Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma processing ameliorates adverse reactions of polygalae radix in zebra fish and rabbit models.

ETHNOPHARMACOLOGICAL RELEVANCE: Polygala tenuifilia Willd (Polygalaceae), a traditional Chinese medicine, has been used for a long time to treat various illnesses with serious adverse reactions. Glycyrrhizae radix et rhizoma processing is generally used to reduce the adverse reactions. AIM OF THE STUDY: The aim of this study was to validate the irritation caused by raw Polygalaceae (RPA), to investigate whether processed Polygalaceae (PGA) was less irritating, and to screen and validate irritant properties of virgaureagenin G (polygala acid, PA), 3,6'-disinapoylsucrose (DSS), Tenuifolia (TEN) and polygalaxanthone III (POL), which had pharmacologically active in Polygalaceae. Zebrafish model, Draize test and High-Performance Liquid Chromatography (HPLC) were utilized to achieve the aim. MATERIALS AND METHODS: Scanning Electron Microscopy (SEM) and optical microscope were used to determine the presence of calcium oxalate needle crystal in RPA and PGA. Zebrafish egg spinning changes and zebrafish embryo behavior were used for irritation validation, irritation comparison and irritant screening. For additional evidence, the Draize test, HE staining of rabbit eyes and ELISA kit were used. Finally, changes in the composition of RPA and PGA were investigated using HPLC. RESULTS: SEM and optical microscopy revealed no calcium oxalate needle crystals in Polygalaceae. RPA, PGA, PA and DSS were able to accelerate the spinning of zebrafish eggs and the movement of embryos, while TEN and POL were not. RPA, PGA, DSS and PA may cause rabbit eyes to become hyperemic and swollen, resulting in damage to the iris, cornea and conjunctiva and increased levels of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and interleukin-10 (IL-10). Comparatively, the effects caused by PGA were less severe than those caused by RPA. In addition, compared to RPA, PGA had lower levels of DSS and PA. CONCLUSIONS: RPA, PGA, DSS, and PA were irritating. However, processing and curing could reduce the irritation by reducing the levels of DSS and PA. DSS and PA could be two potential irritants of Polygalaceae.

Effect of digital storytelling intervention on resilience, self-efficacy and quality of life among patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): A randomized controlled trial.

OBJECTIVE: To verify and compare whether the digital stories could effectively improve the resilience, self-efficacy and quality of life of postoperative NSCLC patients. MATERIALS AND METHODS: A total of 90 participants at baseline were randomly assigned to two groups, 45 patients per group. The intervention group received the digital storytelling intervention which includes 4 videos on different topics: positive psychological quality, cultivating healthy living habits, establishing good social support, and insisting on scientific exercise, whereas the control group received only routine care. The resilience, self-efficacy, and quality of life were assessed at baseline (T0) (within 3 days before surgery), immediately after intervention (T1), one month after intervention (T2), and three months after intervention (T3). A linear mixed effects model was used to test the effects of the digital storytelling interventions on resilience, self-efficacy, and quality of life. RESULTS: The intervention group reported significantly greater improvements in resilience, self-efficacy, and quality of life (all P < 0.001) at follow-ups than the control group after controlling for age, gender, and education level as covariates. Moreover, the sensitivity analysis results are consistent with the per-protocol, that overall time × group interactions effects were significantly different in resilience, self-efficacy, and quality of life (all P < 0.001). CONCLUSION: The digital storytelling intervention based on lung cancer survivors' experience can effectively improve resilience, self-efficacy and quality of life in postoperative lung cancer patients. More comprehensive researches are needed to evaluate the longer-term impacts of the DST and its feasibility for those with more advanced cancer.

Performance of Corvis ST Parameters Including Updated Stress-Strain Index in Differentiating Between Normal, Forme-Fruste, Subclinical, and Clinical Keratoconic Eyes.

