Use of the Inferior Whorl for Detecting Age-Related Changes in Human Corneal Subbasal Nerve Plexus with Laser Scanning Confocal Microscopy.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of aging on the corneal subbasal nerve plexus (SNP) by employing a wide-field mapping technique of composite images, scanned at the location of a distinctive spiraled subbasal nerve pattern located 1-2 mm inferior to the corneal apex (the inferior whorl) for SNP structural quantification. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Central corneal tactile sensitivity (CCTS) and inferior whorl length (IWL) were compared among individuals in 3 age-groups (20-39 years, 40-59 years, and 60-79 years). Statistical analyses constituted the Kruskal-Wallis test, one-way analysis of variance (with the post hoc least significant difference test), Spearman correlation coefficient, and linear regression analysis. RESULTS: CCTS remained stable until the age of 50 years, when it began to decrease; the mean CCTS was 58.15 ± 2.46 mm in the group aged 20-39 years, 55.74 ± 3.85 mm in the group aged 40-59 years, and 50.23 ± 3.27 mm in the group aged 60-79 years. IWL decreased with increasing age, with a corresponding linear decline of 0.2088 mm/mm2 per year, and the mean IWL was 25.43 ± 4.50 mm/mm2 in the group aged 20-39 years, 22.71 ± 6.19 mm/mm2 in the group aged 40-59 years, and 18.60 ± 4.21 mm/mm2 in the group aged 60-79 years. CONCLUSION: Our work provided a more accurate and repeatable method for corneal nerve analysis using laser scanning confocal microscopy. By using this technique, we confirmed that aging is associated with progressive reduction in subbasal nerve length.

[Anti-depressant effect and mechanism of supercritical CO2 extract from Compound Chaigui Fang].

The tail suspension test (TST), forced swimming test (FST) and chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) model were used to evaluate the anti-depressant effect of supercritical CO2 extract from Compound Chaigui Fang (FFCGF). A nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR)-based metabonomics combined with multivariate statistical analysis was performed to explore the mechanism of FFCGF. Rats were conducted by CUMS procedure for 28 days and drugs were administrated at the same time. The body weight, sucrose preference, crossings and rearings in open-field tests were evaluated and the urine was collected simultaneously. The metabonomic profiles of rats' urine were analyzed by NMR and potential biomarkers were searched by multivariate statistical analysis. The results showed that administration of FFCGF significantly decreasing the immobility time in FST and TST and improving rats' body weight, sucrose preference, crossings and rearings in CUMS, which were indication that the anti-depressant effect of FFCGF was abvious. Significant differences in the metabolic profile of the CUMS treated group and the control group were observed, which were consistent with the results of behavioral tests. Decreased levels of acetic acid, succinic acid, 2-oxidation glutaric acid and citric acid and increased glycine and pyruvic acid in urine were significantly affected by the CUMS procedure and the 6 biomarkers were reversed evidently after administration of FFCGF. These changes were suggestion that the anti-depressant mechanism of FFCGF was associated with energy metabolism, lipid metabolism and amino acid metabolism.

Physical Activity Levels and Factors Affecting Them in Hospitalized Children With Leukemia.

BACKGROUND: Physical activity promotes healthy physical and mental development in children with leukemia. However, the level of physical activity in hospitalized children with leukemia and the factors that influence it are unknown. OBJECTIVES: The aims of this study were to understand the physical activity level of hospitalized children with leukemia and to explore the factors influencing it to provide a reference for physical activity assessment and intervention in such children. METHODS: A total of 133 hospitalized children with leukemia completed a general information questionnaire, the Chinese University of Hong Kong Physical Activity Rating for Children and Youth, and the Children's Social Anxiety Scale. A cross-sectional study was used to explore the effects of different variables on the children's activity levels. RESULTS: Among the study participants, 44.4% had a low-intensity activity level, 35.3% had a moderate-intensity activity level, and 20.3% had a high-intensity activity level, with a total physical activity rating of 3 (1, 6). Chemotherapy phase (P = .007), screen time (P = .001), and social anxiety (P = .012) were identified as influential factors. CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that children with hospitalized leukemia had lower-intensity physical activity levels, especially in the chemotherapy phase of induction remission. Furthermore, screen time and social anxiety had negative effects on the children's activity levels. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: According to the physical activity level of the children and the influencing factors, healthcare professionals should gradually improve children's mobility and promote their physical and mental health development through guidance and encouragement, and the development of personalized activity intervention programs.

