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Hong Kyun Kim,1 Kyoung Yul Seo,2 Kyung Chul Yoon,3 Chul Young Choi,4 Tae-Young Chung,5 Joon Young Hyon,6 Alexis Rendon,7 Hyun Seung Kim8 1Department of Ophthalmology, School of Medicine, Kyungpook National University, Daegu, Republic of Korea; 2Institute of Vision Research, Department of Ophthalmology, Yonsei University College of Medicine; Cornea Dystrophy Research Institute, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 3Department of Ophthalmology, Chonnam National University Medical School and Hospital, Gwangju, Republic of Korea; 4Department of Ophthalmology, Kangbuk Samsung Hospital, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 5Department of Ophthalmology, Samsung Medical Center, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea; 6Department of Ophthalmology, Seoul National University Bundang Hospital, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seongnam, Republic of Korea; 7Alcon Vision LLC, Fort Worth, TX, USA; 8Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of KoreaCorrespondence: Hyun Seung Kim, Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Seoul St. Mary’s Hospital, College of Medicine, The Catholic University of Korea, Seoul, Republic of Korea, Email sara514@catholic.ac.krPurpose: This study assessed post-market clinical outcomes of the Clareon monofocal intraocular lens (IOL) preloaded in the AutonoMe Delivery System in a real-world setting of Korean patients.Methods: This prospective, multicenter, single-arm study in Korea was conducted from July 2020 to December 2021. Patients were ≥ 20 years old with unilateral or bilateral cataracts who received Clareon IOLs (CNA0T0) preloaded in an automated injector system. Best corrected distance visual acuity (BCDVA) and uncorrected distance visual acuity (UCDVA) were evaluated under photopic conditions. Surgeon delivery system preference was assessed using a survey questionnaire. Glistenings, surface haze, adverse events, posterior capsule opacification (PCO), and Nd:YAG capsulotomy rates were also assessed during the 12-month postoperative follow-up.Results: Mean ± SD monocular BCDVA was 0.02 ± 0.11 and 0.00 ± 0.10 logMAR at 1 month and 12 months, respectively. BCDVA of 0.2 logMAR or better was achieved by 94.4% and 99.1% of eyes at 1 month and 12 months after implantation, respectively. Mean monocular UCDVA was 0.11 ± 0.14 and 0.07 ± 0.13 logMAR at 1 month and 12 months, respectively. UCDVA of 0.3 logMAR or better was achieved by 97.4% of eyes at 12 months after implantation. Preparation of the automated injector system was rated as “very easy” or “easy” and CNA0T0 IOL delivery was rated as “very controllable” or “controllable” by all surgeons. Only grade 0 glistenings and no surface haze were observed during the 12-month follow-up. No clinically significant PCO or Nd:YAG capsulotomy were reported throughout the study; clinically nonsignificant PCO was reported in 23% of eyes.Conclusion: This 12-month real-world study of the CNA0T0 IOL and the automated injector system demonstrated excellent visual outcomes and high surgeon satisfaction.Keywords: visual acuity, intraocular lens delivery, glistenings, surface haze, surgeon’s preference questionnaire

Chul-Yung Choi,1 Seung-Sik Cho,2 In-Soo Yoon3 1Department of Natural Medicine Research, Jeonnam Institute of Natural Resources Research, Jangheung-gun, 2Department of Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy and Natural Medicine Research Institute, Mokpo National University, Muan-gun, Jeonnam, 3Department of Manufacturing Pharmacy, College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University, Geumjeong-gu, Busan, South Korea Abstract: Hovenia dulcis Thunb. (Rhamnaceae), also known as oriental raisin tree, is used in traditional herbal medicine. Its extracts have been reported to show various pharmacological effects such as hepatoprotection, antitumor, antiatopic dermatitis, antilipid peroxidation, antisteatotic, anti-inflammatory, and antiallergic activities. However, there have been no reports on the effect of H. dulcis extracts in relieving constipation so far. The aim of this study was to investigate the effects of a hot-water extract of the branches of H. dulcis (WEHD) on low-fiber diet-induced constipation in Sprague Dawley rats. The in vivo laxative activity of WEHD was assessed by measuring the intestinal transit of charcoal meal and stool parameters. Furthermore, the in vitro spasmogenic activity of WEHD was evaluated by monitoring the temporal profiles of contraction of rat colon in the absence or presence of WEHD. In addition, constituent profiling was conducted using high-performance liquid chromatography analysis. Pretreatment with WEHD significantly enhanced the intestinal transit of charcoal meal and increased the frequency and weight of stools in rats. In addition, the frequency and amplitude of contractile responses of isolated rat colon were markedly enhanced by WEHD. Two organic phenolic acids, ferulic and vanillic acids, were identified in WEHD, of which vanillic acid exhibited spasmogenic activity. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study to report the laxative and spasmogenic activities of H. dulcis and its constituents, suggesting that WEHD can serve as a complementary and/or alternative laxative in alleviating chronic constipation. Keywords: Hovenia dulcis, constipation, low-fiber diet, charcoal meal, vanillic acid, laxative

Purpose: To assess the effect of ocular media opacity on retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness measurements by optical coherence tomography (OCT). Methods: In this prospective, non-randomized clinical study, ocular examinations and OCT measurements were performed on 77 cataract patients, 80 laser refractive surgery patients and 90 patients whose signal strength on OCT was different on two consecutive measurements. None of the eyes had preexisting retinal or optic nerve pathology, including glaucoma. Cataracts were classified according to the Lens Opacity Classification System III (LOCS III). All eyes were scanned with the Stratus OCT using the Fast RNFL program before and three months after surgery. Internal fixation was used during scanning and all eyes underwent circular scans around the optic disc with a diameter of 3.4 mm. Results: Average RNFL thickness, quadrant thickness and signal strength significantly increased after cataract surgery (P<0.05). Cortical and posterior subcapsular cataracts, but not nuclear cataracts, had a significant influence on RNFL thickness measurements (P<0.05). There was no significant difference between OCT parameters before and after laser refractive surgery. In eyes for which different signal strengths were observed, significantly larger RNFL thickness values were obtained on scans with higher signal strengths. Conclusion: OCT parameters are affected by ocular media opacity because of changes in signal strength; cortical cataracts have the most significant effect followed by posterior subcapsular opacities. Laser refractive procedures do not seem to affect OCT parameters significantly. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To report ultramicrostructures of anterior capsule of sunflower cataract by the transmission electron microscopic study (TEM) Methods A 37‐year‐old male with liver cirrhosis was referred to department of ophthalmology due to visual disturbance. She has bilateral sunflower cataract & Kayer‐Fleischer ring. Her right eye underwent phacoemulsification with a CCC and intraocular lens implantation. 1. Anterior capsule preparation for transmission electron microscopic examination(TEM) 2. Cross section image by energy filtered TEM 3. Elemental analysis : High‐angle annular dark‐field(HAADF) scanning TEM (STEM) with energy‐dispersive x‐ray analysis (EDAX) Results TEM shows the multiple heterogeneous dense deposits in the anterior lens capsule. HAADF‐STEM shows bright particle deposits. EDAX shows high emission peaks for copper. Conclusion This is first report of TEM study for anterior capsule of sunflower cataract. We found the multiple heterogeneous dense deposits in the anterior lens capsule. And we confirmed that copper was a component of these particles using EDAX. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose To determine the retinal vascular caliber and arteriovenous ratio (AVR) in type 2 diabetic patients without retinopathy. Methods We retrospectively reviewed the medical records of 70 patients diagnosed as type 2 diabetes without retinopathy. Digital fundus photographs of the right eye were selected for measurement. The caliber of all retinal vessels passing through an area 0.5 to 1 disc diameter around the optic disc was measured using automated computer software (Zeiss AV ratio). Seventy seven age‐ and sex‐matched healthy subjects were included in the study as a control. Results The mean AVR was 0.801 ± 0.068 in the diabetic patients compared to 0.762 ± 0.054 in the control group (P < 0.001). Higher AVR was significantly associated with increasing blood HbA1c levels (r2 = 0.106, P = 0.006). However, there was no significant correlation between AVR and body mass index (P = 0.478). Conclusion The rise in AVR seems to be an early feature of retinal vascular caliber in type 2 diabetes and correlates with an elevated blood HbA1c level. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Global warming significantly impacts aquatic ecosystems, with changes in the salt environment negatively affecting the physiological responses of fish. We investigated the impact of hyposalinity on the physiological responses and intestinal microbiota of Sebastes schlegelii under the context of increased freshwater influx due to climate change. We focused on the osmoregulatory capacity, oxidative stress responses, and alterations in the intestinal microbiome of S. schlegelii under low-salinity conditions. Our findings revealed compromised osmoregulatory capacity in S. schlegelii under low-salinity conditions, accompanied by the activation of oxidative stress responses, indicating physiological adaptations to cope with environmental stress. Specifically, changes in Na + /K + -ATPase (NKA) activity in gill tissues were associated with decreased osmoregulatory capacity. Furthermore, the analysis of the intestinal microbiome led to significant changes in microbial diversity. Exposure to low-salinity environments led to dysbiosis, with notable decreases in the relative abundance of Gammaproteobacteria at the class level and specific genera such as Enterovibrio, and Photobacterium. Conversely, Bacilli classes, along with genera like Mycoplasma, exhibited increased proportions in fish exposed to low-salinity conditions. These findings underscore the potential impact of environmental salinity changes on the adaptive capacity of fish species, particularly in the context of aquaculture. Moreover, they highlight the importance of considering both physiological and microbial responses in understanding the resilience of aquatic organisms to environmental stress. Additionally, they highlight the importance of intestinal microbiota analyses in understanding the immune system and disease management in fish., Competing Interests: Declarations Approval for animal research was obtained from the Institutional Animal Care and Use Committee of Korea Maritime and Ocean University (approved no # KMOU IACUC 2023–05). Competing interests The authors declare no competing interests., (© 2024. The Author(s), under exclusive licence to Springer Nature B.V.)

