CXXC5 drove inflammation and ovarian cancer proliferation via transcriptional activation of ZNF143 and EGR1.

CXXC5, a zinc-finger protein, is known for its role in epigenetic regulation via binding to unmethylated CpG islands in gene promoters. As a transcription factor and epigenetic regulator, CXXC5 modulates various signaling processes and acts as a key coordinator. Altered expression or activity of CXXC5 has been linked to various pathological conditions, including tumorigenesis. Despite its known role in cancer, CXXC5's function and mechanism in ovarian cancer are unclear. We analyzed multiple public databases and found that CXXC5 is highly expressed in ovarian cancer, with high expression correlating with poor patient prognosis. We show that CXXC5 expression is regulated by oxygen concentration and is a direct target of HIF1A. CXXC5 is critical for maintaining the proliferative potential of ovarian cancer cells, with knockdown decreasing and overexpression increasing cell proliferation. Loss of CXXC5 led to inactivation of multiple inflammatory signaling pathways, while overexpression activated these pathways. Through in vitro and in vivo experiments, we confirmed ZNF143 and EGR1 as downstream transcription factors of CXXC5, mediating its proliferative potential in ovarian cancer. Our findings suggest that the CXXC5-ZNF143/EGR1 axis forms a network driving ovarian cell proliferation and tumorigenesis, and highlight CXXC5 as a potential therapeutic target for ovarian cancer treatment.

TBX5 Variants are Associated with Susceptibility to and the Incidence of Liver Cirrhosis and Hepatocellular Carcinoma in the Chinese Population: A Multicenter and Follow-Up Study.

Purpose: Liver cirrhosis (LC) and hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) are progressions affected by genetic predispositions, and persistent hepatitis B virus infection also demonstrates genetic susceptibility. All HBV-related outcomes have been compared in parallel to identify risk polymorphism in HBV progression. Methods: The multiple-stage association study filtered and validated the risk SNPs for HBV progression and explored their association with persistent infection, with a total of 8906 subjects in China from three sites. Cox proportional hazards models and Kaplan-Meier Log rank tests were used to determine the time to the progressive event in relation to the risk SNPs. Results: Rs3825214 in TBX5 replicated a specific association with LC and HCC in 4 progression cohorts and was not related to persistent infection, naivety to HBV infection and natural clearance in 3 persistent cohorts. In combined samples, rs3825214 was associated with an increased risk of LC (P<0.001; OR = 1.98) and HCC (P<0.001; OR = 1.68). The results of bioinformatics analysis indicated that rs3825214 genotypes change RNA structure and intron excision ratio. In the follow-up of 571 hospital-based persistent HBV infection patients, ninety-three (16.29%) developed LC, and seventy-four (12.96%) progressed to HCC at a median follow-up of 5.1 years. Rs3825214 was associated with HCC and LC events in Cox proportional hazards models (P<0.001). Conclusion: We identified and confirmed that genetic variants in TBX5 are significantly associated with susceptibility to and the incidence of LC and HCC.

Knockdown of LPCAT1 Repressed Hepatocellular Carcinoma Growth and Invasion by Targeting S100A11.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the function of LPCAT1 in hepatocellular carcinoma progression. METHODS: Bioinformatics analysis was utilized to the data from TCGA to explore the level of LPCAT1 between normal and tumor tissues, as well as the relationship between LPCAT1 level and tumor grade and prognosis of HCC. Subsequently, we used siRNA to silence LPCAT1 in HCC cells to detect cell proliferation, migration, and invasion ability. RESULTS: The expression of LPCAT1 was significantly increased in HCC tissues. High LPCAT1 expression was correlated with high histologic grade and poor prognosis of HCC. In addition, silencing of LPCAT1 inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of liver cancer cells. Moreover, LPCAT1 knockdown suppressed S100A11 and Snail both at mRNA and protein level. CONCLUSION: LPCAT1 promoted the growth, invasion and migration of HCC cells by regulating S100A11 and Snail. Therefore, LPCAT1 may serve as a potential molecular target for the diagnosis and treatment of HCC.

