Identification of optimal feature genes in patients with thyroid associated ophthalmopathy and their relationship with immune infiltration: a bioinformatics analysis.

Background: Thyroid associated ophthalmopathy (TAO) is an organ-specific autoimmune disease that has a significant impact on individuals and society. The etiology of TAO is complicated and poorly understood. Thus, the goal of this study was to use bioinformatics to look into the pathogenesis of TAO and to identify the optimum feature genes (OFGs) and immune infiltration patterns of TAO. Methods: Firstly, the GSE58331 microarray data set was utilized to find 366 differentially expressed genes (DEGs). To find important modular genes, the dataset was evaluated using weighted gene coexpression network analysis (WGCNA). Then, the overlap genes of major module genes and DEGs were further assessed by applying three machine learning techniques to find the OFGs. The CIBERSORT approach was utilized to examine immune cell infiltration in normal and TAO samples, as well as the link between optimum characteristic genes and immune cells. Finally, the related pathways of the OFGs were predicted using single gene set enrichment analysis (ssGSEA). Results: KLB, TBC1D2B, LINC01140, SGCG, TMEM37, and LINC01697 were the six best feature genes that were employed to create a nomogram with high predictive performance. The immune cell infiltration investigation revealed that the development of TAO may include memory B cells, T cell follicular helper cells, resting NK cells, macrophages of type M0, macrophages of type M1, resting dendritic cells, active mast cells, and neutrophils. In addition, ssGSEA results found that these characteristic genes were closely associated with lipid metabolism pathways. Conclusion: In this research, we found that KLB, TBC1D2B, LINC01140, SGCG, TMEM37, and LINC01697 are intimately associated with the development and progression of TAO, as well as with lipid metabolism pathways.

Effectiveness of a combined problem-based learning and flipped classroom teaching method in ophthalmic clinical skill training.

BACKGROUND: Previous studies have primarily implemented problem-based learning (PBL) or flipped classroom (FC) teaching models in different majors; however, research on the combined PBL-FC teaching method in clinical medicine is scarce. Therefore, we investigated the combined PBL-FC teaching method in teaching ocular trauma on students' competencies. METHOD: About 75 ophthalmology postgraduates were randomly divided into PBL-FC and traditional teaching groups. Students completed pre-and post-class theoretical examinations, skills evaluation, learning ability scales, and feedback questionnaires. RESULTS: Both groups showed significantly higher theoretical scores and improved learning ability. Feedback questionnaire scores of the PBL-FC group's postgraduates without clinical experience were significantly higher than the traditional group's for some items; there was no difference between groups in postgraduates with clinical experience. PBL-FC group's pre-class preparation time was significantly longer than the traditional group's, but the post-class review time was significantly shorter. PBL-FC group's post-class theoretical performance was significantly higher than the traditional group's. There was no statistical difference between the groups regarding skill operation. Among postgraduates without clinical experience, the PBL-FC group's skill operation performance was significantly higher than the traditional group's; for postgraduates with clinical experience, the traditional group's skill operation performance was significantly higher than the PBL-FC group's. CONCLUSIONS: PBL-FC teaching is better for students without clinical experience or knowledge of ophthalmic diseases. Meanwhile, traditional teaching is a good choice for students with clinical experience who need more relevant knowledge.

Neuroendocrine carcinoma of the nasal cavity with epiphora as the first symptom: A case report.

RATIONALE: Neuroendocrine carcinomas (NECs) are rare malignancies that originate from the hormone-producing cells of the neuroendocrine system. They can grow in most organs of the body but are commonly found in the gastrointestinal and respiratory tracts. The nasal cavity is a rare site for NECs. PATIENT CONCERNS: We report a case of NECs in a 45-year-old woman who presented with epiphora in the right eye for a year owing to an unknown reason. DIAGNOSES: The diagnosis was initially confirmed via histological and immunohistochemical assays. Postoperatively, computed tomography of the neck revealed C4 vertebral bone metastasis. INTERVENTIONS: The tumor was endoscopically removed from the right eye. The patient received a full course of adjuvant polychemotherapy. OUTCOMES: Six months after diagnosis, the patient died due to bone metastasis. LESSONS: Diagnosing nasal neuroendocrine carcinoma is clinically challenging. It must be distinguished from other orbital masses, such as chronic dacryocystitis or nasal polyps. The treatment should be further investigated for this rare malignancy in near future.

Low-level laser therapy induces human umbilical vascular endothelial cell proliferation, migration and tube formation through activating the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.

Low-level laser therapy (LLLT) has been recognized as a light therapy that may be used for tissue regeneration, inflammation reduction, and pain relief. We intended to evaluate the effects of LLLT on the proliferation, migration, and tube formation of HUVECs as well as their related mechanisms. HUVECs were exposed to laser irradiation under different laser parameters (irradiation dose, interval and power intensity) in order to choose the optimal parameters, which were determined by the increase in proliferation of HUVECs as follows: irradiation dose of 4.0 J/m2, interval time of 12 h and 6 times in total. The HUVEC proliferation, migration, and tube formation, and levels of angiogenesis-related genes (HIF-1α, eNOS and VEGFA) were examined following LLLT. As suggested by the obtained data, LLLT (1.0, 2.0 and 4.0 J/m2) increased the HUVEC proliferation, migration, and tube formation in dose-and time-dependent manner, accompanied with increases in the levels of HIF-1α, eNOS, and VEGFA. Furthermore, the regulatory mechanism regarding the phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase/protein kinase B (PI3K/Akt) signaling pathway was explored, phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt proteins were assessed by Western blot assay, which showed the enhancement of phosphorylation of PI3K, Akt, and mTOR by LLLT. The inhibitor for the PI3K/Akt axis was used to verify the involvement of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway. The obtained results suggested that the inhibition of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway attenuated the effects of LLLT on proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of HUVECs. In conclusion, LLLT promotes the proliferation, migration, and angiogenesis of HUVECs via activation of the PI3K/Akt signaling pathway.