PURPOSE: This study seeks to evaluate the ability of the updated stress strain index (SSIv2) and other Corvis ST biomechanical parameters in distinguishing between keratoconus at different disease stages and normal eyes. DESIGN: Diagnostic accuracy analysis to distinguish disease stages. METHODS: 1084 eyes were included and divided into groups of normal (199 eyes), forme fruste keratoconus (FFKC, 194 eyes), subclinical keratoconus (SKC, 113 eyes), mild clinical keratoconus (CKC-Ⅰ, 175 eyes), moderate clinical keratoconus (CKC-Ⅱ, 204 eyes), and severe clinical keratoconus (CKC-Ⅲ, 199 eyes). Each eye was subjected to a Corvis ST examination to determine the central corneal thickness (CCT), biomechanically corrected intraocular pressure (bIOP), SSIv2 (updated stress-strain index), and other 8 Corvis parameters including the stress-strain index (SSIv1), stiffness parameter at first applanation (SP-A1), first applanation time (A1T), Ambrósio relational thickness to the horizontal profile (ARTh), integrated inverse radius (IIR), maximum deformation amplitude (DAM), ratio between deformation amplitude at the apex and at 2 mm nasal and temporal (DARatio2), and Corvis biomechanical index (CBI). The sensitivity and specificity of these parameters in diagnosing keratoconus were analyzed through receiver operating characteristic curves. RESULTS: Before and after correction for CCT and bIOP, SSIv2 and ARTh were significantly higher and IIR and CBI were significantly lower in the normal group than in the FFKC group, SKC group and the 3 CKC groups (all P < .05). There were also significant correlations between the values of SSIv2, ARTh, IIR, CBI, and the CKC severity (all P < .05). AUC of SSIv2 was significantly higher than all other Corvis parameters in distinguishing normal eyes from FFKC, followed by IIR, ARTh and CBI. CONCLUSION: Corvis ST's updated stress-strain index, SSIv2, demonstrated superior performance in differentiating between normal and keratoconic corneas, and between corneas with different keratoconus stages. Similar, but less pronounced, performance was demonstrated by the IIR, ARTh and CBI.

Expanded phenotypic spectrum of FOXL2 Variant c.672_701dup revealed by whole-exome sequencing in a rare blepharophimosis, ptosis, and epicanthus inversus syndrome family.

INTRODUCTION: Blepharophimosis, ptosis, and epicanthus inversus syndrome (BPES) is a rare genetic disease with diverse ocular malformations. This study aimed to investigate the disease-causing gene in members of a BPES pedigree presenting with the rare features of anisometropia, unilateral pathologic myopia (PM), and congenital cataracts. METHODS: The related BPES patients underwent a comprehensive ocular examination. Next, whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed to screen for the disease-causing genetic variants. A step-wise variant filtering was performed to select candidate variants combined with the annotation of the variant's pathogenicity, which was assessed using several bioinformatic approaches. Co-segregation analysis and Sanger sequencing were then conducted to validate the candidate variant. RESULTS: The variant c.672_701dup in FOXL2 was identified to be the disease-causing variant in this rare BPES family. Combined with clinical manifestations, the two affected individuals were diagnosed with type II BPES. CONCLUSION: This study uncovered the variant c.672_701dup in FOXL2 as a disease causal variant in a rare-presenting BPES family with anisometropia, unilateral pathogenic myopia, and/or congenital cataracts, thus expanding the phenotypic spectrum of FOXL2.

New keratoconus staging system based on OCT.

PURPOSE: To establish a numerical spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT)-based keratoconus (KC) staging system and compare it with existing KC staging systems. SETTING: Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China. DESIGNS: Retrospective case-control study. METHODS: Scheimpflug tomography, air-puff tonometry, and SD-OCT were performed on 236 normal and 331 KC eyes. All SD-OCT-derived parameters of the corneal epithelium and stroma were evaluated based on their receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, area under the curve (AUC), sensitivity, and specificity to discriminate between normal and KC eyes. The best performing parameters were subsequently used to create an OCT-based staging system, which was compared with existing tomographic and biomechanical staging systems. RESULTS: 236 eyes from 236 normal patients and 331 eyes from 331 KC patients of different stages were included. The highest ranked AUC ROC SD-OCT parameters, derived from stroma and epithelium, were stroma overall minimum thickness (ST: AUC 0.836, sensitivity 90%, specificity 67%) and epithelium overall SD (EP: AUC 0.835, sensitivity 75%, specificity 78%). A numerical SD-OCT staging system called STEP including 2 parameters-"ST" and "EP"-with 5 stages was proposed. CONCLUSIONS: The new SD-OCT-based KC staging system is the first to take the epithelium with its sublayer stroma information into account, showing a strong agreement to the existing staging systems. This system could be incorporated into daily practice, potentially leading to an overall improvement in KC treatment and follow-up management.