Otosyphilis as a rare cause of secondary benign paroxysmal positional vertigo: a case report.

Otosyphilis is a rare cause of audiovestibular dysfunction that can easily be misdiagnosed. Here, we report a rare case in which a patient presented with secondary benign paroxysmal positional vertigo (BPPV) 2 weeks after symptoms of otosyphilis appeared. The Dix-Hallpike test showed a classical response in the head-hanging left position. The patient was treated with intravenous penicillin G and the canalith repositioning maneuver, which completely resolved the vertigo. The patient's audiovestibular symptoms resolved gradually. The elevated cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) white blood cell (WBC) count returned to normal and the results of the Treponema pallidum particle agglutination (TPPA) test were negative at the 3-month follow-up. This report suggests that otosyphilis should be considered in the differential diagnosis of audiovestibular dysfunction in patients at risk. Additionally, clinicians should remain vigilant about the possibility of secondary BPPV in patients with otosyphilis who report positional vertigo.

Understanding older adults' smartphone addiction in the digital age: empirical evidence from China.

Background: Despite the fact that an increasing number of older adults are addicted to smartphones, the existing addiction literature still focuses primarily on adolescents. To address this issue, this study draws from the perspectives of subjective cognitive decline and family relationship conflict to examine older adults' smartphone addiction based on their key characteristics. Methods: This study investigates the effects of subjective cognitive decline and family relationship conflict on older adults' smartphone addiction through a survey of 371 subjects in China. Results: The results show that subjective cognitive decline and family relationship conflict affect older adults' smartphone addiction through a sense of alienation. In addition, older adults' perceived power moderates the relationship between alienation and smartphone addiction. Discussion: This study offers new perspectives on the study of smartphone addiction from the perspective of older adults, and sheds light on how to improve the older adults' quality of life in their later years.

Interleukin-17A plays a key role in pulmonary fibrosis following Propionibacterium acnes-induced sarcoidosis-like inflammation.

Sarcoidosis is a granulomatous disease of unknown etiology, with limited therapeutic options. Chronic sarcoidosis can result in pulmonary fibrosis and can be lethal. Enhanced expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines, such as interleukin-17A (IL-17A), has been observed in sarcoid granulomas in humans. However, the role of IL-17A in the pathogenesis of chronic sarcoidosis or sarcoidosis-related pulmonary fibrosis and its potential therapeutic effects remain unclear. This study investigated whether IL-17A is critical in granulomatosis and its role in chronic inflammation in a profibrotic manner. Wild-type and IL-17A-knockout C57BL/6 mice were repeatedly challenged with heat-killed Propionibacterium acnes (PA) to induce sarcoidosis-like granulomata and sarcoidosis-related pulmonary fibrosis. Wild-type mice with granulomatosis were treated with anti-IL-17A antibody. Administration of PA enhanced the expression of IL-17A, granulomatosis, and fibrosis in mouse lungs after boost stimulation. Neither granulomata nor fibrosis were observed in IL-17A-knockout mice, even in the presence of interferon-γ enhancement. Neutralizing IL-17A antibody reduced inflammatory cells in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and ameliorated both granulomatosis and fibrosis in sarcoidosis mice. In conclusion, our data demonstrate that IL-17A plays a critical role in PA-induced sarcoidosis-like inflammation in both granulomatosis inflammation and disease progression to pulmonary fibrosis, thus providing novel insights into the treatment of chronic sarcoidosis or sarcoidosis-related pulmonary fibrosis.

GSK3ß/ITCH/c-FLIP Axis Counteracts TRAIL-induced Apoptosis in Human Lung Adenocarcinoma Cells.

