AIM: To study central corneal thickness ( CCT ) and correlation in different degrees of diabetic retinopathy ( DR) .
METHODS:A total of 65 cases (130 eyes) with different degrees of DR and 35 normal cases (70 eyes) as the age-and gender-matched control group were examined by corneal endothelial microscope, to measure CCT and statistics
RESULTS: Compared to control group, there were no significant difference of CCT both mild and medium nonproliferative diabetic retinopathy ( NPDR) groups ( P>0. 05 ). While the CCT of severe NPDR group and proliferative diabetic retinopathy ( PDR ) group were thicker than control group, and the differences were statistically significant (P<0. 05); Pairwise comparison in different degrees of DR groups: the CCT of severe NPDR and mild NPDR groups were thicker than PDR group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0. 05 );compared to medium NPDR, the CCT of PDR was thicker (P<0. 05);The thickness of CCT increases with severity of DR, there was positive linear correlation ( r=0. 173, P<0-05).
CONCLUSION: The CCT increases with severity of DR. Taking care of protecting corneal endothelium is very important in the time of therapeutic measure, especially intraocular operation, to decrease complication.

Adult ; Female ; Humans ; Lacrimal Apparatus ; immunology ; Lymphocytes ; immunology ; Male ; Mucous Membrane ; immunology

The gene nhaA encodes functional protein that may play an important role in salt tolerance of Escherichia coli In order to study bacteria salt tolerance, a pair of primers were designed according to public nhaA sequence and was used to amplify 1 1kb DNA fragment with PCR The nhaA gene from E coli DH5?was cloned into a T vector and sequence analyses reveal that the cloned fragment contains entire nhaA gene coding region To apply the method of homology analysis,the result shows that many kinds of bacterium have nhaA gene, such as E coli K12, E coli O157:H7, Salmonella typhimurium and Salmonella enterica , et al This analysis suggests that nhaA gene lie generally in bacterial; and it has intimate relation with salt tolerance of E coli that may be of great importance in improvement of the salt tolerance of plant

Objective To explore the potential value of serum lipoxin A4 (LXA4) in monitoring bacterial load and anti-tuberculosis treatment progression in patients with pulmonary tuberculosis (PTB). Methods From January 2021 to January 2022, forty patients with active PTB, who were admitted to Shaanxi Provincial Tuberculosis Prevention and Control Hospital, were selected as the active PTB group, 38 patients with latent tuberculosis infection (LTBI) were selected as the LTBI group, and 28 healthy volunteers who underwent physical examination in our hospital during the same period were included as the healthy control group. The active PTB patients received a 2-month standard anti-tuberculosis chemotherapy, while the other two groups were untreated. Fasting venous blood was drawn from the three groups at enrollment (baseline), after 2 months of treatment, and upon the completion of 6 months of treatment in the active PTB group to measure serum LXA4 levels using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The relationship between serum LXA4 level and clinical manifestations, bacterial load, chest imaging manifestations, and treatment progress was analyzed. Results At baseline, serum LXA4 levels in the active PTB group, LTBI group, and healthy control group were [397.72 (210.68, 573.00)], [178.18 (108.17, 271.87)], and [131.06 (76.24, 166.04)] pg/mL, respectively. The levels in the active PTB and LTBI groups were significantly higher than those in the healthy control group, with statistical significance (P<0.01). According to the grading of acid-fast bacilli (AFB) sputum smears at diagnosis, baseline serum LXA4 level increased in the active PTB group with AFB sputum smear grade (P<0.001), and there was a positive correlation between serum LXA4 level and sputum smear grade (rs=0.209, P=0.003). After 6 months of treatment, the serum LXA4 level in the active PTB group was lower than the baseline value (P=0.002). The serum LXA4 level can predict treatment progress, with a baseline sensitivity of 55.0% (22/40), and after 6 months of treatment, 8 patients (20.0%) still showed positive serum LXA4 levels. Conclusions Serum LXA4 may be a useful biomarker for monitoring the progression of PTB treatment.

