外周血液中miRNA表达与老年性黄斑变性相关性研究

目的　检测微小核糖核酸（microribonucleicacids，miRNA）在老年性黄斑变性（age-related macular degeneration，AMD）患者中的表达，并探讨miRNA的表达量与AMD病程之间的关系。方法　选取2014年1月至2016年11月于同济大学附属第十人民医院眼科门诊就诊的AMD患者6例为试验组，并选取同期6名正常人为对照组，通过基因芯片技术检测两组血液中miRNA的表达量。扩大样本的病例对照研究中共纳入126例AMD患者和140名正常人，检测其血液样本中miRNA的表达，比较两组人群间miRNA的表达量差异。结果　通过基因芯片技术，在试验组与对照组间共检测出216个miRNA存在表达差异（均为P<0.05），与对照组相比，试验组中111个miRNA表达量上升，105个miRNA表达量下降，差异均有统计学意义（均为P<0.05）。扩大样本的病例对照研究结果表明，在AMD患者中，miR-27a-3p、miR-29b-3p、miR-195-5p的表达量显著上升，同时，湿性AMD患者血液中miR-27a-3p的表达量高于干性AMD患者，差异均有统计学意义（均为P<0.05）。结论　AMD患者外周血中miRNA表达量水平有明显变化，miR-27a-3p、miR-29b-3p、miR-195-5p可能成为AMD血清学诊断和预后的标志物。     

Treatment of pigment epithelial detachments due to age-related macular degeneration with intra-ocular C3F8 injection*

Purpose: To flatten pigment epithelial detachments (PED) cue to age-related macular degeneration in an attempt to visualize the underlying choroidal neovascularization by fluorescein angiography (FA) and reveal a treatment target. Methods: Nine patients with PED received intravitreal gas injections via the pars plana and postured face down. Fluorescein angiograms were obtained before and after gas injection. In two patients, retinal scotopic sensitivity was also measured. Results: Eight patients demonstrated change in the shape and size of the PED following gas injection. Four patients showed a better delineation of underlying structures on FA. Three patients had focal laser treatment to the newly visible choroidal neovascular complex, but this was successful in only one patient with flattening of the PED. Conclusion: Pigment epithelial detachments can be modified by intravitreal gas injection in some patients, but this treatment did not have a major impact on overall outcome or management.     

The prevention or treatment of age-related osteoporosis in the elderly by systemic recombinant growth factor therapy (rhIGF-I or rhTGFβ): a perspective

Boonen S, Broos P, Dequeker J, Bouillon R (Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Geriatric Medicine, the Arthritis and Metabolic Bone Disease Research Unit, the Department of Traumatology and Emergency Surgery and the Laboratory for Experimental Medicine and Endocrinology, Katholieke Universiteit Leuven, Leuven, Belgium). The prevention or treatment of age-related osteoporosis in the elderly by systemic recombinant growth factor therapy (rhIGF-I or rhTGFβ): a perspective (Review). J Intern Med 1997; 242 : 285–90.
Both insulin-like growth factor-I (IGF-I) and transforming growth factor β (TGFβ) have powerful modulatory effects in a variety of tissues. A major target of action is the skeletal system, where they enhance bone formation and decrease matrix degradation, thus playing a part in the maintenance of bone mass. Because of the potent mitogenic effect of these agents on osteoblasts, recombinant IGF-I (rhIGF-I) and recombinant TGFβ (rhTGFβ) have potential as drugs to stimulate bone formation in the prevention and treatment of osteoporosis. Using biochemical markers, subcutaneous rhIGF-I therapy has been shown to increase bone turnover and bone formation in nonosteoporotic older people. However, a corresponding increase in bone mass has not yet been documented nor have there been reports yet on the effects of systemically administered rhTGFβ in humans. Further investigation is required to define the clinical potential of rhIGF-I and rhTGFβ as therapeutic agents in age-related osteoporosis.     

图、词回忆中的序列位置效应及其年龄变化规律

目的：探讨图、词回忆中的首因和近因效应及其年龄变化规律。方法：采用多维记忆评估量表中的汉词回忆和图画回忆分测验对947人的连续年龄组的大样本进行测试，分析不同通道首因和近因效应的差异和年龄变化规律。结果：受试在汉词和图画自由回忆中，均呈现明显的系列位置效应；受试的首因和近因效应均随年龄的增长而增大。当发展到高峰后则随年龄的增长而减弱，各年龄组间比较有显著差异；首因和近因效应随年龄增长是不平行的，首因效应随年龄的增长变化较大。而近因效应的变化则相对较为平缓；两种不同呈现途径的比较发现，图画回忆的首因和近因效应均高于汉词回忆。结论：视觉和听觉呈现途径均呈现明显的系列位置效应，首因效应和近因效应的发展变化规律与记忆的发展变化规律是一致的。首因效应受年龄的影响较大，在有意义的图画回忆中首因效应和近因效应均高于汉词回忆。     

