Domoic acid(DA),a biotoxin,is produced by several species of marine dinoflagellate and diatom during harmful algal bloom events.DA is a neurotoxin,in humans and non-human primates,oral exposure to DA results in gastro...Domoic acid(DA),a biotoxin,is produced by several species of marine dinoflagellate and diatom during harmful algal bloom events.DA is a neurotoxin,in humans and non-human primates,oral exposure to DA results in gastrointestinal effects,while DA at higher doses leads to neurological symptoms,seizures and memory deficiency.Exposure of humans to DA occurs mainly through consumption of contaminated seafoods containing an accumulation of the toxin.Previously,it was unclear if DA can have toxic effects on the retina.We assessed the toxicity of DA in human retinal cells(ARPE-19)and in zebrafish embryos.DA significantly lowered ARPE-19 cell viability dose-dependently,and decreased anti-oxidative capacity,increased inflammation,and promoted cell death,possibly through modulating the NRF2 and NF-κB signalling pathways.Zebrafish embryos exposed to DA for 4 days from 1 day post fertilization(dpf)had an increase in mortality and a decrease in both hatching and heartbeat rate and exhibited morphological abnormalities.DA treatment also significantly downregulated expression of antioxidant genes and upregulated expression of inflammation mediators,as well as causing photoreceptor death in zebrafish embryos.The results demonstrate that consuming seafood containing DA will have potential toxic effects in human retinas.展开更多
AIM: To determine age norms in the first three years of life for grating visual acuity and contrast sensitivity obtained with Lea grating test and Hiding Heidi low contrast face test. METHODS: Lea grating test was u...AIM: To determine age norms in the first three years of life for grating visual acuity and contrast sensitivity obtained with Lea grating test and Hiding Heidi low contrast face test. METHODS: Lea grating test was used to estimate binocular grating acuity and Hiding Heidi low contrast face test was used to estimate contrast sensitivity in 600 healthy infants and children. Age ranged from 3 to 36 mo subdivided into 12 groups subjected for full ophthalmologic and pediatric examinations.RESULTS: The grating acuity developed along the first three years of life. It ranged from 1.88±0.32 c/d at 3mo to 30.95±0.77 c/d at 36 mo. The most rapid development was during the first 12 mo and the slowest development was from 30 to 36 mo. The contrast sensitivity showed rapid development in the first two years of life. Its mean value ranged from 4.23±1.17 at 3mo to 78.26±8.21 at 24 mo. It was constant at the highest score(80) thereafter.CONCLUSION: Age norms for grating acuity along with contrast sensitivity offer a more comprehensive measure of spatial vision and should be incorporated in clinical practice for better visual assessment in preverbal and nonverbal children.展开更多
We carried out a multicenter blind study on a group of people homogeneous per sex and age (media was 40 years) most of them working as night driver, radar controller, video surveillance. 132 people affected from chron...We carried out a multicenter blind study on a group of people homogeneous per sex and age (media was 40 years) most of them working as night driver, radar controller, video surveillance. 132 people affected from chronic glaucoma were divided in 4 groups of 33 each. First group was administered timolol, second la-tanoprost, third bimatoprost, fourth travoprost We noticed展开更多
Age-related macular degeneration:Agerelated macular degeneration(AMD)is a retinal degenerative disorder,characterized by the irreversible loss of the central vision during ageing.This chronic,progressive disease has b...Age-related macular degeneration:Agerelated macular degeneration(AMD)is a retinal degenerative disorder,characterized by the irreversible loss of the central vision during ageing.This chronic,progressive disease has been estimated to currently affect around 196 million people worldwide and will increase to 288 million in 2040(Wong,et al.,2014).Early AMD is defined by the presence of drusen underneath the retinal pigment epithelial(RPE)layer.Late AMD can be divided into two groups,"wet AMD"and"dry AMD",depending on the underlying clinical features.展开更多
