Keratocytes situated between the collagen lamellae in the corneal stroma,are mitotically quiescent cells.The cells can secrete collagens and keratan sulfate proteoglycans which contribute to the transparency of the cornea.Upon injury,keratocytes are stimulated to corrent apoptosis and transite into repair phenotypes,fibroblast and myofibroblast.These repair phenotypes can either promote regeneration or induce fibrotic scar,and the latter is detrimental to the otherwise transparent cornea.Moreover,a population of keratocytes can be induced to appear the stem cell-like characteristics.Therefore,keratocytes are no longer bystanders,but active participants in numerous functions.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of herbal decoction Kugan Yin for cystic hyperplasia of breast.Methods The 131 cases of cystic hyperplasia of breast in phlegm combining qi stagnation syndrome were randomized into treatment group(68 cases)which was treated by Kugan Yin and control group(63 cases)which was treated by Rupixiao Tablets(Tablets for dissolving breast nodules).The changes of symptoms and signs,level of serum sexual hormone and molybdenum target mammography analysis of two groups were observed for comparison.Results The total effective rate of treatment group was obviously better than that of con- trol group(P

Background The pathogenesis of dry eye is complicated,hormone level is thought to be one of impact factors in the development of dry eye.The regulation of the synthesis process of metalloproteinases(MMPs) in tissue has been reported.However,the effects of hormone on expression of MMP-2 in lachrymal gland is not clear.Objective This study was to investigate the effects of estrogen and androgen on the expression of MMP-2 in lachrymal gland in ovariectomized rats,and explore the role of MMP-2 in dry eye.Methods Sixty-four 3-monthold clean female Wistar rats were randomized into control group(8 rats),sham operation group(8 rats)and experiment group(48 rats).Ovariectomy(OVX) was performed on the rats of experiment group,and only fat tissue of abdominal cavity was cut off in the rats of the sham operation group.After 5 months of OVX,the experimental rats were subdivided into model control group,vehicle group,estrogen and androgen systemic or topical utilization groups and 8 rats for each group.Six weeks after administration of the drugs,the lachrymal gland was obtained.The expression of MMP-2 mRNA in the lachrymal gland was detected by reverse transcription PCR(RT-PCR),β-actin mRNA was used as an internal control,and the expression of MMP-2 protein was detected by Western blot,GAPDH was used as protein loading control.The use and care of the rats complied with the ARVO Statement.Results The expression of MMP-2 mRNA was strongest in the systemic estrogen group and was weakest in the systemic androgen utilization group.A significant difference in the MMP-2 mRNA expression was found among the 8 groups(F=18.60,P＜0.01),and the MMP-2 mRNA was significantly higher in the model group than that of the normal control group(0.66±0.10vs.0.47±0.10)(q=3.01,P＜0.05).In addition,the MMP-2 mRNA was significantly higher in the systemic estrogen group compared with the model group (0.83 ±0.10 vs.0.66-0.10) (q =2.79,P＜0.05) ; while the expression of MMP-2 mRNA was significantly declined in the systemic androgen group in comparison with the model group(0.12±0.04 vs.0.66±0.10)(q=11.41,P＜0.01).The MMP-2 protein presented with a strongest expression in the systemic estrogen utilization group and a weakest expression in the systemic androgen utilization groups.The expression level of the MMP-2 protein in the lachrymal gland was significantly different among the 8 groups(F =7.28,P＜0.01).The MMP-2 in the model group was significantly higher than that of the normal group(0.55±0.13 vs.0.38±0.08) (q =2.39,P＜0.05),and that in the systemic estrogen group was increased in comparison with the model group(0.69±0.12 vs.0.55±0.13) (q =1.85,P＜0.05).However,the MMP-2 in the systemic androgen group was significantly lowed in comparison with the model group(0.27±0.07 vs.0.55±0.13) (q =4.32,P＜0.01).Conclusions Estrogen may up-regulate the expression of MMP-2 in lachrymal gland,but the effect of androgen is opposite.Hormone level may play an important role in the regulation of the function of lachrymal gland.

BCG Vaccine ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes ; complications ; Panniculitis ; etiology ; T-Lymphocytes ; Tuberculosis ; etiology

Arteriovenous Malformations ; therapy ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Pulmonary Artery ; abnormalities ; Pulmonary Veins ; abnormalities ; Septal Occluder Device

BackgroundIt has been proved that,after being forced,the biological soft tissue has stable biomechanical characteristics.However,there is rare study on corneal biomechanics.Rabbit is a main animal for experimental study in ophthalmology.But the biomechanical study of cornea in normal rabbit has not been reported.ObjectiveThis study was to investigate the biomechanical properties of normal rabbit central cornea and acquire the parameter. Methods Ten rabbits were sacrificed and the whole corneas were obtained and 20 central cornea specimens with 7 mm×5 mm of rabbit were prepared and tested on BOSE electroforce 3220-AT biomechanics machine under the room temperature and suitable humidity environment.Uniaxial tension,stress between strain,relaxation and creep were performed and the curves were drawn.The data was collected by wintest system to evaluate the biomechanical parameters of rabbit corneal tissue. ResultsThe maximum distortion intension of rabbit cornea was (7.7432±0.6099)MPa.After three cyclic loading,the stress gradually attenuated and the stress and strain flattened as the time change with the relaxation rate 30.33％.The deformation of the specimens enhanced with time decrease with the creep rate 24.33％. ConclusionsThe biomechanical characteristics of normal rabbit cornea are revealed in this study,which offer the basis for the experimental research of rabbit model aimed at corneal disease.

