Visual prostheses are now entering the clinical marketplace. Such prostheses were originally targeted for patients suff ering from blindness through retinitis pigmentosa(RP). However, in late July of this year, for th...Visual prostheses are now entering the clinical marketplace. Such prostheses were originally targeted for patients suff ering from blindness through retinitis pigmentosa(RP). However, in late July of this year, for the first time a patient was given a retinal implant in order to treat dry agerelated macular degeneration. Retinal implants are suitable solutions for diseases that attack photoreceptors but spare most of the remaining retinal neurons. For eye diseases that result in loss of retinal output, implants that interface with more central structures in the visual system are needed. The standard site for central visual prostheses under development is the visual cortex. This perspective discusses the technical and socioeconomic challenges faced by visual prostheses.展开更多
The vitamin D receptor （VDR） gene is a primary candidate gene for tuberculosis susceptibility, but results of previous studies are somewhat contradictory and underpowered. Thus, it is essential to further explore th...The vitamin D receptor （VDR） gene is a primary candidate gene for tuberculosis susceptibility, but results of previous studies are somewhat contradictory and underpowered. Thus, it is essential to further explore the association between VDR gene polymorphisms and risk of pulmonary tuberculosis （PTB）. Methods： A systematic review and meta-analysis about the association between Fok[, TaqI, Apal and Bsm[ polymorphisms and PTB susceptibility was conducted. Statistical Package for Social Science （Version 13.0） and Review Manager （Version 4.2, The Cochrane Collaboration） were used to analyze the data reported in studies. Results： A total of 13 studies with 2 262 cases and 2 833 controls were involved in the FokI polymorphism, and the results showed FokI polymorphism was associated with PTB susceptibility （allele f vs F： OR=1.12, 95% CI=[1.02, 1.23]; the additive effect model ff vs FF： OR=1.40, 95%CI=[1.10, 1.77]; the recessive genetic model firs Ff＋FF： OR=1.39, 95%CI=[1.12, 1.71]）. No significant associations were observed between TaqI （15 studies with 3 031 cases and 3 132 controls）, ApaI （7 studies with 1 495 cases and 1 922 controls）, BsmI （6 studies with 919 cases and 1 250 controls） variants and PTB susceptibility. Conclusion： We found variant Fokl polymorphism of VDR gene may play a risky role in PTB development, and the genetic model was presumed to be recessive.展开更多
Objective To investigate the association between two polymorphisms of follicle stimulating hormone receptor （FSHR） gene and polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） susceptibility. Methods Case-control studies on relatio...Objective To investigate the association between two polymorphisms of follicle stimulating hormone receptor （FSHR） gene and polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） susceptibility. Methods Case-control studies on relationship of Thr307Ala and Asn680Ser polymorphisms in FSHR gene and PCOS susceptibility were searched from PubMed, ISI web of knowledge, EBSCO, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI） databases up to March 21, 2013. The pooled odds ratio （OR） and 95% confidence interval （CO were calculated using fixed- or random-effect model based on heterogeneity test in 5 genotype models analyses. Results A total of 11 studies were included in the Meta-analysis. The random-effect analysis showed Asn680Ser was significantly associated with the reduced susceptibility to PCOS with dominant model （Asn/Asn＋Asn/Ser vs. Ser/Ser, OR=0.83, 95% CI： 0.69-1.00）, recessive model （Asn/Asn vs. Asn/Ser＋ Ser/Ser, OR=0.84, 95% CI： 0.72-0.98）, homozygote comparison （Ash/Ash vs. Ser/Ser, 0R=0.79, 95% CI： 0.63-0.98）, and the allele contrast （Asn vs. Ser, OR=0.87, 95% CI： 0.79-0.97） respectively（P=0.02, I2=56.0%）, being protective factors for PCOS. However, no significant associations were found between Thr307Ala and PCOS. Conclusion There might be a significant association between Asn680Ser polymorphism and PCOS.展开更多
基金the National Priorities Research Program (NPRP) (NPRP 5-457-2-181) from the Qatar National Research Fund (a member of Qatar Foundation)
文摘Visual prostheses are now entering the clinical marketplace. Such prostheses were originally targeted for patients suff ering from blindness through retinitis pigmentosa(RP). However, in late July of this year, for the first time a patient was given a retinal implant in order to treat dry agerelated macular degeneration. Retinal implants are suitable solutions for diseases that attack photoreceptors but spare most of the remaining retinal neurons. For eye diseases that result in loss of retinal output, implants that interface with more central structures in the visual system are needed. The standard site for central visual prostheses under development is the visual cortex. This perspective discusses the technical and socioeconomic challenges faced by visual prostheses.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China (30700685)the Medical Science and Technology Research Project of Chongqing Municipal Health Bureau (2009-1-06)
文摘The vitamin D receptor （VDR） gene is a primary candidate gene for tuberculosis susceptibility, but results of previous studies are somewhat contradictory and underpowered. Thus, it is essential to further explore the association between VDR gene polymorphisms and risk of pulmonary tuberculosis （PTB）. Methods： A systematic review and meta-analysis about the association between Fok[, TaqI, Apal and Bsm[ polymorphisms and PTB susceptibility was conducted. Statistical Package for Social Science （Version 13.0） and Review Manager （Version 4.2, The Cochrane Collaboration） were used to analyze the data reported in studies. Results： A total of 13 studies with 2 262 cases and 2 833 controls were involved in the FokI polymorphism, and the results showed FokI polymorphism was associated with PTB susceptibility （allele f vs F： OR=1.12, 95% CI=[1.02, 1.23]; the additive effect model ff vs FF： OR=1.40, 95%CI=[1.10, 1.77]; the recessive genetic model firs Ff＋FF： OR=1.39, 95%CI=[1.12, 1.71]）. No significant associations were observed between TaqI （15 studies with 3 031 cases and 3 132 controls）, ApaI （7 studies with 1 495 cases and 1 922 controls）, BsmI （6 studies with 919 cases and 1 250 controls） variants and PTB susceptibility. Conclusion： We found variant Fokl polymorphism of VDR gene may play a risky role in PTB development, and the genetic model was presumed to be recessive.
文摘Objective To investigate the association between two polymorphisms of follicle stimulating hormone receptor （FSHR） gene and polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS） susceptibility. Methods Case-control studies on relationship of Thr307Ala and Asn680Ser polymorphisms in FSHR gene and PCOS susceptibility were searched from PubMed, ISI web of knowledge, EBSCO, and China National Knowledge Infrastructure （CNKI） databases up to March 21, 2013. The pooled odds ratio （OR） and 95% confidence interval （CO were calculated using fixed- or random-effect model based on heterogeneity test in 5 genotype models analyses. Results A total of 11 studies were included in the Meta-analysis. The random-effect analysis showed Asn680Ser was significantly associated with the reduced susceptibility to PCOS with dominant model （Asn/Asn＋Asn/Ser vs. Ser/Ser, OR=0.83, 95% CI： 0.69-1.00）, recessive model （Asn/Asn vs. Asn/Ser＋ Ser/Ser, OR=0.84, 95% CI： 0.72-0.98）, homozygote comparison （Ash/Ash vs. Ser/Ser, 0R=0.79, 95% CI： 0.63-0.98）, and the allele contrast （Asn vs. Ser, OR=0.87, 95% CI： 0.79-0.97） respectively（P=0.02, I2=56.0%）, being protective factors for PCOS. However, no significant associations were found between Thr307Ala and PCOS. Conclusion There might be a significant association between Asn680Ser polymorphism and PCOS.
