Highly Selective Purification of Plasma Extracellular Vesicles Using Titanium Dioxide Microparticles for Depicting the Metabolic Signatures of Diabetic Retinopathy.

Extracellular vesicle (EV) cargos with regular fluctuations hold the potential for providing chemical predictors toward clinical diagnosis and prognosis. A plasma sample is one of the most important sources of circulating EVs, yet the technical barrier and cost consumption in plasma-EV isolation still limit its application in disease diagnosis and biomarker discovery. Here, we introduced an easy-to-use strategy that allows selectively purifying small EVs (sEVs) from human plasma and detecting their metabolic alternations. Fe3O4@TiO2 microbeads with a rough island-shaped surface have proven the capability of performing efficient and reversible sEV capture owing to the phospholipid affinity, enhanced binding sites, and size-exclusion-like effect of the rough TiO2 shell. The proposed system can also shorten the separation procedure from hours to 20 min when compared with the ultracentrifugation method and yield approximately 108 sEV particles from 100 µL of plasma. Metabolome variations of sEVs among progressive diabetic retinopathy subjects were finally studied, observing a cluster of metabolites with elevated levels and suggesting potential roles of these sEV chemicals in diabetic retinopathy onset and progression. Such a scalable and flexible EV capture system can be seen as an effective analytical tool for facilitating plasma-based liquid biopsies.

Seroreactive Profiling of Filoviruses in Chinese Bats Reveals Extensive Infection of Diverse Viruses.

Southern China is a hot spot of emerging infectious diseases, in which diverse species of bats dwell, a large group of flying mammals considered natural reservoirs for zoonotic viruses. Recently, divergent filoviruses (FiVs) have been identified in bats within this region, which pose a potential risk to public health, but the true infection situation in bats remains largely unclear. Here, 689 archived bat serum samples were analyzed by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA), Western blotting, and neutralization assay to investigate the seroprevalence and cross-reactivity of four divergent FiVs and two other viruses (rabies virus and Tuhoko pararubulavirus 1) of different families within the order Mononegavirales Results showed no cross-antigenicity between FiVs and other mononegaviruses but different cross-reactivity among the FiVs themselves. The total FiV seroreactive rate was 36.3% (250/689), with infection by the indigenous Chinese FiV DH04 or an antigenically related one being the most widely and the most highly prevalent. Further viral metagenomic analysis of fruit bat tissues also identified the gene sequence of a novel FiV. These results indicate the likely prevalence of other so far unidentified FiVs within the Chinese bat population, with frugivorous Rousettus leschenaultii and Eonycteris spelaea bats and insectivorous Myotis horsfieldii and Miniopterus schreibersii bats being their major reservoirs.IMPORTANCE Bats are natural hosts of many FiVs, from which diverse FiVs were serologically or virologically detected in Africa, Europe, and East Asia. Recently, very divergent FiVs were identified in the Chinese bat population, but their antigenic relationship with other known FiVs remains unknown. Here, we conducted serological characterization and investigation of Chinese indigenous FiVs and prototypes of other viruses in bats. Results indicated that Chinese indigenous FiVs are antigenically distant to other FiVs, and infection of novel or multiple FiVs occurred in Chinese bats, with FiV DH04 or an antigenically related one being the most widely and the most highly prevalent. Additionally, besides Rousettus leschenaultii and Eonycteris spelaea bats, the insectivorous Myotis horsfieldii and M. schreibersii bats are highly preferential hosts of FiVs. Seroreactive and viral metagenomic results indicated that more as yet unknown bat-borne FiVs circulate in Southern China, and to uncover them further, investigation and timely surveillance is needed.

Seroprevalence, cross antigenicity and circulation sphere of bat-borne hantaviruses revealed by serological and antigenic analyses.

