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AIM:To compare the differences of ocular biometric parameters of age-related cataract between Tibetan and Han ethnic groups, and to analyze the distribution characteristics of ocular biometric parameters in Tibetan cataract patients.METHODS:Retrospective cohort study. A total of 661 patients(1 030 eyes)with age-related cataract confirmed in the hospital between January 2019 and December 2020 were enrolled. The parameters of axial length, anterior chamber depth, keratometry, corneal astigmatism and astigmatic axis were measured by IOL Master 500 in 483 cases(739 eyes)of Tibetan age-related cataract patients and 178 cases(291 eyes)of Han patients.RESULTS:The axial length, anterior chamber depth and corneal astigmatism of the Tibetan patients with age-related cataract were 23.33(22.81, 23.86)mm, 3.04(2.79, 3.30)mm and 0.73(0.47, 1.07)D. The mean keratometry was 43.89±1.35 D. The results indicated that Tibetan cataract patients had shorter axial lengths and smaller keratometry compared to Han patients(all P<0.05). Age in Tibetan patients was negatively correlated with axial length and anterior chamber depth, and positively correlated with keratometry(all P<0.05). Tibetan male patients had longer axial lengths, deeper anterior chambers, and flatter corneas compared to female patients(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION:There were differences in ocular biometric parameters between age-related cataract patients of Tibetan and Han ethnicities. The distribution of ocular biometric parameters in Tibetan cataract patients varied across different age groups and gender groups.
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Charles Bonnet syndrome(CBS)refers to hallucinations resulting from visual pathway damage in individuals without neuropsychiatric disorders. CBS patients typically have insight into the unreality of their hallucinations, and the disorder may be episodic, periodic, or chronic. The condition's prevalence varies from 0.4% to 30% due to the absence of agreed diagnostic criteria for CBS and some patients' reluctance to acknowledge hallucinations. Massive studies have demonstrated an association between CBS and ocular diseases, such as age-related macular degeneration and glaucoma. Additionally, there have been reports of CBS occurring after ophthalmic surgery or medication. Therefore, clinicians should be vigilant in diagnosing CBS promptly and reassuring patients. There is a lack of literature on CBS in ophthalmology, and further research is needed to explore its pathogenesis and diagnostic and therapeutic options. This article reviews some of the studies related to CBS in recent years.
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AIM: To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Mongolian medicine Mingmu-11 Pills combined with conbercept in the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration(wARMD).METHODS: Prospective study. All cases in this study were wARMD patients(72 cases, 72 eyes)admitted to the Ophthalmology Department of Affiliated Hospital of Inner Mongolia University from November 2020 to December 2021. They were randomly divided into a combined treatment group and a control group, each with 36 eyes, and the control group received intravitreal injection of conbercept 0.05 mL for 3 consecutive months. The combined treatment group was given Mingmu-11 Pills twice a day after surgery, with 3 wk as a course of treatment, a total of 3 courses, and the control group was not given Mongolian medicine treatment. The best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), changes in central macular thickness(CMT)in the macular area, and changes in N1, P1 wave amplitude density and latency were observed after treatment in both groups.RESULTS:The BCVA(letter number)of the two groups were improved(P<0.05), and the CMT were decreased(P<0.05). The improvement of BCVA(letter number)in the combined treatment group was better than that in the control group at 3 mo(17.42±3.29 vs 14.61±3.14, P<0.001)and 5 mo(19.75±3.25 vs 16.81±2.77, P<0.001)after treatment; compared with the control group, CMT of the combined treatment group was thinner than that of the control group at 3 mo(304.58±53.34 vs 351.94±52.99 μm, P<0.001)and 5 mo(274.17±62.26 vs 321.78±63.22 μm, P<0.05)after treatment. The amplitude density of N1 and P1 wave in mfERG in both groups at 3 mo after treatment was higher than that before treatment(P<0.05), and r1-r3 latency of P1 wave was shorter than that before treatment(P<0.05), with no differences in the r1-r3 latency of N1 wave(P>0.05). In addition, the amplitude density of N1 and P1 wave in the combined treatment group was higher than that in the control group at 3 mo after treatment(P<0.05), the latency of P1 wave in the treatment group was significantly shorter than that in the control group(P<0.05), and there was no significant difference in the latency of N1 wave between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSIONS:Mingmu-11 Pills combined with intravitreal injection of conbercept in the treatment of wARMD has obvious efficacy in improving vision and reducing macular edema.
