Neuroprotective effect of mesenchymal stem cell-derived extracellular vesicles on optic nerve injury in chronic ocular hypertension.

Mesenchymal stem cells have neuroprotective effects that limit damage to the retina and photoreceptors, and which may be mediated by extracellular vesicles (or exosomes) released by mesenchymal stem cells. To investigate the neuroprotective effect of extracellular vesicles derived from umbilical cord mesenchymal stem cells on glaucoma, we established rat models of chronic ocular hypertension by injecting conjunctival fibroblasts into the anterior chamber to mimic optic nerve injury caused by glaucoma. One week after injury, extracellular vesicles derived from umbilical cord-derived mesenchymal stem cells were injected into the vitreous cavity.

Safety profile of 0.0015% tafluprost eye drops in China: a post-marketing observational study.

Aim: To investigate the treatment pattern and safety of tafluprost for glaucoma and ocular hypertension (OH) in clinical practice in China.

Methods: This post-marketing observational study included patients who received tafluprost to lower intraocular pressure (IOP) within 30d between September 2017 and March 2020 in 20 hospitals in China. Adverse drug reactions (ADRs) during tafluprost treatment and within 30d after the treatment were collected.

Formation of DNA:RNA hybrid G-quadruplex in bacterial cells and its dominance over the intramolecular DNA G-quadruplex in mediating transcription termination.

DNA with four guanine tracts can fold into G-quadruplexes that are targets of transcription regulation. We recently found that hybrid DNA:RNA G-quadruplexes (HQs) can form during in vitro transcription. However, it is unclear whether they can form in cells.

Formation of DNA:RNA hybrid G-quadruplexes of two G-quartet layers in transcription: expansion of the prevalence and diversity of G-quadruplexes in genomes.

G-quadruplexes are implicated in important cellular processes. Previous studies mostly focused on intramolecular G-quadruplexes of three or more G-quartets. Those composed of two G-quartets were only shown to form in single-stranded oligonucleotides.

A competitive formation of DNA:RNA hybrid G-quadruplex is responsible to the mitochondrial transcription termination at the DNA replication priming site.

Human mitochondrial DNA contains a distinctive guanine-rich motif denoted conserved sequence block II (CSB II) that stops RNA transcription, producing prematurely terminated transcripts to prime mitochondrial DNA replication. Recently, we reported a general phenomenon that DNA:RNA hybrid G-quadruplexes (HQs) readily form during transcription when the non-template DNA strand is guanine-rich and such HQs in turn regulate transcription. In this work, we show that transcription of mitochondrial DNA leads to the formation of a stable HQ or alternatively an unstable intramolecular DNA G-quadruplex (DQ) at the CSB II.

ABCC5, a gene that influences the anterior chamber depth, is associated with primary angle closure glaucoma.

Anterior chamber depth (ACD) is a key anatomical risk factor for primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG). We conducted a genome-wide association study (GWAS) on ACD to discover novel genes for PACG on a total of 5,308 population-based individuals of Asian descent. Genome-wide significant association was observed at a sequence variant within ABCC5 (rs1401999; per-allele effect size =  -0.

Lack of association between primary angle-closure glaucoma susceptibility loci and the ocular biometric parameters anterior chamber depth and axial length.

Purpose: Three susceptibility loci for primary angle-closure glaucoma (PACG) were recently identified: PLEKHA7 rs11024102, COL11A1 rs3753841, and rs1015213 located in the intergenic region between PCMTD1 and ST18. The purpose of this study was to investigate the associations of these loci with the ocular biometric parameters anterior chamber depth (ACD) and axial length (AL).

Methods: Genotype and ocular biometric data were available for four population-based studies, including three from Singapore (Singapore Chinese Eye Study, Singapore Malay Eye Study, and Singapore Indian Eye Study) and one from China (Beijing Eye Study), exceeding 7000 participants.

Effect of cAMP on short-circuit current in isolated human ciliary body.

Background: Cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) could activate chloride channels in bovine ciliary body and trigger an increase in the ionic current (short-circuit current, Isc) across the ciliary processes in pigs. The purpose of this study was to investigate how cAMP modulates Isc in isolated human ciliary processes and the possible involvement of chloride transport across the tissue in cAMP-induced Isc change.

Methods: In an Ussing-type chamber system, the Isc changes induced by the cAMP analogue 8-bromo-cAMP and an adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin in isolated human ciliary processes were assessed.

Telomere- and telomerase-interacting protein that unfolds telomere G-quadruplex and promotes telomere extension in mammalian cells.

Telomere extension by telomerase is essential for chromosome stability and cell vitality. Here, we report the identification of a splice variant of mammalian heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A2 (hnRNP A2), hnRNP A2*, which binds telomeric DNA and telomerase in vitro. hnRNP A2* colocalizes with telomerase in Cajal bodies and at telomeres.

Differential associations of myopia with major age-related eye diseases: the Singapore Indian Eye Study.

Purpose: To determine the associations of myopia and axial length (AL) with major age-related eye diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD), diabetic retinopathy (DR), age-related cataract, and primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG).

Design: Population-based, cross-sectional study.

Participants: A total of 3400 Indians (75.

Genome-wide association analyses identify three new susceptibility loci for primary angle closure glaucoma.

Primary angle closure glaucoma (PACG) is a major cause of blindness worldwide. We conducted a genome-wide association study including 1,854 PACG cases and 9,608 controls across 5 sample collections in Asia. Replication experiments were conducted in 1,917 PACG cases and 8,943 controls collected from a further 6 sample collections.

Variation in prevalence of myopia between generations of migrant indians living in Singapore.

Purpose: To assess the influence of factors related to migration and acculturation on myopia in migrant Indians in Singapore.

Design: Population-based cross-sectional study.

