Defective Tungsten Oxides with Stacking Faults for Proton Exchange Membrane Green-Hydrogen Generation.

Defects can introduce atomic structural modulation and tailor performance of materials. Herein, it demonstrates that semiconductor WO3 with inert electrocatalytic behavior can be activated through defect-induced tensile strains. Structural characterizations reveal that when simply treated in Ar/H2 atmosphere, oxygen vacancies will generate in WO3 and cause defective structures. Stacking faults are found in defects, thus modulating electronic structure and transforming electrocatalytic-inert WO3 into highly active electrocatalysts. Density functional theory (DFT) calculations are performed to calculate *H adsorption energies on various WOx surfaces, revealing the oxygen vacancy composition and strain predicted to optimize the catalytic activity of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER). Such defective tungsten oxides can be integrated into commercial proton exchange membrane (PEM) electrolyser with comparable performance toward Pt-based PEM. This work demonstrates defective metal oxides as promising non-noble metal catalysts for commercial PEM green-hydrogen generation.

Differential regulation and preventive mechanisms of green tea powder with different quality attributes on high-fat diet-induced obesity in mice.

Tea powder has been reported to have some physiological functions. However, there is no report on whether there are differences in the active ingredients of tea powder with different qualities and whether there are different prebiotic mechanisms. This study was aimed to investigate the effects of different qualities of tea powder on preventing obesity from different aspects, namely antioxidation, inflammation, lipid-lowering, and intestinal flora, using an obesity mouse model. The results showed that all three types of tea powder with different qualities could reduce body weight and decrease serum TC, TG, and LDL-C. However, tea powder with different quality attributes exhibited diverse modulatory effects and mechanisms. Tender tea powder contained more tea polyphenols, and it had a better effect on improving oxidative stress. Tender tea powder significantly decreased the abundances of Blautia, Bilophila, and Oscillibacter, and increased the abundances of Alloprevotella, Lachnoclostridium, Romboutsia, and Ruminococcaceae_UCG-004. Coarse tea powder contained more dietary fiber, and had a better effect on reducing the food intake and improving lipid metabolism, which could reduce lipid synthesis and increase lipid ß-oxidation. Coarse tea powder significantly decreased the abundance of Dubosiella and increased the abundances of the Lachnospiraceae_NK4A136 group and Coriobacteriaceae_UCG-002. Our findings provide a theoretical reference for the comprehensive utilization of tea powder.

Lacrimal sac lymphoma: a case series and literature review.

AIM: To study the clinical and pathological characteristics of the lacrimal sac lymphoma, which is rare but it is the major type of non-epithelial malignant tumor in the lacrimal sac region. METHODS: Sixty-four cases of malignant lacrimal sac tumors in our hospital from 1986 to 2020 were retrospectively reviewed. Eight cases of lacrimal sac lymphoma were carefully reviewed. RESULTS: There were five mucosal-associated lymphoid tissue (MALT) lymphomas, one diffused large B-cell lymphoma, one NK/T cell lymphoma, and one mantle cell lymphoma. All eight patients represented symptoms of epiphora with swelling in the lacrimal sac for a certain period of time and showed no signs of systemic involvement at the first time of clinical visits. They had received either chemotherapy or radiotherapy after surgery. Long-term follow-up (from 11 to 220mo) showed that, except one patient with MALT lymphoma died for unknown reasons at 104mo after surgery, the other 7 patients were all alive with no signs of local recurrence, neither in other organs. CONCLUSION: Non-epithelial malignant tumors of the lacrimal sac are rare and lymphoma is the major subtype.

Current Advances in Structure-Function Relationships and Dose-Dependent Effects of Human Milk Oligosaccharides.

HMOs (human milk oligosaccharides) are the third most important nutrient in breast milk. As complex glycans, HMOs play an important role in regulating neonatal intestinal immunity, resisting viral and bacterial infections, displaying anti-inflammatory characteristics, and promoting brain development. Although there have been some previous reports of HMOs, a detailed literature review summarizing the structure-activity relationships and dose-dependent effects of HMOs is lacking. Hence, after introducing the structures and synthetic pathways of HMOs, this review summarizes and categorizes identified structure-function relationships of HMOs. Differential mechanisms of different structural HMOs utilization by microorganisms are summarized. This review also emphasizes the recent advances in the interactions between different health benefits and the variance of dosage effect based on in vitro cell tests, animal experiments, and human intervention studies. The potential relationships between the chemical structure, the dosage selection, and the physiological properties of HMOs as functional foods are vital for further understanding of HMOs and their future applications.

