Ethanol exposure disrupted the formation of radial glial processes and impaired the generation and migration of outer radial glial cells in forebrain organoids derived from human embryonic stem cells

Radial glial cells (RGCs) play a pivotal role in cerebral cortical development by functioning as a source of new neurons and by supporting the migration of newborn neurons. These functions are primarily dependent on the apical-basolateral structures of radial glial processes. This study aims to investigate the effects of ethanol exposure on the development of radial glial processes and the generation, migration, and transformation of outer radial glial cells (oRGCs). For this purpose, forebrain organoids were developed from human embryonic stem cells. These forebrain organoids contain abundant neural progenitor cells (SOX2+), express high levels of neural epithelial markers β-catenin and PKCλ, and dorsal forebrain marker PAX6, and display well-organized cortical architectures containing abundant apical and basal RGCs, intermediate progenitors (IPCs), and neurons. Exposure of forebrain organoids to ethanol resulted in a significant increase in apoptosis in Nestin-positive radial glial cells. Ethanol exposure also remarkably decreased the levels of radial glial process-associated proteins, including Nestin, GFAP, and Vimentin, in radial glial cells and distinctly impaired the integrity and morphologies of radial glial processes. In addition, the ethanol-induced impairment of the radial glial processes is associated with decreased migration and proliferation of radial glial cells, reduction in the generation of HOPX+ oRGCs, and the accelerated transformation of oRGCs into astrocytes. These results demonstrate that ethanol exposure can disrupt cerebral cortex development by impairing the formation of radial glial processes and the generation, migration, and transformation of oRGCs.

Oxysophocarpine reduces oxidative stress and inflammation in tuberculosis-infected neutrophils and mouse lungs

Tuberculosis (TB) is a chronic inflammatory infectious disease caused by Mycobacterium tuberculosis (Mtb), which induces irreversible pulmonary damage. Oxysophocarpine (OSC) is a natural alkaloid that exhibits multiple pharmacological activities, including anti-inflammation; however, the protective effects of OSC against TB and the mechanisms involved are unknown. Here, we established murine and cellular models of TB with C3HeB/FeJ mice and neutrophils infected with H37Rv to investigate the biological functions of OSC in TB. We found that OSC reduced the mortality, inhibited the pulmonary H37Rv growth, and alleviated the lung pathology injury in the Mtb-infected mice. OSC also repressed neutrophil recruitment to the lesions of the Mtb-infected mice as evidenced by a decrease in the number and percentage of neutrophils in the lungs. OSC hampered the production of proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines, including tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, macrophage inflammatory protein-2 (MIP-2), granulocyte colony stimulating factor (G-CSF), and keratinocyte chemoattractant (KC) in the lungs of Mtb-infected mice. The results of the in vitro experiments showed that OSC repressed the adhesion and F-actin polymerization of the Mtb-infected neutrophils by inhibiting the toll-like receptor 2/myeloid differentiation primary response gene 88/Src/extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 signaling. Moreover, OSC abolished the Mtb-induced expression and release of TNF-α, IL-1β, IL-6, MIP-2, G-CSF, and KC in neutrophils. Overall, these findings indicate that OSC can treat TB partly by lessening the neutrophilic recruitment and inflammation.

JAK3 restrains inflammatory responses and protects against periodontal disease through Wnt3a signaling

Homeostasis between pro- and anti- inflammatory responses induced by bacteria is critical for the maintenance of health. In the oral cavity, pro-inflammatory mechanisms induced by pathogenic bacteria are well-established; however, the anti-inflammatory responses that act to restrain innate responses remain poorly characterized. Here, we demonstrate that infection with the periodontal pathogen Porphyromonas gingivalis enhances the activity of Janus kinase 3 (JAK3) in innate immune cells, and subsequently phospho-inactivates Nedd4-2, an ubiquitin E3 ligase. In turn, Wingless-INT (Wnt) 3 (Wnt3) ubiquitination is decreased, while total protein levels are enhanced, leading to a reduction in pro-inflammatory cytokine levels. In contrast, JAK3 or Wnt3a inhibition robustly enhances nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells activity and the production of pro-inflammatory cytokines in P. gingivalis-stimulated innate immune cells. Moreover, using gain- and loss-of-function approaches, we demonstrate that downstream molecules of Wnt3a signaling, including Dvl3 and β-catenin, are responsible for the negative regulatory role of Wnt3a. In addition, using an in vivo P. gingivalis-mediated periodontal disease model, we show that JAK3 inhibition enhances infiltration of inflammatory cells, reduces expression of Wnt3a and Dvl3 in P. gingivalis-infected gingival tissues, and increases disease severity. Together, our results reveal a new anti-inflammatory role for JAK3 in innate immune cells and show that the underlying signaling pathway involves Nedd4-2-mediated Wnt3a ubiquitination.