Bats are newly identified reservoirs of hantaviruses (HVs) among which very divergent HVs have been discovered in recent years. However, their significance for public health remains unclear since their seroprevalence as well as antigenic relationship with human-infecting HVs have not been investigated. In the present study archived tissues of 1,419 bats of 22 species from 6 families collected in 5 south and southwest provinces in China were screened by pan-HV RT-PCR following viral metagenomic analysis. As a result nine HVs have been identified in two bat species in two provinces and phylogenetically classified into two species, Laibin virus (LAIV, ICTV approved species, 1 strain) and Xuan son virus (XSV, proposed species, 8 strains). Additionally, 709 serum samples of these bats were also analyzed by ELISA to investigate the seroprevalence and cross-reactivity between different HVs using expressed recombinant nucleocapsid proteins (rNPs) of LAIV, XSV and Seoul virus (SEOV). The cross-reactivity of some bat sera were further confirmed by western blot (WB) using three rNPs followed by fluorescent antibody virus neutralization test (FAVNT) against live SEOV. Results showed that the total HV seropositive rate of bat sera was 18.5% (131/709) with many cross reacting with two or all three rNPs and several able to neutralize SEOV. WB analysis using the three rNPs and their specific hyperimmune sera demonstrated cross-reactivity between XSV/SEOV and LAIV/XSV, but not LAIV/SEOV, indicating that XSV is antigenically closer to human-infecting HVs. In addition a study of the distribution of the viruses identified an area covering the region between Chinese Guangxi and North Vietnam, in which XSV and LAIV circulate within different bat colonies with a high seroprevalence. A circulation sphere of bat-borne HVs has therefore been proposed.

Diurnal fluctuations of macular vessel density in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma and healthy subjects.

PURPOSE: To investigate the diurnal fluctuations of macular vessel density (VD) in primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and healthy subjects using optical coherence tomography angiography. METHODS: A total of 22 POAG eyes and 15 healthy eyes were included in this study. Macular VD, intraocular pressure, and blood pressure were repeatedly measured from 8 AM to 8 PM at a 2-h interval on a single day. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: the macular VD measurements, their diurnal fluctuations, including the difference between their maximal and minimal value (max-min) and their coefficient of variation (CV) in superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP). The mixed-effects model was performed to compare the fluctuations between groups. RESULTS: After adjusted age, the diurnal fluctuations of macular VD in SCP and DCP were significantly higher in POAG eyes compared with healthy subjects (max-min: 6.65 ± 3.54%, 3.92 ± 3.63%, respectively; p = 0.037 and CV: 0.06 ± 0.03, 0.04 ± 0.03, respectively; p = 0.003). The fovea VD in DCP of POAG eyes was higher than in healthy subjects (31.52 ± 4.68% and 25.71 ± 3.70%, p = 0.009). However, there was no significant difference between the fovea VD in SCP in two groups (20.97 ± 4.75% and 19.29 ± 4.35%, p = 0.670). The diurnal macular superficial VD measured in most of the participants was lower in the morning. CONCLUSIONS: Whether it is a max-min or a CV assessment method, the POAG eyes had more significant diurnal fluctuations of macular VD than healthy controls, suggesting impaired vascular autoregulation in POAG eyes.

Posterior pole asymmetry analysis and retinal nerve fibre layer thickness measurements in primary angle-closure suspect patients.

PURPOSE: To measure peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness and posterior pole retinal thickness in primary angle-closure suspects (PACS) by Spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) and to be compared with normal subjects. METHODS: Thirty five primary angle-closure suspect patients and thirty normal subjects were enrolled in this study. Peripapillary RNFL and posterior pole retinal thickness by posterior pole asymmetry analysis (PPAA) in SD-OCT were measured. RESULTS: No significant difference was found in both groups on age, sex distribution, refractive error, intraocular pressure (IOP) and axial length. The PACS group exhibited significantly thinner macular retinal thickness and larger asymmetry on posterior pole region compared with the control group. Yet no significant difference of peripapillary RNFL parameters was found between PACS group and normal control group. A negative correlation was observed between the total retinal thickness on posterior pole region and age when all the PACS participants were analyzed. CONCLUSIONS: Posterior pole retinal thickness measurements obtained by Heidelberg Spectralis SD-OCT using PPAA showed significant thinner change in PACS group than healthy controls. Only age seemed to be an indicator in the occurrence of glaucomatous damage in PACS patients.

