Research on the coupling and coordinated development of Guangxi's tourism industry, new urbanization and environmental health system in the post-epidemic era.

As one of China's sunrise industries, tourism has always been the engine to promote the development of the national economy, and in 2018, the annual income of China's tourism industry exceeded 5 trillion yuan unprecedentedly. In recent years, the traditional extensive production mode has inevitably brought about problems such as environmental pollution and public health threats, while helping the development of new urbanization, thus triggering a series of challenges in the environmental health system. The tourism industry, new urbanization, and environmental health system three cooperate and promote each other, the coordinated development between them for economic growth, new urbanization development, environmental protection, and public health play a vital role, in the post-epidemic era is a special period of historical opportunities, the public's focus from the original sacrifice of environmental health in exchange for economic growth model began to green, low-carbon sustainable development mode, Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region as a tourism resource endowment rich region, It is of positive significance to explore the coupling degree and coordination between the tourism industry, new urbanization and environmental health system, and put forward targeted practical enlightenment, which is of positive significance for promoting the sustainable development of tourism industry. Taking Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region as a case study, this paper constructs three comprehensive evaluation index systems of the tourism industry, new urbanization and environmental health system, and analyzes and compares the weights of various indicators in the three fields of tourism economy, new urbanization and environmental health system in Guangxi by using the entropy weight TOPSIS method. The coupling coordination model was used to measure the coupling degree and coordination degree of the tourism industry, new urbanization and environmental health system construction in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region from 2009 to 2021. The empirical results show that the weights of various indicators change with the development of the social economy. The comprehensive efficacy index of Guangxi's tourism industry has increased year by year for 11 consecutive years; At the end of the evaluation period, after the outbreak of the new crown epidemic, the evaluation index of the tourism industry, new urbanization and environmental health system all showed a downward trend to varying degrees. Before the pandemic, the coupling coordination type of the three subsystems generally experienced a transformation of "moderate dissonance-reluctant coordination-primary coordination-intermediate coordination," but the overall development level was still poor. After the outbreak of the new crown epidemic, the coupling and coordination between the three has been reduced to a state of poor coordination. Because of the above research conclusions, this study proposes to make full use of the important time node of the post-epidemic era and proposes to actively promote the development of the tourism industry, promote the upgrading of the industrial structure, use digital empowerment of the economic form, optimize the environmental health system and other targeted countermeasures to keep the coupling degree and coordination between the three within a reasonable range. This ensures the sustainable development of social systems in the region. This study has made some contributions to the development of high-quality tourism and a healthy environment. First of all, it enriches the content of the environmental health system. This study takes the ecological environment and atmospheric environment in the environmental health system as the entry point and adds the index content of the environmental health evaluation system, which provides a certain supplement for the relevant research on the environmental health system strength. Secondly, the relationship between the tourism industry, new urbanization and environmental health is analyzed and into a unified theoretical framework. This study takes the Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, which is rich in tourism resources, as a case study site, and innovatively explores the coupling and coordination relationship among the tourism industry, new urbanization and environmental health system in the case site. Finally, it provides targeted countermeasures for the sustainable development path of the three systems of tourism industry, new urbanization and environmental health in the case site in the future. It is of positive practical significance to compare the coupling and coordination degree between the three, realize the coordinated, orderly, and healthy development of the three in the region, and provide operational suggestions for the upgrading of the tourism industry structure, the benign development of new urbanization, and the formulation of environmental health system policies.

Single-crystalline Mg-substituted Na4Mn3(PO4)2P2O7 nanoparticles as a high capacity and superior cycling cathode for sodium-ion batteries.

