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Rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced diabetes were studied in order to identify abnormal microRNA (miRNA) expression profiles in diabetic retinopathy (DR) and to ascertain miRNAs associated with DR. Histopathologically, we observed characteristic features of DR in rats at 10 weeks after STZ injection. Investigation of miRNA expression profiles in the retinas of control and diabetic rats using miRNA microarrays revealed that many miRNAs were abnormally expressed in DR. On the basis of their fold changes and probability values, a total of 37 miRNAs were selected for further validation by real-time PCR analysis. The results showed that 11 miRNAs were significantly upregulated and 6 miRNAs were notably downregulated in DR. Furthermore, these changes in retinal miRNA expression levels paralleled the course of DR. Levels of miR-182, miR-96, miR-183, miR-211, miR-204, and miR-124 were significantly increased during the progress of DR, whereas miR-10b, miR-10a, miR-219-2-3p, miR-144, miR-338, and miR-199a-3p were significantly decreased. Our data indicate that the aberrant miRNA expression profiles in DR are associated with the development of DR. Modulation of retinal miRNA expression levels may provide a potential therapeutic strategy for DRs. Copyright © 2011 S. Karger AG, Basel [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aim: To explore the risk factors of oculomotor nerve palsy (ONP) in patients with intracranial aneurysm (IA) and develop a nomogram model for predicting ONP of IA patients., Methods: A total of 329 IA patients were included. Logistic regression analysis was applied to identify independent factors, which were then integrated into the nomogram model. The performance of the nomogram model was evaluated by calibration curve, receiver operating curve (ROC), and decision curve analysis., Results: Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated posterior communicating artery (PCoA) aneurysm [hazard ratio (HR)=17.13, P <0.001] and aneurysm diameter (HR=1.31, P <0.001) were independent risk factors of ONP in IA patients. Based on the results of logistic regression analysis, a nomogram model for predicting the ONP in IA patients was constructed. The calibration curve indicated the nomogram had a good agreement between the predictions and observations. The nomogram showed a high predictive accuracy and discriminative ability with an area under the curve (AUC) of 0.863. The decision curve analysis showed that the nomogram was powerful in the clinical decision. PCoA aneurysm (HR=3.38, P =0.015) was identified to be the only independent risk factor for ONP severity., Conclusion: PCoA aneurysm and aneurysm diameter are independent risk factors of ONP in IA patients. The nomogram established is performed reliably and accurately for predicting ONP. PCoA aneurysm is the only independent risk factor for ONP severity., (International Journal of Ophthalmology Press.)

Aim: To choose appropriate concentration of sodium hydroxide (NaOH) solution to establish a stable and consistent corneal alkali burn mouse model in grade II., Methods: The mice (n=60) were randomly divided into four groups and 15 mice each group. Corneal alkali burns were induced by placing circle filter paper soaked with NaOH solutions on the right central cornea for 30s. The concentrations of NaOH solutions of groups A, B, C, and D were 0.1 mol/L, 0.15 mol/L, 0.2 mol/L, and 1.0 mol/L respectively. Then these corneas were irrigated with 20 mL physiological saline (0.9% NaCl). On day 7 postburn, slit lamp microscope was used to observe corneal opacity, corneal epithelial sodium fluorescein staining positive rate, incidence of corneal ulcer and corneal neovascularization, meanwhile pictures of the anterior eyes were taken. Cirrus spectral domain optical coherence tomography was used to scan cornea to observe corneal epithelial defect and corneal ulcer., Results: Corneal opacity scores (x±s) were not significantly different between the group A and group B (P=0.097). Incidence of corneal ulcer in group B was significantly higher than that in group A (P=0.035). Incidence of corneal ulcer and perforation rate in group B was lower than that in group C. Group C and D had corneal neovascularization, and incidence of corneal neovascularization in group D was significantly higher than that in group C (P=0.000)., Conclusion: Using 0.15 mol/L NaOH can establish grade II mouse model of corneal alkali burns.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of phacoemulsification with foldable posterior chamber intraocular lens(PC-IOL) implantation in the management of acute or chronic primary angle-closure glaucoma(APACG or CPACG) with cataract., Methods: Twenty-six cases(28 eyes) with simple cataract and 60 cases(70 eyes)of PACG with cataract, including 14 eyes of preclinical APACG, 29 eyes of paroxysmal APACG, 27 eyes of CPACG. Visual acuity distributed from hand movement to 0.8. Phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation were performed and patients were followed up for(8.5+/-4.5) months., Result: In simple cataract group, postoperative IOP did not decrease(t=1.9201, P>0.05); in preclinical APACG group, postoperative IOP decreased (t=3.9910, P<0.01); in paroxysmal APACG group, postoperative IOP decreased (t=4.7441, P<0.01); in CPACG groups, postoperative IOP decreased (t=4.4976, P<0.01). In APACG and CPACG groups postoperative antiglaucoma medication reduced. In APACG and CPACG groups, angle of anterior chamber was widen. Preoperative central and peripheral ACD of APACG and CPACG were much less than those of postoperative. In 56 eyes of PACG, visual acuity was corrected in 48 eyes(85.7%) including 28 eyes(50%) with corrected visual acuity>0.5., Conclusion: The phacoemulsification with foldable posterior chamber intraocular lens implantation is beneficial for PACG with cataract, and the curative efficacy of APACG is better than that of CPACG.

