Development and verification of the coaxial heterogeneous hyperspectral imaging system

A hyperspectral imaging system (HIS) is a helpful tool that acquires spatial and spectral information from a target. This study developed a coaxial heterogeneous HIS (CHHIS) to collect spectral images with wavelengths ranging from 400 to 1700 nm. In this system, a visible (VIS) spectrometer and a short-wave infrared (SWIR) spectrometer are combined with a coaxial optical path to share the same field of view. This structure reduces the complexity of spatial registration and maintains the scanning duration of two spectrometers as that of a single spectrometer. The spectrometers are also replaceable for extending the detecting spectral range of the system. The calibration methodologies, including spatial correction, spectral calibration, and reflectance calibration, were developed for this system. The signal-to-noise ratio of VIS and SWIR spectrometers in the CHHIS was up to 40 and 60 dB when the exposure time of the VIS and SWIR imaging sensors was 1000 and 10 ms, respectively. When the target distance was at 600 mm, the spatial error of VIS and SWIR images in the scanning direction was less than 1 pixel; these results proved that the system was stable.

[Preliminary efficacy of penetrating canaloplasty in primary angle-closure glaucoma]

Objective: To evaluate the preliminary efficacy and safety of penetrating canaloplasty for treating primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). Methods: It is a prospective interventional case series study. Twenty-two patients (24 eyes) with PACG were treated with penetrating canaloplasty (video attached) at the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from June 2015 to August 2018. This modified canaloplasty was performed by making a window at the corneal-scleral bed. Aqueous was redirected to the opening of Schlemm's canal after the canaloplasty with intension sutures. Postoperative follow-up was made at 1 day, 7 days, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months. Surgical success was defined as intraocular pressure (IOP) ≤ 21 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) with glaucoma medication (quantified success) and without any glaucoma medication (complete success). Main outcome measures included IOP, number of medication, surgical success rate, complications, and filtering bleb status. One-way repeated measure ANOVA and rank sum test were used in statistical analysis. Results: Due to the failure of circumferential catheterization of the canal, 4 eyes converted to trabeculectomy. A total of 19 PACG patients (20 eyes) achieved the successful 360-degree catheterization of the canal, including 11 males and 8 females. The mean age was (54±7) years old (range: 41-65 years old), and the mean angle-closure range was (326.3±46.6) degrees. The mean preoperative IOP was (38.0±11.9) mmHg with the median medication number of 3 (range: 2-5). The mean postoperative IOP was (14.5±11.1), (16.1±6.0), (17.7±5.5), (15.7±5.0), and (15.4±3.7) mmHg at 1 day, 7 days, 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months, respectively. There was significant difference in IOP between postoperative and preoperative (all P<0.01). The median medication number (range) was 0 (0-3), 0 (0-2), 0(0-3), 0(0-2), and 0 (0-2) at the 5 time points, respectively. There was significant difference in medication number between postoperative and preoperative (all P<0.01). The quantified success rate was 95%(19/20), and the complete success rate was 90%(18/20) at 6 months. Postoperative complications were observed in 7 eyes (35%) of 20 PACG eyes, including 3 eyes (15%) with hyphema, 2 eyes (10%) with shallow anterior chamber, 1 eye (5%) with Descemet membrane detachment, and 1 eye (5%) with filtration obstruction at the trabeculum ostium. According to the results of slit lamp and ultrasound biomicroscopy examinations, 70% of the eyes (14/20) had no filtering bleb. Eight eyes (40%) with IOP spike were observed. Conclusion: Preliminary study shows penetrating canaloplasty is safe and effective in the treatment of PACG, but needs a longer follow-up. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55: 448-453).

Retinal Pigment Epithelial Tear after Ranibizumab Therapy for Subfoveal Fibrovascular Pigment Epithelial Detachment

Purpose

To describe the unusual complication of retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) tear after intravitreal ranibizumab (Lucentis®) for subfoveal fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachment (PED) and its effective management.

Methods

Chart review for case report of RPE tear after ranibizumab.

Results

An inferior RPE tear was documented by fluorescein angiography, fundus photography, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) 1 month after receiving repeat ranibizumab injection in the right eye of a patient with bilateral subfoveal fibrovascular PED. He had undergone multiple bevacizumab followed by ranibizumab injections for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in both eyes, starting 6 months previously. Subsequent antivascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) therapy improved vision of right eye from 20/200 to 20/40, despite RPE tear.

