Impact of fibrin glue versus suture closure on double-headed pterygia in Asian eyes – a 7-year study in a tertiary institution

BackgroundTo compare the recurrence rate and outcomes of double-headed pterygia using fibrin glue versus suture closure of conjunctival autograft.MethodsAll patients with double-headed pterygia who underwent pterygia excision with conjunctival autograft from January 2012 to January 2019 in the National University Hospital of Singapore were included. Patients were divided into 2 groups depending on whether fibrin glue or sutures were used to secure the conjunctival autograft in place. All patients had a minimum of 6 months follow-up.ResultsA total (26 patients) of 22 eyes had fibrin glue, while eight eyes underwent suture closure of their conjunctival autograft. Fibrin glue group had 4.5% recurrence rate, while suture group had 37.5% recurrence rate (p = .021). There is statistically significant improvement for overall visual acuity (p = .009) and cylinder (p = .002). There is also statistically significant improvement for visual acuity in the glue group (p = .026), but not in the suture group. Fibrin glue group had a shorter operation duration time compared to suture group (p < .001).There were no cases of graft dislocation, contraction or limbal stem cell deficiency.ConclusionsLow recurrence rates and good postoperative visual outcomes can be achieved with the split conjunctival autograft technique. Our study suggests that fibrin glue has an additional benefit over the use of sutures in the management of these complex cases.     

Prevalence of hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) predisposition gene mutations among 882 HBOC high‐risk Chinese individuals

Identification of deleterious variants in hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) susceptibility genes allows for increased clinical surveillance and early detection, and could predict the response to poly (ADP‐ribose) polymerase (PARP) inhibitor in patients with advanced ovarian carcinomas. To determine the prevalence and clinical prediction factors for HBOC syndrome, 882 selected individuals underwent multigene panel testing for HBOC risk assessment during the period from January 2015 to March 2018. Overall, 176 deleterious mutations were observed in 19.50% (n = 172) of individuals. Twenty‐six of 176 mutations could not be retrieved in related public databases and were considered to be novel. Among patients with ovarian cancer, 115 deleterious mutations were identified in 429 patients (48.6%) with significant enrichment for a family history of breast or ovarian cancer syndrome (P < .05). In the breast cancer subgroup, 31 deleterious mutations were identified in 261 patients. Besides BRCA1 (8; 25.8%) and BRCA2 (11; 35.5%), the most frequently occurring genes, an additional 12 deleterious mutations (38.7%) were found in seven other susceptibility genes. Higher mutation incidence (57.9%) was observed in subjects with histories of breast and ovarian cancer. Our results highlighted the genetic heterogeneity of HBOC and the efficiency of a multigene panel in carrying out risk assessment.     

Metabolic profiles of corydaline in rats by ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry

1. Corydaline, an isoquinoline alkaloid obtained from the rhizomes of Corydalis yanhusuo, exhibits anti-acetylcholinesterase, anti-angiogenic, anti-allergic and gastric-emptying activities. In this study, a rapid and reliable ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled to quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry (UPLC-Q/TOF-MS) method was developed and employed for the comprehensive study of the metabolites of corydaline in rats.

2. Altogether, 43 metabolites were identified in the plasma (11), bile (9), urine (34) and feces (21) of rats after oral administration of corydaline at a dose of 4.5mg/kg.

3. It was demonstrated that demethylation, hydroxylation, sulfation and glucuronidation were the major metabolic transformation pathways. Among these, two metabolites were identified as tetrahydropalmatine and isocorybulbine, and 33 phase I and phase II products were inferred to be new metabolites arising from the in vivo metabolism of corydaline.

4. Importantly, this research provides scientific and reliable support for full understanding of the metabolic profiles of corydaline and the results could help to elucidate its safety and efficacy.     

