·AIM: To investigate the efficacy and security of the silicone membrane implant through observing intraocular pressure, filtering blebs and histopathologic results.·METHODS; Forty rabbits were randomly divided into 4 groups. Each group consisted of 10 rabbits. Trabecu-lectomy and silicone membrane implantation were performed in one eye of each rabbit, while the other eye was only performed trabeculectomy as control. The change of intraocular pressure, filtering blebs were observed postoperatively. And each eye had undergone histopathologic examination.·RESULTS:The duration of low intraocular pressure and existence of filtering blebs in implanted eyes was longer than that in controlled eyes. Light microscopy revealed that patent drainage tract and biting site could be seen in silicone membrane implanted eye. The activity and regularity of fibroblast proliferation in implanted eyes and controlled eyes were similar. Excessive expression of fibroblast proliferation was not induced by silicone membrane.·CONCLUSION: Characterized by safety, effectiveness and simplicity, silicone membrane implantation can act as a new drainage surgery.KEYWORDS: silicone membrane; drainage surgery;intraocular pressure

BACKGROUND:Isoflurane cannot only induce a wide range of large neuronal apoptosis, but also inhibit hippocampal neurogenesis in neonatal rats, thereby resulting in hippocampus-dependent learning and memory defects.
OBJECTIVE:To investigate the isoflurane effect on proliferation and differentiation of the hippocampal neural stem cels.
METHODS:Twenty-six Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into air group and isoflurane group (n=13 per group). Rats in the isoflurane group were subjected to 2.5% isoflurane inhalation for 3 minutes folowed by 1.5% isoflurane inhalation for 4 hours. Rats in the air group only breathed in air. After the intervention, blood glucose and arterial blood gas changes were detected in the two groups. Additionaly, rats in the two groups were given intraperitoneal injection of 5-bromodeoxyuridine before and after intervention. At 24 hours after the last injection of 5-bromodeoxyuridine, brain tissues were taken to make frozen sections for immunofluorescence staining.
RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:There were no significant difference in pH, PaO2, PaCO2, HCO3, BE and SaO2 levels between the two groups (P> 0.05). Compared with the air group, the number of BrdU+ cels was significantly less in the isoflurane group (P < 0.05), while the number of NeuroD+/BrdU+ cels was significantly higher in the isoflurane group (P < 0.05). The incidence of adverse reactions was 23% in the isoflurane group, which was significantly higher than that in the air group (7.7%;P < 0.05). These findings indicate that isoflurane can inhibit the proliferation of neural stem cels in the hippocampal dentate gyrus, and promote their differentiation into neurons.

BACKGROUND: Our previous study was the first to find that bone marrow stromal cells could secrete neutrophil chemokine-3. Moreover, the expression of cytokine-induced neutrophil chemoattractant 3 (CINC-3) could be up-regulated by 1. 5 times during the differentiation of neural stem cells into neurons regulated by bone marrow stromal cells. These results suggest that CINC-3 may promote the proliferation and differentiation of neural stem cells. OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of CINC-3 on survival and proliferation of hippocampal neural stem cells in neonatal rats. METHODS: Hippocampal neural stem cells from neonatal Sprague-Dawley rats were isolated and cultured in vitro, and passage 3 neural stem cells were divided into control and CINC-3 groups. The survival rate of the cells was measured by MTS method, cell survival and proliferation were observed using cell growth curve and live/dead cell staining, and the expression of Nestin in neural stem cells was detected by real-time PCR and immunofluorescence staining for observation of neural stem cell proliferation. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION: (1) When the concentration of CINC-3 increased from 1 to 20 μg/L, the survival rate of neural stem cells increased gradually. When the concentration of CINC-3 was 10 μg/L, the survival rate of neural stem cells was the highest and the cell viability was the best (P < 0. 05). When the concentration of CINC-3 further increased to 20 μg/L, there was no significant difference in the survival rate of neural stem cells. (2) The positive rate of Nestin in the CINC-3 group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0. 05). (3) The expression of Nestin mRNA in the CINC-3 group was significantly higher than that in the control group (P < 0. 05). These findings indicate CINC-3 can promote the survival and proliferation of hippocampal neural stem cells.

