Anterior chamber and angle characteristics in Chinese children (6-11 years old) with different refractive status using swept-source optical coherence tomography.

BACKGROUND: The anatomic structure of the anterior chamber (AC) helps to explain differences in refractive status in school-aged children and is closely associated with primary angle closure (PAC). The aim of this study was to quantify and analyze the anterior chamber and angle (ACA) characteristics in Chinese children with different refractive status by swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). METHODS: In a cross-sectional observational study, 383 children from two primary schools in Shandong Province, China, underwent a complete ophthalmic examination. First, the anterior chamber depth (ACD), anterior chamber width (ACW), angle-opening distance (AOD), and trabecular-iris space area (TISA) were evaluated automatically using a CASIA2 imaging device. AOD and TISA were measured at 500, 750 µm nasal (N1 and N2, respectively), and temporal (T1 and T2, respectively) to the scleral spur (SS). Cycloplegic refraction and axial length (AL) were then measured. According to spherical equivalent refraction (SER), the children were assigned to hyperopic (SER > 0.50D), emmetropic (-0.50D < SER ≤ 0.50D), and myopic groups (SER ≤ -0.50D). RESULTS: Out of the 383 children, 349 healthy children (160 girls) with a mean age of 8.23 ± 1.06 years (range: 6-11 years) were included. The mean SER and AL were - 0.10 ± 1.57D and 23.44 ± 0.95 mm, respectively. The mean ACD and ACW were 3.17 ± 0.24 mm and 11.69 ± 0.43 mm. The mean AOD were 0.72 ± 0.25, 0.63 ± 0.22 mm at N1, T1, and 0.98 ± 0.30, 0.84 ± 0.27 mm at N2, T2. The mean TISA were 0.24 ± 0.09, 0.22 ± 0.09mm2 at N1, T1, and 0.46 ± 0.16, 0.40 ± 0.14mm2 at N2, T2. The myopic group had the deepest AC and the widest angle. Compared with boys, girls had shorter AL, shallower ACD, narrower ACW, and ACA (all p < 0.05). By Pearson's correlation analysis, SER was negatively associated with ACD, AOD, and TISA. AL was positively associated with ACD, ACW, AOD, and TISA. In the multiple regression analysis, AOD and TISA were associated with deeper ACD, narrower ACW, and longer AL. CONCLUSION: In primary school students, the myopic eyes have deeper AC and wider angle. ACD, ACW, AOD, and TISA all increase with axial elongation. ACA is highly correlated with deeper ACD.

Synaptosomal Actin Dynamics in the Developmental Visual Cortex Regulate Behavioral Visual Acuity in Rats.

Purpose: Synaptosomal actin dynamics are essential for synaptic structural stability. Whether actin dynamics are involved in structural and functional synaptic plasticity within the primary visual cortex (V1) or behavioral visual acuity in rats has still not been thoroughly investigated. Methods: Synaptosome preparation and western blot analysis were used to analyze synaptosomal actin dynamics. Transmission electron microscopy was used to detect synaptic density and mitochondrial area alterations. A visual water maze task was applied to assess behavioral visual acuity. Microinjection of the actin polymerization inhibitor or stabilizer detected the effect of actin dynamics on visual function. Results: Actin dynamics, the mitochondrial area, and synaptic density within the area of V1 are increased during the critical period for the development of binocularity. Microinjection of the actin polymerization inhibitor cytochalasin D into the V1 decreased the mitochondrial area, synaptic density, and behavioral visual acuity. Long-term monocular deprivation reduced actin dynamics, the mitochondrial area, and synaptic density within the V1 contralateral to the deprived eye compared with those ipsilateral to the deprived eye and impaired visual acuity in the amblyopic eye. In addition, the mitochondrial area, synaptic density, and behavioral visual acuity were improved by stabilization of actin polymerization by jasplakinolide microinjection. Conclusions: During the critical period of visual development of binocularity, synaptosomal actin dynamics regulate synaptic structure and function and play roles in behavioral visual acuity in rats.

[Effects of Restraint Manipulation on Learning-memory Ability, Visional Acuity and Body Mass of Rats].