Background Proliferation of the human Tenon capsule fibroblasts(HTFs) is a main cause of failure of filtering surgery.To search the drug of inhibiting the growth of the HTFs is essential for the improvement of successful rate of filtering surgery.Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the inhibitory effect of apigenin on HTFs and its mechanism.Methods Human Tenon capsular tissue was obtained during the strabismus correction surgery.HTFs was primarily cultured using explant method and identified using vimentin by immunochemistry.The 3-5 generation of cells were incubated to 96-well plate.Apigenin of 0,20,40,80,160 μmol/L was added into the medium,respectively,for 24,48,72 hours,and the proliferation of HTFs was detected by sulfonyl chloride (SRB) at the wavelength of 560 nm (A560).Bromodeoxyuridine (BrdU) of 10 μg/L was added to culture the cells for 48 hours to calculate the labeling rate of BrdU.The morphology of the cells was observed using Hoechst 33258 staining,and apoptosis and cells cycle were evaluated by flow cytometry.Results Cultured cells grew well with the positive response for vimentin,showing the green fluorescence in cytoplasm.SRB assay showed that the A560 value was gradually declined with the increase of the dosage of apigenin and prolong of time (Fgroup =480.306,P =0.000 ; Ftime =555.144,P =0.000).The labeling rate after 0,40,80 μmol/L apigenin acted for 48 hours was (87.860 ±0.632)％,(61.520±4.306)％ and (23.480±4.472)％,showing a significant difference among the three groups (F =299.347,P =0.000).The labeling rate of HTFs for BrdU was significantly decreased in the 40 and 80 μmol/L apigenin groups compared with the 0 μmol/L apigenin group (P＜0.05).Hoechse 33258 staining found that the number of the HTFs was gradually decreased and the cell number of karyopyknosis and nuclear deformation was increased with the increase of apigenin dosage.Percentage of cells in G0/G1 phase were raised and that in S and G2/M phase were declined in the higher dosage apigenin group,with a significant difference among the different groups (FG0/G1 =58.621,P=0.000;Fs =32.357,P=0.001 ;FG2/M =83.998,P=0.000).In the 72nd hour after acted by 0,40,80,160 μmol/L apigenin,the apoptosis rate of HTFs was (4.77±0.21) ％,(13.24±1.35)％,(18.33±1.86) ％,(31.58 ± 2.77) ％,respectively,with a statistically significant difference among the four groups (F =204.791,P＜0.05).Conclusions Apigenin restrains the growth of HTFs by evoking G0/G1 cell cycle arrest and inducing apoptosis in a dosage-and time-dependent manner.

AIM:To research the effects of lithium chloride on transforming growth factor beta (TGF-β) and connective tissue growth factor (CTGF) in cultured human Tenon capsule fibroblasts (HTFs) and explore its mechanism.METHODS:HTFs were cultured and identified by vimentin staining with immunofluorescence and the morphological characteristics.The experimental group was processed 48h with LiCl in concentration of 80mmol/L, the control group without LiCl.The mRNA expression of TGF-β and CTGF in two groups were analyzed with real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction (real time-qPCR) and the protein expression was detected with Western blot.RESULTS:The cultured HTFs expressed TGF-β and CTGF.The mRNA expression of TGF-β and CTGF significantly decreased compared with the control group(t=20.042, 14.995, P<0.05).the protein expression of TGF-β and CTGF also decreased significantly compared with the control group(t=46.058、12.452, P<0.05)CONCLUSION:The cultured HTFs can express TGF-β and CTGF in mRNA and proteins' level.LiCl can reduce the expression of TGF-β and CTGF both in gene and proteins' level.LiCl has the potential to modulate wound healing for glaucoma filtration surgery.

Objective: To find out the pathomechanism of low back and leg pain related to intervertebral disc. Methods: The nucleus pulposus of coccygeal vertebral was transplanted to the cavum epidurale of rats to establish the non-compressive model with transplanted nucleus pulposus. The evoke potentials and morphology of nerve roots were observed. Results: Even without mechanical compression, rats transplanted with nucleus pulposus resulted in significant harm to evoked potential and morphology of cauda equina. Conclusion: The biomechanical and/or immunologic inflammatory effect of nucleus pulposus can result in nerve roots injury and is an important factor in the pathogenesis of low back and leg pain.

