Comparison of clinical outcomes between cystotome-assisted prechop phacoemulsification surgery and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery for hard nucleus cataracts.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVES: To compare the safety and efficacy of cystotome-assisted prechop phacoemulsification surgery (CAPPS) and femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery (FLACS) in patients with hard nucleus cataract. SUBJECTS/METHODS: Ninety-six eyes of 64 patients with grade IV hard nucleus cataract were assigned to 1 of the 2 groups (49 CAPPS and 47 FLACS). Follow-up visits were performed at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year, and the outcome measures comprised ultrasound power, effective phacoemulsification time (EPT), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), endothelial cell density (ECD), corneal endothelium cell loss rate (ECL), central corneal thickness (CCT), and intraoperative and postoperative complications. RESULTS: The ultrasound power and EPT were lower in the CAPPS group (p = 0.03 and <0.0001, respectively). Patients in both groups gained better CDVA postoperatively. The ECD value decreased at each follow-up visit and did not return to the preoperative level; FLACS resulted in greater endothelial cell loss compared to CAPPS. CCT increased immediately after the surgery and decreased thereafter. The mean CCT value returned to the preoperative level 3 months postoperatively in the CAPPS group, while in the FLACS group, CCT value took 6 months to return to the preoperative level. Miosis was more likely to occur in the FLACS group. CONCLUSIONS: Due to its efficacy and cost-effectiveness, CAPPS is worth promoting and applying to clinical work in the future.

Integrated analysis to reveal potential therapeutic targets and prognostic biomarkers of skin cutaneous melanoma.

Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) is a malignant tumor with high mortality rate in human, and its occurrence and development are jointly regulated by genes and the environment. However, the specific pathogenesis of SKCM is not completely understood. In recent years, an increasing number of studies have reported the important role of competing endogenous RNA (ceRNA) regulatory networks in various tumors; however, the complexity and specific biological effects of the ceRNA regulatory network of SKCM remain unclear. In the present study, we obtained a ceRNA regulatory network of long non-coding RNAs, microRNAs, and mRNAs related to the phosphatase and tensin homolog (PTEN) in SKCM and identified the potential diagnostic and prognostic markers related to SKCM. We extracted the above three types of RNA involved in SKCM from The Cancer Genome Atlas database. Through bioinformatics analysis, the OIP5-AS1-hsa-miR-186-5p/hsa-miR-616-3p/hsa-miR-135a-5p/hsa-miR-23b-3p/hsa-miR-374b-5p-PTPRC/IL7R/CD69 and MALAT1-hsa-miR-135a-5p/hsa-miR-23b-3p/hsa-miR-374b-5p-IL7R/CD69 ceRNA networks were found to be related to the prognosis of SKCM. Finally, we determined the OIP5-AS1-PTPRC/IL7R/CD69 and MALAT1-IL7R/CD69 axes in ceRNA as a clinical prognostic model using correlation and Cox regression analyses. Additionally, we explored the possible role of these two axes in affecting gene expression and immune microenvironment changes and the occurrence and development of SKCM through methylation and immune infiltration analyses. In summary, the ceRNA-based OIP5-AS1-PTPRC/IL7R/CD69 and MALAT1-IL7R/CD69 axes may be a novel and important approach for the diagnosis and prognosis of SKCM.

Depicting Developing Trend and Core Knowledge of Primary Open-Angle Glaucoma: A Bibliometric and Visualized Analysis.

Objective: The prevalence of glaucoma is rising due to an increasing aging population. Because of its insidious and irreversible nature, glaucoma has gradually become the focus of attention. We assessed primary open angle glaucoma, the most common type of glaucoma, to study its present status, global trend, and state of clinical research. Methods: Publications from 2000 to 2021 in Web of Science database were retrieved and analyzed by bibliometrics. VOSviewer and Citespace were used for analysis. Results: A total of 6,401 publications were included in this review, and we found that the number of publications increased from 139 in 2000 to 563 in 2021. American researchers have published the most papers and had the highest h-index and the most citations, while the Journal of Glaucoma has published the most papers on this topic. Some key researchers, contributing institutions, their partnerships, and scientific masterpieces were identified. The publications we reviewed fall into seven categories: publications on intraocular pressure, normal tension glaucoma, risk factors, the trabecular meshwork, optical coherence tomography, surgery, and mutation. Clear study hotspots were described, which began with epidemiology and transitioned to pathogenesis and diagnosis and then to treatment. Conclusion: Studies on primary open angle glaucoma extend well beyond ophthalmology to biochemistry molecular biology, general internal medicine, pharmacology, pharmacy, science technology, and other areas. Interest, research and publications on primary open angle glaucoma are on the rise.

