Endotamponades in pars plana vitrectomy for metallic intraocular foreign body associated with endophthalmitis

AIM: To study the criterion-reference of endotamponades in pars plana vitrectomy for metallic intraocular foreign body (MIOFD) associated with endophthalmitis. METHODS:Thirty-six patients of MIOFD with endophthalmitis accorded with Exclusion and inclusion criteria were retrospectively analyzed. A detailed analysis of the patients' natural factors, preoperative examinations, intraoperative endotamponades choice, postoperative complications and therapeutic effects was performed. RESULTS: BSS was used in 4 eyes without obvious retinal damage. There was no postoperative complication and their visual acuity (VA) was improved. Sixteen eyes that had mild retinal damage filled with C3F8 gas. The postoperative VA improved in 10 eyes (62.5%), 4 eyes (25.0%) remained unchanged and 2 eyes (12.5%) decreased. Only 2 cases occurred postoperative retinal detachment in gas group. Another 16 eyes with serious retinal damage were treated with silicone oil. Postoperative VA of 9 eyes (56.3%) improved, 3 eyes (18.8%) remained unchanged and 4 eyes (25.0%) decreased. The silicone oil group had higher incidence of postoperative complications, but the incidence of secondary treatment had no significant different between silicone oil and gas group. CONCLUSION: An appropriate choice of endotamponades in vitrectomy surgery for MIOFB with endophthalmitis is important for prognosis.

Programming Shape-Morphing Behavior of Zwitterionic Polymer/Liquid Crystal Composite with Humidity-responsive Self-healing Performance

In this study,a zwitterionic polymer/liquid crystals composite film with programming shape-morphing behavior and humidityresponsive self-healing performance was prepared by blending a zwitterionic polymer and liquid crystalline azobenzene compound in solution,followed by film-forming in a mold without tedious or multistep synthetic route.The as-obtained zwitterionic polymer/liquid crystal composite film exhibited programming shape-morphing behavior under different stimuli.In this process,the temporary shape of the composite film was memorized after the removal of the stimuli.Such characteristics would fit the requirements of intelligence and energy-saving for stimuliresponsive shape-changing materials.Moreover,the composite film showed humidity-responsive self-healing performances under wet conditions at room temperature.In summary,the simple design and preparation route of the zwitterionic polymer/liquid crystal composite film with programming shape-morphing behavior and mild condition-responsive self-healing performance look promising for the fabrication and practical application of novel photo-driven devices and soft robotics.

Regulatory Mechanisms of the Molecular Pathways in Fibrosis Induced by MicroRNAs

Objective：MicroRNAs （miRNAs or miRs） play critical roles in the fibrotic process in different organs.We summarized the latest research progress on the roles and mechanisms of miRNAs in the regulation of the molecular signaling pathways involved in fibrosis.Data Sources：Papers published in English from January 2010 to August 2015 were selected from the PubMed and Web of Science databases using the search terms ＂microRNA＂,＂miR＂,＂transforming growth factor β＂,＂tgf β＂,＂mitogen-activated protein kinase＂,＂mapk＂,＂integrin＂,＂p38＂,＂c-Jun NH2-terminal kinase＂,＂jnk＂,＂extracellular signal-regulated kinase＂,＂erk＂,and ＂fibrosis＂.Study Selection：Articles were obtained and reviewed to analyze the regulatory effects of miRNAs on molecular signaling pathways involved in the fibrosis.Results：Recent evidence has shown that miRNAs are involved in regulating fibrosis by targeting different substrates in the molecular processes that drive fibrosis,such as immune cell sensitization,effector cell activation,and extracellular matrix remodeling.Moreover,several important molecular signaling pathways involve in fibrosis,such as the transforming growth factor-beta （TGF-β） pathway,mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK） pathways,and the integrin pathway are regulated by miRNAs.Third,regulation of the fibrotic pathways induced by miRNAs is found in many other tissues in addition to the heart,lung,liver,and kidney.Interestingly,the actions of many drugs on the human body are also induced by miRNAs.It is encouraging that the fibrotic process can be blocked or reversed by targeting specific miRNAs and their signaling pathways,thereby protecting the structures and functions of different organs.Conclusions：miRNAs not only regulate molecular signaling pathways in fibrosis but also serve as potential targets of novel therapeutic interventions for fibrosing diseases.