Sigma-1 receptor (σ ₁R) has become a focus point of drug discovery for central nervous system (CNS) diseases. A series of novel 1-phenylethan-1-one O-(2-aminoethyl) oxime derivatives were synthesized. In vitro biological evaluation led to the identification of 1a, 14a, 15d and 16d as the most high-affinity (K _i < 4 nmol/L) and selective σ ₁R agonists. Among these, 15d, the most metabolically stable derivative exhibited high selectivity for σ ₁R in relation to σ ₂R and 52 other human targets. In addition to low CYP450 inhibition and induction, 15d also exhibited high brain permeability and excellent oral bioavailability. Importantly, 15d demonstrated effective antipsychotic potency, particularly for alleviating negative symptoms and improving cognitive impairment in experimental animal models, both of which are major challenges for schizophrenia treatment. Moreover, 15d produced no significant extrapyramidal symptoms, exhibiting superior pharmacological profiles in relation to current antipsychotic drugs. Mechanistically, 15d inhibited GSK3β and enhanced prefrontal BDNF expression and excitatory synaptic transmission in pyramidal neurons. Collectively, these in vivo proof-of-concept findings provide substantial experimental evidence to demonstrate that modulating σ ₁R represents a potential new therapeutic approach for schizophrenia. The novel chemical entity along with its favorable drug-like and pharmacological profile of 15d renders it a promising candidate for treating schizophrenia.

Objective:To assess the impacts of abdominal spectral computed tomography (CT) scans on radiation dose in order to validate the feasibility of low-dose spectral CT imaging.Methods:Using varying scanning protocols on the Discovery CT750 HD device, the abdomen of an adult male dose-specific phantom was scanned in two modes: conventional single-energy CT (SECT) and gemstone spectral imaging (GSI). Specifically, the conventional SECT mode featured tube voltages of 120 and 80 kVp, automatic tube current modulation technology, and a noise index (NI) of 10 HU. In contrast, the GSI mode was characterized by the automatic spectral imaging protocol selection (ASIS) technique, rapid switching of the tube voltage between 80 and 140 kVp, and Nis for non-spectral scanning of 8, 10, 15, and 20 HU. Then, various radiation dose metrics and objective image quality were compared across different scanning protocols.Results:In the case of the same NI, the three scanning dose modes (SECT with tube voltages of 120 and 80 kVp, and GSI with a tube voltage of 80/140 kVp) presented similar volume CT dose index (CTDI vol) and dose length product (DLP). However, the SECT with a tube voltage of 80 kVp showed the lowest measured organ absorbed dose ( DT; 5.89 mSv). Effective dose ( E) was determined using DLP and organ DT. The result indicated that, under the three modes except for SECT with a tube voltage of 80 kVp, the E values calculated using DLP were lower than those determinized using the organ DT, with deviations ranging from 9% to 20%. The differences in image noise levels and signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) of the three scanning modes were statistically significant ( F = 65.52, 35.09, P < 0.001). Conclusions:Spectral CT using ASIS technology can achieve low-dose spectral scanning while ensuring image quality.

