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To investigate the effects of resveratrol (Res) on human fetal scleral fibroblasts (HFSFs) and its potential mechanism. HFSFs were randomly divided into the Res-treated group and the control group. Following, HFSFs were treated with or without a concentration of 10 μM Res for 48 h. To detect the expression of related genes, reverse transcription quantitative PCR (RT-qPCR) and western blotting were used. The apoptosis rate of different groups was determined using flow cytometry. The mRNA expression of matrix metalloproteinase 2 (MMP-2), Collagen, Type I, Alpha 1 (COL1A1), Janus Kinase 2 (JAK2), and Signal Transducer and Activator of Transcription 3 (STAT3)" was downregulated in the Res-treatment group compared to the control group, according to RT-qPCR. Western blotting revealed that Res therapy reduced the expression of MMP-2, JAK2, P-JAK2, STAT3, P-STAT3, and Bcl-2 associated protein X (Bax) while increasing the expression of COL1A1 and B-cell lymphoma-2 (Bcl-2). Flow cytometry showed that the cell apoptosis rate was significantly lower in HFSFs treated with Res. In conclusion, these findings suggest that Res increases COL1A1 expression while inhibiting MMP-2 and cell apoptosis in HFSFs, possibly through modulation of the JAK2/STAT3 signaling pathway. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective To explore the value of smart glasses in monitoring the visual behavior of school-age children. Methods A total of 46 myopic children aged 9 to 11 years who visited our hospital during April to August 2019 were included in this study. Questionnaires were used to record the participants' daily outdoor time, near-work time, and parental supervision to obtain the baseline value of children's visual behavior. Besides, Akeso smart glasses were used to objectively record the daily wearing time, outdoor time, and near-work time of all participants from September 2019 to December 2019. Subsequently, we compared the differences in the children's visual behavior recorded by the questionnaire and Akeso smart glasses. In addition, we also compared the differences in the children's visual behavior on school days and weekends recorded by Akeso smart glasses, and analyzed the impact of parental supervision on the length of time the child wears glasses. Results The number of children corresponding to the different outdoor time recorded by the questionnaire was as follows: ≤30 min (n=5), >30 to 60 min (n=6), >60 to 120 min (n=23), >120 min (n=12), and this children's visual behavior parameter recorded by Akeso smart glasses was ≤30 min (n=16), >30 to 60 min (n=26), >60 to 120 min (n=4), >120 min (n=0). There were statistical differences between the results recorded by the above methods (P < 0.001). The results of Akeso smart glasses also showed significant differences were in the outdoor time spent on school days and weekends [24 (4, 56) vs 15 (3, 43) min/d, P < 0.001], and in the near-work time spent on school days and weekends (363.36±98.55 vs 329.08±105.90 min/d, P < 0.001). The children with parental supervision wore glasses for 711.80±101.63 min every day, while the wearing time for those without was 641.64±84.79 min, and there were statistical differences between these 2 groups (P=0.026). Conclusion Akeso smart glasses is able to objectively record children's visual behavior and can be used to supplement or replace questionnaires in the prevention and control myopia research.

Objective To investigate the distribution of axial length (AL), corneal radius of curvature (CR) and other ocular biological parameters in 6~11-year-old school-age children, and to explore the influencing factors for refractive status and evaluate the monitoring effect of above parameters on refractive development. Methods A total of 1 768 children aged 6 to 11 years, resident in Yongchuan District, Chongqing were enrolled in this study. Their AL, corneal curvature (K), white to white (WTW), and central corneal thickness (CCT) were measured by AL-Scan. After pupillary dilatation with 1% cyclopentanlol, cycloplegic retinoscopy was performed for refractive status. According to the spherical equivalent (SE), all right eyes were divided into myopia, hyperopia and emmetropia groups. The relationships of above parameters among different age groups and among different refractive groups and their effect on refractive status were analyzed. Results The mean AL, K, AL/CR, WTW, CCT and SE were 23.17±0.86 mm, 43.22±1.41 D, 2.97±0.10, 11.92±0.42 mm, 558.27±31.86 μm, and 0.26±1.26 D, respectively in the 1 768 students. Compared with the girls, the boys had significantly longer AL (0.49 mm), greater AL/CR (0.1), larger WTW (0.18 mm), thicker CCT (6.31 μm), and smaller K (0.71 D) (P < 0.001). There were statistically differences in AL, CR, AL/CR among different refractive status groups (P < 0.01). The myopia group had the largest AL and AL/CR, and mean AL/CR greater than 3; but smallest CR. AL was positively correlated with CR (r=0.571, P < 0.001), and the correlation coefficients of SE with AL/CR ratio, AL and CR were -0.802, -0.609 and 0.106 (P < 0.001), respectively. In different age groups, the correlation coefficients of SE with AL and AL/CR ratio were increased with age. In the different refractive statuses, the correlation of SE with AL and AL/CR was the strongest in the myopia group. Multiple linear regression analysis showed that AL/CR, AL, and gender all had effect on SE (P < 0.05). Conclusion Significant alteration in AL is seen during the growth and development of eyeballs in 6~11-year-old school-age children among school-age children in the Yongchuan District of Chongqing City. There are significant differences in eyeball development between boys and girls; SE is associated with AL, AL/CR and gender. AL/CR ratio can explain most of the total variance in SE and have clinical significance for the monitoring of the development of myopia.

