BackgroundThe microbiota of both humans and animals plays an important role in their health and the development of disease. Therefore, the bacterial flora of the conjunctiva may also be associated with some diseases. However, there are no reports on the alteration of bacterial flora in conjunctiva of diabetic rats in the literature. Therefore, we investigated the changes in bacterial flora in bulbar conjunctiva of rats with streptozotocin (STZ)-induced type I diabetes.MethodsA high dose of STZ (60 mg/kg, i.p.) was injected into Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats to induce type I diabetes mellitus (T1DM). The diabetic rats were raised in the animal laboratory and at 8 months post-injection of STZ swab samples were taken from the bulbar conjunctiva for cultivation of aerobic bacteria. The bacterial isolates were identified by Gram staining and biochemical features. The identified bacteria from both diabetic and healthy rats were then compared.ResultsThe diabetic and healthy rats had different bacterial flora present in their bulbar conjunctiva. In total, 10 and 8 bacterial species were found in the STZ and control groups, respectively, with only three species (Enterococcus faecium, Enterococcus gallinarum and Escherichia coli) shared between the two groups. Gram-positive bacteria were common in both groups and the most abundant was Enterococcus faecium. However, after the development of T1DM, the bacterial flora in the rat bulbar conjunctiva changed considerably, with a reduced complexity evident.ConclusionsSTZ-induced diabetes caused alterations of bacterial flora in the bulbar conjunctiva in rats, with some bacterial species disappearing and others emerging. Our results indicate that the conjunctival bacterial flora in diabetic humans should be surveyed for potential diagnostic markers or countermeasures to prevent eye infections in T1DM patients.

Retinal hypoperfusion injury is the pathophysiologic basis of ocular ischemic syndrome (OIS) which often leads to severe visual loss. In this study, we aimed to establish a rat model of retinal chronic hypoperfusion by bilateral common carotid artery occlusion (BCCAO) and observe changes in the retinal function and morphology. We found that model rats showed retinal arteriosclerosis, slight dilated retinal vein, small hemangiomas, hemorrhages, vascular segmental filling, and nonperfused areas after 2 weeks of BCCAO. In the model rats, the retinal circulation time was significantly prolonged by fluorescein fundus angiography (FFA), the latency of a and b waves was delayed and the amplitude was decreased significantly at each time point by electroretinogram (ERG), and the perfusion of the eyes continued to reduced. Morphologic and ultrastructural changes covered that the retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) presented obvious apoptosis and the thickness in the retinal layers were significantly thinner. Collectively, these findings suggested that BCCAO induced retinal hypoperfusion injury in the model rats, thus providing an ideal animal model for the study of OIS.

Background: To study the morphologic and biochemical changes in the retina and sclera induced by form deprivation high myopia (FDHM) in guinea pigs and explore the possible mechanisms of FDHM formation. Methods: Forty 3-week-old guinea pigs were randomized into the blank control (Group I, 20 cases) and model groups (20 cases). In the model group, the right eyes of the guinea pigs were sutured for 8 weeks to induce FDHM (Group II) and the left eyes were considered a self-control group (Group III). The refractive errors were measured with retinoscopy. The anterior chamber depth (AC), lens thickness (L), vitreous chamber depth (V) and axial length (AL) were measured using ultrasonometry A. Retinal and scleral morphology and ultrastructural features were observed with light and electron microscopy. The malondialdehyde (MDA) content and superoxide dismutase (SOD) activity in the retina and sclera were detected with a chemical colorimetric assay. Results: After 8 weeks of stitching, the refractive errors of Group II changed from (+ 3.59 ± 0.33) D to (− 7.96 ± 0.55) D, and these values were significantly higher than those of Group I (+ 0.89 ± 0.32) D and Group III (− 0.55 ± 0.49) D (P < 0.05). The vitreous chamber depth (4.12 ± 0.13) mm and axial length (8.93 ± 0.22) mm of Group II were significantly longer than those of Group I [(3.71 ± 0.23) mm and (7.95 ± 0.37) mm, respectively] and Group III [(3.93 ± 0.04) mm and (8.01 ± 0.15) mm, respectively] (P < 0.05). With the prolongation of form deprivation (FD), the retina and scleral tissues showed thinning, the ganglion cell and inner and outer nuclear layers of the retina became decreased, and the arrangement was disordered. In Group II, the SOD activity was significantly lower than that in Group I and Group III; the MDA content was significantly higher than that in Group I and Group III. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions: These findings suggested that in the FDHM guinea pigs model, the refractive errors, the vitreous chamber depth, and axial length increased significantly with prolongation of monocular FD time, and morphological structural changes in the retina and sclera were observed. Oxygen free radicals might participate in the formation of FDHM.

