New aspects of a small GTPase RAB35 in brain development and function

In eukaryotic cells,organelles in the secretory,lysosomal,and endocytic pathways actively exchange biological materials with each other through intracellular membrane trafficking,which is the process of transporting the cargo of proteins,lipids,and other molecules to appropriate compartments via transport vesicles or intermediates.These processes are strictly regulated by various small GTPases such as the RAS-like in rat brain(RAB)protein family,which is the largest subfamily of the RAS superfamily.Dysfunction of membrane trafficking affects tissue homeostasis and leads to a wide range of diseases,including neurological disorders and neurodegenerative diseases.Therefore,it is important to understand the physiological and pathological roles of RAB proteins in brain function.RAB35,a member of the RAB family,is an evolutionarily conserved protein in metazoans.A wide range of studies using cultured mammalian cells and model organisms have revealed that RAB35 mediates various processes such as cytokinesis,endocytic recycling,actin bundling,and cell migration.RAB35 is also involved in neurite outgrowth and turnover of synaptic vesicles.We generated brain-specific Rab35 knockout mice to study the physiological roles of RAB35 in brain development and function.These mice exhibited defects in anxiety-related behaviors and spatial memory.Strikingly,RAB35 is required for the precise positioning of pyramidal neurons during hippocampal development,and thereby for normal hippocampal lamination.In contrast,layer formation in the cerebral cortex occurred superficially,even in the absence of RAB35,suggesting a predominant role for RAB35 in hippocampal development rather than in cerebral cortex development.Recent studies have suggested an association between RAB35 and neurodegenerative diseases,including Parkinson's disease and Alzheimer's disease.In this review,we provide an overview of the current understanding of subcellular functions of RAB35.We also provide insights into the physiological role of RAB35 in mammalian brain development and function,and discuss the involvement of RAB35 dysfunction in neurodegenerative diseases.

Establishment of human cerebral organoid systems to model early neural development and assess the central neurotoxicity of environmental toxins

Human brain development is a complex process,and animal models often have significant limitations.To address this,researchers have developed pluripotent stem cell-derived three-dimensional structures,known as brain-like organoids,to more accurately model early human brain development and disease.To enable more consistent and intuitive reproduction of early brain development,in this study,we incorporated forebrain organoid culture technology into the traditional unguided method of brain organoid culture.This involved embedding organoids in matrigel for only 7 days during the rapid expansion phase of the neural epithelium and then removing them from the matrigel for further cultivation,resulting in a new type of human brain organoid system.This cerebral organoid system replicated the temporospatial characteristics of early human brain development,including neuroepithelium derivation,neural progenitor cell production and maintenance,neuron differentiation and migration,and cortical layer patterning and formation,providing more consistent and reproducible organoids for developmental modeling and toxicology testing.As a proof of concept,we applied the heavy metal cadmium to this newly improved organoid system to test whether it could be used to evaluate the neurotoxicity of environmental toxins.Brain organoids exposed to cadmium for 7 or 14 days manifested severe damage and abnormalities in their neurodevelopmental patterns,including bursts of cortical cell death and premature differentiation.Cadmium exposure caused progressive depletion of neural progenitor cells and loss of organoid integrity,accompanied by compensatory cell proliferation at ectopic locations.The convenience,flexibility,and controllability of this newly developed organoid platform make it a powerful and affordable alternative to animal models for use in neurodevelopmental,neurological,and neurotoxicological studies.

Postnatal development of rat retina:a continuous observation and comparison between the organotypic retinal explant model and in vivo development