Protective activity of tert-butylhydroquinone against oxidative stress and apoptosis induced by glutamate agonizts in R28 cells and mice retina.

Glutamate excitotoxicity can cause cell damage and apoptosis and play an important role in a variety of retinal diseases. Tertiary-butylhydroquinone (tBHQ) is an approved food-grade phenolic antioxidant with antioxidant activity in a variety of cells and tissues. We observed the protective effect of tBHQ on glutamatergic agonist-induced retina and explored its possible mechanism of action through in vitro cell experiments. The results showed that tBHQ had protective effects on NMDA-induced mouse retinal excitotoxicity and glutamate-induced excitotoxicity in rat retinal precursor cells (R28 cells). tBHQ reversed glutamate-induced apoptosis, production of intracellular reactive oxygen species, and reduction of mitochondrial membrane potential. Western blot analysis showed that tBHQ could increase the expression of procaspase-3, Bcl-2, AIF precursor, CAT, SOD2, Nrf2, NQO1, HO-1 and NF-κB in glutamate-treated cells, and decrease the expression of AIF cleavage products. Furthermore, we discovered that tBHQ activated müller glial cells. Based on these results, tBHQ may have antioxidant and anti-apoptotic properties, thus serving as a potential retinal protective agent. Its anti-oxidative stress effect was attributed to up-regulation of Nrf2, and its anti-apoptotic effect was related to its up-regulation of Bcl-2 expression and inhibition of mitochondria-dependent apoptosis.

Anti-scarring effect of sodium hyaluronate at filtration pathway after filtering surgery in rabbits.

AIM: To investigate the anti-scarring effect of sodium hyaluronate (HA) at filtration pathway after filtering surgery in a rabbit model. METHODS: Fifteen healthy adult New Zealand white rabbits were selected for trabeculectomy in both eyes. The right eyes were used as HA group with 0.1 mL HA injected into the anterior chamber at the end of the operation; the left eyes were used with 0.1 mL sodium lactate Ringer's solution (RS) injected into the anterior chamber as RS group. Intraocular pressure (IOP), filtering blebs morphology, inflammatory reaction and complications were observed at the 7, 60, and 90d after surgery. RESULTS: One day after surgery, the IOP of HA and RS groups were 12.75±1.92 and 10.50±1.59 mm Hg (P=0.005). At the 7th day postoperative, the filtering blebs of each group were functional type and TGF-ß expression was significantly difference in both groups (0.10±0.01 vs 0.14±0.02, P=0.024). After 60d of the operation, all filtering blebs were scarring and alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) expression was significantly difference in both groups (0.40±0.04 vs 0.35±0.02, P=0.032). α-SMA positive cells were mainly distributed in the junction of conjunctiva and sclera and around the blood vessels. The collagen volume fraction (CVF) of HA and RS group was (75.49±7.01)% and (79.93±5.35)% (P=0.044). On the 90th day after the operation, CVF was (82.57±5.19)% and (88.08±1.75)% in HA and RS groups (P=0.036). There was no α-SMA positive cell in HA group, while a few positive cells were observed in RS group (P=0.000). CONCLUSION: HA has effect of anti-scar and anti-inflammation on filtration pathway after filtering surgery within 3mo by inhibiting fibroblast proliferation and collagen deposition.

Molecular Characteristics and Distribution of Adult Human Corneal Immune Cell Types.