2'-Fucosyllactose Ameliorates Oxidative Stress Damage in d-Galactose-Induced Aging Mice by Regulating Gut Microbiota and AMPK/SIRT1/FOXO1 Pathway.

The imbalance of reactive oxygen species is the main cause in aging, accompanied by oxidative stress. As the most abundant in human milk oligosaccharides (HMOs), 2'-Fucosyllactose (2'-FL) has been confirmed to have great properties in immunity regulation and anti-inflammatory. The research on 2'-FL is focused on infants currently, while there is no related report of 2'-FL for the elderly. A d-galactose-induced accelerated aging model was established to explore the protective effect of 2'-FL on the intestines and brain in mice. In this study, 2'-FL significantly reduced oxidative stress damage and inflammation in the intestines of aging mice, potentially by regulating the sirtuin1 (SIRT1)-related and nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) pathways. In addition, 2'-FL significantly improved the gut mucosal barrier function and increased the content of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs) in the intestine. The gut microbiota analysis indicated that 2'-FL mainly increased the abundance of probiotics like Akkermansia in aging mice. Moreover, 2'-FL significantly inhibited apoptosis in the brains of aging mice, also increasing the expression of SIRT1. These findings provided a basis for learning the benefits of 2'-FL in the aging process.

Clinical and laboratory features of PCR-confirmed periocular tuberculosis in China.

Experts lack knowledge of periocular tuberculosis (TB) in China. Nested polymerase chain reaction (PCR) shows advantages in diagnosis of extrapulmonary TB. Our study aims to explore the clinical and laboratory features of PCR-confirmed periocular TB. We retrospectively reviewed medical records of presumptive periocular TB and performed nested PCR test to confirm diagnosis. Nine cases were recruited. Clinical symptoms were chronic and insidious. Eight cases achieved favorable visual acuity, while one underwent enucleation due to fungal-TB panophthalmitis. Sensitivity of caseous necrosis, acid-fast bacilli (AFB) staining and interferon γ release assay (T-SPOT) test are 33.3%, 44.4% and 85.7% respectively. Low lymphocyte percentage (P=0.019) and high monocyte-lymphocyte ratio (P=0.042) positively correlate with AFB staining. Male gender (P=0.048) and Langhans giant cell (P=0.048) positively correlate with caseous necrosis. To conclude, traditional TB ancillary tests are not as sensitive as nested PCR technique. Several factors facilitate diagnosis including male gender, decreased lymphocytes, and typical Langhans giant cells.

Application of Rose and Wright's algorithm in the diagnosis of lacrimal gland masses: a study of 93 cases.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the application of Rose and Wright's algorithm in diagnosing lacrimal gland masses. DESIGN: Retrospective observational cases series. PARTICIPANTS: A total of 93 consecutive patients with primary masses within the orbital lobe of the lacrimal gland were reviewed. METHODS: Before treatment, patients' detailed history was collected verbally and all patients underwent image examination (computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging). The clinical and radiological features of every patient were evaluated by experienced orbital surgeons. Based on Rose and Wright's criteria, patients were scored and then treated using surgery with radiotherapy and/or chemotherapy. The final diagnoses were based on the histopathologic results. Based on the histopathologic diagnosis, the data from Rose and Wright's algorithm were evaluated. RESULTS: The accuracy of Rose and Wright's algorithm for benign and malignant tumour diagnoses was 75% and 50%, respectively. The diagnostic sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of Rose and Wright's algorithm were 64%, 93%, and 86%, respectively. The algorithm demonstrated significant accuracy in the clinicoradiological criterion in differentiating between benign tumours and malignant tumours (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Rose and Wright's algorithm has great advantages in distinguishing benign from malignant tumours within the orbital lobe of the lacrimal gland. However, the algorithm should be used with great caution because of its low diagnostic sensitivity for malignant tumours.

