Janus particles: A review of their applications in food and medicine.

In contrast to conventional particles that have isotropic surfaces, Janus ("two-faced") particles have anisotropic surfaces, which leads to novel physicochemical properties and functional attributes. Janus particles with differing compositions, structures, and functional attributes have been prepared using a variety of fabrication methods. Depending on their composition, Janus particles have been classified as inorganic, polymeric, or polymeric/inorganic types. Recently, there has been growing interest in preparing Janus particles from biological macromolecules to meet the demand for a more sustainable and environmentally friendly food and pharmaceutical supply. At interfaces, Janus particles exhibit the characteristics of both surfactants and Pickering stabilizers, and so their behavior can be described using adsorption theories developed to describe these surface-active substances. Research has highlighted several potential applications of Janus particles in food and medicine, including emulsion formation and stabilization, toxin detection, antimicrobial activity, drug delivery, and medical imaging. Nevertheless, further research is needed to design and fabricate Janus particles that are suitable as functional ingredients in the food and biomedicine industries.

Panscleritis After Blunt Ocular Trauma in A Child with Epididymitis.

We reported an 8-year-old boy with panscleritis in left eye and right epididymitis after falling on the ground. Etiologic diagnosis played a key role in this case. Systemic examinations ruled out systemic autoimmune diseases, tumors, and infections as the cause of scleritis and suggested that the disease was caused by a local delayed-type hypersensitivity (DTH) induced by ocular trauma and was non-infectious. Still, the right epididymitis was infectious. Both conditions were treated successfully using steroids and antibiotics, respectively. Thus, early etiologic diagnosis and reasonable treatment are crucial to prevent visual loss.

Application of electrophysiological tests in the evaluation of early thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy.

PURPOSE: To compare the electrophysiology between mild thyroid-associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) patients and normal population. METHODS: The present research was a retrospective observational study and enrolled consecutive patients diagnosed with mild TAO according to European Group on Graves's Orbitopathy with corrected to normal vision. Full-field electroretinography, pattern visual evoked potential (PVEP) and isolated-check visual evoked potential (icVEP) were performed for TAO patients and age-matched normal subjects. RESULTS: Thirty-two eyes with mild TAO and forty-six eyes from normal subjects were included. Statistically significant increase in the amplitude of dark-adapted 0.01, 3 and 10 ERG and total oscillatory potentials and light-adapted 3 and 30 Hz flicker ERG were observed in TAO patients compared with the normal subjects, but not the latency. No significant difference was observed in the P100 amplitude or latency in 1° and 15' PVEP between TAO patients and normal subjects. The signal-to-noise ratio (SNR) was not significantly different in TAO patients at the contrast of 1%, 2%, 8%, 16% or 32% icVEP, and the SNR in contrast 4% icVEP was significantly smaller in TAO patients compared to normal subjects. CONCLUSION: Mild TAO patients can have electrophysiological changes that might indicate neural changes in the early disease phase.

Isolated-check visual evoked potential: a more sensitive tool to detect traumatic optic neuropathy after orbital fracture.

PURPOSE: To establish a more sensitive diagnostic tool for traumatic optic neuropathy (TON), we explored the diagnostic efficacy of isolated-check visual evoked potential (ic-VEP) for TON in orbital fracture and compared ic-VEP with pattern-reversal visual evoked potential (P-VEP) testing. METHODS: This was a prospective single-center study. A total of 137 eyes from 131 patients diagnosed between December 2016 and October 2019 with orbital fractures were included in the study. Injury history, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), visual field, computed tomography (CT), P-VEP, and ic-VEP data were collected. Parameters of ic-VEP (signal-to-noise ratio [SNR]) and P-VEP (peak latency and amplitude of P100) were compared and diagnostic accuracy was analyzed. RESULTS: TON was associated with worse BCVA than non-TON (median 0.52 versus 0.10 logMAR, P < 0.001). SNRs were negatively associated with the P100 peak latency while positively associated with the P100 amplitude. The sensitivity of ic-VEP for TON (79.6%) was higher than that of P-VEP (61.2%, P = 0.049), although this difference was not statistically significant after Bonferroni correction. Using ic-VEP and P-VEP together could increase sensitivity (87.8%). Maximum areas under curve were obtained using the SNR criteria of 1.3, 1.47, and 1.54 at 8%, 16%, and 32% depth of modulation, respectively. CONCLUSION: ic-VEP was more sensitive than P-VEP in diagnosing TON, and a combination of the two examination tests was recommended. The use of ic-VEP as the new diagnostic standard technique for TON should be considered.

miR-454 suppresses the proliferation and invasion of ovarian cancer by targeting E2F6.

