Publications by authors named "Xiu-juan Zhang"

Purpose: Over the past few years, there has been a rapid accumulation of data on the use of low-concentration atropine for myopia control, especially in East Asian children, with its effectiveness varying in different studies. This review aims to evaluate the current evidence surrounding the efficacy and safety of low-concentration atropine in the management of myopia onset and progression in East Asia.

Methods: Clinical trials involving atropine for myopia control in East Asia were reviewed.

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In the process of ecological restoration, vegetation plays a crucial role in restoring ecosystem functions. Soil microorganisms are essential components of soil ecosystems, driving material cycling processes and enhancing plant productivity and resilience. This study aimed to investigate the community structure characteristics of rhizosphere soil and root-endophytic bacteria in different shrubs.

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Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effects of physical activity and inactivity on the microvasculature in children, as measured from retinal photographs.

Methods: All participants were from the Hong Kong Children Eye Study, a population-based cross-sectional study of children aged 6 to 8 years. They received comprehensive ophthalmic examinations and retinal photography.

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Background: To investigate the impact of optic disc torsion (ODT), horizontal disc tilt (HDT) angle, and ovality index (OI) on different retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) and ganglion cell-inner plexiform layer (GCIPL) segments in healthy myopic eyes.

Methods: ODT and OI were measured from fundus photographs. HDT angle, peripapillary RNFL, and macular GCIPL were measured by swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT).

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Aims: To investigate the associations of genetic variants previously linked to axial length (AL) and spherical equivalent refraction (SE) in adults with refractive error and related endophenotypes in children, at baseline and 3-year follow-up.

Methods: 15 candidate single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), selected from previous Genome-Wide Association Studies and meta-analyses, were genotyped in 2819 Chinese children, who had undergone baseline and 3-year follow-up cycloplegic refraction, ocular biometry and ocular health examinations. Linear regression analyses were conducted to assess the associations of the SNPs with baseline measurements and longitudinal changes in SE, spherical power (SPH), AL, corneal radius of curvature (CR) and AL/CR ratio.

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Background: To evaluate the long-term effectiveness of orthokeratology (ortho-K) lenses with small treatment zone (STZ) or conventional treatment zone (CTZ) in controlling axial elongation in children with myopia as well as the impact on visual quality. We also sought to determine the effect of retinal visual signal quality on axial elongation.

Methods: This is a prospective randomized controlled study.

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Purpose: To systematically review and meta-analyze all reported heritability studies of refractive astigmatism (RA), corneal astigmatism (CA) and corneal curvature (CC), and evaluate the existing genetic associations of RA, CA and CC.

Design: Systematic review and meta-analysis (PROSPERO ID: CRD42023447370).

Methods: Studies that reported the heritability and genetic associations of RA, CA and/or CC were identified from PubMed, Web of Science and EMBASE (from inception to October 1, 2023).

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Highly sensitive photoelectrochemical (PEC) sensors for trace carcinogens, such as heavy metal chromium(VI) [Cr(VI)] and antibiotic tetracycline (TC) are crucial. Herein, by integration of photoactive and redox phosphomolybdates with conjugated organic components, types of dual-mode PEC sensors were synthesized for sensing trace Cr(VI) and TC pollutants, with formulas of (Hbimb)[Co(bimb)][Co(HO)][Co(PMoOH)]·6HO (), (Hbib)[Co(HO)][Co(HO)][Co(PMoOH)]·9HO (), and (Hbib)[Co(Hbib)(HO)][Co(PMoOH)]·15HO (), where bimb represents 1,4-bis(1-imidazolyl)benzene and bib is 4,4'-bis(imidazolyl)bibphenyl. Hybrid consisted of a three-dimensional framework structure constructed by Co{PMo} clusters and one-dimensional (1D) {Co-bimb} chains, hybrid exhibited 1D Co ion-bridged Co{PMo} chains hydrogen-bonding with [Hbib] cations, and hybrid showed a discrete hybrid structure built upon a Co{PMo} cluster modified by the {Co-bib} unit.

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Background: Cataract is the leading cause of blindness worldwide and surgery can restore vision in most patients. Some patients have little access to surgical services due to lack of cataract surgeons and the unaffordable costs. In 2005 we built a service model that trained rural non-ophthalmologist physicians to perform cataract surgeries in rural China.

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Background And Aims: Variants in underlie a disorder characterised by progressive portal fibrosis, portal hypertension and eventual liver decompensation. We aim to create an animal model to elucidate the pathogenic mechanism.

Methods: knockout ( ) mice were generated and exposed to different liver toxins.

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Myopia has long been a global threat to public health. Timely interventions are likely to reduce the risk of vision-threatening complications. There are both established and rapidly evolving therapeutic approaches to slow myopia progression and/or delay its onset.

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Purpose: The cryopreservation process damages oocytes and impairs development potential. As a potent antioxidant, C-phycocyanin (PC) regulates reproductive performance. However, its beneficial effects on vitrified human oocytes remain unknown.