[Tear film and lacrimal excretion changes after lacrimal gland tumor removal].

OBJECTIVE: To study the change of tear film and lacrimal secretion after lacrimal gland tumor removal operation. METHODS: It was a retrospective case series study. Nineteen cases (19 eyes) with pleomorphic adenoma of the lacrimal gland from January, 2010 to July, 2011 in Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University were elected. The evaluation included subjective complaints of dry eye, tear break up time (BUT), reflex lacrimal secretion, corneal fluorescein staining, and size of lacrimal lake were analyzed before surgery and 3 days, 1 month and 6 months postoperatively. Simultaneously, the opposite eye was set as control. RESULTS: Subjective complaints of dry eye increased and the mean tear break up time, reflex lacrimal secretion, and size of lacrimal lake were significantly reduced (t = 23.91, 16.90, 11.47; t = 19.31, 20.81, 11.95, P < 0.05) on day 3 and 1 month after operation which were (4.9 ± 2.0) s (3 d), (5.2 ± 1.6) s (1 moth); (4.05 ± 2.07) mm (3 d), (3.58 ± 1.98) mm (1 moth); (0.009 ± 0.004) mm(2) (3 d), (0.008 ± 0.003) mm(2)(1 moth) respectively. However, only reflex secretion test (3.53 ± 1.50 mm) was significantly reduced (t = 21.57, P < 0.05), other values (BUT: 17.4 ± 4.9 s, size of lake: 0.032 ± 0.005 mm(2)) recovered to preoperative levels by the time of the sixth month follow up visit. Corneal fluorescein staining score increased greatly when measured at day 3 and 1 month visit (t = 0.23, 1.69, P < 0.05), but had returned to preoperative values at the sixth month visit. The result of the opposite eye control is the same as preoperative control. CONCLUSIONS: During the early stage after lacrimal gland tumor removal, tear film present abnormal changes, mainly in tear stability and reduction of reflex lacrimal secretion.

Treatment of orbital vascular malformations with intralesional injection of pingyangmycin.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intralesional pingyangmycin for treatment of orbital vascular malformations. METHODS: Thirteen patients received intralesional injections of pingyangmycin at the Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University. CT scans of each patient were evaluated with graphic processing software to measure lesion volumes before and after treatment. RESULTS: Of five men and eight women patients averaging 36 years old, six were diagnosed with venous malformations, six with cavernous haemangiomas, and one with lymphangioma. Proptosis and eyelid swelling were the most common presenting signs. The mean preoperative lesion volume was 4.4±2.3 cm(3) (range, 1.6-8.8 cm(3)), and the average postoperative volume was 1.5±1.7 cm(3) (range, 0.2-6.6 cm(3)) after a single pingyangmycin injection, the dose of which averaged 4.2 mg (range, 2-6 mg). The mean percentage of volume reduction was 70.0% (range, 24.5-88.3%), whereas proptosis reduction averaged 3.2 mm (range, 0-5.5 mm). The lesion volume and proptosis reductions were both statistically significant (p<0.001, and p=0.001). No adverse local or systemic side effects occurred in any of the patients during follow-up averaging 13.3 months. Histopathology of a cavernous haemangioma that underwent a second injection through a surgical incision, showed a mild chronic inflammatory response, increased numbers of myofibroblasts, loss of vascularity and fibrosis, all consistent with known effects of bleomycin treatment. CONCLUSIONS: Intralesional injection of pingyangmycin for the treatment of orbital vascular malformations is an effective method that involves mild inflammation, fibrosis, and reduced vascularity of the malformation.

