ROS-Responsive Microneedle Patches Enable Peri-Lacrimal Gland Therapeutic Administration for Long-Acting Therapy of Sjögren's Syndrome-Related Dry Eye.

Sjögren's syndrome-related dry eye (SSDE) is a severe dry eye subtype characterized by significant immune cell attacks on the lacrimal gland. However, delivering immunosuppressive drugs to the lacrimal glands for SSDE therapy safely and sustainably poses significant challenges in clinical practice. Herein, a ROS-responsive microneedle patch with detachable functionality (CE-MN) is developed to enable straightforward and minimally invasive administration to the lacrimal gland area by penetrating the periocular skin.

Monodisperse, Highly Spherical, Single Crystalline Au Nanospheres for Uniform and Reproducible Hot Spots in Surface-Enhanced Raman Scattering at the Single-Particle Level.

Hot spots can generate intense local electromagnetic (EM) fields, thereby boosting diverse innovative applications. However, these applications may face challenges due to their subtle structural changes that can significantly impact their EM field strength. Herein, we report a large-scale synthesis of monodisperse, highly spherical, single crystalline (SC) Au nanospheres (Au NSs) with tunable sizes ranging from 38 to 92 nm for constructing uniform and reproducible hot spots with a nanosphere-on-mirror (NSoM) configuration.

Leaf Photosynthetic and Photoprotective Acclimation in the Ultraviolet-A1 and Blue Light Regions Follow a Continuous, Shallow Gradient.

Although blue light is known to produce leaves with high photosynthetic capacity, the role of the blue-adjacent UV-A1 (350-400 nm) in driving leaf photosynthetic acclimation is less studied. Tomato plants were grown under hybrid red and blue (RB; 95/5 μmol m s), as well as four treatments in which RB was supplemented with 50 μmol m s peaking at 365, 385, 410 and 450 nm, respectively. Acclimation to 365-450 nm led to a shallow gradient increase in trait values (i.

Quantifying the Photosynthetic Quantum Yield of Ultraviolet-A1 Radiation.

Although it powers photosynthesis, ultraviolet-A1 radiation (UV-A1) is usually not defined as photosynthetically active radiation (PAR). However, the quantum yield (QY) with which UV-A1 drives net photosynthesis rate (A) is unknown, as are the kinetics of A and chlorophyll fluorescence under constant UV-A1 exposure. We measured A in leaves of six genotypes at four spectra peaking at 365, 385, 410 and 450 nm, at intensities spanning 0-300 μmol m s.

Research on methods for estimating reference crop evapotranspiration under incomplete meteorological indicators.

Background: Accurate estimation of reference crop evapotranspiration (ET) is crucial for farmland hydrology, crop water requirements, and precision irrigation decisions. The Penman-Monteith (PM) model has high accuracy in estimating ET, but it requires many uncommon meteorological data inputs. Therefore, an ideal method is needed that minimizes the number of input data variables without compromising estimation accuracy.

Salt-Assisted, In Situ Current Nanowelding of an Interfacial Au Nanoparticle Film for a High-Performance Electrocatalyst.

Interfacial self-assembly is a well-established method for the preparation of a two-dimensional (2D) metal nanofilm from nanoscale building blocks. However, the as-prepared nanofilm exhibits limited conductivity because of the large contact resistance at the junctions among its building blocks. Here, we report a salt-assisted, in situ current nanowelding strategy to weld an interfacial Au nanoparticle (NP) film for downstream applications, such as high-performance electrocatalysts.

Identification of Hub genes with prognostic values in colorectal cancer by integrated bioinformatics analysis.

Background: Our study aimed to investigate the Hub genes and their prognostic value in colorectal cancer (CRC) via bioinformatics analysis.

Methods: The data set of colorectal cancer was downloaded from the GEO database (GSE21510, GSE110224 and GSE74602) for differential expression analysis using the GEO2R tool. Hub genes were screened by protein-protein interaction (PPI) comprehensive analysis.

A novel proteomic-based model for predicting colorectal cancer with Schistosoma japonicum co-infection by integrated bioinformatics analysis and machine learning.

Schistosoma japonicum infection is an important public health problem and the S. japonicum infection is associated with a variety of diseases, including colorectal cancer. We collected the paraffin samples of CRC patients with or without S.