Objective:To observe and analyze the intraocular stability of intraocular lens (IOL) with different haptic designs after cataract surgery by swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:A cohort study was conducted.Medical records of 130 consecutive patients (130 eyes) diagnosed with age-related cataract, who underwent phacoemulsification and IOL implantation at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from August 2021 to August 2022 were collected.According to the type of IOL implanted, the patients were divided into four groups, L-haptic group with 34 cases (34 eyes), modified C-haptic group with 30 cases (30 eyes), plate-haptic group with 36 cases (36 eyes), four-haptic group with 30 cases (30 eyes).Before surgery, the patient's axial length and IOL diopter were measured with an optical biometer, and the angle kappa and angle alpha were measured with corneal topography.At 3 months after surgery, the anterior chamber depth, decentration and tilt of IOL, the space area between IOL and posterior capsule (AREAP) of the four groups were measured using SS-OCT.And anterior chamber depth changes and diopter changes were calculated.This study complied with the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (No.2022-KY-1222-002).All subjects were aware of the purpose and significance of this study and voluntarily signed the informed consent form.Results:The average decentration and tilt of the modified C-haptic, L-haptic, plate-haptic, and four-haptic IOL decreased successively at 3 months after surgery, with no statistically significant differences ( H=7.055, F=5.162; all P>0.05).The postoperative anterior chamber depth, the anterior chamber depth change, the diopter change and the AREAP of the modified C-haptic, L-haptic, plate-haptic, and four-haptic IOL decreased successively at 3 months after surgery, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05).Preoperative angle kappa was positively correlated with postoperative 3-month IOL tilt ( r=0.554, P<0.001).Preoperative angle alpha was positively correlated with postoperative 3-month IOL tilt ( r=0.469, P<0.001).The multiple linear regression model constructed with preoperative angle kappa and preoperative angle alpha as independent variables and IOL tilt as dependent variable was statistically significant ( F=39.526, P<0.001, R2=0.384).For every 1 mm increase in preoperative angle kappa, postoperative tilt will increase by 0.438°; for every 1 mm increase in preoperative angle alpha, postoperative tilt will increase by 0.300°. Conclusions:All four IOLs with different haptic designs have good horizontal centering stability.The plate-haptic and the four-haptic IOLs have superior vertical stability compared to L-haptic and modified C-haptic designs.Preoperative angles kappa and alpha can be used as indicators to predict postoperative IOL tilt.

Objective:To observe and analyze the intraocular stability of intraocular lens (IOL) with different haptic designs after cataract surgery by swept-source optical coherence tomography (SS-OCT) and analyze its influencing factors.Methods:A cohort study was conducted.Medical records of 130 consecutive patients (130 eyes) diagnosed with age-related cataract, who underwent phacoemulsification and IOL implantation at The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from August 2021 to August 2022 were collected.According to the type of IOL implanted, the patients were divided into four groups, L-haptic group with 34 cases (34 eyes), modified C-haptic group with 30 cases (30 eyes), plate-haptic group with 36 cases (36 eyes), four-haptic group with 30 cases (30 eyes).Before surgery, the patient's axial length and IOL diopter were measured with an optical biometer, and the angle kappa and angle alpha were measured with corneal topography.At 3 months after surgery, the anterior chamber depth, decentration and tilt of IOL, the space area between IOL and posterior capsule (AREAP) of the four groups were measured using SS-OCT.And anterior chamber depth changes and diopter changes were calculated.This study complied with the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was reviewed and approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (No.2022-KY-1222-002).All subjects were aware of the purpose and significance of this study and voluntarily signed the informed consent form.Results:The average decentration and tilt of the modified C-haptic, L-haptic, plate-haptic, and four-haptic IOL decreased successively at 3 months after surgery, with no statistically significant differences ( H=7.055, F=5.162; all P>0.05).The postoperative anterior chamber depth, the anterior chamber depth change, the diopter change and the AREAP of the modified C-haptic, L-haptic, plate-haptic, and four-haptic IOL decreased successively at 3 months after surgery, and the differences were statistically significant (all P<0.05).Preoperative angle kappa was positively correlated with postoperative 3-month IOL tilt ( r=0.554, P<0.001).Preoperative angle alpha was positively correlated with postoperative 3-month IOL tilt ( r=0.469, P<0.001).The multiple linear regression model constructed with preoperative angle kappa and preoperative angle alpha as independent variables and IOL tilt as dependent variable was statistically significant ( F=39.526, P<0.001, R2=0.384).For every 1 mm increase in preoperative angle kappa, postoperative tilt will increase by 0.438°; for every 1 mm increase in preoperative angle alpha, postoperative tilt will increase by 0.300°. Conclusions:All four IOLs with different haptic designs have good horizontal centering stability.The plate-haptic and the four-haptic IOLs have superior vertical stability compared to L-haptic and modified C-haptic designs.Preoperative angles kappa and alpha can be used as indicators to predict postoperative IOL tilt.