Mn-based mixed phosphate Na4Mn3(PO4)2(P2O7) (NMPP) is a promising cathode for high-potential, low-cost and eco-friendly sodium-ion batteries. However, this material still faces some bottleneck issues in terms of low conductivity, disturbance of impure crystalline phase, micron-sized agglomerated particles and the Mn3+ Jahn-Teller effect. Herein, a Mg-substituted NMPP (NM2.7Mg0.3PP)@C composite was constructed via modified solution combustion and subsequent calcination treatment. The obtained NM2.7Mg0.3PP presents a highly pure phase and single-crystalline characteristics. It is noteworthy that the sample shows a smaller particle size of 100-300 nm due to the Mg2+ incorporation, and the prepared NM2.7Mg0.3PP@C cathode exhibits considerable discharge capacity (119 mA h g-1), an improved rate capability and excellent long cycling stability of 1000 cycles. A series of measurements indicated that the Mg-substitution enhanced the electronic conductivity and ion diffusion rate, and effectively relieved the lattice distortion influenced by the multiphase transition from the Mn Jahn-Teller effect of the NM2.7Mg0.3PP@C cathode. In addition, NM2.7Mg0.3PP adopts an optimal 3Mg0.1-Mn1-Mn2-Mn3 crystal structure based on density functional theory (DFT) calculations and refined X-ray diffractometry results. These findings provide new insight into the design of highly stabilized and high-conductivity polyanionic cathodes for sodium-ion batteries.

Synthesis and characterization of magnetic organic montmorillonite: efficient adsorption of hexavalent chromium.

This research compared two potential adsorbents for the efficient adsorption of toxic hexavalent chromium. The non-magnetic material STAC-Mt and the magnetic material FeSO4-STAC-Mt were synthesized by a simple impregnation method using montmorillonite (Mt), octadearyl dimethyl ammonium chloride (STAC) and ferrous sulfate as raw materials. The structural and morphological characteristics of both adsorbents were investigated by BET, XRD, FTIR, Zeta, VSM, TEM, SEM and XPS techniques. SEM and TEM results clearly revealed that FeSO4-STAC-Mt had a more loosely curled structure than STAC-Mt and the existence of well dispersed diamond-shaped magnetic particles. The saturation magnetization intensity of 17.949 emu/g obtained by VSM further confirmed the presence of magnetite particles in FeSO4-STAC-Mt. Due to the superparamagnetic properties of magnetite, the adsorption performance of FeSO4-STAC-Mt was better than STAC-Mt. FeSO4-STAC-Mt adsorbed up to 43.98 mg/g of Cr(VI), meanwhile it was easily separated from the reaction mixture by an external magnetic field. Intermittent adsorption studies at pH, adsorbent dosage and time revealed a rapid Cr(VI) adsorption process. In combination with response surface optimization analysis, a removal rate of 98.03% of Cr(VI) was obtained at pH 5-6. The adsorption process was properly described by the pseudo-second-order kinetic equation and the Langmuir equation, and the adsorption process was chemisorption and single molecular layer adsorption. In addition, the removal of Cr(VI) reached 72.68% after five cycles, demonstrating the good stability of the FeSO4-STAC-Mt.

Effectiveness of peripheral defocus spectacle lenses in myopia control: a Meta-analysis and systematic review.

AIM: To evaluate the effectiveness of peripheral defocus spectacle lenses (PDLs) in myopia control. METHODS: Literature retrieval on PubMed, Cochrane Library, Embase, and Web of Science databases, and the search time limit was from the establishment of each database to December 29, 2021 were conducted. Change of spherical equivalent refraction (SER) and axial change (AL) were extracted from the literatures that met the inclusion criteria, and RevMan5.3 software was used for Meta-analysis. RESULTS: A total of 4 randomized controlled trials (RCTs) were included in this Meta-analysis, involving 770 myopic children. The results showed that PDLs could delay the progression of myopia in children with myopia compared with single vision spectacle lenses (SVLs; WMD=0.21 D, 95%CI: 0.01, 0.41, P=0.04). However, there was no significant difference in controlling the growth of axial length (AL) in myopic children (WMD=-0.10 mm, 95%CI: -0.21, 0.01, P=0.07). The results of the effectiveness of myopia control between the two spectacle lenses showed that PDLs were more effective in controlling the progression of myopia (OR=5.73, 95%CI: 2.58, 12.70, P<0.001) and delaying the growth of AL (OR=44.25, 95%CI: 8.84, 221.58, P<0.001) than SVLs, and the differences were statistically significant. CONCLUSION: PDLs can control the progression of myopia compared with SVLs, but cannot delay the growth of AL, and the effectiveness of PDLs in myopia control better than SVLs.

Comparison of intravitreal aflibercept and dexamethasone implant in the treatment of macular edema associated with diabetic retinopathy or retinal vein occlusion: a Meta-analysis and systematic review.