Instrument referral criteria for PlusoptiX and SureSight based on 2021 AAPOS guidelines: A population-based study.

Objective: The study aims to assess two refractive instrument-based methods of vision screening (SureSight and PlusoptiX) to detect refractive amblyopia risk factors (ARFs) and significant refractive errors in Chinese preschool children and to develop referral criteria according to the 2021 AAPOS guidelines. Methods: Eye examinations were conducted in children aged 61 to 72 months (n = 1,173) using a PlusoptiX photoscreener, SureSight autorefractor, and cycloplegic retinoscopy (CR). The Vision Screening Committee of AAPOS's preschool vision screening guidelines from 2021 were adopted for comparison. Paired t-test analysis and Bland-Altman plots were used to assess the differences and agreement between the PlusoptiX photoscreener, SureSight autorefractor, and CR. In addition, the validity of the cut-off values of the several ARFs measured with the SureSight and PlusoptiX was estimated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves and compared to the age-based 2021 AAPOS examination failure levels. Results: A total of 1,173 children were tested with comprehensive eye examinations. When the referral numbers based on the 2013 (43/3.67%) and 2021 (42/3.58%) AAPOS guidelines were compared, significant differences between the values of astigmatism (72.09 vs. 52.38%) and anisometropia (11.63 vs. 38.10%) were found. The 95% limits of agreement (LOA) of the spherical value and the cylindrical value between PlusoptiX and CR were 95.08 and 96.29%. It was 93.87 and 98.10% between SureSight and CR. Considering refractive failure levels, the ROC curves obtained the optimal cut-off points. However, the PlusoptiX and the SureSight showed lower efficiency in hyperopia (Youden index, 0.60 vs. 0.83) and myopia (Youden index, 078 vs. 0.93), respectively. After adjusting the above cut-off points, the optimized NES (Nanjing Eye Study) referral criteria for myopia, hyperopia, astigmatism, and anisometropia were -0.75, 1.25, -1.0, and 0.5 with PlusoptiX and -1.25, 2.75, -1.5, and 0.75 with SureSight. Conclusions: SureSight and PlusoptiX showed a good correlation with CR and could effectively detect refractive ARFs and visually significant refractive errors. There were obvious advantages in detecting hyperopia using SureSight and myopia using PlusoptiX. We proposed instrumental referral criteria for age-based preschool children based on AAPOS 2021 guidelines.

Association of sleep disorders with subfoveal choroidal thickness in preschool children.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the association between sleep disorders and subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT) in preschool children. METHODS: In this population-based cross-sectional study, children aged 60-72 months were measured for SFCT using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and for sleep disorders using the Chinese version of Children's Sleep Habits Questionnaire (CSHQ). Multiple linear regression analyses were performed to assess the association between sleep disorders and SFCT. RESULTS: A total of 1337 children (mean (SD) age: 66.88 (3.41) months) were included in the analyses. In multivariable linear analysis, a higher total CSHQ score (indicating higher likelihood of sleep disorders) was associated with a thinner subfoveal choroid (beta, -0.070; 95% CI, -0.141 to -0.001; P = 0.046). When each of eight CSHQ subscale scores was analysed by the multivariable model, only the Daytime Sleepiness subscale score was negatively associated with the SFCT (beta, -0.115; 95% CI, -0.183 to -0.046; P = 0.001). The children with clinically significant daytime sleepiness (n = 364, 27.2%) had significantly thinner subfoveal choroid than other children (295.47 vs. 308.52 µm, P = 0.007). CONCLUSIONS: Only daytime sleepiness was significantly associated with SFCT in preschool children in this study. The potential relationship between sleep disorders during childhood and children's ocular development needs further research.

Prevalence of strabismus among preschool children in eastern China and comparison at a 5-year interval: a population-based cross-sectional study.

