Postoperative changes of anterior chamber depth and lens suspensory ligament in patients with ultra-high myopia and cataract and related influencing factors / 国际眼科杂志(Guoji Yanke Zazhi)

AIM:To investigate the changes of anterior chamber depth(ACD)and lens suspensory ligament after phacoemulsification and intraocular lens(IOL)implantation in patients with ultra-high myopia cataract and related influencing factors.METHODS: A total of 45 patients(60 eyes)with ultra-high myopia and cataract in our hospital from October 2016 to December 2022 were selected. All patients received phacoemulsification and IOL implantation. The patients were randomly divided into implantation group and non-implantation group. Implantation group was combined with capsular tension ring(CTR)implantation, and non-implantation group did not implant CTR during operation. The changes of ACD and lens suspensory ligament length before and after operation were compared and the correlation was analyzed. To observe the differences of ACD and the length of lens suspensory ligament between the two groups before and after operation.RESULTS: The ACD of patients with ultra-high myopia complicated with cataract at 1 and 3mo after operation was higher than that before operation(all P<0.05). The positions of 3:00, 6:00, 9:00, 12:00 and the average length of lens suspensory ligament at 1 and 3mo post-operation were shorter than those pre-operation(all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in the positions of 3:00, 6:00, 9:00, 12:00 and average length of suspensory ligament between 1mo and 3mo after operation(all P>0.05). The preoperative average length of lens suspensory ligament in patients with ultra-high myopia cataract was positively correlated with the ocular axis and the preoperative ACD(all P<0.05). There was no significant difference in ACD between the implantation group and the non-implantation before and at 1 and 3mo after operation(P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the length of lens suspensory ligament between implantation group and non-implantation group at the position of 6:00 before operation and 1mo after operation(P>0.05), but there was difference in lens suspensory ligament between groups at 3mo after operation and the position of 6:00(P<0.05). Furthermore, there was no significant difference at the positions of 3:00, 9:00, 12:00 and the average length of lens suspensory ligament between the implantation group and non-implantation group before and at 1 and 3mo after operation(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: The ACD deepen and lens suspensory ligament shortened in patients with ultra-high myopia and cataract after phacoemulsification; the length of lens suspensory ligament was affected by the combined use of CTR.

A hospital-based study of severe anemia in adults in Eastern India

Background: Anemia remains a crucial health problem in developing countries. Cardiac compromise and fatal complications usually occur at Hb of <5g/dL. The aim of the study was to determine possible etiologic and clinical profile in adult patients with very severe anemia (Hb of <5g/dL).Methods: A prospective observational study was conducted in a teaching hospital of Odisha over a period of 12months. A total of 70 patients of both men and non-pregnant women admitted to the medicine wards were included after exclusion. Detailed history, clinical examination and investigation findings were recorded. Independent ‘t’ test, Wilcoxon rank sum test, Pearson chi-square test and Fisher exact test were used as applicable, to compare the variables.Results: The mean Hb (g/dL) was 3.73 ±0.85 and the mean age of the study group was 53.34±17.75years. No significant difference was observed in the severity of anemia between the female (mean Hb of 3.56±0.93) and male patients (mean Hb of 3.87±0.77) (p=0.130). The most frequent etiology found was absolute iron deficiency (44.3%, n=31) and mostly (41.9%) found in the age group of ≥65years (p<0.001). Congestive cardiac failure was found in 20% (n=14) of patients and majority of patients (64.2%, n=9) were males (p<0.001).Conclusions: Iron deficiency is the principal cause of very severe anemia in adults rather than malignancy or anemia of chronic disease and only about one fourth of patients develop heart failure even with very severe anemia.