BACKGROUND: The aberrant expression of microRNA-454 (miR-454) has been confirmed to be involved in the development of cancers. However, the functional role of miR-454 in the progression of ovarian cancer remains unclear. METHODS: The expression of miR-454 in ovarian cancer cells and serum of ovarian cancer patients was detected by RT-PCR. CCK8, colony formation, transwell, and flow cytometry assays were conducted to assess the effects of miR-454 on ovarian cancer cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis, respectively. Dual-luciferase reporter assay was used to confirm the targeting relationship between miR-454 and E2F6. The expression pattern of E2F6 in ovarian cancer tissues was detected using immunohistochemistry (IHC) assay. The relative expression of related proteins was examined using western blot analysis. RESULTS: miR-454 was markedly down-regulated by hypoxia in ovarian cancer cells. Compared with normal samples, the expression of miR-454 was up-regulated in the serum of ovarian cancer patients, and correlated with the clinicopathological stages of ovarian cancer. Next, we found that miR-454 overexpression inhibited the proliferation, migration and invasion of OVCAR3 and SKOV3 cells, as well as promoted apoptosis. In addition, the Akt/mTOR and Wnt/ß-catenin signaling pathway were inhibited by miR-454 in ovarian cancer cells. Mechanically, bioinformatic analysis and dual-luciferase reporter assay confirmed that E2F6 was a direct target of miR-454 and negatively regulated by miR-454 in ovarian cancer cells. Moreover, IHC analysis showed that E2F6 was highly expressed in ovarian cancer tissues. Finally, we found that the increasing cell proliferation and migration triggered by E2F6 overexpression were abolished by miR-454 overexpression. CONCLUSION: Taken together, these results highlight the role of miR-454 as a tumor suppressor in ovarian cancer cells by targeting E2F6, indicating that miR-454 may be a potential diagnostic biomarker and therapeutic target for ovarian cancer.

Maternal nicotinamide supplementation causes global DNA hypomethylation, uracil hypo-incorporation and gene expression changes in fetal rats.

Recent evidence shows that excess nicotinamide can cause epigenetic changes in developing rats. The aim of the present study was to investigate the effects of maternal nicotinamide supplementation on the fetus. Female rats were randomised into four groups fed a standard chow diet (control group) or diets supplemented with 1 g/kg of nicotinamide (low-dose group), 4 g/kg of nicotinamide (high-dose group) or 4 g/kg of nicotinamide plus 2 g/kg of betaine (betaine group) for 14-16 d before mating and throughout the study. Fetal tissue samples were collected on the 20th day of pregnancy. Compared with the control group, the high-dose group had a higher fetal death rate, and the average fetal body weight was higher in the low-dose group but lower in the high-dose group. Nicotinamide supplementation led to a decrease in placental and fetal hepatic genomic DNA methylation and genomic uracil contents (a factor modifying DNA for diversity) in the placenta and fetal liver and brain, which could be completely or partially prevented by betaine. Moreover, nicotinamide supplementation induced tissue-specific alterations in the mRNA expression of the genes encoding nicotinamide N-methyltransferase, DNA methyltransferase 1, catalase and tumour protein p53 in the placenta and fetal liver. High-dose nicotinamide supplementation increased fetal hepatic α-fetoprotein mRNA level, which was prevented by betaine supplementation. It is concluded that maternal nicotinamide supplementation can induce changes in fetal epigenetic modification and DNA base composition. The present study raises the concern that maternal nicotinamide supplementation may play a role in the development of epigenetic-related diseases in the offspring.

Suspected cavernous sinus thrombosis and blindness after lumbar spine surgery: A rare case report and literature review.