Objective: Intellectual disability is often the outcome of neurodevelopmental disorders and is characterized by significant impairments in intellectual and adaptive functioning. X-linked intellectual disability (XLID) is a subset of these disorders caused by genetic defects on the X chromosome, affecting about 2 out of 1,000 males. In syndromic form, it leads to a broad range of cognitive, behavioral, ocular, and physical disabilities., Methods: Employing exome or genome sequencing, here we identified 4 missense variants (c.475C > G; p.H159D, c.1373C > A; p.T458N, and c.1585G > A; p.E529K, c.953C > T; p.S318L) and a putative truncating variant (c.1413&#95;1414del; p.Y471*) in the SRPK3 gene in 9 XLID patients from 5 unrelated families. To validate SRPK3 as a novel XLID gene, we established a knockout (KO) model of the SRPK3 orthologue in zebrafish., Results: The 8 patients ascertained postnatally shared common clinical features including intellectual disability, agenesis of the corpus callosum, abnormal eye movement, and ataxia. A ninth case, ascertained prenatally, had a complex structural brain phenotype. Together, these data indicate a pathological role of SRPK3 in neurodevelopmental disorders. In post-fertilization day 5 larvae (free swimming stage), KO zebrafish exhibited severe deficits in eye movement and swim bladder inflation, mimicking uncontrolled ocular movement and physical clumsiness observed in human patients. In adult KO zebrafish, cerebellar agenesis and behavioral abnormalities were observed, recapitulating human phenotypes of cerebellar atrophy and intellectual disability., Interpretation: Overall, these results suggest a crucial role of SRPK3 in the pathogenesis of syndromic X-linked intellectual disability and provide new insights into brain development, cognitive and ocular dysfunction in both humans and zebrafish. ANN NEUROL 2024;96:914-931., (© 2024 The Author(s). Annals of Neurology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC on behalf of American Neurological Association.)

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the efficacy and indications of using dried gamma ray-sterilized amniotic membrane (AM) transplantation with bandage contact lenses for the in-office sutureless treatment of various ocular surface diseases., Methods: This study retrospectively included 56 eyes of 52 patients with various ocular surface diseases treated with sutureless dehydrated AM-assisted therapeutic contact lenses. The patients were followed up and assessed 1, 2, and 4 weeks after the treatment, and the therapeutic contact lenses were removed after 1 or 2 weeks. The size of the corneal lesion and the degree of pain experienced by each patient before and after the procedure were measured. Corneal re-epithelization rate and clinical aspects related to re-epithelialization were evaluated., Results: Complete corneal re-epithelialization of the epithelial defect was observed in 40 eyes. The complete re-epithelialization rates of persistent epithelial defect caused by infectious ulcers, neurotrophic ulcers, ulcers due to burn, toxic keratopathy, previous penetrating keratoplasty or other corneal surgeries, and severe dry eye disease were 69.2%, 80.0%, 77.8%, 100%, 75.0%, and 100%, respectively. Five patients with uncontrolled infectious ulcers, neurotrophic ulcer, bullous keratopathy, and ulcers associated with rheumatic disease did not show significant improvement. Patient pain scores significantly decreased after the procedure., Conclusions: Dehydrated AM transplantation with a bandage contact lens is minimally invasive and easily applicable through in-office procedures. This approach is expected to be more actively applied in various ocular surface disorders, not only in severe corneal diseases but also in relatively mild corneal surface diseases., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding or conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)

High ocean temperatures caused by global warming induce oxidative stress in aquatic organisms. Melatonin treatment and irradiation using red light-emitting diodes (LEDs) have been reported to reduce oxidative stress in a few aquatic organisms. However, the effects of red LED irradiation and melatonin injection on the antioxidant capacity and degree of apoptosis in abalones, which are nocturnal organisms, have not yet been reported. In this study, we compared the expression levels of antioxidant enzymes, total antioxidant capacity, and the degree of apoptosis in abalones subjected to red LED irradiation and melatonin treatment. The results revealed that at high water temperatures (25 °C), the mRNA expression levels of the superoxide dismutase (SOD) and glutathione peroxidase (GPx) genes and the antioxidant activity of SOD decreased in abalones in the red-LED irradiated and melatonin-treated groups compared with those in abalones in the control group. Although high water temperatures induced DNA damage in the abalone samples, the degree of apoptosis was lower in the red-LED irradiated and melatonin-treated groups than in the control group. Overall, the abalones in the melatonin-treated and red-LED irradiated groups showed reduced oxidative stress and increased antioxidant enzyme levels under thermal stress compared with those in the control group. Therefore, red LED irradiation is a promising alternative to melatonin treatment, which is difficult to administer continuously for a long time, for protecting abalones from oxidative stress., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Alcohol and cannabis are often taken in combination, and extensive co-use has been linked to enduring changes in cognitive and metabolic functioning. The underlying mechanisms for these effects are unclear, but we recently demonstrated that co-administration of ethanol and delta-9-tetrahydrocannbinol (THC) to adolescent rats caused lasting adaptations in GABA and glycogen synthase kinase 3ß (GSK3ß) signaling in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). As a ubiquitous protein kinase, GSK3ß is downstream to the protein kinase B (also known as AKT) pathway that is activated by insulin receptor signaling in a main control center for metabolism and energy homeostasis, the mediobasal hypothalamus (MBH). Our goal here was to investigate if volitional co-use of low to moderate levels of ethanol and THC would impact the total and phosphorylated levels (p) of AKT and GSK3ß in the mPFC and MBH. Peri-adolescent Long Evans rats [postnatal day (P) 30-47] consumed 10 % ethanol, cookies laced with THC (3-10 mg/kg/day), both drugs, or vehicle controls. On P114, we modeled re-exposure to a behaviorally relevant dose of THC by challenging rats (i.p.) with 5 mg/kg THC (or vehicle) and sacrificed them 30 min later. Western blot analysis revealed that THC challenge increased pAKT and pGSK3ß compared to control similarly across all treatment groups, sexes, and brain regions; no effects on total levels of AKT or GSK3ß were found. Previously reported behavioral results from these rats showed no differences in working memory assessed in adulthood. Although future studies will be necessary to determine the role of exposure dose on drug-induced adaptations in AKT and GSK3ß signaling, the current findings suggest that moderate volitional co-use of alcohol and THC may not produce long-term deficits that persist into adulthood., (Copyright © 2024 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Water temperature is an abiotic factor influencing fish metabolism and physiological responses. As poikilothermic creatures, fish are notable sensitivity to fluctuations in water temperature, which also significantly influences intestinal microbial proliferation. This study aimed to investigate the impact of both low (8 °C) and high (28 °C) water temperatures on oxidative stress and the intestinal microbiota of Chromis notata, a species that has recently migrated northward owing to changes in sea water temperature. Laboratory experiments were conducted to assess changes in superoxide dismutase (SOD), catalase (CAT), and lysozyme activities, as well as changes in the abundance and diversity of intestinal microbiota. The activities of antioxidant enzymes, specifically SOD and CAT, in C. notata exposed to low and high temperatures, showed an increase compared to the control group (maintained at 18 °C). Moreover, liver H 2 O 2 levels exhibited a significant increase over time. Conversely, plasma lysozyme activity significantly decreased in groups subjected to low and high water temperatures compared to the control group. Analyzing changes in the intestinal microbiota, we observed an increase in the proportion of Firmicutes but a decrease in Proteobacteria, which are known for their role in immune enhancement, in C. notata exposed to both low and high water temperatures. We propose that alterations in water temperature impact the antioxidant enzyme activity of C. notata, leading to compromised immune responses and disruption of the biological balance of the intestinal microbiota, potentially affecting the host's survival., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier Inc.)

