Progress in the study of association between hematological indicators and retinopathy of prematurity (Review).

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a retinopathy caused by abnormal proliferation of blood vessels in premature infants. It can lead to retinal detachment and, in severe cases, blindness, rendering ROP a critical condition. Advances in neonatal medicine have improved survival rates of low birth weight and low gestational age infants. However, this progress has also led to a rise in incidence of ROP. Currently, premature birth, low birth weight and high postpartum oxygen levels are independent risk factors for ROP. Other factors include mode of delivery, multiple births, anemia, blood transfusion, maternal pregnancy factors, neonatal bronchopulmonary dysplasia, use of surfactants, arterial ductus arteriosus and necrotizing enterocolitis. Laboratory indicators in premature infants such as platelet count, levels of blood glucose, inflammatory cells, lipid and hemoglobin and blood transfusion may also be associated with ROP. However, the etiology and pathogenesis of ROP are not fully understood. A number of factors may influence the onset and progression of ROP, including decreased platelet counts, decreased hemoglobin levels, increased white blood cell counts, increased blood glucose levels, and disorders of lipid metabolism. The present study reviewed the effects of platelet count, hemoglobin, blood glucose, inflammatory cells and factors, blood lipids, and plasma metabolic pathways on ROP.

Association between dietary calcium, potassium, and magnesium consumption and glaucoma.

BACKGROUND: Calcium (Ca), potassium (K) and magnesium (Mg) may be involved in the occurrence and development of glaucoma by influencing the retinal oxidative stress and regulate blood pressure. However, epidemiological opinions on dietary intake of macroelement related to glaucoma are inconsistent. Herein, this study aims to explore the association between dietary Ca, K, and Mg consumption and glaucoma. METHODS: Data of 7,042 adults aged ≥40 years old who received the glaucoma examinations were extracted from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) database from 2005 to 2008 in this cross-sectional study. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression were used to explore the association between dietary Ca, K, and Mg intake and glaucoma with the odd ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs). We also investigated this relationship in individuals of different age, with/without hypertension and visual field defect (VFD). RESULTS: There were 502 (8.11%) participants had glaucoma. After adjusted for covariables, we found that enough dietary Ca consumption was related to a decreased risk of glaucoma [OR = 0.59, 95%CI: (0.42-0.81)], whether in persons with/without hypertension (all P<0.05). In particular, dietary K intake may be a potential protect factor for glaucoma in non-hypertension populations [OR = 0.47, 95%CI: (0.22-0.99), P = 0.049]. Additionally, hypertension/non-hypertension persons who aged <65 years old or with/without VFD should all pay attention to the enough dietary supplement of Ca, K, and Mg according to their own circumstances. CONCLUSION: Enough dietary Ca, K, and Mg consumption may be potential protect factors of glaucoma that could provide some dietary reference for developing targeted glaucoma prevention and control measures.

Observation on the Curative Effect of Microsurgery in 154 Children with Strabismus and Analysis of Its Influencing Factors.

Strabismus is a common ophthalmic disease in the process of child body development, in which the two eyes cannot gaze at the target at the same time, and the incidence of this disease of children is higher. In children with esotropia, exotropia, and up and down strabismus and other typical symptoms, the cause is genetic, innerve, and refractive and regulated, and not receiving timely treatment may lead to stereo vision and diplopia and other phenomena, affecting their learning and life. Surgical treatment is the main treatment for strabismus at present. Traditional orthodontic surgery is performed by doctors under the naked eye, often due to improper operation or suture error and other factors, resulting in more postoperative complications, such as more tissue damage, conjunctival congestion, and muscle suture reaction, which seriously affect the clinical effect of surgical treatment. In recent years, with the continuous development of microsurgical technology, the correction of strabismus under a microscope has been widely carried out in clinic. The operation under the microscope makes the operation more delicate and accurate, overcomes the defects of traditional surgery, and highlights the advantages of minimally invasive surgery. The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of microsurgical techniques in the treatment of strabismus in children and to analyze the factors influencing the outcome. The results showed that microsurgical strabismus correction in the treatment of strabismus children has short operation time, less intraoperative blood loss, short hospital stay, high efficiency, and less complications, which is worthy of popularization. Age, preoperative strabismus angle, refractive error, distance stereopsis injury, near stereoscopic injury, and duration of disease were all independent influencing factors of postoperative efficacy.

Reduction of Ocular Surface Damage and Bacterial Survival Using 0.05% Povidone-Iodine Ocular Surface Irrigation before Cataract Surgery.

