A bibliometric study on trends in chiropractic research from 1920 to 2023.

OBJECTIVE: An increasing body of evidence suggests a positive role of chiropractic in the treatment of neuro-musculoskeletal disorders. This study aims to explore current research hotspots and trends, providing insights into the broad prospects of this field. METHODS: A bibliometric review was conducted on all chiropractic articles included in the Web of Science Core Collection before December 31, 2023. RESULTS: Over the past century, the volume of research in the field of chiropractic has been fluctuating annually, with four peaks observed in total. The United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom are leading countries. Chu, Eric Chun-Pu is the author with the most publications, while Bronfort, Gert has the highest total citation count. The University of Southern Denmark has produced the most publications, while Queens University - Canada is the most central institution. The Journal of Manipulative and Physiological Therapeutics is the journal with the most publications and citations, while the Journal of the American Medical Association is the most central journal. The two most-cited articles were both authored by Eisenberg DM. Emerging keywords include "chronic pain" and "skills". The theoretical mechanisms and scientific basis of chiropractic, its clinical practice and safety, education and training, integration with other disciplines, and patient experiences and satisfaction are the frontiers and hotspots of research. CONCLUSION: This study integrates bibliometric analysis to summarize the current state of research and global network centers in the field of chiropractic, further highlighting the hotspots and trends in this field. However, Individual and national rankings should be interpreted with caution due to our focus on Web of Science rather than PubMed.

Antimicrobial peptide cecropin B functions in pathogen resistance of Mythimna separata.

Mythimna separata (Lepidoptera: Noctuidae) is an omnivorous pest that poses a great threat to food security. Insect antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) are small peptides that are important effector molecules of innate immunity. Here, we investigated the role of the AMP cecropin B in the growth, development, and immunity of M. separata. The gene encoding M. separata cecropin B (MscecropinB) was cloned. The expression of MscecropinB was determined in different developmental stages and tissues of M. separata. It was highest in the prepupal stage, followed by the pupal stage. Among larval stages, the highest expression was observed in the fourth instar. Tissue expression analysis of fourth instar larvae showed that MscecropinB was highly expressed in the fat body and haemolymph. An increase in population density led to upregulation of MscecropinB expression. MscecropinB expression was also upregulated by the infection of third and fourth instar M. separata with Beauveria bassiana or Bacillus thuringiensis (Bt). RNA interference (RNAi) targeting MscecropinB inhibited the emergence rate and fecundity of M. separata, and resulted in an increased sensitivity to B. bassiana and Bt. The mortality of M. separata larvae was significantly higher in pathogen plus RNAi-treated M. separata than in controls treated with pathogens only. Our findings indicate that MscecropinB functions in the eclosion and fecundity of M. separata and plays an important role in resistance to infection by B. bassiana and Bt.

Use of 3D echocardiography facilitates analysis of thrombolytic efficacy in patients with persistent atrial fibrillation.

ABSTRACT: This study seeks to identify the anticoagulant efficacy of rivaroxaban treatment on thrombi detected using echocardiography of the left atrial appendage in 275 patients with persistent atrial fibrillation (AF). During follow-up after 9 to 24 weeks of Rivaroxaban treatment, patients were divided into 'effective group' (n = 143) and 'ineffective group' (n = 132) according to the thrombolytic effect of the drug. Left atrial diameter (LAD), left atrial ejection fraction (LAEF), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), mean diameter of left atrial appendage (LAADmean), angle between left atrial appendage and left atrial (LAA-A), velocity of blood flow in left atrial appendage (LAA-v) and thrombus size were compared before and after drug administration. Following treatment, LAEF, LVEF and LAA-v values were greater and LAD and LAADmean values were lower in the effective (P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed significant correlations of LAD, LAEF, LVEF, LAA-A and LAA-v with anticoagulant efficacy (P<0.05). The efficacy of Rivaroxaban in treatment of left atrial auricular thrombosis in patients with persistent AF was correlated with LAD, LAEF, LVEF, LAA-A and LAA-v. Multivariate logistic regression analysis further revealed LAEF (OR 1.7, 95% CI 0.45-16.9, P=0.008), 3D-EF (OR 6.4, 95% CI 1.06-16.9, P=0.039), and left ventricular global longitudinal strain (GLS) (OR 18.0, 95% CI 1.38-35.68, P=0.028) as factors related to left atrial appendage thrombus. Echocardiography with global longitudinal strain assessment could be effectively utilized to evaluate the functional parameters of LAA and thus aid in predicting the safety of Rivaroxaban as an anticoagulation agent.

