Synthesis, Anticancer Activity, Structure-Activity Relationship and Mechanistic Investigations of Falcarindiol Analogues.

Forty samples of optically active falcarindiol analogues are synthesized by using the easily available C2 symmetric (R)- and (S)-1,1'-binaphth-2-ol (BINOL) in combination with Ti(Oi Pr)4 , Zn powder and EtI. Their anticancer activities on Hccc-9810, HepG2, MDA-MB-231, Hela, MG-63 and H460 cells are assayed to elucidate their structure-activity relationships. These results showed that the falcarindiol analogue (3R,8S)-2 i with the terminal double bond has the most potent anti-proliferation effect on Hccc-9810 cells with IC50 value of 0.46 µM. The falcarindiol analogue (3R,8S)-2 i can induce obvious Hccc-9810 cell apoptosis in a concentration-dependent manner by Hoechst staining and flow cytometry analysis. The proposed mechanism suggests that the falcarindiol analogue (3R,8S)-2 i increases LDH release and MDA content, and reduces the levels of SOD activity, which lead to the accumulation of oxidative stress and induce apoptosis in Hccc-9810 cells.

Synthesis and Biological Evaluation of Falcarinol-Type Analogues as Potential Calcium Channel Blockers.

A series of enantiomers of falcarinol analogues (2) were synthesized using a chiral 1,1'-binaphth-2-ol (BINOL)-based catalytic system. The neuroprotective effects of falcarinol (1a) and its analogues (2) on PC12 cells injured by sodium azide (NaN3) were investigated. The structure-function relationships and possible mechanism were studied. Pretreatment of PC12 cells with falcarinol analogues (R)-2d and (R)-2i for 1 h following addition of NaN3 and culture in a CO2 incubator for 24 h resulted in significant elevation of cell viability, as determined by a CCK-8 assay and Hoechst staining, with reduction of LDH release and MDA content, increase of SOD activity, and decrease of ROS stress, when compared with the activity of natural falcarinol (1a). These observations indicated that the falcarinol analogues (R)-2d and (R)-2i can protect PC12 cells against NaN3-induced apoptosis via increasing resistance to oxidative stress. For the first time, falcarinol (1a) and its analogue (R)-2i were found to have potential L-type calcium channel-blocking activity, as recorded using a manual patch clamp technique on HEK-293 cells stably expressing hCav1.2 (α1C/ß2a/α2δ1). These findings suggest that the mechanism of the L-type calcium channel-blocking activity of falcarinol (1a) and its analogue (R)-2i might be involved in neuroprotection by falcarinol-type analogues by inhibiting calcium overload in the upstream of the signaling pathway.

Experimental study of trabecular tissue repair for corneal defect in rabbits.

AIM: To investigate the mechanism and effect of trabecular tissue repair for corneal defect, and to provide a theoretical basis for its clinical application. METHODS: Trabeculectomy was performed on 40 (80 eyes) of 70 New Zealand white rabbits. Take trabecular tissue for backup. Thirty (30 eyes) corneal defect models were made, trabecular tissue was filled in the corneal defect, and the oblique cross stitch was used to suture the corneal laceration and debridement. Anterior segment image and optical coherence tomography (OCT) were performed at the time 1d, 1wk, 1 and 3mo after the model was made. After the observation, the cornea was taken and stained with trypanosome blue-alizarin red and the pathological tissue was examined. RESULTS: Observation 1wk after surgery, the area of corneal defect was edema, but the corneal curvature was basically normal, and the anterior chamber existed under slit lamp. After 3mo of observation, most corneal defects were repaired in the form of corneal leucoma and corneal macula (73.3%), the filled trabecular tissue gradually became transparent, fused tightly with the corneal tissue, and the corneal curvature was relatively smooth. But in one case, the trabecular planter was partially detached, no serious complications such as corneal laceration occurred after the stitches were removed. CONCLUSION: The trabecular tissue structure is similar to the corneal, and it can be used as a substitute for the corneal tissue defect by providing fiber scaffolds and cell amplification differentiation, and lay a foundation for the second-stage surgical treatment.

Predicting Gram-Positive Bacterial Protein Subcellular Location by Using Combined Features.

