Characteristics of tunneling nanotube-like structures formed by human dermal microvascular pericytes in vitro.

Tunneling nanotubes (TNTs) represent an innovative way for cells to communicate with one another, as they act as long conduits between cells. However, their roles in human dermal microvascular pericytes (HDMPCs) interaction remain elusive in vitro. In this work, we identified and characterized the TNT-like structures that connected two or more pericytes in two-dimensional cultures and formed a functional network in the human dermis. Immunofluorescence assay indicated that the F-actin was an essential element to form inter-pericyte TNT-like structures, as it decreased in actin polymer inhibitor-cytochalasin B treated groups, and microtubules were present in almost half of the TNT-like structures. Most importantly, we only found the presence of mitochondrial in TNT-like structures containing α-tubulin, and the application of microtubule assembly inhibitor-Nocodazole significantly reduced the percentage of TNT-like structures that contain α-tubulin, resulting in a sudden decrease in the positive rate of cytochrome c oxidase subunit 4 isoform 1 (COX IV, a marker of mitochondria) in TNT-like structures. In summary, we described a novel intercellular communication-TNT-like structures-between HDMPCs in vitro, and this work allows us to properly understand the cellular mechanisms of spreading materials between HDMPCs, shedding light on the role of HDMPCs.

Recent research on material-based methods for isolation of extracellular vesicles.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are nanoparticles secreted by cells with a closed phospholipid bilayer structure, which can participate in various physiological and pathological processes and have significant clinical value in disease diagnosis, targeted therapy and prognosis assessment. EV isolation methods currently include differential ultracentrifugation, ultrafiltration, size exclusion chromatography, immunoaffinity, polymer co-precipitation and microfluidics. In addition, material-based biochemical or biophysical approaches relying on intrinsic properties of the material or its surface-modified functionalized monomers, demonstrated unique advantages in the efficient isolation of EVs. In order to provide new ideas for the subsequent development of material-based EV isolation methods, this review will focus on the principle, research status and application prospects of material-based EV isolation methods based on different material carriers and functional monomers.

Method for Incomplete and Imbalanced Data Based on Multivariate Imputation by Chained Equations and Ensemble Learning.

The classification analysis of incomplete and imbalanced data is still a challenging task since these issues could negatively impact the training of classifiers, which were also found in our study on the physical fitness assessments of patients. And in fields such as healthcare, there are higher requirements for the accuracy of the generated imputation values. To train a high-performance classifier and pursue high accuracy, we attempted to resolve any potential negative impact by using a novel algorithmic approach based on the combination of multivariate imputation by chained equations and the ensemble learning method (MICEEN), which can solve the two problems simultaneously. We used multivariate imputation by chained equations to generate more accurate imputation values for the training set passed to ensemble learning to build a predictor. On the other hand, missing values were introduced into minority classes and used them to generate new samples belonging to the minority classes in order to balance the distribution of classes. On real-world datasets, we perform extensive experiments to assess our method and compare it to other state-of-the-art approaches. The advantages of the proposed method are demonstrated by experimental results for the benchmark datasets and self-collected datasets of physical fitness assessment of tumor patients with varying missing rates.

Tube Formation Capability and Chemotaxis of Skin Pericytes.

BACKGROUND: Pericytes (PCs), the critical components of vessels, are implicated in wound repair. This study aimed to explore the roles of PCs in wound healing and angiogenesis. METHODS: Skin PCs and human dermal microvascular endothelial cells (HDMECs) were isolated from patients' upper eyelid skin. Immunofluorescence staining was used to characterize the morphology of PCs. Tube formation and transwell chemotaxis assays were performed to explore PC's tube-forming capability and chemotaxis. Finally, we investigated the effects of PCs and endothelial cells on wound repair using skin wound of a rat model. RESULTS: Skin PCs exhibited a double-protrusion structure and characteristic antigen expression of neural/glial antigen 2 (NG2)+/platelet-derived growth factor receptor-ß (PDGFR-ß)+/alpha-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA)+/CD31-. Skin PCs could directly form lumen-like structures in a two dimensional (2D) culture environment, and mild hypoxia and starvation promoted the lumen-like structure formation. Furthermore, skin PCs quickly formed more stable lumen-like structures than HDMECs in matrigel, and they recruited HDMECs in a three dimensional (3D) culture environment. Transwell chemotaxis assay showed that PCs and HDMECs were chemotactic to each other. PCs could develop lumen-like structures in the skin wounds of rat models. The number of PCs mounted in wounded skin was compared to normal skin. The ratio of PCs to endothelial cells gradually increased after skin injury and reached its maximum on the 3rd day. CONCLUSIONS: Skin PCs have an excellent tube-forming capability and chemotaxis to endothelial cells. PCs might promote wound repair by recruiting endothelial cells.

