Comparative Efficacy of TVT-A and TVT-O in the Treatment of Stress Urinary Incontinence in Elderly Women: Single-Centre Retrospective Study.

BACKGROUND: Tension-free vaginal tape-Abbrevo (TVT-A) and tension-free vaginal tape-Obturator (TVT-O) are the main procedures for the treatment of stress urinary incontinence (SUI) in females. This study investigated the clinical efficacy of TVT-A versus TVT-O for the treatment of SUI in elderly women. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 126 cases of SUI in elderly female patients admitted to our hospital from January 2022 to January 2023. The patients were divided into TVT-A group (65 cases) and TVT-O group (61 cases) according to the surgical methods. Follow-up was conducted via outpatient examination and telephone. Perioperative conditions, surgical outcomes, postoperative complications and quality of life were analysed and compared between the two groups. RESULTS: No statistically significant difference in surgical time, intraoperative blood loss, indwelling catheter duration, average hospital days, bladder injury, urethral injury, incision infection, dysuria, cured rate and quality of life was found between the two groups (p > 0.05). The incidence of postoperative groin pain in the TVT-A group was significantly lower than that in the TVT-O group (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The efficacy of TVT-A and TVT-O in treating SUI in older women is about the same. However, TVT-A is more minimally invasive, safer and has fewer complications.

Muscle-Inspired Formable Wood-Based Phase Change Materials.

Phase change materials (PCMs) are crucial for sustainable thermal management in energy-efficient construction and cold chain logistics, as they can store and release renewable thermal energy. However, traditional PCMs suffer from leakage and a loss of formability above their phase change temperatures, limiting their shape stability and versatility. Inspired by the muscle structure, formable PCMs with a hierarchical structure and solvent-responsive supramolecular networks based on polyvinyl alcohol (PVA)/wood composites are developed. The material, in its hydrated state, demonstrates low stiffness and pliability due to the weak hydrogen bonding between aligned wood fibers and PVA molecules. Through treatment of poly(ethylene glycol) (PEG) into the PVA/wood PEG gel (PEG/PVA/W) with strengthened hydrogen bonds, the resulting wood-based PCMs in the hard and melting states elevate the tensile stress from 10.14 to 80.86 MPa and the stiffness from 420 MPa to 4.8 GPa, making it 530 times stiffer than the PEG/PVA counterpart. Capable of morphing in response to solvent changes, these formable PCMs enable intricate designs for thermal management. Furthermore, supported by a comprehensive life cycle assessment, these shape-adaptable, recyclable, and biodegradable PCMs with lower environmental footprint present a sustainable alternative to conventional plastics and thermal management materials.

Exploring the genetic causal association of TIMP3 on CKD and kidney function: a two-sample mendelian randomization.

Background: Numerous studies have demonstrated a positive association between the level of tissue inhibitor of metalloproteinase 3 (TIMP3) and chronic kidney disease (CKD). Nevertheless, whether those associations reflect causal links still to be determined. This study intended to research the causal relationship of TIMP3 with CKD and markers of kidney function, such as creatinine-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcrea), cystatin C-based estimated glomerular filtration rate (eGFRcys), eGFRcrea in diabetics (eGFRcrea (DM)) and eGFRcrea in non diabetics (eGFRcrea (No DM)). Methods: In this study, we investigated the causal relationships between TIMP3 and CKD and kidney function markers using a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) technique. We used summary level datasets for TIMP3 and CKD from genome-wide association studies that we were able to access through the study by Suhre K and Pattaro C. Results: We found that TIMP3 had a significant positive causal effect on the risk of CKD (Inverse variance weighted (IVW):odds ratio (OR):0.962, 95% confidence interval (CI): (0.936-0.988),P:0.005). However TIMP3 levels had no significant effect on risk of eGFRcys (PIVW: 0.114),eGFRcrea (PIVW:0.333). After grouping patients based on their diabetes status, we found that genetically higher levels of TIMP3 had a significant impact on eGFRcrea in participants without diabetes (OR:1.003,95%CI (1.001-1.006),P IVW:0.007), but not in participants with diabetes (PIVW = 0.057). Heterogeneity and pleiotropy analyses were carried out to verify the accuracy of the MR findings. Their findings were all not statistically significant. Conclusion: Our study suggests that TIMP3 may be causally associated with CKD and eGFRcrea (No DM)in people of European ancestry. Strategies aimed to increase TIMP3 levels may provide new ways to delay the deterioration of renal function.