Myopia,also known as nearsightedness,is the most common vision disorder among children and young adults.In the last several decades,the prevalence of myopia has surged in East Asia.In some industrialized regions it ha...Myopia,also known as nearsightedness,is the most common vision disorder among children and young adults.In the last several decades,the prevalence of myopia has surged in East Asia.In some industrialized regions it has already reached an epidemic level(1,2).A smaller increase in the prevalence has also been observed in Western countries(2,3).The cost of visual aids or corrections put a great financial burden on individuals,families and the health care system.展开更多
Objectives Retinal ischemia-reperfusion(RIR)injury results in irreversible visual impairments.The disruption of the outer blood-retinal barrier(OBRB)is a major ocular pathogenic process that RIR injury affects.Current...Objectives Retinal ischemia-reperfusion(RIR)injury results in irreversible visual impairments.The disruption of the outer blood-retinal barrier(OBRB)is a major ocular pathogenic process that RIR injury affects.Current clinical strategies are limited.This study aimed to elucidate how electroacupuncture(EA)protects the OBRB against RIR injury.Methods Male Wistar rats(7 weeks old,250 g to 280 g)were used in this study.Three independent experiments were conducted.First,Opioid peptide levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).42 rats were randomly divided into 7 groups(n=6/group):Control:No treatment;high intraocular pressure(HIOP):Acute intraocular pressure elevation-induced RIR injury;HIOP+SHAM EA:RIR injury+sham EA at Xinming(Extra acupoint)and Jingming(BL1)for 30 min(shallow needle insertion but without electric stimulation);HIOP+2 Hz EA:RIR injury+2 Hz EA at Xinming and BL1 for 30 min;HIOP+100 Hz:RIR injury+100 Hz EA at Xinming and BL1 for 30 min;HIOP+2/100 Hz EA:RIR injury+2/100 Hz EA at Xinming and BL1 for 30 min;HIOP+4/20 Hz EA:RIR injury+4/20 Hz EA at Xinming and BL1 for 30 min.Second,retinal morphology was assessed by hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.20 rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups(n=5/group):Control:No treatment;HIOP:Acute intraocular pressure elevation-induced RIR injury;HIOP+SHAM EA:RIR injury+sham EA at Xinming and BL1 for 30 min(shallow needle insertion but without electric stimulation);HIOP+2 Hz EA:RIR injury+2 Hz EA at Xinming and BL1 for 30 min.Third,the permeability of OBRB was evaluated using the fluorescein isothiocyanate(FITC)-dextran leakage assay.15 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups(n=3/group):Control:No treatment;HIOP:Acute intraocular pressure elevation-induced RIR injury;HIOP+SHAM EA:RIR injury+sham EA at Xinming and BL1 for 30 min(shallow needle insertion but without electric stimulation);HIOP+2 Hz EA:RIR injury+2 Hz EA at Xinming and BL1 for 30 min;Nal+HIOP+2 Hz EA:Intravitreal injection ofδ-opioid receptor antagonist Naltridole(10µl,100 nM)30 min before RIR injury induction,followed by 2 Hz EA treatment at Xinming and BL1 for 30 min.In vitro studies examined enkephalins'effects on oxygen–glucose deprivation/reperfusion(OGD/R)induced injury in ARPE‐19 cells.Cell viability was evaluated by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay,and morphological changes were recorded by Molecular Devices.Apoptosis was detected by Annexin V-FITC flow cytometry.Delta opioid receptor(DOR)expression in total protein and membrane protein were analyzed by western blotting(WB).Immunofluorescence(IF)staining and WB assessed ZO-1 and Claudin-19.For cell-based assays,n indicates the number of biologically independent replicates.Results It was found that 2 Hz EA treatment increased enkephalins(methionine-enkephalin and leucine-enkephalin)levels(P<0.01),restoring the increased retinal thickness(P<0.05)and mitigating RGCs loss(P<0.05)post-RIR injury.FITC-dextran leakage in the outer retina was ameliorated by 2 Hz EA(P<0.05),reversibly countered by Naltrindole(P<0.05),a DOR antagonist.Treatment with 30µM enkephalins enhanced ARPE-19 cell viability(P<0.001,P<0.0001)and inhibited apoptosis(P<0.0001).Enkephalins elevated DOR levels in total protein(P<0.05)and membrane protein fractions(P<0.001,P<0.0001),as well as elevated ZO-1(P<0.001,P<0.01)and Claudin-19(P<0.0001,P<0.001)levels following OGD/R,counteracted by Naltrindole.Conclusion It was found that 2 Hz EA inhibits the breakdown of OBRB via enkephalins activate DOR in RIR injury.展开更多
