Use of ß­blockers and risk of age­related macular degeneration among hypertensive patients: An insight from The National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey.

Although age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is the leading cause of legal blindness, the treatment methods for AMD are limited. The aim of the present study was to examine the association between oral ß-blockers (BBs) and the risk of developing AMD among hypertensive patients. For this purpose, a total of 3,311 hypertensive patients from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were included in the study. The use of BBs and treatment duration data were collected using a self-reported questionnaire. AMD was diagnosed by gradable retinal images. Multivariate-adjusted survey-weighted univariate logistic regression was used to confirm the association between the use of BBs and the risk of developing AMD. The results revealed that the use of BBs exerted a beneficial effect (odds ratio (OR), 0.34; 95% confidence interval (95% CI, 0.13-0.92; P=0.04) in late-stage AMD in the multivariate adjusted model. When the BBs were classified into non-selective BBs and selective BBs, the protective effect in late-stage AMD was still observed in the non-selective BBs (OR, 0.20; 95% CI, 0.07-0.61; P<0.001). After accounting for treatment duration, long-term treatment with BBs (>6 years) was also found to reduce the risk of late-stage AMD (OR, 0.13; 95% CI, 0.03-0.63; P=0.01). In late-stage AMD, the long-term use of BBs was beneficial for geographic atrophy (OR, 0.07; 95% CI, 0.02-0.28; P<0.001). On the whole, the present study demonstrates that the use of non-selective BBs exerted a beneficial effect against the risk of late-stage AMD among hypertensive patients. Long-term treatment with BBs was also associated with lower risk of developing AMD. These findings may provide novel strategies for the management and treatment of AMD.

Effect of Early Rehabilitation and Nursing Intervention on the Rehabilitation Prognosis of Elderly Stroke Hemiplegia Patients in the Department of Neurology.

Objective: To explore the influence of rehabilitation outcomes in older patients with stroke hemiplegia from the neurology department by early rehabilitation nursing. Methods: 70 cases of old patients with stroke hemiplegia from 2020/01 to 2021/01 were randomly divided into observation group (35 cases) and control group (35 cases). The control group was nursed by usual care. The observation group was nursed by early rehabilitation nursing. Nursing efficacy was observed. Results: The scores of active demand, resistance, and rehabilitation nursing cooperation degree after the nursing for the observation group were higher than the control group (P < 005). The score of NIHSS after the nursing for the observation group was lower than that for the control group (P < 005). The scores of BI, BBS, and Fugl-Meyer after the nursing for the observation group were higher than those for the control group (P < 005). The total rate of nursing satisfaction for the observation group was higher than the control group (P < 005). Conclusion: Early rehabilitation nursing can improve rehabilitation initiatives, rehabilitation outcomes, and nursing satisfaction in older patients with stroke hemiplegia from the neurology department.

Use of Head and Neck Magnetic Resonance Angiography to Explore Neurological Function Recovery and Impact of Rehabilitation Nursing on Patients with Acute Stroke.

OBJECTIVE: To analyze neurological function recovery and the impact of rehabilitation nursing in patients with cerebral stroke after treatment to aid clinical diagnosis and treatment of cerebral stroke. METHODS: The study comprised 140 patients who were hospitalized in the neurology department for magnetic resonance angiography examination. Patients were divided into a treatment group (70 patients) and a control group (70 patients) based on treatment plan. Digital subtraction angiography was regarded as the gold standard diagnostic examination. In patients in both groups, magnetic resonance angiography features of the M1 segment of the middle cerebral artery and diagnostic specificity and sensitivity were recorded. An activities of daily living score was used to assess neurological function of patients before and after rehabilitation. RESULTS: The activities of daily living scores of patients in both groups increased significantly after treatment (P < 0.05); the scores of patients in the treatment group increased more significantly (P < 0.05). The total effective rate was 89% in the treatment group and 60% in the control group. The difference between the 2 groups was statistically significant (P < 0.05). After treatment, the degree of M1 segment stenosis in both groups was better than before treatment, and the number of collateral circulation branches was increased; the improvements in the treatment group were more significant (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Rehabilitation nursing could greatly improve the stenosis of blood vessels in patients with acute cerebral stroke and promote the establishment of collateral circulation, thereby effectively enhancing the recovery of neurological function and strengthening the ability of patients to perform activities of daily living.

Prevalence of Diabetes, Prediabetes, and Associated Factors in an Adult Chinese Population: Baseline of a Prediabetes Cohort Study.

