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The reactions of the angular ligand 4,4′-oxybis(N-(pyridin-3-yl)benzamide) (L1) and 1,4-naphthalenedicarboxylic acid (1,4-H2NDC) with divalent metal salts yielded three distinct coordination polymers (CPs): {[Zn2(L1)(1,4-NDC)2]·MeOH}n, 1, {[Cu(L1)(1,4-NDC)(H2O)]·3H2O}n, 2, and {[Cd(L1)(1,4-NDC)]·2H2O}n, 3. Complex 1 features a 2-fold interpenetrated 3D framework with the (412·63)-pcu topology, while complex 2 reveals a 1D triple-strained helical chain and complex 3 displays a 3-fold interpenetrated 3D framework with (66)-dia topology. Additionally, the reactions of the flexible ligand N,N′-bis(3-methylpyridyl) adipoamide (L2) afforded {[Co4(L2)0.5(1,4-NDC)3(H2O)3(µ3-OH)2]·EtOH·2H2O}n, 4, {[Zn2(L2)(1,4-NDC)2]·2CH3OH}n, 5, and [Cd(L2)(adipic)(H2O)]n (H2adipic = adipic acid), 6, exhibiting a self-catenated 3D framework with the (420·68)-8T32 topology, a 2D layer with the (413·62) − (4,4)IIb topology, and a 2D layer with the (44·62)-sql topology, respectively. The structural diversity observed in complexes 1–6 highlights the pivotal influence of the metal center on the degree of entanglement in CPs within mixed-ligand systems. The thermal stability and luminescent properties of complexes 1–3, 4, and 6 are also discussed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Penetrating keratoplasty (PK) is a corneal surgery that is employed to repair the full-thickness corneal lesion. This study aimed to survey the possible systemic risk factors of infectious keratitis after penetrating keratoplasty (PK) via the Taiwan National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD). A retrospective case–control study was conducted, and 327 patients who received the PK were enrolled after exclusion. The main outcome was the development of infectious keratitis, and people were divided into those with infectious keratitis and those without the outcome. Cox proportional hazard regression was conducted to produce adjusted hazard ratios (aHRs) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of specific demographic indexes and systemic diseases on infectious keratitis. There were 68 patients who developed infectious keratitis after the whole follow-up period. The diabetes mellitus (DM) (aHR: 1.440, 95% CI: 1.122–2.874, p = 0.0310) and chronic ischemic heart disease (aHR: 1.534, 95% CI: 1.259–3.464, p = 0.0273) groups demonstrated a significant association with infectious keratitis. The DM group also revealed significant influence on infectious keratitis development in all the subgroups (all p < 0.05). Nevertheless, the effect of chronic ischemic heart disease on infectious keratitis was only significant on those aged older than 60 years (p = 0.0094) and both sexes (both p < 0.05). In conclusion, the presence of DM and chronic ischemic heart disease are associated with infectious keratitis after PK. However, local risk factors for infectious keratitis developed in those receiving PK had not been evaluated. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

The aim of this study is to survey the effectiveness of preservative-free artificial tears containing hyaluronic acid (HA) on post-cataract surgery dry eye disease (DED) prevention. A retrospective cohort study was performed, and patients that received cataract surgeries were divided into either an HA group or non-HA group depending on the artificial tear they used. A total of 37 and 74 eyes were enrolled into the HA and non-HA groups, respectively, after the selection. The primary outcomes are postoperative superficial keratitis and multiple (>3) DED symptoms. The generalized linear model was utilized to calculate the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of primary outcomes between the two groups. There were 10 and 2 episodes of superficial keratitis in the non-HA group and HA group, respectively, and the HA group demonstrated a significantly lower incidence of superficial keratitis (p < 0.001). Moreover, 13 and 5 patients developed multiple DED symptoms in the non-HA and HA groups, and the HA group illustrated fewer multiple DED symptoms (p = 0.024). The lower preoperative tear break-up time (TBUT) was correlated with superficial keratitis in the HA group (p = 0.043), while old age, low preoperative TBUT and ocular surface staining were associated with superficial keratitis in the non-HA group (all p < 0.05). Lower preoperative TBUT was correlated with multiple DED symptoms in the HA group (p = 0.020), while female sex, low preoperative TBUT and any DED symptoms were associated with multiple DED symptoms in the non-HA group (all p < 0.05). In conclusion, the usage of preservative-free artificial tears containing HA is associated with lower postoperative DED events. