Purpose: This study investigated the changes in gene expression in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) following ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) treatment to elucidate the underlying mechanisms contributing to its neuroprotective effects. Methods: RGCs isolated from Sprague-Dawley rat pups were treated with recombinant CNTF. Gene expression was analyzed via microarray. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were defined as those with a fold change greater than 2 or less than –2. The DEGs were further explored using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses. Results: Our analysis identified 71 upregulated and 58 downregulated genes. A2m exhibited the highest increase, with a fold change of 4.97, whereas Rho displayed the most significant decrease in expression, with a fold change of –6.38. GO and KEGG pathway analyses revealed substantial involvement in sensory organ development and the phototransduction pathway. Conclusions This study provides new insights into the impact of CNTF on gene expression in RGCs, suggesting broader neuroprotective mechanisms that could inform future therapeutic strategies for retinal degenerative diseases. Our findings emphasize the importance of further investigation into the complex gene network responses to CNTF treatment.

Purpose: This study investigated the changes in gene expression in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) following ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) treatment to elucidate the underlying mechanisms contributing to its neuroprotective effects. Methods: RGCs isolated from Sprague-Dawley rat pups were treated with recombinant CNTF. Gene expression was analyzed via microarray. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were defined as those with a fold change greater than 2 or less than –2. The DEGs were further explored using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses. Results: Our analysis identified 71 upregulated and 58 downregulated genes. A2m exhibited the highest increase, with a fold change of 4.97, whereas Rho displayed the most significant decrease in expression, with a fold change of –6.38. GO and KEGG pathway analyses revealed substantial involvement in sensory organ development and the phototransduction pathway. Conclusions This study provides new insights into the impact of CNTF on gene expression in RGCs, suggesting broader neuroprotective mechanisms that could inform future therapeutic strategies for retinal degenerative diseases. Our findings emphasize the importance of further investigation into the complex gene network responses to CNTF treatment.

Purpose: This study investigated the changes in gene expression in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) following ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) treatment to elucidate the underlying mechanisms contributing to its neuroprotective effects. Methods: RGCs isolated from Sprague-Dawley rat pups were treated with recombinant CNTF. Gene expression was analyzed via microarray. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were defined as those with a fold change greater than 2 or less than –2. The DEGs were further explored using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses. Results: Our analysis identified 71 upregulated and 58 downregulated genes. A2m exhibited the highest increase, with a fold change of 4.97, whereas Rho displayed the most significant decrease in expression, with a fold change of –6.38. GO and KEGG pathway analyses revealed substantial involvement in sensory organ development and the phototransduction pathway. Conclusions This study provides new insights into the impact of CNTF on gene expression in RGCs, suggesting broader neuroprotective mechanisms that could inform future therapeutic strategies for retinal degenerative diseases. Our findings emphasize the importance of further investigation into the complex gene network responses to CNTF treatment.

Purpose: This study investigated the changes in gene expression in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) following ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) treatment to elucidate the underlying mechanisms contributing to its neuroprotective effects. Methods: RGCs isolated from Sprague-Dawley rat pups were treated with recombinant CNTF. Gene expression was analyzed via microarray. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were defined as those with a fold change greater than 2 or less than –2. The DEGs were further explored using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses. Results: Our analysis identified 71 upregulated and 58 downregulated genes. A2m exhibited the highest increase, with a fold change of 4.97, whereas Rho displayed the most significant decrease in expression, with a fold change of –6.38. GO and KEGG pathway analyses revealed substantial involvement in sensory organ development and the phototransduction pathway. Conclusions This study provides new insights into the impact of CNTF on gene expression in RGCs, suggesting broader neuroprotective mechanisms that could inform future therapeutic strategies for retinal degenerative diseases. Our findings emphasize the importance of further investigation into the complex gene network responses to CNTF treatment.

Purpose: This study investigated the changes in gene expression in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) following ciliary neurotrophic factor (CNTF) treatment to elucidate the underlying mechanisms contributing to its neuroprotective effects. Methods: RGCs isolated from Sprague-Dawley rat pups were treated with recombinant CNTF. Gene expression was analyzed via microarray. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were defined as those with a fold change greater than 2 or less than –2. The DEGs were further explored using Gene Ontology (GO) and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway analyses. Results: Our analysis identified 71 upregulated and 58 downregulated genes. A2m exhibited the highest increase, with a fold change of 4.97, whereas Rho displayed the most significant decrease in expression, with a fold change of –6.38. GO and KEGG pathway analyses revealed substantial involvement in sensory organ development and the phototransduction pathway. Conclusions This study provides new insights into the impact of CNTF on gene expression in RGCs, suggesting broader neuroprotective mechanisms that could inform future therapeutic strategies for retinal degenerative diseases. Our findings emphasize the importance of further investigation into the complex gene network responses to CNTF treatment.

