Costimulatory signals have become a hot field in immunological researches. As co-inhibitory molecules, programmed death-1 ( PD-1) and its ligands (PD-1/PD-L) have been demonstrated to play an important role in autoimmune disease, organ transplant rejection, microorganism infection, tumor immune escapes etc. . In recent years,some studies about PD-1/PD-L pathway in ophthalmology have been curried out and reported. Some changes were found in PD-1/PD-L pathway, such as ocular immunologic diseases, ocular infectious diseases, ocular tumors, immune privilege in ocular tissues and so on. Through the research on PD-1/PD-L pathway,we can further understand the pathogenesis of some ocular diseases and find new methods for their prevention and treatments. This article reviewed the recent advances in PD-1/PD-L pathway in ophthalmological physiopathology.

Objective To investigate the relationship between day-night rhythm of blood pressure and left ventricular hypertrophy(LVH) in the elderly with hypertension. Methods According to the result of ambulatory blood pressure monitoring,60 patients were divided into two groups of normal day-night rhythm(n=34) and abnormal day-night rhythm(n=26).All patients were performed ultrasonic cardiography.The interventricular septal thickness(IVST),the left ventricular end diastolic dimension(LVDd)and the left ventricular posterior wall thickness(LVPWT) were recorded,and the left ventricular mass(LVM) and the left ventricular mass index(LVMI) were calculated according to the Devereux formula. Results There were no significant differences in age,body mass index,serum total cholesterol,triglyceride,fasting blood glucose,24 h mean systolic blood pressure,24 h mean diastolic blood pressure,day time mean systolic blood pressure,day time mean diastolic blood pressure,IVST and LVDd between the the two groups.However,there were significant differences in night time mean systolic blood pressure,night time mean diastolic blood pressure,LVPWT,LVM and LVMI between the two groups(P

Background Some aboard studies showed that polyatomic pathway play an important role in the microsvasculopathy of type 2 diabetes,and sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) gene is involved in the pathogenesis of diabetic retinopathy(DR).There is no relevant research at home up to now.Objective This study was to investigate the correlation of sorbitol dehydrogenase (SDH) G-888C gene polymorphism with diabetic retinopathy (DR) in type 2 diabetes mellitus.Methods The SDH genotypes were determined by polymerase chain reactionreaction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) in 187 patients with diabetes and 123 normal contrels.Patients were divided into two groups depending on the presence or absence of DR(DR:n=118;NDR:n=69).The frequencies of SDH genotype and allele were assayed and compared among these groups.This study was approved by Ethic Committee of Guangdong General Hospital.Written informed consent was obtained from each individual prior to any relevant medical procedure.Results The disease course in the DR group was significantly longer than that in NDR group(t=2.070,P=0.042),and other clinical features in both groups were non-significant (all P>0.05).The genotype frequencies in the DR group,NDR group and normal control group were 24.6%,8.7% and 8.1%,respectively,and frequencies of the G allele were 42.4%,25.4% and 29.7%,showing statistically significant differences among these three groups.The GG genotype and G allele frequencies were significantly higher in the DR group than those in the NDR group and normal control group (GG:P=0.007,P=0.001;G:P=0.001,P=0.004).There were no significant differences in the frequencies of the GG genotype and G allele between the NDB group and normal control group ( P>0. 05) as well as the proliferative DR group and non-proliferative DR group (P>0.05).Conclusion SDH G-888C gene polymorphism is associated with the development of diabetic retinopathy in southern Chinese.

Objective The research aimed at evaluating whether non-invasive endolymphatic MR imaging could be used in aged patients(≥60 years)suffering from Meniere's disease.Methods Under guidance of nasal endoscopy,a diluted gadopentetate dimeglumine injection was administrated through eustachian tube into mid-ear cavity in four patients (≥60 years old) suffered from Meniere's disease.3D-FLAIR MRI scan was performed one day after the administration.Results The administration succeeded through eustachian tube into mid-ear cavity in those four patients.A rise of fluid level on tympanic membrane while administrating a diluted gadopentetated meglumine injection was observed.Imaging of inner ear endolymphatic spaces were visible in vestibule and cochlea in imaging of patient 1.As to patient 2,in cochlea the scala tympani of the first and second turns were enhanced while scala vestibule weren't;Vestibules couldn't be recognized.In images of patient 3,the scala tympani of the three turns in cochlea were enhanced while scala vestibule weren't;Vestibules couldn't be recognized.For Patient 4,in cochlea the scala tympani of the first turn were enhanced while scala vestibule weren't,and the second turn was partially enhanced;and endolymphatic space of vestibule could be distinguished from perilymphatic space.Conclusions This technique could be adopted in investigation of Meniere's disease in elderly patients.MR imaging of endolymphatic spaces in vestibule and cochlea can be visualized,which may partially provide data for diagnosis of Meniere's disease.

