An Artificial Universal Tactile Nociceptor Based on 2D Polymer Film Memristor Arrays with Tunable Resistance Switching Behaviors.

Nociceptor is an important receptor in the organism's sensory system; it can perceive harmful stimuli and send signals to the brain in order to protect the body in time. The injury degree of nociceptor can be divided into three stages: self-healing injury, treatable injury, and permanent injury. However, the current studies on nociceptor simulation are limited to the self-healing stage due to the limitation of the untunable resistance switching behavior of memristors. In this study, we constructed Al/2DPTPAK+TAPB/Ag memristor arrays with adjustable memory behaviors to emulate the nociceptor of biological neural network of all three stages. For this purpose, a PDMS/AgNWs/ITO/PET pressure sensor was assembled to mimic the tactile perception of the skin. The memristor arrays can not only simulate all the response of nociceptor, i.e., the threshold, relaxation, no adaptation, and sensitization with the self-healing injury, but can also simulate the treatable injury and the permanent injury. These behaviors are both demonstrated with a single memristor and in the form of pattern mapping of the memristor array.

Integrated Transcriptome Analysis of Long Noncoding RNA and mRNA in Developing and Aging Mouse Retina.

Mice have emerged as a widely employed model for investigating various retinal diseases. However, the availability of comprehensive datasets capturing the entire developmental and aging stages of the mouse retina, particularly during the elderly period, encompassing integrated lncRNA and mRNA expression profiles, is limited. In this study, we assembled a total of 18 retina samples from mice across 6 distinct stages of development and aging (5 days, 3 weeks, 6 weeks, 10 weeks, 6 months, and 15 months) to conduct integrated lncRNA and mRNA sequencing analysis. This invaluable dataset offers a comprehensive transcriptomic resource of mRNA and lncRNA expression profiles during the natural progression of retinal development and aging. The discoveries stemming from this investigation will significantly contribute to the elucidation of the underlying molecular mechanisms associated with various retinal diseases, such as congenital retinal dysplasia and retinal degenerative diseases.

Evaluation of an Artificial Intelligence System for the Detection of Diabetic Retinopathy in Chinese Community Healthcare Centers.

Objective: To evaluate the sensitivity and specificity of a Comprehensive Artificial Intelligence Retinal Expert (CARE) system for detecting diabetic retinopathy (DR) in a Chinese community population. Methods: This was a cross-sectional, diagnostic study. Participants with a previous diagnosis of diabetes from three Chinese community healthcare centers were enrolled in the study. Single-field color fundus photography was obtained and analyzed by the AI system and two ophthalmologists. Primary outcome measures included the sensitivity, specificity, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value with their 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of the AI system in detecting DR and diabetic macular edema (DME). Results: In this study, 443 subjects (848 eyes) were enrolled, and 283 (63.88%) were men. The mean age was 52.09 (11.51) years (range 18-82 years); 266 eyes were diagnosed with any DR, 233 with more-than-mild diabetic retinopathy (mtmDR), 112 with vision-threatening diabetic retinopathy (vtDR), and 57 with DME. The image ability of the AI system was as high as 99.06%, whereas its sensitivity and specificity varied significantly in detecting DR with different severities. The sensitivity/specificity to detect any DR was 75.19% (95%CI 69.47-80.17)/93.99% (95%CI 91.65-95.71), mtmDR 78.97% (95%CI 73.06-83.90)/92.52% (95%CI 90.07-94.41), vtDR 33.93% (95%CI 25.41-43.56)/97.69% (95%CI 96.25-98.61), and DME 47.37% (95%CI 34.18-60.91)/93.99% (95%CI 91.65-95.71). Conclusions: This multicenter cross-sectional diagnostic study noted the safety and reliability of the CARE system for DR (especially mtmDR) detection in Chinese community healthcare centers. The system may effectively solve the dilemma faced by Chinese community healthcare centers: due to the lack of ophthalmic expertise of primary physicians, DR diagnosis and referral are not timely.

Validation of the DIGIROP-birth model in a Chinese cohort.

