What can we learn from treatments of oral lichen planus?

Oral lichen planus (OLP), a T-lymphocyte-mediated disease of the oral mucosa, has a complex pathogenesis that involves a number of factors. The disease is characterized by recurrent episodes and requires continuous follow up, and there is no curative treatment available. Erosive lichen planus, among others, has a risk of malignant transformation and requires standardized treatment to control its progression. Different clinical subtypes of oral lichen planus require appropriate treatment. Pharmacological treatments are the most widely available and have the greatest variety of options and a number of novel pharmacological treatments are presented as highlights, including JAK enzyme inhibitors. The second is photodynamic therapy, which is the leading physiological treatment. In addition, periodontal treatment and psychological treatment should not be neglected. In this review, we briefly discuss the most recent developments in therapies for oral lichen planus after summarizing the most widely used clinical treatments, aiming to provide different proposals for future clinical treatment.

Clinical efficacy of photodynamic therapy of oral potentially malignant disorder.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical efficacy of aminovalerate hydrochloride photodynamic therapy (PDT) for oral potentially malignant disorder (OPMD),oral leukoplakia (OLK), along with identifying the influencing factors.Additionally, the study aims to detect the rates of recurrence and malignancy after PDT. METHOD: 60 patients with OPMD who received PDT at our hospital from 2006 to 2021 were included in this study. Relevant patient medical data were collected and analyzed using SAS 9.4 software.The Mann-Whitney U test was used to retrospectively analyze the factors influencing clinical efficacy, as well as recurrence rate and malignant transformation rate (MTR) after treatment. RESULT: Among the 60 OPMD patients receiving PDT, complete remission in 13 (21.67 %), partial remission in 39 (65.00 %), and no remission in eight (13.33 %), resulting in an overall effective rate of 86.67 %.Fifteen patients experienced relapse, leading to a recurrence rate of 25.00 %. Among these relapses,11 patients occurred within one year after treatment, corresponding to an 18.33 % recurrence rate during that period. Moreover, nine patients developed malignant transformation (MT), resulting in an MTR of 15.00 %. Out of these patients, six individuals developed MT within one year after treatment, resulting in a one-year MTR of 10.00 %. CONCLUSION: The study findings indicate that PDT shows promising clinical efficacy in the treatment of OPMD, with relatively limited and tolerable postoperative adverse reactions. However, there remains a certain rate of recurrence and malignancy after treatment. Therefore, close attention should be paid to postoperative monitoring, regular follow-up, and further expansion of the sample size to observe its long-term efficacy.

Comparison of Angiolytic Effects Between the 445-nm Blue Laser and 532-nm Pulsed KTP Laser.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to compare the selective absorption of the 445-nm Blue laser (BL) and the 532-nm pulsed potassium-titanyl-phosphate (KTP) laser by blood vessels. METHODS: Thirty-six chicken eggs at day 14 of incubation were dissected to expose the chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM). Third-order vessels of the CAM were identified and irradiated using BL and KTP lasers using various settings at a laser-to-vessel distance of 3 mm using 0.4 mm fiber size. In total, 494 vessels segments were irradiated. Mean (standard deviation) number of irradiations for each setting was 26.0 (4.6), range from 15 to 39. Outcome measures included ablation rate (AR) and rupture rate (RR). RESULTS: The two lasers were compared for AR and RR at long and medium pulse width (PW) associated with different power levels. At long PW (above 100 ms), BL showed significantly higher AR than KTP at high energy (600 mJ/pulse) and low energy (400 mJ/pulse); they did not show different AR and RR at medium energy levels (500 mJ/pulse). Using medium PW settings plus high and medium energy levels, BL and KTP showed relatively high AR and did not significantly differ in performance. However, at medium PW plus low energy (400-450 mJ/pulse), KTP showed significantly higher AR compared to BL. CONCLUSION: At long PW, BL appeared to show higher AR than KTP at high or low energy levels, but they showed equivalent performance at medium energy. At medium PW, both performed similarly from high to medium energy, but KTP appeared to perform better than BL at lower energy settings. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 2024.

The mechanism of lung tissue YKL-40 promoting the interstitial transformation of alveolar epithelial cells and its effect on TGF-ß1 level in mice with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis.

