Background Posterior capsule opacification (PCO) is a main cause for visual acuity decline after modern extracapsular cataract surgery.Objective The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of rapamycin on PCO formation following phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens (IOL) implantation in rabbit eyes.Methods Thirty New Zealand albino rabbits were randomized into three groups according to the difference in the implanted IOLs:conventional IOL without modification,IOL coated by a polymer material and IOL with sustained released rapamycin.Phacoemulsification combined with intraocular lens implantation surgery was performed in the left eye.The anterior ocular segment and PCO formation in the rabbit eyes were examined by slit lamp biomicroscope 1-7 days after operation,and the flare and inflammatory response of the anterior chamber as well as the degree of PCO severity were graded based on the criteria of Yang.The differences in examination outcomes were compared by the Kruskal-Wallis H test.The animals were sacrificed 12 days after surgery and eye specimens were prepared for histopathological examination to evaluate the biological behavior of lens epithelial cells (LECs) on the posterior capsule.Results The coated area of the implanted lens was semi-transparent with a smooth surface.The number of eyes with aqueous flare at grades 3 and 4 insignificantly increased but those with an inflammatory response at grades 3 and 4 significantly increased in the conventional IOL group and the polymer modified IOL group,compared with the rapamycin modified IOL group on the first day after operation (H =4.038,P =0.133 ; H =8.604,P =0.014).On the seventh day,the number of eyes with aqueous flare at grades 3 and 4 and inflammatory response at grades 3 and 4 significantly increased in the conventional IOL group and the polymer modified IOL group,compared with the rapamycin modified IOL group (H =8.891,P =0.012 ; H =7.664,P =0.0220).The histopathological examination showed that marked proliferation of LECs appeared between the anterior and posterior capsule in the conventional IOL group and the polymer modified IOL group;however,less LECs and regenerative cortex were seen in the rapamycin modified IOL group.Conclusions IOL loaded with rapamycin can inhibit the inflammatory response and alleviate the severity of PCO after phacoemulsification combined with IOL implantation.The implantation of IOL loaded with rapamycin may be a new approach to the prevention and treatment of PCO.

Photodynamic therapy ( PDT ) is a new technique to diagnose and treat diseases with photodynamic effect produced by photosensitizer and light, and is now a main method of treating exudative age - related macular degeneration ( AMD ) . ln recent years, with the development of science and technology, combinations of PDT have become a research hot spot. ln this paper, we reviewed the research status of treatments on exudative AMD with PDT combined anti-VEGF drugs.

OBJECTIVETo observe the expression of Ginkgo biloba Tablet (GbT) on scavenger receptor A (SRA) of the aortic wall and changes of serum inflammatory factors in atherosclerotic rats, and to explore its new mechanism for fighting against atherosclerosis (AS).

METHODSTotally 45 male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the control group, the model group, the GbT group, 15 rats in each group. Levels of blood glucose, blood lipids, blood calcium, serum C-reactive protein (CRP), soluble intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (slCAM-1), and soluble vascular cell adhesion molecule-1 (sVCAM-1) were measured in all rats. The expression of SRA in the aortic wall of atherosclerotic rats was observed by immunohistochemical assay. The correlation between the expression of SRA and levels of in-flammatory factors was also observed.

RESULTSCompared with the control group, blood glucose and blood calcium obviously increased (P < 0.05); levels of TG, TC, and LDL-C were significantly elevated (P < 0.01); neointimal areas were significantly thickened, increased intima percentage was significantly enlarged, narrowed lumen index was significantly reduced; levels of CRP, sICAM-1, and sVCAM-1 were significantly elevated in the model group (all P < 0.01). Compared with the model group, blood glucose and blood calcium obviously decreased (P < 0.05); levels of TG, TC, and LDL-C significantly decreased (P < 0.01) in the GbT group. Aortic lumens were obviously narrower in the model group than in the GbT group (P < 0.05). SRA expressed at the aortic wall. The aforesaid 3 indices were significantly improved in the GbT group than in the model group (P < 0.01). Serum levels of CRP, sICAM-1, and sVCAM-1 were significantly decreased in the GbT group than in the model group (P < 0.01). Serum levels of CRP, sICAM-1, and sVCAM-1 were positively correlated with the percentage of SRA positive expression area (r = 0.701, 0.604, 0.581, all P < 0.01).