Surgical Core Excision With Tongue Flap Closure in Combination With Electron Beam Radiotherapy in the Treatment of Ear Keloids.

BACKGROUND: Ear keloids are disfiguring disorders resistant to various treatments. OBJECTIVE: The authors aimed to assess the efficacy of surgical treatment of ear keloids in a Chinese population using a tongue flap with electron beam radiotherapy. METHODS: The authors conducted a retrospective analysis of 41 patients treated at the Affiliated Hospital of Nantong University between January 2018 and May 2021. Core excision with a tongue flap was performed, followed by 3 days of electron beam radiotherapy and 3 to 6 months of pressure clip application. The Vancouver Scar Scale (VSS) and the Visual Analog Scale (VAS) were used to assess the results. RESULTS: The mean age of the patients was 28.10 years (9-61 years). Postoperative follow-up ranged from 5 to 32 months (mean:12.07). The patients underwent 3 days of postoperative radiotherapy followed by pressure clips for 2 to 6 months. Thirty-seven patients had no recurrence, whereas 4 had a mild recurrence (<3 mm in height) with redness and itchiness. The VSS and VASscores significantly decreased. (p < .05). CONCLUSION: Excision with a tongue flap and radiotherapy can be used as the primary treatment for ear keloids considering the good outcome and long-term management.

Integrated analysis from multi-center studies identities m7G-derived modification pattern and risk stratification system in skin cutaneous melanoma.

The m7G modification has been proven to play an important role in RNA post-transcriptional modification and protein translation. However, the potential role of m7G modification patterns in assessing the prognosis of Skin cutaneous melanoma (SKCM) and tumor microenvironment (TME) has not been well studied. In this study, we investigated and finally identified 21 available m7G-related genes. We used hierarchical clustering (K-means) to classify 743 SKCM patients into three m7G-modified subtypes named m7G/gene cluster-A, B, C. We found that both m7G cluster B and gene cluster B exhibited higher prognosis and higher immune cell infiltration in TME compared to other subtypes. EIF4E3 and IFIT5, two m7G related genes, were both markedly elevated in Cluster B. Then, we constructed an m7G score system utilizing principal component analysis (PCA) in order to evaluate the patients' prognosis. High m7G score subtype was associated with better survival prognosis and active immune response. Overall, this article revealed that m7G modification patterns were involved in the development of the tumor microenvironment. Evaluating patients' m7G modification patterns will enhance our understanding of TME characteristics and help to guide personal treatment in clinics in the future.

Phenylpropanoids from Brachybotrys paridiformis maxim. Ex oliv. And their anti-HBV activities (II).

Five undescribed phenylpropanoids, one undescribed phenolic glucoside, and sixteen known compounds were isolated from Brachybotrys paridiformis Maxim. Ex Oliv. The undescribed compounds were named brachoside B-C, brach acid A-B, brachnan A, and brachin D, respectively. Additionally, the anti-hepatitis B virus activities of all isolated compounds were studied. Among them, brachnan A, brach acid A, globoidnan A, 3-carboxy-6,7-dihydroxy-1-(3',4'-dihydroxy-phenyl)-naphthalene, and 3,4-dihydroxybenzaldehyde showed significant anti-hepatitis B virus activities.

Phenylpropanoids from Brachybotrys paridiformis Maxim. ex Oliv. and their anti-HBV activities.

Using chemical and spectroscopic data, this study on Brachybotrys paridiformis Maxim. ex Oliv. identified four undescribed phenylpropanoids, brachin A-C and brachoside A, together with nine other known compounds. The isolated compounds were tested for anti-hepatitis B virus activities in the HepG2.2.15 cell line. Among them, caffeic anhydride showed the most potent activity.