This study aimed to investigate the mechanism of lung tissue YKL-40 promoting the interstitial transformation of alveolar epithelial cells in mice with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and its effect on the level of TGF-ß1. For this purpose, Forty SPF SD mice were randomly divided into 4 groups. They were the blank control group (CK group), virus-negative control group (YKL-40-NC group), YKL-40 knockdown group (YKL-40-inhibitor group) and YKL-40 overexpression group (YKL-40-mimics group), respectively. The mRNA expressions of alveolar epithelial cell mesenchymal transformation-related proteins, pulmonary fibrosis-related factors and TGF-ß1-related pathway proteins in the above four groups of mice were compared to determine the mechanism of the promotion of alveolar epithelial cell mesenchymal transformation by YKL-40 in the lung tissues of mice with idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis and the effect of YKL-40 on the level of TGF-ß1. The results showed that in terms of lung wet/dry weight ratio, the YKL-40-NC group, YKL-40-inhibitor group and YKL-40-mimics group were significantly increased compared with the CK group (P<0.05). About YKL-40 protein expression, compared with the CK group, AOD value and YKL-40 protein expression in the YKL-40-NC group, YKL-40-inhibitor group and YKL-40-mimics group were significantly increased (P<0.05), and compared with YKL-40-NC group, The AOD value and YKL-40 protein expression in YKL-40-inhibitor group were significantly decreased, while the AOD value and YKL-40 protein expression in YKL-40-mimics group were significantly increased (P<0.05), suggesting successful lentivirus transfection. Compared with the CK group, ß-catenin and E-cadherin in the alveolar epithelial cells were significantly increased, while Pro-SPC was significantly decreased (P<0.05). The mRNA expression of pulmonary fibrosis-related factors showed that compared with the CK group, the mRNA expression of vimimin and hydroxyproline was significantly increased, while the mRNA expression of E-cadherin was decreased (P<0.05). However, the mRNA expressions of vimimin and hydroxyproline in the YKL-40-inhibitor group were significantly decreased, but the mRNA expression of E-cadherin was significantly increased. Compared with CK group, the protein expressions of TGF-ß1, Smad3, Smad7 and α-Sma in the CK group were significantly increased (P<0.05). The protein expressions of TGF-ß1, Smad3, Smad7 and α-SMA in the YKL-40-mimics group were significantly increased, but the protein expressions of TGF-ß1, Smad3, Smad7 and α-SMA in YKL-40-inhibitor group were significantly decreased (P<0.05). In general, overexpression of YKL-40 can promote the progression of pulmonary fibrosis and the interstitial transformation of alveolar epithelial cells in mice with idiopathic fibrosis.

Knockdown of polypyrimidine tract binding protein facilitates motor function recovery after spinal cord injury.

After spinal cord injury (SCI), a fibroblast- and microglia-mediated fibrotic scar is formed in the lesion core, and a glial scar is formed around the fibrotic scar as a result of the activation and proliferation of astrocytes. Simultaneously, a large number of neurons are lost in the injured area. Regulating the dense glial scar and replenishing neurons in the injured area are essential for SCI repair. Polypyrimidine tract binding protein (PTB), known as an RNA-binding protein, plays a key role in neurogenesis. Here, we utilized short hairpin RNAs (shRNAs) and antisense oligonucleotides (ASOs) to knock down PTB expression. We found that reactive spinal astrocytes from mice were directly reprogrammed into motoneuron-like cells by PTB downregulation in vitro. In a mouse model of compression-induced SCI, adeno-associated viral shRNA-mediated PTB knockdown replenished motoneuron-like cells around the injured area. Basso Mouse Scale scores and forced swim, inclined plate, cold allodynia, and hot plate tests showed that PTB knockdown promoted motor function recovery in mice but did not improve sensory perception after SCI. Furthermore, ASO-mediated PTB knockdown improved motor function restoration by not only replenishing motoneuron-like cells around the injured area but also by modestly reducing the density of the glial scar without disrupting its overall structure. Together, these findings suggest that PTB knockdown may be a promising therapeutic strategy to promote motor function recovery during spinal cord repair.

Low-toxic, fluorescent labeled and size-controlled graphene oxide quantum dots@polystyrene nanospheres as reference material for quantitative determination and in vivo tracing.

