Association between traffic-related air pollution and risk of outpatient visits for dry eye disease in a megacity along the subtropical coast in South China.

Background: Traffic-related air pollution especially in highly socioeconomically developed megacity is usually considered as a severe problem leading to inevitable adverse health outcomes. This study aimed to investigate the associations between traffic-related air pollutants with risk of dry eye disease (DED) outpatient visits in a megacity (Guangzhou) along the subtropical coast in South China.

Methods: Daily data on DED outpatient visits and environmental variables from 1 January 2014 to 31 December 2020 in Guangzhou were obtained.

Oligogenic effect is associated with the clinical heterogeneity of autosomal dominant deafness-15.

Autosomal dominant deafness-15 which is caused by mutation in the POU4F3 gene, has been reported with a wide degree of clinical heterogeneity, even between intrafamilial members. However, the reason is still elusive. In this study, A four-generation Chinese family with 11 patients manifesting late-onset progressive non-syndromic hearing loss was recruited.

Ultrasound guided Ru106 plaque brachytherapy for treatment of exudative retinal detachment in children with diffuse choroidal haemangioma.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided ruthenium (Ru 106) plaque brachytherapy for treatment of exudative retinal detachment in diffuse choroidal haemangioma (DCH).

Methods: Retrospective analysis of four paediatric patients treated with ultrasound-guided Ru 106 plaque brachytherapy for DCH with total exudative retinal detachment directed to the thickest part of the DCH. A dose of 40 Gy to the tumour apex was delivered in all patients.

Large Language Models lack essential metacognition for reliable medical reasoning.

Large Language Models have demonstrated expert-level accuracy on medical board examinations, suggesting potential for clinical decision support systems. However, their metacognitive abilities, crucial for medical decision-making, remain largely unexplored. To address this gap, we developed MetaMedQA, a benchmark incorporating confidence scores and metacognitive tasks into multiple-choice medical questions.

Getting closer to the coronary arteries: A bibliometric analysis of CT-based adipose tissue imaging in coronary artery disease.

The aim of this study is to conduct a comprehensive bibliometric analysis of CT-based adipose tissue imaging related to coronary artery disease (CAD) to investigate the dynamic development of this field. Web of Science Core Collection was used as our data source to identify relevant documents limited to articles or review articles and written in English with no time restrictions. Then we analyzed the whole trend of publications and utilized VOSviewer and Bibliometrix to conduct a bibliometric analysis including citations, keywords, countries, institutions, authors as well as co-citation analyses of cited references and sources.

SD-LayerNet: Robust and label-efficient retinal layer segmentation via anatomical priors.

Background And Objectives: Automated, anatomically coherent retinal layer segmentation in optical coherence tomography (OCT) is one of the most important components of retinal disease management. However, current methods rely on large amounts of labeled data, which can be difficult and expensive to obtain. In addition, these systems tend often propose anatomically impossible results, which undermines their clinical reliability.

Diabetes Endothelial Keratoplasty Study: Methods and Impact on the Use of Corneas From Donors With Diabetes for Descemet Membrane Endothelial Keratoplasty.

Purpose: Describe aims, methods, characteristics of donors, donor corneas and recipients, and potential impact of the Diabetes Endothelial Keratoplasty Study (DEKS).

Methods: The DEKS is a randomized, clinical trial to assess graft success and endothelial cell density (ECD) 1 year after Descemet membrane endothelial keratoplasty (DMEK) using corneas from donors with versus without diabetes in a 1:2 minimization assignment. Diabetes severity in the donor is assessed by medical history, postmortem HbA1c, and donor skin advanced glycation end-products and oxidation markers.

Novel Protective Role for Gut Microbiota-derived Metabolite PAGln in Doxorubicin-induced Cardiotoxicity.

Purpose: Doxorubicin (Dox) is a classic anthracycline chemotherapy drug with cause cumulative and dose-dependent cardiotoxicity. This study aimed to investigate the potential role and molecular mechanism of phenylacetylglutamine (PAGln), a novel gut microbiota metabolite, in Dox-induced cardiotoxicity (DIC).

Methods: DIC models were established in vivo and in vitro, and a series of experiments were performed to verify the cardioprotective effect of PAGln.

