Fluorometholone inhibits high glucose-induced cellular senescence in human retinal endothelial cells.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is a common diabetic complication that severely impacts the life quality of diabetic patients. Recently, cellular senescence in human retinal endothelial cells (HRECs) induced by high glucose has been linked to the pathogenesis of DR. Fluorometholone (FML) is a glucocorticoid drug applied in the treatment of inflammatory and allergic disorders of the eye. The objective of the present study is to investigate the protective function of FML on high glucose-induced cellular senescence in HRECs. The in vitro injury model was established by stimulating HRECs with 30 mm glucose. After evaluating the cytotoxicity of FML in HRECs, 0.05% and 0.1% FML were used as the optimal concentration in the entire experiment. It was found that the excessive released inflammatory factors including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and interleukin-8 (IL-8) in HRECs induced by high glucose were significantly suppressed by FML, accompanied by the inhibitory effects on the expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and tissue factor (TF). Declined telomerase activity and enhanced senescence-associated ß-galactosidase (SA-ß-gal) activity were found in high glucose-challenged HRECs, which were dramatically alleviated by FML, accompanied by the inactivation of the p53/p21 and retinoblastoma (Rb) signaling. Interestingly, FML ameliorated high glucose-induced dephosphorylation of Akt. Lastly, the protective effects of FML against high glucose-induced cellular senescence in HRECs were abolished by the co-treatment of the PI3K/Akt signaling inhibitor LY294002, suggesting the involvement of this pathway. Taken together, these data revealed that FML-inhibited high glucose-induced cellular senescence mediated by Akt in HERCs, suggesting a novel molecular mechanism of FML.

[Effect of ZHU Lian's type â ¡ inhibition acupuncture on chronic migraine and serum 5-HT, VEGF, CGRP].

OBJECTIVE: To observe the clinical efficacy of ZHU Lian's type Ⅱ inhibition acupuncture for chronic migraine, and explore the possible mechanism. METHODS: A total of 120 patients with chronic migraine were randomized into an observation group (60 cases, 3 cases dropped off) and a control group (60 cases, 2 cases dropped off). In the control group, flunarizine hydrochloride capsule was taken orally, 5 mg each time, once a day. In the observation group, ZHU Lian's typeⅡ inhibition acupuncture was applied at Erheliao (TE 22), Shousanli (LI 10), Hegu (LI 4), Yangbai (GB 14), Tongziliao (GB 1), Zusanli (ST 36) ect., once every other day. The treatment was given 4 weeks in the two groups. Before and after treatment, the migraine clinical symptom score, cerebral hemodynamics indexes (blood flow velocity of arterior cerebral artery [ACA], posterior cerebral artery [PCA], bilateral middle cerebral artery [MCA] and basilar artery [BA]), serum related indexes (levels of 5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT], vascular endothelial growth factor [VEGF] and calcitonin gene-related peptide [CGRP]) and migraine specific quality of life questionnaire (MSQ) score were observed in the two groups, and the clinical effect was evaluated. RESULTS: The total effective rate in the observation group was 93.0% (53/57), which was higher than 79.3% (46/58) in the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the number of headache attack was reduced, duration time was shortened, and the scores of pain intensity and concomitant symptom, cerebral hemodynamics indexes (blood flow velocity of ACA, PCA, MCA and BA) and serum levels of VEGF and CGRP were lower than before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05, P<0.01), and those in the observation group were lower than the control group (P<0.05). After treatment, the serum levels of 5-HT and MSQ scores of functional limitation, dysfunction and emotion were higher than before treatment in the two groups (P<0.05), and those in the observation group were higher than the control group (P<0.05). CONCLUSION: ZHU Lian's type Ⅱ inhibition acupuncture could reduce frequency of migraine attack and duration time, improve pain intensity, cerebral blood flow velocity and quality of life for patients with chronic migraine, its mechanism may be related to regulating serum levels of 5-HT, CGRP and VEGF.

