A novel colorectal cancer screening framework with feature interpretability to identify high-risk populations for colonoscopy.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Risk assessment is of paramount importance for the detection and treatment of colorectal cancer. We developed and validated a feature interpretability screening framework to identify high-risk populations and recommend colonoscopy for them. METHODS: We utilized a training cohort consisting of 1 252 605 participants who underwent colonoscopies in Shanghai from 2013 to 2015 to develop the screening framework. We incorporated Shapley additive explanation values into feature selection to provide interpretability for the framework. Two sampling methods were separately employed to mitigate potential model bias caused by class imbalance. Furthermore, we employed various machine learning algorithms to construct risk assessment models and compared their performance. We tested the screening models on an external validation cohort of 359 462 samples and conducted comprehensive evaluation and statistical analysis of the validation results. RESULTS: The external validation results demonstrated that the models in the proposed framework achieved sensitivity over 0.734, specificity over 0.790, and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve ranging from 0.808 to 0.859. In the predictions of the best-performing model, the prevalence rates of colorectal cancer were 0.059% and 1.056% in the low- and high-risk groups, respectively. If colonoscopies were performed only on the high-risk group predicted by the model, only 14.36% of total colonoscopies would be needed to detect 74.86% of colorectal cancer cases. CONCLUSIONS: We developed and validated a novel framework to identify populations at high risk for colorectal cancer. Those classified as high risk should undergo colonoscopy for further diagnosis.

Safety and Efficacy of the Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavaria Nordic Vaccine Against Mpox in the Real World: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

In May 2022, mpox began to spread worldwide, posing a serious threat to human public health. Modified Vaccinia Ankara-Bavaria Nordic (MVA-BN) is a live attenuated orthopoxvirus vaccine that has been authorized by the U.S. Food and Drug Administration as the vaccine of choice for the prevention of mpox. In this study, we conducted a meta-analysis of all currently published literature on the efficacy and safety of the MVA-BN vaccine in the real world, showing that the MVA-BN vaccine is effective and safe, with efficacy of up to 75% with a single dose and up to 80% with a two-dose vaccine. Meanwhile, we found that subcutaneous injection has lower local and systemic adverse events than intradermal injection, regardless of single- or two-dose vaccination, and subcutaneous injection is better tolerated in children, the elderly, or people with underlying medical conditions. These results have important reference value for clinical practice.

Efficacy, immunogenicity and safety of respiratory syncytial virus prefusion F vaccine: systematic review and meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: A notable research gap exists in the systematic review and meta-analysis concerning the efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of the respiratory syncytial virus (RSV) prefusion F vaccine. METHODS: We conducted a comprehensive search across PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, and ClinicalTrials.gov to retrieve articles related to the efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety of RSV prefusion F vaccines, published through September 8, 2023. We adhered to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 22 randomized controlled trials involving 78,990 participants were included in this systematic review and meta-analysis. The RSV prefusion F vaccine exhibited a vaccine effectiveness of 68% (95% CI: 59-75%) against RSV-associated acute respiratory illness, 70% (95% CI: 60-77%) against medically attended RSV-associated lower respiratory tract illness, and 87% (95% CI: 71-94%) against medically attended severe RSV-associated lower respiratory tract illness. Common reported local adverse reactions following RSV prefusion F vaccination include pain, redness, and swelling at the injection site, and systemic reactions such as fatigue, headache, myalgia, arthralgia, nausea, and chills. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis suggests that vaccines using the RSV prefusion F protein as antigen exhibit appears broadly acceptable efficacy, immunogenicity, and safety in the population. In particular, it provides high protective efficiency against severe RSV-associated lower respiratory tract disease.

An environmentally sensitive zinc-selective two-photon NIR fluorescent turn-on probe and zinc sensing in stroke.

A two-photon near infrared (NIR) fluorescence turn-on sensor with high selectivity and sensitivity for Zn2+ detection has been developed. This sensor exhibits a large Stokes' shift (∼300 nm) and can be excited from 900 to 1000 nm, with an emission wavelength of ∼785 nm, making it ideal for imaging in biological tissues. The sensor's high selectivity for Zn2+ over other structurally similar cations, such as Cd2+, makes it a promising tool for monitoring zinc ion levels in biological systems. Given the high concentration of zinc in thrombi, this sensor could provide a useful tool for in vivo thrombus imaging.

