Variations in Innate Immune Cell Subtypes Correlate with Epigenetic Clocks, Inflammaging and Health Outcomes.

Epigenetic clocks in blood have shown promise as tools to quantify biological age, displaying robust associations with morbidity and all-cause mortality. Whilst the effect of cell-type heterogeneity on epigenetic clock estimates has been explored, such studies have been limited to studying heterogeneity within the adaptive immune system. Much less is known about whether heterogeneity within the innate immune system can impact epigenetic clock estimates and their associations with health outcomes.

High-temperature-resistant gas pressure sensor based on an all-silica Fabry-Perot interferometer.

A high-temperature-resistant gas pressure sensor based on an all-silica Fabry-Perot interferometer (FPI) structure is proposed. A carbon dioxide () laser is utilized to achieve integrated welding between a silica capillary tube and optical fibers. A cascaded femtosecond laser-inscribed fiber Bragg grating is used to compensate for the influence of temperature.

A multifunctional hydrogel system with synergistic effects against infections and inflammation in perioperative cataract surgery.

Advancing therapeutic strategies with high bioavailability, simplified regimens, and reduced bacterial resistance is crucial for perioperative cataract care. Herein, multifunctional hydrogel eye drops (designated as FQT) were synthesized through a simple one-pot synthesis, employing thermosensitive F127 as the structural scaffold and incorporating quaternized chitosan (QCS) and tannic acid (TA). QCS and TA not only serve as active agents conferring synergistic non-antibiotic antibacterial and anti-inflammatory effects, but also cooperatively interact with F127 through hydrogen bonding, ionic interactions, and electrostatic forces to significantly modulate those hydrogels' key physicochemical properties, including thermosensitivity, thixotropy, visibility, erosion resistance, and bioavailability.

Tear deficiency transforms spatial distribution of corneal calcitonin gene-related peptide-positive nerves in rats.

The nerve terminals distributed in the cornea are important for sensory perception and the maintenance of ocular surface homeostasis. In dry eye disease (DED), corneal nerves undergo functional and morphological changes that may be involved in abnormal ocular surface sensation and corneal pathology. However, changes in the spatial distribution of corneal nerves, including polymodal nociceptors, and their regulatory mechanisms remain unknown.

Autophagy-induced NR2F1 activation promotes the apoptosis of lens epithelial cells and facilitates cataract-associated fibrosis through targeting STAT3.

Cataracts, a widely prevalent ocular pathology, engender visual impairment and emerge as a primary etiological factor contributing to ocular blindness. Substantial evidence substantiates that epithelial-mesenchymal transition stands prominently among the pivotal causative factors associated with this debilitating condition. However, the underlying mechanism remains unclear.

Icariin interacts with IGFBP3 to alleviate diabetic cataract through PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Diabetic cataract (DC), a well-recognized complication in diabetic patients, can progress to blindness if not adequately managed, with currently limited therapeutic strategies. Icariin (ICA), a natural compound derived from Epimedium, has been demonstrated exhibiting anti-inflammatory and anti-oxidant, but its impact on diabetic cataracts remains elusive. In this study, we used both SRA01/04 cells and SD rats' model to explored the protective effects of ICA in cataract formation.

Fe-curcumin nanozymes-mediated reactive oxygen species scavenging and anti-apoptotic effects on age-related cataracts.

Age-related cataracts (ARCs) are major causes of vision impairment globally, primarily resulting from oxidative stress-induced senescence and apoptosis in lens epithelial cells (LECs). In this study, a sodium selenite-induced oxidative stress cataract model in neonatal rats was used to mimic ARC pathology. We investigated the therapeutic potential of Fe-curcumin nanozymes in delaying ARC progression by targeting cellular senescence and oxidative injury.

Unified high-resolution immune cell fraction estimation in blood tissue from birth to old age.

Variations in immune-cell fractions can confound or hamper interpretation of DNAm-based biomarkers in blood. Although cell-type deconvolution can address this challenge for cord and adult blood, currently there is no method applicable to blood from other age groups, including infants and children. Here we construct and extensively validate a DNAm reference panel, called UniLIFE, for 19 immune cell-types, applicable to blood tissue of any age.

