Impact of improved minimally invasive anterior vitrectomy on the prognosis of patients with malignant glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: The importance of communicating the anterior chamber and vitreous cavity for managing malignant glaucoma (MG) is widely recognized. This study investigated the impact of improved minimally invasive anterior vitrectomy (IAV) on the prognosis of MG. METHODS: This retrospective interventional study included patients with MG who underwent conventional surgery or improved minimally IAV in Nanchang Aier Eye Hospital between January 2011 and April 2021. For the improved step, a small amount of triamcinolone acetonide was injected into the vicinity of the iris. Then, the residual vitreous body adhering to triamcinolone acetonide was excised. Comparisons were made using repeated measures ANOVA, t-test, and chi-squared test. RESULTS: Thirty-one eyes from 26 patients were included: 15 eyes from 13 patients in the conventional group and 16 eyes from 13 patients in the IAV group. The 1-week, 1-month, and 3-month intraocular pressure (IOP) and the 3-month mean central anterior chamber depth were comparable between the two groups (all P > 0.05). The conventional group showed one eye with intraoperative vitreous hemorrhage and two eyes with postoperative re-shallowing of the anterior chamber; such events did not occur in the IAV group, and none developed corneal endothelial decompensation, IOL deviation, suprachoroidal hemorrhage, or retinal detachment during treatment and follow-up. CONCLUSION: Patients with MG who undergo improved minimally IAV might have similar postoperative IOP and central anterior chamber depth compared with conventional surgery but with reduced complications such as intraoperative vitreous hemorrhage and postoperative re-shallowing of the anterior chamber. Improved minimally IAV might be an alternative surgery for MG.

Resveratrol protects retinal ganglion cell axons through regulation of the SIRT1-JNK pathway.

It is reported that Ischemia and reperfusion damage (I/R damage) can lead to retinal ganglion cell (RGC) death and neurodegeneration, which in turn can lead to irreversible vision loss. In this study, we sought to understand the neuroprotective effect of resveratrol, the important activator of sirtuin1 (SIRT1), on RGC survival in I/R damage model and the molecular mechanism that mediate this effect. Our results show that resveratrol could reverse axonal swelling, holes, and the chaos of the nucleus in axons of RGCs caused by I/R. At the same time, resveratrol could also reverse the activation of retinal astrocytes and the loss of RGCs caused by I/R. Resveratrol increased the expression of SIRT1 while decreasing the phosphorylation of N-terminal kinase (JNK). SP600125(JNK inhibitor) decreased the phosphorylation of JNK while increasing the expression of SIRT1, indicating that SIRT1 and JNK can interact with each other. Simultaneous administration of resveratrol and sirtinol (SIRT1 inhibitor) neither increased the expression of SIRT1 nor decreased the phosphorylation of JNK, indicating that resveratrol affects the phosphorylation of JNK by SIRT1. In total, our research shows that resveratrol treatment significantly reduces apoptosis and axonal degeneration of RGCs, and this protection is partly mediated through the SIRT1-JNK pathway.

Molecular characterization and application of a novel cytoplasmic male sterility-associated mitochondrial sequence in rice.

BACKGROUND: Cytoplasmic male sterility (CMS) is a maternally inherited inability to produce functional pollen found in numerous flowering plant species. CMS is associated with mitochondrial DNA mutation, novel chimeric open reading frames (ORFs), and rearrangement of coding and noncoding regions of the mitochondrial genome. RESULTS: BLAST (Basic Local Alignment Search Tool) analysis indicated that L-sp1, a new sequence-characterized amplified region, is non-homologous to atp6-orfH79 (or atp6-orf79) and WA352 cloned CMS-associated genes. L-sp1 was found in 11 of 102 wild rice accessions belonging to four AA genome species: Oryza rufipogon, Oryza nivara, Oryza glumaepatula, and Oryza meridionalis. Using L-sp1, two new CMS lines were developed, from either low natural fertility plants or sterile plants, by backcrossing BC1F1 with Yuetai B. Northern blot and RT-PCR revealed that L-sp1 was only expressed in the anthers of w1/YTB, w2/YTB, w1/YTB//YTB, and w2/YTB//YTB when in the same cytoplasm background. CONCLUSIONS: L-sp1 is a single-copy chimeric CMS-associated gene found in the mitochondrial genome. It can be expressed in anthers with the same specific cytoplasm background, and will be a useful molecular marker for the development and marker-assisted selection of new CMS lines.

Expression analysis of innate immunity related genes in the true/field blast resistance gene-mediated defence response.

