Traditional Chinese medicine Kuan-Sin-Yin decoction inhibits cell mobility via downregulation of CCL2, CEACAM1 and PIK3R3 in hepatocellular carcinoma cells.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Kuan-Sin-Yin (KSY) is a traditional Chinese medical decoction, designed based on the classic Si-Jun-Zi-Tang decoction and used clinically to improve the synergic effects of energy promotion, liver function and cancer related symptom and quality of life. However, the anti-hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) function of KSY is unclear. AIM OF THE STUDY: This study aimed to investigate the anti-mobility activity of KSY on HCC cells and elucidate its molecular mechanism. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Two malignancy hepatocellular carcinoma cells, Mahlavu and SK-Hep-1, were used for the test of cell proliferation via alarm blue assay. The wound healing and Transwell assays were used to determine the anti-mobility activity of KSY in HCC cells. Cell morphology was analyzed via confocal microscopy. The genomic profile of KSY-treated HCC cells was analyzed by microarray. The potential signaling pathways and bio-functions of KSY-mediated genes were analyzed by ingenuity pathway analysis (IPA). Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) was used to detect the messenger RNA (mRNA) level of indicated gene. RESULTS: KSY did not affect cell viability of HCC cells but significantly inhibited cell migration and invasion in those HCC Mahlavu and SK-Hep-1 cells. In parallel, KSY induced changes in morphology of HCC cells via re-modulating actin cytoskeleton. KSY upregulated 1270 genes but reduced 1534 genes in Mahlavu cells. KSY regulated various gene networks which controlled cell migration, invasion and movement. Specifically, KSY reduced expression of chemokine (C-C motif) ligand 2 (CCL2), which is correlated to cell mobility, and concomitantly downregulated mRNA levels of phosphoinositide-3-kinase regulatory subunit 3 (PIK3R3) and CEA cell adhesion molecule 1 (CEACAM1). CONCLUSION: These findings indicated that regulation of CCL2-mediated PIK3R3 and CEACAM1 may be involved in KSY inhibited cell mobility. Moreover, KSY may be a potential a Chinese decoction for reducing cell mobility.

Proteomic Profiling of Aqueous Humor Exosomes from Age-related Macular Degeneration Patients.

Purpose: The alteration of the exosomal proteins in the aqueous humor (AH) is linked to the development of eye diseases. The goal of this study was to examine the exosomal protein profile of patients with age-related macular degeneration (AMD) to better understand their role in the pathogenesis of AMD. Methods: Exosomes were isolated from the AH of 28 AMD and 25 control eyes. The quality, concentration, and size distribution of exosomes were measured using a nanoparticle tracking analysis system (NTA). Total exosomal proteins from each sample were purified and digested with trypsin for liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. Results: Based on LC-MS/MS analysis, we got 105 exosomal peptides from AMD and control patients. Gene ontology (GO) analysis in the biology process revealed that exosomal proteins of AMD were enriched in the lipoprotein metabolic process. T-test analysis revealed six exosomal proteins in patients with AMD were significantly different from controls. Comparing the exosomal protein profile of AMD patients who were receiving anti-VEGF therapy, we observed the amount of two proteins decreased with the duration of the anti-VEGF treatment time. Conclusions: In this study, we successfully isolated and purified AH exosomes. Our results provide pioneering findings for the exosomal protein profile in AMD development and under therapy. These unique proteins could be the new targets for drug discovery or biological markers for evaluating therapeutic efficacy.

Necessity of Local Modification for Deep Learning Algorithms to Predict Diabetic Retinopathy.

