Hotspots and frontiers of genetic research on pediatric cataracts from 2013 to 2022: a scientometric analysis.

AIM: To explore the hotspots and frontiers of genetic research on pediatric cataracts. METHODS: Global publications from 2013 to 2022 related to genes in pediatric cataracts were extracted from the Web of Science Core Collection, and were analyzed in terms of the publication counts, countries, journals, authors, keywords, cited references, subject categories, and the underlying hotspots and frontiers. RESULTS: Totally 699 publications were included in the final analysis. The predominant actors were identified, with China (n=240) and PLoS One (n=33) being the most productive country and journal respectively. The research hotspots extracted from keywords were crystallin gene mutations, pathogenicity evaluation, phenotypes of ocular and neurodevelopmental abnormalities, genes encoding membrane proteins, and diagnosis of multisystemic disorders. The co-cited articles formed 10 clusters of research topics, including FYCO1 (56 items), mutation screening (43 items), gap junction (29 items), the Warburg Micro syndrome (29 items), ephrin-A5 (28 items), novel mutation (24 items), eye development and function (22 items), cholestanol (7 items), OCRL (6 items), and pathogenicity prediction (3 items). The research frontiers were FYCO1, ephrin-A5, and cholestanol. Cell biology showed the strongest bridging effects among different disciplines in the field (betweenness centrality=0.44). CONCLUSION: With the progress in next-generation sequencing and multidisciplinary collaboration, genetic research on pediatric cataracts broadens the knowledge scope of the crystalline lens, as well as other organs and systems, shedding light on the molecular mechanisms of systemic diseases. Cell biology may integrate multidisciplinary content to address cutting-edge issues in the field.

Transcranial alternating current stimulation for schizophrenia: a systematic review of randomized controlled studies.

Background: In randomized clinical trials (RCTs) investigating the application of transcranial alternating current stimulation (tACS) in schizophrenia, inconsistent results have been reported. The purpose of this exploratory systematic review of RCTs was to evaluate tACS as an adjunct treatment for patients with schizophrenia based on its therapeutic effects, tolerability, and safety. Methods: Our analysis included RCTs that evaluated adjunctive tACS' effectiveness, tolerability, and safety in schizophrenia patients. Three independent authors extracted data and synthesized it using RevMan 5.3 software. Results: Three RCTs involving 76 patients with schizophrenia were encompassed in the analysis, with 40 participants receiving active tACS and 36 receiving sham tACS. Our study revealed a significant superiority of active tACS over sham tACS in improving total psychopathology (standardized mean difference [SMD] = -0.61, 95% confidence interval [CI]: -1.12, -0.10; I2 = 16%, p = 0.02) and negative psychopathology (SMD = -0.65, 95% CI: -1.11, -0.18; I2 = 0%, p = 0.007) in schizophrenia. The two groups, however, showed no significant differences in positive psychopathology, general psychopathology, or auditory hallucinations (all p > 0.05). Two RCTs examined the neurocognitive effects of tACS, yielding varied findings. Both groups demonstrated similar rates of discontinuation due to any reason and adverse events (all p > 0.05). Conclusion: Adjunctive tACS is promising as a viable approach for mitigating total and negative psychopathology in individuals diagnosed with schizophrenia. However, to gain a more comprehensive understanding of tACS's therapeutic effects in schizophrenia, it is imperative to conduct extensive, meticulously planned, and well-documented RCTs.

[Research progress on camptothecin and its derivative nano-prodrugs based on tumor microenvironment response].

Nano-prodrug, one of the most widely used nano-formulation at present, has excellent efficacies in tumor treatment with high potential and clinical value. Camptothecin and its derivatives have broad prospects in the preparation of prodrugs for the treatment of tumors. Given the special microenvironment of tumors, including partial acidity, high concentration of reactive oxygen species, high concentration of glutathione and enzyme concentration, a large number of tumor microenvironment-responsive camptothecin and its derivative prodrugs were prepared. This paper classified them from the microenvironment response types and drug release characteristics, reviewed the research progress of camptothecin and its derivative prodrugs based on safety and clinical trials, and analyzed the existing problems and deficiencies, hoping to provide references for the development of camptothecin and its derivatives.

