Therapeutic effects of finasteride: inhibition of disease progression and serum prostate-specific antigen reduction in patients with prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia.

The objective of this study was to evaluate the impact of finasteride on the progression of prostate intraepithelial neoplasia and levels of prostate-specific antigen (PSA) in patients. A total of 120 patients with high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia were included in this study from January 2013 to January 2018. All patients underwent prostate biopsies. Among them, 60 patients were assigned to the observation group and received a daily dosage of 5 mg finasteride for 60 months, while the remaining 60 patients were assigned to the control group and did not receive finasteride. PSA levels were measured every six months, and imaging scans were conducted throughout the five-year study period. Additional biopsies were performed if PSA levels exceeded 10 ng/mL or imaging suggested the presence of prostate cancer. Statistical analysis was applied to the collected data. In total, 25 cases of prostate cancer were identified in this study. Of these cases, 7 patients belonged to the observation group, whereas the remaining 18 patients were from the control group. The observation group exhibited significantly lower levels of total serum PSA (p < 0.001) and Gleason scores (p < 0.001) compared to the control group. Our study, which involved 120 participants, demonstrated that finasteride effectively reduces serum PSA levels and mitigates the severity of prostate cancer. These findings suggest that finasteride holds potential as a treatment option for patients with -high-grade prostatic intraepithelial neoplasia.

Optical image conversion and encryption based on structured light illumination and a diffractive neural network.

In this paper, an optical image encryption method is proposed based on structured light illumination and a diffractive neural network (DNN), which can realize conversion between different images. With the use of the structured phase mask (SPM) in the iterative phase retrieval algorithm, a plaintext image is encoded into a DNN composed of multiple phase-only masks (POMs) and ciphertext. It is worth noting that ciphertext is a visible image such that the conversion of one image to another is achieved, leading to high concealment of the proposed optical image encryption method. In addition, the wavelength of the illuminating light, all Fresnel diffraction distances, the optical parameters of the adopted SPM such as focal length and topological charge number, as well as all POMs in the DNN are all considered as security keys in the decryption process, contributing to a large key space and high level of security. Numerical simulations are performed to demonstrate the feasibility of the proposed method, and simulation results show that it exhibits high feasibility and safety as well as strong robustness.

Salinomycin suppresses T24 cells by regulating KDM1A and the unfolded protein response pathway.

In recent years, salinomycin has been shown to exert an anticancer effect in a variety of tumors; however, its function and mechanism in bladder cancer (BC) remain unclear. This study examined the effect of salinomycin on bladder cancer and analyzed its regulatory mechanism. T24 cells were treated with different concentrations of salinomycin to detect subsequent changes in cell proliferation, apoptosis, oxidative stress, H3K4 methylation, and related gene expression by the CCK8 assay, Edu staining, Tunel staining, ELISA, RT-qPCR, and western blotting, respectively. A KDM1A overexpression plasmid, catalytically inactive KDM1A overexpression plasmid, or short hairpin RNA (shRNA) plasmid was transfected into T24 cells to evaluate their effects. A xenograft tumor model was used to further confirm the anti-tumor effect of salinomycin. Our results showed that salinomycin significantly inhibited cell proliferation, promoted apoptosis, increased MDA levels, decreased SOD levels, induced H3K4 histone methylation, and suppressed KDM1A expression. Furthermore, the sh-KDM1A plasmid had effects similar to those of salinomycin and also activated the unfolded protein response pathway. The KDM1A overexpression plasmid had effects opposite to those of the sh-KDM1A plasmid, and the catalytically inactive KDM1A overexpression plasmid had no effect. Meanwhile, KDM1A overexpression reversed the effects of salinomycin on T24 cells. Finally, in vivo experiments confirmed the above results. In the salinomycin treatment group, tumor growth and KDM1A expression were suppressed and cell apoptosis and UPR were induced, while treatment with the KDM1A overexpression plasmid produced the opposite effects. Collectively, our study revealed that salinomycin suppressed T24 cell proliferation and promoted oxidative stress and apoptosis by regulating KDM1A and the UPR pathway. Supplementary Information: The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1007/s10616-022-00546-y.

