Ultrastrong spinodoid alloys enabled by electrochemical dealloying and refilling.

We present an extreme case of composition-modulated nanomaterial formed by selective etching (dealloying) and electrochemical refilling. The product is a coarse-grain polycrystal consisting of two interwoven nanophases, with identical crystal structures and a cube-on-cube relationship, separated by smoothly curved semicoherent interfaces with high-density misfit dislocations. This material resembles spinodal alloys structurally, but its synthesis and composition modulation are spinodal-independent. Our Cu/Au "spinodoid" alloy demonstrates superior mechanical properties such as near-theoretical strength and single-phase-like behavior, owing to its fine composition modulation, large-scale coherence of crystal lattice, and smoothly shaped three-dimensional (3D) interface morphology. As a unique extension of spinodal alloy, the spinodoid alloy reported here reveals a number of possibilities to modulate the material's structure and composition down to the nanoscale, such that further improved properties unmatchable by conventional materials can be achieved.

[History of processing of Sojae Semen Praeparatum].

Sojae Semen Praeparatum (SSP) is commonly used as a type of dietetic Chinese herb. By collecting and analyzing ancient and recent literatures, a textual criticism was conducted on the historical evolution of the processing of SSP. Fermented soybean was recorded in Shijing, and relevant rational processing was described in Qimin Yaoshu. In the early time, fermented soybean included the type of "salty" and "light". After the Ming Dynasty, "light" fermented soybean or SSP was recognized as a better medicinal matter than salty fermented soybean, and the fermentation processing was recorded more clearly. In modern time, many characteristic methods for processing SSP have been developed. Today, the processing of SSP is mainly based on the Chinese Pharmacopoeia, which records soybean as a main ingredient and Artemisiae Annuae Herba, Mori Folium as excipients.

Stability and Pharmacological Effects of Gene-Recombinant Wild Type and Mutant Human Adrenocorticotropic Hormone.

PURPOSE: Adrenocorticotropic hormone (ACTH) is the only medicine for treating infantile spasms, however, it is catabolized rapidly. In order to make an ACTH derivative with prolonged effects, we prepared genetically engineered wild type (WT) and mutant ACTH candidates based on protease database analysis, and compared their stability and pharmacological effects. METHODS: For analysis of stability, serum concentration of WT and mutant ACTH candidates were tested at different time after intravenous injection, and elimination curves were calculated to compare pharmacokinetic properties of WT and E5D-mutant ACTH. For comparison of their pharmacological effects, levels of glucocorticoids (GC) in the blood serum and secreted from cultured Y1 mouse adrenal cells were tested, and their effects on the signaling pathway mediating the expression of genes critical for GC synthesis were analyzed. The effects of ACTHs on transcription levels of the genes involved in GC synthesis were tested by qPCR. RESULTS: The blood concentration of E5D ACTH is higher than the WT after injection, and E5D mutation increased the t1/2 and AUC of ACTH. Pharmacological experiments showed that the effects of E5D and Y2S mutant ACTH on the production of GC and the critical signal transduction were equivalent to those of WT. WT, E5D and Y2S ACTH also have similar effects on the transcriptional levels of the genes for GC synthesis, including STAR, P450-scc, 3ß-HSD, and SF-1. CONCLUSION: The stability of E5D mutant ACTH is higher than WT ACTH. The pharmacological effects of E5D ACTH is equivalent to those of WT ACTH.

Protection of Taurine Against Impairment in Learning and Memory in Mice Exposed to Arsenic.

To evaluate protection of taurine against arsenic (As)-induced impairment of learning and memory as well as explore its protective mechanism, mice were divided into control, As and taurine protection groups. Mice of As exposure group exposed to drinking water containing 4 ppm As2O3. Mice of taurine protective group received both 4 ppm As2O3 and 150 mg taurine per kilogram. Mice of control group only drank double-distilled water. All animals were treated for 60 days. Morphology of brain was observed by HE staining. Morris water maze (MWM) tests and step-down passive avoidance task were performed to examine cognition function. Moreover, expressions of some genes and proteins related to regulation learning and memory in brain were tested by Real Time RT-PCR and Western Blot. As a result, abnormal morphologic changes in brain tissue and poor performance in cognition functions were observed in As-exposed mice. The expression of TRß protein, a regulator of CaMK IV gene, significantly decreased in brains of As-exposed mice than in controls. By contrast, impairment in learning and memory, change in brain morphology and disturbance in protein expression were significantly mitigated in mice of taurine protective group. Our results suggest that taurine supplementation protects against neurotoxicity induced by As in mice.