NK-cell-elicited gasdermin-D-dependent hepatocyte pyroptosis induces neutrophil extracellular traps that facilitate HBV-related acute-on-chronic liver failure-pyroptosis.

BACKGROUND AND AIMS: HBV infection is a major etiology of acute-on-chronic liver failure (ACLF). At present, the pattern and regulation of hepatocyte death during HBV-ACLF progression are still undefined. Evaluating the mode of cell death and its inducers will provide new insights for developing therapeutic strategies targeting cell death. In this study, we aimed to elucidate whether and how immune landscapes trigger hepatocyte death and lead to the progression of HBV-related ACLF. APPROACH AND RESULTS: We identified that pyroptosis represented the main cell death pattern in the liver of patients with HBV-related ACLF. Deficiency of MHC-I in HBV-reactivated hepatocytes activated cytotoxic NK cells, which in turn operated in a perforin/granzyme-dependent manner to trigger GSDMD/caspase-8-dependent pyroptosis of hepatocytes. Neutrophils selectively accumulated in the pyroptotic liver, and HMGB1 derived from the pyroptotic liver constituted an important factor triggering the generation of pathogenic extracellular traps in neutrophils (NETs). Clinically, elevated plasma levels of myeloperoxidase-DNA complexes were a promising prognostic biomarker for HBV-related ACLF. More importantly, targeting GSDMD pyroptosis-HMGB1 release in the liver abrogates NETs that intercept the development of HBV-related ACLF. CONCLUSIONS: Studying the mechanisms that selectively modulate GSDMD-dependent pyroptosis, as well as its immune landscapes, will provide a novel strategy for restoring the liver function of patients with HBV-related ACLF.

Macrophage-Capturing Self-Assembly Photosensitizer Nanoparticles Induces Immune Microenvironment Re-Programming and Golgi-Responsive Immunogenic Cell Death in Head and Neck Carcinoma.

Head and neck carcinoma treatment is shifted toward the combination of therapy causing immune checkpoint blockade (ICB) and immunogenic cell death. In this study, a CSFRi-chimeric TAMCSFR+-targeting extracellular vesicle (EV@CSFRi) platform is developed and designed an intracellular protoporphyrin conjugated with RVRR peptide sequence for furin-cleavage to perform Golgi-targeting and generating ROS (GT-RG). The graphical abstract illustrates the self-assembly of GT-RG nanoparticles into nanofiber through the hydrophily of RVRR and hydrophobicity of RG, and the red line indicates the site of furin cleavage. As is shown in the Graphical abstract, the Golgi-targeting Protoporphyrin-RVRR platform is composed with CSFRi-chimeric extracellular vesicles and forms the tumor-responsive TAM-reprogramming bilayers (GT-RGEV@CSFRi). The GT-RGEV@CSFRi acted as a multifunctional theranostic platform, which can induce immunogenic cell death and further help modulate TAM, thus suppressing the HNC xenograft model by combination therapy with anti-PD-1.

A longitudinal study of the COVID-19 pandemic impact on mental health in ophthalmic personnel and students.

BACKGROUND: Our previous study revealed that the COVID-19 pandemic posed mental health challenges to eye care professionals and students. The intent of this study was to identify the longitudinal impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on mental health among ophthalmic personnel and students. Additionally, the potential risk factors for mental health problems were investigated. METHODS: A two-phase survey among eye care professionals and students in the USA and Canada was conducted. Phase 1 was administrated from June 23 to July 8, 2020, and has been published; Phase 2 was conducted from January 21 to February 2, 2021. A total of 824 eye care professionals and students participated in Phase 2, with a response rate of 44.1%. Symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress were measured and calculated. RESULTS: Compared with Phase 1, stress scores in Phase 2 were significantly reduced (P<0.001) although they were still higher than the pre-COVID level (P < .001). Scores for depression (P = 0.20) and anxiety (P = 0.40) showed no change, comparing Phase 2 to Phase 1. Reduction of stress scores significantly differed among occupations (P = 0.005); students had less reduction of stress than other eye care professionals (all P<0.05). Vaccination status was significantly associated with a reduction in stress scores (P = 0.04). CONCLUSIONS: With the continuing COVID pandemic, although stress level was reduced at 7-month follow-up, the mental health of eye care professionals was still impacted. In this population, COVID-19 vaccination was associated with fewer stress symptoms. These results indicate that the COVID-19 pandemic continues impacting mental health among eye care professionals, especially students. These study results warrant future interventions for eye care personnel and students to prevent or treat mental health disorders.

