Objectives To construct reference range of fetal optic tract mean diameter and to report the measured optic tract mean diameter in fetuses with agenesis of the septum pellucidum (SP).Methods Three-dimensional volumes of the optic chiasm were acquired in 254 normal fetuses during routine sonographic examination at 21 ～ 40 weeks' gestation and the diameters of posterior left and right optic tracts were measured offline.A polynomial regression approach was used to calculate reference charts for the fetal optic tract mean diameter.In addition,16 three-dimensional volumes were acquired in fetuses with SP agenesis for offline measurement of optic tract diameter.The complete follow-up data were obtained in 7 of these 16 cases.Results In normal fetuses,the optic tract diameter increased linearly throughout gestation.Normal charts and equations were constructed.Among 7 fetuses with SP agenesis and complete follow-up,one had postnatal normal vision,two had hypoplastic optic tract,and four underwent termination of pregnancy.Three cases of normal childbirth were tested after the baby was born as a bundle of apparent dysplasia,including 1 case of neonatal characterized by lack of vision at the one year old and 2 cases of impaired vision.Four cases of termination of pregnancy included 1 case with tracking pathological confirmation of optic nerve hypoplasia,and the other 3 cases without tracking the pathological results.Conclusions We present new reference charts for fetal optic tract mean diameter.In fetuses with agenesis of the SP,sonography of the optic tract might be a useful tool to assess its development and may help prenatal counseling.

Objective To explore the expression of microRNA in Eaf2 knockout mice and the effect of Eaf2 on the apoptosis of human lens epithe?lial cells and the expression of microRNA in lens. Methods pEGFP?C1?Eaf2 was transfected into SRA01/04 cells using Lipofectamine 2000 to over express Eaf2 gene,and then the flow cytometry was used to detect cell apoptosis rate. And real time q?PCR was used to measure the expression of microRNA both in human lens epithelial cells and Eaf2 knockout mice. Results Compared with controls,the apoptosis rate of cells transfected with pEGFP?C1?Eaf2 was reduced,the expression of miR?125b and let?7a was significantly increased and miR?204 was decreased in cells transfect?ed with pEGFP?C1?Eaf2. Compared with controls,the expression of miR?125b and let?7a was lower and miR?204 was higher in Eaf2 knockout mice. Each result was statistically significant(P<0.01). Conclusion Eaf2 might inhibit apoptosis of human lens epithelial cells via regulating the expression of microRNA. Eaf2 may have a protective effect for the lens in the genesis of cataract.

Objective To study the relationship between the inflammatory cytokine levels and the expression of hepatic alpha-7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7 nAChR) in hyperlipidemia rats and to investigate the intervention effect of Yirui Capsules ( mainly composed of Radix Salviae Miltiorrhizae, Fructus Crataegi, Rhizoma Alismatis, etc). Methods Fifty male SD rats were randomly divided into blank control group ( fed with conventional diet, N=10) and high-fat diet group (fed with high-fat diet, N=40). After feeding for 14 d, the forty rats in high-fat diet group were further randomly divided into model control group, and low-, middle-, and high-dose Yirui Capsules groups (140, 280, 560 mg/kg, respectively), 10 rats in each group and the treatment lasting 30 days. And then, the serum levels of lipids were detected, C-reactive protein (CRP) and tumor necrosis factor (TNF) -α in the serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay ( ELISA) , and the expression of hepatic α7 nAChR was analyzed by immunohistochemical staining and reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) . Results Yirui Capsules in different dosages could improve serum lipid levels in hyperlipidemia rats to various degrees. The contents of serum inflammatory cytokines CRP and TNF-α and the mRNA expression of hepatic α7nAChR were increased in the model control group as compared with those in the blank control group ( P<0.01). The contents of inflammatory cytokines CRP, TNF-αand the mRNA expression of hepatic α7nAChR were decreased in the three Yirui Capsules groups as compared with those in the model control group ( P<0.01). The results of immunohistochemical staining for α7nAChR expression were consistent with RT-PCR results. Conclusion The expression of hepatic α7nAChR is increased in hyperlipidemia rats. Yirui capsules are effective on decreasing inflammatory cytokine levels, improving lipid metabolism, and down-regulating α7nAChR expression.