PURPOSE: To report baseline information of a prediabetes mellitus (PDM) cohort with the aim of exploring related factors for the progression of PDM and its complications. METHODS: This study is an exploratory and cross-sectional analysis of the baseline data from a cohort study. Residents aged 18 to 70 years from Houtang Village, Nanyue Town, Yueqing City, Zhejiang Province, China, were invited to participate between October 1, 2018 and July 1, 2019. Blood samples were collected for analysis, and questionnaire interviews were conducted to assess behavioral characteristics. The study participants were divided into DM, PDM, and normal groups for comparisons based on their blood work, and multiple multinomial logistic regression analyses were used to assess the risk factors for DM and PDM. RESULTS: Data from 406 participants were used in the baseline analysis, with a mean age of 51.2 ± 11.0 years and 160 (33.0%) males. The number of participants in the DM, PDM, and normal group was 58 (14.3%), 166 (40.9%), and 182 (44.8%), respectively. The prevalence of DM was 14.3%, and the prevalence of PDM was 40.9%. The regression analysis showed that older age (relative risk ratio (RRR) = 1.06; 95% CI, 1.01-1.11, P = 0.018), higher systolic blood pressure (RRR = 1.04; 95% CI, 1.004-1.08, P = 0.030), higher BMI (RRR = 1.20; 95% CI, 1.06-3.06, P = 0.004), higher TG (RRR = 1.80; 95% CI, 1.06-3.06, P = 0.029), and higher WBC count (RRR = 1.32; 95% CI, 1.07-1.64, P = 0.010) were significantly associated with a higher risk of DM. Meanwhile, higher systolic blood pressure (RRR = 1.03; 95% CI, 1.004-1.06, P = 0.025) was the only factor significantly associated with a higher risk of PDM. CONCLUSION: The prevalence of DM and PDM is relatively high in this wealthy East China village population. Many modifiable risk factors exist for DM and PDM, which will be closely monitored during our longitudinal observation.

Care stress in caregivers of disabled stroke patients: a cross-sectional survey.

BACKGROUND: A cross-sectional survey was performed on the family membersof disabled stroke survivors, those who are both the patient's medical authorizer and caregiver,to identify the sources of the caring stress and inform appropriate interventions. METHODS: A total of 242 family members of stroke patients, who were treated in a tertiary geriatric hospital in Haikou, the capital city of Hainan Province, were enrolled in the current study by using convenience sampling. Questionnaire forms were used to investigate care stress caused by family members' current care activitiesand analyze its causes. RESULTS: The care stress of the family members was moderately positively correlated with financial pressure (r=0.476, P<0.01). Family members' educational background, financial pressure, the times of hospitalizations, the dependency of stroke patients, and the degree of family members' participation in treatment decisionmaking during the patient's hospital stay were the primary sources of the caring stress (P<0.05 or P<0.01). CONCLUSIONS: A substantial proportion of family members are under high stress when caring for disabled stroke patients. Strategies including knowledge training, empowerment, home-based rehabilitation, and information and emotional support may effectively relieve the caring stress, to improve the family support of patients, improve the quality of life of both patients and caregivers, and enhance the rehabilitation effectiveness.

Progress in Research on the Role of FGF in the Formation and Treatment of Corneal Neovascularization.

Corneal neovascularization (CNV) is a sight-threatening disease usually associated with inflammatory, infectious, degenerative, and traumatic disorders of the ocular surface. Fibroblast growth factor (FGF) family members play an important role in angiogenesis to induce corneal neovascularization, which significantly affects the differentiation, proliferation, metastasis, and chemotaxis of vascular endothelial cells. Both acidic fibroblast growth factor (aFGF) and basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) demonstrate positive staining in capillaries and induce corneal stromal cells. The anabolism of endothelial cells is induced by bFGF in corneal neovascularization. FGFs exert their effects via specific binding to cell surface-expressed specific receptors. We believe that both anti-FGF antibodies and anti-FGF receptor antibodies represent new directions for the treatment of CNV. Similar to anti-vascular endothelial growth factor antibodies, subconjunctival injection and eye drops can be considered effective forms of drug delivery.