基于网络药理学探讨“黄芪-当归-大枣”角药补气养血的分子机制＊

目的 运用网络药理学探讨“黄芪-当归-大枣”角药补气养血的分子机制。方法 利用中药系统药理学TCMSP数据库收集黄芪、当归和大枣的化学成分，并预测作用靶点。通过STRING数据库和Cytoscape软件构建蛋白互作PPI网络，获得关键靶点。借助DAVID数据库对筛选靶点进行GO功能和KEGG通路富集分析。进一步构建气血两虚小鼠模型，灌胃“黄芪-当归-大枣”水煎剂，检测各组PTGS₂ mRNA表达水平与肿瘤坏死因子-α(TNF-α)含量，完成验证实验。结果 筛选得到“黄芪-当归-大枣”角药化学成分47个，预测作用靶点43个，关键靶点10个，生物功能主要定位在内质网膜和线粒体，通过介导癌症信号通路，TNF、P53、Foxo、HIF-1信号通路，钙信号通路等发挥补气养血作用。动物实验显示“黄芪-当归-大枣”角药可调控气血两虚小鼠中PTGS₂ mRNA表达，降低TNF-α释放，进而抑制TNF信号通路的激活，进一步证实了预测的可靠性。结论 本研究深入诠释“黄芪-当归-大枣”角药补气养血作用多成分、多靶点和多通路的复杂机制，为其进一步临床应用和功能食品开发提供科学依据。     

不同TGF-β表达量的hAMSCs尾静脉移植对异种周围神经移植小鼠坐骨神经功能的影响

目的探讨不同转化生长因子-β(TGF-β)表达量的人羊膜间充质干细胞(hAMSCs)尾静脉移植对异种周围神经移植小鼠坐骨神经功能的恢复作用。方法从健康剖宫产产妇志愿捐献的新鲜羊膜中分离出hAMSCs,并进行纯化及鉴定。构建上调和下调TGF-β表达的慢病毒质粒,并转染纯化的hAMSCs,构建出稳定的上调或下调TGF-β表达的hAMSCs。分离并剪去C57BL/6小鼠的部分坐骨神经,将SD大鼠的坐骨神经分离剪取并移植至小鼠的坐骨神经缺损处,构建出异种周围神经移植小鼠模型。将模型小鼠按随机数字表分为对照组、未修饰的hAMSCs治疗组、高表达TGF-β的hAMSCs治疗组、低表达TGF-β的hAMSCs治疗组,每组10只。各组于造模前1 d分别经尾静脉注射磷酸盐缓冲液或相应的hAMSCs重悬液进行移植治疗。于治疗后第14天时采用DigGait步态分析系统评估各组小鼠的坐骨神经功能恢复情况。结果治疗后第14天时,高表达TGF-β的hAMSCs治疗组小鼠的坐骨神经功能指数(-25.820±0.286)明显高于低表达TGF-β的hAMSCs治疗组(-33.413±0.920)和未修饰的hAMSCs治疗组(-30.755±0.421),差异均有统计学意义(P<0.05)。结论高表达TGF-β的hAMSCs尾静脉移植能够更有效地改善异种周围神经移植小鼠的坐骨神经功能,其可能成为周围神经损伤治疗的新突破口。     

基于微信平台的延续性护理在恶性肿瘤患儿生活中的应用

目的 探讨通过微信平台的远程护理对恶性肿瘤患儿生活质量和家属满意度的影响。方法 将某医院2015年1月—2018年12月收治入院的80例恶性肿瘤患儿,随机分为两组,对照组采用常规随访法进行指导教育,实验组在常规随访的基础上,通过微信平台实施远程延续性护理,观察对比两组患儿在干预前后的生活质量评分情况及和家属满意度情况。结果 干预前对照组与实验组患者的生存质量普适性核心量表评分(PedsQLTM4.0)、生存质量癌症模块量表评分(PedsQLTM3.0)比较差异均无统计学意义(P>0.05),两组患者干预前后PedsQLTM4.0与PedsQLTM3.0评分比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05)。干预后两组患者PedsQLTM4.0评分情况,实验组为(83.77±3.14),较对照组的评分(73.18±3.85)有所升高(P<0.05);干预后两组患者PedsQLTM3.0评分情况均有所升高,实验组较对照组升高 [(71.14±12.30) vs (82.32±8.57)](P值均<0.05);实验组患儿家属满意度(97.50%)高于对照组(82.50%),(χ2=5.000,P<0.05)。结论 微信延续性护理可提高恶性肿瘤患儿的生活质量和患儿家属满意度,简易便行,值得推广。