Comparisons of Ocular Anatomic Differences of Lens-Subluxated Eye with or without Acute Angle Closure: A Retrospective Study.

PURPOSE: To compare ocular anatomy differences of lens subluxation between eyes with or without acute angle closure (AAC). METHODS: This is a retrospective and case-control study. Sixty cases with mild lens subluxation were recruited. Among them, 30 eyes with acute angle closure were assigned to the AAC group and 30 eyes without AAC were assigned to the non-AAC group. The anterior segment was quantitatively evaluated by ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). The axial length (AL) was measured with IOL Master. All patients underwent lens extraction surgery and were followed up for six months. RESULTS: The history of blunt trauma accounted for 22 (73.3%) cases in the AAC group and 21 (70%) cases in the non-AAC group. Fifteen (50%) patients in the AAC group had iridotomy history, and high intraocular pressure recurred. The UBM analysis showed that the average central chamber depth of the affected eyes in the AAC group was 1.82 mm, which was significantly shallower than that in the fellow eyes (2.58 mm, P < 0.05) or both eyes in the non-AAC group.Both eyes in the AAC group presented a shorter AL and shallower anterior chamber than the eyes in the non-AAC group. CONCLUSIONS: An asymmetrical anterior chamber between bilateral eyes is an important feature in lens subluxation-induced AAC. The crowded anterior chamber and shorter AL might be the anatomic basis for the eye with lens subluxation-induced AAC.

Elevated level of uric acid in aqueous humour is associated with posterior subcapsular cataract in human lens.

IMPORTANCE: Age-related cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide. The pathological mechanisms causing this disease remain elusive. BACKGROUND: To examine the involvement of uric acid (UA) in the pathogenesis of posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC). DESIGN: Retrospective study and experimental investigation. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 180 patients with PSC or non-PSC were included. METHODS: Samples obtained from the patients were used to analyse content of UA and for histochemical examinations. The effects of UA on human lens epithelial cells were also investigated. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Aqueous humour UA and urate deposits. RESULTS: The results showed a significant increase of aqueous humour UA in patients with PSC. After adjustment for potential confounders, elevated aqueous humour UA (odds ratio [OR] = 1.45) showed a stronger association with PSC than serum UA (OR = 1.10). Gomori methenamine silver staining revealed in PSC an intense deposit of urates in the lens fibres in equatorial regions, and in subcapsular fibres in posterior regions of the lens. Such staining was not detected in the lens with non-PSC. Treatment with UA-induced senescence and apoptosis in human lens epithelial cells in a dose dependent manner. Our results suggest that the elevated level of UA in aqueous humour causes a deposition of urates in human lens epithelium, which could possibly lead to dysfunction of these cells that generates opacification in PSC. CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: These findings indicate the local action of excessive UA in the pathogenesis of PSC. Control of serum UA level could delay the progression of PSC.

Femtosecond laser-assisted removal of an intracorneal chestnut, a case report.

BACKGROUND: To report a case of femtosecond laser-assisted removal of an intracorneal chestnut. CASE PRESENTATION: A chestnut was obliquely protruding to the stroma of cornea and it was localized at the paracentral region on the left eye of a 32-year-old man. The best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA, in decimal values) was 0.6 in the injured eye. The white ulcers with feathery edges or satellite infiltrates were not observed in the lesion, and the anterior chamber was deep and quiet. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) demonstrated that the original entry path of the foreign body had been sealed, spanning a thickness of approximate 152 µm. In view of location of the intraocular chestnut at the paracentral region, femtosecond laser was applied according to the procedures of IntraLase Enabled Keratoplasty (IEK) to create an anterior lamellar flap rapidly and precisely. The lamellar flap was easily separated with a flap lifter, and the chestnut was removed entirely using a pair of forceps. In 3 days after surgery, the patient complained of mild pain and blurred vision. These symptoms were relieved after treatment with the eyedrops. At three-month follow-up, the corneal wound was healed well, and the BCVA was greatly improved to 1.2 in the left eye. A dot-like haze was observed corresponding to the scar at the site of foreign body removal. No surgical induction of corneal astigmatism was found in the corneal topography. CONCLUSIONS: Without induction of a visually significant scar and corneal astigmatism, the IEK procedure of femtosecond laser is of particular interest as it provides a unique method for removal of intracorneal foreign bodies impinging on the visual axis.

