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Biomedical subjects

Ching-Li Cheng

Publications and source records attributed to Ching-Li Cheng.

7 recordsLinked to original sources

Down-regulation of adrenal neuronal nitric oxide synthase mRNAs and proteins after deoxycorticosterone acetate-salt treatment in rats.

The aim of this study was to evaluate the possible changes of adrenal neuronal nitrite oxide synthase (nNOS) messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein of rats after deoxycorticosterone acetate (DOCA)-salt treatment. We determined adrenal nNOS expression in 12 vehicle-treated and 13 DOCA-salt-treated rats by in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and multiplex RT-PCR methods. Adrenal nNOS was also detected by Western blot in five vehicle-treated and five DOCA-salt-treated rats. The results showed that adrenal nNOS mRNA and nNOS immunoreactivities were mainly localized in the medulla and some in the regions of zona glomerulosa. DOCA-salt treatment inactivated nNOS mRNA and peptide expression prominent in the adrenal medulla and slight in the zona glomerulosa. The relative quantities of nNOS mRNA in the adrenals of the DOCA-salt-treated group was 8.8-fold decreased. At the same time, the relative quantities of steroid acute regulatory protein mRNA and phenylethanolamine N-methyltransferase mRNA in the adrenals of the DOCA-salt-treated group were significantly decreased. Western blots showed that total adrenal nNOS were 3.7-fold down-regulated after DOCA-salt treatment. Our results indicated that the down-regulation of adrenal nNOS synthesis might be associated with the inactivation of adrenal function in face of volume expansion.

Adrenal Glands↗

WOX1 is essential for UVB irradiation-induced apoptosis and down-regulated via translational blockade in UVB-induced cutaneous squamous cell carcinoma in vivo.

PURPOSE: We investigated the role of candidate tumor suppressor and proapoptotic WOX1 (also named WWOX, FOR, or WWOXv1) in UVB-induced apoptosis and formation of cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (SCC). EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN: Expression of WOX1 and family proteins (WWOX) in human primary cutaneous SCCs was examined by immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and reverse transcription-PCR. UVB irradiation-induced WOX1 activation (Tyr33 phosphorylation and nuclear translocation), apoptosis, and cutaneous SCC formation were examined both in vitro and in vivo. RESULTS: Up-regulation of human WOX1, isoform WOX2, and Tyr33 phosphorylation occurred during normal keratinocyte differentiation before cornification and death. Interestingly, significant reduction of these proteins and Tyr33 phosphorylation was observed in nonmetastatic and metastatic cutaneous SCCs (P < 0.001), but without down-regulation of WWOX mRNA (P > 0.05 versus normal controls), indicating a translational blockade of WWOX mRNA to protein. During acute exposure of hairless mice to UVB, WOX1 was up-regulated and activated in epidermal cells in 24 hours. In parallel with the clinical findings in humans, chronic UVB-treated mice developed cutaneous SCCs in 3 months, with significant reduction of WOX1 and Tyr33 phosphorylation and, again, without down-regulation of WWOX mRNA. Human SCC-25 and HaCaT cells were transfected with small interfering RNA-targeting WOX1 and shown to resist UVB-induced WOX1 expression, activation, and apoptosis. CONCLUSIONS: WOX1 is essential for UVB-induced apoptosis and likely to be involved in the terminal differentiation of normal keratinocytes. During UVB-induced cutaneous SCC, epidermal cells have apparently prevented the apoptotic pressure from overexpressed WOX1 by shutting down the translation machinery for WWOX mRNA.

Adult↗

Visual function in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada patients.