OBJECTIVE: Restraint manipulation is necessary for observing the effect of acupuncture or moxibustion stimulation on various variables in the experimental study. Thus, the present study was designed to examine the impact of restraint manipulation on rats' learning-memory ability, visional acuity, and body mass, so as to have a reasonable assessment on the influence of restraint stress. METHODS: Normal Sprague Dawley rats were randomly assigned to a restraint group (n=15) and a control group (n=15). In the restraint group, self-made restraint devices were used to bind the rats for 30 min daily for 30 consecutive days. The body mass of the rats was monitored daily; and the learningmemory ability and the visional acuity assessed using visual water task. RESULTS: After 30 days' restraint, no significant differences were found between the two groups in the training times for acquiring a correct rate of 80% in the learning-memory tests, and visional acuity and body mass (P ï¹¥0.05). CONCLUSION: Thirty days' restraint has no obvious impact on the increase of body weight, learning-memory and visional acuity in normal rats, suggesting an applicable of restraint device in acupuncture study.

Different patterns of changes between actin dynamics and synaptic density in the rat's primary visual cortex during a special period of visual development.

In our previous study, we found that the normalized levels of the synaptosomal filament actin (F-actin) to monomeric global actin (G-actin) ratio in the primary visual cortex (V1) of rats was significantly lower on postnatal day (P) 45 compared with P30, however, the synaptic density in the monocular area of primary visual cortex (V1M) maintained a stable high level from P30 to P45. The mechanisms underlying the different patterned of change in synaptic density and actin rearrangements from P30 to P45 are unclear. During visual development, there is a synaptic pruning process in the binocular segment of primates' visual cortex (V1B) and we suppose the pruning activity may contribute to the decreased synaptosomal F-actin to G-actin ratio. To address this issue, first, samples were derived from the region of V1B for TEM analysis but no significant difference was demonstrated between the P30 and P45 groups. In addition, the expression of PSD-95 detected by immunobloting in the synaptosomes of V1 at P30 and P45 also showed no significant difference. Combined with the previous results of actin dynamics in the V1 and synaptic density in the V1M, we conclude that the synaptic density and actin dynamics in the rats' primary visual cortex are inter-related but not absolutely identical. This study suggests actin cytoskeleton not only provides the structural basis but also regulates a various array of cellular activities underlying synaptic function. Besides, it highlights a further research of synaptic pruning.

Localization of nucleophosmin in nuclear matrix and changes in its expression during the differentiation of human neuroblastoma induced by retinoic acid.

In this article, we selectively extracted the nuclear matrix and intermediate filament system of human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells pre- and post-treated with retinoic acid (RA). The distribution of nucleophosmin (NPM) in the nuclear matrix and its colocalization with several products of related genes were investigated. Results from two-dimensional gel electrophoresis and MALDI-TOF showed that NPM was a component of the nuclear matrix and its expression in SK-N-SH cells post-treated with RA was down-regulated. Immunofluorescent microscopy observations further showed that NPM was localized in the nuclear matrix of SK-N-SH cells, and its expression level and distribution were altered after treatment with RA. The colocalization of NPM with c-myc, c-fos, p53, and Rb in SK-N-SH cells was observed under a laser scanning confocal microscope, but the colocalization region was changed by RA. Our results prove that NPM is a nuclear matrix protein, which is localized in nuclear matrix fibers. The colocalization of NPM with its related genes and oncogenes affect the differentiation of SK-N-SH cells. The expression of NPM and its distribution in the process of cell differentiation deserve more intensive investigation.

Preparation and application of sustained release microcapsules of potassium ferrate(VI) for dinitro butyl phenol (DNBP) wastewater treatment.

The encapsulated potassium ferrate(VI) (K(2)FeO(4)) samples were successfully prepared by phase separation method in organic solvents. The ethyl cellulose and paraffin were selected for the microcapsule wall materials (WM). The as prepared microcapsules were characterized by X-ray diffraction (XRD) and Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy (FT-IR). The stability can be enhanced greatly when ferrate(VI) was encapsulated in the microcapsules with a mass ratio of Fe(VI):WM in the range of 1:1-1:3 for the same conserved time in air compared for pure K(2)FeO(4). The sustained release behavior of the microcapsules with different Fe(VI):WM mass ratios in 8.0M KOH solution was also investigated. The results indicated that the Fe(VI) release was reduced with increase of Fe(VI):WM mass ratios from 1:1 to 1:3. The release kinetics of the microcapsules is found to obey Ritger-Peppas equation. The prepared Fe(VI) microcapsules has been used for the removal of a typical alkyl dinitro phenol compound, 2-sec-butyl-4,6-dinitrophenol (DNBP), from aqueous solution. The effect of pH, microcapsule concentration and reaction time was studied thoroughly. The optimal pH for DNBP degradation was 6.5, and at this pH and a microcapsule concentration of 1.2g/L, approximately 93% of the DNBP was degraded after 80 min. The encapsulated ferrate(VI) samples were found to be very effective in the decolorization and COD reduction of real wastewater from DNBP manufacturing. Thus, this study showed the feasible and potential use of encapsulated Fe(VI) samples in degradation of various toxic organic contaminants and industrial effluents.