There are a lot of bacteria in the environment, and Gram-positive bacteria are the most common ones. Some Gram-positive bacteria are very harmful to the human body, so it is significant to predict Gram-positive bacterial protein subcellular location. And identification of Gram-positive bacterial protein subcellular location is important for developing effective drugs. In this paper, a new Gram-positive bacterial protein subcellular location dataset was established. The amino acid composition, the gene ontology annotation information, the hydropathy dipeptide composition information, the amino acid dipeptide composition information, and the autocovariance average chemical shift information were selected as characteristic parameters, then these parameters were combined. The locations of Gram-positive bacterial proteins were predicted by the Support Vector Machine (SVM) algorithm, and the overall accuracy (OA) reached 86.1% under the Jackknife test. The overall accuracy (OA) in our predictive model was higher than those in existing methods. This improved method may be helpful for protein function prediction.

[Study on the expression level of four kinds of interleukins in mice model with peri-implantitis].

PURPOSE: To investigate the gross manifestation and tissue destruction at different inflammatory periods of ligature-induced peri-implantitis in mice model, and to evaluate the changes of interleukins level in the gingival crevicular fluid of implants at different stages. METHODS: Forty 4-week-old male C57BL/6N mice (18-22 g) were used and the maxillary right first molars were extracted, custom-made pure titanium machined screw type implants (1 mm×1.5 mm) were placed immediately, one implant per animal. Four weeks later, the mice were randomly divided into experimental and control group. 5-0 cotton ligatures were applied around implant necks in the experimental group to induce peri-implantitis. Alveolar bone loss and clinical index records of the soft and hard tissue were assessed every 5 days following ligature.According to the measured data, the stages of peri-implantitis were ascertained. The gingival crevicular fluid of implants in the early, middle and late stages in the experimental group was extracted and the expression of IL-1α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and IL-17A was detected. SPSS 22.0 software package was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Alveolar bone absorption of all the mice in the experimental group reached 25% 10 days after ligature. This time point was early stage of peri-implantitis. On day 20, the alveolar bone loss around implant in 95% of mice in the experimental group reached 25%-50%, which was identified as middle stage. The alveolar bone loss of all mice in the experimental group was over 50% 30 days following ligature, which was confirmed as late stage. Compared with the early stage, the expression of IL-1α and IL-6 decreased significantly in the middle stage; while the expression levels of IL-1α, IL-6 and IL-17A decreased significantly in the late stage. CONCLUSIONS: Mice models with peri-implantitis of various stages were successfully established by ligature and the expression of IL-1α, IL-1ß, IL-6 and IL-17A in different stages of disease was detected, which provided a basis for further research the relationship between interleukin content and peri-implantitis development.

Mechanism of interaction between ocular and nasal neurogenic inflammation in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis.

PURPOSE: The mechanisms of naso-ocular interaction in allergic rhinoconjunctivitis are not well understood. Neurogenic inflammation affects both eyes and nose via the same neurogenic factors. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of neurogenic inflammation on conjunctival inflammation following nasal allergen provocation. METHODS: Sensitized rats were exposed to ovalbumin (OVA) via the nose. Parts of the nasal mucosa and conjunctivae were sliced and used for hematoxylin-eosin staining, immunohistochemical analysis, western blotting, and real-time polymerase chain reaction. The slides were observed under a light microscope, and the acquired images were analyzed. The levels of substance P (SP), vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP), and nerve growth factor (NGF) were detected. RESULTS: The levels of SP, VIP, and NGF were increased in both nasal mucosa and conjunctivae 1 h and 24 h after OVA administration (p < 0.05). Higher levels of SP, VIP, and NGF expression were observed in the nasal mucosa and conjunctivae 24 h after OVA administration (p < 0.05). Following damage of the nasal sensory nerves by capsaicin, the protein and mRNA levels of SP, VIP, and NGF were reduced. CONCLUSION: In conclusion, the increased levels of VIP, SP, and NGF might be responsible for the ocular reaction following nasal challenge with allergen in rats.

Comparative analysis of different feeder layers with 3T3 fibroblasts for culturing rabbits limbal stem cells.

