Degenerative myopia: mechanical theories revisited

The article discusses the early abandonment of mechanical theories about eye enlargement in degenerative myopia at the turn of the 20th century.At that time,the number of theories about myopia grew unrestricted,but with scant support from the experimental field.The mechanical theories vanished as a new wave of metabolism-based theories appeared,propelled by the huge advances in molecular biology.Modern techniques allow reconsidering those theories and to put them to test with higher confidence.

Retardation of myopia by atropine regimes

Myopia is a huge health problem due to its high frequency,vision losses and public health cost.According to the World Health Organization,at least 2.2 billion people have vision impairment.Although myopia can be controlled at its early and middle stages,unfortunately,no cure can be achieved so far.Among the methods to control myopia,atropine,a muscarinic receptor antagonist,is the oldest but still the most effective for retardation of myopia progression.Despite such a fact,standard protocols have not been established for clinicians to use atropine for treatment of myopia.In this article,a concise and up to date summary of myopia epidemiology and pathogenesis and summarized therapeutic effects and side effects,possible mechanisms and application methods of atropine were provided in hope for clinical doctors to effectively control this problematic disease.At present,the protocol is recommend:use higher dose(1%)of atropine intermittently to effectively slowdown myopia progression in schoolchildren for 2y,and to significantly reduce side effects of atropine by decrease of atropine frequency for 1y and inhibit myopic rebound by withdrawal of topical atropine gradually for 1y.Application of a lower dose(0.05%)atropine regime should also be considered due to its effectiveness and application at regular basis.

A review of mechanism of action of outdoor exposure in preventing myopia incidence and progression

Various studies have suggested several environmental,pharmacological,medical,and optical interventions and some are in use but their efficacy in myopia control may be transient,and the cellular,molecular,and biochemical mechanisms involved unclear.Daylight exposure is currently regarded as an effective and enduring strategy in the control of myopia development and progression.However,the mechanism behind the effect of outdoor exposure and its association with genetic predisposition and other relatively more significant environmental factors on myopia is still a conundrum.This review focuses on survey-based and intervention-based studies carried out to propose a mechanism that accounts for myopia development and important for its control.

Parental awareness on myopia prevention and control among 350 children

AIM:To understand the current situation of parental perspectives,knowledge,and practices concerning myopia prevention and control for both pre-and school-aged children.METHODS:This study was a cross-sectional survey that involved children aged 0 to 15y and their parents.Participants were required to respond to an online questionnaire by scanning a quick response(QR)code.The questionnaire consisted of 25 tick-box questions and was open to response from December 22,2022,to January 5,2023.The dioptric traits of the children,the visual status and educational background of the parents,the parental perspectives towards myopia and its risks,and the parents’knowledge and practices related to myopia prevention and control were recorded and measured.The Chi-square test and binomial logistic regression were used for statistics.RESULTS:Totally 350 parents responded to the questionnaire.The prevalence and severity of myopia among the surveyed children exhibited a positive correlation with advancing age(P<0.001 and P=0.004,respectively).Nearly half of parents with myopic children considered myopia did not pose any health threat and could be effectively corrected(P<0.001).Parents who held master’s or doctoral degree demonstrated a better understanding of children’s vision standards for each age group(P=0.001),and 31.63% of them could undergo initial vision screening for their children during the age of 0 to 3y while parents with bachelor’s degree(34.04%)and below(32.43%)mainly initiated the vision examination for their children at the age of 4 to 6y(P=0.05).Parents with master’s or doctoral degree also exhibited more rational practices concerning outdoor time(P=0.048)and sleep time(P=0.044).No other significant discrepancy among the different educational groups in additional conceptions of myopia,such as hyperopia reserve,axis length,and corneal curvature alterations.Most parents preferred to employ conventional interventions,such as enhancing indoor lighting condition(80.00%)and ensuring appropriate reading posture and distance(71.71%).CONCLUSION:The current status of parental knowledge and practices about myopia prevention and control remains outdated and deficient.The administrative department should implement efficacious and adaptable measures to enhance parental awareness and foster their commitment towards myopia prevention and control.