CONCLUSIONSSerum levels of inflammatory factors in atherosclerotic rats were elevated, and the expression of SRA in the aortic wall was enhanced. The expression of SRA was closely correlated with serum levels of inflammatory factors. GbT could decrease serum levels of inflammatory factors and inhibit the expression of SRA.

Animals ; Aorta ; drug effects ; metabolism ; Atherosclerosis ; drug therapy ; Blood Glucose ; analysis ; C-Reactive Protein ; analysis ; Calcium ; blood ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; pharmacology ; Ginkgo biloba ; chemistry ; Intercellular Adhesion Molecule-1 ; blood ; Lipids ; blood ; Male ; Random Allocation ; Rats ; Rats, Wistar ; Scavenger Receptors, Class A ; metabolism ; Tablets ; Vascular Cell Adhesion Molecule-1 ; blood

AIM: To investigate the feasibility and clinical effect of punctoplasty by using trabeculectomy punch combined with a novel RS tube for the treatment of punctal stenosis.METHODS: Totally 39 patients (39 eyes) with punctual stenosis were selected from October 2013 to October 2015 in the Second People`s Hospital of Foshan.All patients underwent punctoplasty by using trabeculectomy punch combined with a novel RS tube.These tubes were removed at 3mo after operation.A follow-up of 6mo was taken for final analysis.The fluorescein dye disappearance test score was recorded before the operation and at 1,3 and 6mo after the extubation.The curative effect of the operation at 6mo after the extubation was assess.RESULTS: Fluorescein dye disappearance test: the scores at 1,3 and 6mo after the extubation all decreased compared with the preoperative ones.The difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).At the last following up, 35 eyes (90%) were cured completely, 4 eyes (10%) were improved significantly, no patients recurred.Effective rate was 100%.No serious intraoperative and postoperative complications happened.CONCLUSION: Punctoplasty by using trabeculectomy punch combined with novel RS tubes is a safe and effective method for the punctul stenosis, which is easy to perform, with high success rate.

Diabetic ulcer is recognized as a chronic nonhealing wound, often associated with bacterial infection and tissue necrosis, which seriously affect patients' health and quality of life. The traditional treatment methods exist some problems, such as bacterial resistance and secondary trauma, so it is urgent to find new methods to meet the requirements of diabetic ulcer treatment. In this study, we prepared a drug delivery system (DFO@CuS nanoparticles) based on hollow copper sulfide (CuS) nanoparticles loaded with deferoxamine (DFO), which realized the synergistic therapy of promoting angiogenesis and photothermal antibacterial. The morphological structure and particle size distribution of DFO@CuS nanoparticles were characterized by transmission electron microscopy and particle size analyzer, respectively. The antibacterial effect of DFO@CuS nanoparticles was evaluated by the plate coating method. The effects of DFO@CuS nanoparticles on the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs) were evaluated by CCK-8 (cell counting kit-8) assay, cell scratch assay, and tube formation assay. The results showed that DFO@CuS nanoparticles were hollow and spherical in shape with an average particle size of (200.9 ± 8.6) nm. DFO@CuS nanoparticles could effectively inhibit the growth of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) and Pseudomonas aeruginosa (PA) under near-infrared (NIR) light irradiation. DFO@CuS nanoparticles showed negligible cytotoxicity and effective acceleration of cell migration and tube formation in a certain concentration range. In conclusion, the prepared DFO@CuS nanoparticles exhibit good photothermal antibacterial properties and pro-angiogenic effects, providing a basis for their application in the treatment of diabetic ulcer.