AIM: To explore the possibility of human umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells (hUCMSCs), human umbilical vein endothelial cells (hUVECs), human dental pulp stem cells (hDPSCs) and human periodontal ligament stem cells (hPDLSCs) serving as feeder cells in co-culture systems for the cultivation of limbal stem cells. METHODS: Different feeder layers were cultured in Dulbecco's modified Eagle's medium (DMEM)/F12 and were treated with mitomycin C. Rabbits limbal stem cells (LSCs) were co-cultured on hUCMSCs, hUVECs, hDPSCs, hPDLSCs and NIH-3T3, and then comparative analysis were made between each group to see their respective colony-forming efficiency (CFE) assay and immunofluorescence (IPO13,CK3/12). RESULTS: The efficiency of the four type cells in supporting the LSCs morphology and its cellular differentiation was similar to that of NIH-3T3 fibroblasts as demonstrated by the immunostaining properties analysis, with each group exhibiting a similar strong expression pattern of IPO13, but lacking CK3 and CK12 expression in terms of immunostaining. But hUCMSCs, hDPSCs and hPDLSCs feeder layers were superior in promoting colony formation potential of cells when compared to hUVECs and feeder-cell-free culture. CONCLUSION: hUCMSCs, hDPSCs and hPDLSCs can be a suitable alternative to conventional mouse NIH-3T3 feeder cells, so that risk of zoonotic infection can be diminished.

Observation on ultrastructure and histopathology of cornea following femtosecond laser-assisted deep lamellar keratoplasty for acute corneal alkaline burns.

AIM: To demonstrate the changes in ultrastructure and histopathology of the cornea in acute corneal alkaline burns after femtosecond laser-assisted deep lamellar keratoplasty. METHODS: The New Zealand white rabbits treated with alkaline corneal burn were randomized into two groups, Group A (16 eyes) with femtosecond laser-assisted deep lamellar keratoplasty 24h after burn and Group B (16 eyes) without keratoplasty as controls. All eyes were evaluated with transmission electron microscopy (TEM) at 1, 2, 3, and 4wk follow-up, then all corneas were tested by hematoxylin and eosin staining histology. RESULTS: The corneal grafts in Group A were transparent, while those in Group B showed corneal stromal edema and loosely arranged collagen fibers. One week after treatment, TEM revealed the intercellular desmosomes in the epithelial layers and intact non-dissolving nuclei in Group A. At week 4, the center of the corneas in Group A was transparent with regularly arranged collagen fibers and fibroblasts in the stroma. In Group B, squamous cells were observed on the corneal surface and some epithelial cells were detached. CONCLUSION: Femtosecond laser-assisted deep lamellar keratoplasty can suppress inflammatory responses, prevent toxic substance-induced injury to the corneal endothelium and inner tissues with quicker recovery and better visual outcomes.

Use Videostrobokymography to Quantitatively Analyze the Vibratory Characteristics Before and After Conservative Medical Treatment of Vocal Fold Leukoplakia.

OBJECTIVES: To quantitatively analyze the vibratory characteristics of vocal folds before and after conservative treatments to evaluate the outcomes of conservative treatments for vocal fold leukoplakia using videostrobokymography (VSK). STUDY DESIGN: This is a prospective study. METHODS: Twenty patients and 20 controls were enrolled into the study. All patients received conservative treatments for 3 weeks and received VSK examination before and 3 weeks after the treatments. All controls only received VSK examination once. Vocal fold lengths of 25%, 50%, and 75% were chosen as the line-scan positions to evaluate the vocal fold vibration. Open quotient (OQ) and asymmetry index (AI) were obtained using VSK. RESULTS: Significant improvements in the main symptoms including voice hoarseness were found. Videostroboscopic findings showed that the white lesions on the vocal folds almost completely disappeared in all patients, and the vocal fold flexibility returned to normal. All OQs and AIs at each line-scan position in patients before the treatments were larger than those in controls (P < 0.017), whereas all OQs and AIs at each line-scan position decreased 3 weeks after conservative treatments (P < 0.017). No significant differences in OQs and AIs at each line-scan position were detected between patients after the treatments and controls (P > 0.017). CONCLUSIONS: VSK could quantitatively evaluate the vibratory characteristics of vocal folds before and after the treatments, and conservative treatment could improve VSK measurements to normal control values, suggesting that VSK is a tool to assess the outcomes of the conservative treatments for vocal fold leukoplakia.