Methods: A total of 3400 Singaporean Indians (75.

Expression of nitric oxide synthase and guanylate cyclase in the human ciliary body and trabecular meshwork.

Background: The role played by the nitric oxide (NO) signaling pathway in the aqueous humor dynamics is still unclear. This study was designed to investigate the expression and distribution of NO synthase (NOS) isoforms and guanylate cyclase (GC) in human ciliary body, trabecular meshwork and the Schlemm's canal.

Methods: Twelve eyes after corneal transplantation were used.

Ocular biometry in an urban Indian population: the Singapore Indian Eye Study (SINDI).

PURPOSE. To describe the distribution and determinants of ocular biometric parameters in adult Singapore Indians. METHODS.

Influence of refractive error on optic disc topographic parameters: the singapore malay eye study.

Purpose: To examine the relationship between refractive error and optic disc topographic parameters and retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness.

Design: Population-based cross-sectional study.

Methods: All 3,280 (78.

Association of narrow angles with anterior chamber area and volume measured with anterior-segment optical coherence tomography.

Objectives: To describe the measurement of anterior chamber area and anterior chamber volume by anterior-segment optical coherence tomography and to investigate the association of these parameters with the presence of narrow angles.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of subjects aged at least 50 years without ophthalmic symptoms recruited from a community clinic. All participants underwent standardized ocular examination and anterior-segment optical coherence tomography.

Determinants of corneal biomechanical properties in an adult Chinese population.

Purpose: To investigate variations in corneal hysteresis (CH) and corneal resistance factor (CRF) and their ocular and systemic associations in Chinese adults.

Design: Population-based, cross-sectional study.

Participants: We included 1136 subjects of Chinese origin from an ongoing population-based study.

Prevalence and risk factors for refractive errors in Indians: the Singapore Indian Eye Study (SINDI).

Purpose: To determine the prevalence and risk factors for refractive errors in middle-aged to elderly Singaporeans of Indian ethnicity.

Methods: A population-based, cross-sectional study of Indians aged over 40 years of age residing in Southwestern Singapore was conducted. An age-stratified (10-year age group) random sampling procedure was performed to select participants.

Relationship of central corneal thickness with optic disc parameters: the Singapore Malay Eye Study.

Purpose: To examine the relationship of central corneal thickness (CCT) with optic disc parameters measured by confocal scanning laser ophthalmoloscopy in a Malay population.

Methods: This was a population-based cross-sectional study of Asian Malay adults aged 40-80 years living in Singapore. Participants had a standardized interview, examination, and imaging at a study clinic.

[The diagnostic value of double-balloon enteroscopy in 67 cases with obscure abdominal pain].

Objective: To evaluate the diagnostic valve of double balloon enteroscopy in patients with obscure abdominal pain and analyze the etiology of chronic abdominal pain resulted from enteral diseases.

Methods: Sixty-seven cases with chronic abdominal pain underwent a previous negative gastroscopy, colonoscopy, gastrointestinal barium, B ultrasound and electrocardiogram were received double balloon enteroscopy during June 2005 to June 2008.

Results: Thirty-six of 67 patients was done by enteroscopy via anus, and 19 cases via oral, and 12 cases via both anus and oral.

[Effect of porous polyethylene channel implants on volume reconstruction of large orbital wall fractures evaluated by computed tomography measurement].

Objective: To assess the clinical effectiveness of porous polyethylene medpor channel implants (MCI) to restore orbital volume in repairing orbital wall fractures, evaluated by computed tomography (CT) and volume measurement program.

Methods: Sixteen patients with unilateral large orbital fractures were included in this study. Computed tomography (CT) scans were used to obtain computer-based orbital volume measurement to assess the change in orbital volume pre- and post-operatively.

[Therapeutic effect of laser photocoagulation of ciliary processes in aphakic glaucoma].

Objective: To evaluate the therapeutic effect of laser photocoagulation of ciliary processes after pars plana vitrectomy in aphakic glaucoma.

Methods: Twenty patients (20 eyes) of aphakic glaucoma underwent vitrectomy plus laser treatment. During the surgery, after conventional 3-incision pars plana vitrectomy, a probe of semi-conductor diode laser (532 nm) was inserted through the sclera incision, the ciliary processes were then photocoagulated under direct visualization for 180 degree range.

[Dynamic changes of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases in the rabbit iris and aqueous humor after lens mechanical injury].

Objective: To investigate dynamic changes of expression of tissue inhibitors of metalloproteinases (TIMPs) in the rabbit iris and aqueous humor after the lens mechanical injury.

Methods: Rabbit lens was mechanically injured by a needle through the limbus. Eyes were enucleated on the 1st, 3rd, 7th and 15th day after injury, the aqueous humor was collected and the iris was isolated.

[Expression and modulation of basic fibroblast growth factor in bovine lens epithelial cells].

Objective: To evaluate the expression of basic fibroblast growth factor (bFGF) in bovine lens epithelial cells (BLEC), the effects of fetal bovine serum on the expression of bFGF and to explore the effect of breakdown of blood-aqueous barrier on the expression of bFGF after cataract surgery.

Methods: BLEC were isolated and cultured. Western blot and immunohistochemistry method were used to determine the expression of bFGF in these cells.

[Treatment of open angle glaucoma with deep sclerectomy combined with laser trabecular puncture].

Objective: To study the effect of deep sclerectomy combined with laser trabecular puncture for the treatment of open angle glaucoma (OAG).

Methods: Deep sclerectomy was performed in 32 eyes of 32 patients with moderate to advanced stages of OAG. After the exposure of external wall of Schlemm's canal and the remaining trabecula, the intraocular optic fiber of diode laser photocoagulator was directed to the trabecula-limbus near the anterior edge of the scleral spur.