AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation for refractory glaucoma after sequential failed trabeculectomy.
METHODS: Thirty - six patients (36 eyes) with prior failed sequential trabeculectomy who underwent Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation were included. The intraocular pressure ( IOP), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and complications were ovserved and all the patients were followed up at least for 12mo.
RESULTS: Mean preoperative IOP was 35. 20±7. 28mmHg and reduced to 10. 15±3. 34, 11. 23±3. 56, 15. 63±5. 72, 17. 17±5. 47, 17. 73±6. 23,19. 76±5. 43mmHg at 1, 2wk, 1, 3, 6 and 12mo after surgery, which was significant different from the preoperative level (t = 12. 643, 11. 837, 10. 324, 8. 839, 8. 462, 8. 046, all P < 0. 05 ). Visual acuity was not significantly different between pre - operation and 12mo post- operation ( Z = - 0. 420, P > 0. 05). At 12mo after operation, the complete success rate reached 78% and the conditional success rate reached 92%. There were 5 eyes complicated with shallow anterior chamber, 3 eye complicated with anterior chamber hemorrhage, which all recovered after additional treatments. Late complications included valve exposure and encapsulated cystic blebs around the plate. Severe corneal endothelium loss occurred in 1 patient.
CONCLUSION: Ahmed glaucoma valve implantation is effective in reducing IOP at 1-year follow-up in refractory glaucoma patients with prior sequential failed trabeculectomy, but we should fully understand and attach great importance to all kinds of complications that may occur.

Objective:To develop a rapid and quantitative detection method for abrin using colloid gold immunochromatographic assay. Methods:The rapid detection method was established with double-antibody sandwich assay. Quantification was realized by constructing a standard curve. The specificity and sensitivity of the method were tested, and its feasibility was evaluated by various abrin-added food samples. Results and Conclusion:This established method could accomplish qualitative and semi-quantitative detection in 15 minutes; the sensitivity was up to 30 ng/ml with a linear range from 30 ng/ml to 600 ng/ml. The recovery rate was 80%-110%, and the variation coefficient was less than 15%.The colloidal gold immunochromatographic assay is rapid, specific, sensitive,accurate and suitable for field detection.

To confirm the mechanism of exosomes as tumor vaccines inducing immunity response, dendritic cells (DCs) were induced from human peripheral blood mononuclear cells, while exosomes were isolated from DC loaded tumor antigen. The effect of exosomes on priming T cell proliferation was analysed under conditions with or without DCs, or DCs at different mature stages. The function of exosomes in immunity was detected through block test after blocking some molecules (CD11a, CD11b, CD11c, CD54, MFG-E8 and CD83). The effect of DCs on embedded exosomes was observed by confocal microscopy, the effect of blocking surface molecules on exosomes on DC-embedding exosomes was assayed by flow cytometry. The results indicated that both exosomes derived from imDC (imDex) and exosomes derived from mDC (mDex) could not prime T cells without DC or with imDC. The exosomes derived from mDC induced with different cytokines (LPS, TNF-alpha, CpG, CD40L) were no significant difference in concentrations but were different in effect. The immunity function of exosomes depended on CD11a, CD11b, CD11c, CD54, MFG-E8 and CD83 molecules, the effect of priming T cells is reduced when these molecules were blocked. Confocal microscopy and FACS assay showed that blocking CD11a and CD54 could inhibit exosome-targeted DC and DC-embedded exosomes. It is concluded that the exosomes target DCs through their surface molecules, therefore results in immune response of T cells.
Antigens, Neoplasm ; immunology ; Cells, Cultured ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; secretion ; Exosomes ; immunology ; Humans ; K562 Cells ; Lymphocyte Activation ; drug effects ; T-Lymphocytes ; cytology ; immunology

OBJECTIVETo study the effects of prenatal exposure to benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) on the physical development, early behavioral development, the adaptability to new environment and the learning and memory ability of rat offspring.