Plasma microRNAs as potential biomarkers in diagnosis of acute venous thromboembolism.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the potential use of plasma microRNAs (miRNAs) in diagnosis of acute venous thromboembolism (VTE). METHODS: Using BGISEQ-500 sequencing technology, we analyzed the miRNA profile of paired plasma samples from the acute and chronic phases of four patients with unprovoked VTE. Using real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR), we verified nine upregulated named miRNAs in the acute phase in the plasma samples of 54 patients with acute VTE and 39 controls. We then compared the relative expression of the 9 candidate miRNAs between the acute VTE and control group, and plotted the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves of the differentially expressed miRNAs. We chose the miRNA with the greatest area under curve (AUC) to evaluate the effect of miRNA on coagulation and platelet function in the plasma samples of 5 healthy volunteers. RESULTS: The plasma levels of miR-374b-3p, miR-660-5p, miR-378a-3p, miR-425-5p, miR-3613-5p, miR-130b-3p, miR-183-5p, and miR-103b were higher in patients with acute VTE than in the controls, with AUCs of 0.6776, 0.6614, 0.6648, 0.6885, 0.8048, 0.6871, 0.7298, and 0.7498, respectively, and P values of 0.0036, 0.0081, 0.0069, 0.0020,<0.0001, 0.0022, 0.0002, and < 0.0001, respectively. There were no significant differences in miR-193b-5p level between the acute VTE group and the control group. Fibrinogen (Fib), thrombin- antithrombin complex (TAT), tissue plasminogen activator-inhibitor complex (t-PAIC), and TAT/plasmin-α2-plasmin inhibitor complex (PIC) were decreased in the miR-3613-5p group when compared with the control group (P < 0.05) and the mean platelet aggregation rate was increased in the miR-3613 group (P < 0.05). CONCLUSION: miRNAs can be potential biomarkers for diagnosing acute VTE, and miR-3613-5p may be involved in the formation, coagulation, and platelet functions in acute VTE.

Negative life events and aggression among Chinese rural left-behind adolescents: do self-esteem and resilience mediate the relationship?

BACKGROUND: Left-behind adolescents (LBAs) are adolescents aged 11-18 years who are separated from their parents and left behind in local cities by one or both parents for a period of more than 6 months. LBAs in rural areas are likely to engage in aggressive behavior, which can affect interpersonal relationships, reduce academic performance, and even lead to anxiety and depression. To our knowledge, no studies have examined the mediating effect of resilience and self-esteem on the relationship between negative life events and aggression among Chinese rural LBAs. Therefore, this study aimed to explore the relationship between negative life events and aggression among Chinese rural LBAs and how self-esteem and resilience mediate the association. METHODS: Using a stratified random sampling method, 1344 LBAs in Hunan Province of China were investigated. Information was collected by a self-designed sociodemographic questionnaire, Adolescent Self-Rating Life Events Checklist, Resilience Scale Chinese Adolescent, Rosenberg Self-Esteem Scale and Aggression Scales to assess the psychology of LBAs. Data analysis was conducted using descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation, and regression analysis to estimate direct and indirect effects using bootstrap analysis. RESULTS: Negative life events were significantly related to self-esteem (r = - 0.338), resilience (r = - 0.359), and aggression (r = 0.441). Aggression was directly affected by self-esteem (ß = - 0.44) and resilience (ß = - 0.34). Negative life events were not only directly related to aggression (ß = 0.34, 95% CI: 0.275 ~ 0.398) but also showed an indirect effect on aggression through self-esteem and resilience. The direct effect, total effect and indirect effect of negative life events on aggression through self-esteem and resilience were 0.3364, 0.4344 and 0.0980, respectively. The mediating effect of self-esteem and resilience accounted for 22.56% of the relationship between negative life events and aggression. CONCLUSIONS: We found that self-esteem and resilience mediated most negative life events on aggression. It is imperative for educators and families to improve LBAs' self-esteem and resilience to reduce the occurrence of aggression. Future intervention studies should be designed to strengthen self-esteem and resilience.

A Mild Method for Encapsulation of Citral in Monodispersed Alginate Microcapsules.

