Cuproptosis-related signature and immune infiltration in age-related macular degeneration.

Aim: To investigate cuproptosis-related molecular and immune infiltration in age-related macular degeneration (AMD) development and establish a predictive model.

Methods: The expression profiles of cuproptosis-related genes and immune signature in AMD based on the microarray dataset GSE29801 were analyzed. A total of 142 AMD samples were used to identify the cuproptosis-related differentially expressed genes (Cu-DEGs), together with the immune cell infiltration.

Dietary-related characteristics and cataract risk: evidence from a mendelian randomization study.

Cataract is the leading cause of blindness globally, imposing a significant socioeconomic burden. While diet is associated with various eye diseases, the causal relationship between dietary-related characteristics (DRCs) and cataract remains unclear. This study investigates the causal associations between DRCs and cataract using Mendelian randomization (MR) to provide insights into potential dietary interventions for cataract prevention.

An assessment of anti-VEGF drugs safety based on real-world data: from popularity to spontaneous reporting in eudravigilance database.

Purpose: Anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs are the first-line treatment for neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD). This study analyzed four commonly used anti-VEGF drugs, preliminarily compared the search query results for these drugs on Google to assess public interest and analyzed the profile of ocular adverse drug reactions (ADRs) for these drugs in the EudraVigilance (EV) database.

Methods: A descriptive retrospective study was conducted.

Natural active ingredients targeted inflammatory cytokines and major blinding eye diseases: a two-sample Mendelian randomization and molecular docking analysis.

Objectives: Previous studies have reported that a few inflammatory cytokines have associations with ocular diseases. The objective of this study is to explore the causal relationship between 41 inflammatory cytokines and five ocular diseases using Mendelian randomization (MR) method and study the interaction between five natural active ingredients and inflammatory cytokines through molecular docking.

Methods: The two-sample MR study employed genetic variances related to age-related macular degeneration (AMD), glaucoma, diabetic retinopathy (DR), myopia, and cataract.

Establishment of a Cochlear Organoid Platform for Remodeling the Extracellular Matrix.

Irreparable injury and depletion of inner ear hair cells lead to permanent hearing impairment. Cochlear organoids serve as a robust platform for investigating the pathogenesis of deafness and exploring therapeutic approaches. However, the widely used commercial Matrigel in cochlear organoid culture suffers from issues related to consistency and structural stability.

AAV gene therapy for autosomal recessive deafness 9: a single-arm trial.

Gene therapy for congenital deafness has shown promising results in children but lacks data in older populations. We conducted a single-arm trial of adeno-associated virus (AAV)-OTOF gene therapy using the Anc80L65 capsid in ten participants with autosomal recessive deafness 9 aged 1.5 to 23.

From gene expression to causal associations: investigating the role of ferroptosis in cataract development.

Background: Cataracts are one of the most prevalent blinding eye diseases globally, and ferroptosis may be involved in its pathogenesis; however, the precise mechanisms remain unclear. We therefore aimed to identify ferroptosis-related genes (FRGs) related to cataracts and assess their causal association.

Methods: We downloaded two gene expression profile datasets of patients with cataracts and gathered the FRGs from the MSigDB and GeneCards databases.

Pyrrolidinium Fullerenes as YTHDF1 Inhibitors for Targeted Tumor Therapy.

Cancer remains a leading cause of global morbidity and mortality, necessitating the development of novel targeted therapies. This study explores the therapeutic potential of pyrrolidinium fullerenes as YTH N-methyladenosine RNA binding protein 1 (YTHDF1) inhibitors for cancer treatment. A series of functionalized pyrrolidinium fullerenes is synthesized and characterized, including C-(N,N-dimethyl-pyrrolidinium iodide) (NDMPFI), C-(N-methyl-N-benzyl-pyrrolidinium iodide) (NMBPFI), and C-(N-methyl-N-hydroxyethyl-pyrrolidinium iodide) (NMHPFI).

