Characteristics of neural growth and cryopreservation of the dorsal root ganglion using three-dimensional collagen hydrogel culture conventional culture.

In vertebrates, most somatosensory pathways begin with the activation of dorsal root ganglion (DRG) neurons. The development of an appropriate DRG culture method is a prerequisite for establishing in vitro peripheral nerve disease models and for screening therapeutic drugs. In this study, we compared the changes in morphology, molecular biology, and transcriptomics of chicken embryo DRG cultured on tissue culture plates (T-DRG) versus three-dimensional collagen hydrogels (C-DRG).

LncRNA-MALAT1 promotes neovascularization in diabetic retinopathy through regulating miR-125b/VE-cadherin axis.

Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is currently the leading cause of blindness and visual disability in adults with diabetes mellitus (DM). Neovascularization has been identified as an important clinical property in DR, however, the exact mechanisms in DR neovascularization are still unclear and need further elucidation. Quantitative real-time PCR (qRT-PCR) was conducted to detect the expression level of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA)-metastasis associated lung adenocarcinoma transcript 1 (MALAT1), miR-125b and vascular endothelial-cadherin (VE-cadherin) in human retina microvascular endothelial cells (hRMECs) treated with high glucose (HG).

Diverse roles of macrophages in intraocular neovascular diseases: a review.

Macrophages are involved in angiogenesis, and might also contribute to the pathogenesis of intraocular neovascular diseases. Recent studies indicated that macrophages exert different functions in the process of intraocular neovascularization, and the polarization of M1 and M2 phenotypes plays extremely essential roles in the diverse functions of macrophages. Moreover, a large number of cytokines released by macrophages not only participate in macrophage polarization, but also associate with retinal and choroidal neovascular diseases.

Applications of CRISPR/Cas9 in retinal degenerative diseases.

Gene therapy is a potentially effective treatment for retinal degenerative diseases. Clustered regularly interspaced short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system has been developed as a new genome-editing tool in ophthalmic studies. Recent advances in researches showed that CRISPR/Cas9 has been applied in generating animal models as well as gene therapy of retinitis pigmentosa (RP) and leber congenital amaurosis (LCA).

CHOROIDAL THICKNESS IN RELATION TO ETHNICITY MEASURED USING ENHANCED DEPTH IMAGING OPTICAL COHERENCE TOMOGRAPHY.

Purpose: To investigate the posterior choroidal thickness in healthy subjects of three different ethnicities.

Methods: In this prospective cross-sectional study, the choroidal thickness of 88 individuals (176 eyes) was measured using enhanced depth imaging-spectral domain optical coherence tomography. Subfoveal choroidal thickness was measured between the retinal pigment epithelium-Bruch membrane complex and chorioscleral interface.

Rhegmatogenous retinal detachment associated with massive spontaneous suprachoroidal hemorrhage and prognosis of pars plana vitrectomy.

Aim: To describe the clinical characters of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) associated with massive spontaneous suprachoroidal hemorrhage (SSCH). To evaluate optimal timing and prognosis of pars plana vitrectomy.

Methods: A retrospective review of 6 cases (6 eyes) of RRD and massive SSCH among 3772 cases of RRD was conducted.

Detection of underdiagnosed concurrent branch retinal artery occlusion in a patient with central retinal vein occlusion using spectral domain optical coherence tomography.

Background: Combined branch retinal artery and central retinal vein occlusion is a rare condition that has been infrequently reported. This case report, aside from reporting the above-mentioned condition, highlights the importance of performing spectral domain optical coherence tomography in establishing a complete diagnosis, especially in uncertain and complicated cases. We also present spectral domain optical coherence tomography findings of a case of combined unilateral simultaneous central retinal vein and branch retinal artery occlusion.

Episcleral macular buckling for posterior retinal detachment in silicone oil filled eyes associated with myopic macular hole.

Aim: To evaluate anatomical and visual outcomes of episcleral macular buckling (EMB) for posterior retinal detachment in silicone oil filled eyes associated with myopic macular hole.