Objective To evaluate the safety and efficacy of 125I radioactive seeds implantation combined with postoperative chemotherapy as a treatment option for thoracic advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma(ESCC). Methods A prospective cohort study was carried out between 2000and 2005. According to preoperative CT staging criteria,298 patients in phase Ⅱ-Ⅲ of ESCC, who had were admitted to Oncology Center Surgery of Nanjing First Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University and Thoracic Surgery of YanCheng Oncology Hospital, were randomly divided into three groups: intraoperative 125I seeds implantation combined with postoperative chemotherapy (group A, 98cases), postoperative chemoradiotherapy (group B, 100 cases) and surgery alone (group C, 100cases). All patients received radical resection of esophageal cancer. According to pTNM staging criteria after operation, 233 patients in phase Ⅱb-Ⅲ of ESCC were finally enrolled in the study (78 in group A, 75 in group B, and 80 in group C). With 0. 5 m Ci of single seed, total activity of 5-11 mCi and matched peripheral dose in 60-70 Gy, 10-22 125I seeds were implanted into the target of patients in group A under direct vision in accordance with treatment planning system. The validation and quality assessment of radioactive seeds were demonstrated according to CT scan or X-ray imaging. The postoperative complications were observed. The local recurrence of the cancer was demonstrated using CT scan. The survival rate of patients was followed up for 1-,3-,5- and 10 years. Results The satisfied quality assessment of 125I seeds was observed. There was no displacement or loss of seed. The local recurrence in group A, B and C was 11. 5%, 13. 3% and 38. 8%, respectively, with statistical significance (P ＜ 0. 05). There was no significant difference among three groups with respect to complications and 1-year survival (P＞0. 05). However, the overall survival rate 3-, 5- and 10-years was 64.8%,37. 7% and 25. 1% in group A respectively; 63.3%, 36.9% and 24.9% in group Brespectively; 43. 6i%, 25.0%, and 12.6% in group C, respectively (all P＜0. 05). The 3-,5- and 10-year progression free survival rates were 63.5 %, 37.4 % and 15.1% in group A respectively; 62.5 %,36.6% and 14. 4% in group B respectively; 42.5%, 25.6% and 6.2% in group C respectively (all P＜0. 05). Conclusions It is a safe, effective and simple method for intraoperative 125I seeds implantation combined with postoperative chemotherapy in treatment of advanced ESCC, which may reduce the local recurrence and improve survival rates in patients with ESCC.

Objective To detect the expression of interleukin (IL)-18 of the peripheral blood cells and IL-18 receptor α chain(IL-18Rα) on the surface of CD_3~+ cells in patients newly diagnosed as immune thrombocytopenia (ITP) before medication and to explore the roles of IL-18 and IL-18Rα in the development of ITP. Methods Eighteen out-patients or inpatients with acute ITP accepting treatment in Qilu Hospital were enrolled in this study and 15 matching healthy subjects were taken as control. Plasma IL-18 level was detected with enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the expression of IL-18Rα on CD_3~+ lymphocytes and total lymphoeytes were measured with flow cytometry; T-bet and GATA-3 mRNA were measured with reverse transcriptase polymcrase chain reaction (RT-PCR). Results The expression of IL-18 in acute ITP plasma was (468. 57 ± 141.62) ng/L and IL-18Rα on the surface of CD_3~+ cells and lymphocytes were (8.50 ±3. 16)% and (9. 16±2.98)% respectively. The levels of IL-18 and IL-18Rα were increased in active ITP patients as compared with those in the controls (P <0. 05). The levels of IL-18 mRNA (0. 12 ±0. 02) and T-bet mRNA (0. 07 ±0. 02) were significantly increased in patients with active ITP as compared with those in the controls (P <0.05), while GATA-3 mRNA (0.0039±0.0014) were significantly decreased in patients with active ITP (P < 0. 05). The balance between T-bet and GATA-3 was significantly disturbed in ITP. Conclusions Through the variation of the levels of gene and protein, our study showed that IL-18 and IL-18Rα might upregulate the expression of Th1-cytokines in ITP patients. It is also suggested that IL-18 has potential association with the development of ITP. Especially, it may provide a new treatment method for ITP by regulating the ratio of T-bet and GATA-3 and resuming the balance of Th1/ Th2.

BACKGROUND: Overexpression of phosphorylated Tau protein is a factor of dementia, and scholars abroad find that APP17 peptide may have effect on it.OBJECTIVE: To observe changes of phosphorylated Tau protein Ser202/Thr205 of mice with diabetes mellitus (DM) after injection of APP17 peptide.DESIGN: Randomized control study.SETTING: Department of Pathology, Capital University of Medical Sciences; Department of Brain Aging, Xuanwu Hospital, Capital University of Medical Sciences.MATERIALS: The experiment was carried out in the Pathological Department of Capital University of Medical Sciences and Brain Aging Department of Beijing Xuanwu Hospital. A total of 18 male Kunming mice of 8 weeks old and weighing 28-32 g were randomly divided into control group, DM group and APP17 peptide group with 6 in each group.METHODS: DM models were induced by streptozotocin (STZ) through selectively destroying β-islet cells; meanwhile, APP17 peptide was intraperitoneally injected into mice. Four weeks later, brain tissue underwentimmunohistochemical staining with AT-8 (Ser202/Thr205, a special monoclonal antibody).MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: ① Morphological observation; ② AT-8 distribution; ③ quantitative analysis of immunohistochemical staining.RESULTS: Positive AT-8 cells in DM group were distributed in retrosplenial cortex, hippocampus, thalamus, hypothalamus, etc.; however, those incontrol and APP17 peptide groups were only distributed in retrosplenial cortex and hippocampus, and poorly stained.CONCLUSION: Positive AT-8 cells may be widely distributed in neurons of brains of DM mice; however, APP17 peptide may normalize the expression of positive AT-8 cells.