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Enriched tungsten-186 oxide is one of the stable isotope products of tungsten. It is used to prepare the radioactive medical isotope product 188WO3, which can be used as the target material of 188W/188Re generator to produce medical 188Re isotope product, so as to meet the increasing requirements of biomedical markers, bone cancer treatment and other medical related fields. In order to satisfy the current market demand for 186WO3, the preparation process of 186WO3 with tungsten-186 hexafluoride (186WF6) as the raw material was studied and determined. The key parameters of preparation processes were systematically optimized, and the influence of essential parameters on the 186WO3 product purity and process yield was obtained, which determined the optimal process parameters. Finally, the high conversion rate process route was achieved, and the enriched 186WO3 products were obtained. The chemical purity of 186WO3 can reach 99.91%-99.93% with the process yield of 89.8%-90.5% under the optimal process conditions. The research consequences of this article can provide a theoretical and experimental basis for the batch preparation of 186WO3, and give the technical reference for the process of preparing metal oxides from other similar gas-phase fluorides.

BackgroundThe calibration of radon measuring instruments is the most important and key technical link to ensure the reliability and accuracy of radon observation data and plays a vital role in seismic monitoring and prediction.PurposeThis study aims to obtain a calibration method suitable for the calibration of newly connected seismic water radon monitor according to the National Metrological Verification Regulations for Radon Meters (JJG825-2013), the calibration experiment is carried out for the analog radon observatory (manual), which is newly adopted by the seismic network, and the calibration method suitable for the seismic water radon observation is obtained.MethodsFirstly, the FD-125 radon-thorium analyzer was used as the experimental instrument, the calibration experiments were carried out in the standard radon chamber by three calibration methods: circulation method, vacuum method, and flow-gas method. Then, the volume response coefficients of three methods were calculated, and the uncertainty sources and mathematical models were analyzed according to JJG825—2013 regulation. Measured values by internationally recognized standard AlphaGUARDPQ2000Pro radon meter were taken as theoretical references of radon concentration for radon chambers, hence the uncertainties of three calibration methods were obtained.ResultsThe results show that the circulation calibration method has the highest detection efficiency and fewer influencing factors, and is suitable for manual and digital radon detector calibration. The vacuum calibration method is affected by the standard radon gas diluted by pipeline gas and pressure balance, resulting in low negative pressure sampling efficiency and high volume activity response coefficient R. As for the flow-gas calibration method, the continuous injecting of radon gas into the scintillation chamber affects the dynamic stability of radon gas in the scintillation chamber, and radon gas is not discharged to the background during calibration, resulting in the high volume activity response coefficient R and high intrinsic error.ConclusionsThe cyclic method is more suitable for the calibration of new seismic water radon observatories, and this study provides a reference for the calibration of other new water radon observatories and gas radon observatories.

Soil transfer and loss on the surface of terrain with karst topography due to fissures or caves in carbonate rocks, together with rainwater infiltration is a universal phenomenon. The degree of soil loss increases with increases in combined geological conformation movement, physical and chemical weathering, and corrosion. The combined action of underground soil leakage and surface erosion can lead to changes in the karst ecosystem and degeneration of soil and vegetation. Establishment of a grading standard for underground soil leakage is essential for assessing and analyzing degradation of karst ecosystems. For this purpose, a field study was conducted in Karst Mountain located in Liannan County, covering eight surfaces fractured by mining and road building, over 40 quadrats in Karst Hill, and the needle area of Yanbei town, Jiulong town, and Yingde city, north of Guangdong province. Based on field survey, we had got basic data, including data on 56 fissures, 40 doline funnels, and some karst caves in fractured surfaces, in addition,together with research results and survey data collected over 10 years in the Karst Mountains, hill, and needle Karst landscape, a grading standard for underground soil leakage, and a reference index for landscape characteristics of Karst mountain surfaces were set and discussed. (1) Three primary indices (fissure, karst cave, and doline funnel) and nine secondary indicators (connecting fissures between Karst caves, area ratio of fissures to fracture surfaces, fissure density, type of Karst cave, quantity of Karst caves, Karst cave location, doline funnel depth to width ratio, doline funnel shape, and fissure development surrounding a doline funnel) were selected. Underground leakage was stratified into four levels: no soil leakage, light soil leakage, moderate soil leakage, and serious soil leakage. The pathway of soil leakage, stage, relevance among all indicators, survey data from all fracture surfaces, and easily obtained index data were fully considered before selecting indices and standard data. Indicators were quantized to the extent possible, but were also combined with some qualitative indices to ensure practical grading of underground leakage. (2) Key features of karst landscape and data, including rock type, geomorphic features, landform, extent of uncovered rock, vegetation form, vegetation structure, vegetation coverage, and soil depth were selected to construct a reference index for determining landscape characteristics of the Karst mountain surface as an auxiliary index to the grading standard for underground leakage. A combination of these two sets of evaluation criteria will contribute to the development of an intact karst ecosystem evaluation method that is fully integrated with the assessment systems for rocky desertification. (3) This new evaluation criterion system for underground soil leakage will contribute to the overall assessment of karst ecosystems, especially for assessments of water and soil loss in road building, mining, and ecological environment construction, and can help us to draft a scientifically sound environmental governance policy for karst ecosystem resource utilization. These results will support further studies on karst ecosystems and more comprehensive evaluation of degraded karst environments.