Purpose: This study was performed to examine the ultrasonography (US) features of normal parathyroid glands (PTGs) that were identified on preoperative US and subsequently confirmed during thyroid surgery. Methods: This retrospective study included a consecutive sample of 161 patients (mean±standard deviation age, 56±14 years; 128 women) with 294 normal PTGs identified on preoperative US PTG mapping and confirmed during thyroidectomy. A presumed normal PTG on US was defined as a small, round to oval, hyperechoic structure in the central neck. These presumed normal PTGs, as identified on preoperative US, were mapped onto thyroid computed tomography images and diagrams of the thyroid gland and neck. During the preoperative real-time US examinations, the location, size, shape, echogenicity, echotexture, and intraglandular vascular flow of the identified presumed PTGs were assessed. These characteristics were compared between superior and inferior PTGs using the generalized estimating equation method. Results: The typical US features of homogeneous hyperechogenicity without intraglandular vascular flow were observed in 267 (90.8%) normal PTGs, while atypical features, including isoechogenicity (1.0%), heterogeneous echotexture with focal hypoechogenicity (5.8%), and intraglandular vascular flow (3.7%), were noted in 27 (9.2%). Inferior PTGs were more frequently identified in posterolateral (36.1% vs. 5.3%) and thyroid pole locations (29.9% vs. 5.3%), and less frequently in posteromedial locations (29.2% vs. 88.0%), compared to superior PTGs (P<0.001 for each comparison). Conclusion Most normal PTGs displayed the typical US features of homogeneous hyperechogenicity without intraglandular vascular flow. However, in rare cases, normal PTGs exhibited atypical features, including isoechogenicity, heterogeneous echotexture with focal hypoechogenicity, and intraglandular vascular flow.

Purpose: This study was performed to examine the ultrasonography (US) features of normal parathyroid glands (PTGs) that were identified on preoperative US and subsequently confirmed during thyroid surgery. Methods: This retrospective study included a consecutive sample of 161 patients (mean±standard deviation age, 56±14 years; 128 women) with 294 normal PTGs identified on preoperative US PTG mapping and confirmed during thyroidectomy. A presumed normal PTG on US was defined as a small, round to oval, hyperechoic structure in the central neck. These presumed normal PTGs, as identified on preoperative US, were mapped onto thyroid computed tomography images and diagrams of the thyroid gland and neck. During the preoperative real-time US examinations, the location, size, shape, echogenicity, echotexture, and intraglandular vascular flow of the identified presumed PTGs were assessed. These characteristics were compared between superior and inferior PTGs using the generalized estimating equation method. Results: The typical US features of homogeneous hyperechogenicity without intraglandular vascular flow were observed in 267 (90.8%) normal PTGs, while atypical features, including isoechogenicity (1.0%), heterogeneous echotexture with focal hypoechogenicity (5.8%), and intraglandular vascular flow (3.7%), were noted in 27 (9.2%). Inferior PTGs were more frequently identified in posterolateral (36.1% vs. 5.3%) and thyroid pole locations (29.9% vs. 5.3%), and less frequently in posteromedial locations (29.2% vs. 88.0%), compared to superior PTGs (P<0.001 for each comparison). Conclusion Most normal PTGs displayed the typical US features of homogeneous hyperechogenicity without intraglandular vascular flow. However, in rare cases, normal PTGs exhibited atypical features, including isoechogenicity, heterogeneous echotexture with focal hypoechogenicity, and intraglandular vascular flow.

