Effect of corneal cross-linking on biomechanical properties of swollen rabbit corneas.

Corneal cross-linking (CXL) is an effective method to prevent the progression of keratoconus. CXL combined with hypotonic riboflavin solution is a modified treatment for thin corneas, which are deemed to be below the safe thickness threshold. In this study, rabbit corneas were subjected to different hydration levels using different osmolarity of riboflavin dextran solutions before CXL.

Biomechanical and histological changes associated with riboflavin ultraviolet-A-induced CXL with different irradiances in young human corneal stroma.

Keratoconus (KC) is a degenerative condition affecting the cornea, characterized by progressive thinning and bulging, which can ultimately result in serious visual impairment. The onset and progression of KC are closely tied to the gradual weakening of the cornea's biomechanical properties. KC progression can be prevented with corneal cross-linking (CXL), but this treatment has shortcomings, and evaluating its tissue stiffening effect is important for determining its efficacy.

Effect of corneal cross-linking on biomechanical changes following transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy and femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK.

To evaluate the change in corneal biomechanics in patients with postoperative ectasia risk when combining two common laser vision correction procedures (tPRK and FS-LASIK) with cross-linking (in tPRK Xtra and FS-LASIK Xtra). The study included 143 eyes of 143 myopic, astigmatic patients that were divided into non-cross-linked refractive surgery groups (non-Xtra groups, tPRK and FS-LASIK) and cross-linked groups (Xtra groups, tPRK Xtra and FS-LASIK Xtra) according to an ectasia risk scoring system. The eyes were subjected to measurements including the stress-strain index (SSI), the stiffness parameter at first applanation (SP-A1), the integrated inverse radius (IIR), the deformation amplitude at apex (DA), and the ratio of deformation amplitude between apex and 2 mm from apex (DARatio2mm).

OXCT1 regulates hippocampal neurogenesis and alleviates cognitive impairment via the Akt/GSK-3β/β-catenin pathway after subarachnoid hemorrhage.

Background: Subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH) is a life-threatening neurological disease that usually has a poor prognosis. Neurogenesis is a potential therapeutic target for brain injury. Ketone metabolism also plays neuroprotective roles in many neurological disorders.

Evaluation of changes in corneal biomechanics after orthokeratology using Corvis ST.

Purpose: To investigate the alterations in corneal biomechanical metrics induced by orthokeratology (ortho-k) using Corvis ST and to determine the factors influencing these changes.

Method: A prospective observational study was conducted to analyze various Corvis ST parameters in 32 children with low to moderate myopia who successfully underwent ortho-k lens fitting. Corneal biomechanical measurements via Corvis ST were acquired at six distinct time points: baseline (pre) and 2 h (pos2h), 6 h (pos6h), and 10 h (pos10h) following the removal of the first overnight wear ortho-k, one week (pos1w) and one month (pos1m) subsequent to the initiation of ortho-k.

Astrocyte-derived hepcidin aggravates neuronal iron accumulation after subarachnoid hemorrhage by decreasing neuronal ferroportin1.

Iron accumulation is one of the most essential pathological events after subarachnoid hemorrhage (SAH). Ferroportin1 (FPN1) is the only transmembrane protein responsible for exporting iron. Hepcidin, as the major regulator of FPN1, is responsible for its degradation.

Performance of Corvis ST Parameters Including Updated Stress-Strain Index in Differentiating Between Normal, Forme-Fruste, Subclinical, and Clinical Keratoconic Eyes.

Purpose: This study seeks to evaluate the ability of the updated stress strain index (SSIv2) and other Corvis ST biomechanical parameters in distinguishing between keratoconus at different disease stages and normal eyes.

Design: Diagnostic accuracy analysis to distinguish disease stages.

Methods: 1084 eyes were included and divided into groups of normal (199 eyes), forme fruste keratoconus (FFKC, 194 eyes), subclinical keratoconus (SKC, 113 eyes), mild clinical keratoconus (CKC-Ⅰ, 175 eyes), moderate clinical keratoconus (CKC-Ⅱ, 204 eyes), and severe clinical keratoconus (CKC-Ⅲ, 199 eyes).