BACKGROUND: We aimed to validate the predictive performance of the DIGIROP-Birth model for identifying treatment-requiring retinopathy of prematurity (TR-ROP) in Chinese preterm infants to evaluate its generalizability across countries and races. METHODS: We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of preterm infants who were screened for retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) in a single Chinese hospital between June 2015 and August 2020. The predictive performance of the model for TR-ROP was assessed through the construction of a receiver-operating characteristic (ROC) curve and calculating the areas under the ROC curve (AUC), sensitivity, specificity, and positive and negative predictive values. RESULTS: Four hundred and forty-two infants (mean (SD) gestational age = 28.8 (1.3) weeks; mean (SD) birth weight = 1237.0 (236.9) g; 64.7% males) were included in the study. Analyses showed that the DIGIROP-Birth model demonstrated less satisfactory performance than previously reported in identifying infants with TR-ROP, with an area under the receiver-operating characteristic curve of 0.634 (95% confidence interval = 0.564-0.705). With a cutoff value of 0.0084, the DIGIROP-Birth model showed a sensitivity of 48/93 (51.6%), which increased to 89/93 (95.7%) after modification with the addition of postnatal risk factors. In infants with a gestational age < 28 weeks or birth weight < 1000 g, the DIGIROP-Birth model exhibited sensitivities of 36/39 (92.3%) and 20/23 (87.0%), respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Although the predictive performance was less satisfactory in China than in developed countries, modification of the DIGIROP-Birth model with postnatal risk factors shows promise in improving its efficacy for TR-ROP. The model may also be effective in infants with a younger gestational age or with an extremely low birth weight.

Universal artificial intelligence platform for collaborative management of cataracts.

PURPOSE: To establish and validate a universal artificial intelligence (AI) platform for collaborative management of cataracts involving multilevel clinical scenarios and explored an AI-based medical referral pattern to improve collaborative efficiency and resource coverage. METHODS: The training and validation datasets were derived from the Chinese Medical Alliance for Artificial Intelligence, covering multilevel healthcare facilities and capture modes. The datasets were labelled using a three-step strategy: (1) capture mode recognition; (2) cataract diagnosis as a normal lens, cataract or a postoperative eye and (3) detection of referable cataracts with respect to aetiology and severity. Moreover, we integrated the cataract AI agent with a real-world multilevel referral pattern involving self-monitoring at home, primary healthcare and specialised hospital services. RESULTS: The universal AI platform and multilevel collaborative pattern showed robust diagnostic performance in three-step tasks: (1) capture mode recognition (area under the curve (AUC) 99.28%-99.71%), (2) cataract diagnosis (normal lens, cataract or postoperative eye with AUCs of 99.82%, 99.96% and 99.93% for mydriatic-slit lamp mode and AUCs >99% for other capture modes) and (3) detection of referable cataracts (AUCs >91% in all tests). In the real-world tertiary referral pattern, the agent suggested 30.3% of people be 'referred', substantially increasing the ophthalmologist-to-population service ratio by 10.2-fold compared with the traditional pattern. CONCLUSIONS: The universal AI platform and multilevel collaborative pattern showed robust diagnostic performance and effective service for cataracts. The context of our AI-based medical referral pattern will be extended to other common disease conditions and resource-intensive situations.

Conversion of MoS2 to a Ternary MoS2- xSe x Alloy for High-Performance Sodium-Ion Batteries.

MoS2 has attracted tremendous attention as an anode for Na-ion batteries (NIBs) owing to its high specific capacity and layered graphite-like structure. Herein, MoS2 is converted to a ternary MoS2- xSe x alloy through the selenizing process in order to boost the electrochemical performance for Na-ion batteries. Conversion of MoS2 to MoS2- xSe x expands interlayer spacing, improves electronic conductivity, and creates more defects. The expanded interlayer spacing decreases Na+ diffusion resistance and facilitates Na+ fast transfer. The integrated graphene as a conductive network offers effective pathway for electron migration and maintains structural stability of electrodes during cycles. The ternary MoS1.2Se0.8/graphene (MoS1.2Se0.8/G) electrode demonstrates an extremely high reversible capacity of 509 mA h g-1 after 200 cycles at 0.1 A g-1 (capacity retention of 109%) as an anode for sodium-ion batteries. Even at 2 A g-1 and after 700 cycles, the MoS1.2Se0.8/G electrode also displays a relatively high reversible capacity of 178 mA h g-1. Full cells assembled with Na3V2(PO4)2F3 cathodes and MoS1.2Se0.8/G anodes reveal high charge/discharge capacities. This work demonstrates that the ternary MoS2- xSe x alloy could be a potential anode material for Na-ion storage.