BACKGROUND: To investigate the effects of 0.05% povidone-iodine (PI) irrigation on the ocular surface structure and bacterial survival rate in patients with cataract. METHODS: Ninety eyes of 90 patients with cataract were included. Before surgery, the operative field was irrigated with 0.05% PI and divided into 30-s, 1-, and 2-min groups. Anterior chamber fluid was cultured bacteriologically. Tear film breakup time (BUT), corneal fluorescein staining (CFS), lacrimal river height (LRH), and Schirmer test I (STI) were conducted to assess ocular surface. RESULTS: In all groups, the patients had significantly shorter postoperative BUT at 1 day, 3 days, and 1 week postoperatively than preoperatively. In addition, there was still lower BUT at 1 month postoperatively in the 1- and 2-min groups. STI and LRH were all decreased postoperatively at different time points (1 day, 3 days, 1 week), while CFS was increased. With the extension of time preoperatively (1 and 3 months), the ocular surface indicators returned to the preoperative level. The bacterial cultures after eye irrigating were negative in all groups. CONCLUSION: 0.05% PI irrigating the conjunctival sac for 30 s can achieve a low bacterial contamination rate. Importantly, it reduced the damage of ocular surface, which is beneficial to the recovery of ocular surface function.

Combined phacoemulsification, 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling and gas tamponade for patients with coexisting idiopathic macular hole and age-associated cataract.

The aim of the present study was to assess the curative effect of combined phacoemulsification, 23-gauge pars plana vitrectomy with Brilliant blue G-assisted limiting membrane peeling and gas tamponade in patients with coexisting idiopathic macular hole (IMH) and age-associated cataract. A total of 21 consecutive patients (21 eyes) with coexisting IMH and age-associated cataract were enrolled in the study. All patients were treated by 23-gauge microincision vitrectomy with internal limiting membrane peeling, gas tamponade and combined phacoemulsification. The pre-operative MH diameter, MH index and best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), as well as events of post-operative MH closure and complications were recorded and analyzed. Anatomic closure of the MH was achieved in 19 eyes (90.4%) with a single surgery. The LogMAR BCVA value at 1 month after surgery and the final follow-up visit was significantly lower than the baseline value (P=0.0036 and P=0.0015, respectively). A significant correlation was identified between the MH index and the post-operative LogMAR BCVA (r=0.869; P<0.001). The combined technique applied in the present study produced favorable anatomic and functional results for patients with coexisting IMH and age-associated cataracts. The pre-operative MH size measured by optical coherence tomography may serve as a predictive factor for the LogMAR BCVA value following MH surgery.

Cataract surgery combined with micro-incision vitrectomy in patients with behcet's disease uveitis.

BACKGROUND: This study sought to report the outcomes of a combined cataract extraction, intraocular lens (IOL) insertion and micro-incision vitrectomy (MIVS) procedure for the treatment of Behcet uveitis. METHODS: This investigation involved the retrospective evaluation of a case series of patients with Behcet uveitis who underwent cataract extraction, IOL insertion and MIVS in a single surgical session at the same institution between January 2013 and November 2016. Outcome measures included visual acuity, inflammatory reaction, systemic anti-inflammatory medications, intraocular pressure (IOP) and complications. RESULTS: Seven eyes of seven patients with a mean age of 39.00 ± 5.54 years (range, 32 to 48 years) and a mean follow-up duration of 13.57 ± 5.83 months (range, 6 to 24 months) were studied; five patients with a history of well-controlled uveitis were included. All patients underwent cataract extraction and IOL implantation combined with MIVS. All patients received postoperative steroids, which were slowly tapered during the weeks after surgery. There were no significant complications related to the surgery. Overall, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was improved from log MAR (logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution) 1.67 ± 0.67 preoperatively to log MAR 0.74 ± 0.35 postoperatively; this improvement was statistically significant (p < 0.05). All eyes were deemed quiet at follow-up, and no patients required the escalation of therapy for long-term uveitis control. CONCLUSIONS: This retrospective series indicates that a procedure that combines phacoemulsification, IOL implantation and MIVS is a feasible technique for the removal of cataracts and pathologic vitreous in eyes with Behcet uveitis. This approach can restore vision without obvious complications.

Density Functional Theory plus Hubbard U Study of the Segregation of Pt to the CeO2- x Grain Boundary.