Evaluation of choroidal thickness in amblyopia using optical coherence tomography.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the choroidal thickness in children with amblyopia through spectral-domain optical coherence tomography. METHODS: A total of 31 children with unilateral amblyopia and 31 right eyes of controls with normal vision were enrolled in the study. The choroidal thickness was measured directly below the fovea and at 12 other locations: 1, 2 and 3 mm superior, temporal, inferior, and nasal to the fovea. All the parameters were compared between amblyopic eyes, fellow eyes, and control eyes. RESULTS: The mean subfoveal choroidal thickness was 398.03 ± 74.60, 354.13 ± 81.78, and 328.12 ± 65.93 µm in amblyopic eyes, fellow eyes, and control eyes, respectively. Significant difference was found in choroidal thickness among three groups at subfoveal choroidal thickness, N1, and S1 using multivariate analysis of covariance after adjusting for axial length. Significant negative correlation was found only between subfoveal choroidal thickness and axial length in amblyopic eyes (r = -0.463, p = 0.01). CONCLUSION: The subfoveal choroid is significantly thicker in amblyopic eyes than control eyes only at subfoveal choroidal thickness, N1, and S1. The choroidal thickness was thickest in the subfoveal region and thinnest in the nasal region. There are other changes in choroidal structure associated with amblyopia.

The clinical features of posterior scleritis with serous retinal detachment: a retrospective clinical analysis.

AIM: To summarize the clinical features, systemic associations, risk factors and choroidal thickness (CT) changing in posterior scleritis (PS) with serous retinal detachment. METHODS: This retrospective study included 23 patients diagnosed PS with retinal detachment from August 2012 to July 2017. All patients' medical history and clinical features were recorded. The examinations included best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), intraocular pressure (IOP), fundus examination, and routine eye examinations. Posterior coats thickness (PCT) was determined by B-scan ultrasound, the CT was measured by enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) and clinical data were compiled and analyzed. RESULTS: After application of extensive exclusion criteria, 23 patients with PS remained (13 females, 10 males). The average age at presentation was 29.5±9.24 years old. Ocular pain and blurred vision were the two most common complained symptoms by patients. Anterior scleritis occurred in 12 patients, which was confirmed by ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM) examination. Despite all patients displaying serous retinal detachment in their macula, no fluorescein leakage was observed in the macular area. Optic disc swelling was documented in 10 of the 23 eyes. From B-scan ultrasound examination, the PCT increased with fluid in Tenon's capsule demonstrated as a typical T-sign. The average PCT was 2.51±0.81 mm in the PS-affected eyes and only 1.09±0.29 mm in the unaffected eye (P<0.0001). The subfoveal CT was 442.61±55.61 µm, which correlated with axis length (r=-0.65, P=0.001) and PCT (r=0.783, P<0.001). The BCVA and IOP did not correlate with either CT or PCT. CONCLUSION: PS with serous retinal detachment presented a variety of symptoms, such as pain, visual loss, and physical indicators. Typical T-sign detected by B-scan ultrasound is a useful confirmatory sign for PS diagnosis. Pathological increases in CT might be a potential predictive factor for inflammation.

A Pilot Clinical Study of Intravitreal Injection of Artesunate for Ocular Neovascularization.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and primary safety of treatment with artesunate in reducing ocular neovascularization in humans. Methods: Five patients with corneal, iris, and retinal neovascularization and no light perception were treated with intravitreal injections of artesunate 80 µg. Visual acuity, anterior segment photography, fundus fluorescein angiography, and optical coherence tomography were used to evaluate efficacy, while intraocular pressure (IOP) and lens opacity degree were employed to evaluate safety. The primary endpoint was attenuation of neovascularization as determined at 24 weeks, with the last posttreatment follow-up at 52 weeks. Results: Corneal and iris neovascularization, which were secondary to fundus ischemic diseases and retinal neovascularization in all 5 patients, were attenuated after 1 or 2 injections by the 52-week follow-up. Retinal neovascularization was also attenuated, and papilledema was alleviated. The average IOP fell from 25.5 mmHg to 17.66 mmHg. Conclusions: This pilot study determined that intravitreal artesunate injection is efficacious for reducing corneal, iris, and retinal neovascularization. These results indicate that this drug may be a novel alternative to the currently popular antivascular endothelial growth factor drugs used to suppress ocular neovascularization and improve visual function.

Reduced Contact Resistance Between Metal and n-Ge by Insertion of ZnO with Argon Plasma Treatment.

