Appropriate addition power for aphakic infants determined by a smart wearable device Clouclip.

CLINICAL RELEVANCE: It is particularly important to perform reasonable and effective optical correction to enable visual development after primary lens removal surgery for congenital cataracts. Aphakic infants need a suitable addition power of prescription (ADD) to help them focus on close visual objects. BACKGROUND: It is challenging to obtain appropriate ADD power for infants due to poor cooperation and lack of subjective feedback. We aimed to determine the appropriate ADD for aphakic infants using a recently developed smart wearable device called Clouclip. METHODS: The study was a cross-sectional, observational pilot study. Twenty-three aphakic infants (aged from 6 months to 3.5 years) were invited to wear a smart wearable device for 7 days consecutively to monitor the near viewing distance in real life. Viewing habits and its associations with the possible influencing factors were investigated based on the data obtained from the device. RESULTS: The average proportion of near viewing time was 77.9% (95% confidence interval (CI) 72.1-83.7%). The average of the median near viewing distance was 23.8 cm (95% CI 20.6 cm-27.0 cm), which corresponded to an ADD of +4.25 D (95% CI + 3.75 D - +4.75 D) spectacle prescription. The height of the child was found to be positively correlated with the median of near viewing distance (r = 0.646, p = 0.001). Age, current ADD, age of cataract extraction surgery and bilaterality or monocularity of the aphakic eyes showed no significant correlation with the aforementioned viewing habits (all p > 0.05). CONCLUSION: By using the novel wearable device, we found the suitable ADD of spectacle prescription for aphakic infants is about +4.25 D. The height of the child was an influencing factor for ADD.

Functional Validation of the Roles of Cytochrome P450s in Tolerance to Thiamethoxam and Imidacloprid in a Field Population of Aphis gossypii.

Field populations of Aphis gossypii (SDR) have evolved high resistance to neonicotinoids, including thiamethoxam and imidacloprid. Synergism bioassays and transcriptomic comparison of the SDR and susceptible (SS) strains revealed that the cytochrome P450s may contribute to the neonicotinoid resistance evolution. The transcripts of some P450s were constitutively overexpressed in the SDR strain, and many genes showed expression plasticity under insecticide exposure. Drosophila that ectopically expressed CYPC6Y9, CYP4CK1, CYP6DB1, and CYP6CZ1 showed greater resistance (>8.0-fold) to thiamethoxam, and Drosophila that expressed CYPC6Y9, CYP6CY22, CYP6CY18, and CYP6D subfamily genes showed greater resistance (>5-fold) to imidacloprid. Five P450 genes that caused thiamethoxam resistance also conferred resistance to α-cypermethrin. Furthermore, the knockdown of CYP4CK1, CYP6CY9, CYP6CY18, CYPC6Y22, CYP6CZ1, and CYP6DB1 dramatically increased the sensitivity of the SDR strain to thiamethoxam or imidacloprid. These results indicate the involvement of multiple P450 genes, rather than one key gene, in neonicotinoid resistance in field populations.

China rheumatoid arthritis registry of patients with Chinese medicine (CERTAIN): Rationale, design, and baseline characteristics of the first 11,764 enrollees.

BACKGROUND: Chinese medicine (CM) has become a popular interventional treatment for rheumatoid arthritis (RA). However, limited knowledge about general characteristics and long-term clinical outcomes hampers the development of CM for RA. PURPOSE: The main objectives of the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) were to describe the population of RA patients receiving CM treatment in multiple centers in China using different variables and compare these findings with internationally reported data. STUDY DESIGN: The CERTAIN is a prospective, multicenter, observational disease registry. METHODS: Adult RA patients who fulfilled the 2010 American College of Rheumatology/ European League Against Rheumatism classification criteria for RA and received CM treatment were recruited into the CERTAIN by rheumatologists from 145 hospitals across 30 provinces in China. Data on demographics, disease characteristics, comorbidities, treatments, and adverse events, with a 2-year follow-up, were collected and documented using a predefined protocol. RESULTS: In the 2 years since the study began in September 2019, 11,764 patients have been enrolled (enrolment is ongoing), and 13.10% of participants have completed the 6-month follow-up. We present the baseline characteristics of the first 11,764 enrollees. CONCLUSIONS: The CERTAIN is the first nationwide registry to document comprehensive data on CM treatment in patients with RA. The development of the CERTAIN resource is a significant step forward for Chinese RA patients, herbal medicine users, and research communities and will deepen our understanding of CM for RA. REGISTRATION: The study was registered at ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT05219214).

Antiproliferative potential of piperine and curcumin in drug-resistant human leukemia cancer cells are mediated via autophagy and apoptosis induction, S-phase cell cycle arrest and inhibition of cell invasion and migration.

