Clinical characteristics and treatment outcomes of patients with IgG4-positive ocular adnexal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma.

PURPOSE: To explore the clinicopathological characteristics of immunoglobulin G4 (IgG4)-positive ocular adnexal marginal zone B-cell lymphoma (OAML) and associated patient treatment outcomes. METHODS: Medical records from patients diagnosed with IgG4-positive OAML treated at the West China Hospital between January 2016 and August 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: This study included data from 22 patients (11 males, 11 females), aged between 36 and 83 years, with disease durations from 1 month to 30 years. Sixteen cases exhibited unilateral ocular involvement (ten left eyes, six right eyes), while six exhibited bilateral involvement. Common clinical symptoms included ocular masses, eyelid swelling, and proptosis, with the orbit and lacrimal gland being the most commonly impacted sites. Among the 22 patients, 13 who were clinically suspected of having IgG4-related ophthalmic disease (IgG4-ROD) underwent serum IgG4 testing pre-operatively, revealing elevated IgG4 levels in 11 of these patients. The use of computed tomography and magnetic resonance imaging facilitated the evaluation of the location and size of lesions. All 22 patients received surgical treatment. Subsequently, 14 of these patients underwent local radiotherapy, five received post-operative chemotherapy, and three were closely observed. The follow-up period of patients in this study was 3-77 months, with an average follow-up time of 36 months. Except for one patient who died of disease progression, all others showed favorable prognoses with significant improvements. CONCLUSIONS: These results support the classification of IgG4-positive OAML as a distinct OAML sub-type with clinical features that partially overlap with IgG4-ROD. Therefore, accurate differentiation between OAML and IgG4-ROD is imperative, necessitating timely surgical intervention and precise pathological diagnosis to prevent diagnostic errors and inappropriate treatment. Currently, no standardized treatments for IgG4-positive OAML exist, but our results suggest that standard OAML therapies are generally efficacious.

MicroRNA-93 promotes the pathogenesis of glaucoma by inhibiting matrix metalloproteinases as well as up-regulating extracellular matrix and Rho/ROCK signaling pathways.

Objective: To investigate the effect and potential molecular mechanism of microRNA-93 (miR-93) on retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) apoptosis as well as retinal damage in acute glaucoma mice. Methods: RGCs apoptosis were induced by oxygen-glucose deprivation and reperfusion (OGD/R). The pro-apoptotic effect of miR-93 was evaluated by transfecting miR-93 mimics or miR-93 inhibitor into OGD/R-induced RGCs. The viability and apoptosis of RGCs were determined by MTT assay and flow cytometry. Mouse model of acute glaucoma were successfully induced via high intraocular pressure (IOP), and then these model animals were randomly divided into vehicle group, miR-93 mimics group or miR-93 inhibitor group (n = 10), using healthy mice as normal control. Histopathologic changes of retinal tissue were evaluated by Hematoxylin and Eosin (H&E) staining method. Moreover, cell counts of retinal ganglion cell layer and mean thickness of different layers were also determined. Quantitative real-time PCR (qPCR) and western blotting analysis were used to detect the mRNA and protein expression levels of extracellular matrix (ECM), matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs) and Rho/ROCK signaling pathway. Results: miR-93 mimics significantly decreased or promoted the viability and apoptosis of OGD/R-induced RGCs, respectively. In addition, miR-93 mimics significantly exacerbated the degree of retinal tissue damage in mice with acute glaucoma, which was accompanied by a decrease in the number of ganglion cell layer (GCL) cells and the thickness of different tissue layers. Moreover, miR-93 mimics significantly increased IOP in mice with acute glaucoma. Significantly, miR-93 inhibitors significantly reversed the above changes. In addition, results of Western blot analysis showed that miR-93 mimics increased and decreased the expression of ECM-associated and MMP-associated proteins, respectively, by activating the Rho/ROCK signaling pathway. In contrast, miR-93 significantly decreased and increased the expression of ECM-associated and MMP-associated proteins, and suppressed the expression of Rho/ROCK signaling pathway-related proteins. Conclusion: miR-93 can promote the development of glaucoma by activating Rho/ROCK signaling pathway to mediate the accumulation of ECM-related proteins as well as the down-regulation of MMP-related proteins.

Circ_0080940 Regulates miR-139-5p/CTGF Pathway to Promote the Proliferation, Migration, Extracellular Matrix Deposition of Human Tenon's Capsule Fibroblasts.

PURPOSE: Circular RNA (circRNA) has been identified as an important regulator for glaucoma progression. Our study aims to reveal the circ_0080940 roles in glaucoma progression. METHODS: Transforming growth factor ß1 (TGF-ß1) was used to treat human Tenon's capsule fibroblasts (HTFs) to mimic glaucoma cell models. Cell function was determined by cell counting kit 8 assay, EdU assay and wound healing assay. Protein levels were determined by western blot analysis. Quantitative real-time PCR was used to measure RNA expression. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was performed to evaluate RNA interaction. RESULTS: Our data confirmed that TGF-ß1 induced HTFs proliferation, migration and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition. Circ_0080940 was highly expressed in glaucoma patients, and its knockdown inhibited TGF-ß1-induced proliferation, migration and ECM deposition in HTFs. Circ_0080940 sponged miR-139-5p, and anti-miR-139-5p revoked the effect of si-circ_0080940 on the biological functions of TGF-ß1-induced HTFs. CTGF was targeted by miR-139-5p, and overexpressed CTGF overturned the inhibition effect of miR-139-5p on the biological functions of TGF-ß1-induced HTFs. Furthermore, CTGF expression could be positively regulated by circ_0080940. CONCLUSION: To sum up, we confirmed that circ_0080940 contributed to glaucoma progression by miR-139-5p/CTGF axis.