Citral is a typical UV-irritation and acid-sensitive active and here we develop a mild method for the encapsulation of citral in calcium alginate microcapsules, in which UV irritation or acetic acid is avoided. Monodispersed oil-in-water-in-oil (O/W/O) emulsions are generated in a capillary microfluidic device as precursors. The middle aqueous phase of O/W/O emulsions contains sodium alginate, calcium-ethylenediaminetetraacetic acid (EDTA-Ca) complex as the calcium source, and D-(+)-Gluconic acid δ-lactone (GDL) as the acidifier. Hydrolysis of GDL will decrease the pH value of the middle aqueous solution, which will trigger the calcium ions released from the EDTA-Ca complex to cross-link with alginate molecules. After the gelling process, the O/W/O emulsions will convert to alginate microcapsules with a uniform structure and monodispersed size. The preparation conditions for alginate microcapsules are optimized, including the constituent concentration in the middle aqueous phase of O/W/O emulsions and the mixing manner of GDL with the alginate-contained aqueous solution. Citral-containing alginate microcapsules are successfully prepared by this mild method and the sustained-release characteristic of citral from alginate microcapsules is analyzed. Furthermore, a typical application of citral-containing alginate microcapsules to delay the oxidation of oil is also demonstrated. The mild gelling method provides us a chance to encapsulate sensitive hydrophobic actives with alginate, which takes many potential applications in pharmaceutical, food, and cosmetic areas.

Novel SOX2 mutation in autosomal dominant cataract-microcornea syndrome.

BACKGROUND: Congenital cataract-microcornea syndrome (CCMC) is characterized by the association of congenital cataract and microcornea without any other systemic anomaly or dysmorphism. Although several causative genes have been reported in patients with CCMC, the genetic etiology of CCMC is yet to be clearly understood. PURPOSE: To unravel the genetic cause of autosomal dominant family with CCMC. METHODS: All patients and available family members underwent a comprehensive ophthalmologic clinical examination in the hospital by expert ophthalmologists and carried out to clinically diagnosis. All the patients were screened by whole-exome sequencing and then validated using co-segregation by Sanger sequencing. RESULTS: Four CCMC patients from a Chinese family and five unaffected family members were enrolled in this study. Using whole-exome sequencing, a missense mutation c.295G > T (p.A99S, NM_003106.4) in the SOX2 gene was identified and validated by segregation analysis. In addition, this missense mutation was predicted to be damaging by multiple predictive tools. Variant p.Ala99Ser was located in a conservation high mobility group (HMG)-box domain in SOX2 protein, with a potential pathogenic impact of p.Ala99Ser on protein level. CONCLUSIONS: A novel missense mutation (c.295G > T, p.Ala99Ser) in the SOX2 gene was found in this Han Chinese family with congenital cataract and microcornea. Our study determined that mutations in SOX2 were associated with CCMC, warranting further investigations on the pathogenesis of this disorder. This result expands the mutation spectrum of SOX2 and provides useful information to study the molecular pathogenesis of CCMC.

Effects of Disease-Related Knowledge on Illness Perception and Psychological Status of Patients With COVID-19 in Hunan, China.

OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the current status of disease-related knowledge and to analyze the relationship among the general condition, illness perception, and psychological status of patients with coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19). METHODS: A hospital-based cross-sectional study was conducted on 118 patients using convenience sampling. The general questionnaire, disease-related knowledge questionnaire of COVID-19, Illness Perception Questionnaire (IPQ), and Profile of Mood States (POMS) were used to measure the current status of participants. RESULTS: The overall average score of the disease-related knowledge of patients with COVID-19 was (79.19 ± 14.25), the self-care situation was positively correlated with knowledge of prevention and control (r = 0.265; P = 0.004) and total score of disease-related knowledge (r = 0.206; P = 0.025); the degree of anxiety was negatively correlated with the knowledge of diagnosis and treatment (r = -0.182; P = 0.049). The score of disease-related knowledge was negatively correlated with negative cognition (volatility, consequences, emotional statements) and negative emotions (tension, fatigue, depression) (P < 0.05); positively correlated with positive cognition (disease coherence) and positive emotion (self-esteem) (P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: It was recommended that we should pay more attention to the elderly and low-income groups, and increase the knowledge about diagnosis and treatment of COVID-19 and self-care in the future health education for patients.