[Effects of Electroacupuncture and Moxibustion Pretreatment on Expressions of HSP 27, HSP 70, HSP 90 at Different Time-points in Rabbits with Myocardial Ischemia-reperfusion Injury].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) and moxibustion (Moxi) pretreatment on expression of myocardial heat shock protein (HSP) in acute myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) rabbits. METHODS: A total of 72 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups:sham operation, MIRI model, EA pretreatment and Moxi pretreatment (n=18 rabbits in each group) which were further divided into 0, 24 and 48 h (time-point) subgroups (n=6 in each). The MIRI model was established by occlusion of the anterior descending branch (ADB) of the left coronary artery for 40 min and reperfusion for 60 min. EA and Moxi stimulation was respectively applied to bilateral "Neiguan"(PC 6) for 20 min, once daily for 5 days before ADB occlusion. The expressions of myocardial HSP 27, HSP 70 and HSP 90 were detected by immunohistochemistry. The pathological and ultrastructural changes of left ventricular ischemia tissue were observed under light and transmission electronic microscope (TEM), respectively. RESULTS: Outcomes of H.E. staining and ultrastructure showed that MIRI-induced changes of disordered arrangement of cardiomyocytes, vague myocardial transverse striation, inflammatory infiltration, cardiac myofibre necrosis and fibrolysis (light microscope), and myofiber atrophy, vague and disorder in the arrangement of myofiber, myofilament necrosis, interstitial edema, mitochondrial swelling, microvessel expansion, etc. (TEM) were relatively milder in both EA and Moxi pretreatment groups (48 h). In comparison with the sham group, the expression levels of myocardial HSP 27, HSP 70 and HSP 90 had no significant changes after MIRI at the 3 time-points (P>0.05). In the pretreatment groups, the expression levels of HSP 27 at 24 and 48 h in both EA and Moxi groups, HSP 70 at 48 h in both groups, HSP 70 at 0 and 24 h in the Moxi group were significantly up-regulated compared with the model group (P<0.05, P<0.01). No significant changes were found in the expression of HSP 90 at the 3 time-points in the EA and Moxi pretreatment groups (P>0.05). No significant differences were found between EA and Moxi in up-regulating expressions of myocardial HSP 27, HSP 70 and HSP 90 proteins at the 3 time-points (P>0.05) except HSP 70 at 24 h (Moxi being stronger relative to EA, P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS: EA and Moxi pretreatment has a protective effect on ischemic myocardium in MIRI rabbits, which Feb be associated with their actions in up-regulating myocardial HSP 27 and HSP 70 expression.

The bioconcentration ability of heavy metal research for 50 kinds of rice under the same test conditions.

