Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway participating in the progression of epilepsy via regulation of oxidative stress and ferroptosis in neurons.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to analyze the relationship between the Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1 (Keap1)/Nuclear factor-erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) and Epilepsy (EP), as well as its mechanism of action. METHODS: Thirty Wistar rats were divided into a control group (without treatment), a model group (EP modeling), and an inhibition group (EP modeling + intervention by Keap1/Nrf2 signaling pathway inhibitor ATRA) and subject to Morris water maze experiment. Then, the expression of Oxidative Stress (OS) markers, ferroptosis-associated proteins and Keap1/Nrf2 pathway in rat hippocampus was measured. In addition, rat hippocampal neuronal cell HT22 was purchased and treated accordingly based on the results of grouping, and cell proliferation and apoptosis in the three groups were determined. RESULTS: Compared with rats in the model group, those in the inhibition group showed shorter escape latency and an increased number of platform crossings (p < 0.05). Significant OS and neuron ferroptosis, increased apoptosis rate, elevated Keap1 expression, and decreased Nrf2 expression were observed in the model group compared to the control group (p < 0.05). The inhibition group exhibited notably improved OS and ferroptosis, as well as enhanced neuronal viability (p < 0.05). CONCLUSION: Inhibition of the Keap1/Nrf2 pathway can reverse the OS and neuron viability in EP rats.

Polysaccharide structure evaluation of Ganoderma lucidum from different regions in China based on an innovative extraction strategy.

The polysaccharides and triterpenes are important functional components of Ganoderma lucidum, but traditional preparation process of G. lucidum functional components can only realize the preparation of single functional component, which has poor targeting and low efficiency. In this study, the existence state of the functional components of G. lucidum was revealed. Then, the single step extraction process for functional components was established, and the precise structure evaluation of polysaccharide and triterpenes was conducted based on the process. The results showed that preparation time required for this strategy is only one-sixth of the traditional one, and 50 % of raw materials can be saved. Structural analysis of the functional components revealed that triterpenes were mainly Ganoderic acid and Lucidenic acid, and the polysaccharide structure was mainly 1,3-glucan and 1,3,6-glucan. The establishment of single step extraction strategy and the evaluation of the fine structure of functional components improved the efficiency of preparation and result determination, and provided an important basis for the development and utilization of green and low-carbon G. lucidum and even edible fungi resources and human nutritional dietary improvement strategies.

Nanomaterial-encapsulated dsRNA of ecdysone-induced early gene E75, a potential RNAi-based SIT strategy for pest control against Bactrocera dorsalis.

Bactrocera dorsalis is a notorious pest widely distributed across most Asian countries. With the rapid development of pesticide resistance, new pest control methods are urgently needed. RNAi-based sterile insect technique (SIT) is a species-specific pest management strategy for B. dorsalis control. It is of great significance to identify more target genes from B. dorsalis, and improve the RNAi efficiency. In this study, microinjection-based RNAi results showed that six 20E response genes were necessary for male fertility of B. dorsalis, of which E75 was identified as the key target according to the lowest egg-laying number and hatching rate after E75 knockdown. Three nanoparticles chitosan (CS), chitosan­sodium tripolyphosphate (CS-TPP), and star polycation (SPc) were used to encapsulate dsE75 expressed by HT115 strain. Properties analysis of nanoparticle-dsRNA complexes showed that both CS-TPP-dsRNA and SPc-dsRNA exhibited better properties (smaller size and polydispersity index) than CS-dsRNA. Moreover, oral administration of CS-TPP-dsE75 and SPc-dsE75 by males resulted in more abnormal testis and significantly lower fertility than feeding naked dsE75. Semi-field trials further confirmed that the number of hatched larvae was dramatically reduced in these two groups. Our study not only provides more valuable targets for RNAi-based SIT, but also promotes the application of environment-friendly management against B. dorsalis in the field.

