Choroidal neovascularization(CNV)is the ultimate pathological manifestation of various ocular diseases. Its pathogenesis is extremely complex and involves multiple cells, cytokines, and signaling pathways. MicroRNA(miRNA), as a kind of small biological molecules, is a non-coding RNA composed of 22 nucleotides that regulates gene expression by degrading or inhibiting mRNA translation of target genes. Having been increasingly studied and their involvement in the development of various diseases through miRNA-mediated signaling pathways have been revealed. In the field of ophthalmology, miRNA target specific protein genes through various signaling pathways to promote or inhibit CNV. Therefore, revealing the role and mechanism of miRNA in the pathogenesis of CNV is an important direction of future research on the pathogenesis of CNV. This article aims to review on phosphatidylinositol 3 kinase- protein kinase B(PI3K-Akt), transforming growth factor-beta(TGF-β), nuclear factor-kappa B(NF-κB), Notch and Wnt signaling pathways in miRNA regulation of CNV, providing new insights into the pathogenesis of CNV and targeted therapy for CNV.

Angiogenesis is a key step involving physiological and pathological processes, and pro/antiangiogenic factors are involved in angiogenesis throughout. Melatonin is a product synthesized by the pineal gland of the human brain and acts in various systems of the body. This article briefly describes the wide range of biological roles and physiological functions of melatonin, and summarizes that melatonin regulates pro-/anti-angiogenic factors(e.g., vascular endothelial growth factor/matrix metalloproteinase)under different conditions and is involved in angiogenesis in fundus diseases(e.g., age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and central serous choroioretinopathy); in addition, it also summarizes that melatonin regulates various cytokines, inflammatory factors and signaling pathways to produce anti-inflammatory, antioxidant and immune responses in fundus diseases, and thus obtaining the application and potential treatment of melatonin in fundus vascular diseases, with a view to providing new ideas and therapeutic targets for the treatment of fundus diseases.

Aging is a necessary process for organisms.The antioxidant capacity in the body decreases, which induces the activation of inflammasomes, autophagy dysregulation, protein misfolding in the lens, resulting in lens opacification. With the increase of age, the secretion of melatonin and glutathione(GSH)gradually decreased, and the pro-oxidant/pro-inflammatory factors increased, which created ideal conditions for the formation of age-related cataract(ARC). A series of changes such as oxidative stress, inflammation and autophagy dysregulation accompany the occurrence of aging, which is also the basis of various diseases. Melatonin has antioxidant, anti-inflammatory, regulation of autophagy and circadian rhythm effects, and has shown benefits in age-related macular degeneration(ARMD), diabetic retinopathy(DR), and glaucoma. Although phacoemulsification and lens implantation have developed maturely, they consume a lot of medical resources. This article reviews the research of melatonin in ARC, which may prevent/delay the formation of ARC, thereby reducing the economic burden of patients and reducing the loss of medical resources.

Diabetes mellitus is a common metabolic disease worldwide,which may cause oxidative damage,inflamma-tion,and impaired autophagy under prolonged high-glucose stimulation,resulting in the destruction of the blood-retinal barrier and then diabetic retinopathy(DR).Melatonin is a hormone secreted mainly by the pineal gland and to a lesser ex-tent by the retina,which not only has antioxidant activity,but is also involved in anti-inflammation,anti-tumor,immuno-modulation,modulation of autophagy,and neuroprotection.Melatonin functions well in controlling blood glucose and can attenuate high glucose-induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in retinal Müller cells.Moreover,melatonin protects mito-chondria,reduces neuronal damage,participates in anti-inflammatory and anticancer activities,and affects neovascularization by regulating autophagy and miRNA expression in endothelial progenitor cells.This review summarizes the role of melatonin in DR and elucidates the factors associated with melatonin regulation of DR,providing new ideas for the treatment of DR.

