Anterior and posterior segment structural features of acute primary angle-closure eyes:date based on AS-OCT and SS-OCT

Background:To measure the anterior and posterior segment structural features of acute primary angle-closure(APAC)eyes.Methods:A total of 36 subjects with unilateral APAC were recruited in this study.The ocular biometric characteristics were measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography(AS-OCT)and swept source optical coherence tomography(SS-OCT),respectively at baseline,2 weeks,and 1 month after surgical intervention.Results:At baseline,when compared with the fellow eyes,APAC-affected eyes showed significantly greater corneal thickness(P=0.004),shallower anterior chamber depth(ACD)(P<0.001),smaller anterior chamber area(ACA)(P=0.013),angle opening distance at 750μm from the scleral spur(AOD750)(P=0.002),trabecular-iris space area at 750μm from the scleral spur(TISA750)(P=0.033),angle recess area(ARA)(P=0.014),and iris area(IARE)(P=0.003),less iris curvature(ICURVE)(P=0.003),and larger lens vault(LV)(P=0.030).After intervention,the corneal thickness was significantly decreased at 1 month(P<0.001),while ACD,ACA,and AOD750 were significantly increased at 2 weeks and 1 month(all P<0.017).Changes in ACD were correlated with decreasing LV(P<0.05).The posterior segment parameters did not change over the 4-week period.Conclusions:When compared with the fellow eyes,APAC-affected eyes had greater corneal thickness,shallower anterior chamber,narrower angle,less ICURVE,and larger LV.After intervention,the corneal thickness was decreased,while the shallower anterior chamber was relieved to some extent.

Effects of curcumin nanoparticles on proliferation and VEGF expression of human retinal pigment epithelial cells

AIM:To investigate the effects of curcumin(Cur)nanoparticles loaded with chitosan derivatives grafted by deoxycholic acid(Chit-DC)on human retinal pigment epithelial(h RPE)cell proliferation and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)m RNA expression.METHODS:Cur nanoparticles were synthesized with Chit-DC as the carrier and Cur as the supported drug.Cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)method was used to detect the effects of different concentrations of Cur/Chit-DC,Chit-DC,and Cur on the proliferation of h RPE cells for different times.The changes of Cur/Chit-DC and Cur on h RPE cell cycle were determined by flow cytometry.Semi-quantitative reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction(RT-PCR)was used to detect the m RNA expression levels of VEGF in h RPE cells treated with Cur,Chit-DC and Cur/Chit-DC at 10μg/m L for 24 h.RESULTS:Different concentrations of Chit-DC nanoparticle treated h RPE cells had no significant difference in terms of optical density(OD)values compared with the control group at 24 h and 48 h.Moreover,there was no change in the cell morphology under a light microscope.After 24 h treatment with Cur/Chit-DC and Cur,the percentage of G0-G1 phase cells increased and the percentage of S phase cells decreased in all concentration groups.Cur/Chit-DC and Cur in all concentration groups inhibited the proliferation of h RPE cells in a time and dose dependent manner,and reduced the expression level of VEGF m RNA.CONCLUSION:The Cur/Chit-DC nanoparticles can release Cur continuously and have sustained release function.Both Cur/Chit-DC nanoparticles and Cur could inhibit h RPE cells cultured in vitro,and could reduce the expression level of VEGF m RNA in h RPE cells.

Comparison of early changes in ocular surface markers and tear inflammatory mediators after femtosecond lenticule extraction and FS-LASIK