The organotypic retinal explant culture has been established for more than a decade and offers a range of unique advantages compared with in vivo experiments and cell cultures.However,the lack of systematic and continuous comparison between in vivo retinal development and the organotypic retinal explant culture makes this model controversial in postnatal retinal development studies.Thus,we aimed to verify the feasibility of using this model for postnatal retinal development studies by comparing it with the in vivo retina.In this study,we showed that postnatal retinal explants undergo normal development,and exhibit a consistent structure and timeline with retinas in vivo.Initially,we used SOX2 and PAX6 immunostaining to identify retinal progenitor cells.We then examined cell proliferation and migration by immunostaining with Ki-67 and doublecortin,respectively.Ki-67-and doublecortin-positive cells decreased in both in vivo and explants during postnatal retinogenesis,and exhibited a high degree of similarity in abundance and distribution between groups.Additionally,we used Ceh-10 homeodomain-containing homolog,glutamate-ammonia ligase(glutamine synthetase),neuronal nuclei,and ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 immunostaining to examine the emergence of bipolar cells,Müller glia,mature neurons,and microglia,respectively.The timing and spatial patterns of the emergence of these cell types were remarkably consistent between in vivo and explant retinas.Our study showed that the organotypic retinal explant culture model had a high degree of consistency with the progression of in vivo early postnatal retina development.The findings confirm the accuracy and credibility of this model and support its use for long-term,systematic,and continuous observation.

Small molecule inhibitor DDQ-treated hippocampal neuronal cells show improved neurite outgrowth and synaptic branching

The process of neurite outgrowth and branching is a crucial aspect of neuronal development and regeneration.Axons and dendrites,sometimes referred to as neurites,are extensions of a neuron's cellular body that are used to start networks.Here we explored the effects of diethyl(3,4-dihydroxyphenethylamino)(quinolin-4-yl)methylphosphonate(DDQ)on neurite developmental features in HT22 neuronal cells.In this work,we examined the protective effects of DDQ on neuronal processes and synaptic outgrowth in differentiated HT22cells expressing mutant Tau(mTau)cDNA.To investigate DDQ chara cteristics,cell viability,biochemical,molecular,western blotting,and immunocytochemistry were used.Neurite outgrowth is evaluated through the segmentation and measurement of neural processes.These neural processes can be seen and measured with a fluorescence microscope by manually tracing and measuring the length of the neurite growth.These neuronal processes can be observed and quantified with a fluorescent microscope by manually tracing and measuring the length of the neuronal HT22.DDQ-treated mTau-HT22 cells(HT22 cells transfected with cDNA mutant Tau)were seen to display increased levels of synaptophysin,MAP-2,andβ-tubulin.Additionally,we confirmed and noted reduced levels of both total and p-Tau,as well as elevated levels of microtubule-associated protein 2,β-tubulin,synaptophysin,vesicular acetylcholine transporter,and the mitochondrial biogenesis protein-pe roxisome prolife rator-activated receptor-gamma coactivator-1α.In mTa u-expressed HT22 neurons,we observed DDQ enhanced the neurite characteristics and improved neurite development through increased synaptic outgrowth.Our findings conclude that mTa u-HT22(Alzheimer's disease)cells treated with DDQ have functional neurite developmental chara cteristics.The key finding is that,in mTa u-HT22 cells,DDQ preserves neuronal structure and may even enhance nerve development function with mTa u inhibition.

Research on the Construction of Intellectual Property System and Optimization of Business Environment in China

With the rapid development of globalization and information technology,intellectual property has been one of the key drivers of economic growth,and the construction of intellectual property system has become an important criterion for measuring the quality of business environment.This article is intended to explore the current status of intellectual property system construction in China,the challenges,and its relationship with the business environment,to propose the corresponding countermeasures and suggestions.The study finds that the legal system of intellectual property in China is gradually improving,and judicial and administrative protection are continuously strengthened.However,the challenges still remain such as frequent infringements,rights hard to protect and insufficient international cooperation.These issues not only affect the legitimate rights and interests of innovation entities,but also for the market fairness and the level of the business environment.Therefore,this article proposes that strengthening the perfection of the intellectual property legal system,enhancing intellectual property services and support capabilities,strengthening international cooperation and exchanges,and accelerating the cultivation of composite talents.It aims to provide theoretical references for the construction of intellectual property system and the optimization of the business environment,promote the high-quality development of economy and enhance the global competitiveness of the country.