Background: Asthma has become the most common chronic disease in children, which seriously affects children's health and growth. Yu-Ping-Feng powder (YPFP) is widely used for the treatment of asthma in children, but there are few meta-analyses to assess the add-on effects of YPFP in children with asthma. Therefore, it is necessary to conduct a systematic review to evaluate the efficacy and safety of YPFP in the management of asthma in children. Methods: PubMed, Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), EMBASE, Web of Science and the Chinese electronic databases including China Network Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chinese Biomedicine (CBM), Chinese Scientific Journals Database (VIP), and Wan Fang Database were searched for the randomized controlled trials (RCTs) of YPFP in children with asthma based on the eligibility criteria from the date of the database inception to 28 November 2018. Two reviewers assessed the articles and extracted data from the included RCTs independently. Data will be synthesized by either the fixed-effects or random-effects model according to a heterogeneity test. We will assess the risk of bias with the Cochrane Collaboration Tool and overall quality of the evidence using the Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation system (GRADE). Primary outcomes include the improvement of symptoms including breathlessness, coughing, wheezing and the frequency of asthma exacerbations. Lung function, serum IgE level, blood eosinophil count, phlegm eosinophil count and adverse events will be assessed as the secondary outcomes. We will perform the data synthesis, sensitivity analyses, and subgroup analyses in the Rev-Man version 5.3 software. A funnel plot will be established to evaluate reporting bias. Results: This systematic review and meta-analysis will review and synthesis current clinical evidence of YPFP for the treatment of asthma in children. Conclusion: This analysis will provide high quality evidence of YPFP for the treatment of asthma in children. PROSPERO registration number: CRD42018111223.

Background Our aim was to study the morphologic and biochemical changes in the retina and sclera induced by form deprivation high myopia (FDHM) in guinea pigs and explore the possible mechanisms FDHM formation. Methods Forty 3-weeks-old guinea pigs were randomized into the blank control (Group I, 20 cases) and model groups (20 cases). In the model group, the right eyes of the guinea pigs were sutured 8 weeks to induce FDHM (Group II) and the left eyes were considered a self-control group (Group III). The refractive errors were measured were measured with retinoscopy. The anterior chamber depth, lens thickness, vitreous depth and axial length were measured using ultrasonometry A. Retinal and scleral morphology and ultrastructural features were observed with light and electron microscopy. The content of malondialdehyde and the activity of superoxide dismutase in the retina and sclera were detected with a chemical colorimetric assay. Results After remaining stitched for eight weeks, the refractive errors of Group II changed from (+3.59±0.33) D to (-7.96±0.55) D, and these values were significantly higher than those of Group I (+0.89±0.32) D and Group III (-0.55±0.49) D. The vitreous chamber depth (4.12±0.13) mm and axial length (8.93±0.22) mm of Group II were significantly longer than that of Group I [(3.71±0.23) mm and (7.95±0.37) mm, respectively] and Group III [(3.93±0.04) mm and (8.01±0.15) mm, respectively] (P < 0.05). With the prolongation of form deprivation, the retina and scleral tissue became thinner, the ganglion cell and inner and outer nuclear layers of the retina became decreased, and the arrangement was disordered. In Group II, the activity of SOD was significantly lower than that in Group I and Group III, and the content of MDA was significantly higher in Group II than in Group I and Group III. The differences were statistically significant (P < 0.05). Conclusions These findings suggested that in the FDHM guinea pigs model, the refractive errors, the vitreous chamber depth, and axial length increased significantly with prolongation of monocular FD time, and morphological structural changes in the retina and sclera were observed. Oxygen free radicals might participate in the formation of FDHM.

