Weili Hu

Given the escalating global prevalence of dry eye disease (DED) and the inadequacy of current palliative management, this study was to evaluate thetherapeutic potential of recombinant lysozyme (rlysozyme) and investigate underlying mechanisms. Human corneal epithelial cells (HCEC) were subjected to hyperosmotic stress and treated with graded rlysozyme. Cell viability, wound healing, barrier integrity, oxidative stress, cytokines, and mitochondrial function were evaluated by MTS and scratch assays, immunofluorescent staining, ELISA, qRT-PCR, and flow cytometry. Results: No cytotoxicity was observed at any of the tested concentrations (2.76 × 10⁻⁹–2.76 × 10⁻⁴ M) in HCEC. In hyperosmolarity-induced DED cells, rlysozyme at the highest concentrations (2.76 × 10⁻⁴ M) significantly increased cell viability by 12.30% (p < 0.001) and promoted corneal repair by 45.04% (p < 0.05), which were comparable to those of 0.4% hyaluronic acid (the positive control). It also improved via restoring ZO-1 organization. Mechanistically, qRT-PCR results revealed that rlysozyme reduced mRNA expression of IL-1β (by 28.7%), TNF (by 39.2%) and key NLRP3 inflammasome components, including NLRP3 (by 62.0%) and PYD and CARD domain-containing protein gene(PYCARD, 21.4%), while caspase-1 (CASP1) and IL-6 expression remained unchanged. Moreover, oxidative stress was attenuated, as evidenced by significant decreases in reactive oxygen species (ROS, by 59.1%), 8-hydroxy-2-deoxyguanosine levels (8-OHdG, by 23.6%) and total matrix metalloproteinase-9 (MMP-9, by 64.3%) protein levels (p < 0.001), while mitochondrial membrane potential was assessed qualitatively. In conclusion, this study demonstrates thatrlysozyme effectively enhanced corneal epithelial cell viability, promoted wound healing, and restored ZO-1 structural organization without inducing cytotoxicity. These protective effects were associated with downregulation of NLRP3 inflammasome-related genes and attenuation of oxidative stress, supporting further investigation of its therapeutic potential in DED.

Co-consuming whole eggs with a cooked vegetable meal effectively increased the absorption of carotenoids across life stages but not for vitamin D ₂ from a cooked vegetable meal.

Background: Despite their high fat content, nut consumption is suggested to benefit body composition. However, it remains unclear whether nuts with different fatty-acid compositions affect body composition differently. This study aimed to assess the effects of monounsaturated fatty acid (MUFA)-rich and polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA)-rich nut consumption on body composition. Methods: A systematic search of PubMed, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane, and additional sources identified 3118 articles, with 154 meeting the inclusion criteria. Subgroup analyses were conducted by nut fatty-acid composition and control diet type. Nuts were classified as MUFA-rich (MUFA:PUFA ratio ≥ 1.3) or PUFA-rich (<1.3) based on the percentages of total fat content. Results: Although there were no effects on body mass, BMI, or waist circumference, nut consumption significantly reduced % fat mass (WMD: −0.28%, 95% CI: −0.53 to −0.02) and fat mass (WMD: −0.41 kg, 95% CI: −0.58 to −0.27) and increased % lean mass (WMD: 0.71%, 95% CI: 0.32 to 1.10). However, absolute lean mass did not change significantly. Benefits were observed only in the MUFA-rich subgroup, although subgroup differences were not significant. Both MUFA- and PUFA-rich nut consumption showed reduced total cholesterol and low-density lipoprotein cholesterol levels, while MUFA-rich nut consumption further reduced triglyceride levels. Conclusion: Nut consumption, particularly MUFA-rich nuts, can improve body composition by percentage fat mass and absolute fat mass. Consuming either MUFA-rich and PUFA-rich nuts can further improve lipid–lipoprotein profiles.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a prevalent ocular surface disorder with diverse clinical presentations, yet the comparative efficacy of various Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) formulations remains unclear. This systematic review and network meta-analysis evaluated the comparative effects and baseline response relationships of TCM classes for DED across 33 randomized controlled trials retrieved from PubMed, Embase, Cochrane Library, CINAHL, and CNKI. Primary outcomes included Schirmer I test (SIT), tear film break-up time (TBUT), and corneal fluorescein staining (FL). Random-effects models estimated weighted mean differences (WMD) with 95% credible intervals (CrIs); for FL, which was measured on heterogeneous grading scales and standardized mean differences (SMD) were used. TCM classes exhibited outcome-specific profiles: Yin–Kidney (YK) and Qi–Yin Support (QYS) produced the greatest improvements in SIT versus standard care (YK: WMD 2.56, 95% CrI 0.25 to 4.86; QYS: WMD 5.32, 95% CrI 0.63 to 10.06) and significantly improved TBUT (YK: WMD 2.04, 95% CrI 1.12 to 2.89; YM: WMD 2.49, 95% CrI 0.64 to 4.37). YK demonstrated the greatest FL reduction (SMD −0.37, 95% CrI −0.71 to 0.00), followed by Liver–Spleen Regulating (SMD −0.30, 95% CrI −0.99 to 0.39). Meta-regression revealed that patients with more severe baseline deficits in tear secretion (lower SIT) and more extensive ocular-surface damage (higher FL) achieved greater clinical improvements, whereas baseline of TBUT did not significantly moderate treatment response. Overall, TCM serves as an effective adjunctive therapy for DED, with selection guided by clinical pattern and target outcomes.