Background: The limbus is located at a 2-mm-wide area between the bulbar conjunctiva and the cornea and has been suggested to be the niche of corneal epithelial stem cells and immune cells. Like the skin and intestines, the cornea is also an important mucosal surface, and immune cells on the cornea play critical roles in immune surveillance to ensure barrier surface homeostasis and protection from various environmental damage and infections. Single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq) analysis of protein tyrosine phosphatase receptor type C positive (PTPRC+) hematopoietic cells from the corneal limbus could provide a single cell atlas of all the immune cell subsets. Methods: We performed single-cell RNA sequencing to generate transcriptomic profile for 804 sort-purified hematopoietic cells from the corneal limbus of three healthy donors. Results: Our analysis identified a primary transcriptomic pattern for multiple immune cell subtypes, including naive T cells, antiviral effector CD8+ T cells, and innate immune cells such as IDO1+ mature regulatory dendritic cells (mregDCs), macrophages, monocytes, and basophils in the human corneal limbus. Conclusion: Overall, single-cell transcriptomic analysis of limbal immune cells suggested the possible contribution of these cells on the adaptive and innate immune response of the human cornea.

PTB: Not just a polypyrimidine tract-binding protein.

Polypyrimidine tract-binding protein (PTB), as a member of the heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein family, functions by rapidly shuttling between the nucleus and the cytoplasm. PTB is involved in the alternative splicing of pre-messenger RNA (mRNA) and almost all steps of mRNA metabolism. PTB regulation is organ-specific; brain- or muscle-specific microRNAs and long noncoding RNAs partially contribute to regulating PTB, thereby modulating many physiological and pathological processes, such as embryonic development, cell development, spermatogenesis, and neuron growth and differentiation. Previous studies have shown that PTB knockout can inhibit tumorigenesis and development. The knockout of PTB in glial cells can be reprogrammed into functional neurons, which shows great promise in the field of nerve regeneration but is controversial.

VEGF-mediated angiogenesis in retinopathy of prematurity is co-regulated by miR-17-5p and miR-20a-5p.

The microRNAs miR-17-5p and miR-20a-5p play important roles on angiogenesis; however, it is arguable whether they regulate the formation of retinal blood vessels in retinopathy of prematurity (ROP). We used a mouse model of oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) to simulate the development of retinas in mice suffering from ROP, and the expression levels of miR-20a-5p, miR-17-5p, hypoxia-inducible factor 1-alpha (HIF-1α), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) were measured by RT-qPCR and Western blotting. Cell proliferation, apoptosis, and angiogenesis in the OIR model mice were measured using MTT assays, flow cytometry, and Matrigel assays, respectively. The interaction between HIF-1α/VEGF and miR-20a-5p/miR-17-5p were further validated using dual-luciferase reporter assays, biotin-labeled RNA-pulldown, and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) assays. In our OIR model, retinal angiogenesis in the mice was associated with down-regulation of miR-20a-5p and miR-17-5p, as well as up-regulation of HIF-1α and VEGF. In addition, the miR-20a-5p and miR-17-5p inhibited cell proliferation and angiogenesis through regulating HIF-1α and VEGF in the retinal cells of the OIR model mice. Moreover, it was found that miR-20a-5p and miR-17-5p bind to HIF-1α and VEGF at the 3'UTR, and there was a combined effect between miR-20a-5p and miR-17-5p on the regulation of HIF-1α and VEGF. It is worth noting that miR-17-5p and miR-20a-5p can preferentially regulate HIF-1α, then act on VEGF, thereby affecting the angiogenesis associated with ROP.

Transplantation of reprogrammed peripheral blood cells differentiates into retinal ganglion cells in the mouse eye with NMDA-induced injury.

