ErbB4 deficiency exacerbates olfactory dysfunction in an early-stage Alzheimer's disease mouse model.

Olfactory dysfunction is increasingly recognized as an early indicator of Alzheimer's disease (AD). Aberrations in GABAergic function and the excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) balance within the olfactory bulb (OB) have been implicated in olfactory impairment during the initial stages of AD. While the neuregulin 1 (NRG1)/ErbB4 signaling pathway is known to regulate GABAergic transmission in the brain and is associated with various neuropsychiatric disorders, its specific role in early AD-related olfactory impairment remains incompletely understood. This study demonstrated that olfactory dysfunction preceded cognitive decline in young adult APP/PS1 mice and was characterized by reduced levels of NRG1 and ErbB4 in the OB. Further investigation revealed that deletion of ErbB4 in parvalbumin interneurons reduced GABAergic transmission and increased hyperexcitability in mitral and tufted cells (M/Ts) in the OB, thereby accelerating olfactory dysfunction in young adult APP/PS1 mice. Additionally, ErbB4 deficiency was associated with increased accumulation of Aß and BACE1-mediated cleavage of APP, along with enhanced CDK5 signaling in the OB. NRG1 infusion into the OB was found to enhance GABAergic transmission in M/Ts and alleviate olfactory dysfunction in young adult APP/PS1 mice. These findings underscore the critical role of NRG1/ErbB4 signaling in regulating GABAergic transmission and E/I balance within the OB, contributing to olfactory impairment in young adult APP/PS1 mice, and provide novel insights for early intervention strategies in AD. This work has shown that ErbB4 deficiency increased the burden of Aß, impaired GABAergic transmission, and disrupted the E/I balance of mitral and tufted cells (M/Ts) in the OB, ultimately resulting in olfactory dysfunction in young adult APP/PS1 mice. NRG1 could enhance GABAergic transmission, rescue E/I imbalance in M/Ts, and alleviate olfactory dysfunction in young adult APP/PS1 mice. OB: olfactory bulb, E/I: excitation/inhibition, Pr: probability of release, PV: parvalbumin interneurons, Aß: ß-amyloid, GABA: gamma-aminobutyric acid.

Application of sutureless corneal incision for patients with congenital ectopia lentis - Is it feasible, effective and safe?

Purpose: To compare the clinical outcomes, feasibility, and safety between groups with sutured and sutureless wound closure in congenital ectopia lentis (CEL) patients. Methods: Patients with CEL who received phacoemulsification combined with intrascleral fixation of capsular hook (CH) and implantation of capsular tension ring (CTR) and in-the-bag intraocular lens (IOL) were included in this study. Results: A total of 68 eyes of 34 patients aged 18 years or younger were enrolled in this study. Incisions of 21 patients (34 eyes) did not require sutures while sutures were applied in 21 patients (34 eyes). Postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity, best corrected distance visual acuity and intraocular pressure measurements were comparable on follow-up visits (P > 0.05). The magnitude of surgically induced astigmatism was significantly greater (P = 0.001) in the suture group (Median: 0.47; IQ: 1.63, 2.97) than in the sutureless group (Median: 0.88; IQ: 0.63, 1.35). No cases of endophthalmitis and retinal detachment were found postoperatively in either group, while suture-related complications were observed in the sutured group, including loose suture with discomfort in 5 (14.71%) eyes, loose suture with mucus infiltration in 3 (8.82%) eyes. In total, 22 sutures (64.71%) of 34 eyes required removal. Conclusions: Sutureless clear corneal incision in CEL patients can achieve satisfactory clinical results comparable to sutured wound closure in terms of the efficacy and safety. Advantages of this approach are the reduced risk of suture-related complications, no need for additional surgery under general anesthesia for suture removal, and less cost.

Molecular insights into effects of chemical conditioning on dissolved organic phosphorus transformation and bioavailability during sludge composting.

Phosphorus is enriched in waste activated sludge (WAS) during wastewater treatment, and organic phosphorus (OP) is a potential slow-release P fertilizer. The chemical coagulants used in sludge dewatering leave numerous residues in WAS that affect sludge composting. In this study, the effects of polyaluminum chloride (PAC) and polyferric sulfate (PFS) on the bioconversion of dissolved OP (DOP) during sludge composting were investigated. The results revealed that PFS conditioning promoted the transformation and bioavailability of DOP, whereas PAC conditioning inhibited. Results indicated that PFS conditioning enhanced the transformation of OP molecules in the thermophilic phase. Through oxidation and dehydrogenation reactions, 1-hydroxy-pentane-3,4-diol-5-phosphate and D-ribofuranose 5-phosphate with high bioactivity were generated in the PFS-conditioned compost. Enzymatic hydrolysis experiments further verified that PFS conditioning enhanced the DOP bioavailability in the compost, whereas PAC conditioning inhibited it. The study has provided molecular insights into the effects of chemical conditioning on DOP conversion during sludge composting.

