Major sight-threatening eye disorders and mental disorders.

The purpose of this study was to: (a) investigate the comorbidities of major sight-threatening eye disorders with mental disorders, (b) investigate the associations and prevalence of reported comorbidities and (c) identify potential influencing factors. A systematic review of the PubMed, Embase, Web of Science and Cochrane Library databases was conducted from inception to 30 December 2023. Studies that presented only laboratory results or used non-representative sampling methods were excluded.

DNA methylation biomarkers and myopia: a multi-omics study integrating GWAS, mQTL and eQTL data.

Background: This study aimed to identify DNA methylation biomarkers associated with myopia using summary-data-based Mendelian randomization (SMR).

Methods: A systematic search of the PubMed, Web of Science, Cochrane Library, and Embase databases was conducted up to March 27, 2024. SMR analyses were performed to integrate genome-wide association study (GWAS) with methylation quantitative trait loci (mQTL) and expression quantitative trait loci (eQTL) studies.

The impact of 25-hydroxyvitamin D and calcium on risk of age-related macular degeneration: a Mendelian randomization study.

Background: The relationships between 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] and calcium and age-related macular degeneration (AMD) are unclear.

Objectives: This study aimed to investigate the causal role of 25(OH)D concentrations, calcium concentrations, and dietary supplements use of vitamin D and calcium on risk of AMD and its subtypes.

Methods: Independent genetic variants associated with 25(OH)D and calcium concentrations were used as instrumental variables in published genome-wide association studies (GWASs) of European ancestry.

Association between ambient air pollution and dry eye symptoms among Chinese individuals during the COVID-19 pandemic: A national-based study.

Purpose: To examine the association between ambient air pollution and dry eye symptoms (DES) during the COVID-19 pandemic and explore whether air pollution had increased the risk of DES to a greater extent than other risk factors.

Methods: A nationwide cross-sectional survey was conducted from June 20, 2022 to August 31, 2022. The Ocular Surface Disease Index-6 (OSDI-6) questionnaire was used to assess the presence of DES.

Effects of Toll-like receptor 1 and 2 agonist Pam3CSK4 on uveal melanocytes and relevant experimental mouse model.

Pam3CSK4 activates Toll-like receptors 2 and 1 (TLR1/2), which recognize mainly molecules from gram-positive pathogens. The effect of Pam3CSK4 on various cytokine and chemokine expression in cultured human uveal melanocytes (UM) has not been studied systematically. The purpose of this study was to investigate the mechanistic expressions of seven cytokines and chemokines of interleukin- (IL-) 6, IL-10, MCP-1 (CCL-2), CXCL-1 (GRO-α), CXCL-8 (IL-8), interferon-gamma (IFN-γ), and tumor necrosis factor-alpha (TNF-α) in UM.

NSUN2-mediated RNA mC modification modulates uveal melanoma cell proliferation and migration.

RNA 5-methylcytosine (mC) is a widespread post-transcriptional modification involved in diverse biological processes through controlling RNA metabolism. However, its roles in uveal melanoma (UM) remain unknown. Here, we describe the biological roles and regulatory mechanisms of RNA mC in UM.

Toll-like receptor 2 and 6 agonist fibroblast-stimulating lipopeptide increases expression and secretion of CXCL1 and CXCL2 by uveal melanocytes.

Fibroblast-stimulating lipopeptide (FSL-1) can activate Toll-like receptor 2 and 6 (TLR2/6), which recognize relevant molecules from gram-positive pathogens, fungus, and mycoplasma, and elevates the expression of CXCL1 and CXCL2, neutrophil chemoattractants, in certain types of cells. This effect has not previously been reported in the uveal melanocytes (UM). This study was designed to test the hypothesis that FSL-1 can induce the expression and secretion of CXCL1 and CXCL2 via activation of TLR2/6 in cultured human UM and producing an acute non-infectious uveitis reaction in the mouse.

Cultured Human Uveal Melanocytes Express/secrete CXCL1 and CXCL2 Constitutively and Increased by Lipopolysaccharide via Activation of Toll-like Receptor 4.