Conclusions

RPE tear may form after anti-VEGF therapy, including ranibizumab injection. Further anti-VEGF therapy may preserve or improve vision. To the authors' knowledge, this is first case report of effective suppression of neovascular activity with bevacizumab after an RPE tear following ranibizumab therapy.

[Estimation of underreporting rate of death cases in disease surveillance system of Fujian province using propensity score weighting method, 2012-2014]

Objective: To understand the underreporting of death cases and related factors in disease surveillance system of Fujian province. Methods: We carried out a field underreporting survey in 20 disease surveillance sites selected through stratified cluster random sampling during 2012-2014. The related factors of underreporting were analyzed by using logistic regression method. Propensity score weighting method was used to calculate the underreporting rate in different groups classified by year, urban/rural areas, gender, age and death cause variables. Results: The overall underreporting rate was 9.21%(95%CI: 9.06%-9.39%) after adjusting by propensity score weighting method. The underreporting rate was higher in rural area (11.55%, 95%CI: 11.30%-11.81%) than in urban area (6.64%, 95%CI: 6.50%-6.78%). The underreporting rate was highest in age group 0-14 years (36.29%, 95% CI: 34.23%-38.67%) and lowest in age group ≥65 years (7.91%, 95% CI: 7.78%-8.03%). The underreporting rate was higher in people died of perinatal disease, congenital anomalies and injury. Conclusion: The underreporting rates were different between different groups classified by urban/rural areas, age and death cause variables. Propensity score weighting method can be used to adjust underreporting rate of death cases in mortality surveillance in Fujian.

Earlier therapeutic effects associated with high dose (2.0 mg) Ranibizumab for treatment of vascularized pigment epithelial detachments in age-related macular degeneration

SUMMARY STATEMENT

Intravitreal high dose (2 mg) ranibizumab may lead to quicker resolution of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) and associated retinal pigment epithelial detachment in eyes with exudative age-related macular degeneration, although it may possibly correlate with RPE tears in certain cases.

PURPOSE

This prospective study compared the outcomes of 0.5 vs 2.0 mg intravitreal ranibizumab injections (RI) for treating vascularized pigment epithelial detachment (vPED) due to age-related macular degeneration.

METHODS

Patients with vPED were randomized to receive 2.0 vs 0.5 mg RI monthly for 12 months or for 4 months and then repeated on a pro-re nata basis. Optical coherence tomography, fundus photography, and fluorescein and indocyanine-green angiography were obtained at baseline and subsequent specific intervals. Outcome measures were best-corrected standardized visual acuities, central 1-mm thickness, surface area (SA), greatest linear diameter (GLD), heights (PED and CNV), and amount of subretinal fluid (SRF) and cystoid macular edema (CME).

RESULTS

Both groups yielded reductions of the central 1-mm thickness, PED and CNV SA and PED height and GLD, SRF, and CME. Vision improvement and reduction in SRF and PED height occurred earlier for eyes receiving the 2.0 mg dose. Cataract progression was similar but RPE tears developed more often with the 2.0 mg dose.

CONCLUSIONS

There were similar visual and anatomical outcomes at the end of the study; however, the higher dose yielded more rapid reductions and more complete resolution of the PED, although there was possible increased tendency for an RPE tear with the higher dose.

Comparison of approaches for efficient gene silencing induced by microRNA-based short hairpin RNA and indicator gene expression

MicroRNA-based short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) are natural inducers of RNA interference and have been increasingly used in shRNA expression strategies. In the present study, we compared the efficiencies of exogenous green fluorescence protein (GFP) and endogenous glyceraldehyde-3-phosphate dehydrogenase (GAPDH) knockdown and red fluorescent protein (RFP) indicator expression mediated by three differently designed plasmids. RFP was introduced either at the 5' end, at the 3' end of the human mir155-based target gene (TG) (e.g., GFP or GAPDH) shRNA expression cassette (EC), or at the 3' end of the chimeric intron-containing TG shRNA EC. Comparisons with the control vector showed an obvious reduction of GFP or GAPDH expression with the various shRNA expression plasmids (P < 0.05). When RFP was located at the 5' end or at the 3' end of the TG shRNA EC, RFP expression was low; whereas when RFP was connected with the chimeric intron-containing TG shRNA EC, RFP expression was high. Taken together, this study demonstrated an efficient plasmid design for both TG silencing induced by microRNA-based shRNA and indicator gene expression in vitro.