Genotype-phenotype profile of global ASPH-associated ectopia lentis and clinical findings from a Chinese cohort.

BACKGROUND: Traboulsi syndrome is an under-recognized syndromic form of ectopia lentis (EL) caused by the aspartate beta-Hydroxylase (ASPH) variant. The genotype-phenotype profile of ASPH-associated disease is poorly understood due to the rarity of the condition. METHODS: We conducted targeted next-generation sequencing and bioinformatics analysis to identify potentially pathogenic ASPH variants in the cohort. Furthermore, we characterized the expression pattern of ASPH and major components of the zonules using single-cell RNA-sequencing (scRNA-seq) and evaluated the genotype-phenotype correlations by combining our data and those from the literature. RESULTS: We identified a novel missense variant c.2075G > A (p.G692D) and a recurrent nonsense variant c.1126C > G (p.R376*) of ASPH in two pedigrees from a Chinese cohort of EL. Both probands were 5-year-old boys with canonical facial dysmorphisms and bilateral anteriorly-dislocated lenses. Other ocular comorbidities included microspherophakia, shallow anterior chamber, and narrow chamber angel. No cardiac involvements or filtering blebs were identified. The single-cell expression atlas of ciliary epithelium demonstrated the coexpression of ASPH with FBN1, FBN2, and LTBP2 in the non-pigmented ciliary epithelium cells. Furthermore, molecular modeling simulation of p.G692D revealed increased affinity to the cb EGF-like domain and a subsequent destabilized calcium-binding motif. The genotype-phenotype analysis demonstrated that patients with cardiac involvements all harbored biallelic truncation variants. CONCLUSIONS: The data from this study provide new insights into the genotype-phenotype profile of ASPH-associated disease and implicate the potential role of ASPH in the pathogenesis of EL.

First report of leaf spot disease caused by Pseudopithomyces chartarum on Lonicera caerulea L. in Heilongjiang Province, China.

Blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) cultivation has gradually expanded in China but continues to be limited by challenges such as leaf spot disease. Between September 2022 and September 2023, a leaf spot disease was observed on approximately 30% of 'Lanjingling' blue honeysuckles grown in a 2.66 ha field (a total of about 11,000 plants) in Jiamusi city (130.47°E, 46.16°N), Heilongjiang Province, China. Affected plants displayed brown necrotic lesions on their leaves that gradually expanded in area until the leaves fell off the plant entirely. Small, 3 to 4 mm segments of infected tissue from 50 randomly selected leaves were surface sterilized with 75% ethanol for 30 s and 5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) for 3 min, rinsed three times with sterile distilled water, dried on paper towels, and plated in 9 cm Petri dishes containing potato dextrose agar (PDA) (Yan et al. 2022). Five pathogens (LD-232, LD-233, LD-234, LD-235, and LD-236) were isolated on PDA and displayed a conidia morphology consistent with Pseudopithomyces spp. (Perelló et al. 2017). The fungal colonies on PDA were villiform, white, and whorled and had sparse aerial mycelium on the surface with black conidiomata. The conidia were obpyriform and dark brown, had 0 to 3 transverse and 0 to 1 longitudinal septa, and measured 9.00 to 15.30 µm × 5.70 to 9.30 µm in size (n = 50). Genomic DNA was extracted from a representative isolate, LD-232, for molecular verification and PCR amplification was performed with ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), LROR/LR7 (Carbone and Kohn 1999), and RPB2-5F2/RPB2-7CR (Liu et al. 1999) primers. Sequences of LD-232 ITS (OR835654), LSU (OR835652), and RPB2 (OR859769) revealed 99.8% (530/531 nt), 98.8% (639/647 nt), and 99.8% (1015/1017 nt) shared identity with Pseudopithomyces chartarum sequences (OP269600, OP237014, and MK434892), respectively (Wu et al. 2023). Bayesian inference (BI) was used to construct the phylogenies using Mr. Bayes v. 3.2.7 to confirm the identity of the isolates (Ariyawansa et al. 2015). Phylogenetic trees cannot be constructed based on the genes' concatenated sequences because selective strains do not have complete rDNA-ITS, LSU, and RPB2 sequences. Therefore, based on the morphological characteristics and molecular phylogeny, LD-232 was identified as P. chartarum (Perelló et al. 2017; Wu et al. 2023). A pathogenicity test was performed with six healthy, two-year-old 'Lanjingling' blue honeysuckle plants. Three plants were inoculated by spraying the LD-232 conidial suspension (1 × 106 spores/ml) or clean water as an experimental control condition (Wu et al. 2023; Yan et al. 2023). All plants were cultured in a greenhouse at 28℃ under a 12-h light/dark cycle, and each experiment was replicated three times. Typical leaf spot symptoms were observed on inoculated leaves after 10 days. The same pathogens were reisolated from infected leaves, displayed the same morphological and molecular traits, and were again identified as P. chartarum, confirming Koch's postulate. P. chartarum previously caused leaf spot disease on Tetrapanax papyrifer in China (Wu et al. 2023). To our knowledge, this is the first report of blue honeysuckle leaf spot caused by P. chartarum in China. Identification of P. chartarum as a disease agent on blue honeysuckle will help guide future management of leaf diseases for this economically important small fruit tree.

