AIM:To investigate the effects of electroacupuncture at the Taiyang on refractive parameters and the expression of β-catenin and integrin β1 in the ciliary body of mice with form-deprivation myopia(FDM).METHODS:A total of 48 3-week-old healthy C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 4 groups: normal control(NC), FDM group, sham acupuncture(sham), and electroacupuncture at Taiyang acupoint(Taiyang), with 12 mice in each group. Mice in the FDM, sham, and Taiyang groups, wore translucent custom-made eye masks on the right eye to induce myopia. The Taiyang group received electroacupuncture stimulation at the Taiyang acupoint, while the sham group underwent non-penetrating stimulation with a blunt wooden stick. No intervention was performed on the NC group. Refraction and axial length were measured by infrared autorefractor and optical coherence tomography(OCT)before modeling and at 4 wk after modeling. The expression levels of β-catenin and integrin β1 in the ciliary body of mice at 4 wk after modeling were detected using quantitative real-time PCR(qPCR)and Western blotting(WB).RESULTS:After modeling for 4 wk, compared with the NC group, the FDM and sham groups showed significantly decreased refractive power(both P<0.05), elongated axial length(both P<0.05), and increased β-catenin and integrin β1 expression. Compared with the FDM and sham groups, the Taiyang group showed significantly increased refractive power(both P<0.05), shortened axial length(both P<0.05), and decreased β-catenin and integrin β1 expression.CONCLUSION:Electroacupuncture stimulation at the Taiyang acupoint effectively delayed the progression of myopia in FDM mice, and this effect may be partially mediated through modulating the expression of β-catenin and integrin β1 in the ciliary body.

Insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1)is a multifunctional growth factor which plays an important role in various physiological and pathological processes of the body by regulating biological behaviors such as cell proliferation, differentiation, and migration. Studies have found that abnormal expression of IGF-1 in the retina, sclera and other eye tissues can participate in the occurrence, development and prognosis of various ophthalmic diseases by regulating retinal autophagy flux and angiogenesis, adipogenic differentiation of orbital soft tissues and degradation of scleral extracellular matrix. This paper systematically integrates the expression level changes and mechanism of action of IGF-1 in ophthalmic diseases such as diabetic retinopathy(DR), age-related macular degeneration(ARMD), retinopathy of prematurity(ROP), Graves' ophthalmopathy, myopia, corneal injury and uveal melanoma(UM), and combines the latest clinical and animal experimental evidence to evaluate the bright prospects and potential risks of IGF-1 targeted therapy, in order to provide new ideas and theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of ophthalmic diseases.

Objective To investigate the effect of intravitreal injection of fibrillin-2(FBN2)recombinant protein on FBN2-deficient retinopathy.Methods Thirty-two SPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into 4 groups:nor-mal control group,negative control group,FBN2 knockdown group,and FBN2 recombinant protein group,with 8 mice in each group.The right eyes were taken as the experimental eyes.Mice in the normal control group did not receive any inter-vention,mice in the negative control group were intravitreally injected with 3 μL empty vector(1 mg·L-1),and mice in the FBN2 knockdown group and FBN2 recombinant protein group were intravitreally injected with 3 μL adeno-associated vi-rus(1 mg·L-1).After 4 weeks,mice in the FBN2 recombinant protein group were intravitreally injected with 3 μL FBN2 recombinant protein(1 mg·L-1).Then,electroretinogram(ERG)and optical coherence tomography(OCT)were used to measure the amplitude of Rod-b and Max-a waves and the changes in the retinal structure.Real-time quantitative poly-merase chain reaction(RT-PCR)and Western blot were used to detect changes in FBN2,microfibril-associated glycopro-tein 2(MAGP-2),collagen I(COL1)mRNA and protein expression in the mouse retina.Results The ERG findings showed that compared with the negative control group and normal control group,the amplitude of Rod-b and Max-a waves in the retina of mice in the FBN2 knockdown group and FBN2 recombinant protein group decreased(all P＜0.05);com-pared with the FBN2 knockdown group,the amplitude of Rod-b and Max-a waves in the retina of mice in the FBN2 recom-binant protein group significantly increased(both P＜0.05).The OCT findings showed that compared with the FBN2 knock-down group,the structure of the retinal pigment epithelium and the light reflex in the FBN2 recombinant protein group be-came more regular.The RT-PCR detection results showed that compared with the FBN2 knockdown group,the expression of FBN2 mRNA in the retinal tissue of mice in the FBN2 recombinant protein group significantly increased,while the ex-pression of COL1 and MAGP-2 mRNA significantly decreased(all P＜0.05).Western blot assay results showed that com-pared with the FBN2 knockdown group,the expression of FBN2 protein in the retinal tissue of mice in the FBN2 recombi-nant protein group increased significantly,while the expression of COL1 and MAGP-2 proteins decreased significantly(all P＜0.05).Conclusion Intravitreal injection of FBN2 recombinant protein can compensate for the endogenous deficiency of FBN2 in mice with FBN2-deficient retinopathy and achieve therapeutic effects by regulating COL1 and MAGP-2 expres-sion.