Native mass spectrometry analysis of conjugated HSA and BSA complexes with various flavonoids.

Mass spectrometry was used to study the binding interaction between serum albumin proteins (BSA and HSA) and flavone dyes, which is known to induce large fluorescence signals for protein detection. By electrospray ionization mass spectrometry (ESI-MS), multiple charged species/states could be produced in ammonium acetate buffer, while preserving the native structures of the proteins. Subsequent introduction of a flavone dye into the buffered solution resulted in an immediate interaction, forming the respective protein-dye conjugates associated by non-covalent interactions. Formation of protein-dye conjugates induced a notable response in the ESI-MS spectra, including changes in both the charge states and molecular mass of the protein species. The resulting data pointed out that the protein-flavone dye maintained a 1 : 1 ratio in the conjugate, although multiple binding sites for drug molecules are present in albumin proteins.

Interaction between body mass index and family history of cancer on the risk of female breast cancer.

Both body mass index (BMI) and family history of cancer are established risk factors for female breast cancer. However, few studies explored the potential interaction between both factors. We assessed the association of BMI and its interaction with family cancer history on the risk of female breast cancer in Shanghai, China. Based on a population-based prospective cohort study started from 2008 to 2012 with 15,055 Chinese female participants in Minhang district, Shanghai. Cox regression models were used to estimate the association of BMI and its interaction with a family history of cancer on breast cancer risk. The additive interaction was evaluated by the relative excess risk due to interaction (RERI) and the attributable proportion due to interaction (AP), and the multiplicative interaction was assessed by the product term (BMI* family history of cancer) in the Cox regression model. Compared with BMI of < 24 kg/m2 and no family history of cancer, women with BMI of ≥ 24 kg/m2 and a family history of cancer had a higher risk for breast cancer with HR 2.06 (95% CI 1.39, 3.06). There was an additive interaction between BMI and family history of cancer on breast cancer incidence, with the RERI being 0.29 (95% CI 0.08, 0.51) and the AP being 0.37 (95% CI 0.08, 0.66). The coexistence of obesity and cancer family history may exacerbate breast cancer incidence risk, highlighting the importance of weight management in women with a family history of cancer.

An NIR-emitting cyanine dye with pyridinium groups: the impact of regio-bond connection on the photophysical properties.

Two ESIPT-based isomeric cyanines were synthesized with significant bathochromic shift in the optical absorption λabs and emission λem, along with a very large Stokes shift. Probe 2 exhibited a longer conjugation and better photostability. Both compounds exhibited good selectivity for labeling the plasma membrane of prokaryotic cells and the hair cells of zebrafish.

Impact of climate change on vegetation patterns in Altay Prefecture, China.

Altay Prefecture, a typical arid region in northwestern China, has experienced the climate transition from warming-drying to warming-wetting since 1980s and has attracted widespread attention. Nonetheless, it is still unclear how climate change has influenced the distribution of vegetation in this region. In this paper, a reaction-diffusion model of the climate-vegetation system is proposed to study the impact of climate change (precipitation, temperature and carbon dioxide concentration) on vegetation patterns in Altay Prefecture. Our results indicate that the tendency of vegetation growth in Altay Prefecture improved gradually from 1985 to 2010. Under the current climate conditions, the increase of precipitation results in the change of vegetation pattern structures, and eventually vegetation coverage tends to be uniform. Moreover, we found that there exists an optimal temperature where the spot vegetation pattern structure remains stable. Furthermore, the increase in carbon dioxide concentration induces vegetation pattern transition. Based on four climate change scenarios of the Coupled Model Intercomparison Project Phase 6 (CMIP6), we used the power law range (PLR) to predict the optimal scenario for the sustainable development of the vegetation ecosystem in Altay Prefecture.

