Abstract Introduction/objectives Systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) is a classic prototype of the multisystem autoimmune disease and follows a relapsing and remitting course. Triptolide is a diterpene triepoxide extracted from Chinese medicine Tripterygium wilfordii Hook F, with potent immunosuppressive and anti-inflammatory properties. Our previous work observed that triptolide alleviated lupus in MRL/lpr lupus mice with the upregulation of regulatory T cells (Treg) proportion in previous study. In this study, we explored the proportion of follicular T regulatory (Tfr), follicular T helper (Tfh) and germinal center (GC) B cells in lupus mice and evaluated the efficacy of triptolide for lupus treatment in vivo. Methods 20 female MRL/lpr mice were randomly divided into 2 treatment groups and treated orally with vehicle or triptolide. C3H mice were all housed as controlled group and treated orally with vehicle. The percentage of Tfr cells, Tfh cells and GC B cells in spleen of mice were detected by Flow cytometric analysis and immunohistochemistry after 13 weeks of treatment. Results We found that the percentage of Tfr cells decreased in MRL/lpr mice compared with controlled mice. The percentage of Tfh cells in MRL/lpr mice was significantly higher compared with that in controlled mice. The ratio of Tfr/Tfh is also decreased in lupus mice. After treated with triptolide in MRL/Lpr mice in vivo, the percentage of Tfr cells and ratio of Tfr/Tfh increased. The proportion of GC B cells also decreased in mice treated with triptolide by FACS and immunohistochemistry. Conclusions Our results demonstrate that the effect of triptolide in alleviating lupus is partly by reversing immune imbalance with increased percentage of Tfr cells and ratio of Tfr/Tfh. Triptolide might also has effect on immune response through inhibiting proliferating GC B cells.

RESUMO A tecnologia da informação alcança diversos aspectos da vida moderna, incluindo a medicina. Com o objetivo de aprimorar o ensino, pesquisa e assitência médica, seja por motivos geográficos ou econômicos, a telemedicina é uma tendência em ascenção. A teleoftalmologia é possivelmente uma das aplicações mais desafiadoras da telemedicina, uma vez que requer imagens digitais de alta resolução. Entretanto, avanços tecnológicos estão continuamente melhorando a transmissão de informações e expandindo o potencial da teleoftalmologia. Um revisão da literatura foi realizada para investigar a evolução e o status atual da teleoftalmologia, descrevendo e explorando sua aplicação em diferentes subespecialidades. Apesar de não representar uma substituição para a assistência oftalmológica tradicional, e, embora ainda existam desafios frente a uma implementação adequada, a teleoftalmologia é um método efetivo de assistência, facilitando a distribuição de atendimento, especialmente em regiões remotas e/ou menos desenvolvidas.

ABSTRACT Information and communication technology has rapidly reached diverse aspects of modern life, including medicine and health-related matters. Aiming to improve teaching, research, and health care delivery for geographic or economic reasons, telemedicine is an ascending trend. Teleophthalmology might be one of the most challenging applications of telemedicine given its need for standardized and high definition digital images. However, technological advances are enhancing information transmission continuously and expanding the potential of teleophthalmology. In this review, we investigate the evolution and current status of teleophthalmology, describe its use in different areas, and explore its applicability. Although teleophthalmology is not a replacement for traditional eye care and still faces challenges for adequate implementation, it represents an effective care delivery method, facilitating appropriate and timely distribution of service especially in remote and/or underdeveloped regions.

ABSTRACT To investigate the effect of arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi on maize growth, osmoregulation substances and photosynthetic physiology, a popular maize variety ZD 958 was measured under potted condition. Arbuscular mycorrhiza (AM) symbiosis promoted plant growth, and enhanced plant height, leaf length, mean leaf width and dry weight. Higher soluble sugar and protein, but lower proline concentrations were detected in AM seedlings than corresponding non-AM seedlings. Quantum yield of PSII photochemistry and potential photochemical efficiency increased by arbuscular mycorrhiza fungi, meanwhile, AM plants had lower primary fluorescence but higher maximal fluorescence and variable fluorescence than non-AM plants. AM enhanced apparent quantum efficiency, maximum net photosynthetic rate, dark respiration rate and light saturation point, but reduced light compensation point. The conclusion was that, after the seedling inoculated with Glomus. tortuosum, AM symbioses could protect cell from being hurt through regulating substances related to osmotic adjustment, besides, the efficiency of light utilization, the capacity of using low light and the capacity of fitting and using high light were all increased by AM symbiosis.