Deep learning (DL) algorithms are used to diagnose diabetic retinopathy (DR). However, most of these algorithms have been trained using global data or data from patients of a single region. Using different model architectures (e.g., Inception-v3, ResNet101, and DenseNet121), we assessed the necessity of modifying the algorithms for universal society screening. We used the open-source dataset from the Kaggle Diabetic Retinopathy Detection competition to develop a model for the detection of DR severity. We used a local dataset from Taipei City Hospital to verify the necessity of model localization and validated the three aforementioned models with local datasets. The experimental results revealed that Inception-v3 outperformed ResNet101 and DenseNet121 with a foreign global dataset, whereas DenseNet121 outperformed Inception-v3 and ResNet101 with the local dataset. The quadratic weighted kappa score (κ) was used to evaluate the model performance. All models had 5-8% higher κ for the local dataset than for the foreign dataset. Confusion matrix analysis revealed that, compared with the local ophthalmologists' diagnoses, the severity predicted by the three models was overestimated. Thus, DL algorithms using artificial intelligence based on global data must be locally modified to ensure the applicability of a well-trained model to make diagnoses in clinical environments.

Evaluation of axial length to identify the effects of monocular 0.125% atropine treatment for pediatric anisometropia.

The aim of the study is to determine the effects of monocular 0.125% atropine daily treatment on the longer axial length (AL) eyes in children with pediatric anisometropia. This was a retrospective cohort study. The charts of children with anisometropia (aged 6-15 years) who had a > 0.2-mm difference in AL between the two eyes were reviewed. Children who received monocular treatment of 0.125% atropine in the eye with longer AL were included for final analysis. The main outcome measure was the difference in AL between the two eyes after treatment. Regression analysis was used to model the changes in AL according to the time of treatment in both eyes. Finally, forty eyes in 20 patients (mean age 10.2 years) were included in the analyses. During the treatment period, AL was controlled in the treated eyes (p = 0.389) but elongated significantly in the untreated eyes (p < 0.001). The difference in AL between the treated and untreated eyes decreased from 0.57 to 0.22 mm (p < 0.001) after the 1-year treatment period. In the regression model, the best fit for the relationship between changes in AL and time during the treatment period in the treated eyes was the quadratic regression model with a concave function. In conclusion, these data suggest that 0.125% atropine daily is an effective treatment to reduce the interocular difference of AL in eyes with axial anisometropia. This pilot study provides useful information for future prospective and larger studies of atropine for the treatment of pediatric axial anisometropia.

Proteomic analysis of Exosomes derived from the Aqueous Humor of Myopia Patients.

Objectives: Myopia is the most common refractive vision disorder. In recent years, several studies have suggested that the alteration of the exosomal protein levels in the aqueous humor (AH) is associated with the development of several eye diseases. Therefore, we aimed to explore the exosomal protein profile of the AH from myopia patients. Methods: Exosomes were isolated from the AH. The quality, concentration, and size distribution of exosomes for each patient were measured using nanoparticle tracking analysis system. Then, the exosomal proteins were purified and digested by trypsin for liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analysis. Results: There was no significant difference observed between the myopia and control when comparing the concentration and size distribution of exosomes in the AH for each sample. Based on LC-MS/MS analysis, myopia patients had higher and more complex exosomal peptide content. We found two proteins that were common in AH exosomes and eight proteins that were highly expressed in the myopia group. Conclusions: Our results provide pioneering findings for the exploration of the exosomal protein profile in myopia development. Further studies may provide significant information for the diagnosis, clinical treatment, and prognosis of myopia.

Increased Time Outdoors Is Followed by Reversal of the Long-Term Trend to Reduced Visual Acuity in Taiwan Primary School Students.