Gut microbiome-mediated monocytes promote liver metastasis.

The gut microbiome plays an important role in tumor growth by regulating immune cell function. However, the role of the gut microbiome-mediated monocytes in liver metastasis remains unclear. In this study, we found that fecal microbiome transplantation (FMT) from the stool of patients with liver metastasis (LM) significantly promoted liver metastasis compared with healthy donors (HD). Monocytes were upregulated in liver tissues by the CCL2/CCR2 axis in LM patients' stool transplanted mouse model. CCL2/CCR2 inhibition and monocyte depletion significantly suppress liver metastasis. FMT using LM patients' stool enhanced the plasma lipopolysaccharides (LPS) concentration. The LPS/TLR4 signaling pathway is crucial for gut microbiome-mediated liver metastasis. These results indicated that monocytes contribute to liver metastasis via the CCL2/CCR2 axis.

Influencing factors of effective lens position in patients with Marfan syndrome and ectopia lentis.

AIMS: The aim of this study was to analyse the effective lens position (ELP) in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) and ectopia lentis (EL). METHODS: Patients with MFS undergoing lens removal and primary intraocular lens (IOL) implantation were enrolled in the study. The back-calculated ELP was obtained with the vergence formula and compared with the theoretical ELPs. The back-calculated ELP and ELP error were evaluated among demographic and biometric parameters, including axial length (AL), corneal curvature radius (CCR) and white-to-white (WTW). RESULTS: A total of 292 eyes from 200 patients were included. The back-calculated ELP was lower in patients undergoing scleral-fixated IOL than those receiving in-the-bag IOL implantation (4.54 (IQR 3.65-5.20) mm vs 4.98 (IQR 4.56-5.67) mm, p<0.001). The theoretical ELP of the SRK/T formula exhibited the highest accuracy, with no difference from the back-calculated ELP in patients undergoing in-the-bag IOL implantation (5.11 (IQR 4.83-5.65) mm vs 4.98 (IQR 4.56-5.67) mm, p=0.209). The ELP errors demonstrated significant correlations with refraction prediction error (PE): a 1 mm ELP error led to PE of 2.42D (AL<22 mm), 1.47D (22 mm≤AL<26 mm) and 0.54D (AL≥26 mm). Multivariate analysis revealed significant correlations of ELP with AL (b=0.43, p<0.001), CCR (b=-0.85, p<0.001) and WTW (b=0.41, p=0.004). CONCLUSION: This study provides novel insights into the origin of PE in patients with MFS and EL and potentially refines existing formulas.

Safety and efficacy of capsular tension ring and capsular hook implantation for managing ectopia lentis in Marfan syndrome: real-world study.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of capsular tension ring and capsular hook (CTR-CH) implantation in Marfan syndrome (MFS) patients with ectopia lentis (EL). SETTING: Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China. DESIGN: Retrospective propensity score-matched cohort study. METHODS: This study included patients with MFS who had in-the-bag intraocular lens (IOL) implantation assisted by CTR-CH or modified CTR (MCTR). The safety analysis focused on the resurgery rate. The efficacy analysis compared the corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) and the incidence of laser capsulotomy after propensity score matching (PSM). RESULTS: This study encompassed 148 eyes that had the CTR-CH procedure and 162 eyes that received MCTR implantation. In the CTR-CH group, the median age at the time of surgery was 5 years, with a mean follow-up duration of 1.81 ± 0.4 years. 5 eyes (3.38%) required a second surgery because of retinal detachment (2, 1.35%), IOL decentration (2, 1.35%), and CH dislocation (1, 0.68%). The resurgery rate was comparable with that of the MCTR group ( P = .486). After PSM, a total of 108 eyes were recruited in each group. Postoperative CDVA was significantly improved in both groups (both P < .001), but comparable between the groups ( P = .057). The posterior capsular opacification took place earlier ( P = .046) while the anterior capsular opacification required laser capsulotomy at a later stage ( P = .037) compared with the MCTR group. CONCLUSIONS: The CTR-CH procedure was a feasible, safe, and efficient approach for managing EL in patients with MFS.