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study aimed to investigate the potential correlation between the single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) of maternally expressed gene 3 (MEG3) and the clinical manifestations of diabetic retinopathy (DR). Five loci of MEG3 SNPs including rs4081134 (G/A), rs10144253 (T/C), rs7158663 (G/A), rs3087918 (T/G) and rs11160608 (A/C) were genotyped by TaqMan allelic discrimination in 457 non-DR patients and 280 DR individuals. The distribution frequency of MEG3 SNP rs7158663 GA (AOR: 0.683, 95% CI: 0.478-0.975, p = 0.036) and MEG3 SNP rs7158663 GA + AA (AOR: 0.686, 95% CI: 0.487-0.968, p = 0.032) were significantly lower in the DR group. And the MEG3 SNP rs7158663 GA + AA (AOR: 0.610, 95% CI: 0.377-0.985, p = 0.043) demonstrated a significantly lower distribution frequency in the male DR group. Besides, the DR patients with MEG3 SNP rs7158663 GA + AA genotype showed a significantly lower HbA1c level than the DR patients with MEG3 SNP rs7158663 GG genotype (7.29 ± 1.23 versus 7.74 ± 1.49, p = 0.013). Moreover, in the analysis using data from gene expression data series database, a higher MEG3 level was significantly correlated to a lower miR-182 level in the database (p = 0.0114). In this study, the distribution frequency of MEG3 SNP rs7158663 GA + AA genotype was lower in DR, while the DR would develop under lower HbA1c level in DM patients with this MEG3 SNP variant. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Simple Summary: Ovarian cancer is a prevalent gynecological cancer and a leading cause of cancer-associated mortality worldwide. Ovarian cancer is related to several oxidative stress-related diseases. Open-angle glaucoma (OAG) is a neurodegenerative disease that is associated with elevated oxidative stress, while the relationship between OAG and ovarian cancer is vague. Consequently, we aim to survey the interrelationship between ovarian cancer and OAG. In this retrospective cohort study, people with ovarian cancer were recruited and age-matched with a 1:4 ratio of non-ovarian to cancer. The multivariable analysis exhibited a higher incidence of OAG in the ovarian cancer group than the non-ovarian cancer patients, which was more prominent in those older than 60 years and with ovarian cancer for longer than two years. Thus, the presence of ovarian cancer is associated with a higher possibility of later OAG. Routine glaucoma exams could be recommended for women diagnosed with ovarian cancer for longer than 2 years or who are older than 60. We aim to explore the possible association between ovarian cancer and the subsequent development of open-angle glaucoma (OAG) using the Taiwan Longitudinal Health Insurance Database (LHID) 2000. A retrospective cohort study was executed, and individuals with ovarian cancer were enrolled and age-matched (with a 1:4 ratio) to non-ovarian cancer individuals. A total of 4990 and 19,960 patients were put into the ovarian cancer and control groups. The main outcome was the presence of OAG according to the LHID 2000 codes. The Cox proportional hazard regression was adopted to demonstrate the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of OAG between the ovarian cancer and control groups. There were a total of 241 and 1029 OAG cases observed in the ovarian cancer group and the control group, respectively. The incidence of OAG was significantly higher in the ovarian cancer group than in the control group according to multivariable analysis (aHR: 1.18, 95% CI: 1.02–1.37, p = 0.022). The ovarian cancer patients older than 60 years showed a significantly higher risk of OAG compared to the non-ovarian cancer individuals of the same age (aHR: 1.39, 95% CI: 1.16–1.63, p = 0.001). Additionally, ovarian cancer individuals with a disease interval of more than two years presented a significantly higher incidence of OAG than the non-ovarian cancer group (p < 0.05). In conclusion, ovarian cancer positively correlates with a high rate of subsequent OAG, especially in elderly persons with a long disease interval. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed to investigate the effect of different hyaluronic acid (HA)-containing artificial tears on dry eye disease (DED) treatment in combination with intense pulsed light (IPL) therapy. A retrospective cohort study was conducted, and the participants received IPL therapy and HA-containing artificial tears. There were 42 and 40 eyes in the 0.10% and 0.15% HA groups after selection, respectively. The main outcomes were the postoperative non-invasive tear break-up time (NITBUT), Schirmer II test results, ocular surface stain, and numbers of DED-related symptoms. A generalized linear model was utilized to produce the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of the main outcomes between groups. At the three-month follow-up, the NITBUT was significantly higher in the 0.15% HA group (p = 0.023), and the NITBUT recovery was also significantly better in the 0.15% HA group compared to the 0.10% HA group (p = 0.039). The multiple DED-related symptoms significantly correlated with no DED symptom improvement in both the 0.10% and 0.15% HA groups (both p < 0.05), while the low pre-treatment NITBUT was marginally related to no DED symptom improvement in the 0.10% HA group (p = 0.047). A low NITBUT and Schirmer II test result correlated with no DED symptom improvement in both the groups (all p < 0.05). In conclusion, the application of 0.10% and 0.15% HA-containing artificial tears revealed similar effects to IPL therapy for DED. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aim to evaluate the risk factors of myopia undercorrection in recipients of second-generation keratorefractive lenticule extraction (KLEx) surgery. A retrospective case–control study was performed, and patients who received second-generation KLEx surgery were enrolled. The cases with myopia undercorrection were matched to non-myopia undercorrection cases with a 1:4 ratio according to age, and a total of 22 and 88 eyes were categorized into the undercorrection and control groups, respectively. Demographic, refractive, topographic, and surgical data were collected preoperatively. A generalized linear model was operated to evaluate the potential risk factors for myopia undercorrection. The uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) at three months postoperation was significantly better in the control group (p = 0.006), and residual myopia and SE were significantly higher in the undercorrection group during the whole follow-up period (all p < 0.001). The UDVA value showed a trend of improvement in the control group (p < 0.001), and the changes to SE and residual myopia were significantly lower in the control group (both p < 0.001). Regarding the risk factors for myopia undercorrection in the whole population and the high-myopia population, a higher manifest sphere power, higher steep keratometry (K), higher topographic cylinder, lower central corneal thickness (CCT) at apex, higher CCT difference and lower residual stromal thickness (RST) correlated to myopia undercorrection (all p < 0.05). In the low-myopia population, only higher myopia and lower RST correlated to myopia undercorrection (both p < 0.05). In conclusion, a high-sphere power and irregular topographic pattern correlated to myopia undercorrection after the second KLEx surgery, especially for individuals with high myopia. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to survey the potential correlation between biometric parameters and postoperative outcomes after implanting extended depth-of-focus (EDOF) intraocular lenses (IOLs) and trifocal IOLs. A retrospective cohort study was conducted, and patients receiving EDOF or trifocal IOL implantations were included. In total, 36 and 26 eyes were enrolled in the EDOF and trifocal groups, respectively. The primary outcomes of this study were the postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), uncorrected near visual acuity (UNVA), and spherical equivalent (SE). The generalized linear model was applied to evaluate the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence intervals (CIs) of primary outcomes in patients with different biometric characters. The final UDVA of the EDOF group was significantly better than that of the trifocal group (p = 0.020), and the UNVA and SE did not show significant differences between the two groups throughout the postoperative period (all p > 0.05). In a multivariable analysis, the UDVA was significantly better in the EDOF group than in the trifocal group (p = 0.038). For the subgroup analysis, the high axial length (AXL) value correlated to a lower postoperative UDVA in the EDOF group (both p < 0.05). Additionally, a large white-to-white (WTW) diameter was related to worse postoperative UNVA in the trifocal group (p = 0.042), and a high AXL was associated with higher SE in both the EDOF and trifocal groups (both p < 0.05). In conclusion, a high AXL correlates to worse postoperative outcomes in both the EDOF and trifocal IOLs, and trifocal IOL outcomes could be affected by large WTW diameters. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aim to evaluate the effectiveness of an acupuncture steam-warming eye mask (ASEM) on dry eye disease (DED) in visual display terminal (VDT) users. This prospective randomized clinical trial included VDT users with DED-related features who were randomly assigned to the ASEM group (ASEM for 2 weeks, 20 participants) or the steam-warming eye mask (SEM) group (SEM for 2 weeks, 20 participants). The tear film break-up time (TBUT), Schirmer test, tear meniscus height, ocular surface staining scores, eyelid and meibomian gland exam, subjective symptoms, and quality of life (QoL) scores before and after treatment were collected. A generalized linear mixed model was applied to compare the improvement of symptoms and signs between the two groups. After the 2-week treatment, all the subjective symptoms and questionnaire scores in the ASEM group improved significantly (all p < 0.05), whereas the feelings of relaxation, comfortable, and refreshment did not change in the SEM group (both p > 0.05). The TBUT, tear meniscus height, and meibum quality in the lower eyelid were significantly better in the ASEM group than the SEM group (all p < 0.05), whereas no significant changes were observed in the Schirmer test and ocular surface staining scores. Compared with the SEM group, the ASEM group experienced a stronger feeling of refreshment (p = 0.013), lower sensation of ocular discharge (p = 0.031), higher TBUT (p = 0.045), better meibomian gland expressibility of both eyelids (both p < 0.05), and better meibum quality of both eyelids (both p < 0.05), even after adjustments for age and sex. In conclusion, comparing with SEM, ASEM can improve some subjective DED symptoms, tear film stability, and meibum status in VDT users. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aim to investigate the potential risk factors for undercorrection in those who have received extend depth-of-focus (EDOF) intraocular lens (IOL) implantation. A retrospective case-control study was conducted in which patients who had received one type of EDOF IOL implantation were included. The patients were divided into the residual group and non-residual group according to the final postoperative sphere power. The preoperative data include the refractive, topographic, endothelial, and biometric parameters obtained. A generalized linear model was generated to yield the adjusted odds ratio (aOR) and 95% confidence interval (CI) of each parameter of the residual myopia. One month postoperatively, the UDVA was better in the non-residual group than in the residual group (p = 0.010), and the final SE was significantly higher in the residual group than in the non-residual group (p < 0.001). In the multivariable analysis, the high preoperative cycloplegia sphere power, higher TCRP, higher corneal cylinder power, and longer AXL significantly correlated to the presence of postoperative residual myopia (all p < 0.05). Furthermore, the higher preoperative cycloplegia sphere power, higher TCRP, higher corneal cylinder power, longer AXL, larger ACD, and larger WTW were significantly associated with postoperative residual myopia in the high-myopia population (all p < 0.001), while the higher preoperative cycloplegia sphere power, higher TCRP, and longer AXL were related to postoperative residual myopia in the low-myopia population (all p < 0.05). In conclusion, high preoperative myopia and corneal refractive power correlate to high risk of residual myopia after EDOF IOL implantation, especially in the high-myopia population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aimed to evaluate the postoperative visual and refractive outcomes between the first- and second-generation keratorefractive lenticule extraction (KLEx) surgeries. A retrospective cohort study was conducted and patients who had received first- and second-generation KLEx surgeries were enrolled. A total of 80 and 80 eyes were categorized into the first and second KLEx groups after exclusion, respectively. The primary outcomes were the postoperative uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA), spherical equivalent (SE), and safety indexes. An independent t-test and generalized estimate equation were implemented to compare the primary outcomes between the two groups. After the KLEx surgery, the UDVA showed no significant difference between the two groups throughout the study period (all p > 0.05), and the postoperative SE and safety index were also statistically identical between the two groups during the follow-up interval (all p > 0.05). There was a similar trend of visual recovery between the two groups (aOR: 0.967; 95% CI: 0.892–1.143; p = 0.844), while the amplitude of the SE change was significantly lower in the second KLEx group (aOR: 0.760; 95% CI: 0.615–0.837; p = 0.005). Nine and two unintended initial dissection of the posterior plane (UIDPP) occurred intraoperatively in the first and second KLEx groups, respectively, and the second group showed a lower risk of UIDPP (p = 0.032). In conclusion, the efficiency, predictability, and safety are similar between first- and second-generation KLEx surgeries. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

In this study, we aimed to evaluate the association between the severity of coronary heart disease (CHD) and the subsequent severity of blepharitis. This retrospective population-based cohort study was conducted using the National Health Insurance Research Database (NHIRD) of Taiwan. The participants with a CHD diagnosis were divided into mild CHD and severe CHD groups at a 1:2 ratio, according to whether percutaneous coronary intervention (PCI) was performed. The main outcomes were the development of blepharitis and severe blepharitis with the application of antibiotics. Cox proportional hazard regression was performed to obtain the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) for blepharitis, with a 95% confidence interval (CI) between the groups. There were 22,161 and 15,369 blepharitis events plus 9597 and 4500 severe blepharitis episodes in the mild and severe CHD groups, respectively. The severe CHD group showed a significantly higher incidence of blepharitis development (aHR, 