Global characteristics and trends of researches on watermelon: Based on bibliometric and visualized analysis.

Watermelon is an important horticultural plant. A bibliometric analysis of the watermelon literature was carried out in order to analyze the research state, hotspots, and trends, as well as to highlight the overall watermelon research development from a holistic viewpoint. The summary of watermelon research is given via metrological analysis based on a set of indices using a newly built Bibliometrix R-package tool.

Comparative microbiome analysis reveals the variation in microbial communities between 'Kyoho' grape and its bud mutant variety.

Microbes are an important part of the vineyard ecosystem, which significantly influence the quality of grapes. Previously, we identified a bud mutant variety (named 'Fengzao') from 'Kyoho' grapes. The variation of microbial communities in grape and its bud mutant variety has not been studied yet.

Left atrial enlargement and high uric acid level are risk factors for left atrial thrombus or dense spontaneous echo contrast in atrial fibrillation patients with low to moderate embolic risk assessed by CHADS-VAS score.

Aims: To investigate the correlation and predictive value of left atrial diameter and blood uric acid levels with the occurrence of left atrial thrombus or dense spontaneous echo contrast in atrial fibrillation patients with low to moderate CHADS-VASc scores.

Methods And Results: A total of 849 inpatients diagnosed with atrial fibrillation who had low to moderate CHADS-VASc scores and complete transesophageal echocardiography were included in this study. Among them, 66 patients had left atrial thrombus or dense spontaneous echo contrast.

Safety and effectiveness of an iris hook assisted phacoemulsification in vitrectomized eyes.

Aim: To introduce a simple iris hook assisted phacoemulsification (PE) procedure and evaluate the safety and efficacy of it in completely vitrectomized eyes.

Methods: A single centre study which included 65 previously completely vitrectomized eyes of 62 patients who underwent cataract surgery. Patients were randomly divided into 3 groups.

OCT proves that vitreomacular adhesion is significantly more likely to develop vision-threatening retinal complications than vitreomacular separation.

Background: SD-OCT is becoming commonplace in everyday practice. Vitreomacular adhesions (VMAs) are being more routinely diagnosed. Predictive studies to the natural course of VMA are thus clinically significant.

Association of urinary albumin excretion with central foveal thickness and intravitreal conbercept treatment frequency in patients with diabetic macular edema.

Aim: To investigate the effect of albuminuria on diabetic macular edema (DME) and the possible association between baseline urinary albumin excretion (UAE) and intravitreal conbercept (IVC) treatment frequency in DME patients.

Methods: In this hospital-based retrospective study, a total of 350 in-patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus were recruited and their clinical records were reviewed. Thereafter, 52 patients identified with severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) combined with albuminuria were divided into the microalbuminuria (UAE 30-300 mg/24h) and macroalbuminuria (UAE>300 mg/24h) groups, which were compared and analyzed by both independent sample -test and Chi-square test.

Effects of lentiviral RNA interference-mediated downregulation of integrin-linked kinase on biological behaviors of human lens epithelial cells.

Aim: To investigate the effects of lentivirus (LV) mediated integrin-linked kinase (ILK) RNA interference (RNAi) on biological behaviors of human lens epithelial cells (LECs).

Methods: Human cataract LECs and immortalized human LEC line, human lens epithelial (HLE) B-3 cells were transfected by lentiviral vector expressing ILK-specific short hairpin RNA (shRNA) and then stimulated by transforming growth factor-β (TGF-β), the silencing of ILK gene and protein was identified by reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and Western blot methods; biological behaviors including cell cycle and apoptosis, cell morphology, α-smooth muscle actin (SMA) stress fiber formation and cell migration were examined.

Results: Remarkable decreases of ILK protein expression were detected in LECs carrying lentiviral ILK-shRNA vector; flow cytometry revealed arresting of cell cycle progression through the G1/S transition and higher apoptosis rate in ILK-RNAi-LV transfected cells.

[Significance of myc gene rearrangement and its correlation with prognosis in diffuse large B cell lymphoma].

Objective: To study the relationship between myc gene rearrangement and myc protein expression in diffuse large B cell lymphoma (DLBCL), and their correlation with prognosis.

Methods: One hundred and six cases of DLBCLs with follow-up data were analyzed using interphase fluorescence in situ hybridization (FISH) technique. Immunophenotyping analysis for CD20, CD3, myc, Mum-1, CD10, bcl-6 was also performed using EnVision immunohistochemistry.

Downregulation of lentivirus-mediated ILK RNAi on tractional force generation in human retinal Müller cells.

Aim: To investigate the effect of lentivirus-mediated integrin-linked kinase (ILK) RNA interference (RNAi) on human retinal Müller cells transdifferentiation into contractile myofibroblasts.

Methods: A lentiviral vector expressing ILK-specific shRNA was constructed and introduced into cultured retinal Müller cells. Silencing of the ILK gene was identified by real time RT-PCR and Western blot.

[Effect of neuropeptide NAP on cultured neuroepithelial cells from rabbit retina].

Objective: With the rabbit iris pigment epithelial cells (IPECs), which were containing the NT4-NAP fusion gene, taken as the substituting secreting cells producing the neuropeptide NAP, the effect of neuropeptide NAP on the growth status of retinal neuroepithelial cells of rabbit was examined and explored.

Methods: The iris pigment epithelial cells and retinal neuroepithelial cells of rabbit were cultured; rAAV-GFP and rAAV-NAP (containing NT4-NAP fusion gene) were constructed; the rabbit IPECs were infected with rAAV-GFP and rAAV-NAP; the infections of viruses were detected by GFP fluorescence expression; the supernatant of culture from rabbit IPECs with NAP was collected and added into the culture medium of rabbit retinal neuroepithelial cells, and the growth state of retinal neuroepithelial cell was observed.

Results: Compared to control cells, the rabbit IPECs could express the GFP fluorescence.

[The effect of NT4-NAP fusion gene transfection on photoprotection of rabbit iris pigment epithelium cells].

Objective: To investigate the effect of infection with adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector containing NT4-NAP fusion gene on photoprotection of rabbit iris pigment epithelium cells (IPECs).

Methods: rAAV-GFP and rAAV-NAP (containing NT4-NAP fusion gene) were constructed; rabbit IPECs were cultured and infected with rAAV-GFP and rAAV-NAP; transfection of viruses was detected by GFP fluorescence expression; NAP protect rabbit iris pigment epithelium from light stimulation was evaluated by MTT and flow cytometry.

Results: Rabbit IPECs expressed the GFP fluorescence; comparing with control cells, IPECs transfected with rAAV-NAP remained normal proliferation and showed lower apoptosis percentage after ultra-violet stimulation.

[The role of specific ROCK inhibitor in the prevention of experimental PVR in rabbits].

Objective: To determine the effect of Y27632, a specific inhibitor of p160 Rho-associated coiled-coil forming protein kinase (ROCK), on experimental rabbit PVR.

Methods: Cultured rabbit retinal pigment epithelial cells were used in the experiments. The effects of Y27632 on RPE alpha-SMA (smooth muscle actin) stress fiber formation were studied by immuno-fluorescent staining.