Epidemiological characteristics and factors affecting healing in unintentional pediatric wounds.

Objective: To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and wound healing conditions of common unintentional skin lacerations in children. Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 1,107 children, aged 0-12 years, with skin lacerations who received emergency treatment at Qilu Hospital of Shandong University from January 1, 2019, to December 30, 2022. Data on age, injury site, time from injury to suturing, and wound healing conditions were statistically analyzed. Results: Among the 1,107 cases, 714 (64.5%) were male and 393 (35.5%) were female, with a male-to-female ratio of 1.8:1; median age was 5 years (IQR, 3-7). Infants and toddlers (0-3 years old) constituted the highest proportion, accounting for 36.3% (402 cases). The number of children aged over 3 years gradually decreased with increasing age. In younger children, the most common injuries were to the forehead, scalp, and lower jaw; in school-aged children, the proportion of limb and trunk injuries significantly increased. Age (OR, 1.34; 95% CI, 1.23-1.46), outdoor injuries (OR, 2.21; 95% CI, 1.18-4.16), lower limb injuries (OR, 5.35; 95% CI, 2.86-10.00), and wound length greater than 3 cm (OR, 10.65; 95% CI, 5.02-22.60) were significant risk factors for poor wound healing. The risk of poor wound healing increased by 34% for each additional year of age. Conclusion: In children, the common sites of unintentional skin lacerations show distinct age and gender distribution characteristics. Older age, outdoor injuries, longer wound lengths, and lower limb injuries are independent risk factors for poor wound healing.

Combining the Elicitor Up-Regulated Production of Unusual Linear Diterpene-Derived Variants for an In-Depth Assessment of the Application Value and Risk of the Medicinal and Edible Basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune.

To better assess the practical value and avoid potential risks of the traditionally medicinal and edible basidiomycete Schizophyllum commune, which may arise from undescribed metabolites, a combination of elicitors was introduced for the first time to discover products from cryptic and low-expressed gene clusters under laboratory cultivation. Treating S. commune NJFU21 with the combination of five elicitors led to the upregulated production of a class of unusual linear diterpene-derived variants, including eleven new ones (1-11), along with three known ones (12-14). The structures and stereochemistry were determined by 1D and 2D NMR, HRESIMS, ECD, OR and VCD calculations. Notably, the elongation terminus of all the diterpenes was decorated by an unusual butenedioic acid moiety. Compound 1 was a rare monocyclic diterpene, while 2-6 possessed a tetrahydrofuran moiety. The truncated metabolites 4, 5 and 13 belong to the trinorditerpenes. All the diterpenes displayed approximately 70% scavenging of hydroxyl radicals at 50 µM and null cytotoxic activity at 10 µM. In addition, compound 1 exhibited potent antifungal activity against the plant pathogenic fungi Colletotrichum camelliae, with MIC values of 8 µg/mL. Our findings indicated that this class of diterpenes could provide valuable protectants for cosmetic ingredients and the lead compounds for agricultural fungicide development.

[Single mini-incision combined with honeycomb titanium plate in treatment of acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation].

