Early phacoemulsification in patients with acute primary angle closure.

Purpose: To compare long term efficacy of phacoemulsification in the early management of acute primary angle closure (APAC) after aborting an acute attack and performing laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI).

Methods: In this nonrandomized comparative prospective study, we included 35 subjects presenting with APAC who had responded to medical treatment and LPI with intraocular pressure (IOP) less than 25 mmHg. Twenty patients with visually significant cataract with visual acuity of <20/30 were assigned to the "Phaco/LPI" group and underwent phacoemulsification within 6 weeks of the attack.

Stabilization of histone demethylase PHF8 by USP7 promotes breast carcinogenesis.

The histone demethylase PHF8 has been implicated in multiple pathological disorders, including X-linked mental retardation and tumorigenesis. However, it is not clear how the abundance and function of PHF8 are regulated. Here, we report that PHF8 physically associates with the deubiquitinase USP7.

Lens Position Parameters as Predictors of Intraocular Pressure Reduction After Cataract Surgery in Glaucomatous Versus Nonglaucomatous Eyes.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between lens position parameters and intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction after cataract surgery in patients with primary open-angle glaucoma (POAG) and in nonglaucomatous patients.

Methods: The main outcomes of this prospective study were percent and absolute IOP change, which were calculated using the preoperative IOP and the IOP 4 months after cataract surgery in POAG and nonglaucomatous eyes. Lens position (LP), defined as anterior chamber depth (ACD) + one-half lens thickness (LT), was assessed preoperatively using parameters from optical biometry.

Spironolactone promotes autophagy via inhibiting PI3K/AKT/mTOR signalling pathway and reduce adhesive capacity damage in podocytes under mechanical stress.

Mechanical stress which would cause deleterious adhesive effects on podocytes is considered a major contributor to the early progress of diabetic nephropathy (DN). Our previous study has shown that spironolactone could ameliorate podocytic adhesive capacity in diabetic rats. Autophagy has been reported to have a protective role against renal injury.

The AS-RBM15 lncRNA enhances RBM15 protein translation during megakaryocyte differentiation.

Antisense RNAs regulate the transcription and translation of the corresponding sense genes. Here, we report that an antisense RNA, AS-RBM15, is transcribed in the opposite direction within exon 1 of RBM15 RBM15 is a regulator of megakaryocyte (MK) differentiation and is also involved in a chromosome translocation t(1;22) in acute megakaryocytic leukemia. MK terminal differentiation is enhanced by up-regulation of AS-RBM15 expression and attenuated by AS-RBM15 knockdown.

Development and Validation of an Analytical Method for the Determination of Flavonol Glycosides in Ginkgo Leaves and ShuXueNing Injections by a Single Marker.

The qualitative and quantitative analysis of the major bioactive components in traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) and their preparations is essential to evaluate their quality. However, the scarcity and high cost of chemical reference standards are common obstacles for quantitative analysis, especially for determining multicomponents. In this study, an effective and sensitive qualitative method to identify flavonol glycosides in Ginkgo leaves (Ginkgo Folium), and their preparations have been developed.

Changes in Anterior Segment Morphology After Laser Peripheral Iridotomy in Acute Primary Angle Closure.

Purpose: To evaluate the anterior segment biometric changes measured by anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) in acute primary angle closure (APAC) after laser peripheral iridotomy (LPI).

Design: Prospective interventional study.

Methods: In this clinic-based study, 52 eyes of 52 patients with resolved APAC attack who underwent LPI were enrolled.

Evaluation of Lamina Cribrosa and Choroid in Nonglaucomatous Patients With Pseudoexfoliation Syndrome Using Spectral-Domain Optical Coherence Tomography.

Purpose: To evaluate the lamina cribrosa (LC) and peripapillary choroid in patients with pseudoexfoliation syndrome (PXS).

Methods: In this cross-sectional study, one eye each of 32 nonglaucomatous PXS cases and 29 healthy volunteers were enrolled. The optic discs were scanned using enhanced depth imaging spectral-domain optical coherence tomography, and measurements were obtained using HEYEX software 6.