Multiomics and blood-based biomarkers of moyamoya disease: protocol of Moyamoya Omics Atlas (MOYAOMICS).

BACKGROUND: Moyamoya disease (MMD) is a rare and complex cerebrovascular disorder characterized by the progressive narrowing of the internal carotid arteries and the formation of compensatory collateral vessels. The etiology of MMD remains enigmatic, making diagnosis and management challenging. The MOYAOMICS project was initiated to investigate the molecular underpinnings of MMD and explore potential diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. METHODS: The MOYAOMICS project employs a multidisciplinary approach, integrating various omics technologies, including genomics, transcriptomics, proteomics, and metabolomics, to comprehensively examine the molecular signatures associated with MMD pathogenesis. Additionally, we will investigate the potential influence of gut microbiota and brain-gut peptides on MMD development, assessing their suitability as targets for therapeutic strategies and dietary interventions. Radiomics, a specialized field in medical imaging, is utilized to analyze neuroimaging data for early detection and characterization of MMD-related brain changes. Deep learning algorithms are employed to differentiate MMD from other conditions, automating the diagnostic process. We also employ single-cellomics and mass cytometry to precisely study cellular heterogeneity in peripheral blood samples from MMD patients. CONCLUSIONS: The MOYAOMICS project represents a significant step toward comprehending MMD's molecular underpinnings. This multidisciplinary approach has the potential to revolutionize early diagnosis, patient stratification, and the development of targeted therapies for MMD. The identification of blood-based biomarkers and the integration of multiple omics data are critical for improving the clinical management of MMD and enhancing patient outcomes for this complex disease.

Interplay of Ferroptosis and Cuproptosis in Cancer: Dissecting Metal-Driven Mechanisms for Therapeutic Potentials.

Iron (Fe) and copper (Cu), essential transition metals, play pivotal roles in various cellular processes critical to cancer biology, including cell proliferation, mitochondrial respiration, distant metastases, and oxidative stress. The emergence of ferroptosis and cuproptosis as distinct forms of non-apoptotic cell death has heightened their significance, particularly in connection with these metal ions. While initially studied separately, recent evidence underscores the interdependence of ferroptosis and cuproptosis. Studies reveal a link between mitochondrial copper accumulation and ferroptosis induction. This interconnected relationship presents a promising strategy, especially for addressing refractory cancers marked by drug tolerance. Harnessing the toxicity of iron and copper in clinical settings becomes crucial. Simultaneous targeting of ferroptosis and cuproptosis, exemplified by the combination of sorafenib and elesclomol-Cu, represents an intriguing approach. Strategies targeting mitochondria further enhance the precision of these approaches, providing hope for improving treatment outcomes of drug-resistant cancers. Moreover, the combination of iron chelators and copper-lowering agents with established therapeutic modalities exhibits a synergy that holds promise for the augmentation of anti-tumor efficacy in various malignancies. This review elaborates on the complex interplay between ferroptosis and cuproptosis, including their underlying mechanisms, and explores their potential as druggable targets in both cancer research and clinical settings.

A time series driven model for early sepsis prediction based on transformer module.

Sepsis remains a critical concern in intensive care units due to its high mortality rate. Early identification and intervention are paramount to improving patient outcomes. In this study, we have proposed predictive models for early sepsis prediction based on time-series data, utilizing both CNN-Transformer and LSTM-Transformer architectures. By collecting time-series data from patients at 4, 8, and 12 h prior to sepsis diagnosis and subjecting it to various network models for analysis and comparison. In contrast to traditional recurrent neural networks, our model exhibited a substantial improvement of approximately 20%. On average, our model demonstrated an accuracy of 0.964 (± 0.018), a precision of 0.956 (± 0.012), a recall of 0.967 (± 0.012), and an F1 score of 0.959 (± 0.014). Furthermore, by adjusting the time window, it was observed that the Transformer-based model demonstrated exceptional predictive capabilities, particularly within the earlier time window (i.e., 12 h before onset), thus holding significant promise for early clinical diagnosis and intervention. Besides, we employed the SHAP algorithm to visualize the weight distribution of different features, enhancing the interpretability of our model and facilitating early clinical diagnosis and intervention.

