A new phragmalin-type limonoid and anti-inflammatory constituents from the fruits of Swietenia macrophylla

The fruit of Swietenia macrophylla is commercially used in healthcare products for the improvement of blood circulation and skin condition. A new phragmalin-type limonoid, 6-O-acetyl-3′-demethylswietephragmin E (1), has been isolated from the fruit of S. macrophylla, together with 16 known compounds. The structure of this new compound was determined through spectroscopic and MS analyses. 6-O-Acetyl-3′-demethylswietephragmin E (1), 3,6-O,O-diacetylswietenolide (5), 3-O-tigloylswietenolide (6), 3-O-tigloyl-6-O-acetylswietenolide (8), swietemahonin E (9), and 6-O-acetylswietemahonin G (10) exhibited inhibition (IC₅₀ ? 35.7 μM) of superoxide anion generation by human neutrophils in response to formyl-l-methionyl-l-leucyl-l-phenylalanine (fMLP).     

Sesquiterpenes from the rhizome of Curcuma longa with inhibitory activity on superoxide generation and elastase release by neutrophils

Six new sesquiterpenes, curculonone A (1), curculonone B (2), curculonone C (3), curculonone D (4), 6α-hydroxycurcumanolide A (5), and 1,10-dehydro-10-deoxy-9-oxozedoarondiol (6), have been isolated from the rhizome of Curcuma longa, together with 19 known compounds. The structures of these new compounds were determined through spectroscopic and MS analyses. Compounds 1, 2, 5, 12, 15, 16, and 23 exhibited inhibition (IC₅₀ ? 18.22 μM) of superoxide anion generation by human neutrophils in response to formyl-L-methionyl-L-leucyl-L-phenylalanine/cytochalasin B (fMLP/CB). Compounds 5, 12–16, and 23 inhibited fMLP/CB-induced elastase release with IC₅₀ values ? 14.28 μM.     

Involvement of Rare Mutations of SCN9A,DPP4, ABCA13, and SYT14 in Schizophrenia and Bipolar Disorder

Rare mutations associated with schizophrenia (SZ) and bipolar disorder (BD) usually have high clinical penetrance; however, they are highly heterogeneous and personalized. Identifying rare mutations is instrumental in making the molecular diagnosis, understanding the pathogenesis, and providing genetic counseling for the affected individuals and families. We conducted whole-genome sequencing analysis in two multiplex families with the dominant inheritance of SZ and BD. We detected a G327E mutation of SCN9A and an A654V mutation of DPP4 cosegregating with SZ and BD in one three-generation multiplex family. We also identified three mutations cosegregating with SZ and BD in another two-generation multiplex family, including L711S of SCN9A, M4554I of ABCA13, and P159L of SYT14. These five missense mutations were rare and deleterious. Mutations of SCN9A have initially been reported to cause congenital insensitivity to pain and neuropathic pain syndromes. Further studies showed that rare mutations of SCN9A were associated with seizure and autism spectrum disorders. Our findings suggest that SZ and BD might also be part of the clinical phenotype spectra of SCN9A mutations. Our study also indicates the oligogenic involvement in SZ and BD and supports the multiple-hit model of SZ and BD.     

Novel silicone elastomer contact lenses designed for simultaneous viewing of distance and near eye displays