AIM: To compare the efficacy and safety of intravitreal aflibercept with dexamethasone implant in the treatment of macular edema (ME) associated with diabetic retinopathy (DR) or retinal vein occlusion (RVO). METHODS: A comprehensive search of studies comparing dexamethasone and aflibercept in patients with ME was conducted at PubMed, Embase, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials from the beginning of library to April 16, 2021. Extracting the data including best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central retinal thickness (CRT), number of injections and serious adverse events (SAEs) from the final qualified articles. RevMan 5.3 software was used for Meta-analysis of the included studies. RESULTS: Totally 7 studies with 369 eyes were included. The causes of ME in the final screening study included RVO and DR. Compared with the aflibercept treatment group, the BCVA of the dexamethasone implant treatment group showed no significant difference in the follow-up for 3mo [mean difference (MD): -0.05, 95% confidence interval (CI): -0.11, 0.02; P=0.17] and 12mo (MD: -0.01, 95%CI: -0.38, 0.37; P=0.98), but it was slightly worse than the aflibercept group at 6mo (MD: 0.12, 95%CI: 0.03, 0.21; P=0.008). In terms of CRT reduction, there was no significant difference between the two groups at 3mo (MD: -28.14, 95%CI: -79.95, 23.67; P=0.29), 6mo (MD: 27.67, 95%CI: -84.89, 140.24; P=0.63), and 12mo (MD: -59.00, 95%CI: -127.37, 9.37; P=0.09). However, dexamethasone implant had fewer injections, but more adverse events such as elevated intraocular pressure (IOP) and cataract. CONCLUSION: Intravitreal injection of aflibercept and dexamethasone implant can both effectively increase BCVA and reduce CRT. Compared with aflibercept, dexamethasone implant is not inferior in improving vision and reducing CRT in the initial treatment period (3mo) and long-term treatment period (12mo). Besides, it has fewer injections and more likely to cause elevated IOP and cataract.

The microbiomic and environmental analysis of sediments in the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) habitat in the Northern Beibu Gulf, China.

The northern Beibu Gulf is one of the major habitats for the Indo-Pacific humpback dolphin (Sousa chinensis) in China. In this habitat, the core distribution zone of humpback dolphins was confined to the Sanniang Bay (SNB) and Dafengjiang River Estuary (DRE) areas. In our present research, the sediments of 14 sampling sites across the SNB and DRE waters were collected and further conducted for microbiomic and environmental analysis to explore the ecosystem characteristics of major humpback dolphin habitats in Northern Beibu Gulf. The environmental condition includes ammonia nitrogen (NH4+-N), nitrate nitrogen (NO3--N), dissolved reactive phosphorus (DRP), sulfur content in the form of sulfuric acid (SO42--S), Fe, and heavy metals (including Cu, Zn, Cd, Pb, and As). The composition of the bacterial community was characterized by 16S ribosomal DNA analysis of the V3-V4 regions using the Illumina-based sequencing platform. The environmental characteristic of the nutrient elements and heavy metals indicated that SNB suffered more anthropogenic impact than DRE. The comparably higher concentration of NH4+-N, NO3--N, DRP, Pb, and Cd in the SNB region was detected. The comparably higher nutrients in the SNB may have resulted in higher biomass and lower dissolved oxygen (DO) profile, which was further proved by Landsat thermal image data. The microbiome analysis showed that the DRE region was oligotrophic and SNB reflected an anaerobic environment in the sediments. Environmental factors rather than the spatial distance determined the similarity of bacterial community among different sites. Ecological associations between environmental, oceanographic, and bacterial characteristics were illustrated, which exhibited strong mutual associations. Our findings presented a feasibility that integrates empirical and remote sensing data to distinguish ecological features and evaluate ecosystem healthiness for the humpback dolphin habitats.

Activation of formyl peptide receptor-1 enhances restitution of human retinal pigment epithelial cell monolayer under electric fields.