OBJECTIVE: To update data on strabismus and evaluate the changes in prevalence and patterns among preschoolers in eastern China over a period of 5 years. DESIGN: Nanjing Eye Study, a longitudinal population-based study. SETTING: Recruitment and testing in kindergartens in Yuhuatai District, Nanjing. PARTICIPANTS: 2300 eligible children. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Comprehensive ocular examinations were conducted in 1986 children aged 48-<60 months in Nanjing Eye Study (NES, 2016-2017), including visual acuity, ocular alignment, refractive error and ocular structures evaluation. The prevalence rate and pattern of strabismus were calculated and compared with those from the Nanjing Pediatric Vision Project (NPVP, 2011-2012) in children of the same age, of the same area and using the same diagnostic criteria. RESULTS: The overall prevalence rate of strabismus in NES was 5.56% (95% CI 4.54% to 6.57%), which was not significantly different from that in NPVP (4.99%, 95% CI 4.13% to 5.84%, p=0.40). The prevalence of subtypes of strabismus underwent significant changes, with significant increase in intermittent exotropia (IXT) in NES (2.78% vs 4.69%, p=0.001) and significant decrease in constant exotropia (1.17% vs 0.15%, p<0.001). Significant change in pattern was observed in IXT, where the proportion of the convergence insufficiency type (2.90% vs 27.17%) increased and exceeded the divergence excess type (20.29% vs 11.96%) to be the second common type (p<0.001). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of strabismus appeared stable in children aged 48-<60 months in eastern China at a 5-year interval. The prevalence of IXT increased significantly, and the convergence insufficiency type became more prevalent in patients with IXT. Timely detection and intervention of IXT are important among preschoolers.

The biometric parameters of aniso-astigmatism and its risk factor in Chinese preschool children: the Nanjing eye study.

BACKGROUNDS: Aniso-astigmatism may hinder normal visual development in preschool children. Knowing its prevalence, biometric parameters and risk factors is fundamental to children eye care. The purpose of this study was to determine the biometric components of aniso-astigmatism and associated maternal risk factors in Chinese preschool children. METHODS: In the population-based, prospective cohort Nanjing Eye Study, children were measured for noncycloplegic refractive error using an autorefractor and for biometric parameters using an optical low-coherent reflectometry. The difference of total astigmatism (TA) between both eyes was calculated using cylinder power (non-vectorial aniso-TA was defined as ≥1.00 Dioptre Cylinder [DC] between both eyes) and by vector analysis (vectorial aniso-TA was defined as a difference of ≥0.5 in J0 or J45 between both eyes which is equivalent to 1.00 DC). The prevalence of aniso-TA was presented. Interocular biometric parameters were compared between with vs. without aniso-astigmatism group. In addition, risk factors were determined using multivariate logistic regression model. RESULTS: Of 1131 children (66.90 ± 3.38 months, 53.31% male), the prevalence of non-vectorial aniso-TA was 1.95% (95% Confidence Interval (CI) = 1.14-2.75%), while the prevalence of vectorial aniso-TA was twice as common as non-vectorial aniso-TA, neither varying with sex or age. With aniso-TA eyes were more asymmetric in axial length and corneal curvature radius than without aniso-TA eyes. In multivariate logistic regression model, 5-min Apgar score less than 7 was significantly associated with higher risk of aniso-TA (vectorial aniso-TA: Odds Ratio (OR) = 6.42, 95%CI = 2.63-15.69, P < 0.001; non-vectorial aniso-TA: OR = 4.99, 95%CI = 1.41-17.68, P = 0.01). Being twin or triple was significantly associated with higher risk of vectorial aniso-CA (OR = 2.43, 95%CI = 1.05-5.60, P = 0.04). Pre-term delivery (OR = 2.60, 95%CI = 1.09-6.15, P = 0.03) and post-term delivery (OR = 3.61, 95%CI = 1.31-9.96, P = 0.01) were significantly associated with higher risk of vectorial aniso-CA. CONCLUSIONS: Both corneal curvature radius and axial length asymmetry were correlated with aniso-TA. Children with 5-min Apgar score < 7 were more likely to have aniso-TA, while twin or triple, pre-term or post-term delivery were more likely to have vectorial aniso-CA.

Prevalence, incidence and risk factors of strabismus in a Chinese population-based cohort of preschool children: the Nanjing Eye Study.