: Lipopolysaccharide (LPS) can activate Toll-like receptor 4 (TLR4) and increase the expression of CXCL1 and CXCL2, the potent neutrophils chemoattractants, in various cell types. These effects have not been previously reported in the uveal melanocytes. This study was designed to investigate the effects of LPS on the activation of TLR4 and expression of CXCL1/CXCL2 in cultured human uveal melanocytes and the relevant signal pathways.

Beta-adrenergic agonist protects retinal pigment epithelium against hydroxycholoroquine toxicity cAMP-PKA signal pathway.

Aim: To test our hypothesis that activation of protein kinase A (PKA) signal pathway by β-adrenergic agonist plays an important role in the protecting of cultured retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells against the hydroxychloroquine (HCQ) toxicity.

Methods: Cultured human RPE cells were treated with 1) HCQ, 2) HCQ with salbutamol (a β2-adrenergic receptor agonist), and 3) HCQ with salbutamol and a PKA inhibitor, and compared these to 4) untreated cells (controls). After treated for 24h, cell vacuolation, cells viability, PKA and PKA kinase activity levels were determined by the measurement of the size of vacuoles using Image J software, the cell counting with a dye-exclusion testing, Western blot and PKA kinase detection, respectively.

Quantitative Study of Human Scleral Melanocytes and Their Topographical Distribution.

Purpose: While fibroblasts constitute the main cell component of the sclera, the purpose of the present study was to investigate the cell densities of melanocytes at different regions of the sclera, and to compare them with associated scleral fibroblast densities in human donor eye sections.

Methods: . Paraffin-embedded sections of sclera from 21 human eyes were stained with hematoxylin-eosin (H&E) and immunohistochemical staining (S-100/AEC).

RNA m A methylation regulates uveal melanoma cell proliferation, migration, and invasion by targeting c-Met.

N -methyladenosine (m A) is a novel epitranscriptomic marker that contributes to regulating diverse biological processes through controlling messenger RNA metabolism. However, it is unknown if m A RNA methylation affects uveal melanoma (UM) development. To address this question, we probed its function and molecular mechanism in UM.

miR-142-3p suppresses uveal melanoma by targeting CDC25C, TGFβR1, GNAQ, WASL, and RAC1.

Uveal melanoma (UM) is the most frequent metastatic ocular tumor in adults. Therapeutic intervention remains ineffective since none of the novel procedures used to treat this disease increased survival rates. To deal with this limitation, additional studies are required to clarify its pathogenesis.

Iris colour and astigmatism among Chinese teenagers.

Background/aims: Iris colour might contribute to refractive development, but it is uncertain whether it is related to astigmatism. We aim to examine the association of iris colour with the presence of astigmatism in a school-based sample of Chinese students.

Methods: 2346 grade 7 students from 10 middle schools aged 13 to 14 years in Southwestern China participated in the study.

Butein induces apoptotic cell death of human cervical cancer cells.

Butein is a chalcone, a flavonoid that is widely biosynthesized in plants. Butein has been identified to possess varied pharmacological activity and is extractable from traditional Chinese medicinal herbs, therefore applicable for disease treatment. Recently, and studies have shown that butein may induce apoptotic cell death in various human cancer cells.

Iris Color and Lens Thickness in Chinese Teenagers.

Purpose: We aimed to determine the association of iris color with lens thickness (LT) in a school-based sample of Chinese teenagers.

Methods: In total, 2346 grade 7 students, from 10 middle schools, aged 13 to 14 years in Mojiang located in Southwestern China were included in the analysis. A grading system was developed to assess iris color based on standardized slit-lamp photographs.

Uveal melanocytes express high constitutive levels of MMP-8 which can be upregulated by TNF-α via the MAPK pathway.

Matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-8 is the most potent MMP for degrading collagen type-1 and plays an important role in inflammatory reactions and tissue remolding processes. MMP-8 is expressed mainly by polymorphonuclear leukocytes and is not expressed constitutively by most non-leukocytes. We studied the constitutive and TNF-α-induced expression of MMP-8 in cultured human uveal melanocytes (UM) and the relevant signal pathways involved.

Fisetin induces apoptosis through mitochondrial apoptosis pathway in human uveal melanoma cells.

