Akkermansia muciniphila participates in the host protection against helminth-induced cardiac fibrosis via TLR2.

Helminth Trichinella spiralis (Ts) is one of the major pathogens of human infective myocarditis that can lead to cardiac fibrosis (CF). The gut microbiota involved in this pathology are of interest. Here, we use mice infected with Ts as a model to examine the interactions between gut microbes and host protection to CF. Infected mice show enhanced CF severity. We find that antibiotics treatment to deplete the microbiota aggravates the disease phenotype. Attempts to restore microbiota using fecal microbiota transplantation ameliorates helminth-induced CF. 16S rRNA gene sequencing and metagenomics sequencing reveal a higher abundance of Akkermansia muciniphila in gut microbiomes of Ts-infected mice. Oral supplementation with alive or pasteurized A. muciniphila improves CF via TLR2. This work represents a substantial advance toward our understanding of causative rather than correlative relationships between the gut microbiota and CF.

Correlation of TBX21 gene polymorphisms with ankylosing spondylitis in a Chinese population.

Genome-wide association studies analysis has revealed associations between ankylosing spondylitis (AS) and loci on the TBX21 gene across various populations. This study aimed to investigate if there is a connection between a higher risk of AS in a Chinese population and two polymorphism loci on the TBX21 gene. To achieve this, we performed a case-control investigation involving 363 patients with AS and 907 healthy individuals. Genotyping was carried out using the iPLEX Gold genotyping assay. The analysis of genotypes and haplotypes was performed using SPSS 23.0 and SHEsis software. The results revealed no statistically significant correlation between the two specified single-nucleotide polymorphisms of TBX21 (rs11657479 C/T and rs4794067 C/T) and susceptibility to AS. However, upon conducting stratification analysis, our findings demonstrated a significant association between rs11657479 and susceptibility to human leucocyte antigen (HLA)-B27+ AS in allelic (C vs. T: odds ratio [OR] = 1.52, 95%CI = 1.09-2.11, corrected p [pc] = .028), heterozygous (CT vs. TT: OR = 1.63, 95%CI = 1.13-2.34, pc = .016) and dominant (CT + CC vs. TT: OR = 1.60, 95%CI = 1.12-2.28, pc = .018) models. Furthermore, the haplotype rs4794067/C-rs11657479/C of TBX21 was found to increase the risk of HLA-B27+ AS cases. In conclusion, our findings indicate a correlation between TBX21 gene polymorphism and HLA-B27+ AS patients within the Chinese population.

Characteristics and scoring method of computed tomography in open-globe injuries.

BACKGROUND: Open-globe injuries (OGIs) remain the important cause of visual impairment and loss in all ages. Computed Tomography (CT) is a useful and common tool in the evaluation of the injuries of the eyeball. Prognostic value of CT scan in OGIs has been evaluated in many studies. However, there is no published consistent systematic scoring method for CT scan in OGIs. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the CT characteristics of OGIs and build a scoring method according to the CT scans which may aid the clinicians in management of OGIs. METHODS: Retrospective chart review of inpatients with clinical diagnosis of OGIs between 2017 and 2021 at Department of Ophthalmology, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital, Henan provincial People's Hospital (Zhengzhou, China). RESULTS: There were 1120 eyes from 1117 patients included in our study. The mean age was 35.7 ± 21.9 years with the range from 1 to 91 years. Significant male predominance was noted (889, 79.6%). CT scans of the OGIs were evaluated. Abnormality of anterior segment, posterior segment, and globe contour and volume were graded respectively. The most serious abnormality of anterior segment, posterior segment, and globe contour and volume were grade 3, 4 and 3 respectively and score 3, 4 and 3 respectively. Score of the CT scans of an open-injured globe ranged from 0 to 10. The correlation coefficient between the score and wound length was 0.798. The correlation coefficient between the score and final visual acuity was 0.799. In 78 eyes with 0 score, 70 eyes (89.7%) gained final visual acuity of 0.3 or better. In 31 eyes with 10 score, 20 eyes (64.5%) underwent evisceration of the eye globe and 10 eyes got visual acuity of no light perception and 1 eye lost to follow-up. CONCLUSIONS: CT scans is a useful tool in evaluating the severity of an open-injured globe. Scoring of the CT scans of an open-injured globe is a meaningful attempt and it may provide useful prognostic information regarding the outcome of an open-injured globe.

