Intraocular pressure fluctuation and the risk of glaucomatous damage deterioration: a Meta-analysis

AIM: To systematically review whether the increased fluctuation of intraocular pressure(IOP) is a risk factor for open angle glaucoma(OAG) progression. METHODS: Scientific studies relevant to IOP fluctuation and glaucoma progression were retrieved from MEDLINE,EMBASE and CENTRAL databases, and were listed as references in this paper. The hazard ratio(HR) was calculated by using fixed or random-effects models according to the heterogeneity of included studies. RESULTS: Individual data for 2211 eyes of 2637 OAG patients in fourteen prospective studies were included in this Meta-analysis. All studies were longitudinal clinical studies with follow-up period ranging from 3 to 8.5 y. The combined HR was 1.23(95%CI 1.04-1.46, P=0.02) for the association between IOP fluctuation and glaucoma onset or progression with the evidence of heterogeneity(P<0.1).Subgroup analyses with different types of IOP fluctuation were also evaluated. Results indicated that the summary HR was 0.98(95%CI 0.78-1.24) in short-term IOP fluctuation group, which showed no statistical significance with heterogeneity, whereas, the combined HR was 1.43(95%CI1.13-1.82, P=0.003) in long-term IOP fluctuation group without homogeneity. Sensitivity analysis further showed that the pooled HR was 1.10(95%CI 1.03-1.18, P=0.004) for long-term IOP fluctuation and visual function progression with homogeneity among studies(P=0.3). CONCLUSION: Long-term IOP fluctuation can be a risk factor for glaucoma progression based on the presentedevidence. Thus, controlling the swing of IOP is crucial for glaucoma or glaucoma suspecting patients.

Input of microenvironmental regulation on colorectal cancer: Role of the CCN family

Colorectal cancer(CRC)is a major health problem causing significant morbidity and mortality.Previous results from various studies indicate that CRC tumorigenicity encompasses tumor microenvironment,emphasizing the complex interacting network between cancer cells and nearby host cells,which triggers diverse signaling pathways to promote the growth and spread ofcancer cells.The CCN family proteins share a uniform modular structure,mediating a variety of physiological functions,including proliferation,apoptosis,migration,adhesion,differentiation,and survival.Furthermore,CCN proteins are also involved in CRC initiation and development.Many studies have shown that CCN members,such as CCN1,CCN2,CCN3,Wnt-induced secreted protein(WISP)-1,WISP-2,and WISP-3,are dysregulated in CRC,which implies potential diagnostic markers or therapeutic targets clinically.In this review,we summarize the research findings on the role of CCN family proteins in CRC initiation,development,and progression,highlighting their potential for diagnosis,prognosis,and therapeutic application.

Primary retinal ganglion cells for neuron replacement therapy

Optic nerve damage as a result of trauma, ischemia, glaucoma or other forms of optic neuropathy disease, leads to disconnection between the eye and brain and death of retinal ganglion cells(RGCs), causing permanent loss of vision. Therapeutic options for treating optic neuropathy are limited and represent a significant unmet medical need. Development of a regenerative strategy for replacement of lost RGCs lies at the core of the future cell-based therapy for these conditions. Successful long-term restoration of visual function depends on the type of cells for transplantation. Primary RGCs of neonatal mice are now reported to have the potential for serving such a purpose.