Therapeutic effect of sea buckthorn oil on allergic contact dermatitis in mice / 中国比较医学杂志

Objective To study the therapeutic effect of sea buckthorn oil on allergic contact dermatitis(ACD) in mice. Methods A total of 60 ICR mice were randomly divided into 6 groups: blank control group, model control group,three groups of high-dose, medium-dose and low-dose sea buckthorn oil(100%, 50%, 25%, ad us. ext.), respectively,and positive control group(compound dexamethasone acetate cream), with 10 mice in each group. The mouse model of ACD was established by sensitization and stimulation with 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene(DNCB),and injuries in the ear skin of the mice were scored and used as the indicator of successful establishment of the model. The degree of ear swelling and the spleen index of the mice in each group were measured at 48 h after stimulation. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to observe the pathological changes in the mouse ear skin. Results Measurement of the degrees of ear swelling showed that the high-dose sea buckthorn oil group(9 mL/kg,ad us. ext.)obviously inhibited the DNCB-induced ear swelling in the mice, with a significant difference compared with the model group(P < 0.01)and non-significant difference compared with the positive control group(P> 0.05). The result of the spleen index assessment showed that sea buckthorn oil at each dose may play an immune-regulatory role by promoting the development of immune organs. The pathological examination showed that epidermis thickening of the ear tissue,epidermal and dermal edema and infiltration of lymphocytes were reduced, dermal vasodilatation and congestion were alleviated, and inflammatory cell infiltration was inhibited in the three groups of different doses of sea buckthorn oil compared with the model control group. Conclusions Sea buckthorn oil has an obvious inhibitory effect on the DNCB-induced allergic contact dermatitis in mice. However, its related mechanisms remain to be further investigated.

Discovery of a small-molecule bromodomain-containing protein 4 inhibitor that induces AMP-activated protein kinase-modulated autophagy-associated cell death in breast cancer / 中国药理学与毒理学杂志

OBJECTIVE To discover a small-molecule bromodomain-containing protein 4 (BRD4) inhibitor that induces AMP- activated protein kinase- modulated autophagy- associated cell death in breast cancer and exploreits potential mechanisms. METHODS BRD4 interactors were analyzed by PPI network prediction and The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) analysis. The interaction between BRD4 and AMPK was confirmed by co- immunoprecipitation assay. Novel BRD4 inhibitors were designed and synthesized based upon pharmacophore analysis of BRD4 (1), then screened by anti-proliferative activity and Alpha Screen of BRD4 (1). The selectivity of the best candidate compound 8f was validated by co-crystallization, FRET assay and co-immuno precipitation assay. The mechanisms of 8f were investigated by fluorescence microscopy, electron microscopy, Western blotting, immunocy?tochemistry, siRNA and GFP-mRFP-LC3 plasmid transfections, as well as immunohistochemistry and immunofluorescence. Potential mechanisms were discovered by iTRAQ- based proteomics analysis and the therapeutic effect of 8f was assessed by xenograft breast cancer mouse and zebrafish models. RESULTS We identified that BRD4 interacted with AMPK, which was remarkably downregulated in breast cancer. We next designed and synthesized 49 candidate compounds, and eventually discovered a selective small-molecule inhibitor of BRD4 (8f). Subsequently, 8f was discovered to induce autophagy-associated cell death (ACD) by BRD4- AMPK interaction, and thus activating AMPK- mTOR- ULK1-modulated autophagic pathway in breast cancer cells. Interestingly, the iTRAQ- based proteomics analyses revealed that 8f induced ACD pathways, involved in HMGB1, VDAC1/2 and eEF2. Moreover, 8f displayed a therapeutic potential on both xenograft breast cancer mouse and zebrafish models. CONCLUSION We discovered a novel small-molecule inhibitor of BRD4 that induces BRD4-AMPK-modulated ACD in breast cancer, which may provide a candidate drug for future cancer therapy.