Construction of a versatile fusion protein for targeted therapy and immunotherapy.

Antibody (Ab)-based drugs have been widely used in targeted therapies and immunotherapies, leading to significant improvements in tumor therapy. However, the failure of Ab therapy due to the loss of target antigens or Ab modifications that affect its function limits its application. In this study, we expanded the application of antibodies (Abs) by constructing a fusion protein as a versatile tool for Ab-based target cell detection, delivery, and therapy. We first constructed a SpaC Catcher (SpaCC for short) fusion protein that included the C domains of Staphylococcal protein A (SpaC) and the SpyCatcher. SpaCC conjugated with SpyTag-X (S-X) to form the SpaCC-S-X complex, which binds non-covalently to an Ab to form the Ab-SpaCC-S-X protein complex. The "X" can be a variety of small molecules such as fluoresceins, cell-penetrating peptide TAT, Monomethyl auristatin E (MMAE), and DNA. We found that Ab-SpaCC-S-FITC(-TAT) could be used for target cell detection and delivery. Besides, we synthesized the Ab-SpaCC-SN3-MMAE complex by linking Ab with MMAE by SpaCC, which improved the cytotoxicity of small molecule toxins. Moreover, we constructed an Ab-DNA complex by conjugating SpaCC with the aptamer (Ap) and found that Ab-SpaCC-SN3-Ap boosted the tumor-killing function of T-cells by retargeting tumor cells. Thus, we developed a multifunctional tool that could be used for targeted therapies and immunotherapies, providing a cheap and convenient novel drug development strategy.

CircYthdc2 generates polypeptides through two translation strategies to facilitate virus escape.

It is known that about 10 circular RNAs (circRNAs) can encode functional polypeptides in higher mammals. However, it is not clear whether the functional polypeptides that can be translated by circRNAs are only the products of the evolution of higher animals, or also widely exist in other lower organisms. In addition, it is also unclear whether the two ways of translating polypeptides using IRES and m6A in the one circRNA are exclusive or coexistent. Here, we discovered a novel circRNA derived from the 3'-5' RNA helicase Ythdc2 (Ythdc2) gene in lower vertebrate fish, namely circYthdc2, which can translate into a 170 amino acid polypeptide (Ythdc2-170aa) through IRES sequence or m6A modification, and is involved in antiviral immune of fish. Moreover, SCRV infection can promote circYthdc2 translate Ythdc2-170aa. Then, we found that both Ythdc2-170aa and Ythdc2 can promote the degradation of STING by promoting the ubiquitination modification of K11 and K48 link of STING, and weaken the host's antiviral innate immunity. Notably, when circYthdc2 is abundant, Ythdc2 preferentially degrades circYthdc2 and no longer promotes the degradation of STING. Further studies have shown that circYthdc2 is highly conserved from lower vertebrates to higher mammals, and human circYthdc2 can also encode the same polypeptide and play a similar function to that of fish circYthdc2. This discovery confirms for the first time that the ability of circRNA to encode functional proteins is evolutionarily conserved, and finds that the ways of polypeptide translation by the same circRNA were diverse, which is of great significance for further elucidating the function and evolution of circRNAs in vertebrates.

A Robust Biomimetic Superhydrophobic Coating with Superior Mechanical Durability and Chemical Stability for Inner Pipeline Protection.

Durable superhydrophobic anti-erosion/anticorrosion coatings are highly demanded across various applications. However, achieving coatings with exceptional superhydrophobicity, mechanical strength, and corrosion resistance remains a grand challenge. Herein, a robust microstructure coating, inspired by the cylindrical structures situated on the surface of conch shell, for mitigating erosion and corrosion damages in gas transportation pipelines is reported. Specifically, citric acid monohydrate as a pore-forming agent is leveraged to create a porous structure between layers, effectively buffering the impact on the surface. As a result, the coating demonstrates remarkable wear resistance and water repellency. Importantly, even after abrasion by sandpaper and an erosion loop test, the resulting superhydrophobic surfaces retain the water repellency. The design strategy offers a promising route to manufacturing multifunctional materials with desired features and structural complexities, thereby enabling effective self-cleaning and antifouling abilities in harsh operating environments for an array of applications, including self-cleaning windows, antifouling coatings for medical devices, and anti-erosion/anticorrosion protection, among other areas.