Uncovering the Hidden World of Aqueous Humor Proteins for Discovery of Biomarkers for Marfan Syndrome.

Ectopia lentis is a hallmark of Marfan syndrome (MFS), a genetic connective tissue disorder affecting 1/5000 to 1/10 000 individuals worldwide. Early detection in ophthalmology clinics and timely intervention of cardiovascular complications can be lifesaving. In this study, a modified proteomics workflow with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS)-based data-independent acquisition (DIA) and field asymmetric ion mobility spectrometry (FAIMS) to profile the proteomes of aqueous humor (AH) and lens tissue from MFS children with ectopia lentis is utilized. Over 2300 and 2938 comparable proteins are identified in AH and the lens capsule, respectively. Functional enrichment analyses uncovered dysregulation of complement and coagulation-related pathways, collagen binding, and cell adhesion in MFS. Through weighted correlation network analysis (WGCNA) and machine learning, distinct modules associated with clinical traits are constructed and a unique biomarker panel (Q14376, Q99972, P02760, Q07507; gene names: GALE, MYOC, AMBP, DPT) is defined. These biomarkers are further validated using advanced parallel reaction monitoring (PRM) in an independent patient cohort. The results provide novel insights into the proteome characterization of ectopia lentis and offer a promising approach for developing a valuable biomarker panel to aid in the early diagnosis of Marfan syndrome via AH proteome.

First Report of Postharvest Fruit Rot Caused by Botrytis cinerea on Blue Honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) Fruit in China.

Blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) fruit is growing in popularity as a natural, functional 'super fruit', but its storage is challenged by pathogen infection. In June 2022, approximately 30% of 100 kg of blue honeysuckle fruits (cv. Lanjingling) obtained in Harbin, China (128.70°E, 44.87°N) showed postharvest fruit rot symptoms after 15 d of storage at 4°C, leading to whole fruit rotting with gray fungal growth (Fig.1 A). Small (1-2 mm) segments of infected tissue were obtained from 20 randomly selected fruits which were surface sterilized with 75% ethanol for 30 s and 5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl) for 3 min, rinsed three times with sterile distilled water, dried in paper towel, and plated in 9 cm Petri dishes containing potato dextrose agar (PDA). Five purified cultures were obtained and their front colonies were dark brown (Fig.1 C) on the PDA plates after 5 d at 25°C (Alam et al. 2019; Riquelme-Toledo et al. 2020). The conidia (n = 50) were single-celled, hyaline, either ellipsoid or ovoid, and measured 7.5-15.0 µm (11.7 µm average) × 6.0-11.4 µm (8.3 µm average). The conidiophores (Fig.1 E) were branched at the apex bearing bunches of conidia resembling grape clusters (Ellis 1971). For molecular confirmation, genomic DNA was extracted from a representative isolate LDGS-3 using the Ezup Column Fungi Genomic DNA Purification kit (Sangon Biotech, Shanghai, China). The internal transcribed spacer region (ITS, GenBank ON952502), heat shock protein (HSP60, GenBank OP039103), the second-largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (RPB2, GenBank OP186114) and glyceraldehyde 3-phosphate dehydrogenase (G3PDH, GenBank OQ658508) genes were partially amplified with the respective primers ITS1/ITS4, HSP60f/HSP60r, RPB2f/RPB2r, and G3PDH-F/G3PDH-R (Staats et al. 2005; White et al. 1990). BLAST analysis revealed that the sequences of the four genes showed 100% homology with the MH782039, MH796663, MN448501 and MH796662 sequences for isolates of Botrytis cinerea. Based on morphology and molecular characteristics, the isolate LDGS-3 was identified as B. cinerea. For pathogenicity, twenty healthy blue honeysuckle fruits (cv. Lanjingling) were superficially sterilized with 75% ethanol and washed with distilled water. Ten inoculated blue honeysuckle fruits, which were injected with 10 µL conidial suspension of isolate LDGS-3 (106 spores/mL) displayed fruit rot symptoms (Fig.1 B) inside 9 cm Petri dishes after 10 d at 4°C, while no symptoms were detected on ten fruits inoculated with sterile distilled water (Alam et al. 2019). The same isolate that was reisolated from infected fruits with the same morphological and molecular traits was also identified as B. cinerea, confirming Koch's postulates. B. cinerea was previously reported in Henan Province, China in hawthorn (Zhang et al. 2018). To our knowledge, this is the first report of postharvest fruit rot caused by B. cinerea on blue honeysuckle fruit in China, which will aid future management of this emerging postharvest disease.