AIMS: Further investigation on the mechanism of action of tumor necrosis factor-related apoptosis-inducing ligand (TRAIL) in NSCLC would shed light on the understanding of TRAIL resistance and provide new clues for the counter-strategy. BACKGROUND: Cellular FLICE-inhibitory protein (c-FLIP) is a critical inhibitor of TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Our previous study suggested that glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK3ß) positively regulated c-FLIP expression in human lung adenocarcinoma cells. Meanwhile, other studies reported that c-FLIP was degraded by HECT-type E3 ligase ITCH (Itchy E3 Ubiquitin Protein Ligase) via the proteasome pathway. OBJECTIVE: We will explore whether ITCH is involved in the expression regulation of c-FLIP positively controlled by GSK3ß during the treatment of TRAIL. METHODS: Human lung adenocarcinoma cells were used to stably overexpress and knockdown GSK3ß. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) assay was used to test the expressional level of mRNA of genes. Western blot analysis was employed to detect the expression of proteins at the protein level. siRNA of ITCH was used to knock down its expression. TRAIL treatment was used to cause apoptosis. RESULTS: In the present study, we have confirmed the degradation of c-FLIP by ITCH protein and the downregulation of ITCH expression by GSK3ß in lung adenocarcinoma cells. Moreover, ITCH silencing reversed the downregulation of c-FLIP protein caused by GSK3ß-knockdown in the cells. Accordingly, TRAIL-induced apoptosis facilitated by GSK3ß knockdown was blocked by the combined interference of ITCH. CONCLUSION: These results suggested that GSK3ß/ITCH axis regulated the stability of c-FLIP and influenced TRAIL-induced apoptosis. Taken together, our study revealed a GSK3ß/ITCH/c-FLIP axis, which counteracts TRAIL-induced apoptosis in human lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Short ragweed pollen triggers allergic inflammation through Toll-like receptor 4-dependent thymic stromal lymphopoietin/OX40 ligand/OX40 signaling pathways.

BACKGROUND: Allergic diseases affect a large population. Pollen, an ubiquitous allergen, is the trigger of seasonal rhinitis, conjunctivitis, and asthma, as well as an exacerbating factor of atopic dermatitis. However, the underlying mechanism by which pollen induces thymic stromal lymphopoietin (TSLP)-triggered allergic inflammation through epithelial innate immunity is largely unknown. OBJECTIVE: We sought to explore whether short ragweed (SRW) pollen induces TSLP/OX40 ligand (OX40L)/OX40 signaling through Toll-like receptor (TLR) 4-dependent pathways in patients with allergic disease. METHODS: Three models were used for this study, a well-characterized murine model of allergic conjunctivitis induced by SRW pollen, a topical challenge model on the murine ocular surface, and a culture model of primary human corneal epithelium exposed to aqueous extract of defatted SRW pollen (SRWe). RESULTS: The topical challenges with SRW pollen generated typical allergic conjunctivitis in BALB/c mice. Clinical signs, stimulated TSLP/OX40L/OX40 signaling, and T(H)2 cytokine levels in the ocular mucosa and draining cervical lymph nodes were significantly reduced or eliminated in TLR4-deficient (Tlr4-d) or myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88 (MyD88) knockout (MyD88(-/-)) mice compared with those seen in their wild-type littermates. SRWe stimulated TSLP production by ocular epithelia in wild-type but not Tlr4-d or MyD88(-/-) mice. SRWe-stimulated TSLP was blocked by TLR4 antibody and nuclear factor κB inhibitor in murine and human corneal epithelia. CONCLUSION: For the first time, we have shown that SRW pollen, acting as a functional TLR4 agonist, initiates TLR4-dependent TSLP/OX40L/OX40 signaling, which triggers T(H)2-dominant allergic inflammation. These findings shed light on the understanding of mucosal epithelial innate immunity and create new therapeutic targets to cure allergic diseases.

Roles of Multiple Entrepreneurial Environments and Individual Risk Propensity in Shaping Employee Entrepreneurship: Empirical Investigation From China.