INTRODUCTION AND IMPORTANCE: Postoperative visual loss (POVL) is a relatively rare but devastating complication. We reported a case of POVL after spine surgery caused by ischemia of retina and optic nerve, and firstly introduced the possibility of cavernous sinus thrombosis in POVL development. CASE PRESENTATION: A 67-year-old woman diagnosed with "lumbar spinal stenosis" was admitted to undergo posterior lumbar spinal canal decompression surgery because of the persistent lumbago and numbness. The operation was performed in the prone position under general anesthesia uneventfully. On the second day, the visual acuity of her right eye suddenly decreased to no light perception. The ophthalmic examination indicated edematous eyelid, chemosis, ptosis, ophthalmoplegia, relative afferent pupillary defect and higher orbital pressure in her affected eye, and funduscopic examination revealed pale optic disc, diffuse retinal welling and attenuated arteries. Cerebral magnetic resonance angiography implied the stenosis of cavernous sinus segment of right internal carotid artery. Aseptic cavernous sinus thrombosis and the secondary combined occlusion of central retinal and optic nerve vessels were suspected. Therefore, anticoagulation, vasodilation, oxygen and anti-inflammation treatment were timely administrated. One month after the treatment, swelling eyelid and ocular motion had markedly improved. However, there was no remarkable improvement in the patient's visual acuity. CLINICAL DISCUSSION: Postoperative visual loss (POVL) after spine surgery is regarded as a serious complication with irreversible vision damage. It was alarming that cavernous sinus thrombosis might be a possible cause of POVL. High-volume fluid replacement, unstable hemodynamic parameters, prone position and prolonged surgical duration might bring about microvascular diseases and hypercoagulable state, contributing to the occurrence of POVL. CONCLUSION: Our study firstly implied the possibility of cavernous sinus thrombosis in the POVL development. Detailed assessment, fluids management, hemodynamic stabilizing and duration optimization were proposed for POVL prevention.

Hydrogel dressings on neurotrophic keratitis in an experimental animal model.

AIM: To investigate the therapeutic effects of hydrogel dressings on neurotrophic keratitis in rats. METHODS: Male Wistar rats, aged 42-56d, were randomly divided into control, experimental, and treatment groups, each consisting of five rats. The experimental and treatment groups underwent neurotrophic keratitis modeling in both eyes. After successful modeling, biomedical hydrogels formed with polyvinyl alcohol and polyvinyl pyrrolidone were used in treatment group for 7d. Ocular irritation response and keratitis index scores, Schirmer's test, tear film break-up time (BUT), sodium fluorescein staining, and hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining were used to evaluate the effectiveness of the treatment. RESULTS: The neurotrophic keratitis model was successfully established in rats with severe ophthalmic nerve injury, characterized by keratitis, ocular irritation, reduced tear secretion measured by decreased BUT and Schirmer test values, corneal epithelial loss, and disorganized collagen fibers in the stromal layer. Following treatment with hydrogel dressings, significant improvements were observed in keratitis scores and ocular irritation symptoms in model eyes. Although the recovery of tear secretion, as measured by the Schirmer's test, did not show statistical differences, BUT was significantly prolonged. Fluorescein staining confirmed a reduction in the extent of corneal epithelial loss after treatment. HE staining revealed the restoration of the structural disorder in both the epithelial and stromal layers to a certain extent. CONCLUSION: Hydrogel dressing reduces ocular surface irritation, improves tear film stability, and promotes the repair and restoration of damaged epithelial cells by maintaining a moist and clean environment on the ocular surface in the rat model.

Nicotinamide supplementation induces detrimental metabolic and epigenetic changes in developing rats.

Ecological evidence suggests that niacin (nicotinamide and nicotinic acid) fortification may be involved in the increased prevalence of obesity and type 2 diabetes, both of which are associated with insulin resistance and epigenetic changes. The purpose of the present study was to investigate nicotinamide-induced metabolic changes and their relationship with possible epigenetic changes. Male rats (5 weeks old) were fed with a basal diet (control group) or diets supplemented with 1 or 4 g/kg of nicotinamide for 8 weeks. Low-dose nicotinamide exposure increased weight gain, but high-dose one did not. The nicotinamide-treated rats had higher hepatic and renal levels of 8-hydroxy-2'-deoxyguanosine, a marker of DNA damage, and impaired glucose tolerance and insulin sensitivity when compared with the control rats. Nicotinamide supplementation increased the plasma levels of nicotinamide, N1-methylnicotinamide and choline and decreased the levels of betaine, which is associated with a decrease in global hepatic DNA methylation and uracil content in DNA. Nicotinamide had gene-specific effects on the methylation of CpG sites within the promoters and the expression of hepatic genes tested that are responsible for methyl transfer reactions (nicotinamide N-methyltransferase and DNA methyltransferase 1), for homocysteine metabolism (betaine-homocysteine S-methyltransferase, methionine synthase and cystathionine ß-synthase) and for oxidative defence (catalase and tumour protein p53). It is concluded that nicotinamide-induced oxidative tissue injury, insulin resistance and disturbed methyl metabolism can lead to epigenetic changes. The present study suggests that long-term high nicotinamide intake (e.g. induced by niacin fortification) may be a risk factor for methylation- and insulin resistance-related metabolic abnormalities.

