Clinical Efficacy Evaluation and Potential Mechanism of Zhishe Tongluo Capsule in the Treatment of Cerebral Infarction by Meta-Analysis Associated with Network Pharmacology.

Objective: By integrating meta-analysis and network pharmacology strategy, the clinical efficacy of Zhishe Tongluo capsule in the treatment of cerebral infarction was evaluated, and the intervention mechanism was preliminary explored.

Methods: Through meta-analysis, the Chinese and English literature of the randomized controlled trial (RCT) of Zhishe Tongluo capsule in the treatment of cerebral infarction was comprehensively searched. Based on the standard of Na Pai, the quantitative literature was determined and the Review Manager data were statistically analyzed.

Nanoparticle-mediated miR200-b delivery for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy.

We recently reported that the Ins2(Akita) mouse is a good model for late-onset diabetic retinopathy. Here, we investigated the effect of miR200-b, a potential anti-angiogenic factor, on VEGF receptor 2 (VEGFR-2) expression and to determine the underlying angiogenic response in mouse endothelial cells, and in retinas from aged Ins2(Akita) mice. MiR200-b and its native flanking sequences were amplified and cloned into a pCAG-eGFP vector directed by the ubiquitous CAG promoter (namely pCAG-miR200-b-IRES-eGFP).

Comparative analysis of DNA nanoparticles and AAVs for ocular gene delivery.

Gene therapy is a critical tool for the treatment of monogenic retinal diseases. However, the limited vector capacity of the current benchmark delivery strategy, adeno-associated virus (AAV), makes development of larger capacity alternatives, such as compacted DNA nanoparticles (NPs), critical. Here we conduct a side-by-side comparison of self-complementary AAV and CK30PEG NPs using matched ITR plasmids.

Retinal angiogenesis in the Ins2(Akita) mouse model of diabetic retinopathy.

Purpose: Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the leading cause of blindness among working age adults and does not have any curative treatments. Although chemical- and injury-induced models of retinal neovascularization exist, the need for a genetic model that closely simulates the DR pathologic process is great.

Methods: Here we characterize the development of the retinal disease phenotype in a genetic model of type 1 diabetes, the Ins2(Akita) mouse, using structural, biochemical, molecular biological, and functional techniques.

Genetic analysis of the FOXL2 gene using quantitative real-time PCR in Chinese patients with blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the mutation(s) or deletion(s) of the forkhead box protein L2 (FOXL2) gene in Chinese patients with blepharophimosis-ptosis-epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES).

Methods: Genomic DNA extracted from peripheral blood was collected from two Chinese families and from one sporadic case. PCR direct sequencing and quantitative real-time PCR-based copy number screening for the whole exon of FOXL2 were performed.

Müller cell-derived VEGF is a significant contributor to retinal neovascularization.

Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF-A) is a major pathogenic factor and a therapeutic target for age-related macular degeneration, diabetic retinopathy, and retinopathy of prematurity. Despite intensive effort in the field, the cellular mechanisms of VEGF action remain virtually uninvestigated. This situation makes it difficult to design cellular target-based therapeutics for these diseases.