Cadmium (Cd) is a non-essential trace element that poses significant toxic effects on fish. This review focuses on hematological and plasma biochemical parameters as key indicators of fish health under Cd exposure. Hematological parameters, such as red blood cell (RBC) count, hemoglobin (Hb) concentration, and hematocrit (Ht), were selected for their critical role in oxygen transport and their sensitivity to Cd-induced disruptions, which often result in anemia and impaired oxygen delivery to tissues. Mean corpuscular volume (MCV), mean corpuscular hemoglobin (MCH), and mean corpuscular hemoglobin concentration (MCHC) provide further insights into erythropoiesis and hemoglobin synthesis, both of which are essential for assessing Cd toxicity. Plasma biochemical parameters, including calcium, magnesium, glucose, cholesterol, total protein, and liver enzymes such as aspartate aminotransferase (AST), alanine aminotransferase (ALT), and alkaline phosphatase (ALP), are crucial for understanding ionic balance, metabolic regulation, and organ function, especially in fish exposed to Cd. These biomarkers offer a comprehensive view of the physiological stress and organ damage caused by Cd toxicity. This review synthesizes literature findings on the toxic effects of Cd on these parameters. It also discusses potential mitigation strategies, including dietary supplementation with antioxidants and trace elements, to counteract the harmful effects of Cd exposure.

The causative agent of severe fever with thrombocytopenia syndrome (SFTS) is Bandavirus dabieense, an emerging tick-borne zoonotic pathogen. Migratory birds have often been suggested as potential carriers of ticks that can transmit Bandavirus dabieense; however, their role remains unclear. The Republic of Korea (ROK) holds an important position as a stopover on the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. The present study aimed to investigate the potential involvement of migratory birds in the transmission of the SFTS virus (SFTSV) in the ROK. A total of 4,497 ticks were collected across various regions, including Heuksando and Daecheongdo, in the ROK, from bird migration seasons in 2022 and 2023. Genetic analysis of the SFTSV was performed for 96 ticks collected from 20 different species of migratory birds. Polymerase chain reaction (PCR) fragments of SFTSV were detected in one Haemaphysalis concinna nymph collected from a Black-faced Bunting (Emberiza spodocephala) and one Ixodes turdus nymph collected from an Olive-backed Pipit (Anthus hodgsoni) on Daecheongdo and Heuksando, respectively, during their northward migration in two spring seasons. This finding suggests that migratory birds can be considered as possible carriers and long-distance dispersers of ticks and associated tick-borne diseases. This study highlights the importance of clarifying the role and impact of migratory birds in the rapid expansion of tick-borne diseases, facilitating enhanced preparedness and the development of mitigation measures against emerging SFTS across and beyond East Asia., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Introduction: Dementia risk is substantially elevated in patients with diabetes. However, evidence on dementia risk associated with various antidiabetic regimens is still limited. This study aims to comprehensively investigate the risk of dementia and Alzheimer's disease (AD) associated with various antidiabetic classes., Methods: Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials, Embase, MEDLINE (PubMed), and Scopus were searched from inception to March 2024 (PROSPERO CRD 42022365927). Observational studies investigating dementia and AD incidences after antidiabetic initiation were identified. Bayesian network meta-analysis was performed to determine dementia and AD risks associated with antidiabetics. Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews-Network Meta-Analyses (PRISMA-NMA) guidelines were followed. Statistical analysis was performed and updated in November 2023 and March 2024, respectively., Results: A total of 1,565,245 patients from 16 studies were included. Dementia and AD risks were significantly lower with metformin and sodium glucose co-transporter-2 inhibitors (SGLT2i). Metformin displayed the lowest risk of dementia across diverse antidiabetics, whereas α-glucosidase inhibitors demonstrated the highest risk. SGLT2i exhibited the lowest dementia risk across second-line antidiabetics. Dementia risk was significantly higher with dipeptidyl peptidase-4 inhibitor (DPP4i), metformin, sulfonylureas, and thiazolidinediones (TZD) compared to SGLT2i in the elderly (≥75 years). Dementia risk associated with metformin was substantially lower, regardless of diabetic complication status or baseline A1C., Discussion: Metformin and SGLT2i demonstrated lower dementia risk than other antidiabetic classes. Patient-specific factors may affect this relationship and cautious interpretation is warranted as metformin is typically initiated at an earlier stage with fewer complications. Hence, further large-scaled clinical trials are required., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: We investigated the vertical implantation of a toric implantable collamer lens (ICL) and compared the rotational stability with that of horizontal implantation., Methods: This matched comparative study retrospectively reviewed and analyzed data from patients who underwent ICL implantation from 2003-2022 by 1:1 matching vertical and horizontal (V and H toric groups, respectively) implantation patients according to preoperative astigmatism, spherical equivalent, sulcus-to-sulcus, anterior chamber depth, and ICL size. Visual acuity, manifest refraction, vaulting, and rotation were measured 3 months postoperatively., Results: We included 646 eyes (323 each in the V and H toric groups). No statistically significant difference was observed between groups in postoperative visual acuity, refractive error, and astigmatism. Vaulting was lower in the V toric group. (P < 0.001). The mean lens rotation in the V toric group was less than that in the H toric group (1.11 ± 2.84° versus 3.02 ± 10.34°, P = 0.001). The proportion of eyes in the V and H toric groups showing ≥10° of rotation was 2.5% (8 eyes) and 6.5% (21 eyes), respectively (P = 0.014). Despite repositioning from rotation, three (0.9%) and eight (2.5%) eyes required removal owing to lens re-rotation in the V and H toric groups, respectively., Conclusion: Toric ICL vertical implantation showed good rotational stability, and appropriate visual acuity correction results with relatively low vaulting. This procedure therefore presents an effective novel method that could replace horizontal toric ICL implantation., Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist., (Copyright: © 2024 Lee et al. This is an open access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original author and source are credited.)

