Objective To search for the application of trehalose as cryoprotectant for keeping aortic valve homograft in liquid nitrogen.Methods The aortic valve homografts of Wistar rat were kept in 10%DMSO and divided into 2 groups(control and test group).The test group was added a supplement of trehalose 0.1mol?L~(-1) and all the hemografts were gradually hypothermied and then cryopreserved in-196℃ liquid nitrogen.After 6 months all the cryopreserved valves were thawed.The aortic valve homografts were observed by light and electron microscope.At the same time,the viability of endotheliocyte was measured.Results The viability of endotheliocyte in test group was higher than that in the control group and the structural damage was also much lighter.Conclusion The cryoprotective effect of combined use of 10%DMSO+0.1mol?L~(-1) trehalose was much better than that of 10%DMSO alone.

The clinical manifestations of infectious retinal diseases are complicated,especially these result from serious infectious diseases such as acquired immune deficiency syndrome (AIDS),tuberculosis and syphilis infections.It is an important issue to differentiate infectious retinal disease from non-infectious intraocular inflammation in the clinic.It is,therefore,highly desirable to follow a proper steps to reach the correct diagnosis.Complete history review and comprehensive ocular examination remains the first step in diagnosing infectious retinal diseases.Although an array of laboratory and serological tests are available to assist in the diagnosis,some situations may require a diagnostic therapy or a tissue biopsy.Identification of the pathogen and histopathologic examination of the ocular specimen remain to be the gold standard of diagnosis.Initiation a specific and appropriate antimicrobial therapy needs multidisciplinary collaborations including ophthalmologists and infectious specialists.Updated knowledge of general medicine and management of infectious diseases,interdisciplinary collaborations and optimization of treatment processes will improve the diagnosis and treatment of retinal infectious diseases in the future.

Objective To observe the clinical features and treatment outcomes of presumed tubercular retinal vasculitis.Methods This is a retrospective non-comparative interventional clinical research.A total of nine patients (11 eyes) with major presentation of retinal vasculitis were included in this study.Patients first consulted the eye clinic and were diagnosed presumed tubercular retinal vasculitis.The patients,seven males and two females,aged from 19 to 66 years,with an average of 43.89 years.The time interval from symptoms to diagnosis ranged from two weeks to six months with an average of 76.27 days.Visual acuity,slit lamp ophthalmoscopy,fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA),optical coherence tomography (OCT),hematological and tuberculosis related investigations were examined and analyzed.All patients had standard anti-tuberculosis treatment.Treatment outcomes were followed for six to 37 months with an average of 14.11 months.Results Baseline visual acuity ranged from hand movement to 0.8 with an average of 0.28.Among 11 eyes,six presented mild to moderate vitritis,five presented as retinal vein occlusion with no obvious vitirits.Fundus examination showed six cases with retinal hemorrhage,four cases with macular edema,two with macular epiretinal membrane,and two with vitreous hemorrhage.FFA revealed 11 cases with leakage of vessels,11 with nonperfusion area,four with macular edema,three with retinal neovascularization,and two with choroidal lesions.OCT of nine eyes suggested six eyes with retinal edema,three with macular edema,three with macular epiretinal membrane.TST of seven patients were all strong positive.T-SPOT.TB of four patients were all positive.Three of eight patients who had chest X-ray or chest CT were suggested tuberculosis infection.Four to six weeks after the start of anti-tuberculosis treatment,vitritis,exudates,retinal and macular edema subsided.During follow up,inflammation was stable with no recurrence observed.The visual acuity of last follow-up ranged from 0.15 to 0.8 with an average of 0.51.Conclusions The main presentations of presumed tubercular retinal vasculitis are vitritis,retinal vein occlusion,and retinal hemorrhage.Standard anti-tuberculosis treatment can improve inflammation and retinal hemorrhage.

The purpose of this study is to investigate the effect of Tetramethylpyrazin (TMP) on blood volume (△Er) and Hb oxygen sufficiency(F) of gastric mueosal su. perficial microcirculation in rat by reflectance spectrophotometry, on the formation of stress ulcer and on gastric mucosal blood flow (GMBF) by H_2 gas clearance. The results showed that TMP had no visible effect on △Er and F of normal anethetized rat. In hemorrhagic shock rat, F of gastric mucosa was increased from 13?10 to 22?5 (P

There is an evidence that mitochondrial cytochrome C has dual functions in controlling both cellular energetic metabolism and apoptosis. Once released, cytochrome C, in interaction with apoptotic protease activating factors (Apaf 1), initiates the activation of the execution caspases that lead to the subsequent apoptosis. Release of cytochrome C is the result of a perturbation of mitochondrial membrane permeability. Anti apoptotic Bcl 2 family proteins function as gatekeepers to prevent the release of cytochrome C. In addition to cytochrome C, mitochondria release other apoptogenic proteins including apoptosis inducing factor (AIF) during apoptosis. These two pathways may work together to induce complete apoptosis. After transient cerebral ischemia, the release of cytochrome C occurs from mitochondria, preceding DNA fragmentation.