Security-enhanced multiple-image encryption based on quick response codes and modified double random phase encoding in the fractional Fourier transform domain.

A security-enhanced multiple-image encryption method is proposed based on quick response (QR) codes and modified double random phase encoding (DRPE) in the fractional Fourier transform (FrFT) domain in this paper, where each plaintext is first converted into QR code, and then each QR code is employed to generate the corresponding binary key for decryption with the help of random binary plaintext (RBP). Subsequently, the used RBP is encrypted into noise-like ciphertext by using the modified DRPE in the FrFT domain. In the modified DRPE method, the first random phase mask is activated by the initial FrFT with chaotic phase, and the wavelength of light and the fractional orders as well as the focal lengths of lenses are all used as digital keys to expand the key space. Moreover, the sensitivities of these digital keys are extremely high because the digital keys are closely mapped with the initial values of the chaotic system in the encryption process, which contributes to an extremely high security of the multiple-image encryption method. Furthermore, the high feasibility and strong robustness of the proposed security-enhanced multiple-image encryption method are also demonstrated by using computational simulations.

Focusing properties of a polarization mixing quadratic space-variant phase-modulated sinh-Gaussian vortex beam.

This research explores the focusing characteristics of a polarization mixing quadratic space-variant phase-modulated sinh-Gaussian vortex beam. Various intriguing evolutionary trends of the focal pattern are demonstrated by the modulation of each parameter. The results show that the adjustable parameter C makes the focusing spot form an optical chain structure. The length of the structure and the number of dark optical traps in the structure can be altered by adjusting C. Simultaneously, the variation of beam order m will cause focal spot deformation. Moreover, the variation of the focal pattern indicates that polarization parameter B has the ability to adjust the position of the spot. In addition, the influence of topological charge l on the component field is also discussed. With the introduction of a polarization mixing quadratic space-variant phase, the focal pattern obtains a series of unique characteristics. These results have potential value for cutting-edge optical applications such as optical shaping, optical transmission, and multiple optical capture.

Gender and Age Differences in Performance of Over 70,000 Chinese Finishers in the Half- and Full-Marathon Events.

(1) Background: The aim of the present study was to examine the characteristics of over 70,000 long-distance finishers over the last four years in Chinese half- and full-marathon events; (2) Methods: The available data of all finishers (n = 73,485; women, n = 17,134; men, n = 56,351) who performed half- and full-marathon events in Hangzhou from 2016 to 2019 were further analyzed for the characteristics of gender, age and average running speed; (3) Results: The total men-to-women ratio was the lowest in the half-marathon event (1.86) and the highest in the full-marathon event (17.42). Faster running performance in males than in females and faster average running speed in short-distance runners were shown. Gender and race distance were observed to have the most significant effects on average running speed (p < 0.01). For both male and female finishers, the slowest running speed was shown in older age groups (p < 0.01) during the full marathon. Our results indicated that the gender difference in performance was attenuated in the longer race distances and older age groups; (4) Conclusions: Understanding the participation and performances across different running distances would provide insights into physiological and biomechanical characteristics for training protocols and sports gear development in different groups.

Schlemm's Canal Endothelium Cellular Connectivity in Giant Vacuole and Pore Formation in Different Flow-type Areas: A Serial Block-Face Scanning Electron Microscopy Study.