[Retinoblastoma regression patterns and results following chemo reduction and adjuvant therapy].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate retinoblastoma regression patterns following chemo reduction and adjuvant therapy. METHODS: Retrospective case series. 122 tumors of 47 eyes of 37 patients following chemo reduction and adjuvant therapy between January 2005 and June 2009 in the Eye & ENT hospital of Fudan University. Twenty-seven patients are male, and 10 patients are female. The average age was 22 months. The combined therapy included chemo reduction using vincristine, etoposide, and carboplatin (VEC) combined with local cryotherapy and/or transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT). The average follow-up duration was 32 months ranging from 12 to 60 months. Regression patterns included type 0 (no remnant), type 1 (calcified remnant), type 2 (noncalcified remnant), type 3 (partially calcified remnant), and type 4 (flat scar). Wilcoxon rank sum test was used to test the difference of tumor number between the patients with family history and those without family history. Chi-square test was used to test the difference between the tumor thickness, tumor location and regression patterns. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to test the correlation between the regression patterns and age, sex, tumor thickness, tumor location and family history. Statistical significance was assigned at P < 0.05. RESULTS: Forty-seven eyes according to the International Intraocular Retinoblastoma Classification, 20 eyes (42.6%) were group A, 13 eyes (27.6%) group B, 6 eyes (12.8%) group C, 8 eyes (17.0%) group D. Of 122 tumors, the average number of tumors per eye was 2.6. Retinoblastoma regressions were type 0 (n = 3), type 1 (n = 15), type 2 (n = 8), type 3 (n = 25), and type 4 (n = 71). Tumor thickness and tumor location were related to regression patterns. Tumors with an initial thickness of 2 mm or less regressed most often to type 4, and those thicker than 8 mm regressed to type 1 or type 3. Tumors with greater distance from the foveola regressed most often to type 4. The factors predictive of regression pattern type 1 included tumor thickness larger than 8 mm (Z = 3.02, P = 0.003). The factors predictive of regression pattern type 3 included older age, tumor thickness larger than 8 mm and location not in the equator to ora serrata region (Z = 3.98, 2.23, 3.60; P = 0.000, 0.025, 0.000). The factors predictive of regression pattern type 4 included familial hereditary pattern, tumor thickness smaller than 2 mm and location in the equator to ora serrata region. (Z = 4.37, 3.42, 2.42; P = 0.000, 0.000, 0.021). 12 tumors recurred, 9 tumors were type 3 and 3 tumors were type 4. 8 eyes developed 15 new tumors. 5 patients developed new tumors were all younger patients and had familial hereditary history. The average period of recurrence of main tumors and development of new tumors was six months after the end of chemo reduction. CONCLUSIONS: Following chemo reduction, type 3 and type 4 regression patterns were most common. Smaller tumors were usually seen in type 4, and bigger tumors were usually seen in type 1 or type 3. Tumor recurrence was usually found following regression pattern type 3 or type 4. Younger patients and patients with familial hereditary history trend to develop new tumors. Patients accept chemo reduction and adjuvant therapy need close follow-up.

Space-occupying lesions of the lacrimal gland at one tertiary eye center in China: a retrospective clinical study of 95 patients.

AIM: To investigate the treatment status and prognosis of space-occupying lacrimal gland lesions at one tertiary eye center in China. METHODS: A retrospective clinical study was performed on 95 patients with space-occupying lesions of the lacrimal gland surgically treated at the Eye & ENT Hospital of Fudan University from 2003 to 2007. The reviewed clinical data included age, gender, side of the lesion, duration of signs and symptoms, histopathological diagnosis, treatment modality, recurrence (local, regional, and distant metastasis) and survival. RESULTS: Of the 95 cases (99 eyes), pleomorphic adenomas were the most common lesions (43 cases), followed by lymphoid disorders (14), inflammatory pseudotumors (11), carcinoma ex-pleomorphic adenomas (11), and adenoid cystic carcinomas (ACC, 6). There were 8 patients with relapsed pleomorphic adenomas. Five of these 8 cases had malignant pathological changes. All patients with ACC had metastasis and three of them died during their follow-up. CONCLUSION: Our study indicated that the most common lacrimal gland lesions were pleomorphic adenomas. Multiple recurrence and surgical procedures may increase the risk of tumor progression. ACC had a high incidence of tumor metastasis and a poor prognosis.

Clinical characteristics and treatment outcome of children with intraocular retinoblastoma: a report from a Chinese cooperative group.