Objective Using CT perfusion (CTP) technique,to investigate the graft perfusion changes in patients with hepatic artery stenosis (HAS) with or without ischemic-type biliary lesions (ITBL) after orthotopic liver transplantation (OLT).Methods Thirteen recipients with HAS received CTP scan of the liver,including 8 with ITBL and 5 without ITBL.For all patients,the diagnosis of HAS was made by CTA,and the diagnosis of ITBL by percutaneous transhepatic cholangiography.CT perfusion indices were obtained,including hepatic artery perfusion (HAP),portal vein perfusion (PVP),total liver perfusion (TLP) and hepatic perfusion index (HPI).Results Of the 13 patients with HAS,mean HAP in patients with and without ITBL was 59.8 and 35.1 ml·min-1 ·100 ml-1 (P =0.021,two-tailed paired Student t test) ; mean PVP was 125.4 and 166.2 ml·min-1·100 m1-1 (P =0.016) ; mean TLP was 185.2 and 201.3 ml· min-1 · 100 ml-1 (P =0.306) ; and mean HPI was 33.6 and 18.2 (P =0.005),respectively.Conclusion Using CTP technique,liver perfusion changes were reflected by measuring CTP indices noninvasively.Compared to those without ITBL in this study,HAP and HPI in patients with ITBL were higher and PVP was lower,which may be contributed to biliary inflammation.

Objective To study the correlation between pulse pressure(PP) and cardiovascular structure and function in aged patients with essential hypertension. Methods Forty-eight aged patients with essential hypertension were enrolled into the study and divided into the following two groups by the mean value of PP: PP

Objective To observe the changes of cardiac function and carotid artery structure in elderly hypertensive patients with different left ventricular geometric patterns. Methods Seventy-eight elderly patients with essential hypertension were divided into 4 groups according to left ventricular geometric patterns by ultrasonography: normal ventricular geometry group(n=34),concentric remodeling group(n=18),concentric hypertrophy group(n=11)and eccentric hypertrophy group(n=15).The 24-h ambulatory blood pressure,left ventricular function,carotid artery intima-media thickness(IMT),hemodynamic parameters and incidence of plaque were measured and compared among groups.Results Patients in concentric hypertrophy group had higher 24-h average systolic blood pressure in comparison with those in normal ventricular geometry group and concentric remodeling group(P

Background The pathogenesis and development of cataract is associated with oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of human lens epithelial cells(LECs).BH3-only protein is a factor that can initiate apoptosis,and thus the apoptotic process is probably related to the activation of the c-Jun N-terminal kinase(JNK).However,the relationship between oxidative stress-induced apoptosis of human LECs and the JNK pathway remains to be illuminated.Objective This study was to investigate the effects of the JNK/c-Jun pathway and its target gene,Bim (Bcl-2 interacting mediator of cell death)and PU M A(p53 up-regulated modulator of apoptosis),on oxidative stressinduced apoptosis of human LECs.Methods The human LECs cell line(HLEC-B3)was cultured and passaged in DMEM with 10％ fetal bovine serum in vitro.Confluent cells were incubated in 24 well plates and divided into 4 groups.Hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)(50 μmol/L)was used to treat the cells for 4,8 or 12 hours,and cells without H2O2 treatment served as the control group.Apoptosis was detected using Hoechst 33258 staining and quantified by counting the number of cells with pyknotic nuclei.In addition,confluent cells were seeded in 6 well plates,and Western blot and RT-PCR were used to detect the expression of the caspase-3,c-Jun,Bim and PUMA proteins and their mRNA in HLEC-B3,respectively.The JNK/c-Jun pathway inhibitors,CEP11004 or SP600125,were added into cultured media with H2O2,and cells treated with DMSO or H2O2 only served as negative and positive control groups.The expression of the p-JNK,JNK,p-c-Jun,c-Jun,Bim,PUMA proteins was detected by Western blot and apoptosis was assayed using Hoechst 33258 staining.200 pmoL/L of Bim or PUMA small interference RNA(siBim or siPUMA)fragments were transfected into the cells for 24 hours,respectively,and H2O2 was then used to treat the cells for 8 hours.The expression of the Bim and PUMA protein and their mRNA in the cells was detected by Western blot and RT-PCR,respectively.Results After H2O2 treatment in HLEC-B3 cells for 4,8,or 12 hours,the rates of apoptosis were 4.30％±1.15％,27.08％±0.74％ and 46.59％±0.91％,showing a significant difference among them (F=1909.433,P=0.000),and those of the 4,8,12 hour groups were significantly increased in comparison to the control group(P =0.049,0.000,0.000).Compared to untreated cells,the levels of expression of the JNK,Bim,PUMA proteins and their mRNA in HLEC-B3 cells were significantly elevated.After the addition of CEP11004 or SP600125,the expression of these protein and mRNA in HLEC-B3 cells in the presence of H2O2 was significantly weaker than that in the DMSO control group(P =0.000,0.000).After the tranfection of siBim or siPUMA,the apoptosis rates of the H2O2 treated groups were significantly higher than those in the Bim-/-or PIMA-/-group (P＜0.05).Conclusions H2O2 can activate the JNK/c-Jun pathway and up-regulate the expression of its target genes Bim and PUMA in human LECs in a time-dependent manner.Inhibiting the JNK/c-Jun pathway and interfering with the expression of Bim and PUMA can protect human LECs against oxidative stress-induced apoptosis.

