Chronic morphine administration alters gene expression in different brain regions, an effect which may contribute to plastic changes associated with addictive behavior. This change in gene expression is most possibly mediated by addictive drug-induced epigenetic remodeling of gene expression programs. Our previous studies showed that chronic morphine-induced decrease of miR-105 in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) contributed to context-induced retrieval of morphine withdrawal memory. However, how chronic morphine treatment decreases miR-105 in the mPFC still remains unknown. The present study shows that chronic morphine induces addiction-related change in miR-105 in the mPFC via two kinds of transcription factors: the first transcription factor is CREB activated by mu receptors-ERK-p90RSK signaling pathway and the second transcription factor is glucocorticoid receptor (GR), which as a negative transcription factor, mediates chronic morphine-induced decrease in miR-105 in the mPFC of rats.

Purpose: To investigate the pterygium prevalence and evaluate risk factors of pterygium in rural community-based type 2 diabetic (D2M) patients aged 50 years and above in Funing Country, Jiangsu Province, China. Methods A cross-sectional ophthalmic survey was conducted in type 2 diabetes mellitus (D2M) patients aged ≥50 years in Funing county, Jiangsu Province, China, which was named Jiangsu Diabetic Eye Disease Study (JDEDS). All participants underwent a comprehensive questionnaire and ocular examination. Pterygium was diagnosed by slit lamp examination. The risk factors associated with pterygium were evaluated with logistic regression models.Results The prevalence of pterygium was 22.37% (n= 427) and 95% confidence interval (CI): (20.50-24.24%) in D2M patients aged 50 years and above in JDEDS. The prevalence of pterygium was 18.32% (95% CI: 15.33~21.32%) in men and 24.43% (95% CI: 22.06~26.80%) in women. Women had a higher prevalence than men (p= 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed, for male participants with D2M, pterygium was independently associated with increasing age [ 70-79yrs: OR and 95% CI: 2.49(1.20~5.18), p=0.014; ≥80yrs: 4.84(2.04~11.47), p<0.001], while cigarette smoking was the protective factors, especially in current smoker [OR and 95% CI: 0.79(0.67~0.92); p=0.003]. For female participants with D2M, age [ 60-69yrs OR and 95% CI: 1.68(1.07~2.62), p=0.023; 70-79yrs: 2.62(1.69~4.06), p<0.001; ≥80yrs:3.24(1.70~5.90), p<0.001], hypertension [OR and 95%CI: 1.40(1.05~1.87), p=0.024], BMI 24-27.9 [OR and 95%CI: 1.20(1.00~1.44), p=0.047], higher HbA1c [ (5.6-7.9) % OR and 95%CI: 1.42(1.10~1.82), p=0.006; (8.0-9.9) %: 1.32(1.10~1.58), p=0.003] were risk factors. Conclusions D2M patients aged over 50 years has a high prevalence of pterygium in JDEDS. The pterygium prevalence is higher in female D2M participants. Diabetes and related factors may be risk factors of pterygium in female D2M patients. Further studies are needed to explore the gender difference in the pathogenesis of pterygium in D2M subjects.

Purpose. To identify the ability of releasing and uptaking exosomes in rat lens and characterize the exosomal microRNA profile of lens-derived exosomes. Methods. The rat lenses were cultured ex vivo and the medium was collected. The exosomes were isolated from medium and measured in size and concentration by nanoflow cytometry (nFCM) and transmission electron microscopy (TEM) and verified with CD63 and TSG101 by Western blot. The miRNAs in exosomes released from lens epithelial cells (LECs) were sequenced. The plasma exosomes labeled by PKH26 were used to verify the exosomes uptake LECs, and their colocalized fluorescence was imaged by confocal microscopy. Results. LECs released numerous exosomes into the medium through the capsule, which contained abundant miRNAs. The most abundant miRNAs included miR-184, let-7c-5p, let-7a-5p, let-7b-5p, let-7f-5p, miR-125a-5p, miR-204-5p, miR-125b-5p, miR-1b, and miR-23a-3p. The LECs but not the lens fibre cells showed exosome uptake. The LECs uptake more PKH26-labeled exosomes at day 7 than day 3 and day 14. Conclusions. Our results suggested that LECs can release and uptake exosomes through the capsule. Exosomes may be an important way for the lens to communicate among LECs, aqueous humour, vitreous body, and other ocular tissues.

Purpose: To investigate the pterygium prevalence and evaluate risk factors of pterygium in rural community-based type 2 diabetic (D2M) patients aged 50 years and above in Funing Country, Jiangsu Province, China.Methods A cross-sectional ophthalmic survey was conducted in type 2 diabetes mellitus (D2M) patients aged ≥50 years in Funing county, Jiangsu Province, China, which was named Jiangsu Diabetic Eye Disease Study (JDEDS). All participants underwent a comprehensive questionnaire and ocular examination. Pterygium was diagnosed by slit lamp examination. The risk factors associated with pterygium were evaluated with logistic regression models. ResultsThe prevalence of pterygium was 22.37% (n= 427) and 95% con dence interval (CI): (20.50-24.24%) in D2M patients aged 50 years and above in JDEDS. The prevalence of pterygium was 18.32% (95% CI: 15.33~21.32%) in men and 24.43% (95% CI: 22.06~26.80%) in women. Women had a higher prevalence than men (p= 0.001). Multivariate analysis showed, for male participants with D2M, pterygium was independently associated with increasing age [ 70-79yrs: OR and 95% CI: 2.49(1.20~5.18), p=0.014; ≥80yrs: 4.84(2.04~11.47), p<0.001], while cigarette smoking was the protective factors, especially in current smoker [OR and 95%