AIMS: To evaluate the prevalence, incidence and their related risk factors of strabismus among preschool children in China. METHODS: Children born between September 2011 and August 2012 in Yuhuatai District of Nanjing were invited to participate in the Nanjing Eye Study for a comprehensive eye examination annually since 2015. The data presented in this paper were obtained from 2015 to 2017, when these children grew from the age of 3 to 5 years. Eye examinations included visual acuity, anterior segment, posterior segment, refraction, and ocular alignment and motility. Risk factors were evaluated using univariable and multivariable logistic regression models for prevalent and incident strabismus. RESULTS: In 2015, a total of 2018 children (87.7% response rate) of 2300 eligible preschoolers completed the baseline eye examination when they were 3 years old. Among the 2018 participants, 50 had strabismus (prevalence rate, 2.48%). In multivariable analysis, prevalent strabismus was independently associated with parental strabismus history (OR=11.60, p<0.001), hyperopia (OR=6.22, p<0.001), prematurity (OR=3.07, p=0.01) and astigmatism (OR=2.15, p=0.04). Among 1766 children followed up for 2 years, 63 developed strabismus (annual incidence rate, 1.78%), of whom 57 had exotropia and 6 had esotropia. In multivariable analysis, incident strabismus was significantly associated with parental strabismus history (OR=5.55, p=0.04) and prematurity (OR=3.77, p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: In this population-based cohort study, we found a higher incidence of strabismus and a higher exotropia:esotropia ratio than previous studies in preschool children. Parental strabismus history and prematurity were associated with a higher risk for both prevalent and incident strabismus.

Decreased retinal thickness in preschool offspring of maternal gestational hypertension: the Nanjing Eye Study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the influence of maternal gestational hypertension (GH) on retinal thickness of 5-6-year-old children, including macular thickness, ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GC-IPL) thickness and peripapillary retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thickness. METHODS: As part of Nanjing Eye Study, comprehensive ocular examinations were conducted in children aged 61-72 months, including noncycloplegic refraction, ocular biometric parameters and retinal parameters. Retinal thickness was measured by Spectral Domain-Optical Coherence Tomography. Data on pregnancy and birth history were obtained from a detailed questionnaire completed by parents. RESULTS: Among 1062 children [mean age (standard deviation): 66.9 (3.4) months] with complete from eye examination and questionnaire, 30 (2.8%) children were born with maternal GH. In generalized linear models (adjusted for sex, age, spherical equivalent, axial length, body mass index, birth weight and premature history), children born with maternal GH had thinner average RNFL thickness (100.5 versus 104.4 µm, p = 0.035), superior RNFL thickness (123.7 versus 132.0 µm, p = 0.007), superior GC-IPL thickness (83.7 versus 86.4 µm, p = 0.005), superior-nasal GC-IPL thickness (86.3 versus 88.4 µm, p = 0.029) and superior outer macular thickness (278.0 versus 283.0 µm, p = 0.034) than children born with normal pregnancy. CONCLUSION: Children exposed to maternal GH tended to have thinner macular, RNFL and GC-IPL thickness. These findings suggest that maternal GH may affect the development of retina in children thus hinders the development of the offspring's nervous system.

Knockout of LATS1 induces neoplastic phenotype in hepatic oval cells.

BACKGROUND: Primary liver cancer (PLC) is the second leading cause of cancer-related death worldwide. It has been reported that PLC can be originated from malignant transformed adult hepatic progenitor cells. Mammalian large tumor suppressor kinase 1 (LATS1) is one of the core components of the Hippo pathway and it has been implicated in regulating invasion and metastasis of different cancer cell. However, the underlying connections between hepatic progenitor cells and LATS1 in the pathogenesis of PLC are still elusive. METHODS: LATS1 gene knockout (LATS1-KO) hepatic oval cells (HOCs) were constructed by the CRISPR/Cas9 system. Cell viability was evaluated by the CCK-8 assay. Cell migration was measured by scrape assay. Cell invasion was examined by Transwell assay. Cell apoptosis was evaluated by flow cytometry. The expression of LATS1 and Yes-associated protein (YAP) in HOCs was determined by Q-PCR and Western blot analysis. RESULTS: Here, we found that knockout of LATS1 significantly induced the migration and invasion of WB-F344 cells. Knockdown of YAP suppressed the neoplastic phenotype of LATS1-KO WB-F344 cells. Furthermore, overexpression of YAP promoted the migration and invasion of LATS1-KO WB-F344 cells. CONCLUSIONS: In summary, the current study demonstrated that LATS1 is required for inhibiting the neoplastic phenotype of normal hepatic progenitor cell via downregulating YAP.