As documented by NASA space shuttle films and detailed in this report, self-illuminating, pulsating, plasma-like UAP/UFO (“plasmoids”) have multiple shapes and sizes, are attracted to electromagnetic activity, and t...As documented by NASA space shuttle films and detailed in this report, self-illuminating, pulsating, plasma-like UAP/UFO (“plasmoids”) have multiple shapes and sizes, are attracted to electromagnetic activity, and travel at different velocities from different directions, making 90 to 180-degree turns, as well as colliding, intersecting and piercing other plasma;and have been filmed by U.S. Navy personnel and a U.S. Customs and Border Protection DHC-8 flying above and diving/sinking beneath the ocean;and by NASA following, circling, and hovering near the space shuttles, satellites, and the MIR International Space Station and congregating above and descending into thunderstorms and the lower atmosphere, which is the air corridor favored by commercial and military aircraft;and this may account for reports of UAPs following, harassing, chasing, and “toying with” aircraft. Plasmas also have explosive properties, negatively affect electronics and mental activity (possibly inducing hallucinations of “alien abductions”), pass through glass, plastic, metal, and enter the cockpits of airplanes and have been observed by astronauts inside spacecraft, the MIR and ISS. It is hypothesized that given their propensity to collide, plasmoids may be responsible for at least some unexplained, inexplicable aircraft disasters. Thunder-lightning-storms are the main drivers of Earth’s GEC and direct positive currents into the ionosphere, which attract plasmas. The troposphere also has a positive charge, and the ocean surface under white water and turbulent conditions develops a positive charge, and we hypothesize that this accounts for sightings of UAP in the lower atmosphere and soaring above and diving into the oceans, including, as reported here, shape-shifting UAP replicons that split into or generate additional shape-shifting UAPs as filmed by NASA and U.S. Customs. Plasmoids appear to purposefully interact and engage in complex behaviors, and it is suspected they are sentient and represent a fourth domain of life. Although plasmas in the lower atmosphere may be responsible for UAP sightings over the centuries, including those that appear to “battle” over cities or follow and harass military ships and planes, plasmoids cannot account for all UAPs, which may include extraterrestrial spacecraft from other worlds.展开更多
基金funded by Namibe UniversityInstituto Nacional de Gestao de Bolsas de Estudo/Angola government through a PhD studentship program+1 种基金the TENOVUS Scotland(S20-02 to Xinhua Shu,the Chief Scientist Office/the RS Macdonald Charitable Trust(SNRF2021 to Xinhua Shu)the Lotus Scholarship Program of Hunan Province,China(2019-23 to Xinhua Shu)。
文摘Domoic acid(DA),a biotoxin,is produced by several species of marine dinoflagellate and diatom during harmful algal bloom events.DA is a neurotoxin,in humans and non-human primates,oral exposure to DA results in gastrointestinal effects,while DA at higher doses leads to neurological symptoms,seizures and memory deficiency.Exposure of humans to DA occurs mainly through consumption of contaminated seafoods containing an accumulation of the toxin.Previously,it was unclear if DA can have toxic effects on the retina.We assessed the toxicity of DA in human retinal cells(ARPE-19)and in zebrafish embryos.DA significantly lowered ARPE-19 cell viability dose-dependently,and decreased anti-oxidative capacity,increased inflammation,and promoted cell death,possibly through modulating the NRF2 and NF-κB signalling pathways.Zebrafish embryos exposed to DA for 4 days from 1 day post fertilization(dpf)had an increase in mortality and a decrease in both hatching and heartbeat rate and exhibited morphological abnormalities.DA treatment also significantly downregulated expression of antioxidant genes and upregulated expression of inflammation mediators,as well as causing photoreceptor death in zebrafish embryos.The results demonstrate that consuming seafood containing DA will have potential toxic effects in human retinas.
