Short-term ocular dominance plasticity is not modulated by visual cortex tDCS but increases with length of monocular deprivation.

Transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) of the occipital lobe may modulate visual cortex neuroplasticity. We assessed the acute effect of visual cortex anodal (a-)tDCS on ocular dominance plasticity induced by short-term monocular deprivation (MD), a well-established technique for inducing homeostatic plasticity in the visual system. In Experiment 1, active or sham visual cortex tDCS was applied during the last 20 min of 2-h MD following a within-subjects design (n = 17).

Thinning of the Lamina Cribrosa and Deep Layer Microvascular Dropout in Patients With Open Angle Glaucoma and High Myopia.

Prcis: Lamina cribrosa (LC) thinning (thickness of ≤128.00 µm) helps to distinguish open angle glaucoma from high myopia, which was associated with the presence of microvasculature dropout and elevated intraocular pressure.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to analyze the factors associated with LC thickness in highly myopic eyes with and without open angle glaucoma.

Tear proteomics in dry eye disease.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a multi-factorial ocular surface condition driven by compromised ocular lubrication and inflammation which leads to itching, dryness, and vision impairment. The available treatment modalities primarily target the acquired symptoms of DED including tear film supplements, anti-inflammatory drugs, mucin secretagogues, etc., However, the underlying etiology is still an area of active research, especially in regard to the diverse etiology and symptoms.

Long-term myopia control effect and safety in children wearing DIMS spectacle lenses for 6 years.

This study evaluated the long-term myopia control effect and safety in children wearing Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) spectacle lenses. Participants who completed the 2-year RCT were followed for a total of 6 years; their cycloplegic refractions and axial length were measured. Group 1 (n = 36) wore DIMS spectacles for 6 years; Group 2 (n = 14) wore DIMS lens for the first 3.

Additive effects of narrowband light and optical defocus on chick eye growth and refraction.

Background: In the past decade and during the COVID pandemic, the prevalence of myopia has reached epidemic proportions. To address this issue and reduce the prevalence of myopia and its complications, it is necessary to develop more effective interventions for controlling myopia. In this study, we investigated the combined effects of narrowband lights and competing defocus on eye growth and refraction in chicks, an important step in understanding the potential for these interventions to control myopia.

Distribution and determinants of choroidal vascularity index in healthy eyes from deep-learning choroidal analysis: a population-based SS-OCT study.

Aims: To quantify the profiles of choroidal vascularity index (CVI) using fully artificial intelligence (AI)-based algorithm applied to swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) images and evaluate the determinants of CVI in a population-based study.

Methods: This cross-sectional study included adults aged ≥35 years residing in the Yuexiu District of Guangzhou, China, a follow-up population-based study. All participants (n=646) underwent comprehensive ophthalmic examinations, including SS-OCT for quantifying choroidal parameters.

Release of frustration drives corneal amyloid disaggregation by brain chaperone.

TGFBI-related corneal dystrophy (CD) is characterized by the accumulation of insoluble protein deposits in the corneal tissues, eventually leading to progressive corneal opacity. Here we show that ATP-independent amyloid-β chaperone L-PGDS can effectively disaggregate corneal amyloids in surgically excised human cornea of TGFBI-CD patients and release trapped amyloid hallmark proteins. Since the mechanism of amyloid disassembly by ATP-independent chaperones is unknown, we reconstructed atomic models of the amyloids self-assembled from TGFBIp-derived peptides and their complex with L-PGDS using cryo-EM and NMR.

Metabolomics in Corneal Diseases: A Narrative Review from Clinical Aspects.

Corneal pathologies may have subtle manifestations in the initial stages, delaying diagnosis and timely treatment. This can lead to irreversible visual loss. Metabolomics is a rapidly developing field that allows the study of metabolites in a system, providing a complementary tool in the early diagnosis and management of corneal diseases.

Regulation of Aqueous Humor Secretion by Melatonin in Porcine Ciliary Epithelium.