Effect of intraoperative mitomycin-C application on epithelial regeneration after transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy.

PURPOSE: To investigate the effect of mitomycin-C (MMC) intraoperative application on postoperative corneal epithelial remodeling, haze incidence, and refractive correction in transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (transPRK). SETTING: Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China. DESIGN: Prospective randomized controlled study. METHODS: Eyes that completed all follow-ups were included. Epithelial thickness (ET) map measurement was conducted preoperatively and at 1 week, and at 1 month, 3 months, and 6 months postoperatively, generating ET in central, paracentral, and midperipheral zones. The difference between postoperative and preoperative ET (ΔET) was computed for each zone. During follow-up, haze incidence and visual acuity were assessed and compared between groups. RESULTS: A total of 100 eyes completed all follow-up, including 40 eyes treated with MMC in MMC group and 60 eyes in control group without MMC treatment. For ΔET, between-group difference was found in midperipheral (P = .011) zone at 1 week postoperatively and in central (P = .036) and paracentral zones (P = .039) at 1 month postoperatively. Haze incidence was lower in MMC group at 1 week and 1 month postoperatively (P = .035 and .018, respectively). Safety index (postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity/preoperative corrected distance visual acuity [CDVA]) and efficacy index (postoperative CDVA/preoperative CDVA) were higher in MMC group (P = .012 and P = .036, respectively) at 1 month postoperatively. No difference was found after 3 months postoperatively. CONCLUSIONS: With a temporary impact on corneal epithelial regeneration and refractive correction, intraoperative MMC application in transPRK decreased the haze incidence but had no effect on epithelial remodeling.

A Comprehensive Strategy for Laser Corneal Refractive Surgery during the COVID-19 Epidemic in a Tertiary Teaching Hospital in Wenzhou, China.

The novel coronavirus pneumonia COVID-19 is caused by the novel coronavirus SARS-CoV-2, which is highly contagious, has a long incubation period, and can be detected in patients' tears and conjunctival secretions. In this study, we describe our experience regarding the necessary protective measures that need to be taken during ophthalmic examination and treatment. The authors reviewed the clinical work arrangements during the epidemic situation at the Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University in China and analyzed the prevention and control measures that were applied during the laser corneal refractive surgery process. The comprehensive protection protocol, which was established throughout the entire process, included both horizontal (medical staff-patient, medical staff-medical staff, and patient-patient) and vertical (preoperative, intraoperative, and postoperative transmission assessment) approach and was mainly focused on strengthening the protection against potential aerosol transmission that may occur during intraocular pressure measurements and laser ablation. The described and proposed protocol, along with the further guidelines followed by the medical personnel, proved to be efficacious and contributed significantly to the control of the COVID-19 outbreak and the protection of both the patients and the medical staff.

Repeatability of Cornea and Sublayer Thickness Measurements Using Optical Coherence Tomography in Corneas of Anomalous Refractive Status.

PURPOSE: To assess the repeatability of epithelial, stromal, and total corneal thickness measurements with spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT; RTVue-XR; Optovue, Inc., Fremont, CA) in patients with myopia, keratoconus, and corneas after transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (PRK), small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE), and femtosecond laser-assisted in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK). METHODS: A total of 352 eyes of 352 patients (75 myopic, 68 post-transepithelial PRK, 61 post-SMILE, 75 post-FS-LASIK, 20 mild keratoconus, and 53 advanced keratoconus eyes) were included. The epithelial, stromal, and total corneal thickness were recorded from the pachymetric map in the following four zones: (1) central 2-mm region, (2) eight paracentral regions within 2- to 5-mm diameter, (3) eight midperipheral regions within 5- to 7-mm diameter, and (4) eight peripheral regions within 7- to 9-mm diameter. Three successive scans were performed to evaluate the repeatability. RESULTS: For all zones up to 9-mm diameter, the coefficient of variation (CoV) for epithelial thickness measurements ranged from 1.7% to 3.5% for myopia, 2.6% to 6.2% for post-transepithelial PRK, 2.3% to 4.7% for post-SMILE, 4.0% to 6.3% for post-FS-LASIK, 2.5% to 6.2% for mild keratoconus, and 3.5% to 8.0% for advanced keratoconus. The CoV for stromal and total thickness measurements ranged from 0.2% to 2.0% for myopia, 0.7% to 4.2% for post-transepithelial PRK, 0.3% to 2.4% for post-SMILE, 0.3% to 1.9% for post-FS-LASIK, 0.6% to 3.0% for mild keratoconus, and 1.0% to 5.9% for advanced keratoconus. CONCLUSIONS: RTVue-XR SD-OCT showed excellent repeatability when generating the pachymetric map in myopic eyes. Measurements, especially for epithelial thickness, were relatively more variable for corneas with keratoconus and those having undergone keratorefractive surgery. [J Refract Surg. 2019;35(9):600-605.].

