AIM: To study whether there was a correlation between central foveal thickness (CFT) assessed with optical coherence tomography (OCT) and visual acuity of patient with high myopia after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation.METHODS: Totally 67 patients with high myopia underwent phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation were enrolled in the study.Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was recorded and CFT was measured using OCT at 1wk,1 and 3mo after oerations.BCVA and CFT were compared before and after the operation.All patents were divided into two groups by the BCVA at 3mo after operation,BCVA>0.5 in Group A and BCVA≤0.5 in Group B.ANOVA,Spearman correlation analysis and independent t test were used for statistical analysis.RESULTS: There was a statistically significant difference between preoperative BCVA and postoperative BCVA (F=115.04,P<0.01).Preoperative CFT was different compared with that 1wk and 1mo after operation (P=0.04,0.02) and was not different with that 3mo after operation(P=0.52).There was a statistically significant difference in CFT of postoperative 3-month compared with that of postoperative 1-week(P<0.01) or that of postoperative 1-month (P<0.01).BCVA showed significant positive correlation with CFT without foveal lesion on postoperative 3mo (r=0.28,P=0.03).CFT of Group A and Group B was significantly different at 3mo after the operation (t=-2.24,P=0.03).There was no significant difference in age and intraocular lens of two groups.CONCLUSION: Optical coherence tomography allow for objective assessment of retinal construction changes in eyes with high myopia are correlated to visual acuity.

Objective To explore the mechanism of CTL dysfunction in HCV infected person, to provide a theoretical basis for further understanding the pathogenesis of hepatitis C and the development of HCV vaccines. Methods HCV nucleopolypeptides were selected and synthesized with the method of solid phase synthesis. BALB/c mice were immunized subcutaneously with HCV nucleopolypeptides, and CTL activity of mice was detected by LDH releasing test. Results CTL of mice could be inhibited by HCV nucleopolypeptides residues 39-74, 67-76, 71-80 and enhanced by HCV nucleopolypeptides residues 5 23,63 72,131 140. Conclusion The function of CTL can be suppressed and intensified by different HCV nucleopolypeptides.

Objective To establish practical cell model of HCV infection, and investigate the susceptibility of a human liver cell line HepG2 to hepatitis C virus in vitro. Methods A human liver cell line HepG2 was incubated with serum from a chronic hepatitis C patient for 6～8 hours. Both the plus and minus strands of HCV RNA in infected cells or supernatant were examined by reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT PCR). The HCV NS 3,NS 5 antigens in infected cells were respectively detected with the monoclonal antibodies to antigens of their own by immunohistochemical assay. The minus strand of HCV RNA in infected cells were localized by in situ hybridization. Results The intracellular plus or minus stands of HCV RNA were first detected on day 3 post incubation and then could be intermittently detected until day 35 post incubation in cells or supernatant. The positive signals of NS 3,NS 5 antigens could be expressed within cytoplasm of infected cells. The minus strand of HCV RNA was located within cytoplasm by in situ hybridization. Conclustions These results show that a human liver cell line HepG2 is not only susceptible to HCV but also able to support its long time replication in vitro.

Objective To investigate the pathogenesis of cytotoxic T cell (CTL) dysfunction in patients with HCV infection. Methods CTL detecting system was established. Two polypeptides which could enhance CTL function and two polypeptides which could inhibit CTL function were selected and cross-combined. BALB/c mice were immunized by subcutaneous injection of the combined polypeptides, and the CTL activity in mouse spleen cells was detected by LDH release test. Results CTL activity in BLAB/c mice immunized by polypeptides in the core region of HCV could be enhanced by CPA10 (5-23 aa) and inhibited by CPA9 (39-74 aa). CTL activity in the mice could be enhanced by polypeptides from the HCV core region, CPB2+CPB8, and CPB6+CPB8, respectively. There was no obvious difference between CPB2+CPB7, CPB6+CPB7 and the negative control. Two-factor analysis of variance showed that there was reciprocal action between the inhibitory and enhancing polypeptides from the HCV core region. Conclusion CTL activity in BLAB/c mice can be detected stably by LDH. There is an interactive effect between the inhibitory and enhancing polypeptides from the HCV core region.

