[Pyroptosis of lens epithelial cells in diabetic cataract]

Objective: To investigate the possible role of pyroptosis of lens epithelial cells (LECs) in the occurrence of diabetic cataract. Methods: Experimental research. A total of 70 cataract lens anterior capsule and aqueous humor samples were obtained from 70 eyes (70 patients) with cataracts in the operation room of Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital between March 2020 and November 2020. Patients were divided into the non-diabetic and diabetic groups, with 35 patients (35 eyes) in each group. The expressions of Nod like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3), cysteine-aspartic proteases 1 (caspase-1) and Gasdermin D protein (GSDMD) in the lens anterior capsule were detected by Western blotting, real-time quantitative PCR and immunohistochemical staining. Interleukin (IL)-1β and IL-18 inaqueous humor were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The independent sample t-test was used for statistical analysis. Results: The age was (70±9) years in the diabetic group and (71±8) years in the non-diabetic group. There was no significant difference in age and gender distribution between the two groups (both P>0.05). Western blotting analysis showed that the expression levels of NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD protein in the LECs of anterior capsule were 1.11±0.06, 0.95±0.04 and 0.39±0.03 in the diabetic group, significantly higher than those of the non-diabetic group (0.81±0.04, 0.33±0.11 and 0.16±0.04; t=4.38, 5.36, 4.63; all P<0.05). Real-time quantitative PCR showed that the levels of NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD mRNA in the LECs of anterior capsule were 1.98±0.07, 54.36±4.88 and 6.98±1.18 in the diabetic group, significantly higher than those of the non-diabetic group (1.38±0.16, 15.31±1.51 and 2.41±0.95; t=3.49, 7.64, 3.00, all P<0.05). Immunohistochemical staining showed that the average gray values of NLRP3, caspase-1 and GSDMD in the diabetic group were higher than those of the non-diabetic group (all P˂0.01). ELISA showed that the levels of IL-1β and IL-18 in the aqueous humor were (4.178±0.028) fg/L and (20.983±0.018) fg/L in the diabetic group, significantly higher than those of the non-diabetic group [(4.063±0.017) fg/L and (20.509±0.073) fg/L; t=20.63, 37.21; both P˂0.01]. Conclusion: Caspase-1-mediated pyroptosis of LECs and the release of inflammatory mediators induced by pyroptosis may be involved in the occurrence and development of diabetic cataract.

[Disinfection for cistern water]

Rainwater is often collected into cisterns (pits or tanks) for household using as drinking water source in the rural areas of the northwest and the southeast coast in China, where no enough fresh water resource is available. However, the total number of bacteria and coliforms in the cisterns water was higher than the standard of that in drinking water. In order to ensure the safety for drinking, the effectiveness, conditions of treatment and cost for such disinfection methods compared with solar radiation, ultraviolet (UV), chloridation, micro-filteration and KDF were studied in 10 households in Cixi of Zhejiang Province and Weiyuan of Gansu Provinces, respectively. The micro-filteration is more compatible for bacteria removal in the tanks, while chloridation more for disinfection in the underground pits.

[Infection status with the metacercariae of heterophyid flukes in the brackish water fish from Haenam-gun, Chollanam-do, Korea]

An epidemiological survey was performed to know the infection status of heterophyid fluke metacercariae in the brackish water fishes purchased from a local market in Haenam-gun, Chollanam-do, Korea from November to December, 1991. A total 20 out of 30 shads (Konosirus punctatus) examined were infected with the metacercariae of H. continua (average number of larvae per an infected fish: 2.7). Of 20 perches (Lateolabrax japonicus), 19 were infected with the metacercariae of H. continua (average number per an infected fish: 17.2). Of 30 mullets (Mugil cephalus) examined, 11 were infected with the metacercariae of H. nocens (average number per an infected fish: 51.5), 10 mullets harboured 31 and 349 metacercariae of P. summa and S. fuscatum respectively. Of 30 gobies (Acanthogobius flavimanus) examined, 3 were infected with the metacercariae of H. nocens (average number per an infected fish: 32.0), 8 with those of H. continua (average number per an infected fish: 12.6) and 3 with those of S. fuscatum. From the above results, it has been confirmed that the brackish water fish from Haenam-gun, Chollanam-do are infected with numerous metacercariae of H. nocens, H. continua, P. summa and S. fuscatum.