Purpose: To investigate the safety and efficacy of a new micro-controlled radiofrequency device for treatment of conjunctivochalasis (Cch)., Methods: Data of 127 patients (230 eyes) who underwent ophthalmic radiofrequency treatment for Cch from January 2020 to June 2023 were analyzed retrospectively. Cch coagulation was performed with a radiofrequency electrode tip (OcuRF®, Ilooda, Korea) and a high-frequency radio-wave electric unit (0.6 ~ 0.8 watts, 2 MHz, Acutron™, Ilooda, Korea). Pre- and postoperative Cch grading, slit-lamp photography, tear film break-up time (TBUT), and bulbar conjunctival hyperemia using Keratograph 5 M (Oculus, Wetzlar, Germany) were evaluated. Cch grade 0 or 1 after surgery was regarded as 'success'. Complications, recurrence, and additional treatment rates were analyzed., Results: In 227 (98.7%) eyes, the radiofrequency treatment led to marked improvement of Cch, with 224 (97.4%) eyes achieving grade 0 or 1 at 2 months postoperatively. Eight eyes (3.5%) received additional treatment. TBUT improved from 3.17 ± 0.82 s to 5.28 ± 1.10 s after surgery (P < 0.001). The total bulbar conjunctival hyperemia value showed an improvement from 1.7 ± 0.6 to 1.4 ± 0.6 postoperatively (P < 0.05). No serious complications were observed., Conclusion: The novel ophthalmic radiofrequency device led to a marked improvement of Cch with no serious adverse events during the entire follow-up period. Our results suggest that the radiofrequency device presents a safe and efficacious treatment option for Cch., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Atopic dermatitis (AD) is a chronic cutaneous disease with a complex underlying mechanism, and it cannot be completely cured. Thus, most treatment strategies for AD aim at relieving the symptoms. Although corticosteroids are topically applied to alleviate AD, adverse side effects frequently lead to the withdrawal of AD therapy. Tacrolimus (TAC), a calcineurin inhibitor, has been used to treat AD, but its high molecular weight and insolubility in water hinder its skin permeability. Herein, we developed and optimized TAC-loaded chitosan-based nanoparticles (TAC@CNPs) to improve the skin permeability of TAC by breaking the tight junctions in the skin. The prepared nanoparticles were highly loadable and efficient and exhibited appropriate characteristics for percutaneous drug delivery. TAC@CNP was stable for 4 weeks under physiological conditions. CNP released TAC in a controlled manner, with enhanced skin penetration observed. In vitro experiments showed that CNP was non-toxic to keratinocyte (HaCaT) cells, and TAC@CNP dispersed in an aqueous solution was as anti-proliferative as TAC solubilized in a good organic solvent. Importantly, an in vivo AD mouse model revealed that topical TAC@CNP containing ~1/10 of the dose of TAC found in commercially used Protopic® Ointment exhibited similar anti-inflammatory activity to that of the commercial product. TAC@CNP represents a potential therapeutic strategy for the management of AD., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024. Published by Elsevier B.V.)

Abstract: We present a case of cardiogenic shock secondary to refractory polymorphic ventricular tachycardia associated with coronary ischemia resulting in cardiac arrest. Following the return of spontaneous circulation, the patient was cannulated for peripheral venoarterial extracorporeal membrane oxygenation (V-A ECMO) in anticipation of high-risk "protected" percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI). Under full V-A ECMO support, inotropes and vasopressors were weaned off, and the patient underwent uneventful PCI of left circumflex and obtuse marginal lesions. After 48 hours, the patient was decannulated and could be discharged home alive 16 days after his initial cardiac arrest., (Copyright © 2024 Copyright: © 2024 Annals of Cardiac Anaesthesia.)

Importance: Taking ω-3 supplements has been associated with a reduction in symptoms of dry eye disease (DED) associated with meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). However, a recent relatively large clinical trial concluded that treating DED with ω-3 consumption was ineffective, potentially warranting additional investigations., Objectives: To investigate the effect of re-esterified triglyceride (rTG) ω-3 fatty acid supplementation on DED associated with MGD., Design, Setting, and Participants: This double-masked, parallel-group, randomized clinical trial was conducted at 7 institutions from September 2020 to January 2023. Patients with DED associated with MGD were included and randomly assigned to the ω-3 group (received 1680 mg of eicosapentaenoic acid and 560 mg of docosahexaenoic acid), whereas those in the grape-seed group received 3000 mg of grape-seed oil daily., Interventions: rTG ω-3 Fatty acid supplementation vs grape-seed oil., Main Outcome Measures: The primary end point was the Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) from baseline to 6 and 12 weeks. The safety parameters were visual acuity and intraocular pressure change., Results: A total of 132 patients (mean [SD] age, 50.6 [13.8] years; 103 female [78.0%]) were included in this study. The mean (SD) baseline OSDI scores of the ω-3 and grape-seed groups were 43.5 (16.5) and 44.1 (16.6), respectively. A total of 58 patients (87.9%) and 57 patients (86.4%) in the ω-3 and grape-seed groups, respectively, completed 12 weeks of follow-up. There were no differences in compliance with the dietary supplement intake between groups (ω-3, 95.8% and grape-seed, 95.4%). The OSDI (SD) change from baseline to 6 and 12 weeks was -20.5 (16.0) and -22.7 (15.7), respectively, in the ω-3 group and -15.1 (20.2) and -18.8 (21.7), respectively, in the grape-seed control group (difference at 6 weeks = -5.4; 95% CI, -12.15 to 1.33; P = .12 and at 12 weeks = -3.9; 95% CI, -10.90 to 3.13; P = .28). There were no changes in safety parameters or adverse events related to taking the dietary supplement in either group., Conclusions and Relevance: This randomized clinical trial did not show a benefit of the rTG form of ω-3 for ameliorating symptoms of DED associated with MGD, although fewer than 60 participants were evaluated in each group. Any secondary outcomes from this study should be considered for hypothesis generation of future evaluations of the effect of the rTG form of ω-3 on DED associated with MGD., Trial Registration: CRIS Identifier: KCT0004927.

Background: Among patients treated with a novel oral anticoagulant (NOAC) undergoing percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI), combination therapy with clopidogrel (ie, known as dual antithrombotic therapy [DAT]) is the treatment of choice. However, there are concerns for individuals with impaired response to clopidogrel., Objectives: The authors sought to assess the pharmacodynamic (PD) effects of clopidogrel vs low-dose ticagrelor in patients with impaired clopidogrel response assessed by the ABCD-GENE score., Methods: This was a prospective, randomized PD study of NOAC-treated patients undergoing PCI. Patients with an ABCD-GENE score ≥10 (n = 39), defined as having impaired clopidogrel response, were randomized to low-dose ticagrelor (n = 20; 60 mg twice a day) or clopidogrel (n = 19; 75 mg once a day). Patients with an ABCD-GENE score <10 (n = 42) were treated with clopidogrel (75 mg once a day; control cohort). PD assessments at baseline and 30 days post-randomization (trough and peak) were performed to assess P2Y 12 signaling (VerifyNow P2Y 12 reaction units [PRU], light transmittance aggregometry, and vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein); makers of thrombosis not specific to P2Y 12 signaling were also assessed. The primary endpoint was PRU (trough levels) at 30 days., Results: At 30 days, PRU levels were reduced with ticagrelor-based DAT compared with clopidogrel-based DAT at trough (23.0 [Q1-Q3: 3.0-46.0] vs 154.5 [Q1-Q3: 77.5-183.0]; P < 0.001) and peak (6.0 [Q1-Q3: 4.0-14.0] vs 129.0 [Q1-Q3: 66.0-171.0]; P < 0.001). Trough PRU levels in the control arm (104.0 [Q1-Q3: 35.0-167.0]) were higher than ticagrelor-based DAT (P = 0.005) and numerically lower than clopidogrel-based DAT (P = 0.234). Results were consistent by light transmittance aggregometry and vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein. Markers measuring other pathways leading to thrombus formation were largely unaffected., Conclusions: In NOAC-treated patients undergoing PCI with an ABCD-GENE score ≥10, ticagrelor-based DAT using a 60-mg, twice-a-day regimen reduced platelet P2Y 12 reactivity compared with clopidogrel-based DAT. (Tailoring P2Y12 Inhibiting Therapy in Patients Requiring Oral Anticoagulation After PCI [SWAP-AC-2]; NCT04483583)., Competing Interests: Funding Support and Author Disclosures The study was funded by institutional grants from the University of Florida. Dr Franchi has received consulting fees or honoraria from AstraZeneca; and institutional grants from PLx Pharma and the Scott R. MacKenzie Foundation. Dr Galli has received consulting fees or honoraria from Terumo, outside the present work. Dr Ajjan has received institutional research grants and honoraria/educational support/consultancy from Abbott Diabetes Care, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Boehringer Ingelheim, Eli Lilly, GlaxoSmithKline, Menarini Pharmaceuticals, Novo Nordisk, and Roche. Dr Angiolillo has received consulting fees or honoraria from Abbott, Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Biosensors, Boehringer Ingelheim, Bristol Myers Squibb, Chiesi, CSL Behring, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eli Lilly, Faraday, Haemonetics, Janssen, Merck, Novartis, PhaseBio, PLx Pharma, Pfizer, and Sanofi; and has received institutional research grants from Amgen, AstraZeneca, Bayer, Biosensors, CeloNova, CSL Behring, Daiichi-Sankyo, Eisai, Eli Lilly, Faraday, Gilead, Idorsia, Janssen, Matsutani Chemical Industry Co., Merck, Novartis, and the Scott R. MacKenzie Foundation. All other authors have reported that they have no relationships relevant to the contents of this paper to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 American College of Cardiology Foundation. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Purpose: To investigate the clinical outcomes of new hydrophobic trifocal intraocular lens with hydroxyethyl methacrylate in the Korean population., Methods: This prospective, multicenter, and observational study evaluated the clinical outcomes of 80 eyes of 40 patients with age-related cataract underwent cataract surgery using CNWT (Clareon PanOptix). Assessment included monocular and binocular uncorrected distance visual acuity, corrected distance visual acuity, uncorrected intermediate visual acuity (at 60cm), near visual acuity (at 40 and 33 cm), uncorrected defocus curves, questionnaires evaluating photic phenomena, spectacle independence, and spectacle free satisfaction., Results: At postoperative 3 months, mean uncorrected binocular visual acuities were 0.04, 0.04, 0.03 logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) at far, intermediate, and near distances, respectively. All patients achieved uncorrected binocular visual acuity of 0.2 logMAR or better. Monocular and binocular defocus curve indicated a mean visual acuity of 0.2 logMAR or better at the defocus range of +1.0 to - 3.0 diopters (100 to 33 cm) and +1.0 to - 3.5 diopters (100 to 28 cm). High spectacle independence was observed at all distances, with 37.5% patients reporting photic phenomena., Conclusions: The Clareon PanOptix intraocular lens has shown positive clinical outcomes, providing a viable option for cataract surgery. These lenses effectively address patients' visual needs, especially in intermediate and near distance tasks, reducing dependence on glasses.