Ultraviolet-A1 radiation induced a more favorable light-intercepting leaf-area display than blue light and promoted plant growth.

Plants adjust their morphology in response to light environment by sensing an array of light cues. Though the wavelengths of ultraviolet-A1 radiation (UV-A1, 350-400 nm) are close to blue light (B, 400-500 nm) and share same flavoprotein photoreceptors, it remains poorly understood how plant responses to UV-A1 radiation could differ from those to B. We initially grown tomato plants under monochromatic red light (R, 660 nm) as control, subsequently transferred them to four dichromatic light treatments containing ~20 µmol m  s of UV-A1 radiation, peaking at 370 nm (UV-A ) or 400 nm (V ), or B (450 nm, at ~20 or 1.

Collision Electrochemical Synthesis of Metal Nanoparticles Using Electrons as Green Reducing Agent.

Synthesis of high-quality metal nanoparticles (NPs) is the premise toward their downstream diverse applications. Although some electrochemical synthesis strategies have been developed, the necessary use of high-concentration electrolyte solution as current pathway and reaction medium severely limits the colloidal stability of the growing NPs in the solution and their tunability in size and shape. Herein, we report a collision electrochemical method for the synthesis of metal NPs without the use of electrolyte solution.

Analysis of the Optic Nerve Head Microcirculation Using Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography and the Upstream Macrocirculation Using Color Doppler Imaging in Low-Tension and High-Tension Glaucoma Patients.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to analyze the optic nerve head (ONH) microcirculation using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCT-A) and the upstream macrocirculation using color Doppler imaging (CDI) in low-tension and high-tension glaucoma (LTG and HTG, respectively).

Methods: This cross-sectional study included 67 eyes of 67 HTG patients, 55 eyes of 55 LTG patients, and 42 eyes of 42 healthy controls. We recorded the complete ophthalmological examination, visual fields, retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness, ONH vessel density (VD) measured using OCT-A, peak systolic velocity (PSV), end-diastolic velocity (EDV), and resistive index (RI) measured using CDI.

Risk Evaluation of Human Corneal Stromal Lenticules From SMILE for Reuse.

Purpose: To investigate the pathogenicity and immunogenicity of human corneal stromal lenticules from small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE).

Methods: Serological testing was completed prior to sample collection to rule out infectious diseases. Pathogens herpes simplex viruses (HSV) type 1 and type 2 were screened for by real-time fluorescent quantitative polymerase chain reaction, and bacteria, fungi, and Acanthamoeba from 128 lenticules of 64 patients were cultured.

Clinical diagnosis and treatment of rare painless keratitis caused by three pathogens: clinical practice and experiential discussion.

There have been numerous reports regarding the occurrence of keratitis in patients with soft contact lenses, but few reports in patients with rigid gas permeable contact lenses. To the best of our knowledge, the occurrence of infection associated with three species of pathogens has never been reported. Here, we describe a patient who exhibited refractory painless keratitis caused by three pathogens (, , and herpes simplex virus) and summarize similar reports published at multiple centers worldwide, with the aim of providing guidance for clinicians who might encounter mixed-type corneal infections.

A 8-year retrospective clinical analysis of 272 patients of epidemic Keratoconjunctivitis in Beijing, China.

Background: Epidemic keratoconjunctivitis (EKC) is one of the most common eye infections worldwide. The analysis of clinical manifestations in different age groups help better know the disease. This study aims to provide more detailed analysis of 272 cases of EKC in 8 years, describe the differences of the clinical features among different age groups, and establish new clinical grading criteria.

Acanthamoeba keratitis related to contact lens use in a tertiary hospital in China.

Background: To report the clinical and microbiological features of Acanthamoeba keratitis (AK) related to contact lens use in a tertiary hospital in China.

Methods: In this retrospective study, the medical results of 61 cases of AK related to contact lens use from January 2000 to December 2017 were reviewed. The data included patients' demographics, lens type, history, risk factors, disease stages, corneal scraping and culture reports, and treatments.

A New Perspective on Dry Eye Classification: Proposal by the Asia Dry Eye Society.