BACKGROUND: To present the characteristics and treatment outcome of patients with intraocular retinoblastoma in a Chinese cooperative group. PROCEDURE: Between January 2005 and March 2009, 159 eyes of 133 patients with retinoblastoma were included in this retrospective study. The International Classification of Retinoblastoma (ICRB) staging system was noted for each patient. Cases with visible extraocular extension at diagnosis were excluded. The patient data were reviewed for demographic information, clinical findings, and managements. RESULTS: Of 133 cases, there were 83 (62%) male and 50 (38%) female, ranging in age from 2 months to 134 months (median, 23 months; mean, 26 months). There were 26 bilateral cases (20%). One hundred and twenty-four cases (93%) were deemed sporadic and nine cases (7%) were deemed familial. Leukocoria was the most common presenting symptom. One hundred and twenty-three eyes (77%) of 123 patients (92%) had no visual potential. Only 36 eyes (23%) of 30 patients (23%) utilized vision-preserving treatments. The ocular salvage rate was 83% (30/36) for this group. The cumulative probability of survival was 98% (Kaplan-Meier method) at 60 months follow up. CONCLUSIONS: The overall survival rate of this study is in agreement with data from developed countries. In appropriate patients, systemic chemotherapy, and focal ophthalmic therapy are effective and carry little morbidity. Compared with more medically developed countries, there are still many challenges in the management of retinoblastoma in China. Early detection and doctor education should be an important future goal. Pediatr Blood Cancer 2011; 57: 1113-1116. © 2011 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.

Maintenance of retinal cancer stem cell-like properties through long-term serum-free culture from human retinoblastoma.

Previous studies have demonstrated that a small population of cancer stem cell-like cells exists in retinoblastoma. To provide a model for studying this population, we sought to establish a long-term culture from human retinoblastoma that have cancer stem cell-like properties. Fresh tumor tissue was digested and cultured in serum-free medium. Tumor spheres formed and were passaged continuously. Stem cell properties were examined through immunostaining, real-time quantitative RT-PCR and chemoresistance assay. Tumorigenicity of the tumor sphere-forming cells was confirmed by xenograft experiments. Furthermore, we examined the expression of cell surface markers CD44 and CD133. Tumor cells expanded as floating spheres for more than 30 passages. Sphere-forming cells overexpressed stem cell genes Oct­4, Nestin and Pax6. Immunostaining of spheres showed positivity for Nestin, Pax6 and also ABCG2. In contrast, differentiated cells derived from these spheres expressed high levels of mature retinal cell markers MAP2, GFAP, recoverin, Opsin B and Nrl, and showed immunoreactivity for NF200, GFAP, recoverin and PKCα. Furthermore, both CD44 and CD133 were highly expressed in sphere-forming cells vs. differentiated cells. Sphere-forming cells displayed higher chemoresistance to carboplatin as opposed to differentiated cells. Moreover, intraocular injection of as few as 2x103 sphere-forming cells into NOD/SCID mice gave rise to new tumors similar to the original patient tumors. These results revealed that the sphere-forming cells preserved their stem cell properties and tumorigenicity, even after long-term culture. This would be a suitable in vitro model to study cancer stem-like cells in retinoblastoma and to develop chemotherapeutic drugs and strategies.

[Clinicopathologic features of retinoblastoma and expression of VEGF and Ki-67 after comprehensive treatment].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinic pathologic features of retinoblastoma (RB) after comprehensive treatment, and study the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in retinoblastoma treated with chemotherapy prior to enucleation. METHODS: Retrospective analysis was performed on retinoblastoma specimens obtained consecutively between 2006 and 2008 by enucleation, and patients' clinical information and clinic pathologic features were also collected. Immunohistochemical staining and real-time PCR were performed for the expression of VEGF. Immunohistochemical staining was also performed for Ki-67. RESULT: Among the 9 chemotherapy-treated cases, six belonged to group D and three to group E of IIRC. The reasons for enucleation included extensive vitreous seeds, RB recurrence, extensive subretinal fluid/seeds, vitreous hemorrhage and total tractional detachment of the retina. During the comprehensive treatment, the main tumors regressed in all eyes. The main tumors showed a mean decrease of 43.7% in the largest basal diameter and a mean decrease of 57.9% in thickness. The average interval between the end of chemotherapy and enucleation was 5.7 months. The reason for enucleation was the recurrence of main tumor, recurrence of new tumors, recurrent vitreous seed or subretinal seed. Three eyes showed a type 1 regression pattern, one eye showed a type 2 pattern, and the other five eyes showed type 3 clinical regression patterns. The expression of VEGF was lower in eyes that underwent planned enucleation than eyes that suffered from RB recurrence. CONCLUSIONS: The main reason for enucleation was extensive subretinal fluid/seeds after the comprehensive treatment. The type 3 clinical regression patterns were most common. In retinoblastoma, higher expression of VEGF may play an important role in the recurrence of retinoblastoma after comprehensive treatment.