PURPOSE: This study aimed at identifying the expression of functional formyl peptide receptor (FPR)-1 in human retinal pigment epithelium (hRPE) cells and to evaluate the role of FPR in regulation of wound closure of the hRPE monolayer under electric fields (EFs). METHODS: The expression of FPR in hRPE cells was analyzed with an immunofluoresence labeling assay and RT-PCR. Cultured wounded hRPE monolayers were exposed to EFs with free serum, 20%, serum, and a classical FPR agonist, N-formyl-Met-Leu-Phe (fMLF), respectively, for 3 hours. Cell monolayer migrations were traced using an image analyzer. Expressions of cell junction molecules were measured by RT-PCR, and the ultrastructure of cell junctions was observed with transmission electron microscopy (TEM). RESULTS: The expression of functional FPR was observed and localized along actin filaments in cellular lamellipodia and filopodia. EFs and fMLF significantly increased the migration rates of the wounded RPE monolayer. The migrating distances of monolayers were 24.262 ± 6.82 µm, 40.243 ± 5.069 µm, and 56.926 ± 7.821 µm in cells with free serum, 20% serum, and fMLF under EFs at 3 hours, respectively (P < 0.01). The mRNA expressions of connexin 43(Cx43) and zonula occludens (ZO)-1 were detected in hRPE cells. TEM revealed that cell junctions formed between hRPE cells in the monolayer. CONCLUSIONS: These results showed for the first time that functional FPR expresses in hRPE cells and that activation of FPR enhances migration of the wounded hRPE monolayer. The mRNA expressions and ultrastructures of cell junctions further demonstrated the RPE sheet as a monolayer migrating under EFs.

hElp3 directly modulates the expression of HSP70 gene in HeLa cells via HAT activity.

Human Elongator complex, which plays a key role in transcript elongation in vitro assay, is incredibly similar in either components or function to its yeast counterpart. However, there are only a few studies focusing on its target gene characterization in vivo. We studied the effect of down-regulation of the human elongation protein 3 (hELP3) on the expression of HSP70 through antisense strategy. Transfecting antisense plasmid p1107 into HeLa cells highly suppressed hELP3 expression, and substantially reduced expression of HSP70 mRNA and protein. Furthermore, chromatin immunoprecipitation assay (ChIP Assay) revealed that hElp3 participates in the transcription elongation of HSPA1A in HeLa cells. Finally, complementation and ChIP Assay in yeast showed that hElp3 can not only complement the growth and slow activation of HSP70 (SSA3) gene transcription, but also directly regulates the transcription of SSA3. On the contrary, these functions are lost when the HAT domain is deleted from hElp3. These data suggest that hElp3 can regulate the transcription of HSP70 gene, and the HAT domain of hElp3 is essential for this function. These findings now provide novel insights and evidence of the functions of hELP3 in human cells.

Inhibition of migration but stimulation of proliferation of human retinal pigment epithelial cells cultured with uniform vesicles of silicone oil.

BACKGROUND: It has been hypothesized that emulsification of silicone oil might stimulate preretinal membrane formation and proliferative vitreoretinopathy. This study aimed to test the effects of vesicles of silicone oil (VSO), which were prepared by a novel membrane emulsification technique, on the migration and proliferation of human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells in vitro. METHODS: VSO were produced by extrusion of the oil through a Supor membrane (Pall Life Sciences, Port Washington, NY, USA) with 0.45 microm pore size under a pressure of 0.1 MPa. hRPE cells were incubated with stained 25% VSO for 24 h to assess whether hRPE cells could phagocytize VSO. A wound-healing model was used by denuding cells from a glass slide to assess the migration of hRPE cells. The cells were then incubated with 25%, 50% and 100% VSO with or without serum for up to 72 h. The number of cells that had entered the denuded area was counted under a microscope. To assess the proliferative activity, the cells were incubated with 25%, 50% and 100% VSO, with or without serum, for 24 h. A total of 100 nuclei were examined for each slide, and the numbers of stained argyrophilic nucleolar organizer regions (AgNORs) in the nuclei were measured. RESULTS: The mean vesicle diameter of VSO prepared was 4.25 +/- 0.77 microm. The stained 25% VSO were phagocytized by hRPE cells. After the cells cultured with serum-free Dulbecco's Modified Eagle Medium (DMEM) were incubated with VSO, the numbers of migratory cells at higher concentrations (50% and 100%) of VSO were significantly decreased (48.9 +/- 5.37 and 10.6 +/- 3.03 respectively) compared to controls (69.9 +/- 9.88; P < 0.01). After the cells cultured with serum-free DMEM were incubated with VSO, the number of AgNORs in nucleus at 100% VSO was significantly increased compared to controls (3.1 +/- 0.72 vs 1.6 +/- 0.6; P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: The result indicated that VSO inhibited the migration but stimulated the proliferation of hRPE cells.