Dynamic topography analysis of the cornea and its application to the diagnosis of keratoconus.

Propose: To establish a dynamic topography analysis method which simulates the dynamic biomechanical response of the cornea and reveals the variations of such response within the corneal surface, and thereafter to propose and clinically evaluate new parameters for the definite diagnosis of keratoconus.

Methods: 58 normal (Normal) and 56 keratoconus (KC) subjects were retrospectively included. Personalized corneal air-puff model was established using corneal topography data by Pentacam for each subject, and the dynamic deformation under air-puff loading was simulated using finite element method, which then enabled calculations of corneal biomechanical parameters of the entire corneal surface along any meridian.

Corneal Epithelial Remodeling in a 6-Month Follow-up Period in Myopic Corneal Refractive Surgeries.

Purpose: To investigate corneal epithelial thickness changes during a 6-month follow-up period after transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (tPRK), femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK), and small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).

Methods: This prospective study included 76 eyes of 76 participants who underwent myopic refractive surgery (23 FS-LASIK, 22 SMILE, and 31 tPRK). Epithelial thickness and anterior curvature were averaged over 4 regions (subdivided into 25 areas) and measured by spectral-domain optical coherence tomography and Scheimpflug tomography before the operation (pre) and at 1 or 3 days (pos1-3d), 1 week (pos1w), and 1 month (pos1m), 3 months (pos3m), and 6 months (pos6m) postoperatively.

Limitations of Reconstructing Pentacam Rabbit Corneal Tomography by Zernike Polynomials.

The study aims to investigate the likelihood of Zernike polynomial being used for reconstructing rabbit corneal surfaces as scanned by the Pentacam segment tomographer, and hence evaluate the accuracy of corneal power maps calculated from such Zernike fitted surfaces. The study utilised a data set of both eyes of 21 rabbits using a reverse engineering approach for deductive reasoning. Pentacam raw elevation data were fitted to Zernike polynomials of orders 2 to 20.

Corneal Biomechanics Losses Caused by Refractive Surgery.

Recent advances, specifically in the understanding of the biomechanical properties of the cornea and its response to diseases and surgical interventions, have significantly improved the safety and surgical outcomes of corneal refractive surgery, whose popularity and demand continue to grow worldwide. However, iatrogenic keratectasia resulting from the deterioration in corneal biomechanics caused by surgical interventions, although rare, remains a global concern. On one hand, in vivo biomechanical evaluation, enabled by clinical imaging systems such as the ORA and the Corvis ST, has significantly improved the risk profiling of patients for iatrogenic keratectasia.

Long-term Effects of Riboflavin Ultraviolet-A-Induced CXL With Different Irradiances on the Biomechanics of In Vivo Rabbit Corneas.

Purpose: To evaluate the long-term effects of ultraviolet-A corneal cross-linking (CXL) with different irrandiances on the biomechanical properties of rabbit corneas and the corresponding changes in stromal microstructure.

Methods: The study involved the left eyes of 85 healthy white Japanese rabbits, randomly divided into five groups (n = 16 to 18 each). After removing the epithelium, the first four groups were exposed to riboflavin (0.

Biomechanical Effects of tPRK, FS-LASIK, and SMILE on the Cornea.

The objective of this study is to evaluate the corneal biomechanical response to three laser refractive surgeries. Two hundred and twenty-seven patients who submitted to transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy (tPRK), femtosecond laser-assisted keratomileusis (FS-LASIK), or small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) were included in this study. All cases were examined with the Corvis ST preoperatively (up to 3 months) and postoperatively at 1, 3, and 6 months, and the differences in the main device parameters were assessed.

Effect of travoprost, latanoprost and bimatoprost PGF2α treatments on the biomechanical properties of in-vivo rabbit cornea.

Prostaglandin F2α analogues (PGF2α), one of the most commonly prescribed classes of hypotensive agents, could decrease collagen fibril density and remodel the extracellular matrix in cornea. We hypothesized that PGF2α's would induce corneal softening, reduce the accuracy of intraocular pressure (IOP) measurement and lead to uncertainty in the effectiveness of the therapy. We determined the stress-strain behavior of rabbit cornea after PGF2α usage and evaluated the effect of biomechanical changes associated with PGF2α treatment on IOP measurements by Goldmann Applanation Tonometry (GAT).