Inhibition of retinopathy of prematurity in rat by intravitreal injection of sorafenib.

AIM: To investigate the effect of intravitreal injection administered sorafenib, a multikinase inhibitor, in a rat model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). METHODS: Seven-day-old Sprague-Dawley rats (n=144) were randomly assigned to six groups. Group A received normal partial oxygen pressure and groups B, C, D, E and F were exposed to hyperoxia (75±2)% from postnatal 7d (P7) to P12 to induce retinopathy of prematurity. The rats in groups C, D, E and F were received intravitreal injections of either vehicle (DMSO) or sorafenib at P12 (5, 20 and 80 µg, respectively). Then they returned to normoxia after P12. The retinas were whole-mounted and imaged with a confocal microscopy. The vascular branching points were counted to quantify neovascularization at P17. Cross-sections of the retina were stained with hematoxylin and eosin (HE). The nuclei of new vessels breaking the internal limiting membrane were counted to quantify the proliferative neovascular response. RESULTS: The retinal vessel in groups B and C turned into tortuosity and a great deal of neovascularization were observed. Sorafenib-treated rats had significantly less neovascularization as compared with vehicle-treated and control rats in a dose dependent manner (P<0.05). The number of vascular branching points in A, B, C, D, E and F were 16.50±3.90, 37.44±6.47, 37.08±5.10, 30.80±6.85, 26.08±5.08 and 19.83±3.51, respectively. The number of the nuclei of retinal new vessel in A, B, C, D, E and F were 0.22±0.42, 35.66±4.70, 35.30±4.54, 27.30±4.28, 21.41±3.53, and 7.41±2.87, respectively. There were significant difference between each group (P<0.05) except groups B and C. CONCLUSION: In the rat OIR model, sorafenib could inhibit retinal neovascularization in a dose dependent manner.

Clinical observation on removal of small foreign bodies touching the optic nerve in the deep orbital region: a case series.

PURPOSE: Five patients presented to our institution with deep intraorbital foreign bodies adjacent to the optic nerve. We removed all foreign bodies by lateral orbitotomy to evaluate the treatment and the benefits of their extraction. METHODS: The clinical outcomes of the five patients were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: Radiology in all five patients revealed small foreign bodies touching the optic nerve in the deep orbital region. All patients also suffered from significant secondary psychological disturbances, these including anxiety and altered sleep patterns. They had become preoccupied with a strong desire to remove the intraorbital foreign bodies [IFB]. In this cohort, two had no light perception before surgery, another two had light perception, and one had hand motion perception as well as vitreous hemorrhage that had been plugged with silicone oil in other hospital. All foreign bodies were removed via lateral orbitotomy. Visual acuity improved after the operation in only three cases. However, the psychological well-being of all five patients improved. CONCLUSIONS: Consideration should be given to removal of intraorbital foreign bodies adjacent to the optic nerve, even where a significant degree of vision has already been lost. Furthermore some patients can achieved vision improvement and such surgery can frequently address the significant psychological disturbance that can be associated with such orbital foreign bodies.

[Protective effect of total glycosides of Ranunculus japonicus on myocardial ischemic-reperfusion injury in isolated rat hearts].

OBJECTIVES: To study the protective effect of total glycosides of Ranunculus japonicus (TGRJ) on myocardial ischemic-reperfusion injury in isolated rat hearts. METHODS: The SD rats were randomly divided into normal control group, ischemia-reperfusion group, and TGRJ in 0.05, 0.10 and 0.20 mg/mL groups. The ischemia-reperfusion injury model was built using Langendroff isolated rats hearts perfusion system. The indexes of heart function such as heart rate (HR), left ventricular systolic pressure (LVSP), left ventricular systolic pressure maximum rate of rise (+ dp/dt(max)), left ventricular diastolic pressure maximum rate of descent (-dp/dt(max)) and coronary flow (CF) before ischemia and later at 1, 5, 10, 20, 30 and 40 min after reperfusion were recorded. The activity of Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) and creatine kinase (CK) at 20 and 40 min after reperfusion were determined. The myocardial tissues were stained with Triphenyltetrazolium chloride (TTC) and the percentage of myocardial infarction area was calculated. RESULTS: HR, LVDP, +dp/dt(max) and CF of the I/R group were significantly decreased after reperfusion, LDH and CK levels were increased and the area of myocardial infraction was 58.78%. TGRJ had improving effect on all above indexes. CONCLUSION: TGRJ has protective effet on the myo- cardial ischemic-reperfusion injury.