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N6-methyladenosine(m6A), the most common, abundant, and conserved RNA modification in eukaryotic cells, regulates RNA splicing, stability, output, degradation and translation through m6A methyltransferase, m6A demethylase, and m6A methylated binding proteins. Recent studies have found that abnormal m6A methylation may mediate a variety of pathological processes in eyes and participate in the occurrence and development of metabolic, inflammatory, degenerative ocular diseases and ocular tumors, such as diabetic retinopathy, cataract, age-related macular degeneration and uveal melanoma. This review aims to summarize the roles of m6A methylation modification in ocular cells and ocular diseases, elucidate the potential molecular mechanisms of m6A methylation in ocular diseases, so as to encourage innovative approaches in the treatment of these ocular diseases.
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Wet age-related macular degeneration(wARMD)emerges as a primary contributor to irreversible vision impairment in the aging demographic. In clinical practice, anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)therapies exhibit pronounced success in managing wARMD. However, in the actual clinical application, there are significant individual differences in the prognosis of anti-VEGF drug therapy, and some patients show poor response to the treatment, which may be related to the morphological differences of retinal layers in macular area, genetics, systemic conditions and other factors. It will help develop a more rational and individualized treatment plan to judge the prognosis of patients according to their different clinical manifestations in advance, so as to reduce overtreatment and the risk of retinal damage. In recent years, most studies on treatment response mainly focus on fundus morphology, genetics and so on. In this study, the relevant factors affecting adverse response to wARMD were reviewed, aiming to provide with more accurate treatment and prognostic monitoring programs for clinicians.
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Age-related macular degeneration(ARMD)is a neurodegenerative disease associated with oxidative stress. It is characterized by progressive death of photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelium(RPE), and is one of the leading causes of irreversible loss of central vision in patients over the age of 65 years old. MicroRNA(miRNA)is a class of regulatory short-chain non-coding RNA that can bind and inhibit multiple gene targets in the same biological pathway. This unique property makes microRNA an ideal target for exploring the pathogenesis, diagnosis and treatment of non-exudative ARMD. Previous studies have found that the pathogenesis of non-exudative ARMD involves age, genetics, environment, oxidative stress, lipid metabolism, autophagy and immunity. However, the exact mechanisms have not been fully clarified. As biomarkers of non-exudative ARMD, miRNA play a role in oxidative stress and lipid metabolism. This article summarizes the role of various miRNA in targeting Nrf2 and HIF-1α to inhibit hypoxia-related angiogenesis signaling, thereby affecting oxidative stress. Additionally, miRNA regulate lipid uptake and the expression of ABCA1 in RPE and macrophages, thereby influencing lipid metabolism. This deepens the understanding of the role of miRNA in oxidative stress and lipid metabolism in non-exudative ARMD, and provides directions for further improving the understanding of the pathogenesis and prevention of non-exudative ARMD.