Secretion of melatonin, a natural hormone whose receptors are present in the ciliary epithelium, displays diurnal variation in the aqueous humor (AH), potentially contributing to the regulation of intraocular pressure. This study aimed to determine the effects of melatonin on AH secretion in porcine ciliary epithelium. The addition of 100 µM melatonin to both sides of the epithelium significantly increased the short-circuit current (Isc) by ~40%.

Can visual cortex non-invasive brain stimulation improve normal visual function? A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Objective: Multiple studies have explored the use of visual cortex non-invasive brain stimulation (NIBS) to enhance visual function. These studies vary in sample size, outcome measures, and methodology. We conducted a systematic review and meta-analyses to assess the effects of NIBS on visual functions in human participants with normal vision.

Advances in transcorneal electrical stimulation: From the eye to the brain.

The mammalian brain is reported to contain about 10-10 neurons linked together to form complex networks. Physiologically, the neuronal networks interact in a rhythmic oscillatory pattern to coordinate the brain's functions. Neuromodulation covers a broad range of techniques that can alter neuronal network activity through the targeted delivery of electrical or chemical stimuli.

Using Machine Learning To Predict Partition Coefficient (Log ) and Distribution Coefficient (Log ) with Molecular Descriptors and Liquid Chromatography Retention Time.

During preclinical evaluations of drug candidates, several physicochemical (p-chem) properties are measured and employed as metrics to estimate drug efficacy in vivo. Two such p-chem properties are the octanol-water partition coefficient, Log , and distribution coefficient, Log , which are useful in estimating the distribution of drugs within the body. Log and Log are traditionally measured using the shake-flask method and high-performance liquid chromatography.

Zinc finger and SCAN domain containing 1, ZSCAN1, is a novel stemness-related tumor suppressor and transcriptional repressor in breast cancer targeting TAZ.

Introduction: Cancer stem cells (CSCs) targeted therapy holds the potential for improving cancer management; identification of stemness-related genes in CSCs is necessary for its development.

Methods: The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and the Molecular Taxonomy of Breast Cancer International Consortium (METABRIC) datasets were used for survival analysis. ZSCAN1 correlated genes was identified by Spearman correlation analysis.

In Silico and In Vitro Approach for Validating the Inhibition of Matrix Metalloproteinase-9 by Quercetin.

Purpose: To validate the mechanism and inhibitory activity of quercetin against matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9) using a hybrid in silico and in vitro approach.

Methods: The structure of MMP-9 was obtained from the Protein Data Bank, and the active site was identified using previous annotations from the Universal Protein Resource. The structure of quercetin was obtained from ZINC15.

Luteolin directly binds to KDM4C and attenuates ovarian cancer stemness via epigenetic suppression of PPP2CA/YAP axis.

Long-term use of low-toxic natural products holds the promise for eradicating cancer stem cells. In this study, we report that luteolin, a natural flavonoid, attenuates the stemness of ovarian cancer stem cells (OCSCs) by directly binding to KDM4C and epigenetic suppression of PPP2CA/YAP axis. Ovarian cancer stem like cells (OCSLCs) isolated by suspension culture and CD133 + ALDH+ cell sorting was employed as OCSCs model.

Bilberry-containing supplements on severe dry eye disease in young and middle-aged adults: A 3-month pilot analysis.

Purpose: To explore the effect of bilberry and fish oil combination supplement on a small clinical sample patient-base with severe dry eyes.

Methods: Twenty-four subjects were recruited with twelve randomly assigned to the intervention and control groups, respectively. Inclusion criteria included severe dry eye symptoms determined by scores >33 from the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire.

Amblyopia: A review of unmet needs, current treatment options, and emerging therapies.

Amblyopia is a global public health issue with extensive, multifaceted impacts on vision and quality of life (QoL) for both patients and families. Geographical variation exists in the management of amblyopia, with traditional mainstay treatments, optical correction, and fellow eye occlusion most successful when implemented at an early age. In recent years, however, studies demonstrating meaningful improvements in older children and adults have challenged the concept of a complete loss of visual processing plasticity beyond the critical period of visual development, with growing evidence supporting the potential efficacy of emerging, more engaging, binocular therapies in both adults and children.