Decreased expression of ubiquilin‑1 following neonatal hypoxia‑ischemic brain injury in mice

Ubiquilin‑1 (Ubqln), a ubiquitin‑like protein, regulates degradation of misfolded proteins and has been reported to have a crucial role in multiple pathologic and physiologic conditions. The current study was undertaken to investigate the expression of Ubqln in the brain of a neonatal hypoxia‑ischemic (HI) brain injury model induced using the Rice method with some modifications. Mouse pups at postnatal day 7 day were used in this study. Pups underwent permanent ligation of the left common carotid artery and a consecutive hypoxic challenge (8% O2 and 92% N2 for 120 min). The expression of Ubqln in the brain of pups following HI was analyzed by immunofluorescence staining and western blot analysis. Immunofluorescence staining demonstrated that Ubqln was extensively distributed in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus, and Ubqln was expressed in neurons, astrocytes and microglia in the brains of the HI brain injury model mice. Western blot analyses revealed decreased expression of Ubqln in the HI penumbra of the mouse model compared with Ubqln in the sham control group. The results of this study revealed that HI alters the expression of Ubqln, thus may provide a novel understanding of role of Ubqln in neonatal hypoxic ischemic encephalopathy.

The novel targets of DL-3-n-butylphthalide predicted by similarity ensemble approach in combination with molecular docking study

Background

DL-3-n-butylphthalide (NBP) is a drug for treating acute ischemic stroke, and may play a neuroprotective role by acting on multiple active targets. The aim of this study was to predict the target proteins of NBP in mammalian cells.

Methods

The similarity ensemble approach search tool (SEArch), one of the commonly used public bioinformatics tools for target prediction, was employed in the experiment. The molecular docking of NBP to target proteins was performed by using the three-dimensional (3-D) crystal structure, substrate free. The software AutoDock Vina was used for all dockings. The binding targets of NBP were illustrated as 3-D and 2-D diagrams.

Results

Firstly, the results showed that NBP bounded to the same binding site on NAD(P)H quinone oxidoreductases (NQO1) as the substrate FAD, leading to competitive inhibition for the catalytic site with -7.2 kcal/mol. This might break the 3-D structure of NQO1 and bring about P53 degradation, resulting in a decrease of p53-mediated apoptosis in ischemic brain cells. Secondly, NBP might exert its therapeutic effect on acute ischemic stroke via modulating indoleamine 2,3-dioxygenase (IDO) bioactivity after associating with it. NBP could alleviate the depression following ischemic stroke by inhibiting IDO. Thirdly, NBP might modulate the function of NADH-ubiquinone oxidoreductase by competitively embedding itself into this complex, further affecting mitochondrial respiration in cerebrovascular diseases as an anti-oxidant agent.

Conclusions

Three potential target proteins of NBP were identified, which may provide a novel aspect for better understanding the protective effects of NBP on the nervous system at the molecular level.

USP14 inhibitor attenuates cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced neuronal injury in mice

Stroke is associated with over-production of misfolded and aggregating proteins. However, it remains largely unclear whether enhanced removal of protein aggregates following ischemic stroke is neuroprotective. Deubiquitinating enzymes (DUBs) are a large group of proteases that regulate protein degradation. The ubiquitin-specific protease 14 (USP14) is a DUB that is associated with the proteasome and negatively regulates proteasome activity. In this study, we examined the effect of 1-[1-(4-fluorophenyl)-2,5-dimethylpyrrol-3-yl]-2-pyrrolidin-1-ylethanone (IU1), a specific small molecule inhibitor of USP14, on mouse focal cerebral ischemic stroke-induced neuronal injury in mice. We found that IU1 treatment attenuated ischemic stroke-caused neuronal injury, which was reflected by increased survival rate, reduced infarct volume, as well as decreased neuronal loss in the IU1-treated mice compared to the control-treated mice. Additionally, IU1 treatment is associated with reduced protein aggregates and enhanced proteasome functionality. These data not only highlight the significance of protein homeostasis in cerebral ischemia/reperfusion-induced neuronal injury but also extend the therapeutic role of DUB inhibitors.

Family member-based supervision of patients with hypertension: a cluster randomized trial in rural China

Empirical evidence has suggested that social support from family can help patients take their medicines correctly. This study aims to evaluate the role of a family member-based supervision package in the management of hypertension using a cluster randomized trial in rural China. We recruited patients with hypertension from four villages in Yangzhong and randomly allocated them to the control group (n=288) and the intervention group (n=266). A family member-based supervision package was applied to the intervention group, while the usual service was applied to the controls. Patients were followed for 12 months and completed face-to-face interviews at the end of 6 and 12 months. The primary outcomes were patients' medication adherence and frequency of blood pressure measurement. Secondary outcomes included changes in blood pressure, altered risk behaviours and occurrence of hypertension-related complications. To control for the effects of cluster randomization, multilevel mixed-effects regression models were used to compare group changes. We observed that the intervention improved patients' blood pressure measurement frequency (OR: 9.00, 95% CI: 4.52-17.91) and adherence to antihypertensive treatment (OR: 1.74, 95% CI: 0.91-3.32). Its effect on the blood pressure control rate was significant at the mid-term investigation (OR: 0.67, 95% CI: 0.40-0.93), but the long-term effect was not significant (OR: 0.89, 95% CI: 0.64-1.26). After 6 months of intervention, either systolic or diastolic blood pressure was significantly decreased in the intervention group. However, this difference was not significant at the final investigation. Findings from this study revealed that the family member-based supervised therapy may have positive effects on patients' adherence to blood monitoring and hypertensive medications.