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Background and Objective@#COVID-19 contributes significantly to global morbidity and mortality. Age-related comorbidities elevate the risk of severe cases. Studies have recently demonstrated that widely available medications, including tocilizumab (TCZ), can manage severe symptoms. However, its effectiveness is unclear, particularly among the older population. Therefore, this review aimed to evaluate TCZ’s efficacy in managing severe pneumonia in individuals aged 50 and older.@*Methods@#We systematically search several databases and gray literature including Web of Science, CINAHL, Academic Search Complete, PsycINFO, PsycArticles, SocINDEX, CENTRAL/Cochrane Library, PubMed/MEDLINE for original research articles in English across several study designs published in the year 2020-2022. A narrative synthesis was conducted to summarize the evidence. We employed the NIH quality assessment tool for observational cohort studies to evaluate risk of bias. Additionally, we utilized GRADE to appraise the certainty of evidence.@*Results@#Among 539 screened articles, only five studies met the selection criteria. Tocilizumab's impact on severe COVID-19 pneumonia revealed a diverse effect on mortality rate, with 29% in the TCZ group, and 40% in the controls died within 30 days of intubation (OR 0.61; 95% CI, 0.27-1.36). It is also reported that TCZ was not associated with mortality, despite faster decline in pulmonary function and prolonged fever. Hospital mortality in the TCZ group was significantly lower than in the controls, and age over 60 was the only significant risk factor. Moreover, administering TCZ reduced mechanical ventilation needs, with 82% extubated compared to 53% in controls. However, 45% in TCZ group was associated with a higher ventilator-associated pneumonia rate than in the untreated group which was 20% (P < 0.001). Despite this, TCZ-treated patients had shorter hospital stays.@*Conclusions@#The effects of tocilizumab on reducing mortality risk and improving the survival rate of COVID-19 patients with pneumonia remained inconclusive. Yet, the majority of results suggested that giving tocilizumab leads to shorter hospital stays, lowers the requirement for mechanical ventilation, and decreases the likelihood of ICU transfer. Tocilizumab is linked to the incidence of secondary infections; hence, this medication should be closely monitored for side effects.
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COVID-19 , PneumoniaABSTRACT
Ocular diseases pose a significant challenge to global health. The field of metabolomics, which involves the systematic identification and quantification of metabolites within a biological system, has emerged as a promising research approach for unraveling disease mechanisms and discovering novel biomarkers. Through its application, metabolomics has yielded valuable knowledge pertaining to the initiation and advancement of various ocular diseases. This review presents an overview of metabolomics and examines recent research progess in four ocular diseases, specifically diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and dry eye, summarizing potential biomarkers and metabolic pathways associated with these diseases. Additionally, this review offers insights into the future prospects of utilizing metabolomics for the management and treatment of ocular diseases.
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ABSTRACT Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the vascular effects of photobiomodulation using a light-emitting diode on the chorioallantoic embryonic membrane of chicken eggs grouped into different times of exposure and to detect the morphological changes induced by the light on the vascular network architecture using quantitative metrics. Methods: We used a phototherapy device with light-emitting diode (670 nm wavelength) as the source of photobiomodulation. We applied the red light at a distance of 2.5 cm to the surface of the chorioallantoic embryonic membrane of chicken eggs in 2, 4, or 8 sessions for 90 s and analyzed the vascular network architecture using AngioTool software (National Cancer Institute, USA). We treated the negative control group with 50 μl phosphate-buffered-saline (pH 7.4) and the positive control group (Beva) with 50 μl bevacizumab solution (Avastin, Produtos Roche Químicos e Farmacêuticos, S.A., Brazil). Results: We found a decrease in total vessel length in the Beva group (24.96% ± 12.85%) and in all the groups that received 670 nm red light therapy (2× group, 34.66% ± 8.66%; 4× group, 42.42% ± 5.26%; 8× group, 38.48% ± 6.96%), compared with the negative control group. The fluence of 5.4 J/cm2 in 4 sessions (4×) showed more regular vessels. The number of junctions in the groups that received a higher incidence of 670 nm red light (4× and 8×) significantly decreased (p<0.0001). Conclusion: Photo-biomodulation helps reduce vascularization in chorioallantoic embryonic membrane of chicken eggs and changes in the network architecture. Our results open the possibility of future clinical studies on using this therapy in patients with retinal diseases with neovascular components, especially age-related macular degeneration.
