Clinical observation of recombinant human nerve growth factor in the treatment of neurotrophic keratitis

AIM:To characterize changes of corneal nerve morphology and tear indices in patients with neurotrophic keratitis(NK)treated with recombinant human nerve growth factor(rhNGF).METHODS:In a prospective observational study,six patients(nine eyes)were locally treated with rhNGF.Visual acuity,corneal fluorescein staining score,the heights of the tear river,lipid layer thickness(LLT),tear ferning(TF)test,conjunctival impression cytology(CIC)examination,the densities of cornea subbasal nerve fibers were determined before and after treatment.RESULTS:Compared with baseline,there was a significant difference in corneal fluorescence staining scores(P<0.01);all patient corneal epithelial defects recovered completely within 8wk,but there was no significant improvement in the height of the tear river(P=0.202).LLT was significantly increased when compared with baseline(P=0.042);however,the function of conjunctival goblet cells and mucin content did not significantly improve using the TF test and CIC examination(P=0.557,P=0.539).After 8wk of treatment,the average corneal subbasal nerve fiber density increased significantly(P<0.01),as did the number of corneal nerve fiber branches(P=0.001).CONCLUSION:RhNGF can increase the density of corneal subbasal nerve fibers,promote the healing of persistent corneal epithelial defects and corneal ulcers in patients with NK,also improving tear function partially.

基于卵石与subbase料组合换填的软基回填施工工艺研究

软土地基回填施工时,由于回填材料较为单一,导致回填后地基稳定性较差。为了提高地基稳定性,对基于卵石与subbase料组合换填的软基回填施工工艺进行研究。设置卵石尺寸为6~25cm和5~10cm,在控制有害物质含量的基础上管控subbase料级配。根据软土地基属性特征,排水处理地下水,抬高建基面高程。采用机械抛石、整平处理、碾压施工、回填subbase料等施工工艺完成软基回填。测试结果表明,设计工艺基坑的应力强度高于115.0kPa,可以提高回填后地基的稳定性。

Changes in corneal innervation and pain responses in fungal keratitis

AIM: To characterize changes in the cornea nerve and pain responses in fungal keratitis(FK).METHODS: A retrospective analysis of in vivo confocal microscopy images of 11 FK corneas was performed, and the results were compared with those for 11 normal corneas. Subbasal corneal nerves were analyzed for total nerve number, main nerve trunk number, branching patterns and tortuosity. C57 BL/6 mice were infected with Aspergillus fumigatus. Disease severity was determined through clinical scoring and slit lamp photography. Corneas were harvested at 1, 3, 5, and 7 d post infection(p.i.) and assessed for β III tubulin. Corneal mechanical sensitivity thresholds were detected by von Frey test. β-endorphin(β-EP) and μ receptor protein expression was detected through Western blotting.RESULTS: Total nerve number, main nerve trunk number, and nerve branching were significantly lower in FK patients than in controls, but tortuosity was not significantly different. In infected mice, subbasal nerve density decreased from 1 d p.i., reaching a minimum at 5 d p.i. Clinical scores rose at 1 d p.i., peaked at 3 d p.i., and decreased at 5 d p.i. Mechanical sensitivity thresholds showed the same trends. β-EP and μ receptor protein expression increased after infection.CONCLUSION: Corneal nerve density is lower in FK patients and Aspergillus fumigatus-infected mice than in controls. Pain sensitivity decreases with postinfection corneal ulcer aggravation. β-EP and μ receptor proteins are both upregulated in infected mouse corneas.

Ocular surface evaluation in eyes with chronic glaucoma on long term topical antiglaucoma therapy

