AIM: To investigate the clinical value of fundus fluorescein angiography ( FFA ) and optical coherent tomography ( OCT) in the diagnosis of central retinal vein occlusion.
●METHODS:A total of 47 cases (47 eyes) central retinal vein occlusion were retrospectively analyzed from Jun. 2012 to Dec. 2015 in our hospital ophthalmology center. According to the final diagnosis, the results were divided into 21 cases of central retinal artery occlusion ( group CRAO, 21 eyes) and central retinal vein occlusion ( group CRVO, 26 eyes ) . All patients received FFA and OCT examination within 2wk of onset, and the image data of the two kinds of examination results were analyzed.
● RESULTS: Group of patients with CRAO average macular foveola thickness, angle measuring, filling time determination results were significantly lower than that of the patients with CRVO group average and the differences were significant (P<0. 05).
●CONCLUSION:FFA and OCT images of central retinal artery and vein occlusion have their own characteristics, and the combination of these two images can be used to identify and diagnose the central retinal artery and vein occlusion.

3T3-LI preadipocytes were induced to differentiate and 3T3-L1 adipocyte or preadipocytes were incubated with oleate or palmitate overnight.RT-PCR was used to measure adiponectin receptor(AdipoR)1 and AdipoR2 mRNA levels.The results showed that the AdipoRl and AdipoR2 expressions were differentiation- dependent.Oleate only suppressed AdipoR mRNA expression in preadipocyte but not in adipocyte.However,high concentration of palmitate reduced AdipoR mRNA expression in both 3T3-LI preadipocyte and adipocyte.

AlM:To evaluate the clinical efficacy of intravitreal injection of ranibizumab combined with macular grid photocoagulation for diabetic macular edema ( DME) .METHODS:Totally 60 eyes ( 60 patients ) with DME were randomly divided into 2 groups: 30 eyes of simple injection group underwent intravitreal injection of ranibizumab, and 30 eyes of combined treatment group underwent intravitreal injection of ranibizumab and macular grid photocoagulation 1wk later. The best corrected visual acuity ( BCVA ) , central macular thickness ( CMT ) measured by optical coherence tomography ( OCT ) and postoperative complications were observed.
RESULTS:ln simple injection group, the BCVA after operation were separately 0. 390 ± 0. 075 (4wk), 0. 367 ± 0. 088 (8wk) and 0. 319 ± 0. 064 (12wk), the CMT after operation were separately 221. 63 ± 112. 34μm (4wk), 337. 73±99. 56μm (8wk) and 432. 92 ± 100. 46μm (12wk), which were much better than pre-operation. But during follow-up, the BCVA presented down trend and the CMT was on the rise slowly. ln combined treatment group, the BCVA after operation were separately 0. 385 ± 0. 036 (4wk), 0.382±0.079 (8wk) and 0.377±0.097 (12wk),the CMT after operation were separately 249. 77 ± 106. 55μm (4wk), 270. 40 ± 92. 88μm (8wk) and 275. 84 ± 97. 34μm (12wk ), which were satisfactory and steady during follow-up, better than simple injection group (P<0. 05).CONCLUSlON:lntravitreal injection of ranibizumab can effectively improve visual acuity and decrease central foveal thickness for patients with DME, combining with macular grid photocoagulation can ensure therapeutic effects steady and permanent.

BACKGROUNDRecent studies have demonstrated that dexamethasone (DEX) interferes with immune responses by targeting key functions of dendritic cells (DCs) at the earliest stage. However, the cellular and molecular mechanisms are still incompletely understood. This study aimed to explore the possible mechanisms by investigating the roles of DEX on differentiation, maturation & function of murine DCs and the effects of DEX on DCs via Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4)-nuclear factor (NF)-kappaB mediated signal pathway.

METHODSImmature DCs (imDCs) were cultured from murine bone marrow (BM) cells. We added DEX into culture medium at different time. The expression of CD11c, CD86 and I-A(b) (mouse MHC class II molecule) was determined by flow cytometry. We determined the expression of NF-kappaB and its inhibitory protein I-kappaBalpha by electrophoretic mobility shift assay (EMSA) and Western blotting, respectively. The productions of interleukin (IL)-12p70 and IL-10 in cell culture supernatants were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA).

RESULTSDEX impaired differentiation of DCs from murine bone marrow progenitors, and inhibited lipopolysaccharide (LPS) induced maturation of DCs. DEX significantly inhibited NF-kappaB expression of normal DCs, the higher the DEX concentration or the longer the DEX treatment time, the more obvious the effect. However, DEX had little effect on LPS-induced NF-kappaB activation, and partially impaired LPS-induced I-kappaBalpha degradation. DEX significantly decreased LPS induced IL-12p70 production by DCs. Interestingly, our results showed a synergistic effect between DEX and LPS on the production of IL-10 by DCs.