Design, optimization, and evaluation of lyophilized lipid nanoparticles for mRNA-based pulmonary mucosal vaccination.

Lipid nanoparticles (LNP) have emerged at the forefront of the delivery of RNA molecules during the COVID-19 pandemic, leading to a giant leap in RNA therapies. Despite their great success, the long-term storage and transportation of mRNA vaccines without ultra-low temperatures is still challenging due to their poor stability. Here, we demonstrated that LNP-mRNA could be lyophilized via a simple freeze‒drying process.

Association between late age-related macular degeneration and dietary intake of copper, iron, zinc and selenium: a 2005-2008 NHANES cross-sectional observational study.

Background: Age-related macular degeneration (AMD) is a significant global cause of visual impairment. Our study seeks to explore the relationship between the intake of copper, iron, zinc, selenium in diet and late AMD.

Method: In this cross-sectional study, we utilized data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) conducted during 2005-2008.

Chitosan and mannose-modified dual-functional mRNA-LNP vaccines for robust systemic and mucosal immune responses.

Mucosal vaccination plays a crucial role in activating frontline immune responses, preventing infection and transmission of respiratory pathogens. However, the development of effective mRNA mucosal vaccines faces multiple challenges, including mucosal barriers, suboptimal immune cell targeting, and limited induction of mucosal immunity. In this study, we develop a dual-functional mRNA-LNP-CS+Man vaccine by utilizing DMG-PEG2000-Chitosan and DMG-PEG2000-Mannose, capable of penetrating the pulmonary mucosal barrier and targeting immune cells in the lungs.

Evaluating the efficacy of low-molecular-weight heparin in managing umbilical artery thrombosis during pregnancy: does it offer therapeutic benefits?

Introduction: Umbilical artery thrombosis (UAT) is a rare but serious pregnancy complication, potentially causing fetal growth restriction, distress, and stillbirth. Diagnosis relies on Doppler ultrasound and pathological assessment. Close monitoring and potential low-molecular-weight heparin (LMWH) therapy aim to prolong gestation and improve outcomes, but debate persists on its efficacy compared to expectant management.

AAV-Sparcl1 promotes hair cell regeneration by increasing supporting cell plasticity.

Sensorineural hearing deficiency caused by hair cell damage represents a prevalent sensory deficit disorder. In mammals, age-related reduction in plasticity of inner ear supporting cells (recognized as hair cell precursors) compromises their trans-differentiation capacity, resulting in impaired spontaneous hair cell regeneration post-injury. Therapeutic reprogramming of supporting cells to functionally replace damaged hair cells has emerged as a promising strategy for sensorineural hearing loss treatment.

Combined AAV-mediated specific Gjb2 expression restores hearing in DFNB1 mouse models.

Pathogenic mutations in the Gjb2 gene, encoding connexin 26, are the leading cause of autosomal recessive hereditary deafness. Gene therapy holds significant promise for treating this. Adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated therapeutic gene delivery has been shown to be safe and effective in restoring hearing in both animal models and human patients.

LOX-induced tubulointerstitial fibrosis via the TGF-β/LOX/Snail axis in diabetic mice.

Background: The partial epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) is emerging as a significant mechanism in diabetic nephropathy (DN). LOX is a copper amine oxidase conventionally thought to act by crosslinking collagen. However, the role of LOX in partial EMT and fibrotic progression in diabetic nephropathy has not been investigated experimentally.

Ferritin-Based Supramolecular Assembly Drug Delivery System for Aminated Fullerene Derivatives to Enhance Tumor-Targeted Therapy.

Owing to their attractive antitumor effects, aminated fullerene derivatives are emerging as promising therapeutic drugs for cancer. However, their in vivo applications are severely limited due to cation toxicity. To address this problem, human heavy chain ferritin (HFn), possessing natural biocompatibility is utilized, to develop a novel supramolecular assembly drug delivery system.