Glaucoma is associated with increased resistance in the conventional aqueous humor (AH) outflow pathway of the eye. The majority of resistance is thought to reside in the juxtacanalicular connective tissue (JCT) region of the trabecular meshwork and is modulated by the inner wall (IW) endothelial cells of Schlemm's canal (SC). The IW cells form connections with the underlying JCT cells/matrix, and these connections are thought to modulate outflow resistance. Two ways by which AH crosses the IW endothelium are through: 1) the formation of outpouchings in IW cells called giant vacuoles (GVs) and their intracellular pores (I-pores), and 2) intercellular pores between two adjacent IW cells (B-pores). AH outflow is segmental with areas of high-, low-, and non-flow around the circumference of the eye. To investigate whether changes in cellular connectivity play a role in segmental outflow regulation, we used global imaging, serial block-face scanning electron microscopy (SBF-SEM), and 3D reconstruction to examine individual IW cells from different flow areas of ex vivo perfused normal human donor eyes. Specifically, we investigated the differences in cellular dimensions, connections with JCT cells/matrix, GVs, and pores in SC IW cells between high-, low-, and non-flow areas. Our data showed that: 1) IW cell-JCT cell/matrix connectivity was significantly decreased in the cells in high-flow areas compared to those in low- and non-flow areas; 2) GVs in the cells of high-flow areas had significantly fewer connections beneath them compared to GVs in the cells of low- and non-flow areas; 3) Type IV GVs (with I-pores and basal openings) had significantly fewer connections beneath them compared to Type I GVs (no I-pore or basal opening). Our results suggest that a decreased number of cellular connections between the IW and JCT in high-flow areas is associated with increased numbers of GVs with I-pores and larger Type IV GVs observed in previous studies. Therefore, modulating the number of cellular connections may affect the amount of high-flow area around the eye and thereby modulate AH outflow.

Simulative study on speckle-spectral properties of a random pixelated grating.

Speckle spectrometers based on disordered media have shown great prospects and attracted more and more attention. To obtain a larger bandwidth and higher light-energy utilization ratio, a novel speckle spectrometer scheme is proposed based on a random pixelated grating. The speckle generation mechanism of the random pixelated grating is derived by using the diffraction and Fourier transform theory, and the speckle-spectral correlation properties are analyzed through numerical simulation. The influences of system parameters, such as variation ranges of grating periods and orientations, lens focal length, grating pixel size, and pixel number, are investigated. According to the simulation results, the speckle spectrometer system is optimized, and a spectral resolution of up to 0.01 nm can be achieved.

Dual-view holographic three-dimensional display using a single spatial light modulator and a directional light-guide plate composed of pixelated gratings.

In this paper, a dual-view holographic three-dimensional (3D) display using a single spatial light modulator (SLM) and a directional light-guide plate (DLGP) is proposed and implemented. The SLM is used to load the phase-only hologram calculated from two different 3D scenes for optical holographic reconstruction, and the DLGP composed of pixelated gratings with different periods and orientation angles is employed to guide the reconstructed images into two completely separated viewing zones, where different reconstructed perspectives in each viewing zone will form a stereoscopic 3D image. Furthermore, an experimental verification system for the proposed dual-view holographic 3D display is constructed, and the experimental results demonstrate that the proposed system can successfully present different 3D images in the left and right viewing zones simultaneously, verifying the feasibility of the proposed dual-view holographic 3D display.

The Role of Schlemm's Canal Endothelium Cellular Connectivity in Giant Vacuole Formation: A 3D Electron Microscopy Study.

Purpose: We investigated whether cellular connectivity between Schlemm's canal (SC) inner wall (IW) endothelium, and juxtacanalicular connective tissue (JCT), and between IW endothelial cells, plays a role in giant vacuole (GV) and pore formation by comparing perfusion- and immersion-fixed eyes. Methods: Normal human donor eyes (n = 4) were either immersion-fixed (0 mm Hg) or perfusion-fixed (15 mm Hg). Trabecular meshwork near SC was imaged using serial block-face scanning electron microscopy. A total of 12 IW cells from each group were 3D-reconstructed from ∼7040 electron micrographs and compared. In each cell, connections between IW cells and JCT cells/matrix were quantified; IW/IW connectivity was measured by cell border overlap length. GV volume, density, shape, and intracellular and paracellular pores were analyzed. Results: The mean number of IW/JCT cell-cell connections per cell significantly decreased (P < 0.01) while the summed GV volume per cell significantly increased (P < 0.01) in perfusion-fixed eyes compared to immersion-fixed eyes. Intracellular pores were observed in 14.6% of GVs in perfusion-fixed eyes and not observed in immersion-fixed eyes. The mean IW/IW overlap length per cell decreased (P < 0.01), and paracellular pores were found only in regions where IW/IW connectivity was minimal (overlap length = 0 µm) in perfusion-fixed eyes and not observed in immersion-fixed eyes. Conclusions: Our data suggest that changes in IW/JCT connectivity may be an important factor in the formation of larger GVs, and decreased IW/IW connectivity may promote paracellular pore formation. Targeting the IW/JCT and IW/IW connectivity may therefore be a potential strategy to regulate outflow resistance and IOP. .