We investigate the metal-insulator-semiconductor contacts on n-Ge utilizing a ZnO interfacial layer (IL) to overcome the Fermi-level pinning (FLP) effect at metal/Ge interface and reduce the barrier height for electrons. A small conduction band offset of 0.22 eV at the interface between ZnO and n-Ge is obtained, and the ZnO IL leads to the significant reduced contact resistance (Rc) in metal/ZnO/n-Ge compared to the control device without ZnO, due to the elimination of FLP. It is observed that the argon (Ar) plasma treatment of ZnO can further improve the Rc characteristics in Al/ZnO/n-Ge device, which is due to that Ar plasma treatment increases the concentration of oxygen vacancy Vo, acting as n-type dopants in ZnO. The ohmic contact is demonstrated in the Al/ZnO/n-Ge with a dopant concentration of 3 × 1016 cm-3 in Ge. On the heavily doped n+-Ge with a phosphor ion (P+) implantation, a specific contact resistivity of 2.86 × 10- 5 Ω cm2 is achieved in Al/ZnO/n+-Ge with Ar plasma treatment.

Effects of High Glucose on the Expression of LAMA1 and Biological Behavior of Choroid Retinal Endothelial Cells.

Hyperglycemia is one of the main causes of proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) characterized by thickening of the vascular basement membrane. Laminin alpha 1 (LAMA1) is a primary component of laminin, a major protein constituent of the basement membrane. In this study, we investigated the role of LAMA1 in the development of PDR. Retinal choroidal vascular endothelial cells (RF/6A line) were exposed to glucose at different concentrations (5 mM, 15 mM, 25 mM, and 35 mM) and analyzed for cell growth, migration, proliferation, and adhesion. LAMA1 expression was examined 24 and 48 h following glucose treatment using Western blotting, RT-PCR, and immunofluorescence. The results showed that the proliferation, migration, and adhesion of RF/6A cells were increased by high glucose, whereas LAMA1 expression was slightly higher at 15 mM but decreased at 25 mM and 35 mM glucose compared to control. Thus, the changes in the biological behavior of high glucose-exposed retinal vascular endothelial cells correspond to variations in LAMA1 expression, indicating a possibility for LAMA1 involvement in PDR development. Our findings suggest that LAMA1 may play a role in PDR and, thus, may serve as a potential target for DR diagnosis and/or treatment.

Evaluation of peripapillary choroidal distribution in children by enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the peripapillary choroidal thickness (PPCT) in Chinese children aged 6 to 12 years old and to analyze correlative factors. METHODS: PPCT was measured with enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) in 154 children (76 myopes and 78 emmetropia) aged 6 to 12 years, with spherical equivalent refractive errors between + 0.50 and - 5.50 diopters(D). Peripapillary choroidal imaging was performed using circular scans of a diameter of 3.4 mm around the optic disc. PPCT and the corresponding peripapillary retinal thickness (PPRT) were measured by EDI-OCT at nine positions: I, inferior; IN, inferonasal; IT, inferotemporal; N, nasal; T, temporal; S, superior; SN, superonasal; ST, superotemporal, and the Fovea Centralis. RESULTS: The mean global PPCT was 165.80 ± 39.86 µm.The mean global PPRT was 101.47 ± 10.74 µm. The Inferior had the thinnest PPCT but the thickest PPRT (p < 0.001), while the Nasal had thickest PPCT but the thinnest PPRT (p < 0.001). Significant differences in RT between the myopic group and the emmetropic group were found at all positions except T, TS, S and the fovea. Myopic group had thinner choroidal thickness (CT) than that of emmetropic group at all measured positions. Choroidal thickness had negative relation with the corresponding retinal thickness, age and axial length. CONCLUSION: The peripapillary choroid was thicker nasally and thinner inferiorly, while the peripapillary retina was thickest inferiorly and thinnest nasally. Myopic group had thinner PPCT. The axial length was found to be negatively correlated to PPCT.