Melatonin improves the storage quality of rabbiteye blueberry (Vaccinium ashei) by affecting cuticular wax profile.

Cuticular wax is the first line of structural defense for plants against external stresses. This study investigated the effects of melatonin (MT) on chemical composition and accumulation profile of wax, as well as fruit quality of rabbiteye blueberry during storage. The results indicated a significant reduction in the overall wax content during storage. Nevertheless, MT effectively delayed the decline, with a higher amount of 9.8% and 15.17% in the treated 'Baldwin' and 'Garden Blue' compared to their respective controls at 21st day of storage. The wax composition significantly varied depending on storage time, MT treatment, and cultivars. Additionally, MT markedly improved the fruit quality of rabbiteye blueberries. Correlation analysis revealed water loss and decay rates were negatively correlated with triterpenoids and fatty acids. Taken together, this study highlights the positive effects of post-harvest MT application on shelf life and fruit quality of blueberry by modifying the wax profile during storage.

Association between the systemic immune inflammation index and periodontitis: a cross-sectional study.

BACKGROUND: Periodontitis is a chronic oral inflammatory disease that seriously affects people's quality of life. The purpose of our study was to investigate the correlation between the systemic immune inflammation index (SII) and periodontitis by utilizing a large national survey. This will establish a reference for the early identification and management of periodontitis. METHODS: This study comprised the adult US population who participated in a national periodontitis surveillance project during the six years from 2009 to 2014. Through the utilization of univariate and multivariate weighted logistic regression, we investigated the correlation between the systemic immune inflammation index and periodontitis. Additionally, we employed sensitivity analyses to evaluate the robustness of our findings. RESULTS: The study involved 10,366 participants with an average age of 51.00 years, of whom 49.45% were male (N = 5126) and 50.55% were female (N = 5240). The prevalence of periodontitis is estimated to be about 38.43% in the US adults aged 30 or older population. Our logistic regression models indicated a positive association between a SII higher than 978 × 109/L and periodontitis. The elder group (aged 50 or older) with SII higher than 978 × 109/L demonstrated a significant correlation with periodontitis in the fully adjusted model (Odds Ratio [OR] = 1.409, 95% Confidence Interval [CI] 1.037, 1.915, P = 0.022). However, there is no statistical difference among adults aged 30 to 50. The robustness of our findings was confirmed through sensitivity analyses. CONCLUSIONS: Our study highlights that SII is associated with periodontitis in a nationally representative sample of US adults. And the SII is significantly associated with a high risk of periodontitis in individuals aged 50 or older.

Effects of nitrogen addition on rhizosphere priming: The role of stoichiometric imbalance.

Nitrogen (N) input has a significant impact on the availability of carbon (C), nitrogen (N), and phosphorus (P) in the rhizosphere, leading to an imbalanced stoichiometry in microbial demands. This imbalance can result in energy or nutrient limitations, which, in turn, affect C dynamics during plant growth. However, the precise influence of N addition on the C:N:P imbalance ratio and its subsequent effects on rhizosphere priming effects (RPEs) remain unclear. To address this gap, we conducted a 75-day microcosm experiment, varying N addition rates (0, 150, 300 kg N ha-1), to examine how microbes regulate RPE by adapting to stoichiometry and maintaining homeostasis in response to N addition, using the 13C natural method. Our result showed that N input induced a stoichiometric imbalance in C:N:P, leading to P or C limitation for microbes during plant growth. Microbes responded by adjusting enzymatic stoichiometry and functional taxa to preserve homeostasis, thereby modifying the threshold element ratios (TERs) to cope with the C:N:P imbalance. Microbes adapted to the stoichiometric imbalance by reducing TER, which was attributed to a reduction in carbon use efficiency. Consequently, we observed higher RPE under P limitation, whereas the opposite trend was observed under C or N limitation. These results offer novel insights into the microbial regulation of RPE variation under different soil nutrient conditions and contribute to a better understanding of soil C dynamics.