Objective:To investigate the expression of latent transforming growth factor-β-binding protein (LTBP), transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), cyclin-dependent kinase 2 (CDK2) and cyclin D2 (CCND2) in fibrillin-2 ( FBN2) interfering induced mouse retinopathy. Methods:Twenty-seven 8-week-old C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into normal control group, empty vector group and FBN2 interference group according to the random number table method, with 9 mice in each group.The normal control group was not treated.The empty vector group and FBN2 interference group were intravitreally injected with 3 μl empty vector and 3 μl adeno-associated virus (AAV) carrying the sh-FBN2 interference plasmid in the right eye, respectively.The structural and functional changes of the retina were detected at 4 weeks after injection by optical coherence tomography (OCT) and full-field electroretinography (ERG).The expression and distribution of FBN2 protein in the retina were detected by immunofluorescence staining.The mRNA and protein expression levels of FBN2, LTBP-1, TGF-β2, CDK2 and CCND2 in mouse retina were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative PCR and Western blot.All experiments complied with the ARVO statement.The research scheme was approved by the Experimental Animal Ethics Committee of Shandong University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (No.2019036).Results:Four weeks after injection, the results of OCT examination showed that compared with normal control and empty vector groups, the retinal pigment cortex of the FBN2 interference group was irregular with high density reflection areas.Full-field ERG results showed that compared with normal control and empty vector groups, the amplitude of Rod-a, Rod-b, Max-a and Max-b waveforms in FBN2 interference group decreased, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05).The results of immunofluorescence staining showed that FBN2 was expressed in the whole retina, and the fluorescence intensity of FBN2 was weaker in FBN2 interference group than that in normal control and empty vector groups.The fluorescence intensity of FBN2 in normal control group, empty vector group and FBN2 interference group was 16.21±2.21, 15.57±3.63 and 5.32±1.06, respectively, with a statistically significant overall difference ( F=66.03, P<0.05).The fluorescence intensity of FBN2 protein in FBN2 interference group was significantly lower than that in empty carrier group and normal control group (both at P<0.05).Compared with normal control and empty vector groups, the relative expression levels of LTBP-1 and TGF-β2 mRNA and protein were significantly increased in FBN2 interference group, while the relative expression levels of FBN2, CDK2 and CCND2 mRNA and protein were significantly decreased, and the differences were statistically significant (all at P<0.05). Conclusions:The increase of LTBP-1 and TGF-β2 and the decrease of G1/S phase related proteins CDK2 and CCND2 are involved in the development of FBN2-deficient retinopathy.

Objective:To explore the effect and underlying mechanism of casein kinase 2 interacting protein-1 (CKIP-1) on hepatocyte apoptosis in nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD).Methods:Experimental study. An NAFLD cell model was established by inducing human hepatoma cell line, HepG 2 cells, with oleic acid (OA). Flag-CKIP-1 expression vector and shRNA-CKIP-1 were transfected into HepG 2 cells. Flow cytometry was used to detect the effect of CKIP-1 on the activity and apoptosis of NAFLD hepatocytes. The levels of apoptosis-related proteins were detected by Western blot. CKIP-1 knockout mice in C57BL/6 back-ground were fed with either standard or high-fat diet for 8 weeks. Apoptosis-related signal proteins in NAFLD hepatocytes were detected by immunohistochemistry. Results:After CKIP-1 was transfected into HepG 2 cells, the degree of OA induced cell liposis was significantly reduced ( P<0.05). Annexin V-FITC/PI flow cytometry showed that CKIP-1 reduced the apoptosis of steatotic hepatocytes. Overexpression of CKIP-1 could significantly inhibit the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 and increase the expression of Bcl-2/Bax ( P<0.05). Knockdown of CKIP-1 could increase the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 ( P<0.05). CKIP-1 knockout could further increase the expression of caspase-3 and caspase-9 in NAFLD mice ( P<0.01, P<0.05), and further decrease the expression of Bcl-2/Bax ( P<0.05). Conclusion:CKIP-1 inhibited the apoptosis of steatotic hepatocytes by up-regulating the expression of apoptosis inhibitor gene, Bcl-2/Bax, and affecting the proteases, caspase-3 and caspase-9.