Objective: To obtain the optimal enzyme and preparation process for Schisandra chinensis protein peptides and investigate its in vitro antioxidant activity. Methods: Seven proteases were used to hydrolyze Schisandra chinensis protein. Based on the degree of hydrolysis, free radical scavenging activity, polypeptide yield and content of different hydrolysates of Schisandra chinensis protein and the comprehensive evaluation of molecular weight in SDS-PAGE, the optimal protease was screened. The DPPH free radical scavenging rate was used as the index, and the optimal enzymatic hydrolysis process was determined by single factor test combined with response surface analysis. The scavenging ability of O2-*, *OH, DPPH*, ABTS+*, Fe2+ chelating ability and Fe3+ reducing ability of Schisandrae chinensis protein peptides were analyzed and compared with Schisandra chinensis protein. Results: The optimum enzyme for the preparation of Schisandra chinensis protein peptides was alkaline protease. The optimum enzymatic hydrolysis parameters were as follows: substrate concentration 5%, enzyme-to-substrate ratio 1%, enzymatic hydrolysis time 3 h, enzymatic hydrolysis temperature 55 °C, pH9.0. Under these conditions, the polypeptide content was 88.61%, the degree of hydrolysis was 24.21%, and the DPPH* scavenging rate was 86.96%. The free radical scavenging ability and reducing ability of Schisandrae chinensis protein peptides were better than those of Schisandrae chinensis protein. Conclusion: This study determined the optimum enzyme and hydrolysis process of Schisandrae chinensis protein peptides, and pointed out that Schisandrae chinensis protein peptides had better antioxidant activity in vitro and could be used as a natural antioxidant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