Spatial distribution affects the role of CSPGs in nerve regeneration via the actin filament-mediated pathway.

CSPGs are components of the extracellular matrix in the nervous system, where they serve as cues for axon guidance during development. After a peripheral nerve injury, CSPGs switch roles and become axon inhibitors and become diffusely distributed at the injury site. To investigate whether the spatial distribution of CSPGs affects their role, we combined in vitro DRG cultures with CSPG stripe or coverage assays to simulate the effect of a patterned substrate or dispersive distribution of CSPGs on growing neurites. We observed neurite steering at linear CSPG interfaces and neurite inhibition when diffused CSPGs covered the distal but not the proximal segment of the neurite. The repellent and inhibitory effects of CSPGs on neurite outgrowth were associated with the disappearance of focal actin filaments on growth cones. The application of an actin polymerization inducer, jasplakinolide, allowed neurites to break through the CSPG boundary and grow on CSPG-coated surfaces. The results of our study collectively reveal a novel mechanism that explains how the spatial distribution of CSPGs determines whether they act as a cue for axon guidance or as an axon-inhibiting factor. Increasing our understanding of this issue may promote the development of novel therapeutic strategies that regulate the spatial distributions of CSPGs to use them as an axon guidance cue.

The E3 Ubiquitin Ligase c-Cbl Inhibits Microglia-Mediated CNS Inflammation by Regulating PI3K/Akt/NF-κB Pathway.

BACKGROUND: Microglia-mediated inflammation may play an important role in the pathophysiology progression of neurodegenerative diseases, such as Parkinson's disease (PD), but the molecular mechanisms are poorly understood. AIMS: This study sought to determine whether E3 ubiquitin ligase c-Cbl plays a role in the brain inflammation and to explore the relevant molecular mechanism. METHODS: After BV2 microglial cells and c-Cbl-deficient mice were treated with lipopolysaccharide (LPS), neuroinflammation and microglial activation were evaluated by immunohistochemistry, ELISA and Western blot. We further investigated the possible mechanism of c-Cbl in regulating microglial activation. RESULTS: Here, we showed that the E3 ubiquitin ligase c-Cbl had high expression in brain tissues including substantia nigra pars compacta (SNc), striatum and hippocampus, and it was abundantly expressed in microglia. Systemic LPS administration resulted in more severe microglial activation in CNS and increased expression of brain proinflammatory factors (TNF-α, IL-6, IL-1ß and MCP-1) in c-Cbl knockout mice than wild type mice (WT). Downregulation of c-Cbl expression with c-Cbl siRNA in BV-2 microglial cells demonstrated a more robust increase in the proinflammatory factors release and NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation than that in control siRNA. Interestingly, Akt phosphorylation induced by LPS was also significantly augmented after c-Cbl knockdown. Moreover, blockade of PI3K/Akt activation by LY294002 significantly reduced inflammation response and NF-κB p65 nuclear translocation. CONCLUSION: In sum, c-Cbl inhibits expression of LPS-stimulated proinflammatory cytokines and chemokines in microglia. We demonstrate an unprecedented role for c-Cbl in microglia-mediated neuroinflammation involving PI3K/Akt/NF-κB pathway.