Objective:To explore the distribution characteristics of respiratory pathogens in patients with community-acquired pneumonia in Lianyungang.Methods:A total of 612 patients admitted to the second people′s Hospital of Lianyungang City because of community-acquired pneumonia (CAP) in 2019 were selected as subjects. Sputum or pharyngeal swabs were collected to extract nucleic acids, and 13-fold nucleic acids of respiratory pathogens were detected by PCR capillary electrophoresis fragment analysis. SPSS statistical software and GraphPad5.0 statistical mapping software were used for statistical analysis.Results:The physical examination rate of respiratory pathogens in the adult group was 82.0% in winter, 48.4% in spring, 28.0% in autumn, 20.0% in summer, χ 2=38.473, P=0.000. The positive rate of nucleic acid detection was significantly different in different seasons, among which the physical examination rate of respiratory pathogens in winter was the highest. The physical examination rate of respiratory pathogens in the juvenile group was 86.0% in spring, 76.2% in winter, 71.3% in summer and 66.7% in autumn, χ 2=7.946, P=0.047 . The positive rate of nucleic acid detection was calculated according to gender grouping. The comparison of nucleic acid positive rate between adult group and juvenile group in different seasons: 86.0% vs 48.4% in spring, χ 2=19.436, P=0.000; 71.3% vs 20.0% in summer, χ 2=22.180, P=0.000; 66.7% vs 28.0% in autumn, χ 2=13.485, P=0.000; 76.2% vs 82.0% in winter, χ 2=0.758, P=0.384. Except in winter, the detection rate of nucleic acid of pathogens in the juvenile group was significantly higher than that in the adult group. Conclusions:The nucleic acid detection rate and etiological distribution characteristics of respiratory pathogens are different in patients with community-acquired pneumonia in different seasons and different age groups. 13 kinds of multiple detection methods of respiratory pathogens can provide favorable laboratory data support for the diagnosis and treatment of clinical CAP patients.

CDIO is a new education model composed of Conceive, Design, Implement and Operate modules. In order to meet the needs of social development, this paper discusses the construction of the training system of applied innovative talents in ophthalmology of integrated traditional Chinese and western medicine guided by CDIO concept. Combing with practice, this paper puts forward teaching reform strategies from such five aspects as teaching purpose, curriculum system, construction of the teaching team, evaluation system, and practice effect, providing a new thought for the cultivation of applied innovative talents in ophthalmology.

In order to satisfy the social and medical demands for optometric talents, the education model combining "medicine, teaching, research and prevention" was established, fully integrated with various resources like talents, facilities, equipment from the affiliated eye hospital, institute of ophthalmology and prevention and treatment center for juvenile myopia. Cultivation of high-quality applicative talents which integrated "knowledge, skills and accomplishment" were taken as the main line, Cultivation goal was established in accordance with requirement of talent. The curriculum system was optimized on the basis of competence. The teaching mode was reformed to "2+2" mode, "double-position teachers" became the requirement for the teaching staff and professional education comprehensive practice platform of "one entity, two wings" was constructed, with good effectiveness being achieved.

The high prevalence of influenza A virus is identified in Hunan Province because of the high density of poultry farms. To survey the variations of H9N2 subtype avian influenza virus in Hunan province, we analyzed HA and NA genes of 10 virus strains isolated from different areas of Hunan Province. All these strains belong to the Eurasian lineage, Y280-like sub-lineage. The cleavage sites in their HA genes were all RSSR↓GLT, corresponding to the feature of low pathogenic AIV. All strains had an L (Leu) at the site 234 in the HA genes, indicating the ability of binding with the SAα-2,6 receptor. NA gene stalk deletions at aa 63-65 were also detected from all the isolates, indicating a possibility of increased virus replication in mammals. Our findings suggest that more attention should be paid to the surveillance of H9N2 influenza virus and its direction of reassortment.

Ebola virus (EBOV) is an extremely contagious pathogen first discovered in Africa associated with severe hemorrhagic disease in humans and nonhuman primates, which has resulted in at least 28 500 suspected cases and 11 300 confirmed deaths in 2014-2016 Ebola epidemic in West Africa. Rapid and sensitive detection of EBOV is the key to increasing the probability of survival and reducing infection rates in pandemic regions. Here, we report an ultrasensitive and instrument-free EBOV detection assay based on colloidal carbon immunochromatography. Carbon nanoparticle-labeled rabbit anti-EBOV-VP40 IgG were concentrated in the conjugate pad, monoclonal antibody (McAb, 4B7F9) against EBOV-VP40 and goat anti-rabbit IgG were immobilized on the nitrocellulose membrane with 2 μL/cm at a concentration of 1 mg/mL as test and control lines, respectively. Then the sample application pad, conjugate release pad, nitrocellulose membrane and absorbent pad were assembled into a lateral flow test strip. The test strip shows strong specificity against related viruses that share similar clinical symptoms and geographic range with EBOV, including marburg virus, influenza virus, yellow fever virus and dengue virus. In addition, 1 500 negative serums were tested with false-positive rate of 1.3‰ which significantly lower than that of ReEBOV™ colloidal gold test kit recommended by World Health Organization (WHO). The sensitivity of this strip was analyzed using inactivated EBOV with detection limit of 100 ng/mL (10⁶ copies/mL) which clearly higher than that of ReEBOV™ dipstick (10⁸ copies/mL). Furthermore, the strip showed excellent thermal stability characteristics in room temperature and could be as a point-of-care (POC), ultra-sensitive and specific promising candidate for EBOV serological screening in rural Africa or entry/exit ports.
Animals ; Carbon ; Ebolavirus ; Hemorrhagic Fever, Ebola ; Humans ; Nanoparticles ; Rabbits