Comparative study of modified and conventional secondary hydroxyapatite orbital implantations.

AIM: To compare the clinical effects of the modified and conventional secondary hydroxyapatite orbital implantations. METHODS: A total of 40 patients who had received eye enucleation were equally randomized into the modified and conventional groups. Twenty patients were treated by conventional method. The four rectus muscles were separated, and then an orbital implant wrapped with xenogenous sclera was implanted. Twenty patients were treated by modified method. An implant unwrapped with xenogenous sclera was directly implanted into the muscle pyramid. The operating time, costs, clinical effects, and complications of the two groups were compared. RESULTS: The average operating time of the modified group was 20.5±5.6min, whereas that of the conventional group was 56.8±14.6min (P<0.01). The average cost of the modified group was 7 800±340RMB (1 274±55.6USD), whereas that of the conventional group was 9 800±660RMB (1 601±107.8USD) (P<0.01). The two groups did not show significant difference in orbital implant mobility or postoperative complications. CONCLUSION: The modified secondary hydroxyapatite orbital implantation has advantages in operating time, surgery cost, and complication reducing. It is worthy for wide clinical application and further study.

Effects of aminoguanidine on retinal apoptosis in mice with oxygen-induced retinopathy.

AIM: To explore the protective effects of aminoguanidine (AG) on retinal apoptosis in mice with oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR). METHODS: A total of 80 C57BL/6J mice, aged 7 days, were randomly divided into four groups: normal, high oxygen, high oxygen saline and high oxygen treated with AG. In the normal group, mice were housed in normoxic conditions from postnatal day P7 to P17. Mice in the other 3 groups were placed under hyperoxic conditions (75±2%O2) in an oxygen-regulated chamber for 5 days and subsequently placed in normoxic conditions for 5 days. Mice in the AG group were treated once daily, from P12 to P17, with AG hemisulfate (100mg/kg body weight, intraperitoneally) dissolved in physiological saline. An equivalent amount of 0.9% physiological saline was administered, as above, to mice in the high oxygen saline group. Ten mice were randomly selected from each group on P14 and on P17, euthanized and the retinas examined. Apoptotic cells in the retina were detected using the terminal-deoxynucleoitidyl transferase mediated nick end labeling (TUNEL) method. The expression of nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) in the retina was detected by immunohistochemistry and changes in rod cells were observed using electron microscopy. RESULTS: TUNEL-positive cells and iNOS immunoreactive neurons were present in the inner nuclear and ganglion cell retinal layers of mice in the high oxygen group. The number of TUNEL-positive cells was significantly greater in the high oxygen group compared with the normal group (t=-20.81, P 14d <0.05; t=-15.05, P 17d <0.05). However, the number of TUNEL-positive cells in the AG treatment group was significantly lower (t=-13.21, P 14d<0.05; t=-6.61, P 17d <0.05) compared with the high oxygen group. The expression of iNOS was significantly higher in the high oxygen group compared with the normal group (t=-21.95, P 14d<0.05; t=-17.30, P 17d<0.05). However, the expression of iNOS in the AG treatment group was significantly lower (t=-12.17, P 14d<0.05; t=-10.30, P 17d<0.05) compared with the high oxygen group. The outer segments of the rods were disorganized and short in the high oxygen group. Rod morphology appeared to be slightly improved in the AG group. CONCLUSION: AG may protect retinal neurons in OIR by inhibiting apoptosis. The mechanism may be related to iNOS.

Mechanism of immune tolerance induced by donor derived immature dendritic cells in rat high-risk corneal transplantation.