Objective:To assess the impacts of abdominal spectral computed tomography (CT) scans on radiation dose in order to validate the feasibility of low-dose spectral CT imaging.Methods:Using varying scanning protocols on the Discovery CT750 HD device, the abdomen of an adult male dose-specific phantom was scanned in two modes: conventional single-energy CT (SECT) and gemstone spectral imaging (GSI). Specifically, the conventional SECT mode featured tube voltages of 120 and 80 kVp, automatic tube current modulation technology, and a noise index (NI) of 10 HU. In contrast, the GSI mode was characterized by the automatic spectral imaging protocol selection (ASIS) technique, rapid switching of the tube voltage between 80 and 140 kVp, and Nis for non-spectral scanning of 8, 10, 15, and 20 HU. Then, various radiation dose metrics and objective image quality were compared across different scanning protocols.Results:In the case of the same NI, the three scanning dose modes (SECT with tube voltages of 120 and 80 kVp, and GSI with a tube voltage of 80/140 kVp) presented similar volume CT dose index (CTDI vol) and dose length product (DLP). However, the SECT with a tube voltage of 80 kVp showed the lowest measured organ absorbed dose ( DT; 5.89 mSv). Effective dose ( E) was determined using DLP and organ DT. The result indicated that, under the three modes except for SECT with a tube voltage of 80 kVp, the E values calculated using DLP were lower than those determinized using the organ DT, with deviations ranging from 9% to 20%. The differences in image noise levels and signal-to-noise ratios (SNR) of the three scanning modes were statistically significant ( F = 65.52, 35.09, P < 0.001). Conclusions:Spectral CT using ASIS technology can achieve low-dose spectral scanning while ensuring image quality.

BACKGROUND: As one of the early discovered long non-coding RNAs (lncRNA), taurine upregulation gene 1 ( TUG1 ) has been widely expressed in a variety of tumors. Moreover, it promotes cell proliferation, differentiation, apoptosis, and migration. However, our understanding of its importance in the pathogenesis of cataracts remains limited. This study aimed to explore the mechanism by which lncRNA TUG1 mediates lens epithelial cell apoptosis in age-related cataracts (ARC) by regulating the microRNAs (miR-29b)/second mitochondria-derived activator of caspases axis, and to identify more non-surgical strategies for cataract treatment. METHODS: The messenger RNA expression levels of TUG1 , miR-29b, and Smac were detected using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction in vivo and in vitro . The expression of the Smac protein was analyzed by Western blotting and immunofluorescence. Flow cytometry and cell counting kit-8 assays were used to detect the cell apoptosis and proliferation rates, respectively. The targeted regulatory relationship between lncRNA TUG1 , miR-29b, and Smac was verified by viral vector construction, co-transfection, nuclear and cytoplasmic separation, luciferase reporter assays, and RNA immunoprecipitation. RESULTS: TUG1 and Smac were expressed at high levels in ARC and HLE-B3 cells treated with 200 μmol/L H 2 O 2 , whereas miR-29b expression was decreased. In vitro cell experiments confirmed that down-regulation of TUG1 could inhibit the apoptosis of lens epithelial cells. Mechanistically, Smac expression was negatively regulated by miR-29b. TUG1 competitively inhibited miR-29b expression and caused greater release of Smac. In addition, miR-29b partially reversed the effects of TUG1 on human lens epithelial cell line cells. CONCLUSIONS lncRNA TUG1 increases Smac expression and promotes apoptosis of lens epithelial cells in ARC by competitively inhibiting miR-29b. This mechanism is the cytological basis for ARC formation. Based on these results, the lncRNA TUG1/miR29b/Smac axis may be a new molecular pathway that regulates ARC development.

