Purpose. This study aims to evaluate dry eye and ocular surface conditions of myopic teenagers by using questionnaire and clinical examinations. Methods. A total of 496 eyes from 248 myopic teenagers (7–18 years old) were studied. We administered Ocular Surface Disease Index (OSDI) questionnaire, slit-lamp examination, and Keratograph 5M. The patients were divided into 2 groups based on OSDI dry eye standard, and their ocular surfaces and meibomian gland conditions were evaluated. Results. The tear meniscus heights of the dry eye and normal groups were in normal range. Corneal fluorescein scores were significantly higher whereas noninvasive break-up time was dramatically shorter in the dry eye group than in the normal group. All three meibomian gland dysfunction parameters (i.e., meibomian gland orifice scores, meibomian gland secretion scores, and meibomian gland dropout scores) of the dry eye group were significantly higher than those of the normal group (P < 0.0001). Conclusions. The prevalence of dry eye in myopic teenagers is 18.95%. Meibomian gland dysfunction plays an important role in dry eye in myopic teenagers. The Keratograph 5M appears to provide an effective noninvasive method for assessing ocular surface situation of myopic teenagers.

Nowadays the micro direct methanol fuel cell (μDMFC) has received much attention as a leading candidate for portable power of the future. This paper presents a novel modification method of the commercial proton exchange membrane Nafion®117 to produce an improved polymer electrolyte membrane for the μDMFC. The method involves using γ-ray radiation and electroless palladium deposition on a Nafion®117 membrane. Specific scopes of the γ-ray radiation dose may cause membrane crosslinking, thus reduce the membrane swelling ratio and decrease methanol crossover. The electroless palladium deposition on the γ-ray radiation modified Nafion®117 further decreases methanol crossover. The modified membrane was characterized using a scanning electron microscope (SEM), an energy dispersive x-ray spectrometer (EDX) and x-ray diffraction (XRD). Water uptake, methanol permeability and membrane conductivity tests were also carried out. By reducing the membrane swelling ratio and methanol permeation, the single μDMFC with the modified Nafion®117 membrane produced reasonable power density performance as high as 4.9 mW cm−2 under 2 M methanol solution at room temperature.

PurposeTo investigate the immunoregulatory roles of adipose-derived mesenchymal stem cells (ADSCs) in autoimmune dacryoadenitis.MethodsRabbits were treated with ADSCs or phosphate-buffered solution on days 1, 3, 5, 7, and 9 after injection of activated peripheral blood lymphocytes, and clinical scores were determined by assessing tear production, break-up time, and fluorescein and hematoxylin and eosin staining. Inflammatory response was determined by measuring the expression of different mediators of inflammation in the lacrimal glands. The Th1/Th17-mediated autoreactive responses were evaluated by determining the proliferative response and the expression of cytokine genes and the lineage-determining transcription factors. The frequency of regulatory T cells (Tregs) was also examined.ResultsThe ADSC-treated rabbits showed decreased autoimmune responses, and the secretory function of their lacrimal gland was restored significantly. Treatment with ADSCs downregulated the Th1 and Th17 responses but enhanced Tregs function. In addition, ADSC treatment noticeably suppressed the expression of matrix metalloproteinase (MMP)-9, MPP-2, IL-1β, and IL-6, whereas it enhanced the expression of the anti-inflammatory cytokine IL-10.ConclusionsOur results demonstrated that ADSC administration efficiently ameliorates autoimmune dacryoadenitis mainly via modulating Th1/Th17 responses.

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Autoimmune dacryoadenitis, such as Sjögren syndrome, comprises multifactorial and complex diseases. Inflammation of the lacrimal gland plays a key role in the pathogenesis of diseases. Unfortunately, current treatment strategies, including artificial tears, anti-inflammatory drugs, punctual occlusion, and immunosuppressive drugs, are only palliative, and long-term administration of these strategies is associated with adverse effects that limit their utility. Hence, an effective and safe treatment for autoimmune dacryoadenitis is urgently needed. Mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs) have emerged as a promising tool for treating autoimmune dacryoadenitis, owing to their immunosuppressive properties, tissue repair functions, and powerful differentiation capabilities. A large number of studies have focused on the effect of MSCs on autoimmune diseases, such as autoimmune uveitis, inflammatory bowel disease, and collagen-induced arthritis, but few studies have, to date, unequivocally established the efficacy of MSCs for treating autoimmune dacryoadenitis. In this review, we discuss recent advances in MSC treatment for autoimmune dacryoadenitis.