OBJECTIVE: To explore clinical effect of single small incision with honeycomb titanium plate in treating acute acromioclavicular dislocation. METHODS: The clinical data of 40 patients with acute acromioclavicular dislocation admitted from December 2019 to December 2021 were retrospectively analyzed and divided into two groups according to different surgical methods. Among them, 20 patients were fixed with single small incision with honeycomb titanium plate (titanium plate group), including 11 males and 9 females, aged from 23 to 65 years old with an average of (47.40±12.58) years old;12 patients on the left side, 8 patients on the right side;11 patients with type Ⅲ, 3 patients with type Ⅳ, and 6 patients with type Ⅴ according to Rockwood classification. Twenty patients were fixed with clavicular hook plate (clavicular hook group), including 8 males and 12 females, aged from 24 to 65 years old with an average of (48.40±12.08) years old;12 patients on the left side, 8 patients on the right side;10 patients with type Ⅲ, 2 patients with type Ⅳ, and 8 patients with type Ⅴ according to Rockwood classification. Operative time, incision length, intraoperative blood loss, hospital stay, visual analogue scale (VAS) and Constant-Murley score of shoulder joint function were compared between two groups. Anteroposterior radiographs of the affected shoulder joint were recorded before, immediately and 6 months after surgery, and the coracoclavicular distance was measured and compared. RESULTS: Both groups of patients were successfully completed operation without serious complications. All patients were followed up for 6 to 15 months with an average of (11.9±4.8) months. There were no incisional infection, internal plant fracture or failure, bone tunnel fracture and other complications occurred. The incision length of titanium plate group (35.90±3.14) mm was significantly shorter than that of clavicular hook group (49.30±3.79) mm (P<0.05). There were no significant difference in operative time, intraoperative blood loss and hospital stay between two groups (P>0.05). At 1 and 3 months after operation, VAS of titanium plate group was lower than that of clavicular hook group (P<0.05). Connstant-Murley scores in titanium plate group at 1, 3 and 6 months after operation were (86.80±1.36), (91.60±2.32) and (94.90±2.22), respectively;and in clavicular hook group were (78.45±5.47), (85.55±2.01) and (90.25±1.92), which were higher than that of clavicular hook group (P<0.05). There was no significant difference in coracoclavicular distance between two groups immediately and 6 months after operation(P>0.05). CONCLUSION: For the treatment of acute acromioclavicular joint dislocation, single small incision combined with honeycomb titanium plate have advantages of shorter incision, fast recovery of shoulder joint function without the second operation, and has good satisfaction of patient.

Stiffness analysis and structural optimization design of an air spring for ships.

An air spring (AS) for ships must have the structural strength of its bellows enhanced considerably to ensure its reliability under high internal pressure and strong impact. In this case, the stiffness of the bellows gradually dominates the overall stiffness of the AS. Nevertheless, the parameterization calculation of stiffness for an AS mainly focuses on its pneumatic stiffness. The bellows stiffness is normally analyzed by virtue of equivalent simplification or numeric simulation. There is not an effective parameterization calculation model for the stiffness of the bellows, making it difficult to achieve the structural optimization design of the bellows. In this paper, the shell theory was borrowed to build a mechanical model for the bellows. Subsequently, the state vector of the bellows was solved by precision integration and boundary condition. Iteration was conducted to identify the complex coupling relationship between the vector of the bellows and other parameters. On this basis, the parameterization calculation method was introduced for the stiffness of the bellows to obtain the vertical and horizontal stiffness of the AS. After that, a dual-membrane low-stiffness structure was designed to analyze the dominating factors affecting the strength and stiffness of the AS, which highlighted the way to the low-stiffness optimization design of high-strength ASs. In the end, three prototypes and one optimized prototype were tested to verify the correctness of the parameterization design model for stiffness as well as the effectiveness of the structural optimization design.

[Analysis of Regional Differences in Cadmium Ecological Risk in Surface Waters of the Yangtze River Basin].

This study primarily focused on the regional disparities in both water quality criteria and ecological risks attributed to cadmium presence within the surface waters of the Yangtze River Basin. In the initial phase, the long-term water quality criteria for cadmium were recalibrated in accordance with the guidelines outlined in China's "Water Quality Criteria for Freshwater Aquatic Organisms-Cadmium," accounting for the prevalent hardness distribution within the Yangtze River Basin's surface water. Subsequently, a more refined revision was undertaken considering the specific characteristics of the species residing within the Yangtze River Basin. This undertaking led to a comprehensive interpretation of the regional variations in both the distribution of long-term water quality criteria values and the risk quotient distribution of cadmium throughout the Yangtze River Basin. The incorporation of hardness and species-specific attributes resulted in a revised range of long-term water quality criteria for cadmium across different urban locales within the Yangtze River Basin. Notably, the recalibrated values ranged from 0.08 µg·L-1 as the lowest threshold to 0.75 µg·L-1 as the upper limit, signifying a tenfold differentiation. Correspondingly, the urban average annual risk quotient associated with cadmium exposure demonstrated a variation from 0.035 to 1.12, marking a significant 32-fold discrepancy between the lowest and highest values. It is essential to highlight that regions of paramount importance, such as the confluence area connecting the upper and middle stretches of the Yangtze River Basin and the intricate Dongting Lake system, exhibited noteworthy ecological risks attributed to cadmium presence. Consequently, further in-depth investigations into these critical regions are imperative for a comprehensive understanding of the associated risks.