Niche astrocytes promote the survival, proliferation and neuronal differentiation of co-transplanted neural stem cells following ischemic stroke in rats

Niche astrocytes have been reported to promote neuronal differentiation through juxtacrine signaling. However, the effects of astrocytes on neuronal differentiation following ischemic stroke are not fully understood. In the present study, transplanted astrocytes and neural stem cells (NSCs) were transplanted into the ischemic striatum of transient middle cerebral artery occlusion (MCAO) model rats 48 h following surgery. It was observed that the co-transplantation of astrocytes and NSCs resulted in a higher ratio of survival and proliferation of the transplanted NSCs, and neuronal differentiation, in MCAO rats compared with NSC transplantation alone. These results demonstrate that the co-administration of astrocytes promotes the survival and neuronal differentiation of NSCs in the ischemic brain. These results suggest that the co-transplantation of astrocytes and NSCs is more effective than NSCs alone in the production of neurons following ischemic stroke in rats.

Mate choice and host discrimination behavior of the parasitoid Trichogramma chilonis

Trichogramma chilonis Ishii (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae) is an important natural enemy of many species of lepidopterous pests and a widely used biological control agent. Detailed knowledge about its mate choice and host discrimination behavior is lacking. In this study, we studied the mate choice and host discrimination behavior of T. chilonis in experimental arenas through video tracking. Males' mate recognition capacity was realized by perceiving the sex pheromone of females. When offered two females of different species, male could distinguish the conspecific female from Trichogrammatoidea bactrae Nagaraja (Hymenoptera: Trichogrammatidae), a species that has overlapping hosts with T. chilonis. When placed with two females of different mating status, male preferred mating with the virgin female to the mated female. T. chilonis females could distinguish unparasitized host eggs from parasitized ones (parasitized by conspecific females or heterospecific females). They preferred to stay on and lay eggs in unparasitized host eggs. When T. chilonis females were only provided with parasitized host eggs (parasitized by T. chilonis and T. bactrae females), conspecific superparasitism occurred more often than heterospecific superparasitism. Furthermore, the host egg discrimination ability of T. chilonis females was mainly achieved through antennal perception.

Oleic acid-induced hepatic steatosis is coupled with downregulation of aquaporin 3 and upregulation of aquaporin 9 via activation of p38 signaling

Excess lipid deposition in hepatocytes is a hallmark feature of nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD). The present study was designed to explore the expression and regulation of aquaporin (AQP) 3 and AQP9 in oleic acid-induced hepatic steatosis. HepG2 cells were incubated with oleic acid at different concentrations and time points. Oil-Red-O staining and triglyceride content measurement were done to assess the extent of hepatic steatosis. The expression of AQP3 and AQP9 was assessed using quantitative real-time PCR and Western blot analyses. The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathways involved in the regulation of AQP3 and AQP9 expression were checked. Compared to untreated control cells, oleic acid treatment significantly (p<0.05) induced hepatic steatosis in HepG2 cells in a dose- and time-dependent fashion. Oleic acid-treated cells showed a significant reduction in the AQP3 expression and a concomitant increase in the AQP9 expression. Oleic acid exposure led to enhanced phosphorylation of p38, but not ERK1/2 or JNK MAPK. Pharmacological inhibition of p38 rather than ERK1/2 signaling significantly blocked the regulation of AQP3 and AQP9 expression by oleic acid. Oleic acid-induced hepatic steatosis in HepG2 cells is associated with the coordinated regulation of AQP3 and AQP9 via activation of p38 signaling. These findings warrant functional studies of aquaglyceroporins in NAFLD.

Progranulin expression in neural stem cells and their differentiated cell lineages: an immunocytochemical study

Progranulin (PGRN) is a neurotrophic factor that regulates neurite outgrowth and enhances neuronal survival. The association between PGRN and neural stem cell (NSC) differentiation may aid in elucidating the underlying pathogenesis and potential treatments for neurodegenerative diseases. To investigate the association between PGRN and NSCs and their lineages, primary NSCs were prepared from the subventricular zone of neonatal Sprague Dawley pups (age, 1 day) and cultured in the neural stem cell medium. After 7 days in culture, NSCs aggregated into neurospheres and were maintained in the differential medium for 7 days following three passages. In addition, PGRN expression in neurospheres and differentiated cells (neurons, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes) were analyzed by immunocytochemistry. The PGRN expression and localization was also investigated in the brain tissues of neonatal rats (age, 1 and 7 days) by double immunofluorescence staining. The data indicated that PGRN was highly expressed in NSCs and their differentiated cell lineages in vitro. The results also demonstrated that PGRN was predominantly expressed in neurons and microglia in vivo, and marginally in NSCs, astrocytes and oligodendrocytes. The present study suggested that PGRN may be involved in the regulation of NSC differentiation.