Mesenchymal stem cells-conditioned medium protects PC12 cells against 2,5-hexanedione-induced apoptosis via inhibiting mitochondria-dependent caspase 3 pathway.

Studies suggested that the conditioned medium of mesenchymal stem cells (MSC-CM) inhibited the increased apoptosis in various cells. However, there are no reports underlying the protection of MSC-CM against 2,5-hexanedione (HD)-induced apoptosis in neural cells. In the present study, the viability was observed in PC12 cells that received HD alone or with MSC-CM by 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay. Apoptosis was estimated by Hoechst 33342 staining and flow cytometry. Mitochondrial transmembrane potential was examined by rhodamine 123. Moreover, we investigated the expression of Bax and Bcl-2, cytochrome c translocation, and caspase 3 activity by real-time polymerase chain reaction, Western blot, and immunochemistry. Nerve growth factor (NGF) was examined in MSCs and MSC-CM. Our results showed that MSC-CM promoted cell survival and reduced apoptosis in HD-exposed PC12 cells. Moreover, MSC-CM significantly reversed disturbance of Bax and Bcl-2, ameliorated disruption of mitochondrial transmembrane potential, and reduced release of cytochrome c and activity of caspase 3 in HD-exposed PC12 cells. In the meantime, NGF was detected in MSCs and MSC-CM. These findings demonstrate that MSC-CM protects against HD-induced apoptosis in PC12 cells via inhibiting mitochondrial pathway. Our results indicate that NGF in MSC-CM may be involved in the protection of MSC-CM against HD-induced apoptosis. Our study clarifies the protection of MSC-CM on HD neurotoxicity and its underlying mechanism.

Arsenic induces apoptosis by the lysosomal-mitochondrial pathway in INS-1 cells.

Recently, long term arsenic exposure was considered to be associated with an increased risk of diabetes mellitus. While a relation of cause-and-effect between apoptosis of pancreatic ß-cells and arsenic exposure, the precise mechanisms of these events remains unclear. The aim of this study was to explore arsenic-induced pancreatic ß-cell apoptosis and the mechanisms of through the possible link between lysosomal and the mitochondrial apoptotic pathway. After exposure to 10 µM of arsenic, the reactive oxygen species (ROS) level was significantly increased at 12 h, while the mitochondrial membrane potential was reduced at 24 h and the lysosomal membrane integrity was disrupted at 48 h. A significant increase in protein expression for cytochrome c was also observed using Western blot analysis after exposure to arsenic for 48 h. To further demonstrate that arsenic reduced the lysosomal membrane integrity, cells pretreated with NH4 Cl and exposed to arsenic harbored a lower fluorescence increase than cells that were only exposed to arsenic. In addition, apoptosis was mesured using Hoechst 33342/PI dual staining by microscopy and annexin V-FITC/propidium iodide dual staining by flow cytometry. The results show an increased uptake of the arsenic dose and the cells changed from dark blue to light blue, karyopyknosis, nuclear chromatin condensation, side set or fracture, and a correlation was found between the number of apoptotic cells and arsenic dose. The result of present study suggest that arsenic may induce pancreatic ß-cell apoptosis through activation of the lysosome-mitochondrial pathway.

Subchronic Exposure to Arsenic Represses the TH/TRß1-CaMK IV Signaling Pathway in Mouse Cerebellum.

We previously reported that arsenic (As) impaired learning and memory by down-regulating calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CaMK IV) in mouse cerebellum. It has been documented that the thyroid hormone receptor (TR)/retinoid X receptor (RXR) heterodimer and thyroid hormone (TH) may be involved in the regulation of CaMK IV. To investigate whether As affects the TR/RXR heterodimer and TH, we determined As concentration in serum and cerebellum, 3,5,3'-triiodothyronine (T3) and thyroxin (T4) levels in serum, and expression of CaMK IV, TR and RXR in cerebellum of mice exposed to As. Cognition function was examined by the step-down passive avoidance task and Morris water maze (MWM) tests. Morphology of the cerebellum was observed by Hematoxylin-Eosin staining under light microscope. Our results showed that the concentrations of As in the serum and cerebellum of mice both increased with increasing As-exposure level. A significant positive correlation was found between the two processes. Adeficit in learning and memory was found in the exposed mice. Abnormal morphologic changes of Purkinje cells were observed in cerebellum of the exposed mice. Moreover, the cerebellar expressions of CaMK IV protein and the TRß gene, and TRß1 protein were significantly lower in As-exposed mice than those in controls. Subchronic exposure to As appears to increase its level in serum and cerebella of mice, impairing learning and memory and down-regulating expression of TRß1 as well as down-stream CaMK IV. It is also suggested that the increased As may be responsible for down-regulation of TRß1 and CaMK IV in cerebellum and that the down-regulated TRß1 may be involved in As-induced impairment of learning and memory via inhibiting CaMK IV and its down-stream pathway.