Aquaporins enriched in endothelial vacuole membrane regulate the diameters of microvasculature in hyperglycaemia.

AIMS: In patients with diabetic microvascular complications, decreased perfusion or vascular occlusion, caused by reduced vascular diameter, is a common characteristic that will lead to insufficient blood supply. Yet, the regulatory mechanism and effective treatment approach remain elusive. METHODS AND RESULTS: Our initial findings revealed a notable decrease in the expression of human AQP1 in both diabetic human retina samples (49 healthy vs. 54 diabetic samples) and high-glucose-treated human retinal microvascular endothelial cells. Subsequently, our investigations unveiled a reduction in vascular diameter and compromised perfusion within zebrafish embryos subjected to high glucose treatment. Further analysis indicated a significant down-regulation of two aquaporins, aqp1a.1 and aqp8a.1, which are highly enriched in ECs and are notably responsive to hyperglycaemic conditions. Intriguingly, the loss of function of aqp1a.1 and/or aqp8a.1 resulted in a reduction of intersegmental vessel diameters, effectively mirroring the phenotype observed in the hyperglycaemic zebrafish model. The overexpression of aqp1a.1/aqp8a.1 in zebrafish ECs led to notable enlargement of microvascular diameters. Moreover, the reduced vessel diameters resulting from high-glucose treatment were effectively rescued by the overexpression of these aquaporins. Additionally, both aqp1a.1 and apq8a.1 were localized in the intracellular vacuoles in cultured ECs as well as the ECs of sprouting ISVs, and the loss of Aqps caused the reduction of those vacuoles, which was required for lumenization. Notably, while the loss of AQP1 did not impact EC differentiation from human stem cells, it significantly inhibited vascular formation in differentiated ECs. CONCLUSION: EC-enriched aquaporins regulate the diameter of blood vessels through an intracellular vacuole-mediated process under hyperglycaemic conditions. These findings collectively suggest that aquaporins expressed in ECs hold significant promise as potential targets for gene therapy aimed at addressing vascular perfusion defects associated with diabetes.

Deshielding Anions Enable Solvation Chemistry Control of LiPF6-Based Electrolyte toward Low-Temperature Lithium-Ion Batteries.

Severe capacity decay under subzero temperatures remains a significant challenge for lithium-ion batteries (LIBs) due to the sluggish interfacial kinetics. Current efforts to mitigate this deteriorating interfacial behavior rely on high-solubility lithium salts (e.g., Lithium bis(trifluoromethanesulfonyl)imide (LiTFSI), Lithium bis(fluorosulfonyl)imide (LiFSI))-based electrolytes to construct anion participated solvation structures. However, such electrolytes bring issues of corrosion on the current collector and increased costs. Herein, the most commonly used Lithium hexafluorophosphate (LiPF6) instead, to establish a peculiar solvation structure with a high ratio of ion pairs and aggregates by introducing a deshielding NO3 - additive for low-temperature LIBs is utilized. The deshielding anion significantly reduces the energy barrier for interfacial behavior at low temperatures. Benefiting from this, the graphite (Gr) anode retains a high capacity of ≈72.3% at -20 °C, which is far superior to the 32.3% and 19.4% capacity retention of counterpart electrolytes. Moreover, the LiCoO2/Gr full cell exhibits a stable cycling performance of 100 cycles at -20 °C due to the inhibited lithium plating. This work heralds a new paradigm in LiPF6-based electrolyte design for LIBs operating at subzero temperatures.

Characterization and catalytic investigation of fungal single-module nonribosomal peptide synthetase in terpene-amino acid meroterpenoid biosynthesis.