Achieving a High-Performance Carbon Anode through the P-O Bond for Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Carbon materials with high initial Coulombic efficiency (ICE) and specific capacity in lithium-ion batteries are highly attractive. Herein, P-doped carbon has been prepared, and as an anode for lithium-ion batteries, it exhibits remarkably improved ICE and reversible capacity. P atoms are apt for the formation of the P-O bond in carbon with oxygen-containing groups. The doped P content strongly depends on the O content in carbon. The high-doped P content of 5.79 at. % can be obtained through changing the O content in carbon. Carbon with high contents of P and O displays high ICE and capacity as an anode for lithium-ion batteries. The P-O bond in carbon changes the morphology and composition of the solid electrolyte interface (SEI) layer and is beneficial to the formation of a thin and dense SEI layer. The P-O bond in carbon prevents the permeation and decomposition of solvated PF6- in the interior of the electrode during cycling, resulting in the improved ICE, reversible capacity, and rate capability. As an anode for lithium-ion batteries, the ICE can be improved to 70.9% for carbon with the P-O bond from 36.9% for carbon without the P-O bond. Carbon with the P-O bond displays high specific capacities of 566 mA h g-1 after 100 cycles at 0.1 A g-1 and 432 mA h g-1 after 1000 cycles at 1 A g-1. This design offers a simple and efficient method to improve the ICE and reversible capacity of hard carbon.

Vertically Oxygen-Incorporated MoS2 Nanosheets Coated on Carbon Fibers for Sodium-Ion Batteries.

Developing a high-performance anode with high reversible capacity, rate performance, and great cycling stability is highly important for sodium-ion batteries (SIBs). MoS2 has attracted extensive interest as the anode for SIBs. Herein, the vertically oxygen-incorporated MoS2 nanosheets/carbon fibers are constructed via a facile hydrothermal method and then by simple calcination in air. Oxygen incorporation into MoS2 can increase the defect degree and expand the interlayer spacing. Vertical MoS2 nanosheet array coated on carbon fibers not only can expose rich active sites and reduce the diffusion distance of Na+, but also improve the electronic conductivity and enhance structural stability. Meanwhile, interlayer-expanded MoS2 can decrease Na+ diffusion resistance and increase accessible active sites for Na+. In this work, the electrode combining the oxygen-incorporated strategy with vertical MoS2 nanosheet-integrated carbon fibers displays high specific capacities of 330 mAh g-1 over 100 cycles at a current density of 0.1 A g-1 together with excellent rate behavior as the anode for SIBs. This strategy offers a helpful way for improving the electrochemical performance.

Topographic profile of choroid in eyes after acute primary angle-closure.

OBJECTIVE: To characterize and compare the topographic profile of choroid in eyes after acute primary angle-closure (APAC) and in normal controls. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS: A prospective observational study was conducted. Forty-four consecutive patients who had experienced unilateral APAC that was resolved by treatment were recruited. Seventy age- and sex-matched normal individuals were recruited as controls. METHODS: Enhanced depth imaging-optical coherence tomography was used to measure choroidal thickness (CT) in 9 diffuse locations of macular region. The average CT was compared among each location in the APAC and control groups and between the same locations in the 2 groups. RESULTS: Variants of CT at different macular locations were found in both groups; it was greatest at subfoveal locations and spread thinner around them, to reach a significant decrease (all p ≤ 0.05) 3 mm away in all directions from the fovea except for the superior direction in normal controls (p = 0.472). Among the 4 directions, the superior had the thickest CT in both groups, followed by the temporal, inferior, and nasal directions in both groups, whereas the APAC had a thicker choroid profile at each location (all p < 0.05). Univariate analysis showed that age, sex, anterior chamber depth, axial length, and spherical equivalent were all associated with the subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) (all p < 0.1). Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that the SFCT was significantly thicker in association with an APAC diagnosis, shorter axial length, greater spherical equivalent refractive error, and younger female subjects (all p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: APAC eyes have a thicker choroid than normal eyes in the macular region, and the increase in CT in APAC eyes follows topographic distribution as in normal control eyes.

Multiplex cytokine levels of aqueous humor in acute primary angle-closure patients: fellow eye comparison.