Esmolol inhibits Na+ current in rat ventricular myocytes

Esmolol is a unique cardioselective, intravenous, ultra-short acting, beta1-adrenergic blocking agent. It has been widely applied in treating ventricular and supraventricular arrhythmias, especially in emergency situations. In this study the effects of esmolol on sodium current (I(Na)) were investigated by the whole cell patch-clamp recording technique in isolated adult rat ventricular myocytes. The results indicated that esmolol reversibly inhibited I(Na) in a concentration-dependent manner, with an IC50 of 74.2 +/- 0.60 micromol l(-1) with a Hill coefficient of 1.02 +/- 0.04. This inhibition was voltage- and frequency-dependent. Esmolol decreased the peak of the I-V relationship curve at -35 mV from 16.97 +/- 1.68 pA/pF to 6.96 +/- 0.51 pA/pF. The steady-state inactivation curve of I(Na) was shifted to more negative potentials, the voltage at half-inactivation changing from -78.75 +/- 2.3 mV in control to -85.94 +/- 3.2 mV in the presence of esmolol. The development of resting inactivation from closed states was accelerated by esmolol, the time constant was shortened from 62.75 +/- 3.21 ms to 24.93 +/- 2.43 ms, whereas the activation curve was not altered. I(Na) from inactivation could not be recovered completely in the presence of esmolol. These results suggest that esmolol inhibits I(Na) through sodium channel in rat ventricular myocytes by mechanisms involving preferential interaction with the inactivated state and acceleration of the development of inactivation directly from resting state. Therefore, the effect of inhibitory sodium of esmolol may play a vital role in its antiarrhythmic efficacy.

Observation of two forms of conformations in the reentrant condensation of DNA

Reentrant condensation of DNA in the presence of spermidine (SPD) is studied by gel electrophoresis (GEP). It is found that the reentrant condensation of DNA induced by SPD can produce a reentrant jamming of DNA molecules at the liquid-gel interface during GEP. However, not all the DNA are jammed at the interface indicating that there are different forms of condensed DNA. A model of condensed DNA consisting of two conformations can be used to explain the experimental observations. A phase diagram of the reentrant condensation based on the jamming states of DNA in terms of the length of DNA (L) and concentration of SPD is constructed. Furthermore, no charge inversion is observed during the reentrant transition.

Relation of pre-LASIK and post-LASIK retinal lesions and retinal examination for LASIK eyes

AIMS

Analysis of highly myopic eyes (mean myopia -11 D) with post-LASIK vitreoretinal complications (breaks, retinal detachment) that also had pre-LASIK vitreoretinal pathology (lattice, breaks).

METHODS

Retrospective case series.

RESULTS

67 eyes in 56 patients with pre-LASIK retinal examination developed post-LASIK vitreoretinal complications. 17 of the 67 eyes (25.4%) had pre-LASIK vitreoretinal pathology. 10 of the 17 eyes that underwent pre-LASIK prophylactic retinal treatment still developed post-LASIK lesions. They developed adjacent to pre-LASIK lesions for 15 of 17 eyes (88.2%), and outside of quadrant(s) of pre-LASIK lesions for five eyes (29.4%).

CONCLUSION

Pre-LASIK retinal examination may predict locations of certain post-LASIK retinal lesions that may develop in highly myopic eyes with pre-LASIK vitreoretinal pathology, but prophylactic treatment may not prevent all post-LASIK vitreoretinal complications.

[Clinical study on effect of sini decoction on ischemia/reperfusion injury by Holter monitoring in patients with acute myocardial infarction treated with thrombolytic therapy]

OBJECTIVE

To observe the clinical effect of Sini Decoction (SND) on ischemia/reperfusion injury in acute myocardial infarction (AMI).

METHODS

Randomized case-control clinical trial was conducted to observe the change of Holter monitoring in 22 cases of AMI treated with thrombolytic therapy before and after treatment.

RESULTS

The lasting time of acute ST segment, total burden of myocardial infarction, QRS score, QT dispersion and occurrence of reperfusion arrhythmia in patients received SND treatment were lower than those untreated with SND (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

SND is helpful in improving reperfusion injury of thrombolytic therapy in AMI patients.