First report of Didymella glomerata causing leaf spot on Lonicera caerulea L. in Heilongjiang province, China.

China has the largest blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) cultivation area globally. In June 2022, leaf spots were observed on approximately 10% of blue honeysuckle (cv. 'Lanjingling') leaves in a 0.03-ha field in Harbin (127.66°E, 45.61°N), Heilongjiang Province, China. The leaves of the affected plants displayed chlorotic to tan dieback with a darker brown margin along the leaftip and leave margins. Cross-sectional segments of approximately 3 mm were cut from 50 typical infected plant leaves. Their surfaces were sterilized with 75% ethanol for 30 s followed by 3 min in 5% sodium hypochlorite (NaOCl), rinsed three times with sterile water, and transferred to 9-cm Petri dishes containing 15 ml of sterile PDA growth medium. Five purified cultures with similar culture characteristics were finally obtained and their colonies were dark brown on the PDA plates. The pycnidia were subglobular and deep black and measured avg. 215.48 (135.30-331.20) µm × avg. 170.28 (99.90-282.90) µm (n = 50) (Chen et al., 2015; Huang et al., 2018). Conidia were single-celled, hyaline, and ellipsoidal and measured avg. 6.22 (5.40-7.20) µm × avg. 3.42 (2.70-3.90) µm (n = 50). For molecular verification, genomic DNA was extracted from a representative isolate, LD-75. The internal transcribed spacer region (ITS), the second-largest subunit of RNA polymerase II (rpb2), the partial 28S large subunit rDNA (LSU), beta-tubulin (TUB), and actin (ACT) genes were amplified with the primers ITS1/ITS4, RPB2f/RPB2r, LROR/LR7, TUB2Fd/TUB4Rd, and ACT512f/ACT783R, respectively (White et al. 1990; Carbone and Kohn, 1999; Staats et al., 2005; de Gruyter et al., 2009; Chen et al., 2015). BLAST results indicated that the genes of LD-75 (GenBank OP218870, OP264863, OQ561448, OQ597233, and OQ597232) shared 99%-100% identity with those of Didymella glomerata (OK485138, GU371781, EU754185, MZ073910, and MW963190, respectively). Therefore, based on morphological characteristics and molecular phylogeny, LD-75 was identified as D. glomerata. Six two-year-old healthy plants from the 'Lanjingling' cultivar were selected for a pathogenicity test. The leaves were surface disinfested with 75% ethanol and then wiped with sterilized water three times. All plants were cultured in a greenhouse at 28℃ under a 12-h light/dark cycle. Whole plants sprayed with conidial suspension of isolate LD-75 (106 spores/mL) (n = 3) displayed leaf spot symptoms after 14 d, while no symptoms were detected on whole plants sprayed with sterile water (n = 3). The same isolate, reisolated from infected leaves and with the same morphological and molecular traits, was also identified as D. glomerata, confirming Koch's postulate. The fungus was previously reported in Cornus officinalis in Nanyang City, China (Huang et al., 2018). To our knowledge, this is the first report of blue honeysuckle leaf spot caused by D. glomerata in China. Reducing blue honeysuckle production losses caused by leaf spots is crucial for growers, and we hope that researchers will develop efficient control strategies for managing this emerging plant disease.

First report of leaf spot disease caused by Alternaria tenuissima on Lonicera caerulea L. in Heilongjiang Province, China.