The 2017 consensus report of the Asia Dry Eye Society (ADES) on the definition and diagnosis of dry eyes described dry eye disease as "Dry eye is a multifactorial disease characterized by unstable tear film causing a variety of symptoms and/or visual impairment, potentially accompanied by ocular surface damage." The report emphasized the instability of tear film and the importance of visual dysfunction in association with dry eyes, highlighting the importance of the evaluation of tear film stability. This report also discussed the concept of tear film-oriented therapy, which stemmed from the definition, and which is centered on provision of insufficient components in each tear film layer and ocular surface epithelium.

Flexible Tactile Electronic Skin Sensor with 3D Force Detection Based on Porous CNTs/PDMS Nanocomposites.

Flexible tactile sensors have broad applications in human physiological monitoring, robotic operation and human-machine interaction. However, the research of wearable and flexible tactile sensors with high sensitivity, wide sensing range and ability to detect three-dimensional (3D) force is still very challenging. Herein, a flexible tactile electronic skin sensor based on carbon nanotubes (CNTs)/polydimethylsiloxane (PDMS) nanocomposites is presented for 3D contact force detection.

A Sensitive Piezoresistive Tactile Sensor Combining Two Microstructures.

A tactile sensor is an indispensable component for electronic skin, mimicking the sensing function of organism skin. Various sensing materials and microstructures have been adopted in the fabrication of tactile sensors. Herein, we propose a highly sensitive flexible tactile sensor composed of nanocomposites with pyramid and irregularly rough microstructures and implement a comparison of piezoresistive properties of nanocomposites with varying weight proportions of multi-wall nanotubes and carbon black particles.

Recent Progress in Technologies for Tactile Sensors.

Over the last two decades, considerable scientific and technological efforts have been devoted to developing tactile sensing based on a variety of transducing mechanisms, with prospective applications in many fields such as human-machine interaction, intelligent robot tactile control and feedback, and tactile sensorized minimally invasive surgery. This paper starts with an introduction of human tactile systems, followed by a presentation of the basic demands of tactile sensors. State-of-the-art tactile sensors are reviewed in terms of their diverse sensing mechanisms, design consideration, and material selection.

Epithelial changes with corneal punctate epitheliopathy in type 2 diabetes mellitus and their correlation with time to healing.

Background: To study basal epithelial cell (BEC), sub-basal nerve plexus (SBN) and Langerhans cell (LC) density in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) with corneal punctate epitheliopathy (CPE) and to assess their association with time to healing of CPE.

Methods: Retrospective study of in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) in 160 eyes from 160 patients with T2DM diagnosed with CPE due to a single cause. Key exclusion criteria included multiple-causes for CPE or treatment with autologous serum.

Vapor-Assisted Solution Approach for High-Quality Perovskite CHNHPbBr Thin Films for High-Performance Green Light-Emitting Diode Applications.

The vapor-assisted solution method was developed to prepare high-quality organic-inorganic halide perovskite CHNHPbBr (MAPbBr) thin films. We detailedly investigated the effect of evaporation time and temperature of MABr powder on the microstructure, crystallinity, and optical characterizations of MAPbBr thin films, and a controllable morphology evolution with varying surface coverage was observed. Temperature-dependent and time-resolved photoluminescence measurements were carried out to investigate the optical transition mechanisms and carrier recombination dynamics of MAPbBr thin films.

A survey of contact lens-related complications in a tertiary hospital in China.

Purpose: To describe the type of complications related to contact lens (CL) wear in a tertiary hospital in XX, China.

Methods: A retrospective study of 141 patients who complained discomfort after wearing contact lens on an outpatient basis of XX Hospital were conducted from the January 2012 to December 2015. The data included patients' demographics, lens type, history, slit-lamp examination, reports of corneal scrapings, culture, and examination of in vivo confocal microscopy.

Early central and peripheral corneal microstructural changes in type 2 diabetes mellitus patients identified using in vivo confocal microscopy: A case-control study.

The aim of this study was to find early central and peripheral corneal microstructural changes in healthy subjects and type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) patients with/without cornea fluorescein dot staining.This is a prospective case-control study of T2DM patients with/without cornea fluorescein dot staining. Age, sex, duration of diabetes, and serum glycosylated hemoglobin A1c (HbA1c) levels were recorded.