文摘AIM: To determine age norms in the first three years of life for grating visual acuity and contrast sensitivity obtained with Lea grating test and Hiding Heidi low contrast face test. METHODS: Lea grating test was used to estimate binocular grating acuity and Hiding Heidi low contrast face test was used to estimate contrast sensitivity in 600 healthy infants and children. Age ranged from 3 to 36 mo subdivided into 12 groups subjected for full ophthalmologic and pediatric examinations.RESULTS: The grating acuity developed along the first three years of life. It ranged from 1.88±0.32 c/d at 3mo to 30.95±0.77 c/d at 36 mo. The most rapid development was during the first 12 mo and the slowest development was from 30 to 36 mo. The contrast sensitivity showed rapid development in the first two years of life. Its mean value ranged from 4.23±1.17 at 3mo to 78.26±8.21 at 24 mo. It was constant at the highest score(80) thereafter.CONCLUSION: Age norms for grating acuity along with contrast sensitivity offer a more comprehensive measure of spatial vision and should be incorporated in clinical practice for better visual assessment in preverbal and nonverbal children.
文摘We carried out a multicenter blind study on a group of people homogeneous per sex and age (media was 40 years) most of them working as night driver, radar controller, video surveillance. 132 people affected from chronic glaucoma were divided in 4 groups of 33 each. First group was administered timolol, second la-tanoprost, third bimatoprost, fourth travoprost We noticed
基金supported by the Rosetrees Trust,National Eye Research Centre,Tenovus Scotlandthe Lotus Scholarship Program of Hunan Province(2019)(to XS)。
文摘Age-related macular degeneration:Agerelated macular degeneration(AMD)is a retinal degenerative disorder,characterized by the irreversible loss of the central vision during ageing.This chronic,progressive disease has been estimated to currently affect around 196 million people worldwide and will increase to 288 million in 2040(Wong,et al.,2014).Early AMD is defined by the presence of drusen underneath the retinal pigment epithelial(RPE)layer.Late AMD can be divided into two groups,"wet AMD"and"dry AMD",depending on the underlying clinical features.
文摘Myopia,also known as nearsightedness,is the most common vision disorder among children and young adults.In the last several decades,the prevalence of myopia has surged in East Asia.In some industrialized regions it has already reached an epidemic level(1,2).A smaller increase in the prevalence has also been observed in Western countries(2,3).The cost of visual aids or corrections put a great financial burden on individuals,families and the health care system.
基金Supported by the National Natural Science Foundation of China:81574078。
文摘Objectives Retinal ischemia-reperfusion(RIR)injury results in irreversible visual impairments.The disruption of the outer blood-retinal barrier(OBRB)is a major ocular pathogenic process that RIR injury affects.Current clinical strategies are limited.This study aimed to elucidate how electroacupuncture(EA)protects the OBRB against RIR injury.Methods Male Wistar rats(7 weeks old,250 g to 280 g)were used in this study.Three independent experiments were conducted.First,Opioid peptide levels were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).42 rats were randomly divided into 7 groups(n=6/group):Control:No treatment;high intraocular pressure(HIOP):Acute intraocular pressure elevation-induced RIR injury;HIOP+SHAM EA:RIR injury+sham EA at Xinming(Extra acupoint)and Jingming(BL1)for 30 min(shallow needle insertion but without electric stimulation);HIOP+2 Hz EA:RIR injury+2 Hz EA at Xinming and BL1 for 30 min;HIOP+100 Hz:RIR injury+100 Hz EA at Xinming and BL1 for 30 min;HIOP+2/100 Hz EA:RIR injury+2/100 Hz EA at Xinming and BL1 for 30 min;HIOP+4/20 Hz EA:RIR injury+4/20 Hz EA at Xinming and BL1 for 30 min.Second,retinal morphology was assessed by hematoxylin and eosin(HE)staining.20 rats were randomly allocated into 4 groups(n=5/group):Control:No treatment;HIOP:Acute intraocular pressure elevation-induced RIR injury;HIOP+SHAM EA:RIR injury+sham EA at Xinming and BL1 for 30 min(shallow needle insertion but without electric stimulation);HIOP+2 Hz EA:RIR injury+2 Hz EA at Xinming and BL1 for 30 min.Third,the