Platinum clusters anchored on sulfur-doped ordered mesoporous carbon for chemoselective hydrogenation of halogenated nitroarenes.

Chemoselective hydrogenation of unsaturated organic compounds is a significant research topic in the catalysis field. Herein, a sulfur-doped ordered mesoporous carbon (SMC) material was prepared to anchor ultrafine platinum (Pt) clusters for the chemoselective hydrogenation of halogenated nitroarenes. The confinement effect of the ordered pores and the strong metal-support interaction caused by Pt clusters and sulfur atoms, efficiently suppress the aggregation and regulate the electronic states of the ultrafine Pt clusters. Thus, the hydrogenation of parachloronitrobenzene (p-CNB) shows high selectivity catalyzed by the ultrafine Pt clusters with electron-rich states. Meanwhile, the catalytic performance of the hydrogenation reaction catalyzed by Pt/SMC is capable of being maintained after at least 5 cycles, and the catalytic universality can also be applied to different halogenated nitroarenes hydrogenation. Therefore, this study may promote the research into the construction of noble metal-based catalysts for chemoselective hydrogenation reactions in green and sustainable chemical processes.

The Effect and the Mechanism of Comprehensive Treatment on the Ocular Surface and the Visual Quality of Online Teachers with a Mild-to-Moderate Dry Eye Condition During the Early Phase of Coronavirus Disease 2019.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effect of comprehensive treatment on ocular surface function and the visual quality of online teachers with a mild-to-moderate dry eye condition during the early phase of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: Secondary school online teachers diagnosed with a mild-to-moderate dry eye disease in our outpatient clinic from February to May 2020 were enrolled in this retrospective cross-section study, and all patients received dry eye comprehensive treatment. A questionnaire survey on eye-use habits, visual quality and dry eye-related indicators was collected before and after treatment (2 and 4 weeks). The changes and the correlations between indicators before and after treatment were compared. RESULTS: A total of 30 patients (15 females and 15 males) were included. After comprehensive treatment, patients had significantly higher central tear meniscus height (TMH), non-invasive first tear film breakup time (NIBUTf) and non-invasive average tear film breakup time (NIBUTav) than those before with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Lower ocular surface disease index (OSDI) and Meibomian gland scores were observed after treatment with statistical significance (P < 0.05). Objective scatter index (OSI), modulation transfer function (MTF) cutoff, strehl ratio (SR), and tear film objective scatter index (TF-OSI) were significantly improved after treatment (P < 0.05). Besides, TF-OSI was positively correlated with the changes in OSDI, Meibomian gland score, eye-use duration and OSI with statistical significance (P < 0.05), while it was negatively correlated with NIBUTf, NIBUTav, the TMH of the central lower eyelid, SR, sleep duration, conjunctival congestion and the MTF cutoff (P < 0.05), respectively. No correlation between TF-OSI and ciliary congestion was found (P > 0.05). CONCLUSION: Comprehensive treatment could effectively improve the symptoms and visual quality of online teachers with a mild-to-moderate dry eye condition during the early stage of COVID-19 pandemic.

A novel missense mutation of FOXC1 in an Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome patient with a congenital atrial septal defect and sublingual cyst: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Axenfeld-Rieger syndrome (ARS) is a rare autosomal dominant hereditary disease characterized primarily by maldevelopment of the anterior segment of both eyes, accompanied by developmental glaucoma, and other congenital anomalies. FOXC1 and PITX2 genes play important roles in the development of ARS. CASE PRESENTATION: The present report describes a 7-year-old boy with iris dysplasia, displaced pupils, and congenital glaucoma in both eyes. The patient presented with a congenital atrial septal defect and sublingual cyst. The patient's family has no clinical manifestations. Next generation sequencing identified a pathogenic heterozygous missense variant in FOXC1 gene (NM_001453:c. 246C>A, p. S82R) in the patient. Sanger sequencing confirmed this result, and this mutation was not detected in the other three family members. CONCLUSION: To the best of our knowledge, the results of our study reveal a novel mutation in the FOXC1 gene associated with ARS.

Compound heterozygous mutations in the LTBP2 gene associated with microspherophakia in a Chinese patient: a case report and literature review.