Oral Contraceptive Use and Prevalence of Self-Reported Glaucoma or Ocular Hypertension in the United States.

Purpose: To investigate the association between oral contraceptive (OC) use and glaucoma prevalence in the United States.

Design: Cross-sectional study.

Participants: A total of 3406 female participants, aged 40 years or older, from the 2005 to 2008 National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey, who reported a presence or absence of glaucoma or ocular hypertension completed both the vision and the reproductive health questionnaires and underwent eye examinations.

Biosynthetic Pathway Analysis for Improving the Cordycepin and Cordycepic Acid Production in Hirsutella sinensis.

Hirsutella sinensis is considered as the only correct anamorph of Ophiocordyceps sinensis. To improve cordycepin and cordycepic acid production in H. sinensis, the biosynthetic pathways of cordycepin and cordycepic acid were predicted, and verified by cloning and expressing genes involved in these pathways, respectively.

Refractive Error and the Risk of Age-Related Macular Degeneration in the South Korean Population.

Purpose: We investigated the association between refractive error and the prevalence of age-related macular degeneration (AMD) in a population-based study.

Design: This was a cross-sectional study.

Methods: Right eyes were included from 14,067 participants aged 40 years and older with gradable fundus photographs and refraction data from the fourth and the fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey 2008 to 2011.

Inhibitory effects of Sr/Y β-irradiation on alkali burn-induced corneal neovascularization in rats.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the inhibitory effects of Sr-Y β-irradiation in a rat model of alkali burn-induced corneal neovascularization (CNV). Alkali burn-induced CNV was induced in the right eyes of 30 female Wistar rats, which were randomly divided into the following three groups (n=10/group): i) The alkali burn control group, which received a balanced salt solution treatment; ii) group 1, which received treatment with angiogenesis inhibitors; and iii) group 2, which received Sr-Y β-irradiation treatment. A further 10 female Wistar rats comprised a blank control group and received only balanced salt solution.

Association between light-to-dark changes in angle width and iris parameters in light, dark and changes from light-to-dark conditions.

Background/aims: To evaluate the association between light-to-dark changes in angle width parameters and iris parameters in light, dark and changes from light-to-dark conditions.

Methods: In this prospective, cross-sectional study, anterior segment optical coherence tomography images, obtained under light and dark conditions, were analysed to determine angle opening distance measured at 500 μm from the scleral spur (AOD500), trabecular-iris space area at 500 μm from the scleral spur (TISA500), iris thickness measured at 750 μm from the scleral spur (IT750), iris thickness measured at 2000 μm from the scleral spur (IT2000), iris area (IArea) and pupil diameter (PD). Multivariable linear mixed-effect regression models were used to evaluate the association between light-to-dark changes in angle width parameters (AOD500, TISA500) and iris parameters (IT750, IT2000, IArea, PD) in light, dark and changes from light-to-dark conditions.

Effects of Conservation Tillage on Topsoil Microbial Metabolic Characteristics and Organic Carbon within Aggregates under a Rice (Oryza sativa L.)-Wheat (Triticum aestivum L.) Cropping System in Central China.

Investigating microbial metabolic characteristics and soil organic carbon (SOC) within aggregates and their relationships under conservation tillage may be useful in revealing the mechanism of SOC sequestration in conservation tillage systems. However, limited studies have been conducted to investigate the relationship between SOC and microbial metabolic characteristics within aggregate fractions under conservation tillage. We hypothesized that close relationships can exist between SOC and microbial metabolic characteristics within aggregates under conservation tillage.

A role for antimetabolites in glaucoma tube surgery: current evidence and future directions.

Purpose Of Review: Glaucoma is the leading cause of irreversible blindness worldwide. The main treatment modality for glaucoma is the reduction and control of the intraocular pressure (IOP). Glaucoma filtration surgery, including trabeculectomy and/or implantation of a glaucoma drainage device (GDD), is warranted if IOP remains medically uncontrolled.

New developments in anterior segment optical coherence tomography for glaucoma.

Purpose Of Review: The aim of the present review was to summarize the new developments in anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) for glaucoma.