Sine oculis homeobox homolog family function in gastrointestinal cancer:Progression and comprehensive analysis

The sine oculis homeobox homolog(SIX)family,a group of transcription factors characterized by a conserved DNA-binding homology domain,plays a critical role in orchestrating embryonic development and organogenesis across various organisms,including humans.Comprising six distinct members,from SIX1 to SIX6,each member contributes uniquely to the development and differentiation of diverse tissues and organs,underscoring the versatility of the SIX family.Dysregulation or mutations in SIX genes have been implicated in a spectrum of developmental disorders,as well as in tumor initiation and progression,highlighting their pivotal role in maintaining normal developmental trajectories and cellular functions.Efforts to target the transcriptional complex of the SIX gene family have emerged as a promising strategy to inhibit tumor development.While the development of inhibitors targeting this gene family is still in its early stages,the significant potential of such interventions holds promise for future therapeutic advances.Therefore,this review aimed to comprehensively explore the advancements in understanding the SIX family within gastrointestinal cancers,focusing on its critical role in normal organ development and its implications in gastrointestinal cancers,including gastric,pancreatic,colorectal cancer,and hepatocellular carcinomas.In conclusion,this review deepened the understanding of the functional roles of the SIX family and explored the potential of utilizing this gene family for the diagnosis,prognosis,and treatment of gastrointestinal cancers.

International Young Entrepreneurs Call for More Green Cooperation

The global issue of climate change presents young entrepreneurs with opportunities to explore new business models.FACED with the severe challenges presented by global climate change,pursuing a green lifestyle is a way to achieve sustainable development.Many countries are exploring ways to reach a balance between economic development and environmental protection.

Voices that matter:The impact of patient-reported outcome measures on clinical decision-making

The critical role of patient-reported outcome measures(PROMs)in enhancing clinical decision-making and promoting patient-centered care has gained a profound significance in scientific research.PROMs encapsulate a patient's health status directly from their perspective,encompassing various domains such as symptom severity,functional status,and overall quality of life.By integrating PROMs into routine clinical practice and research,healthcare providers can achieve a more nuanced understanding of patient experiences and tailor treatments accordingly.The deployment of PROMs supports dynamic patient-provider interactions,fostering better patient engagement and adherence to tre-atment plans.Moreover,PROMs are pivotal in clinical settings for monitoring disease progression and treatment efficacy,particularly in chronic and mental health conditions.However,challenges in implementing PROMs include data collection and management,integration into existing health systems,and acceptance by patients and providers.Overcoming these barriers necessitates technological advancements,policy development,and continuous education to enhance the acceptability and effectiveness of PROMs.The paper concludes with recommendations for future research and policy-making aimed at optimizing the use and impact of PROMs across healthcare settings.

Effect of foot reflexology on an infant with sensorineural hearing loss:A case report

BACKGROUND Our study contributes to the further understanding of the mechanism of foot reflexology.Foot reflexology has been reported to affect hearing recovery,but no physiological evidence has been provided.This lack of evidence hampers the acceptance of the technique in clinical practice.CASE SUMMARY A girl was taken to North Sichuan Medical University Affiliated Hospital for a hearing screen by her parents.Her parents reported that her hearing level was the same as when she was born.The girl was diagnosed with sensorineural hearing loss(SNHL)by a doctor in the otolaryngology department.After we introduced the foot reflexology project,the parents agreed to participate in the experiment.After 6 months of foot reflexology treatment,the hearing threshold of the girl recovered to a normal level,below 30 dB.CONCLUSION Foot reflexology should be encouraged in clinical practice and for families of infants with SNHL.