RESUMO Objetivo: investigar os efeitos vasculares da foto-biomodulação com diodo emissor de luz utilizando membrana embrionária corioalantóide de ovos de galinhas em grupos com diferentes tempos de exposição e detectar as alterações morfológicas por meio de métricas quantitativas promovidas pela luz na arquitetura da rede vascular. Métodos: Um aparelho de fototerapia com diodo emissor de luz no comprimento de onda de 670 nm foi usado como fonte de fotobiomodulação. A luz vermelha foi aplicada a uma distância de 2,5 cm da superfície da membrana embrionária corioalantóide em 2, 4 ou 8 sessões de 90 s a arquitetura da rede vascular foi analisada por meio do software AngioTool (National Cancer Institute, USA). Usamos um grupo controle negativo tratado com 50 µL de solução salina tamponada com fosfato (PBS) pH 7,4 e um grupo controle positivo (Beva) tratado com 50 µL de solução de bevacizumabe (Avastin, Produtos Roche Químicos e Farmacêuticos S.A., Brasil). Resultados: Uma diminuição no comprimento total do vaso foi detectada para o grupo Beva (24,96 ± 12,85%), e para todos os grupos que receberam terapia de luz vermelha de 670 nm, 34,66 ± 8,66% (2x), 42,42 ± 5,26% (4x) e 38,48 ± 6,96% (8x) em comparação ao grupo controle. A incidência de 5,4 J/cm2 em 4 sessões (4x) mostrou vasos mais regulares. A redução foi mais intensa nos grupos que receberam maior incidência de luz vermelha de 670 nm (4x e 8x). Conclusão: A fotobiomodulação contribui para a redução da vascularização nos vasos da membrana embrionária corioalantóide de ovos de galinhas e mudanças na arquitetura da rede. Os achados deste experimento abrem a possibilidade de considerar um estudo clínico usando esta terapia em pacientes com doenças retinais com componentes neovasculares, especialmente degeneração macular relacionada à idade.
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Purpose: Age?related macular degeneration (AMD) is a common cause of blindness, residual damage to macular area in spite of treatment necessitates visual rehabilitation by means of low?vision aids (LVAs). Methods: Thirty patients suffering from different stages of AMD requiring LVAs were included in this prospective study. Patients with nonprogressive, adequately treated AMD were enrolled over a 12?month period, prescribed requisite LVAs and followed?up for a minimum 1?month period. Before and after provision of LVAs, near work efficiencies were evaluated by calculating reading speed as words per minute (wpm) under both photopic and mesopic light conditions, and impact of poor vision on activities of daily living (ADL) was quantified by modified standard questionnaire based on Nhung X et al. questionnaire. Results: Of the 30 patients mean studied with mean age of 68 ± 10 years, 20 patients (66.7%) had dry AMD in better eye and 10 (33.3%) had wet AMD. Post?LVA, near visual acuity improved significantly and all cases were able to read some letters on near vision chart with an average improvement of 2.4 ± 0.96 lines. The different LVAs prescribed were high plus reading spectacles (up to 10 D) in 23.3%, hand?held magnifiers in 53.3%, base in prisms in 10%, stand held magnifiers in 6.7%, and bar and dome magnifiers in 3.3%. Conclusion: LVAs are effective in visual rehabilitation in patients with AMD. Self?reported reduction in visual dependency and improvement in vision?related quality of life post use of aids corroborated perceived benefit.
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Background: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), also known as wet AMD, is a chronic eye disease that affects the macula, which is the central part of the retina responsible for sharp, central vision. Brolucizumab is a type of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drug, which works by blocking the activity of a protein called VEGF that promotes the growth of abnormal blood vessels under the macula in neovascular AMD. The aim of this study was to evaluate the clinical outcome of brolucizumab in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration. Material & Methods: This prospective observational study was conducted in Department of Ophthalmology, Bangladesh Eye Hospital & Institute Ltd, Dhaka, Bangladesh, during the period from February 2022 to February 2023. Total 60 patients with neovascular AMD were included in this study who were treated with brolucizumab. Results: The mean age of the patients was 74.3 (SD±9.8) years. Majority of the study subjects were (51.7%) female patients in the study. In our study, majority (38.3%) of the patients had only their right eye affected. In optical coherence tomography (OCT) findings, we found that a high percentage of patients had subretinal fluid (85%), intraretinal fluid (61.7%), and sub-RPE fluid (83.3%). The BCVA showed a significant change after 12 weeks of treatment, as indicated by the P-value of 0.0007. Here improvement of vision was seen in patients with AMD with active Choroidal neovascularization (CNV). But in case of AMD with macular scar, no improvement of vision was seen. In addition, the SRT, FCP, and CMT parameters also showed a statistically significant (P<0.001) improvement after brolucizumab treatment. In our study, 4 patients (6.7%) experienced intraocular inflammation, which is inflammation within the eye, 2 patients (3.3%) reported cloudy vision, and 3 patients (5%) experienced eye redness as a complication of the treatment. The majority of the patients, 51 (85%) did not experience any complications from the treatment. After treatment, improved vision was seen in most of the study patients (70%) and 30% had no improvement. Conclusion: From the findings of our study, it can be concluded that brolucizumab may be an effective treatment for neovascular AMD, as it can improve the best-corrected visual acuity and structural outcomes of the retina such as subfoveal retinal thickness, foveal center point, and central macular thickness. There was also a tolerable complication rate after treatment.