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The genetic identification of skeletal remains from Chinese People's Volunteers (CPVs) of the Korean War has been challenging because of the degraded DNA samples and the lack of living close relatives. This study established a workflow for identifying CPVs by combining Y-chromosome short tandem repeats (Y-STRs), mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) hypervariable regions I and II, autosomal STRs (aSTRs), and identity-informative SNPs (iiSNPs). A total of 20 skeletal remains of CPVs and 46 samples from their alleged relatives were collected.

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Article Synopsis
  • The study aimed to explore how vascular endothelial growth factor receptor-3 (VEGFR-3) influences gastric cancer (GC) and its mechanisms.
  • Researchers analyzed gene expression in gastric cancer tissues and utilized various human cell lines and mouse models to understand these effects.
  • Findings indicated that higher levels of VEGFR-3 correlate with advanced cancer stages and metastasis, and silencing its expression reduced cell growth and migration while promoting cell death, suggesting potential targets for new GC treatments.
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Purpose: To evaluate (1) the long-term efficacy of low-concentration atropine over 5 years, (2) the proportion of children requiring re-treatment and associated factors, and (3) the efficacy of pro re nata (PRN) re-treatment using 0.05% atropine from years 3 to 5.

Design: Randomized, double-masked extended trial.

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Article Synopsis
  • * Researchers analyzed data from various clinical and animal studies, focusing on metrics like axial length elongation and progression of spherical equivalent refraction, to determine the effectiveness of each light wavelength.
  • * Results indicated that red light was significantly more effective at slowing myopia progression compared to other wavelengths, both in overall clinical studies and when considering only randomized controlled trials.
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Importance: Several interventions exist for treating myopia progression in children. While these interventions' efficacy has been studied, their cost-effectiveness remains unknown and has not been compared.

Objective: To determine cost-effective options for controlling myopia progression in children.

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Article Synopsis
  • A study investigated how secondhand smoke (SHS) exposure affects the retinal blood vessels of children aged 6 to 8 years, revealing a link between SHS and wider arteriolar and venular calibers.
  • Data was collected through eye exams and questionnaires, and advanced technology was used to analyze retinal images in relation to smoking exposure.
  • The findings indicate that children in homes with smokers experience significant changes in their retinal vasculature, highlighting the negative health impact of secondhand smoke, but call for more thorough research on other influencing factors.
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Introduction: The aim of this work is to determine the interocular differences in peripapillary retinal nerve fiber layer (p-RNFL) thickness and its associations among school children in Hong Kong.

Methods: We conducted a population-based study including 4034 children aged 6-8 years from the Hong Kong Children Eye Study (HKCES). All participants received comprehensive ocular examinations where p-RNFL thickness was measured using spectral-domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT).

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Purpose: To review the effects of firsthand tobacco smoking on central retinal arteriolar equivalent (CRAE) and central retinal venular equivalent (CRVE) of firsthand tobacco smokers.

Methods: We performed a search on EMBASE and PubMed for studies up to 15 July 2022. Two independent reviewers selected studies with baseline data of CRAE and CRVE of current smokers, nonsmokers, and former smokers.

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One new labdane diterpenoid, tricuspion A (), as well as five known triterpenoids () were isolated from Franch (family Labiatae). The structure of tricuspion A was identified by extensive spectroscopic analysis and by comparison with previously reported data. Compounds were evaluated for their inhibitory effects on the NO production in LPS-stimulated BV-2 microglia cells, and exhibited potent inhibitory activity with IC value of 14.

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Myopic choroidal neovascularization (CNV) is a vision-threatening complication of high myopia. Here, we systematically review cohort, case-control, and cross-sectional studies in PubMed, Embase, and Web of Science, and summarize the associated factors of myopic CNV using meta-analysis where applicable. Among 1,333 records assessed, 50 were found eligible, all having a low-to-moderate risk of bias.

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Ethnopharmacological Relevance: In the snake-infested mountainous regions of China, Saxifraga stolonifera [L.] Meeb is widely utilized as an immediate remedy for venomous snake bites. However, the scientific understanding of S.

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The toxicology of secondhand smoke (SHS), along with the harm of its exposure to human health, has been generally acknowledged; however, specific evidence is lacking on the association between SHS exposure and ocular health. In this systematic review (PROSPERO registration number: CRD42022247992), we included 55 original articles published by 12 May 2023, which dealt with SHS exposure and ocular disorders, such as eye irritation, conjunctivitis, dry eye diseases, uveitis, myopia, astigmatism, contact lens discomfort, age-related macular degeneration, glaucoma, and thyroid eye disease that addressed the ocular neurovascular structures of the macular, retinal nerve fiber layer, choroid, and corneal biomechanical parameters. We found compelling correlational evidence for eye irritation, conjunctivitis, and dry eye symptoms-supporting that SHS exposure was positively associated with inflammatory and allergic changes in the eyes.

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