Toxicology study of long-term administration of rhKGF-2 eye drops on rabbit corneas.

Keratinocyte growth factor -2 promotes corneal repair. Its mechanism of action involves regulating regeneration and migration of corneal cells, as well as activating corneal limbal stem cells. However, KGF-2 being a carcinogenic growth factor and its potential adverse effect in over dosage long-term treatment had not yet been reported. In this study, we used New Zealand white rabbits to study possible toxic effects of ocular administration of recombinant human keratinocyte growth factor-2 eye drops. Animals in the medium- and high-dose groups had some ocular irritant reactions during the course of drug administration; however this reaction was harmless to the cornea and it ended up when administration was stopped. Serum biochemistries were largely unaffected by treatment. Pathological examinations were unremarkable. We found that over-dosed administration of these eye drops caused some ocular irritation, but this irritant reaction was harmless to the eye, and it reversed after the drug was stopped. There were no apparent systemic effects of the drug.

Evaluation of peripapillary choroidal distribution in children by enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography.

BACKGROUND: To evaluate the peripapillary choroidal thickness (PPCT) in Chinese children aged 6 to 12 years old and to analyze correlative factors. METHODS: PPCT was measured with enhanced depth imaging optical coherence tomography (EDI-OCT) in 154 children (76 myopes and 78 emmetropia) aged 6 to 12 years, with spherical equivalent refractive errors between + 0.50 and - 5.50 diopters(D). Peripapillary choroidal imaging was performed using circular scans of a diameter of 3.4 mm around the optic disc. PPCT and the corresponding peripapillary retinal thickness (PPRT) were measured by EDI-OCT at nine positions: I, inferior; IN, inferonasal; IT, inferotemporal; N, nasal; T, temporal; S, superior; SN, superonasal; ST, superotemporal, and the Fovea Centralis. RESULTS: The mean global PPCT was 165.80 ± 39.86 µm.The mean global PPRT was 101.47 ± 10.74 µm. The Inferior had the thinnest PPCT but the thickest PPRT (p < 0.001), while the Nasal had thickest PPCT but the thinnest PPRT (p < 0.001). Significant differences in RT between the myopic group and the emmetropic group were found at all positions except T, TS, S and the fovea. Myopic group had thinner choroidal thickness (CT) than that of emmetropic group at all measured positions. Choroidal thickness had negative relation with the corresponding retinal thickness, age and axial length. CONCLUSION: The peripapillary choroid was thicker nasally and thinner inferiorly, while the peripapillary retina was thickest inferiorly and thinnest nasally. Myopic group had thinner PPCT. The axial length was found to be negatively correlated to PPCT.

Descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty versus descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of descemet stripping automated endothelial keratoplasty (DSAEK) compared with descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK). METHODS: Databases including PubMed, EMBASE, and Cochrane Library were searched to find studies that compared DSAEK and DMEK outcomes. Efficacy parameters were the postoperative best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and spherical equivalent (SE). Safety parameters were postoperative endothelial cell loss (ECL), air injection (rebubbling), graft failure, graft rejection, and high intraocular pressure (IOP). Results from last visit were pooled for the analyses because the follow-up ranged from 3 to 24 months. RESULTS: A total of 7 trials including 433 eyes were selected for this meta-analysis. BCVA was reported in all 7 studies, ECL% and rebubbling rate were reported in 6, and the remaining outcomes were reported in only 3 or 2 studies. Postoperative logMAR BCVA was significantly better for DMEK than that for DSAEK (P < 0.00001). More patients achieved the postoperative BCVA ≥ 20/25 and 20/20 in DMEK group than that in DSAEK (P > 0.001), whereas the proportion of patients whose postoperative BCVA ≥ 20/40 and the amount of SE did not differ statistically (P = 0.32 and P = 0.50, respectively). The DSAEK group has a significantly lower frequency of rebubbling than the DMEK group (P < 0.0001). The postoperative ECL%, graft failure, graft rejection, and high IOP were comparable between the 2 groups (all P values >0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Our meta-analysis suggests that DMEK provided better visual outcomes with similar safety when compared to DSAEK. Given the limited sample size, further investigations are needed to validate these findings.