Methods: Five cases of EMB for initial failure of retinal reattachment after internal limiting membrane (ILM) peeling and silicone oil tamponade caused by myopic macular hole were retrospectively reviewed. A silicone sponge sutured directly across the macular region was performed on the silicone oil filled eyes.

Efficacy and necessity of prophylactic vitrectomy for acute retinal necrosis syndrome.

Aim: To compare the efficacy of prophylactic vitrectomy for acute retinal necrosis syndrome(ARN) with routine treatment in Chinese patients, thereby investigate the necessity of prophylactic vitrectomy for ARN.

Methods: Thirty patients (37 eyes) were retrospectively included in this study. The eyes were divided into 2 groups by treatment, including routine treatment, which consisted of antiviral medication and vitrectomy after retinal detachment (RD) (n=21), and prophylactic vitrectomy, which consisted of antiviral medication and vitrectomy for the prevention of RD performed during the active inflammatory phase (n=16).

Vitreous amyloidosis in two large mainland Chinese kindreds resulting from transthyretin variant Lys35Thr and Leu55Arg.

Objective: To describe the clinical and pathological findings of two large mainland Chinese kindreds with vitreous amyloidosis and associated transthyretin mutation.

Methods: Twenty individuals from two kindreds with vitreous amyloidosis were ascertained. The transtheretin (TTR) gene of each individual was analyzed, and a clinical examination was obtained on the index patient.

Survivin and p53 expression in primary and recurrent pterygium in Chinese patients.

Aim: To assess the expression of anti-apoptotic protein survivin and tumor suppressor p53 protein in primary and recurrent pterygium and to investigate the relationship between them.

Methods: Survivin was assessed immunohistochemically using rabbit polyclonal antibody and p53 using mouse monoclonal antibody in a study sample of 20 cases of primary pterygium, 10 cases of recurrent pterygium and 10 cases of normal conjunctiva. RESLULTS: In our study, 35% of primary (7 of 20) and 40% of recurrent (4 of 10) pterygium specimens were positive for survivin staining; 45% of primary (9 of 20) and 50% of recurrent (5 of 10) pterygium specimens were positive for p53 expression; and all normal conjunctiva showed no staining of either survivin or p53.

Effect of Bak Foong Pills on the expression of β-amyloid in rat retina with optic nerve transection.

Aim: To investigate the effect of Bak Foong Pills (BFP) on the expression of β-amyloid (Aβ) in rats retina with optic nerve transection, and its roles and possible mechanisms in protecting optic nerve damage.

Methods: Seventy-two healthy, Sprague-Dawley, adult rats were randomly assigned to three groups: negative control group (control group), optic nerve transection group (model group) and BFP treatment group (BFP group, 100μg/mL) followed by establishing optic nerve transection model. The expression of Aβ was measured at 48 hours by Western-blotting.

[Protective effect of minocycline on glutamate-induced retinal ganglion cell injury and molecular mechanism].

Objective: To investigate the protective effect and molecular mechanism of minocycline on toxicity of retinal ganglion cells induced by L-glutamate.

Methods: Primary mouse retinal ganglion cells (RGC) were isolated from mouse retinal in vitro. RGC were divided into control group, L-glutamate group, and L-glutamate + minocycline group, the cell survival rate and nerve axon growth length were observed.

Involvement of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway in platelet-derived growth factor-induced migration of human lens epithelial cells.

Purpose: Posterior capsular opacification (PCO) is caused partially by the migration of lens epithelial cells. To date, the mechanism of the migration is largely unknown. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of platelet-derived growth factor (PDGF)-triggered signaling pathways and its downstream effectors in the migration of lens epithelial cells.

[Thickness of the retinal nerve fiber layer in unilateral amblyopic patients with high myopia in children].

Objective: To investigate the retina nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness in unilateral amblyopic patients with high myopia.

Methods: Twenty-three cases (23 eyes) with unilateral high myopia amblyopia were tested by GD(X) ECC with laser polarized light scans in the posterior pole of retina, to measure the relative RNFL thickness according to papilla optical as a center, 3.2 mm as the diameter of outer ring, 2.