Objective: Double microcatheter technique (dMC) can be the alternative to Single microcatheter technique (sMC) for challenging cases, but there is lack of studies comparing dMC to sMC especifically for small ruptured aneurysms. Our objective was to compare the safety and efficacy of dMC to sMC in treating small (≤5 mm) and tiny (≤3 mm) ruptured aneurysms., Methods: This study focused on 91 out of 280 patients who had ruptured aneurysms and underwent either single or double microcatheter coil embolization. These patients were treated with either single or double microcatheter coil embolization. We divided the patients into two groups based on the procedural method and evaluated clinical features and outcomes. Subgroup analyses were conducted specifically for tiny aneurysms, comparing the two methods, and within the dMC group, we also examined whether the aneurysm was tiny or not. In addition, univariate logistic regression analysis was performed to assess the impact of coil packing density., Results: The mean values for most outcome measures in the dMC group were higher than those in the sMC group, but these differences did not reach statistical significance (coil packing density, 45.739% vs. 39.943%; procedural complication, 4.17% vs. 11.94%; recanalization, 8.3% vs. 10.45%; discharge discharge modified Rankin Scale (mRS), 1.83 vs. 1.97). The comparison between tiny aneurysms and other sizes within the dMC group did not reveal any significant differences in terms of worse outcomes or increased risk. The only factor that significantly influenced coil packing density in the univariate logistic regression analysis was the size of the aneurysm (OR 0.309, 95% CI 0.169-0.566, p=0.000)., Conclusions: The dMC proved to be a safe and viable alternative to the sMC for treating small ruptured aneurysms in challenging cases.

The effects of red light-emitting diode (LED) light irradiation (630 nm, 0.5 W/m 2 ) and melatonin (10 -8 and 10 -7  M) on oxidative stress and physiological responses in abalones exposed to high temperatures (28°C) were investigated. Changes in messenger RNA (mRNA) expressions of melatonin receptor (MT-R), heat shock protein 70 (HSP70), and antioxidant enzymes, as well as alterations in H 2 O 2 levels in the hemolymph, were examined. The results revealed that high-temperature-stressed abalones treated with melatonin injections or exposed to red LED light showed a significant increase in MT-R mRNA expression, while HSP70 mRNA expression decreased. Notably, HSP70 mRNA expression levels in the red LED light-irradiated group were similar to those in the group injected with 10 -8  M melatonin after 24 h exposure. Abalones treated with melatonin at 20°C or irradiated with red LED light exhibited decreased H 2 O 2 levels and reduced antioxidant enzyme mRNA expression compared with those of the control group. However, the high-temperature environment induced oxidative stress in abalones, leading to increased antioxidant enzyme mRNA expression compared with that under 20°C conditions. Moreover, abalones exposed to high-temperature stress exhibited hepatopancreatic DNA damage, which was attenuated by melatonin treatment or red LED light irradiation. Hence, red LED light reduces oxidative stress, boosts antioxidant enzymes, and alleviates DNA damage in high-temperature-stressed abalones, akin to 10 -8  M melatonin treatment. Therefore, considering the practical challenges of continuous melatonin administration to abalones, utilizing red LED light emerges as a practical, effective alternative to protect abalones from oxidative stress compared to 10 -8  M melatonin treatment., (© 2024 Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Objective: To evaluate the effects of rigid corneal lenses (RCL) in patients with keratoconus, based on eccentricity., Methods: Eighty-four eyes from 84 patients were included in this retrospective comparative study. Based on the median value of eccentricity difference between the cornea and back surface of the RCL, the patients were divided into groups 1 (<0.08) and 2 (≥0.08). Visual acuity, refractive index, and corneal topography indices were compared before and three months after lens use., Results: Visual acuity, astigmatism, refractive error, corneal curvature, and corneal thickness improved significantly in both groups. Apical power and anterior elevation improved significantly in group 1, with small differences in eccentricity, but not in group 2. Changes in apical power before and after lens use were significantly different between the two groups., Conclusion: The RCL was effective for the cornea of keratoconus, especially when the prescription was made with a small difference in eccentricity., Competing Interests: The authors have no funding or conflicts of interest to disclose., (Copyright © 2024 Contact Lens Association of Ophthalmologists.)

Exposure to pollutants is a potentially crucial but overlooked driver of population declines in shorebirds along the East Asian-Australasian Flyway. We combined knowledge of moult strategy and life history with a standardised sampling protocol to assess mercury (Hg) contamination in 984 individuals across 33 migratory shorebird species on an intercontinental scale. Over one-third of the samples exceeded toxicity benchmarks. Feather Hg was best explained by moulting region, while habitat preference (coastal obligate vs. non-coastal obligate), the proportion of invertebrates in the diet and foraging stratum (foraging mostly on the surface vs. at depth) also contributed, but were less pronounced. Feather Hg was substantially higher in South China (Mai Po and Leizhou), Australia and the Yellow Sea than in temperate and Arctic breeding ranges. Non-coastal obligate species (Tringa genus) frequently encountered in freshwater habitats were at the highest risk. It is important to continue and expand biomonitoring research to assess how other pollutants might impact shorebirds., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Good preoperative knee function (KF) and quadriceps strength (QS) relate to good prognoses after anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction (ACLR). This study aimed to investigate the associations between patient characteristics, rate of torque development (RTD), voluntary activation (VA) of the quadriceps against preoperative KF and QS. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Forty patients with a primary, unilateral ACL injury who had finished the preoperative rehabilitation and scheduled for an ACLR were included. KF was evaluated using the International Knee Documentation Committee score. QS was measured by maximal voluntary isometric contractions. RTD was divided into the early (RTD 0-50 ) and the late (RTD 100-200 ) phases. Quadriceps VA was measured using the superimposed burst technique. Our results showed that patients with poor preoperative KF    had more deficits in RTD 0-50 (P = 0.025), higher BMI(P = 0.043), and more meniscus injuries (MI) (P = 0.001) than those with good KF. Patients with asymmetrical QS   showed lower BMI (P = 0.020) and shorter time from injury (TFI) (P = 0.027) than those with symmetrical QS. Additionally, a higher pre-injury Tegner score combined with greater RTD 100-200 contributed to greater QS on the injured limb (R 2  = 0.357, P = 0.001). To conclude, BMI, TFI, concomitant MI, pre-injury physical activity level, and quadriceps RTD are related to QS and KF before ACLR.

