Nanoassemblies Based on a Cationic Perylene Diimide Derivative and Sodium Dodecyl Sulfate: A Simple Fluorescent Platform for Efficient Analysis of Aflatoxin B1.

Aflatoxin B1 (AFB1) is a kind of potently carcinogenic fungal metabolite in food threatening human health, and it is crucial and challenging to develop advanced nonimmune approaches for AFB1 determination. Addressing this challenge, we successfully constructed a nanoassembly (PdE-PDI/SDS) by noncovalently coupling a cationic perylene diimide derivative (PdE-PDI) and sodium dodecyl sulfate (SDS), exhibiting high-density charges and a specific surface area for rapid sensing of AFB1. The large electronic conjugate structure and rigid plane of PdE-PDI enable it to form more stable σ-π, π-π coordination, and hydrogen bonds with AFB1. Additionally, the introduction of SDS significantly amplifies noncovalent interactions and enhances the quenching efficiency of PdE-PDI toward AFB1. The proposed PdE-PDI/SDS exhibited excellent specificity to AFB1 and showed dosage-sensitive detection with detection limit as low as 0.74 ng mL-1. Finally, the PdE-PDI/SDS was successfully applied in cereal samples with good recoveries from 94.61 to 109.92%. To our knowledge, this is the first time a fluorescent strategy from the point of self-assembly for AFB1 determination is reported, which holds great promise for wide applications of perylene diimide derivative in food safety.

The essential role of N6-methyladenosine RNA methylation in complex eye diseases.

There are many complex eye diseases which are the leading causes of blindness, however, the pathogenesis of the complex eye diseases is not fully understood, especially the underlying molecular mechanisms of N6-methyladenosine (m6A) RNA methylation in the eye diseases have not been extensive clarified. Our review summarizes the latest advances in the studies of m6A modification in the pathogenesis of the complex eye diseases, including cornea disease, cataract, diabetic retinopathy, age-related macular degeneration, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, Graves' disease, uveal melanoma, retinoblastoma, and traumatic optic neuropathy. We further discuss the possibility of developing m6A modification signatures as biomarkers for the diagnosis of the eye diseases, as well as potential therapeutic approaches.

Effect of ultra-high pressure homogenization on microorganism and quality of composite pear juice.

In this study, composite pear juice was processed by ultra-high pressure homogenization (UHPH) at four different pressures (50, 100, 150, and 200 MPa) with six different temperatures (4, 20, 30, 40, 60, and 80°C), then microorganism and physicochemical and nutritional properties of the samples were investigated. The counts of total aerobic bacteria (TAB) and yeasts and molds (Y&M) were reduced by 0.89-4.72 log10 CFU/ml and 0.40-3.03 log10 CFU/ml after processing, respectively. There was no significant change on total soluble solid and color, but significant decreases of pH and particle size value were observed, and the antioxidant activity, total phenolic content, viscosity, and suspension stability significantly increased in treated samples. Compared to the untreated samples, polyphenol oxidase (PPO) and peroxidase (POD) activity of UHPH-treated samples varied between 97%-126% and 81%-165%, respectively, indicating that the PPO and POD activities could be inactivated or activated by UHPH. This study introduced proper temperature combined with UHPH could improve the microbial inactivation and the quality of the compound juice.

Potential Impact of N6-Methyladenosine RNA Methylation on Vision Function and the Pathological Processes of Ocular Diseases: New Discoveries and Future Perspectives.

N6-methyladenosine (m6A) methylation/modification plays a critical role in various biological processes through post-transcriptional ribonucleic acid (RNA) modification, which involves RNA processing, nuclear export, translation and decay. Functionally, m6A modification may be involved in ocular cell growth and differentiation, stem cell identity, development, haemostasis and innate versus adaptive immunity. Aberrations in m6A methylation may mediate numerous pathological conditions in the eye, including microorganism infection, inflammation, autoimmune disease, senescence, degeneration, epithelial-mesenchymal transition, fibrosis, angiogenesis, tumorigenesis and complex eye diseases. In this review, we have discussed the relevance of m6A modification to precision medicine, stem cell directional differentiation, biomarkers of eye diseases and m6A methylation activators and inhibitors. In addition, we summarised the challenges and future research directions in the field related to visual function and eye diseases.