The aims of this experiment are to explore the accumulation of metal contamination of different varieties of rice planted in paddy fields and to provide a basis for the further research. The rice specimens were grown in and collected from a total area of 8.24 acres of rice planting fields where local farmers cultivated 50 different kinds of rice. The crops were grown using the methods of seedling, transplanting, fertilizing, and irrigation, under the guidance of professional and technical personnel. The 50 kinds of paddy rice contain 20 kinds of conventional rice, 15 kinds of two-line hybrid rice, 15 kinds of three-line hybrid rice, and the whole experiment lasted 100 days. To begin our analysis of the data, we first gathered 15 irrigation water samples respectively from the first day of the experiment. This was then followed by gathering water samples from the tillering stage, then the development stage, the solid phase, and finally, the last day of the experiment. On the first day and at the end of the experiment, we had respectively gathered 6 mud samples from the rice paddies, with a total 12 parts of it. In addition to this, by the end of the experiment, we had gathered 6 samples of rice spike from each type of the investigated rice, with a total 300 parts of it. These samples were then analyzed in the laboratory to detect the contents and amounts of lead, cadmium, chromium, arsenic, copper, calcium, fluoride, nitrogen, phosphorus, potassium in the samples, and the pH quality of the samples. The quality of irrigation water was evaluated according to irrigation water quality standards (GB 5084-2005); the rice paddy mud samples were detected and evaluated respectively according to farmland soil environment quality monitor technology standards (NY/T 395-2012) and the journal of environmental quality assessment standard of edible agricultural products (HJ 332-2006); the rice grains were detected and evaluated according to the limited food standards (GB 2762-2012); the bioaccumulation factors (BCFs) were adopted to evaluate the accumulation ability of metal contamination in rice. As a result, the test values of the irrigation water samples were within irrigation water quality standards. Only the content of cadmium was beyond the environmental quality assessment standard of edible agricultural products, by 0.07 mg/kg. The content of lead and cadmium in 50 different rice were 0.41 ± 0.01~0.49 ± 0.01 mg/kg and 0.22 ± 0.01~0.25 ± 0.01 mg/kg, respectively. The varietal differences were not statistically significant (P>0.05). Lead BCFs, cadmium BCFs, and chromium BCFs in 50 different kinds of rice had no statistical difference (P>0.05). For the content of lead, cadmium, chromium, inorganic arsenic and copper in the conventional rice samples, two-line hybrid rice samples, and three-line hybrid rice samples, there was no statistical difference (P>0.05). Lead BCFs, cadmium BCFs, chromium BCFs, arsenic BCFs, and copper BCFs also had no statistical difference (P>0.05). This means the content of cadmium and lead contaminant in the 50 kinds of rice exceeded food quality and limits. The content of cadmium of mud samples exceeded the assessment standard by 0.07 mg/kg, the content of cadmium, of the 50 kinds of rice, exceeded the limited food standard by 0.04 mg/kg. The content of lead in the paddy mud was within the limited value, but the content of lead exceeded the limited food standard by 0.24 mg/kg. For the lead BCFs, cadmium BCFs, and chromium BCFs of the 50 kinds of rice, there was no statistically significant difference. This was the same for lead BCFs, cadmium BCFs, chromium BCFs, arsenic BCFs, and copper BCFs during conventional rice, two-line hybrid rice, and three-line hybrid rice. For the above, the rice had a strong adsorption capacity of lead. The conclusions of this data lead us to not only implement measures of control but also to conduct research on the suitable levels of lead in edible agricultural products.

Comparation of effectiveness of silicone hydrogel contact lens and hydrogel contact lens in patients after LASEK.

AIM: To conduct a comparative study of effectiveness of silicone hydrogel contact lens and hydrogel contact lens, which are used in patients after laser-assisted subepithelial keratomileusis (LASEK). METHODS: Sixty-three patients (121 eyes) with a spherical equivalent ≤-5.0 D were chosen after undergoing LASEK in 2012 at Guangdong General Hospital. They were randomly divided into 2 groups. The silicone hydrogel group included 32 cases (61 eyes) that wore silicone hydrogel contact lenses for 4-6d after the operation, while the hydrogel group included 31 cases (60 eyes) who wore hydrogel contact lenses for 4-6d after the operation. Patients' self-reported postoperative symptoms (including pain, photophobia, tears, and foreign body sensation) were evaluated. The healing time of the corneal epithelium, the visual acuity of patients without contact lens after epithelial healing, and the incidence of delayed corneal epithelial shedding were also assessed. The follow-up time was 1mo. RESULTS: Postoperative symptoms were milder in the silicone hydrogel group than in the hydrogel group. There were significant differences in pain, foreign body sensation, and photophobia between the 2 groups (P<0.05), although there was no significant difference in postoperative tearing (P>0.05). The healing time of the corneal epithelium in the silicone hydrogel lens group was markedly shorter than that in the hydrogel group (4.07±0.25 vs 4.33±0.82d, t=2.43, P=0.02). Visual acuity without contact lenses after healing of the corneal epithelium was better in the silicone hydrogel group compared with the hydrogel group (χ (2)=7.76, P=0.02). There was no significant difference in the occurrence of delayed corneal epithelial shedding between the 2 groups (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Patients with LASEK using silicon hydrogel contact lenses had less discomfort and shorter corneal epithelial healing time compared with those using hydrogel contact lenses, suggesting that silicon hydrogel contact lenses may be considered to be a better choice of bandage contact lens after LASEK.

[Comparison of potential yield and resource utilization efficiency of main food crops in three provinces of Northeast China under climate change].