Relationship Between Intraocular Pressure and the True Rate of Functional and Structural Progression in the United Kingdom Glaucoma Treatment Study.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of average intraocular pressure (IOP) on the true rate of glaucoma progression (RoP) in the United Kingdom Glaucoma Treatment Study (UKGTS).

Methods: UKGTS participants were randomized to placebo or Latanoprost drops and monitored for up to two years with visual field tests (VF, 24-2 SITA standard), IOP measurements, and optic nerve imaging. We included eyes with at least three structural or functional assessments (VF with <15% false-positive errors).

Optical Coherence Tomography Angiography in Patients With the Boston Keratoprosthesis Type 1.

Purpose: To report on optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) in patients with a type 1 Boston keratoprosthesis (KPro) and determine its feasibility through assessment of imaging artifacts.

Methods: KPro and non-KPro subjects were matched for age, gender, and glaucoma diagnosis. OCTA images of the peripapillary optic nerve were obtained, reviewed by 2 readers masked to the diagnosis for artifacts and usability, and used for microvascular measurements.

A Bifunctional Peptide with Penetration Ability for Treating Retinal Angiogenesis via Eye Drops.

Numerous diseases, such as diabetic retinopathy and age-related macular degeneration, can lead to retinal neovascularization, which can seriously impair the visual function and potentially result in blindness. The presence of the blood-retina barrier makes it challenging for ocularly administered drugs to penetrate physiological barriers and reach the ocular posterior segments, including the retina and choroid. Herein, we developed an innovative bifunctional peptide, Tat-C-RP7, which exhibits excellent penetration capabilities and antiangiogenic properties aimed at treating retinal neovascularization diseases.

Environmental Exposures Associated with Enteropathogen Infection in Six-Month-Old Children Enrolled in the ECoMiD Cohort along a Rural-Urban Gradient in Northern Ecuador†.

Enteropathogens are major contributors to mortality and morbidity, particularly in settings with limited access to water, sanitation, and hygiene infrastructure. To assess transmission pathways associated with enteropathogen infection, we measured household environmental conditions and assayed 22 enteropathogens using TaqMan Array Cards in stool samples from 276 six-month-old children living in communities along a rural-urban gradient in Northern Ecuador. We utilized multivariable models, risk factor importance, and distance-based statistical methods to test factors associated with infection.

Novel full-thickness biomimetic corneal model for studying pathogenesis and treatment of diabetic keratopathy.

Diabetic keratopathy (DK), a significant complication of diabetes, often leads to corneal damage and vision impairment. Effective models are essential for studying DK pathogenesis and evaluating potential therapeutic interventions. This study developed a novel biomimetic full-thickness corneal model for the first time, incorporating corneal epithelial cells, stromal cells, endothelial cells, and nerves to simulate DK conditions .

Use the right words: evaluating the effect of word choice and word count on quality of narrative feedback in ophthalmology competency-based medical education assessments.

Background: The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of word choice on the quality of narrative feedback in ophthalmology resident trainee assessments following the introduction of competency-based medical education at Queen's University.

Methods: Assessment data from July 2017-December 2020 were retrieved from Elentra (Integrated Teaching and Learning Platform) and anonymized. Written feedback was assigned a Quality of Assessment for Learning (QuAL) score out of five based on this previously validated rubric.

Integrated analysis of non‑coding RNAs (HOTAIR and miR‑130a) and their cross‑talk with TGF‑β1, SIRT1 and E‑cadherin as potential biomarkers in colorectal cancer.

Molecular changes have a substantial impact on the onset of colorectal cancer (CRC). Complexes of HOTAIR and miRNAs disrupt several cellular functions during carcinogenesis, primarily by disrupting several carcinogenic signaling pathways. In the present study, the relationships between the serum levels of transforming growth factor-β1 (TGF-β1), sirtuin-1 (SIRT1) and E-cadherin and those of HOX transcript antisense intergenic RNA (HOTAIR) and microRNA-130a (miR-130a) in individuals with CRC were analyzed, including their correlations and diagnostic potential.

Nanotherapy for Neural Retinal Regeneration.

Retinal diseases can severely impair vision and even lead to blindness, posing significant threats to both physical and mental health. Physical retinal regenerative therapies are poised to revolutionize the treatment of various disorders associated with blindness. However, these therapies must overcome the challenges posed by the protective inner and outer blood‒retinal barriers.