The Editors of JBUON issue an Expression of Concern to 'Antiproliferative potential of piperine and curcumin in drug-resistant human leukemia cancer cells are mediated via autophagy and apoptosis induction, S-phase cell cycle arrest and inhibition of cell invasion and migration', by Ning Li, Shuyun Wen, Guohua Chen, Shijun Wang; JBUON 2020;25(1):401-406; PMID: 32277661. Following the publication of the above article, readers drew to our attention that part of the data was possibly unreliable. We sent emails to the authors with a request to provide the raw data to prove the originality, but received no reply. Therefore, as we continue to work through the issues raised, we advise readers to interpret the information presented in the article with due caution. We thank the readers for bringing this matter to our attention. We apologize for any inconvenience it may cause.

Visual quality of juvenile myopes wearing multifocal soft contact lenses.

BACKGROUND: It is unclear whether multifocal soft contact lenses (MFSCLs) affect visual quality when they are used for myopia control in juvenile myopes. The aim of this study was, therefore, to investigate the effect of MFSCLs on visual quality among juvenile myopia subjects. METHODS: In a prospective, intervention study, thirty-three juvenile myopes were enrolled. Visual perception was assessed by a quality of vision (QoV) questionnaire with spectacles at baseline and after 1 month of MFSCL wear. At the one-month visit, the high (96%) contrast distance visual acuity (distance HCVA) and low (10%) contrast distance visual acuity (distance LCVA) were measured with single vision spectacle lenses, single vision soft contact lenses (SVSCLs) and MFSCLs in a random order. Wavefront aberrations were measured with SVSCLs, with MFSCLs, and without any correction. RESULTS: Neither distance HCVA (p > 0.05) nor distance LCVA (p > 0.05) revealed any significant difference between MFSCLs, SVSCLs and single vision spectacle lenses. The overall score (the sum of ten symptoms) of the QoV questionnaire did not show a statistically significant difference between spectacles at baseline and after 1 month of MFSCL wear (p = 0.357). The results showed that the frequency (p < 0.001), severity (p = 0.001) and bothersome degree (p = 0.016) of halos were significantly worse when wearing MFSCLs than when wearing single vision spectacle lenses. In contrast, the bothersome degree caused by focusing difficulty (p = 0.046) and the frequency of difficulty in judging distance or depth perception (p = 0.046) were better when wearing MFSCLs than when wearing single vision spectacle lenses. Compared with the naked eye, MFSCLs increased the total aberrations (p < 0.001), higher-order aberrations (p < 0.001), trefoil (p = 0.023), coma aberrations (p < 0.001) and spherical aberrations (SA) (p < 0.001). Compared with the SVSCLs, MFSCLs increased the total aberrations (p < 0.001), higher-order aberrations (p < 0.001), coma aberrations (p < 0.001) and SA (p < 0.001). The direction of SA was more positive (p < 0.001) with the MFSCLs and more negative (p = 0.001) with the SVSCLs compared with the naked eye. CONCLUSIONS: Wearing MFSCLs can provide satisfactory corrected visual acuity (both distance HCVA and distance LCVA). Although the lenses increased the aberrations, such as total aberrations and higher-order aberrations, there were few adverse effects on the distance HCVA, distance LCVA and visual perception after 1 month of MFSCL use. TRIAL REGISTRATION: Chinese Clinical Trial Registry: ChiCTR-OOC-17012103. Registered 23 July 2017, http://www.chictr.org.cn/usercenter.aspx.

Evaluation of the Necessity for Cycloplegia During Refraction of Chinese Children Between 4 and 10 Years Old.

PURPOSE: To determine the effect of atropine cycloplegia on the refractive status of children aged 4 to 10 years and to evaluate the necessity of cycloplegia for different refractive states and ages during refractive correction. METHODS: This retrospective study included patients with low, moderate, and high myopia and hyperopia who were divided into two groups by age: 4 to 6 years (n = 5,320) and 7 to 10 years (n = 6,475). Every patient underwent cycloplegia with atropine sulphate. Refractive errors were measured by retinoscopy. RESULTS: Within each group, the differences between cycloplegic and non-cycloplegic refractive errors (DIFFC-N) were significant. DIFFC-N was negatively correlated with age (r = -0.356, P < .001). The differences in refractive error between prescribed glasses and non-cycloplegic refraction (DIFFG-N) were largest in the groups with high myopia (0.83 ± 1.15 diopters [D] in the 4 to 6 years group and 0.60 ± 1.47 D in the 7 to 10 years group). After cycloplegia, 62.5% of the patients with mild myopia became emmetropic or hyperopic in the 4 to 6 years group, and 11.3% of the patients with mild myopia became emmetropic or hyperopic in the 7 to 10 years group. CONCLUSIONS: Without cycloplegia, autorefraction tends to overestimate refractive error in children with myopia. For accurate glasses prescriptions, cycloplegia should be used for children between 4 and 10 years, especially for children with high myopia. [J Pediatr Ophthalmol Strabismus. 2020;57(4):257-263.].

Antiproliferative potential of piperine and curcumin in drug-resistant human leukemia cancer cells are mediated via autophagy and apoptosis induction, S-phase cell cycle arrest and inhibition of cell invasion and migration.

