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Biomedical subjects

L Xu

Publications and source records attributed to L Xu.

5 recordsLinked to original sources

[Tafluprost/timolol fixed-dose combination versus tafluprost monotherapy for open-angle glaucoma and ocular hypertension: a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-group trial].

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of a preservative-free tafluprost/timolol maleate fixed-dose combination compared with preservative-free tafluprost monotherapy in Chinese patients with open-angle glaucoma (OAG) or ocular hypertension (OHT). Methods: This was a multicenter, randomized, double-blind, parallel-controlled clinical trial conducted across 25 centers, including the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University, from January 2019 to November 2022. Patients diagnosed with OAG or OHT who required enhanced intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction after a 4-week washout period were enrolled. Participants were randomized 1&#x2236;1 to receive either tafluprost/timolol or tafluprost once daily for 3 months. The primary endpoint was the change from baseline in mean diurnal IOP (the average of measurements at 8:00, 10:00, and 16:00) at Month 3. Secondary endpoints included IOP changes at individual time points and the proportion of responders achieving predefined IOP reduction thresholds. Safety was assessed via the incidence of adverse events (AEs). Analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) using the Markov Chain Monte Carlo (MCMC) method was employed for the primary endpoint; superiority was established if the upper limit of the 95% confidence interval (CI) was<0 mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa). Continuous variables in secondary endpoints were compared using ANCOVA, and responder rates were analyzed using Fisher's exact test. Results: A total of 219 patients were enrolled (tafluprost/timolol group: n=110; tafluprost group: n=109). The primary efficacy analysis set included 215 patients (tafluprost/timolol: n=107; tafluprost: n=108). Baseline characteristics were well-balanced between the two groups. The majority of patients were male [127 (59.1%)] with a mean age of (44.80&#xb1;15.71) years at screening. At Month 3, the mean diurnal IOP reduction from baseline was (6.56&#xb1;3.44) mmHg in the tafluprost/timolol group and (5.36&#xb1;2.94) mmHg in the tafluprost group. After adjusting for baseline IOP, the between-group difference was -1.312 mmHg (95%CI: -2.010 to -0.696); as the upper limit was<0 mmHg, tafluprost/timolol demonstrated superior IOP-lowering efficacy to tafluprost. Responder rates for IOP reductions of&#x2265;15%,&#x2265;25%, and&#x2265;30% were significantly higher in the tafluprost/timolol group (P=0.016, 0.028, and 0.032, respectively). The incidence of ocular AEs was 20.0% (22/110) in the tafluprost/timolol group and 26.6% (29/109) in the tafluprost group. The most common AE was conjunctival hyperemia, occurring in 2.7% (3/110) and 8.3% (9/109) of the groups, respectively. Conclusion: Compared with preservative-free tafluprost monotherapy, the tafluprost/timolol combination provides significantly greater IOP reduction in patients with OAG and OHT, while maintaining a favorable safety profile.

Humans

Characterization of human cytomegalovirus UL84 early gene and identification of its putative protein product.

The DNA sequence and transcription pattern of human cytomegalovirus early gene UL84 were analyzed. This gene was mapped within a 2.6-kb PstI fragment located between 0.534 and 0.545 map unit of the large unique segment of the human cytomegalovirus genome, which is adjacent to the pp65 and pp71 genes. A 2.0-kb mRNA was transcribed from this region in the same leftward direction as the mRNAs of the pp65 and pp71 genes. The message was first detected at 2.5 h postinfection and reached a maximal level between 72 and 96 h postinfection. The nucleotide sequences of the 2.6-kb PstI genomic DNA fragment and the cDNA derived from this region were determined. The resulting data revealed a polyadenylation signal (AATAAA) located 14 nucleotides upstream from the poly(A) tail of the cDNA and a 1,761-bp open reading frame capable of encoding a 65-kDa polypeptide. A potential leucine zipper was found in the N-terminal half of the peptide molecule between amino acids 114 and 135. In addition, a different periodic leucine repeat with leucine at every eighth position was found between amino acids 325 and 373. The transcriptional initiation site of this early gene was determined by primer extension analysis. A putative TATA box (TATTTAA) located 24 bp upstream of the cap site and several inverted repeats were found in the region further upstream of the TATA box. To test whether the open reading frame of this cDNA encodes a virus-specific protein, the cDNA was overexpressed in Escherichia coli as a fusion protein used to generate antibodies in rabbits. A protein with a molecular size of 65 kDa was detected in the infected-cell extracts harvested at 6 to 72 h postinfection, but not in purified virions, using immunoblot analysis. Both nuclear and cytoplasmic fluorescences were found at late stages of virus infection. From the results obtained, we postulate that UL84 may be a stable, virus-specific, nonstructural protein capable of forming a homo- or heterodimeric molecule.

Amino Acid Sequence

The effect of multi-glycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f. (GTW) on the survival time of cardiac allografts in rats.

Heterotopic heart transplantation was carried out in rats and the influence of multi-glycosides of Tripterygium wilfordii Hook f. (GTW) and a subtherapeutic dose of cyclosporine A (CsA) on the mean survival time (MST) of the cardiac allografts was investigated. The results showed that the MSTs of cardiac allografts in both the GTW and CsA-treated groups were significantly prolonged (P < 0.01 vs control). The rate of allograft rejection in the drug-treated groups was much lower than that in the control group.

Abdomen