Exocytosis of MTT formazan could exacerbate cell injury

MTT [3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide] method is one of the most widely used methods to analyze cell proliferation and viability. It is taken up through endocytosis and is reduced by mitochondrial enzymes as well as endosomal/lysosomal compartments, then is transported to cell surfaces to form needle-like MTT formazans; however the effect of MTT itself still remains elusive. Our objective was to investigate the direct effects of MTT on in vitro SH-SY5Y cells. Results showed that the endocytosis of MTT did not cause obvious lesion and induce cell death, but the metabolism and exocytosis of MTT could dramatically damage cells. Our results also indicated that MTT could activate apoptosis related factors such as caspase-8, caspase-3 or accelerate the leakage of cell contents after the appearance of MTT formazan crystals. The present data suggest MTT method should be carefully chosen; otherwise the cell viability would be underestimated and incomparable.

Protective effects and potential mechanisms of Pien Tze Huang on cerebral chronic ischemia and hypertensive stroke

Background

Stroke caused by brain ischemia is the third leading cause of adult disability. Active prevention and early treatment of stroke targeting the causes and risk factors may decrease its incidence, mortality and subsequent disability. Pien Tze Huang (PZH), a Chinese medicine formula, was found to have anti-edema, anti-inflammatory and anti-thrombotic effects that can prevent brain damage. This study aims to investigate the potential mechanisms of the preventive effects of Pien Tze Huang on brain damage caused by chronic ischemia and hypertensive stroke in rats.

Methods

The effects of Pien Tze Huang on brain protein expression in spontaneously hypertensive rat (SHR) and stroke prone SHR (SHRsp) were studied with 2-D gel electrophoresis and mass spectrometric analysis with a matrix-assisted laser desorption/ionization time-of-flight (MALDI-TOF)/TOF tandem mass spectrometer and on brain cell death with enzyme link immunosorbent assay (ELISA) and immunostaining.

Results

Pien Tze Huang decreased cell death in hippocampus and cerebellum caused by chronic ischemia and hypertensive stroke. Immunostaining of caspase-3 results indicated that Pien Tze Huang prevents brain cells from apoptosis caused by ischemia. Brain protein expression results suggested that Pien Tze Huang downregulated QCR₂ in the electron transfer chain of mitochondria preventing reactive oxygen species (ROS) damage and possibly subsequent cell death (caspase 3 assay) as caused by chronic ischemia or hypertensive stroke to hippocampus and cerebellum.

Conclusion

Pien Tze Huang showed preventive effects on limiting the damage or injury caused by chronic ischemia and hypertensive stroke in rats. The effect of Pien Tze Huang was possibly related to prevention of cell death from apoptosis or ROS/oxidative damage in mitochondria.

The toxic effect of ketamine on SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cell line and human neuron

Ketamine used as an injectable anesthetic in human and animal medicine is also a recreational drug used primarily by young adults often at all night dance parties in nightclubs. The percentage of ketamine users has grown very fast in the last 5 years worldwide. However, this leads to the serious question of the long-term adverse effects of ketamine on our nervous system, particularly the brain, because ketamine as an NMDA antagonist could cause neurons to commit apoptosis. Our study therefore aimed to find out the chronic effect of ketamine on neuron using prolonged incubation (48 h) of neuronal cells with ketamine in culture. Our results showed that differentiated neuronal cells were prone to the toxicity of ketamine but probably less susceptible than undifferentiated neuronal cells and fibroblasts. This suggested that the ketamine abuse would be harmful to many other organs as well as the brain. Our results also confirmed that the toxicity of ketamine is related to apoptosis via the Bax/Bcl-2 ratio pathway and caspase-3 in the differentiated neuronal cells. Therefore, long-term ketamine treated cell or animal models should be sought to study this multiorgan effects of ketamine.

Pien Tze Huang, a composite Chinese traditional herbal extract, affects survival of neuroblastoma cells

Pien Tze Huang is a popular Chinese medicine for liver diseases. In the investigations of possible effects of Pien Tze Huang on the central nervous system, we first studied the in vitro anti-cancer activity of Pien Tze Huang on neuroblastoma cells (SH-SY5Y) as compared with normal fibroblasts (NIH-3T3). Results showed that Pien Tze Huang significantly decreased (p < .05) cell survival of SH-SY5Y as compared to NIH-3T3. Furthermore, the decreases in cell survival of SH-SY5Y were significantly and linearly dose-dependent (p < .05) from 400 to 1,000 microg/ml. This supports further in vivo and animal studies for anti-cancer effect, neuroprotection, and their mechanisms.