De novo expression of macrophage migration inhibitory factor in atherogenesis in rabbits

Macrophage migration inhibitory factor (MIF) has been shown to play an important role in macrophage-mediated diseases. We investigate the potential role of MIF in atherogenesis using a hypercholesterolemic rabbit model. New Zealand White rabbits fed with a 2% cholesterol diet developed hypercholesterolemia and early fatty streaks at 1 month. The lesions became advanced at 3 months and were associated with de novo MIF expression by vascular endothelial cells (VECs) and smooth muscle cells (SMCs), as demonstrated by immunohistochemistry, reverse transcriptase-polymerase chain reaction, and in situ hybridization. By contrast, there was no increase in MIF levels in rabbits fed a normal diet. In early atherogenesis, marked upregulation of MIF mRNA and protein by VECs and some intimal cells were closely associated with CD68(+) monocyte adhesion onto and subsequent migration into subendothelial space. Of significance, the accumulation of macrophages was exclusively localized to areas of strong MIF expression, which may be associated with the macrophage-rich fatty streak lesion formation. Upregulation of MIF by SMCs is transient during atherogenesis. Importantly, strong MIF expression by activated macrophages may be responsible for the development of foam cell-rich lesions. Finally, the ability of MIF to induce intercellular adhesion molecule-1 expression by VECs implicates its pathogenic role in atherogenesis. In conclusion, the present study provides the first demonstration that MIF is markedly upregulated during atherogenesis. Upregulation of MIF by VECs and SMCs may play a role in macrophage adhesion, transendothelial migration, accumulation, and, importantly, transformation into foam cells. Furthermore, strong MIF expression by macrophages may both initiate and amplify the atherogenesis process.

Pharmacokinetics of atenolol enantiomers in 12 Chinese healthy men

AIM

To study the pharmacokinetics of atenolol (Ate) stereoisomers in Chinese.

METHOD

A single oral dose of 100 mg of racemic Ate tablets were given to 12 healthy volunteers of Han nationality. Plasma and urine concentrations were determined by the reversed phase HPLC method.

RESULTS

The disposition of d-Ate and l-Ate was conformed to one-compartment model. Maximal plasma concentration (Cmax): l-Ate (331 +/- 79) micrograms.L-1, d-Ate (342 +/- 78) micrograms.L-1. Area under blood concentration-time curve (AUC): d-Ate (2635 +/- 610) micrograms.h.L-1, l-Ate (2442 +/- 588) micrograms.h.L-1. Renal clearance (Clr): l-Ate (6.9 +/- 1.2) L.h-1, d-Ate (6.5 +/- 1.3) L.h-1.

CONCLUSION

The disposition of Ate stereoisomers is of stereoselectivity.

Antisense oligodeoxynucleotides downregulated c-sis mRNA expression to inhibit proliferation of vascular smooth muscle cells

AIM

To assess the inhibitory effect of c-sis antisense oligodeoxynucleotides (ODN) on vascular smooth muscle cells (VSMC) proliferation and c-sis proto-oncogene mRNA expression.

METHODS

The VSMC were cultured with Dulbecco's modified Engle's medium (DMEM) containing synthesized c-sis antisense or sense oligomers, [3H]thymidine (TdR) incorporation into DNA was determined by liquid scintillation counter and the numbers of cells were counted by cell counting plate, the mRNA level was observed by using of reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR).

RESULTS

C-sis antisense ODN 2, 4, 6, 8, and 10 mumol.L-1 inhibited VSMC proliferation (10.3% +/- 0.7%, 22.6% +/- 0.9%, 31.0% +/- 1.1%, 35.4% +/- 0.9%, and 43.3% +/- 1.2%) and [3H]TdR incorporation (6.8% +/- 0.3%, 9.7% +/- 0.7%, 29.0% +/- 0.6%, 32.0% +/- 0.7%, and 50.6% +/- 1.3%) in a concentration-dependent manner. When VSMC were treated with antisense ODN 10 mumol.L-1 for 4 d, the highest inhibitory rate of VSMC growth and that of [3H]TdR incorporation were 60.3% +/- 1.0% and 56.3% +/- 0.9%, respectively. RT-PCR showed that c-sis proto-oncogene antisense ODN downregulated c-sis mRNA expression obviously, while c-sis sense ODN did not inhibit VSMC proliferation and expression of c-sis proto-oncogene mRNA.

CONCLUSION

The c-sis antisense ODN inhibited VSMC proliferation and downregulated c-sis mRNA level.

