The positive role of transforming growth factor-β1 in ischemic stroke.

Ischemic stroke is one of the most disabling and fatal diseases around the world. The damaged brain tissues will undergo excessive autophagy, vascular endothelial cells injury, blood-brain barrier (BBB) impairment and neuroinflammation after ischemic stroke. However, there is no unified viewpoint on the underlying mechanism of brain damage.

The Pathological Mechanism of Neuronal Autophagy-Lysosome Dysfunction After Ischemic Stroke.

The abnormal initiation of autophagy flux in neurons after ischemic stroke caused dysfunction of autophagy-lysosome, which not only led to autophagy flux blockage, but also resulted in autophagic death of neurons. However, the pathological mechanism of neuronal autophagy-lysosome dysfunction did not form a unified viewpoint until now. In this review, taking the autophagy lysosomal dysfunction of neurons as a starting point, we summarized the molecular mechanisms that led to neuronal autophagy lysosomal dysfunction after ischemic stroke, which would provide theoretical basis for the clinical treatment of ischemic stroke.

Bioactive PLGA/tricalcium phosphate scaffolds incorporating phytomolecule icaritin developed for calvarial defect repair in rat model.

Background/objectives: For treatment of large bone defects challenging in orthopaedic clinics, bone graft substitutes are commonly used for the majority of surgeons. It would be proposed in the current study that our bioactive scaffolds could additionally serve as a local delivery system for therapeutic small molecule agents capable of providing support to enhance biological bone repair.

Methods: In this study, composite scaffolds made of poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) (PLGA) and tricalcium phosphate (TCP) named by P/T was fabricated by a low-temperature rapid prototyping technique.

Prevalence of antiseptic resistance genes increases in staphylococcal isolates from orthokeratology lens wearers over initial six-month period of use.

The purpose of this study was to investigate the prevalence of antiseptic-resistance (QAC) genes in staphylococci colonizing periorbital tissues and accessories of orthokeratology (ortho-k) lens wearers over a 6-month period and determine the effect of their presence on minimum inhibitory (MIC) and bactericidal concentrations (MBC) of disinfectants and log reduction of multipurpose contact lens solutions (MPS). Staphylococci were isolated from periorbital tissues and accessories of patients before commencing ortho-k therapy and at two subsequent visits. Presence of QAC genes in 116 S.

Microbial Contamination of Periorbital Tissues and Accessories of Children.

Purpose: To investigate normal flora of children with and without orthokeratology (ortho-k) treatment, and the associations between carriage of Staphylococcus aureus and Gram-negative rods with contamination of contact lenses and lens cases in ortho-k subjects and with spectacles of control subjects.

Methods: Twenty-three ortho-k subjects (treatment >12 months) and 20 control myopic subjects aged 7-14 years were recruited. Samples were collected from four sites surrounding the left eye (lower conjunctiva, upper and lower eyelids, and eyelashes) for all subjects, spectacles for control subjects and contact lens accessories for ortho-k subjects.

Does the presence of QAC genes in staphylococci affect the efficacy of disinfecting solutions used by orthokeratology lens wearers?

Background/aim: There has been increasing evidence of the emergence of antiseptic resistance mediated by quaternary ammonium compound (QAC) resistance genes, which may reduce the efficacy of disinfection. Although the presence of QAC-positive staphylococci has been shown to be elevated in contact lens wearers, the efficacy of multipurpose solutions (MPS) against such isolates has not been determined. This study investigated the efficacy of four MPS for rigid gas permeable (RGP) lenses against staphylococci-harbouring QAC genes.

Inhibitory Effects of 2,2'-Dipyridyl and 1,2,3,4,6-Penta-O-Galloyl-b-D-Glucopyranose on Biofilm Formation in Contact Lens Cases.

Purpose: This study observed biofilm formation by Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Staphylococcus aureus in contact lens cases and investigated the inhibitory effects of 2,2'-dipyridyl (2DP) and 1,2,3,4,6-penta-O-galloyl-b-D-glucopyranose (PGG).

Methods: Biofilm formation of P. aeruginosa ATCC 9027 and S.

Prevalence of antiseptic-resistance genes in staphylococci isolated from orthokeratology lens and spectacle wearers in Hong Kong.

Purpose: To compare isolation of staphylococci from periorbital tissues and accessories of orthokeratology (ortho-k) lens and spectacle wearers and investigate prevalence of antiseptic-resistance (QAC) genes. To determine minimum inhibitory concentrations (MIC) of antiseptics and antibiotic susceptibility of isolates.

Methods: Staphylococci were isolated from eyelids, eyelashes, and conjunctival sacs of 23 ortho-k lens wearers and 20 spectacle wearers.

Effect of multipurpose solutions against Acinetobacter carrying QAC genes.

Purpose: Acinetobacter has low virulence but causes infections in subjects with reduced immunity. It has been reported in ocular infections including those of patients using contact lenses. Treatment is difficult because Acinetobacter is frequently multidrug resistant.

Amoebicidal effects of contact lens disinfecting solutions.

Purpose: To compare the traditional manual hemacytometer method and an automated counter (Vi-cell) to enumerate and distinguish between viable and non-viable amoeba, and to determine the efficacies of contact lens (CL) disinfecting solutions against three species of Acanthamoeba. The efficacies in the presence of a bacterial food source and bovine serum albumin (BSA) were investigated.

Methods: Four brands of multipurpose solutions and a hydrogen peroxide disinfecting system (Oxysept) for soft CLs, and four disinfecting solutions for Rigid Gas Permeable (RGP) lenses were tested against three species of Acanthamoeba.

Adherence of acanthamoeba to lens cases and effects of drying on survival.

Purpose: To compare the effects of drying the lens case with tissue on the presence of Acanthamoeba with cases left wet and to determine adherence to the lens case of varying concentrations of Acanthamoeba suspensions. The effect of drying on viability of Acanthamoeba in new, used, and soiled lens cases was compared over a 24 h period.

Methods: New (16) and scratched (16) lens cases were rinsed with a range of Acanthamoeba suspensions.