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Purpose: To compare the efficacy and safety of the glasses-free three-dimensional (3D) display and conventional optical microscope in Implantable Collamer Lens (ICL; STAAR Surgical) surgery. Methods: This randomized controlled trial enrolled 51 eyes of 26 patients who received ICL surgery. After random allocation, patients received surgery under either a glasses-free 3D display (16 eyes) or a conventional optical microscope (35 eyes). The surgical duration, uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), intraocular pressure, vault, postoperative manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE), and complications were evaluated. Results: Mean surgical time was 5.04 ± 2.74 minutes for the glasses-free 3D group and 4.65 ± 2.63 minutes for the conventional microscope group (P =.639). Postoperative UDVA was −0.02 ± 0.04 and −0.04 ± 0.05 logMAR (P =.169), CDVA was −0.03 ± 0.04 and −0.02 ± 0.05 logMAR (P =.434), and IOP was 17.01 ± 3.15 and 14.82 ± 2.20 mm Hg (P =.055) at 1 month of follow-up, respectively. Vault was 562.86 ± 192.89 and 520.18 ± 215.19 µm, and MRSE was +0.25 ± 0.21 and +0.10 ± 0.51 diopters, respectively, at 1 month postoperatively; all were comparable between the glasses-free 3D group and conventional microscope group (all P >.05). No complication occurred in both groups. Conclusions: The glasses-free 3D group achieved similar efficacy and safety compared to the conventional microscope group, and glasses-free 3D surgery is expected to show a significant advantage in clinical and medical education. [J Refract Surg. 2023;39(9):612–619.] [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The etiology and pathogenesis of bladder cancer (BCa) is complex. MicroRNA (miRNA) has been implicated in BCa. Targeting of signal transducer and activator of transcription 3 (STAT3) by miR-124 to regulate tumorigenesis has been demonstrated in other types of cancer. In the present study, miR-124 levels were downregulated in the BCa T24 cell line and STAT3 was increased in BCa cell lines. Transfection of miR-124 mimics into T24 cells significantly inhibited STAT3 expression. A luciferase assay confirmed that miR-124 directly targeted the STAT3 3′untranslated region to inhibit STAT expression. Knockdown of STAT3 expression led to increased apoptosis of T24 cells and reduced tumor growth in vitro. The results demonstrated the molecular mechanisms and biological functions of the miR-124/STAT3 signal pathway at the cellular level and indicate the potential of miR-124 as a therapeutic target for BCa. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Nuclear hormone receptors play a major role in the development of many tissues. This study uncovers a novel role for testicular receptor 2 ( Tr2 , Nr2c1 ) in defining the early phase of retinal development and regulating normal retinal cell patterning and topography. The mammalian retina undergoes an overlapping yet biphasic period of development to generate all seven retinal cell types. We discovered that Nr2c1 expression coincides with development of the early retinal cells. Loss of Nr2c1 causes a severe vision deficit and impacts early, but not late retina cell types. Retinal cone cell topography is disrupted with an increase in displaced amacrine cells. Additionally, genetic background significantly impacts phenotypic outcome of cone photoreceptor cells but not amacrine cells. Chromatin-IP experiments reveal NR2C1 regulates early cell transcription factors that regulate retinal progenitor cells during development, including amacrine (Satb2) and cone photoreceptor regulators thyroid and retinoic acid receptors. This study supports a role for Nr2c1 in defining the biphasic period of retinal development and specifically influencing the early phase of retinal cell fate. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To report a case of interface fluid syndrome (IFS) following small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) evaluated with corneal densitometry and optical coherence tomography (OCT).Case Presentation: An 18-year-old man reported sudden vision loss 24 days after SMILE procedure. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was 36.3 mmHg (OD) and 36.7 mmHg (OS) by noncontact tonometry. Moderate corneal edema, interface fluid pocket and haze were observed by OCT and confirmed by corneal densitometry values. Discontinuation of steroids and addition of hypotensive medication were offered immediately. The symptoms were cured after the medication. Changes of corneal densitometry were consistent with the clinical course of IFS.Conclusion: This case illustrates that it is crucial to be aware that a history of SMILE can also cause IFS. Both OCT and corneal densitometry can serve as auxiliary means to evaluate the clinical course of IFS, and appropriate IOP management is an effective approach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Vision loss due to vascular disease of the retina is a leading cause of blindness in the world. Retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) is a subgroup of neovascular age-related macular degeneration (AMD), whereby abnormal blood vessels develop in the retina leading to debilitating vision loss and eventual blindness. The novel mouse strain, neoretinal vascularization 2 (NRV2), shows spontaneous fundus changes associated with abnormal neovascularization. The purpose of this study is to characterize the induction of pathologic angiogenesis in this mouse model. Methods: The NRV2 mice were examined from postnatal day 12 (p12) to 3 months. The phenotypic changes within the retina were evaluated by fundus photography, fluorescein angiography, optical coherence tomography, and immunohistochemical and electron microscopic analysis. The pathological neovascularization was imaged by confocal microscopy and reconstructed using three-dimensional image analysis software. Results: We found that NRV2 mice develop multifocal retinal depigmentation in the posterior fundus. Depigmented lesions developed vascular leakage observed by fluorescein angiography. The spontaneous angiogenesis arose from the retinal vascular plexus at postnatal day (p)15 and extended toward retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). By three months of age, histological analysis revealed encapsulation of the neovascular lesion by the RPE in the photoreceptor cell layer and subretinal space. Conclusions: The NRV2 mouse strain develops early neovascular lesions within the retina, which grow downward towards the RPE beginning at p15. This retinal neovascularization model mimics early stages of human retinal angiomatous proliferation (RAP) and will likely be a useful in elucidating targeted therapeutics for patients with ocular neovascular disease. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The agro-pastoral transitional zone (APTZ) in Northern China is one of the most important ecological barriers of the world. The commonly-used method to identify the spatial distribution of ATPZ is to apply a threshold rule on climatic or land use indicators. This approach is highly subjective, and the quantity standards vary among the studies. In this study, we adopted the spatial continuous wavelet transform (SCWT) technique to detect the spatial fluctuation in normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) sequences, and as such identify the APTZ. To carry out this analysis, the Moderate Resolution Imaging Spectroradiometer (MODIS) NDVI 1-month data (MODND1M) covering the period 2006–2015 were used. Based on the spatial variation in NDVI, we identified two sub-regions within the APTZ. The temporal change of APTZ showed that although vegetation spatial pattern changed annually, certain areas appeared to be stable, while others showed higher sensitivity to environmental variance. Through correlation analysis between the dynamics of APTZ and precipitation, we found that the mean center of the APTZ moved toward the southeast during dry years and toward the northwest during humid years. By comparing the APTZ spatial pattern obtained in the present study with the outcome following the traditional approach based on mean annual precipitation data, it can be concluded that our study provides a reliable basis to advance the methodological framework to identify accurately transitional zones. The identification framework is of high importance to support decision-making in land use management in Northern China as well as other similar regions around the world. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Abstract: As one of the most sensitive areas responding to global environmental change, especially global climate change, Qinghai–Tibet Plateau has been recognized as a hotspot for coupled studies on global terrestrial ecosystem change and global climate change. As an important component of terrestrial ecosystems, vegetation dynamic has become one of the key issues in global environmental change, and numerous case studies have been conducted on vegetation dynamic trend in different study periods. However, few are focused on the quantitative analysis of the consistency of vegetation dynamic trends after the study periods. In the study, taking Qinghai–Tibet Plateau as a case, vegetation dynamic trend during 1982–2003 were analyzed, with the application of the method of linear regression analysis. The results showed that, vegetation dynamics in Qinghai–Tibet Plateau experienced a significant increasing as a whole, with nearly 50% forest degradation in the study period. And among the 7 kinds of vegetation types, the change of forest was the most fluctuant with desert the least one. Furthermore, the consistency of vegetation dynamic trends after the study period, was quantified using Hurst Exponent and the method of R/S analysis. The results showed high consistency of future vegetation dynamic trends for the whole plateau, and inconsistent areas were mainly meadow and steppe distributed in the middle or east of the plateau. It was also convinced that, vegetation dynamic trends in the study area were significantly influenced by topography, especially the elevation. [Copyright &y& Elsevier]

