Keratocytes situated between the collagen lamellae in the corneal stroma,are mitotically quiescent cells.The cells can secrete collagens and keratan sulfate proteoglycans which contribute to the transparency of the cornea.Upon injury,keratocytes are stimulated to corrent apoptosis and transite into repair phenotypes,fibroblast and myofibroblast.These repair phenotypes can either promote regeneration or induce fibrotic scar,and the latter is detrimental to the otherwise transparent cornea.Moreover,a population of keratocytes can be induced to appear the stem cell-like characteristics.Therefore,keratocytes are no longer bystanders,but active participants in numerous functions.

Objective To observe the therapeutic effect of herbal decoction Kugan Yin for cystic hyperplasia of breast.Methods The 131 cases of cystic hyperplasia of breast in phlegm combining qi stagnation syndrome were randomized into treatment group(68 cases)which was treated by Kugan Yin and control group(63 cases)which was treated by Rupixiao Tablets(Tablets for dissolving breast nodules).The changes of symptoms and signs,level of serum sexual hormone and molybdenum target mammography analysis of two groups were observed for comparison.Results The total effective rate of treatment group was obviously better than that of con- trol group(P

Background The pathogenesis of dry eye is complicated,hormone level is thought to be one of impact factors in the development of dry eye.The regulation of the synthesis process of metalloproteinases(MMPs) in tissue has been reported.However,the effects of hormone on expression of MMP-2 in lachrymal gland is not clear.Objective This study was to investigate the effects of estrogen and androgen on the expression of MMP-2 in lachrymal gland in ovariectomized rats,and explore the role of MMP-2 in dry eye.Methods Sixty-four 3-monthold clean female Wistar rats were randomized into control group(8 rats),sham operation group(8 rats)and experiment group(48 rats).Ovariectomy(OVX) was performed on the rats of experiment group,and only fat tissue of abdominal cavity was cut off in the rats of the sham operation group.After 5 months of OVX,the experimental rats were subdivided into model control group,vehicle group,estrogen and androgen systemic or topical utilization groups and 8 rats for each group.Six weeks after administration of the drugs,the lachrymal gland was obtained.The expression of MMP-2 mRNA in the lachrymal gland was detected by reverse transcription PCR(RT-PCR),β-actin mRNA was used as an internal control,and the expression of MMP-2 protein was detected by Western blot,GAPDH was used as protein loading control.The use and care of the rats complied with the ARVO Statement.Results The expression of MMP-2 mRNA was strongest in the systemic estrogen group and was weakest in the systemic androgen utilization group.A significant difference in the MMP-2 mRNA expression was found among the 8 groups(F=18.60,P＜0.01),and the MMP-2 mRNA was significantly higher in the model group than that of the normal control group(0.66±0.10vs.0.47±0.10)(q=3.01,P＜0.05).In addition,the MMP-2 mRNA was significantly higher in the systemic estrogen group compared with the model group (0.83 ±0.10 vs.0.66-0.10) (q =2.79,P＜0.05) ; while the expression of MMP-2 mRNA was significantly declined in the systemic androgen group in comparison with the model group(0.12±0.04 vs.0.66±0.10)(q=11.41,P＜0.01).The MMP-2 protein presented with a strongest expression in the systemic estrogen utilization group and a weakest expression in the systemic androgen utilization groups.The expression level of the MMP-2 protein in the lachrymal gland was significantly different among the 8 groups(F =7.28,P＜0.01).The MMP-2 in the model group was significantly higher than that of the normal group(0.55±0.13 vs.0.38±0.08) (q =2.39,P＜0.05),and that in the systemic estrogen group was increased in comparison with the model group(0.69±0.12 vs.0.55±0.13) (q =1.85,P＜0.05).However,the MMP-2 in the systemic androgen group was significantly lowed in comparison with the model group(0.27±0.07 vs.0.55±0.13) (q =4.32,P＜0.01).Conclusions Estrogen may up-regulate the expression of MMP-2 in lachrymal gland,but the effect of androgen is opposite.Hormone level may play an important role in the regulation of the function of lachrymal gland.

BCG Vaccine ; adverse effects ; Humans ; Immunologic Deficiency Syndromes ; complications ; Panniculitis ; etiology ; T-Lymphocytes ; Tuberculosis ; etiology

Arteriovenous Malformations ; therapy ; Child ; Female ; Humans ; Pulmonary Artery ; abnormalities ; Pulmonary Veins ; abnormalities ; Septal Occluder Device