GAMYB transcription factor LoMYB65 from lily plays a vital role in pollen development

Lily(Lilium spp.)is an important horticultural crop,but its use is limited due to serious pollen contamination problems.There are many studies on pollen development in model plants,but few on flower crops such as lilies.Gibberellin(GA)is a large class of hormones and plays an important role in plant vegetative growth and reproductive development.GAMYB is a group of the R2R3-MYB family upregulated by gibberellin,and plays an important role in anther development.Here,we isolated a novel GAMYB,named LoMYB65,from lily,which was closely related to the AtMYB65 and AtMYB33 in Arabidopsis.Fluorescence quantitative PCR results showed that LoMYB65 was mainly expressed in lily anthers.LoMYB65 could be activated by 288μmol·L^(-1)GA3treatment and the LoMYB65 protein was located in the nucleus and cytoplasm,and had transactivation in yeast and tobacco leaf cells.The conserved motif within 226 amino acids of the C-terminal of LoMYB65 contributed to its transactivation.Overexpression of LoMYB65 caused dwarf phenotype,unnormal tapetum development,less seeds of siliques in transgenic Arabidopsis plants,the transgenic plants showed partly male sterile.Simultaneously,silencing of LoMYB65 with VIGS(Virus Induced Gene Silencing)in lily anthers caused unnormal pollen development and reduced the pollen amount.Overexpression of LoMYB65 in Arabidopsis and silencing of LoMYB65 in lily resulted in decreased pollen counts,so we speculate that LoMYB65 may be dose-dependent.Overall,these findings suggest that LoMYB65 may play an important role in anther development and pollen formation in lily.LoMYB65 may provide a useful candidate gene for pollenless breeding of lily.

Strategies for translating proteomics discoveries into drug discovery for dementia

Tauopathies,diseases characterized by neuropathological aggregates of tau including Alzheimer's disease and subtypes of fro ntotemporal dementia,make up the vast majority of dementia cases.Although there have been recent developments in tauopathy biomarkers and disease-modifying treatments,ongoing progress is required to ensure these are effective,economical,and accessible for the globally ageing population.As such,continued identification of new potential drug targets and biomarkers is critical."Big data"studies,such as proteomics,can generate information on thousands of possible new targets for dementia diagnostics and therapeutics,but currently remain underutilized due to the lack of a clear process by which targets are selected for future drug development.In this review,we discuss current tauopathy biomarkers and therapeutics,and highlight areas in need of improvement,particularly when addressing the needs of frail,comorbid and cognitively impaired populations.We highlight biomarkers which have been developed from proteomic data,and outline possible future directions in this field.We propose new criteria by which potential targets in proteomics studies can be objectively ranked as favorable for drug development,and demonstrate its application to our group's recent tau interactome dataset as an example.

Progress in the generation of spinal cord organoids over the past decade and future perspectives

Spinal cord organoids are three-dimensional tissues derived from stem cells that recapitulate the primary morphological and functional characteristics of the spinal cord in vivo.As emerging bioengineering methods have led to the optimization of cell culture protocols,spinal cord organoids technology has made remarkable advancements in the past decade.Our literature search found that current spinal cord organoids do not only dynamically simulate neural tube formation but also exhibit diverse cytoarchitecture along the dorsal-ventral and rostral-caudal axes.Moreover,fused organoids that integrate motor neurons and other regionally specific organoids exhibit intricate neural circuits that allows for functional assessment.These qualities make spinal cord organoids valuable tools for disease modeling,drug screening,and tissue regeneration.By utilizing this emergent technology,researchers have made significant progress in investigating the pathogenesis and potential therapeutic targets of spinal cord diseases.However,at present,spinal cord organoid technology remains in its infancy and has not been widely applied in translational medicine.Establishment of the next generation of spinal cord organoids will depend on good manufacturing practice standards and needs to focus on diverse cell phenotypes and electrophysiological functionality evaluation.

A local rainfall-triggered giant landslide occurred in a region along a high-speed railway on the Qinghai‒Tibetan Plateau