Lanthanide Doping into All-Inorganic Heterometallic Halide Layered Double Perovskite Nanocrystals for Multimodal Visible and Near-Infrared Emission.

The introduction of lanthanide ions (Ln3+) into all-inorganic lead-free halide perovskites has captured significant attention in optoelectronic applications. However, doping Ln3+ ions into heterometallic halide layered double perovskite (LDP) nanocrystals (NCs) and their associated doping mechanisms remain unexplored. Herein, we report the first colloidal synthesis of Ln3+ (Yb3+, Er3+)-doped LDP NCs utilizing a modified hot-injection method. The resulting NCs exhibit efficient near-infrared (NIR) photoluminescence in both NIR-I and NIR-II regions, achieved through energy transfer down-conversion mechanisms. Density functional theory calculations reveal that Ln3+ dopants preferentially occupy the Sb3+ cation positions, resulting in a disruption of local site symmetry of the LDP lattices. By leveraging sensitizations of intermediate energy levels, we delved into a series of Ln3+-doped Cs4M(II)Sb2Cl12 (M(II): Cd2+ or Mn2+) LDP NCs via co-doping strategies. Remarkably, we observe a brightening effect of the predark states of Er3+ dopant in the Er3+-doped Cs4M(II)Sb2Cl12 LDP NCs owing to the Mn component acting as an intermediate energy bridge. This study not only advances our understanding of energy transfer mechanisms in doped NCs but also propels all-inorganic LDP NCs for a wider range of optoelectronic applications.

Ginsenoside Rh2 enhances immune surveillance of natural killer (NK) cells via inhibition of ERp5 in breast cancer.

BACKGROUND: One critical component of the immune system that prevents breast cancer cells from forming distant metastasis is natural killer (NK) cells participating in immune responses to tumors. Ginsenoside Rh2 (GRh2) as one of the major active ingredients of ginseng has been employed in treatment of cancers, but the function of GRh2 in modulating the development of breast cancer remains elusive. PURPOSE: This study was to dissect the effect of GRh2 against breast cancer and its potential mechanisms associated with NK cells, both in vitro and in vivo. METHODS: MDA-MB-231 and 4T1 cells were used to establish in situ and hematogenous mouse models. MDA-MB-231 and MCF-7 were respectively co-cultured with NK92MI cells or primary NK cells in vitro. Anti-tumor efficacy of GRh2 was verified by immunohistochemistry (IHC), Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK8), high resolution micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) scanning of lungs and hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) staining. Lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) cytotoxicity assay, flow cytometry, in vivo depletion of NK cells, enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), western blot, quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR), immunofluorescence and cell transfection were performed for investigating the anti-tumor mechanisms of GRh2. Molecular docking, microscale thermophoresis (MST) and cellular thermal shift assay (CETSA) were employed to determine the binding between endoplasmic reticulum protein 5 (ERp5) and GRh2. RESULTS: We demonstrated that GRh2 exerted prominent impacts on retarding the growth and metastasis of breast cancer through boosting the cytotoxic function of NK cells, as validated by the elevated release of perforin, granzyme B and interferon-γ (IFN-γ). Mechanistical studies revealed that GRh2 was capable of diminishing the expression of ERp5 and GRh2 directly bound to ERp5 in MDA-MB-231 cells as well as on a recombinant protein level. GRh2 prevented the formation of soluble MICA (sMICA) and upregulated the expression level of MICA in vivo and in vitro. Importantly, the reduced lung metastasis of breast cancer by GRh2 was almost abolished upon the depletion of NK cells. Moreover, GRh2 was able to insert into the binding pocket of ERp5 directly. CONCLUSION: We firstly demonstrated that GRh2 played a pivotal role in augmenting NK cell activity by virtue of modulating the NKG2D-MICA signaling axis via directly binding to ERp5, and may be further optimized to a therapeutic agent for the treatment of breast cancer.