Tophaceous Gout in the Lumbar Spinal Canal Mimicking Epidural Spinal Tumor

Gout is an inflammatory arthritis characterized by deposition of monosodium urate crystals in joints. Though gout frequently involves the big toe or other extremities, it rarely occurs in the spinal canal. A 35-year-old man presented with left L5 radiculopathy. He had leg pain for 8 months and received several epidural steroid injections. Magnetic resonance imaging revealed a 1.7×1.1-cm ovoid contrast-enhancing mass, causing pressure erosion of the left L5 pedicle. Microscopic laminotomy was performed at the left L5 lamina. White chalky materials, identified at the left lateral recess of the spinal canal, were removed in a piecemeal manner. The histopathologic diagnosis was tophaceous gout. Although the patient's radiating pain did not resolve postoperatively, it was dramatically relieved with uric acid-lowering medications. If a mass effect is suspected, surgical removal of gouty tophi might aid in symptom release and definite diagnosis. Medical treatment after rheumatology consultation is crucial.

Effect of Anterior Chamber Depth on Corneal Endothelial Change After Phacoemulsification

PURPOSE: To evaluate the effects of preoperative and postoperative parameters, particularly anterior chamber depth, on corneal endothelial cell loss during cataract surgery. METHODS: Eighty-two eyes of 82 patients who underwent cataract surgery by the same surgeon using the same technique were selected for the present study. Various preoperative and postoperative parameters including age, anterior chamber depth, duration and power of phacoemulsification, preoperative endothelial cell density, coefficient of variation, hexagonality, and grade of nucleosclerosis were evaluated. Endothelial cell densities were recorded preoperatively and at two months postoperatively using a noncontact specular microscope. RESULTS: After two months, the mean central endothelial cell loss in all eyes was 8.77%. Among the pre- and post-operative parameters, patient' age, anterior chamber depth, duration, power, and energy of phacoemulsification and grade of nucleosclerosis showed significant correlation with endothelial cell loss. Stepwise multiple linear regression analysis identified age, nucleosclerosis, anterior chamber depth, and phacoemulsification time as independent predictors for endothelial cell loss. CONCLUSIONS: The risk of endothelial cell loss increased with increases in patient' age, nucleosclerosis, and phacoemulsification time. However, eyes with a deep anterior chamber showed a significantly lower risk of endothelial cell loss.

Clinical Manifestations of Avellino Corneal Dystrophy Diagnosed by Non-invasive Genetic Test

PURPOSE: To introduce a new genetic method for the diagnosis of Avellino corneal dystrophy (ACD), which is non-invasive and can be easily performed on an outpatient basis, and to evaluate the relationship between the degree of corneal opacity and age or sex. METHODS: A genetic study was performed on 11 patients who had a specific corneal opacity by slit-lamp examination and on four normal patients by using a specific adhesive tape to obtain epidermal keratinocytes. Corneal dystrophy was diagnosed according to the genetic study. RESULTS: All 11 patients were confirmed as having heterozygous ACD. Heterozygous ACD patients were classified into five stages: trace, mild, moderate, severe, or very severe, based on slit-lamp photography status. Corneal stages had no relationship with sex (p=0.982), but the severity of ACD increased with age (p=0.005). CONCLUSIONS: A non-invasive sticker-type genetic study kit, the "U-gene test" is a good method to diagnose corneal dystrophy genetically. Avellino corneal dystrophy becomes more severe over time but has no relationship with sex.

Changes of Anterior Chamber Depth and Angle After Cataract Surgery Measured by Anterior Segment OCT

PURPOSE: To report the change of anterior chamber parameters according to cataract severity after cataract surgery and to determine its relationship to the severity of cataract by using anterior segment optical coherence tomography. METHODS: We measured the anterior chamber parameters in 19 eyes of 14 patients before, 1 week after, and 1 month after cataract surgery by slit lamp-adapted optical coherence tomography (SL-OCT). The measured parameters were as follows : the anterior chamber depth (ACD), the angle-opening distance 250 micrometer from the scleral spur (AOD250), the angle-opening distance 500 micrometer from the scleral spur (AOD500), and the trabecular-iris angle (TIA). We analyzed the relationship between the severity of cataract and the change of the anterior chamber parameters. RESULTS: The ACD, AOD250, AOD500, and TIA increased significantly at postoperative 1 week (P=0.000, 0.002, 0.005, 0.022) and 1 month (P=0.000, 0.004, 0.001, 0.002). The preoperative parameters were negatively correlated with the differences between the postoperative 1 week and preoperative parameters (gamma=-0.834, -0.591, -0.421, -0.826) and between postoperative 1 month and preoperative parameters (gamma=-0.659, -0.700, -0.770, -0.821). The change of parameters at postoperative 1 week (by N P=0.959, 0.916, 0.824, 1.000, by C P=0.454, 0.665, 0.578, 0.578) and 1 month (by N P=0.858, 0.973, 0.959, 0.959, by C P=0.999, 0.207, 0.950, 0.981) were not significantly different according to the severity of cataract (N, C). CONCLUSIONS: Our results showed that cataract surgery significantly deepened the anterior chamber and widened its angle. The shallower and narrower the preoperative anterior chamber depth and angle were, respectively, the greater the postoperative changes of anterior chamber depth and angle were.