Cholesteric Molecular Tweezer Artificial Receptor for Rapid and Highly Selective Detection of Ag+ in Food Samples.

Chiral cholesteric molecular tweezer 7a was synthesized, and its recognition properties for Ag+, Al3+, Ca2+ etc., were investigated by UV and fluorescence spectra. The results showed that in ethanol/Tris (1/1, v/v, pH 7.0) buffer solution, the host molecular tweezer 7a had a specific recognition ability for Ag+, the detection limit was up to 1 × 10-6 mol/L, and other metal ions had little effect on Ag+ recognition. At the same time, the naked-eye detection of Ag+ was realized by the light red color of the complex solution. Furthermore, the mechanism of recognition of Ag+ by molecular tweezer 7a was studied by a nuclear magnetic titration test and computer molecular simulation, and a rapid detection method of Ag+ using host molecular tweezer 7a was established. Through the determination of Ag+ in milk powder, quinoa and other food samples, it was proved that this novel method had a good application prospect for the detection of Ag+ in food.

Microscopic anatomy and ultrastructure of the resin ducts of Ferula ferulaeoides (Steud.) Korov. in Xinjiang.

Ferula ferulaeoides (Steud.) Korov. is a perennial herb that belongs to Umbelliferae (Apiaceae). Its resin and roots have extensive commercial and medicinal value in the Xinjiang region. However, the resin-secreting resin ducts (RDs) of F. ferulaeoides have not been studied in detail. This study used optical and transmission electron microscopy to explore the anatomical features, including the distribution, size, and structure, of the RDs among different organs of F. ferulaeoides. The microstructure data revealed that the RDs consisted of a round lumen, a layer of secretory cells, and multiple layers of sheath cells. Notably, the RDs in stem were arranged alternatively in a multilayered ring with vascular bundles of three distinct sizes. The ultrastructural analysis revealed that organelles in the secretory cells potentially play important roles in resin secretion. Those data may be of great significance to understanding the anatomy of the RDs in Ferula L. and Umbelliferae.

Effect of lens constants optimization on the accuracy of intraocular lens power calculation formulas for highly myopic eyes.

AIM: To evaluate the effect of different lens constant optimization methods on the accuracy of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formulas for highly myopic eyes. METHODS: This study comprised 108 eyes of 94 consecutive patients with axial length (AL) over 26 mm undergoing phacoemulsification and implantation of a Rayner (Hove, UK) 920H IOL. Formulas were evaluated using the following lens constants: manufacturer's lens constant, User Group for Laser Interference Biometry (ULIB) constant, and optimized constant for long eyes. Results were compared with Barrett Universal II formula, original Wang-Koch AL adjustment method, and modified Wang-Koch AL adjustment method. The outcomes assessed were mean absolute error (MAE) and percentage of eyes with IOL prediction errors within ±0.25, ±0.50, and ±1.0 diopter (D). The nonparametric method, Friedman test, was used to compare MAE performance among constants. RESULTS: Optimized constants could significantly reduce the MAE of SRK/T, Hoffer Q, and Holladay 1 formulas compared with manufacturer's lens constant, whereas the percentage of eyes with IOL prediction errors within ±0.25, ±0.50, and ±1.0 D had no statistically significant differences. Optimized lens constant for long eyes alone showed non-significant refractive advantages over the ULIB constant. Barrett Universal II formula and formulas with AL adjustment showed significantly higher accuracy in highly myopic eyes (P<0.001). CONCLUSION: Lens constant optimization for the subset of long eyes reduces the refractive error only to a limited extent for highly myopic eyes.

Timing and approaches in congenital cataract surgery: a four-year, two-layer randomized controlled trial.