H2O2-induced changes in astrocytic cultures from control and rapidly aging strains of mouse

The study compared the difference between the H2O2 treatment on astrocytic cultures from a rapidly aging strain of mouse (SAMP8) and its sister control (R1). A mild but statistically significant difference was observed in the numbers of dead cell between R1 and SAMP8 after H2O2 treatment. Cellular changes were equivalent in both strains after injury, including loss of cilia and side projections. Low total dose of H2O2 treatment (e.g., 400 microM for only 1 hour) caused increased cellular synthesis,while high total dose of H2O2 treatment (e.g., 200 microM for 4 hours) downregulated in intracellular synthesis and caused coagulation of microtubules.

Oxidative stress on the astrocytes in culture derived from a senescence accelerated mouse strain

Astrocytes are one of the predominant glial cell types in the adult central nervous system functioning as both supportive and metabolic cells for the brain. Our objective in this experiment is to study the direct effects of hydrogen peroxide induced oxidative stress on astrocytes in culture. These astrocytes were derived from both an aged mouse strain (P8) and a matched control strain (R1). The astrocytes for both the P8 and R1 strains were treated with increasing concentrations of hydrogen peroxide. Our results showed that the oxidative stress had a similar effect in both strains of astrocytes; decreases in 3-(4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl)-2,2-diphenyltetrazolium bromide (MTT) and glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) levels, and increases in terminal deoxynucleotidyltransferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labeling (TUNEL) staining, lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) staining, and superoxide dismutase (SOD), caspase-3 and B-cell lymphoma 2-associated protein X (bax) levels. At a hydrogen peroxide concentration of 400 microM , the differences of the above parameters between P8 cultures and R1 cultures were statistically significant (p<0.05). This strongly suggested that astrocytes derived from P8 and R1 strains reacted to oxidative stress with similar mechanisms and consequences. However, the mechanisms were not able to compensate for the oxidative stress in the P8 strain at a hydrogen peroxide concentration of 400 microM. The inability of the P8 astrocytes to counteract the oxidative stress might lead to inadequate protection from neuronal loss possibly resulting in significantly more astrocytic death. Our results suggested that the changes of astrocytes in peroxide detoxification may play a role in aging of the central nervous system, and further aging studies should examine the oxidative status of the samples.

Molecular epidemiology and phylogenetic analysis of a marine fish infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus-like (ISKNV-like) virus

Infectious spleen and kidney necrosis virus-like (ISKNV-like) virus causes a serious systemic disease with high morbidity and mortality of freshwater and marine fishes. Based on the ISKNV putative major capsid protein (MCP), the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF), the mRNA capping enzyme (Capping), and the tumor necrosis factor receptor-associated protein (TNFR) genes, primers were designed and used in PCR to determine the host range of ISKNV-like viruses. From the sampling of >1600 marine fishes representing 6 orders, 25 families, and 86 species collected in the South China Sea, 13 cultured fish species (141 fish) and 39 wild fish species (102 fish) were confirmed hosts of ISKNV-like viruses. The average percentage of infection of ISKNV-like viruses was 14.6%. The results from phylogenetic analysis of these genes revealed that ISKNV-like viruses could be placed into two clusters: cluster I was more related to ISKNV; cluster II included OSGIV (orange-spotted grouper iridovirus) and RBIV (rock bream iridovirus), and was quite different from ISKNV. The results of this study can contribute to the prediction and prevention of ISKNV disease outbreaks.

[Orthokeratology induced infective corneal ulcer]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the clinical course, treatment and outcome of infective corneal ulcer induced by orthokeratology.

METHODS

Sixteen cases of infective corneal ulcer caused by orthokeratology were reported, including 7 cases of pseudomonas corneal ulcers, 8 cases of acanthamoeba keratitis and 1 case of mycotic keratitis. Smears and cultures from corneal scrapings for bacteria, fungi and amoeba were performed for all of the patients. According to the results of pathogenic microorganisms, different therapeutic approaches were given. Lamellar keratoplasty or penetrating keratoplasty was performed for 9 patients whose corneal lesions were serious and unresponsive to medical therapy.

RESULTS

After medical treatment or keratoplasty, corneal infections of all the patients were controlled. The visual acuity of most cases was improved.

CONCLUSIONS

The infective corneal ulcer is the most serious complication of orthokeratology. The treatment of infective corneal ulcer should be directed toward the elimination of the pathogenic microorganisms from the cornea. Keratoplasty continues to have a central role in the management of some advanced cases. Although the infections can be controlled, the vision of these patients is seriously damaged.

[The toxic effects of high-dose Bcl-2 antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides incubation on cell line]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the toxic effects of high-dose Bcl-2 antisense phosphorothioate oligodeoxynucleotides (AS-PS-ODN, ASPO) incubation on HL60 cells and to understand the relationship between the dose of ASPO and the toxicity.