Changes in Corneal Biomechanical Properties in PRK Followed by Two Accelerated CXL Energy Doses in Rabbit Eyes.

Purpose: To evaluate whether photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) combined with the two commonly delivered energy doses in accelerated corneal cross-linking (A-CXL) could help the cornea maintain its preoperative stiffness level.

Methods: A total of 72 corneas of 36 healthy white Japanese rabbits were randomly divided into four equal groups. The groups included an untreated control group and three that had undergone PRK.

Biomechanical Effects of Two Forms of PGF2α on Ex-vivo Rabbit Cornea.

Purpose: To investigate the biomechanical effects of two synthetic prostaglandin F2α analogues (PGF2α), namely Travoprost and Tafluprost, on the ex-vivo rabbit cornea.

Materials And Methods: Ninety-six eyes of 48 Japanese white rabbits were divided into 3 equal groups randomly; the Travoprost treated group (Tra), the Tafluprost treated group (Taf) and the control group (Co). Eyes in Tra and Taf groups were preserved in storage medium for 10 days with 1:10 Travoprost and Tafluprost diluents, respectively; while the Co eyes were preserved in a similar but PGF2α-free medium.

Correlation between the expressions of circular RNAs in peripheral venous blood and clinicopathological features in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Background: Recent studies have reported that circular RNAs (circRNAs) are involved in the development of hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC). This study evaluated the expression of preoperative peripheral venous blood circRNAs in HCC patients and their predictive ability for microvascular invasion (MVI).

Methods: Seven circRNAs (circMTO1, circ-10720, circZKSCAN1, cSMARCA5, circHIPK3, circSETD3 and ciRS-7) were screened from the literature as circRNAs with reported biological functions in HCC.

Effectiveness of 4 tonometers in measuring IOP after femtosecond laser-assisted LASIK, SMILE, and transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy.

Purpose: To test the performance of 4 tonometers in estimating intraocular pressure (IOP) after 3 forms of refractive surgery.

Setting: Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, China.

Design: Prospective case series.

[Evaluation of MACC Reanalysis Ozone Data over China Using Ground-based and AIRS Satellite Observations].

A comparative analysis was conducted using total ozone products derived from monitoring atmospheric composition and climate (MACC) reanalysis data validated with ozone data from the atmospheric infrared sounder (AIRS) satellite and ground-based ozone measurements. The results indicate that the relative deviation of total ozone from the MACC reanalysis data and the ground-based ozone total data is controlled within 17%, and all of the correlation coefficients were between 0.79 and 0.

, A New Aquatic Oomycete from Southern China Based on Morphological and Molecular Characters.

A new species, , isolated from aquatic environments (lake) in China is being described based on morphological characters and molecular evidence. The isolates grew at temperatures between 5 °C and 38 °C, and the optimum temperature was 30 °C, with a radial growth rate of 17.6mm at 25°C per day.

Emerging role of zinc finger protein A20 as a suppressor of hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC), the third leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide, is a major public health problem. Zinc finger protein A20 (A20), an acute phase response gene, is a potent inhibitor of NF-κB signaling. A20 serves a critical role in liver protection, including limiting inflammation following hepatic injury, stimulating hepatocyte growth, and preventing hepatic ischemia-reperfusion injury.

Effects of 1,8-cineole on neuropathic pain mediated by P2X2 receptor in the spinal cord dorsal horn.

As an intractable health threat, neuropathic pain is now a key problem in clinical therapy, which can be caused by lesions affecting the peripheral nervous systems. 1,8-cineole is a natural monoterpene cyclic ether present in eucalyptus and has been reported to exhibit anti-inflammatory and antioxidant effects. Research has shown that 1,8-cineole inhibits P2X3 receptor-mediated neuropathic pains in dorsal root ganglion.

Regional changes in corneal shape over a 6-month follow-up after femtosecond-assisted LASIK.

Purpose: To assess the regional changes in corneal shape after femtosecond laser-assisted laser in situ keratomileusis (FS-LASIK) in patients with different myopia extents.

Setting: Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.

Design: Retrospective case series.