The generation of patient-specific induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) holds significant implications for replacement therapy in treating optic neuropathies such as glaucoma. Stem-cell-based therapy targeted at replacing and replenishing retinal ganglion cells is progressing at a fast pace. However, clinical application necessitates an efficient and robust approach for cell manufacturing. Here, we examine whether the embryo body derived from human peripheral blood-derived iPSC can localize into the host retina and differentiate into retinal ganglion cells after transplantation into a glaucoma injury model. Human peripheral blood T cells were isolated and reprogrammed into an induced pluripotent stem cell (TiPSC) line using Sendai virus transduction carrying transcription factors Sox2, Klf4, c-Myc, and Oct4. TiPSCs were differentiated into RGC using neural basal culture. For in vivo studies, embryo bodies derived from TiPSCs (TiPSC-EB) were injected into the vitreous cavity of N-Methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA)-treated mice 2 weeks before sacrifice and retinal dissection. Induced pluripotent stem cells generated from human peripheral blood T cells display stem cell morphology and pluripotency markers. Furthermore, RGC-like cells differentiated from TiPSC exhibit extending axons and RGC marker TUJ1. When transplanted intravitreally into NMDA-treated mice, embryo bodies derived from TiPSC survived, migrated, and incorporated into the retina's GCL layer. In addition, TiPSC-EB transplants were able to differentiate into TUJ1 positive RGC-like cells. Retinal ganglion cells can be differentiated using human peripheral blood cells derived iPSC. Transplantation of embryo body derived from TiPSCs into a glaucoma mouse model could incorporate into host GCL and differentiate into RGC-like cells.

CXC Chemokines as Therapeutic Targets and Prognostic Biomarkers in Skin Cutaneous Melanoma Microenvironment.

BACKGROUND: Skin Cutaneous Melanoma (SKCM) is a tumor of the epidermal melanocytes induced by gene activation or mutation. It is the result of the interaction between genetic, constitutional, and environmental factors. SKCM is highly aggressive and is the most threatening skin tumor. The incidence of the disease is increasing year by year, and it is the main cause of death in skin tumors around the world. CXC chemokines in the tumor microenvironment can regulate the transport of immune cells and the activity of tumor cells, thus playing an anti-tumor immunological role and affecting the prognosis of patients. However, the expression level of CXC chemokine in SKCM and its effect on prognosis are still unclear. METHOD: Oncomine, UALCAN, GEPIA, STRING, GeneMANIA, cBioPortal, TIMER, TRRUST, DAVID 6.8, and Metascape were applied in our research. RESULT: The transcription of CXCL1, CXCL5, CXCL8, CXCL9, CXCL10, and CXCL13 in SKCM tissues were significantly higher than those in normal tissues. The pathological stage of SKCM patients is closely related to the expression of CXCL4, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, CXCL12, and CXCL13. The prognosis of SKCM patients with low transcription levels of CXCL4, CXCL9, CXCL10, CXCL11, and CXCL13 is better. The differential expression of CXC chemokines is mainly associated with inflammatory response, immune response, and cytokine mediated signaling pathways. Our data indicate that the key transcription factors of CXC chemokines are RELA, NF-κB1 and SP1. The targets of CXC chemokines are mainly LCK, LYN, SYK, MAPK2, MAPK12, and ART. The relationship between CXC chemokine expression and immune cell infiltration in SKCM was closed. CONCLUSIONS: Our research provides a basis for screening SKCM biomarkers, predicting prognosis, and choosing immunotherapy.

BloodCaps: A capsule network based model for the multiclassification of human peripheral blood cells.

BACKGROUND AND OBJECTIVE: The classification of human peripheral blood cells yields significance in the detection of inflammation, infections and blood cell disorders such as leukemia. Limitations in traditional algorithms for blood cell classification and increased computational processing power have allowed machine learning methods to be utilized for this clinically prevalent task. METHODS: In the current work, we present BloodCaps, a capsule based model designed for the accurate multiclassification of a diverse and broad spectrum of blood cells. RESULTS: Implemented on a large-scale dataset of 8 categories of human peripheral blood cells, the proposed architecture achieved an overall accuracy of 99.3%, outperforming convolutional neural networks such as AlexNet(81.5%), VGG16(97.8%), ResNet-18(95.9%) and InceptionV3(98.4%). Furthermore, we devised three new datasets(low-resolution dataset, small dataset, and low-resolution small dataset) from the original dataset, and tested BloodCaps in comparison with AlexNet, VGG16, ResNet-18, and InceptionV3. To further validate the applicability of our proposed model, we tested BloodCaps on additional public datasets such as the All IDB2, BCCD, and Cell Vision datasets. Compared with the reported results, BloodCaps showed the best performance in all three scenarios. CONCLUSIONS: The proposed method proved superior in octal classification among all three datasets. We believe the proposed method represents a promising tool to improve the diagnostic performance of clinical blood examinations.

