM and 1 pM, respectively. Such a prGO based 'FRET on fiber' configuration, bridging the FRET and the fiber-optic sensing technology, may serve as a platform for the realization of series of integrated 'FRET on Fiber' sensors for on-line environmental, chemical, and biomedical detection, with excellent compactness, high sensitivity, good selectivity and fast response.

Surgical outcome of single-staged three horizontal muscles squint surgery for extra-large angle exotropia.

PURPOSE: To report the surgical outcomes of 24 patients undergoing single-staged three horizontal muscles squint surgery for extra-large angle exotropia. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Prospective case series of 24 consecutive patients with primary exotropia>60 prism diopters (PD) at distant and underwent single-staged three horizontal muscles squint surgery from 2003 to 2006. Surgery consisted of bilateral lateral rectus recession of 9.0 mm for 50 PD exotropic correction. For every 5 PD remaining angle exceeding 50 PD, we additionally performed 1.0 mm of unilateral medial rectus resection. The mean follow-up period was 15.8 months (range 6.0-38.0 months; SD 9.5 months). RESULTS: The mean age at surgery was 31.2 years old (range 7-78 years old, SD 18.2 years old). The mean distant preoperative deviation was 71.3 PD (range 60-85 PD, SD 7.7 PD). No limitation of eye movement or diplopia was found. The success rate was higher in the intermittent group (88.2%) than the constant group (42.9%) (P=0.02) and in cases with preoperative deviation of <80 PD (84.2%) compared with those with deviation>or=80 PD (40.0%) (P=0.042). CONCLUSION: Measurement of preoperative deviation and the surgery for extra-large angle exotropia made management of this condition difficult. Single-staged three horizontal muscles squint surgery can be one of the options. Further researches on management of exotropia of >80 PD are warranted.

Residual torticollis in patients after strabismus surgery for congenital superior oblique palsy.

AIM: To study postoperative residual vertical deviation and abnormal head posture (AHP) after surgical treatment for congenital superior oblique palsy (SOP). METHOD: Children with both SOP and AHP who underwent extraocular muscle surgery for correction of AHP were recruited. The patients received complete ophthalmic and orthopaedic examinations. Residual AHP was classified according to severity of face turn, head tilt and chin elevation. RESULTS: Thirty-two children with mean age at operation of 82.6 months were recruited, with mean follow-up of 37.9 months. Of these children, 65.6% had a postoperative vertical deviation of less than three prism dioptres. In addition, 34.4% patients had resolved (0 degrees ), 34.4% had mild (1 degrees -10 degrees ), and 31.3% had significant residual torticollis (>10 degrees ). Of the patients with significant residual torticollis, 33.3% had ocular causes. The mean age at operation for the patients with residual torticollis (95.9 months) was older than those without torticollis (79.9 months) (p = 0.018). Residual torticollis was found to be related to sternocleidomastoid muscle tightness (p = 0.013). CONCLUSION: The success rate for eliminating significant AHP after strabismus surgery for patients with congenital SOP was 68.8%. Early surgery was associated with a better outcome. Association was also found between sternocleidomastoid tightness and AHP. A multidisciplinary approach is recommended in the management of torticollis as ophthalmic and orthopaedic comorbidities can coexist.

Bacteriocidal effects and inhibition of cell separation of cinnamic aldehyde on Bacillus cereus.

AIMS: In this study, bacteriocidal effects of cinnamic aldehyde on Bacillus cereus were investigated. METHODS: The bacterial culture or cell suspension in 0.85% NaCl was treated with cinnamic aldehyde at a concentration of 0.3 ml l(-1). Viable cells were counted on a nutrient agar plate. Protein leakage from the cell was determined using a protein dye. Cell morphology was observed using a scanning electron microscope. RESULTS: Bacillus cereus cells were the most sensitive to cinnamic aldehyde among four different food-borne pathogens. When the cells were treated with 0.3 ml l(-1) of cinnamic aldehyde, the viable counts decreased about 6 log cycles after 6 h of incubation. The bacterial cells remained unlysed although they were killed by cinnamic aldehyde. Treatment of cinnamic aldehyde to the exponential phase cells resulted in no significant protein leakage but strong inhibition of cell separation. CONCLUSIONS: The present findings suggest that cinnamic aldehyde exhibits bacteriocidal effects and inhibition of cell separation on B. cereus. SIGNIFICANCE AND IMPACT OF THE STUDY: These data represent an interesting background for a possible mechanism for antibacterial effects of cinnamic aldehyde.

Changing patterns of strabismus: a decade of experience in Hong Kong.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Racial variation in the pattern of strabismus is known, but few large scale studies on non-white populations are available. Furthermore, longitudinal change in this pattern within a local setting has not been well documented in the past. This study aims to support the clinical impression that exotropia is more common in Chinese patients, and that the proportion of patients with exotropia has been increasing in the past decade. METHODS: A total of 2704 consecutive patients with the diagnosis of primary horizontal strabismus, seen in the strabismus clinic of the Hong Kong Eye Hospital, were retrospectively analysed to determine the relative prevalence of esotropia and exotropia. Characteristics recorded include patient demographics, type of strabismus, and whether the nature of the squint was constant or intermittent. RESULTS: 742 (27.4%) patients were found to have esotropia, 548 (20.3%) had constant exotropia, 1213 (44.9%) had intermittent exotropia, and 201 (7.4%) had microtropia. The proportion of exotropic to esotropic patients was shown to increase steadily throughout the past decade (p<0.0001). This was mainly accounted for by an increase in the number of patients with intermittent exotropia, and a corresponding decrease in the number of patients with esotropia. CONCLUSION: Exotropia was shown to be more prevalent than esotropia in a Hong Kong Chinese population. Furthermore, the proportion of patients with intermittent exotropia appears to be increasing, in contrast with esotropic patients. The exact nature of this trend, and possible aetiological factors will require further study.

Effect of carbon source on the mycelial growth and exo-biopolymer production by submerged culture of Paecilomyces japonica.

A significant difference was observed in the production pattern of exo-biopolymer and broth rheology during submerged culture of Paecilomyces japonica when two efficient carbon sources (maltose and sucrose) were employed. The maximum concentration of biopolymers in maltose medium (30 g/l) was higher than that in sucrose medium (25 g/l), whereas maximum mycelial concentration displayed an inverse result (i.e., 25 g/l in sucrose medium and 20 g/l in maltose medium). The broth rheology and morphology of P. japonica were also markedly different between the two culture media.

Fornix-based trabeculectomy with Wise's suture technique in Chinese patients.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the safety and efficacy of fornix-based trabeculectomy with Wise's suture technique in Chinese subjects. DESIGN: A retrospective noncomparative case series. PARTICIPANTS: Forty-eight eyes of 44 Chinese subjects that underwent fornix-based trabeculectomy combined with intraoperative 0.4 mg/ml mitomycin-C for 3 to 5 minutes were studied. INTERVENTION: Conjunctival wound closure of all eyes was with the Wise's technique using 9-0 nylon suture to prevent leakage at the corneolimbal interface. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: The success rate, with or without antiglaucoma medication, the complication rate, and the longevity of the drainage blebs were analyzed. RESULTS: At a mean follow-up period of 21.8 +/- 4.5 months, 75% (36 eyes) had postoperative intraocular pressure of 21 mmHg or less. Of these, 23 eyes (47.9%) required no antiglaucoma medication, 7 eyes (14.6%) required one medication, 3 eyes (6.3%) required two medications, and 3 eyes (6.3%) required three medications. Ten eyes (21%) had early wound leak. Two eyes (4.2%) required surgical repair. Two eyes (4%) had hypotonous maculopathy. No other major complications were encountered. CONCLUSIONS: Fornix-based trabeculectomy with adjunctive mitomycin-C using Wise's suture technique appears to be both safe and effective in Chinese subjects.

Long-term results of combined cataract and glaucoma surgery versus trabeculectomy alone in low-risk patients.

PURPOSE: To compare the long-term results of combined extracapsular cataract extraction (ECCE), intraocular lens (IOL) implantation, and trabeculectomy with those of trabeculectomy alone in low-risk patients. SETTING: An ophthalmic department in a British general district hospital. METHODS: We did a retrospective analysis of the case records of all low-risk patients who had either combined ECCE, IOL implantation, and trabeculectomy (combined group) or trabeculectomy alone between August 1991 and February 1993 with a minimum of 12 months follow-up (mean 21 months). The combined group comprised 21 patients (14 women) and the trabeculectomy group, 24 patients (18 women). The mean ages were 79.8 years (range 66 to 90 years) and 76.0 years (range 61 to 87 years), respectively. We measured final intraocular pressure (IOP), number of medications used, best corrected visual acuity, visual field, and complication rates. RESULTS: Average IOPs at diagnosis, the preoperative visit, and last follow-up visit were 27.6, 23.1, and 15.6 mm Hg, respectively, in the combined group and 31.8, 26.7, and 15.3 mm Hg, respectively, in the trabeculectomy group. The differences between groups were not statistically significant at any stage. All patients had an IOP lower than 22 mm Hg at the last follow-up. In more than 75% of patients in the combined group, visual acuity improved by more than one Snellen line. CONCLUSIONS: The combined procedure compared favorably with trabeculectomy alone in low-risk patients.

Dose finding double-blind clinical trial with praziquantel in schistosomiasis japonica patients.

A double-blind clinical trial with praziquantel was carried out. A total of 400 cases was treated with four different dosages, namely, 60, 50, 40 and 30 mg/kg body weight of praziquantel. The drug was given in one day divided into two doses. Identical placebo tablets were used to make up a total of 60 mg/kg. Tolerance was good in all with the exception of one case suffering from asthmatic attack with papule rashes over large area of the body surface. 394 patients were able to be followed up parasitologically six months post-treatment. 79.8%, 71.7%, 78.8% and 70.1% of the patients were negative in the groups with the total dose of 60, 50, 40 and 30 mg/kg respectively. The cure rates as well as the side effects were similar for the four groups. The efficacy was lower than that reported by other authors and the possibility of reinfection was incriminated. In villages with few snails the negative hatching rates in aforementioned four groups were 89.1%, 91.1%, 88.9% and 81.8%, while in villages with abundant snails the rates were 68.2%, 46.5%, 66.7% and 54.8%. The difference between the two areas was statistically significant. Higher efficacy was observed in adults with an average cure rate of 80.0% than in children under 15 years of age, the average cure rate being 57.1%.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)