Quantitative Characterization of the Cellular Elements of Human Cerebellar Nuclei at Different Ages

A quantitative assessment of the cellular elements present in the nuclei of the human cerebellum was performed using subjects aged 22-90 years. A series of horizontal sections of cerebellar nuclei was studied. stained with hematoxylin and eosin. The numbers of neurons and gliocytes per unit area were measured on sections, with subsequent calculation of their ratios (the glial index). These experiments showed that aging is associated with decreases in the content of neurons and increases in the content of gliocytes. The extent of these changes increases as ontogenesis proceeds.     

A Randomized Study of Nutritional Supplementation in Patients with Unilateral Wet Age-Related Macular Degeneration

The purpose of this study is evaluate the efficacy and safety of medicinal products containing the original Age-Related Eye Disease group (AREDS) formulation at doses approved in Europe (EU, control group; n = 59) with a product that adds DHA, lutein, zeaxanthin, resveratrol and hydroxytyrosol to the formula (intervention group; n = 50). This was a multicenter, randomized, observer-blinded trial conducted in patients aged 50 years or older diagnosed with unilateral exudative Age related Macular Degeneration AMD. At month 12, the intervention did not have a significant differential effect on visual acuity compared with the control group, with an estimated treatment difference in Early Treatment Diabetic Retinopathy Study (ETDRS) of −1.63 (95% CI −0.83 to 4.09; p = 0.192). The intervention exhibited a significant and, in most cases, relevant effect in terms of a reduction in some inflammatory cytokines and a greater improvement in the fatty acid profile and serum lutein and zeaxantin concentration. In patients with unilateral wet AMD, the addition of lutein, zeaxanthin, resveratrol, hydroxytyrosol and DHA to the AREDS EU recommended doses in the short-term did not have a differential effect on visual acuity compared to a standard AREDS EU formula but, in addition to improving the fatty acid profile and increasing carotenoid serum levels, may provide a beneficial effect in improving the proinflammatory and proangiogenic profile of patients with AMD.     

Prevalence of Vision Loss and Associations With Age-Related Eye Diseases Among Nursing Home Residents Aged ≥65 Years

ObjectivesTo examine data from Delaware nursing homes to determine prevalence of age-related eye diseases (AREDs), vision impairment, and blindness and to compare the findings with the results of 11 US investigations of vision and eye health in nursing homes.DesignThis is a cross-sectional, retrospective study of nursing home patients.Setting and ParticipantsTwenty nursing homes in Delaware participated in the study, yielding comprehensive eye examination records for 2019 study participants.MethodsSummary statistics and regression analyses.ResultsThe overall prevalence of vision impairment or blindness was 63.8% and was above 60% for each age, sex, and race category. Prevalence of vision impairment or blindness was 68.4% among patients with cataracts, 69.4% among patients with macular degeneration, 70.5% among patients with glaucoma, and 68.4% among patients with diabetic retinopathy. Prevalence of blindness was 14.1%. Among patients with AREDs, prevalence of blindness ranged from 15.0% for patients with cataracts to 22.6% for patients with diabetic retinopathy. When compared with other investigations, we found wide variation in vision and eye factors reported and wide variation in the prevalence of those factors. Only 4 studies diagnosed both AREDs and visual function. Seven studies reported AREDs, and 7 reported vision impairment and/or blindness. Vision impairment or blindness ranged from 29% to 67%; cataract ranged from 32% to 83%; macular degeneration ranged from 4.6% to 70.7%. Glaucoma ranged from 5.3% to 41.4%; diabetic retinopathy ranged from 1.7% to 3.1%.Conclusions and ImplicationsComprehensive eye examinations showed that vision impairment and blindness affected 63.8% of nursing home residents. Compared with other studies, there was a wide range of vision factors reported and wide variation in the prevalence of vision impairment or blindness and AREDs. This investigation suggests the importance of eye care in nursing homes and the importance of reporting standard vision and eye health factors to inform policy and practice.     

Towards a Neurotransmitter-Based Retinal Prosthesis Using an Inkjet Print-head

Electronic chips that provide a patterned stimulus to cells in the retina may provide a viable treatment for age-related macular degeneration. A surrogate MEMS device, in the form of a print-head from a desktop printer, has been used to eject a pattern of neurotransmitters (bradykinin) onto living rat pheochromocytoma (PC12) cells. Fluorescent calcium imaging was used to measure the patterned stimulation of individual cells. The chemical stimulation of cells by directed microfluidic delivery may have applications in retinal prosthetic devices, and in other prosthetic implants in the nervous system.