An increasing number of geological hazards along high-speed railways on the Qinghai‒Tibetan Plateau have occurred and have resulted in a profound influence on old infrastructure,which has attracted increasing attention.The landslide event that occurred on September 15,2022,in Jiujiawan village,Xining city,Qinghai Province,is a typical case.Based on field investigations and remote sensing interpretations,a comprehensive analysis was conducted on the landslide.Additionally,the potential secondary failure of the current Jiujiawan landslide was assessed using Fast Lagrangian Analysis of Continua in Three Dimensions(FLAC3D).Based on the application of the small baseline subset-interferometric synthetic aperture radar(SBAS-InSAR)technique to SAR images from February 24,2017 to September 14,2022,a significant westward horizontal deformation was found to have been formed prior to the occurrence of the landslide.The maximum annual average deformation rate in the line of sight(LOS)direction reached-45 mm/yr,with a maximum cumulative deformation of-178 mm.This value was consistent with the continual increase in annual precipitation(2.51 mm/yr)prior to the occurrence of the landslide.The accumulated precipitation before the landslide was 279.8 mm,accounting for 54.2%of the total annual precipitation,with a particularly notable surge in monthly precipitation observed during August(250.3 mm).Additionally,the occurrence of a seismic event with a magnitude of Ms 6.9 in Menyuan County,80 km away from Xining,could be a potential triggering factor to the landslide,as evidenced by an abrupt subsidence alteration observed prior to and following the earthquake.The maximum subsidence in the line of sight(LOS)direction exceeded 11 mm,exhibiting a highly consistent spatial distribution with the occurrence range of landslides.These results suggest that the Jiujiawan landslide was likely induced by earthquake events in the early stage and heavy rainfall in the later stage.The FLAC3D numerical simulation show that after the landslide,the slope remained marginally stable under natural conditions;however,it is susceptible to reactivation with heavy rainfall.

Hormonal and epigenetic regulation of root responses to salinity stress

Salinity stress is a major environmental stress affecting crop productivity,and its negative impact on global food security is only going to increase,due to current climate trends.Salinity tolerance was present in wild crop relatives but significantly weakened during domestication.Regaining it back requires a good understanding of molecular mechanisms and traits involved in control of plant ionic and ROS homeostasis.This review summarizes our current knowledge on the role of major plant hormones(auxin,cytokinins,abscisic acid,salicylic acid,and jasmonate)in plants adaptation to soil salinity.We firstly discuss the role of hormones in controlling root tropisms,root growth and architecture(primary root elongation,meristematic activity,lateral root development,and root hairs formation).Hormone-mediated control of uptake and sequestration of key inorganic ions(sodium,potassium,and calcium)is then discussed followed by regulation of cell redox balance and ROS signaling in salt-stressed roots.Finally,the role of epigenetic alterations such as DNA methylation and histone modifications in control of plant ion and ROS homeostasis and signaling is discussed.This data may help develop novel strategies for breeding and cultivating salt-tolerant crops and improving agricultural productivity in saline regions.

A dynamic regulation of nitrogen on floret primordia development in wheat

Nitrogen(N)fertilization is critical for spike and floret development,which affects the number of fertile florets per spike(NFFs).However,the physiological regulation of the floret development process by N fertilization is largely unknown.A high temporal-resolution investigation of floret primordia number and morphology,dry matter,and N availability was conducted under three N fertilization levels:0(N0),120(N1)and 240(N2)kg ha^(−1).Interestingly,fertile florets at anthesis stage were determined by those floret primordia with meiotic ability at booting stage:meiotic ability was a threshold that predicted whether a floret primordium became fertile or abortive florets.Because the developmental rate of the 4th floret primordium in the central spikelet was accelerated and then they acquired meiotic ability,the NFFs increased gradually as N application increased,but the increase range decreased under N2.There were no differences in spike N concentration among treatments,but leaf N concentration was increased in the N1 and N2 treatments.Correspondingly,dry matter accumulation and N content of the leaf and spike in the N1 and N2 treatments was increased as compared to N0.Clearly,optimal N fertilization increased leaf N availability and transport of assimilates to spikes,and allowed more floret primordia to acquire meiotic ability and become fertile florets,finally increasing NFFs.There was no difference in leaf N concentration between N1 and N2 treatment,whereas soil N concentration at 0–60 cm soil layers was higher in N2 than in N1 treatment,implying that there was still some N fertilization that remained unused.Therefore,improving the leaf’s ability to further use N fertilizer is vital for greater NFFs.