Normal radiological anatomy of thyroid cartilage in 600 Chinese individuals: implications for anterior cervical spine surgery.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid cartilage is an important barrier in anterior cervical approach surgery. The objective of this study is to establish normative values for thyroid cartilage at three planes and to determine their significance on preoperative positioning and intraoperative traction in surgery via the anterior cervical approach. METHODS: Neck CT scans were collected from 600 healthy adults who did not meet any of the exclusion criteria. Transverse diameters (D1, D2, and D3) of the superior border of the thyroid cartilage (SBTC), inferior border of the thyroid cartilage (IBTC), and the trachea transverse diameters of the inferior border of the cricoid cartilage (IBCC) were measured on a horizontal plane. RESULTS: All measured variables had intra-class correlation coefficients (ICCs) of ≥ 0.7. The differences in transverse diameters on the same plane between males and females were significantly different (all p < 0.001). The SBTC is most often at C4 in women (59.5%) and C4/5 in men (36.4%), the IBTC is most often at C5 in women (48.1%) and men (46.2%), and the IBCC is primarily located at C6 in women (45.2%) and C6 or C6/7 in men (34.4%) (all p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: We present normative values for thyroid cartilage at three planes of SBTC, IBTC, and IBCC in Chinese individuals. The individual and gender differences in the location of the thyroid cartilage and the size of the thyroid cartilage and the cricoid cartilage provide an anatomical basis to localize the skin incision, to predict the difficulty of intraoperative exposure and retractor pulling, and to identify that the thyroid cartilage protected the pharyngoesophageal wall.

Axial Length and Ocular Development of Premature Infants without ROP.

PURPOSE: To investigate the ocular parameters of premature infants without ROP at gestational age (GA) more than 28 weeks and their relationship with growth parameters. METHODS: 76 preterm infants without ROP and 65 term infants were involved to undergo portable slit lamp, RetCam3, ultrasonic A-scan biometry, and cycloplegic streak examination at their 40 weeks' postconceptional ages (PCA). Ocular parameters of infants' right eye and growth parameters were used for analysis. RESULTS: All the infants were examined at 40 weeks' PCA. No significant difference was found between male and female in axial length of preterm infants (p = 0.993) and term infants (p = 0.591). Significant differences were found in axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness (LT), and vitreous depth (VD) between preterm and term infants. No significant correlation was found between AL and spherical equivalent in preterm infants' group. In preterm group, AL was significantly correlated with gestational age (GA), birth weight (BW), and head circumference (HC). CONCLUSIONS: Preterm infants had shorter AL, shallow ACD, thicker LT, and thinner VD compared to term infants. Refractive error in preterm infants at GA between 28 to 37 weeks was not related to axial length. Among all the growth parameters of preterm infants, GA, BW, and HC had effect on axial length.

Evaluation of myopia on retinal nerve fiber layer thickness measured by Spectralis optical coherence tomography.

The aim of the present study was to evaluate the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness of myopic subjects using Spectralis optical coherence tomography (OCT) and to determine variations with age and sex. A total of 271 Chinese participants with a spherical equivalent <+0.50 diopters were enrolled in the research. All subjects underwent a full ophthalmic examination. RNFL thickness was measured and compared according to sex, age and spherical equivalent. No significant difference was demonstrated between RNFL thickness in males and females. No significant difference was observed between RNFL thickness of the two age groups (≤12 years old and >12 years old). Significant differences were observed in all subfields of RNFL thickness among different spherical equivalent groups (P<0.05). In conclusion, myopia did have special influence on RNFL thickness, which was not related to sex or age.

Whole eye segment imaging and measurement with dual-channel spectral-domain OCT.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVES: To image and measure whole eye segments using dual-channel spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and to compare the results with those from the IOLMaster (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Dublin, CA). PATIENTS AND METHODS: Twenty eyes of 20 volunteers were recruited. Ocular dimensions, including cornea thickness, anterior chamber depth (ACD), lens thickness, anterior lens surface curvature, and axial length (AL), were calculated. The reproducibility of SD-OCT measurements, statistical significance of inter-instrument difference, correlation, and agreement were evaluated. RESULTS: No significant differences were found between independent SD-OCT measurements (P > .05). The ACD and AL measured with IOLMaster were significantly shorter than those from SD-OCT (P < .001). There were high correlations and agreements in ACD (r = 0.994; 95% limits of agreement [LOA], 0.131-0.223 mm) and AL (r = 0.998; 95% LOA, 0.678-0.853 mm) between the two methods. CONCLUSION: Dual-channel SD-OCT was demonstrated to have good repeatability in imaging and measuring whole eye segments. The results had high correlations and agreements with those from the IOLMaster.