While prior literature has widely acknowledged that the entrepreneurial environment significantly fertilizes entrepreneurship, the impact of workplace receives limited attention, and the vital role of organizations in linking social entrepreneurial environment and employee entrepreneurship has been largely ignored. Therefore, this study aims to unfold how multiple entrepreneurial environments (i.e., social, organizational, and interpersonal factors) shape employee entrepreneurship and then further reveal how such relationships vary with employees' risk propensity. Drawn on the theoretical lens of mindsponge process, which offers an explanation of why and how organizations and individuals adopt new values through the cost-benefit analysis, we proposed a research model to explain the influence mechanisms of the social entrepreneurial environment on the cost-benefit analysis of both organizations and individual employees. Specifically, given that organizations deeply embedded in the society need to balance the costs and benefits under the pressure of the social entrepreneurial environment, the social entrepreneurial environment affects the organizational entrepreneurial environment (i.e., organizational hostility toward employee entrepreneurship). Similarly, employees' cost-benefit analysis under the pressure of organizational hostility will influence their entrepreneurial intentions. Through analyzing the data collected from a two-wave survey with 220 employees, we showed that organizational hostility toward employee entrepreneurship plays a mediating role between social entrepreneurial environment and employees' entrepreneurial intentions. In addition, such mediation relationship is moderated by coworkers' unethical behaviors during their entrepreneurship and employees' risk propensity, which are expected to influence organizations' and employees' cost-benefit analysis, respectively.

Factors of Parents-Reported Readiness for Hospital Discharge in Children with Acute Leukemia: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Aim: The aim of this study is to investigate the existing status and to explore the influencing factors of parents-reported readiness for hospital discharge in children with acute leukemia (AL) in China and to propose optimizing pathways and recommendations of discharge readiness for clinical reference. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted for the 122 children with AL who were discharged from the Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University; their parents were investigated by using the modified Chinese version of Readiness for Hospital Discharge Scale (RHDS) and Quality of Discharge Teaching Scale (QDTS). Data were collected between September 2020 and May 2021.Univariate analysis and multivariate logistic regression analysis were performed to explore the influencing factors of readiness for hospital discharge. Results: The 122 children with AL included 52 females and 70 males with mean age 6.08 years. The total RHDS score was 7.7 ± 1.2, and 68.9% of the participants had high readiness for hospital discharge (RHDS score >7). The total QDTS score was 7.6 ± 2.0. Parent marital status (OR = 4.86, 95% CI: 1.31-18.05), education status (OR = 3.86, 95% CI: 1.18-12.55), family per capita monthly income (OR = 1.08, 95% CI: 1.01-2.99), and high QDTS (OR = 1.56, 95% CI: 1.11-2.68) were risk factors for high RHDS. Conclusions: Our data suggest parents of children with AL had high readiness for hospital discharge and had the ability to take care of their children after discharge. Parental marital status, education status, QDTS score, and family per capita monthly income were independently associated with high RHDS.

Potential localization of putative stem/progenitor cells in human bulbar conjunctival epithelium.

Although the conjunctival fornix appears to contain the greatest proportion of stem cells, it is likely that pockets of conjunctival epithelial stem cells may also exist throughout the conjunctival epithelium. This study was to investigate the potential localization of putative stem/progenitor cells in the human bulbar conjunctival epithelium by evaluating 6 keratins and 13 molecules that have been previously proposed stem cell associated or differentiation markers. We found that cornea specific cytokeratin (CK) 3 was not expressed by the bulbar conjunctival epithelial cells. In contrast, CK4 and CK7 were expressed by the superficial cells of bulbar conjunctival epithelium. CK14 and CK15 were confined to the basal cell layer. CK19 was strongly expressed by all layers of the bulbar conjunctival epithelium. The expression patterns of molecular markers in the basal cells of human bulbar conjunctival epithelium were found to be similar to the corneal epithelium. Basal conjunctival epithelial cells strongly expressed stem cell associated markers, including ABCG2, p63, nerve growth factor (NGF) with its receptors tyrosine kinase receptor A (TrkA) and neurotrophin low-affinity receptor p75NTR, glial cell-derived neurotrophic factor (GDNF) with its receptor GDNF family receptor alpha 1 (GFRalpha-1), integrin beta1, alpha-enolase, and epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR). The differentiation associated markers nestin, E-cadherin and involucrin were not expressed by these cells. These findings indicate that the basal cells of bulbar conjunctival epithelium shares a similar expression pattern of stem cell associated markers to the corneal epithelium, but has a unique pattern of differentiation associated cytokeratin expression.