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Aims: The study aimed to assess the post-operative presenting visual acuity (PVA) and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) from six weeks and above post-surgery, of patients operated for age-related cataract with biometry-calculated IOL power and available IOL power implantation, in two hospitals in Jos, Nigeria.Study Design: Retrospective cross-sectional survey.Place and Duration of Study: Eye units of two mission Hospitals in Jos namely; Bingham University Teaching Hospital and the Faith Alive foundation Hospital, between June and August 2021.Methodology: Patients aged 40 years and above, who had undergone surgery for age-related cataract in the preceding 18 months in two hospitals in Jos and were six weeks or more post-surgery were consecutively enrolled into the study, after obtaining informed consent. Socio-demographic data and surgical history were obtained from patients and their surgical records. The PVA and BCVA were assessed and categorized based on World Health Organization guidelines. Results: A total of 87 patients were examined within the study period. Post-operative PVA was good (?6/18) in 32 (36.8%), borderline (<6/18-6/60) in 41 (47.1%) and poor (<6/60) in 14 (16.1%) participants. After refraction, the proportion of good outcomes increased to 78.2% with only 8.1% of outcomes remaining poor. Biometry-calculated IOL power and available IOL power use did not significantly influence visual outcome (P=.645 and P=.146 for PVA and BCVA respectively).Conclusion: Majority of participants had post-operative PVA in the borderline category with residual uncorrected refractive error as the principal cause. Regardless of the IOL power implanted, surgery for age-related cataract enhanced patients’ vision. This study has shown that the presence of biometry is a guarantee of refractive success. Hence, refractive outcome audits are essential.
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Purpose: To study the epidemiological pattern, prevalence, types, and correlates of age?related cataracts in a tertiary care center in central India. Methods: This hospital?based single?center cross?sectional study was conducted on 2,621 patients diagnosed with cataracts for 3 years. Data pertaining to demography, socio?economic profile, cataract grading, cataract types, and associated risk factors were evaluated. Statistical analysis using unadjusted odds ratio (OR) and multivariate logistic regression was performed, with P-value <0.05 considered significant with the power of the study being 95%. Results: The commonest age group affected was 60–79 years, closely followed by the 40–59 years age group. The prevalence of nuclear sclerosis (NS), cortical (CC), and posterior subcapsular cataract (PSC) was found to be 65.2% (3,418), 24.6% (1,289), and 43.4% (2,276), respectively. Among mixed cataracts, (NS + PSC) had the highest prevalence of 39.8%. Smokers were found to have 1.17 times higher odds of developing NS than non?smokers. Diabetics had 1.12 times higher odds of developing NS cataracts and 1.04 times higher odds of developing CC. Patients with hypertension showed 1.27 times higher odds of developing NS and 1.32 times higher odds of developing CC. Conclusion: The prevalence of cataracts in the pre?senile age group (<60 years) was found to have increased significantly (35.7%). A higher prevalence of PSC (43.4%) was found in studied subjects, as compared to the data of previous studies. Smoking, diabetes, and hypertension were found to have a positive association with a higher prevalence of cataracts.