Report on Cardiovascular Health and Diseases in China 2023:An Updated Summary

Since 1990,China has made considerable progress in resolving the problem of“treatment difficulty”of cardiovascular diseases(CVD).The prevalent unhealthy lifestyle among Chinese residents has exposed a massive proportion of the population to CVD risk factors,and this situation is further worsened due to the accelerated aging population in China.CVD remains one of the greatest threats to the health of Chinese residents.In terms of the proportions of disease mortality among urban and rural residents in China,CVD has persistently ranked first.In 2021,CVD accounted for 48.98%and 47.35%of deaths in rural and urban areas,respectively.Two out of every five deaths can be attributed to CVD.To implement a national policy“focusing on the primary health institute and emphasizing prevention”and truly achieve a shift of CVD prevention and treatment from hospitals to communities,the National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases has organized experts from relevant fields across China to compile the“Report on Cardiovascular Health and Diseases in China”annually since 2005.The 2024 report is established based on representative,published,and high-quality big-data research results from cross-sectional and cohort population epidemiological surveys,randomized controlled clinical trials,large sample registry studies,and typical community prevention and treatment cases,along with data from some projects undertaken by the National Center for Cardiovascular Diseases.These firsthand data not only enrich the content of the current report but also provide a more timely and comprehensive reflection of the status of CVD prevention and treatment in China.

PCDH17 restricts dendritic spine morphogenesis by regulating ROCK2-dependent control of the actin cytoskeleton,modulating emotional behavior

Proper regulation of synapse formation and elimination is critical for establishing mature neuronal circuits and maintaining brain function.Synaptic abnormalities,such as defects in the density and morphology of postsynaptic dendritic spines,underlie the pathology of various neuropsychiatric disorders.Protocadherin 17(PCDH17)is associated with major mood disorders,including bipolar disorder and depression.However,the molecular mechanisms by which PCDH17 regulates spine number,morphology,and behavior remain elusive.In this study,we found that PCDH17 functions at postsynaptic sites,restricting the number and size of dendritic spines in excitatory neurons.Selective overexpression of PCDH17 in the ventral hippocampal CA1 results in spine loss and anxiety-and depression-like behaviors in mice.Mechanistically,PCDH17 interacts with actin-relevant proteins and regulates actin filament(F-actin)organization.Specifically,PCDH17 binds to ROCK2,increasing its expression and subsequently enhancing the activity of downstream targets such as LIMK1 and the phosphorylation of cofilin serine-3(Ser3).Inhibition of ROCK2 activity with belumosudil(KD025)ameliorates the defective F-actin organization and spine structure induced by PCDH17 overexpression,suggesting that ROCK2 mediates the effects of PCDH17 on F-actin content and spine development.Hence,these findings reveal a novel mechanism by which PCDH17 regulates synapse development and behavior,providing pathological insights into the neurobiological basis of mood disorders.

Delineation of urban growth boundary based on FLUS model under the perspective of land use evaluation in hilly mountainous areas

With rapid economic development,the size of urban land in China is expanding dramatically.The Urban Growth Boundary(UGB)is an expandable spatial boundary for urban construction in a certain period in order to control the urban sprawl.Reasonable delineation of UGB can inhibit the disorderly spread of urban space and guide the normal development of the city.It is of practical significance for the construction of green urban space.The study utilizes GIS technology to establish a land construction suitability evaluation system for Nankang city,which is experiencing rapid urban expansion,and outlines the preliminary UGB under the future land use simulation(FLUS)model.At the same time,considering the coupled coordination of"Production-Living-Ecological Space",and based on the suitability evaluation,we revised the preliminary UGB by combining the advantages of the patch-generating land use simulation(PLUS)model and the convex hull model to delineate the final UGB.The results show that:1)the comprehensive score of the evaluation of the suitability of the construction of land from high to low shows the distribution of the center of the city to the surrounding circle type spread,the center of the city has the highest suitability score.The results of convex hull model show that the urban expansion type of Nankang is epitaxial.In the future,the urban expansion will mainly occur in the northern part of the city.The PLUS model predicts an increase of 3359.97 hm^(2)of construction land in Nankang by 2035,of which 2022.97 hm^(2)is urban construction land.2)The FLUS model has a prediction accuracy of 86.3%and delineates a preliminary UGB area of 9215.07 hm^(2).3)We used the results of the construction suitability evaluation,PLUS model simulation results,and convex hull model predictions to revise the originally delineated UGB.The final delineated UGB area is 8895.67 hm^(2)and it is capable of meeting the future development of the study area.The results of the delineation can promote sustainable urban development,and the delineation methodology can provide a reference basis for the preparation of territorial spatial planning.