Hybrid natural products are compounds that originate from diverse biosynthetic pathways and undergo a conjugation process, which enables them to expand their chemical diversity and biological functionality. Terpene-amino acid meroterpenoids have garnered increasing attention in recent years, driven by the discovery of noteworthy examples such as the anthelmintic CJ-12662, the insecticidal paeciloxazine, and aculene A (1). In the biosynthesis of terpene-amino acid natural products, single-module nonribosomal peptide synthetases (NRPSs) have been identified to be involved in the esterification step, catalyzing the fusion of modified terpene and amino acid components. Despite prior investigations into these NRPSs through gene deletion or in vivo experiments, the enzymatic basis and mechanistic insights underlying this family of single-module NRPSs remain unclear. In this study, we performed biochemical characterization of AneB by in vitro characterization, molecular docking, and site-directed mutagenesis. The enzyme reaction analyses, performed with L-proline and daucane/nordaucane sesquiterpene substrates, revealed that AneB specifically esterifies the C10-OH of aculenes with L-proline. Notably, in contrast to ThmA in CJ-12662 biosynthesis, which exclusively recognizes oxygenated amorpha-4,11-diene sesquiterpenes for L-tryptophan transfer, AneB demonstrates broad substrate selectivity, including oxygenated amorpha-4,11-diene and 2-phenylethanol, resulting in the production of diverse unnatural prolyl compounds. Furthermore, site-directed mutagenesis experiments indicated the involvement of H794 and D798 in the esterification catalyzed by AneB. Lastly, domain swapping between AneB and ThmA unveiled that the A‒T domains of ThmA can be effectively harnessed by the C domain of AneB for L-tryptophan transfer, thus highlighting the potential of the C domain of AneB for generating various terpene-amino acid meroterpenoid derivatives. ONE-SENTENCE SUMMARY: The enzymatic basis and mechanistic insights into AneB, a single-module NRPS, highlight its capacity to generate various terpene-amino acid meroterpenoid derivatives.

A mathematical-adapted model to analyze the characteristics for the mortality of COVID-19.

Severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) emerged in Wuhan, China, has led to the rapid development of Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic. COVID-19 represents a fatal disease with a great global public health importance. This study aims to develop a three-parameter Weibull mathematical model using continuous functions to represent discrete COVID-19 data. Subsequently, the model was applied to quantitatively analyze the characteristics for the mortality of COVID-19, including the age, sex, the length of symptom time to hospitalization time (SH), hospitalization date to death time (HD) and symptom time to death time time (SD) and others. A three-parameter mathematical model was developed by combining the reported cases in the Data Repository from the Center for Systems Science and Engineering at Johns Hopkins University and applied to estimate and analyze the characteristics for mortality of COVID-19. We found that the scale parameters of males and females were 5.85 and 5.45, respectively. Probability density functions in both males and females were negative skewness. 5% of male patients died under the age of 43.28 (44.37 for females), 50% died under 69.55 (73.25 for females), and 95% died under 86.59 (92.78 for females). The peak age of male death was 67.45 years, while that of female death was 71.10 years. The peak and median values of SH, HD and SD in male death were correspondingly 1.17, 5.18 and 10.30 days, and 4.29, 11.36 and 16.33 days, while those in female death were 1.19, 5.80 and 12.08 days, and 4.60, 12.44 and 17.67 days, respectively. The peak age of probability density in male and female deaths was 69.55 and 73.25 years, while the high point age of their mortality risk was 77.51 and 81.73 years, respectively. The mathematical model can fit and simulate the impact of various factors on IFR. From the simulation results of the model, we can intuitively find the IFR, peak age, average age and other information of each age. In terms of time factors, the mortality rate of the most susceptible population is not the highest, and the distribution of male patients is different from the distribution of females. This means that Self-protection and self-recovery in females against SARS-CoV-2 virus might be better than those of males. Males were more likely to be infected, more likely to be admitted to the ICU and more likely to die of COVID-19. Moreover, the infection fatality ration (IFR) of COVID-19 population was intrinsically linked to the infection age. Public health measures to protect vulnerable sex and age groups might be a simple and effective way to reduce IFR.

The Biosynthesis of Norsesquiterpene Aculenes Requires Three Cytochrome P450 Enzymes to Catalyze a Stepwise Demethylation Process.

Aculenes are a unique class of norsequiterpenes (C14 ) that are produced by Aspergillus aculeatus. The nordaucane skeleton in aculenes A-D may be derived from an ent-daucane precursor through demethylation, however, the enzymes involved remain unexplored. We identified the biosynthetic gene cluster and characterized the biosynthetic pathway based on gene inactivation, feeding experiments, and heterologous reconstitution in Saccharomyces cerevisiae and Aspergillus oryzae. We discovered that three cytochrome P450 monoxygenases are required to catalyze the stepwise demethylation process. AneF converts the 12-methyl group into a carboxylic acid and AneD installs the 10-hydroxy group for later tautomerization and stabilization. Finally, AneG installs an electron-withdrawing carbonyl group at the C-2 position, which triggers C-12 decarboxylation to yield the nordaucane skeleton. Additionally, a terpene cyclase (AneC) was found that forms a new product (dauca-4,7-diene).