Colchicine inhibits myocardial pyroptosis and reduces myocardial cell injury after myocardial infarction through the ESR1-PI3K-Akt-NF-κB signaling pathway.

Background And Purpose: Inflammation serves as a critical driver in coronary artery disease pathogenesis. Emerging clinical evidence demonstrates that low-dose colchicine therapy significantly reduces ischemic event incidence in patients with coronary heart disease while attenuating myocardial ischemia-induced inflammatory cascades. Nevertheless, the precise cardioprotective mechanisms underlying colchicine-a plant-derived anti-inflammatory agent-in limiting post-infarction cardiomyocyte injury remain incompletely elucidated.

Fabrication and characterization of double-network meat analogs based on camellia oleosomes and soy protein-wheat gluten induced by transglutaminase and calcium alginate.

Plant-based meat analogs often exhibit poor elasticity, limited water-holding capacity, and lack a well-integrated fat-phase, which limits their applications in food industry. This study aimed to introduce camellia seed-derived oleosomes as templates for lipid droplets into textured soy protein-wheat gluten, followed by dual-crosslinking using transglutaminase (TG) and sodium alginate with varying Ca concentrations. Results showed that oleosomes inclusion transformed the porous structures of textured proteins into droplet-embedded protein matrices, along with enhanced hardness, increased lightness, and reduced redness.

Curcumin delivery system based on a chitosan-liposome encapsulated zeolitic imidazolate framework-8: a potential treatment antioxidant and antibacterial treatment after phacoemulsification.

Curcumin is a natural polyphenol extracted from plants that can interact with various molecular targets, including antioxidant, antibacterial, anticancer, and anti-aging activities. Due to its variety of pharmacological activities and large margin pf safety, curcumin has been used in the prevention and treatment of various diseases, such as Alzheimer's, heart, and rheumatic immune diseases. To develop curcumin eye drops that can be used as antioxidant and antibacterial agents after phacoemulsification, we have designed a nano-based drug delivery system to improve curcumin bioavailability and duration of action.

Magnetar emergence in a peculiar gamma-ray burst from a compact star merger.

The central engine that powers gamma-ray bursts (GRBs), the most powerful explosions in the universe, is still not identified. Besides hyper-accreting black holes, rapidly spinning and highly magnetized neutron stars, known as millisecond magnetars, have been suggested to power both long and short GRBs. The presence of a magnetar engine following compact star mergers is of particular interest as it would provide essential constraints on the poorly understood equation of state for neutron stars.

Comparative transcriptomics of susceptible and resistant Cucumis metuliferus upon Meloidogyne incognita infection.

Comparative transcriptomics has identified several candidate genes contributing to the resistance of Cucumis metuliferus against Meloidogyne incognita. The Southern root-knot nematode (Meloidogyne incognita) is a significant threat to Cucurbitaceae crops. The African horned melon (Cucumis metuliferus), a wild relative, exhibits high resistance to this nematode.

Role of sirtuin 1 in depression‑induced coronary heart disease: Molecular pathways and therapeutic potential (Review).

Depression and coronary heart disease (CHD) are two interconnected diseases that profoundly impact global health. Depression is both a complex psychiatric disorder and an established risk factor for CHD. Sirtuin 1 (SIRT1) is an enzyme that requires the cofactor nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD) to perform its deacetylation function, and its involvement is crucial in reducing cardiovascular risks that are associated with depression.

Preparation, characterization, and application of composite oleogels based on whey protein isolate and sodium alginate.

Oleogels with solid-like properties can serve as substitutes for fats, thereby avoiding the consumption of high levels of saturated fatty acids. In this study, we developed a protein-polysaccharide composite network oleogel using whey protein isolate (WPI) and sodium alginate (SA) through an emulsion-templated method. Analysis with Fourier Transform Infrared (FTIR) spectroscopy confirmed the presence of hydrogen bonds and van der Waals forces between WPI and SA, which bolstered the oleogel's structure.