Association Between Age at Diabetes Diagnosis and Subsequent Incidence of Cancer: A Longitudinal Population-Based Cohort.

OBJECTIVE: Diabetes presenting at a younger age has a more aggressive nature. We aimed to explore the association of age at type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) diagnosis with subsequent cancer incidence in a large Chinese population. RESEARCH DESIGN AND METHODS: The prospective population-based longitudinal cohort included 428,568 newly diagnosed T2DM patients from 2011 to 2018. Participants were divided into six groups according to their age at diagnosis: 20-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, and ≥75 years. The incidence of overall and 14 site-specific cancers was compared with the Shanghai general population including 100,649,346 person-years. RESULTS: A total of 18,853 and 582,643 overall cancer cases were recorded in the T2DM cohort and the general population. The age-standardized rate of overall cancer in T2DM patients was 501 (95% CI: 491, 511) per 100,000 person-years, and the standardized incidence ratio (SIR) was 1.10 (1.09, 1.12). Younger age at T2DM diagnosis was associated with higher incidence of overall and site-specific cancers. SIRs for overall cancer with T2DM diagnosis at ages 20-54, 55-59, 60-64, 65-69, 70-74, and ≥75 years were 1.48 (1.41, 1.54), 1.30 (1.25, 1.35), 1.19 (1.15, 1.23), 1.16 (1.12, 1.20), 1.06 (1.02, 1.10), and 0.86 (0.84, 0.89), respectively. Similar trends were observed for site-specific cancers, including respiratory, colorectum, stomach, liver, pancreatic, bladder, central nervous system, kidney, and gallbladder cancer and lymphoma among both males and females. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings highlight the necessity of stratifying management for T2DM according to age of diagnosis. As with a range of vascular outcomes, age-standardized cancer risks are greater in earlier compared with later onset T2DM.

Intranasal insulin attenuates hypoxia-ischemia-induced short-term sensorimotor behavioral disturbances, neuronal apoptosis, and brain damage in neonatal rats.

There is a significant need for additional therapy to improve outcomes for newborns with acute Hypoxic-ischemic (HI) encephalopathy (HIE). New evidence suggests that insulin could be neuroprotective. This study aimed to investigate whether intranasal insulin attenuates HI-induced brain damage and neurobehavioral dysfunction in neonatal rats. Postnatal day 10 (P10), Sprague-Dawley rat pups were randomly divided into Sham + Vehicle, Sham + Insulin, HI + Vehicle, and HI + Insulin groups with equal male-to-female ratios. Pups either had HI by permanent ligation of the right common carotid artery followed by 90 min of hypoxia (8% O2) or sham surgery followed by room air exposure. Immediately after HI or Sham, pups were given fluorescence-tagged insulin (Alex-546-insulin)/vehicle, human insulin (25 µg), or vehicle in each nare under anesthesia. Shortly after administration, widespread Alex-546-insulin-binding cells were detected in the brain, primarily co-localized with neuronal nuclei-positive neurons on double-immunostaining. In the hippocampus, phospho-Akt was activated in a subset of Alex-546-insulin double-labeled cells, suggesting activation of the Akt/PI3K pathway in these neurons. Intranasal insulin (InInsulin) reduced HI-induced sensorimotor behavioral disturbances at P11. InInsulin prevented HI-induced increased Fluoro-Jade C+ degenerated neurons, cleaved caspase 3+ neurons, and volume loss in the ipsilateral brain at P11. There was no sex-specific response to HI or insulin. The findings confirm that intranasal insulin provides neuroprotection against HI brain injury in P10 rats associated with activation of intracellular cell survival signaling. If further pre-clinical research shows long-term benefits, intranasal insulin has the potential to be a promising non-invasive therapy to improve outcomes for newborns with HIE.

High Prevalence of Carbapenem-Resistant Enterobacterales Producing OXA-48 among Carbapenem-Resistant Isolates in a Regional Hospital in Central Taiwan.