Total knee arthroplasty in patients with Klippel Trenaunay syndrome and knee osteoarthritis: A case report and a literature review.

INTRODUCTION: Klippel Trenaunay syndrome (KTS) is a rare congenital disorder characterized by wine staining, varicose veins, bone hypertrophy, and soft tissue hyperplasia. KTS usually occurs at birth, early infancy or childhood. The rarity of disease makes it difficult to calculate its incidence rate. However, few studies report the incidence rate of 2 to 5 cases per 100 thousand. Furthermore, evidence demonstrates that KTS is more prevalent among males compared to females. CASE PRESENTATION: An elderly male aged 67, was admitted to the hospital for chronic pain in his left knee. An outpatient physical examination reveals a significantly thicker left lower limb accompanied by multiple varicose veins. The right lower limb was 2 cm short on the opposite side, and the right foot was stunted with high arch deformity. The entire body was covered in a red grape globus, which faded after pressing. He was diagnosed with KTS. We performed TKA for him after blood coagulation examination. The patient recovered well after the operation. He was followed up for 1 year, The patient is in good condition and satisfied with the operation. CONCLUSION: For patients with KTS, total knee arthroplasty is an effective surgical procedure to treat arthritis. However, some risks must be considered, and appropriate surgical preparation must be undertaken.

Comparative transcriptome analysis revealed that auxin and cell wall biosynthesis play important roles in the formation of hollow hearts in cucumber.

BACKGROUND: Hollow heart is a kind of physiological defect that seriously affects the yield, quality, and economic value of cucumber. However, the formation of hollow hearts may relate to multiple factors in cucumber, and it is necessary to conduct analysis. RESULTS: In this study, hollow and non-hollow fruits of cucumber K07 were used for comparative transcriptome sequencing and analysis. 253 differentially expressed genes and 139 transcription factors were identified as being associated with the formation of hollow hearts. Hormone (auxin) signaling and cell wall biosynthesis were mainly enriched in GO and KEGG pathways. Expression levels of key genes involved in indole-3-acetic acid biosynthesis in carpel were lower in the hollow fruits than non-hollow fruits, while there was no difference in the flesh. The concentration of indole-3-acetic also showed lower in the carpel than flesh. The biosynthetic pathway and content analysis of the main components of the cell wall found that lignin biosynthesis had obvious regularity with hollow heart, followed by hemicellulose and cellulose. Correlation analysis showed that there may be an interaction between auxin and cell wall biosynthesis, and they collectively participate in the formation of hollow hearts in cucumber. Among the differentially expressed transcription factors, MYB members were the most abundant, followed by NAC, ERF, and bHLH. CONCLUSIONS: The results and analyses showed that the low content of auxin in the carpel affected the activity of enzymes related to cell wall biosynthesis at the early stage of fruit development, resulting in incomplete development of carpel cells, thus forming a hollow heart in cucumber. Some transcription factors may play regulatory roles in this progress. The results may enrich the theory of the formation of hollow hearts and provide a basis for future research.

Magnitude representation of preschool children with autism spectrum condition.

LAY ABSTRACT: The mathematical abilities of children with autism spectrum condition have been understudied. Magnitude representation (e.g. presenting the number of a collection of objects) is a fundamental numerical ability presented since early infancy and is correlated with children's later learning of formal mathematics. It remains unclear about whether children with autism spectrum condition differ from their peers without autism spectrum condition in precision of magnitude representations. This study compared preschool children with and without autism spectrum condition in their precision of magnitude representation with an approximate number comparison task, in which children compared two sets of dots without counting and chose the set with more dots. Children with autism spectrum condition exhibited the lower numerical comparison accuracy (i.e. the weaker magnitude representation) than their peers without autism spectrum condition. This difference existed even when multiple general cognitive abilities (working memory, inhibitory control, and nonverbal intelligence) and language abilities were statistically controlled. Moreover, the individual difference of the numerical comparison accuracy was larger in children with autism spectrum condition than without autism spectrum condition. These findings suggest that children with autism spectrum condition are at risk of weaker magnitude representation from an early age, emphasizing the need for specialized mathematics education or interventions to support their learning. In addition, the large variance in the precision of their magnitude representation suggests that individualized mathematics interventions are needed for children with autism spectrum condition.

Bone morphogenetic protein 6 induces downregulation of pentraxin 3 expression in human granulosa lutein cells in women with polycystic ovary syndrome.