Polystyrene (PS) is selected as a representative nanoplastic and persistent pollutant for its difficult degradation and wide application. The environmental risk assessment of PS is obstructed by the toxic dye-based fluorescent PS, which false positives could be induced by the leakage of dye. For high biocompatibility, low toxicity, hydrophilicity, good water dispersibility, strong fluorescent stability, graphene oxide quantum dots (o-CQDs) are selected and embedded into PS microspheres, i.e., o-CQDs@PS, by microemulsion polymerization and denoted as CPS. Meanwhile, the sizes of CPS, e.g., 100, 150, and 200 nm, could be controlled by optimizing the type and number of water-soluble initiators. The anti-interference, low toxicity, and in vivo fluorescent tracing of CPS are proven by the coexistence of metals (including Fe2+, Fe3+, K+, Ba2+, Al3+, Zn2+, Mg2+, Ca2+, and Na+) on the fluorescence intensity of CPS, the growth of Chlorella pyrenoidosa and Artemia cysts as aquatic phytoplankton and zooplankton cultured with CPS, and the transfer of CPS from water into brine shrimp. In the concentration range of 0.1-100 mg/L, CPS can be quantitatively determined, which is suitable for coastal water and wastewater treatment plants. Therefore, CPS with standard size is suitable as reference material of PS.

Dynamic hybrid-phase computed tomography simulation in lung stereotactic body radiotherapy: A feasibility study.

To assess the feasibility of dynamic hybrid-phase computed tomography (CTDHP) simulation when patients undergo lung stereotactic body radiation therapy (SBRT). Eighteen non-small-cell lung-cancer patients were immobilised in a stereotactic body frame with abdominal compression. All underwent dynamic hybrid-phase CT scans that were compared with cone-beam CT (CBCT). We also determined the internal target volume (ITV) and evaluated the following four metrics: the "AND" function in the Boolean module of Eclipse, volume overlap (VO), Dice similarity coefficient (DSC), and dose-volume histogram. The average ITV values of 4DCTDHP and 3D-CBCT were respectively 12.82±10.42 and 14.6±12.18 cm3 (n=72, p<0.001), and the average ITV value of AND was 11.7±10.1 cm3. The average planning target volume (PTV) of 4DCTDHP and 3D-CBCT was 25.63±18.04 and 28.00±19.82 cm3 (n=72, p<0.001). The median AND difference between ITV and PTV was significant (p<0.01) and had a significantly linear distribution (R2=0.991 for ITV, R2=0.972 for PTV). The average VO of PTV was greater than that of ITV (0.81±0.096; 0.78±0.11). We also observed that the average DSC in PTV (0.83±0.066) was greater than that in ITV (0.81±0.084). The average results indicated that 97.9%±3.44 of ITVCBCT was covered by 95% of the prescribed dose. The average minimum, maximum and mean percentage doses of ITVCBCT were 87.9%±9.46, 107.3%±1.57, and 101.3%±1.12, respectively. This paper has demonstrated that dynamic hybrid-phase CT simulation for patients undergoing lung SBRT and also published evaluation metrics in scientific analysis. Our approach also has the advantage of adequate margin and fewer phases in CT simulation.

Pre-Clinical Activity of Amino-Alcohol Dimeric Naphthoquinones as Potential Therapeutics for Acute Myeloid Leukemia.

BACKGROUND: The clinical outcomes of patients with Acute Myeloid Leukemia (AML) remain unsatisfactory. Therefore the development of more efficacious and better-tolerated therapy for AML is critical. We have previously reported anti-leukemic activity of synthetic halohydroxyl dimeric naphthoquinones (BiQ) and aziridinyl BiQ. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to improve the potency and bioavailability of BiQ compounds and investigate antileukemic activity of the lead compound in vitro and a human AML xenograft mouse model. METHODS: We designed, synthesized, and performed structure-activity relationships of several rationally designed BiQ analogues with amino alcohol functional groups on the naphthoquinone core rings. The compounds were screened for anti-leukemic activity and the mechanism as well as in vivo tolerability and efficacy of our lead compound was investigated. RESULTS: We report that a dimeric naphthoquinone (designated BaltBiQ) demonstrated potent nanomolar anti-leukemic activity in AML cell lines. BaltBiQ treatment resulted in the generation of reactive oxygen species, induction of DNA damage, and inhibition of indoleamine dioxygenase 1. Although BaltBiQ was tolerated well in vivo, it did not significantly improve survival as a single agent, but in combination with the specific Bcl-2 inhibitor, Venetoclax, tumor growth was significantly inhibited compared to untreated mice. CONCLUSION: We synthesized a novel amino alcohol dimeric naphthoquinone, investigated its main mechanisms of action, reported its in vitro anti-AML cytotoxic activity, and showed its in vivo promising activity combined with a clinically available Bcl-2 inhibitor in a patient-derived xenograft model of AML.