Animals ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Embryo, Mammalian ; metabolism ; Female ; Mice ; Pregnancy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

Humans ; Job Satisfaction ; Occupational Health ; Reward ; Stress, Psychological ; physiopathology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Workload

Background Researches demonstrated that dendritic cells(DCs) are uniformly immature in the central cornea but mature in the peripheral region of cornea.So an important question is which factor impact the maturation of DCs,especially in terms of corneal transplant rejection and the known roles of DCs in the development and persistence of some corneal diseases.Objective This study aimed to examine whether corneal stroma cells (CSCs) inhibit DCs maturation through secreting transforming growth factor beta 2 (TGF-β2) and prostaglandin E2 (PGE2).Methods DCs,T cells and CSCs were isolated and cultured from clean BALB/c and C57BL/6 mice.The level of PGE2 and TGF-β2in CSCs culture supernatant and the fresh RPMI 1640 medium were then analyzed by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).During the DCs maturation stage,the neutralizing TGF-β2 antibody and the EP2 receptor antagonist AH6809 were added in the CSCs culture supernatant respectively.According to the different treatment,cultured cells were assigned to different groups as follows:control group,CSCs culture supernatant group,AH6809 group,TGF-β2 antibody group,AH6809 +TGF-β2 antibody group.Subsequently,the cellular surface markers for DCs,including CD11c,CD80,CD86,and MHC- Ⅱ,were analyzed by flow cytometry.The capability of stimulating the proliferation of T lymphocytes was evaluated by allogeneic mixed lymphocyte reactions,and the function of endocytosis was assessed by fluorescein isothiocyanate-dextran(FITC) uptake.Results The data of ELISA showed a higher concentration of TGF-β2 and PGE2 in murine CSCs culture supernatant than in the fresh RPMI 1640 medium.Compared with the CSCs culture supernatant group,the expression of CD80,CD86,and MHC- Ⅱ was up-regulated ( P ＜ 0.05 ),the expression of dextran was down-regulated ( P ＜ 0.05 ),and the stimulate index was increased( P＜ 0.05 ) in the TGF-β2 antibody group; the expression of CD86,and MHC-Ⅱ was up-regulated (P＜0.05),the expression of dextran was down-regulated ( F =13.740,P =0.006 ),and the stimulate index was increased(P＜0.05) in the AH6809 group;the expression of MHC-Ⅱ was up-regulated and the stimulate index was increased with statistical difference in interaction(P＜0.05 ) in the AH6809+TGF-β2 antibody group.Compared with the control group,the expression of CD80 and CD86,and the stimulate index was still lower(P＜0.05 ).Conclusions TGF-β2 and PGE2 contribute to the inhibitory effects on DCs maturation mediated by murine CSCs in vitro and further have additive effect on the immunosuppression of DCs.

Background Recently researches indicated that estrogen plays important role in maintaining the normal metabolism of lens. Objective This study was to investigate the changes of estrogen receptor( ER ) α and β expressions in lens upon estrogen level in castrated female rat. Methods Sixty clean adult female Wistar rats were randomized into castrated group,sham operation group,ovariectomy group,ovariectomy with low-dose estradiol eyedropping group,ovariectomy with high-dose estradiol eyedropping group,ovariectomy with low-dose estradiol injecting group and ovariectomy with high-dose estradiol injecting group,and 10 rats for each.The castrated animal models were established by ovariectomy for 5 months.Then 50％,100％ oestradiol benzoate eyedrops were used 4 times per day respectively and 0.2 or 0.4 mg/kg oestradiol benzoate were intramuscularly injected at two-day interval for 6 weeks in corresponding experimental group.Serum estradiol concentration was detected in the rats of various groups at 5 months after ovariectomy and 6 weeks after administration of estradiol benzoate.The animals were sacrificed using the excessive anesthesia method and the lenses were obtained for the assay of ERα and ERβ expressions.The use of the animals complied with the Statement of ARVO. Results No obvious opacification of lenses and the changes of structure and morphology in lens were seen in the rats of various groups under the slit lamp microscope and light microscope during the observing duration after ovariectomy.The significant differences were found in serum estradiol concentrations among the 6 groups ( F=15490.527,P=0.000) or between before and after usage of estradiol benzoate( F=943.236,P =0.001 ).Six weeks after usage of estradiol benzoate,the expressions of ERα and ERβ in the lenses were lower in the castrated group,ovariectomy with high-dose estradiol eyedropping group and ovariectomy with low-dose estradiol injecting group compared with the the sham operative group (P＜0.05),but those in the ovariectomy with low-dose estradiol eyedropping group and ovariectomy with high-dose estradiol injecting group were elevated in comparison with above groups( P＜0.05 ),and expressions of ERα and ERβ in the lenses were similar to the sham operative group ( ERα:28.04±6.80 vs.31.30±7.11 ;ERβ:27.75±7.13 vs.25.38±5.59).Mean A values of ERα and ERβ in the lenses were lower in the castrated group,ovariectomy with high-dose estradiol eyedropping group and ovariectomy with low-dose estradiol injecting group compared with the sham operative group (P＜0.05),but those in the ovariectomy with low-dose estradiol eyedropping group and ovariectomy with high-dose estradiol injecting group were elevated in comparison with above groups ( P＜0.05 ),and mean 4 values of ERα and ERβ in the lenses were similar to the sham operative group (ERα:0.1833 ±0.0087 vs.0.1859 ±0.0067; ERβ:0.1689±0.0059 vs.0.1686±0.0095). Conclusions The expressions of ERα and ERβ in the LECs are associated with the level of serum estradiol.The effects of estrogen on lens were different by different medication way.Low-dose estradiol eyedropping was a more feasible approach to the prevention of cataract.