[Clinical therapeutic efficiency of chemoreduction and local therapy for children with retinoblastoma].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the therapeutic efficiency of customized combined therapy for retinoblastoma. METHODS: Retrospective case series. Twenty nine patients (40 eyes) with retinoblastoma were accepted customized combined therapy between Jan. 2005 and Dec. 2007 in our hospital. The combined therapy included chemoreduction using vincristine, etoposide, and carboplatin (VEC) combined with local cryotherapy and/or transpupillary thermotherapy (TTT). The average follow-up duration was 38 months and ranging from 12 to 50 months. RESULTS: Twenty five patients had bilateral retinoblastoma, 4 patients had unilateral retinoblastoma. The stages of 40 eyes were classified according to the International Intraocular Retinoblastoma Classification, 14 eyes (35%) were group A, 9 eyes (22.5%) were group B, 4 eyes (10%) were group C, 10 eyes (25%) were group D, and 3 eyes (7.5%) were group E. Seventeen eyes had vitreous and/or subretinal seeds. The overall globe preservation rate was 75% (30/40); and was 100% (14/14) in group A, 100% (9/9) in group B, 75% (3/4) in group C, 40% (4/10) in group D and 0% (0/3) in group E. A progressive decrease of globe preservation rate was observed in eyes with advanced stages. Tumor recurrence was detected in 4 eyes after chemoreduction, leading to the enucleation. Ten eyes were enucleated in the present series, with 1 eye in group C, 6 eyes in group D and 3 eyes in group E. None of 29 patients died during the follow-up. No patients had any serious side effect of chemotherapy such as leukemia. CONCLUSIONS: The customized combined therapy can effectively preserve certain patients' eyeballs and even obtain useful visual function. The International Intraocular Retinoblastoma Classification is useful in the clinical management of retinoblastoma.

[Clinical analysis of sarcoidosis of ocular adnexa].

OBJECTIVE: To study the diagnosis and treatment of 17 patients with sarcoidosis in ocular adnexa. METHODS: The clinical data of 17 cases with sarcoidosis in ocular adnexa treated during 1993 and 2008 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent surgical treatment, and the diagnosis was proven histopathologically. RESULTS: Among the 17 cases, 4 were male, and 13 were female. The patients' age ranged from 15 to 70 years, with a mean of 46.9 years. The lesions were located at the orbit (8 cases), lacrimal grand (5 cases) and eyelids (4 cases). Fourteen cases complained of the presence of a local mass, 2 cases complained of exophthalmos and 1 swelling of eyelids. Concurrent systemic sarcoidosis was present in 7 cases. Three cases coincided with lung sarcoidosis, 3 cases with uveitis and 1 case with dermatopathy. Angiotensin converting enzyme analysis was performed in 6 cases; 4 of them were elevated. Computer tomography was performed in 12 cases; in 11 cases it presented as moderate density parenchymatous mass, and in the remaining one it presented as hypodensity cystic mass. B scan of 5 cases showed hypoechoic parenchymatous homogeneous mass. None of 14 cases relapsed after 1 to 15 years follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: Ocular adnexal sarcoidosis usually presents as local mass and it should be included in the differential diagnosis of orbital and ocular adnexal lesions. Excision of localized mass alone could achieve satisfactory outcomes for isolated lesions, while for diffuse or systematic lesions, corticosteroid treatment should be prescribed routinely.

Treatment of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis with intravitreal injection of tacrolimus (FK506) encapsulated in liposomes.