High-precision phase-shifting interferometry with spherical wavefront reference.

An advanced phase-shifting interferometry approach with a spherical wavefront reference is proposed to improve the quality of the holographic image by avoiding errors caused by noncollimated reference and lowering the resolution of the recording device. By considering not only the real amplitude but also the phase distribution of a spherical wavefront reference, a singular object-wave reconstruction formula is deduced. The suggested method here can work without using the collimator in the reference wave and can then remove all the errors incurred by it. Computer simulations demonstrate that this technique is more convenient in the recording process and can improve the precision of the reconstructed wavefront by more than one order of magnitude after considering the real reference amplitude. Optical experiment results show the feasibility and effectiveness of this method.

Excess nicotinamide increases plasma serotonin and histamine levels.

Methylation, a methyl group-consuming reaction, plays a key role in the degradation (i.e., inactivation) of monoamine neurotransmitters, including catecholamines, serotonin and histamine. Without labile methyl groups, the methylation-mediated degradation cannot take place. Although high niacin (nicotinic acid and nicotinamide) intake, which is very common nowadays, is known to deplete the body's methyl-group pool, its effect on monoamine-neurotransmitter degradation is not well understood. The aim of this article was to investigate the effect of excess nicotinamide on the levels of plasma serotonin and histamine in healthy subjects. Urine and venous blood samples were collected from nine healthy male volunteers before and after oral loading with 100 mg nicotinamide. Plasma N(1)-methylnicotinamide, urinary N(1)-methyl-2-pyridone-5-carboxamide (2-Py), and plasma betaine levels were measured by using high-performance liquid chromatography (HPLC). Plasma concentrations of choline, serotonin and histamine were measured using commercial kits. The results showed that the plasma N(1)-methylnicotinamide level and the urinary excretion of 2-Py significantly increased after oral loading with 100 mg nicotinamide, which was accompanied with a decrease in the methyl-group donor betaine. Compared with those before nicotinamide load, five-hour postload plasma serotonin and histamine levels significantly increased. These results suggest that excess nicotinamide can disturb monoamine-neurotransmitter metabolism. These findings may be of significance in understanding the etiology of monoamine-related mental diseases, such as schizophrenia and autism (a neurodevelopmental disorder).

Prevalence and risk factors for depression and anxiety in patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction.

Objective: To investigate the prevalence and risk factors for depression and anxiety in patients with nasolacrimal duct obstruction (NLDO). Methods: We conducted a telephone-based survey of patients with NLDO who underwent dacryocystorhinostomy (DCR) at the Department of Ophthalmology of Peking University Third Hospital in China between January 2016 and January 2021. Depression and anxiety were assessed with the PHQ-9 (range 0-25) and STAI (range 20-80) scales. PHQ-9 ≥ 5 and STAI ≥ 55 were considered clinically significant. Logistic regression and linear regression were performed to determine the factors related to depression and anxiety. Results: Of 565 patients approached, 344 (60.9%) completed the survey. A total of 13.1% of patients had mild-severe depression and 63.4% had severe anxiety. Univariate logistic regression revealed that hypertension, dry eye, and cataract were associated with mild to severe depression (P = 0.018, 0.045, 0.035, respectively). Dry eye was associated with severe anxiety (P = 0.007). Univariate linear regression revealed that male and income levels were significantly negatively correlated with PHQ-9 scores (P = 0.011, 0.010, respectively). Hypertension and dry eye were significantly positively correlated with PHQ-9 scores (P = 0.030, P < 0.001, respectively). Male, income levels, and educational levels were significantly negatively correlated with STAI scores (P = 0.022, P < 0.001, P = 0.005, respectively). Dry eye was significantly positively correlated with STAI scores (P < 0.001). Conclusion: Prevalence of depression and anxiety disorders was relatively high among NLDO patients. Our results demonstrate the importance of depression and anxiety screening and psychosocial support for patients with NLDO, which can improve their quality of life and compliance with medical appointments.

A subpopulation of CD146+ macrophages enhances antitumor immunity by activating the NLRP3 inflammasome.