Induction of Th17 differentiation by corneal epithelial-derived cytokines.

This study was to explore a potential role of epithelium-derived cytokines in Th17 differentiation. Th17 induction was evaluated by murine CD4(+) T cells treated with different combinations of five inducing cytokines, or conditioned media of human corneal epithelial cells (HCECs) exposed to a variety of stimuli. Th17 differentiation was determined by measuring Th17 associated molecules, IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, CCL-20, and STAT3 at mRNA and protein levels, and numbers of IL-17-producing T cells by real-time PCR, and cytokine immunobead and ELISPOT assays, respectively. IL-23 was the strongest inducer for expanding Th17 cells in the presence of TGF-beta1 + IL-6; and IL-1beta was the strongest Th17 amplifier in the presence of TGF-beta1 + IL-6 + IL-23. These inducing cytokines were found to be significantly stimulated in HCECs challenged by hyperosmotic media (450 mOsM), microbial components (polyI:C, flagellin, R837, and other TLR ligands) and TNF-alpha. Interestingly, when incubated with conditioned media of HCECs irritated by polyI:C or TNF-alpha, CD4(+) T cells displayed increased mRNA levels of IL-17A, IL-17F, IL-22, CCL-20, and STAT3, increased IL-17 protein in the supernatant, and increased numbers of IL-17-producing T cells (Th17 cells). These findings demonstrate for the first time that Th17 differentiation can be promoted by cytokines produced by corneal epithelium that are exposed to hyperosmotic, microbial, and inflammatory stimuli.

Characterization of chemical components in the Guanxinning injection by liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry.

Guanxinning injection (GXNI) is widely used in the treatments of cerebral thrombosis, cerebral hemorrhage, sequela, coronary disease, stenocardia, arrhythmia, and so on. For the herbal injections, more components should be characterized and quantified as much as possible to guarantee the drug safety. However, large numbers of the chemical constituents in the GXNI still remain unknown. In this study, ultrahigh performance liquid chromatography-Q Exactive hybrid quadrupole-orbitrap high-resolution accurate mass spectrometry (UHPLC-Q Orbitrap HRMS), in combination of nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR), was used to identify the components in GXNI, which led to the identification of 194 compounds. With the aid of solvent partition, more phthalides, diterpenoid quinines, and salvianolic acids were tentatively identified, and minor compounds with the other structural types were also detected. The structural diversity of phthalides and diterpenoid quinones were revealed by the structural network, and six phthalides and 13 diterpenoid quinones were further detected in GXNI with the help of the characteristic fragmentation pattern and structural network. In addition, NMR also revealed the presence of a series of primary metabolites in the GXNI, which could be used as a complimentary approach for the rapid identification of the chemical components in the traditional Chinese medicines (TCM). However, the unknown NMR signals of GXNI needed to be further identified to guarantee the drug safety.

Effects of contact lens multipurpose solutions on human corneal epithelial survival and barrier function.

PURPOSE: To examine the effect of 4 commercially available contact lens multipurpose solutions (MPS) on the viability and barrier function of human corneal epithelial cells in vitro. METHODS: Immortalized human corneal epithelial cells were exposed to 4 solutions, MPS A, B, C, and D with culture medium and Hanks' Balanced Salt Solution as controls. MTT assay was used to evaluate cell viability. ApopTag Fluorescein Apoptosis assay was used to detect cell death in situ. Corneal epithelial barrier function was evaluated by fluorescein permeability and immunofluorescent staining for tight junction proteins zonula occludens (ZO)-1 and occludin. RESULTS: Corneal epithelial survival rates, evaluated by MTT assay showed no statistical difference between MPS A and the culture medium or Hanks' Balanced Salt Solution controls. MPS B, C, and D were associated with significantly less cell survival than the controls after exposure for 6 hrs (all P<0.01). Compared with the controls, the MPS A did not increase cell apoptosis, whereas the other 3 caused higher apoptotic rates. The epithelial permeability after exposure to MPS A was similar to controls and significantly lower than MPS B and MPS D (P<0.01). The tight junction proteins ZO-1 and occludin were well maintained after exposure to MPS A. In contrast, the expression of ZO-1 and occludin were largely disturbed by the other 3 MPS solutions. CONCLUSIONS: The current marketed contact lens MPS may have negative effects on human corneal epithelial viability and barrier function. Among 4 MPS studied, MPS A maintains the cell viability and barrier function significantly better than other 3 marketed products.

