Curcumin regulates autophagy through SIRT3-SOD2-ROS signaling pathway to improve quadriceps femoris muscle atrophy in KOA rat model.

Knee osteoarthritis (KOA) usually leads to quadriceps femoris atrophy, which in turn can further aggravate the progression of KOA. Curcumin (CUR) has anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects and has been shown to be a protective agent for skeletal muscle. CUR has been shown to have a protective effect on skeletal muscle. However, there are no studies related to whether CUR improves KOA-induced quadriceps femoris muscle atrophy. We established a model of KOA in rats. Rats in the experimental group were fed CUR for 5 weeks. Changes in autophagy levels, reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, and changes in the expression of the Sirutin3 (SIRT3)-superoxide dismutase 2 (SOD2) pathway were detected in the quadriceps femoris muscle of rats. KOA led to quadriceps femoris muscle atrophy, in which autophagy was induced and ROS levels were increased. CUR increased SIRT3 expression, decreased SOD2 acetylation and ROS levels, inhibited the over-activation of autophagy, thereby alleviating quadriceps femoris muscle atrophy and improving KOA. CUR has a protective effect against quadriceps femoris muscle atrophy, and KOA is alleviated after improvement of quadriceps femoris muscle atrophy, with the possible mechanism being the reduction of ROS-induced autophagy via the SIRT3-SOD2 pathway.

Density and row spacing of short-season cotton suitable for machine picking in the cotton region of Yellow River Basin.

To determine the suitable planting density and row spacing of short-season cotton suitable for machine picking in the Yellow River Basin of China, we conducted a two-year field experiment in Dezhou during 2018-2019. The experiment followed a split-plot design, with planting density (82500 plants·hm-2 and 112500 plants·hm-2) as the main plots and row spacing (equal row spacing of 76 cm, wide-narrow row spacing of 66 cm+10 cm, equal row spacing of 60 cm) as the subplots. We examined the effects of planting density and row spacing on growth and development, canopy structure, seed cotton yield and fiber quality of short-season cotton. The results showed that plant height and LAI under high density treatment were significantly greater than those under low density treatment. The transmittance of the bottom layer was significantly lower than under low density treatment. Plant height under 76 cm equal row spacing was significantly higher than that under 60 cm equal row spacing, while that under wide-narrow row spacing (66 cm +10 cm) was significantly smaller than that under 60 cm equal row spacing in peak bolling stage. The effects of row spacing on LAI varied between the two years, densities, and growth stages. On the whole, the LAI under the wide-narrow row spacing (66 cm+10 cm) was higher, with the curve declining gently after the peak, and it was higher than that in the two cases of equal row spacing in the harvest time. The change in transmittance of the bottom layer presented the opposite trend. Density, row spacing, and their interaction had significant effects on seed cotton yield and its components. In both years, seed cotton yield was the highest (3832 kg·hm-2 in 2018, 3235 kg·hm-2 in 2019) under wide-narrow row spacing (66 cm+10 cm), and it was more stable at high densities. Fiber quality was less affected by density and row spacing. To sum up, the optimal density and row spacing of short-season cotton were as follows: density with 112500 plants·hm-2 and wide-narrow row spacing (66 cm+10 cm).

[The Surgical Effects of Medial Rectus Recession on Divergence Insufficiency Esotropia].