Blue honeysuckle (Lonicera caerulea L.) is a perennial plant of the Caprifoliaceae family and Lonicera genus, the largest genus in the plant kingdom. Between September 2021 and September 2022, a leaf spot disease was observed on ~20% of blue honeysuckles of the 'Lanjingling' cultivar grown in a 3.33 ha field at the Xiangyang base (126.96°E, 45.77°N) of the Northeast Agricultural University, Harbin (Heilongjiang Province, China). Leaf spots first presented black mildew centers, gradually covering large areas of the leaf until it eventually fell off. Small 3-4 mm segments of infected tissue from 50 randomly selected leaves were surface sterilized with 75% ethanol and 5% sodium hypochlorite, rinsed in sterile distilled water, and transferred to 9 cm Petri dishes containing potato dextrose agar (PDA) after drying. Finally, two isolated pathogens were obtained through single spore culture on PDA; they appeared as gray-black colonies and were named LD-12 and LD-121. The observed LD-12 and LD-121 conidia displayed a morphology consistent with Alternaria spp. They were obpyriform and dark brown, with 0-6 transverse and 0-3 longitudinal septa, measuring 6.00-17.70 µm × 9.30-42.30 µm and 5.70-20.70 µm × 8.40-47.70 µm for LD-12 and LD-121, respectively (n = 50). Genomic DNA was extracted from the two isolates for molecular verification, and PCR amplification was performed with ITS1/ITS4 (White et al. 1990), GPD1/GPD2 (Woudenberg et al. 2015), EFl-728F/EF1-986R (Carbone and Kohn 1999), RPB2-5F2/RPB2-7CR (Liu et al. 1999), and Alt-for/Alt-rev (Hong et al. 2005) primers. Sequences of LD-12 ITS (OQ607743), GPD (OQ623200), TEF (OQ623201), RPB2 (OQ658509), and ALT (OQ623199) revealed 99-100% of identity with Alternaria tenuissima sequences (KC584567, MK451973, LT707524, MK391051, and ON357632). Sequences of LD-121 ITS (OQ629881), GPD (OQ850078), TEF (OQ850075), RPB2 (OQ850076), and ALT (OQ850077) revealed 99-100% identity with A. alternata sequences (MN826219, ON055384, KY094927, MK637444, and OM849255). Nine two-year-old healthy plants from the 'Lanjingling' cultivar were selected for a pathogenicity test. Three plants were inoculated with either the LD-12 or LD-121 conidial suspension (1 × 106 spores/ml) or with clean water as an experimental control condition (Mirzwa-Mróz et al., 2018; Liu et al., 2021). All plants were cultured in a greenhouse at 28℃ under a 12-h light/dark cycle, and each experiment was performed three times. Typical leaf spot symptoms were observed on inoculated leaves after 10 d. The same pathogens reisolated from infected leaves displayed the same morphological and molecular traits. They were again identified as A. tenuissima and A. alternata, confirming Koch's postulate. A. tenuissima and A. alternata were previously reported on Orychophragmus violaceus (Liu et al., 2021) and L. caerulea (Yan et al., 2022) in China. This study is the first report of a blue honeysuckle leaf spot caused by A. tenuissima in China. In the future, effective biological and chemical control should be used to prevent blue honeysuckle leaf spots in China.

Genotype Impacts Axial Length Growth in Pseudophakic Eyes of Marfan Syndrome.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationship between axial length (AL) growth and FBN1 genotype in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) after lens surgery and customize the selection of intraocular lens (IOL) power. Methods: Patients with MFS who had lens surgery and primary IOL implantation received panel-based next-generation sequencing (NGS). The rate of axial length growth (RALG) was calculated using pre- and postoperative AL measurements and corrected log10-transformed age. A multivariable regression model of RALG was developed after analyzing the effect of FBN1 genotypes and confounding factors. Results: A total of 139 probands of MFS with a median age at lens surgery of 6.25 years (interquartile range [IQR] = 4.67, 12.50 years) were followed up for a median duration of 2.08 years (IQR = 1.16, 3.00 years). The AL growth curve between the age of 3 and 15 years old was logarithmic. Dominant-negative (DN) variants affecting the disulfide-bridge forming cysteines and the conserved residues for calcium-binding had significantly higher RALG than DN variants affecting other structures (P = 0.001) but comparable to that of haplo-insufficiency variants (P = 1.000). Pre-operative AL (b = 0.563, P = 0.011) and genotype constant (b = 2.603, P = 0.011) were significantly associated with RALG in the final model. A Python-based calculator, Marfan IOL Calculator version 2.0, was programmed using the RALG to predict postoperative AL and customize IOL selection based on the ocular biometric parameters and FBN1 genotype. Conclusions: FBN1 genotype impacted the growth of AL in patients with MFS after IOL implantation. Knowing the FBN1 genotype could help cataract surgeons to customize IOL selection.

Amelioration of olfactory dysfunction in a mouse model of Parkinson's disease via enhancing GABAergic signaling.

BACKGROUND: Olfactory dysfunction is among the earliest non-motor symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD). As the foremost pathological hallmark, α-synuclein initiates the pathology in the olfactory pathway at the early stage of PD, particularly in the olfactory epithelium (OE) and olfactory bulb (OB). However, the local neural microcircuit mechanisms underlying olfactory dysfunction between OE and OB in early PD remain unknown. RESULTS: We observed that odor detection and discrimination were impaired in 6-month-old SNCA-A53T mice, while their motor ability remained unaffected. It was confirmed that α-synuclein increased and accumulated in OB but not in OE. Notably, the hyperactivity of mitral/tufted cells and the excitation/inhibition imbalance in OB were found in 6-month-old SNCA-A53T mice, which was attributed to the impaired GABAergic transmission and aberrant expression of GABA transporter 1 and vesicular GABA transporter in OB. We further showed that tiagabine, a potent and selective GABA reuptake inhibitor, could reverse the impaired olfactory function and GABAergic signaling in OB of SNCA-A53T mice. CONCLUSIONS: Taken together, our findings demonstrate potential synaptic mechanisms of local neural microcircuit underlying olfactory dysfunction at the early stage of PD. These results highlight the critical role of aberrant GABAergic signaling of OB in early diagnosis and provide a potential therapeutic strategy for early-stage PD.