Genetic variations of IL10 and IL6R genes in acute anterior uveitis in Han Chinese.

BACKGROUND: Several autoimmune disorders have been linked to polymorphisms in IL10 and IL6R genes. This research aimed to study whether single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the genes of IL10 and IL6R were associated with acute anterior uveitis (AAU) in Han Chinese. METHODS: Genotyping was carried out by the iPLEX Gold Genotyping Assay. Our study comprised 420 patients with AAU and 918 healthy subjects from Han Chinese. Using the chi-square (χ2) test, alleles and genotypes were analyzed between AAU subjects and healthy controls. RESULTS: All ten SNPs were successfully genotyped and four SNPs (IL10/rs1800871, IL10/rs3021094, IL10/rs2222202, IL6R/rs4845618) exhibited weak associations with AAU, as indicated by their Puncorr values. However, upon applying the Bonferroni correction, there was no significant association between AAU and the control subjects. Additionally, the haplotype analysis of the ten SNPs revealed no association with AAU. CONCLUSION: Our findings suggested that polymorphisms of the tested ten SNPs on the IL10 and IL6R genes did not show any association with the risk of developing AAU among the Han Chinese population.

Extreme myopia is more susceptible to SOX2 gene than high myopia.

PURPOSE: To explore the association between two single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the SOX2 gene and high and extreme myopia in the Han Chinese population. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A genetic association study using a case-control method was performed with 139 high myopia, 318 extreme myopia, and 918 healthy participants from the Chinese Han population. Two SNPs (rs4459940 and rs4575941) near SOX2 gene were selected for genotyping. We compared the allelic frequencies and haplotypes of the SNPs to assess their association with high and extreme myopia. This study was adjusted for sex and age of participants in the groups. RESULT: The mean ages of the extreme myopia and control subjects were 47.44 ± 15.59 and 44.15 ± 14.08 years, respectively. The rs4575941 SNP of the SOX2 gene and the GG and AG genotypes showed no significant association with the risk of high myopia as opposed to the AA genotype (GG, OR = 0.94, 95% CI = 0.55-1.60, P = 0.820, Pc = NS; AG, OR = 0.91, 95% CI = 0.54-1.52, P = 0.708, Pc = NS). However, the frequency of the risk G allele of rs4575941 was significantly higher in the extreme myopia group than in the control group (OR = 1.31, 95% CI = 1.08-1.59; P = 0.007; Pc = 0.014). Furthermore, there were significant differences in the GG genotype frequency between the extreme myopia and control groups (OR = 1.77, 95% CI = 1.45-2.74, P = 0.009, Pc = 0.036). The A-G haplotype frequency was higher in the extreme group (OR = 1.27, 95% CI = 1.05-1.55, P = 0.014), while there were no significant differences found in high myopia group (OR = 1.18, 95% CI = 0.77-1.31, P = 0.979). CONCLUSION: The SOX2 rs4575941 polymorphism, in Chinese Han population, contributes to the susceptibility of extreme myopia. SOX2 may thus be implicated in extreme myopia rather than in high myopia.

The impact of helminth-induced immunity on infection with bacteria or viruses.

Different human and animal pathogens trigger distinct immune responses in their hosts. The infection of bacteria or viruses can trigger type I pro-inflammatory immune responses (e.g., IFN-γ, TNF-α, TH1 cells), whereas infection by helminths typically elicits a type II host resistance and tolerizing immune response (e.g., IL-4, IL-5, IL-13, TH2 cells). In some respects, the type I and II immune responses induced by these different classes of pathogens are antagonistic. Indeed, recent studies indicate that infection by helminths differentially shapes the response and outcome of subsequent infection by viruses and bacteria. In this review, we summarize the current knowledge on how helminth infections influence concurrent or subsequent microbial infections and also discuss the implications for helminth-mediated immunity on the outcome of SARS-CoV-2 disease.

