Updated severity and prognosis score of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis: A multi-center cohort study in China.

Background: The high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT) score is an important component of the severity and prognosis score of pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (SPSP). However, the HRCT score in SPSP only considers the extent of opacity, which is insufficient.

Methods: We retrospectively evaluated HRCT scores for 231 patients with autoimmune pulmonary alveolar proteinosis (APAP) from three centers of the China Alliance for Rare Diseases.

Sensitization of keloid fibroblasts by quercetin through the PI3K/Akt pathway is dependent on regulation of HIF-1α.

Keloids are raised, red, hard and irregular tumors that are prone to extend beyond the wound borders. Surgical excision is not sufficient to eradicate a keloid. Adjuvant therapy with radiation is a recommended treatment that reportedly achieves improved efficacy.

2-Methoxyestradiol improves the apoptosis level in keloid fibroblasts through caspase-dependent mechanisms .

Apoptosis is a form of programmed cell death that occurs in multicellular organisms. Fibroblasts are the main cellular ingredients in keloid tissue, which has a relatively low apoptosis level. A natural metabolite of estradiol, 2-Methoxyestradiol (2ME2) exerts a pro-apoptotic effect on tumor cells.

Long-term impact of dry eye symptoms on vision-related quality of life after phacoemulsification surgery.

Purpose: To observe the long-term changes in dry eye symptoms and vision-related quality of life in age-related cataract patients after phacoemulsification.

Methods: 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.

Role of pigment epithelium-derived factor on proliferation and migration of choroidal capillary endothelium induced by vascular endothelial growth factor in vitro.

Background: Pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) is expressed in several normal organs and identified as an inhibitor of neovascularization. In the present study, we investigated the effect of PEDF in an in vitro model of ocular choroidal neovascularization.

Methods: Microdissection was used to isolate the human choroidal endothelial cells (CECs), followed by the use of superparamagnetic beads (Dynabeads) coated with the CD31 antibody, which selectively binds to the endothelial cell surface.

[Role of ciliary neurotrophic factor in regeneration of severed facial nerve of cats].

Objective: To study the role of extrinsic (CNTF) in the regeneration of severed facial nerve in cats.

Method: The facial nerve in temporal bone of adult cats were severed and the severed ends were connected with CNTF or saline applied at the connection. Electrophysiological examination and immunocytochemistry were performed with immunoelectron microscope for morphological analysis at 2, 4 and 8 weeks after the operation.

[Analysis of related factors of nasosinusitis after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma].

Objective: To study the incidence, clinical features and related factors of nasosinusitis after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.

Methods: Five hundred and thirteen patients with nasopharyngeal carcinoma were included in the study, to observe the clinical manifestation and image changes before and after radiotherapy. The incidence and influencing factors of nasosinusitis after radiotherapy were analyzed.