AIM:To compare the short-term impacts of femtosecond lenticule extraction(FLEx)and femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis(FS-LASIK)on ocular surface measures and tear inflammatory mediators.METHODS:This prospective comparative nonrandomized clinical study comprised 75 eyes(75 patients).Totally 20 male and 15 female patients(age 21.62±3.25 y)with 35 eyes underwent FLEx,and 26 male and 14 female patients(age 20.18±3.59 y)with 40 eyes underwent FS-LASIK.Central corneal sensitivity,noninvasive tear breakup time,corneal fluorescein staining,Schirmer I test,tear meniscus height,and ocular surface disease index were evaluated in all patients.Tear concentrations of nerve growth factor(NGF),interleukin-1α(IL-1α),transforming growth factor-β1(TGF-β1),tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α),interferon-γ(IFN-γ),and matrix metalloproteinase-9(MMP-9)were assessed by multiplex antibody microarray.All measurements were performed preoperatively,and 1 d,1 wk,and 1 mo postoperatively.RESULTS:Patients who underwent FLEx exhibited a more moderate reduction in central corneal sensation and less corneal fluorescein staining than those in the FS-LASIK group 1 wk after the procedure(P<0.01).NGF was significantly higher 1 d and 1 wk after surgery in the FS-LASIK group than in the FLEx group(P<0.01).By contrast,compared to those in the FLEx group,higher postoperative values and slower recovery of tear TGF-β1,IL-1α,and TNF-αconcentrations were observed in the FS-LASIK group(P<0.01).Tear concentrations of NGF,TGF-β1,TNF-α,and IL-1αwere correlated with ocular surface changes after FLEx or FS-LASIK surgery.CONCLUSION:There is less early ocular surface disruption and a reduced inflammatory response after FLEx than after FS-LASIK.NGF,TGF-β1,TNF-α,and IL-1αmay contribute to the process of ocular surface recovery.

Association of sensorineural hearing loss and pseudoexfoliation syndrome:a meta-analysis

Background:Previous studies that assessed the association of sensorineural hearing loss(SNHL)and pseudoexfoliation syndrome(PEX)produced contradictory results.We conducted a meta-analysis to further evaluate this relationship.Methods:Eligible studies that evaluated the association between SNHL and PEX were identified.Summary odds ratios(ORs)and 95%confidence intervals(CIs)were calculated employing random-effects models.Subgroup analysis and meta-regression were performed to assess heterogeneity by several covariates.Publication bias was tested by Begg’s funnel plot and Egger’s regression test.Results:A total of 14 eligible studies,involving 1,142 PEX patients and 9,914 controls,were included in this meta-analysis.Overall analysis showed that patients with PEX,when compared with the control group,experienced a significantly increased risk for hearing loss[OR:3.74(95%CI:2.56 to 5.47);P<0.001].Substantial heterogeneity was observed.Subgroup analysis revealed a decrease in this heterogeneity in ageand sex-matched studies and in studies that used the same definition of hearing loss.Meta-regression analysis showed that definition of hearing loss contributed to substantial heterogeneity(P=0.044).No evidence of publication bias was observed.Discussion:We found that PEX is associated with an increased risk of SNHL.The effect of PEX on the prevalence of hearing loss indicates that PEX is clearly a systemic disease with potential otological complications.

ATF4/TXNIP/REDD1/mTOR signaling mediates the antitumor activities of liver X receptor in pancreatic cancers

Background:Limited by difficulties in early detection and availabilities of effective treatments,pancreatic cancer is a highly malignant disease with poor prognosis.Nuclear receptors are a family of ligand‐dependent transcription factors that are highly druggable therapeutic targets playing critical roles in human physiological and pathological development,including cancer.In this study,we explored the therapeutic potential as well as the molecular mechanisms of liver X receptor(LXR)agonist GW3965 in pancreatic cancer.Methods:Soft‐agar colony formation assay,xenograft tumors,Oligonucleotide microarray,Reverse transcription real‐time polymerase chain reaction,Western immunoblotting and Immunohistochemistry were used in this study.Results:We demonstrated pleotropic in vitro activities of GW3965 in pancreatic cell lines MIA PaCa‐2 and BXPC3 including reduction of cell viability,inhibition of cell proliferation,stimulation of cell death,and suppression of colony formation,which translated to significant inhibition of xenograft tumor growth in vitro.By mapping the gene expression profiles,we identified the up‐regulations of 188 and the down‐regulations of 92 genes common to both cell lines following GW3965 treatment.Genes responsive to GW3965 represent a variety of biological pathways vital for multiple cellular functions.Specifically,we identified that the activating transcription factor 4/thioredoxin‐interacting protein/regulated in development and DNA damage responses 1/mechanistic target of rapamycin(ATF4/TXNIP/REDD1/mTOR)signaling critically controls GW3965‐mediated regulation of cell proliferation/death.The significance of the ATF4/TXNIP/REDD1/mTOR pathway was further supported by associated expressions in xenograft tumors as well as human pancreatic cancer samples.Conclusions:This study provides the pre‐clinical evidence that LXR agonist is a promising therapy for pancreatic cancer.