Blue light irradiation inhibits the production of HGF by human retinal pigment epithelium cells in vitro.

Blue visible light damage to retinal pigment epithelial cells occurs through a photooxidative mechanism and the resultant damage is hypothesized to induce or exacerbate age-related macular degeneration. The purpose of the present study was to identify changes in the cell growth and the expression of hepatocyte growth factor (HGF) in cultured human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells as a result of both blue and red light irradiation. HGF is a growth factor and neurotrophic factor that stimulates growth of various ocular cells and promotes the survival of RPE and retinal neurons. Early passages of human RPE cells were exposed to blue light (460 nm) and red light (640 nm). Nonirradiated cells were used as controls. After 24 and 48 h, conditioned medium was collected and the amount of HGF was measured by ELISA. Cells were detached from the well and counted. Cell viability was evaluated by trypan-blue exclusion study. Blue light at dosage of 63 J/cm(2) significantly inhibited the growth of RPE cells without affecting of cell viability. Amounts of HGF in the culture medium were significantly inhibited by blue-light irradiation at the dosage from 32 to 63 J/cm(2). Red light at a dose of 174 J/cm(2) causes a nonsignificant inhibition of growth of RPE cells and a slight decrease of secretion of HGF. As HGF promotes survival of RPE cells and retinal neurons, the inhibition of production of HGF by visible light, especially by blue light, may enhance the phototoxic effects of visible light on the RPE and retinal neurons.

Expression of TSLP and Downstream Molecules IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 on the Eye Surface of Patients with Various Types of Allergic Conjunctivitis.

Background. The pathogenesis of allergic conjunctivitis has not been clearly established. Moreover, previous studies fail to consider human models of allergic conjunctivitis. This study investigated the expression of thymic stromal lymphopoiet in TSLP and its downstream molecules in conjunctival scrappings and tear. Methods. This cross-sectional study compares patients with vernal keratoconjunctivitis (VKC), seasonal allergic conjunctivitis (SAC), and perennial allergic conjunctivitis (PAC) with normal controls. There are 80 people recorded in Shanxi Eye Hospital. Increasingly, 20 are with VKC, 20 are with SAC, 20 are with PAC, and the remaining 20 are normal controls. Conjunctiva were harvested for total RNA extraction and gene expression by real-time polymerase chain reaction. Epithelial cells were collected to make pathological sections for immunohistochemical staining. Human tears were evaluated by Luminex microbead assay. A P value less than 0.05 from Dunnett's post hoc test in SPSS means a statistical significant distinction. Results. Positive expression in conjunctival cells of patients with allergic conjunctivitis. The expression of TSLP and IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 mRNA shows a statistically significant difference (P < 0.05). TSLP and IL-4, IL-5, and IL-13 concentrations show a statistically significant difference (P < 0.01). Conclusions. This study suggests that TSLP and downstream molecules are expressed in patients with various types of allergic conjunctivitis.

Investigation on the antidepressant effect of sea buckthorn seed oil through the GC-MS-based metabolomics approach coupled with multivariate analysis.

Depression is one of the prevalent and serious mental disorders and the number of depressed patients has been on the rise globally during the recent decades. Sea buckthorn seed oil from traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is edible and has been widely used for treatment of different diseases for a long time. However, there are few published reports on the antidepressant effect of sea buckthorn seed oil. With the objective of finding potential biomarkers of the therapeutic response of sea buckthorn seed oil in chronic unpredictable mild stress (CUMS) rats, urine metabolomics based on gas chromatography-mass spectrometry (GC-MS) coupled with multivariate analysis was applied. In this study, we discovered a higher level of pimelic acid as well as palmitic acid and a lower level of suberic acid, citrate, phthalic acid, cinnamic acid and Sumiki's acid in urine of rats exposed to CUMS procedures after sea buckthorn seed oil was administered. These changes of metabolites are involved in energy metabolism, fatty acid metabolism and other metabolic pathways as well as in the synthesis of neurotransmitters and it is helpful to facilitate the efficacy evaluation and mechanism elucidating the effect of sea buckthorn seed oil for depression management.