Morphometric Assessment of the Ciliary Body in Patients With Marfan Syndrome and Ectopia Lentis: A Quantitative Study Using Ultrasound Biomicroscopy.

PURPOSE: To explore the biometric characteristics of the ciliary body in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) and ectopia lentis (EL). DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. METHODS: Seventy-two consecutive patients with MFS and EL and 72 nondiseased control subjects were recruited. Ciliary body biometric parameters such as ciliary muscle cross-sectional area at 2000 µm from the scleral spur (CMA2000), ciliary muscle thickness at 1000 µm from the scleral spur (CMT1000), and maximum ciliary body thickness (CBTmax) were measured from multiple directions with ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). The relationship between ciliary body parameters and other ocular characteristics was also evaluated. RESULTS: Average CMA2000, CMT1000, and CBTmax were 0.692 ± 0.015 mm2, 0.405 ± 0.010 mm, and 0.855 ± 0.023 mm in eyes of patients with MFS, respectively, and were significantly smaller than these values in control subjects (all P < .001). The prevalence of ciliary body thinning was 22.2% in the MFS group vs 0 in the control group (P < .001); eyes with more severe EL had smaller CMA2000 (P = .050), thinner CMT1000 (P = .022), and shorter CBTmax (P = .015). Patients with microspherophakia (MSP) had even smaller CMA2000 (P = .033) and CMT1000 (P = .044) than those without MSP. The most common subluxation direction was in the superonasal quadrant (n = 25; 39.7%), which probably correlates with the thinnest CMT1000 in the inferotemporal quadrant (P = .005). CONCLUSIONS: Patients with MFS and EL had thinner ciliary muscles, shorter ciliary processes, and a higher prevalence of ciliary body thinning, especially those with MSP. Both the extent and direction of subluxation were associated with ciliary body biometry..

Predicting axial length in patients with Marfan syndrome and ectopia lentis after modified capsular tension ring and intraocular lens implantation.

PURPOSE: To predict the growth of axial length (AL) in patients with Marfan syndrome (MFS) and ectopia lentis (EL). SETTING: Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China. DESIGN: Consecutive retrospective case series. METHODS: Eyes were evaluated that had modified capsular tension ring and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. The rate of AL growth (RALG) was calculated using AL divided by log10-transformed age. A multivariate linear regression model of RALG was developed after validation. RESULTS: 128 patients with MFS and EL were enrolled with a median follow-up duration of about 3 years. RALG was independent of age between 3 years and 15 years old ( P = .799) and decreased to 0 thereafter ( P = .878). Preoperative AL was associated with RALG in patients under 15 years old ( P = .003). Beta values for the final model of RALG were as below: intercept (-9.794) and preoperative AL (0.664). The postoperative AL was predicted as: postAL = preAL + RALG × log 10 ([postAge + 0.6]/[preAge + 0.6]). The mean prediction error was -0.003 (95% CI, -0.386 to 0.3791) mm and the mean absolute percentage error was 1.93% (95% CI, 0.73% to 3.14%). A Python-based calculator was developed to use the predicted AL in selecting IOL power and setting undercorrection. CONCLUSIONS: The AL growth of patients with MFS followed a logarithmic pattern and ceased at about age 15. A prediction model of postoperative AL was established for individual MFS patients between 3 and 15 years old, which could potentially optimize the IOL power selection.

Supracapsular scleral sutured intraocular lens implantation in anterior segment dysgenesis patients with ectopia lentis.

OBJECTIVE: To describe a new strategy to manage ectopia lentis in ASD patients assessing the visual outcomes and safety of supracapsular scleral sutured intraocular lens implantation and analyzing the accuracy of different intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formulae. METHODS: Eight patients with ASD (13 eyes) were underwent supracapsular scleral suture fixation of posterior chamber (PC) IOL without capsular extirpation. The preoperative and postoperative clinical features were compared. The prediction error values from four formulae (SRK/T, Holladay 1, Hoffer Q, Haigis), with or without Wang-Koch (WK) adjustment, were calculated for the cases. RESULTS: Zonulodialysis and premature cataracts could be the main reason for the decreased vision in patients with ASD. There was a significant improvement in best corrected visual acuity on 3-month follow-up after applying supracapsular scleral suture fixation of PC IOL. The prediction errors of the different formulae showed a slight tendency towards postoperative myopia. The Haigis formula with WK adjustment showed the best performance. CONCLUSIONS: Supracapsular scleral suture fixation of IOLs for retaining the capsule-zonule barrier is a good option for ASD patients. The Haigis formula is recommended for ASD patients treated with supracapsular scleral suture fixation of IOLs. The predicted IOL power should be reduced based on the effect of the new anatomic position of the IOL to achieve a satisfactory visual outcome.