PURPOSE: To investigate the change in the prevalence of reduced visual acuity (VA) in Taiwanese school children after a policy intervention promoting increased time outdoors. DESIGN: Prospective cohort study based on the Taiwan School Student Visual Acuity Screen (TSVAS) by the Ministry of Education in Taiwan. PARTICIPANTS: All school children from grades 1 through 6 were enrolled in the TSVAS from 2001 through 2015. METHODS: The TSVAS requires each school in Taiwan to perform measurements of uncorrected VA (UCVA) on all students in grades 1 through 6 every half year using a Tumbling E chart. Reduced VA was defined as UCVA of 20/25 or less. Data from 1.2 to 1.9 million primary school children each year were collected from 2001 through 2015. A policy program named Tian-Tian 120 encouraged schools to take students outdoors for 120 minutes every day for myopia prevention. It was instituted in September 2010. To investigate the impact of the intervention, a segmented regression analysis of interrupted time series was performed. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Prevalence of reduced VA. RESULTS: From 2001 to 2011, the prevalence of reduced VA of school children from grades 1 through 6 increased from 34.8% (95% confidence interval [CI], 34.7%-34.9%) to 50.0% (95% CI, 49.9%-50.1%). After the implementation of the Tian-Tian 120 outdoor program, the prevalence decreased continuously from 49.4% (95% CI, 49.3%-49.5%) in 2012 to 46.1% (95% CI, 46.0%-46.2%) in 2015, reversing the previous long-term trend. For the segmented regression analysis controlling for gender and grade, a significant constant upward trend before the intervention in the mean annual change of prevalence was found (+1.58%; standard error [SE], 0.08; P < 0.001). After the intervention, the trend changed significantly, with a constant decrease by -2.34% annually (SE, 0.23; P < 0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Policy intervention to promote increased time outdoors in schools was followed by a reversal of the long-term trend toward increased low VA in school children in Taiwan. Because randomized trials have demonstrated outdoor exposure slowing myopia onset, interventions to promote increased time outdoors may be useful in other areas affected by an epidemic of myopia.

Expression Profiling of Exosomal miRNAs Derived from the Aqueous Humor of Myopia Patients.

Myopia is the most common refractive disorder in Eastern Asia. The development of myopia is associated with the cooperation of various ocular tissues. Exosomes in the aqueous humor (AH) have been implicated to modulate intracellular communications by transferring exosomal miRNAs and proteins between cells. These exosomal miRNAs and proteins are likely involved in the pathogenesis of various eye diseases. In this study, we aimed to explore human exosomal miRNA profiles and their roles in myopia development. AH samples were collected from 16 patients (8 myopia and 8 control) undergoing routine cataract surgeries. Exosomes were isolated from AH of each individual using the ExoQuick solution. The numbers and sizes of exosomes were not significantly different between the myopia and control groups. The individual exosomes of the same group were pooled to purify RNA. Unexpectedly, the myopia group contained 2.78-fold total RNA amount than that in the control group. Thereafter, miRNA profiles were analyzed using the OpenArray system. We thus found 15 myopia-specific miRNAs and four myopia-absent miRNAs. By using bioinformatics analysis, we identified six well-known myopia-associated genes that are potential targets of five myopia-specific miRNAs (has-miR-582-3p, has-miR-17-5p, has-miR-885-3p, has-miR-19b-3p, and has-miR-450b-5p). These genes are cholinergic receptor muscarinic 2 (CHRM2), cyclic nucleotide-gated channel beta 3 (CNGB3), vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA), adenosine A2a receptor (ADORA2A), insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1), and lumican (LUM). Moreover, CHRM2 may be a target of myopia-absent miRNA (has-miR-378a-5p). In conclusion, we show the expression profiles of AH-derived exosomal miRNAs and their potential roles in myopia development.

Mineral trioxide aggregate affects cell viability and induces apoptosis of stem cells from human exfoliated deciduous teeth.