ATP-binding cassette transporters as possible targets for the intervention of neurodegenerative diseases

ATP-binding cassette(ABC)transporters are ubiquitous membrane-bound proteins that are responsible for the translocation of a broad spectrum of substrates across cellular membranes,including lipids,amino acids,nucleosides,sugars,and xenobiotics.Interestingly,ABC transporters are highly expressed in the brain.While their functions in the brain still need to be elucidated,several members are implicated in the pathogenesis of neurodegenerative diseases,including Alzheimer’s disease(AD),Parkinson’s disease(PD),and frontotemporal dementia.In this perspective,we will review current knowledge of ABC transporters in the central nervous system in terms of physiological functions and pathology in neurodegeneration.Furthermore,we will explore the possibilities of ABC transporters as potential targets in the development of therapeutics for neurodegenerative diseases.

Nuance of inward rectifying potassium(Kir)channel dysfunctions in neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative disorders are highly prevalent and diverse in nature.Their manifestation largely depends on the cell types involved,with aberrant inflammatory episodes progressively inducing a constellation of phenotypes that are classified into specific diseases based on their neuropathological traits.The two most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases worldwide,Alzheimer’s disease(AD)and Parkinson’s disease(PD),for example,share notable similarities,yet they differ in terms of the specific cell types lost within the central nervous system(CNS).The significant and progressive loss of cortical and certain subcortical neurons in various regions is a major defining trait of AD.In contrast,the specific loss of dopaminergic neurons(DA)within the substantial nigra pars compacta(SNpc)is sufficient to cause motor symptoms associated with PD.Another devastating condition arising from neurodegeneration within the CNS,amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS),results in the progressive death of upper and lower motor neurons.This degeneration originates in oligodendrocytes,whose defective myelination abilities lead to the denervation of the anterior horn,aggravating motor neuron death.

The optimal atropine concentration for myopia control in Chinese children: a systematic review and network Metaanalysis

AIM:To figure out whether various atropine dosages may slow the progression of myopia in Chinese kids and teenagers and to determine the optimal atropine concentration for effectively slowing the progression of myopia.METHODS:A systematic search was conducted across the Cochrane Library,PubMed,Web of Science,EMBASE,CNKI,CBM,VIP,and Wanfang database,encompassing literature on slowing progression of myopia with varying atropine concentrations from database inception to January 17,2024.Data extraction and quality assessment were performed,and a network Meta-analysis was executed using Stata version 14.0 Software.Results were visually represented through graphs.RESULTS:Fourteen papers comprising 2475 cases were included;five different concentrations of atropine solution were used.The network Meta-analysis,along with the surface under the cumulative ranking curve(SUCRA),showed that 1%atropine(100%)>0.05%atropine(74.9%)>0.025%atropine(51.6%)>0.02%atropine(47.9%)>0.01%atropine(25.6%)>control in refraction change and 1%atropine(98.7%)>0.05%atropine(70.4%)>0.02%atropine(61.4%)>0.025%atropine(42%)>0.01%atropine(27.4%)>control in axial length(AL)change.CONCLUSION:In Chinese children and teenagers,the five various concentrations of atropine can reduce the progression of myopia.Although the network Meta-analysis showed that 1%atropine is the best one for controlling refraction and AL change,there is a high incidence of adverse effects with the use of 1%atropine.Therefore,we suggest that 0.05%atropine is optimal for Chinese children to slow myopia progression.

One-year results for myopia control of orthokeratology with different back optic zone diameters: a randomized trial using a novel multispectral-based topographer