Carcinoma, Squamous Cell ; genetics ; pathology ; virology ; Cervical Intraepithelial Neoplasia ; genetics ; pathology ; virology ; DNA, Viral ; metabolism ; Female ; Gene Amplification ; Humans ; In Situ Hybridization, Fluorescence ; Lymphatic Metastasis ; Neoplasm Grading ; Neoplasm Staging ; Papillomaviridae ; genetics ; Papillomavirus Infections ; metabolism ; RNA ; genetics ; Telomerase ; genetics ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; genetics ; pathology ; virology

OBJECTIVETo study the efficacy of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) in treating somnipathy in patients with hypertension, and to observe the change of blood pressure after sleep being improved.

METHODSTwo hundred and thirty-nine patients with hypertension accompanied somnipathy were randomly assigned to two groups, 123 patients in the treated group were treated with TCM according to syndrome differentiation, and 116 in the control group treated with Estazolam. Changes of blood pressure, scores of sleep dysfunction rating scale (SDRS), Hamilton anxiety rating scale (HAMA) and treatment emergent symptom scale (TESS) before and after treatment were observed.

RESULTSTCM showed a significant effect on hypnagogic disturbance, and significantly reduced the scores of insomnia syndromes in early sleep stage, improve the quality of sleep, prolong the sleeping time to fulfill the physiological requirement, the total effective rate being 80.5% (99/123 cases), with the overall effect higher than that (66.4%, 77/116 cases) in the control group (P < 0.05). Along with the improving of sleep, blood pressure, both systolic and diastolic, reduced in both groups, but with the reduction in the treated group superior to that in the control group (P < 0.01), and the rate of reaching target BP (< 140/90 mmHg) in the former was also significantly higher than that in the latter (39.7%, 46/116 cases, P < 0.05). As compared with those in the control group, the occurence of adverse reaction, were less in the treated group (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONTCM has better efficacy in treating somnipathy of hypertension patients than Estazolam. And the improvement of somnipathy is favorable for improving the hypertensive condition of patient.

Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anticonvulsants ; therapeutic use ; Blood Pressure ; drug effects ; Diagnosis, Differential ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal ; therapeutic use ; Estazolam ; therapeutic use ; Female ; Humans ; Hypertension ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; therapy ; Male ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Middle Aged ; Phytotherapy ; Sleep Initiation and Maintenance Disorders ; diagnosis ; physiopathology ; therapy

OBJECTIVETo evaluate the cytotoxicity of gelatin/alginate hydrogel scaffolds prepared by 3D bioprinting in human dental pulp cells (HDPCs) and compare the cell adhesion and proliferation of the cells seeded in the biomaterial using two different methods.

METHODSHDPCs isolated by tissue block culture and enzyme digestion were cultured and passaged. Gelatin/alginate hydrogel scaffolds were printed using a bioplotter, and the cytotoxicity of the aqueous extracts of the scaffold material was tested in the third passage of HDPCs using cell counting kit-8. Scanning electron microscopy and trypan blue were used to assess the adhesion and proliferation of the cells seeded in the scaffold material at a low or high concentration.

RESULTSThe aqueous extract of the scaffolds at different concentrations showed no obvious cytotoxicity and promoted the proliferation of HDPCs. The scaffolds had a good biocompatibility and HDPCs seeded in the scaffold showed good cell growth. Cell seeding at a high concentration in the scaffold better promoted the adhesion of HDPCs and resulted in a greater cell number on the scaffold surface compared with low-concentration cell seeding after a 5-day culture (P<0.05).

CONCLUSIONGelatin

Adult ; Carcinoma, Hepatocellular ; metabolism ; pathology ; Humans ; Liver ; pathology ; Liver Neoplasms ; metabolism ; pathology ; Middle Aged ; RNA, Messenger ; genetics ; Tumor Suppressor Proteins ; genetics ; metabolism