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Abstract Objective To explore the potential mechanism of Yougui Wan on deformed lumbar intervertebral disk structure in rats. Methods Thirty male Sprague–Dawley rats were randomly divided into 3 groups, with 10 rats in each group. The animals in the blank control group were healthy rats without specific treatment, and those in the model group and traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) group were used to establish the intervertebral disk degeneration (IDD) model by puncturing the annulus. Four weeks after modeling, rats in the TCM group were administered Yougui Wan by gavage for 2 consecutive weeks. Serum interleukin-6 (IL-10), macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) levels were measured by ELISA, and the protein expression levels of collagen II and Notch1 in intervertebral disk tissues were examined by Western blotting. Apoptosis was detected by the TUNEL method. Results Compared with those in the blank group, IL-10, MIF and TNF-α levels in the model group and TCM group were increased (P

AIM: To investigate the risk and protective factors associated with the retinal nerve fiber layer defect (RNFLD) in a Chinese adult population. METHODS: This study was a cross-sectional population-based investigation including employees and retirees of a coal mining company in Kailuan City, Hebei Province. All the study participants underwent a comprehensive systemic and ophthalmic examination. RNFLD was diagnosed on fundus photographs. Binary logistic regression was used to investigate the risk and protective factors associated with the RNFLD. RESULTS: The community-based study included 14 440 participants. There were 10 473 participants in our study, including 7120 males (68.0%) and 3353 females (32.0%). The age range was 45-108y, averaging 59.56±8.66y. Totally 568 participants had RNFLD and the prevalence rate was 5.42%. A higher prevalence of RNFLD was associated with older age [P

Abstract Background There has been increased development of robotic technologies for the accuracy of percutaneous pedicle screw placement. However, it remains unclear whether the robot really optimize the selection of screw sizes and enhance screw stability. The purpose of this study is to compare the sizes (diameter and length), placement accuracy and the loosening rate of pedicle screws using robotic-assisted versus conventional fluoroscopy approaches for thoracolumbar fractures. Methods A retrospective cohort study was conducted to evaluate 70 consecutive patients [34 cases of robot-assisted percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (RAF) and 36 of conventional fluoroscopy-guided percutaneous pedicle screw fixation (FGF)]. Demographics, clinical characteristics, and radiological features were recorded. Pedicle screw length, diameter, and pedicle screw placement accuracy were assessed. The patients’ sagittal kyphosis Cobb angles (KCA), anterior vertebral height ratios (VHA), and screw loosening rate were evaluated by radiographic data 1 year after surgery. Results There was no significant difference in the mean computed tomography (CT) Hounsfield unit (HU) values, operation duration, or length of hospital stay between the groups. Compared with the FGF group, the RAF group had a lower fluoroscopy frequency [14 (12–18) vs. 21 (16–25), P 0.05). Conclusion Compared with the fluoroscopy-guided technique, robotic-assisted spine surgery decreased radiation exposure and optimizes screw trajectories and dimensions intraoperatively. Although not statistically significant, the loosening rate of the RAF group was lower that of than the FGT group.

AIM: To evaluate retinal nerve fiber layer thickness and retinal vascular caliber alterations in coal mine workers. METHODS: The community-based observational cross-sectional study included 4004 participants of a sub-population of the Kailuan Study. All the study participants underwent structured interviews with a standardized questionnaire, fundus photography and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (OCT) examinations performed by trained doctors. RESULTS: The retinal nerve fiber layer thickness was significantly higher (P=0.006) and the central macular thickness was lower in coal miners (n=659, 51.0±7.8y) as compared to the control (working above the ground; n=477, 51.8±7.5y; P=0.032). Additionally, the downhole workers showed a significantly thicker retinal artery (P=0.012) and vein diameters (P

AIM: To explore the influencing factors of diabetes type 2 patients with mild non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) in the Kailuan area of Tangshan, Hebei Province, China. METHODS: In this non-interventional, retrospective study, 683 patients with type 2 diabetes were included in the Kailuan Diabetic Retinopathy Study involving participants with diabetes in the community-based longitudinal Kailuan Study. Based on the undilated ultra-wide field (200°; UWF) images and partial dilated digital fundus images, the diabetic retinopathy (DR) of the surveyed population was graded. Interobserver agreement was estimated by using Cohen’s Kappa statistics. The main outcome indicators included gender, age, weight, height, body mass index, blood pressure, circumferences of neck, waist and hip, current smoking, levels of fasting plasma glucose (FPG), hypersensitive C-reactive protein, creatinine, and cholesterol, etc. According to different lesions’ locations of patients with mild NPDR, logistic regression models were used to estimate the odds ratios (ORs) and their 95%CIs of each risk factor. RESULTS: The study group of 683 patients included 570 males and 113 females. The mean age of the patients was 62.18±9.41y. Compared with dilated fundus examinations, there was fair agreement with the level of DR identified on UWF images in 63.91% of eyes (k=0.369, 95%CI, 0.00-0.00). Detected by UWF images, there were 98 patients with mild NPDR having peripheral retinal lesions, 35 patients with mild NPDR having posterior lesions, 44 patients with mild NPDR whose lesions were detected both in and out the standard two fields area, and 336 patients with non obvious DR. Parameters that conferred a statistically significant increased risks for mild NPDR with having peripheral retinal lesions were neck circumstance (OR, 1.124; 95%CI, 1.044-1.211), and with posterior lesions were FPG (OR, 1.052; 95%CI, 1.007-1.099). CONCLUSION: UWF is an effectiveness means of DR screening. Moreover, it is necessary to evaluate peripheral diabetic retinal lesions which can help to estimate the severity of DR. The phenomenon that nonuniform and inhomogeneous distribution of DR lesions has been found. And the influencing factors in mild NPDR are differing by different lesions’ locations.