SignificanceAs technology advances, there is a need for a safe and well-fitting contact lens that can be utilized to carry embedded components without concerns of decreasing oxygen permeability to the eye.PurposeThe purpose of this study was to assess fitting characteristics, vision and performance of a novel ultra-high Dk silicone elastomer contact lens having a fully encapsulated two-state polarizing filter and a high-powered central lenslet that allows viewing at distance and viewing of a near eye display, while managing the concomitant high water vapor permeability of the material.Methods15 participants were fit with the silicone elastomer study lenses. Biomicroscopy was conducted before and after lens wear. Visual acuity with manifest refraction and visual acuity with an over-refraction while wearing the plano-powered study lenses were measured. Participants wore spectacles with micro-displays at the focal length of the lenslet on each eye. Lens fit was assessed including ease of lens removal. Subjective assessments of viewing the micro-displays were completed on a 1(unable) to 10(immediate/profound/stable) scale.ResultsBiomicroscopy revealed no eyes had moderate or severe corneal staining after study lens wear. Mean (±standard deviation) LogMAR acuity for all eyes was −0.13(0.08) with best corrected refraction and −0.03(0.06) with the study lenses and over-refraction. Mean spherical equivalent of the manifest refraction for both eyes was −3.12 D and was −2.75 D over the plano study lenses. Subjective assessments revealed a mean score of 7.67(1.91) for ease of obtaining fusion; 8.47(1.30) for ease of observing three-dimensional vision, and 8.27(1.49) for stability of the fused binocular display vision.ConclusionThe silicone elastomer study lenses with a two-state polarizing filter and central lenslet allow for vision at distance and on spectacle mounted micro-displays.     

Corneal topographic changes in patients with thyroid eye disease: A retrospective cross-sectional study

PurposeThis study aimed to evaluate corneal topographic findings in patients with thyroid eye disease (TED) using a Galilei camera and compare their corneal topographic parameters with those of control patients.MethodsThis retrospective cross-sectional study included 52 eyes of 26 patients with TED (study group) and 40 eyes of 20 controls treated at a tertiary medical center in Taiwan between January and December 2021. All participants underwent basic ophthalmological examinations, corneal topography examination using a Galilei dual Scheimpflug camera, thyroid function examination, and orbital computed tomography. The corneal topographic parameters and cross-sectional area of the extraocular muscles were compared between the TED and control groups.ResultsSeveral corneal topographic parameters, including the Inferior-Superior Index, Keratoconus Prediction Index, Surface Asymmetry Index, Surface Regularity Index, simulated keratometry astigmatism, and anterior instantaneous astigmatism axis, differed significantly between the groups (P ≤ 0.05). The anterior instantaneous astigmatism axis was more oblique in the TED group than in the control group. A scatter plot revealed a more scattered distribution in the anterior instantaneous astigmatism axis in the TED group than in the control group. However, the corneal topographic parameters did not differ significantly among the different thyroid dysfunction groups.ConclusionsThe corneas of patients with TED are suspicious and keratoconus-like, and TED can increase anterior corneal astigmatism in the oblique axis, albeit with large variations in the extent of change. These TED-related corneal changes may aid in the early diagnosis of TED, especially “silent” TED.     

Long-term effects of tear film component deposition on the surface and optical properties of two different orthokeratology lenses

PurposeTo understand the effects of long-term deposition of tear film components on the surface and optical properties of orthokeratology (ortho-k) lenses, two different lenses, Brighten 22 and Optimum Extra, were tested here.MethodsOrtho-k lenses were immersed in artificial tears and cleaned with a commercial care solution repeatedly for up to 90 days. Both the daily and accumulated lysozyme deposition amounts using an Enzyme-Linked ImmunoSorbent Assay were then analyzed. The base curve, central thickness, power, and transmission of visible light, ultraviolet A, and ultraviolet B were analyzed before and after repeated tear film component deposition procedures. The surface roughness using atomic force microscopy was observed and an energy dispersive spectrometer was used to analyze the composition of the deposits.ResultsThe highest levels of lysozyme were adsorbed on both lens materials during the first four days of the procedure and became saturated by day 6. For both lens materials, contamination on the lenses was easily observed by day 30, and the degree of surface roughness was higher. The transmission levels of different light spectrums were reduced showing that the optical characteristics of both lenses were also affected.ConclusionsThe results provide in vitro evidence that lysozyme could not be completely removed from orthokeratology lenses. Both surface and optical properties were affected by the deposition of tear film components. However, only one commercial multipurpose care solution was used to clean the lens in this study when the main ingredient was a surfactant, and the results might be different when other care regimens with other key ingredients are used. In addition, whether tear film component deposition might result in increased risks of infection or corneal abrasion will require further investigation.