Short term efficacy of EX-PRESS filtration shunt implantation for open angle glaucoma. / EX-PRESSå¼•æµé’‰æ¤å ¥æœ¯æ²»ç–—å¼€è§’åž‹é’å ‰çœ¼çš„çŸ­æœŸç–—æ•ˆ.

OBJECTIVES: To observe the short-term efficacy of EX-PRESS filtration shunt implantation in the treatment of open angle glaucoma, and to analyze the safety and effectiveness of the surgical method. METHODS: From April 2017 to January 2018, a total of 28 eyes of 17 open angle glaucoma patients in Xiangya Hospital of Central South University were screened. Among them, 16 eyes in the experimental group were treated with EX-PRESS filtration shunt (P200)implantation, and 12 eyes in the control group underwent trabeculectomy. Related examinations were performed in 1 day before operation, 1 day after operation, 1 week after operation, 1 month after operation and 3 months after operation, which included intraocular pressure (IOP), uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA) and best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central anterior chamber depth (ACD), trabecular iris angle (TIA), the long axis of drainage nail and corneal endothelium angle (ACA), intraoperative and postoperative complications. Visual-related quality of life questionnaire was conducted and scored in 3 months after operation. RESULTS: In the experimental group, the IOP in 1 day after operation, 1 week after operation and 1 month after operation was decreased significantly compared with that in 1 day before operation (all P<0.05), but the IOP in 3 months after operation was not significantly decreased compared with that in 1 day before operation (P>0.05). In the control group, the IOP in 1 week after operation, 1 month and 3 months after operation was decreased significantly with that of pre-operation (all P<0.05), but the IOP in 1 day after operation was not significantly decreased compared with that in 1 day before operation (P>0.05).The BCVA between the 2 groups was significantly different in 1 week after operation, 1 month and 3 months after operation compared with that in 1 day before operation (P>0.05). The ACD in 1 day after operation, 1 week after operation, 1 month after operation and 3 months after operation was not significantly different compared with that in 1 day before operation (all P>0.05). However, the ACD in 1 week after operation and 1 month after operation was significantly different in the control group compared with that in 1 day before operation (both P<0.05). There was no significant change in the TIA in the 2 group compared with that in 1 day before operation (all P>0.05). At different observed time after operation, there was no significant difference in the ACA (all P>0.05). The correlation analysis of Pearson showed that there was a weak correlation between the ACA and the IOP (r=0.286, P<0.05). According to the standard of surgical success defined in this study, the success rate of experimental group was 81.25%, and the control group was 83.33%. There was no significant difference in the visual-related quality of life score between the experimental group and the control group (P>0.05), but the mean value in the former was higher. CONCLUSIONS: As a new type of anti-glaucoma surgery, the success rate of EX-PRESS filtration shunt implantation for 3-month follow-up is equivalent to that of classic trabeculectomy. The operation process is simple, and there is no significant change in the ACD before and after the operation in the period of 3-month follow-up. The stability of the anterior chamber is better. There is no significant correlation between the relative position of the shunt in the anterior chamber and the IOP. Compared with trabeculectomy, there is no significant difference in the visual-related quality of life.

Development of a Handheld Volumetric Photoacoustic Imaging System With a Central-Holed 2D Matrix Aperture.

