Evaluation of Auricular Acupressure on Myopia Prevention among Children Aged 6-12 Years with Pre-Myopia in China: Study Protocol of a Prospective Multi-Center Randomized Controlled Trial.

Background: The increasing prevalence of myopia among Chinese children and adolescents, especially at younger ages, has emerged as a significant concern in recent years. Pre-myopia is a key period for myopia prevention and control in children and adolescents. Previous studies suggested auricular acupressure (AA) therapy might offer a viable approach to prevent and slow down myopia progression.

Retinal light damage: From mechanisms to protective strategies.

Visible light serves as a crucial medium for vision formation.;however, prolonged or excessive exposure to light is recognized as a significant etiological factor contributing to retinal degenerative diseases. The retina, with its unique structure and adaptability, relies on the homeostasis of cellular functions to maintain visual health.

Pseudomyopia treated with auricular point sticking combined with periocular needle-embedding therapy and prevention of true myopia: a multicenter randomized controlled trial.

Objectives: To observe the clinical effect and safety of auricular point sticking combined with periocular needle-embedding therapy for pseudomyopia and prevention of true myopia.

Methods: A total of 269 children with pseudomyopia were randomized into an observation group (134 cases, 2 cases dropped out) and a control group (135 cases, 5 cases dropped out). In the control group, the healthy education was provided.

Autophagy in dry AMD: A promising therapeutic strategy for retinal pigment epithelial cell damage.

Dry age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a prevalent clinical condition that leads to permanent damage to central vision and poses a significant threat to patients' visual health. Although the pathogenesis of dry AMD remains unclear, there is consensus on the role of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) damage. Oxidative stress and chronic inflammation are major contributors to RPE cell damage, and the NOD-like receptor thermoprotein structural domain-associated protein 3 (NLRP3) inflammasome mediates the inflammatory response leading to apoptosis in RPE cells.

Hypoxia-Responsive Polymeric Nanoprodrugs for Combo Photodynamic and Chemotherapy.

Hypoxia in most solid tumors is a major challenge for photodynamic therapy (PDT), and the combination of hypoxia-activated chemotherapy and PDT is a promising approach for enhanced anticancer activity. Herein, we designed hypoxia-responsive polymeric nanoprodrug PNPs to co-deliver photosensitizer 5,10,5,20-tetrakis(4-aminophenyl)-porphine (TAPP) and chlorambucil (CB) to improve the overall therapeutic efficacy. Upon laser irradiation, the central TAPP converted oxygen to produce single oxygen (O) for PDT and induced PDT-reduced hypoxia environment, which accelerated the release of activated CB for synergetic cancer cell killing.

Is compromised intestinal barrier integrity responsible for the poor prognosis in critically ill patients with pre-existing hyperglycemia?

Background: Compromised intestinal barrier integrity can be independently driven by hyperglycemia, and both hyperglycemia and intestinal barrier injury are associated with poor prognosis in critical illness. This study investigated the intestinal barrier biomarkers in critically ill patients, to explore the role of compromised intestinal barrier integrity on the prognosis of critically ill patients with pre-existing hyperglycemia.

Methods: This was a retrospective observational study.

[Evaluation of extravascular lung water in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome by syndecan-1 combined with lung ultrasonography].

Objective: To investigate the value of plasma syndecan-1 (SDC-1) combined with lung ultrasonography in evaluating the degree of extravascular lung water in patients with acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS).

Methods: From July 2018 to July 2019, 50 patients with ARDS admitted to the department of intensive care unit of Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University were enrolled. After admission, pulse indicator continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) catheter was established for all patients.

Mingjing granule, a traditional Chinese medicine in the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is the most common cause of irreversible vision loss and blindness among the older people aged 50 and over. Although anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapies have resulted in improving patient outcomes, there are limitations associated with these treatments. In China, traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has been used to treat eye diseases for more than 2000 years.

[Prognostic value of oxygen challenge test for patients with cardiogenic shock receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation].

Objective: To investigate the prognostic value of oxygen challenge test (OCT) for patients with cardiogenic shock receiving extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (ECMO).

Methods: A retrospective analysis was conducted. Seventy-eight patients diagnosed with cardiogenic shock receiving veno-arterial (V-A) ECMO admitted to Department of intensive care unit (ICU) of Wuxi People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University from June 2012 to May 2017 were enrolled.

[The value of changes in end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure induced by passive leg raising test in predicting fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients with septic shock].

Objective: To test whether the changes of partial end-tidal carbon dioxide pressure (PETCO2) during passive leg raising (PLR) predict fluid responsiveness in mechanically ventilated patients with septic shock.

Methods: Forty-two mechanically ventilated patients with septic shock admitted from January 2012 to November 2012 were prospectively recruited.Hemodynamic parameters monitored by a pulse indicator continuous cardiac output (PiCCO) device and PETCO2 monitored by an expiratory-CO2 device were studied at baseline, after PLR, and after volume expansion.