Differential expression of nuclear matrix proteins during the differentiation of human neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells induced by retinoic acid.

To investigate the alteration of nuclear matrix proteins (NMPs) during the differentiation of neuroblastoma SK-N-SH cells induced by retinoic acid (RA), differentiation markers were detected by immunocytochemistry and NMPs were selectively extracted and subjected to two-dimensional gel electrophoresis analysis. Immunocytochemical observation demonstrated that the expression of neuronal markers was up-regulated in SK-N-SH cells following RA treatment. Meanwhile, 52 NMPs (41 of which were identified) changed significantly during SK-N-SH differentiation; four of these NMPs were further confirmed by immunoblotting. This study suggests that the differentiation of neuroblastoma cells was accompanied by the altered expression of neuronal markers and NMPs. The presence of some differentially expressed NMPs was related to the proliferation and differentiation of neuroblastomas. Our results may help to reveal the relationship between NMPs and neuroblastoma carcinogenesis and reversion, as well as elucidate the regulatory principals driving neural cell proliferation and differentiation.

Partitioning and purification of extracellular beta-1,3-1,4-glucanase in aqueous two-phase systems.

The partition behaviors of beta-1,3-1,4-glucanase, alpha-amylase and neutral proteases from clarified and whole fermentation broths of Bacillus subtilis ZJF-1A5 were investigated. An aqueous two-phase system (polyethylene glycol (PEG)/MgSO(4)) was examined with regard to the effects of PEG molecular weight (MW) and concentration, MgSO(4) concentration, pH and NaCl concentration on enzyme partition and extraction. The MW and concentration of PEG were found to have significant effects on enzyme partition and extraction with low MW PEG showing the greatest benefit in the partition and extraction of beta-glucanase with the PEG/MgSO(4) system. MgSO(4) concentration influenced the partition and extraction of beta-glucanase significantly. pH had little effect on beta-glucanase or proteases partition but affected alpha-amylase partition when pH was over 7.0. The addition of NaCl had little effect on the partition behavior of beta-glucanase but had very significant effects on the partitioning of alpha-amylase and on the neutral proteases. The partition behaviors of beta-glucanase, alpha-amylase and proteases in whole broth were also investigated and results were similar to those obtained with clarified fermentation broth. A two-step process for purifying beta-glucanase was developed, which achieved beta-glucanase recovery of 65.3% and specific activity of 14027 U/mg, 6.6 times improvement over the whole broth.

Medium optimization for the production of thermal stable beta-glucanase by Bacillus subtilis ZJF-1A5 using response surface methodology.

Polysaccharides, such as barley flour, dextrin and soluble starch, were better carbon sources than monosaccharides and disaccharides, such as glucose and maltose, for cell growth of Bacillus subtilis ZJF-1A5 and beta-glucanase production. beta-Glucanase produced by B. subtilis ZJF-1A5 was associated partially with cell growth and increased significantly when cells entered stationary phase; yeast extract was the best nitrogen source, followed by soybean flour. All inorganic nitrogen sources chosen in the experiments were not favorable for cell growth and enzyme production. A fractional factorial design (2(6-2)) was applied to elucidate medium components that significantly affect beta-glucanase production. The concentration of barley flour, corn flour and soybean flour in medium were significant factors. The steepest ascent method was used to locate the optimal domain and a central composite design was used to estimate the quadratic response surface from which the factor levels for maximum production of beta-glucanase were determined. The composition of fermentation medium optimized with response surface methodology was (g/l): barley flour, 63.5; corn flour, 44.8; KH2PO4, 1.0; MgSO4 x 7H2O, 0.1; CaCl2, 0.1. beta-Glucanase activity was 251 U/ml at 48 h using optimized medium, 1.4 times higher than that in original medium.