permeability of OBRB was evaluated using the fluorescein isothiocyanate(FITC)-dextran leakage assay.15 rats were randomly divided into 5 groups(n=3/group):Control:No treatment;HIOP:Acute intraocular pressure elevation-induced RIR injury;HIOP+SHAM EA:RIR injury+sham EA at Xinming and BL1 for 30 min(shallow needle insertion but without electric stimulation);HIOP+2 Hz EA:RIR injury+2 Hz EA at Xinming and BL1 for 30 min;Nal+HIOP+2 Hz EA:Intravitreal injection ofδ-opioid receptor antagonist Naltridole(10µl,100 nM)30 min before RIR injury induction,followed by 2 Hz EA treatment at Xinming and BL1 for 30 min.In vitro studies examined enkephalins'effects on oxygen–glucose deprivation/reperfusion(OGD/R)induced injury in ARPE‐19 cells.Cell viability was evaluated by cell counting kit-8(CCK-8)assay,and morphological changes were recorded by Molecular Devices.Apoptosis was detected by Annexin V-FITC flow cytometry.Delta opioid receptor(DOR)expression in total protein and membrane protein were analyzed by western blotting(WB).Immunofluorescence(IF)staining and WB assessed ZO-1 and Claudin-19.For cell-based assays,n indicates the number of biologically independent replicates.Results It was found that 2 Hz EA treatment increased enkephalins(methionine-enkephalin and leucine-enkephalin)levels(P<0.01),restoring the increased retinal thickness(P<0.05)and mitigating RGCs loss(P<0.05)post-RIR injury.FITC-dextran leakage in the outer retina was ameliorated by 2 Hz EA(P<0.05),reversibly countered by Naltrindole(P<0.05),a DOR antagonist.Treatment with 30µM enkephalins enhanced ARPE-19 cell viability(P<0.001,P<0.0001)and inhibited apoptosis(P<0.0001).Enkephalins elevated DOR levels in total protein(P<0.05)and membrane protein fractions(P<0.001,P<0.0001),as well as elevated ZO-1(P<0.001,P<0.01)and Claudin-19(P<0.0001,P<0.001)levels following OGD/R,counteracted by Naltrindole.Conclusion It was found that 2 Hz EA inhibits the breakdown of OBRB via enkephalins activate DOR in RIR injury.
文摘As documented by NASA space shuttle films and detailed in this report, self-illuminating, pulsating, plasma-like UAP/UFO (“plasmoids”) have multiple shapes and sizes, are attracted to electromagnetic activity, and travel at different velocities from different directions, making 90 to 180-degree turns, as well as colliding, intersecting and piercing other plasma;and have been filmed by U.S. Navy personnel and a U.S. Customs and Border Protection DHC-8 flying above and diving/sinking beneath the ocean;and by NASA following, circling, and hovering near the space shuttles, satellites, and the MIR International Space Station and congregating above and descending into thunderstorms and the lower atmosphere, which is the air corridor favored by commercial and military aircraft;and this may account for reports of UAPs following, harassing, chasing, and “toying with” aircraft. Plasmas also have explosive properties, negatively affect electronics and mental activity (possibly inducing hallucinations of “alien abductions”), pass through glass, plastic, metal, and enter the cockpits of airplanes and have been observed by astronauts inside spacecraft, the MIR and ISS. It is hypothesized that given their propensity to collide, plasmoids may be responsible for at least some unexplained, inexplicable aircraft disasters. Thunder-lightning-storms are the main drivers of Earth’s GEC and direct positive currents into the ionosphere, which attract plasmas. The troposphere also has a positive charge, and the ocean surface under white water and turbulent conditions develops a positive charge, and we hypothesize that this accounts for sightings of UAP in the lower atmosphere and soaring above and diving into the oceans, including, as reported here, shape-shifting UAP replicons that split into or generate additional shape-shifting UAPs as filmed by NASA and U.S. Customs. Plasmoids appear to purposefully interact and engage in complex behaviors, and it is suspected they are sentient and represent a fourth domain of life. Although plasmas in the lower atmosphere may be responsible for UAP sightings over the centuries, including those that appear to “battle” over cities or follow and harass military ships and planes, plasmoids cannot account for all UAPs, which may include extraterrestrial spacecraft from other worlds.