Shorebirds (order Charadriiformes) are among the world's most threatened avian taxa. Within the East Asian-Australasian Flyway (EAAF), a major threat to shorebirds' survival may be the gauntlet of pollution along the flyway. Metals, persistent organic pollutants (POPs), and per-/polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) persist in the environment to the detriment of wildlife. In this study, we analysed element and PFAS concentrations in blood from 142 individuals across six species of Arctic-breeding migratory shorebirds with contrasting population trends, to discern species- and site-specific pollution differences, and determine how pollution correlated with population trends of EAAF shorebirds. Potential within-year pollution variations were investigated by blood-sampling birds at two sites, representing different points in the birds' annual migrations: staging in Taiwan on southward migrations and at non-breeding grounds in Western Australia (WA). Species' pollutant concentrations were compared to established population trends. Concentrations of potentially toxic elements were low in most individuals regardless of species. PFASs (range: <0.001-141 ng/g), Hg (<0.001-9910 ng/g) and Pb (<0.01-1210 ng/g) were higher in Taiwan than in WA (PFAS Taiwan median: 14.5 ng/g, WA median: 3.45 ng/g; Hg Taiwan: 338 ng/g, WA: 23.4 ng/g; Pb Taiwan: 36.8 ng/g, WA: 2.26 ng/g). Meanwhile As (range <0.001-8840 ng/g) and Se (290-47600 ng/g) were higher in WA than Taiwan (As Taiwan median: 500 ng/g, WA median: 1660 ng/g; Se Taiwan: 5490 ng/g, Se WA: 23700 ng/g). Nevertheless, pollutant concentrations in a subset of individuals may exceed sublethal effect thresholds (As, Se and PFASs). Finally, we found no consistent differences in pollution among species and demonstrated no correlation between pollution and population trends, suggesting pollution is likely not a major driver for population declines of EAAF shorebirds. However, ongoing and locally heavy environmental degradation and exposure to other contaminants not investigated here, such as POPs, warrants continued consideration when managing EAAF shorebird populations., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2024 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Irritable bowel syndrome (IBS), a common gastrointestinal disorder worldwide, is characterized by chronic abdominal pain, bloating, and disordered defecation. IBS is associated with several factors, including visceral hypersensitivity, gut motility, and gut-brain interaction disorders. Because currently available pharmacological treatments cannot adequately improve symptoms and may cause adverse effects, the use of herbal therapies for managing IBS is increasing. Lysimachia vulgaris var. davurica (LV) is a medicinal plant used in traditional medicine to treat diarrhea. However, information on whether LV can effectively improve diarrhea-predominant IBS (IBS-D) remains limited. In this study, using an experimental mouse model of IBS-D, we elucidated the effects of the LV extract. The methanol extract of LV decreased fecal pellet output in the restraint stress- or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT)-induced IBS mouse model and inhibited 5-HT-mediated [Ca 2+ ] i increase in a dose-dependent manner. Furthermore, we developed and validated a high-performance liquid chromatography method using two marker compounds, namely, chlorogenic acid and rutin, for quality control analysis. Our study results suggest the feasibility of the methanol extract of LV for developing therapeutic agents to treat IBS-D by acting as a 5-HT 3 receptor antagonist.

Bifidobacteria are probiotic microorganisms commonly found in the gastrointestinal tract, some of which are known to utilize linear arabino-oligosaccharides (AOS) as prebiotic carbohydrates. In general, the synergistic actions of exo-type α-l-arabinofuranosidases (ABFs) and endo-α-1,5-l-arabinanases (ABNs) are required for efficient arabinan degradation. In this study, the putative gene cluster for arabinan degradation was discovered in the genome of Bifidobacterium longum subsp. suis . It consists of a variety of genes encoding exo- and endo-hydrolases, sugar-binding proteins, ABC-binding cassettes, and transcriptional regulators. Among them, two endo-ABNs GH43 (BflsABN43A and BflsABN43B), two exo-ABFs GH43 (BflsABF43A and BflsABF43B), and an exo-ABF GH51 (BflsABF51) were predicted to be the key hydrolases for arabinan degradation. These hydrolase genes were functionally expressed in Escherichia coli , and their enzymatic properties were characterized. Their synergism in arabinan degradation has been proposed from the detailed modes of action. Extracellular endo-BflsABN43A hydrolyzes sugar beet and debranched arabinans into the short-chain branched and linear AOS. Intracellularly, AOS can be further degraded into l-arabinose via the cooperative actions of endo-BflsABN43B, exo-BflsABF43A with debranching activity, α-1,5-linkage-specific exo-BflsABF43B, and exo-BflsABF51 with dual activities. The resulting l-arabinose is expected to be metabolized into energy through the pentose phosphate pathway by three enzymes expressed from the ara operon of bifidobacteria. It is anticipated that uncovering arabinan utilization gene clusters and their detailed functions in the genomes of diverse microorganisms will facilitate the development of customized synbiotics.

ISG15 is an interferon-stimulated ubiquitin-like protein (UBL) with multifaceted roles as a posttranslational modifier in ISG15 conjugation (ISGylation). However, the mechanistic consequences of ISGylation in cancer have not been fully elucidated, largely due to a lack of knowledge on the ISG15 target repertoire. Here, we identified SIRT1, a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide (NAD + )-dependent protein deacetylase, as a new target for ISGylation. SIRT1 ISGylation impairs the association of SIRT1 with its negative regulator, deleted in breast cancer 1 (DBC1), which unleashes SIRT1 from its inactive state and leads to an increase in its deacetylase activity. Importantly, SIRT1 ISGylation promoted lung cancer progression and limited lung cancer cell sensitivity to DNA damage-based therapeutics in vivo and in vitro models. The levels of ISG15 mRNA and protein were significantly higher in lung cancer tissues than in adjacent normal tissues. Accordingly, elevated expression of SIRT1 and ISG15 was associated with poor prognosis in lung cancer patients, a finding that could be translated for lung cancer patient stratification and disease outcome evaluation. Taken together, our findings provide a mechanistic understanding of the regulatory effect of SIRT1 ISGylation on tumor progression and therapeutic efficacy in lung cancer., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

SPARC is an extracellular Ca 2+ -binding, secreted glycoprotein that plays a dynamic role in the growth and development of organisms. This study aimed to describe the isolation, characterization, and expression analysis of HdhSPARC in Pacific abalone (Haliotis discus hannai) to infer its potential functional role. The isolated HdhSPARC was 1633 bp long, encoding a polypeptide of 284 amino acid residues. Structurally, the SPARC protein in abalone is comprised of three biological domains. However, the structure of this protein varied between vertebrates and invertebrates, as suggested by their distinct clustering patterns in phylogenetic analysis. In early development, HdhSPARC was variably expressed, and higher expression was found in veliger larvae. Moreover, HdhSPARC was highly expressed in juvenile abalone with rapid growth compared to their slower-growing counterparts. Among the testicular development stages, the growth stage exhibited higher HdhSPARC expression. HdhSPARC was also upregulated during muscle remodeling and shell biomineralization, as well as in response to different stressors such as heat shock, LPS, and H 2 O 2 exposure. However, this gene was downregulated in Cd-exposed abalone. The present study first comprehensively characterized the HdhSPARC gene, and its spatio-temporal expressions were analyzed along with its responses to various stressors., (© 2024. The Author(s).)