Deep anterior chamber depth may be a risk factor for axial length growth in children.

Objective: To investigate and evaluate the progression of myopia and associated factors of axial length (AL) growth among children in Chongqing.

Methods: This six-month prospective study was conducted on students in grades 1 to 8 at a school in Chongqing, China. All participants underwent a standard ophthalmologic examination including uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA), noncycloplegic refraction, AL, and corneal topography in March 2023.

SREBF1 facilitates pathological retinal neovascularization by reprogramming the fatty acid metabolism of endothelial cells.

Retinopathy of prematurity (ROP) is a proliferative retinal vascular disorder that critically affects the visual development of premature infants, potentially leading to irreversible vision loss or even blindness. Despite its significance, the underlying mechanisms of this disease remain insufficiently understood. In this study, we utilized the oxygen-induced retinopathy (OIR) mouse model and conducted endothelial functional assays to explore the role of Sterol Regulatory Element-Binding Protein 1 (SREBF1) in ROP pathogenesis.

The effect of aging on the ciliary muscle and its potential relationship with presbyopia: a literature review.

Background: The ciliary muscle is known to play a part in presbyopia, but the mechanism has not received a comprehensive review, which this study aims to achieve. We examined relevant articles published from 1975 through 2022 that explored various properties of the muscle and related tissues in humans and rhesus monkeys. These properties include geometry, elasticity, rigidity, and composition, and were studied using a range of imaging technologies, computer models, and surgical methods.

Comparison of extraction and refinement techniques for volatile compound analysis in camellia oil.

The processing techniques of camellia oil, containing freshly squeezed (FSCO), refined (DFCO), cold-pressed (OFCO), and hot-pressed (RFCO), significantly influence flavor compounds and organoleptic properties. In this study, the preference for FSCO and RFCO was revealed by sensory evaluation due to the "fruity" and "roasted" flavors, respectively. Flavor differences among oils were accurately distinguished by the E-nose.

Comprehensive bioinformatics analysis of metabolism‑related microRNAs in high myopia in young and old adults with age‑related cataracts.

High myopia and age‑related cataracts are prevalent ocular disorders that compromise visual acuity. The molecular mechanisms underlying these conditions remain largely unclear. Here, microRNA (miRNA or miR) sequencing was performed on aqueous humor samples obtained from individuals with age‑related cataracts and high myopia (AH, n=9), young patients with high myopia (YH, n=9) and a control group of elderly patients with age‑related cataracts, matched in terms of sex and age (AN, n=9).

Morphological aberration of corneal nerves in hyposecretory dry eye guinea pigs.

Dry eye, a common ocular surface disease associated with tear film instability and corneal impairment, is frequently accompanied by ocular discomfort and pain. Recent research has shown that corneal nerve dysfunction may play a role in certain pathologies of dry eye; however, the details remain unclear. To clarify the aberration in corneal nerves underlying sensory abnormalities, in addition to corneal impairment in dry eye, we examined the morphological alterations of nerve fibers in the corneas excised from guinea pigs with dry eye, where the lacrimal glands were surgically excised.

Retinal microcirculation changes in prediabetic patients with short-term increased blood glucose using optical coherence tomography angiography.

Background: Retinal microcirculation alterations are early indicators of diabetic microvascular complications. Optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) is a noninvasive method to assess these changes. This study analyzes changes in retinal microcirculation in prediabetic patients during short-term increases in blood glucose using OCTA.

A case of delayed recurrent hyphema following Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL) surgery.

Purpose: To present a case of delayed recurrent hyphema following toric ICL implantation.

Observations: This case reports a 24-year-old Asian female who presented with sudden decrease in vision in the right eye, accompanied by recurrent massive anterior chamber hemorrhage, six months after bilateral implantation of toric ICL with central holes for myopia correction. Despite initial conservative treatment with immobilization and intraocular pressure (IOP)-lowering medication at another hospital, the hyphema persisted.