Abstract. Background. Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most common primary intraocular malignancy in adults. It has been demonstrated that microRNA-145 (miR-145) is correlated with the progression of various cancers by regulating the expression of multiple target genes, especially a number of genes that regulate angiogenesis and proliferation. However, the underlying mechanisms of miR-145 in tumor angiogenesis of UM are still not well illustrated. Thus, we aimed to explore the potential target genes or pathways regulated by miR-145 in UM and the effect of miR-145 on invasion and angiogenesis. Methods. Totally, 24 choroid samples were collected in our study, including 12 UM samples and 12 normal uveal tissues. The expression of neuroblastoma RAS viral oncogene homolog (N-RAS), phosphorylated protein kinase B (p-AKT), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in UM tissues and normal uveal tissues was analyzed using Western blotting analysis. Lentivirus expression system was used to construct MUM-2B and OCM-1 cell lines with stable overexpression of miR-145. Transwell and endothelial cell tube formation assay were used to measure the effects of miR-145 on the invasion and angiogenesis of UM in vitro. The downstream target genes of miR-145 were predicted by bioinformatics and confirmed using a luciferase assay. BALB/c nude mice models were established to investigate the mechanisms of miR-145 on tumor growth and angiogenesis in vivo. Group data comparisons were performed using analysis of Student's t test. A two-tailed P

AIM: To access the 10-year fundus tessellation progression in patients with retinal vein occlusion. METHODS: The Beijing Eye Study 2001/2011 is a population-based longitudinal study. The study participants underwent a detailed physical and ophthalmic examination. Degree of fundus tessellation was graded by using fundus photographs of the macula and optic disc. Progression of fundus tessellation was calculated by fundus tessellation degree of 2011 minus degree of 2001. Fundus photographs were used for assessment of retinal vein occlusion. RESULTS: The Beijing Eye Study included 4403 subjects in 2001, 3468 subjects was repeated in 2011. Assessment of retinal vein obstruction and fundus tessellation progression were available for 2462 subjects (71.0%), with 66 subjects fulfilled the diagnosis of retinal vein occlusion. Of the 66 participants, 59 participants with unilateral branch retinal vein occlusion, 5 participants with unilateral central retinal vein occlusion, 1 participant with bilateral branch retinal vein occlusion, and 1 participant with branch retinal vein occlusion in one eye and central retinal vein occlusion in the other eye. Mean degree of peripapillary fundus tessellation progression were significantly higher in the whole retinal vein occlusion group (0.33±0.39, P

Radix isatidis (Banlangen), a famous traditional Chinese medicine, has been used for thousands of years in China due to its anti-viral activity. Through our research, we inferred that the anti-viral activity of Radix isatidis depended on the water-soluble part. Among the components of this extract, the isoquinoline derivative 1 was isolated for the first time and has shown better anti-viral activity than other constituents. In this study, to solve the problem of sourcing sufficient quantities of compound 1, a total synthesis route is described, and several analogues are also evaluated for their anti-viral activities. Among them, compound 8 shown potent anti-viral activity with an IC50 value of 15.3 µg/mL. The results suggested that isoquinoline derivatives possessed potent anti-viral activity and are worthy further development.

In conjunction with the classical functions of regulating intestinal, bone, and kidney calcium and phosphorus absorption, as well as bone mineralization of vitamin D, the population-based association between low vitamin D status and increased cancer risk is now generally accepted. Inflammation is causally related to oncogenesis. It is widely thought that vitamin D plays an important role in the modulation of the inflammation system by regulating the production of inflammatory cytokines and immune cells, which are crucial for the pathogenesis of many immune-related diseases. Mechanistic studies have shown that vitamin D influences inflammatory processes involved in cancer progression, including cytokines, prostaglandins, MAP kinase phosphatase 5 (MKP5), the nuclear factor kappa B (NF-κB) pathway, and immune cells. Multiple studies have shown that vitamin D has the potential to inhibit tumor development by interfering with the inflammation system. The present review summarizes recent studies of the mechanisms of vitamin D on regulating the inflammation system, which contributes to its potential for cancer prevention and therapy. This review helps answer whether inflammation mediates a causal relationship between vitamin D and tumorigenesis.