METHODS

Cellular viability and toxicity were detected by trypan blue exclusion, colony-forming unit HL60 cells and MTT assay. The expression of Bcl-2 protein was determined by immunocytochemistry and flow cytometry analysis. The proportion of apoptosis cells was tested by acridine orange (AO) standing. The sense (PS-ODN, SPO) was chosen for the toxic control of independent sequence. The curves of dose-effect and dose-toxicity were transfered into straight line and the reguession analysis was done by computer with the SPSS soften-ware.

RESULTS

When the dose of Bcl-2 PS-ODN was higher than 20 micromol/L, the non-specific effect of suppressing cell proliferation could occur. When the dose of Bcl-2 PS-ODN was more than 160 micromol/L, the non-specific effect (toxic effect) increased significantly. When the dose of Bcl-2 ASPO was higher than 80 micromol/L, the specific effect of inhibitting the expression of Bcl-2 proteion increased slowly. When the dose of PS-ODN reached 262 micromol/L, the toxic effect had no significant differences between Bcl-2 ASPO and Bcl-2 SPO. In the presence of ASPO or SPO at 160 micromol/L, the expression of Bcl-2 protein in the two groups of HL60 was decreased to 28% and 78% respectively, after 72 hours of incubation. The expression of Bcl-2 protein in the groups of HL60 which were passaged after incubation with ASPO or SPO was reinereased to 99.6% and 97.8%, respectively.

CONCLUSION

Although ASPO is a kind of low-toxic drug, the toxic effects of Bcl-2 ASPO seem to be dependent on the dose increasing to a certain extent. It is clear that it can be used over a wide range of doses, however. Our results may also provide some referring concentrations of Bcl-2 ASPO for the pharmacodynamic and toxicological study in vivo in future.

[Assessment of erythrocyte pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase test for screening of occupational lead poisoning]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the diagnostic value of red cell P5'-N for detecting occupational lead poisoning.

METHODS

Red cell pyrimidine 5;-nucleotidase, blood lead and urine lead levels, free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP), zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP) and urine delta-aminolevulinic acid levels were determined in 157 lead exposed workers and 30 non-exposed healthy people. According to the golden standard; i.e. blood lead >/= 1.93 micromol/L and >/= 2.90 micromol/L, the diagnostic value of red cell P5'N and other indicators for detecting blood lead >/= 1.93 micromol/L and >/= 2.90 micromol/L was compared by receiver operative characteristic curve (ROC) software. After determining the optimal cut-points of the above indicators for detecting the blood lead >/= 1.93 micromol/L and >/= 2.90 micromol/L, the sensitivity of the parallel tests for detecting the blood lead >/= 1.93 micromol/L and >/= 2.90 micromol/L was calculated and compared by EPINFOR software.

RESULTS

For detecting blood lead level >/= 1.93 micromol/L, the areas under ROC curve (AUC(ROC)) of P5'N was significantly larger than that of urinary lead and urinary delta-ALA (P < 0.05). The sensitivity of parallel tests with ZPP and P5'N was significantly larger than that of parallel tests with Upb and Udelta-ALA. For detecting blood lead level >/= 2.90 micromol/L, the areas under ROC curve (AUC(ROC))of P5'N was significantly larger than that of urinary lead, FEP and urinary delta-ALA (P < 0.05). The sensitivity of parallel tests with P5'N and ZPP was significantly larger than that of parallel tests with Upb and Udelta-ALA, and that of parallel tests with ZPP and FEP (P < 0.05).

CONCLUSION

For detecting blood lead >/= 1.93 micromol/L and >/= 2.90 micromol/L, red cell P5'N is more accurate. It is worth being applied in detecting occupational lead poisoning. For detecting blood lead >/= 1.93 micromol/L and >/= 2.90 micromol/L, the parallel tests with P5'N and ZPP are more accurate.

[Re-assessment of indicators for screening lead poisoning]

OBJECTIVE

To determine the accuracy of the indicators for detecting lead poisoning.

METHODS

Blood and urine specimens in 157 workers exposed to lead were collected. Their blood levels of lead, free erythrocyte protoporphyrin (FEP), zinc protoporphyrin (ZPP), urine delta-aminolevulinic acid and activity of red cell pyrimidine 5'-nucleotidase were determined, with gold standards of blood lead levels of >or= 1.93 micromol/L and >or= 2.90 micromol/L. Accuracy assessment of the indicators mentioned above for detecting lead poisoning was based on the area under the receiver operative characteristic (AUC(ROC)) curve with a software specially for ROC curve analysis and software of Epi-Info, after determining the optimal cut-off points for the above mentioned indicators in detecting those with blood lead >or= 1.93 micromol/L and >or= 2.90 micromol/L. The sensitivity of screening in parallel for detecting those with blood lead >or= 1.93 micromol/L and >or= 2.90 micromol/L was calculated and compared.