Scope: Xanthophylls, vital for ocular defense against blue light and reactive oxygen species, are prone to oxidative degradation; however, they may be regenerated antioxidant‐rich plant phenols. Despite certain in vitro evidence, clinical studies show inconsistent findings and this may be due to varying phenolic reduction potentials. Therefore, the current study aims to investigate the ocular protective effect of various plant phenols combined with xanthophyll.Methods and results: Human retinal pigment epithelial cells (ARPE‐19) are subjected to oxidative stress induced by hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂) after xanthophyll and phenol pretreatment. Assessments include xanthophyll uptake, total antioxidant capacity, cell viability, intracellular reactive oxygen species levels, apoptosis, phagocytosis, and vascular endothelial growth factor formation. The study finds that while the combination of lutein with phenols does not show significant protective effects compared to lutein‐only, zeaxanthin combined with phenols exhibits enhanced protection compared to both the zeaxanthin‐only and control groups.Conclusion: The research reveals the complex relationship between xanthophylls and phenols, suggesting that the advantageous effects of their combination might vary among different xanthophylls. Caution is necessary when applying molecular theories to ocular health, and this necessitates further research, serving as a basis for proposing clinical trials to evaluate the efficacy of specific xanthophyll and phenol combinations.

This letter acknowledges Finsterer and colleagues' insightful comments on pesticide use in fruits and vegetables and impact on eye health. Pesticides can harm eyes through various exposures. Adverse effects occur due to direct entry into ocular tissues, with absorption through eye components. While the potential of organic diets to reduce pesticide exposure is acknowledged, the original paper's cited studies lack clarity on whether organic diet interventions were used. Future systematic reviews comparing organic and nonorganic diets could provide further insights.

Background: Oxidative stress is a key risk factor for visual impairment and consuming dietary antioxidant-rich foods may help in managing visual impairments. However, a limited number of studies have investigated the effect of dietary antioxidant-rich food including grapes on eye health in older adults. Objectives: To assess the effects on macular pigment accumulation of regular consumption of grapes in Singapore older adults. Methods: This was a 16 week, double-blind, randomized, placebo-controlled trial. Thirty-four Singapore older adults were randomized into regularly consuming either 46 g day⁻¹ of freeze-dried table grape powder (the intervention group) or the same amount of placebo powder (the control group). Macular pigment optical density (MPOD), skin carotenoid status, advanced glycation end product (AGEs) status and dietary lutein intake were assessed every 4 weeks, and plasma lutein concentration, total antioxidant capacity and total phenolic content were measured every 8 weeks. Results: A significant time effect (p = 0.007) was observed for MPOD, and this is largely attributed to the improvement in the MPOD for the intervention group, as a significant increase was observed only in this group (week 0: 0.56 ± 0.04 D.U.; week 16: 0.61 ± 0.04 D.U., p < 0.01). Additionally, a significant increase in plasma total antioxidant capacity (week 0: 0.26 ± 0.13 mM TEAC; week 16: 0.36 ± 0.20 mM TEAC, p < 0.01) and total phenolic content (week 0: 10.50 ± 0.44 mg L⁻¹ GAE; week 16: 12.58 ± 0.55 mg L⁻¹ GAE, p < 0.001) was observed for the intervention group only. In contrast, a significant increase in skin AGE status was observed in the control group (week 0: 2.47 ± 0.24; week 16: 2.99 ± 0.12, p < 0.05) while this was mitigated in the intervention group. There were no differences in dietary lutein intake, plasma lutein concentration and skin carotenoid status between groups throughout the study. Conclusions: Regular intake of grapes may improve eye health in Singapore older adults, specifically in augmenting MPOD, which can be explained by an increase in plasma total antioxidant capacity and phenolic content, and the downregulation of AGEs. This study was registered at clinicatrials.gov as NCT05064865.

Context: Xanthophyll intake is known to improve eye health; however, its benefits on visual outcomes have not been systematically studied, particularly in a population with eye diseases. Objective: A systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression were conducted to investigate the effect of xanthophyll intake on visual outcomes, and further subgroup analysis was performed on the basis of eye disease status. Data Sources: The PubMed, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane, and Web of Science databases were searched, and relevant randomized controlled trials were identified. Data Extraction: For systematic review, meta-analysis, and meta-regression, 43, 25, and 21 articles were selected, respectively. Data Analysis: Xanthophyll intake enhanced macular pigment optical density (MPOD) for both heterochromatic flicker photometry (weighted mean difference [WMD], 0.05; 95% confidence interval [CI], 0.03–0.07) and autofluorescence imaging (WMD, 0.08; 95%CI, 0.05–0.11) measurements and decreased photostress recovery time (WMD, –2.35; 95%CI, –4.49 to –0.20). While enhancement in visual acuity logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution was observed in response to the xanthophyll-rich food and supplement intake only for patients with eye disease (WMD, –0.04; 95%CI, –0.07 to –0.01). Meta-regression showed a positive correlation between change in MPOD (heterochromatic flicker photometry) and the corresponding change in serum lutein levels (regression coefficient = 0.068; P = 0.00). Conclusion: Intake of xanthophyll-rich food or supplements can improve eye health. Additional improvement in visual acuity was observed in patients with eye disease. A positive association between MPOD and serum lutein level, while absent with dietary xanthophyll intake, suggests the importance of bioavailability when examining the effect of xanthophyll on eye health. Systematic Review Registration: PROSPERO registration no. CRD42021295337.

This paper deals with the problem of robust stabilization of interval systems using the delta operator. Base on a kind of equivalent presentation of the interval systems, some sufficient conditions of robust stabilization of the systems are derived. The state feedback control for robust stabilization can be obtained by solving Riccati inequalities, which can stabilize the systems and guarantee a prescribed H/sub /spl infin// performance on attenuation of all admissible parameter uncertainties. The proposed approach can unify the related results of the continuous and discrete interval systems into the delta framework.