Previous studies revealed an association of tumor necrosis factor super family-15 (TNFSF15) gene polymorphisms with several autoimmune diseases, but their roles in the development of Graves' disease (GD) and Graves' ophthalmopathy (GO) remain unclear. The aim of this study was to explore the correlation between TNFSF15 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) and susceptibility to GD and GO in a Han Chinese population. This case-control study enrolled 813 healthy controls and 315 GD patients including 229 patients with GO. Eight SNPs of TNFSF15 (rs3810936, rs6478108, rs6478106, rs4979462, rs10817669, rs4246905, rs10733612, and rs10759734) were detected by TaqMan real-time PCR assay or PCR-restriction fragment length polymorphism (PCR-RFLP) and the possible association of these eight SNPs with the risk of GD and GO was analyzed. Allele frequencies and genotype distributions were compared using χ2 test. A stratified analysis was also performed according to clinical activity score (CAS) and sex. In comparison with the controls, the CT genotype of rs3810936 and the T allele of rs4979462 were decreased in GD patients. GD patients with GO also showed a lower frequency of the rs3810936 CT genotype and the rs4979462 T allele than the controls. Inactive GO patients showed a lower frequency of the rs3810936 CT genotype than controls, while GD females demonstrated a lower incidence of the T allele in rs4979462 and rs6478106 than the controls. Furthermore, GO females exhibited a lower rate of the rs4979462 T allele than the controls. Our results suggest that TNFSF15 rs3810936 and rs4979462 polymorphisms are associated with the susceptibility of GD and GO in a Han Chinese population. Additionally, rs3810936 may affect the activity of GO, and rs4979462 may correlate with the sexual dimorphism observed in GD and GO. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: The purpose of this study was to develop a self-aggregated nanoparticulate vehicle using an amphiphilic poly(lactic acid)-grafted-chitosan (PLA-g-CS) copolymer and to evaluate its potential for ocular delivery of amphotericin B., Methods: A PLA-g-CS copolymer was synthesized via a "protection-graft-deprotection" procedure and its structure was confirmed by Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance, and X-ray diffraction spectra. Amphotericin B-loaded nanoparticles based on PLA-g-CS (AmB/PLA-g-CS) were prepared by the dialysis method and characterized for particle size, zeta potential, and encapsulation efficiency. Studies of these AmB/PLA-g-CS nanoparticles, including their mucoadhesive strength, drug release properties, antifungal activity, ocular irritation, ocular pharmacokinetics, and corneal penetration were performed in vitro and in vivo., Results: Fourier transform infrared spectroscopy, (1)H nuclear magnetic resonance, and X-ray diffraction spectra showed that the PLA chains were successfully grafted onto chitosan molecules and that crystallization of chitosan was suppressed. The self-aggregated PLA-g-CS nanoparticles had a core-shell structure with an average particle size of approximately 200 nm and zeta potentials higher than 30 mV. Amphotericin B was incorporated into the hydrophobic core of the nanoparticles with high encapsulation efficiency. Sustained drug release from the nanoparticles was observed in vitro. The ocular irritation study showed no sign of irritation after instillation of the PLA-g-CS nanoparticles into rabbit eyes. The minimal inhibitory concentration of the AmB/PLA-g-CS nanoparticles showed antifungal activity similar to that of free amphotericin B against Candida albicans. The in vivo ocular pharmacokinetic study suggested that the PLA-g-CS nanoparticles have the advantage of prolonging residence time at the ocular surface. The corneal penetration study showed that the PLA-g-CS nanoparticles could penetrate into the cornea., Conclusion: Our results suggest that this nanoparticulate vehicle based on a PLA-g-CS copolymer might be a promising system for effective ocular delivery of amphotericin B.