Recent advances in corneal neovascularization imaging.

Corneal neovascularization (CoNV) is a vision-threatening ocular disease commonly secondary to infectious, inflammatory, and traumatic etiologies. Slit lamp photography, in vivo confocal microscopy, angiography, and optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) are the primary diagnostic tools utilized in clinical practice to evaluate the vasculature of the ocular surface. However, there is currently a dearth of comprehensive literature that reviews the advancements in imaging technology for CoNV administration. Initially designed for retinal vascular imaging, OCTA has now been expanded to the anterior segment and has shown promising potential for imaging the conjunctiva, cornea, and iris. This expansion allows for the quantitative monitoring of the structural and functional changes associated with CoNV. In this review, we emphasize the impact of algorithm optimization in anterior segment-optical coherence tomography angiography (AS-OCTA) on the diagnostic efficacy of CoNV. Through the analysis of existing literature, animal model assessments are further reported to investigate its pathological mechanism and exhibit remarkable therapeutic interventions. In conclusion, AS-OCTA holds broad prospects and extensive potential for clinical diagnostics and research applications in CoNV.

Li4 Zn(PO4 )2 :Mn2+ thermosensitive phosphor with dual luminescent centres for optical thermometry.

An optical thermometry strategy based on Mn2+ -doped dual-wavelength emission phosphor has been reported. Samples with different doping content were synthesized through a high-temperature solid-phase method under an air atmosphere. The electronic structure of Li4 Zn(PO4 )2 was calculated using density functional theory, revealing it to be a direct band gap material with an energy gap of 4.708 eV. Moreover, the emitting bands of Mn2+ at 530 and 640 nm can be simultaneously observed when using 417 nm as the exciting wavelength. This is due to the occupation of Mn2+ at the Zn2+ site and the interstitial site. Further analysis was conducted on the temperature-dependent emission characteristics of the sample in the range 293-483 K. Mn2+ has different responses to temperature at different doping sites in Li4 Zn(PO4 )2 . Based on the calculations using the fluorescence intensity ratio technique, the maximum relative sensitivity at a temperature of 483 K was determined to be 1.69% K-1 , while the absolute sensitivity was found to be 0.12% K-1 . The results showed that the Li4 Zn(PO4 )2 :Mn2+ phosphor has potential application in optical thermometry.

Multifunctional Hydrogel Eye Drops for Synergistic Treatment of Ocular Inflammatory Disease.

Uveitis is a complex ocular inflammatory disease with a multifactorial etiology that can result in blindness. Although corticosteroid eye drops are the primary treatment for anterior uveitis, their efficacy is limited by low bioavailability, adverse effects, and a narrow focus on inflammation. In this study, the multifunctional hydrogel eye drops (designated as DCFH) were developed by incorporating the anti-inflammatory agent dexamethasone (DSP) and reactive oxygen species (ROS) scavenger cerium-based metal-organic frameworks (Ce-MOFs) into thermosensitive triblock copolymer F127 for the synergistic treatment against uveitis. The resulting F127 eye drops offer a favorable alternative to ophthalmic solution due to its thermosensitivity, thixotropy, light transmittance, improved ocular bioavailability, and unexpected anti-inflammatory efficacy. Notably, the participation of nanoporous Ce-MOFs, functional drug carriers, not only reduces ROS level but also boosts the anti-inflammatory activity of DSP in vitro. Therapeutically, the multifunctional DCFH exhibits superior efficacy in treating endotoxin-induced uveitis by mitigating the ophthalmic inflammatory reaction, suppressing inflammatory cytokines (e.g., TNF-α, IL-6, and IL-17) and downregulating the expression of iNOS and NLPR3. This synergistic treatment provides a valuable and promising approach for the management of uveitis and other ocular inflammatory conditions.

Intestinal Flora Derived Metabolites Affect the Occurrence and Development of Cardiovascular Disease.

In recent years, increasing evidence has shown that the gut microbiota and their metabolites play a pivotal role in human health and diseases, especially the cardiovascular diseases (CVDs). Intestinal flora imbalance (changes in the composition and function of intestinal flora) accelerates the progression of CVDs. The intestinal flora breaks down the food ingested by the host into a series of metabolically active products, including trimethylamine N-Oxide (TMAO), short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), primary and secondary bile acids, tryptophan and indole derivatives, phenylacetylglutamine (PAGln) and branched chain amino acids (BCAA). These metabolites participate in the occurrence and development of CVDs via abnormally activating these signaling pathways more swiftly when the gut barrier integrity is broken down. This review focuses on the production and metabolism of TMAO and SCFAs. At the same time, we summarize the roles of intestinal flora metabolites in the occurrence and development of coronary heart disease and hypertension, pulmonary hypertension and other CVDs. The theories of "gut-lung axis" and "gut-heart axis" are provided, aiming to explore the potential targets for the treatment of CVDs based on the roles of the intestinal flora in the CVDs.

Effect of Different Preoperative Intraocular Pressures on the Prognosis of Traumatic Cyclodialysis Cleft Associated with Lens Subluxation.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the prognosis of patients with blunt trauma-mediated cyclodialysis cleft and lens subluxation treated by dual capsular tension rings (CTRs) with different preoperative intraocular pressures (IOPs). METHODS: Twenty-five patients with cyclodialysis cleft and lens subluxation after blunt trauma were recruited in this study. They were categorized into the low IOP group (IOP < 10 mmHg) and normal IOP group (between 10 mm and 21 mmHg). A modified CTR (MCTR) or CTR was sutured into the ciliary sulcus, and another MCTR or CTR was implanted in the capsular bag. The prognosis outcome measurements, including BCVA (LogMAR), IOP, UBM, and macular character on OCT, were collected during the regular outpatient follow-up after surgery until the recovery of cyclodialysis cleft was found. Measures of cyclodialysis cleft recovery included successful IOP control (defined as an IOP within 10-21 mmHg), confirmation of cleft closure on UBM, and confirmation of IOL centration under slit-lamp examination. Follow-up period or recovery time was regarded as the duration between discharge from the hospital after the operation and the recovery of cyclodialysis cleft. The longest follow-up period was 1 year. RESULTS: Cyclodialysis cleft was successfully treated in 21/25 eyes, whereas lens subluxation was treated effectively in all 25 eyes. CTRs and IOLs were stable in all eyes. BCVA (P < 0.001) and IOP (P < 0.001) were significantly improved after surgery. The primary surgical complication included reversible IOP spike in seven eyes. Postoperative BCVA was found to have correlation with the preoperative IOP (P = 0.016), maculopathy (P = 0.002,), and trauma duration (P = 0.046). Worse BCVA (P = 0.037) and more severe grade of maculopathy (P = 0.030) were observed in the low IOP group (14 eyes). In contrast, a better prognosis and greater probability of IOP spike (P = 0.021) were observed in the normal IOP group (11 eyes). CONCLUSION: Timely and proper intervention for traumatic cyclodialysis cleft associated with lens subluxation is essential. Lower preoperative IOP is associated with worse prognosis and prolonged recovery time, while caution should be taken in IOP spike monitoring in patients with normal preoperative IOP.