Objectives To analyze the risk factors for cardiovascular disease (CVD) in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) of different severities. Methods The study included 50 patients with mild-to-moderate COPD and 50 with severe-to-very severe COPD admitted between January 2014 and January 2016. Comorbidities were recorded on the basis of data obtained from medical charts and clinical evaluations. The Charlson comorbidity index was calculated, and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) score was determined in each subject. Results There were more prevalences of smoking, depression and dyslipidemia in the patients with mild-to-moderate COPD than those with severe-to-very severe COPD (all P<0.001). The prevalences of high blood pressure, diabetes mellitus, alcoholism, and chronic heart failure were not different significantly between the two groups. The Charlson comorbidity index and HADS scores were not different between the two groups. Conclusions Comorbidities are fairly common in COPD regardless of its severity. Certain risk factors for CVD, as smoking, dyslipidemia, and depression, appear to be more prevalent in patients with mild-to-moderate COPD.
ObjectiveTo investigate the expression and relation of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in rats with diabetic retinopathy.MethodFifty-five Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control group (10 rats), and 1, 3, and 5-month-diabetes group (15 rats in each diabetes group), and the diabetic models were set up. The expressions of VEGF and bFGF were detected by situ hybridation and immunohistochemistry on retinal paraffin sections.ResultsThe results of situ hybridation showed that expression of bFGF was found in 3-month-deatbtes group with the percentage of 77.8%, and 88.9% in 5-month-deatbtes group; the positive expression of VEGF was not found in 3-month-deatbtes group but in 5-month-deatbtes group with the percentage of 66.7%. Immunohistochemistry indicated that the positive expression of bFGF started in 3-month-deatbtes group with the percentage of 55.6%, and 88.9% in 5-month-deatbtes group; the percentage of the expression of VEGF was 33.3% in 3-month-deatbtes group and 88.9% in 5-month-deatbtes group.ConclusionThe expression of VEGF occurs after the expression of bFGF in rats with DR.(Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 2005,21:37-40)
ObjectiveTo explore the prevalence and risk factors of hypertension in Anyue County from June 2011 to June 2013. MethodsUsing stratfied random cluster sampling method, 5 391 people over 15 years of age were selected from 3 residential areas and 3 natural villages to finish a questionnaire and blood pressure measurement. ResultsThe total prevalence rate of hypertension in Anyue County was 18.77%. The prevalence rates of hypertension in urban areas and rural areas were 21.75% and 16.20%, and the difference was significant (χ2=27.120, P<0.001). In both urban and rural areas, the prevalence rate of hypertension increased with age (χ2=475.634, P<0.001; χ2=394.026, P<0.001). The percentages of awareness, treatment and control in Anyue County were 31.30%, 24.41%, and 9.09%. The percentages of awareness, treatment and control in urban areas were 40.15%, 33.70%, and 11.23% and were 20.68%, 13.65%, and 6.61% in rural areas. There were significant differences in the percentages of awareness, treatment and control between urban and rural areas (χ2=44.475, P<0.001; χ2=54.861, P<0.001; χ2=8.202, P=0.004). The logistic regression analysis showed that age (OR=1.061, P<0.001), diabetes (OR=1.550, P<0.001), hyperlipemia (OR=2.372, P<0.001) and smoking (OR=1.335, P<0.001) were the risk factors for hypertension; and it showed that high level of education was a protective factor for hypertension (OR=0.755, P<0.001). ConclusionBecause of high prevalence and low percentages of awareness, treatment and control in Anyue County, the prevention and control situation of hypertension are grim. We should focus on the control of smoking, blood lipid and blood glucose.
The pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy (DR) is complex and there are many related risk factors. It is related to the course of diabetes, blood glucose, blood pressure, and blood lipids, among which the course of disease and hyperglycemia are recognized main risk factors. In addition, other factors which include heredity, gender, age, obesity, pregnancy, insulin use, can also affect the occurrence and development of DR, but there is no unified conclusion about its correlation. A comprehensive understanding of the risk factors that affect DR can provide new ideas for the prevention, diagnosis, treatment, and intervention of DR.