Involvement of NYD-SP15 in growth and oxidative-stress responses of ARPE-19.

The aim of this study was to investigate the role of NYD-SP15 in the growth and oxidative-stress responses of ARPE-19 cells. ARPE-19 cell lines overexpressing wild type or RNA interference against NYD-SP15 were established via lentivirus transfection. Cell growth and proliferation, migration, apoptosis, and cell cycle progression were monitored using the Cell Counting Kit-8 assay, the wound scratch assay, and flow cytometry, respectively. Caspase-3/8/9 activity was examined using the caspase-3/8/9 assay kit. An hydrogen peroxide (H 2 O 2 )-induced oxidative-stress damage model was used to study the effect of NYD-SP15 knockdown by examining the activity of reactive oxygen species (ROS). Expressions of Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap-1)/heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), and Akt were detected by Western blot analysis. The mRNA chip of NYD-SP15 overexpressed ARPE-19 cells as well as controls were performed by one array plus process. Overexpression (OE) of NYD-SP15 inhibited the proliferation and migration of ARPE-19 cells, and led to apoptosis and caspase-3/9 activation. OE of NYD-SP15 inhibited MAPKs and Akt signaling. Downregulation of NYD-SP15 had no effect on the growth of normally cultured ARP19 cells with 10% fetal bovine serum, but promoted the growth of ARP19 cells in the presence of starvation challenge. Gene chip showed that OE of NYD-SP15 led to downregulation of 254 genes and upregulation of 57 genes. Downregulation of NYD-SP15 also exerted a protective effect on H 2 O 2 -induced cell apoptosis and ROS. NYD-SP15 downregulation led to increments in the expression of Nrf2, Keap-1, and HO-1 in response to 200 µM H 2 O 2 . NYD-SP15 might inhibit the growth, proliferation, and migration and promote apoptosis of ARPE-19 cells via MAPK and Akt signaling. Downregulation of NYD-SP15 could protect ARPE-19 cells from H 2 O 2 -induced oxidative damage by active Keap-1/HO-1/Nrf2, Akt, and MAPK signaling.

An approach for simulating the fitting of rigid gas-permeable contact lenses using 3D printing technology.

OBJECTIVE: To introduce a new approach to simulatethe fitting process of rigid gas-permeable (RGP) contact lenses using 3D printing technology. METHODS: A hemispherical or parabolic 3D model was created using 3D Builder or Tinkercad software. The horizontal and vertical diameters and the hemispherical or ellipsoid height were adjusted to simulate different morphologies of the corneal anterior surface. After exporting the file in stereo lithography (STL) format, a solid model was printed using a 3D printer and was used to simulate RGP contact lens fitting. RESULTS: Limited by the precision of the entry-level 3D printer which was used in this study, the print-outs of the corneal models were crude, but the models were tested for their ability to simulate common corneal morphologies with no corneal astigmatism and different axial corneal astigmatism. Compared with some built-in simulation programs for corneal topography, the solid models generated by 3D printing could well simulate the positioning of the lens under the influence of gravity and the eyelid, as well as lens eccentricity or the bubbles under lenses caused by an improper wearing method. CONCLUSION: 3D printing technology can be well applied in the simulation of RGP contact lens fitting, which may become a new teaching method in optometry.

Virtual reality: A possible approach to myopia prevention and control?

In East Asian countries including China, myopia has become a public hygiene issue that threatens the health of vast populations. In response to the huge market demand, a variety of products purportedly capable of treating myopia have been launched onto the market. Some manufacturers claim that juvenile myopia can be effectively controlled, or even cured, using their VR devices and software. Can VR devices be used for the prevention and control of juvenile myopia under existing technical conditions? In order to answer this question, the authors of this article analyzed the pathogenesis of myopia and the technical features of VR.

Application of 3D printing technology in RGPCL simulation fitting.