BACKGROUND: Mineral trioxide aggregate (MTA) is widely used for pulp-capping procedures in permanent teeth and as a gold standard material in endodontics. The aim of the study was to investigate the effect of MTA on cell viability and apoptosis when MTA is directly in contact with Stem Cells from Human Exfoliated Deciduous Teeth (SHEDs). METHODS: MTA was mixed and coated in the bottom of a 24-well plate. SHEDs collected and cultured from normal exfoliated human deciduous teeth (passages 3-4) were seeded on square cover glasses. The glasses with seeded SHEDs were incubated in the plates with or without MTA coating. They were divided into four groups: MTA direct contact, direct control, MTA indirect contact, and indirect control. After 1, 2 and 3 days of culturing, cell morphology was observed and cell viability was assessed by the WST-1 cell cytotoxicity assay. TUNEL assay, immunofluorescent labeling and western blot analysis were used to study the effects of MTA on SHEDs apoptosis. RESULTS: MTA impaired cell viability of SHEDs in 1, 2 and 3 days, and the effect of direct contact was more severe. Cell apoptosis with positive Annexin V and TUNEL staining was noted when there was direct contact with MTA. Western blot analysis revealed that Bcl-2 and Bcl-xL decreased after SHEDs were in contact with MTA. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that direct contact with 1 week post-set MTA significantly decreases the viability of SHEDs and induced cell apoptosis. The results suggest that there is a possible cytotoxic effect of pulp tissue when there is direct contact with MTA. Different responses would be expected due to the strong alkaline characteristics of fresh mixed MTA.

Myopia Prevention and Outdoor Light Intensity in a School-Based Cluster Randomized Trial.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effectiveness of a school-based program promoting outdoor activities in Taiwan for myopia prevention and to identify protective light intensities. DESIGN: Multi-area, cluster-randomized intervention controlled trial. PARTICIPANTS: A total 693 grade 1 schoolchildren in 16 schools participated. Two hundred sixty-seven schoolchildren were in the intervention group and 426 were in the control group. METHODS: Initially, 24 schools were randomized into the intervention and control groups, but 5 and 3 schools in the intervention and control groups, respectively, withdrew before enrollment. A school-based Recess Outside Classroom Trial was implemented in the intervention group, in which schoolchildren were encouraged to go outdoors for up to 11 hours weekly. Data collection included eye examinations, cycloplegic refraction, noncontact axial length measurements, light meter recorders, diary logs, and questionnaires. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Change in spherical equivalent and axial length after 1 year and the intensity and duration of outdoor light exposures. RESULTS: The intervention group showed significantly less myopic shift and axial elongation compared with the control group (0.35 diopter [D] vs. 0.47 D; 0.28 vs. 0.33 mm; P = 0.002 and P = 0.003) and a 54% lower risk of rapid myopia progression (odds ratio, 0.46; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.28-0.77; P = 0.003). The myopic protective effects were significant in both nonmyopic and myopic children compared with controls. Regarding spending outdoor time of at least 11 hours weekly with exposure to 1000 lux or more of light, the intervention group had significantly more participants compared with the control group (49.79% vs. 22.73%; P < 0.001). Schoolchildren with longer outdoor time in school (≥200 minutes) showed significantly less myopic shift (measured by light meters; ≥1000 lux: 0.14 D; 95% CI, 0.02-0.27; P = 0.02; ≥3000 lux: 0.16 D; 95% CI, 0.002-0.32; P = 0.048). CONCLUSIONS: The school-based outdoor promotion program effectively reduced the myopia change in both nonmyopic and myopic children. Outdoor activities with strong sunlight exposure may not be necessary for myopia prevention. Relatively lower outdoor light intensity activity with longer time outdoors, such as in hallways or under trees, also can be considered.

Danshensu Decreases UVB-Induced Corneal Inflammation in an Experimental Mouse Model via Oral Administration.

