Biao Li’s research while affiliated with Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and other places

Macrophages form a crucial component of the innate immune system, and their activation is indispensable for various aspects of immune and inflammatory processes, tissue repair, and maintenance of the balance of the body's state. Macrophages are found in all ocular tissues, spanning from the front surface, including the cornea, to the posterior pole, represented by the choroid/sclera. The neural retina is also populated by specialised resident macrophages called microglia. The plasticity of microglia/macrophages allows them to adopt different activation states in response to changes in the tissue microenvironment. When exposed to various factors, microglia/macrophages polarise into distinct phenotypes, each exhibiting unique characteristics and roles. Furthermore, extensive research has indicated a close association between microglia/macrophage polarisation and the development and reversal of various intraocular diseases. The present article provides a review of the recent findings on the association between microglia/macrophage polarisation and ocular pathological processes (including autoimmune uveitis, optic neuritis, sympathetic ophthalmia, retinitis pigmentosa, glaucoma, proliferative vitreoretinopathy, subretinal fibrosis, uveal melanoma, ischaemic optic neuropathy, retinopathy of prematurity and choroidal neovascularization). The paradoxical role of microglia/macrophage polarisation in retinopathy of prematurity is also discussed. Several studies have shown that microglia/macrophages are involved in the pathology of ocular diseases. However, it is required to further explore the relevant mechanisms and regulatory processes. The relationship between the functional diversity displayed by microglia/macrophage polarisation and intraocular diseases may provide a new direction for the treatment of intraocular diseases.

Behçet uveitis poses significant management challenges, owing to its intricate pathogenesis and the severe prognosis it harbors, frequently culminating in irreversible visual impairment and an elevated risk of blindness. This review synthesizes contemporary insights into personalized immunosuppressive strategies for Behçet uveitis, emphasizing the necessity for a customized approach in recognition of the disease’s heterogeneity and the variable responsiveness to treatment. This discourse elaborates on the application, efficacy, and safety profiles of traditional immunosuppressants, highlighting a paradigm shift toward integrative combination therapies aimed at diminishing reliance on glucocorticoids and mitigating their associated adverse effects. This thorough evaluation seeks to enlighten clinical practices and spearhead future investigations aimed at refining the management of Behçet uveitis, championing a personalized, multidisciplinary strategy to amplify therapeutic efficacy and enhance patient quality of life.

Background Myopia results when light rays focus before reaching the retina, causing blurred vision. High myopia (HM), defined by a refractive error of ≤-6 diopters (D) or an axial length of ≥26 mm, is an extreme form of this condition. The progression from HM to pathological myopia (PM) is marked by extensive ocular axis elongation. The rise in myopia has escalated concerns for HM due to its potential progression to pathological myopia. The covert progression of HM calls for thorough analysis of its current research landscape. Material/Methods HM-related publications from 2003–2022 were retrieved from the Web of Science database. Using VOSviewer and Citespace software, we conducted a bibliometric and visualized analysis to create document co-citation network maps. These maps detailed authors, institutions, countries, key terms, and significant literature. Results From 9,079 articles, 8,241 were reviewed. An increasing trend in publications was observed, with Kyoko Ohno-Matsui identified as a top contributor. The Journal of Cataract and Refractive Surgery was the primary publication outlet. Chinese researchers and institutions were notably active. The document citation network identified five focal areas: refractive surgery, clinical manifestations/treatment, prevention/control, genetics, and open angle glaucoma. Conclusions Research emphasis in HM has shifted from refractive surgery for visual acuity enhancement to the diagnosis, classification, prevention, and control of HM complications. Proposals for early myopia intervention to prevent HM are gaining attention. Genetics and HM’s link with open angle glaucoma, though smaller in focus, significantly enhance our understanding of HM.

Behçet's uveitis (BU), a vision-threatening manifestation of Behçet's disease, poses substantial management challenges due to its chronic, relapsing nature and potential for vision loss. This review explores the role of biologic therapies in the treatment of BU, providing a comprehensive overview of their effectiveness, drawbacks, and future possibilities. Traditionally, management has relied heavily on corticosteroids and conventional immunosuppressants. However, their long-term use is frequently associated with systemic side effects and insufficient control of ocular inflammation. Biologic therapies, particularly TNF-alpha inhibitors like infliximab and adalimumab, have emerged as effective alternatives, offering better disease control and a more favorable safety profile. We critically evaluated these agents, noting their clinical efficacy in reducing inflammatory flares and preserving visual acuity. Despite their benefits, several issues remain. Accessibility, cost, and lack of long-term safety data limit their widespread use. Additionally, individual variability in treatment response necessitates personalized therapeutic strategies. Recent research has shown promise in addressing these challenges, with the emergence of novel biologic agents and personalized medicine approaches. In summary, biologic therapies represent a paradigm shift in BU management, contributing to better patient outcomes. Yet, there are significant challenges to be overcome. As we move forward, continued research, development of novel biologic agents, and a precision medicine approach will shape the future landscape of BU treatment.

Behçet's uveitis (BU) is a debilitating manifestation of Behçet's disease, often requiring prompt and aggressive treatment to prevent vision loss. Glucocorticoids (GCS) serve as a first-line therapy for BU; however, their long-term, high-dose use can result in significant adverse effects. This review summarizes the efficacy, adverse effects, and advances in combination therapy involving GCS for the management of BU. We discuss the benefits and drawbacks of various GCS administration routes, including periocular and intravitreal injections, intravitreal sustained-release devices, and systemic therapy, highlighting the role of fluocinolone acetonide and dexamethasone as primary sustained-release formulations. Moreover, we underscore the importance of combining GCS with immunosuppressive drugs and biological agents to minimize adverse reactions and optimize therapeutic outcomes. The review concludes that, while GCS remain a crucial component of BU treatment, careful consideration of their administration and combination with other therapies is essential to achieve long-term remission and improved visual outcomes for patients with BU.