The rigid gas permeable contact lens (RGPCL) is an ideal choice to improve the corrective vision of patients with a high degree of refractive error, keratoconus and corneal transplantation. However, RGPCL fitting is not an easy work for those patients with extremely irregular corneal surface. Technicians or doctors often need to try many times to determine the relatively satisfied lens customization parameters. This repeated try-on process not only increases discomfort of patients, but also will increase the risks of corneal epithelial shedding or corneal infection. In order to conduct RGP fitting in a faster and safer manner, a new method of simulating RGPCL fitting in 3D printing technology was assumed. The preliminary experimental results indicated that this method could effectively reduce the number of try-on and increase patient satisfaction, while decrease the risk of epithelial shedding or infection.

Development of a quality instrument for assessing the spontaneous reports of ADR/ADE using Delphi method in China.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: The frequently low quality of submitted spontaneous reports is of an increasing concern; to our knowledge, no validated instrument exists for assessing case reports' quality comprehensively enough. This work was conducted to develop such a quality instrument for assessing the spontaneous reports of adverse drug reaction (ADR)/adverse drug event (ADE) in China. METHODS: Initial evaluation indicators were generated using systematic and literature data analysis. Final indicators and their weights were identified using Delphi method. The final quality instrument was developed by adopting the synthetic scoring method. RESULTS: A consensus was reached after four rounds of Delphi survey. The developed quality instrument consisted of 6 first-rank indicators, 18 second-rank indicators, and 115 third-rank indicators, and each rank indicator has been weighted. It evaluates the quality of spontaneous reports of ADR/ADE comprehensively and quantitatively on six parameters: authenticity, duplication, regulatory, completeness, vigilance level, and reporting time frame. CONCLUSION: The developed instrument was tested with good reliability and validity, which can be used to comprehensively and quantitatively assess the submitted spontaneous reports of ADR/ADE in China.

Influence factors for successful corneal donation among Chinese adults: data from Nanjing between 2001 and 2012.

AIM: To investigate the factors that may influence the successful corneal donation among adults in China. METHODS: This retrospective study was conducted in 2012. The eligible participants were all the adults registered in Nanjing Red Cross Eye Bank to donate their corneas after death during the period of 2001 and 2012. Multivariate logistic regression models were applied to investigate the influence factors for successful donation, the outcome events. RESULTS: Totally, 210 of 328 (64.0%) registered potential donors successfully donated their corneas after death. The mean (SD) age at registration was 64.7 (12.5) for all participants, with 65.5 (10.1) and 63.2 (15.8) for successful and unsuccessful donors, respectively. With multivariate logistic regression analysis, five factors, the willingness of donation, age, education level, residence area, and cause of death were identified to be associated with successful corneal donation. CONCLUSION: The willingness of donation and some socio-demographic factors might substantially affect their successful donation after death for people who registered to donate corneas.

Hydrogen sulfide inhibits formaldehyde-induced endoplasmic reticulum stress in PC12 cells by upregulation of SIRT-1.

BACKGROUND: Formaldehyde (FA), a well-known environmental pollutant, has been classified as a neurotoxic molecule. Our recent data demonstrate that hydrogen sulfide (H2S), the third gaseous transmitter, has a protective effect on the neurotoxicity of FA. However, the exact mechanisms underlying this protection remain largely unknown. Endoplasmic reticulum (ER) stress has been implicated in the neurotoxicity of FA. Silent mating type information regulator 2 homolog 1 (SIRT-1), a histone deacetylases, has various biological activities, including the extension of lifespan, the modulation of ER stress, and the neuroprotective action. OBJECTIVE: We hypothesize that the protection of H2S against FA-induced neurotoxicity involves in inhibiting ER stress by upregulation of SIRT-1. The present study attempted to investigate the protective effect of H2S on FA-induced ER stress in PC12 cells and the contribution of SIRT-1 to the protection of H2S against FA-induced injuries, including ER stress, cytotoxicity and apoptosis. PRINCIPAL FINDINGS: We found that exogenous application of sodium hydrosulfide (NaHS; an H2S donor) significantly attenuated FA-induced ER stress responses, including the upregulated levels of glucose-regulated protein 78, C/EBP homologous protein, and cleaved caspase-12 expression. We showed that NaHS upregulates the expression of SIRT-1 in PC12 cells. Moreover, the protective effects of H2S on FA-elicited ER stress, cytotoxicity and apoptosis were reversed by Sirtinol, a specific inhibitor of SIRT-1. CONCLUSION/SIGNIFICANCE: These data indicate that H2S exerts its protection against the neurotoxicity of FA through overcoming ER stress via upregulation of SIRT-1. Our findings provide novel insights into the protective mechanisms of H2S against FA-induced neurotoxicity.