[Cytoskeleton changes of cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells in a mechanical stress model].

OBJECTIVE: To observe changes of the cytoskeleton of cultured human retinal pigment epithelium (hRPE) cells in a mechanical stress model in vitro. METHODS: Ferric oxide beads, coated with collagen, were added to dishes containing substrate-attached hRPE cells. After incubation, the cells were washed to remove unbound beads. The cells were pretreated by actin polymerization inhibitor cytochalasin D (0.05 mmol/L, 25 min). Before and 4, 8, 12 and 24 h after vertical magnetic force application the cells were stained for actin and vimentin using immunity fluorescence double labelled technique and analyzed with confocal microscopy. RESULTS: Four hours after force application, the polarity of hRPE cells was changed, and actin was polymerized into filaments in array of them along with the direction of the force. Cytoskeleton filaments were located mainly around the nucleus and the ferric oxide beads. Pretreatment with cytochalasin D, the same changes as described above occurred 8 h after magnetic force application. CONCLUSIONS: Mechanical force could induce changes of distribution of cytoskeleton in hRPE cells, which are some biological characteristics of muscle cells, and this may facilitate the cellular migration and proliferation.

[Effects of mechanical stress on expressions of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 and interleukin-8 of cultured human retinal pigment epithelial cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expressions of monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) and interleukin-8 (IL-8) of cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (hRPE) cells under mechanical stress in vitro, so as to mimic and understand the role of these 2 inflammatory cytokines in the early stage of development of primary retinal detachment. METHODS: Ferric oxide beads coated with collagen were added to the culture plate containing wall-attaching hRPE cells and then the cells were incubated and washed to remove the unbound beads. A magnet was put to the culture plate to provide vertical magnetic force. Cytochalasin D (CD) was added to the culture fluid to inhibit the phagocytizing, secreting, and moving functions of the hRPE. Before the experiment and 15 min, 0.5 h, 1 h, 4 h, and 8 h the beginning of experiment, the MCP-1 mRNA and IL-8 mRNA in the hRPE cells were measured with reverse transcriptase polymerse chain reaction (RT-PCR), and the MCP-1 and IL-8 protein expression in the supernatants was tested with enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) kits. RESULTS: MCP-1 and IL-8 mRNA were expressed at very low levels in the RPE cells and supernatant not exposed to magnetic force. After exposure to magnetic force, both MCP-1 and IL-8 mRNA demonstrated "double peaks" expression. Their first peak levels appeared within 0.5 h, being 3.30 ng/L +/- 0.12 ng/L and 1.88 ng/L +/- 0.08 ng/L respectively. The first peaks of MCP-1 and IL-8 protein expression were within 1 h, being 552.05 ng/L +/- 7.64 ng/Land 236.67 ng/L +/- 14.30 ng/L respectively, and the second peaks appeared about 4 hours later. After cytochalasin D pretreated, the expression and secretion of both MCP-1 and IL-8 of the hRPE cells were significantly decreased to the levels of 2.36 ng/L +/- 0.27 ng/L and 1.64 ng/L +/- 0.08 ng/L, and 353.80 ng/L +/- 16.68 ng/L and 101.86 ng/L +/- 15.92 ng/L respectively. CONCLUSION: Mechanical stress induces the RPE cells to express MCP-1 and IL-8, and this effect was inhibited in part by pretreatment of CD, indicating that the cytoskeleton may be involved in the effect and that these two inflammatory cytokines take a part in the early stage of development of primary retinal detachment.