Stereoacuity and Related Factors in Healthy Preschool Children: The Nanjing Eye Study.

Purpose: To assess the distribution of stereoacuity and related factors in healthy preschool children aged 48-60 months in eastern China. Methods: This cross-sectional study was part of the Nanjing Eye Study, a longitudinal population-based cohort study. In 2016, preschool children without any neurological problems or ophthalmological abnormalities completed comprehensive eye examinations, including visual acuity, ocular alignment and movements, cycloplegic refraction, axial length, interpupillary distance, Titmus stereotest, anterior segment, and fundus examination. Multivariate linear regression model was used to determine the factors associated with stereoacuity score, and logistic regression model was used to determine the factors associated with subnormal stereoacuity (worse than 40 arc-seconds). Results: Among 942 healthy preschool children (mean age = 55 months), the mean (SD) stereoacuity was 81 (2.3) arc-seconds with majority (76.5%) worse than 40 arc-seconds. In the multivariate analysis, older age (p = 0.001) and better presenting visual acuity (PVA) (p = 0.01) were independently associated with better stereoacuity score. Older age was also associated with low risk of subnormal stereoacuity (odds ratio = 0.37,p < 0.001 for age 57-60 months compared to age 48-51 months). Conclusions: The maturation of stereopsis has not completed by the age of 48-60 months. Age and PVA should be taken into account when evaluating stereopsis in healthy preschoolers. The significant associations of age and PVA with stereoacuity provide valuable insights into possible intervention for healthy preschool children with poor stereoacuity.

The predictive and prognostic value of Foxp3+/CD25+ regulatory T cells and PD-L1 expression in triple negative breast cancer.

Recent significant developments in cancer immunotherapy have led to important breakthroughs and paradigm shifts in the treatment of malignancy. Although breast cancer traditionally has been considered less immunogenic, triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is the most immunogenic subtype with more stromal tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) and higher programmed death-ligand 1 (PD-L1) expression. The goal of this study is to evaluate regulatory T cells (Tregs) and PD-L1 expression in TNBC, as well as their associations with clinicopathologic features and the outcomes. Tissue microarrays (TMA) of biopsy and resection specimens of 43 TNBC patients who underwent breast biopsy, neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and mastectomy were prepared. The number of Foxp3+ Tregs, Foxp3+/CD25+ Tregs, and expression of PD-L1 in tumor cells (PD-L1 TCs) and TILs (PD-L1 TILs) were assessed by immunohistochemistry. PD-L1 expression combined positive score (PD-L1 CPS) was calculated according to the manufacturer's guidelines. PD-L1 expression was detected in 72% of the cases, and it expressed in a higher percentage and higher intensity in TILs than TCs in TNBC (p = 0.006 and 0.0005, respectively). PD-L1 TCs, PD-L1 TILs, and PD-L1 CPS were all positively associated with pathologic complete response (pCR) (p = 0.04, 0.03, and 0.02, respectively). PD-L1 TILs and PD-L1 CPS also correlated with TILs and tumor infiltrating lymphocyte volume (TILV). Foxp3+ Tregs and Foxp3+/CD25+ Tregs had strong positive correlation (r = 0.89), and they were positively associated with TILs, TILV, and PD-L1 expression. Foxp3+/CD25+ Tregs, PD-L1 TCs, and PD-L1 CPS were positively correlated with better overall survival (p = 0.04, 0.04 and 0.01, respectively).

Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma: clinicopathological spectrums and diagnosis reappraisal.