Recent Findings: Recent years have demonstrated significant advances in the measurement of glaucoma through the use of AS-OCT. Furthermore, a more widespread use of AS-OCT in the clinical study of various glaucomas warrants review, which includes angel assessment, trabecular meshwork and Schlemm's canal assessment, and assessment of the filtering bleb and tube.

Study of interaction between water-soluble collagen and carboxymethyl cellulose in neutral aqueous solution.

The interactions of succinylated collagen (SC) and carboxymethyl cellulose (CMC) in neutral solutions (pH ∼ 6.9) were investigated, which could provide information for the fields of tissue engineering and cosmetics. According to the results from viscometric measurements, the SC and CMC molecules were possibly compatible as CMC ≤ 50%.

Lens thickness assessment: anterior segment optical coherence tomography versus A-scan ultrasonography.

Aim: To assess lens thickness measurements with anterior segment-optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) in comparison with A-scan ultrasonography (A-scan US).

Methods: There were 218 adult subjects (218 eyes) aged 59.2±9.

Lens Position Parameters as Predictors of Intraocular Pressure Reduction After Cataract Surgery in Nonglaucomatous Patients With Open Angles.

Purpose: To evaluate the relationship between lens position parameters and intraocular pressure (IOP) reduction after cataract surgery in nonglaucomatous eyes with open angles.

Methods: The main outcome of the prospective study was percentage of IOP change, which was calculated using the preoperative IOP and the IOP 4 months after cataract surgery in nonglaucomatous eyes with open angles. Lens position (LP), defined as anterior chamber depth (ACD) + 1/2 lens thickness (LT), was assessed preoperatively using parameters from optical biometry.

Comparison of Anterior Segment-Optical Coherence Tomography Parameters in Phacomorphic Angle Closure and Acute Angle Closure Eyes.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to compare anterior segment-optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) parameters in phacomorphic angle closure and acute primary angle closure (APAC) eyes.

Methods: In this cross-sectional case series, a total of 134 patients with phacomorphic angle closure (28 eyes) or APAC (54 eyes), as well as normal control subjects (52 eyes), were enrolled. Patients underwent AS-OCT imaging and A-scan biometry of both eyes.

Effects of dicyandiamide and dolomite application on N2O emission from an acidic soil.

Soil acidification is a major problem for sustainable agriculture since it limits productivity of several crops. Liming is usually adopted to ameliorate soil acidity that can trigger soil processes such as nitrification, denitrification, and loss of nitrogen (N) as nitrous oxide (N2O) emissions. The loss of N following liming of acidic soils can be controlled by nitrification inhibitors (such as dicyandiamide).

Association Between Trabecular Meshwork Anteroposterior Length and Anterior Chamber Angle Width.

Purpose: To investigate the association between trabecular meshwork anteroposterior length and anterior chamber angle width in nonglaucomatous subjects.

Design: Prospective, cross-sectional study.

Methods: Time-domain and spectral-domain anterior segment optical coherence tomography images for 561 eyes from 366 nonglaucomatous subjects were analyzed to determine trabecular meshwork anteroposterior length and 3 anterior chamber angle width parameters measured at different distances from the scleral spur: angle opening distance at 250 μm (AOD250), 500 μm (AOD500), and 750 μm (AOD750) from the scleral spur; trabecular-iris space area at 500 μm (TISA500) and 750 μm (TISA750) from the scleral spur; angle recess area at 750 μm (ARA750) from the scleral spur.

Qualitative and Quantitative Analysis of the Major Constituents in Shexiang Tongxin Dropping Pill by HPLC-Q-TOF-MS/MS and UPLC-QqQ-MS/MS.

Shexiang Tongxin dropping pill (STP) is a traditional Chinese medicine formula that consists of total saponins of ginseng, synthetic Calculus bovis, bear gall, Venenum bufonis, borneol and Salvia miltiorrhiza. STP has been widely used in China and Southeast Asia for the treatment of cardiovascular diseases. In this study, a qualitative analytical method using high performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight tandem mass spectrometry was developed for identification of the major constituents in STP.