Clinical evaluation of a new COVID-19 antigen rapid test kit for detection of SARS-CoV-2.

The antigen rapid diagnostic test (Ag-RDT) is an assay kit for detecting the SARS-COV-2 nucleocapsid proteins, based on the colloidal gold method.Accurate diagnosis has an important role in limiting the transmission of SARS-COV-2, and also helps patients to receive earlier treatment .The object of this study was to perform the clinical evaluation of a novel Ag-RDTs with samples collected from two different swabs.DEEPBLUE®COVID-19 antigen detection kit used for the examination of the subjects in the experiment.For antigen testing on samples collected with nasal swabs, sensitivity was 91.7 % (95 % CI 83.6-96.6 %) and specificity was 100 %(95 %CI 98.1-100 %).For nasopharyngeal swabs, the sensitivity was 96.8 % (95 % CI 93.6-98.7 %) and the specificity was 100 % (95 % CI 98.2-100 %).Fisher Precision test showed a significant correlation between nasopharyngeal swab Ag-RDTs and nasal swab Ag-RDTs and RT-qPCR test (p-value <0.001).The results showed that the patients use the kit for testing were comparable to the RT-qPCR.

Portulaca oleracea L. polysaccharide alleviates dextran sulfate sodium-induced ulcerative colitis by regulating intestinal homeostasis.

Portulaca oleracea L. (purslane) is a vegetable that contains a variety of active compounds with nutritional properties and has the potential to treat ulcerative colitis (UC). However, the mechanisms underlying the effects of Portulaca oleracea L. polysaccharide (POP) in alleviating UC remain unclear. In this study, we prepared an aqueous extract of purslane and separated a fraction with molecular weight >10 kDa using membrane separation. This fraction was used to isolate POP. The effect of POP on gut microbiota and colon transcriptome in dextran sulfate sodium-induced UC model mice was evaluated. POP treatment reduced inflammation and oxidative stress imbalance in UC mice. In addition, POP improved the intestinal barrier and regulated intestinal homeostasis. Importantly, POP was found to regulate gut microbiota, maintain the levels of retinol and short-chain fatty acids in the gut, promote the proliferation and differentiation of B cells in the colon, and increase the expression of immunoglobulin A. These results provide novel insights into the role of POP in regulating intestinal homeostasis, which should guide further development of POP as a functional food.

CAR-Aptamers Enable Traceless Enrichment and Monitoring of CAR-Positive Cells and Overcome Tumor Immune Escape.

Chimeric antigen receptor (CAR)-positive cell therapy, specifically with anti-CD19 CAR-T (CAR19-T) cells, achieves a high complete response during tumor treatment for hematological malignancies. Large-scale production and application of CAR-T therapy can be achieved by developing efficient and low-cost enrichment methods for CAR-T cells, expansion monitoring in vivo, and overcoming tumor escape. Here, novel CAR-specific binding aptamers (CAR-ap) to traceless sort CAR-positive cells and obtain a high positive rate of CAR19-T cells is identified. Additionally, CAR-ap-enriched CAR19-T cells exhibit similar antitumor capacity as CAR-ab (anti-CAR antibody)-enriched CAR-T cells. Moreover, CAR-ap accurately monitors the expansion of CAR19-T cells in vivo and predicts the prognosis of CAR-T treatment. Essentially, a novel class of stable CAR-ap-based bispecific circular aptamers (CAR-bc-ap) is constructed by linking CAR-ap with a tumor surface antigen (TSA): protein tyrosine kinase 7 (PTK7) binding aptamer Sgc8. These CAR-bc-aps significantly enhance antitumor cytotoxicity with a loss of target antigens by retargeting CAR-T cells to the tumor in vitro and in vivo. Overall, novel CAR-aptamers are screened for traceless enrichment, monitoring of CAR-positive cells, and overcoming tumor cell immune escape. This provides a low-cost and high-throughput approach for CAR-positive cell-based immunotherapy.