[Diffusion tensor imaging map of anterior cruciate ligament contrasted with MRI in healthy adults].

OBJECTIVE: To measure anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) by diffusion tensor imaging (DTI), combined with ACL half quantitative measurement magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) method as the contrast, and to preliminarily investigate the feasibility of DTI for ACL. METHODS: The ACLs of 31 healthy volunteers were scanned with ordinary MRI and DTI. At ordinary MRI map, sagittal ACL-tibial angle, coronal ACL-tibial angle, Blumensaat line-ACL angle, angle of inclination of the intercondylar roof, and ACL-tibial insertion site were measured. As for DTI analysis of ACL, ACL was divide to 5 portions, namely 1(st), 2(nd), 3(rd), 4(th), 5(th), and all fractional anisotropy (FA) and apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC) values of every portion were recorded and repeated. RESULTS: The sagittal ACL-tibial angle, coronal ACL-tibial angle, Blumensaat line-ACL angle, angle of inclination of the intercondylar roof, and ACL-tibial insertion site were 53.00°±2.46°, 52.42°±5.15°, 12.67°±5.71°, 39.41°±2.64°, (24.90±2.84)%, respectively. FA values of different portions were 0.611±0.042, 0. 618±0.051, 0.596±0.045, 0.566±0.059, and 0.497±0.072. ADC values of 1(st)-5(th) portion were (1.068±0.216), (1.128±0.268), (1.189±0.197), (1.455±0.423), and (1.779±0.384)× 10(-3) mm(2)/s. The correlation coefficient of sagittal ACL-tibial angle and the FA value of 2(nd) and 3(rd) portion was -0.568 and -0.429. The correlation coefficient of Blumensaat line-ACL angle and the FA value of 1(st) and 4(th) portion was -0.507 and -0.633. The correlation coefficient of ACL-tibial insertion site and the FA value of 4(th) portion was -0.593, all with statistical significance. FA and ADC values of all portions in both team's ACL didn't have significant difference (P>0.05), but had obvious correlation. CONCLUSION: DTI can be used to effectively evaluate the orientation and connection of ACL, having good contrast virtue with ACL half quantitative MRI measurement. It may provide more profound ACL information for clinicians, and it is of great significance for the further research and large sample data base of ACL pathology.

Liquid nitrogen-cryopreserved tarsal plate and palpebral conjunctival transplantation for the repair of tarsal defects.

The objectives of this study were to compare the efficiency of three methods for repairing tarsal defects (glycerine-preserved, alcohol-preserved and cryopreserved tarsal plate and palpebral conjunctival transplantation) based on histopathological changes and apoptosis, and to evaluate the clinical effects of repairing tarsal defects by liquid nitrogen-cryopreserved tarsal plate and palpebral conjunctival transplantation. Forty-eight rabbit eyes with tarsal defects were equally divided into three groups and transplanted with tarsal plates and palpebral conjunctivae under the following conditions: Group 1, liquid nitrogen cryopreservation; Group 2, glycerine preservation; and Group 3, alcohol preservation. Histopathological changes in the transplants were observed by light microscopy 1 week, 1 month and 3 months postoperatively. Apoptosis was assessed by terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase dUTP nick end labeling (TUNEL) staining. Clinically, transplantations of liquid nitrogen-cryopreserved tarsal plates and palpebral conjunctivae were performed in 30 eyes (29 cases) to repair tarsal defects caused by the excision of neoplasms. The postoperative inflammatory reaction and number of apoptotic cells in Group 1 were lower compared with those in Groups 2 and 3. Clinically, of the 30 eyes operated on, 14 were cured, 15 improved and 1 failed between 6 and 90 months of follow-up. Liquid nitrogen-cryopreserved tarsal plate and palpebral conjunctival transplantation is an easy, feasible and convenient procedure. Its effects are fairly favorable, with only a small rejection rate postoperatively. Therefore, it is an ideal method for repairing tarsal defects.

Prophylactic pyridoxine was not able to reduce the incidence of capecitabine-induced hand-foot syndrome: A meta-analysis.

