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Background: The aim of this study was to review current delivery room (DR) resuscitation intensity in Chinese tertiary neonatal intensive care units and to investigate the association between DR resuscitation intensity and short-term outcomes in preterm infants born at 24 +0 -31 +6  weeks' gestation age (GA)., Methods: This was a retrospective cross-sectional study. The source population was infants born at 24 +0 -31 +6  weeks' GA who were enrolled in the Chinese Neonatal Network 2019 cohort. Eligible infants were categorized into five groups: (1) regular care; (2) oxygen supplementation and/or continuous positive airway pressure (O 2 /CPAP); (3) mask ventilation; (4) endotracheal intubation; and (5) cardiopulmonary resuscitation (CPR). The association between DR resuscitation and short-term outcomes was evaluated by inverse propensity score-weighted logistic regression., Results: Of 7939 infants included in this cohort, 2419 (30.5%) received regular care, 1994 (25.1%) received O 2 /CPAP, 1436 (18.1%) received mask ventilation, 1769 (22.3%) received endotracheal intubation, and 321 (4.0%) received CPR in the DR. Advanced maternal age and maternal hypertension correlated with a higher need for resuscitation, and antenatal steroid use tended to be associated with a lower need for resuscitation (P < 0.001). Severe brain impairment increased significantly with increasing amounts of resuscitation in DR after adjusting for perinatal factors. Resuscitation strategies vary widely between centers, with over 50% of preterm infants in eight centers requiring higher intensity resuscitation., Conclusions: Increased intensity of DR interventions was associated with increased mortality and morbidities in very preterm infants in China. There is wide variation in resuscitative approaches across delivery centers, and ongoing quality improvement to standardize resuscitation practices is needed., (© 2023. The Author(s).)

The population structure of Protosalanx chinensis is affected by a variety of factors, including water environment, intraspecific differentiation, interspecific competition and commercial fishing. To investigate the growth performance and the current status of resource utilization of P. chinensis in two important fish farming grounds (Dalong Lake and Amuta Lake) in Daqing, Northeast China, we collected 1513 P. chinensis samples from April to December 2018 for measurement and recording the basic biological characteristics. We estimated the parameters including population growth, mortality and exploitation using Von Bertalanffy growth formula, Beverton-Holt model, Pauly's empirical formula and length-based Bayesian biomass estimation method. The results showed that the asymptotic body lengths of Dalong Lake ( n =660) and Amuta Lake ( n =853) populations were 183.75 and 169.10 mm, respectively. The growth performance indices were both 4.85, and the body mass growth equations were W t =29.29×(1-e -2.1( t +0.07) ) 3.2977 and W t =28.72×(1-e -2.5( t +0.07) ) 3.4168 , respectively. The ages at inflection were 0.49 a and 0.43 a, and the condition factors were 5.30×10 -4 ±1.38×10 -4 and 4.00×10 -4 ±1.61×10 -4 . The exploitation rates were 0.60 and 0.61, and the relative catch per unit of supplementation were 0.069 and 0.075, respectively. The current differences in population resources between Dalong Lake and Amuta Lake in Daqing were mainly manifested in the parameters related to growth characteristics. The main reason for such differences was changes in the survival conditions of P. chinensis populations after the period of dietary transition induced by the density differences.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the effect of mechanical ventilation guided by transpulmonary pressure in patients diagnosed with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS)., Materials and Methods: Randomized control trials of ARDS patients that received mechanical ventilation guided by transpulmonary pressure vs. mechanical ventilation guided by traditional lung protective ventilation strategies in adults were retrieved by two reviewers independently from PubMed, EMBASE, The Cochrane Library, The China National Knowledge Infrastructure, and WanFang database before October 2022. The protocol has been registered on PROSPERO (CRD42022307816). The primary outcome was mortality. The secondary outcomes included mechanical ventilation days, oxygenation function and ventilation parameters, hemodynamics, and cytokines level., Results: Thirteen articles (819 patients) were finally included through our search strategy. The total mortality (RR, 0.68; 95% CI, 0.54-0.85; p = 0.0006) and mechanical ventilation days (MD, -2.77; 95% CI, -4.60 - -0.94; p = 0.003) reduced when compared with the control group. Patients in the transpulmonary pressure group had higher oxygen index (MD, 40.74; 95% CI 9.81-71.68, p = 0.010) and lung compliance (MD, 7.98; 95% CI 4.55-11.41, p < 0.00001). Positive end-expiratory pressure (PEEP) was higher in the transpulmonary pressure group (MD, 5.47; 95% CI, 3.59 - 7.35; p < 0.00001). The Interlukin-6 (IL-6) level in the control group decreased obviously compared with that in the transpulmonary pressure group (SMD, -2.03; 95% CI, -3.50 - -0.56; p = 0.007)., Conclusions: Mechanical ventilation guided by transpulmonary pressure tended to have a beneficial prognosis on ARDS patients. Oxygenation and lung mechanics parameters were also improved. The clinical effect of mechanical ventilation directed by transpulmonary pressure was superior to the traditional lung protective ventilation strategies in ARDS patients.

