A Novel Risk Model Based on Autophagy Pathway Related Genes for Survival Prediction in Lung Adenocarcinoma.

BACKGROUND Autophagy has a principal role in mediating tumor cell metabolism. However, the role of autophagy-pathway-related genes (APRGs) as prognostic markers remains obscure in lung adenocarcinoma (LUAD). More potential prognostic biomarkers are needed to deepen our understanding to explore the prognostic role of APRGs in LUAD. MATERIAL AND METHODS We used The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) database to identify differentially expressed APRGs. Cox proportional hazard regression was used to identify prognostic APRGs, and then a risk model was constructed. The efficacy of the risk model was confirmed using a testing group. Lastly, we explored mutational signatures of prognostic of APRGs. T-tests were used to analyze all the expression patterns of genes by SPSS 19.0. RESULTS Using TCGA database, 5 differently expressed APRGs were identified in LUAD patients, and functional enrichment analyze of the genes that were closely associated with the survival status in LUAD patients. Cox proportional hazard regression was facilitated to identify 9 APRGs (CCR2, LAMP1, RELA, ATG12, ATG9A, NCKAP1, ATG10, DNAJB9, and MBTPS2). Multivariate Cox proportional hazards regression analyses further identified 5 key prognostic APRGs (CCR2, LAMP1, RELA, ATG12, and MBTPS2) that were closely related to the survival status in LUAD. Then the prognostic scores based on the 5 genes as independent prognostic indicators were constructed for overall survival (OS) of LUAD patients; area under the curve (AUC) values >0.70 (all P<0.05). The efficacy of prognostic scores was confirmed by data from the testing group and showed significant differences between the low-risk and the high-risk groups for OS (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The risk model based on the construction of 5 APRGs can predict the prognosis of patients with LUAD, which may potentially predict prognostic signatures for LUAD.

[Fibrin glue-assisted lamellar keratoplasty for the treatment of corneal ulcer].

OBJECTIVE: To investigated the feasibility of fibrin glue-assisted sutureless lamellar keratoplasty (LK) in patients with corneal ulcer. METHODS: Noncomparative interventional case series. In 21 eyes of 21 patients with terriens marginal degeneration (TMD) or corneal ulcer after trauma, sutureless lamellar keratoplasty (LK) using fibrin glue was performed. Postoperatively, the graft status, graft clarity, the visual prognosis and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: There were 16 cases suffered with Terriens marginal degeneration (TMD) and 5 cases with corneal ulcer after foreign body removed. All the corneal ulcers were successfully healed after the procedure, the operative complications included corneal perforation during operation in 1 case, recurrence of TMD in 1 case and graft opacity in 2 cases. There was no graft dislocation, hydrops between graft and recipient interface, secondary infection and graft rejection after surgery, 19 cases had improved best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) while 2 cases had poor vision acuity due to graft opacity (t = -2.587, P = 0.018). CONCLUSION: Fibrin glue-assisted sutureless LK showed excellent graft stability in all patients.

[Non-Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty for treating iridocorneal endothelial syndrome in phakic eyes].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and clinical effects of non-Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty (nDSEK) on treating iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome in phakic eyes. METHODS: Retrospective noncomparative interventional case series. 7 patients (7 eyes) with ICE syndrome at the Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University from January 2008 to December 2009 underwent non-Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty. All patients were followed up for 3 - 12 months, pre- and postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were compared, the adherence of the donor disc to the recipient endothelium and postoperative donor disc dislocation were monitored during the follow-up period. Graft clearance and endothelial cell density (ECD) were observed, too. RESULTS: After nDSEK, no primary graft failures dislocation and decentered graft occurred during the follow-up period. Study group intraoperative complications included 3 case with elevated intraocular pressure 2 day postoperatively. Subepithelial haze, donor-recipient interface haze, and interface particles were observed in all measurable cases by in vivo laser confocal microscopy. Anterior segment optical coherence tomography and ultrasound biomicroscopy showed the adherence of the donor disc to the recipient endothelium and peripheral anterior synechiae were separated. All corneas remained clear during the follow-up. 6 patients had improved BCVA while 1 patient had the same BCVA. The reason for poor VA was optic atrophy due to glaucoma. Postoperative mean EDC was (2176.6 ± 267.6) cells/mm(2). CONCLUSIONS: nDSEK for iridocorneal endothelial (ICE) syndrome is feasible, technically easy, safe and effective. It can be one of the surgical treatment option for bullous keratopathy.