In response to the increasing number of carbapenem-resistant Enterobacterales (CRE), we investigated carbapenemase-producing Klebsiella pneumoniae and non-K. pneumoniae epidemiology and genetics. We collected 76 clinical Enterobacterales and 4 stool surveillance Escherichia coli isolates resistant to ertapenem or imipenem. Using polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and DNA sequencing, we assessed carbapenemases, extended-spectrum ß-lactamases, and AmpC ß-lactamases. Molecular typing via pulsed-field gel electrophoresis (PFGE) and conjugation experiments were conducted to examine resistance gene transfer. Among the 80 isolates, 96.2% harbored at least one carbapenemase gene, with blaOXA-48 in 87.5%. KPC-2 and IMP-8 carbapenemases were found in 15.0 and 22.5% of the isolates, respectively, with 27.5% having 2 or more carbapenemase genes. The PFGE analysis revealed the presence of diverse genotypes. PCR-based plasmid replicon typing identified IncA/C as the most prevalent type among K. pneumoniae isolates (26/29), and IncF and IncFIB among E. coli isolates (22/28). Conjugal transfer was successful for plasmids encoding OXA-48, CTX-M-3, CTX-M-14, CMY-2, and other ß-lactamases, except the KPC-2 gene. In conclusion, our study highlights high carbapenemase prevalence in CRE, primarily OXA-48. Multiple carbapenemases within strains were common, and PFGE showed diverse patterns in these carbapenem-resistant isolates.

[Distribution Characteristics and Environmental Driving Factors of Cyanobacteria Community in Impounded Lakes and Reservoirs in Shandong on the East Route of South-to-North Water Diversion Project].

To investigate the distribution characteristics of the cyanobacteria community and the driving factors in impounded lakes and reservoirs in Shandong on the east route of the South-to-North Water Diversion Project, monthly samples of phytoplankton and the aquatic environment from Nansi Lake, Dongping Lake, Datun Reservoir, Donghu Reservoir, and Shuangwangcheng Reservoir were collected from May to November during 2010 to 2019. A total of 44 planktonic cyanobacteria taxa were identified with 23 filamentous cyanobacteria taxa. Pseudanabaena limnetica, Cylindrospermopsis raciborskii, Microcystis aeruginosa, and Microcystis wesenbergii were the dominant harmful cyanobacteria species, with a high detection frequency and abundance in all lakes and reservoirs. By analyzing the distribution characteristics of the cyanobacteria community in impounded lakes and reservoirs, we found that filamentous cyanobacteria had growth advantages in the water with large hydraulic disturbances, which should be the key points of cyanobacteria prevention and control in the future. Pearson correlation analysis and generalized linear fitting curve results showed that total nitrogen, total phosphorus, water temperature, and water depth played a key role in affecting the growth of P. limnetica, C. raciborskii, M. aeruginosa, and M. wesenbergii. The nitrogen and phosphorus nutrients could promote the growth of harmful cyanobacteria. Due to the good temperature adaptability, P. limnetica could still become the dominant species in early summer and late autumn, and C. raciborskii, M. aeruginosa, and M. wesenbergii had growth advantages when the water temperature was higher than 25℃. In addition, shallow water was more conducive to the growth of C. raciborskii. It was suggested that based on strengthening of the control of nitrogen and phosphorus nutrient input in lakes and reservoirs, the key monitoring of P. limnetica in lakes should be conducted in early summer and late autumn, and the growth of C. raciborskii in shallow water areas should be paid close attention in the high temperature period to ensure the safety of water quality.

