Search

Hexarelin, a synthetic growth hormone-releasing peptide, has been proven to possess cardioprotective actions through its binding to the growth hormone secretagogue receptor (GHSR) 1a and the non-GHSR receptor CD36. However, its effect on myocardial ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury has not been fully clarified in vivo. We aimed to determine whether hexarelin treatment could protect cardiomyocytes from I/R injury and to examine the underlying mechanisms. In vivo hearts of male SD rats underwent 30 minutes of ischemia by left coronary artery ligation followed by reperfusion. The rats were then treated subcutaneously twice daily with hexarelin [100 μg/kg·day], ghrelin [400 μg/ kg·day], or saline for 7 days. Echocardiography, malondialdehyde detection, and histochemical staining were performed after treatment. In addition, Western blot was used to examine the expression levels of IL-1β, IL-1Ra, and IL-1RI. Our study showed that hexarelin treatment improved cardiac systolic function, decreased malondialdehyde production, and increased the number of surviving cardiomyocytes. The beneficial effects of hexarelin treatment were slightly superior to those of equimolar ghrelin treatment. We meanwhile confirmed that hexarelin induced down-regulation of IL-1β expression and up-regulation of IL-1Ra expression in I/R myocardium, which could be neutralized by the GHSR antagonist [D-Lys3]-growth hormone releasing peptide-6 ([D-Lys3]-GHRP-6). These findings suggest that hexarelin protects in vivo cardiomyocytes from I/R injury partly by modification of the IL-1 signaling pathway through the activation of cardiac GHSR1a receptors.

Purpose To explore the cost-utility of cataract surgery in patients with advanced age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Methods Patients who were diagnosed as having and treated for age-related cataract and with a history of advanced AMD at the Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, were included in the study. All of the participants underwent successful phacoemulsification with foldable posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation under retrobulbar anesthesia. Best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and utility value elicited by time trade-off method from patients at 3-month postoperative time were compared with those before surgery. Quality-adjusted life years (QALYs) gained in a lifetime were calculated at a 3% annual discounted rate. Costs per QALY gained were calculated using the bootstrap method, and probabilities of being cost-effective were presented using a cost-effectiveness acceptability curve. Sensitivity analyses were performed to test the robustness of the results. Results Mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution BCVA in the operated eye increased from 1.37 ± 0.5 (Snellen, 20/469) to 0.98 ± 0.25 (Snellen, 20/191) (p < 0.001); BCVA in the weighted average from both eyes (=75% better eye + 25% worse eye) was changed from 1.13 ± 0.22 (Snellen, 20/270) to 0.96 ± 0.17 (Snellen, 20/182) (p < 0.001). Utility values from both patients and doctors increased significantly after surgery (p < 0.001 and p = 0.007). Patients gained 1.17 QALYs by cataract surgery in their lifetime. The cost per QALY was 8835 Chinese yuan (CNY) (1400 U.S. dollars [USD]). It is cost-effective at the threshold of 115,062 CNY (18,235 USD) per QALY in China recommended by the World Health Organization. The cost per QALY varied from 7045 CNY (1116 USD) to 94,178 CNY (14,925 USD) in sensitivity analyses. Conclusions Visual acuity and quality of life assessed by utility value improved significantly after surgery. Cataract surgery was a cost-effective intervention for patients with coexistent AMD.

To observe the long-term changes in dry eye symptoms and vision-related quality of life in age-related cataract patients after phacoemulsification. A total of 101 cataract patients after phacoemulsification combined with IOL implantation (Ph-IOL) in one eye were enrolled. Visual acuity, tear film breakup time (BUT), and Schirmer test 1 (ST1) were measured before and 1, 3, and 6 months after surgery. Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) scores were used to evaluate the severity of dry eye symptoms. Utility values were assessed by the time trade-off (TTO), standard gamble for death (SGD), standard gamble for blindness (SGB) and rating scale (RS). The average LogMAR visual acuity in the operated eye was 1.35 ± 0.50 and increased rapidly after Ph-IOL, approaching a peak at 3 months (0.26 ± 0.15). The BUT and ST1 results decreased abruptly 1 month after surgery and gradually recovered until 6 months. OSDI scores increased significantly after surgery and gradually decreased until 6 months. Utility values evaluated by TTO, SGD, SGB and RS before surgery were 0.67 ± 0.19, 0.75 ± 0.15, 0.67 ± 0.20 and 0.2 ± 0.18, respectively, and increased to 0.91 ± 0.06, 0.98 ± 0.04, 0.92 ± 0.52 and 0.91 ± 0.06, 6 months after. Utility values measured with TTO, SGB or RS correlated significantly (P

