Biomarkers for neuromyelitis optica:a visual analysis of emerging research trends

Neuromyelitis optica is an inflammatory demyelinating disease of the central nervous system that differs from multiple sclerosis.Over the past 20 years,the search for biomarke rs for neuromyelitis optica has been ongoing.Here,we used a bibliometric approach to analyze the main research focus in the field of biomarkers for neuromyelitis optica.Research in this area is consistently increasing,with China and the United States leading the way on the number of studies conducted.The Mayo Clinic is a highly reputable institution in the United States,and was identified as the most authoritative institution in this field.Furthermore,Professor Wingerchuk from the Mayo Clinic was the most authoritative expe rt in this field.Keyword analysis revealed that the terms "neuro myelitis optica"(261 times), "multiple sclerosis"(220 times), "neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder"(132 times), "aquaporin4"(99 times),and "optical neuritis"(87 times) were the most frequently used keywords in literature related to this field.Comprehensive analysis of the classical literature showed that the majority of publications provide conclusive research evidence supporting the use of aquaporin-4-IgG and neuromyelitis optica-IgG to effectively diagnose and differentiate neuromyelitis optica from multiple sclerosis.Furthermore,aquaporin-4-IgG has emerged as a highly specific diagnostic biomarker for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein-IgG is a diagnostic biomarke r for myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein antibody-associated disease.Recent biomarkers for neuromyelitis optica in clude cerebrospinal fluid immunological biomarkers such as glial fibrillary acidic protein,serum astrocyte damage biomarkers like FAM19A5,serum albumin,and gammaaminobutyric acid.The latest prospective clinical trials are exploring the potential of these biomarkers.Preliminary results indicate that glial fibrillary acidic protein is emerging as a promising candidate biomarker for neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder.The ultimate goal of future research is to identify non-invasive biomarkers with high sensitivity,specificity,and safety for the accurate diagnosis of neuro myelitis optica.

Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs combined with laser photocoagulation maintain retinal ganglion cell integrity in patients with diabetic macular edema: study protocol for a prospective, non-randomized, controlled clinical trial

The integrity of retinal ganglion cells is tightly associated with diabetic macular degeneration that leads to damage and death of retinal ganglion cells,affecting vision.The major clinical treatments for diabetic macular edema are anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs and laser photocoagulation.However,although the macular thickness can be normalized with each of these two therapies used alone,the vision does not improve in many patients.This might result from the incomplete recovery of retinal ganglion cell injury.Therefore,a prospective,non-randomized,controlled clinical trial was designed to investigate the effect of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs combined with laser photocoagulation on the integrity of retinal ganglion cells in patients with diabetic macular edema and its relationship with vision recovery.In this trial,150 patients with diabetic macular edema will be equally divided into three groups according to therapeutic methods,followed by treatment with anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs,laser photocoagulation therapy,and their combination.All patients will be followed up for 12 months.The primary outcome measure is retinal ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness at 12 months after treatment.The secondary outcome measures include retinal ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness before and 1,3,6,and 9 months after treatment,retinal nerve fiber layer thickness,best-corrected visual acuity,macular area thickness,and choroidal thickness before and 1,3,6,9,and 12 months after treatment.Safety measure is the incidence of adverse events at 1,3,6,9,and 12 months after treatment.The study protocol hopes to validate the better efficacy and safety of the combined treatment in patients with diabetic macula compared with the other two monotherapies alone during the 12-month follow-up period.The trial is designed to focus on clarifying the time-effect relationship between imaging measures related to the integrity of retinal ganglion cells and best-corrected visual acuity.The trial protocol was approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of the Affiliated Hospital of Beihua University with approval No.(2023)(26)on April 25,2023,and was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry(registration number:ChiCTR2300072478,June 14,2023,protocol version:2.0).