Efficacy of erzhu jiedu recipe on hepatitis B cirrhosis with hyperalphafetoproteinemia: A randomized, double-blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial.

BACKGROUND: Hepatitis B cirrhosis with hyperalphafetoproteinemia is the intermediate stage of liver cirrhosis progressing to hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), there is no effective way to treat precancerous lesions of liver in modern medicine. In recent decades, clinical and experimental evidence shows that Chinese medicine (CM) has a certain beneficial effect on Hepatitis B Cirrhosis. Therefore, this trial aims to evaluate the efficacy and safety of a CM erzhu jiedu recipe (EZJDR) for the treatment of Hepatitis B Cirrhosis with Hyperalphafetoproteinemia. METHODS: We designed a randomized, double blind, placebo-controlled clinical trial. A total of 72 patients of Hepatitis B Cirrhosis with hyperalphafetoproteinemia were randomized in 2 parallel groups. Patients in the control group received placebo granules similar to the EZJDR. In the EZJDR group, patients received EZJDR twice a day, after meals, for 48 weeks. The primary efficacy measures were changes in serum alpha-fetoprotein (AFP) and alpha-fetoprotein alloplasm (AFP-L3); The secondary indicators of efficacy are changes in liver function indicators, HBV-DNA level; Liver stiffness measurement (LSM); Hepatic portal vein diameter; T lymphocyte subgroup indexes during treatment. All data will be recorded in case report forms and analyzed by Statistical Analysis System software. Adverse events will also be evaluated. RESULTS: The results showed that EZJDR can significantly inhibit the levels of AFP and AFP-L3 in patients with hepatitis B cirrhosis and hyperalphafetoproteinemia and have good security. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: The study protocol was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Shuguang Hospital, affiliated with University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Shanghai (NO.2018-579-08-01). TRIAL REGISTRATION: This trial was registered on Chinese Clinical Trial Center (NO.ChiCTR1800017165).

Corrigendum to "The Protective Effect of N-Acetylcysteine on Ionizing Radiation Induced Ovarian Failure and Loss of Ovarian Reserve in Female Mouse".

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.1155/2017/4176170.].

DNA Methylation Analysis Identifies Patterns in Progressive Glioma Grades to Predict Patient Survival.

DNA methylation is an epigenetic change to the genome that impacts gene activities without modification to the DNA sequence. Alteration in the methylation pattern is a naturally occurring event throughout the human life cycle which may result in the development of diseases such as cancer. In this study, we analyzed methylation data from The Cancer Genome Atlas, under the Lower-Grade Glioma (LGG) and Glioblastoma Multiforme (GBM) projects, to identify methylation markers that exhibit unique changes in DNA methylation pattern along with tumor grade progression, to predict patient survival. We found ten glioma grade-associated Cytosine-phosphate-Guanine (CpG) sites that targeted four genes (SMOC1, KCNA4, SLC25A21, and UPP1) and the methylation pattern is strongly associated with glioma specific molecular alterations, primarily isocitrate dehydrogenase (IDH) mutation and chromosome 1p/19q codeletion. The ten CpG sites collectively distinguished a cohort of diffuse glioma patients with remarkably poor survival probability. Our study highlights genes (KCNA4 and SLC25A21) that were not previously associated with gliomas to have contributed to the poorer patient outcome. These CpG sites can aid glioma tumor progression monitoring and serve as prognostic markers to identify patients diagnosed with less aggressive and malignant gliomas that exhibit similar survival probability to GBM patients.

Effects of 445-nm Laser on Vessels of Chick Chorioallantoic Membrane with Implications to Microlaryngeal Laser Surgery.