Geographic and Age Variations in Low Body Mass Index Among Community-Dwelling Older People in Xinjiang: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Background: Studies have shown an association between undernutrition and increased adverse outcome, as well as substantial geographic and age variations in undernutrition. Body mass index (BMI), a core indicator of undernutrition, is easy to measure and reflects the nutritional and health status of the human body. It is a simple and suitable tool for epidemiological investigations in large sample populations. Herein, we provide the first description of geographic and age variations in the prevalence of low BMI among community-dwelling older people in Xinjiang. Methods: From January 2019 to December 2019, using a multi-stage random sampling method, we conducted a cross-sectional epidemiological survey of the community-dwelling older people in Xinjiang at different latitudes. Of the 87,000 participants, the statistical analyses included 86,514 participants with complete data. Results: In Xinjiang, the prevalence of low BMI was 7.7% in the community-dwelling older people. The BMI gradually decreased with increasing age and gradually increased with latitude. The prevalence of low BMI in northern Xinjiang was 5.3%, which was significantly lower than that in eastern (7.7%) and southern (9.3%) Xinjiang. In the 60-69-, 70-79-, 80-89-, and ≥90-year age groups, the prevalence rates of low BMI were 5.8, 7.9, 10.0, and 13.9%, respectively. After adjusting for confounding factors (sex, ethnic group, hypertension, diabetes, hyperlipemia, smoking, and drinking), multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the odds ratios (95% CI) for low BMI in eastern and southern Xinjiang were 1.165 (1.056-1.285) and 1.400 (1.274-1.538), respectively, compared to northern Xinjiang. The adjusted odds ratios (95% CI) for low BMI in the 70-79-, 80-89-, and ≥90-year age groups were 1.511 (1.39-1.635), 2.233 (2.030-2.456), and 3.003 (2.439-3.696), respectively, compared to the 60-69-year age group. Conclusion: The results of this study revealed geographic and age variations in the prevalence of low BMI in the community-dwelling older people in Xinjiang. The prevalence of low BMI gradually increased as the latitude decreased and as age increased.

Astragaloside IV protects retinal pigment epithelial cells from apoptosis by upregulating miR­128 expression in diabetic rats.

The present study aimed to investigate the protective effects exerted by astragaloside­IV (AIV) on retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells of rats with diabetes mellitus (DM), and to explore the underlying molecular mechanisms. For this purpose, a rat model of DM was established by injecting rats with an intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. AIV was then intragastrically administered. An electroretinogram (ERG) was used to assess retinopathy and TUNEL staining was used to detect the level of apoptosis of RPE cells. Western blot analysis was used to determine protein expression in RPE cells in vitro and in vivo. AIV was found to be able to significantly increase body weight and decrease blood glucose levels in rats with DM in a dose­dependent manner. Compared with the rats with DM, the rat rod cell response a wave, b wave, maximum response b wave, photopic (photo)­ERG b wave and oscillatory potential (OP) p4 wave latency significantly decreased and the amplitude of OP Os1 wave increased significantly in the rats with DM treated with AIV for 11 weeks. In addition, AIV significantly decreased the apoptotic levels of RPE cells from rats with DM and significantly decreased the protein expression levels of Bax/Bcl­2, Fas/FasL, active caspase­3, active caspase­8, active caspase­9, homeobox B3 (HOXB3), p­phosphoinositide 3­kinase (PI3K)/PI3K, p­AKT/AKT and p­p70S6K1/p70S6K1, whereas it significantly increased miR­128 expression in the RPE cells from rats with DM. In vitro, AIV significantly inhibited the high glucose (HG)­induced apoptosis of RPE cells by increasing miR­128 expression and Bcl­2 and FasL protein expression in vivo. On the whole, the findings of the present study demonstrate that AIV treatment protects RPE cells of diabetic rats from apoptosis, and that these effects may be associated with the upregulation of miR­128 expression.

[Chemical Compositions in PM2.5 and Its Impact on Visibility in Summer in Pearl River Delta, China].