OBJECTIVE: To study the surgical effects of medial rectus recession (MRR) on divergence insufficiency esotropia (DIE). METHODS: Nine DIE patients who were admitted to and had MRR at Xinhua Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University between December 2017 and June 2020 were included in this retrospective study. All patients were followed up for 1 year at least. The postoperative esodeviation, near-distant disparity (NDD) and visual function were observed and compared. RESULTS: The mean age of the 9 patients was 28.8 years old (10-49 yr.), including 3 adolescent patients (≤18 yr.). The mean preoperative esodeviation was (19.8±13.2) PD for near and (32.6±15.3) PD at distance, while, the mean postoperative esodeviation 1 year after MMR was (-0.2±3.5) PD for near and (6.0±2.2) PD at distance, showing significant improvement over the mean preoperative esodeviation ( P=0.012, P=0.007). NDD dropped from (12.8±2.4) PD before the surgery to (6.0±2.2) PD 1 year after the surgery, showing significant improvement ( P=0.008), and remained stable 1 year after the surgery ( F=0.075, P=0.900). There was no significant improvement of near stereopsis ( P=0.306). Binocular function at distance was significantly improved after surgery (Worth 4 dots test : P=0.017; Bagolini striated glasses: P=0.035). The patients were divided into two groups, the adolescent group (age≤18 yr., n=3) and the adult group (age>18 yr., n=6). Prior to the operation, the mean spherical diopter of the adolescent group (OD -1.75 D, OS -1.92 D) was lower than that of the adult group (OD -6.17 D, OS -6.04 D) ( P=0.012). The average value of preoperative AC/A of the adolescent group was 4.33. It was 2.33 in the adult group, which was lower than the normal value, and significantly lower than that of the adolescent group ( P=0.12). There was no significant difference in esodeviation or NDD between the adolescent group and the adult group before and after operation. CONCLUSIONS: Medial rectus muscle recession can effectively improve the NDD and the binocular function at distance of patients with divergence insufficiency esotropia. Postoperative esodeviations both for near and at distance tend to regress after the surgery. Therefore, it is recommended that the amount of MRR be increased in the treatment of DIE.

The efficacy of superior oblique posterior tenectomy in the treatment of A-pattern exotropia without ocular intorsion: A retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: Superior oblique weakening is a common method to treat A-pattern strabismus. This study aims to evaluate the surgical results of the bilateral superior oblique posterior tenectomy procedure to treat A-pattern strabismus patients who had bilateral superior oblique overaction without objective ocular intorsion. METHODS: The records of 18 consecutive patients who underwent surgery of superior oblique posterior tenectomy close to its insertion with superior oblique overaction (SOOA)-associated A-pattern strabismus between September 1, 2015 and August 31, 2018 were retrospectively reviewed. Ocular alignment, objective torsion, A-pattern and ocular motility were assessed. Ocular alignment was measured in the primary position, 25° upgaze, and 25° downgaze using the prism bar cover test, and torsion was measured using fundus photographs. RESULTS: A total of 18 patients (mean age: 15 years; 6 female, 12 male) underwent bilateral superior oblique posterior tenectomy and simultaneous horizontal rectus muscle surgery were included. The mean preoperative A-pattern deviation was 15 PD and the mean postoperative A-pattern deviation was 2.25 PD with a mean reduction of 12.75 PD. The mean preoperative superior oblique overaction was 2.28 and the mean postoperative superior oblique overaction was 0.43 with a mean reduction of 1.85. There was no significant correlation between the ocular torsional, vertical alignment change and the superior oblique posterior tenectomy procedure. CONCLUSIONS: Superior oblique posterior tenectomy surgery selectively improved the A-pattern and superior oblique overaction but not affect the primary position vertical deviation, as well as the ocular torsion. It is an effective procedure to treat the mild to moderate superior oblique overaction associated A pattern strabismus without ocular intorsion.

Astaxanthin attenuates the apoptosis of retinal ganglion cells in db/db mice by inhibition of oxidative stress.

Diabetic retinopathy is a common diabetic eye disease caused by changes in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). It is an ocular manifestation of systemic disease, which affects up to 80% of all patients who have had diabetes for 10 years or more. The genetically diabetic db/db mouse, as a model of type-2 diabetes, shows diabetic retinopathy induced by apoptosis of RGCs. Astaxanthin is a carotenoid with powerful antioxidant properties that exists naturally in various plants, algae and seafood. Here, astaxanthin was shown to reduce the apoptosis of RGCs and improve the levels of oxidative stress markers, including superoxide anion, malondialdehyde (MDA, a marker of lipid peroxidation), 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine (8-OHdG, indicator of oxidative DNA damage) and MnSOD (manganese superoxide dismutase) activity in the retinal tissue of db/db mouse. In addition, astaxanthin attenuated hydrogen peroxide(H2O2)-induced apoptosis in the transformed rat retinal ganglion cell line RGC-5. Therefore, astaxanthin may be developed as an antioxidant drug to treat diabetic retinopathy.