OBJECTIVE: Previous research has shown that effective application of angiolytic lasers in microlaryngeal surgery is determined by wavelength, pulse width (PW), and fluence. Recently, a 445-nm (blue) laser (BL) has been developed with a potentially greater hemoglobin absorption than previous lasers. The chick chorioallantoic membrane (CAM) represents a suitable model for testing various settings to find out the most optimal settings of this laser. This study used the CAM model to examine whether successful photoangiolytic effects could be obtained using BL. METHODS: Seven hundred and ninety three third-order vascular segments of viable CAM were irradiated using BL via 400-µm diameter fiber, 1 pulse/second, with PW and power varied systematically at standardized fiber-to-vessel distances of 1 and 3 mm. Outcome measures including vessel ablation rate (AR), rupture rate (RR), and visible tissue effects were analyzed using Chi-square test. RESULTS: Energy levels of 400, 540, and 600 mJ (per pulse) were most effective for vessel ablation. A working distance of 3 mm resulted in higher ablation and less vessel rupture compared with 1 mm at these optimal energy levels. At 3 mm, a longer PW resulted in higher AR. At 1 mm, AR increased with shorter PW and higher power. The 1-mm working distance resulted in lower tissue effects than 3 mm. CONCLUSION: Findings in this study showed that BL was effective in vessel ablation using relevant combination of working distance, PW, and energy levels. To obtain high AR, longer working distance plus longer PW was required and if working distance was reduced, shorter PW should be set. LEVEL OF EVIDENCE: NA Laryngoscope, 131:E1950-E1956, 2021.

Fabrication of Anisotropic Cu Ferrite-Polymer Core-Shell Nanoparticles for Photodynamic Ablation of Cervical Cancer Cells.

In this work we developed methylene blue-immobilized copper-iron nanoparticles (MB-CuFe NPs) through a facile one-step hydrothermal reaction to achieve a better phototherapeutic effect. The Fe/Cu ratio of the CuFe NPs was controllable by merely changing the loading amount of iron precursor concentration. The CuFe NPs could serve as a Fenton catalyst to convert hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) into reactive oxygen species (ROS), while the superparamagnetic properties also suggest magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) potential. Furthermore, the Food and Drug Administration (FDA)-approved MB photosensitizer could strongly adsorb onto the surface of CuFe NPs to facilitate the drug delivery into cells and improve the photodynamic therapy at 660 nm via significant generation of singlet oxygen species, leading to enhanced cancer cell-damaging efficacy. An MTT (thiazolyl blue tetrazolium bromide) assay proved the low cytotoxicity of the CuFe NPs to cervical cancer cells (HeLa cells), namely above 80% at 25 ppm of the sample dose. A slight dissolution of Cu and Fe ions from the CuFe NPs in an acidic environment was obtained, providing direct evidence for CuFe NPs being degradable without the risk of long-term retention in the body. Moreover, the tremendous photo-to-thermal conversion of CuFe NPs was examined, which might be combined with photodynamic therapy (PDT) for promising development in the depletion of cancer cells after a single pulse of deep-red light irradiation at high laser power.

Elevated levels of IL-17A and IL-35 in plasma and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid are associated with checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis in patients with non-small cell lung cancer.

Advances in the immunology have identified that interleukin (IL)-17 and IL-35 are cytokines with diverse functions, serving important roles in autoimmune diseases and chronic inflammation. Checkpoint inhibitor pneumonitis (CIP) is focal or diffuse lung inflammation induced by immune checkpoint inhibitors and the underlying pathogenesis has not been fully explored. The aim of the present study was to investigate the roles of IL-17A and IL-35, and the correlation between their levels and different T cell subsets in CIP. The levels of IL-17A and IL-35 in peripheral blood and bronchoalveolar lavage fluid (BALF) were measured in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) with CIP, and the corresponding controls. The percentages of helper T lymphocyte (Th)1, Th2 and Th17 cells, and regulatory T cells (Tregs) in the peripheral blood were synchronically detected. Serum levels of IL-17A and IL-35 were significantly increased at the time of CIP diagnosis compared with the baseline, and significantly decreased upon clinical recovery or improvement. IL-17A and IL-35 were also increased in the BALF during the development of CIP compared with the baseline. Serum levels of IL-17A were positively correlated with the percentages of Th1 and Th17 cells as well as the ratio of Th17 to Tregs, but negatively associated with the frequency of Tregs in CIP. Serum levels of IL-35 were positively correlated with the percentages of Th1 and Tregs, and with the ratio of Th1 to Th2 cells in CIP. A higher frequency of Th1 and Th17 cells, as well as higher ratios of Th17 to Tregs and Th1 to Th2 cells were detected upon development of CIP comparing with the baseline. These data suggested that the activation of Th1 and Th17 cells, as well as Treg inhibition contributed to the imbalanced ratios of Th1 to Th2 and Th17 to Tregs, which resulted in increased secretion of IL-17A and IL-35 in the plasma and BALF; this may present a valuable index to monitor the development and severity of CIP in patients with NSCLC receiving immunotherapy.