AIM: To compare visual prognoses and postoperative adverse events of congenital cataract surgery performed at different times and using different surgical approaches. METHODS: In this prospective, randomized controlled trial, we recruited congenital cataract patients aged 3mo or younger before cataract surgery. Sixty-one eligible patients were randomly assigned to two groups according to surgical timing: a 3-month-old group and a 6-month-old group. Each eye underwent one of three randomly assigned surgical procedures, as follows: surgery A, lens aspiration (I/A); surgery B, lens aspiration with posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis (I/A+PCCC); and surgery C, lens aspiration with posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexis and anterior vitrectomy (I/A+PCCC+A-Vit). The long-term best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and the incidence of complications in the different groups were compared and analyzed. RESULTS: A total of 57 participants (114 eyes) with a mean follow-up period of 48.7mo were included in the final analysis. The overall logMAR BCVA in the 6-month-old group was better than that in the 3-month-old group (0.81±0.28 vs 0.96±0.30; P=0.02). The overall logMAR BCVA scores in the surgery B group were lower than the scores in the A and C groups (A: 0.80±0.29, B: 1.02±0.28, and C: 0.84±0.28; P=0.007). A multivariate linear regression revealed no significant relationships between the incidence of complications and long-term BCVA. CONCLUSION: It might be safer and more beneficial for bilateral total congenital cataract patients to undergo surgery at 6mo of age than 3mo. Moreover, with rigorous follow-up and timely intervention, the postoperative complications in these patients are treatable and do not compromise visual outcomes.

Eye health is everyone's responsibility: China's first Western-style eye hospital improves in the prevention of blindness.

AIM: To investigate the relationship between China's first Western-style eye hospital development and the prevention of blindness in China and determine the main factor influencing eye health today. METHODS: Data about eye health, blindness and cataract surgery rate of China from public website of World Health Organization (WHO), ORBIS International, Ministry of Health (MOH) of China, Pubmed center and Historical Archives of Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center (ZOC) were reviewed and analyzed. RESULTS: ZOC is China's first Western-style eye hospital. In 2012, the ORBIS Flying Eye Hospital has chosen ZOC once again as one of its destinations, 30 years after ORBIS expanded internationally to train eye care professionals and treat underserved patients in developing countries in 1982. During the past 30 years, cataract surgery rate and public awareness of blindness prevention were improved greatly in China, in which ZOC plays a very important role. CONCLUSION: ZOC, as China's first Western-style eye hospital, has improved in the prevention of blindness. Eye health has become everyone's responsibility.

[Spinal muscular atrophy mimicking myotonic dystrophy: a case report and clinical, pathological and genetic analysis].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate a patient featuring a complex neuromuscular disease phenotype. METHODS: A comprehensive analysis integrating clinical investigation, electrophysiological testing, pathological analysis and mutation screening was carried out. RESULTS: The patient has presented clinical and pathological manifestations mimicking Duchenne muscular dystrophy. However, genetic analysis has identified no deletion in 21 exons of Dystrophin gene, no pathologic expansion of CTG repeats in DMPK gene or CCTG repeats in ZFN9 gene. Instead, a homozygous deletion of exons 7 and 8 in SMN gene was discovered. CONCLUSION: A rare case of spinal muscular atrophy (SMA) was verified by genetic diagnosis. SMA is a group of neuromuscular disorders with great phenotypic heterogeneity and sometimes cannot be diagnosed by clinical manifestations, electrophysiological and pathological changes alone. Genetic diagnosis has become indispensable for accurate diagnosis for patients suspected to have the disease.

[Comparison of stability of acrylic intraocular lens and transparency of lens capsule using Pentacam Scheimpflug System].