Objective:To summarize the clinical experience of transurethral columnar balloon dilation of prostate (TUCBDP) in the treatment of patients with benign prostatic hyperplasia(BPH).Methods:A retrospective analysis of 379 BPH clinical data from the Hubei Provincial Hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine using TUCBDP was performed between June 2015 and June 2018.Their age was (71.3±14.5)years old. The history of disease ranged from 1 month to 36 years. The prostate volume was(47.4±2.1) ml. Preoperative maximum urinary flow rate was (Q max)(9±4) ml/s, postvoid residual urine(PVR) was (123.1±72.4) ml. Their international prostate symptom score (IPSS) was (21±6) points. The quality of life score (QOL)was (5±1) points. The international index erectile function questionnaire (IIEF-5)in 32 patients, who had sex before surgery, was 15±4. We set the time of catheter structure improvement in June 2016 as the boundary, including the early stage (June 2015 to May 2016, 121 cases) and the recent stage (June 2016 to June 2018, 258 patients). In the early stage, the principle of operation is the inner balloon of the catheter to dilate the membrane urethra, and the outer balloon to dilate the urethra of the prostate and the bladder neck. The main surgical steps include the insertion of a dilatation catheter, localization by touching the skin of the scrotum bottom, the inner and outer balloon are filled with water, the first time of drainage and decompression in the inner and outer balloon, the catheter continuous irrigation, drainage and decompression of the inner and outer balloon again, removing the dilatation catheter, and the ordinary urinary catheter was replaced and continuous irrigation. In the recent stage, the principle of surgery is that the inner balloon only served for positioning and fixation. The outer balloon is used to dilate the membrane urethra, prostate urethra, and bladder neck. The inner and outer balloon are drained and decompressed at one time after surgery. The main surgical steps are that the resectoscope was used to examine the bladder and urethra and to guide the dilatation catheter into the bladder. The apex of the prostate touching was used to conform the location. The inner balloon water filling was used for fix the positioning. The inner and outer balloon are filled with water, decompressed and pulled out for urination test, the gland expansion is observed under the resectoscope, and ordinary urinary catheter is replaced for continuous flushing. We observed the changes in Q max, PVR, IPSS, and QOL at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after the operation. the complications differences in two-stage patien, including the International Incontinence Advisory Committee Urinary Incontinence Questionnaire (ICI-Q-SF) score; those who had sex before surgery were recorded changes in the IIEF-5 score, was compared. Results:There were no deaths during and after operation in this study. The operation time was (18.5±6.7) min. The number of follow-up cases at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after operation were 326, 253, 201, 194, and 181, respectively. The Q max at 1, 3, 6, 12, and 24 months after operation were (17±9)ml/s, (15±2)ml/s, (12±4)ml/s, (13±6)ml/s and (13±4)ml/s, respectively. The PVR were (17.4± 11.6) ml, (20.6±9.8)ml, (25.4±13.1)ml, (31.5±11.5)ml, and (29.1±12.4)ml, respectively. The IPSS were(7±5) points, (4±4) points, (4±4) points, (6±5) points, (4±4) points, respectively. The QOL were (2±1) points, (2±1) points, (2±1) points, (2±1) points, and (2±1), respectively. All those results that were significantly different from those before surgery ( P<0.05). There were 32 patients who had sex before the operation. The postoperative IIEF-5 score was (17± 6), which was not significantly different from that before the operation ( P>0.05). Two patients had transient retrograde ejaculation, which relieved spontaneously within the 6 month. 4 cases with pseudourinary incontinence in the recent stage (1.5%) were not statistically different from 6 cases (4.9%) in the early stage ( P>0.05). one case(0.4%) of major bleeding in the recent stage was statistically different from 6 cases (4.9%) in the early stage ( P<0.05). 2 cases (0.7%) of patients with acute urinary retention in the recent stage were significantly different from 15 cases (12.4%) in the early stage ( P<0.05). Conclusions:TUCBDP has a positive overall effect and high safety. The major complications of surgery in the recent stage, except for pseudo-urinary incontinence, are significantly lower than that in the early stage, which may be related to the improvement of the catheter structure and the accumulation of clinical experience.