Humans ; Botulinum Toxins, Type A/therapeutic use* ; Esotropia/drug therapy* ; Neuromuscular Agents ; Injections ; Treatment Outcome ; Oculomotor Muscles

The syndrome of dampness stagnancy due to spleen deficiency (DSSD) is relatively common globally. Although the pathogenesis of DSSD remains unclear, evidence has suggested that the gut microbiota might play a significant role. Radix Astragali, used as both medicine and food, exerts the effects of tonifying spleen and qi. Astragalus polysaccharide (APS) comprises a macromolecule substance extracted from the dried root of Radix Astragali, which has many pharmacological functions. However, whether APS mitigates the immune disorders underlying the DSSD syndrome via regulating gut microbiota and the relevant mechanism remains unknown. Here, we used DSSD rats induced by high-fat and low-protein (HFLP) diet plus exhaustive swimming, and found that APS of moderate molecular weight increased the body weight gain and immune organ indexes, decreased the levels of interleukin-1β (IL-1β), IL-6, and endotoxin, and suppressed the Toll-like receptor 4/nuclear factor-‍κB (TLR4/NF-‍κB) pathway. Moreover, a total of 27 critical genera were significantly enriched according to the linear discriminant analysis effect size (LEfSe). APS increased the diversity of the gut microbiota and changed its composition, such as reducing the relative abundance of Pseudoflavonifractor and Paraprevotella, and increasing that of Parasutterella, Parabacteroides, Clostridium XIVb, Oscillibacter, Butyricicoccus, and Dorea. APS also elevated the contents of short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs). Furthermore, the correlation analysis indicated that 12 critical bacteria were related to the body weight gain and immune organ indexes. In general, our study demonstrated that APS ameliorated the immune disorders in DSSD rats via modulating their gut microbiota, especially for some bacteria involving immune and inflammatory response and SCFA production, as well as the TLR4/NF-κB pathway. This study provides an insight into the function of APS as a unique potential prebiotic through exerting systemic activities in treating DSSD.
Rats ; Animals ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Spleen ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Toll-Like Receptor 4 ; Polysaccharides/pharmacology* ; Astragalus Plant/metabolism* ; Immune System Diseases/drug therapy* ; Body Weight

Objective:To assess the effectiveness of Vision Therapy System 4 (VTS4) combined with traditional comprehensive training for ametropic amblyopia.Methods:A non-randomized controlled clinical study was performed.A total of 168 children aged 4-10 years with ametropic amblyopia were enrolled in The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2018 to March 2021.The children were assigned to conventional comprehensive training combined with Vision Therapy System 4 group (conventional+ VTS4 group) and conventional group according to the preference of their guardian.Patients in conventional+ VTS4 group (84 children) received conventional comprehensive training combined VTS4 and patients in conventional group (84 children) were treated with conventional comprehensive training only, and the intervention was continuously used for over a year.Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) of the patients converted to the logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (LogMAR) units was examined by international standard visual acuity chart before and after therapy.Spherical equivalent of the patients was detected by optometry under cycloplegic conditions and skiascopy.Binocular and fusion vision was examined with a synoptiscope.The stereopsis was evaluated using Titmus Stereogram.The ocular axial length (AL) and mean keratometry (Km) were measured with the IOLMaster 500.The basic cure rate, BCVA, reconstruction rate of stereopsis, △SE, △AL and △Km following training were compared to evaluate the effectiveness and myopic shift between two groups.The patients in conventional+ VTS4 group were divided into 4-5 years old group and 6-10 years old group, with 42 cases in each group, and the basic cure rate, BCVA, reconstruction rate of stereopsis were compared to evaluate the therapeutic effect between the two groups.The basic cure was defined as acuity improved to ≥0.9, with reduced myopic diopter and stable therapy outcome over 6 months.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by an Ethics Committee of The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University (No.2021-KY-0891-002). Written informed consent was obtained from guardians prior to any medical examination.Results:The basic cure rate of conventional+ VTS4 group was 58.33%(49/84), which was significantly higher than 40.48%(34/84) of conventional group ( χ2=5.358, P=0.021). The BCVA in the conventional+ VTS4 group was better than that in conventional group, showing a statistically significant difference ( Z=-2.537, P=0.011). The recovery rates of binocular vision, fusion vision and stereo vision were 87.93%(51/58), 78.33%(47/60) and 70.77%(46/65) in conventional+ VTS4 group, which were higher than 65.57%(40/61), 57.81%(37/64) and 52.86%(37/70) in conventional group, respectively, with significant differences between them ( χ2=8.259, 5.968, 4.566; all at P<0.05). No significant difference was found in △SE, △AL, and △Km between conventional group and conventional+ VTS4 group (all at P>0.05). The basic cure rate was 69.05%(29/42) in the children aged 4-5 years group, which was higher than 47.62%(20/42) in 6-10 years group, respectively, showing a significant difference ( χ2=3.967, P=0.046). Both BCVA and the stereo vision recovery rate in the 4-5 years old group were better than those in the 6-10 years old group ( Z=-2.046, P=0.041; χ2=4.624, P=0.032). Conclusions:A combination therapy of VTS4 and conventional comprehensive training can improve the visual acuity and reconstruct the fusion and stereopsis of children with ametropic amblyopia, without causing additional myopic drift.