We studied on the bio-safety problem of cultivating innovative talents in medical microbiology. The bio-safety of laboratory was controlled by educating bio-safety before the experiments, regulating basic operations during the experiments and constructing management system out of the experiments. Then we got some experience to ensure students’ bio-safety during the research.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the influence of genetic polymorphism in NF-E2-related factor-2 (nrf2) gene promoter locus at 336 in alcoholic liver disease (ALD) with Vibrio vulnificus (VV) sepsis.

METHODSThrough the simple random sampling method, C57B6 male mice were divided into normal feeding group (group A, 10 mice), alcoholic liver disease group (group B, 10 mice), normal feeding group infected with VV through intraperitoneal injection (group C, 8 mice), alcoholic liver disease group infected with VV (group D, 110 mice). Through gene sequencing method, nrf2 gene promoter 336 polymorphism in D group was analyzed and grouped into: non-mutation group (336T) (group D1, 7 mice) and mutation group (336C) (group D2, 10 mice). Through RT-PCR, Western-blotting and ELISA method, expressions of nrf2, tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-10 (IL-10), high mobility group protein 1 (HMGB(1)) gene and protein of liver were measured. The pathological changes in liver were recorded with light microscope.

RESULTSAfter infected with VV for 48 hours for A, B, C, D1, D2 group, the expression medians of nrf2 mRNA in liver were 0.115, 0.173, 0.211, 0.764, 0.352, respectively (χ(2) = 40.64, P < 0.05), the expression medians of IL-10 mRNA in liver were 0.338, 0.637, 1.002, 1.825, 1.403, respectively (χ(2) = 41.05, P < 0.05), the expression medians of TNF-α mRNA in liver were 0.140, 0.254, 0.372, 0.399, 0.699, respectively (χ(2) = 38.16, P < 0.05), the expression medians of HMGB(1) mRNA in liver were 0.230, 0.410, 0.668, 0.508, 1.021, respectively (χ(2) = 31.45, P < 0.05). After infected with VV 48 hours for mice in A, B, C, D1, D2 group, the expression medians of nrf2 protein in liver were 0.908, 1.461, 2.061, 3.982, 2.243, respectively (χ(2) = 33.72, P < 0.05), the expression medians of IL-10 protein in liver were 13.97, 22.54, 30.14, 57.98, 41.53, respectively (χ(2) = 37.31, P < 0.05), the expression medians of TNF-α protein in liver were 114.07, 142.94, 175.44, 174.60, 266.11, respectively (χ(2) = 32.29, P < 0.05), the expression medians of HMGB(1) protein in liver were 2.01, 6.05, 9.62, 6.24, 12.89, respectively (χ(2) = 36.94, P < 0.05). Compared with group A, there were large amount of fat drops, fatty changes in group B, inflammatory cell infiltration, disorder of hepatic cell in group C, and extension of hepatic duct and vein, edema of liver cells and disorder of hepatic cells in group D.

CONCLUSIONThe nrf2 gene promoter of T336C mutation in C57B6 mouse of ALD can significantly decrease the expression of nrf2, and intensify organ inflammation and damage when they were infected by VV.

Animals ; Liver Diseases, Alcoholic ; complications ; genetics ; metabolism ; microbiology ; Male ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2 ; genetics ; metabolism ; Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide ; Promoter Regions, Genetic ; Sepsis ; complications ; genetics ; microbiology ; Vibrio Infections ; complications ; genetics ; Vibrio vulnificus