Objective Researches showed that retinoic acid may be a signal molecular in the regulation of ocular axial length.Sclera is a target tissue of the pathogenesis of form deprivation myopia.Recently,guinea pigs are used to the study of the pathogenesis of form deprivation myopia.However,seldom studies are found in the change of retinoic acid level in the sclera of guinea pigs.This study was designed to investigate the role of retinoic acid of early form deprivation myopia in guinea pigs sclera.MethodsMonocular form deprivation models were established in 24 3-week-old guinea pigs by occluding the left eyes with facemask and randomly divided into form deprivation 15 days group and 24 days group.Other 6 normal guinea pigs were used as control group.The fellow eyes were used as internal control.Refraction was measured before and after experiment by using retinoscopy.Eyeballs were extracted immediately at the corresponding time points and ocular axial length was measured with outside micrometer.The level of retinoic acid in scleral samples was detected by high performance liquid chromatography.The use of animal followed the Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by the State Science and Technology Commission.ResultsRefractive diptor reduced by -3.14±1.50 D in experimental eyes after form deprivation,showing statistically differences among before and various time points after form deprivation(F=23.053,P=0.000),and no significant difference was seen in reduce of refractive diptor in fellow eyes after form deprivation( -1.24±1.99 D)(F=1.506,P=0.240).The axial length was considerably increased in form deprivation eyes after experiment (F=14.551,P=0.000) but no evident change in fellow eys (F=3.612,P=0.060).The diopter and ocular axial length was significantly different between form deprivation eyes and fellow eyes (P＞0.05).The expression of retinoic acid in sclera of form deprivation eyes was higher than fellow eyes in both form deprivation 15 days and 24 days(P＜0.01).There was no significant difference in the level of retinoic acid between form deprivation 15 days and 24 days(P＞0.05).ConclusionForm deprivation myopia can be induced in 15 days after monocular occlusion.Retinoic acid levels in guinea pig sclera increased significantly during early form deprivation.

Background phacoemulsification combined with limbal relaxing incision (LRI) is reported to be effective for the management of coexisting cataract astigmatism,but the influence of after phacoemulsification with LRI on corneal high-order aberration is still rarely reported.Objective This study was to evaluate the effect of cataract surgery with LRI for preoperative astigmatism or on corneal high-order aberration.Methods A selfcontrolled serial cases observational study was designed.A total of 35 cataractous eyes of 35 patients with astigmatism ≥ 1.0 D before cataract surgery were enrolled in Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital from August 2014 to April 2015 under the informed consent of patients.LRIs were performed on the eyes during the phacoemulsification and IOL implantation.The uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA),BCVA and optometry were recorded before operation and 1 day,1 week,1 month,3 months after operation.Pentacam was employed to measure the maximal and minimal diopters,astigmatism and high-order aberrations within 3 mm of the anterior corneal surface at above-mentioned time points.All the results were compared among different time points.The optometry outcomes and the anterior corneal surface astigmatism change were analyzed using vector analysis method.Results The UCVA was 0.34 ±0.22,0.38 ± 0.25,0.43±0.27,0.42±0.28 in 1 day,1 week,1 month and 3 months after operation,which was significantly higher than 0.08 ±0.09 before operation;and the BCVA was 0.54 ± 0.27,0.64 ± 0.29,0.67 ± 0.29,0.71 ± 0.32 in 1 day,1 week,1 month and 3 months after operation,showing a significant increase in comparison with 0.22±0.51 before operation(F=54.457,P=0.000;F =62.653,P =0.000).The refractive cylindrical error and corneal astigmatism were significantly decreased after operation in comparison with before operation (F =31.061,P =0.000;F =113.043,P=0.000).High order aberrations (HOA) at postoperative 1 day,1 week,1 month,3 months were all higher than those in preoperation (F =11.189,P =0.000) under the 4 mm pupil diameter.Compared with preoperation,the vertical coma,secondary vertical coma and three leaf clover were significantly increased(all at P＜0.05),but the horizontal coma and primary spherical aberration were not significantly changed (all at P＞0.05) under the 6 mm pupil diameter.Conclusions Phacoemulsification combined with LRI can reduce the corneal astigmatism effectively and steadily,and the increase of corneal aberrations does not affect visual acuity.