Grain boundaries (GBs) can be used as traps for solute atoms and defects, and the interaction between segregants and GBs is crucial for understanding the properties of nanocrystalline materials. In this study, we have systematically investigated the Pt segregation and Pt-oxygen vacancies interaction at the ∑3 (111) GB in ceria (CeO2). The Pt atom has a stronger tendency to segregate to the ∑3 (111) GB than to the (111) and (110) free surfaces, but the tendency is weaker than to (112) and (100). Lattice distortion plays a dominant role in Pt segregation. At the Pt-segregated-GB (Pt@GB), oxygen vacancies prefer to form spontaneously near Pt in the GB region. However, at the pristine GB, oxygen vacancies can only form under O-poor conditions. Thus, Pt segregation to the GB promotes the formation of oxygen vacancies, and their strong interactions enhance the interfacial cohesion. We propose that GBs fabricated close to the surfaces of nanocrystalline ceria can trap Pt from inside the grains or other types of surface, resulting in the suppression of the accumulation of Pt on the surface under redox reactions, especially under O-poor conditions.

Stability of the V and Co atomic wires: a first-principles study.

We employ density-functional theory calculations plus pseudopotentials with the projector-augmented wave method to investigate the structural stability and electromagnetic characteristics of two infinite atomic wires made of vanadium (V) and cobalt (Co). We identify five stable V atomic wires and four stable Co atomic wires. The H structure of the V atomic wire shows semiconductor characteristics, and the other four structures show metallic properties. None of the V chains has magnetism. On the other hand, the four stable Co atomic wires have metal properties. The dimerized Co atomic chain is shown to be ferromagnetic with a maximum spin magnetic moment.

sp3-Bonded silicon allotropes based on the Kelvin problem.

The Kelvin problem, how to partition three-dimensional space into cells of equal volume with minimal area, is a fascinating one. Aggregations of bubbles are naturally physical illustrations of the Kelvin problem. And the superconductor Na8Si46 as an inspiration leads to an amazing discovery of the Weaire-Phelan (WP) structure of foam - the optimal solution to the Kelvin problem to date. Here based on the structural similarity between sp(3)-bonded silicon allotropes and the solutions to the Kelvin problem, a series of new sp(3)-hybridization silicon allotropes, named "Kelvin Silicons", are presented. Furthermore, the structural stability and electronic properties of these new silicon allotropes are investigated using density-functional theory (DFT) calculations. The results show that Kelvin Silicons are structurally stable semiconductors with indirect bandgaps in the range of 0.17-1.40 eV, and their bulk moduli are about 75.9-88.5% that of the diamond phase. The simulated X-ray diffraction spectra of the new silicon crystalline structures would provide more information for possible experimental observations and synthesis.

From Kelvin problem to Kelvin carbons.

As children's toys, soap bubbles also underpin many important scientific questions. What is the most efficient structure for foam? - the "Kelvin problem," has been one of the most intriguing science and widely discussed over the past hundred years. Soap bubbles' frameworks have similar topology with sp(3)-bonded carbon or silicon allotropes, e.g., Weaire-Phelan foam and superconducting clathrate Na8Si46. By looking at the most efficient structure for foams, we construct a series of new carbon allotropes, named "Kelvin carbons." Unexpectedly, all 11 Kelvin carbons are structurally stable wide-bandgap semiconductors, and their densities and their intrinsic hardnesses are both about 81%-87% that of diamond. The seventh state of Kelvin carbons, K(VII), is a very low energy carbon structure after graphite, diamond, lonsdaleite, and type-II carbon clathrate. Kelvin carbons, which constitute a "bridge" between macro-foams and micro-carbons, together with recently proposed novel carbon phases can enrich the study of carbon allotropes.

Structures and magnetic properties of Fe(n)B (n =1-12) clusters.

The configurations, electronic structures and magnetic properties of Fe(n)B (n = 1-12) clusters have been calculated within the framework of all-electron density functional theory. The calculated results indicate that the B atom prefers a surface site for all the lowest-energy structures of Fe(n)B with n = 1-9 and 11, while for Fe10B and Fe12B, the B atom is found to occupy a center site forming a B-centered Fe(n) cage. Furthermore, relatively large HOMO-LUMO gaps are found for Fe6B and Fe7B, indicating the chemical inertness of the two isomers. For Fe4B, and Fe12B, the spin magnetic moments of the Fe atom significantly increase, but the spin moments decrease slightly for all the other Fe(n)B clusters.

The structures and magnetic moments of Co-C clusters.