OBJECTIVE: Photoacoustics has been evolving rapidly in the recent several decades. With the aim of clinical translation, a photoacoustic imaging platform with a portable system size, a miniaturized imaging probe, and convenient handheld capability is of great demand. METHODS: In this work, by adopting an ultrathin central-holed matrix array and a compact coaxial photoacoustic design, a water-free handheld photoacoustic imager is developed (weight: 44 g). Optical Monte Carlo simulation and acoustic k-wave simulation are performed to confirm a relatively homogenous photoacoustic sensitivity distribution within a wide field of view (larger than 10 × 10 × 10 mm3). RESULTS: Imaging resolution characterized by imaging two hairs is estimated to be about 0.80 mm in the lateral direction and 0.73 mm in the axial direction. To demonstrate the handheld capability in real time, handheld imaging guided needle biopsy in the rat's abdomen is performed at a rate of about 10 Hz (CNR ∼ 14.3 dB). Furthermore, handheld imaging is also demonstrated on visualizing vasculature (mainly cephalic vein) in the human arm (CNR > 4.1 dB). CONCLUSION: Results demonstrate that the volumetric photoacoustic imaging system using a central-holed 2D matrix array is an attractive choice for achieving convenient handheld operation in real time. SIGNIFICANCE: Such a compact handheld design may promote the clinical translation of photoacoustic technique.

[Law of dominant eye's transformation after cataract phacoemulsification and intraocular lens implantation surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To study the change of the dominant eye in the age-related cataract patients before and after surgery, to analyze the correlation between the orientation of the dominant eye and the visual quality, and to observe whether the patients with the change in dominant eye were converted to dizziness.
 Methods: A total of 44 patients, with age-related cataract between 60 and 80 years old were enrolled. Group A: the non-dominant (secondary) eye served as the surgical eye (n=35); Group B: the dominant eye served as the surgical eye (n=9); Group C: the operation was performed on the contralateral eye after a month (n=28). Measurement of the dominant eye was performed before operation, 1 week after operation and 1 month after the operation. The changes in the uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCDVA), contrast sensitivity (CS), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and spherical equivalent (SE) between the dominant and non-dominant eye were compared.
 Results: The UCDVA, CS, BCVA and SE were significantly improved at 1 day after the operation. There was significant difference between the 2 groups (P<0.05). Preoperative: in group A, the UCDVA, CS, BCVA of ocular dominance were better than the non-dominant eye with significant difference (P<0.05), while there was no significant difference between the SE (P>0.05); in group B, the UCDVA, CS, BCVA in the dominant eye were better than the non-dominant eye's, but the difference was not statistically significant (P>0.05). After operation: the UCDVA, CS and BCVA in the dominant eye in group A and group B were higher than those of the non-dominant eye with statistical difference (P<0.05), but there was no statistical difference between SE (P>0.05). The dominant eye's transformation occurred in group A when the non-dominant eye's postoperative visual quality improved over the leading eye. The transformation rate was 60% in 1 week, and the conversion rate was 80% in 1 month. In group C, the dominant eye reduction rate was 100%, and the visual quality was not significant difference between the two eyes (P>0.05). After the operation, the patients with the dominant eye's transformation felt discomfort, which could be relieved within 1 week.
 Conclusion: The location of the dominant eye was correlated with uncorrected visual acuity, contrast sensitivity, and the best corrected visual acuity. The dominant eye's transformation occurred when the non-dominant eye's postoperative visual quality improved over the leading eye after the surgery. If the contralateral eye's surgery was performed in a short term, the dominant eye can be returned to the initial state.

Comparison of clinical outcomes between cystotome-assisted prechop phacoemulsification surgery and conventional phacoemulsification surgery for hard nucleus cataracts: A CONSORT-compliant article.