PURPOSE: To evaluate whether PTX3 is differentially expressed in the granulosa lutein cells derived from women with PCOS and whether BMP6 can regulate the expression of PTX3 in hGL cells. METHODS: The expression levels of BMP6 and PTX3 in granulosa lutein cells were evaluated by RT-qPCR. The correlation between the expression levels of BMP6 /PTX3 and oocyte quality indexes were analyzed using clinical samples. The cells were incubated with BMP6 at different concentrations and times to check the expression of PTX3 in KGN cells. TGF-ß type I inhibitors and small interfering RNA targeting ALK2/3/6,SMAD1/5/8 and SMAD4 were used to study the involvement of SMAD dependent pathways in KGN cells. RESULTS: The levels of BMP6 in hGL cells were negatively correlated with the corresponding oocyte maturation rate and high-quality embryo rate, whereas the levels of PTX3 were positively correlated with the corresponding oocyte maturation rate in PCOS. Additionally, the in vitro cell cultured results showed BMP6 significantly inhibited the expression of PTX3 in KGN cells. Furthermore, using a dual inhibition approach (kinase inhibitors and small interfering RNAs), we identified the ALK2/ALK3 type I receptors and BMPR2/ACVR2A type II receptors and the downstream SMAD1/SMAD5-SMAD4 signaling pathway were responsible for the BMP6-induced cellular activities in KGN cells. CONCLUSIONS: The suppressive effect of BMP6 on PTX3 was mediated by ALK2/ALK3 type I receptors and BMPR2/ACVR2A type II receptors in granulosa cells through the SMAD1/5-SMAD4 dependent signaling pathway in PCOS.Our findings provides new insights into the understanding of the pathogenesis of PCOS-related ovulatory disorders.

The evolutionary adaptation of shrimp hemocyanin subtypes and the consequences on their structure and functions.

Hemocyanin is the main respiratory protein of arthropods and is formed by hexameric and/or oligomeric subunits. Due to changes in the living environment and gene rearrangement, various hemocyanin subtypes and subunits evolved in crustaceans. This paper reviews the various hemocyanin subtypes and isoforms in shrimp and analyses published genomic data of sixteen hemocyanin family genes from Litopenaeus vannamei to explore the evolution of hemocyanin genes, subunits, and protein structure. Analysis of hemocyanin subtypes distribution and structure in various tissues was also performed and related to multiple and tissue-specific functions, i.e., immunological activity, immune signaling, phenoloxidase activity, modulation of microbiota homeostasis, and energy metabolism. The functional diversity of shrimp hemocyanin due to molecular polymorphism, transcriptional regulation, alternative splicing, degradation into functional peptides, interaction with other proteins or genes, and structural differences will also be highlighted for future research. Inferences would be drawn from other crustaceans to explain how evolution has changed the structure-function of hemocyanin and its implication for evolutionary research into the multifunctionality of hemocyanin and other related proteins in shrimp.

Effect of human chorionic gonadotropin injection before frozen-thawed embryo transfer: A retrospective cohort study.

The aim of this study is to investigate the effect of human chorionic gonadotropin (hCG) in hormone replacement regimen for frozen-thawed embryos. We performed a retrospective cohort study and included patients who underwent frozen embryo transfer (FET) between January 1, 2020 and May 31, 2022. According to the protocols for the FET cycle, the patients were divided into control (n = 238) and hCG groups (n = 216). The clinical pregnancy rate, live birth rate, early abortion rate, late abortion rate, and ectopic pregnancy rate were compared between the 2 groups. There was a significant difference in clinical pregnancy rate between the hCG and control groups (55.1% vs 45.8%, P = .048). The ectopic pregnancy rate decreased (5.0% vs 6.4%, P = .654), while the live birth rate increased (36.1% vs 29.0%, P = .105) in the hCG group. However, these differences were not statistically significant. The administration of hCG injection in HRT-FET cycles alone was also found to be associated with clinical pregnancy by logistic regressive analysis. HCG injection in the hormone replacement regimen for FET increased the clinical pregnancy rate.