Objective To observe the expression of p53, bcl-2 genes, vascular endothelial cell growth factor（VEGF）, basic fibroblast growth factor（bFGF）, insulin-like growth factor-I （IGF-I）, and the receptors of these factors of retinal vascular endothelial cells (VECs) of 1- to 20-week diabetic rats, and the relationship between the expressions and cell cycle arrest.Methods Retinal sections of diabetic rats induced by alloxan were immunohistochemically stained and observed by light microscopy (LM) and electron microscopy (EM). Dot blotting and Western blotting were used to determine the expression of mRNA, proteins of p53 and bcl-2. Results Under LM, immunohistochemical positive expression of p53 and bcl-2 were found on the vessels of ganglion cell layer and inner nuclear layer of retinae of 8- to 20-week diabetic rats; under EM, these substances were observed depositing in VECs. The retinal VECs also expressed VEGF, bFGF, IGF-I and their receptors. There was no positive expression of other cell types in these retinae, all cell types of retinae in control group, or all cells of retinae of diabetic rats with the course of disease of 1 to 6 weeks. The result of dot blotting revealed that retinal tissue of 20-week diabetic rat expressed p53 and bcl-2 mRNA, and the result of Western blotting revealed that they also expressed p53 and bcl-2 proteins. But retinal tissues of control group did not. Positive expression of bax was not found in the retinae in control group or 1- to 20-week diabetic rats. Conclusion p53, bcl-2 may introduce cell cycle arrest of VECs of retinae in 8- to 20-week diabetic rats. High glucose might stimulate the expression of VEGF, bFGF, IGF-I and their receptors, and the growth factors may keep VECs surviving by self-secretion. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis，2003，19：29-33)
Objective To study the relationship between the expression of sonic hedgehog (Shh) and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in hypoxic human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells. Methods Cultured hRPE-19 cells (3rd - 6th generations) were used in this experiment. hRPE-19 cells were divided into three groups including the control group, the hypoxia experimental group (100 μmol/L CoCl2) and the inhibition group (pretreatment with 20 μmol/L cyclopamine 1 hour before hypoxia). After culturing for 4, 8, 12 and 24 hours, the mRNA level of Shh and VEGF genes in these cells were measured by fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and the protein level of Shh and VEGF in the supernatants were measure by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The relationship between the expression of Shh and VEGF was analyzed by Pearson?correlation?analysis. Results The control group expressed low levels of Shh and VEGF mRNA/protein. The expression of Shh and VEGF mRNA/protein in the hypoxia experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group (F=178.364, 183.732, 77.456, 91.572; P＜0.01). The expression of Shh and VEGF mRNA in the inhibition group was significantly lower than that in the hypoxia experimental group (F=68.745, 121.834; P＜0.01). In the hypoxia experimental group, the expression of VEGF protein was positively correlated with the expression of Shh protein (r=0.942, P＜0.05); and the expression of VEGF and Shh mRNA was positively correlated (r=0.970, P＜0.01). However, there was no significant correlation in the expression of VEGF and Shh mRNA in the inhibition group (r=0.915, P＞0.05). Conclusion There is a positive correlation between the expression of Shh and VEGF in hypoxic hRPE cells.
Objective To broaden the current understanding of the usage willingness about artificial intelligence (AI) robots and relevant influence factors for elderly patients. Methods The elderly patients in the inpatient ward, outpatient department and physical examination of the Department of Geriatrics, West China Hospital of Sichuan University were selected by convenient sampling for investigation between February and April 2020, to explore the willingness of elderly patients to use AI robots and related influencing factors. Results A total of 446 elderly patients were included. There were 244 males and 202 females. The willingness to use AI robots was (14.40±3.62) points. There were statistically significant differences among the elderly patients with different ages, marital status, living conditions, educational level, current health status, current vision status, current hearing status, self-care ability and family support in their willingness to use AI robots (P<0.05). Multiple linear regression analysis showed that age, education level and family support were the influencing factors of use intention (P<0.05). Among the elderly patients, 60.76% had heard of AI robots, but only 28.03% knew the medical application of AI robots, and only 13.90% had used AI robot services. Most elderly patients (>60%) thought that some adverse factors may reduce their usage willingness, like “the price is too expensive” and “the use is complex, or I don’t know how to use”. Conclusions Elderly patients’ cognition of AI robots is still at a low level, and their willingness to use AI robots is mainly affected by age, education level and family support. It is suggested to consider the personalized needs of the elderly in terms of different ages, education levels and family support, and promote the cheap and user-friendly AI robots, so as to improve the use of AI robots by elderly patients.
