The eye: a window of opportunity in rheumatoid arthritis?

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA), the most common autoimmune disorder associated with dry eye syndrome, is also associated with sight-threatening ocular diseases such as peripheral ulcerative keratitis, scleritis and corneal melts. Tissue damage on the ocular surface of patients with RA is autoimmune-mediated. Findings from patients with dry eye have implicated defects in innate immunity (Toll-like receptors, S100A and resident antigen-presenting cells), cytokines, chemokines and T helper (TH)-cell subsets (including TH1 and TH17) in disease pathogenesis.

Genetic variation at CYP3A is associated with age at menarche and breast cancer risk: a case-control study.

Introduction: We have previously shown that a tag single nucleotide polymorphism (rs10235235), which maps to the CYP3A locus (7q22.1), was associated with a reduction in premenopausal urinary estrone glucuronide levels and a modest reduction in risk of breast cancer in women age ≤50 years.

Methods: We further investigated the association of rs10235235 with breast cancer risk in a large case control study of 47,346 cases and 47,570 controls from 52 studies participating in the Breast Cancer Association Consortium.

Comparison of CKD-EPI Cystatin C and Creatinine Glomerular Filtration Rate Estimation Equations in Asian Indians.

Background. Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is identified in the general population using estimated glomerular filtration rates (eGFR) calculated from a serum creatinine-based equation, the chronic kidney disease-epidemiology collaboration (CKD-EPI) equation. Using serum cystatin C in combination may improve eGFR accuracy.

Supramolecular cyclodextrin pseudorotaxane hydrogels: a candidate for sustained release?

In this work, PEO-α-CD pseudorotaxane hydrogels were prepared. The gels were loaded with proteins, BSA and lysozyme, representing proteins with different molecular weights. The kinetics of protein release was studied.

Sectoral variations of iridocorneal angle width and iris volume in Chinese Singaporeans: a swept-source optical coherence tomography study.

Purpose: To assess variations in the iridocorneal angle width and iris volume in Chinese subjects using swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT).

Methods: Consecutive subjects, aged 40-80 years, with no previous ophthalmic problems were recruited from a population-based study of Chinese Singaporeans. All subjects underwent 360° SS-OCT (SS-1000 CASIA, Tomey Corporation, Nagoya, Japan) angle imaging and gonioscopy in one randomly selected eye in the dark.

A new class of pluripotent stem cell cytotoxic small molecules.

A major concern in Pluripotent Stem Cell (PSC)-derived cell replacement therapy is the risk of teratoma formation from contaminating undifferentiated cells. Removal of undifferentiated cells from differentiated cultures is an essential step before PSC-based cell therapies can be safely deployed in a clinical setting. We report a group of novel small molecules that are cytotoxic to PSCs.

Body mass index and preclinical kidney disease in Indian adults aged 40 years and above without chronic kidney disease.

Background: Obesity is associated with diabetes and hypertension, two major risk factors for chronic kidney disease (CKD). Recently, it has been shown that obesity is associated with preclinical kidney disease defined by elevated levels of cystatin C among those without CKD in US adults. However, the association of obesity with cystatin C is not known in industrialized Asian populations.

Layer-by-layer nanoparticles as an efficient siRNA delivery vehicle for SPARC silencing.

Efficient and safe delivery systems for siRNA therapeutics remain a challenge. Elevated secreted protein, acidic, and rich in cysteine (SPARC) protein expression is associated with tissue scarring and fibrosis. Here we investigate the feasibility of encapsulating SPARC-siRNA in the bilayers of layer-by-layer (LbL) nanoparticles (NPs) with poly(L-arginine) (ARG) and dextran (DXS) as polyelectrolytes.

Rational optimization of conformational effects induced by hydrocarbon staples in peptides and their binding interfaces.

eIF4E is frequently over-expressed in different cancers and causes increased translation of oncogenic proteins via deregulated cap-dependent translation. Inhibitors of the eIF4E:eIF4G interactions represent an approach that would normalize cap-dependent translation. Stapled peptides represent an emerging class of therapeutics that can target protein: protein interactions.

Conjunctivochalasis is the precursor to pterygium.

Pterygium is a fibrovascular proliferative condition of the ocular surface with no known pathological mechanism. This condition affects vision due to dry eyes, astigmatism or physical occlusion of the visual axis for severe cases. The only definitive treatment for this condition is surgical excision.

Cardio-metabolic risk factors and prehypertension in persons without diabetes, hypertension, and cardiovascular disease.

Background: Prehypertension has been shown to be an early risk factor of cardiovascular disease (CVD). We investigated the prevalence and pattern of cardiometabolic risk factors in prehypertension in three ethnic Asian populations in Singapore.

Methods: We examined data from Chinese (n=1177), Malay (n=774), and Indian (n=985) adults aged 40-80 years who participated in three independent population based studies conducted from 2004-2011 in Singapore who were free of diabetes, hypertension and previous CVD.

Prevalence, awareness, and control of hypertension among Asian Indians living in urban Singapore and rural India.

Background: Hypertension is a major modifiable risk factor associated with cardiovascular morbidity and mortality. We compared the epidemiology of hypertension in South Asian Indians living in two geographic regions with vastly different socioeconomic settings (urban Singapore and rural India).

Methods: We analyzed data from two large population-based studies: the Singapore Indian Eye Study (SINDI, n = 3228, aged 40-80 years, 49.

Novel insight into the inflammatory and cellular responses following experimental glaucoma surgery: a roadmap for inhibiting fibrosis.