Purpose: This study was performed to examine the ultrasonography (US) features of normal parathyroid glands (PTGs) that were identified on preoperative US and subsequently confirmed during thyroid surgery. Methods: This retrospective study included a consecutive sample of 161 patients (mean±standard deviation age, 56±14 years; 128 women) with 294 normal PTGs identified on preoperative US PTG mapping and confirmed during thyroidectomy. A presumed normal PTG on US was defined as a small, round to oval, hyperechoic structure in the central neck. These presumed normal PTGs, as identified on preoperative US, were mapped onto thyroid computed tomography images and diagrams of the thyroid gland and neck. During the preoperative real-time US examinations, the location, size, shape, echogenicity, echotexture, and intraglandular vascular flow of the identified presumed PTGs were assessed. These characteristics were compared between superior and inferior PTGs using the generalized estimating equation method. Results: The typical US features of homogeneous hyperechogenicity without intraglandular vascular flow were observed in 267 (90.8%) normal PTGs, while atypical features, including isoechogenicity (1.0%), heterogeneous echotexture with focal hypoechogenicity (5.8%), and intraglandular vascular flow (3.7%), were noted in 27 (9.2%). Inferior PTGs were more frequently identified in posterolateral (36.1% vs. 5.3%) and thyroid pole locations (29.9% vs. 5.3%), and less frequently in posteromedial locations (29.2% vs. 88.0%), compared to superior PTGs (P<0.001 for each comparison). Conclusion Most normal PTGs displayed the typical US features of homogeneous hyperechogenicity without intraglandular vascular flow. However, in rare cases, normal PTGs exhibited atypical features, including isoechogenicity, heterogeneous echotexture with focal hypoechogenicity, and intraglandular vascular flow.

Purpose: This study was performed to examine the ultrasonography (US) features of normal parathyroid glands (PTGs) that were identified on preoperative US and subsequently confirmed during thyroid surgery. Methods: This retrospective study included a consecutive sample of 161 patients (mean±standard deviation age, 56±14 years; 128 women) with 294 normal PTGs identified on preoperative US PTG mapping and confirmed during thyroidectomy. A presumed normal PTG on US was defined as a small, round to oval, hyperechoic structure in the central neck. These presumed normal PTGs, as identified on preoperative US, were mapped onto thyroid computed tomography images and diagrams of the thyroid gland and neck. During the preoperative real-time US examinations, the location, size, shape, echogenicity, echotexture, and intraglandular vascular flow of the identified presumed PTGs were assessed. These characteristics were compared between superior and inferior PTGs using the generalized estimating equation method. Results: The typical US features of homogeneous hyperechogenicity without intraglandular vascular flow were observed in 267 (90.8%) normal PTGs, while atypical features, including isoechogenicity (1.0%), heterogeneous echotexture with focal hypoechogenicity (5.8%), and intraglandular vascular flow (3.7%), were noted in 27 (9.2%). Inferior PTGs were more frequently identified in posterolateral (36.1% vs. 5.3%) and thyroid pole locations (29.9% vs. 5.3%), and less frequently in posteromedial locations (29.2% vs. 88.0%), compared to superior PTGs (P<0.001 for each comparison). Conclusion Most normal PTGs displayed the typical US features of homogeneous hyperechogenicity without intraglandular vascular flow. However, in rare cases, normal PTGs exhibited atypical features, including isoechogenicity, heterogeneous echotexture with focal hypoechogenicity, and intraglandular vascular flow.

Purpose: This study was performed to examine the ultrasonography (US) features of normal parathyroid glands (PTGs) that were identified on preoperative US and subsequently confirmed during thyroid surgery. Methods: This retrospective study included a consecutive sample of 161 patients (mean±standard deviation age, 56±14 years; 128 women) with 294 normal PTGs identified on preoperative US PTG mapping and confirmed during thyroidectomy. A presumed normal PTG on US was defined as a small, round to oval, hyperechoic structure in the central neck. These presumed normal PTGs, as identified on preoperative US, were mapped onto thyroid computed tomography images and diagrams of the thyroid gland and neck. During the preoperative real-time US examinations, the location, size, shape, echogenicity, echotexture, and intraglandular vascular flow of the identified presumed PTGs were assessed. These characteristics were compared between superior and inferior PTGs using the generalized estimating equation method. Results: The typical US features of homogeneous hyperechogenicity without intraglandular vascular flow were observed in 267 (90.8%) normal PTGs, while atypical features, including isoechogenicity (1.0%), heterogeneous echotexture with focal hypoechogenicity (5.8%), and intraglandular vascular flow (3.7%), were noted in 27 (9.2%). Inferior PTGs were more frequently identified in posterolateral (36.1% vs. 5.3%) and thyroid pole locations (29.9% vs. 5.3%), and less frequently in posteromedial locations (29.2% vs. 88.0%), compared to superior PTGs (P<0.001 for each comparison). Conclusion Most normal PTGs displayed the typical US features of homogeneous hyperechogenicity without intraglandular vascular flow. However, in rare cases, normal PTGs exhibited atypical features, including isoechogenicity, heterogeneous echotexture with focal hypoechogenicity, and intraglandular vascular flow.