Assembly of the poorly differentiated Verasper variegatus W chromosome by different sequencing technologies.

The assembly of W and Y chromosomes poses significant challenges in vertebrate genome sequencing and assembly. Here, we successfully assembled the W chromosome of Verasper variegatus with a length of 20.48 Mb by combining population and PacBio HiFi sequencing data. It was identified as a young sex chromosome and showed signs of expansion in repetitive sequences. The major component of the expansion was Ty3/Gypsy. The ancestral Osteichthyes karyotype consists of 24 protochromosomes. The sex chromosomes in four Pleuronectiformes species derived from a pair of homologous protochromosomes resulting from a whole-genome duplication event in teleost fish, yet with different sex-determination systems. V. variegatus and Cynoglossus semilaevis adhere to the ZZ/ZW system, while Hippoglossus stenolepis and H. hippoglossus follow the XX/XY system. Interestingly, V. variegatus and H. hippoglossus derived from one protochromosome, while C. semilaevis and H. stenolepis derived from another protochromosome. Our study provides valuable insights into the evolution of sex chromosomes in flatfish and sheds light on the important role of whole-genome duplication in shaping the evolution of sex chromosomes.

3-Hydroxythiophenol-Formaldehyde Resin Microspheres Modulated by Sulfhydryl Groups for Highly Efficient Photocatalytic Synthesis of H2 O2.

Resorcinol-formaldehyde (RF) resin represents a promising visible-light responding photocatalyst for oxygen reduction reaction (ORR) toward H2 O2 production. However, its photocatalytic ORR activity toward H2 O2 generation is still unsatisfied for practical application. Herein, 3-hydroxythiophenol-formaldehyde (3-HTPF) resin microspheres synthesized through polycondensation reaction between 3-HTP and formaldehyde at room temperature and subsequent hydrothermal treatment exhibit enhanced photocatalytic ORR activity is reported. The experimental results show that the partial substitution of hydroxy group (─OH) by sulfhydryl one (─SH) through using 3-HTP to replace resorcinol could slow the rates of nucleation and growth of the resin particles and lead to strongly π-stacked architecture in 3-HTPF. The introduction of ─SH group can also improve adsorption ability of 3-HTPF to O2 molecules and enhance ORR catalytic activity of the photocatalysts. Stronger built-in electric field, better adsorption ability to O2 molecules, and increased surface catalytic activity collectively boost photocatalytic activity of 3-HTPF microspheres. As a result, H2 O2 production rate of 2010 µm h-1 is achieved over 3-HTPF microspheres at 273 K, which is 3.4 times larger than that obtained using RF submicrospheres (591 µm h-1 ). The rational substituent group modulation provides a new strategy for designing polymeric photocatalysts at the molecular level toward high-efficiency artificial photosynthesis.

Inserting an "atomic trap" for directional dopant migration in core/multi-shell quantum dots.