[Improvement of sini decoction on hemorheology following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty]

OBJECTIVE

To study the hemorheological effects of Sini decoction on patients following percutaneous transluminal coronary angioplasty (PTCA).

METHODS

Forty-six patients were randomly divided into Sini decoction and control groups. The hemorheologic variables were determined before and after Sini decoction treatment.

RESULTS

No hemorheologic changes were observed in the patients (n = 23) only with PTCA, but the patients (n = 23) with Sini decoction were found to be significantly decreased in whole blood viscosity and red cell aggregation and dredging the blood of microcirculation as post-PTCA compared to pre-PTCA.

CONCLUSION

Sini decoction could improve the patient's hemorheology.

Effect of Panax notoginseng saponins on increased proliferation of cultured aortic smooth muscle cells stimulated by hypercholesterolemic serum

Panax notoginseng saponins (PNS) was extracted from a Chinese herb medicine. After preparation of cultured aortic smooth muscle cell (SMC) from primary aortic explants, the cytotoxicity of hypercholesterolemic serum (HCS) for cultured cells was determined by trypan blue exclusion test, and [3H]thymidine incorporation and cell numbers were counted at the same time. The results showed that HCS (0.5 mg cholesterol.ml-1) increased the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into cultured cells (3722 +/- 440 vs 1655 +/- 288 dpm/microgram cell proteins, P < 0.01), stimulated the proliferation of SMC [(6.5 +/- 1.5) x 10(5) vs (4.3 +/- 1.2) x 10(5) cells/plate, P < 0.01], and that high concentration HCS (final cholesterol concentration 2 mg.ml-1) was cytotoxic to the cultured cells. PNS (100 and 400 micrograms.ml-1) decreased the incorporation of [3H]thymidine into SMC in culture with or without HCS (1292 +/- 260 and 982 +/- 314 or 4111 +/- 886 and 2361 +/- 751 dpm/microgram cell protein), and inhibited the proliferation of the cultured cells [(3.3 +/- 0.7) x 10(5) and (2.9 +/- 0.7) x 10(5) or (4.7 +/- 1.4) x 10(5) and (4.1 +/- 1.2) x 10(5) cells/plate). We conclude that PNS can inhibit the proliferation of aortic SMC stimulated by HCS. These results also suggest that HCS may play an atherogenic role in the arterial wall and that PNS may prevent atherosclerosis and inhibit progression of the atherosclerotic lesions by interfering with the proliferation of arterial SMC.

[Enhancement of absorption of tetramethylpyrazine by synthetic borneol]

Sprague-Dawley rats were given ig tetramethylpyrazine phosphate (TMP) 5 mg/kg with or without previous borneol 5 mg/kg. The plasma TMP concentrations were analysed by GC method, and the data were treated by NONLIN program. The Cmax were 931 and 562 ng/ml, respectively, (P less than 0.01); while the AUC were 68,849 and 37,174, respectively, (P less than 0.05). It is suggested that the borneol enhances the absorption of the TMP but not in elimination.

Crossover from intravenous to transdermal nitroglycerin therapy in unstable angina pectoris

The present study was designed to examine the safety and efficacy of titrating a nitroglycerin infusion to a fixed hemodynamic endpoint as initial therapy for patients admitted to a coronary care unit for medically refractory unstable angina, and to test the hypothesis that patients, responding to the addition of intravenous (i.v.) nitroglycerin to their previous antianginal regimen, could be crossed over to nitroglycerin administered by a new transdermal delivery system. In 9 patients the nitroglycerin infusion titrated upward at 3- to 10-minute intervals until a 10% reduction in mean arterial pressure was achieved. This titration schedule and hemodynamic endpoint proved safe and effective for controlling episodes of chest pain at rest in all 9 patients. Subsequently, this treatment strategy was tested in 17 consecutive patients with unstable angina treated in our coronary care unit during a 1-month period. In 10 of 15 successfully treated patients ischemia was the cause of chest pain as documented by cardiac catheterization. No change was made in antianginal or vasoactive drugs during the period of i.v. nitroglycerin administration or during crossover to transdermal therapy. In this well defined subgroup of patients with unstable angina, nitroglycerin infusion decreased the mean arterial pressure from 101 +/- 18 to 87 +/- 11 mm Hg (mean +/- standard deviation), using an infusion rate of 84 +/- 74 micrograms/min (range 10 to 200). The mean duration of i.v. therapy was 36 +/- 12 hours.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)