Role of tear vasoactive intestinal peptide on dry eyes after laser keratorefractive surgery.

BACKGROUND: To explore the changes in vasoactive intestinal peptide (VIP) concentration in tears post laser-assisted sub-epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) and femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) surgeries and related factors, possible association between postoperative dry eye symptoms and VIP concentration in tears, and factors influencing dry eye symptoms after different periods post LASEK and FS-LASIK surgeries. METHODS: In this prospective, non-randomized, longitudinal cohort study, 23 and 22 subjects were recruited and underwent LASEK and FS-LASIK, respectively. After conducting an intact ophthalmic examination and collecting relevant surgical data, all subjects were examined for VIP concentration in their tears using ELISAs, tear-film breakup time, ocular staining and ocular surface disease index questionnaire before surgery and 1 day, 1 week, and 1 month post-surgery. RESULTS: Tear VIP concentration increased significantly after both LASEK and FS-LASIK, with the highest concentration observed 1 week post-surgery (P ≤ 0.05). Tear VIP concentration correlated negatively with corneal ablation depth (AD). The extent of dry eyes was related to the operation method employed and postoperative recovery period. In FS-LASIK and LASEK subjects, dry eyes were mainly affected by the basic ocular surface status before surgery, and VIP concentration. Furthermore, in LASEK subjects, dry eyes were negatively correlated with AD. CONCLUSION: VIP was stimulated and mobilized as an emergency protection post-refractive surgery and a trauma model affected by AD. It can indirectly indicate the inevitable relationship between postoperative dry eye and nerve injury. Elevated post-surgery tear VIP relieves dry eye symptoms, showing its neuroimmune role in regulating adverse injury stimulation. The present study provides a solution to the pathogenesis of postoperative dry eyes. TRIAL REGISTRATION: The trial registration number: 2021JS22. Date of registration: 10 May 2021.

The Effect of Whole Blood and Bone Marrow with the Addition of Pyrimidine-2,4(1h,3h)-dione Thietanyl Derivatives on Free Radical Oxidation.

BACKGROUND: It is relevant to study the general patterns and identify non-specific mechanisms of body protective and adaptive reactions violation, which can lead to the various pathological processes and develop principles for the correction of these disorders. One of the therapy and prevention directions is the search for new medicines. In recent years, new derivatives of pyrimidine bases have been synthesized and studied. Pyrimidine-based medicines have a membrane-stabilizing and immunomodulatory effect and can normalize metabolic disorders and increase the oxidative activity of leukocytes. Disruption of the free radical oxidation processes, the generation of reactive oxygen species and lipid peroxidation, including in whole blood and bone marrow, has gained importance in recent years. METHODS: Each reaction was monitored by thin layer chromatography. 1H, 13C, and 15N NMR spectra were recorded (chemical shifts were expressed as δ-values). We studied the effect of 6-methyl-3-(thietan- 3-yl)pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione on the generation of reactive oxygen species (ROS) in the whole blood and bone marrow using the study of whole blood spontaneous and stimulated chemiluminescence (CL). CL methods make it possible to quickly and easily assess the studied material (whole blood, bone marrow) effect on free radical oxidation. Using CL methods, it is possible to reveal the presence of medicines' pro- or antioxidant properties, opening up new possibilities in the search for substances with antioxidant properties and comparing their activity. RESULTS: Alkylation of 6-methylpyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione by 2-chloromethylthiirane in protic solvents in the presence of alkali leads to the formation of an N-thietane derivative. NMR spectroscopy showed that 6-methylpyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione was alkylated at position 3. The oxidation reactions of N-(thietan-3-yl)pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-dione were studied, and it was determined that, depending on the excess of the oxidizing agent and the duration of the process, N-(1-oxothietan-3-yl)- or N-(1,1-- dioxothietan-3-yl)pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-diones were formed. The effects of free radical oxidation processes of new biologically active pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-diones were studied. CONCLUSION: New pyrimidine-2,4(1H,3H)-diones increase the general adaptive capabilities of the body and have protective effects in extreme conditions.

An approach to assessment of Keshan disease elimination at the township level.

BACKGROUND: The aim of this study was to pilot a method of a small-scale survey for the assessment of Keshan disease (KD) elimination at township level. METHODS: The prevalence of chronic KD was obtained by case-searching the whole population. The endemic village with the highest prevalence of chronic KD was selected as the key village for the survey of latent KD prevalence rate among permanent residents. The selenium levels in the head hair of individuals in the key village was measured. The professionals of the department of endemic disease control, the township and village doctors were surveyed by pre-designed questionnaire survey for KD interventions. RESULTS: We conducted this study in 2013. Yuanbao township had a population of 16 487 people and 14 862 permanent residents. There were no acute or subacute KD cases in the previous 5 years. The prevalence rate of chronic KD and natural chronic KD were 6.7/10 000 and 3.4/10 000 respectively. The prevalence rate of latent KD was 250.6/10 000, higher than the elimination criterion. The head hair selenium levels were 0.23±0.18 mg/kg. CONCLUSIONS: The small-scale survey methodology for assessing KD elimination at township level was feasible. KD among the people living in Yuanbao township has not been eliminated.

MicroRNA-377 Mediates Cardiomyocyte Apoptosis Induced by Cyclosporin A.

Cyclosporin A (CsA) is a potent immunosuppressant that has wide clinical applications for autoimmune disorders and prevention of rejection in organ transplantation. However, its liver, kidney, and heart toxicity has limited its use. In this study, we investigated the mechanism by which CsA induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis. Through microarray analysis, we found that the expression of microRNA (miR)-377 was regulated by CsA. Ectopic overexpression of miR-377 led to increased apoptosis in cardiomyocytes, as evidenced by an increased number of apoptotic cells, increased levels of proapoptotic proteins, decreased levels of antiapoptotic proteins, and elevated caspase pathway activity. We also found that miR-377 was required for CsA-induced apoptosis, because inhibition of miR-377 expression markedly reduced the ability of CsA to induce cardiomyocyte apoptosis. In addition, we identified XIAP and NRP2 as direct targets for miR-377. The expression levels of these 2 antiapoptotic proteins were negatively regulated by miR-377, as well as by CsA both in vitro and in vivo. Our data suggested that CsA induced cardiomyocyte apoptosis through the miR-377-XIAP/NRP2 axis.