It is researched on the carbon dioxide emission and carbon reduction pathway of dry-mixed mortars, by researching the actual production data of a dry mixed mortar factory and its preliminary research and implementation results in carbon emission reduction, combining with relevant literature as well as statistics of Chinese dry-mixed industry. The carbon dioxide emissions of ordinary cementious dry-mixed mortars, special cementious dry-mixed mortars, water-resistant putty and plastering gypsum is respectively 141,297,274,and 126kgCO2/t by life-circle assessments, and the main factors is respectively cement (65%),cement (74%), calcium hydroxide (71%), building plaster and its transportation (49%). The carbon dioxide emissions of dry-mixed mortars production and its transportation is small; as for ordinary and special dry-mixed mortars it is respectively about 12.5 and 20 kgCO2/t. The carbon dioxide emissions of Chinese dry-mixed mortars industry in 2020 is about 2.9 million tons. Annual carbon dioxide emission reduction of this dry-mixed mortars factory is about 100 000 tons in 2020 by adopting a variety of carbon reduction pathway. The carbon dioxide emissions of dry-mixed mortars could be significantly reduced by using solid wastes and thin layer construction. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To enhance the performance of PPC and reduce the degradation speed of calcium sulphate hydrate (CSH), the PPC/CSH composites were prepared by a melt-blending method, andtheir mechanical properties and degradability were investigated. The results indicated that the CSH prepared by a high-pressure hydrothermal salt solution method was a semihydrate of calcium sulfate with a fibrous structure and large ratio of length to diameter, which made it suitable for the enhancement of polymer. The mechanical test results indicated that the introduction of CSH could improve the tensile strength and bending strength of PPC composites significantly, and however the elongation at break of the composites decreased gradually with an increase of CSH content. After added into PPC, the CSH still kept a good biological activity without any change in its crystalline structure. Morphological investigation indicated that the CSH was well dispersed in the matrix at a low content due to good compatibility, but an aggregation occurred at a high loading of CSH. The degradation rate of CSH was found to decrease significantly after blending with PPC, and its degradation rate could be well controlled. Moreover, the mechanical properties of PPC/ CSH composites were improved. These results confirmed a good potential for the bone-repairing application of PPC/CSH composites. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To investigate the effects of using a high monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA) and low carbohydrate formula on blood glucose levels and diarrhea treatment effects in critically ill neurological patients., Methods: A self-controlled before-and-after study design was employed, with 13 patients admitted to the neurology intensive care unit (ICU) of the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University from November to December 2023, who were treated with a high MUFA and low carbohydrate formula [Glucerna enteral nutrition (EN) preparation]. Changes in blood glucose parameters within 7 days before and after the use of Glucerna EN preparation were analyzed, including standard deviation (SD) of blood glucose, mean blood glucose (MG), median blood glucose, mean amplitude of glycemic excursions (MAGE), largest amplitude of glycemic excursions (LAGE), coefficient of variation (CV) of blood glucose, the incidence of hyperglycemia (> 7.8 mmol/L) and severe hyperglycemia (> 13.9 mmol/L), and daily insulin dose. Changes in total protein (TP), albumin (ALB), hemoglobin (Hb), C-reactive protein (CRP), and white blood cell count (WBC) were observed before and after intervention. Improvement in diarrhea symptoms, Hart diarrhea score, Bristol Stool classification score, and incontinence dermatitis classification were also analyzed before and after the use of Glucerna EN preparation., Results: A total of 13 critically ill neurological patients were enrolled, among whom 9 patients had a history of hyperglycemia and 8 patients had diarrhea symptoms. After intervention with Glucerna, the patients' SD of blood glucose, MG, median blood glucose, MAGE, LAGE, CV of blood glucose, incidence of hyperglycemia, incidence of severe hyperglycemia, and daily insulin dose were all lower than those before the intervention [SD of blood glucose (mmol/L): 1.83±1.11 vs. 2.10±1.13, MG (mmol/L): 8.87±2.03 vs. 9.75±1.37, median blood glucose (mmol/L): 9.12±1.67 vs. 10.17±0.48, MAGE (mmol/L): 0.66±0.31 vs. 0.78±0.32, LAGE (mmol/L): 4.95±3.64 vs. 5.58±3.10, CV of blood glucose: 16.00% (11.00%, 28.50%) vs. 18.00% (12.50%, 27.50%), hyperglycemia incidence: 47.31% vs. 74.66%, severe hyperglycemia incidence: 6.08% vs. 6.71%, daily insulin dose (U): 5.25 (0.00, 32.59) vs. 20.76 (0.00, 66.88)], with a significant decrease in daily insulin dose after the intervention (P < 0.05); TP, ALB, Hb, CRP and WBC showed no significant changes before and after the intervention with Glucerna EN preparation. The improvement time of diarrhea symptoms after intervention was (3.50±1.41) days, and the Hart diarrhea score on the seventh day after intervention (4.88±3.48 vs. 10.00±3.38) and the Bristol Stool classification score on the third and seventh days after intervention (5.87±0.35, 5.50±0.53 vs. 6.50±0.53) were significantly lower than before the intervention (all P < 0.05). Before the intervention with Glucerna EN preparation, the classification of incontinence dermatitis was mainly classified as Grade 2 severity (71.43%); after the intervention, it significantly improved by the seventh day, with Grade 1 being the main classification (57.14%)., Conclusions: The high MUFA and low carbohydrate formula has a positive effect on blood glucose control and diarrhea treatment in critically ill neurological patients.