AIM:To present the 1-year results of a prospective cohort study investigating the efficacy,potential mechanism,and safety of orthokeratology(ortho-k)with different back optic zone diameters(BOZD)for myopia control in children.METHODS:This randomized clinical study was performed between Dec.2020 and Dec.2021.Participants were randomly assigned to three groups wearing ortho-k:5 mm BOZD(5-MM group),5.5 mm BOZD(5.5-MM group),and 6 mm BOZD(6-MM group).The 1-year data were recorded,including axial length,relative peripheral refraction(RPR,measured by multispectral refractive topography,MRT),and visual quality.The contrast sensitivity(CS)was evaluated by CSV-1000 instrument with spatial frequencies of 3,6,12,and 18 cycles/degree(c/d);the corneal higher-order aberrations(HOAs)were measured by iTrace aberration analyzer.The one-way ANOVA was performed to assess the differences between the three groups.The correlation between the change in AL and RPR was calculated by Pearson’s correlation coefficient.RESULTS:The 1-year results of 20,21,and 21 subjects in the 5-MM,5.5-MM,and 6-MM groups,respectively,were presented.There were no statistical differences in baseline age,sex,or ocular parameters between the three groups(all P>0.05).At the 1-year visit,the 5-MM group had lower axial elongation than the 6-MM group(0.07±0.09 vs 0.18±0.11 mm,P=0.001).The 5-MM group had more myopic total RPR(TRPR,P=0.014),with RPR in the 15°–30°(RPR 15–30,P=0.015),30°–45°(RPR 30–45,P=0.011),temporal(RPR-T,P=0.008),and nasal area(RPR-N,P<0.001)than the 6-MM group.RPR 15–30 in the 5.5-MM group was more myopic than that in the 6-MM group(P=0.002),and RPR-N in the 5-MM group was more myopic than that in the 5.5-MM group(P<0.001).There were positive correlations between the axial elongation and the change in TRPR(r=0.756,P<0.001),RPR 15–30(r=0.364,P=0.004),RPR 30–45(r=0.306,P=0.016),and RPR-N(r=0.253,P=0.047).The CS decreased at 3 c/d(P<0.001),and the corneal HOAs increased in the 5-MM group(P=0.030).CONCLUSION:Ortho-k with 5 mm BOZD can control myopia progression more effectively.The mechanism may be associated with greater myopic shifts in RPR.

Inducing neuronal regeneration and differentiation via the BDNF/ TrkB signaling pathway: a key target against neurodegenerative diseases?

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor(BDNF)is one of the neurotrophins,a specific polypeptide growth factor,which plays a crucial role in the proliferation,differentiation,survival,and death of neurons and non-neuronal cells.It is not only essential to maintain the balance between death on one side and survival of neurons on the other,but also it mediates additional higher-order activities such as learning,memory,and behavior.It is initially synthesized as a precursor protein,proBDNF,that can be secreted as it is or it can be cleaved intracellularly by furin and proconvertases,or extracellularly by extracellular proteases such as matrix metalloprotease-9 and matrix metalloprotease-2,or plasmin to give mature BDNF.

Advancements in personalized stem cell models for aging-related neurodegenerative disorders

Neurodegenerative diseases(NDDs)are a class of disorders characterized by the gradual loss or malfunction of specific cell populations in the nervous system,which can be triggered by genetic or environmental factors.As a result,patients often experience a decline in mobility,sensation,memory,and cognition,which can ultimately lead to a fatal outcome.The global incidence of NDDs,including Alzheimer’s disease,Parkinson’s disease,Huntington’s disease,amyotrophic lateral sclerosis(ALS),and multiple sclerosis,is increasing.

Current controversies in glia-to-neuron conversion therapy in neurodegenerative diseases

Loss of neurons and disruption of neural circuits are associated with many neurological diseases,including neurodegenerative diseases and mental disorders.The most prevalent pathological feature of neurodegenerative diseases is the aggregate loss of certain neuronal populations.For example,the loss of dopamine(DA)neurons in the substantia nigra pars compacta has been defined as a pathological hallmark of Parkinson’s disease(PD;Kamath et al.,2022).

Stress granules: friend or foe in neurodegenerative disorders?

Neurodegenerative diseases,such as Alzheimer’s disease,Parkinson’s disease,and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis,despite the diversity in clinical symptoms,share a striking feature at the cellular level:the accumulation of insoluble aggregates of misfolded proteins that are sequestered in intraneuronal inclusion bodies.Besides mutations in disease-associated proteins that render them aggregation-prone,the decline of protein homeostasis(i.e.proteostasis)with aging is also believed to be a contributing factor to the accumulation of protein aggregates.

Advances in non-invasive imaging of proteinopathies in animal models of neurodegenerative diseases

Neurodegenerative diseases,including Alzheimer's disease(AD),frontotemporal dementia,Parkinson's disease,and dementia with Lewy bodies,represent tremendous unmet clinical needs.A common feature of these diseases is the aberrant cerebral accumulation of pathological protein aggregates,affecting selectively vulnerable circuits in a disease-specific pattern.Earlier studies have established a relationship between abnormal aggregation and neuronal dysfunction or loss,suggesting multifactorial pathogenesis mechanisms in these neurodegenerative disorders.

