Five-year clinical outcomes of rigid iris-fixated phakic intraocular lens in northern Chinese

International Ophthalmology - To investigate the 5-year clinic outcomes of rigid iris-fixated pIOL on the visual performance, complications and intraocular light scattering in northern Chinese....     

Effect of low-level laser therapy on allergic asthma in rats

Asthma is a complex chronic inflammatory disease of the airways that involves the activation of many inflammatory and other types of cells. We investigated the effect of low-level laser therapy (LLLT) on allergic asthma in rats and compared its effect with that of the glucocorticoid budesonide. Asthma was induced by challenge and repeated exposure to ovalbumin. Asthmatic rats were then treated with LLLT or budesonide suspension. LLLT at 8 J/cm² once daily for 21 days could relieve pathological damage and airway inflammation in asthmatic rats. LLLT could decrease the total numbers of cells and eosinophils in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. LLLT could reduce levels of IL-4 and increase IFN-γ levels in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid and serum, meanwhile reduce serum IgE levels. Flow cytometry assay showed that LLLT can regulate the Th1/Th2 imbalance of asthmatic rats. LLLT had a similar effect to that of budesonide. These findings suggest that the mechanism of LLLT treatment of asthma is by adjustment of Th1/Th2 imbalance. Thus, LLLT could take over some of the effects of budesonide for the treatment of asthma, thereby reducing some of the side effects of budesonide.     

Serum paraoxonase, arylesterase activity, and oxidative status in patients with nasal polyp

The aim of this study was to investigate serum paraoxonase (PON) and arylesterase (ARE) activities, the total oxidant status (TOS), total antioxidant status (TAS), and oxidative stress index (OSI) in the patient with nasal polyp (NP) and control group to confirm the link between oxidative stress and NP. In this prospective study, 32 patients with NP (22 males and 10 females) and 29 healthy controls (19 males and 10 females) were enrolled. Preoperative serum levels of PON, ARE, TAS, and TOS were determined, and OSI was calculated. Serum PON activity, ARE activity, and TAS tend to be decreased in patients with NP compared to healthy controls (P < 0.0001). TOS and OSI levels were significantly higher in the NP patients than in the healthy controls (P < 0.01). Furthermore, there was established positive correlation between serum PON activity and serum ARE activity in patients with NP (r = 0.454; P = 0.009). Our results support the belief that altered PON and ARE activity may be involved in the pathogenesis of NP. Increased TOS and OSI, and decreased TAS indicated that NP is the pathologic consequence of oxidative stress.     

Inflammation and oxidative stress induced by lipid peroxidation metabolite 4-hydroxynonenal in human corneal epithelial cells

Graefe's Archive for Clinical and Experimental Ophthalmology - Oxidative stress is widely known to be a major contributor in the pathogenesis of dry eye disease (DED). 4-Hydroxynonenal (4-HNE),...     

Reconstruction of orbital defects by implantation of antigen-free bovine cancellous bone scaffold combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells in rats

Background

Tissue-engineering approach can result in significant bone regeneration. We aimed to reconstruct the segmental orbital rim defects with antigen-free bovine cancellous bone (BCB) scaffolds combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) in rats.

Methods

BCB was prepared by degreasing, deproteinization and partly decalcification. BMSCs isolated from green fluorescent protein (GFP) transgenic rats were osteogenically induced and seeded onto BCB scaffolds to construct induced BMSCs/BCB composites. An 8-mm full-thickness defect on the rat inferior-orbit rim was established. Induced BMSCs/BCB composites cultured for 5 days were implanted into the orbital defects as the experimental group. Noninduced BMSCs/BCB group, BCB group and exclusive group were set. General condition, spiral CT, 3D orbital reconstruction, histological and histomorphometric analysis were performed after implantation.

Results

BCB presented reticular porous structure. GFP-BMSCs adhering to BCB appeared bright green fluorescence and grew vigorously. Infection and graft dislocation were not observed. In induced BMSCs/BCB group, CT and 3D reconstruction showed perfect orbital repair situation. Histological analysis indicated BCB was mostly biodegraded; newly formed bone and complete synostosis were observed. The percentage of newly formed bone was (57.12?±?6.28) %. In contrast, more residual BCB, less newly formed bone and nonunion were observed in the noninduced BMSCs/BCB group. Slowly absorbed BCB enwrapped by fibrous connective tissue and a small amount of new bone occurred in BCB group. Fibrous connective tissue appeared in exclusive group.

Conclusions

Antigen-free bovine cancellous bone that retains natural bone porous structure and moderate mechanical strength with elimination of antigen is the ideal carrier for mesenchymal stem cells in vitro. BCB combined with BMSCs is a promising composite for tissue engineering, and can effectively reconstruct the orbit rim defects in rats.