As one of the main tumor-infiltrating immune cell types, tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs) determine the efficacy of immunotherapy. However, limited knowledge about their phenotypically and functionally heterogeneous nature restricts their application in tumor immunotherapy. In this study, we identified a subpopulation of CD146+ TAMs that exerted antitumor activity in both human samples and animal models. CD146 expression in TAMs was negatively controlled by STAT3 signaling. Reducing this population of TAMs promoted tumor development by facilitating myeloid-derived suppressor cell recruitment via activation of JNK signaling. Interestingly, CD146 was involved in the NLRP3 inflammasome-mediated activation of macrophages in the tumor microenvironment, partially by inhibiting transmembrane protein 176B (TMEM176B), an immunoregulatory cation channel. Treatment with a TMEM176B inhibitor enhanced the antitumor activity of CD146+ TAMs. These data reveal a crucial antitumor role of CD146+ TAMs and highlight the promising immunotherapeutic approach of inhibiting CD146 and TMEM176B.

Matrine promotes mitochondrial biosynthesis and reduces oxidative stress in experimental optic neuritis.

Optic neuritis (ON), characterized by inflammation of the optic nerve and apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), is one of the leading causes of blindness in patients. Given that RGC, as an energy-intensive cell, is vulnerable to mitochondrial dysfunction, improving mitochondrial function and reducing oxidative stress could protect these cells. Matrine (MAT), an alkaloid derived from Sophora flavescens, has been shown to regulate immunity and protect neurons in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE), an animal model of multiple sclerosis and ON. However, the protective mechanism of MAT on RGCs is largely unknown. In this study, we show that MAT treatment significantly reduced the degree of inflammatory infiltration and demyelination of the optic nerve and increased the survival rate of RGCs. The expression of Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1), a member of an evolutionarily conserved gene family (sirtuins), was upregulated, as well as its downstream molecules Nrf2 and PGC-1α. The percentage of TOMM20-positive cells was also increased remarkably in RGCs after MAT treatment. Thus, our results indicate that MAT protects RGCs from apoptosis, at least in part, by activating SIRT1 to regulate PGC-1α and Nrf2, which, together, promote mitochondrial biosynthesis and reduce the oxidative stress of RGCs.

Prevalence and Risk Factors of Dry Eye Symptoms after Successful Dacryocystorhinostomy for Patients with Lacrimal Passage Obstruction.

PURPOSE: To investigate the prevalence of dry eye symptoms after successful dacryocystorhinostomy and explore the potential risk factors. METHODS: This cross-sectional study included 565 patients with lacrimal passage obstruction (LPO) who underwent external dacryocystorhinostomy. Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) total score of 13 or more was regarded as presence of dry eye symptoms. OSDI total score greater than 22 combined with self-reported dry eye was defined as symptomatic dry eye. Logistic regression and linear regression were used to examine the associations between OSDI scores and its potentially predictive factors. RESULTS: Of the 565 patients, 344 completed the questionnaire, among which 101(29.4%) patients presented with dry eye symptoms, including 53(15.4%) mild, 14(4.1%) moderate and 34(9.9%) severe, and 48(14.0%) patients can be defined as symptomatic dry eye. Univariate logistic regression revealed that age, educational levels, income levels, and hypertension were significantly correlated with the presence of dry eye symptoms (P < 0.05). After multivariate adjustment, lower income levels were found significantly associated with dry eye symptoms (P < 0.05). Univariate linear regression demonstrated that age, lower educational levels, surgery history, and hypertension were significantly associated with OSDI total score (P = 0.037, 0.012, 0.022, 0.029 respectively). Multivariate stepwise linear regression manifested that educational levels and the surgery history influenced the OSDI total score mostly (P = 0.021, 0.036 respectively). CONCLUSIONS: Dry eye problem of LPO patients after successful dacryocystorhinostomy cannot be ignored. In the preoperative evaluation, we should pay special attention to the elderly patients with lower educational levels, lower income levels or systemic diseases.

Research Progress of Food-Grade High Internal Phase Pickering Emulsions and Their Application in 3D Printing.

High internal phase Pickering emulsion (HIPPE) is a type of emulsion stabilized by solid particles irreversibly adsorbed on an interfacial film, and the volume fraction of the dispersed phase (Φ) is larger than the maximum packing volume fraction (Φmax). Proteins, polysaccharides, and their composite particles can be used as good particle stabilizers. The contact angle can most intuitively demonstrate the hydrophilicity and hydrophobicity of the particles and also determines the type of emulsions (O/W or W/O type). Particles' three-phase contact angles can be adjusted to about 90° by compounding or modification, which is more conducive to emulsion stability. As a shear thinning pseudoplastic fluid, HIPPE can be extruded smoothly through 3D printer nozzles, and its high storage modulus can support the structure of printed products. There is huge potential for future applications in 3D printing of food. This work reviewed the biomacromolecules that can be used to stabilize food-grade HIPPE, the stabilization mechanism of the emulsions, and the research progress of food 3D printing to provide a reference for the development of advanced food products based on HIPPE.