Manganese concentrations in maternal and umbilical cord blood: related to birth size and environmental factors.

BACKGROUND: Manganese (Mn) is an essential element and a potential toxicant for developing organism. Deficiency and excess of it were both deleterious to fetal growth in experimental animals. However, literature on relationship between Mn status and birth outcome in humans is sparse. METHODS: Mn concentrations were measured in mother whole blood (MWB) and umbilical cord blood (UCB) in 125 pairs of mother-infant; birth size was examined and relationship between them was analysed. Potentially environmental factors influencing Mn loads in maternal and fetal organisms were investigated through epidemiological method. RESULTS: Mn level in UCB was significantly higher than that in MWB (mean value: 54.98 vs. 78.75 µg/L), and a significant positive correlation was shown between them. There was a quadratic curvilinear (inverted U-shaped curve) relationship between MWB Mn and birth size, and between UCB Mn and birth size. Both univariate analysis and multiple linear regression analysis showed that exposure to harmful occupational factors during gestation remarkably increased maternal and fetal Mn levels. Living close to major transportation routes (<500 m) also increased the MWB Mn levels. CONCLUSION: Our results suggested that lower or higher Mn level in maternal and umbilical blood may induce adverse effect on birth size in humans. In addition, increased levels of Mn in MWB or UCB may be associated with exposure to some environmental hazard factors.

Association of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene 2350 G/A polymorphism with diabetic retinopathy in Chinese Han population.

The angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE) gene is one of the most studied candidate genes related to diabetic retinopathy (DR). ACE 2350 G/A polymorphism (rs4343) is known among the polymorphisms of this gene to have the most significant effect on plasma ACE concentrations. The aim of the present study was to investigate the relationship between 2350 G/A polymorphism of ACE gene and the susceptibility of DR in Chinese Han population. A case-control study for 145 type 2 diabetes mellitus (DM) patients, including 63 type 2 DM without DR (NDR) and 82 type 2 DM with DR (DR), and 90 subjects of age, gender matched normal controls (NC group) was performed. ACE 2350 G/A genotypes were identified by polymerase chain reaction and restriction digestion in all study participants. The distribution of the ACE 2350 G/A genotypes (GG, GA, and AA) was 35.56, 45.55, and 18.89 % in the NC group, 28.57, 46.03, and 25.40 % in the NDR group, and 15.85, 46.34, and 37.81 % in the DR group, respectively. There were no significant differences in either genotype frequency distribution (P = 0.5266) or allele frequency distribution (P = 0.2425) between the NC group and NDR group. However, the distribution of genotype frequency (P = 0.0026) and allele frequency (P = 0.0003) in the DR group showed a significant difference when compared to that of NC group (P = 0.0075). Moreover, there was statistical difference in allele frequency distribution (P = 0.0328) between the DR group and the NDR group. No statistical differences were observed between ACE 2350 G/A polymorphism and the diabetes duration or types of DR. Results obtained in this study indicate that ACE 2350 G/A polymorphism is associated with DR in Han Chinese patients with type 2 DM.

[Cataract surgery rate and its impacting factors in Jiangsu Province in 2012].