Objective: To observe the incidence of spinal cord injury (SCI) following aortic surgery in Fuwai Hospital of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences, and evaluate the effect of standardized multidisciplinary spinal cord protection strategies, to summarize the experience in the prevention and treatment of SCI at perioperative period of aortic surgery., Methods: The clinical data of patients underwent aortic surgery admitted to vascular center of Fuwai Hospital from January 2011 to December 2018 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients receiving traditional spinal cord protection strategies from January 2011 to December 2016 were defined as the control group, while the patients receiving standardized multidisciplinary spinal cord protection strategies from January 2017 to December 2018 were defined as the standardized treatment group. The standardized multidisciplinary treatment included preoperative cerebrospinal fluid drainage (CSFD), respiratory tract management, and maintenance of effective circulation of the lowest venous pressure; at the same time, anticoagulation, glucocorticoid, improve microcirculation, scavenge oxygen free radicals and other adjuvant treatments were started, and nerve function was monitored to prevent complications. The changes in SCI incidence after aortic surgery between the two groups were observed in order to evaluate the effect of standardized multidisciplinary spinal cord protection strategies. Meanwhile, the types of SCI after operation and the safety of CSFD were analyzed., Results: During the 8-year period, 7 724 patients underwent aortic surgery at vascular center of Fuwai Hospital, 64 of which suffered from SCI after aortic surgery with total incidence of 0.83%. The onset of SCI was immediate in 39 patients (60.94%) and was delayed in 25 patients (39.06%), more than half of patients were immediate SCI. Of 64 patients with SCI, 52 patients (81.25%) underwent paraplegia and 12 (18.75%) underwent paraparesis. SCI persisted beyond discharge in 38 patients (59.38%) and 25 patients (39.06%) fully or partly recovered form SCI. One patient (1.56%) died. Compared with the control group, the incidence of SCI was decreased significantly after application of standardized multidisciplinary spinal cord protection strategies. The total incidence of SCI after aortic surgery was decreased from 1.06% (52/4 893) to 0.42% (12/2 831), the incidence after aortic arch replacement under deep hypothermic circulatory arrest was decreased from 3.66% (40/1 092) to 1.11% (5/450), and the incidence after thoraco-abdominal aortic replacement was decreased from 9.40% (11/117) to 2.47% (2/81) with statistically significant difference (all P < 0.05). Perioperative CSFD analysis showed that the incidence of CSFD-related complications was low, the overall incidence was 5.45% (3/55), including 1 patient of cerebrospinal fluid leakage, 2 patients of blood cerebrospinal fluid. No serious complications such as hemorrhage and infection of central nervous system occurred., Conclusions: The main type of SCI after aortic surgery was immediate, about 39% SCI patients fully or partly recovered. Standardized multidisciplinary spinal cord protection strategies which included preoperative CSFD, reduced incidence of SCI after aortic surgery. The incidence of CSFD-related complications was low, which was safe and effective.

Objective: To investigate the incidence and risk factors of the complications in perioperative intra-aortic balloon pump (IABP) supported cardiac surgical patients., Methods: The clinical data of adult cardiac surgery patients undergoing IABP in Fuwai Hospital from January 2005 to January 2017 were enrolled. The patients were divided into complications group and no complications group. Demographic characteristics, diagnosis, perioperative clinical parameters, IABP related data, and IABP complications (including ischemia, bleeding, vascular injury and mechanical problems) were collected. The incremental risk factors of complications related IABP were analyzed by logistic regression., Results: During the 12-year period, 522 patients received IABP support, with 388 male and 134 female; the mean age was (61.79±9.35) years; the complications related to IABP occurred in 25 patients, and overall complication rate was 4.79%; 87 IABP patients were dead in-hospital, the overall mortality was 16.67%, no patient died due to complications. The complications rate was higher in the female patients (40.00% vs. 24.95%), and was more in patients with age≥65 years old (80.00% vs. 38.03%), more with higher body mass index [BMI (kg/m 2 ): 25.45±13.71 vs. 22.95±3.45], diabetes mellitus (44.00% vs. 26.76%), combination treatment with extra-corporeal membranous oxygenation (ECMO: 20.00% vs. 5.03%) and prolonged IABP support time (hours: 134.4±90.3 vs. 109.8±89.1, all P < 0.05). There was no significant difference in the incidence of complications among preoperative IABP support, intra-operative IABP support and post-operative IABP support [3.30% (3/91), 5.46% (10/183), 4.84% (12/248), χ 2 = 0.629, P = 0.730]. Bleeding from puncture site occurred in 14 cases (2.68%) without severe bleeding. Limb ischemia occurred in 9 cases (1.72%). One patient (0.19%) was under another surgery because of retroperitoneal hemorrhage caused by vascular injury. One patient (0.19%) was unsuccessful due to a balloon leak. It was shown by logistic regression analysis that presence of age ≥ 65 years [odds ratio (OR) = 2.320, 95% confidence interval (95%CI) = 1.011-1.806, P = 0.047], diabetes mellitus (OR = 2.281, 95%CI = 1.016-5.120, P = 0.026) and combination treatment with ECMO (OR = 4.341, 95%CI = 1.240-15.196, P = 0.040) were found to be the risk factors of complications related to IABP., Conclusions: IABP complication rates are generally low. The frequent complications during IABP support is bleeding from site of catheterization and limb ischemia. When patients were treated with IABP, those with older age, diabetes mellitus and combination with ECMO should be monitored closely in order to reduce complications.