The correlation of endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 polymorphisms with Behçet's disease: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVES: Substantial evidence has highlighted the mediation of endoplasmic reticulum aminopeptidase 1 (ERAP1) in the onset of Behçet's disease (BD), which can be differentially converted by ERAP1 variants. To comprehensively elaborate this issue, we undertook the meta-analysis to estimate the liaison of ERAP1 polymorphisms with BD risk. METHODS: Literatures were retrieved in a standardised fashion and data underwent multi-perspective analyses utilizing STATA Statistical Software. Pooled odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of manifold comparisons between BD sufferers and healthy masses were exploited to evaluate the extent of relevance. RESULTS: Overall analyses suggested that the meanings of ERAP1 polymorphisms in BD susceptibility varied among plentiful variations, where rs10050860, rs17482078, rs2287987, rs1065407 and rs72773968 presented pathogenic influence and rs26618 acted out beneficial function, while rs27044, rs26653, rs27895 and rs3734016 had no pronounced biological significance. Additionally, the effect of rs30187 is not yet determined. Moreover, race appeared a crucial ingredient as Mongolian were more susceptible to suffering from BD than Caucasian, while the diagnostic criteria of BD exerted a relative inconspicuous role, where the International Study Group criteria slightly attenuated the pathogenicity of ERAP1 polymorphisms compared with the International Criteria for Behçet's Disease. Finally, an exceeding importance was attached to the proceeding analysis based on disparities in BD symptoms, ERAP1 haplotypes and HLA-B*51 in computing the hazard zonation of ERAP1 polymorphisms on BD tendency. CONCLUSIONS: The present meta-analysis prompted the heterogeneous influences of ERAP1 polymorphisms on BD development, which were malleable under the discrepancies in genetic grounds and disease diagnoses.

Altered time-varying local spontaneous brain activity pattern in patients with high myopia: a dynamic amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations study.

PURPOSE: To investigate the abnormal time-varying local spontaneous brain activity in patients with high myopia (HM) on the basis of the dynamic amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (dALFF) approach. METHODS: Age and gender matching were performed based on resting-state functional magnetic resonance imaging data from 86 HM patients and 87 healthy controls (HCs). Local spontaneous brain activities were evaluated using the time-varying dALFF method. Support vector machine combined with the radial basis function kernel was used for pattern classification analysis. RESULTS: Inter-group comparison between HCs and HM patients has demonstrated that dALFF variability in the left inferior frontal gyrus (orbital part), left lingual gyrus, right anterior cingulate and paracingulate gyri, and right calcarine fissure and surrounding cortex was decreased in HM patients, while increased in the left thalamus, left paracentral lobule, and left inferior parietal (except supramarginal and angular gyri). Pattern classification between HM patients and HCs displayed a classification accuracy of 85.5%. CONCLUSION: In this study, the findings mentioned above have suggested the association between local brain activities of HM patients and abnormal variability in brain regions performing visual sensorimotor and attentional control functions. Several useful information has been provided to elucidate the mechanism-related alterations of the myopic nervous system. In addition, the significant role of abnormal dALFF variability has been highlighted to achieve an in-depth comprehension of the pathological alterations and neuroimaging mechanisms in the field of HM.

Relationship between Uveitis and the Differential Reactivity of Retinal Microglia.

Uveitis, a complicated group of ocular inflammatory diseases, can be affected by massive pathogenic contributors such as infection, autoimmunity, and genetics. Although it is well known that many pathological changes, including disorders of the immune system and disruption of the blood-retinal barrier, count much in the onset and progression of uveitis, there is a paucity of safe and effective treatments, which has exceedingly hindered the appropriate treatment of uveitis. As innate immune cells in the retina, microglia occupy a salient position in retinal homeostasis. Many studies have reported the activation of microglia in uveitis and the mitigation of uveitis by interfering with microglial reactivity, which strongly implicates microglia as a therapeutic target. However, it has been increasingly recognized that microglia are a nonhomogeneous population under different physiological and pathological conditions, which makes it essential to thoroughly have knowledge of their specific characteristics. The paper outlines the various properties of activated microglia in uveitis, summarizes the connections between their polarization patterns and the manifestations of uveitis, and ultimately is intended to enhance the understanding of microglial versatility and expedite the exploration of promising strategies for visual protection.