[Expression of adrenomedullin and adrenomedullin receptor in the epiretinal membranes of proliferative vitreoretinopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the expression of adrenomedullin (ADM) and ADM receptor (ADMR) in epiretinal membranes (ERM) of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). METHODS: The expression of ADM and ADMR in 10 ERM were studied by in situ hybridization analysis (ISH). RESULTS: ADM and ADMR mRNAs were expressed in 7 of 10 specimens. The positive signals were distributed unevenly in positive cells. Some cells expressed mainly in the cytoplasm and the others expressed mainly in the nucleus. CONCLUSION: ADM and ADMR are expressed in the ERM of PVR, indicating that ADM and ADMR may play a role in the pathogenesis of PVR.

Influence of IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha on Fas expression of human retinal pigment epithelial cells in vitro.

PURPOSE: To observe Fas expression change of cultured human retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells by IL-1 beta and TNF-alpha. METHODS: With flow cytometry, immunohischemistry, and color imaging system, Fas expressions by exposure to IL-1 beta and/or TNF-alpha were measured. RESULTS: The gray degree values of Fas expression were 67.5 +/- 6.1 in IL-1 beta + TNF-alpha-treated group, 80.1 +/- 9.2 in IL-1 beta-treated group, and 70.4 +/- 6.4 in TNF-alpha-treated group, respectively. There were significant differences (P < 0.005) compared with control group (107.0 +/- 10.2). Flow cytometry showed that 15.0% cultured human RPE cells expressed Fas. Fas-positive in IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and IL-1 beta + TNF-alpha-treated groups expressed was 28.1%, 34.5%, and 65.2%, respectively. CONCLUSION: IL-1 beta, TNF-alpha, and combining both of them can up-regulate Fas protein expression, which may contribute to more Fas (+) cells in proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Minimizing this process by means of inducing apoptosis of Fas (+) proliferative cells of Fas/FasL pathway is a future preventive and therapeutic possibility for PVR.

Adrenomedullin affects two signal transduction pathways and the migration in retinal pigment epithelial cells.

PURPOSE: Adrenomedullin is a multifunctional regulatory peptide known to inhibit the migration of smooth muscle cells. In vitro studies were performed to identify whether adrenomedullin (ADM) also inhibits the migration of RPE cells. The aberrant behavior of these cells is an early event in proliferative vitreoretinopathy, and these studies were designed to determine how ADM acts on RPE cells at the second-messenger level. METHODS: Migration of cultured human RPE cells was determined by the Boyden chamber method, using 10% fetal calf serum (FCS) as a chemotactic factor. The attachment assay was performed on fibronectin, laminin, or poly-D-lysine-coated 96-well plates. RPE cells were incubated in PBS buffer with or without ADM for 15 minutes. Intracellular cAMP and cGMP changes were then measured by enzyme immunoassay (EIA). To determine the cytoplasmic free Ca2+ concentration ([Ca2+]i) response to ADM, fluo-3 AM-loaded RPE cells were imaged with a laser scanning confocal microscope, after stimulation with ADM (10(-12)-10(-7) M). RESULTS: ADM exhibited a concentration-dependent inhibition of FCS-stimulated RPE cell migration. The maximum inhibitory effect of ADM, observed at 10(-7) M, on basal and FCS-induced RPE cell migration was approximately 53.8% and 43.8% of the control, respectively. Exogenously added ADM (10(-9)-10(-7) M) had no significant effect on RPE cell attachment on all tested substrates. ADM increased intracellular cAMP and decreased intracellular cGMP levels dose dependently (10(-10)-10(-7) M) in RPE. The maximum effect was observed at 10(-7) M. ADM also induced a [Ca2+]i decrease in a dose-dependent manner (10(-12)-10(-7) M). The maximum effect was observed at 0.1 micro M, at which point the level declined to 42.9% of the control. CONCLUSIONS: ADM inhibits the migration of RPE cells in vitro by a mechanism that involves the reciprocal upregulation of cAMP and downregulation of cGMP, in association with reductions in [Ca2+]i. ADM-mediated fluctuations in [Ca2+]i, which are well known to be involved in cell migration, appear to be regulated in part by mechanisms involving cAMP synthase. Thus, it appears that ADM acts as a constitutive regulatory system to control aberrant RPE cell behavior and specific migration in response to inflammatory mediators.

[Expression of TGF-beta receptor II in periretinal membranes of proliferative vitreoretinopathy].