Background:Ophthalmoplegia is a disease that affects many people every year and is caused by reasons, such as cavernous sinus lesion, intracranial aneurysm, diabetes, and trauma. Acupuncture has been widely used to treat ophthalmological diseases especially ophthalmoplegia in China. Many clinical trials indicate that acupuncture may promote the recovery of extraocular muscles in ophthalmoplegia patients. We aim to conduct a meta-analysis to evaluate the efficacy and safety of acupuncture for ophthalmoplegia.Methods:We will retrieve the literature from the following electronic databases, by March 31, 2018, such as PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Web of Science database, Chinese BioMedical Literature Database, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, China Science and Technology Journal database, and Wanfang Database. We will also collect clinical trial registries, dissertations, grey literature, reference lists of studies, systematic reviews, and conference abstracts. Two people will review these articles, extract the data information, and assess the quality of studies separately. Data will be synthesized by either fixed-effects or random-effects model regarding to a heterogeneity test. The eyeball movement distance, size of fissure palpebrae, and the reduced degree of strabismus will be assessed as the primary outcomes. The secondary outcomes will be the size of the pupil, main symptom scores, ocular localization analysis, and functional impairment extent and safety. We will use the specific software called RevMan (version 5.3) to perform the meta-analysis.Results:This study will provide a high-quality synthesis based on current evidence of acupuncture for ophthalmoplegia, especially its impacts on eyeball movement distance, size of fissure palpebrae, the reduced degree of strabismus, size of the pupil, main symptom scores, ocular localization analysis, and functional impairment extent and safety.Expected conclusion:Our systematic review will provide evidence to determine whether acupuncture is an effective and safe intervention for ophthalmoplegia patients.Ethics and dissemination:It is not necessary for this systematic review to acquire an ethical approval. This review will be disseminated in a peer-reviewed journal or conference presentation.PROSPERO registration number:PROSPERO CRD42018091536.

Background: Allergic conjunctivitis (AC) is a multifactorial and common type of ocular surface disease that affects many people. The quality of life for AC patients can be significantly decreased caused by symptoms of ocular itching, swelling, redness, and tearing. Topical antihistaminics, mast cell stabilizers, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and steroids have been widely used to treat AC. Many clinical trials have indicated that olopatadine hydrochloride eye drops can provide quick relief of symptoms and signs. The purpose of this review is to evaluate systematically the effectiveness of olopatadine hydrochloride eye drops for treating AC. Methods: A systematic review of all of the randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness and safety of olopatadine hydrochloride eye drops for AC will be conducted. We will search PubMed, Web of Science (WOS), EMBASE (OVID), the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Science and Technology Journal database (VIP), Wanfang Database, and CBM, from the database inception date to October 31, 2019. There are no language or publication status restrictions. Registers of clinical trials, potential gray literature, reference lists of studies, and conference abstracts will also be searched. Two reviewers will independently read the articles, extract the data information, and assess the quality of the studies. Data will be synthesized by a heterogeneity test. The primary outcomes include the main symptom and sign scores before and after treatment, the eye redness index, the presence of eosinophils in the conjunctival scraping. Quality of life, the total treatment efficacy, and safety will be evaluated as the secondary outcomes. RevMan V.5.3 software will be used for the meta-analysis. Results: The study will provide an objective and normative systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of olopatadine hydrochloride eye drops for the treatment of AC. Conclusion: Our review will provide useful information to judge whether olopatadine hydrochloride eye drops is an effective intervention for patients with AC. Ethics and dissemination: It is not necessary to obtain ethical approval as participants are not involved patients. The protocol and results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. The systematic review will also be disseminated electronically and in print to help guide health care practice and policy. Prospero registration number: PROSPERO CRD42019132232.

Background: Dry eye (DE) is a common type of ocular surface disease that affects many people. Moxibustion has been widely used in China to treat ocular surface diseases, especially DE. Many clinical trials have demonstrated that moxibustion can increase the tear secretion quantity and improve tear film stability. The purpose of this review is to provide an objective and normative systematic review to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion treatment in patients with DE. Methods: The systematic review will include all of the randomized controlled trials on the effectiveness and safety of moxibustion for DE. Nine medical databases, namely PubMed, EMBASE, the Cochrane Library, Google Scholar, Web of Science, China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), China Science and Technology Journal database (VIP), Wanfang Database, and CBM, will be searched from the date of the database inception to February 28, 2019. We will also search registers of clinical trials, potential gray literature, and conference abstracts. There are no restrictions on language and publication status. Two reviewers will independently select studies, and extract and manage data. The reporting quality and risk of bias will be assessed by other 2 review authors. The primary outcomes will include ocular surface disease index (OSDI) scores, Schirmer test (SIT) results, tear meniscus height (TMH), and tear break-up time (TBUT) values. Quality of life, the main symptom scores before and after treatment, meibomian gland (MG) morphology, total treatment efficacy, and safety will be evaluated as the secondary outcomes. We will use RevMan V.5.3 software to synthesize and analyze data. Results: This systematic review will provide a comprehensive review of current evidence of moxibustion for DE from the following aspects: the OSDI, SIT, TMH, BUT, quality of life, the main symptom scores, MG morphology, total treatment efficacy, and safety. Conclusion: The conclusion of our systematic review will provide evidence to determine whether moxibustion is an effective and safe intervention for patients with DE. Ethics and dissemination: Since patients will not be involved in this study, it is not necessary to obtain ethical approval. The protocol and results will be published in a peer-reviewed journal. PROSPERO registration number: PROSPERO CRD42018097399.