Diffusion of atoms or ions in solid crystalline lattice is crucial in many areas of solid-state technology. However, controlling ion diffusion and migration is challenging in nanoscale lattices. In this work, we intentionally insert a CdZnS alloyed interface layer, with small cationic size mismatch with Mn(ii) dopant ions, as an "atomic trap" to facilitate directional (outward and inward) dopant migration inside core/multi-shell quantum dots (QDs) to reduce the strain from the larger cationic mismatch between dopants and host sites. Furthermore, it was found that the initial doping site/environment is critical for efficient dopant trapping and migration. Specifically, a larger Cd(ii) substitutional site (92 pm) for the Mn(ii) dopant (80 pm), with larger local lattice distortion, allows for efficient atomic trapping and dopant migration; while Mn(ii) dopant ions can be very stable with no significant migration when occupying a smaller Zn(ii) substitutional site (74 pm). Density functional theory calculations revealed a higher energy barrier for a Mn(ii) dopant hopping from the smaller Zn substitutional tetrahedral (Td) site as compared to a larger Cd substitutional Td site. The controlled dopant migration by "atomic trapping" inside QDs provides a new way to fine tune the properties of doped nanomaterials.

circMORC3-encoded novel protein negatively regulates antiviral immunity through synergizing with host gene MORC3.

The protein-coding ability of circRNAs has recently been a hot topic, but the role of protein-coding circRNAs in antiviral innate immunity of teleost fish has rarely been reported. Here, we identified a novel circRNA, termed circMORC3, derived from Microrchidia 3 (MORC3) gene in Miichthys miiuy. circMORC3 can inhibit the expression of antiviral cytokines. In addition, circMORC3 encodes a novel peptide with a length of 84 amino acids termed MORC3-84aa. MORC3-84aa not only significantly inhibited TRIF-mediated activation of IRF3 and NF-κB signaling pathways, but also effectively suppressed the expression of antiviral cytokines triggered by RNA virus Siniperca chuatsi rhabdovirus (SCRV). We found that MORC3-84aa directly interacted with TRIF and negatively regulated TRIF protein expression. In addition, host gene MORC3 attenuates SCRV-induced IFN and ISG expression. Mechanistically, MORC3-84aa promotes autophagic degradation of TRIF by enhancing K6-linked ubiquitination and inhibits TRIF-mediated activation of the type I interferon signaling pathway. And the host gene MORC3 not only repressed IRF3 protein expression but also inhibited IRF3 phosphorylation levels. Our study shows that circMORC3 and host gene MORC3 played a synergistic role in viral immune escape.

Optical coherence tomography angiography characteristics of exudative and non-exudative treatment-naïve pachychoroid neovasculopathy.

AIM: To describe the optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) characteristics of exudative and non-exudative treatment-naïve pachychoroid neovasculopathy (PNV). METHODS: Thirty-five patients with exudative treatment-naïve PNV and 13 with non-exudative treatment-naïve PNV between March 2020 and December 2021 were included. All patients underwent ophthalmologic examination, including fluorescein angiography (FA), indocyanine green angiography (ICGA), spectral-domain OCT, and OCTA. The clinical data of the patients were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS: The study included 51 eyes from 46 patients, of whom 33 (71.7%) were male. The central macular thickness (CMT) in the exudative PNV group was significantly higher than that in the non-exudative PNV group (383.97±132.16 µm vs 213.13±51.63 µm; P<0.001). The maximum height of flat irregular pigment epithelial detachments (FIPED) was 45.40±11.86 µm in the non-exudative PNV group, significantly lower than the 71.58±20.91 µm (P<0.001) in the exudative PNV group. The area of PNV of the non-exudative PNV group was, significantly larger than that of the exudative PNV group (1.06±0.84 mm2 vs 0.63±0.80 mm2, P=0.016). There was a significant difference in PNV morphology between the two groups (P<0.001). Multivariate logistic regression analysis found that the maximum height of FIPED (OR=1.156, 95%CI: 1.019-1.312; P=0.024) and microvascular branches (OR=69.412, 95%CI: 3.538-1361.844; P=0.005) were independent predictors of PNV activity. CONCLUSION: The OCTA imaging finds that there are significant differences in CMT, maximum height of FIPED, PNV area, and morphology of exudative PNV and non-exudative PNV groups. OCTA can accurately identify the clinical and imaging features of exudative and non-exudative treatment-naïve PNV, and distinguish PNV activity.