Objective To discuss the effects of high-fluoride intake and iodine-deficiency on thyroid glands of pregnant mice and their offspring. Methods 200 mg/ L sodium fluoride solution was supplied ad.lib. for the adult female Kunming mice before pregnancy and during pregnancy with iodine-sufficiency and iodine-deficiency. The morphological changes and functions of thyroid glands and the body weights of the pregnant mice and their offspring were observed and measured. Results Under the condition of iodine-sufficiency, significantly higher levels of blood T4 in pregnant mice exposed to high-dose fluoride and their offspring were observed compared with those of control group. Significantly heavier body weights were found in 18 d-pregnant mice and 7 d-old offspring compared with those of control group (P

AIM: To observe the effect of thichosanthes injection on the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen (PCNA) of vascular smooth muscle cell (SMC). METHODS: The expression of PCNA of cultured rabbit aortic SMC was examined with LSAB immunohistochemical technique, and [ 3H]-thymidine([ 3H]-TdR) incorporation data of SMC and the contents of superoxide dismutase (SOD), lipid peroxide (LPO), prostacyclin (PGI 2) and cyclic AMP (cAMP) in medium were simultaneously determined. RESULTS: Thichosanthes injection has an effects of increasing SOD activity, decreasing LPO, elevating PGI 2 and cAMP, reducing [ 3H]-TdR incorporation and expression of PCNA (all P

Asymmetric dimethylarginine(ADMA)is an endogenous inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase(NOS).it reduces nitric oxide production. ADMA is correlated with the risk factors of atherosclerosis, such as hypercholesterolemia, hypertension and hyperglycaemia. Accumulating evidence suggests that a derangement of the NOS pathway plays a critical role in atherogenesis and ADMA may participate in the process.

BACKGROUND:Aortic root homograft has been widely used, but it stil has a high incidence of calcification and degeneration after operation.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the alteration of biological and immunological properties of rabbit aortic root homograft treated with de-endothelialization and decellularization methods, and to find a better decellularization method.
METHODS:Aortic root homografts obtained from rabbits were randomly divided into fresh group, de-endothelialization group, and decellularization group. The morphology of homografts was evaluated by hematoxylin-eosin, Masson and VG stainings. The biological properties such as thickness, tensile strength, broken extension rate, and heat shrinkage temperature were detected. The immunological features (inflammatory cellinfiltration, calcium content and CD152 expression) were determined with immunohistochemistry and flame atomic absorption spectrometry.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:As demonstrated in morphological observation, protocols of de-endothelialization and decellularization methods we used attained our desired aim of decellularization perfectly. Tensile strength and broken extension rate of decellularization group were decreased significantly compared with fresh group (P<0.01), while the difference between de-endothelialization group and fresh group was not significant (P>0.05). Hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that, inflammatory reaction was the most apparent in fresh group, showing a large amount of inflammatory cells infiltration;compared with fresh group, inflammatory reaction was significantly attenuated in de-endothelialization group, the number of inflammatory cells was significantly decreased. The inflammatory reaction was the lowest in the decellularization group, only inflammatory cells infiltrated the tissue edge. Immunohistochemistry showed that, CD152 expression was significantly increased in de-endothelialization and decellularization groups compared with fresh group (P<0.05). Calcium content in de-endothelialization and decellularization groups was significantly decreased compared with fresh group (P<0.05). It could be concluded that the immunogenicity of de-endothelialized and decellularized aortic homografts is decreased significantly, and the de-endothelialization method could better maintain the tensile property.

Epigenetic modifications such as DNA methylation,histone post-translational modifications,non-coding RNA are reversible,heritable alterations which are induced by environmental stimuli.Major risk factors of diabetes and diabetic complications including hyperglycemia,oxidative stress and advanced glycation end products,can lead to abnormal epigenetic modifications in retinal vascular endothelial cells and retinal pigment epithelium cells.Epigenetic mechanisms are involved in the pathogenesis of macular edema and neovascularization of diabetic retinopathy (DR),as well as diabetic metabolic memory.The heritable nature of epigenetic marks also plays a key role in familial diabetes mellitus.Further elucidation of epigenetic mechanisms in DR can open the way for the discovery of novel therapeutic targets to prevent DR progression.