Background Obstructive meibomian gland dysfunction (OMGD) is due to the meibomian gland duct obstruction and/or meibum abnormal secretion.Meibomian gland morphological change is important to clinical observation.Objective This study aimed to image the meibomian gland structures and the morphological changes in eyes with OMGD using a non-contact infrared meibography system (Keratograph 5M).Methods A case-control study was performed in Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital from January to June in 2015.Sixty OMGD patients and 60 age-matched healthy controls were recruited.Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire was employed for the assess of ocular surface symptoms,and slit-lamp examination was performed for the observation of lid margin and meibomian gland orifices.Meibomian gland secretion scores and Keratograph 5M examination the morphological changes of the meibomian glands.According to OSDI questionnaire,the patients of OMGD were classified into mild group (12.0 ＜ OSDI ≤ 22.0) (23 eyes),moderate group (22.0 ＜ OSDI ≤ 32.0) (21 eyes) and severe group (32.0 ＜ OSDI ≤ 100.0) (16 eyes).Partial or complete loss of the meibomian glands (meibomian dropout) was scored from grade 0 (no loss) through out grade 3 (lost area was ＞2/3 of the total meibomian gland area).Written informed consent was obtained from all subjects before the examination.Results The OSDI,meibomian gland orifices,meibomian gland secretion scores and meibomian gland dropout scores were significantly higher,and BUT was dramatically shorter in the OMGD group than those in the normal group,showing significant differences between the two groups (Z =-9.425,-8.954,-7.781,all at P＜0.05).The BUT was (6.10± 1.91) s and (10.67-±2.11)s,and meibomian gland dropout scores were 1.35±0.90 and 0.88±0.64 in the OMGD group and normal control group,showing significant differences between the two groups (t=3.276,-12.418,both at P＜0.05).OSDI,meibomian gland secretion scores and meibomian gland dropout scores were significantly in three intergroups (H=52.121,13.642,37.180,all at P＜0.05).BUT,meibomian gland orifices were significantly different among the mild,moderate and severe OMGD (F=58.191,8.474,both at P＜0.05).OSDI showed a significantly high positive correlation with meibomian gland orifices,meibomian gland secretion scores and meibomian gland dropout scores (r =0.708,P =0.000;r =0.759,P =0.000;r =0.270,P =0.003).BUT showed negative correlation with meibomian parameters (r=-0.692,P=0.000;r=-0.691,P=0.000;r=-0.192,P=0.036).Conclusions Keratograph 5M provides an effective noninvasive method in assessing the image of the meibomian gland structures and meibomian gland dropout.There are differences in the ocular surface and meibomian glands between the OMGD patients and normal persons.

Along with the development of the modernization of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM), the acupunc-ture related software has also been developed. This article was aimed to combine traditional acupuncture therapy with the modern information technology in order to design software which is practical for clinical guidance in the acupoint selection and treatment according to diseases. This software provides a convenient and effective self-acupuncture treatment program for the public. It makes TCM acupuncture popular in the public and further pro-motes the development of TCM .