Methotrexate inhibits integrin adhesion molecules in the mouse model of pleurisy induced by carrageenan

The aim of this work was to analyze the effect of methotrexate (MTX) upon leukocyte migration and expression of adhesion molecules CD11a/CD18 in the lung, 4 and 48 h after inflammation induction by carrageenan in mice. The results showed that MTX significantly decreased leukocyte influx and CD11a expression in the lung at 4 and 48 h of pleurisy (P < 0.01). MTX also inhibited CD18 expression at 4 h but not 48 h of pleurisy (P < 0.01). These results proved that MTX at the studied doses had important anti-inflammatory properties, acting primarily on leukocyte migration from the pleural cavity to the lung via inhibition of CD11a/CD18 expression in the mouse model of inflammation.

O modelo experimental da pleurisia induzida pela carragenina, em camundongos é caracterizado pelo aumento da migração de leucócitos às custas de neutrófilos 4 h após a indução da inflamação pela carragenina na cavidade pleural de camundongos.. Após 48 h da indução da inflamação ocorre aumento de leucócitos do tipo mononucleares. O objetivo deste trabalho foi avaliar o efeito do metotrexato (MTX) sobre a migração de leucócitos, e a expressão de moléculas de adesão (CD11a/CD18), no pulmão 4 e 48 h após a inflamação induzida pela carragenina.Os resultados demonstraram que o MTX inibiu significativamente o influxo de leucócitos e a expressão de CD11a no pulmão 4 h e 48 h após a inflamação induzida pela carragenina (P < 0.01). O MTX inibiu a expressão de CD18 no pulmão 48 h após, mas não 4 h após esta resposta inflamatória (P < 0.01). Estes resultados demonstram que o MTX, nas doses estudadas, possui importante efeito antiinflamatório agindo principalmente sobre o influxo de leucócitos da cavidade pleural para os pulmões, via inibição da expressão de moléculas de adesão do tipo CD11a/CD18, no modelo da pleurisia induzida pela carragenina, em camundongos.

Changes in Ciliary Sulcus Size, Anterior Chamber Depth and Angle during Accommodation using Ultrasound Biomicroscopy

PURPOSE: To evaluate changes in the ciliary sulcus size, anterior chamber depth (ACD) and anterior chamber angle (ACA) during accommodation using an ultrasound biomicroscope (UBM). METHODS: Twenty-seven eyes of 27 healthy subjects were studied. We examined refractive error and intraocular pressure, measured the horizontal distance of the ciliary sulcus, ACD, and ACA at distant fixation and near fixation using a UBM (50 MHz transducer, model P45 UBM plus, Paradigm(R), Kent, U. K.). RESULTS: The subjects included 16 males and 6 females. The mean age of the subjects was 20.5 years (age range, 19-22 years), and mean spherical equivalent was -2.86+/-1.67 diopters. At distant fixation, horizontal ciliary sulcus size was 11.75+/-0.56 mm, ACD was 3.15+/-0.17 mm, and ACA was 38.5+/-4.2 . At near fixation, horizontal ciliary sulcus size was 11.34+/-0.65 mm, ACD was 2.92+/-0.15 mm, and ACA was 44.5+/-5.7 . CONCLUSIONS: During accommodation, horizontal ciliary sulcus size and ACD significantly decreased and ACA increased in the patients.