Near prescribing trends in two low vision rehabilitation clinics over a ten-year period.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Optical magnification (OM), electronic magnification (EM), and assistive technology (AT) can be prescribed in low vision rehabilitation (LVR) clinics for near vision goals of patients. This study shows the prescription of OM has not decreased with increased availability of EM and AT. BACKGROUND: Near visual goals are a primary concern for patients with visual impairment. LVR providers can prescribe OM, EM and/or AT to help. With the rapid evolution and availability of EM and AT, we aim to evaluate if there have been changes in the prescription patterns of clinicians with respect to OM over time. We hypothesise that the increased availability of technology may result in declining prescriptions of OM and increasing prescription of EM and AT over time. METHODS: This retrospective study investigated near prescribing between 2008-2017 for 530 new patients to the LVR clinics. Examinations were performed by optometrists specialising in low vision. Near devices prescribed included OM and EM and AT. RESULTS: Most patients attending the LVR clinics were female, over 60 years old and had age related macular degeneration. Near visual goals were a primary concern of 97.2% of the patients. OM was most prescribed in the 0-19 and >60-year-old age groups. Within the 20-39-year-old age group there was the greatest number of both EM and AT prescriptions. OM was most prescribed in patients with visual acuity better than 6/60. EM and AT showed a trend of increasing prescription as visual acuity decreased. EM prescription peaked in <6/60 to 6/240 category while AT trended upwards from <6/21 to no light perception and peaked in patients with no light perception. Referral rates for additional rehabilitation services were 75.7%. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that the prescription of OM is not declining even as the prescription and the breadth of electronic magnification and assistive technology available is expanding. OM continues to be a viable option for patients, especially in the youngest and oldest cohorts.

Unveiling Solvation Dynamics of Excited and Ground States via Ultrafast Pump-Dump-Probe Spectroscopy.

The conventional ultrafast pump-probe spectroscopy has primarily focused on examining the formation and decay of the excited state intermediates, but it is very difficult to detect those intermediates while the formation is slow and dissipation is much fast because of the limited concentration during the intrinsic photocycle. To address this issue, a multipulse ultrafast pump-dump-probe spectroscopy was employed to generate and probe the short-lived ground state intermediates (GSIs) in an electronic push-pull pyrene derivative (EPP). This particular derivative undergoes planarized intramolecular charge transfer (PICT) in the excited state upon initial femtosecond pulse excitation. After applying the dump pulse once the PICT was formed, the blue-shifted transient absorption GSIs with the ground state dynamics of the structure recovery was directly observed. It is found that GSIs undergo slower reorganization than the PICT formation in the excited state of EPP due to the solvation effect with different dipole moments of ground states and excited states. These findings provide a comprehensive understanding of the full photocycle dynamics of both the ground and excited states, shedding light on the presence of hidden ground state behaviors.

Pancreatic cancer incidence and mortality trends in urban Shanghai, China from 1973 to 2017: a joinpoint regression and age-period-cohort analysis.

Background and purpose: To provide a comprehensive overview of epidemiological features and temporal trends of pancreatic cancer in urban Shanghai from 1973 to 2017. Methods: Data on pancreatic cancer in urban Shanghai were obtained through the Shanghai Cancer Registry and the Vital Statistics System. Joinpoint analysis was used to describe the temporal trends and annual percent changes (APCs) and age-period-cohort analysis were used to estimate the effects of age, period, and birth cohort on pancreatic cancer. Results: There were a total of 29,253 cases and 27,105 deaths of pancreatic cancer in urban Shanghai over the 45-year study period. The overall average annual age-standardized incidence and mortality rates were 5.45/100,000 and 5.02/100,000, respectively. Both the incidence and mortality rates demonstrated fluctuating upward trends, with an average annual increase rate of 1.51% (APC = 1.51, P < 0.001) and 1.04% (APC = 1.04, P < 0.001), respectively. The upward trend in incidence was greater for females than for males, while the trend in mortality was seen in both sexes equally and continuously. In recent years (2013-2017), the age-specific incidence rates increased further than before, with statistically significant changes in the 35-year, 45- to 55-year and 70- to 85-year age groups (P < 0.05). The age-specific mortality rates also showed obvious upward trends, which in the 50- to 55-year, and 75- to 85-year age groups increased significantly. The results of the age-period-cohort analysis suggested significant effects of age, period, and cohort on the prevalence of pancreatic cancer. Conclusion: The prevalence of pancreatic cancer, dramatically influenced by socioeconomic development and lifestyles, demonstrated a significant upward trend from 1973 to 2017 in urban Shanghai and underscored the necessity and urgency for additional efforts in primary and secondary prevention measures.

Bright NIR-Emitting Styryl Pyridinium Dyes with Large Stokes' Shift for Sensing Applications.