Epidemiology of healthcare-associated infections and outcomes among open and robotic pancreatoduodenectomy: A retrospective study from 2013 to 2022.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Healthcare-associated infections (HAIs) after pancreaticoduodenectomy (PD) are one of the common postoperative complications. This study aims to investigate the epidemiology of postoperative HAIs in patients with open pancreaticoduodenectomy (OPD) and robotic pancreaticoduodenectomy (RPD). METHODS: This retrospective cohort study described the trend of HAIs in patients undergoing PD from January 2013 to December 2022 at a tertiary hospital. Patients were divided into OPD and RPD, and the HAIs and outcomes were compared. RESULTS: Among 2632 patients who underwent PD, 230 (8.7%, 95% confidence interval [CI] 7.7-9.9%) were diagnosed with HAIs, with a decreasing trend from 2013 to 2022 (P < 0.001 for trend). The incidence of postoperative HAIs was significantly higher in patients with OPD than RPD (9.6% vs 5.8%; P = 0.003). The incidence of HAIs for patients with OPD showed a decreasing trend (P = 0.001 for trend), and the trend for RPD was not significant (P = 0.554 for trend). Logistic regression showed that RPD was significantly associated with postoperative HAIs after adjusting for covariates (adjusted odds ratio = 0.654; 95% CI 0.443-0.965; P = 0.032), especially in the subgroup of patients without preoperative biliary drainage (adjusted odds ratio = 0.486; 95% CI 0.292-0.809; P = 0.006). Regarding clinical outcomes, RPD has a shorter length of stay and a more expensive charge than OPD (all P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Postoperative HAIs in patients with PD showed a decreasing trend in recent years, especially in OPD. RPD was significantly associated with reduced postoperative HAIs and length of stay, although the charge is more expensive. Attention should be paid to postoperative HAIs in OPD, and it is imperative to continue reducing the costs of RPD.

One-pot preparation of bi-functional POSS-based hybrid monolith via photo-initiated polymerization for isolation of extracellular vesicles.

Extracellular vesicles (EVs) are important participants in numerous pathophysiological processes, and could be used as valuable biomarkers to detect and monitor various diseases. However, facile EV isolation methods are the essential and preliminary issue for their downstream analysis and function investigation. In this work, a polyhedral oligomeric silsesquioxanes (POSS) based hybrid monolith combined metal affinity chromatography (MAC) and distearoyl phospholipid ethanolamine (DSPE) function was developed via photo-initiated thiol-ene polymerization. This synthesis process was facile, simple and convenient, and the obtained hybrid monolith could be applied to efficiently isolate EVs from bio-samples by taking advantages of the specific bond of Ti4+ and phosphate groups on the phospholipid membrane of EVs and the synergistic effect of DSPE insertion. Meanwhile, the eluted EVs could maintain their structural integrity and biological activity, suggesting they could be used for downstream application. Furthermore, 75 up-regulated proteins and 56 down-regulated proteins were identified by comparing the urinary EVs of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and healthy donors, and these proteins might be used as potential biomarkers for early screening of CRC. These results demonstrated that this hybrid monolith could be used as a simple and convenient tool for isolating EVs from bio-samples and for wider applications in biomarker discovery.

Identification of Risk Factors and Development of a Predictive Model for Postoperative Hypoglycemia among Diabetic Patients during the Perioperative Period.

Objective: To explore the incidence and influencing factors of postoperative hypoglycemia in diabetic patients during the perioperative period and to construct a risk prediction model for postoperative hypoglycemia. Methods: Patients with T2DM admitted to the nonendocrinology department of Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from December 2019 to January 2022 were included as research subjects. Basic information, hospital blood glucose management methods, laboratory indicators, and surgery-related indicators were collected. A risk prediction model and scoring table for postoperative hypoglycemia in patients with perioperative diabetes mellitus were established. Results: A total of 440 patients were included, of which 109 had hypoglycemia, resulting in an incidence of postoperative hypoglycemia of 24.78%. The results show that preoperative C-peptide and operation duration were risk factors for postoperative hypoglycemia, while BMI and preoperative fasting blood glucose were protective factors. Conclusion: The model constructed in this study is a good method for evaluating the risk of postoperative hypoglycemia. The scoring table intuitively quantifies the risk of risk factors for outcome variables and has strong clinical practicability.

Long-Term Efficacy of Orthokeratology to Control Myopia Progression.