Based on the daily data of 65 meteorological stations from 1961 to 2010 and the crop phenology data in the potential cultivation zones of thermophilic and chimonophilous crops in Northeast China, the crop potential yields were calculated through step-by-step correction method. The spatio-temporal distribution of the crop potential yields at different levels was analyzed. And then we quantified the limitations of temperature and precipitation on the crop potential yields and compared the differences in the climatic resource utilization efficiency. The results showed that the thermal potential yields of six crops (including maize, rice, spring wheat, sorghum, millet and soybean) during the period 1961-2010 deceased from west to east. The climatic potential yields of the five crops (spring wheat not included) were higher in the south than in the north. The potential yield loss rate due to temperature limitations of the six crops presented a spatial distribution pattern and was higher in the east than in the west. Among the six main crops, the yield potential loss rate due to temperature limitation of the soybean was the highest (51%), and those of the other crops fluctuated within the range of 33%-41%. The potential yield loss rate due to water limitation had an obvious regional difference, and was high in Songnen Plain and Changbai Mountains. The potential yield loss rate of spring wheat was the highest (50%), and those of the other four rainfed crops fluctuated within the range of 8%-10%. The solar energy utilization efficiency of the six main crops ranged from 0.9% to 2.7%, in the order of maize> sorghum>rice>millet>spring wheat>soybean. The precipitation utilization efficiency of the maize, sorghum, spring wheat, millet and soybean under rainfed conditions ranged from 8 to 35 kg . hm-2 . mm-1, in the order of maize>sorghum>spring wheat>millet>soybean. In those areas with lower efficiency of solar energy utilization and precipitation utilization, such as Changbai Mountains and the south of Lesser Khingan Mountains, measures could be taken to increase the efficiency of resource utilization such as rational close-planting, selection of droughtresistant varieties, proper and timely fertilization, farming for soil water storage, optimization of crop layout and so on.

[Effect of electroacupuncture and moxibustion preconditioning on blood endothelin and creatine kinase contents and myocardial HSP 70 expression in rabbits with myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) and moxibustion (Moxi) preconditioning of bi- lateral "Neiguan" (PC 6) on plasma endothelin (ET) and serum creatine kinase (CK) contents and myocardial hot shock protein 70 (HSP 70) expression in myocardial ischemia-reperfusion injury (MIRI) rabbits, so as to revel their mechanisms underlying prevention of myocardial ischemia. METHODS: A total of 72 New Zealand rabbits were randomly divided into sham operation, MIRI model, EA preconditioning and Moxi preconditioning groups (n = 18/group). Each group was further divided into 0 h, 24 h and 48 h (time-point) subgroups (n=6 in each subgroup). The MIRI model was established by occlusion of the anterior descending branch of the left coronary artery for 40 min and reperfusion for 60 min. The contents of plasma ET and serum CK were detected by ELISA, and myocardial HSP 70 expression was detected by immunohistochemistry. EA and Moxi preconditioning were respectively applied to bilateral PC 6 for 20 min, once daily for 5 days. RESULTS: Following MIRI, contents of plasma ET and serum CK contents were significantly increased at 0 h, 24 h and 48 h in comparison with the sham group (P<0.01, P<0.05), while myo- cardial HSP 70 expression at the 3 time-points was moderately increased (P>0.05). Compared with the model groups, plasma ET contents at both 24 h and 48 h in the EA preconditioning group and at 48 h in the Moxi preconditioning group, CK contents at both 24 h and 48 h only in the EA preconditioning group were significantly down-regulated (P<0.01, P<0.05). Myocardial HSP 70 expression levels in the EA and Moxi preconditioning groups were considerably up-regulated at the three time-points in comparison with the model group(P<0.05, P<0.01). CONCLUSION: Acupuncture and moxibustion pretreatment may suppress MIRI-induced increase of plasma ET and serum CK and up-regulate myocardial HSP 70 protein expression in MIRI rabbits, suggesting a preventive protection action on ischemic myocardium.