Objective: To explore the effectiveness of rigid interlocking nails through the tip of the greater trochanter for fixation of femur shaft fracture in adolescent., Methods: A retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 23 adolescents with femoral shaft fractures treated between June 2011 and June 2015. Of 23 cases, 19 were male and 4 were female, aged from 13 years and 6 months to 17 years (mean, 15.2 years), weighed from 40 to 77 kg (mean, 53.5 kg). The causes were traffic accident injury in 13 cases, sports injury in 7 cases, and falling injury in 3 cases. Fracture located at the proximal 1/3 in 6 cases, middle 1/3 in 10 cases, and distal 1/3 in 7 cases; fracture was typed as transverse in 10 cases, oblique in 6 cases, spiral in 1 case, and comminuted in 6 cases. The course of disease was 3-17 days (mean, 6.2 days). At last follow-up, the leg length discrepancy, femoral neck shaft angle, femoral neck diameter, and articulotrochanteric distance (ATD) were measured on the X-ray films., Results: Wounds healed in all patients, and no infection occurred. All patients were followed up 15-36 months (mean, 26.5 months). The patients had no pain and had normal gait, without lameness. The X-ray films showed bone healing at 5-13 months (mean, 6.5 months). No nonunion, delayed union, malunion of more than 5 °, or rotational deformity occurred. The removal time of internal fixations was 12-24 months (mean, 19.5 months) after operation. No heterotopic ossification, re-fracture, proximal femoral deformity, or femoral head necrosis occurred during follow-up. Two patients had early epiphyseal closure of greater trochanter, which had no impact on gait; leg-length inequality of less than 1 cm was observed in 2 cases. At last follow-up, the neck shaft angle, femoral neck diameter, and ATD of normal and affected sides were (131.7±6.3) and (132.9±7.8)°, (34.1±3.2) and (33.9±3.8) mm, and (27.8±9.2) and (26.5±8.5) mm, showing no significant difference between two sides ( t =-0.24, P =0.86; t =0.18, P =0.92; t =1.03, P =0.49)., Conclusion: It is a reliable and effective method to use rigid interlocking nails inserted through the tip of the greater trochanter for the fixation of femur shaft fracture in adolescent.

Objective: To discuss the treatment method and effectiveness of Seymour fracture in children and adolescents., Methods: Between January 2013 and November 2015, 26 children and adolescents with Seymour fractures were treated. There were 18 males and 8 females, aged from 1 year and 1 month to 17 years (median, 8.2 years). The injury causes included crush in 14 cases, bruise in 10 cases, and puncture in 2 cases. The thumb was involved in 2 cases, index finger in 1 case, middle finger in 12 cases, ring finger in 6 cases, and little finger in 5 cases. The time from injury to operation was 1-15 hours (mean, 3.2 hours). The patients underwent debridement, nail removal, nail matrix repair, closed reduction and osteosynthesis with Kirschner wires, and splinting in emergency. Kirschner wires and splints were removed at 4 weeks after surgery, and functional exercises were done., Results: All wounds healed by first intention without infection. The follow-up duration was 2-24 months (mean, 12.3 months). The fracture healing was obtained at 1-2 months (mean, 1.4 months) on X-ray film, and no complications of nonunion, malunion, re-displacement, premature epiphyseal closure, or no growth of the nails occurred. Nail deformity developed in 1 case and no re-operation was given. At last follow-up, 1 patient had 10° extension limitation of the distal interphalangeal joint, but the flexion was normal. The motion range of distal interphalangeal joint was 0-75°, showing no significant difference when compared with that of contralateral side (0-78°)., Conclusions: The effectiveness for treating Seymour fracture is satisfactory by debridement, nail removal, nail matrix repair, closed reduction and osteosynthesis with Kirschner wires, and splinting in emergency.

