Hijacking of N-fixing legume albumin-1 genes enables the cyclization and stabilization of defense peptides.

The legume albumin-1 gene family, arising after nodulation, encodes linear a- and b-chain peptides for nutrient storage and defense. Intriguingly, in one prominent legume, Clitoria ternatea, the b-chains are replaced by domains producing ultra-stable cyclic peptides called cyclotides. The mechanism of this gene hijacking is until now unknown.

Pan-enteric neuropathy and dysmotility are present in a mouse model of short-segment Hirschsprung disease and may contribute to post-pullthrough morbidity.

Purpose: Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is characterized by distal intestinal aganglionosis. While surgery is lifesaving, gastrointestinal (GI) motility disorders persist in many patients. Our objective was to determine whether enteric nervous system (ENS) abnormalities exist in the ganglionated portions of the GI tract far proximal to the aganglionic region and whether these are associated with GI dysmotility.

Enteric neuronal cell therapy reverses architectural changes in a novel diphtheria toxin-mediated model of colonic aganglionosis.

Hirschsprung disease (HSCR) is characterized by absence of the enteric nervous system (ENS) in the distal bowel. Despite removal of the aganglionic segment, gastrointestinal (GI) problems persist. Cell therapy offers potential treatment but use of genetic models is limited by their poor survival.

Prospective study on a novel treatment for leaking cystic bleb: Efficacy and safety of collagen crosslinking.

Importance: Management of cystic bleb leak is difficult. It would be essential to look for a method to strengthen the original pathological conjunctiva and reverse bleb leak.

Background: To evaluate the long-term efficacy and safety of collagen crosslinking in patients with leaking cystic bleb.

Development and pilot-testing of patient decision aid for use among Chinese patients with primary open-angle glaucoma.

Background: A patient decision aid (PDA) is a tool for shared decision making (SDM), which emphasises patient empowerment. It is useful in chronic diseases and when there are multiple, no best single treatment option. Although SDM is prevalent in Western countries, its use is limited in Chinese societies, where the adoption of a paternalistic approach is strong.

Consensual ophthalmotonic reaction in Chinese patients following augmented trabeculectomy or ExPRESS shunt implantation.

Introduction: Consensual ophthalmotonic reaction (COR) was first described in 1924. Studies following monocular application of glaucoma drops and laser trabeculoplasty showed a drop in fellow eye intraocular pressure (IOP). However, studies following monocular surgery showed heterogeneous results.

Collagen crosslinking in the management of leaking cystic blebs: a prospective study.

Purpose: To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of collagen crosslinking for leaking cystic blebs.

Methods: A prospective study was conducted on subjects with cystic bleb leaks without indications for urgent surgical intervention. Collagen crosslinking with riboflavin 0.

Investigating degeneration of the retina in young and aged tau P301L mice.

Aims: Tau is a microtubule-binding protein facilitating the stability of the cytoskeleton. It is important for neurons as several neurodegenerative diseases involve hyperphosphorylation and aggregation of tau. It is known that mutated tau P301L results in aggregation of tau proteins, leading to neuronal loss in the brain.

Efficacy of selective laser trabeculoplasty for normal tension glaucoma: 1 year results.

Background: Normal tension glaucoma (NTG) is commonly treated with anti-glaucoma medications. Recently, selective laser trabeculoplasty (SLT) has been demonstrated to lower the intraocular pressure (IOP) and medication use in NTG. The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy of a single session of SLT for NTG at 1 year.

The ophthalmological complications of targeted agents in cancer therapy: what do we need to know as ophthalmologists?

Recently, there has been an increase in the use of targeted therapies for cancer treatments. Nevertheless, the ocular side-effects of the commonly used targeted agents are generally under-reported and not well studied in the literature. We conducted multiple searches in databases, including Medline, EMBASE, Cochrane Library and conference proceedings, using the following strings: 'name of targeted therapeutic agent (both generic and commercial names)' AND 'eye OR ocular OR vision OR ophthalmological'.

Hepatic actinomycosis presenting as a liver tumour: case report and literature review.

Hepatic actinomycosis poses a difficult problem in both diagnosis and management. We report the management of a patient with isolated hepatic actinomycosis, and review the clinical features and management of patients with hepatic actinomycosis mimicking liver tumour.