Tumor necrosis factor ligand-related molecule 1A maintains blood-retinal barrier via modulating SHP-1-Src-VE-cadherin signaling in diabetic retinopathy.

An impaired blood-retinal barrier (BRB) leads to diabetic macular edema (DME), which is a major complication of Diabetic retinopathy (DR). Mediators such as inflammation cause BRB breakdown. However, the explicit mechanism of its disruption is largely unknown. In this study, we identified tumor necrosis factor ligand-related molecule 1A (TL1A) as a crucial factor which protect retinal endothelial cells integrity in DR. By providing both human and mouse data, we show that TL1A is significantly decreased in the retinas of DME patients and diabetic rodents. We further demonstrate that the loss of TL1A accelerated diabetes-induced retinal barrier breakdown. TL1A supplementation protects the diabetic retina against BRB breakdown. Mechanistically, TL1A stabilize intracellular junctions and protect vascular integrity by blocking SHP1-Src-regulated VE-cadherin phosphorylation. Collectively, our findings reveal that loss of TL1A in the retina leads to increased vascular permeability in DR, and that TL1A treatment is of potential therapeutic interest for the treatment of DME.

Vitreous M2 Macrophage-Derived Microparticles Promote RPE Cell Proliferation and Migration in Traumatic Proliferative Vitreoretinopathy.

Purpose: To characterize vitreous microparticles (MPs) in patients with traumatic proliferative vitreoretinopathy (PVR) and investigate their role in PVR pathogenesis. Methods: Vitreous MPs were characterized in patients with traumatic PVR, patients with rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) complicated with PVR, and control subjects by flow cytometry. The presence of M2 macrophages in epiretinal membranes was measured by immunostaining. Vitreous cytokines were quantified by ELISA assay. For in vitro studies, MPs isolated from THP-1 cell differentiated M1 and M2 macrophages, termed M1-MPs and M2-MPs, were used. The effects and mechanisms of M1-MPs and M2-MPs on RPE cell proliferation, migration, and epithelial to mesenchymal transition were analyzed. Results: Vitreous MPs derived from photoreceptors, microglia, and macrophages were significantly increased in patients with traumatic PVR in comparison with control and patients with RRD (PVR), whereas no significance was identified between the two control groups. M2 macrophages were present in epiretinal membranes, and their signature cytokines were markedly elevated in the vitreous of patients with traumatic PVR. Moreover, MPs from M2 macrophages were increased in the vitreous of patients with traumatic PVR. In vitro analyses showed that M2-MPs promoted the proliferation and migration of RPE cells via activation of the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/protein kinase B (AKT)/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. However, M2-MPs did not induce the expression of fibrotic proteins, including fibronectin, α-smooth muscle actin, and N-cadherin in RPE cells. Conclusions: This study demonstrated increased MP shedding in the vitreous of patients with traumatic PVR; specifically, MPs derived from M2 polarized macrophages may contribute to PVR progression by stimulating RPE cell proliferation and migration.

Risk Factors for Band Keratopathy in Aphakic Eyes With Silicone Oil Tamponade for Open-Globe Injuries: A Multicenter Case-Control Study.

Band keratopathy (BK) is a common complication in aphakic eyes with silicone oil tamponade for open-globe injury (OGI), characterized by the grayish-white opacities in the cornea, resulting in a significantly decreased vision when extending to the visual axis. To identify the risk factors for BK in aphakic eyes following vitreoretinal surgical treatment with silicone oil tamponade for OGIs, we performed a multicenter case-control study. The incidence of BK was 28% (28/100 eyes). The multivariate binary logistic regression revealed the silicone oil retention time (SORT) ≥6 months and zone III injury were significant risk factors for BK. From the hierarchical interaction, SORT ≥6 months had a significant risk for BK in eyes with rupture, aniridia, and zone III injury, while zone III injury had a significant risk for BK in eyes with rupture, incomplete/complete iris, and SORT ≥6 months. By using restricted cubic splines with three knots at the 25th, 50th, and 75th centiles to model the association of SORT with BK, we also found a marked increase in the risk for BK at ≥10 months and a slow increase after 6 months, but almost stable within 4-6 months.

Association of cigarette smoking with retinal thickness and vascular structure in an elderly Chinese population.