Studies on isolation and structural identification of saponins from the herb Hylomecon japonica and their bioactivities.

Three undescribed oleanane type triterpenoid saponins (1-3), along with one known saponin (4) were isolated from the whole herb of Hylomecon japonica. Their structures were elucidated by analysis of 1D and 2D-NMR (1H-1H COSY, HSQC, and HMBC) spectroscopic data, mass spectrometry (HR-ESI-MS) and chromatographic date (GC and LC) as 3-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-d-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-ß-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-[ß-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-l-arabinopyranosyl ester (1), 3-O-ß-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-d-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-[ß-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-l-arabinopyranosyl ester (2), 3-O-ß-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-d-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-ß-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-[ß-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-d-galactopyranosyl ester (3), 3-O-ß-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-[α-l-arabinopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)]-ß-d-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-ß-d-glucopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-[ß-d-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)]-α-l-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-d-fucopyranosyl ester (4). All saponins possess a partial sequence ß-d-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-d-glucuronopyranosyl at C-3 of the aglycon. Compound 1 has cytotoxic activity against human colon cancer cell lines HT29, 3 against human gastric cancer cell lines AGS, and 4 against human lung cancer cell lines A549, AGS and HT29. Among them, compounds 3 and 4 showed significant inhibitory effect against AGS with IC50 value of 6.01 ± 1.4 µM, 3.66 ± 1.8 µM, respectively. These results represent a contribution to the chemotaxonomy of the saponins of Hylomecon japonica and their bioactivities.

Bioactive oleanane-type saponins from Hylomecon Japonica.

Six undescribed oleanane-type saponins, named as Hylomeconosides L-Q, were isolated from the whole herb of Hylomecon Japonica, their structures were determined by analysis of 1D and 2D-NMR (1H-1H COSY, HSQC, and HMBC) spectroscopic data, mass spectrometry (HRESI-MS) and chromatographic data (GC and LC). Their structures were identified as 3-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-L-arabinopyranoside; 3-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-quinovopyranoside; 3-O-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-quinovopyranoside; 3-O-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-quinovopyranoside; 3-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)]-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl quillaic acid 28-O-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-quinovopyranoside; 3-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-[α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)]-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl quillaic acid 28-O-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-galactopyranoside. Hylomeconosides L-Q showed selective cytotoxicities against human cancer cell lines A549, AGS, HeLa, Huh 7, HT29 and K562. These results represent a contribution to the chemotaxonomy of the saponins of Hylomecon Japonica and their bioactivities.

Triterpenoid saponins from the herb Hylomecon japonica.

Six undescribed triterpenoid saponins, named as hylomeconoside C-H, were isolated from the EtOH extract of Hylomecon japonica. On the basis of spectroscopic and chemical evidence, their structures were identified as 3-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-L-arabinopyranoside; 3-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-L-arabinopyranoside; 3-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-[α-L-arabinopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)]-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-ß-D-glucopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-[ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)]-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-L-arabinopyranoside; 3-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl gypsogenin 28-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-[ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)]-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-fucopyranoside; 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-[ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)]-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl quillaic acid 28-O-ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-[ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)]-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-fucopyranoside; 3-O-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-[ß-D-galactopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)]-ß-D-glucuronopyranosyl quillaic acid 28-O-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 3)-ß-D-xylopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 4)-α-L-rhamnopyranosyl-(1 â†’ 2)-ß-D-quinovopyranoside. The 50% EtOH extract showed moderate inhibitory activity on the human cancer cell line HeLa, HepG-2, MCF-7, A549, K562 and TE-1. And these six compounds were tested for cytotoxicity against K562. Among them, hylomeconoside H was found to be the most active on the K562 cell lines (IC50 6.60 µM).

Traumatic endophthalmitis and the outcome after vitrectomy in young children.

AIM: To explore the traumatic endophthalmitis in young children and the outcome of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV). METHODS: Twenty-two eyes of 22 cases of young children consecutive pediatric traumatic endophthalmitis treated and followed up between September 2014 and May 2018 were included. Aqueous humor or vitreous samples were taken for bacterial culture and sensitivity tests. Intravitreal antibiotics (norvancomycin and ceftazidime) injection, combined with 23-gauge PPV, were administered in 22 eyes. Silicone oil (SO; 5000 centistoke) tamponade or perfluoropropane gas (C3F8) was used in all patients. Main outcome measures were best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and retinal attachment, the ratio of penetrating injury, and the existence of intraocular foreign body. RESULTS: The mean age of patients was 6.9±2.2 (range, 3-10)y. All injured eyes suffered from penetrating ocular injury with retained intraocular foreign body in one eye. Bacterial culture was positive in only 2 eyes. The mean follow-up time was 21.1±4.7 (range, 12-30)mo. In the primary PPV, intravitreal antibiotics was administrated in all eyes, SO in 18 eyes, and C3F8 in 4 eyes. The secondary operation of SO removal and C3F8 endotamponade was performed in 16 eyes and a second SO endotamponade due to emulsification of the oil and retinal detachment (RD) was operated in 7 eyes underwent 3 to 11.5mo after primary PPV. A third operation was done in 7 eyes. The final intraocular pressure (IOP) was 8.9±1.8 (range, 6.9-11.4) mm Hg. The final BCVAs were 20/200 or better in 5, counting fingers in 2, and light perception to hand movement in 8 eyes. Whose (66.7%) had retinal injury exhibited worse BCVA (P=0.019, Fisher's exact test). Eyes underwent SO tamponade exhibited worse final BCVA than that with C3F8 in the primary PPV (P=0.026, Fisher's exact test). CONCLUSION: Traumatic endophthalmitis in children is generally more severe and associated with more complicated surgical procedures. Most patients have retinal injury need multiple operations and the final BCVA is poor. Prevention of ocular trauma, especially in children, is still critical.

Intraocular Pharmacokinetics and Safety of Subretinal Injection Compared with Intravitreal Application of Conbercept in Vitrectomized Rabbit Eyes.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the ocular pharmacokinetic properties of subretinal conbercept injection in vitrectomized rabbit eyes and to compare them with those by intravitreal injection. METHODS: The following groups of New Zealand white rabbits received conbercept injections (0.5 mg/0.05 ml): a subretinal group (subretinal injection in vitrectomized eyes), an intravitreal group (intravitreal injection in vitrectomized eyes), and a control group (intravitreal injection in nonvitrectomized eyes). Drug concentrations in the aqueous humor (AH), the vitreous humor (VH), and the retina were measured by the enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), and pharmacokinetic parameters were calculated. Ophthalmic B-ultrasonography, electroretinogram (ERG), and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining were performed to evaluate the safety of subretinal injection. RESULTS: On the 28th day after injection, the drug level in the subretinal group was significantly higher than that in the intravitreal group in the AH (0.90 ± 0.25 µg/ml and 0.11 ± 0.07 µg/ml and 0.11 ± 0.07 P < 0.001, respectively) and the VH (5.00 ± 3.86 µg/ml and 0.11 ± 0.07 µg/ml and 0.11 ± 0.07 P < 0.001, respectively) and the VH (5.00 ± 3.86 P < 0.001, respectively) and the VH (5.00 ± 3.86 P < 0.001, respectively) and the VH (5.00 ± 3.86 . CONCLUSIONS: Our study indicates that applying conbercept by subretinal injection can reduce the drug clearance rate and sustain a long maintenance period in ocular tissue, which suggests that subretinal conbercept injection may be a potentially valuable treatment option.

Intraocular pharmacokinetics of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents by intraoperative subretinal versus intravitreal injection in silicone oil-filled eyes of proliferative diabetic retinopathy: a randomized controlled pilot study.

PURPOSE: Intraoperative subretinal anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) injections have been used clinically in some case, but the pharmacokinetic characteristics have not yet been determined. In this pilot study, we investigate the pharmacokinetic parameters of anti-VEGF agents by intraoperative subretinal or intravitreal injection in silicone oil (SiO)-filled eyes of patients with proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR). METHODS: Randomized controlled trial including 13 patients (16 eyes) with PDR underwent pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) with SiO tamponade and randomly received a subretinal (8 eyes) or intravitreal (8 eyes) conbercept injection (0.5 mg/0.05 ml) intraoperatively. Aqueous humour (AH) was obtained on the 1st, 3rd, 7th, 10th, 14th, 21st and 28th day after the injection. Drug concentrations in the AH were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The last best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) was examined 6 months postoperatively. RESULTS: The clearance rate of anti-VEGF agents by subretinal injection was reduced in vitrectomized eyes with SiO tamponade (p < 0.05). With the same drug dose, subretinal injection (5.49 ± 6.11 µg/ml) resulted in higher drug concentrations in the AH when compared with intravitreal injection (0.42 ± 0.46 µg/ml, p = 0.001) 4 weeks after the treatment. The mean residence time last (MRT0-t ) by subretinal injection (11.57 ± 0.83 days) was significantly longer than the mean MRT0-t by intravitreal injection (7.10 ± 1.00 days, p < 0.001). A self-paired analysis showed that subretinal injection led to the BCVA improvement by +28.59 letters 6 months postoperatively (p = 0.028) while the BCVA did not improve significantly by intravitreal injection (p = 0.715). CONCLUSIONS: The drug maintenance phase was prolonged by intraoperative subretinal injection in SiO-filled eyes of PDR. The results suggest that subretinal injection might be a valuable treatment option for the management of PDR.

A modified intrascleral intraocular lens fixation technique with fewer anterior segment manipulations: 27-gauge needle-guided procedure with built-in 8-0 absorbable sutures.

BACKGROUND: To report a modified surgical technique for intrascleral intraocular lens (IOL) fixation with fewer anterior segment manipulations in eyes lacking sufficient capsular support. METHODS: Eyes from 14 patients who underwent 27-gauge needle-guided intrascleral IOL fixation with built-in 8-0 absorbable sutures were studied. The 8-0 absorbable sutures were inserted into 27-gauge round needles and used to create sclerotomies at the 4 o'clock and 10 o'clock positions under the scleral flap. The sutures were used to tie knots at the end of each haptic and guide haptic externalization through the sclerotomy. After externalization, a sufficient flange was created at the end of each haptic and fixed under the scleral flaps. The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal endothelial cell density (ECD), IOL tilt and decentration, previous surgery history, and complications were determined. RESULTS: Fourteen cases were analyzed. The majority of eyes exhibited an improvement in the BCVA after surgery. When comparing the last follow-up to preoperative visual acuity, the mean change in BCVA was + 26.32 letters (p = 0.011). Postoperative complications included postoperative hypotony in 3 eyes, ocular hypertension in 2 eyes. No cases of postoperative cystoid macular edema (CME), vitreous hemorrhage (VH), IOL dislocation, or endophthalmitis were observed. CONCLUSIONS: The 27-gauge needle-guided intrascleral IOL fixation technique with built-in 8-0 absorbable sutures is easy to perform with fewer anterior chamber manipulations and achieves both anatomical and optical stability.

Telmisartan Improves Insulin Resistance: A Meta-Analysis.

BACKGROUND: Diabetes mellitus, metabolic syndrome, and other obesity-related diseases are characterized by insulin resistance (IR) as a common pathophysiological change and are closely related to cardiovascular disease, which seriously threaten human health. Telmisartan belongs to a group of drugs called angiotensin II receptor antagonists (ARBs) and it can partially activate peroxisome proliferator-activated receptors. Animal experiments have confirmed that telmisartan can regulate glucose and lipid metabolism, and improve IR. STUDY QUESTION: This study performs a systematic review of the advantages of telmisartan in improving IR and compared it with other ARBs. STUDY DESIGN: Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) that compared telmisartan with other ARBs in patients with obesity, diabetes, impaired glucose tolerance, and metabolic syndrome were searched from PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wan Fang Database, and Chinese biomedical literature database (CBM). RCTs published as of the end of April 2017 were included in the present study. MEASURES AND OUTCOMES: The outcomes included homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance, fasting blood glucose level, fasting insulin level, diastolic blood pressure, and systolic blood pressure. We used a fixed-effects model or random-effects model to pool the estimates according to the heterogeneity between the included studies. RESULTS: A total of 21 RCTs, which included 1679 patients, were included. Results revealed that telmisartan was superior in improving homeostasis model assessment of insulin resistance (mean difference = -0.23, 95% confidence interval [CI], -0.40 to -0.06), reducing fasting blood glucose level (mean difference = -0.32, 95% CI, -0.57 to -0.07), reducing fasting insulin level (mean difference = -1.01, 95% CI, -1.63 to -0.39), and decreasing diastolic blood pressure (mean difference = -1.46, 95% CI, -2.10 to -0.82) compared with other ARBs. However, for the decrease in systolic pressure, the difference was not statistically significant (mean difference = -0.73, 95% CI, -1.53 to 0.07). CONCLUSION: Telmisartan can better improve IR compared with other ARBs.

Association between polymorphism rs11200638 in the HTRA1 gene and the response to anti-VEGF treatment of exudative AMD: a meta-analysis.

BACKGROUND: Anti-angiogenesis treatments are the most commonly used treatments for the vision loss caused by exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD), in which the anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs with ranibizumab and bevacizumab are current standard treatments. However, the outcome of anti-VEGF therapeutics is not uniform in all patients. METHODS: We performed a literature-based meta-analysis including, five published studies relevant to HTRA1 and response to anti-VEGF treatment (bevacizumab or ranibizumab). Summary odds ratios (ORs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) were estimated using fixed- and random-effects models. Sensitivity analysis and meta-regression were also performed. Q-statistic test and Egger's test was used to evaluate heterogeneity and publication bias respectively. RESULTS: Overall, no association between the rs11200638 polymorphism in HTRA1 gene and the anti-VEGF treatment response was found in the genotype GG versus AA (OR = 1.06; 95% CI: 0.77 to 1.48; P = 0.98), genotype GA versus AA (OR = 1.11; 95% CI: 0.83 to 1.47; P = 0.93), genotype GG + GA versus AA (OR = 1.22; 95% CI: 0.94 to 1.57; P = 0.09), and allele G versus A (OR = 0.92; 95% CI: 0.78 to 1.08; P = 0.14). In the subgroup analysis by ethnicity Caucasian population, and a significant association was still not observed in all genetic models. Sensitivity analysis indicated the robustness of our findings, and no publication bias was observed in our meta-analysis. CONCLUSIONS: This study shows that there was no association between the polymorphism rs11200638 in HTRA1 gene and response to anti-VEGF treatment of exudative AMD. However, more studies are needed to further prove the conclusion of present study, especially well-designed and high quality randomised controlled trials or intervention studies.

A prospective, randomised, double-masked comparison of local anaesthetic agents for vitrectomy.

PURPOSE: To compare the intraoperative and postoperative clinical properties of 1% ropivacaine, 0.75% bupivacaine, 2% lidocaine and a mixture of 0.75% bupivacaine and 2% lidocaine (bupi+lido) administered for peribulbar anaesthesia during vitrectomy. METHODS: A total of 140 patients were randomly allocated to four groups. The time of onset of analgesia and akinesia was measured. The efficacy of anaesthesia, degree of postoperative pain and intraoperative and postoperative complications were recorded. RESULTS: The mean times of onset (±SD) of analgesia for the ropivacaine, bupivacaine, lidocaine and lido+bupi groups were 90.46±30.08, 94.83±40.72, 78.31±12.56 and 101.51±56.94 s, respectively (p=0.087). The mean times of onset (±SD) of akinesia for the ropivacaine, bupivacaine, lidocaine and lido+bupi groups were 138.89±62.65, 151.86±84.78, 122.66±49.35 and 141.54±62.69 s, respectively (p=0.323). No significant difference was observed in the number of patients who attained grade-5 anaesthesia in the four groups (p=0.966). The outcome of ordered logit analysis showed that the 1% ropivacaine resulted in a significantly lower degree of postoperative pain compared with the other three groups (p=0.017, p=0.001 and p=0.001, respectively). The incidence of postoperative subconjunctival haemorrhage was decreased in the ropivacaine group compared with the other three groups (p<0.001). CONCLUSIONS: For peribulbar anaesthesia in vitrectomy, 1% ropivacaine alone provides an adequate intraoperative anaesthesia similar to that provided by the bupivacaine, lidocaine and lido+bupi solutions, as well as provides a better quality of postoperative analgesia and decreases postoperative subconjunctival haemorrhage. TRIAL REGISTRATION NUMBER: ChiCTR-IPR-16007876; Results.

Retinal pigment epithelium cell-derived exosomes: Possible relevance to CNV in wet-age related macular degeneration.

Exosomes are small vesicles that are released by almost every cell type and play a crucial role in many physiological and pathological processes associated with different diseases. Specifically, they promote angiogenesis in the pathogenesis of some diseases. According to previous research, the proteins of exosomes taken from the aqueous humor (AH) of patients with wet-age related macular degeneration (AMD) may function as a new diagnostic biomarker of AMD, suggesting that exosomes may play an important role in the occurrence and development of choroidal neovascularization (CNV). Moreover, additional research has revealed that the levels of some protein makers of exosomes are up-regulated in aged retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and that drusen and oxidative stress may promote the secretion of exosomes derived from RPE cells. Consequently, we hypothesize that RPE cell-derived exosomes may be relevant to CNV in wet AMD. If this hypothesis is proven correct, future studies based on this link may also help to elucidate the molecular mechanisms of wet AMD and to find new therapeutic targets for the treatment of AMD.

Exogenous NAD(+) decreases oxidative stress and protects H2O2-treated RPE cells against necrotic death through the up-regulation of autophagy.

Increased oxidative stress, which can lead to the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell death by inducing ATP depletion and DNA repair, is believed to be a prominent pathology in age-related macular degeneration (AMD). In the present study, we showed that and 0.1 mM nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD(+)) administration significantly blocked RPE cell death induced by 300 µM H2O2. Further investigation showed that H2O2 resulted in increased intracellular ROS level, activation of PARP-1 and subsequently necrotic death of RPE cells. Exogenous NAD(+) administration significantly decreased intracellular and intranuclear ROS levels in H2O2-treated RPE cells. In addition, NAD(+) administration to H2O2-treated RPE cells inhibited the activation of PARP-1 and protected the RPE cells against necrotic death. Moreover, exogenous NAD(+) administration up-regulated autophagy in the H2O2-treated RPE cells. Inhibition of autophagy by LY294002 blocked the decrease of intracellular and intranuclear ROS level. Besides, inhibition of autophagy by LY294002 abolished the protection of exogenous NAD(+) against H2O2-induced cell necrotic death. Taken together, our findings indicate that that exogenous NAD(+) administration suppresses H2O2-induced oxidative stress and protects RPE cells against PARP-1 mediated necrotic death through the up-regulation of autophagy. The results suggest that exogenous NAD(+) administration might be potential value for the treatment of AMD.

A 65nm CMOS low-power MedRadio-band integer-N cascaded phase-locked loop for implantable medical systems.

This paper presents a low-power MedRadio-band integer-N phase-locked Loop (PLL) system which is composed of two charge-pump PLLs cascade connected. The PLL provides the operation clock and local carrier signals for an implantable medical electronic system. In addition, to avoid the off-chip crystal oscillator, the 13.56 MHz Industrial, Scientific and Medical (ISM) band signal from the wireless power transmission system is adopted as the input reference signal for the PLL. Ring-based voltage controlled oscillators (VCOs) with current control units are adopted to reduce chip area and power dissipation. The proposed cascaded PLL system is designed and implemented in TSMC 65-nm CMOS technology. The measured jitter for 216.96 MHz signal is 12.23 ps and the phase noise is -65.9 dBc/Hz at 100 kHz frequency offset under 402.926 MHz carrier frequency. The measured power dissipations are 66 µW in the first PLL and 195 µW in the whole system under 1-V supply voltage. The chip area is 0.1088 mm(2) and no off-chip component is required which is suitable for the integration of the implantable medical electronic system.