BACKGROUND: The existing literature contains no information regarding inflammatory cytokine expression in unilateral acute primary angle-closure (APAC) affected eyes and fellow eyes with primary angle closure suspect (PACS). To measure levels of various inflammatory cytokines in the aqueous humor (AH) of APAC affected eyes and fellow eyes with a diagnosis of PACS (18 unilateral APAC eyes and 18 fellow eyes with PACS), and determine the underlying correlation between them. METHODS: The total levels of 12 cytokines including granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF), interleukin (IL)-6, IL-8, monocyte chemotactic protein (MCP)-1, MCP-3, macrophage-derived chemokine (MDC), macrophage inflammatory protein (MIP)-1ß, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) etc. were assessed using the multiplex bead immunoassay technique. The level of cytokines in different groups was analyzed by a 2-related-samples nonparametric test. Data on patient demographics, preoperative intraocular pressure (IOP), number of glaucoma medications, as well as several ocular biological parameters were also collected for correlation analysis. RESULTS: The APAC patients had significantly higher levels of G-CSF, IL-6, IL-8, MCP-1, MCP-3, MDC, MIP-1ß, and VEGF in the AH samples from unilateral APAC affected eyes than in fellow eyes with PACS (all P < 0.05). The cytokines showed positive correlations between each other (P < 0.0071). CONCLUSIONS: Cytokine networks in the AH may have critical roles in the progression of APAC. Thus, different cytokine expression in both eyes of the same patient may help us to understand the different pathology in APAC and PACS.

Aqueous humor concentration of VEGF and retinal oxygen saturation after unilateral acute primary angle closure.

PURPOSE: To measure the levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in aqueous humor in patients with unilateral acute primary angle closure (APAC) and retinal oxygen saturation (SO2 ) after trabeculectomy. METHODS: Twelve patients, with unilateral trabeculectomy-required APAC, were recruited as the study group. Aqueous humor samples were collected prospectively for every subject. VEGF concentrations were analysed via enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and retinal SO2 was measured using oximeter (Reykjavik, Iceland) at 1 month after trabeculectomy. RESULTS: In the APAC eyes, the mean aqueous humor concentration of VEGF was 388.4 ± 260.1 pg/ml and positively correlated with preoperative intraocular pressure (ρ = 0.658, p = 0.020). In the normal controls, the mean SO2 levels in the larger arterioles and venules were 93.0 ± 5.9% and 59.5 ± 5.4% and the arteriovenous [A-V] difference was 33.5 ± 6.3%. In the study group, the arteriolar SO2 at 1 month after surgery (97.6 ± 19.4%, p = 0.147) did not differ significantly from the values in the control group. However, the mean venular SO2 was significantly lower than the control eyes (50.0 ± 9.1% versus 59.5 ± 5.4%, p = 0.004), and a remarkable increased A-V difference (47.6 ± 22.7% versus 33.5 ± 6.3%) was found in the APAC eyes (p = 0.037). CONCLUSIONS: Lower venular SO2 and increased A-V difference existed in the APAC eyes after surgery, and it is possible that the saturation was even lower during the attack. Together with the elevated VEGF concentrations in aqueous humor, these provided indirect evidence that ocular hypoxia was constantly present during APAC attack.

Chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 7 in angle-closure glaucoma.

PURPOSE: To compare the concentrations of chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2) and chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 7 (CCL7) in aqueous humour of eyes with acute primary angle-closure (APAC), primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) or with age-related cataract. METHODS: The prospective investigation included a study group of 56 patients (24 patients with APAC; 32 patients with PACG) undergoing glaucoma surgery and a control group of 21 patients undergoing routine cataract surgery. The interval between glaucoma attack and trabeculectomy was 19.4 ± 9.8 days. RESULTS: The concentrations of CCL2 (3037 ± 501 versus 1127 ± 141 pg/ml; p = 0.003) and CCL7 (10.5 ± 2.4 versus 2.8 ± 0.4 pg/ml; p < 0.001) were significantly higher in the APAC group than in the PACG group, while the concentrations of both cytokines did not differ significantly between the PACG group and the control group (CCL2: 1190 ± 98 pg/ml; p = 0.10; CCL7: 2.0 ± 0.6; p = 0.18). The concentrations of both cytokines were significantly and inversely correlated with the interval between the acute angle-closure attack and surgery (CCL2: p = 0.02; ρ = -0.48; CCL7: p = 0.04; ρ = -0.42). Higher CCL2 concentrations were associated with higher prevalence of surgical failure (28.6% versus 7.1%; p = 0.036). CONCLUSIONS: Concentrations of CCL2 and CCL7 as major inflammatory cytokines with potential influence on the risk of filtering surgery failure were significantly elevated after an acute glaucoma attack and decreased with longer interval to the attack. Trabeculectomy may have a lower risk of failure if performed later than earlier after an acute glaucoma attack, with lower CCL2 concentrations associated with better surgical outcome.