Background The incidence of dry eye is growing.However,the early diagnosis of dry eye is still difficult up to now.Keratograph 5M analyzer,a novel noninvasive ocular surface analyzer for dry eye may offer important parameters.Objective This study was to evaluate the clinical value of Keratograph 5M analyzer for clinical diagnosis of dry eye.Methods An observational study was proceeded with 88 cases who accepted myopia diagnosis in Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital from October to December 2013.A series of conventional dry eye-related examinations were performed on the patients,including tear film break-up time (TBUT),corneal fluorescein staining scoring,Schirmer Ⅰ test (S Ⅰ t),and then Keratograph 5M analyzer-related examinations were subsequently carried out,including noninvasive tear film break-up time (NITBUT) and conjunctival hyperemia scoring.The correlations between conventional dry eye-related examinations and Keratograph 5M analyzer-related examinations were assessed by using Spearman rank correlation analysis.Results A total of 88 patients were recruited with male 32 and female 56.No significant difference in age was found between different genders (P =O.34).In 88 patients,Keratograph 5M analyzer showed the non-dry eyes in 15 patients,suspicious 44 patients (50.0％) and dry eyes in 29 patients (33.0％).However,the non-dry eyes were checked out in 39 patients and dry eyes were in 49 (55.7％) based on China Dry Eye Clinical Diagnosis and Treatment Consensus.The first NITBUT (NITBUTf) was less than the average NITBUT (NITBUTav) (P =0.00),and a positive correlation was seen between them (rs =0.62,P =0.00).Dry eye grade was significantly correlated with NITBUTf or NITBUTav or conjunctival hyperemia scoring (rs =-0.60,P =0.00 ; r,=-0.89,P =0.00 ; rs =0.24,P =0.02).A negative correlation was found between the conjunctival hyperemia scoring and NITBUTav (rs =-0.24,P =0.02).However,no significant correlation was seen between conjunctival hyperemia scoring and NITBUTf,TBUT,S Ⅰ t or corneal fluorescein staining scoring (rs=-0.13,P=0.22;rs=0.16,P=0.14;rs =-0.16,P=0.13;rs=-0.08,P=0.44).No significant difference was found between TBUT and NITBUTf (P =0.71).And TBUT was correlated with NITBUTf (rs =0.23,P =0.03),but not NITBUTav (rs =0.18,P =0.09).In addition,no significant correlations were seen between S Ⅰ t and NITBUTf or NITBUTav (rs=0.20,P=0.07;rs=0.05,P=0.66).Conclusions NITBUTav has an important significance in assessing overall ocular surface conditions.The conjunctival hyperemia score is one of refrent indicators to judge ocular surface status.

Background Corneal transplantation is a primary method for the treatment of serious corneal diseases, but its application is limited because of the shortage of corneal donor.The study on tissue engineering corneal epithelium provides a new approach to corneal transplantation, and the biological scaffold materials for tissue engineering corneal epithelium is an issue of increasing concern.Bacterial cellulose membrane has been used in medical field,but its application in tissue engineering corneal epithelium deserves more researching.Objective This study was to evaluate the biocompatibility of bacterial cellulose membrane as a biological scaffold of tissue engineering corneal epithelium.Methods Corneal epithelium was isolated from 1 month-old New Zealand White rabbit.Corneal epithelial cells were cultured using explant method and identified by detecting the CK-3 expression using immunofluorescence technique.The second generation ceils were inoculated on bacterial cellulose membrane and culture plate, respectively, and the growth status of the cells were examined and compared under the optical microscope.The cell activity/toxicity test was performed by LIVE/DEAD cell staining kit at the third day after inoculation to evaluate the survival rate.The ultrastructure of the cell surface was examined under the scanning electron microscope.The study was performed in accordance with the ARVO Statement.Results Rabbit corneal epithelial cells grew well 1 week after primarily cultured with a cobblestone-like appearance and positive response for CK3 antibody.The cells on the bacterial cellulose membrane presented a round shape and regular arrangement and showed the green fluorescence for LIVE/DEAD test,with the survival rate 100％.Abundant leafy protrusion, microvilli and intercellular junction were seen under the scanning electron microscope.In addition, mitosis phase of cells and many filopodia between the cells and bacterial cellulose membrane were also exhibited.Conclusions Rabbit corneal epithelial cells can grow well in bacterial cellulose membrane.Bacterial cellulose membrane has good biocompatibility, indicating that bacterial cellulose membrane can be used as new biological material for tissue engineering corneal epithelium.