Objective: To discuss the pathologic and clinical characteristics of papillary urothelial neoplasm with low malignant potential (PUNLMP). Methods: We retrospectively analyzed 41 cases of PUNLMP confirmed by pathological examination from 2003 to 2006 and selected 28 cases of urothelial papilloma and 51 cases of low-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma as control. Results: Forty one cases of PUNLMP (male 31; female 10, ranging from 33 to 87 years, average 61.6 years) were recruited in this study. Recurrence occurred in 6 cases (15%) with the mean recurrence period of 24.6 months. No progression was detected by pathological examination. Four patients had multiple tumors, among them 2 (50%) cases recurred. In 28 cases of urothelial papilloma, recurrence was observed in 1 (4%) case with no progression. In 51 cases of low-grade papillary urothelial carcinoma, 18 (35%) cases experienced recurrence and 5 cases (10%) had progressed disease. The difference in recurrence rate among the three groups was significant (P = 0.002). Conclusion: PUNLMP has its own pathologic and clinical characteristics. The term "low maligant potential" is more appropriate than "carcinoma". Long-term follow-up is needed after surgery because of high recurrence rate.

Objective To establish a simple animal model and the cytotoxic T cell(CTL) detecting system for the studies of the effects of CTL on HCV infection. Methods The CTL activity in BLAB/c mice immunized by polypeptides in the core region of HCV was detected with lactic dehydrogenase (LDH) by using SP2/O cells as the target cells. Results CTL activity in BLAB/c mice immunized by polypeptides in the core region of HCV could be detected with LDH. The activity could be enhanced by CPA10(5～23 aa) but inhibited by CPA9(39～74 aa). Conclusion CTL activity in BLAB/c mice can be detected stably by LDH.

Age-related macular degeneration(AMD), the most common cause of irreversible blindness over 50 years in developed countries, is a degenerative disease occurs with age. The prevalence rate in our country is also increasing by year and the pathogenesis is still undiscovered. In this review, we focus on the associated risk factors reported in recent years, aim to further understand the pathogenesis of AMD.

Objective To investigate the expression levels of interferon-?-inducible protein 30 genes in CD4~(+) T cells of systemic lupus erythematosus(SLE) patients and to evaluate the relations between the gene expression levels and the disease activities.Methods The clinical data of 23 SLE patients and 10 normal controls were collected.Peripheral blood was drawn and CD4~(+)T cells were separated by using immunomagnetic cell sorting system(MACS).Total RNA was extracted and reversely transcribed into cDNA.Screening and identification of IP-30 in LongSAGE Tags from a SLE patient was done by generation of longer cDNA fragments from serial analysis of gene expression(SAGE) tags for gene identification.Results IP30 expression levels of the total SLE patients were significantly higher than those of normal controls(P

Objective To isolate melanocytes from epidermis and identify their biological characters. Methods Taking TPA/bFGF/IBMX as basic supplements in medium DMEM/F12(1∶1), the cultured cells from the resected foreskin were purified with trypsin digestion and G418 selection, and the cellular structure and function were observed by Dopa-staining, melanin content assay, tyrosinase activity assay and immunohistochemical staining. Results Dopa-staining showed that the cultured melanocytes had melanin synthesis, melanin content assay and tyrosinase activity assay showed the tyrosinase function of the cells was normal, immunohistochemical staining demonstrated the cell differentiation was normal. Conclusion Melanocytes could be cultured by TPA/bFGF/IBMX and would maintain normal structure and biological function under such conditions.

Objective To observe the effect of sinomenine(SN) in vitro on nuclear factor-?B(NF-?B) DNA binding activity and nuclear translocation of synoviocytes in collagen-induced arthritis(CIA) rats and explore its antiinflammatory mechanisms.Methods The experimental model of CIA rats was used and synoviocytes were collected.Cells were divided into five groups:normal control,CIA,CIA+10 ?mol/L methotrexate(MTX),CIA+50 ?mol/L SN,CIA+500 ?mol/L SN.Nuclear translocation of NF-?B p65 subunit and NF-?B DNA binding activity of synoviocytes were investigated by fluorescence labelling laser confocal scanning microscopy and electrophoretic mobility shift assay(EMSA) respectively.Results Compared to normal control,significant nuclear translocation of NF-?B p65 subunit was observed and NF-?B DNA binding activity was increased in synoviocytes of CIA rats(P