BACKGROUND: Microspherophakia (MSP, OMIM 251,750) is a rare inherited autosomal recessive eye disorder characterized by small spherically shaped lens. Several studies have indicated that the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) binding proteins(LTBP2) gene mutation is the predominant cause of MSP. In our study, novel compound heterozygous mutations in the LTBP2 gene associated with MSP were reported, which was different from previous reported homozygous mutations. CASE PRESENTATION: The proband was an 18-year-old male in Western China with bilateral MSP, accompanied by ectopia lentis, secondary glaucoma and blindness in both eyes. In our hospital, he received bilateral lens resection and trabeculectomy combined with peripheral iridotomy. Using next-generation sequencing (NGS)-based gene panel tests, we identified pathogenic mutations in the peripheral blood DNA sample from the proband: c.3614_3618dupCTGGC (exon24, NM_000428) and c.2819G > A (exon18, NM_000428). The presence of the novel compound heterozygous mutations in the LTBP2 gene was linked with the development of MSP. Sanger sequencing confirmed the existence of one of the two variants in each parent respectively. CONCLUSION: Our results demonstrated a rare case of MSP phenotype associated with novel compound heterozygous mutations in the LTBP2 gene using NGS technology.

Urrets-ZavaIia syndrome with intraocular metallic foreign body: thinking caused by a case report.

This paper reports a rare case of pupil dilatation and ankylosis of the left eye of a 22-year-old male patient for half a month. The patient felt foreign body sensation, conjunctival congestion and a mild visual loss of the left eye. The right eye is normal. After a series of examination, the reason of the patient's signs and symptoms were determined by intraocular metallic foreign body in his left eye. The magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) which shouldn't be performed actually, didn't reveal the object clearly, but the subsequent CT examination confirmed the high-density foreign body in the left eye. By asking about the history of trauma again, obviously, the pupil dilatation and ankylosis of the left eye was from the intraocular metallic foreign body. Finally, the patient was diagnosed as Urrets-ZavaIia syndrome which is a rare disease in clinic. Then the patient was recommended to do eye surgery. After surgery, his left eye recovered well. In conclusion, our case reports a rare disease of Urrets-ZavaIia syndrome caused by intraocular metallic foreign body. It also demonstrates that the detailed history and complete examinations should be obtained in patients to diagnosis such rare disease.

The Expression of IgG and IgG4 in Orbital MALT Lymphoma: The Similarities and Differences of IgG4-Related Diseases.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to study the expression and role of IgG and IgG4 in orbital MALT lymphoma and to compare the characteristics of IgG4-related diseases. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Patients with orbital MALT lymphoma, treated in the West China Hospital of Sichuan University from 2012 to 2017, were enrolled in the current study. The immunological examination of the wax blocks of orbital masses was performed again and the expression level of IgG and IgG4 in pathological tissue was analyzed. RESULTS: The results presented that the positive rates of IgG and IgG4 in the cases of orbital MALT lymphoma were 90.91% and 61.98% respectively, of which IgG4/IgG >40% accounted for 49.33%. The positive rates of IgG and IgG4 in relapse cases were 94.60% and 70.27% respectively, and IgG4/IgG >40% accounted for 42.31%. There was no significant change in the expression of IgG and IgG4 in cases of lymphoproliferation converting to MALT lymphoma whereas, in cases of MALT lymphoma postoperatively converting to lymphoproliferation, there was an increase in IgG and IgG4 expression, with the change of IgG4 being significant. CONCLUSION: IgG and IgG4 have a high correlation in the pathogenesis of MALT lymphoma and may even play an important role in the transformation of MALT lymphoma into orbital lymphoid hyperplasia. Given the association of IgG4 with inflammation and tumors and as an important diagnostic indicator for IgG4-RD and IgG4-related ophthalmic diseases, IgG4 may play an important role in these diseases.

Spiral CT in gastric carcinoma: comparison with barium study, fiberoptic gastroscopy and histopathology.

AIM: To evaluate spiral computed tomography (CT) including virtual gastroscopy for diagnosis of gastric carcinoma in comparison with upper gastrointestinal series (UGI), fiberoptic gastroscopy (FG) and histopathology. METHODS: Sixty patients with histologically proven gastric carcinoma (54 advanced and 6 early) were included in this study. The results of spiral CT were compared with those of UGI and FG. Two observers blindly evaluated images of spiral CT and UGI and video recording of FG with consensus in terms of diagnostic confidence with a five-point scale. Sensitivities of lesion detection, Borrmann's classification of spiral CT, UGI and FG, as well as the accuracy of TNM staging of spiral CT were determined by comparing them to surgical and histological findings. RESULTS: The lesion detection rate was 98 % (59/60), 95 % (57/60) and 98 % (59/60) for spiral CT, UGI and FG, respectively. There were no statistical differences in the detection sensitivity among the three techniques (P>0.05). For the sensitivity in Borrmann's classification, spiral CT was higher than that of UGI (P=0.025) and similar to that of FG (P>0.05). The accuracy of spiral CT in staging the gastric carcinoma was 76.7 %. Six cases of early gastric carcinoma were all detected by spiral CT as well as FG. CONCLUSION: Spiral CT is equivalent to UGI and FG in the detection of gastric carcinoma, and superior to UGI but similar to FG in the Borrmann's classification of advanced gastric carcinoma. Spiral CT is more valuable than FG in the staging of gastric carcinoma.