Objective To investigate the effect of cognition training on the recovery of balance after stroke. Methods forty-five hemiplegic strokd patents with cognition deficit were revruited and sddigned into an experimental group and a control group according to the results of an assessment with Loewenstein's Occupational Therapy Cognition Assessment battery (LOTCA). The patients in the two groups folloled routine systmatic rehabilitation programs. The patients in the (LOTCA). The patients in the two groups followed routine systmatic rehabilitation programs.The patiena in the experimental group received pertinent cognition training 5 days/week for 6 weeks. LOTCA,Brunel's Balance Assessment (BBA), the Berg Balance Scale (BBS) and Brunnatrom functional categories were enployed to evaluate the patients before and after treatment with regard to their cognition, balance control and motor function in their lower limbs. Results After treatment, there were statistically significant differences between preand post-treatment BBA and BBS scores in all groups. Average BBA, BBS and LOTCA scores in the experimental group were significantly higher than in the control group. The improvements in BBS, BBA and LOTCA scores in the experimental grou were significantly greater than in control group. Conclusion Cognition treatment can contribute significantly to improving balance and postural control among stroke survivors.

Background Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have been applied in basic and clinical researches of organ transplantation.Our previous study showed that intravenous injection of MSCs prolonged corneal allograft survival in rat.However,the effect of local administration of MSCs on corneal allograft rejection remains unclear.Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of subconjunctival injection of MSCs on corneal allograft rejection in rat model of keratoplasty.Methods MSCs were isolated and cultured from femur and tibia bone marrow of clean Wistar rats,and then the cells were identified by induced differentiation of osteoblast and adipocyte.The third generation of MSCs was used in subsequent experiment.Allogenic penetrating keratoplasty was performed with the bilateral corneas of 20 Wistar rats as donor grafts and the right eyes of 40 Lewis rats as recipients.PBS 0.1 ml containing 2 × 106 MSCs and 0.1 ml PBS only was subconjunctivally injected immediately and postoperative 3 days respectively in randomized two groups,and another 6 normal Lewis rats served as the normal control group.Corneal rejection response was evaluated under the slit lamp after surgery based corneal opacity,edema and neovascularization,and the grafts were scored according to the criteria of Larkin.The corneal samples were extracted from 12 rats of the PBS control group and the MSCs group separately 10 days after surgery.The relative expressions of Th1 cytokines (interferon-γ [IFN-γ] mRNA and interleukin-2 [IL-2] mRNA) and Th2 cytokines (IL-4 mRNA and IL-10 mRNA) were detected by real-time quantitative PCR.Protein levels of IL-4 and IL-10 proteins in the corneas were assayed by ELISA.All experimental protocols involving rats were approved by the laboratory animal care and use committee of the Tianjin Medical University and treated with the ARVO statement for the use of animals in ophthalmic and vision research.Results The cells grew well with the orange stain for alizarin red in differentiated the osteoblasts and red stain for Oil red O in differentiated adipocytes.The survival time of corneal graft in the MSCs group was (11.8±1.6) days,it was significantly longer than (9.6±1.4) days in the PBS control group (P=0.004).The levels of IL-4 mRNA and IL-10 mRNA in the MSCs group were significantly higher than those in the PBS control group (both at P =0.00);while the levels of IFN-γ mRNA and IL-2 mRNA were not significantly different between the groups (both at P＞0.05).The IL-10 protein contents were (22.74 ±7.06),(68.40±12.83) and (215.41 ±44.66)pg/ml in the normal control group,PBS control group and MSCs group,showing significant difference among the three groups (F =55.06,P =0.00) and a significant increase in the MSCs group compared with the PBS control group and the normal control group (both at P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Subconjunctival injection of MSCs prolongs the survival time of cornea allograft in penetrating keratoplasty probably by modulating the balance between Th1 and Th2 cytokines,especially by up-regulating Th2 cytokines.