Sinonasal undifferentiated carcinoma (SNUC) is defined as undifferentiated carcinoma of the sinonasal tract without glandular or squamous features and not otherwise classifiable. SNUC is a rare tumor, with a long list of differential diagnoses, and often poses a considerable diagnostic challenge. In addition, recent advances in molecular and immunohistochemistry techniques have recognized several new entities that were previously included in the SNUC category. These include SMARCB1 (INI-1)-deficient carcinoma, NUT (nuclear protein in testis) carcinoma, adamantinoma-like Ewing sarcoma, and the most recently described and rarer SMARCA4 (BRG)-deficient carcinoma. In this study, we retrospectively reviewed 11 cases with an original diagnosis of SNUC. We found that a significant portion of those cases can be reclassified into specific entities, with potential impact on therapy and prognosis because of misclassification in 2 of these cases.

Prevalence of amblyopia and strabismus in Hani school children in rural southwest China: a cross-sectional study.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence rate of amblyopia and strabismus in Chinese Hani ethnic school-aged children. METHODS: All grade 1 and grade 7 students in Mojiang Hani Autonomous County, located in southwest China, were invited for comprehensive eye examinations performed by experienced ophthalmologists and optometrists, including visual acuity, ocular alignment and movements, cycloplegic autorefraction, anterior segment and fundus examinations. Standard definitions of amblyopia and strabismus were applied to calculate their prevalence rate. RESULTS: A total of 1656 (91.0% response rate) grade 1 Hani students and 1394 (92.8% response rate) grade 7 Hani students participated in the study. Amblyopia was present in 25 Hani students (0.82%, 95% CI 0.55% to 1.20%), with no significant differences in grade (p=0.42) and gender (p=0.69). Among these 25 amblyopic children, 17 had unilateral amblyopia and eight had bilateral amblyopia, including 16 anisometropic, eight binocular refractive and one strabismic. Strabismus was found in 59 Hani students (1.93%, 95% CI 1.50% to 2.48%), including 47 with intermittent exotropia, six with constant exotropia, five with constant esotropia and one with unilateral superior oblique palsy. The prevalence rate of strabismus was higher in grade 7 students than grade 1 students with borderline significance (2.44%vs1.50%, p=0.07), but was similar by gender (2.16% in boys vs 1.68% in girls, p=0.36). CONCLUSION: The prevalence of amblyopia and strabismus in Chinese Hani school children are both lower than that previously reported for Chinese Han children in China and for many other racial/ethnic populations from non-China studies. Refractive error is the major cause for amblyopia and intermittent exotropia is the primary strabismus type.

Preschool Children Exhibit Evident Compensatory Role of Internal Astigmatism in Distribution of Astigmatism: The Nanjing Eye Study.

Purpose: To determine the prevalence and associated risk factors for total, corneal, and residual astigmatism and to evaluate the relations between components of astigmatism in Chinese preschool children. Methods: In the population-based, cross-sectional Nanjing Eye Study, children were measured for noncycloplegic refractive error using an autorefractor and for biometric parameters using an optical low-coherent reflectometry. Data from right eyes were analyzed to calculate the prevalence of astigmatism using various cutpoints (0.5, 1.0, and 1.5 diopters [D]) and for determining risk factors using logistic regression models. Relations between astigmatism components were assessed using Spearman correlation coefficients (ρ). Results: Of 1817 children (mean ± SD of age: 54.8 ± 3.5 months, 54.2% male), the median (1st and 3rd quartile) of total, corneal, and residual astigmatism (vectorial difference between total and corneal astigmatism) was -0.25 (-0.50, 0), -1.06 (-1.49, -0.72), and -0.92 (-1.23, -0.62) D and their prevalence rate 1.0 D or more was 14.2%, 56.1%, and 44.2%, respectively. With-the-rule was the most common type in total astigmatism (75.2%) and in corneal astigmatism (88.2%) while against-the-rule was predominant in residual astigmatism (75.6%). A negative correlation was found between corneal J0 and internal J0 (ρ = -0.74, P < 0.001) and between corneal J45 and internal J45 (ρ = -0.87, P < 0.001). Based on compensation factor (CF), defined as the minus ratio of internal astigmatism (vectorial difference between total and anterior corneal astigmatism) and anterior corneal astigmatism, internal J0 compensated for total J0 in varying degrees (CF: 0.1-2) in 91.5% cases, while that percentage for J45 component was 77.2%. In univariate logistic regression model, older age was significantly associated with total astigmatism (odds ratio [OR] = 0.96 for per-month increase, P = 0.03), and larger axial length-corneal radius ratio was significantly associated with higher risk of residual astigmatism (OR = 2.28 for per unit increase, P = 0.03). Conclusions: The compensatory role of internal astigmatism on reducing corneal astigmatism was prominent in preschool children. Larger axial length-corneal radius ratio was significantly associated with higher risk of residual astigmatism.