PURPOSE: Leukemia causes annually a significant number of deaths. The main objective of this study was to investigate the anticancer properties of piperine and curcumin against HL60 leukemia cells and to elucidate the underlying mechanism. METHODS: Antiproliferative effects were assessed by WST-1 cell viability assay. Cell apoptotic effects were studied by DAPI staining assay. Annexin V/propidium iodide (PI) assay was used to assess apoptosis. Electron microscopy was used for detection of autophagy and flow cytometry for cell cycle analysis, while transwell migration assay was used to study the effects on cell migration and invasion. Protein expression was estimated by western blot. RESULTS: The results showed that both piperine and curcumin inhibited significantly the growth of the HL60 cells and exhibited an IC50 of 25 and 30 µM respectively. Further, it was observed that the anticancer effects of piperine and curcumin were due to the induction of mitochondrial-mediated apoptosis which was also associated with enhancement of the Bax expression. Transmission electron microscopy also showed that both curcumin and piperine induced autophagy in the HL-60 leukemia cells. Flow cytometry showed that piperine and curcumin also caused arrest of the HL-60 cells at the S-phase of the cell cycle. Finally wound healing and transwell assays showed that piperine and curcumin suppressed the migration and invasive potential of the HL60 cells. CONCLUSIONS: The present study reveals that piperine and curcumin exhibit significant antitumor activity in human leukemia HL60 cells via multiple mechanisms and may prove promising in the development of systemic therapy for leukemia.

Physcion 8­O­ß­glucopyranoside extracted from Polygonum cuspidatum exhibits anti­proliferative and anti­inflammatory effects on MH7A rheumatoid arthritis­derived fibroblast­like synoviocytes through the TGF­ß/MAPK pathway.

The present study aimed to investigate the anti­arthritic effect of physcion 8­O­ß­glucopyranoside (POGD) and its possible mechanisms. The anti­proliferative effects of POGD on MH7A cells were detected using a CCK­8 assay, and the release of pro­inflammatory cytokines, interleukin (IL)­1ß, IL­6, IL­8, IL­12 and IL­17A, were determined by ELISA. A type II collagen­induced arthritis (CIA) rat model was established to evaluate the anti­arthritic effect of POGD in vivo. The paw volumes, arthritis indices and serum levels of tumor necrosis factor (TNF)­α, IL­1ß, IL­6, IL­8, IL­17A were determined by ELISA. The mRNA expression levels of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)­2, MMP­3, MMP­9, vascular endothelial growth factor and cyclooxygenase­2 were determined by reverse transcription­quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis, and the expression levels of transforming growth factor (TGF)­ß1, small mothers against decapentaplegic (Smad)4, Smad7, c­Jun N­terminal kinase (JNK), phosphorylated (p­)JNK, p­P38, P38, p­extracellular signal­regulated kinase (ERK)1/2, ERK1/2, nuclear factor (NF)­κB p65 in the nucleus (N), cytosolic NF­κB p65 (C), and inhibitor of NF­κB (IκB) were determined by western blot analysis. The results indicated that POGD significantly inhibited MH7A cell growth. POGD markedly inhibited paw swelling and the arthritis indices of the CIA rats, and POGD may also inhibit the release of pro­inflammatory cytokines. Furthermore, POGD downregulated the expression levels of TGF­ß1, Smad4, NF­κB p65 (N), p38, p­p38, p­ERK1/2, JNK, p­JNK, TGF­ß1, Smad4, p­JNK, JNK, p­P38, P38, p­ERK1/2, ERK1/2 and NF­κB p65 (N), and upregulated the Smad7, NF­κB p65 (C) and IκB in TNF­α induced MH7A cells. In conclusion, the results suggested that POGD is a promising potential anti­inflammatory drug, and that POGD may decrease the expression of pro­inflammatory cytokines and mediators via inhibiting the TGF­ß/NF­κB/mitogen­activated protein kinase pathways.

In vitro neuroprotective effects of ciliary neurotrophic factor on dorsal root ganglion neurons with glutamate-induced neurotoxicity.

Ciliary neurotrophic factor has neuroprotective effects mediated through signal transducer and Janus kinase (JAK) 2/activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) and phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt signaling pathways. Whether ciliary neurotrophic factor is neuroprotective for glutamate-induced excitotoxicity of dorsal root ganglion neurons is poorly understood. In the present study, the in vitro neuroprotective effects of ciliary neurotrophic factor against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity were determined in a primary culture of dorsal root ganglion neurons from Wistar rat embryos at embryonic day 15. Whether the JAK2/STAT3 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathways were related to the protective effects of ciliary neurotrophic factor was also determined. Glutamate exposure inhibited neurite outgrowth, cell viability, and growth-associated protein 43 expression and promoted apoptotic neuronal cell death, all of which were reversed by the administration of exogenous ciliary neurotrophic factor. Additionally, preincubation with either JAK2 inhibitor AG490 or PI3K inhibitor LY294002 blocked the neuroprotective effect of ciliary neurotrophic factor. These data indicate that the two pathways JAK2/STAT3 and PI3K/Akt play major roles in mediating the in vitro neuroprotective effects of ciliary neurotrophic factor on dorsal root ganglion neurons with glutamate-induced neurotoxicity.