Telemedicine facilitates medical care for hospitalized patients in quarantine.

Background/purpose: Telemedicine is an innovative medical care system that facilitates visual communication between patients and healthcare workers (HCWs), mainly in a community-based setting. We investigated the clinical effectiveness of in-patient telemedicine care for patients in quarantine for the Coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19).

Methods: We conducted a prospective study to include patients with mild-to-moderate severity of COVID-19 and their primary-care HCWs.

Modified PEG-Lipids Enhance the Nasal Mucosal Immune Capacity of Lipid Nanoparticle mRNA Vaccines.

Background/objectives: Omicron, the predominant variant of SARS-CoV-2, exhibits strong immune-evasive properties, leading to the reduced efficacy of existing vaccines. Consequently, the development of versatile vaccines is imperative. Intranasal mRNA vaccines offer convenient administration and have the potential to enhance mucosal immunity.

AAV-mediated Gene Therapy for Hereditary Deafness: Progress and Perspectives.

Hereditary deafness is the most prevalent sensory deficit disorder, with over 100 identified deafness-related genes. Clinical treatment options are currently limited to external devices like hearing aids and cochlear implants. Gene therapy has shown promising results in various genetic disorders and has emerged as a potential treatment for hereditary deafness.

A real-world data analysis of ocular adverse events linked to anti-VEGF drugs: a WHO-VigiAccess study.

Introduction: Vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is key to wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD). Anti-VEGF drugs are the main treatment in clinics. This study assessed ocular adverse events (AE) from anti-VEGF drugs in VigiAccess, WHO's database, and compared adverse drug reaction (ADR) profiles of four drugs to aid personalized treatment choices for optimal benefit and safety.

Association between plasma growth differentiation factor 15 levels and pre-eclampsia in China.

Background: Growth differentiation factor-15 (GDF-15) is a stress response protein and is related to cardiovascular diseases (CVD). This study aimed to investigate the association between GDF-15 and pre-eclampsia (PE).

Method: The study involved 299 pregnant women, out of which 236 had normal pregnancies, while 63 participants had PE.

[Fluid-solid coupling model and analysis on pulse wave propagation properties of iliac artery].

In this work, we investigated the influence of the bifurcation geometry of the iliac artery on the propagation properties of the pulse wave, and applied software to establish the straight bifurcation and curved bifurcation bi-directional fluid-solid coupling finite element analysis models based on the iliac artery, and compared and analyzed the influence of the bifurcation angle of the blood vessel on the propagation characteristics of the pulse wave. It was found that the bifurcation geometry had a significant effect on the pulse wave propagation in the iliac arteries, and the pressure and velocity pulse wave amplitudes predicted by these two models had a good agreement with that before the vessel bifurcation in a cardiac cycle. The curvilinear bifurcation model predicted the pulse wave amplitude to be lower and the pressure drop to be smaller after the bifurcation, which was more in line with the actual situation of the human body.

Pcolce2 overexpression promotes supporting cell reprogramming in the neonatal mouse cochlea.

Hair cell (HC) damage is a leading cause of sensorineural hearing loss, and in mammals supporting cells (SCs) are unable to divide and regenerate HCs after birth spontaneously. Procollagen C-endopeptidase enhancer 2 (Pcolce2), which encodes a glycoprotein that acts as a functional procollagen C protease enhancer, was screened as a candidate regulator of SC plasticity in our previous study. In the current study, we used adeno-associated virus (AAV)-ie (a newly developed adeno-associated virus that targets SCs) to overexpress Pcolce2 in SCs.

AAV-mediated Gpm6b expression supports hair cell reprogramming.

Irreversible damage to hair cells (HCs) in the cochlea leads to hearing loss. Cochlear supporting cells (SCs) in the murine cochlea have the potential to differentiate into HCs. Neuron membrane glycoprotein M6B (Gpm6b) as a four-transmembrane protein is a potential regulator of HC regeneration according to our previous research.