A corneal stroma circular ring captured by smartphone adaptor slit lamp camera after small incision lenticule extraction.

A corneal stroma circular ring has captured by smartphone adaptor slit lamp camera after smile for 1 week.

Early changes of ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness and macular microvasculature in Posner-Schlossman syndrome: a binocular control study by OCTA.

To evaluate the early changes in ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer thickness and macular microvasculature in Posner-Schlossman syndrome (PSS) with a binocular control study involving optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Twenty-six patients with unilateral PSS were included in this cross-sectional study. All subjects underwent a thorough ocular examination. Macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (mGCIPL) and superficial macular microvasculature measurements, including vessel density (VD), perfusion density (PD) and the foveal avascular zone (FAZ), were recorded. In PSS-affected eyes, the mGCIPL thickness was significantly lower in all quadrants than in the contralateral eyes (all p < 0.05). Significant macular microvascular damage was found in the PSS-affected eyes, including whole-image VD (wiVD), wiPD, perifoveal VD (periVD) and periPD (all p < 0.05); but there was no obvious difference in parafoveal VD (paraVD), paraPD and FAZ parameters (all p > 0.05). In addition, a decreased wiVD and wiPD were significantly correlated with a smaller mGCIPL thickness and a decreased MD (all p < 0.05). These parameters may contribute to the early detection of glaucomatous damage and timely supervision of disease progression in PSS.

Characterisation of macular superficial vessel density alteration in preclinical ethambutol-induced optic neuropathy using optical coherence tomography angiography.

AIM: To investigate the changes in macular vessel density (mVD) and its relationship to macular ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (mGCIPL) thickness in patients receiving ethambutol (EMB) therapy for tuberculosis without recognisable clinical symptoms or signs of EMB-induced optic neuropathy (EON). METHODS: A total of 23 eyes of 13 patients using EMB therapy for 6 months without EON (preclinical EON) as the EMB group, 40 eyes of 23 healthy individuals as the normal control group and 18 eyes of 10 patients with tuberculosis before receiving EMB therapy as the blank control group were retrospectively analysed. The mean peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (pRNFL) and mGCIPL thicknesses and mVD were measured using optical coherence tomography angiography. Patients in the EMB group were compared with individuals in the normal and blank control groups, and changes in macular parameters were evaluated. RESULTS: Central circle mVD (cCVD) was significantly lower in the EMB group than in both control groups (generalised estimating equation (GEE), p=0.003 and 0.029, respectively). The mGCIPL thickness in all regions and the mean pRNFL thickness were not significantly different between the EMB group and both control groups (GEE, p=1.000 for all). There were no significant differences in mVD, mGCIPL thickness and mean pRNFL thickness between the normal control and blank control groups (p>0.05). In the generalised linear model analyses, the minimum and inferonasal mGCIPL thicknesses were positively correlated with cCVD in the EMB group (ß=1.285, p=0.003 and ß=0.770, p=0.024, respectively). CONCLUSIONS: cCVD decreased with no changes in mGCIPL and mean pRNFL thicknesses in patients with preclinical EON. The minimum and inferonasal mGCIPL thicknesses were positively correlated with cCVD. cCVD might be an early indicator for monitoring early-stage EMB toxicity.

Synergistic oxidation-filtration process of electroactive peroxydisulfate with a cathodic composite CNT-PPy/PVDF ultrafiltration membrane.

Ultrafiltration is an advanced water treatment process which performs poorly in the removal of small molecule organic pollutants, and is susceptible to irreversible membrane fouling. In this study, a new carbon nanotube cross-linked polypyrrole composite ultrafiltration membrane (CNT-PPy/PVDF) was fabricated, and exhibited excellent conductivity, hydrophilicity, and permeability in a novel electro-filtration activated peroxydisulfate (PDS) system (EFAP) for cathodic electrochemical activation of PDS. The EFAP showed satisfactory performance in removal of series of small molecule organic pollutants (i.e., carbamazepine, sulfamethoxazole, phenol, diclofenac.) and stable removal ratio (remaining above 90% after 20 operating cycles). Further study proved the electric field could effectively protect the cathodic CNT-PPy/PVDF membrane from oxidative damage through continual free electrons injection. Besides, the EFAP achieved up to 95% flux recovery and 80% reduction of irreversible membrane fouling (bovine serum albumin as the model foulant). Moreover, experiments confirmed that the in situ generated •OH, SO4•-, and 1O2 were the main reactive oxygen species contributing to small organics removal, while the irreversible membrane fouling mitigation was mainly due to the electrical repulsion, SO4•- and •OH, rather than 1O2. This new type of EFAP may provide a promising and sustainable approach in organic emerging contaminants control in water treatment.

Halogen-Free Flame Retardant Polypropylene Fibers with Modified Intumescent Flame Retardant: Preparation, Characterization, Properties and Mode of Action.