Rice blast resistance (R) genes-mediated resistance response depends on various resistance-related genes involved in incompatible interactions. In this work, the expression profiles of innate rice immunity related genes were examined in the mediated resistance response of true/field resistance genes. Three sets of rice near-isogenic lines (NILs) were used: the resistant NILs carrying true resistance genes in the genetic background of the susceptible cultivar Nipponbare (NB), NB-Pib, NB-Pizt, NB-Pik and NB-Pita2; NILs bearing field resistance genes pi21 in the susceptible cultivar Aichiasahi (AA) AA-pi21, Kahei (KHR). The marker gene OsWRKY45 of salicylic acid (SA) signalling was upregulated in all tested cultivars. And, JAmyb (marker gene of jasmonic acid signalling) showed higher upregulation in the resistance lines with nucleotide-binding sites and leucine-rich repeat (NBS-LRR) R genes Pib, Pizt, Pik, Pita2 and Pikahei than in NB and KHS. SalT of abscisic acid (ABA) signalling may be involved in the R/Avr interaction, including Pizt, Pik, pi21 and Pikahei. However, SalT was shown to negatively regulate Pib/AvrPib interaction. OsPR1b and PBZ1 were differentially expressed and strongly activated at a later stage by 48 h post-inoculation. Interestingly, there was evidence that OsPR1b and PBZ1 played an important role in the pi21-mediated response. It was shown that OsRAR1 could be upregulated in the true resistance line NB-Pita2 and the field resistance line KHR, while OsSGT1 and OsHSP90 could be upregulated in all tested lines. The involvement of these genes illustrated the complexity of the downstream signalling pathways in the mediated resistance response of true/field resistance genes.

An amperometric biosensor based on rat cytochrome p450 1A1 for benzo[a]pyrene determination.

Using the plasmid pCW, high-level expression of rat cytochrome p4501A1 (CYP1A1) has been achieved by making NH(2)-terminal translational fusions to bacterial leader sequences ompA (ompA-1A1/pCW). The construct ompA-1A1 was compared with an expression construct in which the Ala codon GCT was placed in the second position and 5'-terminal codons were maximized for A T content (1A1/pCW). Both constructs produced spectrally active, functional protein. However, the ompA-1A1 fusion gave higher levels of expression, and a marked improvement in the recovery of active P450 in bacterial membrane fractions, when compared with the construct 1A1/pCW. The expressed 1A1 from the construct ompA-1A1/pCW in bacterial membrane fractions were collected and immobilized in nano-Na-montmorillonite (nano-SWy-2) and dihexadecylphosphate (DHP) composite film. The direct electrochemistry of CYP1A1 in a nano-SWy-2-DHP film on an edge-plane pyrolytic graphite electrode (EPG) has been obtained and the catalytic activity of the enzyme to benzo[a]pyrene has been investigated by the cyclic voltammetry. The immobilized CYP1A1 displayed a pair of redox peaks with a formal potential of -0.36 mV in pH 7.0 O(2)-free phosphate buffers at scan rate of 1 V s(-1). The CYP1A1 in the nano-SWy-2-DHP film retained its bioactivity and could catalyze the reduction of dissolved oxygen. Upon the addition of its substrate benzo[a]pyrene (B[a]P) to the air-saturated solution, the reduction peak current of dissolved oxygen increased, which indicates the catalytic behavior of CYP1A1 to B[a]P. By amperometry a calibration linear range for B[a]P was obtained to be 3.31-16.56 µM with a sensitivity of 58.57 µA mM(-1). And the apparent Michaelis-Menten constant for the electrocatalytic activity of CYP1A1 was estimated to be 46.27 µM for B[a]P.

Expression, purification and direct eletrochemistry of cytochrome P450 6A1 from the house fly, Musca domestica.

A plasmid (pCW) was modified to code for the complete sequence of house fly (Musca domestica) cytochrome P450 6A1 (CYP6A1) with only the second amino acid changed in the N-terminal portion and this plasmid was used to express the enzyme CYP6A1 in Escherichia coli cells. With the addition of delta-aminolevulinic acid and FeCl(3) to the culture, the enzyme was produced at a level about 0.25 micromol L(-1) (15mgL(-1)) of culture with approximately 50% of the P450 being associated with the membrane fraction. The CYP6A1 protein was characterized and the content of CYP6A1 in each fraction was determined by the spectroscopic method. A nearly homogenous CYP6A1 was obtained by purification with a combination of DEAE Sepharose fast flow and hydroxyapatite chromatography. Direct electrochemistry of CYP6A1 in a didodecyldimethylammonium bromide (DSAB) film on an edge-plane pyrolytic graphite electrode (EPG) has been obtained and the catalytic activity of the enzyme to aldrin has been demonstrated by the cyclic voltammetry.

[Study on microscopic observation and TLC identification of Dai medicine "Guomaguo" (Spondias pinnata)].