Objective: To compare the curative effects of butterfly-shaped flap based on the dorsal branch of digital artery (hereinafter referred to as butterfly-shaped flap) and propeller flap based on the dorsal branch of digital artery (hereinafter referred to as propeller flap) in repairing the wound in volar aspect of finger. Methods: A retrospective cohort study was conducted. From August 2018 to April 2022, 16 patients with finger palmar wounds admitted to Ruijin Hospital of Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine and 7 patients with finger palmar wounds admitted to General Hospital of PLA Central Theater Command met the inclusion criteria, including 14 males and 9 females, aged 25 to 64 years. After debridement or resection of skin benign tumor, the wounds ranged from 0.5 cm×0.5 cm to 1.5 cm×1.5 cm. According to the different rotation axes of flap pedicle during wound repair, the patients were divided into butterfly-shaped flap group (8 cases) and propeller flap group (15 cases), and their wounds were repaired by butterfly-shaped flap (with area of 0.5 cm×0.5 cm-1.5 cm×1.3 cm) or propeller flap (with area of 0.7 cm×0.5 cm-1.5 cm×1.5 cm) , respectively. In propeller flap group, wounds in the donor sites were repaired by full-thickness skin grafts taken from the palms of wrists or the groin. The surgical time, postoperative complications, flap survival, and wound healing time of patients in the two groups were recorded. Data were statistically analyzed with independent sample t test, Mann Whitney U test, or Fisher's exact probability test. Results: The surgical time and postoperative wound healing time of patients in butterfly-shaped flap group ((43±9) min and (13.1±0.8) d, respectively) were both significantly shorter than those in propeller flap group ((87±16) min and (16.7±4.6) d, respectively, with t values of -7.03 and -2.86, respectively, P <0.05). The postoperative flap survival and complications of patients between the two groups were both similar ( P >0.05). Conclusions: For repairing the wound in volar aspect of finger, the butterfly-shaped flap has more advantages in comparison with the traditional propeller flap. The butterfly-shaped flap has a short surgical time and fast postoperative recovery, which is worthy of clinical promotion.