Use of electronic portal images to evaluate setup error and intra-fraction motion during free-breathing breast IMRT treatment.

Before delivering of intensity-modulated radiotherapy, kilo-voltage image-guidance radiotherapy is widely used in setup error correction and monitoring intra-fraction motion effectively. Accordingly, this study proposes and tests an image integration technique for observing intra-fraction motion during beam delivery, with the wider objective of reducing both image-guidance time and the dose delivered to normal breast tissue. The study sample comprised 33 female patients with breast cancer, and 241 sets of portal images acquired using a VARIAN aSi-1000 electronic portal imaging device. Motion amplitudes and vectors were collected and calculated separately by two senior therapists. The setup error in 3 axes was computed for every fraction, with average shifting for lateral, longitudinal and vertical direction was -0.3-mm ± 0.5, -0.1-mm ± 0.5 and -0.6-mm ± 1.6, with the average vector of setup error being 2.9-mm ± 1.4. The average intra-fraction motion for vertical direction was (A: -0.1-mm ± 1.0; B: -0.0 ± 1.1), for longitudinal was (A: -0.4-mm ± 1.7; B: 2.0 ± 1.1), and for lateral direction was (A: 0.3-mm ± 1.3; B: 0.2 ± 1.8). The average intra-fraction vector was 2.9-mm ± 1.3 for therapist A, and 3.4-mm ± 1.8 for therapist B. Offline Review commercial software was utilized for setup error and motion analysis, and data analysis and reliability testing were conducted with statistical package of the social sciences. Pearson correlations between the two therapists was moderate (0.59, p << 0.01), and the Cohen's kappa value for inter rater agreement between different evaluators was fair in the anterior-posterior direction (0.25, p << 0.01), with slight agreement in other two directions and vectors. The study presented efficient and dose reduction method to evaluate setup error and intra-fraction motion during breast intensity-modulated radiotherapy treatment.

Real-Time Intraocular Pressure Measurements in the Vitreous Chamber of Rabbit Eyes During Small Incision Lenticule Extraction (SMILE).

PURPOSE: To investigate real-time intraocular pressure (IOP) during small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) in rabbit eyes for myopia correction. METHODS: During SMILE, real-time IOP was measured in the vitreous cavity of rabbit eyes with an optic fiber pressure sensor (OFPS). Two groups (n = 6 for each) underwent surgery, one group for a -2.00 diopter (D) refractive spherical correction and the other for a -6.00 D correction. RESULTS: During surgery, the IOP increased once the glass contact attached to the cornea (Pre-suction), and peaked 83.94 mmHg (SD ± 23.87 mmHg) for the -2.00 D group and 89.17 mmHg (SD ± 22.66 mmHg) for the -6.00 D group, both average values were less than 110 mmHg when suction was initiated to fix the glass contact onto the cornea (Suction on). It then fell to 74.81 mmHg (SD ± 20.64 mmHg) and 76.94 mmHg (SD ± 27.43 mmHg), respectively, and remained stable during lenticule creation (Cutting). After suction stopped (Suction off), IOP fell steeply. During lenticule separation/extraction, the change in IOP was 32.26 mmHg (SD ± 2.91 mmHg). Notably, the average duration of elevated IOP during the surgery was 166.05 s (no longer than 3 min). CONCLUSIONS: The IOP fluctuations in the vitreous cavity using an OFPS in a rabbit model during SMILE showed that real-time IOP significantly was increased during Pre-suction, Suction on, Cutting, Suction off, and lenticule separation/extraction compared to baseline IOP, although, peaked at Suction on. Neither the degree of myopic correction nor central corneal thickness significantly affected these changes in IOP.

The Protective Effect of N-Acetylcysteine on Ionizing Radiation Induced Ovarian Failure and Loss of Ovarian Reserve in Female Mouse.