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Age-related macular degeneration(AMD)is a common eye disease causing irreversible visual impairment in the elderly. The tight junction(TJ)between retinal pigment epithelium cells(RPECs)is an important structural unit of the outer blood retinal barrier(oBRB). The TJ is defective in the pathogenesis of AMD, which in turn promotes the destruction of oBRB and accelerates the occurrence and progression of AMD. In this paper, the roles of TJ and TJ protein in maintaining oBRB function, TJ protein abnormality and oBRB destruction in the pathogenesis of AMD were reviewed, aiming to provide new ideas for the treatment of AMD.
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AIM: To compare the clinical efficacy of conbercept and aflibercept in the treatment of wet age-related macular degeneration(wARMD)based on 4 consecutive intravitreal injections.METHODS: The clinical data of 108 patients(108 eyes)who were diagnosed as wARMD and treated with intravitreal injection at our hospital from January 2019 to January 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. They were divided into conbercept group(54 cases, 54 eyes)and aflibercept group(54 cases, 54 eyes)according to the different injectable drugs. All patients received intravitreal injection once a month, with four consecutive injections. Follow up for 12mo to observe best corrected visual acuity(BCVA), central macular thickness(CMT), complications and recurrence before and after injection.RESULTS: BCVA and CMT of patients in the two groups at 1, 2, 5 and 8mo after injection had no between-group differences(P&#x003E;0.05), but both were significantly improved compared with those before injection(P&#x003C;0.05). By the end of follow-up, conjunctival hemorrhage occurred in 2 eyes of the conbercept group at the early stage, and increased intraocular pressure and conjunctival hemorrhage occurred respectively in 2 eyes of the aflibercept group. There were no serious complications related to drug injection such as retinal detachment, complicated cataract, endophthalmitis and retinal pigment epithelial tear in the two groups, and there was no difference in the recurrence rate between the two groups(7% vs. 6%, P=1.000).CONCLUSION: On the basis of continuous 4 times of intravitreal injection, both conbercept and aflibercept are safe and effective in the treatment of wARMD, and the efficacy is even.
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AIM: To investigate the changes of protein expressions in human lens epithelial cells(SRA01/04)undergoing oxidative damage, hoping to provide new protein target for the pathogenesis of age-related cataract(ARC).METHODS: SRA01/04 cells were divided into experimental group and control group. In the experimental group, cells were irradiated with ultraviolet-B(UVB)for 10min to establish the model of oxidative damage, whereas cells in the control group were untreated. Protein expression profile from the two groups was sequenced by isobaric tags for relative and absolute quantitation(iTRAQ). The filtering criteria that fold change &#x003E;1.2 and p&#x003C;0.05 was used to determine the differentially expressed proteins(DEPs). Gene Ontology(GO)and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes(KEGG)database were utilized for functional enrichment analysis of the top 50 DEPs with either up-regulated or down-regulated significance. Furthermore, Pathway commons software was used to establish the protein-protein interaction(PPI)network.RESULTS: Overall, 552 DEPs were screened out. A total of 176 DEPs were up-regulated in the experimental group compared with the control group, including HMGB1 and USP1, while 376 DEPs were down-regulated, including POLR2A and POLR2B. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis indicated that the top 50 DEPs with up-regulated or down-regulated significance were involved in various crucial biological processes and signaling pathways. PPI network revealed that oxidative damage repair(ODR)-related proteins might play a key role in UVB-induced oxidative damage.CONCLUSIONS: The expressions of multiple proteins, especially ODR-related proteins, can be altered in SRA01/04 cells via UVB irradiation. These findings may provide cellular-related insights into the pathogenesis of ARC and into proteins or pathways associated with therapeutic targets.