FOXP3 and CD25 double staining antibody cocktails identify regulatory T cells in different types of tumor tissues using tissue microarrays.

Regulatory T cells (Tregs) are CD4+ T cells that express CD25 and transcription factor Forkhead box P3 (FOXP3), and Tregs play a central role in regulation of tumor immunity. FOXP3 immunohistochemistry has been widely used to study Tregs in paraffin embedded tissue, and flow cytometry using fresh tissue has been used to identify FOXP3+/CD25+ double positive Tregs. In our study, we validated the FOXP3/CD25 double staining antibody cocktails for detecting Tregs in paraffin-embedded tissue. Tissue microarrays (TMA) included 115 malignant tumors, 3 ovarian mucinous borderline tumors and 15 benign tissues. Digital image analysis was performed using ImageJ software. Our results showed that FOXP3/CD25 double positive lymphocytes, a subset of FOXP3+ lymphocytes, accounted for variable percentage of the total FOXP3+ lymphocytes and they were positively correlated with FOXP3+ cell counts. Tumors from different sites had variable FOXP3+/CD25+ and FOXP3+ lymphocyte counts. Tumors from lung, head & neck and colon had more and renal cell carcinoma had minimal FOXP3+/CD25+ and FOXP3+ lymphocytes. In conclusion, FOXP3/CD25 double staining antibody cocktails can be easily applied to paraffin-embedded tissue, and FOXP3+/CD25+ Tregs count was positively correlated with FOPX3+ Tregs count but they were not interchangeable. We recommend using CD25/FOXP3 double staining for studying Tregs in tumor tissue.

Prevalence of reduced visual acuity among preschool children in eastern China and comparison at a 5-year interval.

IMPORTANCE: Assessing the prevalence of reduced visual acuity and its change over time has significant public health importance. This study evaluated prevalence of reduce visual acuity in children aged 48-60 months, and compared it with previous data. BACKGROUND: Previous studies reported prevalence of reduced visual acuity in preschool children, but none has evaluated prevalence change in the same area. DESIGN: Nanjing Eye Study, a longitudinal population-based study. PARTICIPANTS: Two thousand three hundred eligible children. METHODS: Comprehensive eye examinations. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Uncorrected visual acuity, presenting visual acuity, best-corrected visual acuity, anterior segment and fundus examination, cycloplegic refraction. RESULTS: Based on the worse and better eye, respectively, 6.8% and 3.5% had reduced uncorrected visual acuity and 4.0% and 1.4% had reduced presenting visual acuity. Compared to rates in the Nanjing Paediatric Vision Project carried out 5 years ago in the same area, the prevalence rates of reduced uncorrected visual acuity were significantly higher (6.8% vs. 5.3%, P = 0.04 for worse eye; 3.5% vs. 2.1%, P = 0.0049 for better eye), but there was no significant increase in rates of reduced presenting visual acuity (4.0% vs. 3.7%, P = 0.63 for better eye; 1.4% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.43 for worse eye). The prevalence rate of glasses prescription is higher in this study (4.5% vs. 3.1%, P = 0.02). CONCLUSIONS AND RELEVANCE: Prevalence of reduced uncorrected visual acuity increased significantly, indicating that Chinese children are faced with more vision-threatening factors. However, more children with refractive errors got appropriate correction.

Normative visual acuity in Chinese preschoolers aged 36 to <48 months as measured with the linear HOTV chart: the Yuhuatai Pediatric Eye Disease Study.