Objective To study the effects of several neurotrophic factors and growth factors on the survival of human retinal ganglion cells(RGC)in vitro. Methods RGC were isolated from donor eyes and cultured.RGC in cell culture were identified by morphologic criteria and immunocytochemical staining.Various neurotrophic factors and growth factors were added individually to the cultures.Numbers of RGC in wells in which these agents had been added were compared with those from control wells(cultures without supplements). Results No or very few RGC were present in cell cultures containing medium without supplements or those supplemented with neurotrophin-3(NT-3),nerve growth factor (NGF),epidermal growth factor(EGF)amd plateletderived growth factor(PDGF).Numbers of RGC(per 10 fields)in cell cultures containing brain derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF),ciliary neurotrophic factor(CNTF),neurotrophin-4/5(NT-4/5)and basic fibroblast growth factor(bFGF)wer 4.08,1.23,2.63 and 2.65,respectively,significantly more than found in the control cultures. Conclusions BDNF,NT-4/5,bFGF,CNTF improve survival of human RGC in vitro,while NGF,NT-3,EGF and PDGF do not. (Chin J Ocul Fundus Dis, 1999, 15: 149-152)
Objective To observe the incidence of hypotony and its risk factors in the early stage after 23-gauge sutureless microincisional vitrectomy. Methods A retrospective case series. Seventy patients (70 eyes) who had undergone 23-gauge sutureless microincisional vitrectomy were enrolled. There were 41 phakic eyes, 29 eyes with intraocular lens; 68 eyes with a single surgical procedure and 2 eyes with a second surgical procedure; 34 eyes with BSS tamponade and 36 with gas tamponade. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was measured by non-contact tonometry. Hypotony was defined as an IOP of 5 mm Hg (1 mm Hg=0.133 kPa ) or less. The incidence of hypotony and other complications at postoperative day 1, 3 and 7 were observed. The influence of age, sex, side of operation, type of tamponade, status of lens, surgical time on postoperative hypotony was analyzed. Results Hypotony was found in 8 eyes (11.4%) on postoperative day 1 and recovered spontaneously on postoperative day 3. There were no significant differences comparing age (t=1.12), sex (chi;2=2.23) and side of operation (chi;2=2.01) between patients with hypotony and those without it. The patients with hypotony suffered longer surgical time than that of those without hypotony (chi;2=5.48,P＜0.05). The incidence of hypotony in eyes with gas tamponade was significantly lower than that in eyes with BSS tamponade (chi;2=5.48,P＜0.05). The incidence of hypotony in eyes with phakic eyes was lower than that in eyes with intraocular lens (chi;2=4.20,P＜0.05). Hypotony was encountered in the 2 re-operated eyes. Choriodal folds were encountered in 2 eyes, but there was no other complication in other eyes. Conclusions A transient hypotony occurs commonly in first 3 days after 23-gauge sutureless microincisional vitrectomy. Hypotony was significantly influenced by type of tamponade, reoperation and intraoperative lens status.
Objective To study the effect of transforming growth factor β1(TGF-β1) and insulin-like growth factor 1(IGF-1) during the induction course from marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) to chondrocytes and to observe the effect of cell density on cell induction. Methods Differential time adherent methods were used to purify MSCs obtained from the bone marrow of Kunming mice. MSCs were cultured under special conditionsto induce themto differentiate into chondrocytes. Toluidine blue staining and immunofluoresence were used to identify those induced chondrocytes.TGF-β1 and IGF-1 were used individually or in combination under two different culture patterns: pellet culture and monolayer culture. According to different growth factors, experiment included 3 experimental groups(TGF-β1+IGF-1 group,10 ng/mland 50 ng/ml respectively;TGF-β1 group, 10 ng/ml; and IGF-1 group, 50 ng/ml) and control group(without growth factor). In TGF-β1+IGF-1 group, toluidine blue staining and immunofluoresence staining were carried out at 14 days and 21 days. The effect ofTGF-β1 and IGF-1 on the expression of collagen Ⅱgene was detected by RT-PCR at 7, 14 and 21 days of induction; the expressionsof collagen Ⅱ were compared between two culture patterns. Results In TGF-β1+IGF-1 group, the histological examination and immunofluoresence showed that those inducted chondyocytes could express collagen Ⅱ at 14 days. The gel electrophoresis results showed that the fragment of collagen Ⅱ gene was seen in TGF-β1+IGF-1 group andTGF-β1 group and that no fragment ofcollagen Ⅱ gene was seen in IGF-1 group and control group. The expression of collagen Ⅱ gene was ber in TGF-β1+ IGF-1 group than inTGF-β1 group, showing significant difference(Plt;0.05). Cells expressed more collagen Ⅱ under pellet culture than under monolayer culture. Conclusion IGF-1 could enhance the effect ofTGF-β1 during the induction course from MSCs to chondrocytes. A certain extent of high cell density is more effective for MSCs to differentiate into chondrocytes.