[Effect of electroacupuncture intervention on spinal AMPA-receptor expression in rats with neuropathic pain].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of electroacupuncture (EA) intervention on changes of spinal a-amino-3- ydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate acid (AMPA) receptor (GluR 1) expression in rats with chronic constrictive injury (CCI) pain, so as to explore its mechanisms underlying improvement of neuropathic pain. METHODS: Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into sham-operation, CCI model and EA groups (n=20). Neuropathic pain model was established by ligature of the right sciatic nerve. EA stimulation (2 Hz, 1-3 mA) was applied to "Weizhong" (BL 40) and "Huantiao" (GB 30) on the injured limb for 30 min, once a day for 7 days beginning from the 11th day on after CCI. The mechanical and thermal pain thresholds were measured before and after the CCI procedure (baseline) and after EA intervention. The AMPA receptor subunit GluR 1 protein and gene expression in L5-L 6 segments of the spinal cord was detected using Western blot (WB), immunohistochemistry and re- verse transcription (RT)-polymerase chain reaction (PCR), separately. RESULTS: As the results of mechanical and thermal pain thresholds in our past study, EA intervention could markedly raise CCl-reduced decreased pain threshold. Compared with the sham-operation group, the expression levels of spinal GluR 1 protein and mRNA in the model group were significantly increased (P<0.05, P<0.01). Following EA intervention, the expression levels of GluR 1 protein and mRNA were remarkably down-regulated in the EA group in comparison with those of the model group (all P<005). CONCLUSION: EA intervention can down-regulate CCI-induced increase of AMPA receptor GIuR 1 expression in the lumbar spinal cord in CCI rats, which may contribute to its effect in alleviating neuropathic pain.

[Effect of manual acupuncture stimulation of "Baihui" (GV 20), etc. on serum IFN-gamma and IL-4 contents in rats with chronic fatigue syndrome].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of manual acupuncture stimulation of "Baihui" (GV 20), etc. on serum IFN- gamma and IL-4 contents in rats with chronic fatigue syndrome (CFS). METHODS: A total of 24 male SD rats were equally randomized into control group, model group and acupuncture group. CFS model was established by bounding and forced swimming in cold water once daily for 14 days. Rats in the acupuncture group were treated by manual acupuncture stimulation of bilateral "Zusanli" (ST 36), "Baihui" (GV 20), and "Guanyuan" (CV 4), once daily for 14 days. Serum IFN-gamma and IL-4 contents were detected by ELISA. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the contention of serum IFN-gamma and ratio of IFN-gamma/IL-4 were significant decreased in the model group (P<0.01). While in comparison with the model group, the contention of IFN-gamma and ratio of IFN-gamma/IL-4 were obviously increased in the acupuncture group (P<0.05). No significant differences were found among the three groups in serum IL-4 levels (P>0.05). CONCLUSION: Manual acupuncture can inhibit CFS induced reduction of serum IFN-gamma level and the ratio of IFN-gamma/IL-4 in CFS rats, suggesting a favorable adjustment of acupuncture intervention for CFS by balancing the ratio of IFN-gamma/IL-4.

[Isolation and degradation characteristics of acetochlor-degrading strain A-3].

The strain A-3 which could use acetochlor as the sole nitrogen source was isolated from soils contaminated with acetochlor and the sludge of pesticide factory by enrichment culture. The strain was identified as Ensifer adhaerens according to the results of morphology, physiology,and the phylogenetical analyses of 16S rRNA sequence. It was observed that the degradation rate of acetochlor by strain A-3 was 33.6% after 10 days culture at the concentration of 10 mg/L. The composition of the culture could affect the growth of A-3 and the degradation of acetochlor. The growth and degradation ability of strain A-3 were different with the different carbon sources. The strain had the strangest growth capability with the D600 value of 0.55, but the degradation rate was only 9.4% when using sucrose as carbon source. However, the strain A-3 had the highest degradation rate up to 29.2%, although the D600 value was only 0.3 when using glucose as carbon source. When the NaCl concentration was 0.5%, the strain A-3 grew best and had the highest degradation rate of 35%, but when the NaCl concentration was higher than 7%, the growth of A-3 was inhibited and the degradation rate was reduced to 2.6%. The results showed that the strain A-3 could degrade acetochlor effectively and the growth and degradation process was affected by environmental media, and the degradation of acetochlor could be controlled by changing the composition of the culture.

Rapidly disassembling nanomicelles with disulfide-linked PEG shells for glutathione-mediated intracellular drug delivery.

The synthesis and biological efficacy of novel nanomicelles that rapidly disassemble and release their encapsulated payload intracellularly under tumor-relevant glutathione (GSH) levels are reported. The unique design includes a PEG-sheddable shell and poly(ε-benzyloxycarbonyl-l-lysine) core with a redox-sensitive disulfide linkage.