Background Corneal confocal microscopy can denamically offer the morphological image of corneal cells at cellular level.To find out the dynamic change of corneal thickness and morphology of corneal cells with aging is very important for the design of corneal refractive surgery.ObjectivePresent study is to find out the important relevance of dynamic change of corneal thickness and morphology of corneal cells with aging and the design of corneal refractive surgery and investigate the influence of age on central corneal tissue and characterize precisely the anatomy of cornea by in vivo confocal microscopy.Methods122 eyes of 122 normal subjects were enrolled in this study with the age from 18 through 80 years old.The subjects were diagnosed as emmetropia in the Center of Tianjin Medical University from August 2003 to December 2007.All eyes were examined in vivo by confocal microscopy.The cell morphology,cell density and corneal thickness were measured by confocal microscopy.The relationship of central corneal tissue change and age was evaluated.ResultsThe density of corneal superficial basement epithelial cells showed a significantly negative correlation with age (r=-0.355,P=0.017).The keratocyte density in the anterior and posterior stroma indicated a significantly negative correlation with age (r_1=-0.462,P=0.001;r_2=-0.403,P=0.016).The thickness of corneal epithelium cells had a significantly negative correlation with age (P=0.02).The mean value of total corneal thickness and stromal thickness in high myopic eyes was (523.2±26.20)μm and (468.4±20.72)μm respectively,presenting a significantly negative correlation with age (r_1=-0.552,P=0.014;r_2=-0.545,P=0.035).A significantly negative correlation was also found in endothelial cell areas and density with age (r_1=0.417,P=0.004;r_2=-0.598,P=0.002).The percentage of polymorphological corneal endothelial cells was considerably increased(r=0.417,P=0.004)but that of pleomorphism cells was significantly decreased in >60-year-old population compared with younger subjects (r=-0.598,P=0.002).The morphology of corneal basement cell,anterior stroma cytocyte and endothelial cell were normal in younger subjects,and enlargement of the cells in size,decreases of number and density of the cells were found in >60-year-old subject.ConclusionThe anatomy and histology of the central cornea in young subjects exist discrepancy from older ones.The corneal hisological changes with aging include thinner thickness of epithelium,thinner thickness of cornea,decreased density of keratocyte and endothelial cells and increased size of endothelial cells.Corneal thickness is asymmetric and seems to undergo age-related anatomic changes.

Objective To assess the optical quality after implantation of the intraocular contact lens with and without a central hole for high myopia.Methods A total of 23 patients (41eyes),including 11 patients (21 eyes) implanted with V4 ICL (V4 ICL group) and 12 patients (20 eyes) with V4 c ICL implantation (V4 c ICL group) were enrolled in this research.Six months after operation,slit lamp microscope was used to check the anterior segment,and LogMAR chart was to test uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA).Moreover,automatic refractometer was to measure the spherical equivalent (SE) and astigmatic diopter before and after the operation.OQAS parameters included objective scattering index (OSI),modulation transfer function (MTF),Stryrby (SR),OQAS values (OV100％,OV20％,OV9％) at different contrast level were examined.Results In both groups,the parameters of UCVA (logMAR),BCVA (logMAR),SE and astigmatic diopter at 6 months after operation were significantly improved compared with before operation,with significant difference (all P ＜ 0.05).There was no siguificant difference in the UCVA,BCVA,SE and astigmatic diopter between the two groups before operation and 6 months after operation (all P ＞ 0.05).Moreover,the values of MTFcutoff,SR,and OQAS visual parameters (OV100％,OV20％ and OV9％) at 6 months after operation were significantly higher than those before operation between the two groups,and the difference was statistically significant (all P ＜ 0.05),while OSI was lower than preoperative data,but there was no significant difference in OSI between the two groups (P ＜ 0.05).There was no significant difference in OQAS visual quality parameters,including OSI,MTFcutoff,SR,and OV100％,OV20％ and OV9％,between the two groups (all P ＞ 0.05).Conclusion It is safe and effective of the two types of intraocular contact lens implantation for correction of high myopia,and V4 c ICL can achieve the similar visual quality to the traditional V4 ICL.