[Preliminary clinical study of non-Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty for bullous keratopathy].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the feasibility and clinical effect of non-Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty for bullous keratopathy. METHODS: In the prospective consecutive case series, 6 patients (6 eyes) with bullous keratopathy at Affiliated Xiamen Eye Center of Xiamen University from September 2007 to January 2009 underwent non-Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty. During the surgical procedures, the recipient's Descemet membrane and endothelial layer were left untreated. The donor tissue disc consisting of posterior stroma and healthy endothelium from a donor cornea was implanted into the anterior chamber from a limbal tunnel incision, then unfolded and pressed against the recipient cornea with sterile air filled in anterior chamber. All patients were followed up for 6 - 20 months, pre- and postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) were compared, the adherence of the donor disc to the recipient endothelium and postoperative donor disc dislocation were monitored during the follow-up period. Graft clearance and endothelial cell density (ECD) were observed, too. RESULTS: Five donor disc were well adhered to the recipient endothelium and no graft dislocation occurred during the follow-up period. One case showed a narrow gap between the host endothelium and donor disc 1 day postoperatively. This patient was told to stay in prone position and the donor disc readhered well. All the grafts remained transparent until the latest follow-up. Five patients had improved BCVA while 1 patient had the same BCVA. The reason for poor VA was optic atrophy due to trauma. Postoperative mean EDC was (1648 + or - 384) cells/mm(2). CONCLUSIONS: Non-Descemet stripping endothelial keratoplasty for bullous keratopathy is feasible, technically easy, safe and effective. It can be one of the surgical treatment option for bullous keratopathy.

[Quantification of oxygen-induced retinopathy in the mouse].

PURPOSE: To establish a quantifying model of retinal neovascularization suitable for examining pathogenesis and therapeutic intervention for the retinal neovascularization. METHODS: Sixty 7-day-old C57BL/6J mice were divided into oxygen-induced retinopathy group and control group. In oxygen-induced retinopathy group, 32 mice were exposed to (75 +/- 2)% oxygen for 5 days and then to room air; in control group, 32 mice were raised in room air. The retinal frozen sections were stained with griffonia simplicifolia lectin B4 (GSA) which selectively stained vascular cells; or the retinal preparation perfused with fluorescein-dextran were used to test the areas of the retinal neovascularization. RESULTS: After 5 days of exposure to hyperoxia at postnatal day 12 (P12), the larger central radial vessels became tortuous and constricted and central perfusion became obviously decreased. After returning to room air for 2 days at P14, neovascularization was seen. This response was maximal at P17. CONCLUSION: The reproducible and quantifiable mouse model of retinal neovascularization is useful for the study of pathogenesis of retinal neovascularization and therapeutic intervention.

[A modified mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy].

PURPOSE: To set up a simple and effective oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mouse model. METHODS: Eyes from P17 mice in modified OIR group(Group A)and traditional OIR group (Group B) were snap frozen for immunohistochemical analysis with antibodies against GSL Flat-mounted, fluorescein-conjugated dextran-perfused retinas were examined to assess the retinal vasculature. The mortality of nursing mothers, survival rate of modeling mice and neovascularization ratio in Group A were obtained and compared with those in Group B. RESULTS: Loss of the central retinal vasculature and the neovascular tufts were observed in GSL retinal immunohistochemical analysis. A vascular area and neovasculature area were significantly larger and more typical in Group A than those in Group B. A lower mortality of nursing mothers, higher survival rate and neovascularization ratio of modeling mice was achieved in Group A. CONCLUSIONS: This modified oxygen-induced retinopathy mouse model is a simple, effective method, with more typical neovasculature were obtained.

[The effect of FK506 on the proliferation of HRCECs].

PURPOSE: To observe the effect of FK506 on the proliferation, cell cycle and apoptosis of HRCECs under the cultural conditions of routine and hyperglucose. METHODS: Primary cultures of HRCECs were prepared from donor human eye for corneal transplantation and identified by immunohistochemistry VIII factor fos-related antigen-antibody. The viability of HRCECs under the cultural conditions of hyperglucose was analyzed by MTT assay. The effects of FK506 on the reproductive activity of HRCECs under different cultural conditions were studied by MTT assay. And the effects of FK506 on the cell cycle and apoptosis were analyzed by flow cytometry with DNA stained by propidium iodide (PI) and Annexin V-FITC. RESULTS: The reproductive activity of HRCECs was inhibited under cultural condition of hyperglucose. The reproductive activity of HRCECs was significantly inhibited by 100 pM FK506 under the cultural conditions of routine or hyperglucose. The cell cycle of HRCECs under cultural condition of hyperglucose can be suppressed by FK506, as well as the apoptosis can be inhibited, but not under the routine condition. CONCLUSION: The results of the research suggest FK506 can be a hopeful drug for PDR treatment.