Neurovascular coupling dysfunction in high myopia patients: Evidence from a multi-modal magnetic resonance imaging analysis.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE: To investigate neurovascular coupling dysfunction in high myopia (HM) patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 37 HM patients and 36 healthy controls were included in this study. Degree centrality (DC), regional homogeneity (ReHo), amplitude of low-frequency fluctuations (ALFF), and fractional ALFF (fALFF) maps were employed to represent neuronal activity. Cerebral blood perfusion was characterized by cerebral blood flow (CBF). The correlation coefficient was calculated to reflect the relationship between neuronal activity and cerebral blood perfusion. Pearson partial correlation analysis was utilized to evaluate the association between HM dysfunction and clinical indicators. RESULTS: HM patients exhibited significant alterations in neurovascular coupling across 37 brain regions compared to healthy controls. The brain regions with marked changes varied among the four neurovascular coupling patterns, including the middle frontal gyrus, superior occipital gyrus, middle occipital gyrus, and fusiform gyrus. Additionally, the superior frontal gyrus orbital part, medial superior frontal gyrus, inferior occipital gyrus, and dorsolateral superior frontal gyrus displayed significant changes in three coupling patterns. In HM patients, the ReHo-CBF changes in the inferior frontal gyrus orbital part were positively correlated with best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and refractive diopter changes. Similarly, the ALFF-CBF changes in the inferior frontal gyrus orbital part showed a positive correlation with refractive diopter changes. ReHo-CBF and ALFF-CBF alterations in the paracentral lobule were positively correlated with BCVA and refractive diopter changes. CONCLUSION: Our findings underscore the abnormal alterations in neurovascular coupling across multiple brain regions in HM patients. These results suggest that neurovascular dysfunction in HM patients may be associated with an aberrant visual regulation mechanism.

Combined therapy guided by multimodal imaging of fifteen retinal capillary hemangioblastomas in a monocular Von Hippel- Lindau syndrome case report.

BACKGROUND: To report the multimodal imaging and treatment of fifteen retinal capillary hemangioblastomas (RCHs) associated with Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome in a monocular patient during a long-term following-up, which supply high-resolution exquisite SS-OCTA images (VG200; SVision Imaging, Ltd., Luoyang, China) and management experience about multiple RCHs. CASE PRESENTATION: A 34-year-old monocular male patient complained decreased visual acuity (20/100) without pain and redness in the left eye five years ago. Von Hippel-Lindau syndrome were diagnosed with genetic testing. He, his son and daughter all carried a heterozygosity missense variant c.499C > T (p. Arg167Trp) in the Hg19 gene, a VHL gene located in Chr3:10,191,506. Fifteen RCHs were identified by the application of multimodal imaging, which including fundus photo, fundus autofluorescence (FAF), B-scan ultrasonography (US), fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) and swept-source optical coherence tomography angiography (SS-OCTA). Transscleral cryotherapy and laser photocoagulation were performed to destroy the largest RCH with the size of 4 PD in diameter. Laser photocoagulation was conducted to seal the middle or tiny RCHs (< 1.5 PD) and their nourishing vessels. The retinal edema and exudative macular detachment were successfully relieved by intraocular injection of bevacizumab for 5 times. The RCHs in the left eye responded well to these treatments and best corrected visual acuity was 20/25 for three years. Three-month recall visits were recommended for him. CONCLUSION: For multiple retinal capillary hemangioblastomas in monocular patients, precise combined therapy guided by multimodal imaging has a profound impact on the management of new and recurrent RCHs.

Elevated neutrophil counts, triglycerides, monocyte/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratios, and lower HDL in patients with retinal vein occlusion.