CONCLUSIONSDEX inhibits the differentiation and maturation of murine DCs involved in TLR4-I-kappaB-NF-kappaB pathway, and also indirectly impairs Th1 development and interferes with the Th1-Th2 balance through IL-12 and/or IL-10 secretion by DCs.

Animals ; Blotting, Western ; Bone Marrow Cells ; cytology ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cells, Cultured ; Dendritic Cells ; cytology ; metabolism ; Dexamethasone ; pharmacology ; Electrophoretic Mobility Shift Assay ; Enzyme-Linked Immunosorbent Assay ; Flow Cytometry ; Male ; Mice ; NF-kappa B ; metabolism ; Signal Transduction ; drug effects ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; metabolism

Line scanning quantitative analysis method on silicate with small laser beam ( < 15 μm) was developed using laser ablation sector field inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (LA-SF-ICP-MS). Differences on signal intensity and elemental fractionation induced by different laser sampling patterns were compared. While spot ablation with small laser beam, the elemental signal intensity decreased with time significantly, and the elemental fractionation was obvious. In contrast, the elemental signal intensity by line scanning was higher and more stable and line scanning was free of elemental fractionation. Therefore, identical ablation pattern and condition should be used for the standard and the unknown sample in LA-ICP-MS quantitative analysis. A single pulse experiment was carried out to investigate the washout time when coupled to two-volume ablation cell. The result indicated that the elemental intensity decayed to the background value needed 2-3 s. The optimal parameters on SF-ICP-MS were set to reduce the effect of signal overlapping. Homogeneous sample KL2-G and titanite grains with composition zoning were analyzed by this method. Accurate element contents and element ratios indicated that fast washout time and optimal instrument parameters made it feasible to perform line scanning quantitative analysis accurately. Comparing to traditional microanalysis, line scanning quantitative analysis could reduce the laser beam size (<15 μm) and improve the spatial resolution efficiently. The potential of the technique to unveil compositional complexities in greater detail would help to improve our understanding of geochemical processes in mineral scale.

AIMTo study preventive and therapeutic effect of zinc sulfate on lung injury during superior mesenteric artery occlusion (SMAO) shock and their mechanism of action.

METHODSModel of rabbit SMAO shock was made. The effect of zinc sulfate on the malondialdehyde (MDA) in erythrocyte membrane and plasma, oxidase (XOD) in plasma, superoxide dismutase (SOD) in erythrocyte and MDA, SOD and pulmonary surfactant (PS) in lung tissues homogenate were observed.

RESULTSThe administration of zinc sulfate decreased MDA and XOD, prevented the reduction of SOD and PS, and alleviated lung injury.

CONCLUSIONIt is suggested that lung is injured during SMAO shock and zinc sulfate possesses preventive and therapeutic effect, through stabilized membrane.

Animals ; Female ; Lung ; metabolism ; Lung Injury ; drug therapy ; etiology ; metabolism ; Male ; Mesenteric Artery, Superior ; pathology ; Mesenteric Vascular Occlusion ; complications ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Shock ; complications ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Zinc Sulfate ; therapeutic use

AIMTo explore the effects of shenmai (Chinese transitional medicine) injection on lipid peroxidation in the lung following with ischemia/reperfusion (I/R) injury of limb.

METHODSThe models of I/R injury of limb were constructed in rabbits. Superoxide dismutase (SOD) and malondialdehyde (MDA) in into and out-flowing pulmonary blood (IPB, OPB) and lung tissue were measured, as well as the effects of shenmai injection were observed.

RESULTSCompared with sham group, the activity of SOD in IPB, OPB and lung tissue were decreased, and the content of MDA was increased after 4 h ischemia followed by 4 h reperfusion. SOD increased and MDA decreased significantly by icy shenmai injection 30 min before reperfusion. The correlation analysis indicated that MDA was negatively correlated with SOD .

CONCLUSIONOxygen free radicals metabolic confusion of lung occurred in the course of I/R, shenmai injection can alleviate lipid peroxidation, get rid of free radicals and inhibit the damage of lung.

Animals ; Drug Combinations ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; therapeutic use ; Extremities ; blood supply ; Ischemia ; metabolism ; Lipid Peroxidation ; drug effects ; Lung ; metabolism ; Malondialdehyde ; metabolism ; Rabbits ; Reperfusion Injury ; drug therapy ; metabolism ; Superoxide Dismutase ; metabolism