METHODSPregnant rats were randomly divided into five groups: control group, olive oil group, 3 exposure groups (25, 50 and 100 mg/kg B [a]P). The rats were exposed to B [a]P) by intraperitoneal injection on the 17th-19th days during gestation. The offspring were weighed on postnatal days (PND)1, PND 4, PND 7 and PND 28, the indices of physical development, reflective ability and sensory function were detected for offspring, the Morris water maze and Open-field tests were used to measure the ability of learning and memory and the adaptability to new environment of offspring.

RESULTSThe time of ear opening in middle and high-dose groups [(4.1 +/- 0.4),(5.0 +/-0.4) d] was posterior to that in untreated and solvent groups [(3.3 +/- 0.5), (3.4 +/- 0.6) d ](P < 0.01). The attainment rate (6.5%) of the surface righting reflex test in high-dose group on the 4th day was significantly lower than that (36.1%) in untreated group, the attainment rate (50.0%) in high-dose group on PND7 was significantly lower than those (81.3% and 79.3%) in untreated group and solvent group (P < 0.05). Compared to the untreated group, the time of forelimb hanging test in all exposure groups on PND12 and PND14 significantly decreased; compared to the solvent group the time of forelimb hanging test decreased in high-dose group on the 14th day significantly decreased (P < 0.01). The attainment rate (61.9%) of olfactory discrimination in high-dose group on PND12 was significantly lower than that (94.3%) in untreated group (P < 0.05). The results of Morris water maze test showed that the escape latency of different dose groups significantly increased, and the time of spatial probe and the times of traversing flat in high-dose group decreased significantly, as compared to the untreated and solvent groups (P < 0.01). The results of open-field test indicated that the center retention time in middle and high-dose groups significantly prolonged, the times of crossing lattice obviously reduced, and the rearing times decreased in high-dose group, as compared to untreated (P < 0.05).Compared to the solvent group, the times of crossing lattice in all exposure groups reduced significantly (P < 0.01 or P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONThe prenatal exposure to B[a]P could inhibit the physical development and early behavioral development, and influence the adaptability to new environment and learning and memory ability for offspring.

Animals ; Benzo(a)pyrene ; toxicity ; Female ; Learning ; drug effects ; Maze Learning ; Memory ; drug effects ; Motor Activity ; Neurotoxicity Syndromes ; physiopathology ; Pregnancy ; Prenatal Exposure Delayed Effects ; physiopathology ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

OBJECTIVETo study the growth inhibition of Weikangfu recipe on S180 tumor and its apoptotic induction.

METHODS180-bearing mice were orally administrated with different dosages of Weikangfu recipe, and the growth inhibition was evaluated; apoptotic cells induced were detected by flow cytometry and DNA agarose gel electrophoresis.

RESULTWeikangfu recipe showed significant inhibition on the growth of S180 tumor in a dose-dependent manner, compared with the control group. From apoptotic analyses, Weikangfu recipe induced a dose-dependent apoptosis of S180 tumor cells and arrested the cell cycle distribution at G0-G1 phase. At the same time, the up-regulation of p53 and bax and down-regulation of bcl-2 were observed in S180 tumor cells of the treated groups.

CONCLUSIONOur findings demonstrate that Weikangfu recipe can significantly inhibit the growth of S180 tumor and induce apoptosis through expression alteration of p53, bax and bcl-2.

Animals ; Apoptosis ; drug effects ; Cell Cycle ; drug effects ; Dose-Response Relationship, Drug ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; administration & dosage ; isolation & purification ; pharmacology ; Female ; Male ; Mice ; Neoplasm Transplantation ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-bcl-2 ; metabolism ; Random Allocation ; Sarcoma 180 ; pathology ; Tumor Suppressor Protein p53 ; metabolism ; bcl-2-Associated X Protein ; metabolism

OBJECTIVETo prepare tuizhang gel to cure cataract, the characteristics of Tuizhang gel on the drug-releasing in vitro were evaluated by compared with Tuizhang oculentum.

METHODThe emodin and chrysophanol in the releasing mediator were determined by HPLC, and the drug releasing characteristics of Tuizhang gel and Tuizhang oculentum were studied by bag filter method.

RESULTThe emodin and chrysophanol in Tuizhang gel released (98.3, 1.1)%, (95.8, 1.8)% within 24 hours, respectively, while those in tuizhang oculentum released (10.62, 0.7)%, (10.46, 0.4)%, respectively. The emodin and chrysophanol in Tuizhang gel released more quickly and completely than in Tuizhang oculentum, so Tuizhang gel has enhanced the bioavailability.

CONCLUSIONThe Tuizhang gel is characterized by slow-release to some degree, and it shows a promising future on ophthalmic drug delivery.

Acrylic Resins ; chemistry ; Anthraquinones ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Delayed-Action Preparations ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; chemistry ; pharmacology ; Emodin ; chemistry ; pharmacokinetics ; Gels ; Ointments ; Plants, Medicinal ; chemistry ; Solubility ; Technology, Pharmaceutical ; methods

OBJECTIVETo observe the effect of electro-acupuncture (EA) on clinical outcomes and the occurrence of ovarian hyperstimulation syndrome (OHSS) in in vitro fertilization and embryo transplantation.

METHODSTotally 109 patients who routinely received in vitro fertilization/intracytoplasmic sperm injection (IVF/ICSI) at Reproductive Center were assigned to the control group (56 cases) and the EA group (53 cases) according to even and odd-numbered date. Patients in the control group received controlled ovarian hyperstimulation (COH) referring to GnRH-a long protocol. On the basis of COH, those in the EA group received EA from the day of Gn injection to the day of embryo transfer. Estradiol (E2), vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), interleukin-6 (IL-6), and angiotensin (AT) II were measured in all patients on the day of hCG injection, the day of ovum pick up (OPU), and the day of embryo transfer (ET), respectively. The oocyte retrieval rate, good quality embryo rate, clinical pregnancy rate, the abortion rate, and the occurrence of OHSS were compared between the two groups.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, serum E2 levels on the day of OPU and the day of ET were significantly lower in the EA group (P < 0.05). On the day of OPU levels of VEGF and IL-6 also significantly decreased (P < 0.05). Serum levels of VEGF and IL-6 reached the highest line on the day of hCG in the two groups, and then showed a decreasing trend. Compared with the control group at the same time point, serum levels of VEGF and IL-6 obviously decreased on on the day of OPU, hCG, and ET (P < 0.05). The occurrence of OHSS and the canceling rate of transplant cycle were significantly lower in the EA group than in the control group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONSEA, as an adjunctive therapy, could reduce the occurrence of OHSS in IVF. Besides, it did not decrease good embryo rates and pregnancy rates in IVF-ET, which might be associated with lowering local vascular permeability of ovaries.

Electroacupuncture ; methods ; Embryo Transfer ; Estradiol ; metabolism ; Female ; Fertilization in Vitro ; Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone ; metabolism ; Humans ; Interleukin-6 ; metabolism ; Ovarian Hyperstimulation Syndrome ; therapy ; Ovulation Induction ; Pregnancy ; Pregnancy Rate ; Sperm Injections, Intracytoplasmic ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A ; metabolism

BACKGROUNDAirway symptoms in asthma are related to decrease of epinephrine secretion, which may be ascribed to elevated nerve growth factor (NGF) in the organism. The aim of this study was to monitor the neuroendocrine alteration in the adrenal medulla of asthmatic rats.

METHODSSixteen rats were randomly divided into two groups (n = 8), control group and asthma group, and the asthmatic rats were sensitized and challenged with ovalbumin (OVA). The levels of NGF, epinephrine and norepinephrine in serum were detected by enzyme linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), the NGF expression in adrenal medulla was detected by immunohistochemistry, and the changes in the ultrastructure of the adrenal medulla was observed by electron microscopy.

RESULTSThe NGF expression was increased in asthmatic rats compared with control rats. Compared with control rats, the results indicated that the epinephrine level was decreased in asthmatic rats, but no significant difference was found in norepinephrine levels. We found more ganglion cells in the adrenal medulla of asthmatic rats than in control rats, with NGF immunostaining mainly located in these ganglion cells. Electron microscopic images showed the density of chromaffin granula decreased and there was shrunken nucleolemma in the adrenal medullary cells of asthmatic rats.

CONCLUSIONThe innervation of the adrenal medulla is changed in asthmatic rats, and it may contribute to the epinephrine decrease in asthma.

Adrenal Medulla ; metabolism ; ultrastructure ; Animals ; Asthma ; blood ; metabolism ; Bronchoalveolar Lavage ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Epinephrine ; blood ; Male ; Microscopy, Electron, Transmission ; Nerve Growth Factor ; blood ; metabolism ; Norepinephrine ; blood ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

The study was aimed to explore the roles of exosomes derived from regulatory dendritic cells of mice in the induction of immune tolerance. Immature DC (iDC) from mouse bone marrow cells and regulatory DCs (rDC) were induced by treating iDC with TGF-beta1 and IL-10. The phenotype of regulatory DCs and normal DCs were assayed by flow cytometry. Exosomes from immature DCs (iDex) and regulatory DCs (rDex) were isolated by ultracentrifugation and ultrafiltration. A skin transplantation model was established with the recipients BALB/c mice and the donor C57BL/6 mice. Recipients were divided into PBS control group, iDex group (injection 10 microg iDex of donor C57BL/6 mice via tail vein at days 7 and 3 before skin transplantation), rDex group (injection 10 microg rDex of donor C57BL/6 mice via tail vein at days 7 and 3 before skin transplantation). The capacity of the donor mice and the unrelated allogeneic donor mice to stimulate allogeneic T lymphocyte proliferation was examined by mixed lymphocyte culture (MLR). The results showed that TGF-beta1 and IL-10 could down-regulate the expressions of costimulatory molecules, including CD80, CD86 and CD40. The graft mean survival time (MST) in control group, iDex group and rDex group was 7.8, 10.7 and 18.8 days, respectively. There was significant difference in MST between iDex group and control group (p<0.05), and between rDex group and iDex group (p<0.01). The results of MLR assays indicated donor-specific hyporeactivity especially in rDex group, while the tolerant B/C mice were still immunocompetent to unrelated allogeneic DBA mouse. It is concluded that injection iDex or rDex of donor mice via tail vein before skin transplantation induces immunotolerance, and the effect of rDex is more significant.
Animals ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; immunology ; transplantation ; Exosomes ; immunology ; transplantation ; Female ; Graft Enhancement, Immunologic ; methods ; Graft Survival ; Immune Tolerance ; immunology ; Lymphocyte Culture Test, Mixed ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred BALB C ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice, Inbred DBA ; Skin Transplantation ; Transplantation Immunology ; Transplantation, Homologous

Purpose of this study was to establish an effective method in vitro to proliferate natural killer T (NKT) cells from umbilical cord blood (UCB) and peripheral blood (PB), and to study their different phenotype. Mononuclear cells (MNC) from UCB and PB were cultured in the presence of IL-2 (100 U/ml), with or without alpha-Galcer. TCR Valpha24 Vbeta11 double positive natural killer T-cells (NKT cells) and their other phenotypes were determined by flow cytometry. The results showed that after expansion for 7 days, TCRValphabeta(+) NKT cells from UCB-MNCs increased by (8.74 +/- 4.37) x 10(2) times as much, but most of them did not express NK1.1 and its TCR Vbeta11(+) was higher than TCR Valpha24(+). After expansion for 14 days, TCR Valphabeta(+) NKT cells from PB-MNCs increased by (3.72 +/- 2.01) x 10(2) times, the expression of NK1.1 was high and its TCR Vbeta11(+) was almost equal to TCR Valpha24(+). It is concluded that human TCR Valpha24 Vbeta11 double positive NKT cells can expand by addition of alpha-Galcer. The proliferation efficiency in UCB-MNCs is greater than that in PB-MNCs. Most of the UCB-NKT is NK1.1(-), while the PB-NKT is NK1.1(+), a new subset of NKT cells.
Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured ; Fetal Blood ; cytology ; Galactosylceramides ; pharmacology ; Humans ; Interleukin-2 ; pharmacology ; Killer Cells, Natural ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology ; Leukocytes, Mononuclear ; cytology ; Phenotype ; T-Lymphocytes, Regulatory ; cytology ; drug effects ; immunology