Objective: To study the expressions of vascular endothelial growth factor and its receptor FLK1 in krypton laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) in Brown Norway rat., Methods: Thirty anesthetized male Brown Norway rats received krypton laser (647 nm, 360 mW, 50 micro m, 0.05 s) to induce CNV. Fundus fluorescein angiography examinations were performed just before euthanasia on days 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 56 after laser photocoagulation. The retina was processed for histopathology analysis. VEGF mRNA, VEGF and FLK1 expressions were demonstrated using in situ hybridization and immunohistochemistry staining respectively., Results: VEGF mRNA expression was mainly observed in the vascular endothelial cells, the ganglion cells, the inner nuclear layers, the retinal pigment epithelial cells in normal retina and the vascular endothelial cells of normal choroid of BN rat. VEGF mRNA expressed in the vascular endothelial cells, the ganglion cells, the inner nuclear layers, lesion of outer nuclear layers in retina on days 3 after photocoagulation, but CNV wasn't detected. The level of VEGF mRNA expression in retina was decreased after 3 days (P < 0.01). CNV was firstly observed on day 7 after photocoagulation by FFA and histopathology. The area and density of positively stained cells for VEGF mRNA in CNV were increased during the development of CNV (P < 0.01) and no significant change after days 21 (P > 0.05). FLK1 was detected in the vascular endothelial cells, the ganglion cells of normal retina and the vascular endothelial cells of choroid. The staining of FLK1 was positive in laser induced CNV after days 7, the level of the receptor expression was increased during the development of CNV (P < 0.01) and was not significantly changed after days 21 (P > 0.05)., Conclusions: VEGF and its receptor FLK1 accumulation and combination in the lesion of retina and choroid are related to choroidal neovascularization induced by laser.

Objective: To investigate the expression and signification of pigment epithelium-derived factor in choroidal neovascularization (CNV) induced by krypton laser on Brown Norway rat., Methods: Five groups of 30 rats were photocoagulated by krypton laser in single eye to induce CNV. 3 days, 1 week, 2 weeks, 3 weeks and 4 weeks after photocoagulation, The retina was processed for histopathology, in situ hybridization of PEDF mRNA, immunohistochemistry of PEDF and FVIIIR:Ag., Results: CNV was formed 1 week after photocoagulation, and reached its peak at 3 weeks. PEDF mRNA, PEDF expressed in the ganglion cells, inner nuclear layer, retinal pigment epithelial cells in normal BN retina. After photocoagulation, the expression of PEDF mRNA and PEDF was observed in the ganglion cells, inner nuclear layer, retinal pigment epithelial cells, and the lesions of outer nuclear layer and choroid; the expression of PEDF in the lesions was weaker than that at the edge of the lesions. From 3 days to 4 weeks, the expression density of FVIIIR:Ag gradually increased, however, the expression density of PEDF mRNA and PEDF in the lesions decreased (P < 0.05). The expression of FVIIIR:Ag was inversely correlated with that of PEDF during the development of CNV (r = -0.84, P < 0.05)., Conclusions: CNV is inversely correlated with PEDF. The down-regulation of PEDF may be one of the main reasons for the formation and development of CNV.

Objective: To evaluate the feasibility of krypton laser-induced choroidal neovascularization (CNV) model in the Brown Norway rats in order to establish the foundation for studying the mechanism of CNV and for the development of treatment for CNV., Methods: Experimental eyes in 33 rats were received a series of 10 krypton red laser (647 nm) lesions per eye (360 mW, 50 micro m, 0.05 s). Fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA) and indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) were performed, then the rats were sacrificed immediately, the eyes were enucleated and processed for histopathologic examination and transmission electron microscopy on days 3, 7, 14, 21, 28 and 56., Results: CNV was firstly appeared on day 7 after photocoagulation, reaching the peak on day 21. The incidence of CNV was 76.0%. Disciform leakage staining appeared in the FFA. ICGA showed that the disciform area was filled with CNV. CNV was ascertained by light microscopy and electron microscopy. The thickness of laser-induced CNV was increased from day 7 to day 21 (P < 0.01) and no significant progress occurred after day 21 (P > 0.05)., Conclusions: The present studies demonstrated that krypton laser photocoagulation could be used to produce choroidal neovascularization experimental model in the Brown Norway rat. CNV can be induced rapidly by the method, persists for a long period and at a high successful rate.