[Methylation status of RASSF1A and DAPK promoter in retinoblastoma].

Objective: To investigate the methylation status of RASSF1A or DAPK promoter in retinoblastoma tissue or peripheral blood from retinoblastoma patients.

Methods: It was an experimental study on the paraffin-embedded retinoblastoma tissue sections, and a case-control study on retinoblastoma cases and normal control people. Methylation status of RASSF1A and DAPK promoter in 28 RB tissues and 9 available peripheral blood samples of RB patients were detected by methylation specific polymerase chain reaction (MSP).

[A new change in studies of ophthalmology: translational medicine-from basic to clinic].

Translational medicine is a new concept in the field of international medicine that aims to reduce barriers and build relationships between clinical and basic research, and to translate scientific knowledge and research production into practical applications. Recently, the developments in the study of translational medicine in many fields have been reported abroad. However, the development of translational medicine is in the initial stage in China.

[Treatment of patients with rhegmatogenous retina detachment combined with non-secondary glaucoma].

Objective: To discuss the cause of disease, treatment and therapeutic effect in patients with rhegmatogenous retina detachment (RRD) combined with non-secondary glaucoma.

Methods: Clinical data of 28 patients with RRD combined with primary or congenital glaucoma were retrospectively analyzed.

Results: Twenty-five out of the 28 patients succeeded with one operation (89.

[Arsenic trioxide induced apoptosis in retinoblastoma cells in vitro and its possible mechanism].

Objective: To explore the effect of arsenic trioxide on the apoptosis of retinoblastoma cell line HXO-RB(44) and the possible mechanism.

Methods: The effect of arsenic trioxide on the proliferation of retinoblastoma cell line HXO-RB(44) was observed by MTT colorimetric assay; the apoptosis of the HXO-RB(44) was examined by AO/EB staining and flow cytometry analysis (Annexin V+ PI staining); caspase-3 activity and bcl-2/bax expression in the HXO-RB(44) were detected by cpp32 colorimetric assay kit and Western blot.

Results: Arsenic trioxide inhibited the proliferation of HXO-RB(44) cell in dose and duration-dependent manner in vitro; arsenic trioxide significantly increased the apoptosis in HXO-RB(44) cells.

[The effects of caspase-3 in apoptosis of cultured retinal microvascular pericytes induced by advanced glycation end products].

Objective: One of the earliest changes observed in the development of diabetic retinopathy (DR) is the selective loss of pericytes and acellular capillaries. We tested the hypothesis that advanced glycation end products (AGE) might be involved in the disappearance of retinal pericytes by apoptosis and further investigated the activity and effect of caspase-3 at the same time.

Methods: Cultured bovine retinal microvascular pericytes (BRPs) were exposed to various concentrations of advanced glycation end products-bovine serum albumin (AGE, 0.

Advanced glycation end-products induce apoptosis involving the signaling pathways of oxidative stress in bovine retinal pericytes.

One of the histopathologic hallmarks of early diabetic retinopathy is the selective loss of pericytes. Evidences suggest that the pericyte loss in vivo is mediated by apoptosis. However, the underlying cause of pericyte apoptosis is not fully understood.

[Corneal combined amniotic membrane transplantation for early severe alkali chemical injury of the eye].

Objective: To investigate the effect of lamella corneal transplantation combined amniotic membrane transplantation for the early severe alkali burns of eyes.

Methods: Twenty-three eyes with an over second-degree acute corneal alkali injury in 2 weeks were treated by lamella corneal transplantation combined amniotic membrane transplantation. After the operation the patients were treated with an intense and prolonged regimen of topical steroids and topical and systemic vitamin C.

[Analysis of misdiagnostic causes of Coats disease].

Objective: To analyze the clinical features and misdiagnostic causes of Coats disease.

Methods: The clinical data were retrospectively analyzed in 69 eyes of 68 patients with Coats disease.

Results: Misdiagnostic histories to a varying degree occurred in 11 of the 68 cases with a misdiagnosis rate of 16.