AIM: To study the role of immature dendritic cells (imDCs) on immune tolerance in rat penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in high-risk eyes and to investigate the mechanism of immune hyporesponsiveness induced by donor-derived imDCs. METHODS: Seventy-five SD rats (recipient) and 39 Wistar rats (donor) were randomly divided into 3 groups: control, imDC and mature dendritic cell (mDC) group respectively. Using a model of orthotopic corneal transplantation in which allografts were placed in neovascularized high-risk eyes of recipient rat. Corneal neovascularization was induced by alkaline burn in the central cornea of recipient rat. Recipients in imDC group or mDC group were injected donor bone marrow-derived imDCs or mDCs of 1×10(6) respectively 1 week before corneal transplantation via tail vein. Control rat received the same volume of PBS. In each group, 16 recipients were kept for determination of survival time and other 9 recipients were executed on day 3, 7 and 14 after transplantation. Cornea was harvested for hematoxylin-eosin staining and acute rejection evaluation, Western blot was used to detect the expression level of Foxp3. RESULTS: The mean survival time of imDC group was significantly longer than that of control and mDC groups (all P<0.05). The expression level of Foxp3 on CD4(+)CD25(+)T cells of imDC group (2.24±0.18) was significantly higher than that in the control (1.68±0.09) and mDC groups (1.46±0.13) (all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Donor-derived imDC is an effective treatment in inducing immune hyporesponsiveness in rat PKP. The mechanism of immune tolerance induced by imDC might be inhibit T lymphocytes responsiveness by regulatory T cells.

Posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens implantation for high myopia.

AIM: To evaluate the efficacy, safety and stability of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens implantation for the correction of high myopia. METHODS: Retrospective case review of 82 eyes (43 patients) undergoing implantable Collamer lens (ICL) placement by a single surgeon (Xiao-Wei Gao) to correct preoperative mean spherical equivalents between -9.00 diopter (D) and -23.00D. Main outcome measures included uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), refraction, best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (BSCVA), endothelial cell density (ECD), intraocular pressure (IOP), lens transparency, postoperative uveitis. Visante anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) was used to measure anterior chamber depth (ACD) and the position of ICL. RESULTS: Mean follow-up was 6.54±3.26 months (range 3-12 months). Predictability of the manifest spherical equivalent (SE) refraction to within ±1.00D was achieved in 88% of eyes and ±0.50D in 72.5% of eyes. The mean postoperative manifest SE refraction was -1.85±0.72D, with 96.34% of eyes maintaining or gaining ≥1 line(s) of BSCVA. The mean 3-month postoperative ECD decreased but had no statistically difference compared with the preoperative ECD. Of the 7 eyes (8.54%) with a mild transient increase in intraocular pressure (up to 30mmHg), none required a second surgical procedure or prolonged topical medication. There was no loss of lens transparency. Pigmented precipitates were observed in 5 eyes (6.09%). The mean preoperative ACD measured with AS-OCT was 3.28±0.14mm, three months after surgery, the mean ACD was 2.45±0.22mm. Anterior chamber depth showed a statistically significant reduction. One eye (1.22%) had ICL spontaneous rotation, 81 eyes (98.78%) of the lens remained correctly centered. CONCLUSION: The implantation of ICL is an effective surgical option for the management of high myopia. But its long time effect and safety still need more time to prove.

Experimental study on the treatment of rabbit corneal melting after alkali burn with Collagen cross-linking.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of Collagen cross-linking on the prevention of melting in rabbit corneas after alkali burn. METHODS: Twenty New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into model control group and collagen cross-linking treatment group. The second group of rabbits received collagen cross linked treatment. Both groups were applied with antibiotic eye drops to prevent infection. The corneas were evaluated for melting, opacity, pathological and immunohistochemistry, record the changes when 28 days after the animals were killed. RESULTS: In the control group, 6 out of 8 rabbits showed corneal melting after injury (14±4) days, while two corneal perforated. In collagen cross-linking treatment group, one rabbit showed corneal melting after injury 23 days, without corneal perforation; corneal dissolution rate between the two groups was significantly different (P <0.05). Pathological examination suggested that in the treatment group, mild corneal edema, mild damage to collagen fibers, inflammatory cell infiltration was significantly less than the control group. Immunohistochemistry showed that corneal collagen fibers arranged in neat rows in the control group. CONCLUSION: Collagen cross-linking treatment not only can prevent and delay the corneal melting after alkali burn, but also can reduce the destruction of corneal collagen fibers and infiltration of inflammatory cells in the corneal tissue.

