Oxidized LDL induces apoptosis of human retinal pigment epithelium through activation of ERK-Bax/Bcl-2 signaling pathways.

PURPOSE: Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell dysfunction and death play a vital role in the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). We previously reported that oxidized low-density lipoprotein (OX-LDL) induces retinal degeneration in vivo. In this study, we investigated the role of the ERK-Bax/Bcl-2 signaling pathways in OX-LDL-induced apoptosis in human RPE. METHODS: ARPE-19 cells were incubated with 10-100 mg/mL n-LDL or OX-LDL for 24 h. Cell viability was assessed using the Cell Titer 96 Aqueous One Solution cell proliferation assay. RPE apoptosis was measured with a flow cytometer. Reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction was used to detect Bcl-2 and Bax mRNA levels in RPE cells. Bcl-2 and Bax protein expression was measured by western blotting. Activation of extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) protein was evaluated by western blot analysis. One-way analysis of variance was used to compare differences. RESULTS: OX-LDL treatment decreased ARPE-19 cell viability in a dose-dependent manner, whereas n-LDL had no effect. Compared with the control group, OX-LDL significantly increased the apoptosis of RPE, 10 mg/mL, 50 mg/mL, 100 mg/mL apoptosis rate was 6.43 ± 0.19%, 5.12 ± 0.27%, 5.53 ± 0.35%, respectively. OX-LDL also increased Bcl-2 expression and decreased Bax expression significantly. The Bcl-2 to Bax ratio was elevated after OX-LDL treatment. Inhibition of ERK downregulated Bax and was associated with RPE apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: Our data suggest that apoptosis induced by OX-LDL in RPE partly depends on Erk-Bax/Bcl-2 signaling pathway activation. These results may provide further information regarding the effects of OX-LDL in human RPE and their potential role in AMD pathogenesis.

Complete resection and immediate reconstruction with costochondral graft for recurrent aneurysmal bone cyst of the mandibular condyle.

Aneurysmal bone cyst is a non-neoplastic expansile lesion characterized by replacement with fibro-osseous tissue and blood-filled cavernous spaces. Involvement of the condyle is rare, and only 11 cases have been reported in English-language literature to date. Its common treatment modalities are lesion excision or condylar resection, but recurrence is high in patients treated with the former. The authors reported a 19-year-old female patient with swelling of the right preauricular region, who had a surgical curettage history in another hospital. The lesion was completely resected and the jaw was immediately reconstructed with costochondral graft with the help of SurgiCase software. The patient has been symptom-free for 6 months postoperatively.

Electromagnetic navigation-guided acupuncture of foramen ovale: A cadaver study / 实用口腔医学杂志

Objective: To evaluate the surgView-RFT electromagnetic navigation system in radiofrequency thermocoagulation(RFT). Methods: 6 foramen ovales of 3 cadavers were punctured by 3 beginners. Every one tried 5 times by free-hand and 5 times by SurgView-RFT electromagnetic navigation-guidance. After each puncture, CT scans were used as golden standard to measure the distance between the tip of needle and the anterior margin of the foramen ovale. T test and variance of SAS 6.12 statistical software was used to do the statistic analysis. Results: The punctures by free-hand failed, and the distances between the tip of needle and the anterior margin of the foramen ovale were 8-10.6 mm. The punctures by navigation guidance were successful, and the distances between the tip of needle and the anterior margin of the foramen ovale were 2.68-3.54 mm. The error of navigation system was 0.59 mm which was verified by CT scan. There was significant difference between free-hand puncture and navigation-guided puncture. Conclusion: The surgView-RFT electromagnetic navigation system is characteristic with high performance, high accuracy and minimal invasion, while it is applied in training or clinical using.