PURPOSE. To evaluate the effects of intravitreal injection of liposomes encapsulating tacrolimus (FK506) on experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) in Lewis rats. METHODS. Liposomes containing tacrolimus were prepared by reverse-phase evaporation vesicles. EAU was induced in Lewis rats by subcutaneous injection of interphotoreceptor retinoid-binding protein R16 peptide emulsified in adjuvant. Ten days later, rats were intravitreally injected with saline, tacrolimus, tacrolimus-loaded liposomes, or unloaded liposomes. Clinical signs of inflammation and ocular histologic sections were observed and graded. Retinal function was evaluated by electroretinography (ERG). Tacrolimus concentration was determined in the vitreous body and serum by ELISA. Ocular biodistribution of rhodamine-conjugated liposomes containing tacrolimus (tacrolimus-Rh-lip) was analyzed with a laser scanning confocal microscope. To evaluate the systemic effect of intravitreally injected tacrolimus, delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) and lymphocyte proliferation assay (LPA) responses were detected. RESULTS. Treatment of EAU with intravitreal injection of liposomal tacrolimus significantly reduced intraocular inflammation and markedly inhibited the development of EAU, as determined in clinical and histopathologic analyses. No toxic effects could be detected as evaluated by ERG. The concentration of tacrolimus in ocular fluids remained for as long as 14 days after liposomal injection of tacrolimus. Confocal microscopy showed a transretinal distribution of the liposomal particles. DTH and LPA responses were not impaired in liposomal tacrolimus-treated rats. CONCLUSIONS. Intravitreal injection of liposomal tacrolimus was highly effective in suppressing the process of EAU without any side effects on retinal function or systemic cellular immunity. This treatment may represent a new option for the management of intraocular inflammation.

Suppression of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis by Anti-IL-17 antibody.

PURPOSE: To determine whether treatment with anti-IL-17 antibody could suppress the intraocular inflammation of experimental autoimmune uveoretinitis (EAU) in rats. METHODS: Rats were immunized with interphotoreceptor retinoid binding protein (IRBP) R16 peptide and were treated with anti-IL-17 antibody. Clinical signs of inflammation and ocular histological sections were observed and graded. Cytokine levels of supernatants of cells from draining lymph nodes were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). Delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) and lymphocyte proliferation assay (LPA) were detected. RESULTS: Treatment of EAU with anti-IL-17 antibody delayed the onset of ocular inflammation and markedly inhibited the development of EAU. Antigen-specific DTH and LPA were suppressed, whereas the level of interferon (IFN)-gamma produced by draining lymph node cells was increased after treatment with anti-IL-17 antibody. There was no significant change of IL-5 level as compared with control rats. CONCLUSIONS: These findings demonstrate that blockade of endogenous IL-17 activity by treatment with anti-IL-17 antibody attenuates EAU in rats. IL-17 rather than IFN-gamma plays a crucial role in the development of EAU, and that antagonism of IL-17 could be useful for the treatment of human intraocular autoimmune diseases.

[Orbital solitary fibrous tumor: a clinicopathologic analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To study clinicopathologic features, histologic characteristics, differential diagnosis and the treatment of orbital solitary fibrous tumor (SFT). METHODS: Clinical, radiographic and pathologic findings of 6 cases of SFT were retrospectively analyzed. Immunohistochemistry were performed on selected samples. RESULTS: Four patients were males and 2 were females. Patients age ranged from 19- to 57-years-old. The location of the tumor was in the muscle cone (case 1 and case 5), medial (case 3), lateral (case 4), superior (case 2) and inferolateral (case 6) portion of the orbit, respectively. The presenting symptom was proptosis in 3 cases and was mass of subconjunctival or orbit margin in other 3 cases. Image examination: SFT appeared as a round (case 6 showed irregular) and well-circumscribed parenchymatous mass that could be homogenously enhanced by contrast. Histologically, SFT displayed as a mass of spindle cells in an irregular arrangement Sometime, tumor cells could be storiform or sarciniform. Mitotic figures were infrequent and usually there were 0 to 3 mitotic figures per 10 high-power fields. Hyalinization and staghornform blood vessels were frequently observed. SFT was immunoreactive for markers such as Vim, CD34 and CD99. Two cases were recurred. CONCLUSIONS: SFT is a rare orbital tumor and could be confused with other types of orbital tumors. This tumor can be diagnosed by pathological and immunocytochemical studies, these characteristics can be used to differentiate it from other types of orbital tumors.