Four new C-11 monosaccharide attached dammarane triterpenoid glycosides cypaliurusides SV (1-4), along with nine known dammarane triterpenoid glycosides (5-13) were isolated from a CHCl 3 -soluble extract of the leaves of Cyclocarya paliurus. All characterized compounds were assayed for their cytotoxicities against HepG2 cells and 10 compounds were evaluated for the agonistic effects on sirtuin1 (SIRT1). The results showed that compounds 1, 5 and 6 were strongly cytotoxic in HepG2 cell line. Two dammarane triterpenoid glycosides 3 and 10 exhibited agonistic activities on SIRT1 with IC 50 of 10 μM and 20 μM, respectively., (Copyright © 2021. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Purpose : Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is one of the earliest inherited retinal dystrophies (IRD) that leads to blindness. To date, there have been 25 LCA-associated genes reported in China as well as other countries. The current study aimed to present the dominant molecular genetics and clinical features of LCA in the Han population of western China. Methods: Our study comprised 37 patients with strictly defined Leber congenital amaurosis in a cohort of IRD (2009-2019). The mutations were detected by targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS), Sanger sequencing, and segregation analysis. The patients underwent comprehensive clinical examinations, analysis of phenotypes and genotypes. Results: Out of the 37 patients, 34 harbored known LCA genes; the detection rate of mutations was 91.9%. Forty-seven different alleles incorporated 21 novel mutations; 8 were known LCA-associated genes. The three most frequently mutated genes included CRB1 (27.0%), RDH12 (24.3%), and RPGRIP1 (18.9%). The CRB1 -associated LCA showed a pigmented fundus; the RDH12 -associated LCA featured macular atrophy. Our results revealed that CRB1 and RPGRIP1 genes occupied a greater proportion in the western Chinese population. The proportion of these two genes was similar in other regions of China as well. The difference existed in a larger proportion of RDH12 -associated LCA in the western Chinese population. Conclusions: The new findings in our study group polished the spectrum of the novel mutations and phenotypes of LCA with regional and ethnic variations. This comprehensive database can provide essential information for gene therapies.

Clinical visual electrophysiological examination is a method that can objectively reflect visual function. It has become one of the important methods of ophthalmological examination, and the operation process has strict specifications. This article introduces the history, formulation and content of international clinical visual electrophysiological examination standards, which will help ophthalmologists understand the importance of the standardization of the operation process, so as to better promote and standardize the clinical visual electrophysiological examination in China. ( Chin J Ophthalmol, 2020, 56: 489-491) .

Vision is the receptive and cognitive process of converting light and pattern signals into nerve impulse signals. The main role of visual physiology is to elucidate the neural mechanism of vision. As an important part of visual physiology, visual electrophysiological examination, like electrocardiogram and electroencephalogram, is used to diagnose diseases through the bioelectrical phenomena generated during the activities of body organs and tissues. Since the founding of the People's Republic of China, remarkable achievements have been made in basic research, translational research and clinical research of visual physiology with more than 70 years of heritage and efforts. But there are still many unknown areas that need further exploration. Looking back at the development history will encourage us to forge ahead and make more contributions to visual physiology in China. Congratulations on the 70th anniversary of the founding of Chinese Journal of Ophthalmology. （Chin J Ophthalmol， 2020， 56: 481-488） .

Background: The USH2A gene encodes usherin, a basement membrane protein that is involved in the development and homeostasis of the inner ear and retina. Mutations in USH2A are linked to Usher syndrome type II (USH II) and non-syndromic retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Molecular diagnosis can provide insight into the pathogenesis of these diseases, facilitate clinical diagnosis, and identify individuals who can most benefit from gene or cell replacement therapy. Here, we report 21 pathogenic mutations in the USH2A gene identified in 11 Chinese families by using the targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology., Methods: In all, 11 unrelated Chinese families were enrolled, and NGS was performed to identify mutations in the USH2A gene. Variant analysis, Sanger validation, and segregation tests were utilized to validate the disease-causing mutations in these families., Results: We identified 21 pathogenic mutations, of which 13, including 5 associated with non-syndromic RP and 8 with USH II, have not been previously reported. The novel variants segregated with disease phenotype in the affected families and were absent from the control subjects. In general, visual impairment and retinopathy were consistent between the USH II and non-syndromic RP patients with USH2A mutations., Conclusions: These findings provide a basis for investigating genotype-phenotype relationships in Chinese USH II and RP patients and for clarifying the pathophysiology and molecular mechanisms of the diseases associated with USH2A mutations., (© 2020 The Author(s).)