Fisetin, a diatery flavonoid, been reported that possess anticancer effects in various cancers. The purpose of the study was to investigate the antitumor effects of fisetin in cultured uveal melanoma cell lines and compared with normal retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells. MTT assay was used for evaluating cytotoxic effects of fisetin.

Iris colour in relation to myopia among Chinese school-aged children.

Purpose: Understanding the association of iris colour and myopia may provide further insights into the role of the wavelength of lights in the pathophysiology of myopia. We aim to assess the association of iris colour and myopia in a school-based sample of Chinese students.

Methods: Two thousand three hundred and forty-six Year 7 students from 10 middle schools (93.

Human aqueous humor levels of transforming growth factor-β2: Association with matrix metalloproteinases/tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases.

The present study aims to investigate the association of transforming growth factor-β2 (TGF-β2) and matrix metalloproteinases (MMPs), MMP-2 and MMP-3, and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMPs), TIMP-1, TIMP-2 and TIMP-3 in the aqueous humor of patients with high myopia or cataracts. The levels of TGF-β2 and MMPs/TIMPs were measured with the Luminex xMAP Technology using commercially available Milliplex xMAP kits. The association between TGF-β2 and MMPs/TIMPs levels was analyzed using the Spearmans correlation test.

SKP2 Activation by Thyroid Hormone Receptor β2 Bypasses Rb-Dependent Proliferation in Rb-Deficient Cells.

Germline mutations strongly predispose humans to cone precursor-derived retinoblastomas and strongly predispose mice to pituitary tumors, yet shared cell type-specific circuitry that sensitizes these different cell types to the loss of has not been defined. Here we show that the cell type-restricted thyroid hormone receptor isoform TRβ2 sensitizes to loss in both settings by antagonizing the widely expressed and tumor-suppressive TRβ1. TRβ2 promoted expression of the E3 ubiquitin ligase SKP2, a critical factor for -mutant tumors, by enabling EMI1/FBXO5-dependent inhibition of SKP2 degradation.

Inhibition effect of curcumin on UVB-induced secretion of pro-inflammatory cytokines from corneal limbus epithelial cells.

Aim: To study the effects of curcumin on the secretion of interleukin (IL)-6 and IL-8 by corneal limbus epithelial cells.

Methods: Human corneal limbus epithelial cells were isolated and cultured from donor eyes and irradiated by UVB at different dosages with or without curcumin. MTT test was used for studying the effects of UVB and curcumin on the cell viability.

Regulation of Matrix Metalloproteinase-2 Secretion from Scleral Fibroblasts and Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells by miR-29a.

Purpose: To identify an effective method to prevent myopia progression by characterizing the regulation of matrix metalloproteinase- (MMP-) 2 expression and its secretion from scleral fibroblasts and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells by miR-29a.

Methods: The effects of miR-29a on the growth of scleral fibroblasts and RPE cells were assessed using the cell counting kit-8. The changes in MMP-2 mRNA levels in scleral fibroblasts and RPE cells after transfection with miR-29a mimics or inhibitor were measured by quantitative PCR.

Association of Visual Acuity with Ocular Dominance in 2045 Myopic Patients.

Purpose: Previous studies of the relationship between visual acuity (VA) and ocular dominance have produced conflicting results. We hypothesized that (1) the discrepancies were related mostly to sample size and interocular visual acuity difference (IOVAD); (2) in large samples of individuals with marked IOVADs, the eye with the better uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) would be dominant. These hypotheses were tested in a large group of myopic patients.

Correlations Between MMPs and TIMPs Levels in Aqueous Humor from High Myopia and Cataract Patients.

Purpose: To study the relationships between matrix metalloproteinases (MMP)-2, MMP-3, and tissue inhibitors of matrix metalloproteinases (TIMP)-1, TIMP-2, and TIMP-3 aqueous humor levels in patients with high myopia or cataract.

Materials And Methods: MMPs and TIMPs protein levels in 65 aqueous humor samples collected from patients with high myopia or cataract during cataract or clear lens extraction surgery were measured with the Luminex xMAP Technology. The relationship between MMPs and TIMPs levels was analyzed with Spearman's correlation test.