Binocular holographic three-dimensional display using a single spatial light modulator and a grating.

In this paper, a binocular holographic three-dimensional (3D) display system combining a single spatial light modulator (SLM) and a grating is proposed and implemented. A synthetic phase-only hologram of the left and right 3D perspective images of an object is calculated by the layer-based Fresnel diffraction method according to the depth information, and uploaded onto the SLM for holographic 3D reconstruction with correct depth cues. The grating is designed and fabricated to guide the reconstructed left and right 3D perspective images to the corresponding eyes. Optical experiments demonstrate that the proposed system can successfully present binocular holographic 3D images with both the accommodation effect and binocular parallax, which enables observation free of the accommodation-vergence conflict and visual fatigue problem.

The efficacy of posterior scleral contraction in controlling high myopia in young people.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the clinical effectiveness and safety of posterior scleral contraction (PSC) surgery in controlling high myopia in young people. METHODS: Twenty patients with high myopia (30 eyes) were treated with PSC. The average age for the patients was 11.45 ± 5.17 years old (range 3-22). A genipin cross-linked sclera was implanted to the posterior sclera in PSC surgery. Axial length and myopia progression rates were measured at least two years before and after PSC surgery. RESULTS: Prior to surgery, the mean AL progression was 0.73 ± 0.33 mm, compared to -0.08 ± 0.31 mm (P=0.00) post-surgery; the degree of myopia increased was -1.40 ± 0.95 D, compared to 0.18 ± 1.10 D post-surgery (P=0.00). The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA, in LogMAR) improved from 0.21 ± 0.16 preoperatively to 0.13 ± 0.13 two years after PSC (P=0.014). CONCLUSIONS: PSC can restrict AL extension and safely control high myopia progression in young people.

Comparison between toric and spherical phakic intraocular lenses combined with astigmatic keratotomy for high myopic astigmatism.

BACKGROUND: To compare the outcomes of a toric phakic intraocular lens (PIOL) and a spherical PIOL combined with astigmatic keratotomy (AK) for the correction of high myopic astigmatism. METHODS: This study enrolled patients with high myopic astigmatism, including 30 eyes (22 patients) that received a toric PIOL implantation (TICL group), and 32 eyes (24 patients) that received combined AK and a spherical PIOL implantation (AK+ ICL group). The outcomes were compared between the two groups before surgery, and at the following time points after surgery: 1 week, 1, 3, 6 months, and 1, 2 years. RESULTS: Preoperatively, the mean manifest spherical equivalent (SE) was -14.14 ± 2.12 D in the TICL group and -14.83 ± 2.79 D in the AK + ICL group (P = 0.28), and the mean manifest refractive cylinder, -2.87 ± 1.09 D and -2.58 ± 0.85 D, respectively (P = 0.28). Two years postoperatively, the mean safety index was 1.53 ± 0.55 in the TICL group and 1.60 ± 0.70 in the AK + ICL group (P = 1.00), and the mean efficacy index, 1.18 ± 0.45 and 1.38 ± 0.52, respectively (P = 0.86). The mean manifest refractive cylinder correction was 1.94 ± 1.07 D in the TICL group and 1.39 ± 0.71 D in the AK + ICL group (P = 0.02). The mean changes in SE and refractive cylinder from 1 week to 2 years were less than 0.50 D in both groups. CONCLUSIONS: Both TICL implantation and AK + ICL implantation are a good alternative for correction of astigmatism in addition to high myopia. TICL implantation has better predictability in correction of high myopic astigmatism. TRIAL REGISTRATION: NCT03202485.

