Objective To evaluate the value of AccuMap multifocal visual evoked potential (mfVEP) objective perimetry in measuring visual function of macular diseases. Methods Forty-six eyes (37 patients) with macular diseases were studied. The mean mfVEP amplitudes of central visual field within radius 2.0deg;, 5.5deg;, 10.0deg;, 15.5deg; and 24.0deg;were measured by AccuMap mfVEP objective perimetry. Automatically calculated AccuMap severity index （ASI） represented the visual field defects. Meanwhile, the mean sensitivity (MS) of central visual field within radius 2.0deg;, 4.0deg;, 6.0deg;, 8.0deg; and 10.0deg; and mean defect (MD) of central visual field within radius 10.0deg; were assessed by MP-1 microperimeter. The correlations among those parameters including logMAR visual acuity, mean mfVEP amplitudes, MS, ASI and MD were analyzed. Results Among 46 affected eyes, AccuMap mfVEP objective perimetry showed abnormal ASI with visual field defects in 43 eyes (93.45%), normal ASI without visual field defects in three eyes (6.55%). The mean mfVEP amplitudes value of the central visual field within radius of 2.0deg;, 5.5deg;, 10.0deg;, 15.5deg; and 24.0deg; were (120.78plusmn;52.91), (134.31plusmn;54.67), (149.99plusmn;52.42), (156.69plusmn;48.30), (157.54plusmn;45.07) nV respectively. The mean ASI value was 74.26plusmn;52.43. MP1 showed that the MS values of central visual field within radius 2.0deg;, 4.0deg;, 6.0deg;, 8.0deg; and 10.0deg; were (10.97plusmn;5.91), (12.71plusmn;5.13), (13.71plusmn;4.53), (14.23plusmn;4.18), (14.48plusmn;3.86) dB respectively. The MD value of central visual field within radius 10deg; was 4.49plusmn;3.07. There was a significant correlation among ASI, the mean mfVEP amplitudes of central visual field with every radius and logMAR best corrected visual acuity （P＜0.05). The mean mfVEP amplitudes of central visual field within radius 2.0deg;, 5.5deg;, 10.0deg; were positively correlated with the MS of central visual field within radius 2.0deg;, 6.0deg;, 10.0deg; (r=0.477, 0.432, 0.433;P=0.001, 0.003, 0.003). Furthermore, ASI was also correlated with MD of central visual field within radius 10.0deg;(r=0.729, P=0.000). Conclusions AccuMap mfVEP objective perimetry can reflect the changes of macular function objectively and can be used to assess the visual function of macular diseases.
Objective To evaluate the effects of knowledge about malaria after the implementation of Global Fund Malaria Project in Chongqing for future prevention and treatment of malaria. Methods Four counties were selected from the counties of Global Fund Malaria Project of Chongqing. Three towns were randomly selected in each selected county; one primary school and one high school were investigated in each selected town; one class was randomly selected in each selected school; and 30 students in each selected class were randomly selected. Then, three villages were randomly selected in each selected county; one group of villagers were randomly selected in each selected village; and 200 local residents were randomly investigated in each selected villager group. Before and after implementation of Global Fund Malaria Project, their awareness of malaria was investigated using a questionnaire. Results After implementation of the project, the pupils’ average awareness rate of knowledge about malaria rose from 58.94% to 89.96% (χ2=179.48, Plt;0.01) with average increase of 31.02%; the middle school students’ average awareness rate of rose from 52.83% to 86.06% (χ2=196.64, Plt;0.01) with average increase of 33.23%; the local residents’ average awareness rate of knowledge about malaria rose from 56.74% to 83.89% (χ2=1 281.70, Plt;0.01) with average increase of 27.15%. The accuracies of all respondents after project implement was higher than before. After the implementation, the accuracies of malaria transmission route, main clinical symptoms, and seeing doctor while malaria occurring were all above 80%, but the accuracy of the index of best preventive methods was less than 50%. Conclusion The implementation of Global Fund Malaria Project in Chongqing increase the awareness rate of malaria knowledge but the relevant education should be strengthened, so as to promote general population’s awareness of malaria prevention.
Objective To investigate the neuroprotective effect of epigallocatechingallate (EGCG), the major catechin found in green tea, in an optic nerve crush (ONC) rat model.Methods Seventytwo Wistar rats were divided randomly into four groups: normal control, shamoperation+EGCG, ONC+vehicle, and ONC+EGCG groups. Animals were treated intraperitoneally and orally with either vehicle (normal saline) or EGCG (25 mg/kg, injected daily for up to five days, and orally 2 mg/kg daily afterwards). Two days after the first injection, an ONC injury using a micro optic nerve clipper was performed at approximately 2 mm from the optic nerve head for 60 seconds. Fluorogold was injected into bilateral superior colliculi five days before sacrifice and fluorescent gold labeled retinal ganglion cells (RGC) were counted under fluorescence microscopy on days seven, 14 and 28 after optic nerve crush. Meanwhile, the expression of neurofilament triplet L (NF-L) was measured by immunohistochemistry and Western blotting.Results In the ONC+vehicle group, a progressive loss of RGC was observed; however, compared with the ONC+vehicle group, RGC density was significantly higher on day seven (t=3.216, P=0.009), day 14(t=2.609, P=0.026) and day 28 (t=2.792, P=0.019) , and a significant increase of the NF-L protein expression has been observed on days seven, 14 and 28 after optic nerve crush in the ONC+EGCG group. Conclusions EGCG has a protective effect to the bodies and axons of the RGC after optic nerve crush.
ObjectiveTo understand the prevention and control effects of iodine deficiency disorders and its progression trend of disease condition in Chongqing. MethodsOne primary school was randomly selected as longitudinal surveillance sites in each of 4 counties in Chongqing city. A total of 90 children aged 8 to 10 years were randomly selected in each school with goiter, salt iodine, urinary iodine and intelligence detected. Meanwhile, in the four sites, urinary iodine of pregnant women and nursing women was tested. The goiter was examined by B-ultrasonograghy, urinary iodine by Ce arsenic acid digestion, and salt iodine by direct drop methods. ResultsA total of 360 children aged 8 to 10 years were investigated surveillance sites. The total goiter rate was 5.28%. There was no significant difference in the total goiter rate among different counties (P > 0.05). The median of iodized salt was 26.65 mg/kg. The coverage rate of iodized salt, consumption rate of qualified iodized salt and intake rate of qualified iodized salt was 99.72%, 91.09% and 97.04%, respectively. The medians of urine iodine of children, pregnant and nursing women were 238.15 μg/L, 218.15 μg/L and 252.90 μg/L, respectively. The cases with urine iodine lower than 100 μg/L accounted for 11.94%, 32.93% and 13.75%, respectively. The cases with urine iodine above 300 μg/L accounted for 34.17%, 13.41% and 43.75%, respectively. The mean intelligence quotient of children was 112.57. ConclusionThe goiter rate of schoolchildren in Chongqing city is relatively high and the population's iodine nutrition level is stable. However, the shortage and overdose of iodine still exist in Chongqing city.