Objective To evaluate if the flexible ureteroscopy could treat stones located in lower calyx with the infundibulopelvic angle (IPA) less than 30°.Methods Thirty-six patients with inferior caliceal calculi on whom flexible ureteroscopic procedures were performed between November 2009 and June 2015 were reviewed.The mean age of the patients was 52.1 years (34-71),with the mean stone diameter of (1.5 ± 0.8) cm (1.2-2.6 cm).IPA was smaller than 30° in all 36 cases,which confirmed by CTU examination.IPA was less than 10° in 15 patients,between 11 ° and 20° in 13 patients and between 21 ° and 30° in 8 patients.Results The success rate was 63.9％ (23/36 patients) in patients with IPA smaller than 30° after first session of procedure,and the stone free rate reached 100％ after the second session of procedure.The mean operation duration was (95.5 ± 31.4) min(51-127 min).The mean hospital stay after operation was(4.1 ± 1.2)days (3-5 days).No major complications were recorded and no patients needed to convert to open surgery.Double J tube was removed after 4 weeks postoperatively.Patients were followed up for 4-12 months,during which ultrasound and CT scan were used for stone detection.Conclusions The small IPA (＜30°) negatively affected the SFR in the first session operation.However,its negative effect was solvable by using modern endoscopes.A complete stone clearance was achievable even in case of unfavorable anatomic conditions in experienced hand.

Objective To monitor the renal pelvic pressure and to investigate its clinical significance during retrograde flexible ureteroscopic lithotripsy (RFUL).Methods The data of renal pelvic pressure measured in 60 cases of RFUL with the mean irrigation pump speed and pressure of 30 ml/min and 30 mmHg were analyzed retrospectively.The influence factors of renal pelvic pressure and its correlation with postoperative fever were analyzed.Renal pelvic pressure was measured by baroceptor,which was connected to PHILIP-MP4 monitor IBP channel and ureteric catheter positioned in renal pelvis through a dual channel ureteral access sheath (UAS).The renal pelvic pressure data was collected and analyzed in every 2 seconds by computer.The 60 cases were divided into 3 groups according to their intra-pelvic pressure situations:normal pressure group(NP,IPPmax ≤30 mmHg),high pressure group(HP,IPPmax＞30 mmHg,but high pressure duration≤ 10 min),and backflow pressure group(BP,IPPmax＞30 mmHg and high pressure duration＞ 10 min).Results The baseline intra-pelvic pressure (IPP0) and max imum intra-pelvic pressure (IPPmax) were (13.2±5.6) mmHg and (95.6±2.3) mmHg respectively.IPP levels during the RFUL were significantly higher than the IPP0(P＜0.001).There were 32,17 and 11 cases in NP,HP and BP groups,respectively.There were 6 cases with fever higher than 38.5 ℃ (10％),in which there were 1 case in NP,1 case in HP group and 4 cases in BP group.The postoperative fever rate in NP,HP and BP group were 3％,6％ and 36％ respectively,which were significantly different between groups(P＜0.01).There were 12 cases with procalcitonin ＞0.1 ng/ml and 8 cases with procalcitonin ＞0.5 ng/ml,in which 2 cases in HP group and 6 cases in BP group.Conclusions RFUL would result in a temporal elevated intrapelvic pressure greater than 30 mmHg.Postoperative fever is relevant with renal perfusion pressure and perfusion time.It's necessary for the surgeons to adjust the perfusion pressure during operation.