Multi-dimensional impact of COVID-19 on active mobility in urban China: a scoping review of empirical knowledge.

Active mobility, such as cycling and walking, is assuming a growing significance in the daily lives of urban residents in China due to its positive impact on health and the environment. The impact of the COVID-19 epidemic has elicited significant changes in behaviors, perceptions, and intellectual viewpoints in this domain, potentially altering residents' physical activities in the long-term. This scoping review seeks to delve into the multi-dimensional influence of the epidemic on active mobility in urban China. A thorough investigation of English and Chinese studies up to January 2024 was conducted, drawing from articles in Web of Science and the Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure. Only empirical studies providing knowledge into this subject were selected in the review, which comprised 20 studies in total. This review indicates that the influence of COVID-19 on active urban mobility in China has exhibited contradictory outcomes in terms of behavior. Besides, the experiences during the epidemic have significantly shaped citizens' attitudes and understanding of active mobility. The repercussions of the epidemic and the ensuing restrictions exacerbate the existing challenges faced by women, particularly those who are married, the older adult, and individuals with low incomes. The results exhibit both resemblances and idiosyncrasies when juxtaposed with prior research conducted in different nations. This analysis also offers valuable insights for improving active mobility across individual, organizational, and socio-political realms. The current state of empirical understanding in this field underscores the need for further research endeavors employing diverse methodological approaches and increased emphasis on the transformations anticipated in the post-epidemic era.

Chaos Synchronization of Integrated Five-Section Semiconductor Lasers.

We proposed and verified a scheme of chaos synchronization for integrated five-section semiconductor lasers with matching parameters. The simulation results demonstrated that the integrated five-section semiconductor laser could generate a chaotic signal within a large parameter range of the driving currents of five sections. Subsequently, chaos synchronization between two integrated five-section semiconductor lasers with matched parameters was realized by using a common noise signal as a driver. Moreover, it was found that the synchronization was sensitive to the current mismatch in all five sections, indicating that the driving currents of the five sections could be used as keys of chaotic optical communication. Therefore, this synchronization scheme provides a candidate to increase the dimension of key space and enhances the security of the system.

Dysregulation of interleukin-8 is involved in the onset and relapse of schizophrenia: An independent validation and meta-analysis.

As a major mental health disorder, symptoms of schizophrenia (SCZ) include delusions, reduced motivation, hallucinations, reduced motivation and a variety of cognitive disabilities. Many of these symptoms are now known to be associated with abnormal regulation of the immune system. Low blood levels of cytokines and chemokines have been suggested to be one of the underlying causes of SCZ. However, their biological roles at different stages of SCZ remain unclear. Our objective was to investigate expression patterns of cytokines and chemokines at different stages of onset and relapse in SCZ patients and to conduct an analysis of their relationship to disease progression. We also aimed to identify immune features associated with different disease trajectories in patients with SCZ. Gene set enrichment analysis (GSEA) was used to interrogate the GSE27383 dataset and identify key genes associated with inflammation. These results led us to recruit 36 healthy controls, 40 patients with first-episode psychosis (FEP), and 39 patients with SCZ relapse. Meso Scale Discovery technology was used to independently validate serum levels of 35 cytokines and chemokines. This was followed by a meta-analysis to gain a more comprehensive understanding of the role of interleukin-8 (IL-8/CXCL8) in SCZ. Analysis of the GSE27383 database revealed 3596 genes with distinct expression patterns. A significant portion of these genes were identified as inflammation-related and showed remarkable enrichment in three key pathways: IL-17, cytokine-cytokine receptor, and AGE-RAGE signaling in diabetic complications. We observed co-expression of CXCL8 and IL-16 within these three pathways. In a subsequent analysis of independently validated samples, a notable discrepancy was detected in the inflammatory status between individuals experiencing FEP and those in relapse. In particular, expression of CXCL8 demonstrated superior predictive capability in FEP and relapsed patients. Notably, results of the meta-analysis confirmed that Chinese and European populations were consistent with the overall results (Z = 4.60, P < 0.001; Z = 3.70, P < 0.001). However, in the American subgroup, there was no significant difference in CXCL8 levels between patients with SCZ compared to healthy controls (Z = 1.09, P = 0.277). Our findings suggest that the inflammatory response in patients with SCZ differs across the different stages, with CXCL8 emerging as a potential predictive factor. Collectively, our data suggest that CXCL8 has the potential to serve as a significant immunological signature of SCZ subtypes. Trial registration: The clinical registration number for this trial is ChiCTR2100045240 (Registration Date: 2021/04/09).

Cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthetase/stimulator of interferon genes signaling aggravated corneal allograft rejection through neutrophil extracellular traps.

The activation of innate immunity following transplantation has been identified as a crucial factor in allograft inflammation and rejection. However, the role of cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase (cGAS)/stimulator of interferon genes (STING) signaling-mediated innate immunity in the pathogenesis of allograft rejection remains unclear. Utilizing a well-established murine model of corneal transplantation, we demonstrated increased expression of cGAS and STING in rejected-corneal allografts compared with syngeneic (Syn) and normal (Nor) corneas, along with significant activation of the cGAS/STING pathway, as evidenced by the enhanced phosphorylation of TANK-binding kinase 1and interferon regulatory factor 3. Pharmacological and genetic inhibition of cGAS/STING signaling markedly delayed corneal transplantation rejection, resulting in prolonged survival time and reduced inflammatory infiltration. Furthermore, we observed an increase in the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps (NETs) in rejected allografts, and the inhibition of NET formation through targeting peptidylarginine deiminase 4 and DNase I treatment significantly alleviated immune rejection and reduced cGAS/STING signaling activity. Conversely, subconjunctival injection of NETs accelerated corneal transplantation rejection and enhanced the activation of the cGAS/STING pathway. Collectively, these findings demonstrate that NETs contribute to the exacerbation of allograft rejection via cGAS/STING signaling, highlighting the targeting of the NETs/cGAS/STING signaling pathway as a potential strategy for prolonging allograft survival.

Adverse childhood experience and depression: the role of gut microbiota.

Depression is the most common psychiatric disorder that burdens modern society heavily. Numerous studies have shown that adverse childhood experiences can increase susceptibility to depression, and depression with adverse childhood experiences has specific clinical-biological features. However, the specific neurobiological mechanisms are not yet precise. Recent studies suggest that the gut microbiota can influence brain function and behavior associated with depression through the "microbe-gut-brain axis" and that the composition and function of the gut microbiota are influenced by early stress. These studies offer a possibility that gut microbiota mediates the relationship between adverse childhood experiences and depression. However, few studies directly link adverse childhood experiences, gut microbiota, and depression. This article reviews recent studies on the relationship among adverse childhood experiences, gut microbiota, and depression, intending to provide insights for new research.

Injectable microspheres adhering to the cartilage matrix promote rapid reconstruction of partial-thickness cartilage defects.