AIM: To evaluate ocular surface changes and its correlation with the central corneal subbasal nerve fibre layer in chronic glaucoma patients. METHODS: A prospective comparative study of ocular surface evaluation was performed in 50 eyes of 25 patients using two or more antiglaucoma medications for at least 6mo and 50 eyes of 25 normal subjects without any ocular problems as controls. The study parameters evaluated included visual acuity, intraocular pressure, ocular surface evaluation parameters [fluorescein break-up time(FTBUT), Schirmer's I test, ocular surface staining scores and ocular surface disease index score(OSDI)], central corneal sensation(Cochet Bonnett aesthesiometer), central subbasal nerve fiber layer density(SBNFLD) by confocal microscopy. RESULTS: The mean values in the glaucoma cases and control groups respectively were as follows: OSDI score(35.89±16.07/6.02±3.84; P=0.001), Schirmer's I test score(7.63±2.64 mm/12.86±1.93 mm; P=0.001), FTBUT(9.44±2.76s/11.8±1.88s; P=0.001), corneal(5.7±2.33/1.1±0.58; P=0.001) and conjunctival staining score(5.06±1.94/0.84±0.46; P=0.001), corneal sensitivity(4.68±0.44/5.07±0.37; P=0.076), mean subbasal nerve fiber number(3.58±0.99/5.40±1.70; P=0.001), SBNFL length(1101.44±287.56 μm/1963.70±562.56 μm; P=0.001) and density(6883.94±1798.03 μm/mm^2/12 273.15±3516.04 μm/mm^2; P=0.001). Dry eye severity of level 2 and 3 was seen in 66% of glaucoma group. Corneal(R^2=0.86) and conjunctival staining(R^2=0.71) and OSDI score(R^2=0.67) showed statistically significant negative correlation with central corneal SBNFLD while FTBUT(R^2=0.84), corneal sensitivity(R^2=0.52) showed positive correlation to central corneal SBNFLD in the long term topical antiglaucoma medication group.CONCLUSION: Ocular surface changes and antiglaucoma therapy induced dry eye is found to be associated with decreased SBNFLD in eyes on long term topical antiglaucoma medications.

Clinical and microstructural changes with different iontophoresis-assisted corneal cross-linking methods for keratoconus

AIM: To compare the clinical and microstructural changes induced by different transepithelial iontophoresis-assisted corneal cross-linking(I-CXL) methods for keratoconus. METHODS: A total of 42 eyes of 42 patients with progressive keratoconus were divided into two groups. Group A received I-CXL for 5min, while group B received I-CXL for 10 min. Visual acuity, optical coherence tomography(OCT), specular microscopy and confocal microscopy were evaluated preoperatively and at 1, 3, 6, and 12 mo postoperatively. RESULTS: Twelve months after the operation, uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA) and corrected distance visual acuity(CDVA) were improved in both groups, with a better outcome in the I-CXL 10 min group(P=0.025, 0.021, respectively). Kmax values decreased by 0.94±3.00 D in the I-CXL 10 min group(P=0.033) but increased by 1.87±3.29 D in the I-CXL 5min group(P=0.012). OCT scans showed that the demarcation line was most visible and substantially deeper in the I-CXL 10 min group. Confocal microscopy showed greater anterior stromal keratocyte decreases in the I-CXL 10 min group than in the I-CXL 5min group at 3 and 6mo postoperatively(P<0.001); however, anterior stromal keratocytes and subbasal nerve density were not significantly different between the two groups at 12 mo postoperatively.

Analysis of Lateritic Soil Reinforced with Palm Kernel Shells for Use as a Sub-Base Layer for Low-Traffic Roads

In tropical areas,palm oil production generates significant amounts of waste,including palm kernel shells.The use of this waste in the civil engineering sector,presents a very challenging task.In the present study,the production of lateritic soil(A-2 in GTR classification and A-7-6(9)in HRB classification)reinforced with palm kernel shells is considered.In order to improve their performances,these materials are mixed using the Fuller’s parabolic law.Moreover,experimental tests are used to characterize the physical and mechanical geotechnical properties of the lateritic soil.After characterizing the matrix(i.e.,lateritic soil)and the inclusions(i.e.,palm kernel shells)in their natural state,it is found that Avrankou’s lateritic soil has a high level of fine particles(56.6%),high plasticity(PI=21%)and low lift(ICBR=17%);which makes it unusable in the pavement layer.Results also prove that the mixture composed of 39%of lateritic soil volume and 61%of PKS with a CBR index equals to 30 and the mixture composed of 45%of lateritic soil,40%PKS and 15%of lagoon sand with a CBR index equals to 41 can be used as sub-base layer for roads for low and medium traffic,respectively.

Domain函数空间上的Isbell拓扑和Scott拓扑的一致性(英文)

In this paper, the agreement of Isbell and Scott topologies on the Domain function spaces is discussed. In terms of Domain function spaces, a non-continuous DCPO with Scott open filters as a subbase of Scott topology is given.