[Risk factors for visual field loss progression in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma in Wenzhou area]

Objective: To evaluate risk factors for visual field (VF) loss progression in primary open-angle glaucoma patients. Methods: A prospective nested case-control study. Patients were collected from the Wenzhou glaucoma progression study in the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University during March 2014 and April 2018. In this study, the eyes were divided into a progression group and a non-progression group using the glaucoma progression analysis methods to analyze the risk factors for glaucomatous VF loss progression. Axial length (AL) and central corneal thickness (CCT) were measured using the Lenstar LS900. The baseline, fluctuation (standard deviation), mean, maximum, minimum and range of intraocular pressure (IOP) during the follow-up period were determined based on IOP measured at each follow-up. The IOP measurements were included from the baseline to the last visit (for the non-progression group), or to the visit at which VF loss progression was determined (for the progression group). The independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U inspection and Cox proportional hazards models were used for statistical analysis. Results: A total of 140 patients (140 eyes) were enrolled, including 67 males and 73 females. There were 19.3% of the eyes (27 of 140 eyes) showing VF loss progression. The median time to the endpoint for progression was 24.0 (16.0, 40.0) months. The AL in the progression group and non-progression group were 23.58 (23.05, 24.24) mm and 23.91 (23.10, 24.91) mm (P=0.111). The CCT in the two groups were 531.0 (512.0, 565.0) μm and 535.0 (518.5, 552.0) μm, respectively (P=0.897). The baseline age in the progression group and non-progression group was 71.0 (68.0, 74.0) years and 68.0 (58.0, 72.0) years, respectively (Z=-2.872, P=0.004). The slope of visual field index in the two groups was -3.50 (-7.10, -1.80)%/year and 0.40 (-0.60, 1.40)%/year, respectively (Z=-6.823, P<0.01). The mean IOP during the follow-up was (16.2±2.7) mmHg (1 mmHg=0.133 kPa) in the progression group and (15.1±2.4) mmHg in the non-progression group (t=-2.215, P=0.028). The IOP fluctuation in the progression group and non-progression group was (2.6±1.3) mmHg and (2.0±0.7) mmHg, respectively (t=-2.175, P=0.038). In the multivariate model, older baseline age (HR=1.080; 95%CI:1.019-1.143), higher baseline IOP (HR=1.120; 95%CI:1.016-1.236), higher mean IOP (HR=1.145; 95%CI:1.001-1.309) and higher IOP fluctuation (HR=1.750; 95%CI:1.193-2.566) were all significantly predictive risk factors for glaucomatous VF loss progression. Longer AL (HR=0.725; 95%CI:0.532-0.988) was a protective factor against VF loss progression. However, CCT was found to be not associated with VF loss progression. Conclusion: Baseline age, baseline IOP, mean IOP, IOP fluctuation and shorter AL are found to be risk factors for glaucomatous VF loss progression among eyes with primary open-angle glaucoma in Wenzhou. (Chin J Ophthalmol, 2019, 55: 777-784).

Regulation of NK92-MI cell cytotoxicity by substance P

The neuropeptide substance P (SP) can regulate a number of immunological functions in vitro and in vivo and may regulate natural killer (NK) cell activity. Here, we investigated whether SP has a role in regulating NK92-MI cell function in vitro, and how it influences NK cell activity. We found that SP dose dependently increased the cytotoxicity of NK92-MI cells and had a maximal effect at a concentration of 10(-12) and 10(-10) m. Furthermore, the expression of cytotoxic-associated molecules (perforin, granzyme) and activating receptor NKp46 [a member of natural cytotoxicity receptors (NCRs)] was observed to be upregulated by SP at optimal concentration, at which SP enhanced the cytotoxicity of NK92-MI cells. Neurokinin-1 receptor (NK-1R), a functional receptor of SP, was found on NK92-MI cells, and the observed effects of SP on NK92-MI cells could be more partially blocked by an NK-1R antagonist. Our data suggest that SP induces NK92-MI cell cytotoxicity by directly increasing the expression of cytotoxic granules and upregulates NK92-MI cell receptor-mediated functions indirectly. Thus, SP may regulate NK cell function mainly through NK-1R.

Study of the elastic constants in a La0.6Sr0.4MnO3 film by means of laser-generated ultrasonic wave method

Two dimensional (2D) displacement field of the laser-generated ultrasonic wave is detected in a two-layered structure of La(0.6)Sr(0.4)MnO(3) (LSMO)/MgO system by means of the optical difference detection method. In order to obtain the elastic constants of the La(0.6)Sr(0.4)MnO(3) thin film, the displacement field of the laser-generated ultrasonic wave for the La(0.6)Sr(0.4)MnO(3)/MgO system is analyzed with finite element method (FEM). We further compare the theoretical simulations with the experimental results, and the elastic constants for the LSMO film, i.e., the Young's modulus and Poisson ratio, are obtained.

Identification of a novel point mutation (Leu72Pro) in the NADH-cytochrome b5 reductase gene of a patient with hereditary methaemoglobinaemia type I

Utilizing polymerase chain reaction (PCR) related technology, we investigated the b5R gene of a Chinese patient with hereditary methaemoglobinaemia type I and found a novel missense mutation (CTC-CCC) at codon 72 in exon 3 of the gene. As the mutation generates an Apa I recognition site, homozygosity for the mutation was confirmed by restriction analysis of PCR-amplified fragments from the patient's genomic DNA. We predicted that the residue replacement of Leu with Pro of the mutant enzyme would account for the b5R deficiency in the patient. The results further confirm the genetic polymorphism of b5R gene mutations found in the RCM type I.

Typing study of human semen DIA3 by isoelectric focusing--distribution in the Wuhan population, China

Human semen DIA3 typing was studied by isoelectric focusing on ultra-thin-layer polyacrylamide gel which resulted in a simpler and more definite separation of the products of DIA3 alleles than hitherto. In 198 semen samples collected from unrelated Chinese males four different phenotypes were observed. The DIA3 allele frequencies were calculated: DIA 3(1) = 0.7727, DIA 3(2) = 0.2172, DIA 3(3) = 0.0101. The results of the stability study of 12 laboratory-prepared semen stains stored at room temperature suggested that DIA3 in seminal strains is a relatively stable genetic marker. Our gene frequencies have been compared to those reported in other populations.

An improved method for semen alpha-L-fucosidase typing--distribution in the Wuhan population of China

An improved method for the separation of the genetic variants of alpha-L-fucosidase in human semen is described. The method involves, isoelectric focusing in ultrathin-layer PAG containing a mixture of ampholines, pH 5-7 and pH 3.5-9.5, and separator HEPES. The Fu pattern obtained is simple, easy to interpret, and reproducible. The occurrence of fucosidase phenotypes in 189 semen samples from the population of Wuhan was investigated, and the frequencies of the Fu alleles were calculated.