Insights into stem cell therapy for diabetic retinopathy: a bibliometric and visual analysis

Stem cells have been confirmed to be involved in the occurrence and development of diabetic retinopathy;however,the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.In this study,we used Citespace software to visually analyze 552 articles exploring the stem cell-based treatment of diabetic retinopathy over the past 20 years,which were included in the Web of Science Core Collection.We found the following:(1)a co-citation analysis of the references cited by all 552 articles indicated 15 clusters.In cluster#0,representing the stem cell field,some highly cited landmark studies emerged between 2009–2013.For example,endothelial progenitor cells and diabetic retinopathy gradually received the full attention of scholars,in terms of their relationship and therapeutic prospects.Some researchers also verified the potential of adipose-derived stem cells to differentiate into stable retinal perivascular cells,using a variety of animal models of retinal vascular disease.All of these achievements provided references for the subsequent stem cell research.(2)An analysis of popular keywords among the 552 articles revealed that,during the past 20 years,a relative increase in basic research articles examining stem cells and endothelial progenitor cells for the treatment of diabetic retinopathy was observed.The contents of these articles primarily involved the expression of vascular endothelial growth factor,vascular regeneration,oxidative stress,and inflammatory response.(3)A burst analysis of keywords used in the 552 articles indicated that genetic and cytological research regarding the promotion of angiogenesis was an issue of concern from 2001 to 2012,including several studies addressing the expression of various growth factor genes;from 2014 to 2020,mouse models of diabetic retinopathy were recognized as mature animal models,and the most recent research has focused on macular degeneration,macular edema,neurodegeneration,and inflammatory changes in diabetic animal models.(4)Globally,the current authoritative studies have focused on basic research towards the stem cell treatment of diabetic retinopathy.Existing clinical studies are of low quality and have insufficient evidence levels,and their findings have not yet been widely accepted in clinical practice.Major challenges during stem cell transplantation remain,including stem cell heterogeneity,cell delivery,and the effective homing of stem cells to damaged tissue.However,clinical trials examining potential stem cell-based treatments of diabetic retinopathy,including the use of pluripotent stem cells,retinal pigment epithelial cells,bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells,and endothelial progenitor cells,are currently ongoing,and high-quality clinical evidence is likely to appear in the future,to promote clinical transformation.

Five New Guanacastane-Type Diterpenes from Cultures of the Fungus Psathyrella candolleana

Five new guanacastane-type diterpenes,named guanacastepenes P–T(1–5),were isolated from cultures of the fungus Psathyrella candolleana.Their structures were elucidated on the basis of extensive spectroscopic methods.All of the compounds were tested for their 11b-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase(11b-HSD1)inhibitory activity.Compound 3 exhibited inhibitory activity against both human and mouse isozymes of 11b-HSD1 with IC50 values of 6.2 and 13.9 lM,respectively.

Development and structure-activity relationships of tanshinones as selective 11β-hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1 inhibitors

11β-Hydroxysteroid dehydrogenase 1(11β-HSD1)represents a promising drug target for metabolic syndrome,includ-ing obesity and type 2 diabetes.Our initial screen of a collection of natural products from Danshen led to the identi-fication of tanshinones as the potent and selective 11β-HSD1 inhibitors.To improve the druggability and explore the structure-activity relationships(SARs),more than 40 derivatives have been designed and synthesized using tanshinone IIA and cryptotanshinone as the starting materials.More than 10 derivatives exhibited potent in vitro 11β-HSD1 inhibitory activity and good selectivity over 11β-HSD2 across human and mouse species.Based on the biological results,SARs were further discussed,which was also partially rationalized by a molecular docking model of 1 bound to the 11β-HSD1.Remarkably,compounds 1,17 and 30 significantly inhibited 11β-HSD1 in 3T3-L1 adipocyte and in livers of ob/ob mice,which merits further investigations as anti-diabetic agents.This study not only provides a series of novel selective 11β-HSD1 inhibitors with promising therapeutic potentials in metabolic syndromes,but also expands the boundaries of the chemical and biological spaces of tanshinones.

Current Situations and Suggestions for Development of Oil Peony Industry in Hubei Province

Based on the investigation on the production of oil peony( Paeooia suffruticosa Andr.) in the main producing areas in Hubei Province,the current situations and problems faced by oil peony industry were analyzed.The oil peony industry is in the adjustment period after years of development in Hubei Province,and the following suggestions were proposed for its further development.First,make full use of the ornamental value of peony and carry out the theme eco-tourism of peony.Second,make full use of the advantages of local resources and develop resource evaluation and utilization.Third,promote the intensive processing of oil peony and extend the industrial chain of products.