[Clinical analysis for the treatment of 63 cases of orbital tumors in Xinjiang].

OBJECTIVE: To analyse the clinical features, histopathological classifications, treatments and prognosis of orbital tumors in Xinjiang. METHODS: The authors retrospectively analyse 63 patients (64 eyes) with orbital tumors, including all nationalities which had been received and treated in ophthalmic department of the PLA 474th Hospital during 2005 to 2009. RESULTS: The nationality composition in our cases was 37 Han, 16 Uygur (16 eyes), 4 Hui, 3 Mongol, and 3 Kazak. Our data mainly consisted of benign tumor., in which, the majority were the vascular tumors, and then were cysts, inflammatory pseudotumor, neurogenic tumors, mixed tumors of lacrimal gland, lipoma and hydatid. The malignant tumors mainly consisted of rhabdomyosarcoma and adenocarcinoma of lacrimal gland, then was non-Hodgkin lymphoma. The operation methods we selected were approaching by orbital skin or anterior skin incision, lateral orbitotomy and approaching by outer canthus incision plus lower fornical conjunctiva incision. The severe postoperative complication was impaired vision, and 2 patients with inflammatory pseudotumor had recrudesced. CONCLUSIONS: There is no difference on the types and morbidity situation of orbital tumors between Xinjiang and other areas in general, in addition orbital hydatid which was closely related to regional characteristic of Xinjiang, Surgical excision is the main and effective treatment, the prognosis is related to the local tissue extension of tumor, comprehensive pre-operation preparations, careful operation, appropriate post-operative managements and rich clinic experience of doctor.

Effects of minocycline on expression of bcl-2, bax in early retinal neuropathy of diabetes in rats.

AIM: To study the effect of the minocycline (MNC) on expression of bcl-2, bax in retinal nerve cells of rat with diabetes. METHODS: Male SD rats were randomly divided into negative control group, model control group and MNC treated group. Diabetes model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 60 mg/kg streptozotocin (STZ). The protein expressions of bcl-2 and bax in retina were detected by immunohistochemistry method. RESULTS: Compared with the negative control group, bax immunoreactive neurons in retina were increased significantly (P<0.01) in model control group. However, bax immunoreactive neurons in retina in MNC treated group were significantly decreased (P<0.01). Compared with the model control group, bcl-2 immunoreactive neurons in retina were increased significantly(P<0.01) in MNC treated group. CONCLUSION: MNC can obviously decreased expression of bax and increased expression of bcl-2 in retina with DR. It is one of path of inhibiting impairment on retinal nerve cells with DR.

Adhesion of cavernous hemangioma in the orbit revealed by CT and MRI: analysis of 97 cases.

AIM: To assess features of cavernous hemangioma (CH) in the orbit revealed by CT and MRI and summarize prediction of preoperative CT and MRI for the adhesion degree of CH in the orbit. METHODS: A total of 97 patients with pathologically confirmed CH in the orbit were examined with axial and coronal CT scan, and axial, coronal, sagittal, and enhanced fat suppression MRI scan. CT and MRI findings and intraoperative adhesion degrees were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: There were 47 patients with slight adhesion, for whom CT and MRI showed round masses with well defined margins in the extraocular muscles; 14 patients with mild adhesion, for whom CT and MRI revealed irregular masses with unclear boundary between CH and the optic nerve in coronal images, and emissary veins in the posterior region of masses in contrast-enhanced images; 36 patients with severe adhesion, for whom CT and MRI exhibited an irregular or ovoid mass filling the orbital apex, or showed distorted and even spiky margins in the posterior region of masses in contrast enhanced images at the presence of a transparent triangle between the mass and the orbital apex. CONCLUSION: Preoperative CT and MRI aid in accurate diagnosis, selection of the surgical approach, and assessment of the adhesion degree and surgical risks for CH.