[Repeatability and agreement of corneal thickness measurement with Pentacam Scheimpflug photography and Visante optical coherence tomography].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the repeatability and agreement of central and peripheral corneal thickness (CT) measurements by high resolution Pentacam rotating Scheimpflug photography and Visante optical coherence tomography (OCT) in unoperated myopic eyes and eyes after Laser In Situ Keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: CT at central, thinnest, 1.0 mm and 2.5 mm superior, inferior, nasal and temporal periphery locations, and the location of the corneal thinnest thickness were measured using Pentacam and Visante OCT in 60 myopia patients (60 eyes) and 60 patients (60 eyes) after LASIK. The results were analyzed by paired-t test, Pearson correlation analysis and Bland-Altman method. RESULTS: Both Pentacam and Visante OCT demonstrated high intraobserver repeatability, with all intraclass correlation coefficients and Cronbach's alphas were more than 0.9, and coefficient of variation were less than 0.9%. Significantly higher CoV was measured with Pentacam than by Visante OCT in at central (0.46 ± 0.30), thinnest (0.43 ± 0.28) and 1.0 mm locations in both groups (t = 2.465, 2.226, P < 0.05), but no statistically significant difference were found at 2.5 mm locations in healthy subjects and all locations in post-LASIK eyes (t = -0.518, 1.542, -0.876, 0.756, P > 0.05). The thickness of central corneal with Pentacam was (543.01 ± 22.89) µm, the thinnest point was (540.61 ± 22.84) µm, they were greater than the value of Visante OCT (t = 17.946, 23.071, P < 0.05). The Pearson correlation coefficients were all more than 0.9 (all r > 0.9, P < 0.01). The Bland-Altman plots showed the 95% LoA between both devices were lower than 22 µm at central, thinnest and 1.0 mm locations. However, the 95% LoA were 24 µm to 44 µm at 2.5 mm locations. CONCLUSIONS: Pentacam and Visante OCT demonstrate high repeatability for central and peripheral CT measurements in young myopia and post-LASIK eyes. However, both devices can't be used interchangeably for measurements of peripheral CT.

Comparison of clinical outcomes between 'on-flap' and 'off-flap' epi-LASIK for myopia: a meta-analysis.

OBJECTIVE: To examine possible differences in clinical outcomes between off-flap and on-flap epipolis laser in situ keratomileusis (epi-LASIK) for myopia. METHODS: Pertinent studies were selected by extensive searches. A total of 9 studies reporting on a total of 958 eyes were included in the present meta-analysis. Statistical analysis was performed using RevMan 5.0 software. RESULTS: There were no significant differences in the final refractive spherical equivalent (p = 0.38), manifest refractive spherical equivalent within ±0.50 D of the target (p = 0.76), final uncorrected visual acuity (p = 0.90), loss of ≥1 line of best spectacle-corrected visual acuity (p = 0.99), and corneal haze at 3 months postoperatively (p = 0.96) or more than 6 months (p = 0.64). More patients felt severe pain in the on-flap group than in the off-flap group, although this finding was not statistically significant (p = 0.05). However, off-flap epi-LASIK had a better mean uncorrected visual acuity at 3 days (p = 0.04) and 5 days (p = 0.01), and faster re-epithelialization (p < 0.00001) after surgery. CONCLUSIONS: According to the available data, off-flap and on-flap epi-LASIK had equal visual and refractive outcomes for the treatment of myopia. Off-flap epi-LASIK had more rapid re-epithelialization and visual recovery compared to on-flap epi-LASIK.

Meta-analysis of clinical outcomes comparing surface ablation for correction of myopia with and without 0.02% mitomycin C.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the current clinical evidence of safety and efficacy of intraoperative topical application of 0.02% mitomycin C (MMC) used for up to 2 minutes after surface ablation for correction of myopia. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search was conducted of Cochrane Library, MEDLINE, and EMBASE to identify relevant trials comparing surface ablation for correction of myopia with and without MMC. A meta-analysis was performed on the results of the reports and statistical analysis was performed. RESULTS: Eleven clinical trials were identified with MMC used in 534 eyes and no MMC in 726 eyes. Surface ablations with MMC led to significantly less corneal haze in photorefractive keratectomy, whereas the results were comparable in laser epithelial keratomileusis (LASEK) and epithelial laser in situ keratomileusis (epi-LASIK). Although proportionately more eyes in the MMC group achieved uncorrected distance visual acuity 20/25 or better and less frequently lost ≥ 2 lines of corrected distance visual acuity, the difference was not statistically significant. CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis suggests that the topical intraoperative application of 0.02% MMC may reduce haze and improve visual acuity after surface ablation for correction of myopia. However, the advantage of using MMC in LASEK and epi-LASIK is unclear.