OBJECTIVE: To survey the cataract surgery rate (CSR) according to the report data and its influencing factors of Jiangsu Province in 2012 so as to further improve CSR in China. METHODS: Through government websites in 2012, gross domestic product (GDP) and GDP per capital of 13 cities in Jiangsu Province and 7 counties of Nantong City reported to the Ministry of Health in China were collected to calculate CSR. The relationship between GDP and CSR of Jiangsu Province and Nantong City were analyzed with Spearman's rank correlation, and the differences in the proportion of cataract surgery between government and private hospitals were analyzed by Chi-square test. RESULTS: CSR in Jiangsu Province in 2012 was 939 cases per million population per year. Nantong City had the highest CSR (1362 cases per million population per year) and Suqian City the lowest (129 cases per million population per year). The GDP of 13 cities in Jiangsu Province had a positive correlation with CSR (spearman r = 0.59, P = 0.03), but there was no significant correlation with GDP per capital (spearman r = 0.50, P = 0.08). No significant correlation existed between GDP, GDP per capital and CSR of 7 counties of Nantong City (spearman r = -0.04, P = 0.94; spearman r = -0.29, P = 0.53). The proportion of private hospitals of Nantong was 33.3% and surgery cases were 4557 (45.9%). The CSR of Rugao County in 2012 was 3317 cases per million population per year. CONCLUSION: Socioeconomic level may be related with CSR. Providing village cataract screening services and lowering surgical costs help to boost CSR in China.

[Prevalence and surgical status of cataract among adults aged 50 years or above in rural Jiangsu Province].

OBJECTIVE: To survey the prevalence, operative status, surgical coverage rate and social burden rate of cataract blindness among older adults aged 50 years or above in 2 typical counties (district) of Jiangsu Province, China in 2010. METHODS: Cluster sampling was used in randomly selected 12 867 individuals aged 50 years or above in 58 clusters in Funing County of Northern Jiangsu and Binhu District of Southern Jiangsu. Among them, 12 053 individuals received visual acuity and eye examinations (response rate 93.8%). Lens and cataract operative status were evaluated by slit-lamp biomicroscope. Data bank was established by Epidata3.0 Software. Statistical analyses were performed with Stata/SE Statistical Software, version 10.0. Confidence intervals and P values (significant at P < 0.05) for prevalence of cataract, surgical coverage rate of cataract, social burden rate and surgical outcomes of cataract blindness were calculated with adjustment for clustering effects and stratification associated with the sampling design. RESULTS: Among 12 503 individuals, there were 2208 cases of cataract with a prevalence of 18.3%. The prevalence of cataract was higher in the aged, female and lower-income persons (P < 0.05). Among 2208 cataract patients, cataract surgery was performed in 263 cases (11.9%). The surgical coverage rate of cataract was 59.7% and the social burden rate of cataract blindness 1.93%. The social burden rate of cataract blindness was higher in the aged persons (P < 0.01). In 357 eyes with cataract surgery, the rate of intraocular lens implantation was 85.7%. At Binhu, 71.0% of eyes with cataract surgery underwent phacoemulsification. At Funing, 73.6% of eyes underwent modern extra-capsular surgery respectively. Post-operative presenting and best corrected visual acuity over 0.7 was 11.2% and 19.6% of operated eyes respectively. The main causes of post-operative eyes with worse visual acuity (< 0.3) were post-capsular opacity and retinal disorders. CONCLUSION: Cataract is the most common and important eye disease that may lead into blindness and severe visual impairment among older adults aged 50 years or above. The coverage rate of cataract surgery is higher in Jiangsu province than in other provinces. The visual outcomes of surgery is less than ideal. An important task in blindness prevention of Jiangsu province still is the elimination of cataract blindness and the improvement of visual outcomes for cataract surgery in the future.

[Cautious choice of new intraocular lenses in patients with cataract rehabilitation surgery in China].

We must choose new intraocular lenses (IOL) cautiously and strictly in patients with cataract rehabilitation surgery in China because of following reasons. Firstly, there are no differences in visual acuity between traditional poly-methylmethacrylate (PMMA) IOL implantation group and new IOL (multifocal IOL, aspherical IOL) implantation group. Secondarily, there are many factors which affect visual performance after cataract surgery. Thirdly, many patients with cataract can not afford new intraocular lenses .Fourthly, there are several faultiness and clinical problems in new intraocular lenses. Therefore, correct selection of IOL should be affordable PMMA IOL in cataract rehabilitation surgery in China.