OBJECTIVES: To assess the efficacy of orthokeratology in controlling the rate of myopia progression in children and investigate the factors associated with axial length (AL) growth rate with an average of 48 months of orthokeratology lens wear. METHODS: As a retrospective study, 84 subjects underwent relatively complete ophthalmologic examinations. After initial lens wear, AL was measured on average every 12 months. The linear mixed-effects model (LMM) was used to compare the differences in AL growth rates at each time interval. The contribution of the independent variables to AL change was assessed using multiple linear regression. RESULTS: In the LMM, there was a significant difference in the AL growth rate ( P <0.001) at each follow-up. The growth rate of AL was associated with initial AL, spherical equivalent refractive errors (SERs) and diameter of lens ( P =0.045, 0.003 and 0.037, respectively). When the baseline age was included as a factor, the influence of initial AL and SER became insignificant in the analysis, whereas age and diameter of lens were significantly correlated with the growth rate of AL ( P< 0.001 and P< 0.001, respectively). There were significant differences in growth rates among different age groups. CONCLUSIONS: Results of the study demonstrated that the factors associated with lower growth rate in AL were older age and longer diameter of lens.

Fabrication and Characterization of Novel Food-Grade Bigels Based on Interfacial and Bulk Stabilization.

Novel food-grade bigels were fabricated using zein nanoparticles for interfacial stabilization and non-surfactant gelators (beeswax and tapioca) for bulk stabilization. The present study demonstrated the importance of interfacial stability for biphasic gels and sheds light on the roles of the gelation mechanism and the oil/water ratio of a bigel on its microstructure, physical properties, and digestion behaviors. The results indicated that it is not an easy task to realize homogenization and subsequent gelation in beeswax-tapioca biphasic systems, as no amphiphilic components existed. However, applying the binding of zein nanoparticles at the oil-water interface allowed us to produce a homogeneous and stable bigel (oil fraction reach 40%), which exhibited enhanced structural and functional properties. Oleogel structures play a crucial role in determining the deformation response of bigel systems. As the oil content increased, the mechanical strength and elastic properties of bigels were enhanced. In the meantime, clear bigel-type transitions were observed. In addition, the fabricated bigels were shown to be beneficial for delayed digestion, and the lowest degree of lipolysis could be found in bigel with 50% oleogel.

Ti3C2 and Ti2C MXene materials for high-performance isolation of extracellular vesicles via coprecipitation.

Two-dimensional (2D) materials such as MXenes, are usually well utilized in the field of catalysts and battery due to their good hydrophilicity and diversified surface terminals. However, their potential applications in the treatment of biological samples have not been widely concerned. Extracellular vesicles (EVs) contain unique molecular signatures and could be used as biomarkers for the detection of severe diseases such as cancer, as well as monitoring the therapeutic response. In this work, two kinds of MXene materials (Ti3C2 and Ti2C) were successfully synthesized and employed in the isolation of EVs from the biological samples by taking advantage of the affinity interaction between the titanium (Ti) in MXenes and the phospholipid membrane of EVs. Compared with Ti2C MXene materials, TiO2 beads and the other EVs isolation methods, Ti3C2 MXene materials exhibited excellent isolation performance via the coprecipitation with EVs due to the abundant unsaturated coordination of Ti2+/Ti3+, and the dosage of materials was the lowest. Meanwhile, the whole isolation process could be done within 30 min and integrated well with the following analysis of proteins and ribonucleic acids (RNAs), which was also convenient and economic. Furthermore, the Ti3C2 MXene materials were used to isolate the EVs from the blood plasma of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients and healthy donors. Proteomics analysis of EVs showed that 67 proteins were up-regulated, in which most of them were closely related to CRC progression. These findings indicate that the MXene material-based EVs isolation method via coprecipitation provides an efficient tool for early diagnosis of diseases.

Influence of hypobaric hypoxic conditions on ocular structure and biological function at high attitudes: a narrative review.

Background: With the development of science and technology, high-altitude environments, involving aviation, aerospace, and mountainous regions, have become the main areas for human exploration, while such complex environments can lead to rapid decreases in air and oxygen pressure. Although modern aircrafts have pressurized cabins and support equipment that allow passengers and crew to breathe normally, flight crew still face repeated exposure to hypobaric and hypoxic conditions. The eye is a sensory organ of the visual system that responds to light and oxygen plays a key role in the maintenance of normal visual function. Acute hypoxia changes ocular structure and function, such as the blood flow rate, and can cause retinal ischemia. Methods: We reviewed researches, and summarized them briefly in a review. Results: The acute hypobaric hypoxia affects corneal, anterior chamber angle and depth, pupils, crystal lens, vitreous body, and retina in structure; moreover, the acute hypoxia does obvious effect on visual function; for example, vision, intraocular pressure, oculometric features and dynamic visual performance, visual field, contrast sensitivity, and color perception. Conclusion: We summarized the changes in the physiological structure and function of the eye in hypoxic conditions and to provide a biological basis for the response of the human eye at high-altitude.