Pharmacokinetics of topically applied recombinant human keratinocyte growth factor-2 in alkali-burned and intact rabbit eye.

Keratinocyte growth factor-2 (KGF-2), an effective agent in the development of epithelial tissue and regeneration during corneal wound healing, is a potential therapeutic option to treat the corneal diseases with corneal epithelial defects. However the tissue distribution and pharmacokinetics of KGF-2 have not been explored yet in eye upon topical application. Using (125)I-labeled recombinant human KGF-2 ((125)I-rhKGF-2), tissue distribution of rhKGF-2 in alkali-burned and control rabbit eyes was studied. Our results revealed that (125)I-rhKGF-2 was distributed to all eye tissues examined. The highest radioactivity level was found in the cornea, followed by iris, sclera, ciliary body, lens, aqueous humor, vitreous body, and serum in a greatest to least order. The levels of (125)I-rhKGF-2 were higher in corneas of alkali-burned eyes than those in control eyes though without statistical significance. Calculated pharmacokinetic parameters of t1/2, Cmax, and Tmax of rhKGF-2 in the rabbit corneas were 3.4 h, 135.2 ng/ml, and 0.5 h, respectively. In iris, lens, aqueous humor, and tear, t1/2, Cmax, and Tmax values were 6.2, 6.5, 5.2, and 2.5 h; 23.2, 4.5, 24.1, and 29,498.9 ng/ml; and 1.0, 0.5, 0.5, and 1.0 h, respectively. Predominant and rapid accumulation of rhKGF-2 in corneas suggests that therapeutic doses of rhKGF-2 could be delivered by topical application for treatment of corneal diseases.

Initial Subsurface Incorporation of Oxygen into Ru(0001): A Density Functional Theory Study.

The adsorption and diffusion of oxygen on Ru(0001) surfaces as a function of coverage are systematically investigated by using density functional theory. A high incorporation barrier of low-coverage adsorbed oxygen into the subsurface is discovered. Calculations show that the adsorption of additional on-surface oxygen can lower the penetration barrier dramatically. The minimum penetration barrier obtained is 1.81 eV for a path starting with oxygen in mixed on-surface hcp and fcc sites at an oxygen coverage of 0.75 ML, which should be regarded as close to 1 ML. Energy diagrams show that oxygen-diffusion barriers on the surface and in the subsurface are much lower than the penetration barrier. Oxygen diffusion on the surface is an indispensable step for its initial incorporation into the subsurface.

[Analyses of TGFBI gene mutation spectrum in four Chinese families with corneal dystrophy].

OBJECTIVE: To identify the genetic mutation of TGFBI gene in four Chinese families with corneal dystrophy. The pedigrees were Reis-Bücklers corneal dystrophy (RBCD), Avellino corneal dystrophy (ACD), lattice corneal dystrophy type I(LCDI) and lattice corneal dystrophy type I/IIIA (LCDI/IIIA) (n = 1 each). METHODS: Genomic DNA was extracted from leukocytes from 22 patients, 22 phenotypic normal family members and 100 normal controls from February 2010 to October 2012. And 17 exons of TGFBI gene were amplified by polymerase chain reaction and sequenced directly. The corneas were examined with slit-lamp biomicroscope and photographed. RESULTS: Mutations of TGFBI gene occurred in all 22 patients, including R124L (c.371G > T) in 14 patients with RBCD, R124H (c.371G > A) mutation in 1 patient with ACD, R124C (c.370C > T) mutation in 3 patients with LCDIand H626R (c.1877A > G) mutation in 4 patients with LCD I/IIIA. The mutations were absent in all participating unaffected family members and normal controls. CONCLUSIONS: TGFBI gene-linked corneal dystrophy has close genotype-phenotype relationship. And R124 is a mutant hotspot of TGFBI gene of corneal dystrophy.

[Evaluation of Orbscan II plus non-history double-K method in intraocular lens power calculation for patients after refractive surgery].