Pioneering advancements in optical coherence tomography (OCT) have facilitated the discernment of peripapillary hyper-reflective ovoid mass-like structures (PHOMS), prevalent neuro-ophthalmological findings associated with an array of ophthalmic conditions, such as optic disc drusen (ODD), papilledema, myopic/tilted optic discs, non-arteritic anterior ischemic optic neuropathy (NA-AION), and optic neuritis. Despite an expanding corpus of research, numerous inquiries persist concerning their clinical significance, correlations with ocular afflictions, and prognostic implications. This comprehensive review endeavors to impart an in-depth comprehension of PHOMS, encompassing facets like conceptualization, detection, pathogenesis, and associations with diverse ophthalmic conditions. Furthermore, we underscore several unresolved quandaries and suggest prospective avenues for future exploration.

Background: Patients with noninfectious uveitis (NIU) are at risk of systemic side effects of long-term glucocorticoid therapy and uncontrolled inflammatory complications. In urgent need to identify more aggressive therapies, adalimumab (ADA) may be the right choice. Objectives: To summarize the current evidence from randomized controlled trials (RCTs) regarding the efficacy and safety of ADA in the treatment of NIU. Methods: We searched Pubmed, Embase, Web of Science, Cochrane Library databases, and Clinical Trials Registry for qualifying articles from their inception to November 19, 2020, with no language restriction. Randomized controlled trials comparing ADA with conventional routine treatment in noninfectious uveitis patients of any age, gender, or ethnicity were included. The primary outcome was the time to treatment failure (TF). The secondary outcomes were the change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), change in the anterior chamber (AC) cell grade, change in vitreous haze (VH) grade, and adverse events (AEs). Main results: The six studies comprised 605 participants in all, and the sample size of each study ranged from 16 to 225. The overall pooled results of the primary outcome (HR = 0.51; 95% CI, 0.41 to –0.63) showed that ADA nearly halved the risk of treatment failure compared to placebo for NIU patients. The pooled mean difference of change in BCVA was -0.05 (95% CI, −0.07 to −0.02). The pooled mean difference of change in AC cell grade and VH grade was −0.29 (95% CI, −0.62 to −0.05) and −0.21 (95% CI, −0.32 to −0.11), respectively. The incidence of AEs in the ADA group was numerically higher than that of AEs in the placebo group (2,237 events and 9.40 events per patient-year, equivalent to 1,257 events and 7.79 events per patient-year). Conclusion: This meta-analysis of six RCTs further confirmed that ADA considerably lowered the risk of treatment failure or visual loss, and moderately reduced AC cell grades and VH grades with slightly more AEs, as compared to placebo. ADA is both effective and safe in treating NIU. Systematic Review Registration: [https://clinicaltrials.gov], identifier [CRD42020217909].

Materials and methods: The components with oral bioavailability ≥30% and drug similarity ≥0.18 were screened by the Traditional Chinese Medicine System Pharmacology Database and Analysis Platform (TCMSP), and the effective grouping of Compound-Xueshuantong Capsule was obtained. At the same time, the targets of each drug active component in the Compound-Xueshuantong Capsule were obtained by searching the TCMSP. The effective components and targets of the Compound-Xueshuantong Capsule were annotated by the UniProt database, and the disease treatment targets were searched by the GeneCards database. The disease treatment target is intersected with the drug target and the Wayne diagram is drawn by VennDiagram. The active ingredient targets of the intersection and Compound-Xueshuantong Capsule were inputted into Cytoscape 3.7.2 software to construct the active ingredient-target-disease interaction network. The above targets were inputted into the String database for protein-protein interaction network prediction. Finally, by using the DAVID database, GO and KEGG enrichment analysis was carried out to reveal the potential signal pathway of the Compound-Xueshuantong Capsule in diabetic retinopathy treatment. Results: 93 active components of the Compound-Xueshuantong Capsule and 92 targets for treating diabetic retinopathy were screened. The main active components of the Compound-Xueshuantong Capsule in treating diabetic retinopathy were quercetin, luteolin, kaempferol, beta-sitosterol, isorhamnetin, and tanshinone IIa. The effect of the Compound-Xueshuantong Capsule on diabetic retinopathy may be related to IL6, EFGR, CASP3, and VEGFA. In addition, the treatment of diabetic retinopathy mainly involves in the regulation of nuclear receptors and transcription factors in vivo. The target of the Compound-Xueshuantong Capsule in diabetic retinopathy treatment is significantly enriched in the AGE-RAGE signal pathway, TNF signal pathway, HIF-1 signal pathway, and VEGF signal pathway in diabetic complications. Conclusion: Compound-Xueshuantong Capsule can treat diabetic retinopathy through multitarget, multipathway, and multipathway regulation of the biomolecular network. The potential biological mechanism of the Compound-Xueshuantong Capsule in diabetic retinopathy treatment may be related to the AGE-RAGE signal pathway, TNF signal pathway, HIF-1 signal pathway, and VEGF signal pathway in diabetic complications, but these findings still need to be confirmed by further clinical research.