Usher syndrome (USH) is the most common cause of combined blindness and deafness inherited in an autosomal recessive mode. Molecular diagnosis is of great significance in revealing the molecular pathogenesis and aiding the clinical diagnosis of this disease. However, molecular diagnosis remains a challenge due to high phenotypic and genetic heterogeneity in USH. This study explored an approach for detecting disease-causing genetic mutations in candidate genes in five index cases from unrelated USH families based on targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) technology. Through systematic data analysis using an established bioinformatics pipeline and segregation analysis, 10 pathogenic mutations in the USH disease genes were identified in the five USH families. Six of these mutations were novel: c.4398G > A and EX38-49del in MYO7A, c.988&#95;989delAT in USH1C, c.15104&#95;15105delCA and c.6875&#95;6876insG in USH2A. All novel variations segregated with the disease phenotypes in their respective families and were absent from ethnically matched control individuals. This study expanded the mutation spectrum of USH and revealed the genotype-phenotype relationships of the novel USH mutations in Chinese patients. Moreover, this study proved that targeted NGS is an accurate and effective method for detecting genetic mutations related to USH. The identification of pathogenic mutations is of great significance for elucidating the underlying pathophysiology of USH.

Purpose: To characterize the spectrum of CYP4V2 gene mutations in 92 unrelated Chinese probands with Bietti's crystalline dystrophy (BCD) and to describe the molecular and clinical characteristics of four novel CYP4V2 mutations associated with BCD., Methods: All study participants underwent a complete ophthalmological examination. Mutational screening of CYP4V2 coding regions and flanking intron sequences was examined via directional Sanger sequencing, with allele separation confirmed by screening other family members. Subsequent in silico analysis of the mutational consequence on protein function was undertaken, with the impact of the novel mutation on pre-mRNA splicing examined via RT-PCR., Results: Fifteen disease-causing variants were identified in 92 probands with BCD, including four novel mutations and eleven previously reported mutations. The most prevalent mutation was c.802&#95;810del17insGC, which was detected in 69 unrelated families, with an allele frequency of 52.7% (97/184). Homozygosity was revealed in 35 unrelated families, and compound heterozygosity was observed in 43 subjects. Four patients harbored four novel variants, with these mutations cosegregated within all affected individuals and were not found in unaffected family members and 100 unrelated controls. Transcriptional analysis of a novel splice mutation revealed altered RNA splicing. In silico analysis predicted that the missense variant, p.Tyr343Asp, disrupted the CYP4V2 surface electrostatic potential distribution and spatial conformation. Among the patients with four novel mutations, genotype did not always correlate with age at onset, disease course, or electroretinogram (ERG) changes, with phenotypic variations even noted within the same genotype., Conclusions: The c.802&#95;810del17insCG mutation was the most common mutation in the 92 Chinese probands with BCD examined. Four novel mutations were identified, contributing to the spectrum of CYP4V2 mutations associated with BCD, with no clear link established between disease phenotype and genotype.

Background: The aim of this study was to screen for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in southwestern China and understand the prevalence and risk factors of ROP, which may provide evidence useful in the prevention and treatment of ROP., Material/methods: 1864 preterm infants (gestational age of <37 weeks and birth weight of ≤2500 g) underwent ROP screening from January 2009 to November 2012 in Southwest China. The medical information of infants during perinatal period was reviewed, and risk factors of ROP were determined. A total of 1614 infants were recruited for final analysis., Results: Incidence of ROP was 12.8%. The first, second, third, and fourth stage of ROP was found in 64.6%, 29.6%, 3.4%, and 0.5% of infants, respectively. No fifth stage of ROP was observed. In addition, 7.7% of infants required surgical intervention. In our Department of Neonatology, the incidence of ROP was 20.0%, which was significantly higher than in non-hospitalized patients (9.9%). The incidence of ROP remained unchanged over the years. Independent risk factors of ROP included low birth weight (p=0.049), low gestational age (p=0.008), days of oxygen supplementation (p=0.008), and myocardial injury after birth (p=0.001)., Conclusions: The prevalence of ROP in preterm infants is relatively high in Southwest China, and low birth weight, low gestational age, days of oxygen supplementation, and myocardial injury after birth are independent risk factors for ROP.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and causes of blindness and moderate and severe visual impairment among adults aged 50 years or above in Yongchuan of Chongqing City, China., Methods: It was a population-based cross-section study.Geographically defined cluster sampling was used in randomly selecting 5663 individuals aged ≥ 50 years in Yongchuan District. The survey was preceded by a pilot study where operational methods were refined and quality assurance evaluation was carried out. All participants were enumerated through village registers followed door-to-door visits.Eligible individuals were invited to receive visual acuity measurement and eye examination. Prevalence of blindness and moderate and severe visual impairment was calculated according to different age, gender or education. And the reasons of blindness were analyzed.Statistical analyses were performed using Stata/SE Statistical Software, release 9.0. Chi-square test was used to investigate the association of age, gender and education with presenting and best corrected visual acuity., Results: Five thousands six hundreds and sixty-three individuals were enumerated and 5390 persons were examined, the response rate was 95.18%. Based on the criteria of World Health Organization visual impairment classification in 1973, the prevalence of blindness and moderate and severe visual impairment defined as best corrected visual acuity was 2.12% (114/5390) and 5.40% (291/5390) respectively. The prevalence of blindness and moderate and severe visual impairment defined as presenting visual acuity was 2.49% (134/5390) and 10.71% (577/5390) respectively. The prevalence of blindness and moderate and severe visual impairment was higher in aged (trend χ(2) = 951.32, P = 0.000) , female (χ(2) = 33.35, P = 0.000) and illiterate (trend χ(2) equals; 141.32, P = 0.000) persons. Cataract was still the first leading cause of blindness and visual impairment.Un-corrected refractive error also was the main cause of visual impairment., Conclusions: The prevalence of blindness and moderate and severe visual impairment is relatively higher among older adults aged 50 years or above in Yongchuan District. The first leading cause of blindness and visual impairment is still cataract.

Background: The present study investigated the prevalence of refractive error, visual impairment, and eye diseases in school-aged children in western China., Methods: The survey was done in a representative county (Yongchuan District, Chongqing Municipality) of western China. Cluster random sampling was used to select children aged 6 to 15 years. We conducted door-to-door surveys and eye examinations including optometry, stereoscopic vision test, eye position and eye movement, slit lamp examination of the anterior segment, retinoscopy, and fundus examination after cycloplegia with 1% cyclopentolate., Results: Among 3469 children, data were available for 3079 (88.76%). The prevalences of eye diseases were, in descending order, refractive error (20.69%; 637/3079), conjunctivitis (11.76%; 362/3079), amblyopia (1.88%; 58/3079), color vision defect (0.52%; 16/3079), keratitis (0.36%; 11/3079), strabismus (0.29%; 9/3079), cataract (0.23%; 7/3079), pathologic myopia (0.19%; 6/3079), and ocular trauma (0.13%; 4/3079). The prevalence of corneal leucoma, corneal staphyloma, optic neuropathy, macular degeneration, and myelinated nerve fibers was 0.03% (1/3079) for each. The prevalence of visual impairment was 7.70% (237/3079), and the major causes of visual impairment were uncorrected refractive error (86.08%; 204/237), amblyopia (9.70%; 23/237), pathologic myopia (1.27%; 3/237), congenital cataract (0.42%; 1/237), and others (2.11%; 5/237)., Conclusions: Among school-aged children in a less developed area of western China, refractive error was the most prevalent eye disorder, and uncorrected refractive error was the main cause of visual impairment.

From February to May 2010, an outbreak of disease occurred amongst farmed Chinese giant salamanders (Andrias davidianus) in Hanzhong County, Shanxi Province, China. Clinical signs included anorexia, lethargy, ecchymoses and swollen areas on the head and limbs, and skin ulceration. The aim of this study was to determine the cause of this disease. Necropsy examination revealed subcutaneous and intramuscular oedema, swollen and pale livers with multifocal haemorrhage, swollen kidneys with multifocal haemorrhage and distended fluid-filled intestines with areas of haemorrhage. Light microscopy revealed intracytoplasmic inclusions suggestive of a viral infection in a variety of organs, as well as degeneration and necrosis of these organs. Electron microscopy of ultrathin sections of the same tissues revealed iridovirus-like particles within the inclusions. Of the six specimens tested, all were positive for ranavirus major capsid protein (MCP) gene. Sequence alignments of the ranavirus MCP gene from these specimens showed 95-98% similarity with published ranavirus data. The virus, provisionally designated as Chinese giant salamander virus (CGSV), was isolated from tissue homogenates of diseased salamanders following inoculation of epithelioma papilloma cyprini cells. Sequence analysis of the MCP genes showed that the isolated virus was a ranavirus with marked sequence identity to other members of the genus Ranavirus. Koch's postulates were fulfilled by infecting healthy Chinese giant salamanders with the CGSV. These salamanders all died within 6-8 days. This is the first report of ranavirus infection associated with mass mortality in Chinese giant salamanders., (Copyright © 2010. Published by Elsevier Ltd.)