Background: Jianqu has been used to alleviate symptoms in patients with functional dyspepsia, but its specific anti-functional dyspepsia effect is still unclear. Therefore, our study aimed to investigate the impact of Jianqu on functional dyspepsia in mice. Methods: The phytochemical profile of Jianqu was analyzed by UPLC-Q-TOF-MS. Subsequently, Kunming mice were fed a high-calorie or high-protein diet (HCHP) for 7 days, and then orally treated with vehicle or Jianqu (1.62 g/kg body weight (b. w.) and 3.25 g/kg b. w.) for 10 days. A carbon powder solution was used to detect the gastric emptying and intestinal transit rate. The pathological changes in stomach and duodenum were evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin staining. The occludin, claudin-1, ZO-1 and CD45 expression was measured by immunocytochemical staining. Importantly, the serum gastrointestinal hormones were detected by ELISA. In addition, the gut microbiota composition was determined using 16S rRNA gene sequencing. The cecal short chain fatty acids were assessed by gas chromatography. Results: In general, 17 phytochemical compounds were identified from Jianqu, which significantly improved the gastric emptying rate and intestinal transit rate (p < 0.01), increased the body weight and food intake (p < 0.0001) in HCHP mice as well. Though HCHP did not cause significant pathological lesions in the gastrointestinal tract, increased the expression of CD45 in the duodenum (p < 0.05) was observed. Notably, Jianqu attenuated this abnormal expression of CD45 (p < 0.05). The levels of serum gastrointestinal hormones were significantly normalized by Jianqu intervention (p < 0.05). Moreover, Jianqu increased the relative abundance of Roseburia as well as short chain fatty acids levels in cecum (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The present results showed that Jianqu alleviated dyspeptic symptoms in HCHP mice possibly through reducing the duodenal leukocyte infiltration, and regulating the expression of gastrointestinal hormones. These effects may be partly related to the increasing cecal short chain fatty acids levels probably via gut microbial modulation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract Introduction Measurement of the largest basal dimension (LBD) of intraocular tumors is important as a prognostic parameter. To evaluate the potential value of true color ultra-widefield fundus photography for measuring tumors, we compared LBD measurements of choroidal and retinal tumors using a color ultra-widefield fundus camera with clinical estimation based on indirect ophthalmoscopy and standardized ophthalmic ultrasound. Methods The LBD of 148 choroidal and retinal tumors in 148 patients seen at Tongren Hospital were measured using ultra-widefield fundus photography and compared with measurements obtained using B-scan ultrasonography and clinical estimates based on indirect ophthalmoscopy. Results Paired t-tests and Bland–Altman plots reveal that measurements from ultra-widefield fundus photographic images are not statistically different from clinical estimates and ultrasound measurements. The results also showed that, although not statistically significant, when the tumor boundary was clear, the height was

Abstract Background Diagnosis and follow-up of retinal diseases may be improved if the thickness of the various retinal layers, in addition to the total retinal thickness, is taken into account. Here we measured the thickness of the macular retinal layers in a population-based study group to assess the normative values and their associations. Methods Using spectral-domain optical coherence tomographic images (Spectralis®, wavelength: 870 nm; Heidelberg Engineering Co, Heidelberg, Germany), we measured the thickness of the macular retinal layers in participants of the population-based Beijing Eye Study without ocular diseases and without systematic diseases, such as arterial hypertension, hyperlipidemia, diabetes mellitus, cardiovascular diseases, previous myocardial infarction, cerebral trauma and stroke. Segmentation and measurement of the retinal layers was performed automatically in each of the horizontal scans. Results The study included 384 subjects (mean age:60.0 ± 8.0 years). The mean thickness of the whole retina, outer plexiform layer, outer nuclear layer,retinal pigment epithelium, inner retinal layer and photoreceptor layer was 259.8 ± 18.9 μm, 19.4 ± 3.9 μm, 93.4 ± 9.6 μm, 17.6 ± 1.9 μm, 169.8 ± 18.6 μm, and 90.0 ± 4.2 μm, respectively. In multivariable analysis, the thickness of the foveola and of all retinal layers in the foveal, parafoveal and perifoveal region decreased with older age (all P

To assess relationships between carotid artery atherosclerosis and retinal arteriolar and venular diameters.The community-based longitudinal Asymptomatic Polyvascular Abnormalities Community Study (APAC) included a sub-population of the Kailuan study which consisted of 101,510 employees and retirees of a coal mining industry. Based on the Chinese National Census 2010 and excluding individuals with history of cerebrovascular ischemic events, 4004 individuals were included into the APAC. All participants underwent a detailed clinical examination including blood laboratory tests and carotid artery duplex ultrasound examination. The cerebrospinal fluid pressure (CSFP) was estimated using the formula: CSFP[mmHg] = 0.44xBody Mass Index[kg/m2]+0.16xDiastolic Blood Pressure[mmHg]-0.18 x Age[Years]-1.91.In multivariable analysis (goodness of fit r2:0.12), thicker retinal arteries were associated with a thinner common carotid artery intima-media thickness (IMT) (P = 0.002; standardized regression coefficient beta:-0.06; non-standardized regression coefficient B:-6.92;95% confidence interval (CI):-11.2,-2.61) after adjusting for thicker retinal nerve fiber layer (P