A potential role for inflammatory cytokines in a rare late-onset capsular block syndrome: a case report.

BACKGROUND: Late-onset capsule block syndrome (CBS) is a rare complication of cataract phacoemulsification and the implantation of a posterior chamber intraocular lens (PCIOL), which manifests six months to years after surgery. The hallmark of CBS is the formation of an opaque liquid substance between the implanted intraocular lens (IOL) and the posterior capsule. However, its pathogenesis remains unclear. CASE PRESENTATION: A 64-year-old female patient with chronic angle-closure glaucoma (axis length < 21 mm) underwent trabeculectomy surgery combined with phacoemulsification and PCIOL. After a 4-year follow-up, a decline in visual acuity occurred in her right eye due to the location of opaque fluid in the visual axis and distension of the capsular bag. The initial course of action was to release the trapped fluid. Neodymium: yttrium-aluminum-garnet (Nd: YAG) laser capsulotomy could not be employed due to her non-dilating pupil and high extension of the posterior capsule. Subsequently, anterior capsule peeling and anterior segment vitrectomy surgery were performed. The depth of the anterior chamber (ACD), the distance between the face of the retro-IOL and the posterior capsule, the best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and the visual quality (VQ) were measured both before and after surgery. Inflammatory cytokine levels in the opaque substances (OS) trapped between the PCIOL and the posterior capsule were assessed using a flow cytometer and compared to normal statistical data in aqueous humor. After surgery, the patient experienced a significant improvement in BCVA and VQ. The distance between the face of the retro-IOL and the posterior capsule was on the verge of disappearing. However, ACD did not differ between pre- and post-operatively. Interleukin-8 (IL-8) and basic fibroblast growth factor (BFGF) concentrations were higher in the OS than in aqueous humor, especially in the former. However, the concentration of vascular cell adhesion molecule (VCAM) in the OS was lower than in aqueous humor. CONCLUSIONS: Anterior segment vitrectomy surgery proved to be a successful treatment for late-onset CBS, presenting a challenging case. In the human lens, inflammatory cytokines originating from the opaque substances may contribute to abnormal metabolism in the sealed area, a consequence of late-onset CBS.

Female northern grass lizards judge mates by body shape to reinforce local adaptation.

BACKGROUND: Identifying the factors that contribute to divergence among populations in mate preferences is important for understanding of the manner in which premating reproductive isolation might arise and how this isolation may in turn contribute to the evolutionary process of population divergence. Here, we offered female northern grass lizards (Takydromus septentrionalis) a choice of males between their own population and another four populations to test whether the preferences that females display in the mating trials correlate with phenotypic adaptation to local environments, or to the neutral genetic distance measured by divergence of mitochondrial DNA sequence loci. RESULTS: Females showed a strong preference for native over foreign males. Females that mated with native versus foreign males did not differ from each other in mating latency, or copulation duration. From results of the structural equation modelling we knew that: 1) geographical distance directly contributed to genetic differentiation and environmental dissimilarity; 2) genetic differentiation and environmental dissimilarity indirectly contributed to female mate preference, largely through their effects on morphological divergence; and 3) females judged mates by body shape (appearance) and discriminated more strongly against morphologically less familiar allopatric males. CONCLUSIONS: Local adaptation rather than neutral genetic distance influences female mate preference in T. septentrionalis. The tendency to avoid mating with foreign males may indicate that, in T. septentrionalis, local adaptations are more valuable than genetic novelties. Our results highlight the importance of comprehensive studies integrating ecological, molecular and behavioral approaches to understand population divergence in female mate preferences as the consequence of local adaptations.

3,4-Methylenedioxymethamphetamine causes cytotoxicity on 661W cells through inducing macrophage polarization.

The abuse of 3,4-methylenedioxymethamphetamine (MDMA), a psychedelic drug, can lead to a variety of disorders in neural system, including the death of retinal neural cells. MDMA at lower doses does not cause obvious cytotoxicity to photoreceptor cells, indicating potential indirect mechanisms which have not yet been elucidated. This study investigated the effect of MDMA at nontoxic concentration on macrophage activation state and its resultant toxicity to photoreceptor cells. Using a co-culture system, cytotoxicity was caused by MDMA on 661W cells after co-culturing with RAW264.7 macrophage. Results showed that MDMA induced the macrophages to M1 polarization, releasing more pro-inflammatory cytokines, upregulating the M1-related gene and protein expression. The phenotype, secretion pattern, and cytotoxicity of the macrophages treated by MDMA are comparable to those of the ones stimulated by IFNγ and LPS. Our study demonstrated that MDMA promoted macrophage polarization to M1 and induced inflammatory response, providing the scientific rationale for the photoreceptor cell damage caused by the MDMA abuse.

[CRYAA gene mutation study in a family with autosomal dominant congenital cataract combined with microcornea].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the gene mutation in a four-generation Chinese family with autosomal dominant congenital cataract associated with microcornea. METHODS: Experimental research. Twelve members in this family (including six affected and six unaffected individuals) were enrolled into this study. They underwent full ophthalmological and clinical examinations to rule out any concomitant disorders. Blood samples were collected and genomic DNA was extracted. Microsatellite markers near the reported loci, which are associated with congenital cataract and microcornea were selected and amplified from DNA samples using polymerase chain reaction. Linkage analysis was performed. The exons and exon/intron junction of candidate gene in the related chromosome were sequenced. The product of the first exon was digested by ApaL I restriction enzyme to certify the mutation. RESULTS: The phenotype studied in this family was nuclear cataract accompanied with microcornea. At markers D21S1885 and D21S1890 near the locus 21q22.3, the affected members had the same allele, but the unaffected did not. The Lod scores were 2.11 in both markers, indicating that this locus were linked to the congenital cataract in this family. DNA sequencing of candidate gene CRYAA showed a heterozygous mutation c.34C > T in exon 1, which led to condon 12 in peptide chain encoding arginine substituted by cysteine. ApaL I enzyme digestion certified that all of the affected members had the same mutation c.34C > T, but the unaffected and normal individuals did not. CONCLUSION: Mutation (p.R12C) of CRYAA is the genetic change that causes the occurrence of congenital cataract with microcornea in this family.