OBJECTIVES: To document population-based normative data for uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) in Chinese preschoolers aged 36 to <48 months without any sight-affecting abnormalities and to evaluate its effectiveness for vision referral. METHODS: In a population-based cohort of children in the Yuhuatai Pediatric Eye Disease Study, UCVA was measured by using the linear HOTV chart, followed by other ocular examinations. Reference population was defined as children without ophthalmic abnormalities or refractive error. Normative UCVA was obtained from the reference population. The UCVA referral cut-off was defined as the lowest fifth percentile of the normative distribution of UCVA. RESULTS: The analysis cohort consisted of 1606 Chinese preschoolers aged 36 to <48 months. Among them, a total of 791 children were included in the reference population. The 5th, 50th and 95th percentiles of the UCVA distribution in the reference population were 20/40, 20/32 and 20/25, respectively. UCVA improved with increasing age (p<0.0001), but worsen if prematurity was presented (p=0.041). Using the fifth percentile, UCVA cut-off from the reference population generated referral rates of 26.9% in the general population, and detected more than 86% of amblyopia cases. CONCLUSIONS: We propose that UCVA no better than 20/40 measured by linear HOTV chart should be a referral cut-off for Chinese preschoolers aged 36 to <48 months. Most amblyopia cases can be identified with this age-specific and chart-specific UCVA cut-off.

[Fourier transform infrared spectroscopic study on gallbladder carcinoma].

Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy with an attenuated total reflection(ATR) probe was used to study the benign and malignant tissues of gallbladder. FTIR spectra of 18 tissues of gallbladder carcinoma and 139 benign tissues were collected and analyzed. The results demonstrated that bands related to lipid, carbohydrate, and nucleic acid from malignant samples were significantly different from those of benign ones: (1) The peak positions of 1 167 and 1 123 cm(-1) shifted toward lower wave number (P < 0.05) but that of 1 309 cm(-1)' to the higher one (P < 0.05); (2) The relative intensity ratios of I2 856/I1 461, I1 167/ I1 461, I1 123/I1 461, I1 082/I1 461, increased significantly (P < 0.05) (3) The half-widths of 1 167 and 1 082 cm(-1) increased significantly (P < 0.05), whereas the half-width of 1 461 cm(-1) decreased significantly (P < 0.05). (4) The probability of 1 750 cm(-1) band of gallbladder carcinoma tissues increased significantly (P < 0.05).

[Investigation on Fourier transform infrared spectrum of freshly resected cholangiocarcinoma tissue].

To explore the feasibility of quick intraoperative in situ and noninvasive diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma by Fourier transform infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy, 26 samples of freshly resected cholangiocarcinoma tissues and 43 samples of benign bile duct tissue were collected during surgery. And all fresh samples were measured by FTIR spectroscopy via probe of attenuated total reflection (ATR) without pretreatment immediately after resection. For each spectrum, 12 bands were identified and assigned between 3 800 and 1 000 cm(-1). The peak position was found, and the intensity and area of the bands were measured; The ratios of the intensity and area were calculated. Standard statistic analysis was performed. The results illustrated that the FTIR spectra of malignant tissue were significantly different from those of benign tissue: 1. The bands related to lipid: The peak of 2 925 cm(-1) shifted to lower wave number significantly (P = 0.033); 2. The bands related to nucleic acid and lipids: the ratios of I1 083/ I1 460 (P = 0.005), S1 083 /S1 460 (P = 0.001) and S1 240/S1 460 (P = 0.025) raised significantly, indicating that the relative quantity of nucleic acid to lipids had evidently increased in malignancy. 3. The bands related to protein: The ratios of I1 550/I1 083 (P = 0.000) and S1 550/S1 083 (P = 0.000) reduced significantly, implying that the relative quantity of protein to nucleic acid in malignancy decreased significantly and the secondary structure of protein changed probably. Our primary result illustrated that the FTIR spectroscopy technique maybe a promising method for in situ and quick intraoperative diagnosis of cholangiocarcinoma and has great value for clinical application.