Mitochondrial therapeutics and mitochondrial transfer for neurodegenerative diseases and aging

Mitochondrial dysfunction and neurodegeneration:Progressive neurodegenerative diseases affect a significant proportion of the population;in a single year,there are as many as 276 million disabilities and 9 million deaths as a result of neurological diseases.

Potential role of tubulin glutamylation in neurodegenerative diseases

The differentiation of neuronal stem cells into mature neurons is a complex process that involves both structural and functional changes.As cells undergo differentiation,there are notable functional changes,including the expression of various transcription factors,cytokines,and neurotransmitiers.Additionally,structural changes occur as the cells develop various processes from the cell body and establish synaptic contacts with other cells.

Cognition and movement in neurodegenerative disorders:a dynamic duo

People with neurodegenerative disorders often experience problems across a variety of functional domains,including cognition,movement,and psychosocial functioning.The classification of these disorders is based on the phenotypical manifestations that represent the most prominent clinical features.For example,Parkinson's disease and Huntington's disease are typically regarded as movement disorders,whereas Alzheimer's disease(AD) and other dementias are regarded as cognitive disorders.

Exploring the synergy of the eyebrain connection:neuromodulation approaches for neurodegenerative disorders through transcorneal electrical stimulation

The connection and interaction between the eye and the brain are crucial to understanding brain disorders(Marchesi et al.,2021).Both the eye and the brain have a limited regenerative capacity as there are few progenitor cells,and nerve cells do not replicate.Hence,neurodegeneration implicates irreversible damage to the central nervous system,as observed in several neurodegenerative diseases(Marchesi et al.,2021).

Microglial dysfunction and genetic risk for neurodegenerative disease

Neurodegenerative disorders such as Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases a re increasing in prevalence as world populations age.While tremendous progress has been made,our understanding of the mechanisms that underlie the development of these diseases remains far from com plete.More troubling,despite the growing emotional and financial toll being to ken by neurodegenerative disorders,existing treatment options are limited almost exclusively to those that help manage symptoms but that lack the ability to alter the progression of the disease(Liu et al.,2022).

New insights into astrocyte diversity from the lens of transcriptional regulation and their implications for neurodegenerative disease treatments

Astrocytes are a major glial cell type in the central nervous system,and they provide trophic and metabolic support to neurons.In addition to these roles,they play crucial roles in modulating synaptic functions,development,and pruning(Brandebura et al.,2023).Astrocytes become reactive(activated)by undergoing morphological,molecular,and functional alterations in response to neuropathology such as in injuries and neurodegenerative diseases(NDs)(Escartin et al.,2021).

Effects of different orthokeratology lens designs on slowing axial length elongation in children with myopia

AIM:To elucidate whether differences exist in the impact on retarding the elongation of axial length(AL)among children with myopia when utilizing orthokeratology(ortho-k)lenses employing the corneal refractive therapy(CRT)design versus those employing the vision shaping treatment(VST)design.METHODS:This retrospective clinical trial aimed to collect and analyze AL data from individuals who wore ortho-k lenses for three years.A total of 654 subjects were enrolled and prescribed one of the three specific brands of ortho-k lenses:CRT,Euclid,and Mouldway.The study’s primary focus was to compare the rates of AL elongation and myopic progression across these three brands of ortho-k lenses.RESULTS:In the 3-year follow-up,the AL elongation exhibited variations of 0.73±0.36 mm in the CRT lens group,0.59±0.37 mm in the Euclid lens group,and 0.63±0.38 mm in the Mouldway lens group.A noteworthy disparity emerged between the CRT and Mouldway groups(P<0.01),as well as between the CRT and Euclid groups(P<0.001).Additionally,it was observed that 32.1%of participants who wore CRT lenses experienced a decelerated progression of myopia,in contrast to 47.2%in the Euclid group and 44.4%in the Mouldway group.Statistical analyses revealed a statistically significant distinction between the CRT and Euclid groups(P<0.01),and similarly,the CRT group demonstrated a statistically significant difference when compared to the Mouldway group(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Ortho-k lenses represent a pragmatic strategy for mitigating the advancement of myopia.In contradistinction to ortho-k lenses utilizing the CRT design,those employing the VST design exhibited a more favorable impact regarding retarding AL elongation.