BACKGROUND: Danshensu is a bioactive constituent of Salvia miltiorrhiza, a plant commonly used in traditional Chinese medicine. In this study, we investigated the pharmacological efficacy of sodium danshensu, or named salvianic acid A sodium (SAS) on ultraviolet B (UVB)-mediated corneal inflammatory injury in mice. METHODS: Albino mice were divided into one blank control group, and three UVB radiation groups, i.e. SAS-untreated group, and prophylactic treatment groups with SAS at 1 and 10 mg/kg via oral administration. The structure integrity and inflammatory changes of cornea were assessed by surface evaluation of smoothness, topographic distortion, opacity, lissamine green staining, and histologic tissue staining. The inflammatory cytokines was measured by bead-based ELISA assays. RESULTS: Prophylactic treatment of SAS significantly inhibited pathologic changes, improved tissue structural integrity, and reduced inflammatory injury in the cornea after UVB exposure. Dosing with SAS treatment attenuated the incidence rate of leukocyte influx by inhibit increase of interleukin (IL)-1ß, IL-6, monocyte chemoattractant protein-1, and tumor necrosis factor-α. Treatment with 10 mg/kg SAS was more effective in preventing the onset of corneal damage than that with 1 mg/kg SAS. CONCLUSIONS: These results indicate that SAS exhibit the pharmacological efficacy on corneal protection through its inhibition of UVB induced photodamage and subsequently inflammatory injury in vivo.

Diagnostic capability of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer parameters in time-domain versus spectral-domain optical coherence tomography for assessing glaucoma in high myopia.

AIM: To evaluate and compare the diagnostic capabilities of peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (p-RNFL) parameters of Spectralis optical coherence tomography (OCT) versus Stratus OCT to detect glaucoma in patients with high myopia. METHODS: This is a retrospective, cross-sectional study. Sixty highly myopic eyes of 60 patients were enrolled, with 30 eyes in the glaucoma group and 30 eyes in the control group. All eyes received peripapillary imaging of the optic disc using Stratus and Spectralis OCT. Areas under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUROC) and the sensitivity at specificity of >80% and >95% for p-RNFL parameters obtained using the two devices to diagnose glaucoma were analysed and compared. RESULTS: In Spectralis OCT, p-RNFL thickness parameters with the largest AUROC were the temporal-inferior sector (0.974) and the inferior quadrant (0.951), whereas in Stratus OCT, the best parameters were the 7-o'clock sector (0.918) and the inferior quadrant (0.918). Compared to the Stratus OCT parameters, the Spectralis OCT parameters demonstrated generally higher AUROC; however, the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSION: The best p-RNFL parameters for diagnosing glaucoma in patients with high myopia were the temporal-inferior sector on Spectralis OCT and the 7-o'clock sector on Stratus OCT. There were no significant differences between the AUROCs for Spectralis OCT and Stratus OCT, which suggest that the glaucoma diagnostic capabilities of these two devices in patients with high myopia are similar.

GORE-TEX VASCULAR GRAFT FOR MACULAR BUCKLING IN HIGH MYOPIA EYES.

PURPOSE: To evaluate a new application of an expanded polytetrafluoroethylene (Gore-Tex) vascular graft for use in macular buckling surgery for treatment of highly myopic eyes. METHODS: The Gore-Tex vascular graft was used as a macular buckling material in eight consecutive cases of myopic macular diseases which included fovea detachment, foveoschisis, or macular hole retinal detachment. RESULTS: Retinal reattachment was achieved in all cases except one which had partial resolution (88%). The postoperative best-corrected visual acuity ranged from 20/2000 to 20/100 depending on the degree preexisting macular degeneration, and significant better than the preoperative best-corrected visual acuity (P = 0.048, paired t-test). During the follow-up period, which ranged from 8 months to 3 years, no eye developed buckle-related complications such as infection or dislocation. CONCLUSION: The initial pilot results from this series using a Gore-Tex graft for macular buckling is promising. Throughout the follow-up period, the Gore-Tex was well tolerated in the highly myopic eyes. Large scale and long-term follow-up is warranted.

Epidemiology of Myopia.