[The protective effect of photochromic intraocular lens on visible light-induced lesion in cultured retinal pigment epithelium].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the protective effect of photochromic intraocular lens (IOL) on visible light-induced lesion in cultured retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). METHODS: It was a experimental study. A human retinal pigment epithelium cell line (ARPE-19) was used to study the protective role. Cells from the same passage were divided into the control, light exposure only, light exposure plus colorless IOL (FV-60A), light exposure plus photochromic IOL (BV-60A), light exposure plus yellow IOL (Acrysof Natural IOL) groups. The treatments were performed when the cells grew to 90% confluency. All cells were irradiated with visible light at an illumination intensity of 60 000-61 000 lux. After the treatments, we assessed 1: cells' viability by methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium (MTT) assay; 2: the extent of apoptosis by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling (TUNEL), observing changes in the ultrastructure by transmission electron microscopy (TEM), and performing Hoechst staining to measure the apoptosis index (AI); 3: examining vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and pigment epithelium-derived factor (PEDF) levels in the culture medium by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Measurements of the cell viability of the five groups were (0.61 ± 0.01), (0.39 ± 0.01), (0.46 ± 0.01), (0.57 ± 0.01), and (0.58 ± 0.02), respectively. Apoptosis was significantly activated by visible light as observed in TUNEL staining and TEM. The AIs of the five groups were (0.99 ± 0.65)%, (9.28 ± 0.59)%, (6.54 ± 0.37)%, (4.69 ± 0.74)%, and (2.72 ± 0.67)%, respectively. The levels of VEGF in the five groups were (3931.64 ± 25.26) ng/L, (5459.38 ± 42.69) ng/L, (4800.55 ± 42.12) ng/L, (4561.21 ± 46.27) ng/L, and (4420.35 ± 28.66) ng/L, respectively. The levels of PEDF in the five groups were (182.85 ± 1.68) µg/L, (156.52 ± 0.64) µg/L, (155.57 ± 3.43) µg/L, (167.57 ± 2.88) µg/L, and (170.90 ± 2.99) µg/L, respectively. Comparing the photochromic IOL group with the yellow IOL group, there was no difference in cell viability (q = 0.94) and PEDF levels (q = 1.51) (P > 0.05), but there was a significant difference between the AI (q = 5.04) and VEGF levels (q = 6.78) (P < 0.05). Comparing the photochromic IOL group with the colorless IOL group, there were significant differences in cell viability (q = 18.92) , AI (q = 4.78) , VEGF (q = 11.52) and PEDF levels (q = 4.96) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Photochromic IOL can abate the degree of acute photodamage of RPE. The protective efficiency was the highest when using the yellow Acrysof Natural IOL, followed by photochromic IOL and colorless IOL.

[Experimental study on the treatment of non-tuberculous mycobacterial keratitis].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the optimal treatment for non-tuberculous mycobacterial keratitis (NTMK). METHODS: Experimental study.Fifty-one New Zealand white rabbits were inoculated with non-tuberculous mycobacteria (NTM) to establish the animal model of NTMK. Eyes with NTMK were randomly divided into 7 groups and topically treated with amikacin (2.5%) (B), gatifloxacin (3%) (C), azithromycin (1%) (D), amikacin (2.5%) plus gatifloxacin(3%) (E) , amikacin (2.5%) plus gatifloxacin (3%) combined with debridement (F), early lamellar keratoplasty (G) and balanced salt water (as a control) (A). All the drugs were administered 8 times per day within initial 7 days followed by 4 times per day after 1 week. The clinical manifestations of each rabbit were observed and recorded every week. The score of clinical manifestations before and after treatment does not meet the normal distribution, so it was presented by the median ± quantile interval and compared with rank sum test and SNK test. Fisher exact test was used to compare differences in the distribution of presenting the healing rate of keratitis. RESULTS: After 1 week treatment, six eyes were cured in group G, and none were cured in other groups, the scores of clinical manifestations of group B, C, D, E, F and G were 6 ± 4, 8 ± 2, 6 ± 4, 8 ± 3, 7 ± 4, 3 ± 1, they were higher than that of group A (q = 20.36, 11.43, 19.21, 16.93, 18.64, 37.50, P < 0.05). After 2 weeks, the scores of group B, C, E, F and G were higher than that of group A (q = 23.50, 16.71, 15.21, 12.43, 30.87, P < 0.05), and the healing rate of group G was higher than that of group A. After 3 weeks, the score of clinical manifestations of group B, D, F and G was higher than that of group A, and the healing rate of group F and G was higher than that of group A. After 4 weeks, the inflammation of group F and G were healed, and a little inflammation remained in the eye of group A. The score of clinical manifestations of group D, E, F and G was higher than that of group A. None was detected in the bacterial culture after 4 weeks. In histopathological examination, there were integrated and proliferated corneal epithelium, fibroblast cells proliferation in the eyes of experimental groups was found, while corneal cells edema, stroma degeneration and necrosis with lymphocytes and plasma cells in the ulcerated lesion in the corneal stromal of group A. CONCLUSIONS: Amikacin, gatifloxacin or azithromycin is effective in arresting NTM, while antibiotic combined with debridement is more effective and early lamellar keratoplasty is the most rapid and thorough treatment of NTMK.