BackgroundIt has been proved that,after being forced,the biological soft tissue has stable biomechanical characteristics.However,there is rare study on corneal biomechanics.Rabbit is a main animal for experimental study in ophthalmology.But the biomechanical study of cornea in normal rabbit has not been reported.ObjectiveThis study was to investigate the biomechanical properties of normal rabbit central cornea and acquire the parameter. Methods Ten rabbits were sacrificed and the whole corneas were obtained and 20 central cornea specimens with 7 mm×5 mm of rabbit were prepared and tested on BOSE electroforce 3220-AT biomechanics machine under the room temperature and suitable humidity environment.Uniaxial tension,stress between strain,relaxation and creep were performed and the curves were drawn.The data was collected by wintest system to evaluate the biomechanical parameters of rabbit corneal tissue. ResultsThe maximum distortion intension of rabbit cornea was (7.7432±0.6099)MPa.After three cyclic loading,the stress gradually attenuated and the stress and strain flattened as the time change with the relaxation rate 30.33％.The deformation of the specimens enhanced with time decrease with the creep rate 24.33％. ConclusionsThe biomechanical characteristics of normal rabbit cornea are revealed in this study,which offer the basis for the experimental research of rabbit model aimed at corneal disease.

Humans ; Job Satisfaction ; Occupational Health ; Reward ; Stress, Psychological ; physiopathology ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Workload

Animals ; Electromagnetic Fields ; Embryo, Mammalian ; metabolism ; Female ; Mice ; Pregnancy ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-fos ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; biosynthesis ; genetics ; Reverse Transcriptase Polymerase Chain Reaction

AIM:To evaluate the clinical therapeutic efficacy of the Qi ming granule for macular edema ( ME ) in diabetic patients after phacoemulsification.
METHODS:In this was a prospective clinical comparison study, 57 diabetic patients ( 76 eyes ) who underwent phacoemulsification were recruited and divided into two groups:treatment group (34 eyes) and control group (42 eyes) . All the patients in treatment group were given oral administration Qi ming granule (4. 5g, tid) and vitamin C ( 0. 1g, tid ) for 6mo postoperatively, while vitamin C ( 0.1g, tid ) for the controls. General clinical examinations, including blood glucose and glycated hemoglobin, as well as comprehensive standardized ophthalmic examinations were performed. Optical coherence tomography ( OCT ) were used to detect macular edema incidence and measure central field retinal thickness.
RESULTS: No significant difference was found in the levels of blood glucose, glycated hemoglobin, course of disease, and macular thickness between the two groups during the initial visits. At the 6th month, 2 eyes ( 6%) eyes had clinically apparent macular edema in treatment group, while 6 ( 14%) eyes had clinically apparent macular edema in control group (P=0. 285). The central subfield retinal thickness values were significantly lower in the treatment group ( 211. 76±41. 21μm ) than those in control group (278. 36±48. 94μm) (P<0. 01).
CONCLUSION:Qi ming granule can significantly reduce the incidences of macular edema and suppresses increasing retinal thickening after phacoemulsification in patients with diabetes mellitus.

Background Epidemiological investigation in human has been conclusive. In postmenopausal women,the incidence of cataract is higher than men at the same age. In addition,hormone replacement therapy may protect against the development of cataract. However,this role of androgen is not clear. Objective This study was to explore the effects of estrogen and androgen on anti-oxidative ability of lens after ovariectomy. Methods Fifty-six three-month-old clean female Wistar rats were randomly divided into normal control group,sham operation group, castration group,estrogen eyedrops group;estrogen injection group;androgen eyedrops group;androgen injection group and 8 rats for each. Ovariectomy was performed in the rats of castration group and gonadal hormone application group, and estradiol benzoate solution or testosterone propionate solution were utilized topically or systemly in 5 months after ovariectomy for 6 weeks respectively. Only abdominal cut was curried out in sham operation group. The lenses of rats were examined weekly under the slit lamp. The serum estrogen and androgen levels of rats were detected before,after operation and 6 weeks following the administration of gonadal hormone. The contents of superoxide dismutase( SOD) , glutathione( GSH) ,malondialdehyde( MDA) and water-soluble protein ( WSP) in rat lens homogenate were detected at the end of the experiment. Utilization of animals complied with the Regulation for the Administration of Affair Concerning Experimental Animals by State Science and Technology Commission. Results No opacity of lenses was found during the experiment duration in various groups. The serum estradiol levels of rats in sham group were insignificantly different from normal groups in various time points( P>0. 05). The evident decline of serum estradiol was detected in the rats of castration group and gonadal hormone application groups compared with sham group in 5 months after operation( all P<0. 01). However,at the sixth weeks after the system use of estradiol or testosterone,the serum estradiol levels were significantly higher than the castration group and topical application groups of gonadal hormone(P<0. 01). The contents of SOD,GSH and WSP in lenses were considerably increased,but the MDA level in lenses was decreased after system use of estrogen ( P<0. 01). The activity of SOD and GSH were lower after system use of testosterone in comparison with castration rats ( P < 0. 05 ). Conclusion Estrogen can protect lens against oxidation damage. However, androgen, to a certain extent, may contribute to the development of oxidative damage in OVX female rats.