Cloning, Expression, and Characterization of a GHF 11 Xylanase from Alteromonas macleodii HY35 in Escherichia coli.

A xylanase gene xynZT-1 from Alteromonas macleodii HY35 was cloned and expressed in Escherichia coli (E. coli). The sequencing results showed that the ORF of xynZT-1 was 831 bp. The xylanase DNA sequence encoded a 29 amino acids (aa) signal peptide and a 247-aa mature peptide. The XynZT-1 has been a calculated molecular weight (MW) of 27.93 kDa, isoelectric point (pI) of 5.11 and the formula C1266H1829N327O384S5. The amino acid sequence of the xynZT-1 had a high similarity with that of glycosyl hydrolase family 11 (GHF11) reported from other microorganisms. The DNA sequence encoding mature peptide was subcloned into pET-28a(+) expression vector. The resulted plasmid pET-28a-xynZT-1 was transformed into E. coli BL21(DE3), and the recombinant strain BL21(DE3)/xynZT-1 was obtained. The optimum temperature and pH of the recombinant XynZT-1 were 45 ℃ and 5.0, respectively.

Knockdown of PYCR1 suppressed the malignant phenotype of human hepatocellular carcinoma cells via inhibiting the AKT pathway activation.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is a common and highly malignancy tumor. Pyrroline-5-carpoxylate reductase-1 (PYCR1) is an active enzyme involved in cell metabolism. In this study, we explored the role of PYCR1 in the HCC cell lines, Hep3B and HepG2. The expression of PYCR1 was up-regulated in liver hepatocellular carcinoma (LIHC) tissue by GEPIA. Meanwhile the overall survival rate (OS) showed that patients with high PYCR1 expression had a worse prognosis compared with patients with low PYCR1 level. In addition, knockdown of PYCR1 suppressed the proliferation, invasion and migration of Hep3B and HepG2 cells and promoted the apoptosis and G1 arrest. Knockdown of PYCR1 reduced the expression of the anti-apoptotic protein Bcl-2 and increased the expression of pro-apoptotic protein Bax and Caspase3. Furthermore, knockdown of PYCR1 changed the expression of p-AKT and its target gene Cyclin D1. In conclusion, knockdown of PYCR1 inhibited the malignant phenotype of human HCC cells by regulating the AKT pathway activation, which provides a potential strategy for the human HCC therapy.

Risk assessment of type 2 diabetes in northern China based on the logistic regression model.

BACKGROUND: Type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) is a complex disease with high incidence and serious harm associated with polygenic determination. This study aimed to develop a predictive model so as to assess the risk of T2DM and apply it to health care and disease prevention in northern China. OBJECTIVE: Based on genotyping results, a risk warning model for type 2 diabetes was established. METHODS: Blood samples of 1042 patients with T2DM in northern China were collected. Multiplex polymerase chain reaction and high-throughput sequencing (NGS) techniques were used to design the amplification-based targeted sequencing panel to sequence the 21 T2DM susceptibility genes. RESULT: The related key gene KQT-like subfamily member 1 played an important role in the T2DM risk model, and single-nucleotide polymorphism rs2237892 was highly significant, with a P value of 1.2 × 10-5. CONCLUSIONS: Susceptibility genes in different populations were examined, and a model was developed to assess the risk-based genetic analysis. The performance of the model reached 92.8%.

Silicone Oil-Associated Extensive Intraocular Ossification: A case report.

BACKGROUND: Intraocular ossification is an uncommon calcium deposition process associated with trauma, chronic inflammation, tumor, and long-standing retinal detachment. This is the first reported extensive intraocular bone formation associated with silicone oil. CASE PRESENTATION: A 30-year-old Han Chinese man came to us with complaint of red, painful blind right eye. He had a history of ocular trauma, retinal detachment, and two failed retinal reattachment surgeries with silicone oil left in the eye. On examination, conjunctiva congestion, band keratopathy, silicone oil emulsification, and limbus neovascularization were found. B-scan ultrasound and computed tomography scanning demonstrated retinal detachment and calcification of the eyeball wall. Histopathological analysis indicated ossification overlying the choroid. Evisceration was finally operated to relieve the pain. CONCLUSION: The retention of silicone oil in the eye probably accelerates the ossification. Timely silicone oil removal and evisceration should be recommended if necessary for phthisis bulbi.