RESULTS

For detecting those with blood lead level >or= 1.93 micromol/L, the area under ROC curve (AUC(ROC)) of above indicators was 0.978 for ZPP, 0.973 for red cell P5'N, 0.937 for FEP, 0.890 for urine delta-ALA (significantly different from that for ZPP with P < 0.05), and 0.845 for urine lead level (significantly different from that for ZPP with P < 0.05), respectively. For detecting those with blood lead level >or= 2.90 micromol/L, the area under ROC curve (AUC(ROC)) of above indicators was 0.975 for red cell P5'N, 0.954 for ZPP, 0.906 for FEP (significantly different from that for red cell P5'N with P < 0.05), 0.900 for urine delta-ALA (significantly different from that for red cell P5'N with P < 0.05), and 0.750 for urine lead level (significantly different from that for red cell P5'N with P < 0.05). Sensitivity of screening in parallel with ZPP and P5'N was significantly higher than that with urine levels of lead and delta-ALA.

CONCLUSION

Determinations of red cell P5'N and ZPP for detecting those with blood lead >or= 1.93 micromol/L and >or= 2.90 micromol/L are more accurate.

[Vitreous surgery for intraocular lens dislocated into vitreous cavity]

OBJECTIVE

To study the way to manage intraocular lenses (IOLs) dislocated into vitreous cavity.

METHODS

Three methods of vitreoretinal surgery were applied for 15 cases with severe dislocation of IOL into vitreous cavity: vitreoretinal surgery combined with simple IOL removal in 7 cases (simple group), vitreoretinal surgery combined with liquid perfluorocarbon (PFCL) applied for IOL removal in 3 cases and vitreoretinal surgery combined with IOL removal and fixation of IOL at ciliary sulcus in 5 cases.

RESULTS

The dislocated IOLs were removed successfully in all cases. The preoperative visual acuities were light perception to hand movement. Postoperatively, the patients were followed for 3 months to 3 years. In the cases with ciliary sulcus fixation of IOL, all their visual acuities were above 20/100 and the best visual acuity was 20/25. In the 10 cases without fixation of IOL, the corrected visual acuities were 20/1000 to 20/50. The complications were retinal detachment in 1 case, slight vitreous hemorrhage in 2 cases and temporary uveitis in 3 cases.

CONCLUSION

Vitreous surgery is the best way for the treatment of a case with IOL severely dislocated into the vitreous cavity, and such an IOL should be removed. Visual acuity can be improved significantly by the fixation of IOL at ciliary sulcus.

[In vivo migration and survival of donor-derived dendritic cell progenitors genetically modified using an adenoviral vector encoding cDNA for TGF beta 1]

OBJECTIVE

To investigate the migration and survival of B10 mouse bone marrow (BM)-derived DCs in C3H mice and if genetic modification of these DCs to overexpress TGF beta 1 may potentiate their tolerogenicity.

METHOD

B10 mouse BM-derived DCs were propagated in GM-CSF and TGF beta(DC1), transduced DC1 with replication-deficient Ad vectors encoding genes for LacZ (DC2) or TGF beta 1(DC3). Cells of different groups were injected into one footpad of C3H mice. The mice were sacrificed on days 1, 2, 7, and 14, and spleens, thymuses, popliteal and mesenteric lymph nodes removed and stained with anti-IAb mAb. The incidences of B10 DC were determined by the mean number of IAb positive cells with dendriform morphology per low power field (x 100).

RESULTS

Transduction with Ad-LacZ or Ad-TGF beta 1 did not affect DC migration or distribution in C3H recipients, i.e. IAb+ cells were first observed under the capsule of popliteal LN (peak at d1), then migrated into the marginal T dependent area of spleens (peak at d7), and were found occasionally in the thymus. Transduction of Ad-LacZ reduced the numbers of IAb+ cells identified in both LN and spleens at all time points post injection, compared with injection of unmodified control DC, suggesting that Ad transduction itself can affect DC life span in allogeneic recipients. Overexpression of TGF beta 1 by transduction of Ad-TGF beta 1 not only fully reversed the reduction of DC numbers induced by Ad transduction, but also prolonged the life span of DC in spleen, as shown by the 2-fold increase in number of IAb+ cells in spleen at d14 compared with control DCs.

CONCLUSION

Mouse BM-derived TGF beta DCs can be transduced to express TGF beta 1 using an adenoviral vector, and exhibit the same migration characteristics as unmodified DC. The survival of TGF beta gene transduced DCs appears to be enhanced compared with unmodified or LacZ gene-transduced DCs.

[Experimental studies on the effect of the immunosuppressant FK-506 on penetrating keratoplasty rejection model in rats]

OBJECTIVE

To study the immunosuppressive effects of FK-506 on allogeneic transplantation in a rat model.