OBJECTIVE: To compare the amounts of intraocular lens (IOL) decentration and tilt, the anterior chamber depth (ACD) and the degree of posterior capsule opacification (PCO) using the Pentacam Scheimpflug System after cataract surgery between eyes with 1-piece acrylic IOL and 3-piece acrylic IOL. METHODS: It was a perspective study. Fifty-one patients with bilateral senile cataract had implantation of a 1-piece SA60AT IOL in one eye and a 3-piece MA60BM IOL in the contralateral eye. The amount of IOL decentration, tilt, the ACD, and the degree of PCO was measured using the Pentacam Scheimpflug System 1 day and 1, 6, 12 and 24 months postoperatively. RESULTS: There were no significant changes during the 24 m follow-up period in the decentration (0.37 ± 0.16, 0.36 ± 0.15, 0.36 ± 0.16, 0.37 ± 0.15, 0.38 ± 0.16), tilt (3.59 ± 0.91, 3.64 ± 0.92, 3.61 ± 0.90, 3.63 ± 0.90, 3.70 ± 0.89) or PCO (22.20 ± 3.99, 21.96 ± 4.00, 22.40 ± 4.03, 22.53 ± 4.00, 22.95 ± 3.87) in the 1-piece SA60AT group (F = 1.938, 0.785, 1.814; P > 0.05) or in the 3-piece MA60BM group (0.34 ± 0.14, 0.33 ± 0.14, 0.34 ± 0.14, 0.35 ± 0.14, 0.36 ± 0.14), (3.55 ± 0.90, 3.57 ± 0.92, 3.63 ± 0.88, 3.61 ± 0.88, 3.65 ± 0.89), (21.14 ± 3.88, 20.98 ± 3.87, 21.23 ± 3.83, 21.59 ± 3.82, 21.65 ± 3.87) (F = 1.004, 0.525, 1.963; P > 0.05). There was no significant difference between the two groups in IOL decentration (t = 0.802, 0.701, 0.588, 0.898, 0.631), tilt (t = 0.199, 0.337, 0.094, 0.121, 0.248) or PCO (t = 1.214, 1.119, 1.334, 1.082, 1.517) at any time points (P > 0.05). The ACD did not change after the surgery in the 1-piece group (3.90 ± 0.99, 3.88 ± 1.07, 3.91 ± 1.01, 3.90 ± 1.02, 3.92 ± 1.02) (F = 1.333, P > 0.05) but was significantly deeper in the 3-piece group (4.37 ± 1.02, 3.90 ± 0.98, 3.95 ± 0.99, 3.93 ± 0.96, 3.97 ± 0.99) (F = 92.757, P < 0.05) one day after the operation. The ACD was more shallow in the 1-piece SA60AT group than in the 3-piece MA60BM group at all time points. However, the difference was statistically significant only at 1 day after surgery (t = 102.944, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: The degrees of IOL decentration, tilt, ACD and PCO in eyes with a 1-piece acrylic IOL with flexible haptics implanted in the capsular bag were similar to those in eyes with a 3-piece acrylic IOL with rigid PMMA haptics. But the 1-piece acrylic IOL provides a better stability than the 3-piece acrylic IOL in the early stage postoperatively.

[Comparison of clear corneal on-axis and temporal incisions for Acrysof Toric intraocular lens implantation].

OBJECTIVE: To investigate whether there are some differences in the accuracy of Acrysof Toric intraocular lens (IOL) implantation and the ability to correct astigmatism between 2 types of clear corneal incisions used in phacoemulsification: the on-axis (i.e on the steeper corneal meridian) and the temporal clear corneal incision (OCCI and TCCI, respectively). METHODS: In this prospective study, thirty-nine eyes with cataract and mild to moderate corneal astigmatism (1.00 - 2.26 diopters on corneal curvature) were recruited and divided into OCCI group (20 eyes) and TCCI group (19 eyes) respectively. All of these patients underwent phacoemulsification and an Acrysof Toric IOL implantation (single surgeon, 3.2 mm incision). Main outcome measurements included uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), corneal curvature, surgically induced astigmatism (SIA), deviation of lens axis (LAD), index of corrected astigmatism (CAI) and accuracy of astigmatism correction (ACA) at 3 months postoperatively. RESULTS: At 3 months postoperatively, simple algebraic difference showed a mean increase in the astigmatism magnitude of (0.28 + or - 0.27) D in the TCCI group and a mean reduction in the astigmatism magnitude of (0.31 + or - 0.26) D in the OCCI group (t = 5.756, F = 0.000). The average LAD was 0 degrees + or - 0 degrees in the OCCI group and 2.22 degrees + or - 2.99 degrees in the TCCI group(t = 3.860, P = 0.000). The average CAI were 1.04 + or - 0.27 and 0.59 + or - 0.44 respectively (t = 3.187, P = 0.004). The ACA were 0.838 and 0.484 respectively (Z = 1.970, P = 0.049). CONCLUSIONS: Compared with the TCCI, the OCCI could correct some corneal astigmatism and reduce IAD induced by the SIA shift. As a result, the OCCI could improve the accuracy of Acrysof Toric lens implantation and the ability to correct astigmatism.