The study reports the detection of neuroprotective effect of 10 kinds of coumarin derivatives and explores their possible mechanism. MTT method was used to screen the neuroprotective effect of 10 coumarin derivatives on neurotoxic agents (Aβ25-35 and rotenone) or OGD (oxygen-glucose deprivation). A compound with better protective effect was obtained. Then the effect of this compound on neurotoxic agents on PC12 was detected by the morphological observation. Furthermore, the effect of compound 3 on microglia with lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced inflammation was detected. And the inflammatory factor was tested. Finally, direct free radical scavenging ability was detected. Compound 3 was found to be the best compound through three neurons toxic models. Not only compound 3 ameliorated cell viability reduced by three neurons toxic models, but also significantly inhibited the production of inflammatory factor (TNF-α and IL-1β). And its free radical scavenging ability is very good, especially the effect on superoxide anion, which is comparable with vitamin C. The significant scavenging effect of compound 3 on superoxide anion might be the mechanism of the neuroprotection. Compound 3 as a potential neural cell protective agent merits further investigation.
Animals ; Coumarins ; chemistry ; Free Radical Scavengers ; chemistry ; Inflammation ; Microglia ; drug effects ; Neurons ; drug effects ; Neuroprotective Agents ; chemistry ; PC12 Cells ; Rats

AIM:To study the feasibility of recombinant adeno-associated virus(rAAV)as a vector to transfer the green fluorescent protein(GFP)gene as a target gene into rabbit retina.METHODS:Intravitreal injection of rAAV-gfp was performed in either eye for each rabbit with the other eye taken as control.At the 3rd,7th,and 14th day after injection,the eyeballs were removed,and the retinas were flat-mounted on glass slides to inspect the retinal fluorescence,respectively.RESULTS:After intravitreal injection of rAAV-gfp,the presence of fluorescent spots in the cytoplasm of retinal cells indicated that GFP gene was efficiently transferred and expressed in the rabbit retina.CONCLUSION:Recombinant adeno-associated virus is a reliable and simple vector for transferring target gene,e.g.,GFP gene,to the retina.

AIM :To investigate the association of primary open-glaucoma (POAG), intraocular pressure (IOP) and systemic blood pressure in a rural population aged 50 years old or above in Shaanxi Province, China.METHODS: In the population-based, cross-sectional study, 1 775 (83.53%) residents, aged 50 years old or above, from 3 counties of Shaanxi Province, China, undertook an interview with a standard questionnaire and a detailed eye examination, including logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity, slit-lamp biomicroscopy, applanation tonometry and dilated fundus examination. Two blood pressure reading in the sitting position were taken. Gonioscopy was performed if a narrower peripheral anterior chamber (less than one fourth of the corneal thickness) was indicated. Automated visual field testing was performed by participants assessed to have suspicion of glaucomatous disc damage or if IOP was 22mmHg or higher.RESULTS: IOP significantly correlated with systemic blood pressure, and both IOP and systolic blood pressure increased significantly with increasing age. No association between POAG and hypertension was found. The frequency of POAG increased significantly with lower diastolic perfusion pressure.CONCLUSION: Data in our study are accordance with those reported in other population-based studies, and confirm that lower diastolic perfusion pressure is a significant risk factor for primary open angle glaucoma.

AIM: To assess the prevalence and risk factors for age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a rural population in Shaanxi Province of China.METHODS: A total of 2 835 (81.00%) people aged 40 years old or more, from Fuping county, Jingbian county and Yang county of Shaanxi Province, China, underwent a comprehensive interview and a relative eye examination. The present of AMD was classified into neovascular AMD (NV) and pure geographic atrophy (GA) by using direct ophthalmoscopy for fundus examination according to International Classification System.RESULTS: The prevalence (95% CI) of AMD was 3.00% (2.42, 3.71) in this population, of which NV accounted for 1.45% (1.05, 1.98) and 1.55% (1.14, 2.10)for GA. The prevalence of AMD increased significantly with increasing age (P ＜0.001). AMD was present in 0.47% of participants aged 40 to 49 years, rising to 11.90% of participants older than 80 years, of which the corresponding data increased from 0.28% to 4.76% for NV and from 0.19% to 7.14% for GA. No significant difference was found in the prevalence of NA and GA between genders in this population. With multiple logistic analyses, apart from advancing age, only smoking was found to have a strong association with any type of AMD.CONCLUSION: The prevalence of AMD in the rural population of Shaanxi Province of China is lower than that reported from other population-based studies in different provinces of China, less than that reported in whites, more than that reported in blacks. Except increasing age, smoking is also a significant well-known risk factor for AMD.