To measure the change in visual acuity and vision-related quality of life in patients with both age-related cataract and bilateral age-related macular degeneration (AMD) after cataract surgery.Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai General Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.Prospective case series.Patients with age-related cataract and bilateral advanced AMD who were diagnosed and treated between January 2006 and January 2012 were enrolled. The patients had successful phacoemulsification with foldable posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation. The corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and vision-related quality of life measured by the Chinese-version Low Vision Quality of Life (CLVQOL) questionnaire were collected. The Wilcoxon signed-rank test was used to compare the differences. Binary logistic regression analysis was performed to explore potential factors associated with the change in CLVQOL scores.Sixty eyes of 51 patients were included. The CDVA improved significantly (median difference 0.30 logMAR; range 0 to 1.38 logMAR; P.001). The CLVQOL composite scores and the 4 subscale scores improved significantly (all P.001). A greater increase in the CLVQOL scores was associated with inferior preoperative logMAR CDVA in the more severely affected eye (regression coefficient 3.36; P.001).Cataract surgery improved visual acuity and the vision-related quality of life in patients with both age-related cataract and bilateral advanced AMD. Thus, it is beneficial for patients with coexistent advanced AMD to have cataract surgery.No author has a financial or proprietary interest in any material or method mentioned.

PURPOSE We obtained retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements in normal Chinese students aged 6 to 17 years, and investigated the relationship between RNFL thickness and sex, eye laterality, age, axial length, and refractive error. METHODS A total of 4648 eyes in 2324 normal, randomly-selected Chinese students aged 6 to 17 years was examined in this study. The RNFL thickness was measured by optical coherence tomography. The effects of sex, eye laterality (left or right), age, refractive error, and axial length on RNFL thickness were assessed. RESULTS The average age of the subjects was 12.82 ± 3.11 years. The global average RNFL thickness (±SD) was 106.89 ± 12.84 μm. The thickest RNFL measurements were found at the superior (133.22 ± 19.48 μm) and inferior (129.23 ± 20.30 μm) quadrants of the retina, followed by the temporal (93.58 ± 29.15 μm) and nasal (77.10 ± 14.89 μm) quadrants. In the 1529 participants aged 12 to 17, there were no significant differences in RNFL thickness values between the right and left eyes (P > 0.05); significant differences in RNFL were found only in the inferior and temporal quadrants of the retina in different sex groups (P < 0.05). Linear regression analysis revealed that the RNFL thickness values were correlated independently with axial length and refractive error (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS For clinical assessment of RNFL thickness, the influence of refractive error and axial length should be taken into account.

To discuss a effective method of nasal septum deviation.One hundred and sixteen subjects with nasal septum deviation were divided into treatment group (69 subjects) and control group (47 subjects) randomly. The combination therapy of correction of deviated nasal septum and plasma radiofrequency ablation were used in the treatment group. The combination therapy of deviated nasal septum and partial inferior turbinectomy were used in the control group. The data were analyzed by statistical method.The effective rate of physical signs and symptoms of the treatment group was 100.0%, while the control group was 85.1%. There was significant difference of two effective rates (P0.05). Furthermore, hyperventilation and nasal adhesion were not happened in treatment group 6 months after treatments.The correction of deviated nasal septum and plasma radiofrequency ablation combination therapy had the satisfied and safety treatment effect, which was and plasma radiofrequency ablation combination therapy had the satisfied and safety treatment effect, which was easy for observation as well as the minimal tissue damage. The combination therapy method was according with the principle of functional minimally invasive surgery.

To investigate the effects of radioactive ray on transmission capability of nose mucociliary.Forty-six patients with NPC were selected and saccharin clearance time (SCT) for 7 phases were detected in both pre- and post-radiotherapy respectively.Among 46 patients with NPC, the shortest SCT was 247 seconds and the longest 601 seconds in pre-radiotherapy phases; from 4th week of introradiotherapy to 18 months of postradiotherapy, the longest SCT was in 12 months after radiotherapy, which was 903 seconds. There were no significant differences in SCT before radiotherapy and 18 months after radiotherapy. There were significant differences in SCT of preradiotherapy and introdiotherapy, post radiotherapy, after radiotherapy 3 months, 6 months, 12 months after radiotherapy.Radiotherapy is the important factors in influencing transmission capability of nose cavity and sinus mucociliary and hints that gender and nasal cavity side don't affect SCT. Detection of SCT in different stages of NPC patients can be helpful to protect nasal mucous membrane effectively, and to reduce incidence rate of RNS.