[Changes of blood-aqueous barrier after phacoemulsification in patients with previous glaucoma filtering surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the effect of trabeculectomy and/or phacoemulsification surgery on blood-aqueous barrier function. METHODS: Phacoemulsification with implantation of intraocular lens was performed on 46 cataract eyes of 40 glaucoma patients following previous trabeculectomy (group 1), and 64 cataract eyes of 60 patients (group 2). The aqueous flare and cells were examined preoperatively and on days 1, 7, 30, 90 postoperatively using a laser flare-cell meter (LFCM). RESULTS: The mean aqueous flare values were (15.12 +/- 2.87), (40.24 +/- 3.75), (24.33 +/- 3.38), (21.18 +/- 1.77), (16.51 +/- 1.70) photon counts/ms in group 1 preoperatively and on days 1, 7, 30, 90 after surgery (P < 0.05) respectively; and were (6.94 +/- 2.34), (26.27 +/- 10.21), (13.96 +/- 6.44), (9.07 +/- 2.67), (7.16 +/- 1.89) photon counts/ms in group 2 (P < 0.05) respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Trabeculectomy can breakdown blood-aqueous barrier permanently while phacoemulsification damage the blood-aqueous barrier transiently. Phacoemulsification combined with a previous trabeculectomy can enhance this damage.

[Clinical applications of ultrasound biomicroscopy in diagnosis and treatment of lens subluxation].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the clinical value in diagnosis and treatment of lens subluxation using ultrasound biomicroscopy (UBM). METHOD: This study comprised 29 patients (32 eyes) that had cataract with subluxated lenses due to different causes admitted into our hospital between November 2000 and January 2002. All eyes received UBM examination preoperatively and postoperatively. Capsular tension ring (CTR) implantations were performed using different technique according to UBM examination. Then all patients received phacoemulsification and intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. The location of IOL and CTR and complications were evaluated postoperatively. RESULTS: Different kinds of subluxated lens shown different manifestations in UBM. The degree of zonular defect can be evaluated with UBM preoperatively. With UBM examination preoperatively, extent of lens subluxation less than 1/2 quadrant in 19 eyes while more than 1/2 quadrant in other 13 eyes were observed. Postoperative UBM examination in this series shown that CTRs were holding in place except one attached to the iris root. IOLs in 29 eyes were in proper position while IOLs in 3 patients were slightly tilted. CONCLUSIONS: The degree and extent of lens subluxation can be evaluated using UBM examinations preoperatively, which is necessary in the selection of surgical protocol. With postoperative UBM examinations, a precise observation on the actual location of CTR and IOL can be achieved to produce an objective evaluation of the surgical outcomes.

[Disorders of the blood-aqueous barrier after phacoemulsification].

OBJECTIVE: To determine the status of blood-aqueous barrier after small incision phacoemulsification with implantation of foldable intraocular lens. METHODS: The blood-aqueous barrier status in 64 eyes of 60 patients who underwent cataract surgery was examined using a laser flare cell meter. The protein level of anterior chamber aqueous humor was evaluated by measurement of the flare value preoperatively and postoperatively. RESULTS: The mean preoperative flare intensity was (6.94 +/- 0.34) photon counts/ms, which increased to (26.27 +/- 1.37), (13.96 +/- 1.05), (9.07 +/- 0.43) and (7.16 +/- 0.27) photon counts/ms on days 1, 7, 30 and 90 after the surgery, respectively. Significantly statistical differences on flare values were found between preoperative data and those on days 1, 7 and 30 after surgery. The blood-aqueous barrier was recovered on day 90 postoperatively. The variables such as age, gender, eye (left/right) had no influence on the flare value. Patients with iris prolapse had a higher flare value at day 1 and day 7 after the surgery. CONCLUSIONS: Blood-aqueous barrier after phacoemulsification with implantation of intraocular lens can be measured quantitatively by the laser flare cell meter. The blood-aqueous barrier disorders can be recovered shortly after phacoemulsification.