Objective: To investigate the classification and treatment of Monteggia equivalent fractures in children., Methods: A retrospective analysis was made on the clinical data of 35 cases of Monteggia equivalent fractures between January 2008 and January 2012. There were 17 boys and 18 girls with an average age of 7 years and 5 months (range, 1 year and 2 months to 14 years and 11 months). The causes of injury were tumbling injury in 25 cases, falling injury in 3 cases, and sport injury in 7 cases. The disease duration from injuries to admission ranged from 1 hour to 16 days (median, 28 hours). According to the criteria of self-made classification, there were 22 cases of type I (ulnar fracture with radial neck fracture or proximal radial epiphysis injury), 2 cases of type II (posterior elbow dislocation with radial neck fracture or proximal radial epiphysis injury), 10 cases of type III (ulnar fracture and/or olecranon fracture with humeral lateral condylar fracture), and 1 case of type IV (fractures of radius and ulna with radial neck fracture or proximal radial epiphysis injury). All patients were treated by open reduction and internal fixation/external fixation., Results: All incisions healed by first intention without infection. Thirty-four cases were followed up 14 months on average (range, 12-18 months). All fractures healed at 2.5 months on average (range, 6 weeks to 5 months). According to Hospital for Special Surgery (HSS) score system, the results were excellent in 29 cases, good in 4 cases, and fair in 2 cases, with an excellent and good rate of 94%. No cubit varus/valgus or delayed ulnar nerve injury was observed., Conclusion: New self-made classification is simple and easy to remember, and it is helpful to reduce omission diagnose rate and select therapeutic methods. Surgery is an effective method to treat Monteggia equivalent fractures.

Objective: To investigate the clinical features, causes of blindness and diagnosis of Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome., Methods: The data of 157 patients with VKH syndrome were reviewed and analyzed. Patients were carefully examined with slit lamp, ophthalmoscope, three-mirror lens, fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and HLA typing., Results: Headache was noted in 73.5% of these patients. Simultaneous involvement of both eyes occurred in 80.8% of these patients. Choroiditis, papilledema and edema of the retina adjacent to the optic nerve were noted in 100% of these patients in the posterior uveitis stage, whereas recurrent granulomatous anterior uveitis (98.4%), "sunset glow" fundus (95.8%) and Dalen-Fuchs nodules (71.2%) were the common ocular findings in the recurrent anterior uveitis stage. The common causes of blindness were papillitis, exudative retinal detachment and complicated cataract in the posterior uveitis stage, anterior uveal involvement stage and its recurrent stage. Poliosis (36.3%) and alopecia (35.0%) were the most common extraocular findings. Early irregular patches of fluorescence, followed by localized hyperfluorescent spots were the typical findings of FFA. Dilation of choroidal vessels and leakage of ICG from the choroidal vessels were the common ICGA findings. The prevalence of HLA-DR4 and HLA-DRw53 in patients (54.9% and 71.8% respectively) was significantly higher than that in controls (14.7% and 38.2% respectively)., Conclusions: VKH syndrome is characterized by choroiditis, papillitis or neuroretinitis in the posterior uveitis stage, followed by a generalized uveitis with a typical recurrent granulomatous anterior uveitis. Extraocular findings and relevant examinations including FFA, ICGA and HLA typing are helpful to the diagnosis of VKH syndrome.

Objective: To determine the role of GATA-3 (a transcript factor that has influences on Th2 cell differentiation) in the development of anterior chamber associated immune deviation (ACAID)., Method: Immunohistochemistry and Western blot were used to determine the localization and relative protein levels of GATA-3 respectively at different time points after anterior chamber injection of 50 microgram interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP)., Result: GATA-3 was detected weakly in normal spleen and increased significantly at 5, 7, 14 and 21 days after anterior chamber inoculation. It was detected mainly in CD(4)(+) T cells in spleen., Conclusion: The expression of GATA-3 increases earlier than development of ACAID. It suggests that GATA-3 play an important role in Th2 commitment during ACAID development.