To study the diagnosis and treatment of parotid Lymphoepithelioma-like carcinoma (LELC), and improve the rate of the diagnosis and treatment.Eighteen cases with parotid LELC confirmed pathologically were collected in our department, and the clinical presentation, diagnosis, treatment and prognosis were retrospectively summarized and analyzed from 1982 to 2002.All of these LELC patients were found in unilateral side. All cases received Epstein-Barr virus serological test except 2 cases because of refusing, and the testing result displayed: EBV-VCA-IGA positive rate in 93% (15/16); EBV-EA-IGA in 75% (12/ 16); EBV-DNA enzyme in 63% (10/16). Of 16 cases with facial nerve reserved, parotid superficial lobectomy were undertaken in 6 cases, resecting a majority of parotid in 5 cases, whole lobectomy in 5 cases. Facial never resection and whole lobectomy in 2 cases due to facial nerve trunk involved. Functional neck lymph dissection in superior and middle part was undertaken in 14 cases and radical neck lymph dissection in 4 cases, total neck lymph node metastasis rate was 67% (12/18). All of patients received radiotherapy to 50-70 Gy. The follow up were over 1 year, and local recurrence occurred in 2-4 years after operation for 4 cases and had to undergo reoperation. The 1, 3, 5 years survival rates of the 18 cases were 94% (17/18), 72% (13/18) and 50% (9/18), respectively. The chief Causes of death were distant metastasis and local recurrence.There maybe be close relationship between occurrence of LELC and Epstein-Barr virus infection. Its histopathologic feature is similar to undifferentiated nasopharyngeal carcinoma and nasopharynx biopsy must be demanded before confirming diagnosis for eliminating metastasis focus. The neck lymph node metastasis rate of LELC is high and local invasion is strong. It is important to undergo enlarged local resection, neck lymph dissection and postoperative radiotherapy.

Rhegmatenous retinal detachment (RRD) is one of the most serious complications after phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation surgery. It has been reported that vision-related quality of life (VRQoL), as well as visual acuity rapidly decreased when RRD developed. However, little is known of the VRQoL in those RRD patients after anatomical retinal re-attachment, especially whether or not the VRQoL is higher than that before cataract surgery. In this prospective case series study, we use the Chinese-version low vision quality of life questionnaire (CLVQOL) to assess the changes of VRQoL in age-related cataract patients who suffered from RRD after phacoemulsification with intraocular lens (phaco-IOL) implantation. All participants were asked to complete questionnaires in face- to-face interviews one day before and two weeks after cataract surgery, as well as one day before and three months after RRD surgery. A total of 10,127 consecutive age-related cataract patients were followed up to one year after phaco-IOL implantation; among these patients, 17 were diagnosed as RRD. The total CLVQOL scores and subscale scores except "Mobility" decreased significantly when RRD developed. After retinal surgery, only the score of "General vision and lighting" in the CLVQOL questionnaires improved when compared to the scores two weeks after cataract surgery, although the best corrected visual acuity of all patients significantly raised up. However, the mean CLVQOL scores and subscale scores were still considerably higher than the level prior to cataract surgery. Our study suggests that cataract patients at high risk of postoperative RRD should not deny the opportunity to undergo phaco-IOL implantation, even though potential VRQoL impairment induced by RRD exists.

To explore the diagnosis and treatment of maxillary aneurysmal bone cyst.For 4 cases with maxillary aneurysmal bone cyst, 1 case underwent radical maxillary sinusotomy in local anaesthesia and 3 cases underwent lateral rhinotomy in general anaestesia.The 4 cases were followed up for 13 months to 2 years after operation and no patient was found recurrence.The main treatment of aneurysmal bone cyst was radical operation, to strive for thorough treatment. Confirming and embolizing the feed artery by DSA preoperatively can reduce bleeding during operation and shorten the time of operation and general anesthesia obviously.

To study the value of laryngeal endoscopic system in the treatment of laryngeal diseases with minimally invasive surgery.This paper was to summarized retrospectively the clinical experience of 34 cases suffered from laryngeal diseases treated by minimally invasive surgery with laryngeal endoscopic system. The remain tumor and hemorrhage were treated by microwave machine. The malignant tumors were treated by radiotherapy with 60Co in 40 Gy, postoperatively.The tumors were totally resected and no serious complications were revealed. Followed-up these 34 cases, 26 cases with benign pathological changes who had hoarseness preoperatively recovered to normal 1-month after operation. In 2 cases with vocal cord carcinoma at the early stage, the functions and construction of throat were retained and no recurrence was founded after 6-12 month postoperatively.The laryngeal endoscopic system is valuable in treating laryngeal pathological regions and early stage carcinoma for its minimally invasion, wide operative field, good illuminative degree and normal construction and function reserved.

Selecting carotid tumors and preventing the fatal bleeding of intraoperation.The carotid compression test and inspection of angiography with transcranial Doppler sonography and keeping intraoperative awake after relieving pain anesthetization.Ten cases of carotid artery were occluded for 2 hours within operation, and 4 carotids were resected and 6 carotid body tumor were peeled and their carotid were reserved. No neurological problems were encountered in the 10 patients for 5 years.Our experience proved that the carotid compression test and inspection of angiography with transcranial Doppler sonography and keeping intraoperative awake after relieving pain anesthetization can help to supervise the selective carotid resection.