Hand-foot syndrome (HFS) is a dose-limiting adverse event of capecitabine, which commonly leads to early discontinuation of capecitabine-based therapy in the palliative and adjuvant settings. Although pyridoxine has been used for the prevention of capecitabine-associated HFS, its efficacy is controversial. The aim of this study was to evaluate whether prophylactic pyridoxine reduces the incidence of capecitabine-associated HFS by performing a meta-analysis of the literature involving available studies. Systematic searches for trials were undertaken through PubMed, Embase, Web of Science, the Cochrane Library, the American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) and the ASCO Gastrointestinal Cancers Symposium, updated to March, 2013, to identify relevant studies. A meta-analysis was conducted with eligible studies that evaluated the efficacy of the prophylactic use of pyridoxine against capecitabine-induced HFS. We performed a meta-analysis of five studies (n=793 patients) that evaluated the efficacy of the prophylactic use of pyridoxine in cancer patients treated with capecitabine. The odds ratio (OR) comparing prophylactic pyridoxine to placebo was 0.91 [95% confidence interval (CI): 0.67-1.24] for HFS of all grades; OR=1.17 (95% CI: 0.82-1.67) for HFS ≥ grade 2 and OR=1.05 (95% CI: 0.60-1.85) for HFS ≥ grade 3. Based on our meta-analysis, prophylactic pyridoxine did not appear to reduce the incidence of HFS in patients receiving capecitabine.

Mitomycin C "straight scleral tunnel incision"--trabeculectomy with a releasable suture.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the efficacy of "straight scleral tunnel incision" -trabeculectomy with a releasable suture supplemented with mitomycin C (MMC) on reducing intraocular pressure (IOP), complications, and corneal astigmatism in patients with primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG). METHODS: Totally 217 acute or chronic PACG patients with occludable angle above 180 degrees and IOP above 21 mm Hg were divided into 3 groups. Patients in group A (98 cases, 128 eyes), B (71 cases, 95 eyes), and C (48 cases, 60 eyes) were treated with "straight scleral tunnel incision"-trabeculectomy with a releasable suture supplemented with MMC, releasable suture trabeculectomy with MMC, and trabeculectomy with MMC, respectively. IOP, complications, and surgically induced astigmatism (SIA) were evaluated preoperatively and up to 12 months postoperatively. RESULTS: IOP of 2 weeks after treatment was significantly lower than preoperative IOP in all the 3 groups (all P <0. 001). Success rates (IOP < or = 20 mm Hg) in group A, B, and C were 87.91%, 89.23%, and 83.72% respectively at 12 months after treatment (P = 0.256). The incidence of shallow anterior chamber and hypotony had no significant difference between group A and B, but both of them were lower than that in group C (P < 0.05). There were no significant differences in preoperative corneal astigmatism among the 3 groups. The corneal astigmatism after 2 weeks in group A (1.71 +/- 1.47D) was higher than that before operation (1.28 +/- 1.05D, P = 0.126). With 12 months gone, the astigmatism almost returned to preoperative levels. The corneal astigmatisms after 2 weeks in group B and C (1.99 +/- 1.20D and 2. 22 +/- 1.39D) were significantly higher than those before operation (1.20 +/- 0.85D and 1.18 +/- 0.93D, P = 0.002, P = 0.001), respectively. With 12 months gone, the mean astigmatisms in group B and C (1.87 +/- 0.91D and 1.90 +/- 1.16D) were still significantly higher than those before operation (P = 0.001, P = 0.003). The highest astigmatic polar values in group A, B, and C (1.00D, 1. 89D, and 1. 77D) occurred after 2 weeks, 1 month, and 1 month postoperation, respectively, which were significantly higher than those before operation (0.19 +/- 1.32D, 0.12 +/- 1.22D, and 0.17 +/- 1.25D, P < 0.01), respectively. With 12 months gone, they were 0. 03D, -0. 18D, and -0. 13D higher than those before operation, respectively. The rates of function bleb and thin-wall bleb were 71.43% and 26.37% in group A, 75.38% and 29.23% in group B, 72.09% and 25.58% in group C, respectively at 12 months after treatment There were no significant differences among the 3 groups. CONCLUSION: "Straight scleral tunnel incision" -trabeculectomy with a releasable suture supplemented with MMC can reduce complications and get satisfactory results in reducing IOP and SIA.