Mutation analysis of SUOX in isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency with ectopia lentis as the presenting feature: insights into genotype-phenotype correlation.

BACKGROUND: Isolated sulfite oxidase deficiency (ISOD) caused by sulfite oxidase gene (SUOX) mutations is a rare neurometabolic disease associated with ectopia lentis (EL). However, few genotype-phenotype correlations have been established yet. METHODS: Potentially pathogenic SUOX mutations were screened from a Chinese cohort of congenital EL using panel-based next-generation sequencing and analyzed with multiple bioinformatics tools. The genotype-phenotype correlations were evaluated via a systematic review of SUOX mutations within our data and from the literature. RESULTS: A novel paternal missense mutation, c.205G > C (p.A69P), and a recurrent maternal nonsense mutation, c.1200 C > G (p.Y400*), of SUOX were identified in a 4-year-old boy from 312 probands. The biochemical assays manifested elevated urine sulfite and S-sulfocysteine accompanied by decreased homocysteine in the blood. The patient had bilateral EL and normal fundus, yet minimal neurological involvement and normal brain structure. Molecular modeling simulation revealed the p.A69P mutant had an unstable structure but an unchanged affinity for sulfite, while the truncated p.Y400* mutant showed decreased binding capacity. Genotype-phenotype analysis demonstrated patients with biallelic missense mutations had milder symptoms (P = 0.023), later age of onset (P < 0.001), and a higher incidence of regression (P = 0.017) than other genotypes. No correlations were found regarding EL and other neurological symptoms. CONCLUSION: The data from this study not only enrich the known mutation spectrum of SUOX but also suggest that missense mutations are associated with mild and atypical symptoms.

Biallelic ADAMTSL4 variants in a Chinese cohort of congenital ectopia lentis: Implications for genotype-phenotype relationships.

ADAMTSL4 variants are one of the common causes of congenital ectopia lentis (EL), reported ocular comorbidities of which include iris anomalies, cataract, and glaucoma. However, a genotype-phenotype correlation has not been established. Potentially pathogenic ADAMTSL4 variants were screened from a Chinese cohort of congenital EL using panel-based next-generation sequencing followed by multiple bioinformatics analyses. The genotype-phenotype correlation was assessed via a systematic review of ADAMTSL4 variants within our data and those from the literature. A total of 12 variants of ADAMTSL4, including seven frameshift variants, one nonsense variant, two splicing variants, and two missense variants, were found in nine probands. Combing genetic and clinical information from 72 probands in the literature revealed 37 ADAMTSL4 variants known to cause EL, and the ethnic difference was prominent. The lens was inclined to dislocate inferior temporally (22, 27.16%), while the pupil was always located oppositely (9, 81.82%). Several anterior segments anomalies were identified, including ectopia pupillae (15, 18.52%), persistent pupillary membrane (9, 11.10%), poor pupil dilation (4, 30.8%), cataract (13, 24.10%), and glaucoma (8, 13.33%). Genotype-phenotype analysis revealed that truncation variants had higher risks of combined iris anomalies, including either ectopia pupillae or a persistent pupillary membrane (p = 0.007). The data from this study not only extend our knowledge of the ADAMTSL4 variant spectrum but also suggest that deleterious variants of ADAMTSL4 might be associated with severe ocular phenotypes.

Genotype-phenotype correlations of marfan syndrome and related fibrillinopathies: Phenomenon and molecular relevance.

Marfan syndrome (MFS, OMIM: 154700) is a heritable multisystemic disease characterized by a wide range of clinical manifestations. The underlying molecular defect is caused by variants in the FBN1. Meanwhile, FBN1 variants are also detected in a spectrum of connective tissue disorders collectively termed as 'type I fibrillinopathies'. A multitude of FBN1 variants is reported and most of them are unique in each pedigree. Although MFS is being considered a monogenic disorder, it is speculated that the allelic heterogeneity of FBN1 variants contributes to various manifestations, distinct prognoses, and differential responses to the therapies in affected patients. Significant progress in the genotype-phenotype correlations of MFS have emerged in the last 20 years, though, some of the associations were still in debate. This review aims to update the recent advances in the genotype-phenotype correlations of MFS and related fibrillinopathies. The molecular bases and pathological mechanisms are summarized for better support of the observed correlations. Other factors contributing to the phenotype heterogeneity and future research directions were also discussed. Dissecting the genotype-phenotype correlation of FBN1 variants and related disorders will provide valuable information in risk stratification, prognosis, and choice of therapy.