Objective To compare the therapeutic effect of retrograde ureteroscopic Ho:YAG laser lithotripsy (UHL) and percutaneous nephrolithotripsy (PCNL) in treating patients with renal calculi of ≤3 cm.Methods From Feb.2008 to Apr.2011,a total of 109 cases (117 renal calculi in total) treated by either PCNL (50) or UHL (67) were retrospectively analyzed.Operative time,stone free rate,postoperative hospital stay,hospitalization expenses and complications were compared in the 2 groups.Results The mean stone burden of the UHL group and PCNL group was 2.5 cm (1.5-3.0) cm and 2.4 cm (1.3-3.0) cm,respectively.There was no significant difference in two groups.In UHL group,operations were performed successfully in all 67 calculi,of whom,43 patients needed combination of flexible ureteroscopy to break the stone fragments falling into the renal calices.No serious complication was recorded except postoperative fever in 3 cases.In PCNL group,all patients had been successful operated.Postoperative fever occurred in 2 cases.Obvious intraoperative and postoperative haemorrhage appeared in 1 case,and cured by selective renal artery embolization.The operation time of the UHL group and PCNL group was (117.0±36.5) min and (90.0±18.3) min respectively,and had no significant difference in two groups (P＞0.05).The stone free rate of the UHL group and PCNL group was 94％ (63/67) and 92％ (46/50) respectively,and had no significant difference in two groups (P＞0.05).Hemoglobin decline of the UHL group and PCNL group was (0.3±0.1) g/L and (20.6±8.1) g/L,and had significant difference in two groups (P＜0.05).Postoperative hospital stay of the UHL group and PCNL group was (5.0±2.4) day and (7.0±3.7) day,and had statistical difference in two groups (P＜ 0.05).Hospitalization expenses of the UHL group and PCNL group was (15 477.0±754.3) RMB and (27 453.0± 1763.5) RMB,and had statistical difference in two groups (P＜0.05).Conclusions Although UHL and PCNL have similar curative effect in treating renal stones of less than 3 cm,UHL have the advantages of lcss trauma and complication,lower expenses and fewer hospital stay.In treating renal stones of smaller than 3 cm,especially in the contraindication of PCNL,UHL may be a better choice.

ObjectiveTo evaluate term efficacy of focal cryoablation for localized single lesion prostate cancer and the protection of erectile function.MethodsFrom June 2008 to December 2009, 12 patients with localized single lesion prostate cancer were treated with focal cryoablation. All diagnoses were confirmed by transrectal ultrasound-guided prostatic biopsy. The mean Gleason score was ≤ 7; three cases had a Gleason score of 5, five cases a score of 6, and four cases a score of 7. The average preoperative value of PSA was 9.7 ng/ml ( 4.2 - 14.9 ng/ml ). The PSA level was obtained every three months for the first year and then every six months thereafter. Patients with a PSA nadir greater than 1.0 ng/ml or if the PSA nadir increased more than 2 ng/ml underwent repeat biopsy to exclude tumor recurrence.ResultsThe mean operative time was (82 ±26) minutes. The mean postoperative hospital stay was (5 ± 2) days. After catheter removal, all 12 cases had good continence and 10 had erectile function before surgery. Of the 10 patients, eight had erectile function after surgery. The follow - up ranged from 12 to 30 months ( mean 23 ).The lowest average serum PSA nadir was 2.2 ng/ml, nine patients had a minimum PSA nadir of less than 1.0 ng/ml and three had a minimum PSA nadir of more than 1.0 ng/ml. Four patients underwent repeat biopsy after abnormal PSA, and prostate cancer was detected in the contralateral gland in one patient.ConclusionsUltrasound-guided transperineal focal cryoablation is a safe and effective treatment with few complications for localized single lesion prostate cancer. Additional studies with longer follow-up are necessary for long-term efficacy.

Objective To study the immunoregulatory effects of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (MSC) on allogeneic peripheral B lymphocytes in vitro. Methods MSCs were isolated and cultured from bone marrow by gradient centrifugation. Mononuclear cells were isolated routinely from peripheral blood, then monocytes were eliminated by L-leucine methy ester method. Remained T lymphocytes were eliminated by AET-SRBC rosette method. The action of MSCs and its supernatant on B lymphocytes proliferation in the presence of anti-human IgM goat antibodies (anti-IgM) was investigated by MTT. The IgG, IgM in the supernatant were detected by ELISA. The percent of apoptosis B lymphocytes, co-cultured with MSCs for 24 or 48h, was assayed by FACS. Results MSCs and its supernatant inhibited B lymphocytes proliferation and Ig secretion. The inhibitory effect depended on the amount of MSCs and condition of its supernatant. The date of FACS indicated that the apoptosis ratio of B lymphocytes, co-cultured with MSCs for different times, were non-significant. The inhibitory effect of MSCs on B lymphocytes was temporary and reversible. Conclusion MSCs have immunoregulatory effects on B lymphocytes, and its mechanisms are complex, not only correlating with the concentration of MSCs but also the action between cells and the secretory cytokine of MSCs.