Purpose: To investigate the prevalence and visual acuity (VA) outcomes of cataract surgery in rural populations throughout China., Design: Population-based, cross-sectional study., Participants: Forty-five thousand seven hundred forty-seven adults 50 years of age and older., Methods: Geographically defined cluster sampling was used in randomly selecting a cross-section of residents from a representative rural county within each of 9 provinces in mainland China. Participants underwent VA measurements, refraction, and a slit-lamp examination at local examination sites; those with previous cataract surgery were queried as to the year and type of surgical facility. Surgical procedure and evidence of surgery complications were noted during the examination. The principal cause of visual impairment was identified for eyes with VA of 20/40 or worse., Main Outcome Measures: Cataract surgery procedure, presenting and best-corrected distance VA, and causes of visual impairment., Results: Of 50 395 enumerated eligible persons, 45 747 (90.8%) were examined and tested for VA. The overall prevalence of cataract surgery was 2.09%. Surgical coverage among those with VA worse than 20/200 in both eyes because of cataract was 35.7%. Unoperated cataract was associated with older age, female gender, lack of education, and geographic area (province). Among the 1174 cataract-operated eyes, 31.1% had presenting VA of 20/32 or better, 15.4% had presenting VA of 20/40 to 20/63, 30.0% had presenting VA worse than 20/63 to 20/200, and 23.5% had presenting VA worse than 20/200. With best correction, the percentages were 57.6%, 6.2%, 18.5%, and 17.7%, respectively. Posterior capsule opacification, refractive error, and retinal disorders were the main causes in cataract-operated eyes with VA worse than 20/63., Conclusions: Two thirds of those with bilateral visual impairment or blindness because of cataract remain in need of sight-restoring surgery. Posterior capsule opacification and refractive error, both readily amenable to treatment, were common in cataract-operated eyes. Sustained government efforts to provide access to affordable modern cataract surgery with a greater emphasis on postoperative follow-up and the quality of VA outcomes are needed., Financial Disclosure(s): The author(s) have no proprietary or commercial interest in any materials discussed in this article., (Copyright © 2010 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Objective: This study investigated the distribution pattern of refractive status and prevalence of refractive errors in school-age children in Western China to determine the possible environmental factors., Methods: A random sampling strategy in geographically defined clusters was used to identify children aged 6-15 years in Yongchuan, a socio-economically representative area in Western China. We carried out a door-to-door survey and actual eye examinations, including visual acuity measurements, stereopsis examination, anterior segment and eyeball movements, fundus examinations, and cycloplegic retinoscopy with 1% cyclopentolate., Results: A total of 3469 children living in 2552 households were selected, and 3070 were examined. The distributions of refractive status were positively-skewed for 6-8-year-olds, and negatively-skewed for 9-12 and 13-15-year-olds. The prevalence of hyperopia (≥+2.00 D spherical equivalent [SE]), myopia (≤-0.50 D SE), and astigmatism (≥1.00 diopter of cylinder [DC]) were 3.26%, 13.75%, and 3.75%, respectively. As children's ages increased, the prevalence rate of hyperopia decreased (P<0.001) and that of myopia increased significantly (P<0.001). Children in academically challenging schools had a higher risk of myopia (P<0.001) and astigmatism (≥1.00DC, P =0.04) than those in regular schools., Conclusion: The distribution of refractive status changes gradually from positively-skewed to negatively-skewed distributions as age increases, with 9-year-old being the critical age for the changes. Environmental factors and study intensity influence the occurrence and development of myopia.