[Change of accommodative function in phakic eyes with iris-fixated phakic intraocular lens implantation].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the changes of accommodative function after implantation of iris-fixated phakic intraocular lens (IFPIOL) for correction of high myopia, and compared with gender and age matched emmetropes. This study also provides clinical basis for assessing the quality of life after implantation of the IFPIOL. METHODS: It was a case-control study. Iris-fixated in phakic intraocular lens implantation was performed in 23 eyes of 12 high myopic patients. Control group included 22 eyes in 11 emmetropes. All patients and controlled subjects had the same examinations including amplitude of accommodation, accommodative facility test, and negative/positive relative accommodation before, 1 month and 3 months after operation. Surgery was performed by the same surgeon. Randomized block design analysis of variance was applied to analyze accommodative function between the patients preoperative and postoperative, and two independent samples t-test was applied to analyze accommodative function between the control group and the patients. P value less than 0.05 was considered significant. RESULTS: The mean amplitude of accommodation at 1 month and 3 months was (8.90 ± 2.13) D and (9.10 ± 1.72) D after IFPIOL implantation, respectively. Mean amplitude of accommodation after the operation was significantly greater than that from preoperative eyes (7.35 ± 2.20) D, (F = 19.88, P < 0.01). Mean amplitude of accommodation at 3 months in eyes after IFPIOL implantation showed no significant difference (t = -1.76, P = 0.09) as compared with the control group (10.10 ± 2.09) D. Mean accommodative facility at 1 month and 3 months after IFPIOL implantation was (8.17 ± 2.09) cyc/min and (8.67 ± 1.80) cyc/min, respectively. This was significantly increased from preoperative data which was (5.67 ± 1.53) cyc/min, (F = 64.27, P < 0.01). Mean accommodative facility at 3 months after IFPIOL implantation had no statistically significant difference (t = -6.29, P < 0.01) as compared with the control group (14.51 ± 3.81) cyc/min. In addition, mean positive relative accommodation (2.45 ± 0.81) D was significantly greater than that in preoperative eyes (1.61 ± 0.80) D, (F = 6.10, P = 0.01) but, not significantly different (t = -2.83, P = 0.01) from the control group (3.89 ± 1.49) D. CONCLUSIONS: Patients can obtain physiological accommodative function after the implantation of IFPIOL for correction of high myopia. Moreover, the accommodative function increases with time and is stable. Nevertheless, accommodative function could not reach the level of normal emmetropic eyes. Longer-term results would be further observed.

Clinical investigation of off-flap epi-LASIK for moderate to high myopia.

PURPOSE: To compare the clinical outcome of on-flap and off-flap epi-LASIK for moderate to high myopia. METHODS: This prospective, observer-masked, randomized study included 62 eyes of 31 patients with myopia who underwent off-flap epi-LASIK (epikeratome; Moria, Antony, France) in one eye (off-flap group) and on-flap epi-LASIK in the contralateral eye (on-flap group). Corneal ablation was performed with a commercially available laser (Mel-80; Carl Zeiss Meditec, Oberkochen, Germany). Patients were seen at 3, 5, and 12 days and 1 and 3 months after surgery. Clinical outcomes were compared between groups. RESULTS: No significant between-group differences in the mean preoperative spherical equivalent (-6.18 +/- 1.29 D vs. -6.47 +/- 1.70 D), the change in lines of best corrected visual acuity at 3 months after surgery, and postoperative pain were found. Compared with the on-flap group, outcomes of better uncorrected visual acuity at 3 and 5 days after surgery (P < 0.001), rapider reepithelialization (P < 0.001), and lower level of haze at 1 and 3 months after surgery (P = 0.04, 0.04) were found in the off-flap group. Three months after surgery, contrast sensitivity function (CSF), with and without glare, did not differ from before surgery in both groups (P > 0.05) except CSF at 18 cpd with glare increased significantly in the off-flap group 3 months after surgery (P = 0.04). Wavefront aberration increased significantly from baseline in both groups 3 months after surgery (P < 0.05). The on-flap group revealed greater but insignificant increasing amplitude in wavefront aberration compared with the off-flap group. CONCLUSIONS: In comparison with on-flap epi-LASIK, off-flap epi-LASIK offers comparable postoperative pain, a lower level of haze formation, a rapider visual recovery, and better visual quality. Further investigations of a larger number of subjects and longer follow-up periods are warranted.