Background: This study aimed to investigate the correlations of serum vitamin D insufficiency with quadriceps neuromuscular function in patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury., Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted. Eighteen patients with a primary, unilateral ACL injury who had insufficient serum vitamin D concentrations (<30 ng/ml) were recruited for the study. Bilateral quadriceps neuromuscular function, including maximal strength, the speed of rapid contraction, and inhibition, were measured on an isokinetic dynamometer with the hip and the knee joint flexion at 90° and 45°, respectively. Quadriceps strength was measured by maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC); the speed of rapid contraction was quantified by the rate of torque development (RTD), which was divided into the early (RTD 0-50 ) and the late phase (RTD 100-200 ); quadriceps inhibition was quantified by the central activation ratio (CAR). Serum vitamin D concentration was quantitatively determined by serum 25(OH)D concentration measured by the 25(OH)D ELISA kit. The Spearman rank correlation analysis was used to examine the correlation between the vitamin D concentration and bilateral quadriceps MVIC, RTD 0-50 , RTD 100-200 , and CAR, respectively., Results: The results of Spearman rank correlation analyses showed that the serum 25(OH)D concentration was significantly correlated with bilateral quadriceps MVIC (injured: r = 0.574, p = 0.013; uninjured: r = 0.650, p = 0.003) and RTD 0-50 (r = 0.651, p = 0.003), and CAR (r = 0.662, p = 0.003) on the uninjured limb. However, no significant correlations were found between the serum 25(OH)D concentration and the other outcomes., Conclusions: The serum vitamin D concentration correlates with quadriceps neuromuscular function in patients with ACL injury who had vitamin D insufficiency., Competing Interests: The authors declare that they have no competing interests., (© 2023 Asia Pacific Knee, Arthroscopy and Sports Medicine Society. Published by Elsevier (Singapore) Pte Ltd.)

Microplastics (MP) are harmful, causing stress in aquatic species and acting as carriers of hydrophobicity. In aquatic environments, benzo[α]pyrene (BaP) is an endocrine-disrupting chemical that accumulates in the body and causes toxic reactions in living organisms. We investigated the effects of single and combined microbead (MB) and BaP environments on goldfish antioxidant response and apoptosis. For 120 h, goldfish were exposed to single (MB10, MB100, and BaP5) and combined (MB10+BaP5 and MB100+BaP5) environments of 10 and 100 beads/L of 0.2 µm polystyrene MB and 5 µg/L BaP. We measured MB and BaP bioaccumulation as well as plasma parameters including ALT, AST, and glucose. The level of oxidative stress was determined by evaluating lipid peroxidation (LPO) and total antioxidant capacity (TAC) in plasma, as well as antioxidant-related genes for superoxide dismutase and catalase (SOD and CAT) and caspase-3 (Casp3) mRNA expression in liver tissue. The TUNEL assay was used to examine SOD in situ hybridization and apoptosis in goldfish livers. Except for the control group, plasma LPO levels increased at the end of the exposure period in all experimental groups. TAC increased up to 24 h of exposure and then maintained a similar level until the trial ended. SOD, CAT, and Casp3 mRNA expression increased substantially up to 120 h as the exposure concentration and time increased. The TUNEL assay revealed more signals and apoptotic signals in the combined exposure environments as a consequence of SOD in situ hybridization than in single exposure environments. These results suggest that combined exposure to toxic substances causes oxidative stress in organisms, which leads to apoptosis., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.)

Along with environmental pollution caused by rapid economic development and industrialization, plastic waste is emerging as a global concern in relation to marine ecosystems and human health. Among the microplastics, fiber-type microfibers (MF) and bisphenol A (BPA), which are widely used as plasticizers, do not decompose well in the ocean, and tend to accumulate in organisms, generating an increased oxidative stress response. This study investigated the abalones' antioxidant and cell death responses following exposure to the environmental pollutants MF and BPA. Levels of malondialdehyde (MDA) and DNA damage increased over time, demonstrating the degree of lipid peroxidation and DNA damage in abalones exposed to individual and combined environmental conditions of MF and BPA. Compared to the single MF and BPA exposure groups, the combined exposure group showed a higher expression of antioxidant enzymes. A similar pattern was seen in the expression of the apoptosis enzyme caspase-3. Both MF and BPA caused oxidative stress and antioxidant enzymes were expressed to alleviate it, but it is believed that cell damage occurred because the stress level exceeded the allowed range., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

Significant exposure to alcohol or cannabis during adolescence can induce lasting disruptions of neuronal signaling in brain regions that are later to mature, such as the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Considerably less is known about the effects of alcohol and cannabis co-use, despite its common occurrence. Here, we used male and female Long-Evans rats to investigate the effects of early-life exposure to ethanol, delta-9-tetrahydrocannabinol (THC), or their combination on high frequency stimulation (HFS)-induced plasticity in the prelimbic region of the mPFC. Animals were injected daily from postnatal days 30-45 with vehicle or THC (escalating doses, 3-20 mg/kg) and allowed to drink vehicle (0.1% saccharin) or 10% ethanol immediately after each injection. In vitro brain slice electrophysiology was then used to record population responses of layer V neurons following HFS in layer II/III after 3-4 weeks of abstinence. We found that THC exposure reduced body weight gains observed in ad libitum fed rats, and reduced intake of saccharin and ethanol. Compared to controls, there was a significant reduction in HFS-induced long-term depression (LTD) in rats exposed to either drug alone, and an absence of LTD in rats exposed to the drug combination. Bath application of indiplon or AR-A014418, which enhance GABA A receptor function or inhibit glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β), respectively, suggested the effects of ethanol, THC or their combination were due in part to lasting adaptations in GABA and GSK3β signaling. These results suggest the potential for long-lasting adaptations in mPFC output following co-exposure to alcohol and THC., Competing Interests: Declaration of competing interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.)

The study aimed to investigate the impairments in quadriceps neuromuscular function, including strength, rate of torque development (RTD) and activation failure (QAF) early after an ACL injury. A cross-sectional study was conducted. Thirty physically active patients with a primary ACL injury within three months, aged 18 to 40 years old, and who were scheduled for ACL reconstruction were included. Thirty matched healthy controls were also recruited. All the outcomes were measured on an isokinetic dynamometer with knee flexion at 45°. Quadriceps strength was measured by maximal voluntary isometric contractions (MVIC). Early (RTD 0-50 ) and late (RTD 100-200 ) phases of RTD were retrieved from the MVIC test from 0 to 50 ms and 100-200 ms, respectively. QAF was quantified by the central activation ratio (CAR) measured by superimposed burst technique. The results of Mann-Whitney U test showed that compared with the healthy limbs, the injured limbs of the ACL group showed lower quadriceps strength (P < 0.001), RTD 0-50 (P < 0.001) and RTD 100-200 (P < 0.001); the uninjured limbs showed lower quadriceps strength (P = 0.009), RTD 0-50 (P = 0.006) as well as greater QAF (P = 0.010). To conclude, bilateral quadriceps suffered from neuromuscular impairments early after an ACL injury.

Although the COVID-19 pandemic has officially ended, the persistent challenge of long-COVID or post-acute COVID sequelae (PASC) continues to impact societies globally, highlighting the urgent need for ongoing research into its mechanisms and therapeutic approaches. Our team has recently developed a novel humanized ACE2 mouse model (hACE2ki) designed explicitly for long-COVID/PASC research. This model exhibits human ACE2 expression in tissue and cell-specific patterns akin to mouse Ace2. When we exposed young adult hACE2ki mice (6 weeks old) to various SARS-CoV-2 lineages, including WA, Delta, and Omicron, at a dose of 5 × 10 5 PFU/mouse via nasal instillation, the mice demonstrated distinctive phenotypes characterized by differences in viral load in the lung, trachea, and nasal turbinate, weight loss, and changes in pro-inflammatory cytokines and immune cell profiles in bronchoalveolar lavage fluid. Notably, no mortality was observed in this age group. Further, to assess the model's relevance for long-COVID studies, we investigated tau protein pathologies, which are linked to Alzheimer's disease, in the brains of these mice post SARS-CoV-2 infection. Our findings revealed the accumulation and longitudinal propagation of tau, confirming the potential of our hACE2ki mouse model for preclinical studies of long-COVID., (© 2024 The Authors. Journal of Medical Virology published by Wiley Periodicals LLC.)

