Search

The mechanisms underlying myopia remain not fully understood. We proposed to examine the function and underlying mechanisms of miR-204-5p in myopia development. The miR-204-5p expression level was assessed in the vitreous humor (VH) of a cohort consisting of 11 patients with high myopia (HM) and 16 control patients undergoing vitrectomy. Then the functional implications of miR-204-5p in ARPE-19 cells were assessed. Thioredoxin-interacting protein (TXNIP) was found as a possible target of miR-204-5p through mRNA sequencing, and its interaction with miR-204-5p was confirmed employing luciferase assay and western blotting. Furthermore, the miR-204-5p function in regulating oxidative stress was examined by measuring reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation. The results indicated a significant reduction of miR-204-5p in the VH of HM patients. Overexpression of miR-204-5p suppressed cell proliferation, migration, invasion, and apoptosis in ARPE-19 cells. The direct targeting of miR-204-5p on TXNIP has been confirmed, and its downregulation mediated the miR-204-5p impacts on ARPE-19 cells. Moreover, miR-204-5p overexpression significantly reduced ROS accumulation by targeting TXNIP. Our findings revealed the possible contribution of the miR-204-5p/TXNIP axis in myopia development by regulating oxidative stress, which may provide new targets to combat this prevalent and debilitating condition. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To investigate the impact of drooping eyelid on corneal topographic and tomographic alterations in congenital ptosis eyes. Methods: Seventeen Chinese patients with unilateral congenital ptosis were included in this observational study. Ptosis eyes were included in the ptosis group, while normal contralateral eyes were included in the control group. The marginal reflex distance (MRD) was used to evaluate the severity of ptosis. Topographic and tomographic parameters measured by Pentacam, including keratometric, pachymetric, volumetric parameters as well as topometric indexes and D indexes, were recorded and compared between the ptosis group and the control group. Furthermore, correlation analyses were made between MRD and all measured corneal parameters. Results: The value of anterior K1, Km and posterior K2, Km was significantly decreased in the ptosis eyes (p < 0.05). Corneal thickness at the pupil center point and thinnest point was significantly thicker in ptosis group compared with the ones in control group (p < 0.05). Higher ISV, IVA, KI, IHD values were observed in ptosis eyes (p < 0.05). The intergroup difference in MRD showed significant correlation with the difference in ISV (p < 0.05). Conclusion: The whole corneal contour is remodeled to be "flatter" in ptosis eyes. The upper eyelid position was closely associated with the corneal irregularity in ptosis eyes. The reasons for the discrepancy in corneal topography and tomography between ptotic and normal eyes were complicated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Rationale: Although a growing body of evidence indicates that the scores of cognitive function in hemodialysis patients are significantly lower than those of healthy individuals, underlying mechanisms have not been fully elucidated. Objectives: To investigate the roles of gut microbiota and serum metabolites in hemodialysis patients with mild cognitive decline (MCD). Methods: A total of 30 healthy individuals and 77 hemodialysis patients were enrolled and were classified into healthy control (HC), normal cognitive function (NCF), and MCD groups by evaluation of Montreal Cognitive Assessment. Fecal samples were analyzed by 16S rRNA and serum samples were analyzed by gas chromatography-mass spectrometry from all subjects. Results: The 16S rRNA study demonstrated that the gut microbiota profiles, including α- and β-diversity, and a number of 16 gut bacteria were significantly altered in the MCD group compared with those in HC or those with NCF. A metabonomics study showed that a total of 29 serum metabolites were altered in the MCD group. Receiver operating characteristic curves showed that Genus Bilophila and serum putrescine might be sensitive biomarkers to indicate MCD in patients with hemodialysis. Conclusions: These findings demonstrate gut microbiota and serum metabolites were probably involved in the pathogenesis of hemodialysis-related MCD. Therapeutic strategies targeting abnormalities in gut microbiota and serum metabolites may facilitate the beneficial effects for hemodialysis patients with MCD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]