Intravitreal delivery of NMO-IgG causes primary retinal damage in the absence of optic nerve injury.

Background: Neuromyelitis Optica (NMO) is a neuroimmune disorder primarily driven by autoantibodies against aquaporin 4 (AQP4), known as NMO-IgG. Although the mechanisms underlying NMO-IgG-induced retinopathy are not fully understood, the high expression of AQP4 in retinal Müller cells suggests a direct interaction that may trigger inflammatory processes in the retina. Previous studies indicate that microglia play a critical role in mediating immune responses, leading to neuronal dysfunction.

Efficacy of low-dose rituximab versus immunosuppressants in refractory orbital inflammatory pseudotumors with intracranial extension.

Objective: The aim of this study was to compare the efficacy of low-dose rituximab (RTX) and immunosuppressants in treating orbital inflammatory pseudotumor (OIP) with intracranial extension, a refractory and high-relapse disease.

Methods: Patients who had been diagnosed with refractory OIP with intracranial extension and who were refractory to systemic corticosteroids were retrospectively recruited at the Neuro-Ophthalmology Department at the Chinese People's Liberation Army General Hospital between December 2018 and September 2022. After methylprednisolone pulse therapy, we added 2 mg of tacrolimus per day, 1500 mg of mycophenolate mofetil per day, or 200 mg of rituximab at days 1 and 15, and then monitored those with CD19+ B cells of under 1% as adjuvant therapy.

Efficacy and safety of tocilizumab treatment in refractory MOG-IgG related optic neuritis.

Background: Myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein (MOG) IgG related optic neuritis (ON) which manifests as recurrent episodes and severe visual impairment remains a challenging issue in relapse prevention. Tocilizumab (TCZ), a human monoclonal antibody against IL-6R, may be an alternative treatment for the prevention of relapse in refractory MOG-ON patients.

Objectives: To investigate the efficacy and safety of Tocilizumab (TCZ) in patients with recurrent myelin oligodendrocyte glycoprotein IgG related optic neuritis (MOG-ON).

Predicting visual outcomes in keratoprosthesis surgery with critical flicker fusion frequency, B-scan, visual electrophysiology and endoscopy.

Purpose: This study evaluates the predictive power of the critical flicker fusion frequency (CFF) test for visual outcomes in keratoprosthesis (KPro) candidates, comparing its accuracy with B-scan ultrasound, flash visual evoked potentials (fVEP) and endoscopy.

Methods: The study included 42 patients (42 eyes) scheduled for KPro surgery with a median follow-up period of 6 months. The receiver operating characteristic curve identified the cut-off threshold for CFF in the model development study (17 eyes).

Neuroimaging changes in the pregeniculate visual pathway and chiasmal enlargement in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy.

Purpose: To describe the pattern of MRI changes in the pregeniculate visual pathway in Leber hereditary optic neuropathy (LHON).

Method: This retrospective observational study enrolled 60 patients with LHON between January 2015 and December 2021. The abnormal MRI features seen in the pregeniculate visual pathway were investigated, and then correlated with the causative mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) mutation, the distribution of the MRI lesions and the duration of vision loss.

Melatonin protects against NMDA-induced retinal ganglion cell injury by regulating the microglia-TNFα-RGC p38 MAPK pathway.

Glaucoma, one of the most common ocular neurodegenerative diseases worldwide, is characterized by retinal ganglion cell (RGC) loss. There is a large body of literature that describes the neuroprotective role of melatonin against neurodegenerative diseases by regulating neuroinflammation, although the exact mechanism through which melatonin acts on RGC is still uncertain. This study assessed the protective effects of melatonin using a NMDA-induced RGC injury model, and studied the possible mechanisms involved in this process.

Upregulation of C-X-C motif chemokine 12 in the spinal cord alleviated the symptoms of experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis in Lewis rats.

Background: C-X-C motif chemokine 12 (CXCL12) is a chemokine that performs many functions. Studies have shown that CXCL12 can aggravate inflammatory symptoms in the central nervous system (CNS). Evidence also indicates that CXCL12 can promote the repair of myelin sheaths in the CNS in experimental autoimmune encephalomyelitis (EAE).

ACT001 Relieves NMOSD Symptoms by Reducing Astrocyte Damage with an Autoimmune Antibody.

Neuromyelitis optica spectrum disorder (NMOSD) is a central nervous system inflammatory demyelinating disease, the pathogenesis of which involves autoantibodies targeting the extracellular epitopes of aquaporin-4 on astrocytes. We neutralized the AQP4-IgG from NMOSD patient sera using synthesized AQP4 extracellular epitope peptides and found that the severe cytotoxicity produced by aquaporin-4 immunoglobin (AQP4-IgG) could be blocked by AQP4 extracellular mimotope peptides of Loop A and Loop C in astrocyte protection and animal models. ACT001, a natural compound derivative, has shown anti-tumor activity in various cancers.

Serial analyses of clinical spectra and outcomes in Chinese women with pregnancy-induced optic neuritis.

Objective: This study aimed to investigate the clinical spectra and outcomes in pregnancy-related optic neuritis (ON).

Methods: We analyzed the clinical subtype and prognosis of women with pregnancy-related ON in the neuro-ophthalmology department of the First Medical Center at the Chinese PLA General Hospital from January 2014 to December 2019.

Results: A total of 54 patients, including 21 (38.

Prevalence of Primary Angle Closure Glaucoma in the Last 20 Years: A Meta-Analysis and Systematic Review.

This meta-analysis aims to investigate the worldwide prevalence of primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) and its risk factors in the last 20 years. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analysis of 37 population-based studies and 144,354 subjects. PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science databases were searched for cross-sectional or cohort studies published in the last 20 years (2000-2020) that reported the prevalence of PACG.

Jianpi Jiedu decoction, a traditional Chinese medicine formula, inhibits tumorigenesis, metastasis, and angiogenesis through the mTOR/HIF-1α/VEGF pathway.

Ethnopharmacological Relevance: Traditional Chinese medicine has been utilized for the treatment of cancer. Jianpi Jiedu decoction (JPJD), a traditional Chinese medicine formula, has been used for the treatment of colorectal cancer for decades. However, the underlying molecular mechanistic basis for the effect of JPJD on colorectal cancer is poorly understood.

Identifying circRNA-associated-ceRNA networks in the hippocampus of Aβ1-42-induced Alzheimer's disease-like rats using microarray analysis.

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia worldwide. Accumulating evidence indicates that non-coding RNAs are strongly implicated in AD-associated pathophysiology. However, the role of these ncRNAs remains largely unknown.