Introduction Aim to evaluate associations of peripheral blood immune cells and blood lipid profile levels with retinal vein occlusion (RVO). Methods This retrospective study included 127 patients with RVO and 108 controls. Patients with RVO were divided into branch RVO (BRVO), central RVO (CRVO), ischemic RVO, or non-ischemic RVO groups. Medical records were collected and analyzed. Results The RVO group had higher mean neutrophil, triglyceride (TG), and monocyte/high-density lipoprotein (HDL) ratio (MHR) levels and lower HDL levels (P=0.037, P<0.001, P=0.004, and P=0.002, respectively). TG and MHR levels were significantly higher in the BRVO and CRVO groups compared with the control group (P<0.001, P=0.016, respectively), but there was no difference in BRVO and CRVO group (P=0.972, P=0.916, respectively). Mean HDL levels were significantly lower in the BRVO and CRVO groups than in the control group (P=0.005), but the difference between the BRVO group and CRVO group was not significant (P=0.290). Neutrophils, TG, and MHR were independent risk factors for RVO. HDL was an independent protective factor for RVO. Age was an independent risk factor for ischemic RVO. Conclusions Lower HDL, and higher neutrophil, TG and MHR levels are associated with RVO. Age is an independent risk factor for ischemic RVO.

Deep learning-based detection and stage grading for optimising diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy.

AIMS: To establish an automated method for identifying referable diabetic retinopathy (DR), defined as moderate nonproliferative DR and above, using deep learning-based lesion detection and stage grading. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A set of 12,252 eligible fundus images of diabetic patients were manually annotated by 45 licenced ophthalmologists and were randomly split into training, validation, and internal test sets (ratio of 7:1:2). Another set of 565 eligible consecutive clinical fundus images was established as an external test set. For automated referable DR identification, four deep learning models were programmed based on whether two factors were included: DR-related lesions and DR stages. Sensitivity, specificity and the area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) were reported for referable DR identification, while precision and recall were reported for lesion detection. RESULTS: Adding lesion information to the five-stage grading model improved the AUC (0.943 vs. 0.938), sensitivity (90.6% vs. 90.5%) and specificity (80.7% vs. 78.5%) of the model for identifying referable DR in the internal test set. Adding stage information to the lesion-based model increased the AUC (0.943 vs. 0.936) and sensitivity (90.6% vs. 76.7%) of the model for identifying referable DR in the internal test set. Similar trends were also seen in the external test set. DR lesion types with high precision results were preretinal haemorrhage, hard exudate, vitreous haemorrhage, neovascularisation, cotton wool spots and fibrous proliferation. CONCLUSIONS: The herein described automated model employed DR lesions and stage information to identify referable DR and displayed better diagnostic value than models built without this information.

Prevalence of meat-transmitted Taenia and Trichinella parasites in the Far East countries.

Taenia and Trichinella parasites are globally distributed foodborne zoonotic pathogens transmitted from animal to humans via consumption of raw or undercooked meats. This short review is intended to provide the parasites community a snapshot of the literature on the current and recent prevalence of taeniasis and trichinellosis in humans and animals in the Far East countries. Prevalence rates in these countries are highly diverse due to differences in development, culture, ethnic and religious background, animal forming practices, and eating habits. Taenia and Trichinella remain as important meat-transmitted pathogens in the Far East. A One Health approach is needed to eliminate or continuously reduce the foodborne zoonotic taeniasis and trichinellosis in the Far East.