Accommodation-induced variations in retinal thickness measured by spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

To research retinal stretching or distortion with accommodation, accommodation-induced changes in retinal thickness (RT) in the macular area were investigated in a population of young adults (n = 23) by using a dual-channel spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) system manufactured in-house for this study. This dual-channel SD-OCT is capable of imaging the cornea and retina simultaneously with an imaging speed of 24 kHz A-line scan rate, which can provide the anatomical dimensions of the eye, including the RT and axial length. Thus, the modification of the RT with accommodation can be calculated. A significant decrease in the RT (13.50 ± 1.25 µm) was observed during maximum accommodation. In the 4 mm × 4 mm macular area centered at the fovea, we did not find a significant quadrant-dependent difference in retinal volume change, which indicates that neither retinal stretching nor distortion was quadrant-dependent during accommodation. We speculate that the changes in RT with maximum accommodation resulted from accommodation-induced ciliary muscle contractions.

Noninvasive imaging and measurement of accommodation using dual-channel SD-OCT.

PURPOSE: To investigate the feasibility and practicality of real-time noninvasive imaging and measurement of ocular accommodation (0-5D with one diopter step) using dual-channel, dual-focus spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT). MATERIALS AND METHODS: A custom-built, dual-channel, dual-focus SD-OCT was used to image the anterior segment, including the cornea, iris, and anterior and posterior lens surfaces. Three consecutive measurements were taken in each accommodative session for each subject. Changes in ocular dimensions during accommodation were calculated based on the acquired SD-OCT images. A Friedman test was used to test sensitivity of ocular dimension changes per diopter of accommodation. RESULTS: With accommodation, anterior chamber depth (ACD), curvature radius of both anterior (RAL) and posterior (RPL) lens surfaces, and pupil diameter (PD) decreased significantly, whereas lens thickness (LT) increased significantly (p < 0.05, Friedman test). Ocular dimensions tended to change according to the increasing of accommodative stimulus, as did a backward movement of the posterior lens surface. CONCLUSIONS: SD-OCT, via extended imaging depth through a dual-channel, dual-focus approach, is a feasible and practical modality for noninvasive imaging and measurement of ocular accommodation.

[Imaging and measuring system of the accommodation of eye based on the optical coherence tomography].

OBJECTIVE: To develop a spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) system, for precisely imaging the accommodation of the anterior segment of the human eye. METHODS: Design the SD-OCT system based on two Michelson interferometer by using the basic principal of weak coherent light interference and modular design of dual channel dual focus. RESULTS: The system can provide simultaneous cross-sectional imaging of all the surfaces of the anterior segment of the eye including the cornea, anterior chamber, anterior and posterior surfaces of the crystalline lens. Thus, the dynamic change of modification of the curvatures can be calculated in real time. CONCLUSIONS: The system was successfully tested in imaging accommodation, with high resolution and non contact. The preliminary results demonstrated the feasibility of this novel approach to measure the eye parameters.

Migration of retinal pigment epithelium cells is regulated by protein kinase Cα in vitro.

PURPOSE: Retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell migration and proliferation are considered key elements in proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR). Downregulation of protein kinase Cα (PKCα) can inhibit RPE cell proliferation. Here, we sought to analyze whether PKCα affects the migration of RPE cells. METHODS: Human RPE (hRPE) cells were cultured, confirmed by immunofluorescence staining, and divided into four groups: control, thymeleatoxin, non-small interfering RNA (siRNA), and siRNA-PKCα. Thymeleatoxin was used to activate PKCα, and siRNA-PKCα was used to knock it down. Expression of PKCα was confirmed by quantitative RT-PCR (qRT-PCR). Cell migration ability was analyzed by wound healing assay and transwell chamber assay. Expression of zonula occludens (ZO)-1 and occludin was determined by immunofluorescence. RESULTS: Pure populations of hRPE cell cultures were observed using light and fluorescence microscopy. The mRNA levels of PKCα were not significantly increased by thymeleatoxin, but were reduced by siRNA-PKCα as determined by qRT-PCR assay. The wound healed faster in the thymeleatoxin group than in the control group at time points 12, 15, and 20 hours. The wound healed more slowly in the siRNA-PKCα group than in the non-siRNA group at the three time points. A similar tendency among the four groups was consistently observed in regard to cell numbers counted in the transwell chamber assay. The expression of ZO-1 was highest in the siRNA-PKCα group, similar in the control and non-siRNA groups, and lowest in the thymeleatoxin group. After migration, the fluorescence intensity of ZO-1 was reduced to similarly weak levels among the four groups. CONCLUSIONS: Retinal pigment epithelium cell migration is enhanced by a PKCα agonist and suppressed by a PKCα antagonist. The results suggest that a PKCα-mediated signal transduction pathway plays a crucial role in hRPE cell migration and may be a potential therapeutic target against hRPE cell migration and PVR disease.