Two NIR-emitting donor-π-acceptor (D-π-A) type regioisomeric styryl pyridinium dyes (1a-1b) were synthesized and studied for their photophysical performance and environment sensitivity. The two regioisomers, 1a and 1b, exhibited interesting photophysical properties including, longer wavelength excitation (λex ≈ 530-560 nm), bright near-infrared emission (λem ≈ 690-720 nm), high-fluorescence quantum yields (ϕfl ≈ 0.24-0.72) large Stokes' shift (∆λ ≈ 150-240 nm) and high-environmental sensitivity. Probe's photophysical properties were studied in different environmental conditions such as polarity, viscosity, temperature, and concentration. Probes (1a-1b) exhibited noticeable changes in absorbance, emission and Stokes' shift while responding to the changes in physical environment. Probe 1b exhibited a significant bathochromic shift in optical spectra (∆λ ≈ 20-40 nm) compared to its isomer 1a, due to the regio-effect. Probes (1a-1b) exhibited an excellent ability to visualize bacteria (Bacillus megaterium, Escherichia coli), and yeast (Saccharomyces cerevisiae) via fluorescence microscopy.

Low-Dose 0.01% Atropine Eye Drops vs Placebo for Myopia Control: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Controlling myopia progression is of interest worldwide. Low-dose atropine eye drops have slowed progression in children in East Asia. Objective: To compare atropine, 0.01%, eye drops with placebo for slowing myopia progression in US children. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a randomized placebo-controlled, double-masked, clinical trial conducted from June 2018 to September 2022. Children aged 5 to 12 years were recruited from 12 community- and institution-based practices in the US. Participating children had low to moderate bilateral myopia (-1.00 diopters [D] to -6.00 D spherical equivalent refractive error [SER]). Intervention: Eligible children were randomly assigned 2:1 to 1 eye drop of atropine, 0.01%, nightly or 1 drop of placebo. Treatment was for 24 months followed by 6 months of observation. Main Outcome and Measures: Automated cycloplegic refraction was performed by masked examiners. The primary outcome was change in SER (mean of both eyes) from baseline to 24 months (receiving treatment); other outcomes included change in SER from baseline to 30 months (not receiving treatment) and change in axial length at both time points. Differences were calculated as atropine minus placebo. Results: A total of 187 children (mean [SD] age, 10.1 [1.8] years; age range, 5.1-12.9 years; 101 female [54%]; 34 Black [18%], 20 East Asian [11%], 30 Hispanic or Latino [16%], 11 multiracial [6%], 6 West/South Asian [3%], 86 White [46%]) were included in the study. A total of 125 children (67%) received atropine, 0.01%, and 62 children (33%) received placebo. Follow-up was completed at 24 months by 119 of 125 children (95%) in the atropine group and 58 of 62 children (94%) in the placebo group. At 30 months, follow-up was completed by 118 of 125 children (94%) in the atropine group and 57 of 62 children (92%) in the placebo group. At the 24-month primary outcome visit, the adjusted mean (95% CI) change in SER from baseline was -0.82 (-0.96 to -0.68) D and -0.80 (-0.98 to -0.62) D in the atropine and placebo groups, respectively (adjusted difference = -0.02 D; 95% CI, -0.19 to +0.15 D; P = .83). At 30 months (6 months not receiving treatment), the adjusted difference in mean SER change from baseline was -0.04 D (95% CI, -0.25 to +0.17 D). Adjusted mean (95% CI) changes in axial length from baseline to 24 months were 0.44 (0.39-0.50) mm and 0.45 (0.37-0.52) mm in the atropine and placebo groups, respectively (adjusted difference = -0.002 mm; 95% CI, -0.106 to 0.102 mm). Adjusted difference in mean axial elongation from baseline to 30 months was +0.009 mm (95% CI, -0.115 to 0.134 mm). Conclusions and Relevance: In this randomized clinical trial of school-aged children in the US with low to moderate myopia, atropine, 0.01%, eye drops administered nightly when compared with placebo did not slow myopia progression or axial elongation. These results do not support use of atropine, 0.01%, eye drops to slow myopia progression or axial elongation in US children. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03334253.