· AIM: To assess the prevalence and related risk factors for primary angle-closure glaucoma in a rural population for 40 years of age or older in Shaanxi Province.· METHODS: By using a stratified, cluster-based, random sampling technique, 8 500 persons of all ages were selected randomly, including 3 500 those aged 40 years or more, from the North, the South and the Middle of Shaanxi Province in Western China from July to December in 2003. All participants had an interview with a standard questionnaire and those questions related to glaucoma of previous diagnosis and treatment, family history and outbreak history. Then a detailed and relative eye examination was performed, including logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity, external eye examination with slit-lamp biomicroscopy and fundus examination. The intraocular pressure was measured with Perkins applanation tonometry to those persons aged 50 years old or more and those with suspected increased IOP. A further examination was performed to those persons with suspicious glaucoma, including repeated tonometric examination, gonioscopy, dark room test, automated visual field testing, et al.·RESULTS: 6 815 of the eligible 8 500 persons of all ages were interviewed and examined from July to December in 2003, a response rate of 80.18%, including 2835 of the eligible 3 500 persons of 40 years old or more with a response rate of 81.00%. According to Van Herick method, the percentage of shallow peripheral anterior chamber was 13.6%, of which 10.4% was in grade 2, 3.0% in grade 1, and 0.2% in grade 0. In this rural population for 40 years of age or older 31 participants were found to have primary angle-closure glaucoma, with the prevalence of 1.09%. With multiple logistic analyses, the prevalence increased significantly with age (P=0.008), whereas no significant difference (Pgender=0.180, Peducation=0.199) was found in the rate with gender and education, although women and illiteracy seemed to be at increased risk of the disease (OR: 1.77, 95%CI,0.77-4.10; OR: 1.71, 95%CT, 0.76-3.87). Of 31 participants, 21 persons (67.74%) had not been previously diagnosed and treated. Of 10 participants previously diagnosed, 6 (60%) had been received peripheral iridectomy; nevertheless, no any other treatments were performed. 48.39% participants suffered from visual impairment in various degrees, of which the percentage of blindness in either eye accounted for 29.03%. Of those with primary angle-closure glaucoma, 22 persons (70.97%) were classified as having chronic from of the disease.· CONCLUSION: In this rural population in Shaanxi Province of China, the rate of occludable angles is 13.6%, more common than that reported previously in other Chinese populations. The prevalence of primary angle-closure glaucoma is close to that from other Asian populations, increasing with age. A majority of glaucoma was undiagnosed and untreated previously.

· AIM: To assess the prevalence and related risk factors of primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) in a rural population in Shaanxi Province.· METHODS: By using a stratified, duster-based, random sampling technique, 8 500 persons of all ages were selected randomly, from the North, the South and the Middle of Shaanxi Province from July to December in 2003. All participants had an interview with a standard questionnaire and those questions related to glaucoma of previous diagnosis and treatment, family history and outbreak history. Then a detailed and relative eye examination was performed, including logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution visual acuity, external eye examination with slit-lamp biomicroscopy and fundus examination. The intraocular pressure was measured with Perkins applanation tonometry to those persons aged 50years old or more and those with suspected increased IOP. A further examination was performed to those persons with suspicious glaucoma, including repeated tonometric examination, gonioscopy, dark room test, automated visual field testing, et al.· RESULTS: 6 815 of the eligible 8 500 persons of all ages were interviewed and examined from July to December in 2003, a response rate of 80.18%. 9 participants were found to have POAG, with the prevalence of 0.13%, age ranging from 38 to 80 years (mean year:62.0). In those aged 30 years old or more, the prevalence of the disease was 0.23%, 0.28% and 0.39% for those more than 40 and 50 years old, respectively. The rate of suspicious POAG was 0.18% (12 cases) with age ranging from 35 to 77 years (mean year: 54.7). With multiple logistic analyses, the prevalence increased significantly with age (P=0.023). Other than increasing age, myopia was also a strong risk factor for POAG. Of 9participants with POAG, only 2 cases (22.22%) had been previously diagnosed. No one with POAG was received any treatment previously. 66.67% (6 cases) participants with POAG suffered from visual impairment in various degrees secondary to POAG. The percentage of blindness in either eye was 33.33%.· CONCLUSION: The prevalence of POAG is close to that from other Chinese populations, increasing with age. A majority of glaucoma was undiagnosed and untreated previously.

Objective To study sleeping conditions and relevant factors for insomnia in the elderly people aged 60 years and over in the community of Shanghai,China.Methods A cross-sectional study on sleeping condition by questionnaire was conducted among 2789 elderly people aged 60 years and over during July to October 2005 in seven neighborhood committees of Jing'an District,Shanghai,China,with cluster sampling.Results Totally,2304 elderly people completed the study questionnaire with a response rate of 82.61%.Prevalence of insomnia was 14.84% (342/2304) in the elderly.Logistic regression analysis showed that age increasing (OR=1.02),female (OR=2.20),drinking before sleeping (OR=2.98), room light (OR=3.89),noise (OR=1.95),diabetes (OR=1.82),hypertension (OR=1.49),stroke (OR=1.65),osteoporosis (OR=1.76) and number of afflicted chronic diseases (OR=1.43) all were risk factors for insomnia in the elderly (P