BACKGROUND: Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease presents with anterior segment inflammation, choroiditis and exudative retinal detachment. Following resolution of the inflammation, VKH patients have been noted to complain of visual disturbances despite good visual acuity. We therefore investigated the visual function deficits of convalescent VKH patients. METHODS: A cross-sectional observational nonrandomized controlled study of convalescent VKH patients from the Uveitis Service of the Singapore National Eye Centre, and normal subjects was performed. The best-corrected visual acuities (BCVA) and multifocal electroretinograms (mfERGs) of VKH patients with and without peripapillary atrophy (PPA) were compared with those of the normal eyes. The mfERG results were subdivided into those obtained from the peripapillary area and those from the rest of the macular. RESULTS: Eleven VKH eyes with large PPA to disc ratios (PPA/D ratio >2), 15 VKH eyes with PPA/D ratios<1 and 6 normal eyes were included in the study. Five eyes (54.5%) of VKH patients with PPA/D>2 had a BCVA of less than 20/40. All the other eyes had 20/20 vision. Nine of the 11 VKH eyes with PPA/D>2 also had large areas of chorioretinal atrophy. The mfERG responses of VKH eyes with PPA/D ratio >2 were markedly reduced in amplitude (p<0.001) and delayed in implicit time (p<0.001) throughout the entire macular area. VKH patients with PPA/D ratio<1 had significantly reduced mfERG amplitudes throughout the entire macular area, as well as delayed implicit times at the peripapillary region (p=0.026). Sub-division of VKH eyes with PPA/D<1 into eyes with no PPA and eyes with a small PPA, showed that both groups had a similar reduction in response amplitude over the entire macular region. However, the implicit time was significantly delayed in eyes with small PPA when compared to those without PPA (p<0.03). CONCLUSIONS: VKH patients with large PPA have clinically significant visual dysfunction. VKH patients without PPA also have subclinical retinal dysfunction. The mfERG may be a useful adjunct in the management of VKH by detecting early retinal damage.

Cross-Sectional Studies↗

Compressive C-shaped lamellar keratoplasty: a surgical alternative for the management of severe astigmatism from peripheral corneal degeneration.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a compressive lamellar surgical technique for treating severe astigmatism in peripheral corneal ectasia. DESIGN: Retrospective, noncomparative, interventional case series. PARTICIPANTS: Four eyes of 3 patients with either pellucid or Terrien's marginal corneal degeneration were included in this series. METHODS: C-shaped lamellar keratoplasty using multiple trephines of different sizes, with deliberate undersizing of the donor graft for a controlled compressive effect, was performed on these patients. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Visual acuity outcome and refraction were measured at different intervals at up to 40 months of follow-up. RESULTS: All eyes achieved Snellen visual acuity of 20/40 or better and stable astigmatism ranging from 0 to -2.75 diopter cylinder within 6 months, with no recurrence of corneal thinning or peripheral corneal vascularization. CONCLUSIONS: Compressive C-shaped lamellar keratoplasty is able to reduce severe corneal astigmatism in peripheral corneal ectasia and can result in good visual and refractive outcomes with early visual rehabilitation.

Astigmatism↗

Orbital, adnexal, and unusual systemic involvement in Rosai-Dorfman disease.

PURPOSE: To describe the unusual clinical course of a patient with Rosai-Dorfman disease (RDD) affecting the eyelid and orbital tissues and involving the spinal cord. METHODS: Case report. RESULTS: A 68-year-old Indian man first presented in 1994 with a right lower eyelid lump for 1 year. An en bloc excisional biopsy was reported to show "reactive lymphoid hyperplasia with sclerosis." The patient subsequently defaulted follow-up and presented again in 1999 with bilateral lower eyelid masses and proptosis. Computerized tomography showed bilateral orbital, ethmoidal sinus, and frontal sinus soft tissue masses. Bilateral excisional biopsies of the orbital and eyelid masses showed histologic features of RDD. The patient had a history of paraplegia with decompression laminectomy and excision of an epidural mass in 1994. In addition, he underwent excision of soft tissue masses from the abdominal wall in 1993. Retrospective review of the histologic specimens from these two areas showed a histologic picture similar to that of eyelid specimens (in 1994 and 1999). CONCLUSIONS: It is important to consider RDD in addition to lymphoproliferative disorders in a patient with orbital and ocular adnexal masses. The initial histologic presentation may not be pathognomonic.

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