The geometries, binding energies, and magnetic moments of small CoC(N) (N = 1-8) and CO2C(N) (N = 1-6) clusters are studied systematically using all-electron density functional theory (DFT) with the generalized gradient approximation (GGA). The results indicate that, for the CoC(N) (N = 1-8) and Co2C(N) (N = 1-6) clusters, the lowest-energy structures are predicted to be linear structures except for CoC2 and CoC7. The ground states of the CoC(N) (N = 1-8) clusters are linear geometries (C(v)) with Co atom at one end. The ground states of the Co2C(N) (N = 1-6) clusters are linear geometries (D(h)) with the two Co atoms located at the two ends. For all the clusters, analysis of the Mülliken population shows that charge transfers from the Co atom(s) to the C atoms. The magnetic moment lies primarily on the Co atom(s).

Au42: a possible ground-state noble metallic nanotube.

A large hollow tubelike Au(42) is predicted as a new ground-state configuration based on the scalar relativistic density functional theory. The shape of this new Au(42) cluster is similar to a (5,5) single-wall gold nanotube, the two ends of which are capped by half of a fullerenelike Au(32). In the same way, a series of Au(n) (n = 37, 42, 47, 52, 57, 62, 67, 72, ..., Delta n = 5) tubelike structures has been constructed. The highest occupied molecular orbital-lowest unoccupied molecular orbital gaps suggested a significant semiconductor-conductor alternation in n is an element of [32,47]. Similar to the predictions and speculation of Daedalus [D. E. H. Jones, New Sci. 32, 245 (1966); E. Osawa, Superaromaticity (Kagaku, Kyoto, 1970), Vol. 25, pp. 854-863; Z. Yoshida and E. Osawa, Aromaticity Chemical Monograph (Kagaku Dojin, Kyoto, Japan, 1971), Vol. 22, pp. 174-176; D. A. Bochvar and E. G. Gal'pern, Dokl. Akad. Nauk SSSR 209, 610 (1973)], here a large hollow ground-state gold nanotube was predicted theoretically.

[The effect of puerarin on prevention of oxidative damage of cultured lens capsule epithelial cells].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the peroxynitrite damage to the lens epithelial cells (LEC) and the prevention of this damage by puerarin in vitro. METHODS: This paper was experimental study. Rabbit LEC were isolated and cultured and the third or forth passage LEC were used in this experiment The experiment groups included: (1) CONTROL GROUP: Heat-pathogen free saline (NS) 200 microl was added to the medium; (2) ONOO- group: ONOO- 200 microl was added to obtain the terminal concentration at 0. 5 mmol/L; (3) Puerarin group: 5 microg/ml ONOO- and 10 microg/ml puerarin were added simultaneously. Then, the cells were cultured and collected after 6,12 or 24 hours. The nitrotyrosine (NT), a symbol of the ONOO-, was tested with immunofluorescence technique. The expression of NT protein was examined with Western blot method. The cell morphology was observed with light microscope. Cell apoptosis was examined via DNA ladder, flow cytometry and Fas/FasL immunohistochemical staining. These datas were analyzed by one-way-ANOVA and q test. RESULTS: During the 6 to 24 hours of experiment period, green color could be observed in the cell nucleus and cytoplasm of control group. Staining ranged from yellow to brown-yellow, then to brown color were observed in STZ group. Staining ranged from faint green to yellow green or faint green color were observed in puerarin group. Slight expression of nitrotyrosine (NT) could be seen in the control group. A moderate to strong expression of NT was observed at different stages in the STZ group (A = 77.22 +/- 2.44, 145.00 +/- 3.94, 235. 8 +/- 5.97). At 6 hours, a slight expression of NT could be seen in the control group (A = 72.78 +/- 2.64), this increased at 12 hours (A =89. 94 +/- 3.01) and decreased at 24 hours (A = 74. 44 +/- 3.00). With computer photo-analysis, there were significant differences between the control, STZ and puerarin groups at different period during the experiment (q = 78.12, 82.76, 69.98, P <0. 01). In the control group, cell morphology and gene DNA ladder were normal, minor apoptosis could be observed but no expression of Fas/FasL in the membrane and cytoplasm of the cells. Distinctive cell morphology changes and the typical "ladder bands" as well as the expression of Fas/FasL could be observed in STZ group. All of these aspects were comparatively normal in puerarin group. CONCLUSIONS: The LEC apoptosis induced by ONOO- in vitro could be alleviated by puerarin. Fas/FasL cell signal transduction pathway may affect and strengthen the apoptosis process mediated by ONOO-.