Objective: To compare the effectiveness of therapeutic regimen in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) syndrome and determine the reasonable regimen for different patients., Methods: Data of 82 patients with VKH syndrome, coming from all over China and referred to Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center from January 1996 to December 2000 were retrospectively analyzed. Twenty-eight patients (56 eyes) with first attack of the intraocular inflammation were treated with oral prednisone for more than one year, whereas 54 patients (108 eyes) with recurrent episodes were treated with chlorambucil for more than one year. All patients were treated with a combination of these immunosuppressives with traditional Chinese medicine herbs, and followed up more than one year after systemic treatment. The previous treatment for these 54 patients was also analyzed in an attempt to compare these results with those presented here., Results: Uveitis was completely controlled in 96.4% of the patients treated with oral prednisone, and all of these patients showed improved vision after treatment. A complete control of uveitis was achieved in 94.4% and improved vision was seen in 88.0% of the patients treated with chlorambucil. All of these 54 patients, although treated with longer but intermittent systemic corticosteroids before installation of chlorambucil, showed a chronic or recurrent uveitis and most cases had markedly decreased vision as compared with those treated by us with regular systemic corticosteroids., Conclusions: Intensive and prolonged systemic treatment with corticosteroids is recommended for the patients with first attack of VKH syndrome, where as regular treatment with chlorambucil is useful for control of chronic and recurrent uveitis seen in VKH syndrome. Traditional Chinese medicine herbs may be helpful in amelioration of uveitis and reduction of side effects of immunosuppressives.

Objective: To study the choroidal and retinal changes in Behcet's disease and Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada syndrome (VKHS) using indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA)., Methods: Seventeen cases (27 eyes) of Behcet's disease and 18 cases (36 eyes) of VKHS were examined with FFA and ICGA. All of the patients showed an active intraocular inflammation when examined., Results: FFA showed leakage from retinal vessels in patients with Behcet's disease. ICGA revealed choroidal abnormalities including dilatation and hyperpermeability of choroidal vessels in 11 eyes (40.7%). In VKHS, FFA revealed the hyperfluorescence and serous pigment epithelium detachments. Dilatation and hyperpermeability of choroidal vessels revealed by ICGA were found in 36 eyes (100%), multihypofluorescent dark dots in 32 eyes (88.9%), and choroidal filling defects in 28 eyes (77.8%)., Conclusions: Although retinal vascular lesions are predominant in Behcet's disease, choroidal abnormalities evidenced by dilatation of choroidal vessels are also present in some patients. Hyperfluorescence and hypofluorescence revealed are the main findings in the patients with VKHS. A combination of FFA and ICGA is recommended for the examination of Behcet's disease and VKHS.

Objective: The purpose of this study was to investigate the uveitogenic activity of autoantigen in the bovine iris-ciliary body., Methods: Urea soluble fraction of boveine melanin associated antigen (USF-BMAA) was isolated from the bovine iris-ciliary body biochemically and determined by SDS-PAGE as well as amino acid analysis. Lewis rats and F344 rats were immunized with USF-BMAA emulsified with equal volume complete Freud's adjuvant and Bordetella pertussis., Results: A strongly stained protein band was observed in the USF-BMAA by SDS-PAGE whose molecular weight is approximate 64 000. Amino acid analysis of USF-BMAA showed that it contains 17 kinds of amino acids with high content of Glu, Leu and Asp. The experimental melanin associated antigen-induced uveitis (EMIU) was successfully incited in both eyes of the Lewis and F344 rats. The inflammation was mainly located in the anterior uvea, and spontaneously recovered. Mild focal choroiditis was present in the rats with severe lesion. However, the inflammation was not observed in the retina and pineal gland., Conclusions: USF-BMAA may be the major part of autoantigen of the uveal tract with uveitogenic activity. Unlike experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) which is incited by the retinal soluble antigen (S-Ag) in the rats, no involvement of the retina and pineal gland is found in EMIU.