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AIM: To investigate the effects of small incision extracapsular excision and phacoemulsification on the number of corneal endothelial cells, macular thickness and surgically induced corneal astigmatism in cataract patients.METHODS: Retrospective research. A total of 296 age-related cataract patients(296 eyes)admitted to our hospital from May 2019 to February 2023 were selected. They were divided into a small incision extracapsular excision group(144 eyes)and a phacoemulsification group(152 eyes)according to surgical method. The uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity, numbers of corneal endothelial cells, macular thickness, surgically induced corneal astigmatism and postoperative complications between the two groups of patients at 7d, 1 and 3mo after surgery were compared.RESULTS: The uncorrected visual acuity and best corrected visual acuity of patients in the small incision extracapsular excision group after 7d of surgery were better than those of the phacoemulsification group, the number of corneal endothelial cells after 7d and 1, 3mo of surgery were higher than that of the phacoemulsification group, the macular thickness after 7d and 1mo of surgery was lower than that of the phacoemulsification group, and the incidence rate of postoperative corneal edema and incidence rate of total complications were lower than those of the phacoemulsification group(all P<0.05). Furthermore, there was no statistical significance in the values of surgically induced corneal astigmatism after 1, 7d and 1, 3mo of surgery compared with phacoemulsification group(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Compared with phacoemulsification, the changes in the number of corneal endothelial cells and thickness of the macular area after small incision extracapsular excision are relatively small, visual recovery is faster, and the complications reduced.
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Diabetic macular edema(DME)and age-related macular degeneration(ARMD)are the leading causes of visual impairment and blindness worldwide, and their common pathological features are increased vascular permeability and abnormal neovascularization, in which cytokines such as vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)and angiopoietin-2(Ang-2)play an important role. Intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF agents significantly changed the clinical management of DME and ARMD, but limitations such as the non-responsive cases, the treatment burden and risks caused by frequent injections need to be overcome. Faricimab, a novel bispecific monoclonal antibody that simultaneously targets VEGF-A and Ang-2, can effectively reduce vascular permeability, decrease the number of neovascularization and alleviate retinal edema. Registered clinical studies have shown that Faricimab is effective in improving vision and reducing retinal edema, which is non-inferior to Aflibercept and Ranibizumab, maintains a long dosing interval, and has a high safety profile. This article reviews the latest advances in the treatment of DME and ARMD with Faricimab.
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The purpose of this study was to determine the developmental pattern of swing speed in youth baseball players between 6 and 14 years old. A total of 1213 baseball players performed toss batting. Swing speed was measured with a specialized accelerometer. In addition, 618 of the 1213 players were measured for total fat free mass by using Inbody770. In study1, Regression analysis was performed on the relationship between chronological age or height and swing speed, and the extreme values were calculated. Then, an allometric equation based on height was also used to estimate the relative growth of swing speed and total fat free mass and to compare the difference of relative growth patterns between swing speed and total fat free mass in study2. Swing speed was strongly related to both chronological age and height, with cubic regression for the relationship with chronological age and linear for the relationship with height. The regression equation obtained for chronological age was solved and found that developmental rate was maximal at approximately 10.25 years old. Allometric analysis showed that the developmental pattern of swing speed differed from that of fat free mass, with a temporary decline in developmental rate from 153.6 cm to 160.9 cm. Based on the results of this study, further research in youth baseball players would be expected to identify the factors causing sluggish development of swing speed as well as to develop an exercise program for improving batting ability.
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Fundus vascular diseases, including neovascular age-related macular degeneration(nAMD)and diabetic retinopathy(DR), are the leading causes of visual impairment worldwide. With the accelerated aging and increased incidence of diabetes, the prevalence of these two fundus diseases will continue to rise. Currently, intraocular injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(anti-VEGF)remains the first-line treatment for fundus vascular diseases, but disadvantages exist, such as frequent intraocular injections, high cost and poor compliance, thus more durable and effective therapeutic strategies need to be explored. The successful application of gene therapy in inherited retinal diseases(IRDs)provides a new idea for the treatment of fundus vascular diseases. With the ongoing of several clinical trials, gene therapy for fundus vascular diseases is expected to be employed in the clinical setting. But there still remain some concerns, including the optimal therapeutic targets selection, administration route and safety issues. This review focuses on the application and prospect of gene augmentation and gene editing-mediated anti-VEGF therapy for the treatment of nAMD and DR.