Evaluation of a novel artificial intelligence-based screening system for diabetic retinopathy in community of China: a real-world study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the performance of an AI-based diabetic retinopathy (DR) grading model in real-world community clinical setting. METHODS: Participants with diabetes on record in the chosen community were recruited by health care staffs in a primary clinic of Zhengzhou city, China. Retinal images were prospectively collected during December 2018 and April 2019 based on intent-to-screen principle. A pre-validated AI system based on deep learning algorithm was deployed to screen DR graded according to the International Clinical Diabetic Retinopathy scale. Kappa value of DR severity, the sensitivity, specificity of detecting referable DR (RDR) and any DR were generated based on the standard of the majority manual grading decision of a retina specialist panel. RESULTS: Of the 193 eligible participants, 173 (89.6%) were readable with at least one eye image. Mean [SD] age was 69.3 (9.0) years old. Total of 321 eyes (83.2%) were graded both by AI and the specialist panel. The κ value in eye image grading was 0.715. The sensitivity, specificity and area under curve for detection of RDR were 84.6% (95% CI: 54.6- 98.1%), 98.0% (95% CI: 94.3-99.6%) and 0.913 (95% CI: 0.797-1.000), respectively. For detection of any DR, the upper indicators were 90.0% (95% CI: 68.3-98.8), 96.6% (95% CI: 92.1-98.9) and 0.933 (95% CI: 0.933-1.000), respectively. CONCLUSION: The AI system showed relatively good consistency with ophthalmologist diagnosis in DR grading, high specificity and acceptable sensitivity for identifying RDR and any DR. TRANSLATIONAL RELEVANCE: It is feasible to apply AI-based DR screening in community. PRECIS: Deployed in community real-world clinic setting, AI-based DR screening system showed high specificity and acceptable sensitivity in identifying RDR and any DR. Good DR diagnostic consistency was found between AI and manual grading. These prospective evidences were essential for regulatory approval.

Ferulic acid (FA) protects human retinal pigment epithelial cells from H2 O2 -induced oxidative injuries.

The aim of present study is to investigate whether Ferulic acid (FA), a natural polyphenol antioxidant, was able to protect ARPE-19 cells from hydrogen peroxide (H2 O2 )-induced damage, and elucidate the underlying mechanisms. Our results revealed that FA pre-treatment for 24 hours can reverse cell loss of H2 O2 -induced ARPE-19 cells via the promotion of cell proliferation and prevention of apoptosis, as evidenced by 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine (EdU) incorporation and terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated dUTP nick end-labelling (TUNEL) assay, respectively. Moreover, the addition of FA (5 mM) can decrease Bax and cleaved caspase-3 protein expression, but increase Bcl-2 protein expression in ARPE-19 cells. Furthermore, H2 O2 -induced oxidative stress in ARPE-19 cells was significantly alleviated by FA, illustrated by reduced levels of ROS and MDA. In addition, the attenuated antioxidant enzymes activities of (SOD, CAT and GPX) and GSH level were reversed almost to the normal base level by the pre-addition of FA for 24 hours. In all assays, FA itself did not exert any effect on the change of the above parameters. These novel findings indicated that FA effectively protected human ARPE-19 cells from H2 O2 -induced oxidative damage through its pro-proliferation, anti-apoptosis and antioxidant activity, suggesting that FA has a therapeutic potential in the prevention and treatment of AMD.

NLRP3 played a role in Trichinella spiralis-triggered Th2 and regulatory T cells response.

Trichinella spiralis maintains chronic infections within its host. Muscle larvae excretory-secretory products (MLES) typically induce parasite-specific immune responses such as the Th2 response and regulatory T cells (Tregs) by modulating dendritic cell (DC) phenotype via the recognition of pattern recognition receptors (PRRs), such as Nod-like receptors (NLRs). We aimed to investigate the role of NLRP3 in T. spiralis-triggered immune response. We found that larvae burden was increased in NLRP3-/- mice compared to wild type (WT) mice. Administration of MLES induced higher levels of IL-4, IL-10, TGF-ß and population of Tregs in WT mice than in NLRP3-/- mice. In vitro, we showed that increased expression of CD40 on the surface of MLES-treated DCs was inhibited after NLRP3 knockout. Increased production of IL-1ß, IL-18, IL-10 and TGF-ß, but not IL-12p70, was significantly diminished in the absence of NLRP3. Furthermore, our results demonstrated that MLES-treated DCs induced higher levels of IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-ß and populations of Tregs in vitro. These inductions were abolished by NLRP3 deficiency in DCs, suggesting that NLRP3 in MLES-treated DCs plays a role in promoting the Th2 and Treg response. Taken together, we identified for the first time the involvement of NLRP3 in host defences against T. spiralis.