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to investigate the safety and efficacy of the cystotome-assisted prechop phacoemulsification surgery (CAPPS) and conventional phacoemulsification surgery (CPS) in patients with IV degree nucleus cataract. METHODS: The prospective, randomized, consecutive, comparative cohort study consecutively recruited Chinese age-related cataract patients, CAPPS and CPS were performed by a seasoned surgeon. Postoperative follow-up was at 1 day, 1 week, 1 month, 3 months, 6 months, and 1 year, and the outcome measures comprised ultrasound power, effective phacoemulsification time (EPT), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), endothelial cell density (ECD), corneal endothelium loss rate (ECL), central corneal thickness (CCT), and intraoperative and postoperative complications. RESULTS: Patients in both groups gained a better CDVA postoperatively. The ultrasound power and EPT in the CAPPS group were lower than the CPS group (P < .001). ECD value decreased at each follow-up visit and did not return to the preoperative level; CPS resulted in greater endothelial cell loss than CAPPS did, which was significant. CCT increased immediately after the surgery, and decreased thereafter. The mean CCT values returned to preoperative levels at 3 months after surgery in the CAPPS group while it took 6 months in the CPS group. The differences in cornea edema and anterior chamber flare between the 2 groups were not significant at 1 day postoperatively (P = .070 and .094, respectively), while at the 1-week time point, the differences were statistically significant (P = .002 and .001, respectively). CONCLUSION: CAPPS appears to be an excellent method for treating hard nucleus cataract.

Weak power frequency magnetic fields induce microtubule cytoskeleton reorganization depending on the epidermal growth factor receptor and the calcium related signaling.

We have shown previously that a weak 50 Hz magnetic field (MF) invoked the actin-cytoskeleton, and provoked cell migration at the cell level, probably through activating the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR) related motility pathways. However, whether the MF also affects the microtubule (MT)-cytoskeleton is still unknown. In this article, we continuously investigate the effects of 0.4 mT, 50 Hz MF on the MT, and try to understand if the MT effects are also associated with the EGFR pathway as the actin-cytoskeleton effects were. Our results strongly suggest that the MF effects are similar to that of EGF stimulation on the MT cytoskeleton, showing that 1) the MF suppressed MT in multiple cell types including PC12 and FL; 2) the MF promoted the clustering of the EGFR at the protein and the cell levels, in a similar way of that EGF did but with higher sensitivity to PD153035 inhibition, and triggered EGFR phosphorylation on sites of Y1173 and S1046/1047; 3) these effects were strongly depending on the Ca2+ signaling through the L-type calcium channel (LTCC) phosphorylation and elevation of the intracellular Ca2+ level. Strong associations were observed between EGFR and the Ca2+ signaling to regulate the MF-induced-reorganization of the cytoskeleton network, via phosphorylating the signaling proteins in the two pathways, including a significant MT protein, tau. These results strongly suggest that the MF activates the overall cytoskeleton in the absence of EGF, through a mechanism related to both the EGFR and the LTCC/Ca2+ signaling pathways.

[Surgical treatment for persistent pupillary membranes].

OBJECTIVE: To explore surgical treatment for persistent pupillary membrane (PPM) and its effect.
 Methods: The medical records and postoperative follow-up data for 12 consecutive patients (16 eyes), who were submitted to PPM resection in Xiangya Hospital, Central South University from March 2011 to August 2016, were retrospectively reviewed.
 Results: Among 12 consecutive patients (16 eyes), 8 patients (12 eyes) with PPM and clear lens were submitted to simply PPM resection, and 4 patients (4 eyes) with PPM and cataract were submitted to PPM resection combined with cataract surgery. In the patients who received the combined operation, phacoaspiration with or without intraocular lens implantation was performed in 3 eyes or in 1 eye. In the early stage after surgery, 1 eye was complicated with a transient high intraocular pressure. In the patients who were submitted to PPM resection, the final follow-up visual acuity in 7 patients (11 eyes) were improved except 1 patient (1 eye). After the PPM resection combined with cataract surgery, the follow-up visual acuity was improved in 2 patients (2 eyes) but not in the other 2 patients (2 eyes).
 Conclusion: The surgical treatment is effect on congenital pupil residual membrane. Serious membrane pupil residual membrane should be surgically treated at early stage, and amblyopia treatment after the surgery is important.

MiR-124 Promotes the Growth of Retinal Ganglion Cells Derived from Müller Cells.