OBJECTIVE: To study identification methods of Dai medicine" Guomaguo", the fruit of Spondias pinnata. METHODS: Characteristic, microscopic observation and TLC idertification were used to authenticate this crude drug. RESULTS: The characters of the cross section, powder and TLC of the drug were reported, and the relevant drawings of the tissue, powder and TLC of this ethnomedicine were drawn. CONCLUSION: These results can supply evidences for the identification of the ethnomedicine in its exploitation and utilization.

[Congenital ectropion uvea and secondary glaucoma].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical features of congenital ectropion uvea (CEU) and the relationship between CEU and secondary glaucoma. METHODS: This is a retrospective case series. Clinical features and treatments of 11 patients with CEU were summarized. Combined with the literatures review of CEU, the pathogenesis and therapeutic results of secondary glaucoma were analyzed. RESULTS: Among these 11 patients, there were 10 patients with secondary glaucoma and one patient with ocular hypertension. There were 4 patients complicated with congenital ptosis, 2 patients with ocular proptosis, 1 patient with congenital cataract, 1 patient with lens subluxation, 3 patients with ankylodactylia and 1 patient with Rieger's syndrome. The intraocular pressure of 9 patients was controlled after the trabeculectomy. CONCLUSIONS: CEU is a rare, nonprogressive anomaly accompanied other ocular abnormalities and various systemic disorders. The pathogenesis of secondary glaucoma is related to iridotrabecular dysgenesis. It is essential to detect and to treat the secondary glaucoma as early as possible.

[Study on pharmacognostic identifcation of Cassia siamea].

OBJECTIVE: To establish methods for identification of Dai medicine, the heartwoods and leaves of Cassia siamea. METHODS: Macroscopic, microscopic observation and TLC technique were used to anthenticate this crude drug, and the identification characteristics were studied. RESULTS: Macroscopic and microscopic identification methods and TLC characters of the ethnomedicine were re-ported, and the simple and detailed drawings of the transections of the heartwoods and leaves, as well as microscopic drawings of their powders were drawn in this paper. CONCLUSION: The results can serve as evidence for identification of the ethnomedicine in the utilization.

[Pharmacognostic identification on Dai medicine" guo sha" (Broussonetia papyrifera)].

The present paper reports descriptions and microscopical studies on Dai medicine" Guo sha" (Broussonetia papyrifera) , which is also the ethnomedicines of some minority nationalities in China. The diagram and the detailed drawing of the transection of the root, as well as microscopic drawing of its powder, were drawn in the studies. It was found that there are distinct microscopic characters of the transection and the powder which can serve as evidence for identification of the ethnomedicine.

[Study on microscopic identification of Dai medicine "ge ga" (Zanthoylum armatum)].

The root, bark, leaf and fruit of Zanthoylum armatum are used as traditional crude drugs by Dai and some other minority nationalities in China, and the Dai drug name is "ge ga". This paper reported microscopic, physical and chemical characters of the bark and leaf The abbreviated and detailed diagrams of the transections of the bark and leaf, and the powder diagram of the bark were drawn in the study. The result showed that there were distinct microscopic characters of the transection and the powder, and these characters could be used as evidence for identification of the ethnomedicine in the exploitation and utilization.

Quantitative analysis of cytochrome C released from rice mitochondria using the adsorptive polarographic wave of guanidine modified Co(II)-cytochrome C complex.

A new, simple and sensitive method for the quantitative analysis of cytochrome C (Cyt C) based on the reduction wave of guanidine modified Co(II)-Cyt C complex at about -1.74 V (vs. SCE) by single sweep polarography in the solution containing 8 x 10(-6) mol L(-1) CoCl2, 0.04 mol L(-1) guanidine hydrochloride, 0.2 mol L(-1) NaOH and 0.5% Na2SO3. The peak height is linearly proportional to the concentration of Cyt C in the range of 0.005 approximately 1.500 mg L(-1) (correlation coefficient 0.999). Common amino acids, saccharide, organic acid and metal ions of appropriate concentrations have no interference on the Cyt C determination. The released Cyt C in the process of mitochondrial permeability transition of Hong-Lian cytoplasmic male sterile line of rice has been measured by the method, and the result is satisfactory.

[RAPD Identification of Three Types of Three-lines Hybrid Rice with Defferent Male Sterile Cytoplasms and Their Parent Lines.].

The RAPD analysis was conducted on genome DNA from 21 sets of rice, including 6 three-line hybrid rice combinations, separately derived from three different kinds of cytoplasmic male sterile (CMS) lines and their related parents. Out of 264 random primers screened first, 25 primers displayed well in polymorphisms. It was shown that only 7 bands amplified respectively from 7 primers were enough to discriminate the different types of CMS, the hybrid combinations and their parents.