[Effects of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens on axial length measurements].

OBJECTIVE: To study the effects of posterior chamber phakic intraocular lens (IOL) on axial length (AL) measurements and whether a correction factor for later IOL power calculation before cataract surgery is necessary. METHODS: Twenty-two high myopic patients (39 eyes) with mean spherical equivalent -19.00 +/- 4.03 D received phakic refractive lens (PRL) implantation, and 24 patients (40 eyes) with mean spherical equivalent (-13.10 +/- 2.53) D received implantable Collamer lens (ICL) implantation. Pre-and postoperative AL measurements with the IOLMaster were compared. Results The pre-and postoperative ALs were (30.87 +/- 2.18) mm and (30.94 +/- 2.16) mm, respectively (t = -2.635, P = 0.012) in the PRL group, and (28.35 +/- 1.20) mm and (28.45 +/- 1.22) mm, respectively ( t = -3.97, P < 0.001) in the ICL group. Linear regression analysis showed: in the PRL group, preoperative AL = 1.01 x postoperative AL-0.24 (R2 = 0.99, P < 0.001), or postoperative AL--preoperative AL = 0.24-0.0055 x postoperative AL; in the ICL group, preoperative AL = 0.96 x postoperative AL +1.17 (R2 = 0.99, P < 0.001), or postoperative AL--preoperative AL = 0.0154 x postoperative AL -0.3763. The mean differences between pre-and postoperative ALs in the PRL and, ICL groups were 0.075 mm and 0.054 mm, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Based on the SRK formula, a < 0.1 mm AL difference would result in a <0.25 D change in the calculated IOL power, possibly a < 0.20 D change in manifest refraction. Furthermore, for PRL, the longer the AL, the smaller the difference between pre-and postoperative ALs. These differences are so small that it is unnecessary to correct IOL power calculation.

Preliminary clinical investigation of cataract surgery with a noncontact femtosecond laser system.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) is rapidly gaining popularity due to the improved consistency and predictability for capsulorhexis. This study aimed to investigate the preliminary clinical outcomes of FLACS with a noncontact femtosecond laser system. PATIENTS AND METHODS: This prospective study enrolled 25 eyes in the trial group underwent FLACS (LLS-fs 3D, LENSAR, USA), and 29 eyes in the control group underwent conventional cataract surgery (Stellaris, Bausch & Lomb, USA). The phacoemulsification time, energy, and complications during operation were recorded. Postoperative refraction at 1 day, 1 week, 1 and 3 months, the capsulorhexis size and corneal endothelial density at 1 and 3 months were also measured. RESULTS: Compared to the control group, reduction in phacoemulsification time was 51.5% (P = 0.02), and in overall energy, 65.1% (P = 0.02) in the trial group. In the trial group and the control group, total time of cataract procedure was 10.04 ± 1.37 minutes, 10.52 ± 1.92 minutes, respectively (P = 0.31); the absolute difference between attempted and achieved capsulorhexis diameter at 1 month was 192.9 ± 212.0 µm, 626.9 ± 656.6 µm, respectively (P = 0.04), and at 3 months, 256.6 ± 181.9 µm, 572.1 ± 337.0 µm, respectively (P= 0.03); the absolute difference between attempted and achieved spherical equivalent at 3 months was 0.16 ± 0.16 D, 0.74 ± 0.65 D, respectively (P < 0.01); mean corneal endothelial cell loss at 1 month was 15.6% and 14.2%, respectively (P = 0.77), and at 3 months, 2.9%, 4.2%, respectively (P = 0.50). CONCLUSIONS: With the noncontact femtosecond laser system, FLACS can significantly improve the accuracy and repeatability of capsulorhexis, reduce the phacoemulsification time and overall energy, and enhance the predictability and stability of postoperative refraction.

Exome sequencing reveals CCDC111 mutation associated with high myopia.