BACKGROUND/AIMS: Retinal Müller cells could be induced to differentiate into retinal ganglion cells (RGCs), but RGCs derived from Müller cells have defects in axon growth, leading to a defect in signal conduction. In this study we aimed to explore the role of miR-124 in axon growth of RGCs derived from Müller cells. METHODS: Müller cells were isolated from rat retina and induced to dedifferentiate into retinal stem cells. The stem cells were infected by PGC-FU-Atoh7-GFP lentivirus and then transfected with miR-124 or anti-miR-124, and the length of axon was compared. Furthermore, the cells were injected into the eyes of rat chronic ocular hypertension glaucoma model and axon growth in vivo was examined. The targeting of CoREST by miR-124 was detected by luciferase assay. RESULTS: In retinal stem cells, the length of axon was 1,792±64.54 µm in miR-124 group, 509±21.35 µm in control group, and only 87.9±9.24 µm in anti-miR-124 group. In rat model, miR-124 promoted axon growth of RGCs differentiated from retinal stem cells. Furthermore, we found that miR-124 negatively regulated CoREST via directly targeting the binding site in CoREST 3' UTR. CONCLUSIONS: We provide the first evidence that miR-124 regulates axon growth of RGCs derived from Müller cells, and miR-124 has translational potential for gene therapy of glaucoma.

Testosterone inhibits the growth of prostate cancer xenografts in nude mice.

BACKGROUND: Traditional beliefs of androgen's stimulating effects on the growth of prostate cancer (PCa) have been challenged in recent years. Our previous in vitro study indicated that physiological normal levels of androgens inhibited the proliferation of PCa cells. In this in vivo study, the ability of testosterone (T) to inhibit PCa growth was assessed by testing the tumor incidence rate and tumor growth rate of PCa xenografts on nude mice. METHODS: Different serum testosterone levels were manipulated in male nude/nude athymic mice by orchiectomy or inserting different dosages of T pellets subcutaneously. PCa cells were injected subcutaneously to nude mice and tumor incidence rate and tumor growth rate of PCa xenografts were tested. RESULTS: The data demonstrated that low levels of serum T resulted in the highest PCa incidence rate (50%). This PCa incidence rate in mice with low T levels was significantly higher than that in mice treated with higher doses of T (24%, P < 0.01) and mice that underwent orchiectomy (8%, P < 0.001). Mice that had low serum T levels had the shortest tumor volume doubling time (112 h). This doubling time was significantly shorter than that in the high dose 5 mg T arm (158 h, P < 0.001) and in the orchiectomy arm (468 h, P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These results indicated that low T levels are optimal for PCa cell growth. Castrate T levels, as seen after orchiectomy, are not sufficient to support PCa cell growth. Higher levels of serum T inhibited PCa cell growth.

Which has more stem-cell characteristics: Müller cells or Müller cells derived from in vivo culture in neurospheres?

OBJECTIVE: Müller cells can be acquired from in vitro culture or a neurosphere culture system. Both culture methods yield cells with progenitor-cell characteristics that can differentiate into mature nervous cells. We compared the progenitor-cell traits of Müller cells acquired from each method. METHODS: Primary murine Müller cells were isolated in serum culture media and used to generate Müller cells derived from neurospheres in serum-free culture conditions. Gene expression of neural progenitor cell markers was examined by Q-PCR in the two groups. Expression of rhodopsin and the cone-rod homeobox protein CRX were assessed after induction with 1 µM all-trans retinoic acid (RA) for 7 days. RESULTS: After more than four passages, many cells were large, flattened, and difficult to passage. A spontaneously immortalized Müller cell line was not established. Three-passage neurospheres yielded few new spheres. Genes coding for Nestin, Sox2, Chx10, and Vimentin were downregulated in cells derived from neurospheres compared to the cells from standard culture, while Pax6 was upregulated. Müller cells from both culture methods were induced into rod photoreceptors, but expression of rhodopsin and CRX was greater in the Müller cells from the standard culture. CONCLUSION: Both culture methods yielded cells with stem-cell characteristics that can be induced into rod photoreceptor neurons by RA. Serum had no influence on the "stemness" of the cells. Cells from standard culture had greater "stemness" than cells derived from neurospheres. The standard Müller cells would seem to be the best choice for transplantation in cell replacement therapy for photoreceptor degeneration.