The main mission of visual physiology is to elucidate the neuromechanism of vision. The basic characters in visual process are the electrochemical changes of cell membrane and the active potential which transmits along neuraxon. This visual bioelectricity changes can be recorded by using visual stimulus, surface electrode and amplified recording apparatus. Clinical electrophysiology examination of vision has been an important clinical examination technique in ophthalmology. This technique provides a non-traumatic, objective, quantitative and location-detecting visual function examination procedure that can inspect visual path from the retina to visual cortex. Recently, visual physiology has gained noticeable development in basic research and clinical application. This article summarizes the development in this field.

Purpose: Describe the prevalence of visual impairment/blindness among older adults in rural populations in China., Design: Population-based, cross-sectional study., Participants: We evaluated 45 747 adults > or =50 years of age., Methods: Geographically defined cluster sampling was used in randomly selecting a cross-section of residents from a representative rural county within each of 9 provinces in mainland China. Participants were enumerated through village registers followed by door-to-door household visits. Eligible persons were invited to local examination sites for visual acuity (VA) testing and eye examination., Main Outcome Measures: Presenting and best-corrected distance VA., Results: Of 50 395 enumerated eligible persons, 45 747 (90.8%) were examined and tested for VA. The prevalence of presenting visual impairment <20/63 to > or =20/400 in the better eye was 10.8% and blindness (<20/400) was 2.29%. Across the 9 provinces, presenting visual impairment ranged from 6.89% to 15.8%, and blindness from 1.27% to 5.40%. With best-corrected VA, the prevalence of visual impairment was 5.30%, and 1.93% for blindness. The ranges across the 9 provinces were 3.13% to 9.51% for visual impairment and 0.74% to 4.95% for blindness. Visual impairment and blindness were associated with older age, female gender, lack of education, and geographic area (province) with both presenting and best-corrected VA., Conclusions: Visual impairment and blindness are important public health problems in rural China, with significant regional variations in prevalence. Blindness prevention programs targeting the rural elderly should be expanded, particularly in areas with limited access and affordability of eye care services. Special emphasis should be given to reaching women and those without education. Greater attention should also be given to correction of refractive error., (Copyright 2010 American Academy of Ophthalmology. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Two new eremophilanolides, sibiriolides A (1) and B (2), were isolated from the aerial parts of Xanthium sibiricum. The structures of the new compounds were identified as 4S,5R,7R,8R, 11R-2-oxo-1(10)-eremophilen-12,8-olide (1) and 4S,5R,7R,8R,11S-2-oxo-1(10)-eremophilen-12,8-olide (2) by HREIMS and NMR spectroscopic techniques in combination with X-ray crystallographic analysis and CD measurements.

Retinitis pigmentosa is a very heterogeneous group of retinal degenerations, with multiple genes identified in each mode of inheritance. For autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (ADRP), the most common gene is the rhodopsin (RHO) gene, mutations in which contribute to about 25% of ADRP in Caucasian population. To investigate the frequency and pattern of RHO point mutations in Chinese patients with ADRP, we have screened the five coding exons and splice sites of the RHO gene in 50 unrelated probands from Chinese ADRP families and 100 normal controls to identify disease-associated mutations, using conformation sensitive gel electrophoresis (CSGE) and direct DNA sequencing. Two RHO mutations, Pro347Leu and Pro327 (1-bp del), were identified each in one family, thus the frequency of RHO mutations among ADRP families in this study is less than 14% (2/50=4%, 95% confidence interval: 1-14%), lower than that in Europe and North America, which may reflect an ethnic difference between Chinese and Caucasian populations. Loss of all phosphorylation sites at the C-terminus and a highly conserved sequence QVS(A)PA may occur because of Pro327(1-bp del). CSGE was found to be a sensitive, simple and practical method for the screening of a large number of samples under highly reproducible conditions, and could be utilized in routine molecular diagnostic laboratories.