Myopia is a refractive error of the eye that is prevalent worldwide. The most extreme form, high myopia, is usually associated with other ocular disorders such as retinal detachment, macular degeneration, cataract, and glaucoma, and is one of leading causes of blindness. The etiology is complex and has not been fully elucidated. In this study, we identified a novel missense variant of the CCDC111 gene (NM_152683.2: c.265T > G; p.Y89D) in a high myopia family by exome sequencing. The variant was identified in 4 patients from an additional 270 sporadic high myopia patients, but not found in 270 controls. The amino acid is highly conserved across species, and variants giving rise to amino acid substitutions are predicted to be functionally damaging. The CCDC111 gene was ubiquitously expressed in primary cell cultures from human eye tissue, including corneal epithelial cells, choroidal melanoma cells, scleral fibroblasts, retinal epithelial cells, retinal Müller cells, and lens capsule epithelial cells. In summary, our results suggested that the CCDC111 may be a susceptibility gene for high myopia.

Cycloplegic and noncycloplegic refractions of Chinese neonatal infants.

PURPOSE: To examine Chinese neonatal infants with both cycloplegic and noncycloplegic retinoscopy and to compare the distribution of refractive errors for the two techniques. METHODS: Cycloplegic retinoscopy was performed by two experienced pediatric ophthalmologists on 81 neonatal infants randomly selected from a group of 185 neonates who had undergone noncycloplegic retinoscopy. All infants were between 1 day and 6 days of age and were born without incident at full term. RESULTS: The mean cycloplegic spherical equivalent (CSE) was highly hyperopic (+3.55 diopters [D] ± 2.39 D). The mean noncycloplegic spherical equivalent (nCSE) was +0.58 D ± 2.32 D. The high reliability of the refractive measurements was demonstrated by high correlations between examiners (CSE: OD, r = 0.96; OS, r = 0.97; nCSE: OD, r = 0.94; OS, r = 0.93 OS) and between eyes (CSE: examiner 1, r = 0.94; examiner 2, r = 0.95; nCSE: examiner 1, r = 0.95; examiner 2, r = 0.97). The correlation between CSE and nCSE was much lower (examiner 1: OD, r = 0.76; OS, r = 0.73; examiner 2: OD, r = 0.72; OS, r = 0.70). Prevalence of astigmatism was very low (1.6% ≥ 1.0 D). CONCLUSIONS: The level of hyperopia was very high in these infants, and the offsetting tonic accommodation demonstrated by the difference between CSE and nCSE was much higher than in any previous report. Low amounts of infantile hyperopia and high astigmatism are associated with future myopia in the West. The Chinese neonates in this study had high amounts of hyperopia and little astigmatism, yet they are at high risk to become myopic.

[Three-year follow-up of iris-claw phakic intraocular lens implantation for high myopia].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate long-term efficacy and safety of an iris-claw phakic intraocular lens (ICPIOL) implantation for high myopia. METHODS: A consecutive group of 86 eyes in 49 patients with -15.33±3.81 diopters (D) of myopia was implanted with the Artisan ICPIOL (Ophtec), and was evaluated preoperatively and 1, 2, 3 years postoperatively. Uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), manifest refraction, intraocular pressure, and complications were evaluated. RESULTS: The implantation was successful in all of 86 eyes. Compared with preoperative data, UCVA, BCVA, and spherical equivalent (SE) were improved significantly (F=513.68, 20.88, 827.65; P<0.01). At 3-year postoperatively, UCVA in 85% eyes was 0.5 or better, in 35% was 0.8 or better; No loss of BCVA was found, 17% gained 1 line, and 59% gained 2 lines or more; SE in 81%, 54% eyes was within ±1.00 D, ±0.50 D of attempted, respectively. At 1-, 2-, 3-year follow-up, the corneal endothelial loss was 3.60%, 5.78%, 7.74%, respectively. There were 2 macular haemorrhages resulted from CNV, and 1 ICPIOL repositioning due to inappropriate iris capture. No other severe complications occurred. CONCLUSION: At 3-year follow-up, the implantation of the ICPIOL proved to be safe and effective for the correction of myopia in phakic eyes.