Objective To observe the ultrastructural characteristics of human retinal progenitor cells cultured in vitro. Methods Six 5-month-old human fetuses(12 eyes)without eye diseases were selected. Retinal progenitor cells from the retina of one eye of each fetus were cultured in vitro,and observed by transmission electronic microscopy(TEM); while those from the other eye were directly observed by TEM. Results Abundant heterochromatin were found in the karyon of 5-month embryonic retinal neuroepithelial cells,and the figure of the karyons was irregular.A few scattered initial cells were seen in retinal neuroepithelial layer with large karyon,smooth surface,abundant euchromatin,and distinct nucleolus.The human retinal progenitor cells cultured in vitro had the same ultrastructural characteristics as the initial cells:with huge karyon which almost occupied the whole cell,little cytoplasm,distint nucleolus,abundant euchromatin,and little heterochromatin.The cells clung to each other in the neural globoid cell mass.The size of the outer cells was large,and karyokinesis could be found. Conclusion The cultured human retinal progenitor cells are provided with the same ultrastructure characteristics as the initial cells.

Objective To observe the adhension and stracking of leukocyte in the capillary vessels, and investigate the relationship between leukocyte and microvascular morphologic changes in retinal microvessels of rats with early diabetes. Methods A total of 90 healthy adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into control and diabetes (induced by Streptozotocin, STZ) groups with 45 rats in each group. The rats in the diabetic group were further divided into 3, 7, and 14 days groups with 5 rats in each group, and 30, 90, and 180 days groups with 10 rats in each group. The right eyes of rats in each group were prepared for retinal digest preparations. The expression of leukocyte common antigen (CD45) was detected by immunohistochemical staining. Results Few CD45 positive cells in the retinal capillaries were seen in the control group. The expression of CD45 was significantly increased in the retinal capillaries 3 days after diabetes induction, and reached a peak at the 14th day. Morphological changes including capillary telangiectasia, atresia, and irregularity of capillary caliber were found in the retinal capillaries of rats 90 days after diabetes induction. The changes were aggravated 180 days after diabetes induction. Conclusion Leukocyte adhesion occurs in the early stage of diabetic retinopathy (DR), and is the beginning of the microvascular pathological changes. Leukocyte adhesion may play an important role in the occurrence and development of DR as the foundation of microvascular morphological changes.

Objective To investigate the effects of crocodilian plasma on 12 bacteria(including G+ bacteria and G-bacteria) lines in vitro.Methods The bacteria CFUs on nutrient broth agar plates were determined after bacteria and crocodilian plasma incubated together for 1h.Then effects of the samples on the survival rate of various concentrations of bacteria were calculated.To evaluate the antibacterial spectrum of crocodilian plasma,the zones of bacterial inhibition were measured through agar disk method.Results and Conclusion Crocodilian plasma had superior bactericidal effects on Escherichia coli M421C1,O111B4,E240-3 LT,Micrococcus catarrhalis,Shiga's bacillus,Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Diplococcus pneumoniae.The results indicated why wound of crocodilian by tearing each other was not susceptible,and crocodilian plasma could be developed a natural antibacterials.

Objective To observe the changes of VEGF and Ang-2 expression in streptozotocin(STZ)-induced diabetic rat retina after insulin therapy and explore possible roles of insulin in the development of diabetic retinopathy. Methods Diabetes was induced in 8-week-old male wistar rats by a single intraperitoneal injection of STZ. After three weeks,animals were randomly divided into four groups:(1)diabetic rats received intensive insulin therapy for 20 days;(2)diabetic rats received unregular insulin therapy,which caused the abrupt fluctuation of glycemic level;(3)diabetic control rats; and (4)normal control rats. After treatment,the animals were sacrificed with an overdose of anesthesia,and the eyes were enucleated and fixed in 4% paraformaldehyde immediately. Paraffin sections of retina were prepared.Expression of VEGF and Ang-2 was assessed by immunofluorescence stain and images analysis. Results Quantitative analysis showed VEGF and Ang-2 protein expression was increased by 2.38-fold and 2.41-fold in diabetic rats retinas as compared to non-diabetic rats retinas respectively (P0.05). Conclusion Intensive insulin therapy could decrease VEGF and Ang-2 expression in retina and has protective effect on diabetic retinopathy in STZ-diabetic rats.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the possibility and anatomy landmark of the frontal beak approach of endoscopic frontal sinusotomy to the frontal sinus lesions. METHOD: (1)Twenty cases of frozen cadaveric head underwent spiral computed tomography scans. Then data were transferred into the Mimics image workstation to reorganize CT images in the coronal, sagittal, and axial planes. The anatomic parameters related to surgical approach points were measured, such as the distance between vertical plate of the middle turbinate and lamina papyracea and the thickness of the frontal beak. (2) 3D visual model of the frontal cell and the drainage way of the frontal sinus was produced with the application of Sinuses Trachea I software. (3)The endoscopic frontal sinus surgery were performed on 20 cases of subjects (objects)to find out the anatomy landmarks of the frontal beak approach, measure the parameters such as the distance between middle turbinate and lamina papyracea, and evaluate the potential surgical complications during operation. RESULT: (1)The frontal beak is a white bony arcs located at the attachment point of middle turbinate front inserted to the skull base. Its position was relatively constant, before frontal sinus above. (2)The distance between the middle turbinate vertical plate and lamina papyracea was (7. 61 ± 1. 34) mm. The thickness of the frontal beak in surgical approach was (3. 27 ± 0. 91) mm. (3) 3D visual structure of the frontal sinus and its ventilation pathway: the shape of unilateral frontal sinus looked like the cone, which was transited by the drainage pathway of the frontal sinus. The front part of the frontal sinus ostium is surrounded by the frontal beak. The upper part the frontal beak connected to the floor of the frontal sinus. (4) Frontal beak can be used as an landmark of frontal beak approach in the endoscopic frontal sinus surgery. But the lateral view of frontal sinus still was limited in the operation. CONCLUSION The endoscopic frontal sinus surgery with the approach of the frontal beak is easy to operate and learn. In this area between the double "L", the operation is safe.
Anatomic Landmarks ; Endoscopy ; methods ; Frontal Sinus ; surgery ; Humans ; Skull Base ; Software ; Tomography, Spiral Computed ; Tomography, X-Ray Computed ; Turbinates ; anatomy & histology

AIM: To investigate the properties of human retinal microvascular endothelial cells (RMECs) at two different age groups. METHODS: Human RMECs with high affinity were isolated from donors at two age groups: 30 d (group A) after birth and 40 - 60 years of age (group B). The RMECs were characterized for expression and localization of endothelial cell markers by immunofluorescence staining of CD31, yon Willebrand factor(vWF) and uptake of acetylated low - density lipoprotein. The ability of tube formation was assessed on Matrigel, and vWF distribution in- cells was ob-served by confocal immunofluorescence microscope and Western blotting analysis, respectively. RESULTS: High purity RMECs can be obtained readily from each group with modified methods. At 6 hours, cells from both groups formed tube structures successfully, but there was a significantly higher incidence of branching in RMECs of infant group (group A) by 27.2%±2.2% compared with adult group (group B) at 12 h (P<0.05). Group A maintained intact structure even at 30h, but group B partially lost the basic tube structure. In addition, vWF was translocated from cytoplasm to nucleus with aging. CONCLUSION: Human RMECs at different ages have specific properties. Cell properties related with age of the donors should be considered in in vitro studies.