A Bioinspired Virus-Like Mechano-Bactericidal Nanomotor for Ocular Multidrug-Resistant Bacterial Infection Treatment.

Multidrug-resistant (MDR) bacteria and their associated biofilms are major causative factors in eye infections, often resulting in blindness and presenting considerable global health challenges. Presently, mechano-bactericidal systems, which combine distinct topological geometries with mechanical forces to physically induce bacterial apoptosis, show promising potential. However, the physical interaction process between current mechano-bactericidal systems and bacteria is generally based on passive diffusion or Brownian motion and lacks the force required for biofilm penetration; thus, featuring low antibacterial efficacy.

Randomised, multicentre, placebo-controlled trial of fenofibrate for treatment of diabetic macular oedema with economic evaluation (FORTE study): study protocol for a randomised control trial.

Introduction: Diabetic macular oedema (DMO), a serious ocular complication of diabetic retinopathy (DR), is a leading cause of vision impairment worldwide. If left untreated or inadequately treated, DMO can lead to irreversible vision loss and blindness. Intravitreal injections using antivascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) and laser are the current standard of treatment for DMO.

Longitudinal corneal hysteresis changes predict structural progression in medically controlled, early-to-moderate, open-angle glaucoma with a history of refractive surgery.

Background: The present study aims to identify the relationship between longitudinal changes in corneal hysteresis (CH) and progressive retinal nerve fibre layer (RNFL) thinning in a cohort of medically controlled, early-to-moderate open-angle glaucoma (OAG) patients with a history of laser refractive surgery (LRS).

Methods: A total of 123 consecutive eyes with a diagnosis of medically controlled (peak intraocular pressure (IOP)<18 mm Hg), early-to-moderate OAG with a history of LRS underwent measurements of CH, corneal-compensated intraocular pressure (IOPcc) and RNFL thicknesses every 6 months. Linear models were used to investigate the relationship between CH change and RNFL thickness change over time.

Rapamycin protects glucocorticoid-induced glaucoma model mice against trabecular meshwork fibrosis by suppressing mTORC1/2 signaling.

Systemic or local use of glucocorticoids (GCs) can induce pathological elevation of intraocular pressure (IOP), potentially leading to permanent visual loss. Previous studies have demonstrated that rapamycin (Rapa) inhibits the activation of retinal glial cells and the production of neuroinflammation, achieving neuroprotective goals. However, there has been little research on the effect of Rapa on the trabecular meshwork (TM).

Clinical practices on acute acquired comitant esotropia: A consensus statement proposed by the Council of Asia-Pacific Strabismus and Pediatric Ophthalmology Society.

Acute acquired comitant esotropia (AACE) is a concomitant strabismus characterized by sudden onset, mostly associated with diplopia. The prevalence of AACE has significantly increased, and various management approaches have been recommended in recent years. This study by the Council of Asia-Pacific Strabismus and Pediatric Ophthalmology Society aimed to provide an overview of the clinical features, etiology and the nonsurgical and surgical treatment recommendations for the condition to equip strabismus specialists with the most updated knowledge.

Outdoor activity during class recess prevents myopia onset and shift in premyopic children: Subgroup analysis in the Recess Outside Classroom study.

Purpose: To investigate whether premyopia is a risk factor for myopia onset and whether outdoor activities can protect against myopia development in premyopic children in the Recess Outside Classroom (ROC) study.

Methods: Nonmyopic schoolchildren aged 7 to 11 years were recruited from two schools in Taiwan. One school implemented the ROC program, which encouraged children to go outdoors during recess.

Radiopaque hydrogel-in-liposomes towards theranostic applications for malignant tumors.

A radiopaque hydrogel-in-liposome (RHL) system was developed for micro-computed tomography (μCT) imaging of tumor tissue and simultaneous delivery of a cytotoxic agent. Iopamidol (IPD) and doxorubicin (DOX) were incorporated as the CT contrast and anti-cancer agents, respectively. The presence of a polyethylene glycol hydrogel core in the liposomes was confirmed via attenuated total reflectance Fourier transform infrared, proton nuclear magnetic resonance, and selective solvent extraction.