BACKGROUND: To explore the association of cigarette smoking with retinal thickness and vascular structure in an elderly Chinese population. METHODS: This cross-sectional study enrolled employees and retirees aged over 50 years at Tianjin University of Sport from October 2020 to December 2020. Information on smoking status and lifestyle was obtained using a detailed questionnaire. All participants underwent full ophthalmic examination. OCTA image was acquired. Vascular and the thickness parameters in central fovea and peripapillary parameters were automatically calculated. Multiple linear regression analyses were utilized to assess the association of smoking with retinal thickness and vascular structure after controlling potential confounders. RESULTS: Compared with non-smoking adults, current smokers (ß=-36.78; P = 0.01) and ever smokers (ß=-35.45; P = 0.00) tended to have thinner macular fovea. Cigarettes daily, pack-years of smoking and CSI were negatively related to macular thickness (cigarettes daily: ß=-1.43; pack-years: ß=-14.73; CSI: ß=-14.70), while they were positively associated with the circumference (cigarettes daily: ß=0.03; pack-years: ß=0.30; CSI: ß=0.31) and the area of FAZ (cigarettes daily: ß=0.01; pack-years: ß=0.07). CONCLUSIONS: Cigarette smoking seems associated with decreased macular fovea thickness and elevated circumference and area of the FAZ compared to non-smokers. Our data add to evidence of smoking on retinal thickness and the microvascular system in the macular area.

Exosome-Mediated Delivery of the Neuroprotective Peptide PACAP38 Promotes Retinal Ganglion Cell Survival and Axon Regeneration in Rats With Traumatic Optic Neuropathy.

Traumatic optic neuropathy (TON) refers to optic nerve damage caused by trauma, leading to partial or complete loss of vision. The primary treatment options, such as hormonal therapy and surgery, have limited efficacy. Pituitary adenylate cyclase-activating polypeptide 38 (PACAP38), a functional endogenous neuroprotective peptide, has emerged as a promising therapeutic agent. In this study, we used rat retinal ganglion cell (RGC) exosomes as nanosized vesicles for the delivery of PACAP38 loaded via the exosomal anchor peptide CP05 (EXO PACAP38 ). EXO PACAP38 showed greater uptake efficiency in vitro and in vivo than PACAP38. The results showed that EXO PACAP38 significantly enhanced the RGC survival rate and retinal nerve fiber layer thickness in a rat TON model. Moreover, EXO PACAP38 significantly promoted axon regeneration and optic nerve function after injury. These findings indicate that EXO PACAP38 can be used as a treatment option and may have therapeutic implications for patients with TON.

Characteristics and outcomes of vitrectomy for proliferative diabetic retinopathy in young versus senior patients.

BACKGROUND: Proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR) is one of the most common cause of vision loss in diabetic patients, and the incidence age of PDR patients gradually gets younger. This study aims to compare the characteristics of PDR and outcomes following vitrectomy in young and senior patients. METHODS: This is a retrospective case series study. Data of 116 eyes of 92 patients who underwent vitrectomy for PDR from February 2012 to February 2017 were reviewed, which were divided into young and senior patient groups. All patients were followed up for 24 months at least. RESULTS: There were 62.1% of eyes with tractional retinal detachment secondary to PDR in the young patient group, while only 12.1% of eyes in the senior patient group with this surgery indication. (P < 0.001) The best corrected visual acuity increased in 41 eyes (70.7%), stable in 9 eyes (15.5%), and decreased in 8 eyes (13.8%) in young patients at the final follow-up. And it increased in 47 eyes (81.0%), stable in 2 eyes (3.4%), and decreased in 9 eyes (15.5%) in senior patients.(P = 0.085) Postoperative complications mainly included recurrent vitreous hemorrhage (24.1%), retinal detachment (3.4%), neovascular glaucoma (NVG) (27.6%) and nuclear sclerosis (53.4%) in young patients, and it was 19.0, 0.0, 1.7 and 3.4% in senior patients respectively. CONCLUSION: PDR of young patients is more severe than that of senior patients, and vitrectomy is an effective and safe method for PDR treatment. NVG is a main and severe complication besides nuclear sclerosis in young patients, and the incidence of NVG is higher compared to that in senior patients.