Failure after glaucoma filtration surgery is attributed to fibrosis at the operated site. To understand the wound healing process after glaucoma filtration surgery, we have developed a mouse model for glaucoma filtration surgery which closely mimics the clinical response. In this study, we describe a systematic analysis of the wound healing response in vivo.

Muscarinic cholinergic receptor (M2) plays a crucial role in the development of myopia in mice.

Myopia is a huge public health problem worldwide, reaching the highest incidence in Asia. Identification of susceptible genes is crucial for understanding the biological basis of myopia. In this paper, we have identified and characterized a functional myopia-associated gene using a specific mouse-knockout model.

Ethnic differences in the association between blood pressure components and chronic kidney disease in middle aged and older Asian adults.

Background: Chronic kidney disease (CKD) is an emerging public health problem worldwide. Previous studies have shown an association between blood pressure (BP) and CKD. However, it is not clear if there are ethnic differences in this association.

Is aspirin intake associated with early age-related macular degeneration? The Singapore Indian Eye Study.

Background/aims: To examine the relationship between aspirin intake and early age-related macular degeneration (AMD) among an Asian population.

Methods: A population based cross sectional study of 3207 ethnic Indians aged 40 years or older residing in Singapore. AMD signs were graded from retinal images following the modified Wisconsin grading system.

Design and synthesis of amphiphilic xanthone-based, membrane-targeting antimicrobials with improved membrane selectivity.

This work describes how to tune the amphiphilic conformation of α-mangostin, a natural compound that contains a hydrophobic xanthone scaffold, to improve its antimicrobial activity and selectivity for Gram-positive bacteria. A series of xanthone derivatives was obtained by cationic modification of the free C3 and C6 hydroxyl groups of α-mangostin with amine groups of different pKa values. Modified structures using moieties with high pKa values, such as AM-0016 (3b), exhibited potent antimicrobial properties against Gram-positive bacteria.

Assessment of trabecular meshwork width using swept source optical coherence tomography.

Purpose: Measurements of the angle width by ultrasound biomicroscopy or anterior segment optical coherence tomography are usually performed 500 μm from the scleral spur, as the anterior part of trabecular meshwork (TM) is assumed to lie within this distance. The aim of this study was to measure TM width using swept source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT, CASIA SS-1000, Tomey Corporation, Nagoya, Japan), and to investigate factors influencing this measurement.

Methods: Participants underwent gonioscopy and SS-OCT imaging in the dark.

Relationship between intraocular pressure and angle configuration: an anterior segment OCT study.

Purpose: To assess the relationship between intraocular pressure (IOP) and anterior chamber angle (ACA) configuration as assessed by gonioscopy and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT).

Methods: A total of 2045 subjects aged 50 years and older, were recruited from a community clinic and underwent AS-OCT, Goldmann applanation tonometry, and gonioscopy. A quadrant was classified as closed on gonioscopy if the posterior trabecular meshwork could not be seen.

Molecular dynamics simulations of a new branched antimicrobial peptide: a comparison of force fields.

Branched antimicrobial peptides are promising as a new class of antibiotics displaying high activity and low toxicity and appear to work through a unique mechanism of action. We explore the structural dynamics of a covalently branched 18 amino acid peptide (referred to as B2088) in aqueous and membrane mimicking environments through molecular dynamics (MD) simulations. Towards this, we carry out conventional MD simulations and supplement these with replica exchange simulations.

Knowledge, attitude, and practice of dry eye treatment by institutional Chinese physicians in Singapore.

Dry eye is a common health problem worldwide, causing significant discomfort and inconvenience to sufferers. The conventional treatment of dry eye via topical administration of eye drops is deemed palliative and unsatisfactory to many. Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) has shown some promise in dry eye treatment; however, the extent of its use and acceptance is uncertain.

The outcomes of indocyanine green angiography monitored immunotherapy in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada disease.

Aims: To compare outcomes of indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) versus clinically monitored immunotherapy in Vogt-Koyanagi-Harada (VKH) disease.

Methods: Consecutive patients of Singapore National Eye Centre with VKH receiving high-dose corticosteroids within 4 weeks of onset of symptoms had therapy titrated to clinical signs of activity (controls) or ICGA findings (ICGA). Charts were reviewed for demographics, interval to treatment, duration of therapy and number of systemic immunosuppressants required.

Rapid bactericidal action of alpha-mangostin against MRSA as an outcome of membrane targeting.

The emergence of methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus (MRSA) has created the need for better therapeutic options. In this study, five natural xanthones were extracted and purified from the fruit hull of Garcinia mangostana and their antimicrobial properties were investigated. α-Mangostin was identified as the most potent among them against Gram-positive pathogens (MIC=0.

Parental smoking and childhood refractive error: the STARS study.

Purpose: To assess the relationship between parental smoking and childhood refractive errors in Singapore Chinese children aged 6-72 months recruited through the STrabismus, Amblyopia, and Refractive errors in Singaporean children study.

Methods: A total of 4164 children were recruited, with a positive response rate of 72.3% (n=3009).

Reproducibility of Corneal Graft Thickness measurements with COLGATE in patients who have undergone DSAEK (Descemet Stripping Automated Endothelial Keratoplasty).

Background: The CorneaL GrAft Thickness Evaluation (COLGATE) system was recently developed to facilitate the evaluation of corneal graft thickness from OCT images. Graft thickness measurement can be a surrogate indicator for detecting graft failure or success. The purpose of this study was to determine the reproducibility of the COLGATE system in measuring DSAEK graft area between two observers.