An effective treatment for the irregular partial-thickness cartilage defect in the early stages of osteoarthritis (OA) is lacking. Cartilage tissue engineering is effective for treating full-thickness cartilage defects with limited area. In this study, we designed an injectable multifunctional poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) microsphere to repair partial-thickness cartilage defects. The microsphere was grafted with an E7 peptide after loading the microsphere with kartogenin (KGN) and modifying the outer layer through dopamine self-polymerization. The microsphere could adhere to the cartilage defect, recruit synovial mesenchymal stem cells (SMSCs) in situ, and stimulate their differentiation into chondrocytes after injection into the articular cavity. Through in vivo and in vitro experiments, we demonstrated the ability of multifunctional microspheres to adhere to cartilage matrix, recruit SMSCs, and promote their differentiation into cartilage. Following treatment, the cartilage surface of the model group with partial-thickness cartilage defect showed smooth recovery, and the glycosaminoglycan content remained normal; the untreated control group showed significant progression of OA. The microsphere, a framework for cartilage tissue engineering, promoted the expression of SMSCs involved in cartilage repair while adapting to cell migration and growth. Thus, for treating partial-thickness cartilage defects in OA, this innovative carrier system based on stem cell therapy can potentially improve therapeutic outcomes. STATEMENT OF SIGNIFICANCE: Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) therapy is effective in the repair of cartilage injury. However, because of the particularity of partial-thickness cartilage injury, it is difficult to recruit enough seed cells in situ, and there is a lack of suitable scaffolds for cell migration and growth. Here, we developed polydopamine surface-modified PLGA microspheres (PMS) containing KGN and E7 peptides. The adhesion ability of the microspheres is facilitated by the polydopamine layer wrapped in them; thus, the microspheres can adhere to the injured cartilage and recruit MSCs, thereby promoting their differentiation into chondrocytes and accomplishing cartilage repair. The multifunctional microspheres can be used as a safe and potential method to treat partial-thickness cartilage defects in OA.

HSPB1 promotes tumor invasion by inducing angiogenesis in PitNETs.

The clinical diagnosis and treatment of pituitary neuroendocrine tumors (PitNETs) that invade the cavernous sinus are fraught with difficulties and challenges. Exploring the biological characteristics involved in the occurrence and development of PitNETs that invade the cavernous sinus will help to elucidate the mechanism of cavernous sinus invasion. There are differences between intrasellar tumors (IST) and cavernous sinus-invasion tumors (CST) in ultramicrostructure, tumor microenvironment (TME), gene expression, and signaling pathways. The microvascular endothelial cell is increased in CST. The VEGFR signaling pathway, VEGF signaling pathway, and chemokine signaling pathway are activated in CST. HSPB1 is upregulated in CST and promotes cell proliferation, cell viability, and migration. HSPB1 promotes the release of VEGF from GT1-1 cells and activates the VEGF signaling pathway in bEnd.3 cells. HSPB1 promotes the migration of bEnd.3 cells to GT1-1 cells and promotes the formation of blood vessels of bEnd.3 cells. bEnd.3 cells can release CCL3 and CCL4 and promote the vitality, proliferation, and migration of GT1-1 cells. HSPB1 promotes the formation of blood vessels of bEnd.3 cells and ultimately leads to tumor growth in vivo. HSPB1 acts as a key gene for invasion of the cavernous sinus in PitNETs, remodeling TME by promoting the formation of blood vessels of brain microvascular endothelial cells. The synergistic effect of tumor cells and microvascular endothelial cells promotes tumor progression. The mechanism by which HSPB1 promotes tumor invasion by inducing angiogenesis in PitNETs may be a new target for the treatment of PitNETs invading the cavernous sinus.

De novo missense variants in exon 9 of SEPHS1 cause a neurodevelopmental condition with developmental delay, poor growth, hypotonia, and dysmorphic features.