Objective:To observe the 5-year outcomes and complications after cataract extraction combined with intraocular lens implantation in children with bilateral congenital cataract.Methods:An observational case series study was performed.A total of 72 children (144 eyes), aged 2 to 7 years, who received intraocular lens (IOL) implantation combined with posterior continuous curvilinear capsulorhexies and anterior vitrectomy after cataract extraction for bilateral congenital cataract in The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University from January 2007 to January 2012 were enrolled.All the patients underwent refractive correction and amblyopia training two weeks after the second operative eye underwent surgery.The patients were divided into 2-3 years old group (64 eyes), 4-5 years old group (48 eyes) and 6-7 years old group (32 eyes) according to their age at surgery.The preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), refraction, axial length, corneal curvature, binocular visual function and postoperative complications were observed during the 5-year follow-up period.The influence of age at surgery on postoperative BCVA in one eye at the final follow-up visit was analyzed.This study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki.The study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of The Affiliated First Hospital of Zhengzhou University (No.2020-KY-219), and written informed consent was obtained from guardians of the subjects before treatment.Results:The mean myopic shift was -2.10(-2.90, -1.90), -1.73(-2.50, -2.10) and-0.52(-2.00, -0.28)D in the 2-3 years old group, 4-5 years old group and 6-7 years old group, respectively, and the axial elongation in the three groups was (1.41±0.32), (0.96±0.51), and (0.52±0.26)mm, respectively, and the differences among the three groups were statistically significant ( H=19.85, P<0.01; F=13.24, P<0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in preoperative and postoperative corneal curvature among the three groups (all at P>0.05).The BCVA was significantly improved in all the eyes after operation, and a certain binocular visual function was obtained, and the visual function in the 2-3 years old group was better than that of 4-5 years old group and 6-7 years old group (all at P<0.05).The BCVA at the end of following-up was 0.3 or better in 116 eyes (80.56%), and was better than 0.8 in 28 eyes (19.44%).The regression analysis results showed that children younger at surgery had better visual outcome (postoperative BCVA=0.959-0.104 operative age of patient; R2=0.539, P<0.01). Conclusions:The recovery of visual function in children with binocular congenital cataract is related to the age at operation.The younger the age at operation is, the better the recovery of visual function will be.Timely, systematic and standardized refractive correction, amblyopia treatment and binocular visual function training after operation are helpful to the development and reconstruction of visual function.