Aerosol samples of PM2.5 were collected simultaneously at 6 sites from five cities (Guangzhou urban, Conghua (suburban of Guangzhou), Foshan, Dongguan, Shenzhen and Zhubai) in Pearl River Delta region during the summer of 2010. The concentrations of organic carbon (OC), elemental carbon (EC) and water-soluble ions were determined by thermal/optical carbon analyzer and ion chromatography, respectively. The characteristics of PM2, OC, EC and ions, spatial distribution were discussed. Moreover, ambient light extinction coefficients were reconstructed by IMPROVE formula. The results showed that spatial distribution characteristics of PM2.5. and its chemical compositions were obviously different. The PM2.5 in Guangzhou, Foshan and Dongguan were higher than those in Zhuhai and Shenzhen. The contributions of (NH4)2SO4, OM, EC and NH4NO3 to ambient light extinction coefficient were 39%, 31%, 12% and 13%, respectively.

[Electrophysiologial evaluation of ozone in treating of lumbar disc herniation with curving sheath-needle multi-direction rotating injection].

OBJECTIVE: To compare electrophysiological changes in treating lumbar disc herniation (LDH) with ozone by curving sheath-needle multi-direction rotating injection (CSNMRI) and conventional injection method. METHODS: From May 2005 to June 2009,100 patients with LDH were studied, included 68 males and 32 females, ranging in age from 25 to 58 years with an average of 44 years, in course of disease from 3 months to 8 years with an average of 8.8 months. All patients were numbered according to sequence of visit, and were completely randomly divided into group A and group B with DPS software, 50 cases in each group. All patients were injected ozone into lesion of intervertebral disc, in group A with CSNMRI and in group B with conventional method. The electrophysiologic study of all patients was performed respectively before treatment and at the 3 month after treatment. The electromyogram (EMG) of the main muscle groups of involved lower limb and the corresponding segments of sacrospinal muscle was tested; the duration and multiphase-wave rate of MUP were calculated. H-reflex of tibial nerve in both lower limbs was observed and the number of abnormal H-reflex and the H-wave latency were recorded. RESULTS: After treatment, the number of muscles with abnormal EMG was reduced to different degrees in each group, but there was more significant reduction in group A (P < 0.05 or 0.01); the duration and multiphase-wave rate of MUP in the two groups were both reduced and close to the normal level (P < 0.01), yet the changes in group A was more than that of group B (P < 0.05 or 0.01). There was no significant difference in the number of abnormal H-reflex before treatment between two groups, whereas was markedly lower in group A than that of group B after treatment (P < 0.05). After treatment, H-wave latency in two groups was shortened and become close to normal, but group B was more statistically significant than group B (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: The neural electrophysiological abnormalities can reflect the degree of nerve root compression and damage, and is one of the objective indicators to estimate neuromuscular function. It can better meliorate abnormal electrophysiology to inject ozone to treat LDH with CSNMRI than conventional method.

[Clinical observation on electroacupuncture for treatment of peripheral facial paralysis at different stages].

OBJECTIVE: To probe into the optimal opportunity of electroacupuncture for treatment of peripheral facial paralysis. METHODS: One hundred and twenty cases were randomly divided into group A and B, 60 cases in each group. The group A were treated by electroacupuncture and ultrashort-wave from the acute stage and the group B were treated by ultrashort-wave at the acute stage and ultrashort-wave plus electroacupuncture at the resting stage. RESULTS: The cured and markedly effective rate was 85.0% and the total effective rate was 98.3% in the group A, and 68.3% and 91.7% in the group B respectively (P < 0.05); there was no significant difference between the two groups in abnormal myoelectrogram before treatment and at the 8th day (P > 0.05); but at the 30th day the number of cases in whom BR wave turned to normal or mild abnormal in the group A were more than those in the group B (P < 0.05), and the shortening of the latent period of M wave and increase of the wave amplitude were significantly better than those in the group B (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Electroacupuncture at acute stage can significantly increase the cured and markedly effective rate, and the acute stage is the optimal opportunity for acupuncture treatment of peripheral facial paralysis.