METHODS

Inbred strain Lou rats were used as recipients, and F344 rats were used as donors. Subconjunctival injection of FK-506 0.1 mg/kg and cyclosporine A (CsA) 3 mg/kg were administered respectively for 2 weeks, and the grafts were inspected by clinical evaluation.

RESULTS

The group receiving FK-506 had a significant delay in allograft rejection with mean survival time (22.1 +/- 5.17) days vs. (18.4 +/- 1.4) days for the CsA group and (12.1 +/- 2.13) days for the control group (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

It is indicated that FK-506 would be a useful drug to suppress corneal graft rejection.

[Immunopathologic studies on the effects of immunosuppressant FK 506 on penetrating keratoplasty rejection model in rat]

OBJECTIVES

To study the immunopathologic process of rejection, the effect of certain immune cells and molecules on rejection and elucidate the immunosuppressive mechanism of FK 506.

METHODS

By using immunohistochemical techniques, the expression of CD(4)(+) cells, CD(8)(+) cells, macrophages, IL-2 receptor, MHC-II antigen, intercellular adhesion molecule-1 (ICAM-1) and lymphocyte function-associated antigen-1 (LFA-1) in rejected corneal grafts were studied.

RESULTS

Immunohistochemical studies showed diffuse infiltration of CD(4)(+) cells, CD(8)(+) cells and macrophages, and strong expression of IL-2 receptor, MHC-II antigen, ICAM-1 and LFA-1 in rejected corneal grafts, especially in the acute rejection stage. FK 506 can inhibit the expression of these cells and molecules in the grafts.

CONCLUSION

Keratoplasty rejection is significantly related to delayed type of hypersensitivity and cytotoxic T cells, and immune adhesion molecules and MHC-II antigen also affect the rejection process.

[Vitreous surgery for subretinal neovascular membrane and hemorrhage]

OBJECTIVE

To study the indications, techniques and therapeutic effects of vitreous surgery for subretinal neovascular membranes.

METHODS

6 cases of subretinal neovascularization and subretinal hemorrhage were treated by vitreoretinal surgery. The surgical techniques consisted of three port pars plana vitrectomy, intraocular laser, retinotomy, subretinal neovascular membrane resection or hemorrhage removal, air-fluid exchange, etc. The pre and post-operative examinations included fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), Humphry visual field to evaluate the therapeutic effects of the surgery.

RESULTS

The postoperative follow-up ranged from 4 to 7 months. The visual acuities of 4 cases improved, 0.3 or over in 2 cases and unchanged in 2 cases.

CONCLUSION

Subretinal operation may be a safe and effective method to treat subretinal neovascularization if the indication was well mastered.

[Pterygium and lipid peroxidation]

OBJECTIVE

The mechanism of light damage causing pterygium was investigated from the point of view of lipid peroxidation.

METHODS

22 patients with pterygium underwent excision of pterygium and a little superior bulbar conjunctiva was excised as normal control. The lipid peroxidation reaction of both pathologic and normal samples was analyzed by measuring the concentration of malondialdehyde.

RESULT

The concentration of malondialdehyde in the pathologic samples was much higher than that in the normal samples (P < 0.01).

CONCLUSION

Light Induced peroxidation reaction is closely related to the pterygium formation.

[Laser suture lysis following trabeculectomy]

Trabeculectomies with tightly sutured scleral flap was performed on 49 eyes of 45 patients with angle closure or open angle glaucomas, the experimental group, of which 41 eyes underwent laser suture lysis subsequently. After a mean period of follow-up 14.7 months (12-36 months), the average intraocular pressure was decreased from pre-operative 5.93 kPa (44.5 mmHg) to post-operative 1.96 kPa (14.7mmHg). The experimental group of patients was compared with the control group, 41 eyes of 39 cases at the same period randomly undergoing trabeculectomy without laser suture lysis. The control rate of intraocular pressure is higher (89.8%:73.2%) and the incidence of ocular complications (such as, shallow anterior chamber, choroid detachment, hyphema, lens opacity) is significantly lower in the former group, showing that trabeculectomy with following laser suture lysis is a safe and effective anti-glaucoma surgery. The advantages, points for attention and experiences of laser suture lysis have been introduced in the paper.

Histochemical localization and concentration of copper released from a CuIUD in the endometria of rabbits

Atomic absorption spectrophotometry and histochemistry have been employed to study the content and localization of copper released from a CuIUD in the endometrium of rabbits bearing the copper device for 30 days. The released copper was mainly accumulated in the luminal and glandular epithelial cytoplasm. However, if the succession of the epithelia was imperfect due to the impairment by the device, copper could be detected in the stroma cells, which appeared to be neutrophilic leukocytes or lymphocytes. The mean concentration of copper in the uterine tissue of the CuIUD-bearing horn (82.24 micrograms/g dry weight) was significantly higher than that of the contralateral one (14.48 micrograms/g dry weight), and also tended to be higher than that of the horn bearing the stainless steel device (32.97 micrograms/g dry weight) and its contralateral horn (18.03 micrograms/g dry weight).