Swept-source optical coherence tomography imaging of macular retinal and choroidal structures in healthy eyes.

BACKGROUND: To report the thickness of the retina, retinal ganglion cell (RGC)-related layers, and choroid in healthy subjects using swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). METHODS: One hundred and forty-six healthy volunteers were consecutively recruited for this prospective observational study. Thickness of retina, RGC-related layers, and choroid in the standard early treatment of diabetic retinopathy study (ETDRS) grid were automatically measured using one SS-OCT (DRI OCT-1, Topcon, Japan). The IOL Master (Carl Zeiss Meditec, Germany) was used to measure axial length (AL). RESULTS: Thicknesses of the average macular ganglion cell complex (GCC) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) were 105.3±9.7 and 78.5±6.2 um respectively. Neither of them was significantly related with sex, age, or AL. Both showed strong correlations with retinal thickness (r=0.793, p=0.000; r=0.813, p=0.000, respectively) and with similar topographic distributions within the retina. The thicknesses of retina and GCC/GCIPL in the inner sectors were significantly higher than in the outer sectors of the EDTRS area, while in the same region of the macula, the choroid exhibited completely different patterns of topographic variation. Men had 7.8 um thicker retina and 34.9 um thicker choroid than women after adjustment for age and AL (all p<0.05). Age and AL could significantly influence the choroidal thickness but not the retina (all p<0.05). CONCLUSION: Thickness of GCC/GCIPL in healthy Chinese individuals is not dramatically different across gender, age, and AL groups in terms of ETDRS grid, but sex is critical for retinal and choroidal thickness. Choroidal structure (but not retinal) can be significantly influenced by age and AL.

Corneal Deformation Response in Patients With Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma and in Healthy Subjects Analyzed by Corvis ST.

PURPOSE: To compare corneal deformation response between patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and healthy subjects. A prevalent case-control study was conducted, followed by an integrated meta-analysis. METHODS: Primary open-angle glaucoma was confirmed by presence of glaucomatous optic disc damage with corresponding visual field defect after excluding secondary causes. Age-matched controls were recruited. Corvis ST (CST) was used to measure 10 parameters of corneal deformation response and central corneal thickness (CCT). The association between parameters of deformation response and clinical factors was assessed by the linear regression analyses. Differences in deformation response between POAG and healthy subjects were compared after adjusting for other factors. Eligible studies were identified by a systematic search of the PubMed, ISI Web of Science, and Embase databases; Web sites of professional associations; and the Google Scholar engine. RESULTS: This study included 37 patients with POAG and 36 healthy controls. Significant associations were found between IOP and the first applanation time (A1T), first applanation velocity (A1V), second applanation time (A2T), and second applanation velocity (A2V) in each group. The deformation amplitude (DA), A1V, and A2T were lower in the POAG group, whereas the A1T, A2V and peak distance (PD) were greater in the POAG group than in the healthy controls (all P < 0.05). Ten separate studies plus the present study, involving 691 patients with POAG and 740 controls, were ultimately meta-analyzed. The significant differences in the DA, A1T, and A2T were further confirmed, with pooled weighted mean difference (WMD) of 0.13 mm (95% CI 0.04-0.23; P = 0.008) for A1T, -0.13 mm (95% CI -0.21 to -0.05; P = 0.001) for DA, and -0.46 ms (95% CI -0.70 to -0.22; P < 0.001) for A2T. CONCLUSIONS: The corneal response parameters provided by CST are informative for the assessment of corneal biomechanics. Patients with POAG showed significantly greater A1T and lower DA and A2T values than healthy controls, indicating a less deformable cornea in POAG patients.