[Effect of lamellar keratoplasty time on the production of serum specific antibody in corneal alkali burns].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the production of serum specific anti-denatured corneal antibody and the effects of lamellar keratoplasty on changes of corneal histopathology in different stages after alkali burns. METHODS: 20 male New Zealand rabbits, with alkali burns in right eye were randomly divided into 5 groups including: burned group; 2 early lamellar keratoplasty group (operation at 3 or 7 days post alkali burns respectively); 2 middle and later lamellar keratoplasty groups (operation at 2 or 5 weeks after alkali burns respectively). The level of serum specific antibody in each group was detected by ELISA and the corneal structure was evaluated by light and electron microscopy in different stages after alkali burns. RESULTS: The anti-denatured corneal antibody was induced after corneal alkali burns. The level of antibody significantly increased at 2th week post, peaking burn at 5 or 6th week, then decreasing. More antibodies were detected when contralateral eye was burn at 8 week post first burn. However, only slight increasing antibody was detected in early lamellar keratoplasty group. Furthermore, no significant changes of antibody production were observed in middle and later lamellar keratoplasty group. The light and electron microscopic analysis showed that, the corneal epithelium recovered better, the fibre of corneal stroma arranged better, inflammatory cells infiltrated less and neovascularization formed less in lamellar keratoplasty groups comparing to the burned group. The early lamellar keratoplasty groups recovered better than in middle and later lamellar keratoplasty groups. CONCLUSION: Early lamellar keratoplasty after corneal alkali burns can significantly decrease the immune response. Histopathological data also indicate that early lamellar keratoplasty can improve the tissue regeneration and recovery, prevent topical inflammatory reaction, and abate corneal neovascularization. This study suggests that early lamellar keratoplasty is more effective than the conservative treatment.

Analysis of the restorative effect of Bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang in the spleen-qi deficiency rat model using (1)H-NMR-based metabonomics.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang (BT) is a classical formula for the treatment of spleen-qi descending, visceroptosis with hyposplenic qi, uterine prolapse, and rectal prolapse due to chronic diarrhea in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and has been identified as an effective drug for the treatment of TCM spleen-qi deficiency in clinical practice. The present study aimed to investigate the restorative effect and the potential mechanisms of Bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang in a rat spleen-qi deficiency model using (1)H-NMR-based metabonomics. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The rat spleen-qi deficiency model was established as follows: oral administration of Radix Rhei extract (equivalent to 10g/kg body weight of the crude drug), loaded swimming, and starvation for 24h. Each of these treatments was administered consecutively every three days. Sixty male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups, and three of the groups received a different oral dose of the aqueous extract of Bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang during the last seven days of the three-week experimental period. The body weight and motor behavior of the rats were measured and recorded once a week. The endogenous metabolites in the plasma were analyzed using NMR in conjunction with multivariate and statistical techniques. In addition, the liver and spleen were removed and weighed. RESULTS: All of the rats in the spleen-qi deficiency group presented pasty loose stools, inactiveness, grouping, a decrease in swimming endurance, and lackluster, loose, and disorderly behavior in addition to a significant decrease in body weight, spleen weight, and liver weight. In contrast, the abovementioned demonstrations were reversed to a certain extent in the rats treated with Bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang compared with the model group (p<0.05, p<0.01). A significant separation was determined between the control and model groups in the PCA score plot, which indicates that the spleen-qi deficiency model was successfully duplicated. The changes in the levels of endogenous metabolites in the plasma included lower levels of valine, leucine, and O-acetyl-glycoprotein and a higher concentration of lactate in the spleen-qi deficiency group compared with the control group. Treatment with Bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang at least partially returned the levels of these metabolites to the normal levels. CONCLUSIONS: The restorative effects of Bu-zhong-yi-qi-tang in rats with spleen-qi deficiency were confirmed, and four endogenous metabolites were identified as potential biomarkers of the symptoms of spleen-qi deficiency and most likely play roles in the changes observed in certain metabolic pathways, such as the energy, protein, and glycolytic metabolisms.