Objective To investigate the long-term follow-up results of patients treated with radical nephrectomy for small renal carcinoma.Methods Between January 1992 and June 2004,a total of 56 pa- tients(41 men and 15 women;mean age,54 years;age range,19-71 years)underwent radical nephrectomy for small renal carcinoma.The clinical data and long-term follow-up results of the 56 cases were analyzed ret- rospectively.All the patients were followed by questionnaire;and the 5-and 10-year survival rates were calcu- lated by Kaplan-Meier method.Results None of the patients was found to have metastasis preoperatively. Postoperative pathology showed renal clear cell carcinoma in 44 cases,granular cell carcinoma in 7,and mixed cell carcinoma in 5.Among these cases,ipsilateral adrenal metastasis was found in 1 case,local lymph- aden metastasis in 2,and perirenal fat metastasis in 4.Postoperatively,49 of the 56 patients(87.5%)were followed for 11-155 months with a mean of 71 months.The 5-and 10-year survival rates were 81.7% and 66.9%,respectively.Five patients died of metastasis from renal carcinoma.Conclusions Radical ne- phrectomy for small renal carcinoma has favorable long-term effects,therefore it is an optimal surgical proce- dure for small renal carcinoma.

OBJECTIVETo investigate the effects of ghrelin on the proliferation and differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte, and study the possible mechanisms.

METHODS3T3-L1 preadipocytes were cultured in vitro. The proliferation potentials of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes that were treated with different concentrations of ghrelin were evaluated by MTT methods. The levels of c-myc and thymidine kinase mRNA were detected using RT-PCR. 3T3-L1 preadipocytes were differentiated into the matured adipocytes with insulin (INS) or ghrelin. The morphological changes of 3T3-L1 adipocytes were observed and the differentiation rate was assayed by oil-red O staining. Total RNA was extracted from adipocytes at various times, and the levels of peroxisome proliferation activated receptor gamma (PPARgamma) and CAAT/enhancer binding protein(C/EBPalpha) mRNA expressions were detected using RT-PCR.

RESULTSGhrelin at concentrations of 10(-7) to 10(-15) mol/L significantly stimulated preadipocyte proliferation (p<0.05). The levels of c-myc and thymidine kinase mRNA significantly increased in 3T3-L1 preadipocytes with 10(-9) mol/L and 10(-11) mol/L ghrelin treatment (p<0.01). The 3T3-L1 preadipocytes treated with 10(-11) mol/L ghrelin had lots of lipid droplets in the cytoplasma, but the differentiation rate was lower than those treated with INS. Ghrelin of 10(-11) mol/L significantly increased the mRNA expression of PPARgamma and C/EBPalpha in the course of 3T3-L1 preadipocyte differentiation, compared with the normal control group (p<0.05). The PPARgamma and C/EBPalpha mRNA expression increased with the prolonged differentiation of preadipocytes induced by ghrelin or INS. There were significant differences in the levels of PPARgamma and C/EBPalpha mRNA expression between the 2nd and 8th days of differentiation(p<0.01).

CONCLUSIONSGhrelin promotes the proliferation and differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes. The proliferation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes induced by ghrelin may be associated with increased c-myc levels. Ghrelin may promote differentiation of 3T3-L1 preadipocytes by increasing mRNA expression of PPARgamma and C/EBPalpha, thus enhances the sensitivity of adipocytes to INS.

3T3-L1 Cells ; Adipocytes ; cytology ; drug effects ; Animals ; CCAAT-Enhancer-Binding Protein-alpha ; genetics ; Cell Differentiation ; drug effects ; Cell Proliferation ; drug effects ; Genes, myc ; Ghrelin ; pharmacology ; Mice ; PPAR gamma ; genetics ; RNA, Messenger ; analysis ; Stem Cells ; cytology ; drug effects ; Thymidine Kinase ; genetics

AIMTo investigate the role of endothelin-1 in the pathogenesis of neurogenetic pulmonary edema.

METHODSThe levels of endothelin-1 in plasma and lung were measured in rats which suffered from diffuse brain injury on Marmarous' model. The changes of endothelin-1 in the lungs were also detected using an immunohistochemical method.

RESULTSAfter heavy diffuse brain injury in rats, the levels of endothelin-1 in plasma and lung began increasing at 1 hour, and peaked at 6 hour. Though a little declining at 24 hour, it maintained a higher level within 48 hours (P < 0.05). Pulmonary pathology showed that after brain injury there were congestion, swelling in pulmonary microvessels with broadened pulmonary interstitial tissue, and leucocyte infiltration was dominated by neutrophils and monocytes from 1 hour on, which peaked at 6 hour. More serious congestion, swelling and protein effusion in pulmonary alveoli were observed at both 24 h and 48 h. Immunohistochemically, endothelin-1 had more significant expression and higher levels of OD in the experimental groups than that in the control's, the most significance of which was at 6 hour.

CONCLUSIONThe inflammatory injury mechanism caused by endothelin-1 may play an important role in neurogenic pulmonary edema.

Animals ; Endothelin-1 ; metabolism ; Lung ; metabolism ; Male ; Pulmonary Alveoli ; metabolism ; Pulmonary Edema ; etiology ; metabolism ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar