Revealing new insights: Two-center evidence of microplastics in human vitreous humor and their implications for ocular health.

Microplastics (MPs), an emerging environmental contaminant, have raised growing health apprehension due to their detection in various human biospecimens. Despite extensive research into their prevalence in the environment and the human body, the ramifications of their existence within the enclosed confines of the human eye remain largely unexplored. Herein, we assembled a cohort of 49 patients with four ocular diseases (macular hole, macular epiretinal membrane, retinopathy and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment) from two medical centers. After processing the samples with an optimized method, we utilized Laser Direct Infrared (LD-IR) spectroscopy and Pyrolysis Gas Chromatography/Mass Spectrometry (Py-GC/MS) to analyze 49 vitreous samples, evaluating the characteristics of MPs within the internal environment of the human eye. Our results showed that LD-IR scanned a total of 8543 particles in the composite sample from 49 individual vitreous humor samples, identifying 1745 as plastic particles, predominantly below 50 µm. Concurrently, Py-GC/MS analysis of the 49 individual samples corroborated these findings, with nylon 66 exhibiting the highest content, followed by polyvinyl chloride, and detection of polystyrene. Notably, correlations were observed between MP levels and key ocular health parameters, particularly intraocular pressure and the presence of aqueous humor opacities. Intriguingly, individuals afflicted with retinopathy demonstrated heightened ocular health risks associated with MPs. In summary, this research provides significant insights into infiltration of MP pollutants within the human eye, shedding light on their potential implications for ocular health and advocating for further exploration of this emerging health risk.

Acquired aplastic anaemia after SARS-CoV-2 infection in China: a case report.

Since the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic began, several research groups in different countries have described cases of aplastic anaemia (AA) after COVID-19 or COVID-19 vaccination. Here, we present the case of a patient with new-onset AA in Changsha, China, that was presumably associated with preceding severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) infection. We conducted an epidemiological assessment of the incidence rate of blood system diseases from July 1, 2022, to May 31, 2023, in the haematology department of the Second Xiangya Hospital of Central South University and Hunan Children's Hospital. The detection rates of AA and leukaemia in the first two months after the epidemic outbreak were higher than those before and during the outbreak. However, only the difference in the detection rate of leukaemia was statistically significant.