A novel intumescent flame retardant (IFR) agent designated as Dohor-6000A has been used to prepare halogen-free flame retardant polypropylene (PP) fibers via melting spinning. Before being blended with PP resin, a surface modification of Dohor-6000A was carried out to improve its compatibility with the PP matrix. The rheological behavior of flame retardant Dohor-6000A/PP resin, the structure, morphology, mechanical properties, flammability of the Dohor-6000A/PP fibers were studied in detail, as well as the action mode of flame retardant. X-ray diffraction (XRD) showed that the addition of Dohor-6000A did not damage the crystal as well as the orientation structure of PP matrix, which was helpful to the maintenance of mechanical properties. The presence of the IFR significantly improved the flame retardant performance and thermal stability of PP fibers. When the content of Dohor-6000A reached 25%, the fibers displayed a limiting oxygen index (LOI) value of 29.1% and good melt-drop resistance. Moreover, the peak heat release rate (PHRR) and total heat release (THR) from microscale combustion colorimetry (MCC) tests were decreased by 26.0% and 16.0% in comparison with the same conditions for pure PP fibers. In the condensed phase, the IFR promoted a carbonization process and promoted the formation of a glassy or stable foam protective layer on the surface of the polymer matrix. In addition, the IFR decomposed endothermically to release of non-combustible gases such as NH3 and CO2 which dilutes the combustible gases in the combustion zone.

Renal cell carcinoma choroidal metastasis recorded by smartphone with interface eyepiece adapter mounted on slit lamp: A case report.

RATIONALE: Ocular metastasis of renal cell carcinoma (RCC) is rare, and mainly located on the choroid. We report a choroidal metastasis from RCC, which was recorded by a smartphone with an interface eyepiece adapter mounted on a slit lamp. PATIENT CONCERNS: A 45-year-old female presented with 1-month history of painless occlusion of the vision field on the left eye, who had undergone right nephrectomy for RCC 19 months ago. DIAGNOSES: A smooth, hemispherical and brown protrusion was found behind the pupil nasally. An enhanced computed tomography scan of the orbit showed a slightly high-density hemispherical nodule involving the nasal portions of the left eyeball, the enhancement of the lesion was obvious and homogeneous. A metastatic choroidal space-occupying lesion from RCC was highly suspected according to the clinical and radiological findings. INTERVENTIONS: The patient was advised to undergo further treatment, such as radiotherapy. OUTCOMES: The images of choroid metastasis were recorded by the smartphone with the interface eyepiece adapter mounted on the slit lamp handily. CONCLUSIONS: The smartphone with an interface eyepiece adapter mounted on the slit lamp can be widely used to record the precious images in the clinic in a timely manner.

The Potential Tumor Promotional Role of circVAPA in Retinoblastoma via Regulating miR-615-3p and SMARCE1.

BACKGROUND: Growing evidence reveals that circular RNAs (circRNAs) play roles in cancer development. However, the effects and possible mechanisms of circRNAs in retinoblastoma (RB) are far from clear. METHODS: circVAPA expression pattern was identified by RT-qPCR. circVAPA induced effects on RB cells were tested by CCK-8, clone forming, flow cytometry and transwell assays. Bioinformatics assay, rescue experiments and dual-luciferase tests were applied for mechanism exploration. Additionally, mouse models were established for in vivo assays. RESULTS: circVAPA was upregulated in human RB specimen and RB cell lines, and was correlated with poor outcomes of Rb patients. Knockdown of circVAPA could suppress the malignant phenotypes of RB. Mechanistic experiments demonstrated that miR-615-3p could reverse the circVAPA induced effects on RB cells, and the downstream oncogene SMARCE1 was positively regulated by circVAPA via miR-615-3p. Further, in vivo analysis confirmed the findings. CONCLUSION: In summary, circVAPA promoted RB proliferation and metastasis by sponging miR-615-3p, thereby upregulating SMARCE1. CircVAPA was a potential biomarker for Rb therapy.

A novel role for Livin in the response to ultraviolet B radiation and pterygium development.

A pterygium is an inflammatory, invasive and proliferative lesion on the ocular surface, which can decrease visual acuity, damage the ocular surface and affect the appearance of the eye. However, the underlying molecular mechanisms of the pathogenesis remain unclear. In the present study, the role of apoptosis­associated protein Livin in the occurrence and development of pterygium was investigated. Primary samples from quiescent or advanced clinical stages of pterygium and normal human conjunctival tissues were used to assess mRNA and protein expression levels of Livin using reverse transcription­quantitative PCR and immunohistochemistry, respectively. Livin was knocked down in pterygium epithelial cells (PECs) using small interfering RNA (siRNA), to investigate the role of Livin in PEC viability, migration, invasion ability and apoptosis. The cell viability, invasion ability and apoptosis of PECs following ultraviolet B (UVB) radiation alone or in combination with Livin silencing were also analyzed. Expression levels of Livin increased in the pterygium tissues compared with those in the normal conjunctiva at both the mRNA and protein levels. Livin expression levels in advanced pterygium were significantly higher compared with those in quiescent pterygium samples. Knockdown of Livin expression levels significantly reduced cell migration, invasion ability and cell viability, and induced apoptosis of PECs. Inhibition of Livin expression in PECs increased the expression levels of caspase­7, caspase­3 and E­cadherin, whereas expression levels of Snail were downregulated. Cell viability and invasion ability in PECs was enhanced following UVB radiation and Livin expression upregulated. UVB irradiation induced cell invasion ability of PECs and this was attenuated by Livin­silencing. Transfection with Livin siRNA also partially recovered the apoptosis rate of PECs, which was reduced by UVB irradiation. In conclusion, Livin was upregulated in pterygium, and UVB radiation functions in the development of pterygium by inducing Livin expression.