Comparison of three fundus inspection methods during phacoemulsification in diabetic white cataract.

AIM: To investigate whether Wild Field Imaging System (WFIS SW-8000), 25G endoilluminator, and intraoperative optical coherence tomography (iOCT) can perform real-time screening and diagnosing in patients with suspicious diabetic retinopathy (DR) during phacoemulsification, especially in cases of white cataract. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was carried out. A total of 204 dense diabetic cataractous eyes of 204 patients with suspected DR treated from April 2020 to March 2021 were included. Phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation was performed. Following the removal of the lens opacity, the 25G endo-illuminator, fundus photography, and iOCT were performed successively. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) and/or fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) were used to verify the fundus findings postoperatively. Intraoperative and postoperative results were compared to verify the accuracy of intraoperative diagnosis in each group. RESULTS: Intraoperative and postoperative examinations revealed 58 and 62 eyes with DR, respectively (positive rate, 28.43% and 30.39%, respectively). During the phacoemulsification, WFIS SW-8000 detected 44 eyes with DR (the detection rate, 70.97%); 25G endo-illuminator found 56 eyes with DR (the detection rate, 90.32%); iOCT found 46 eyes with DR (the detection rate, 74.19%); and 58 eyes with DR were found by combining the three methods (the detection rate, 93.55%). There were statistically significant differences in the diagnostic sensitivity for DR among the methods (χ2=16.36, P=0.001). CONCLUSION: WFIS SW-8000, 25G endo-illuminator, iOCT, and especially their combination can be used to inspect the fundus and detect DR intraoperatively; they are helpful for the timely diagnosis and treatment of DR in patients with dense cataract.

Renal pelvis sarcomatoid carcinoma with renal vein tumor thrombus: A case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Renal pelvis sarcomatoid carcinoma (RPSC) is a rare and aggressive malignancy whose diagnosis is difficult because radiological imaging results can lead to misclassification as a more common type of renal tumor. In addition, clinical management of patients with RPSC is difficult because of the limited efficacy of available treatments. In this study, we present a comprehensive description of a patient who presented with RPSC and a simultaneous renal vein tumor thrombus. CASE SUMMARY: During April, 2020, a 64-year-old female presented with an isolated episode of hematuria accompanied by abdominal pain. Computed tomography (CT) and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) showed a lesion in the right renal pelvis. We therefore performed a radical nephrectomy of the right kidney. The subsequent histopathological and immunological results verified the diagnosis of RPSC. Despite administration of 6 cycles of a gemcitabine-cisplatin regimen, the patient's condition progressively deteriorated, and she died about 15 mo after the nephrectomy. CONCLUSION: We performed a comprehensive analysis of a patient with RPSC that included CT, MRI, immunohistochemistry, and genetic testing. The insights from our detailed analysis of this patient and our concomitant review of the literature may assist clinicians in their diagnosis and treatment of RPSC.

Concentrations of glucose metabolites in the aqueous humour of diabetic cataract eyes.

PURPOSE: Glucose metabolism underpins diabetic cataracts (DCs), but the relationship between the two remains unclear. Here, we tested the aqueous humour (AH) of patients with DCs to elucidate glucose metabolite levels. METHODS: In this study, aqueous humour (AH) samples were collected preoperatively from DC eyes (n = 37) and age-related cataract eyes (n = 37) from 74 patients (74 eyes) undergoing uncomplicated cataract surgery. The content of glucose, pyruvate, L-lactate were detected by biochemical methods and advanced glycation end-products (AGEs) was detemined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA) technique. Furthermore, the ratios of glucose/pyruvate and L-lactate/pyruvate in the AH were calculated. In addition, we calculated the correlation between glucose levels and AGEs in the AH. RESULTS: The concentrations of glucose, pyruvate and AGEs in the DC group were higher than those in the control group. Significantly lower levels of L-lactate in the AH were found in the DC group. We calculated the glucose/pyruvate ratio and the L-lactate/pyruvate ratio in the AH, which showed that glucose metabolism was changed in the AH from DC patients. Interestingly, we observed that AGEs in the AH were significantly correlated with increased anterior chamber glucose permeability. A stronger correlation was found in the subgroups of male patients, younger patients, and patients with poor glycaemic control status. CONCLUSIONS: Comparison of the levels of glucose metabolism-related products in the AH in the DC group highlight a potential pathological mechanism for DC from a glucose metabolism perspective. The findings indicated an alteration in the metabolic pathways of energy metabolism and amino acids in the AH of DC patients.

Effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells on cell proliferation and growth factor expression of limbal epithelial cells in vitro.

Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) can play an active role in there construction of the ocular surface; however, the mechanisms by which the implanted MSCs exert their effects remain elusive. In the present study, we investigated the influences of MSCs on cell proliferation and growth factor expression of corneal limbal epithelial cells (LECs) in vitro. Rat LECs were either cocultured with rat MSCs or cultured in rat MSC condition edmedium. The harvested LECs were subjected to light microscopy, MTT assay, bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU)staining, flow cytometry and real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis, respectively. Light microscopy showed that coculturing of LECs with MSCs significantly increased the proliferation of LECs. The MTT assay showed that MSC-conditioned medium significantly increased the cell viability of LECs compared to those incubated with plain medium. BrdU immunostaining and flow-cytometric analysis of the cell cycle showed that the cell proliferation rate of LECs cocultured with MSCs was significantly higher than that of LECs cultured alone. Real-time quantitative RT-PCR analysis showed that expression of epidermal growth factor in LECs cocultured with MSCs was significantly higher than that in LECs cultured alone. However, expression of basic fibroblast growth factor showed no difference under the two culture conditions. These results indicate that MSCs promote the survival and proliferation of LECs, and these effects may be mediated ina paracrine manner.

[How to develop molecular epidemiology in conventional epidemiology survey on eye diseases in China].

Molecular epidemiology is a new branch of eye epidemiology that combines theories and methods in both epidemiology and molecular biology. The definition of molecular epidemiology is to use biological and, in particular, genetic markers (nucleic acid, protein) as measures for detecting the propensity of a disease developing, or as an indicator of a disease or an exposure in the studies of disease distribution. Molecular epidemiology has the same objectives as conventional ophthalmic epidemiology in a defined population. The main designs used in ophthalmic molecular epidemiology include descriptive study, case control study, and nested case control study. Currently, molecular experimental techniques mainly include single nucleotide polymorphism, ELISA, protein and mRNA array, microRNA and the study of epigenetic markers. Gene susceptibility biomarker is one of the most commonly used molecular markers. The findings of ophthalmic molecular epidemiology studies can be used to design personalized therapy. Undoubtedly, ophthalmic molecular epidemiology will evolve and develop in the new era for the prevention and control of complex eye diseases such as age-related macular degeneration, cataract, glaucoma and diabetic retinopathy.

[A prevalence investigation of blindness and low vision in 2008 among adults aged 60 years or above in 2 villages of Nantong].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the prevalence and main causes of blindness and low vision among adults aged ≥ 60 years in the suburban population of Nantong, Jiangsu, China. METHODS: It was a population-based cross-section study. Census in selecting individuals aged ≥ 60 years was conducted in two villages of suburb area in Nantong from June to August in 2008. One thousand three hundreds and ninety-one individuals received visual acuity test and eye examination, including lens examination by slit lamp. Blindness and low vision were graded by World Health Organization (WHO) visual impairment criterion and presenting visual acuity criterion, respectively. The main causes of blindness were analyzed in eyes whose visual acuity was lower than 0.05. Chi-square test and trend chi-square test were used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Of 1391 enumerated subjects, 1305 adults participated in the survey and the response rate was 93.82%. According to WHO visual impairment criterion, the prevalence of bilateral blindness and bilateral low vision was 0.54% and 4.06%, respectively; the prevalence of unilateral blindness was 3.37%. According to presenting visual acuity criterion, the prevalence of bilateral blindness was 2.15%, the prevalence of unilateral blindness was 7.13%. According to WHO visual impairment criterion and presenting visual acuity criterion, the prevalence of blindness was raised with increasing age (trend χ(2) = 27.97, P < 0.01). The leading cause of blindness were cataract, ocular fundus diseases and ametropia. CONCLUSIONS: Cataract blindness continues as a significant problem among suburban elderly. There are large cataract patients that need operation in the eastern coastal region. The first important task in blindness prevention still is the elimination of cataract blindness.