Prevalence of visual impairment and estimation of refractive errors among school children in Kakamega,Kenya

AIM:To investigate the prevalence of visual impairment(VI)and provide an estimation of uncorrected refractive errors in school-aged children,conducted by optometry students as a community service.METHODS:The study was cross-sectional.Totally 3343 participants were included in the study.The initial examination involved assessing the uncorrected distance visual acuity(UDVA)and visual acuity(VA)while using a+2.00 D lens.The inclusion criteria for a subsequent comprehensive cycloplegic eye examination,performed by an optometrist,were as follows:a UDVA<0.6 decimal(0.20 logMAR)and/or a VA with+2.00 D≥0.8 decimal(0.96 logMAR).RESULTS:The sample had a mean age of 10.92±2.13y(range 4 to 17y),and 51.3%of the children were female(n=1715).The majority of the children(89.7%)fell within the age range of 8 to 14y.Among the ethnic groups,the highest representation was from the Luhya group(60.6%)followed by Luo(20.4%).Mean logMAR UDVA choosing the best eye for each student was 0.29±0.17(range 1.70 to 0.22).Out of the total,246 participants(7.4%)had a full eye examination.The estimated prevalence of myopia(defined as spherical equivalent≤-0.5 D)was found to be 1.45%of the total sample.While around 0.18%of the total sample had hyperopia value exceeding+1.75 D.Refractive astigmatism(cil<-0.75 D)was found in 0.21%(7/3343)of the children.The VI prevalence was 1.26%of the total sample.Among our cases of VI,76.2%could be attributed to uncorrected refractive error.Amblyopia was detected in 0.66%(22/3343)of the screened children.There was no statistically significant correlation observed between age or gender and refractive values.CONCLUSION:The primary cause of VI is determined to be uncorrected refractive errors,with myopia being the most prevalent refractive error observed.These findings underscore the significance of early identification and correction of refractive errors in school-aged children as a means to alleviate the impact of VI.

Single-cell profiling of the pig cecum at various developmental stages

The gastrointestinal tract is essential for food digestion,nutrient absorption,waste elimination,and microbial defense.Single-cell transcriptome profiling of the intestinal tract has greatly enriched our understanding of cellular diversity,functional heterogeneity,and their importance in intestinal tract development and disease.Although such profiling has been extensively conducted in humans and mice,the single-cell gene expression landscape of the pig cecum remains unexplored.Here,single-cell RNA sequencing was performed on 45572 cells obtained from seven cecal samples in pigs at four different developmental stages(days(D)30,42,150,and 730).Analysis revealed 12 major cell types and 38 subtypes,as well as their distinctive genes,transcription factors,and regulons,many of which were conserved in humans.An increase in the relative proportions of CD8^(+)T and Granzyme A(low expression)natural killer T cells(GZMA^(low)NKT)cells and a decrease in the relative proportions of epithelial stem cells,Tregs,RHEX^(+)T cells,and plasmacytoid dendritic cells(pDCs)were noted across the developmental stages.Moreover,the post-weaning period exhibited an up-regulation in mitochondrial genes,COX2 and ND2,as well as genes involved in immune activation in multiple cell types.Cell-cell crosstalk analysis indicated that IBP6^(+)fibroblasts were the main signal senders at D30,whereas IBP6^(−)fibroblasts assumed this role at the other stages.NKT cells established interactions with epithelial cells and IBP6^(+)fibroblasts in the D730 cecum through mediation of GZMA-F2RL1/F2RL2 pairs.This study provides valuable insights into cellular heterogeneity and function in the pig cecum at different development stages.