[Investigations on cyclotorsion changes following strabismus surgery in superior oblique palsy patients].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate cyclotorsion changes after strabismus surgery in superior oblique palsy patients. METHODS: Forty patients (50 eyes) underwent myotomy of inferior oblique (15 patients, 15 eyes), partial myectomy of inferior oblique (15 patients, 15 eyes) or myotomy of inferior oblique combined with inferior rectus recession on the other eye (10 patients, 20 eyes) for treatment of monocular superior oblique palsy. Objective cyclotorsion were examined pre-operation, as well as 1, 7, 30, and 90 d post-operation with fundus photograph and quantitive measurement. Vertical deviation and ocular movement were also assessed before and after surgery. Fundus photograph were also examined in 30 normal persons (60 eyes) without strabismus. RESULTS: The fovea-to-disc angle of normal people was 6.7°±2.5° in the right eye, 5.9°±2.3° in the left eye, and 12.6°±4.3° when combined. The cyclotorsion angle was not statistically significant between two eyes (t=1.29, P=0.20). For the monocular superior oblique palsy patients, preoperative fovea-to-disc angle was 14.3°±6.6° in the affected eyes, 12.2°±4.8° in the fellow eyes, and 26.5°±10.3° when combined. The objective cyclotorsion was also not statistically significant between two eyes (t=1.64, P=0.11). The comparison of total cyclotorsion angle of both eyes showed significant difference between normal people and patients. The fovea-to-disc angle of 1, 7, 30 and 90 d after operation were 11.7°±4.3°, 11.9°±4.9°, 13.5°±5.2° and 15.9°±3.6° respectively. The comparison of objective ocular cyclotorsion for both eyes showed significant difference pre- and post-operation (F=40.13, P<0.01). There is a gradual increasing trend of postoperative excyclotorsion angle with the prolonged time. There were statistically significant difference between 90 d and 1 d, 7 d after surgery. The two inferior oblique weakening procedures, myotomy of inferior oblique and partial myectomy of inferior oblique produced equitable amount of incyclotorsion shift with no statistical difference. The difference between the cyclotorsion change induced by myotomy of inferior oblique and inferior rectus recession in counter side was also not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Monocular superior oblique palsy patients had fundus excyclotorsion change that was nearly equally distributed between two eyes. Weakening the inferior oblique and inferior rectus could correct ocular excyclotorsion, the regression trend was observed 90 d after surgery. Both myotomy and partial myectomy of inferior oblique were equally effective in the correct of ocular cyclotorsion and vertical deviation.

[Surgical treatment of myopic strabismus fixus by modified Yokoyama's surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the surgical results of modified Yokoyama's procedure for treating myopic strabismus fixus. METHODS: Retrospective analysis of records of 5 patients (7 eyes) with high myopic strabismus. Pre- and postoperative orthoptic measurements were recorded and analyzed. Anatomic relationships between the muscle cone and globe were analyzed using MRI or CT scan. The surgical procedure is a modification of Yokoyama's technique and medial rectus muscle was also recessed. RESULTS: The average axis length of 7 eyes was 32.62 mm (SD1.84). The mean preoperative horizontal deviation was 82.86 PD (SD 37.62) esotropia and mean vertical deviation was 20 PD (SD 7.91) hypotropia. All patients had marked limitation of elevation and abduction. Displacement of the lateral rectus inferiorly and superior rectus medially was demonstrated in each patient by CT or MRI scan of the orbits and by observation during surgery. After surgery, the supertemporal dislocation of globe was improved. Both the horizontal and vertical deviations decreased significantly, and the abduction and sursumduction motility were also improved gradually. The average follow-up was 5 months, all patients achieved satisfactory results and remained stable. CONCLUSIONS: In high myopic patients, if the deviant paths of the LR and SR muscles were demonstrated by MRI or CT scan, the surgical procedure to restore the dislocated globe back into the muscle cone by uniting muscle bellies of the superior rectus and lateral rectus muscles is effective and recommended.