Effects of astigmatic keratotomy combined with scleral tunnel incisions for the treatment of high astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty.

The present study aimed to evaluate the efficacy, predictability and safety of astigmatic keratotomy (AK) combined with scleral tunnel incisions in the treatment of high astigmatism after penetrating keratoplasty (PKP). Paired AK combined with scleral tunnel incisions was performed at the steep astigmatic meridian in 8 eyes of 8 patients with high keratometric astigmatism [>5.0 diopters (D)] after PKP.

Identification of Mutations in Myocilin and Beta-1,4-galactosyltransferase 3 Genes in a Chinese Family with Primary Open-angle Glaucoma.

Background: Glaucoma is a major cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. There is evidence showing that a subset of the disease is genetically determined. In this study, we screened for mutations in chromosome 1q-linked open-angle glaucoma (GLC1A) in a Chinese family with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

Serotonin regulates brain-derived neurotrophic factor expression in select brain regions during acute psychological stress.

Previous studies suggest that serotonin (5-HT) might interact with brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) during the stress response. However, the relationship between 5-HT and BDNF expression under purely psychological stress is unclear. In this study, one hour before psychological stress exposure, the 5-HT1A receptor agonist 8-OH-DPAT or antagonist MDL73005, or the 5-HT2A receptor agonist DOI or antagonist ketanserin were administered to rats exposed to psychological stress.

SMILE and Wavefront-Guided LASIK Out-Compete Other Refractive Surgeries in Ameliorating the Induction of High-Order Aberrations in Anterior Corneal Surface.

. To compare the change of anterior corneal higher-order aberrations (HOAs) after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK), wavefront-guided LASIK with iris registration (WF-LASIK), femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK), and small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). .

Correlations of PTEN genetic polymorphisms with the risk of depression and depressive symptoms in a Chinese population.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the correlations of three common single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the PTEN gene (rs701848 T>C, rs2735343 G>C and rs112025902 A>T) with the risk of depression and depressive symptoms in a Chinese population.

Methods: From July 2011 to June 2013, a total of 384 patients with depression and 400 healthy individuals were included in this study. These SNPs in the PTEN gene were detected by polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and direct sequencing.

Association between DβH 5'-insertion/deletion polymorphism and cognition in patients with chronic schizophrenia.

Background: Cognitive deficits have been identified as a core feature of patients with schizophrenia. Many genes associated with the dopamine and norepinephrine systems are related to the cognitive deficits of patients with schizophrenia. Dopamine β-hydroxylase (DβH) is a key enzyme that converts dopamine to norepinephrine and for which activity and levels are under strong genetic control.

Protective Effect of Rutin Against H2O2-Induced Oxidative Stress and Apoptosis in Human Lens Epithelial Cells.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effect of rutin on oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by H2O2 in human lens epithelial (HLE) cells and the associated mechanisms involved.

Methods: Cell viability was assessed by 4,5-dimethylthiazol-2-yl-2,5-diphenyltetrazolium bromide assay and cell apoptosis was determined by flow cytometry, TUNEL assay and DNA fragmentation assay after 24 h treatment of 100 μM H2O2 with or without rutin pretreatment at various concentrations. The level of reactive oxygen species (ROS) was examined using 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate by flow cytometry.

TCF4 gene polymorphism is associated with cognition in patients with schizophrenia and healthy controls.

Background: Cognitive deficits have been identified as an important core feature of schizophrenia. Single nucleotide polymorphisms in the transcription factor 4 (TCF4) gene have been reported to be involved in the susceptibility to schizophrenia and be significantly related to cognitive deficits of schizophrenia and controls. This study examines whether the TCF4 rs2958182 polymorphism influences cognitive functions in chronic schizophrenia and controls.

Association of angiotensin-converting enzyme gene polymorphism with schizophrenia and depressive symptom severity in a Chinese population.

Background: Depressive symptoms are frequently observed in schizophrenia patients. Angiotensin-converting enzyme (ACE), a key enzyme of renin-angiotensin system, can catalyze the degradation of neuropeptides and modulate dopaminergic and serotonergic neurotransmission. Previous studies have revealed the association of the ACE gene insertion/deletion polymorphism with depressive disorder and its treatment response but not with the depressive symptoms in schizophrenia.

An Updated Meta-Analysis: Risk Conferred by Glutathione S-Transferases (GSTM1 and GSTT1) Polymorphisms to Age-Related Cataract.

Purpose. To study the effects of glutathione S-transferase M1 (GSTM1) and T1 (GSTT1) polymorphisms on age-related cataract (ARC). Methods.

Possible association between DBH 19 bp insertion/deletion polymorphism and clinical symptoms in schizophrenia with tardive dyskinesia.

Overactivity of dopaminergic neurotransmission is a putative mechanism of tardive dyskinesia (TD). Previous studies have found dysfunction in plasma dopamine beta-hydoxylase (DBH) in schizophrenia with TD. Moreover, DBH, whose activity and levels are strongly controlled by the DBH gene, is a key enzyme in the conversion of dopamine (DA) to norepinephrine (NE) associated with excited behavior.

[Dopamine D2 receptor and transportor [corrected] in the medial prefrontal contex of morphine-induced conditioned place preference in Sprague-Dawley rats].

Objective: To investigate the expression of dopamine D2 receptors (D2R) and dopamine transportors (DAT) located in the medial prefrontal contex (mPFC) in high and low conditioned place preference (CPP) rats, and to unveil the possible mechanism leading to different CPP susceptibilities.

Methods: One hundred and sixty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into an experiment group (n = 130) and a control group (n = 30). The experiment group was re-classified into 2 groups according to CPP values:high preference group (HP group) and low preference group (LP group).

Association of different susceptibilities to morphine with the expression of 5-HTT and 5-HT1AR mRNA in brain regions of SD rats.

Objective: To investigate the possible mechanism for the different CPP susceptibilities.

Methods: Using a conditioned place preference (CPP) model, rats were selected into high and low preference groups. Using in situ hybridization, we examined the mRNA expression of 5-hydroxytryptamine transporter (5-HTT) and 5-hydroxytryptamine 1A receptor (5-HT1AR) in 3 crucial regions in addiction, namely the ventral tegmental area (VTA), the nucleus accumbens (NAc), and the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC), during the dependence and withdrawal.