Changes in retinal oxygen saturation, choroidal thickness, and retinal nerve fibre layer.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the changes of retinal oxygen saturation (Sat O2) concentrations, choroidal thickness (CT), and retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) in eyes with trabeculectomy-required acute primary angle closure (APAC). DESIGN: Prospective, longitudinal study. PARTICIPANTS: Twenty-three eyes with trabeculectomy-required APAC were recruited. METHODS: Retinal oximetry was performed at postoperative day one and again at approximately 1 month. CT and the RNFL were tested on the same day. A paired t test and Pearson correlation were used for analysis. RESULTS: Mean Sat O2 increased in retinal arterioles from 88.74% ± 14.36% at postoperative day 1 to 96.61% ± 18.42% at 1 month (p = 0.049). The mean diameter of the arterioles was statistically different between postoperative day 1 and 1 month (p = 0.044), as was the mean diameter of the venules (p = 0.027). APAC eyes at postoperative 1 month had a thinner mean CT, compared with day 1 (p = 0.002). No significant difference was found in the RNFL between postoperative day 1 and 1 month (p > 0.05). The Sat O2 in retinal arterioles correlated with the mean diameter of the arterioles at postoperative day 1 (r = -0.482, p = 0.020) and at 1 month (r = -0.463, p = 0.026). No significant correlation was found between retinal Sat O2 and other parameters. CONCLUSIONS: Increased Sat O2 in retinal arterioles, changed vessel diameter, and thinner CT from postoperative day 1 to 1 month suggest gradual recovery from APAC. However, the different pathophysiologies for APAC still need further study to prove.

Anterior and posterior ocular biometry in healthy Chinese subjects: data based on AS-OCT and SS-OCT.

BACKGROUND: To measure the anterior and posterior ocular biometric characteristics concurrently and to determine the relationship between the iris and choroid in healthy Chinese subjects. METHODS: A total of 148 subjects (270 eyes) were enrolled in this cross-section study. The anterior and posterior ocular biometric characteristics were measured simultaneously by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) and swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT). RESULTS: Compared with male eyes, female eyes had narrower anterior biometric parameters that presented with smaller anterior segment parameters [including anterior chamber depth (ACD), width (ACW), area (ACA), and volume (ACV); (all p<0.001)], narrower anterior chamber angle parameters [including angle opening distance (AOD750), trabecular-iris space area (TISA750), and angle recess area (ARA); (all p<0.001)], higher iris curvature (ICURV) (p = 0.003), and larger lens vaults (LV) (p = 0.019). These anterior ocular biometric parameters were correlated with increasing age (p<0.01). Iris thickness (IT750) and iris area (IAREA) were associated with age, ACW, and pupil diameter (all p<0.05), while choroidal thickness (CT) was associated with age, gender, and axial length (all p<0.05). Univariate regression analysis showed that greater CT was significantly associated with smaller IAREA (p = 0.026). CONCLUSION: Compared with male eyes, female eyes had narrower anterior biometric parameters that correlated with increasing age, which would be helpful in explaining the higher prevalence of angle closure rates in the female gender and in aging people. Increased CT might be associated with smaller iris area; however, this possibility needs to be investigated in future studies before this conclusion is made.

Levels of angiogenesis-related vascular endothelial growth factor family in neovascular glaucoma eyes.

PURPOSE: This study aimed to evaluate the angiogenesis-related factors of the vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) family in the aqueous humour of patients with neovascular glaucoma (NVG). METHODS: This study involved 22 eyes of 22 patients with advanced NVG requiring antiglaucomatous surgery and 20 control subjects with cataracts. The NVG eyes received an intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (IVR) treatment before antiglaucomatous surgery. Aqueous humour and blood were collected at the time of IVR and cataract surgery. Protein concentration of VEGF-A, VEGF-B and placenta growth factor (PlGF) in aqueous humour and plasma was determined by ELISA tests. RESULTS: The mean concentration (standard deviation) of VEGF-A and PlGF in the aqueous humour of patients with NVG were 3037 (2387) pg/ml and 1078 (712) pg/ml, respectively; both were significantly higher than the control group (both p < 0.001). However, levels of VEGF-A and PlGF in the serum of NVG and control subjects remained low. High concentrations of VEGF-A were closely correlated with high levels of PlGF in patients with NVG (r = 0.593, p = 0.004). Concentrations of VEGF-B in aqueous humour and serum remained unchanged (p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: There were high concentrations of angiogenesis factors of the VEGF family, with the exception of VEGF-B, in the aqueous humour of patients with NVG, and there was a positive correlation between VEGF-A and PlGF. High PlGF levels in patients with NVG may provide another potential target for treatment of NVG.