The Comparison of Duration to Maintain Cell Viability for HLA-B27 Test According to Anticoagulants / 대한류마티스학회지

OBJECTIVE: HLA-B27 test require at least 80% of viable cells. So the procedures require immediate processing of the blood samples. To increase the efficiency and the cost-effectiveness of the laboratory, longer maintenance of cell viability is requested. For this purpose, we compared the cell viability of blood samples collected in heparin tubes with those collected in ACD tubes. Our aim was to determine whether the length of storage that could maintain adequate cell viability for HLA-B27 testing depends on the anticoagulants in the storage tube and to ascertain the qualified HLA-B27 results after several days of storage. METHODS: We collected 15 blood samples in ACD and heparin tubes. The samples were stored at 4oC for 6 days and after which, 2 mL of the sample was used to confirm the viability of lymphocytes every 24 hours for 5 days. For evaluating the reproducibility, the HLA-B27 test was performed at the day of sampling and after 6 days of refrigeration. RESULTS: There was no difference in cell viability between ACD and heparin until the sixth day, but a statistically difference was observed from the seventh day (p=0.004). The HLA-B27 test showed no different results even after 6 days of storage. CONCLUSION: We suggest that the heparin tubes have a same storage benefit as the ACD tubes of blood for HLA-B27 testing for less than a week. This can affect more economic and efficient laboratory management for HLA-B27 testing.

Adhesion of CD40-stimulated Germinal Center B Cells to HK Cells Employs the CD11a/CD18-CD54 Interactions

BACKGROUND: The molecular basis of follicular dendritic cells (FDC)-germinal center (GC) B cell interaction is largely unknown, although this cellular interaction is thought to be important for the whole process of GC B cell differentiation. METHODS: Using FDC-like cells, HK, and highly purified GC B cells, we attempted to identify the molecules that play critical roles in the interactions between FDC and B cells. GC B cells were co-cultured with HK cells and soluble CD154 in the presence or absence of various function-blocking monoclonal antibodies to examine their effect on GC B cell binding to HK cells and B cell proliferation. RESULTS: Anti-CD11a and anti-CD54 antibodies inhibited GC B cell binding to HK cells while anti-CD49d and anti-CD106 antibodies did not. GC B cell proliferation was not impaired by the disruption of GC B cell-HK cell adherence. CONCLUSION: Our results suggest that CD11a/CD18-CD54 interactions play an important roles in the initial binding of GC B cells to FDC and diffusible growth factors from FDC may be responsible the massive proliferation of GC B cells.

Detection of fetal erythroid cells from maternal blood using fluorescence in situ hybridization and liquid culture

Fetal nucleated erythrocytes circulating in maternal blood are a potential source of fetal DNA for noninvasive prenatal genetic diagnosis. However, the estimated ratio of fetal to maternal cells is extremely small. In order to enrich these cells, we performed direct culture using a two-phase liquid system. Mononuclear cells were obtained from maternal blood samples at 8-10(+3) weeks of gestation and cultured in the first phase. After 4-5 days, the nonadherent cells were harvested and recultured with erythropoietin in the second phase for another 3-5 days. We examined cellular morphology, and counted the number of benzidine- positive cells and the percentage of glycophorin A/CD71 positive erythroid cells. We also did Kleihauer-Betke stain for Hb F, polymerase chain reaction (PCR) for SRY/DYZ1, chromosome analysis, and fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH). The number of total erythroid cells reached about 0.1x10(6)-1.0x10(6)/mL with a purity of 84.0-97.3%. Hb F stain showed total erythroid cells of approximately 0.4x10(4)-9.8x10(4)/mL. Male DNA was detected in one case by PCR. In this case, the XY karyotype was confirmed by FISH and amniocentesis. This approach provides enriched source of fetal cells for further prenatal genetic analysis without complicated separation or sorting procedures.