Intravitreal brimonidine inhibits formdeprivation myopia in guinea pigs

Background:The use of ocular hypotensive drugs has been reported to attenuate myopia progression.This study explores whether brimonidine can slow myopia progression in the guinea pig form-deprivation(FD)model.Methods:Three-week-old pigmented male guinea pigs(Cavia porcellus)underwent monocular FD and were treated with 3 different methods of brimonidine administration(eye drops,subconjunctival or intravitreal injections).Four different concentrations of brimonidine were tested for intravitreal injection(2μg/μL,4μg/μL,20μg/μL,40μg/μL).All treatments continued for a period of 21 days.Tonometry,retinoscopy,and A-scan ultrasonography were used to monitor intraocular pressure(IOP),refractive error and axial length(AL),respectively.On day 21,guinea pigs were sacrificed for RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)to screen for associated transcriptomic changes.Results:The myopia model was successfully established in FD animals(control eye vs.FD eye,respectively:refraction at day 20,0.97±0.18 D vs.−0.13±0.38 D,F=6.921,P=0.02;AL difference between day 0 and day 21,0.29±0.04mm vs.0.45±0.03 mm,F=11.655,P=0.004).Among the 3 different brimonidine administration methods,intravitreal injection was the most effective in slowing myopia progression,and 4μg/μL was the most effective among the four different concentrations of brimonidine intravitreal injection tested.The AL and the refraction of the brimonidine intravitreal injection group was significantly shorter or more hyperopic than those of other 2 groups.Fourμg/μL produced the smallest difference in AL and spherical equivalent difference values.FD treatment significantly increased the IOP.IOP was significantly lower at 1 day after intravitreal injections which was the lowest in FD eye of intravitreal injection of brimonidine.At day 21,gene expression analyses using RNA-seq showed upregulation of Col1a1 and Mmp2 expression levels by intravitreal brimonidine.Conclusions:Among the 3 different administration methods,intravitreal injection of brimonidine was the most effective in slowing myopia progression in the FD guinea pig model.Intravitreal brimonidine at 4μg/μL significantly reduced the development of FD myopia in guinea pigs.Expression levels of the Col1a1 and Mmp2 genes were significantly increased in the retinal tissues of the FD-Inj-Br group.

Intravitreal brimonidine inhibits formdeprivation myopia in guinea pigs

Background:The use of ocular hypotensive drugs has been reported to attenuate myopia progression.This study explores whether brimonidine can slow myopia progression in the guinea pig form-deprivation(FD)model.Methods:Three-week-old pigmented male guinea pigs(Cavia porcellus)underwent monocular FD and were treated with 3 different methods of brimonidine administration(eye drops,subconjunctival or intravitreal injections).Four different concentrations of brimonidine were tested for intravitreal injection(2μg/μL,4μg/μL,20μg/μL,40μg/μL).All treatments continued for a period of 21 days.Tonometry,retinoscopy,and A-scan ultrasonography were used to monitor intraocular pressure(IOP),refractive error and axial length(AL),respectively.On day 21,guinea pigs were sacrificed for RNA sequencing(RNA-seq)to screen for associated transcriptomic changes.Results:The myopia model was successfully established in FD animals(control eye vs.FD eye,respectively:refraction at day 20,0.97±0.18 D vs.−0.13±0.38 D,F=6.921,P=0.02;AL difference between day 0 and day 21,0.29±0.04mm vs.0.45±0.03 mm,F=11.655,P=0.004).Among the 3 different brimonidine administration methods,intravitreal injection was the most effective in slowing myopia progression,and 4μg/μL was the most effective among the four different concentrations of brimonidine intravitreal injection tested.The AL and the refraction of the brimonidine intravitreal injection group was significantly shorter or more hyperopic than those of other 2 groups.Fourμg/μL produced the smallest difference in AL and spherical equivalent difference values.FD treatment significantly increased the IOP.IOP was significantly lower at 1 day after intravitreal injections which was the lowest in FD eye of intravitreal injection of brimonidine.At day 21,gene expression analyses using RNA-seq showed upregulation of Col1a1 and Mmp2 expression levels by intravitreal brimonidine.Conclusions:Among the 3 different administration methods,intravitreal injection of brimonidine was the most effective in slowing myopia progression in the FD guinea pig model.Intravitreal brimonidine at 4μg/μL significantly reduced the development of FD myopia in guinea pigs.Expression levels of the Col1a1 and Mmp2 genes were significantly increased in the retinal tissues of the FD-Inj-Br group.