Background: To investigate potential risk factors for unintended initial dissection of the posterior plane in the initial learning curve of small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE)., Methods: Data were derived from consecutive 263 eyes of 136 patients who underwent SMILE at the beginning of the surgeon's learning curve. Probabilities of unintended initial dissection of the posterior plane in left and right eyes were analyzed. Preoperative sphere, cylinder, spherical equivalent (SE), J0, J45, lenticular diameter, lenticular thickness, corneal thickness, and axial length were assessed between eyes in which posterior plane dissection was unintended and those in which it was not., Results: Unintended initial dissection of the posterior plane occurred in 29 eyes, corresponding to an incidence rate of 11.03%. The probability of difficulty in plane dissection in the left eye was significantly higher than that in the right eye (P=0.003). Significant differences were found in sphere (T =2.8, P=0.006), SE (T =2.37, P=0.019), J0 (T =2.05, P=0.043) and axial length (T =-2.79, P=0.006) between eyes with and without unintended initial dissection of the posterior plane., Conclusions: In the present study, difficulty in plane dissection during SMILE was encountered significantly more often in left eyes for a right-hand doctor, and in eyes with low SE or high J0 values. Special attention should be paid to prevent unintended initial dissection of the posterior plane in such situations., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: All authors have completed the ICMJE uniform disclosure form (available at http://dx.doi.org/10.21037/atm-20-6759). The authors have no conflicts of interest to declare., (2021 Annals of Translational Medicine. All rights reserved.)

What is already known about this topic?, Hepatitis A (HA) is caused by acute hepatitis A virus (HAV) infection and was once very common in China. Following the 2008 introduction of the HA vaccine into the national Expanded Program on Immunization (EPI), the incidence of reported HA in China decreased markedly. However, HA epidemics still occur in Liaoning Province every 3-5 years, although with far fewer cases than in the pre-HA-vaccination era., What is added by this report?, Between January 1, 2020 and March 18, 2020, the number of reported cases of HA in Dalian and Dandong cities of Liaoning Province increased significantly compared with the same period in previous years. All cases were sporadic, and cases were seen in nearly every township. The increase in HA occurred one month after local fresh seafood became available with most cases being among adults. A case-control study showed that consuming raw or undercooked seafood, clams, snapping shrimp, and oysters were significantly associated with the increase in HA., What are the implications for public health practices?, Strengthening health education for residents to avoid consumption of raw seafood and encouraging HAV vaccination of adults aged 20 to 54 years are important to prevent periodic HAV endemic outbreaks. Further multisectoral cooperation must be emphasized on HA surveillance in areas with a high prevalence of HA., (Copyright and License information: Editorial Office of CCDCW, Chinese Center for Disease Control and Prevention 2020.)

Background: To report a case of interface fluid syndrome (IFS) following small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) evaluated with corneal densitometry and optical coherence tomography (OCT)., Case Presentation: An 18-year-old man reported sudden vision loss 24 days after SMILE procedure. Intraocular pressure (IOP) was 36.3 mmHg (OD) and 36.7 mmHg (OS) by noncontact tonometry. Moderate corneal edema, interface fluid pocket and haze were observed by OCT and confirmed by corneal densitometry values. Discontinuation of steroids and addition of hypotensive medication were offered immediately. The symptoms were cured after the medication. Changes of corneal densitometry were consistent with the clinical course of IFS., Conclusion: This case illustrates that it is crucial to be aware that a history of SMILE can also cause IFS. Both OCT and corneal densitometry can serve as auxiliary means to evaluate the clinical course of IFS, and appropriate IOP management is an effective approach.