Selenophosphate synthetase (SEPHS) plays an essential role in selenium metabolism. Two mammalian SEPHS paralogues, SEPHS1 and SEPHS2, share high sequence identity and structural homology with SEPHS. Here, we report nine individuals from eight families with developmental delay, growth and feeding problems, hypotonia, and dysmorphic features, all with heterozygous missense variants in SEPHS1. Eight of these individuals had a recurrent variant at amino acid position 371 of SEPHS1 (p.Arg371Trp, p.Arg371Gln, and p.Arg371Gly); seven of these variants were known to be de novo. Structural modeling and biochemical assays were used to understand the effect of these variants on SEPHS1 function. We found that a variant at residue Trp352 results in local structural changes of the C-terminal region of SEPHS1 that decrease the overall thermal stability of the enzyme. In contrast, variants of a solvent-exposed residue Arg371 do not impact enzyme stability and folding but could modulate direct protein-protein interactions of SEPSH1 with cellular factors in promoting cell proliferation and development. In neuronal SH-SY5Y cells, we assessed the impact of SEPHS1 variants on cell proliferation and ROS production and investigated the mRNA expression levels of genes encoding stress-related selenoproteins. Our findings provided evidence that the identified SEPHS1 variants enhance cell proliferation by modulating ROS homeostasis. Our study supports the hypothesis that SEPHS1 plays a critical role during human development and provides a basis for further investigation into the molecular mechanisms employed by SEPHS1. Furthermore, our data suggest that variants in SEPHS1 are associated with a neurodevelopmental disorder.

Corneal Plug Keratoplasty for the Treatment of Small Corneal Perforation.

This case report describes the performance of corneal plug keratoplasty in a male patient aged 30 years who presented with corneal perforation secondary to metal foreign body.

A Facile NMR Method for Pre-MRI Evaluation of Trigger-Responsive T1 Contrast Enhancement.

There is a growing interest in developing paramagnetic nanoparticles as responsive magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) contrast agents, which feature switchable T1 image contrast of water protons upon biochemical cues for better discerning diseases. However, performing an MRI is pragmatically limited by its cost and availability. Hence, a facile, routine method for measuring the T1 contrast is highly desired in early-stage development. This work presents a single-point inversion recovery (IR) nuclear magnetic resonance (NMR) method that can rapidly evaluate T1 contrast change by employing a single, optimized IR pulse sequence that minimizes water signal for "off-state" nanoparticles and allows for sensitively measuring the signal change with "switch-on" T1 contrast. Using peptide-induced liposomal gadopentetic acid (Gd3+ -DTPA) release and redox-sensitive manganese oxide (MnO2 ) nanoparticles as a demonstration of generality, this method successfully evaluates the T1 shortening of water protons caused by liposomal Gd3+ -DTPA release and Mn2+ formation from MnO2 reduction. Furthermore, the NMR measurement is highly correlated to T1 -weighted MRI scans, suggesting its feasibility to predict the MRI results at the same field strength. This NMR method can be a low-cost, time-saving alternative for pre-MRI evaluation for a diversity of responsive T1 contrast systems.

Comparison of therapeutic effects between big-bubble deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty and penetrating keratoplasty for medically unresponsive Acanthamoeba keratitis.

PURPOSE: To compare the outcomes of big-bubble deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (BB-DALK) and penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in the management of medically unresponsive Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK). METHODS: This retrospective study included 27 eyes of BB-DALK and 24 eyes of PKP from a tertiary ophthalmology care centre. Glucocorticoid eye drops were subsequently added to the treatment plan 2 months postoperatively based on the evaluation using confocal laser scanning microscopy. The clinical presentations, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), postoperative refractive outcomes, graft survival, and Acanthamoeba recurrence were analyzed. RESULTS: The AK patients included in the study were in stage 2 or stage 3, and the percentage of patients in stage 3 was higher in the PKP group (P = 0.003). Clinical presentations were mainly corneal ulcers and ring infiltrates, and endothelial plaques, hypopyon, uveitis and glaucoma were more common in the PKP group (P = 0.007). The BCVA and the graft survival rate showed no statistically significant differences between the two groups at 1 year after surgery. However, 3 years postoperatively, the BCVA of 0.71 ± 0.64 logMAR, the graft survival rate of 89.5%, and the endothelial cell density of 1899 ± 125 cells per square millimeter in the BB-DALK group were significantly better than those of the PKP group (P = 0.010, 0.046, and 0.032, respectively). 3 eyes (11.1%) in the BB-DALK group and 2 eyes (8.3%) in the PKP group experienced Acanthamoeba recurrence, but the rates showed no statistically significant difference between the two groups (P = 1.000). In the PKP group, immune rejection and elevated intraocular pressure were observed in 5 and 6 eyes, respectively. CONCLUSION: Corneal transplantation is recommended for AK patients unresponsive to antiamoebic agents. The visual acuity and graft survival can be maintained after BB-DALK surgery. Acanthamoeba recurrence is not related to the surgical approach performed, whereas complete dissection of the infected corneal stroma and delayed prescribing of glucocorticoid eye drops were important to prevent recurrence.