OBJECTIVE: To explore the accuracy of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation with non-history method using the keratometric value derived from one zone of Orbscan II topography after laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK). METHODS: For this retrospective study, 20 eyes from 20 patients undergoing myopic LASIK were included from August 2008 to November 2011. Posterior corneal curvature in peripheral 7 to 10 mm fitting zone of postoperative cornea was measured with Orbscan II topography. The ratio between anterior cornea and posterior cornea was used to calculate the preoperative total corneal power of each eye. The predicted postoperative spherical equivalent was calculated by the calculated preoperative total corneal power, power of implanted IOL, refractive error before cataract surgery and eye length from IOL-Master into the double-K method for SRK-T formula. The predicted postoperative spherical equivalent was also calculated by double-K method for SRK-T formula with clinical history. The mean difference between actual and predicted postoperative spherical equivalent, i.e. mean absolute error (MAE), were compared. RESULTS: (1) Non-history method: MAE of 11 eyes was within ± 0.5 D (55%), MAE of 15 eyes within ± 1.0 D (75%) and MAE of all eyes within ± 2.0 D. (2) Clinical-history method: MAE of 10 eyes was within ± 0.5 D (50%), MAE of 14 eyes within ± 1.0 D (70%) and MAE of all eyes within ± 2.0 D. (3) Comparison of non-history and clinical-history methods: The MAE of non-history method was (0.61 ± 0.59) D and the MAE of clinical-history method (0.68 ± 0.55) D. Paired t-test showed no statistically significant difference between two methods (t = -1.248, P = 0.227). CONCLUSION: The non-history method using the keratometric value derived from one zone of Orbscan II topography after LASIK provides an accurate calculation of IOL power and it can be used as a substitute for incomplete clinical data.

Metabolic signatures of tear extracellular vesicles caused by herpes simplex keratitis.

PURPOSE: Herpes simplex keratitis (HSK), caused by type 1 herpes simplex virus (HSV) reactivation, is a severe infectious disease that leads to vision loss. HSV can trigger metabolic reprogramming in the host cell and change the extracellular vesicles (EV) cargos; however, little is known about the EV metabolic signatures during ocular HSV infection. Here, we aimed to depict the EV-associated metabolic landscape in HSK patients' tears. METHODS: We collected 82 samples from 41 participants with unilateral HSK (contralateral unaffected tears were set as negative control), including subtype cohorts of 13 epithelial, 20 stromal, and 8 endothelial HSK. We isolated tear EVs via our previously established platform and conducted metabolic analysis using LC-MS/MS. The metabolic signatures for recognizing HSK and subtypes were assessed through differential analysis and machine learning algorithms. RESULTS: Hypopsia and increased extracellular CD63 levels were observed in affected eyes. We identified 339 metabolites based on sEVs isolated from tears. Differential analysis revealed alterations in energy and amino acid metabolism, as well as the infectious microenvironment. Furthermore, we observed dysregulated metabolite such as methyldopa, which is associated with inappropriate neovascularization and corneal sensation loss, contributing to the HSK severity particularly in the stromal subtype. Moreover, machine learning classification also suggested a set of EV metabolic signatures that have potential for pan-keratitis detection. CONCLUSIONS: Our findings demonstrate that tear EV metabolites can serve as valuable indicators for comprehending the underlying pathological mechanisms. This knowledge is expected to facilitate the development of liquid biopsy means and therapeutic target discovery.

Evaluation of myopic corneal diameter with the Orbscan II Topography System.

BACKGROUND: To assess the myopic corneal diameter with Orbscan II Topography System (Bausch & Lomb, Orbtek Inc., Salt Lake City, UT, USA). METHODS: Four hundred sixty-two eyes of 231 myopic patients and 129 emmetropic eyes were measured with the Orbscan II system. Eyes were divided into four groups according to the spherical equivalent(SE) as follows: group 1 [emmetropic group, spherical equivalents between -0.50 D and +0.50 D (-0.50

Association of Lumican gene polymorphism with high myopia: a meta-analysis.