PURPOSE: To investigate the expression of transforming growth factor-beta receptor II (TGF-beta R II) in periretinal membranes of proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). METHODS: Immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization were used to detect the expression of TGF-beta R II protein and mRNA in sixteen proliferative membranes of thirteen PVR patients. RESULTS: Immunohistochemically staining showed that membranes labeled negative "-", weak positive "+", positive "2+" and strong positive staining "3+" were respectively noted one, one, three and four membranes in nine C2-C3 membranes. Total positive cell rate is 88.9%. Among seven D1-D3 membranes, one membrane was labeled "-", three were "+" and another three membranes were labeled "2+". Total positive cell rate is 85.7%. Positive staining cells were of a type of epithelial-like cells which frequently found pigment in or around them. Relation between TGF-beta R II expression and membrane grades appeared no correlation (P > 0.05). Results of in situ hybridization were almost consistent with that of immunohistochemistry. CONCLUSIONS: Both TGF-beta R II protein and mRNA are highly expressed and up-regulated in PVR membranes by cytokine stimulation, moreover TGF-beta may play important role in the pathogenesis of PVR.

[Inhibition of IL-6 antisense oligonucleotide on IL-6 expression by human retinal pigment epithelium in vitro].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the inhibition of IL-6 antisense oligonucleotide (ASON) on IL-6 expression by retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells on the basis of previous study. METHODS: Cultured human RPE cells was treated with IL-1 beta and IL-6 ASON. IL-6 mRNA and protein expression were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization histochemistry (ISH). RESULTS: It was demonstrated that the IL-6 expression by RPE cells was dose and time dependent after the stimulation of IL-1 beta. IL-6 in the conditioned media or in the control group was 2.00 x 10(-6) g/L cells after the exposed to IL-1 beta for 8 hours. IL-6 ASON (2.00 x 10(-5) mol/L) obviously inhibited IL-6 (5.50 x 10(-7) g/L cells, t = 4.518, P < 0.01) production. Immunohistochemistry study showed dark blue staining in RPE cytoplasm after stimulation with IL-1 beta, while the cells treated with IL-6 ASON showed light staining in RPE cytoplasma. ISH displayed that there was a marked reduction in mRNA expression in IL-6 ASON treated group compared with that in the control group (t = 3.746, P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: Cultured RPE cells express IL-6 protein and mRNA in dose and time dependent manners when RPE cells are stimulated with IL-1 beta. The expressions of IL-6 protein and mRNA can be significantly inhibited by IL-6 ASON in cultured human RPE cells.

[Effects of Schwann cell-derived neurotrophic activity on cultured retinal ganglion cells survive and grow in normal and gas-deprived environment].

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of Schwann cell-derived neurotrophic activity (SCNA) on cultured retinal ganglion cells (RGC) survive and the expression of growth associated protein 43 (GAP43) in normal and gas-deprived environment. METHODS: Schwann cells of new born SD rat were cultured, and remaded it into solutions containing different concentrations of SCNA. Then these solutions were added to the primarily cultured retinal cells, the activity of SCNA was determined by MTT method. The fluro-gold retrolabelled retina cells of 3d new born rats were cultured and plated on 24 well culture plate. At the 2rd day of culture, 300 mg/L SCNA were added into the medium of SCNA group. At the 5th day, liquid paraffin was added on the surface of medium of air deprived groups to lead an air deprived injury. Cultured for 12h, the liquid paraffin was discarded off, and then we observed the morphology and counted the fluro-gold labeled RGC. The effects of SCNA on the expression of GAP43 in cultured retinal cells were identified by Western Blot. RESULT: SCNA could promote the survival of RGC in a protein concentration-dependent manner. Added SCNA to the medium, the retinal cells grown much better and had less floating dead cells. The number of RGC was also significantly more than the control (F = 62.89, P < 0.01). The cells of air deprived group had showed swelling change. But the cells of group with SCNA are less affected and the number of RGCs is significantly different from the control (F = 49.27, P < 0.01). The expression of GAP43 in normal and air deprived groups with SCNA were up-regulated. CONCLUSION: SCNA has significantly neurotrophic effect on cultured RGC and increases the expression of GAP43. Added SCNA to the medium could reduce the injury of air deprived and promote RGC survival rate in this kind of injury environment.