Myopia is not a simple refractive error, but an eyesight-threatening disease. There is a high prevalence of myopia, 80% to 90%, in young adults in East Asia; myopia has become the leading cause of blindness in this area. As the myopic population increases globally, the severity of its impact is predicted. Approximately one fifth of the myopic population has high myopia (≥-6 diopters), which results in irreversible vision loss such as retinal detachment, choroidal neovascularization, cataracts, glaucoma, and macular atrophy. The increasing prevalence of school myopia in the past few decades may be a result of gene-environment interactions. However, earlier school myopia onset would accompany faster myopia progression and greater risk of high myopia later in life. Recently, there have been effective interventions to delay the onset of myopia, such as outdoor activity and decreasing the duration of near work. Hyperopia (≤0.5 diopters) is a predictor of myopia. Pharmacological agents and optic interventions such as low-concentration atropine and orthokeratology may slow progression in myopic children. Novel surgeries and anti-vascular endothelial growth factor drugs could deal with some myopic complications. From available evidence, the prevention, control, and treatment of myopia seem to be promising. However, to reduce the impact of myopia in future decades, more work and effort are still needed, including that by governments and intercountry eye health organizations.

Selection of immunodominant fragments from envelope gene for vaccine against Japanese encephalitis virus in DNA priming-protein boosting protocols.

Fragmentation of E gene of JEV into smaller fragments, none of the fragments either in plasmids form or in recombinant protein form can induce optimal protection against the virus infection. It is only when DNA priming-protein boosting strategies are used then the N-terminal E(A) and the C-terminal E(B) showed full protection against JEV as those induced by commercial vaccine, provided both fragments are preceded in the N-terminal by a signal peptide M(15) derived from C-terminal of prM gene in JEV genome. When the subfragments of E(A): E(A1) and E(A2) and E(B): E(B1) and E(B2) are tested, only E(A1) subfragment can replace E(A) in protein boosting to induce optimal protection against JEV, E(A2), E(B1), E(B2) in plasmid or protein forms are not. Therefore, along the E gene (978-2330 bp) N-terminal, E(A1) (978-1580 bp) and C-terminal E(B) (1851-2330 bp) are the most effective in inducing immunity against JEV but not the middle fragment E(A2) (1518-1877 bp) (see for orientation of E(A1), E(A2) and E(B) in E gene). Under the notion that molecular complexity determines the outcome of immune response of the host, E(B) being shorter, simpler in molecular structure and can be easily expressed in soluble form in E. coli (as opposed to insoluble E(A1)), E(B) probably will be the choice as a candidate vaccine to protect the host against JEV infection.

Sub-fragments of the envelope gene are highly protective against the Japanese encephalitis virus lethal infection in DNA priming--protein boosting immunization strategies.

The envelope (E) gene of Japanese encephalitis virus (JEV) plays a major protective role against JEV infection. In order to locate the part of E gene that is responsible for this protection, an N-terminal fragment EA (nucleotide number 933-1877 bp of JEV genome) and a C-terminal fragment EB (nucleotide number 1851-2330 bp of JEV genome) from E gene were prepared. Both of these fragments were used in the form of recombinant proteins (rEA and rEB) and plasmid DNA (pEA, pM15EA and pEB) for immunizations. Recombinant EA protein (rEA) was previously found to be non-protective because it was expressed in an insoluble form. Plasmid EA (pEA) was also found to be non-protective unless it is preceded by a 15 mer signal peptide derived from the very C-terminal of the membrane gene (M) of JEV to form pM15EA plasmid indicating the importance of the signal peptide in the expression of EA immunogenicity. Although pM15EA and pEB are both immunogenic and protective against JEV lethal infection, the protection by both fragments however is not optimal. Even when pM15EA and pEB were used together for immunization, maximum protection as those induced by control vaccine was not achieved. However, if individual fragments (EA or EB) were used in a DNA priming-protein boosting or protein priming-DNA boosting strategy, high levels of protection were achieved by both fragments. This was especially true for EA fragment where the level of protection against JEV lethal infection was equal to that induced by commercially available vaccine alone. The protection correlated very well with the neutralizing antibody titers and the T helper cell involved in this process in mainly the Th1 type.