CORRELATION BETWEEN POSTERIOR STAPHYLOMA AND DOME-SHAPED MACULA IN HIGH MYOPIC EYES.

PURPOSE: To investigate the relationship between posterior staphyloma and dome-shaped macula (DSM) in highly myopic eyes. METHODS: The clinical data were collected from patients with high myopia: diopter, best-corrected visual acuity, axial length, fundus images, optical coherence tomography, and 3D magnetic resonance imaging. A DSM was defined as a convex curvature of the macula in one or both of the vertical and horizontal optical coherence tomography scans. The relationship between DSM and posterior staphyloma was evaluated. RESULTS: A total of 123 eyes were included. Dome-shaped macula was found in 18 eyes (14.63%). Twelve eyes with DSM had positive 3D magnetic resonance imaging findings. Nine eyes had horizontal oval-shaped dome, and a band-shaped inward convexity that extended horizontally from the optic disc through the fovea could be seen. Three eyes had round dome, and 3D magnetic resonance imaging showed a round inward convexity of the macular area. Five inward convexities were the border of multiple staphylomas, five were the boundary of one staphyloma, and two were within a single staphyloma. CONCLUSION: The formation of highly myopic DSM is related to the morphological change of the entire posterior segment.

Glutathione-S-transferase of Trichinella spiralis regulates maturation and function of dendritic cells.

Immunomodulation by molecules from Trichinella spiralis (T. spiralis) has been widely reported. Glutathione-S-transferase (GST) is a major immune-modulator of the family of detoxification enzymes. Dendritic cells (DCs) are an important target for the regulation of the immune response by T. spiralis. In this study, the recombinant GST of T. spiralis (rTs-GST) was expressed and purified. rTs-GST induced low CD40 expression and moderate CD80, CD86 and MHC-II expressions and inhibited the increase of CD40, CD80 and CD86 on DCs induced by LPS. We showed that rTs-GST decreased the LPS-induced elevated level of pro-inflammatory cytokines of DCs and enhanced the level of regulatory cytokines IL-10 and TGF-ß. Furthermore, co-culture of DCs and CD4+ T cells demonstrated that rTs-GST-treated DCs suppressed the proliferation of OVA-specific CD4+ T cells and increased the population of regulatory T cells (Tregs). rTs-GST-treated DCs induced a higher level of IL-4, IL-10 and TGF-ß, but inhibited the level of IFN-γ. This indicates that rTs-GST-pulsed DCs induce both Th2-type responses and Tregs. These findings contribute to the current understanding of the immunomodulation of Ts-GST on cellular response and immunomodulation of T. spiralis.

Low-dose norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin therapy worsen leptospirosis in hamster.

Antibiotics play an important role in the treatment of leptospirosis. Many antibiotics at appropriate concentrations improved the survival rate and alleviated tissue injury, while, when dosing strategies fall below subtherapeutic levels, worse therapeutic effects are seen. In the present study, we investigated the efficacy of low-dose norfloxacin (10, 20 and 30 mg/kg) and ciprofloxacin (1, 2 and 5 mg/kg) against leptospirosis in a hamster model using Leptospira interrogans serovar Icterohaemorrhagiae. The histopathology and bacterial loads of target organs (liver, kidney and lung) were also studied by treatment with norfloxacin at the dose of 10 mg/kg in this model. Using RT-PCR, the expression of inflammatory factor IL-1ß and TNF-α was analyzed by comparing the norfloxacin and untreated group. All untreated animals, serving as a negative control, displayed 50% survival rate, while hamsters treated with norfloxacin at the dose of 10 and 20 mg/kg and ciprofloxacin at the dose of 1 and 2 mg/kg showed a lower survival rate than the untreated group. Furthermore, norfloxacin at the dose of 10 mg/kg increased bacterial loads and aggravated tissue injury of target organs. The delayed induction of IL-1ß and TNF-α was found in tissues of norfloxacin group. Our study indicates an increased risk associated with low-dose norfloxacin and ciprofloxacin in leptospirosis.