PAX6 gene promoter methylation is correlated with myopia in Chinese adolescents: a pilot sutdy.

PURPOSE: A large number of epidemiological studies have shown that myopia is a complex disease involving genetic, environmental, and behavioral factors. The purpose of this study was to explore the role of PAX6 gene methylation in myopia in Chinese adolescents. METHODS: Eighty junior high school students were divided into four groups based on their vision test results: mild myopia, moderate myopia, severe myopia, and non-myopia control. The methylation level of PAX6 gene promoter was detected by bisulfate pyrosequencing. RESULTS: The methylation level of PAX6 gene in myopia group (8.06% ± 1.43%) was slightly but significantly higher than that in non-myopia controls (7.26% ± 1.17%). In addition, PAX6 gene methylation levels presented a decreasing pattern along with the aggravation of myopia. Post-hoc analysis indicated significant inter-group differences for the mild myopia group and other groups (All p < .05). In the subgroup analysis by gender, the methylation level of PAX6 gene promoter in girls was higher than that in boys (p = .023). The ROC curves showed a high accuracy of PAX6 gene methylation to predict mild myopia (AUC (95% CI) = 0.828 (0.709-0.947), p < .001). CONCLUSIONS: The methylation of PAX6 gene might play a role in the onset and progression of myopia in Chinese adolescents. And this could potentially explore the potential molecular mechanisms of juvenile myopia in the future.

Regional analysis of posterior corneal elevation after laser refractive surgeries for correction of myopia of different degrees.

PURPOSE: To evaluate regional changes in the posterior corneal elevation after three laser refractive surgeries for correction of myopia of different degrees. SETTINGS AND DESIGN: Retrospective, comparative, and non-randomized study. METHODS: Two hundred patients (200 eyes) who underwent laser epithelial keratoplasty (LASEK), femtosecond-assisted laser in-situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK), and small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) were included in this study. According to preoperative spherical equivalent (SE), each surgical group was divided into two refractive subgroups: low-to-moderate myopia (LM group) and high myopia (H group). The posterior corneal elevation from Pentacam Scheimpflug tomography was analyzed preoperatively and at 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 12 months postoperatively. Three subregions of the posterior cornea were divided in this study as the central, paracentral, and peripheral regions. STATISTICAL ANALYSIS USED: Generalized Estimating Equations (GEE). RESULTS: For all three surgical groups, similar changing trends were seen in the two refractive subgroups. H group presented a larger changing magnitude than the LM group in FS-LASIK over time ( P < 0.05), whereas no significant difference was noted in the two refractive subgroups of LASEK or SMILE ( P > 0.05). At 12 months postoperatively, the central posterior corneal elevation returned to the preoperative level in LASEK ( P > 0.05) but shifted forward significantly in FS-LASIK and SMILE ( P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Different posterior corneal regions respond differently to corneal refractive surgeries. LASEK, FS-LASIK, and SMILE demonstrate different trends in the regional changes in posterior corneal elevation. The corneal shape seems more stable in LASEK than in FS-LASIK and SMILE.

Computational protocol to identify shared transcriptional risks and mutually beneficial compounds between diseases.

The accumulation of omics and biobank resources allows for a genome-wide understanding of the shared pathologic mechanisms between diseases and for strategies to identify drugs that could be repurposed as novel treatments. Here, we present a computational protocol, implemented as a Snakemake workflow, to identify shared transcriptional processes and screen compounds that could result in mutual benefit. This protocol also includes a description of a pharmacovigilance study designed to validate the effect of compounds using electronic health records. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Gao et al.1 and Baylis et al.2.