Measuring Retinal Thickness and Visual Acuity in Eyes with Different Types of Astigmatism in a Cohort of Hong Kong Chinese Adults.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate optical coherence tomography (OCT)-measured retinal thickness (RT) and best-corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) in eyes with different types of astigmatism.

Methods: This is a case-control study of 101 participants stratified into With-The-Rule (WTR; n = 41), Against-The-Rule (ATR; n = 25), and control (n = 35) groups by noncycloplegic subjective refraction. Inclusion criteria were ages between 18 and 45 years, spherical-equivalent (SE) refraction ≥-10.

Changes in relative peripheral refraction in children who switched from single-vision lenses to Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments lenses.

Purpose: To investigate changes in relative peripheral refraction (RPR) associated with myopia progression in children who wore single-vision (SV) lenses for 2 years and switched to Defocus Incorporated Multiple Segments (DIMS) lenses in the third year versus children who wore DIMS lenses for 3 years.

Methods: In the first 2 years, children were allocated randomly to wear either DIMS or SV lenses. In the third year, children in the DIMS group continued to wear these lenses, while those in the SV group were switched to DIMS lenses (Control-to-DIMS group).

In vitro-in vivo correlation of drug release profiles from medicated contact lenses using an in vitro eye blink model.

There is still a paucity of information on how in vitro release profiles from drug-loaded contact lenses (CLs) recorded in 3D printed eye models correlate with in vivo profiles. This work aims to evaluate the release profiles of two drug-loaded CLs in a 3D in vitro eye blink model and compare the obtained results with the release in a vial and the drug levels in tear fluid previously obtained from an animal in vivo study. In vitro release in the eye model was tested at two different flow rates (5 and 10 µL/min) and a blink speed of 1 blink/10 s.

Mid-Childhood Outcomes after Dextrose Gel Treatment of Neonatal Hypoglycaemia: Follow-Up of the Sugar Babies Randomized Trial.

Introduction: Dextrose gel is widely used as first-line treatment for neonatal hypoglycaemia given its cost-effectiveness and ease of use. The Sugar Babies randomized trial first showed that 40% dextrose gel was more effective in reversing hypoglycaemia than feeding alone. Follow-up of the Sugar Babies Trial cohort at 2 and 4.

Neurodevelopmental correlates of caudate volume in children born at risk of neonatal hypoglycaemia.

Background: Neonatal hypoglycaemia can lead to brain damage and neurocognitive impairment. Neonatal hypoglycaemia is associated with smaller caudate volume in the mid-childhood. We investigated the relationship between neurodevelopmental outcomes and caudate volume and whether this relationship was influenced by neonatal hypoglycaemia.

Experimentally induced myopia and myopic astigmatism alter retinal electrophysiology in chickens.

Myopia (or "short-sightedness") and astigmatism are major causes of visual impairment worldwide. Significant amounts of astigmatism are frequently observed in infants and have been associated with myopia development. Although it is well established that both myopia and astigmatism are associated with ocular structural changes from anterior to posterior segments, very little is known on how these refractive errors alter retinal functions.

The Lignan-Rich Fraction from Hance Exerts Bone Protective Effects via Altering Circulating Serotonin and Gut Microbiota in Rats.

Our previous study revealed that the bone anabolic effects of the lignan-rich fraction (SWCA) from Hance was involved in modulating the metabolism of tryptophan in vivo and inhibiting serotonin (5-HT) synthesis in vitro. This study aimed to determine how SWCA modulates bone metabolism via serotonin in vivo. The effects of SWCA were evaluated by using 4-month-old Sprague-Dawley (SD) ovariectomized rats.

Salt-Toggled Capture Selection of Uric Acid Binding Aptamers.

Uric acid is the end-product of purine metabolism in humans and an important biomarker for many diseases. To achieve the detection of uric acid without using enzymes, we previously selected a DNA aptamer for uric acid with a K of 1 μM but the aptamer required multiple Na ions for binding. Saturated binding was achieved with around 700 mM Na and the binding at the physiological condition was much weaker.