PURPOSE: Numerous studies have evaluated the association between the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) (rs3759223, C→T) in Lumican gene and high myopia risk in the Chinese population. However, the results have been inconsistent. We therefore here examined whether the rs3759223 polymorphism confers high myopia risk by conducting a meta-analysis. METHODS: PubMed, EMBASE, Science Citation Index, and Chinese National Knowledge Infrastructure (up to November 30, 2012) were searched by two investigators independently. Pooled relative ratios (RRs) and 95% confidence interval (CI) were used to assess the strength of the associations between SNP rs3759223 and myopia. Statistical analysis was undertaken using the program STATA 11.0 software (Stata Corporation, College Station, TX). RESULTS: Five case-control studies involving 923 patients with high myopia and 622 controls were included in this meta-analysis. A significant relationship between SNP rs3759223 and high myopia in the Chinese population was found under the homozygote (RR = 1.47, 95% CI 1.01-2.12, p = 0.04) and recessive (RR = 1.69, 95% CI 1.09-2.62, p = 0.02) genetic models. However, no significant association was found under the heterozygote (RR = 1.01, 95% CI 0.76-1.35, p = 0.93) and dominant (RR = 1.06, 95%CI 0.90-1.26, p = 0.48) genetic models. CONCLUSIONS: This meta-analysis showed the evidence that SNP rs3759223 may affect individual susceptibility to high myopia in the Chinese population. Given the limited sample size, further investigations are needed to validate the association.

Phacoemulsification versus manual small-incision cataract surgery for age-related cataract: meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials.

BACKGROUND: To compare outcomes of phacoemulsification (PE) with manual small-incision cataract surgery (MSICS) for age-related cataract. DESIGN: Meta-analysis. PARTICIPANTS: Patients from previously reported randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of PE and MSICS with clinical outcomes. METHODS: A comprehensive literature search of Cochrane Library, PubMed and EMBASE to identify relevant RCTs comparing PE and MSICS. A meta-analysis was performed on the results and a RevMan 5.0 software (version 5.0; Cochrane Collaboration, Oxford, UK) was used for data analysis. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Primary outcome measures included best corrected vision acuity (BCVA), uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA). Secondary outcome measures included surgically induced astigmatism (SIA), percentage of endothelial cell count (ECC) loss and complications. RESULTS: Six RCTs describing a total of 1315 eyes were identified. There were no significant differences between the techniques regarding the BCVA 6/9 or better (P = 0.69) and less than 6/18 (P = 0.68), percent of ECC loss (P = 0.45), intraoperative or postoperative complications (P = 0.44 and P = 0.87, respectively). However, a greater proportion of patients in the PE group had final UCVA ≥ 6/9 (P = 0.03), whereas a greater proportion of patients in the MSICS group had final UCVA < 6/18 (P = 0.03). Moreover, PE group induced less SIA (P < 0.00001). CONCLUSIONS: PE is superior to MSICS in UCVA and causes less SIA, but there were no significant differences in visual rehabilitation, ECC loss and complication rates between the two techniques.

Protection of Human Lens Epithelial Cells from Oxidative Stress Damage and Cell Apoptosis by KGF-2 through the Akt/Nrf2/HO-1 Pathway.

Oxidative stress exerts a significant influence on the pathogenesis of various cataracts by inducing degradation and aggregation of lens proteins and apoptosis of lens epithelial cells. Keratinocyte growth factor-2 (KGF-2) exerts a favorable cytoprotective effect against oxidative stress in vivo and in vitro. In this work, we investigated the molecular mechanisms of KGF-2 against hydrogen peroxide- (H2O2-) induced oxidative stress and apoptosis in human lens epithelial cells (HLECs) and rat lenses. KGF-2 pretreatment could reduce H2O2-induced cytotoxicity as well as reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. KGF-2 also increases B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2), quinine oxidoreductase-1 (NQO-1), superoxide dismutase (SOD2), and catalase (CAT) levels while decreasing the expression level of Bcl2-associated X (Bax) and cleaved caspase-3 in H2O2-stimulated HLECs. LY294002, the phosphatidylinositol-3-kinase (PI3K)/Akt inhibitor, abolished KGF-2's effect to some extent, demonstrating that KGF-2 protected HLECs via the PI3K/Akt pathway. On the other hand, KGF-2 activated the Nrf2/HO-1 pathway by regulating the PI3K/Akt pathway. Silencing nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (Nrf2) by targeted-siRNA and inhibiting heme oxygenase-1 (HO-1) through zinc protoporphyrin IX (ZnPP) significantly decreased cytoprotection of KGF-2. Furthermore, as revealed by lens organ culture assays, KGF-2 treatment decreased H2O2-induced lens opacity in a concentration-dependent manner. As demonstrated by these data, KGF-2 resisted H2O2-mediated apoptosis and oxidative stress in HLECs through Nrf2/HO-1 and PI3K/Akt pathways, suggesting a potential protective effect against the formation of cataracts.