Tick-borne diseases have a significant impact on human and animal populations, posing an increasing threat to public health, particularly in the context of climate change. Along with the various natural hosts of ticks, birds play a notable role in transmitting ticks and tick-borne pathogens, indicating the importance of monitoring flyways and establishing a cooperative network for comprehensive surveillance and to collect diverse tick samples across various regions. This study aimed to develop an international network for surveillance of disease, collection of sufficient tick samples, and overall identification of the geographical distribution of host and ticks in Asian regions, especially in 11 countries on East Asian and Central Asian flyways. Ticks were collected from wild animals, domestic animals, and vegetation to identify the differences between Ixodid ticks and understand tick distribution. We collected a total 6,624 of ticks from 11 collaborating Asian countries, the Republic of Korea (ROK), Japan, Thailand, Philippines, Indonesia, Cambodia, Vietnam, Taiwan, Hong Kong, Mongolia and Pakistan. We identified 17 host animals and 47 species of both residential and migratory birds. Ticks from birds collected from four countries (ROK, Japan, Hong Kong and Mongolia) belonged to two genera, Haemaphysalis and Ixodes, including Haemaphysalis (H.) longicornis, H. flava, H. concinna, H. hystricis, H. formosensis, Ixodes (I.) nipponensis and I. persulcatus. The potential of migratory birds to cross ecological barriers with ticks and tick-borne diseases indicated the need for further investigations to understand the migration of birds as potential vectors and the new influx of zoonotic diseases along migratory bird flyways. This study suggests the potential risk of spreading tick-borne diseases through birds, thus highlighting the importance of international cooperative networking., Competing Interests: Declaration of Competing Interest The authors declare that they have no known competing financial interests or personal relationships that could have appeared to influence the work reported in this paper., (Copyright © 2023 Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

This retrospective cross-sectional study aims to investigate the prevalence and seriousness of drug-induced nephrotoxicity and to identify clinical predictors intensifying the seriousness of nephrotoxicity. Adverse drug events (ADEs) reported to the Korean Adverse Event Reporting System Database (KAERS DB) from January 2012 to December 2021 were investigated. The association between the seriousness and the etiologic drug was estimated in reporting odds ratio (ROR) based on disproportionality analysis. Logistic regression was utilized to recognize predictors associated with serious nephrotoxicity. The majority of ADEs were reported in ages 30 to 59, and immunosuppressants were the most etiologic medications. ADEs involving antibiotics, including vancomycin (ROR 0.268; 95% CI 0.129-0.557), were less likely to be serious. More than 93% of cyclosporine-related ADEs were serious nephrotoxicity, whereas tacrolimus was less likely to report serious nephrotoxicity (ROR 0.356; 95% CI 0.187-0.680). The risk of serious nephrotoxicity was decreased with aging (ROR 0.955; 95% CI 0.940-0.972) while increased in women (OR 2.700; 95% CI 1.450-5.008). Polypharmacy was associated with increased risk of interstitial nephritis (OR 1.019; 95% CI 1.001-1.038). However, further studies investigating the impact of clinical practice on ADE incidences as well as clinical prognosis related to nephrotoxicity are obligated.

The interconnected forest regions along the lower Tumen River, at the Sino-North Korean border, provide critical habitats and corridors for the critically endangered Amur Leopard ( Panthera pardus orientalis ). In this region, there are two promising corridors for leopard movement between China and North Korea: the Jingxin-Dapanling (JD) and Mijiang (MJ) corridors. Past studies have confirmed the functionality of the JD corridor, but leopards' utilization of the MJ corridor has not yet been established or confirmed. In this study, we assessed the functionality of the MJ corridor. The study area was monitored using camera traps between May 2019 and July 2021. We also analyzed 33 environmental and vegetation factors affecting leopard survival and analyzed leopard movement. In the Mijiang area, the Amur leopard was mainly active in the region adjacent to the Northeast China Tiger and Leopard National Park and did not venture into area near the North Korean border. The complex forest structure allowed leopards to move into the Mijiang area. However, the high intensity of human disturbance and manufactured physical barriers restricted further southward movement. Therefore, human-induced disturbances such as grazing, mining, farming, logging, and infrastructure development must be halted and reversed to make the Mijiang region a functional corridor for the Amur leopard to reach the North Korean forest. This necessitates inter-governmental and international cooperation and is essential for the long-term survival of the Amur leopard.

Despite all the progress in cataract and refractive lens surgery, refractive surprise is common in clinical practice. A significant postoperative refractive error is particularly annoying - and contributes to the patient's dissatisfaction with the procedure and the surgeon - when a multifocal IOL, an EDOF-IOL or a toric IOL has been implanted. The relatively new technology of intraoperative aberrometry offers the surgeon the option to intraoperatively measure the eye and its refraction, either directly after lens extraction and/or following IOL implantation. Currently, three different systems are available. In a number of studies, the technology has shown a better refractive predictability than preoperative biometry. Besides giving an evaluation of the prototype of a new intraoperative aberrometer, the I-O-W-A system, we also present our results on the influence of the kind of anaesthesia chosen and of two different IOL designs on the predictability of intraoperative aberrometry., Competing Interests: Für diese Arbeit haben die Autoren keine Honorare erhalten, jedoch für das Lab allgemein gelten die folgenden Erklärungen: Das IVCRC/und David J Apple Laboratory (David J Apple Center for Vision Research.) wird von diesen Firmen unterstützt: Alcon, Johnson&Johnson, Hoya, Physiol, Rayner, personal fees, and non-financial support from Kowa, Ophtec, Oculentis/Teleon, Santen, and Acufocus, outside the submitted work./The authors received no fee for this study, but the following statements are applicable to the laboratory in general: The IVCRC/and David J Apple Laboratory (David J Apple Center for Vision Research.) is supported by these companies: Alcon, Johnson&Johnson, Hoya, Physiol, Rayner, personal fees, and non-financial support from Kowa, Ophtec, Oculentis/Teleon, Santen, and Acufocus, outside the submitted work., (Thieme. All rights reserved.)

Exacerbated inflammatory responses can be detrimental and pose fatal threats to the host, as exemplified by the global impact of the COVID-19 pandemic, resulting in millions of fatalities. Developing novel drugs to combat the damaging effects of inflammation is essential for both preventive measures and therapeutic interventions. Accumulating evidence suggests that Angiotensin Converting Enzyme 2 (ACE2) possesses the ability to optimize inflammatory responses. However, the clinical applicability of this potential is limited due to the lack of dependable ACE2 activators. In this study, we conducted a screening of an FDA-approved drug library and successfully identified a novel ACE2 activator, termed H4. The activator demonstrated the capability to mitigate lung inflammation caused by bacterial lung infections, effectively modulating neutrophil infiltration. Importantly, to improve the clinical applicability of the poorly water-soluble H4, we developed a prodrug variant with significantly enhanced water solubility while maintaining a similar level of efficacy as H4 in attenuating inflammatory responses in the lungs of mice exposed to bacterial infections. This finding highlights the potential of formulated H4 as a promising candidate for the treatment and prevention of inflammatory diseases, including lung-related conditions., (Copyright © 2023 The Authors. Published by Elsevier B.V. All rights reserved.)

Background: Mpox virus (MPXV), previously known as monkeypox virus, has spread globally in 2022. An accurate and convenient antibody test is essential for the determination of seroprevalence and for studying immune response after natural infection or vaccination. Most seroprevalence or vaccine studies used either live MPXV (or vaccinia virus [VACV]) or inactivated MPXV (or VACV) culture lysate for serological assays, but MPXV culture can only be performed in biosafety level 3 (BSL-3) facilities. Here, we developed and evaluated an enzyme immunoassay (EIA) based on the MPXV A29 surface envelope protein., Methods: We compared the specificity of the MPXV A29, VACV A27, and VACV lysate EIA using serum specimens collected prior to the global spread of MPXV. Next, we performed these EIAs for serum specimens collected from two mpox patients and an MVA-BN vaccine recipient. We also assessed the kinetics of plasmblast and MPXV A29-specific B-cell response., Results: Using sera collected from different age groups in Hong Kong, we found that most individuals, including those born before 1981 who have received the smallpox vaccine, tested negative using the MPXV A29 protein. MPXV A29-specific antibody could be detected in the serum of mpox patients and an MVA-BN recipient. In a mpox patient, the frequency of plasmablast and MPXV A29-specific B cell peaked on day 8 post-symptom onset and gradually decreased. Finally, we demonstrated that antibodies against the A29 protein can be used for immunofluorescence staining of MPXV-infected cells., Conclusions: MPXV A29 protein is suitable for studying the immune response against MPXV infection., (© 2023. The Author(s).)