1.275; 95% CI: 1.051–1.912, p = 0.0285), whereas the incidence of severe blepharitis was not significantly different between the groups (aHR, 0.981; 95% CI: 0.945–1.020, p = 0.3453). The cumulative probability of blepharitis was significantly higher in the severe CHD group than in the mild CHD group (p < 0.001). In the subgroup analyses, the correlation between severe CHD and blepharitis was more significant in patients older than 70 years compared to the younger group (p = 0.0115). In conclusion, severe CHD is associated with a higher incidence of blepharitis than mild CHD, and this correlation is more prominent in individuals older than 70 years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Our objective was to evaluate the topographic and surgical factors of early myopic regression between laser in situ keratomileusis (LASIK) and small-incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). A retrospective case–control study was conducted, and 368 and 92 eyes were enrolled in the LASIK and SMILE groups via propensity score matching (PSM). Visual acuity, refractive status, axial length, and topographic/surgical parameters were collected. Multiple linear regression was applied to the yield coefficient and the 95% confidence interval (CI) of the parameters. The cumulative incidence of early myopic regression was higher in the LASIK group (p < 0.001). In the SMILE group, a lower central corneal thickness (CCT) thinnest value and a higher corneal cylinder associated with early myopic regression were observed; meanwhile, in the LASIK group, a lower CCT thinnest value, a higher steep corneal curvature, a larger optic zone, and a lower flap thickness related to early myopic regression were observed (all p < 0.05). In the SMILE group, a higher CCT difference correlated with early myopic regression was observed compared to the LASIK group (p = 0.030), and higher steep corneal curvature and lower cap/flap thickness (both p < 0.05) correlated with early myopic regression were observed in the LASIK group compared to the SMILE group. In conclusion, CCT differences significantly influence early myopic regression in the SMILE group; meanwhile, corneal curvature and flap thickness affect early myopic regression principally in the LASIK group. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Many key functionalities of optical frequency combs, such as self-referencing and broad spectral access, rely on coherent supercontinuum generation (SCG). While nanophotonic waveguides have emerged as a compact and power-efficient platform for SCG, their geometric degrees of freedom have not been fully utilized due to the underlying complex nonlinear and noise-dependent stochastic physics. Here, we introduce inverse design to unlock free-form waveguides for coherent SCG. The efficacy of our design is numerically and experimentally demonstrated on Si3N4 waveguides, producing flat and coherent spectra from visible to mid-infrared wavelengths. Our work has direct applications in developing chip-based broadband light sources for spectroscopy, metrology, and sensing across multiple spectral regimes. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

We aim to investigate the potential correlation between the presence of ovarian cancer and the development of dry eye disease (DED) via the usage of the Longitudinal Health Insurance Database (LHID) of Taiwan. A retrospective cohort study was executed, and patients with ovarian cancer were selected according to the diagnostic and procedure codes. One ovarian cancer patient was matched to four non-ovarian cancer participants which served as control group, and a total of 4992 and 19,968 patients constructed the ovarian cancer and control groups, respectively. The primary outcome in the current study is the development of DED according to the diagnostic and procedure codes. Cox proportional hazard regression was utilized to produce the adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) and related 95% confidence interval (CI) of DED between the two groups. There were 542 and 2502 DED events observed in the ovarian cancer group and the control group, respectively. The ovarian cancer group illustrated a significantly higher incidence of DED development than the control group after the adjustment of several confounders (aHR: 1.10, 95% CI: 1.01–1.21, p = 0.040). In the subgroup analysis stratified by age, ovarian cancer patients aged older than 60 years showed a higher incidence of DED compared to the non-ovarian cancer population (aHR: 1.19, 95% CI: 1.08–1.28, p = 0.011). In addition, ovarian cancer patients with a disease duration longer than five years also showed higher incidence of DED formation than the non-ovarian cancer population (aHR: 1.13, 95% CI: 1.04–1.22, p = 0.027). In conclusion, the presence of ovarian cancer is associated with higher incidence of subsequent DED, especially in those older than 60 years and with a disease interval of more than five years. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]