Chronic sleep deprivation impairs retinal circadian transcriptome and visual function.

Sleep loss is common in modern society and is increasingly associated with eye diseases. However, the precise effects of sleep loss on retinal structure and function, particularly on the retinal circadian system, remain largely unexplored. This study investigates these effects using a chronic sleep deprivation (CSD) model in mice. Our investigation reveals that CSD significantly alters the retinal circadian transcriptome, leading to remarkable changes in the temporal patterns of enriched pathways. This perturbation extends to metabolic and immune-related transcriptomes, coupled with an accumulation of reactive oxygen species in the retina. Notably, CSD rhythmically affects the thickness of the ganglion cell complex, along with diurnal shifts in microglial migration and morphology within the retina. Most critically, we observe a marked decrease in both scotopic and photopic retinal function under CSD conditions. These findings underscore the broad impact of sleep deprivation on retinal health, highlighting its role in altering circadian gene expression, metabolism, immune response, and structural integrity. Our study provides new insights into the broader impact of sleep loss on retinal health.

Long-term high fructose intake reprograms the circadian transcriptome and disrupts homeostasis in mouse extra-orbital lacrimal glands.

This study aims to explore the effects of long-term high fructose intake (LHFI) on the structure, functionality, and physiological homeostasis of mouse extra-orbital lacrimal glands (ELGs), a critical component of ocular health. Our findings reveal significant reprogramming of the circadian transcriptome in ELGs following LHFI, alongside the activation of specific inflammatory pathways, as well as metabolic and neural pathways. Notably, LHFI resulted in increased inflammatory infiltration, enhanced lipid deposition, and reduced nerve fiber density in ELGs compared to controls. Functional assessments indicated a marked reduction in lacrimal secretion following cholinergic stimulation in LHFI-treated mice, suggesting impaired gland function. Overall, our results suggest that LHFI disrupts lacrimal gland homeostasis, potentially leading to dry eye disease by altering its structure and secretory function. These insights underscore the profound impact of dietary choices on ocular health and highlight the need for strategies to mitigate these risks.

A Retrospective Analysis of Corneal Dermoid.

BACKGROUND: Corneal dermoid is a congenital benign tumor and ocular malformation, often diagnosed at birth or in early childhood. Its treatment and long-term prognosis remain under-researched, necessitating further investigation. PURPOSE: This study aims to investigate the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of corneal dermoid, evaluate the efficacy of different surgical methods, and identify factors influencing treatment outcomes. METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 58 patients treated for corneal dermoid at our hospital from 2017 to 2021. Patients' demographic information, tumor characteristics, surgical methods, and postoperative outcomes were collected and analyzed. Descriptive statistics, independent sample t-test, chi-square (χ 2) test, and Spearman correlation analysis were used to evaluate the distribution characteristics and intergroup differences of corneal dermoid. RESULTS: The average age of the patients was 6.3 years, with 55.2% being male and 44.8% female. The right eye was affected in 63.8% of cases, with the temporal limbus being the most common site (75.9%). Pathological examination revealed tumors covered by squamous epithelium, containing hair follicles, sebaceous glands, adipose tissue, and fibrous tissue; some cases also had cartilage and glandular tissue. Surgical methods included corneal dermoid excision (100%), lamellar keratoplasty (37.9%), amniotic membrane grafting (31.0%), and autologous limbal stem cell transplantation (8.6%). None of the 50 followed up patients experienced tumor recurrence. Postoperative vision improved in 58.0% of patients, with more females (61.9%) experiencing visual impairment compared to males (38.1%) (χ²=4.711, p=0.030). CONCLUSIONS: This study analyzed 58 corneal dermoid patients treated from 2017 to 2021, focusing on epidemiological and clinical characteristics, surgical efficacy, and treatment outcomes. It identified common pathological features and effective surgical methods, with no tumor recurrence in followed up patients. The study highlights the need for further research with larger sample sizes and longer follow-up periods.