The application of high-throughput sequencing technology in corneal diseases.

High-throughput sequencing technology, also known as next-generation sequencing technology, can explore new biomarkers and specific gene mutations. It has a pivotal role in promoting the gene research, which can limit the detection area, lessen the time needed for sequencing. Also, it can quickly screen out the suspected pathogenic genes of patients, gain the necessary genetic data, and provide the basis for clinical diagnosis and genetic counseling.

Progress in understanding of the stalk and tip cells formation involvement in angiogenesis mechanisms.

Vascular sprouting is a key process of angiogenesis and mainly related to the formation of stalk and tip cells. Many studies have found that angiogenesis has a great clinical significance in promoting the functional repair of impaired tissues and anti-angiogenesis is a key to treatment of many tumors. Therefore, how the pathways regulate angiogenesis by regulating the formation of stalk and tip cells is an urgent problem for researchers.

Effects of bone morphogenetic proteins on epithelial repair.

Epithelial tissue has important functions such as protection, secretion, and sensation. Epithelial damage is involved in various pathological processes. Bone morphogenetic proteins (BMPs) are a class of growth factors with multiple functions.

The best optical zone for small-incision lenticule extraction in high myopic patients.

Small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) is an effective and safe procedure for the correction of myopia due to minimally invasive and noncorneal flap surgery. However, the SMILE procedure has certain requirements for corneal cap thickness, attempted refractive correction, residual stromal bed thickness, and optical zone diameter, which sometimes make surgeons hesitant to choose SMILE or other refractive surgeries. The requirements limit its use in patients with high myopia.

Effects of Polygonum cuspidatum on AMPK-FOXO3α Signaling Pathway in Rat Model of Uric Acid-Induced Renal Damage.

Background: To observe the effects of Chinese medicine (CM) Polygonum cuspidatum (PC) on adenosine 5'-monophosphate-activated protein kinase (AMPK), forkhead box O3α (FOXO3α), Toll-like receptor-4 (TLR4), NACHT, LRR and PYD domains-containing protein 3 (NLRP3), and monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1) expression in a rat model of uric acid-induced renal damage and to determine the molecular mechanism.

Methods: A rat model of uric acid-induced renal damage was established, and rats were randomly divided into a model group, a positive drug group, and high-, medium-, and low-dose PC groups (n=12 per group). A normal group (n=6) was used as the control.

Selection of suitable reference genes for reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction analysis of neuronal cells differentiated from bone mesenchymal stem cells.

Reverse transcription-quantitative polymerase chain reaction (RT-qPCR) is a technique widely used for the quantification of mRNA transcription, It is well recognized that the reference genes used in RT-qPCR require appropriate validation to ensure that gene expression is unaffected by experimental conditions. The differentiation of bone mesenchymal stem cells (BMSCs) into neurons is important in the treatment of nerve injury. In gene expression analysis of the differentiation of BMSCs into neuronal cells by, the commonly used reference genes for RNA analysis are often selected without any preliminary evaluation of their suitability.