Ionizing radiation may cause irreversible ovarian failure, which, therefore, calls for an effective radioprotective reagent. The aim of the present study was to evaluate the potential radioprotective effect of N-acetylcysteine (NAC) on ionizing radiation induced ovarian failure and loss of ovarian reserve in mice. Kun-Ming mice were either exposed to X-irradiation (4 Gy), once, and/or treated with NAC (300 mg/kg), once daily for 7 days before X-irradiation. We examined the serum circulating hormone levels and the development of ovarian follicles as well as apoptosis, cell proliferation, and oxidative stress 24 hours after X-irradiation. In addition, morphological observations on the endometrial luminal epithelium and the fertility assessment were performed. We found that NAC successfully restored the ovarian and uterine function, enhanced the embryo implantation, improved the follicle development, and altered the abnormal hormone levels through reducing the oxidative stress and apoptosis level in granulosa cells while promoting the proliferation of granulosa cells. In conclusion, the radioprotective effect of NAC on mice ovary from X-irradiation was assessed, and our results suggested that NAC can be a potential radioprotector which is capable of preventing the ovarian failure occurrence and restoring the ovarian reserve.

Antiviral activities of atractylon from Atractylodis Rhizoma.

Atractylodis Rhizoma is a traditional medicinal herb, which has antibacterial, antiviral, anti­inflammatory and anti­allergic, anticancer, gastroprotective and neuroprotective activities. It is widely used for treating fever, cold, phlegm, edema and arthralgia syndrome in South­East Asian nations. In this study, 6 chemical compositions of Atractylodis Rhizoma were characterized by spectral analysis and their antiviral activities were evaluated in vitro and in vivo. Among them, atractylon showed most significant antiviral activities. Atractylon treatment at doses of 10­40 mg/kg for 5 days attenuated influenza A virus (IAV)­induced pulmonary injury and decreased the serum levels of interleukin (IL)­6, tumor necrosis factor­α and IL­1ß, but increased interferon­ß (IFN­ß) levels. Atractylon treatment upregulated the expression of Τoll­like receptor 7 (TLR7), MyD88, tumor necrosis factor receptor­associated factor 6 and IFN­ß mRNA but downregulated nuclear factor­κB p65 protein expression in the lung tissues of IAV­infected mice. These results demonstrated that atractylon significantly alleviated IAV­induced lung injury via regulating the TLR7 signaling pathway, and may warrant further evaluation as a possible agent for IAV treatment.

[Effect of Wenyang Decoction on the Differentiation of CD34+ Progenitor Cells in Occupational Asthma Model Rats].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effect of Wenyang Decoction (WD) on the differentiation of CD34+ progenitor cells of occupational asthma (OA) model rats. METHODS: Fifty healthy male SD rats were randomly divided into five groups, i.e., the model group, the blank control group,the WD group,the Western medicine group,the combined group, 10 in each group. Prednisone suspension (10 mg/kg) was administered to rats in the Western medicine group by gastrogavage. WD (20 g/kg) was administered to rats in the WD group by gastrogavage. Prednisone suspension plus WD was administered to rats in the combined group by gastrogavage. Normal saline was administered to rats in the model group and the blank control group by gastrogavage. The general condition of rats was observed. Expression levels of peripheral blood IL-5 and eotaxin, eosinophils (EOS), CD34+, CC chemokine receptor 3 (CCR3+) in bone marrow suspension were detected by ELISA, Wirght-Giemsa, and flow cytometry, respectively. RESULTS: Compared with the blank control group,expression levels of IL-5 and eotaxin in peripheral blood were significantly higher (P < 0.01), and the count of EOS and CD34+ cells, as well as CD34+ /CCR3+ significantly increased (P < 0.01) in the model group. Compared with the model group, expression levels of IL-5 and eotaxin, the count of EOS, CD34+ cells, CD34+ / CCR3+ were lowered in three treated groups (P < 0.01). Compared with the Western medicine group, the count of EOS and CD34+ / CCR3+ decreased in the combined group (P < 0.01). The count of EOS was significantly lower in the combined group than in the WD group (P < 0.01). CONCLUSION: WD could reduce levels of in vivo inflammatory factors, and restrain the differentiation and recruitment of EOS,thereby alleviating the differentiation of CD34 progenitor cells to EOS.