KGF-2 Regulates STAP-2-Mediated Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 Signaling and Reduces Skin Scar Formation.

Hypertrophic scar is a common complication of burns, skin trauma, and postoperative trauma, which involves excessive proliferation of fibroblasts and accumulation of a large amount of disorganized collagen fibers and extracellular matrix. KGF-2 plays important roles in the regulation of cellular homeostasis and wound healing. In this study, we investigated the effect and underlying mechanism of KGF-2 on scar formation after wound healing both in vitro and in vivo. We show that KGF-2 attenuates mechanical stress-induced scar formation while promoting wound healing. Mechanistically, KGF-2 inhibits STAP-2 expression and signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 activation, leading to significantly reduced collagen I and collagen III levels. Our results provide an insight into the role of KGF-2 in wound healing and scar formation and the therapeutic potential for reducing scarring while promoting wound healing.

[Medpor plus titanic mesh implant in the repair of orbital blowout fractures].

OBJECTIVE: To study the efficacy of porous polyethylene (Medpor) plus titanic mesh sheets in the repair of orbital blowout fractures. METHODS: A total of 20 patients underwent open surgical reduction with the combined usage of Medpor and titanic mesh. And they were followed up for average period of 14.5 months (range: 9 - 18). RESULTS: There is no infection or extrusion of medpor and titanic mesh in follow-up periods. There was no instance of decreased visual acuity at post-operation. And all cases of enophthalmos were corrected. The post-operative protrusion degree of both eyes was almost identical at less than 2 mm. The movement of eye balls was satisfactory in all directions. Diplopia disappeared in 18 cases with a cure rate of 90%, 1 case improved and 1 case persisted. CONCLUSION: Medpor plus titanic mesh implant is a safe and effective treatment in the repair of orbital blow out fractures.

[Orbscan II-assisted intraocular lens power calculation after LASIK].

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the accuracy of keratometric value derived from one zone of Orbscan II mean power map after Laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) in combination with Holladay IOL Consultant software to calculate the intraocular lens (IOL) power. METHODS: A two-part study was conducted at a referral practice. Part 1 was a prospective study of 118 eyes undergoing LASIK. The changes in Orbscan II mean power maps at four central zones (1.5, 2.0, 2.5 and 3.0 mm) were compared with the cornea power calculated from pre-LASIK data to determine the optimum Orbscan II correlation zone. In Part 2, the power of optimum measured by Orbscan II after LASIK was applied to IOL calculations for 62 eyes undergoing LASIK. And the results were compared with the IOL power calculated by the pre-LASIK data. RESULTS: (1) An analysis at the Orbscan II 1.5 mm measurement zone demonstrated an underestimation of net cornea power after LASIK while the 3.0 mm zones demonstrated an overestimation. The 2.0 mm and 2.5 mm zones best approximated the net cornea power calculated from pre-LASIK data; (2) The cornea power at 2.5 mm from Orbscan II was selected for IOL calculations in combination with Holladay IOL Consultant software Holladay II and HofferQ formula. The refractive error calculated by Holladay II and HofferQ formula were (0.47 ± 0.75) D and (0.52 ± 0.83) D versus the IOL power calculated by clinical history method. The refractive errors of two formula within ± 0.50 D were 48.4% and 43.5% and within ± 1.0 D 80.6% and 74.2%. CONCLUSIONS: The cornea power from 2.5 mm Orbscan II zone after LASIK in combination with Holladay II or HofferQ formula can accurately predict the IOL power for cataract surgery.