Levels, sources and influence mechanisms of heavy metal contamination in topsoils in Mirror Peninsula, East Antarctica.

Heavy metal contaminants in Mirror Peninsula, East Antarctica, have rarely been studied and the source and influencing factors are poorly understood. We sampled a grid of 189 topsoil samples from Mirror Peninsula and analyzed the concentrations of Zn, Cu, U, Cr, Ga, Pb, Hg, Se and As; we also calculated the chemical index of alteration (CIA), a proxy of weathering. The results show that the distributions of Cr, Ga, Cu, and Zn are associated with weathering; the distributions of As and Pb are related to vehicle use and unloading activities at the wharfs, respectively; and the distribution of Hg is likely associated with both anthropogenic impacts and biological activity. The contamination level of these heavy metals in Mirror Peninsula is relatively low and within the controllable range. Both weathering processes and anthropogenic impacts can cause the enrichment of heavy metals; thus reliable source apportionment is crucial in studying heavy metal enrichment and contamination.

Unilateral inferior oblique anterior transposition for markedly asymmetric dissociated vertical deviation with unilateral inferior oblique over-action.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the results of unilateral inferior oblique anterior transposition (IOAT) for markedly asymmetric dissociated vertical deviation (DVD) combined with inferior oblique over-action (IOOA). METHODS: Retrospective chart review of the records of all patients with asymmetric DVD combined with unilateral IOOA in the non-dominant eye who received unilateral IOAT on the non-dominant eye. No other muscles were operated on simultaneously. The amount of DVD and IOOA were measured before and after the operation and statistically analysed. RESULTS: Seventeen patients were included. The mean age at surgery was 23.5 ± 8.4 (range 12-38) years old. The mean postoperative follow-up period was 15.7 ± 7.2 (range 6-32) months. The primary position DVD was 19.6 ± 5.4 (range 14-36) PD preoperatively and decreased significantly to 2.9 ± 2.0 (range 0-8) PD postoperatively (P < 0.01). Preoperatively, there were 2, 7, and 8 patients with + 1, + 2, and + 3 IOOA, respectively, and these were reduced from 2.4 ± 0.7 to 0.3 ± 0.4 postoperatively (P < 0.01). None of the patients were complicated obvious hypotropia, anti-elevation syndrome or IOOA in the contralateral eye. CONCLUSIONS: Unilateral IOAT was recommended in patients with asymmetric DVD coexists with unilateral IOOA.

Macular and peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in children with hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia.

AIM: To compare the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and macular thickness in the amblyopic eye with that in the sound eye of children with hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia using optical coherence tomography (OCT). METHODS: A prospective, nonrandom, intraindividual comparative cohort study includes 72 children with hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia in a single center. Macular thickness, macular foveola thickness, and peripapillary RNFL thickness were compared between the amblyopia eyes and the contralateral sound eyes. RESULTS: There were 38 male and 34 female patients, with a mean age as 9.7±1.9 years (range, 5-16 years). Hyperopic was +3.62±1.16D (range +2.00D to +6.50D) in the amblyopic eyes, which was significantly higher in the control eyes with +0.76±0.90D (range 0D to +2.00D) (P < 0.01). The mean peripapillary RNFL thickness was 113.9±7.2µm and 109.2±6.9µm in the amblyopic eye and the normal eye, respectively, reaching statistical significance (P = 0.02). The mean macular foveola thickness was significantly thicker in the amblyopic eyes than the contralateral sound eyes (181.4±14.2µm vs 175.2±13.3µm, P < 0.01), but the 1mm, 3mm or 6mm macular thickness central macular thickness was not significantly different. Degree of anisometropia in the contralateral eyes was not significantly correlated with differences of peripapillary RNFL, macular foveola thickness or central macular thickness. CONCLUSION: Eyes with hyperopic anisometropic amblyopia are found thicker macular foveola and peripapillary RNFL than the contralateral eyes in children.

[Ultrasonic diagnosis of isolated noncompaction of the ventricular myocardium in adults].

OBJECTIVE: To apply echocardiography in diagnosis of isolated noncompaction of ventricular myocardium (INVM) in adults. METHODS: Six patients with INVM underwent echocardiographic examination using HP5500 ultrasound system with the frequency of 2 approximately equals 4 MHz, and the observation was focused on ventricularmyocardium and endocardium at one-third of the apex. RESULTS: All 6 patients showed typical echocardiographic images characterized by an altered structure of the ventricular myocardium with extremely thickened, hypokinetic segments consisting of two layers: a thin, compacted epicardium and an extremely thickened endocardium, resulting in an extremely thickened ventricular wall. CONCLUSION: Echocardiography should be the first choice to be applied in diagnosis of INVM, which is a distinct entity of specific cardiomyopathy in adults.