Point-of-care test of heart-type fatty acid-binding protein for the diagnosis of early acute myocardial infarction.

AIM: To investigate the efficacies of point-of-care test of heart-type fatty-acid binding protein (H-FABP) and its combinations with the conventional biomarkers in the diagnosis of early acute myocardial infarction (AMI). METHODS: 227 patients suspected of AMI were consecutively recruited in two centers. Biomarkers including H-FABP, myoglobin (MYO), creatine kinase-myocardial band (CK-MB) and cardiac troponin T (cTnT) were determined simultaneously at admission. AMI was defined according to the universal definition of myocardial infarction. Chi-Square test was adopted for the analysis. RESULTS: In patients presenting within 12 h of symptom onset, the sensitivity of H-FABP[93.0% (95% CI: 86.6%-96.9%)] was significantly higher than that of initial CK-MB [67.5% (95% CI: 58.1%-76.0%), P<0.0001], cTnT [69.3% (95%CI: 60.0%-77.6%), P<0.0001] and MYO [68.6% (95% CI: 54.1%-80.9%), P<0.05]. The negative predictive value of H-FABP [92.8% (95%CI: 86.3%-96.8%)] was significantly higher than that of initial CK-MB [74.7% (95% CI: 66.8%-81.5%), P<0.001] and cTnT [75.9% (95% CI: 68.1%-82.6%), P<0.001]. The sensitivity of H-FABP+cTnT combination [94.7% (95% CI: 88.9%-98.0%)] was significantly higher than that of admission cTnT [69.3% (95% CI: 60.0%-77.6%), P<0.0001], CK-MB+cTnT [75.4% (95% CI: 66.5%-83.0%), P<0.0001] and MYO+CK-MB+cTnT [74.5% (95% CI: 60.4%-85.7%), P<0.05]. The negative predictive value of H-FABP+cTnT [94.5% (95% CI: 88.4%-98.0%] was significantly higher than that of initial cTnT [75.9% (95% CI: 68.1%-82.6%), P<0.001] and CK-MB+cTnT [79.1% (95% CI: 71.2%-85.6%), P<0.001]. Subgroup analysis showed that the superiorities of both the sensitivities and the negative predictive values of H-FABP and H-FABP+cTnT combination occurred only in patients who presented within 6 h of the symptom onset. CONCLUSION: Point-of-care test of H-FABP can be used as a valuable biomarker to detect or exclude an early-stage AMI. Combining H-FABP and cTnT provides the best performance for early AMI diagnosis.

Changes of corneal central thickness of aphakia following congenital cataract surgery under the first six months of life.

AIM: To observe the central corneal thickness (CCT) changes in infants and young children who had been undergone bilateral congenital cataract surgery, and to compare the changes with normal control group which was selected from healthy population. METHODS: A cross section case-control study contained 28 cases (56 eyes) of bilateral aphakia (aphakic group) due to congenital cataract surgery combining with posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis and with anterior vitrectomy during 2-6 months after birth. Fourteen children (28 eyes) of age-sex matched with the aphalic group were selected as normal control group. CCT and intraocular pressure (IOP) were measured postoperatively and the results were compared between groups. RESULTS: The mean CCT was 653.5±82.4µm in the aphakic group and 579.6±39.2µm in the control group, with a significant difference (P=0.000). The mean value of IOP in aphakic group (22.0±1.6mmHg) was greater than that of control group (16.9±2.1mmHg), P=0.023. There was a negative correlation between age and CCT in normal control group (r=-0.531, P=0.026), and there was no correlation in bilateral aphakia group (r=-0.324, P=0.165) CONCLUSION: Aphakic children due to congenital cataract surgery have a greater CCT than normal children. It is necessary to consider CCT in evaluating IOP for children after congenital cataract surgery.

[Effects of potassium application rate and time on the uptake and utilization of nitrogen and potassium by winter wheat].

The study with 15N tracing techniques showed that basal application of K did not increase the N and K accumulation in wheat plant when the available K content in 0-20 cm soil layer was 118.5 mg x kg(-1), but increased the accumulation significantly when the soil available K content was 79.0 mg x kg(-1). When the fertilizer K was 1/2 basal-applied and 1/2 top-dressed at elongation stage, the absorbed fertilizer N and soil N by plant as well as the residual N of top-dressed N in soil were increased with increasing K application rate, while the fertilizer N loss decreased. Compared with basal application, the split application of K increased the accumulated amount, uptake efficiency, and productive efficiency of N and K significantly. When the K application rate was 135 kg x hm(-2), split application of K promoted the absorption of top-dressed and soil N by plant, and increased the residual N of top-dressed N in soil. The results also showed that K application increased the grain yield and its protein and wet gluten contents. At the same K application rate, split application had better effect than basal application, and treatment K45 +45 (45 kg x hm(-2) as basal and 45 kg x hm(-2) top-dressed) showed the best effect. Applying excessive K tended to decrease wheat yield and its quality.