Research on the Stability of a Rabbit Dry Eye Model Induced by Topical Application of the Preservative Benzalkonium Chloride

Dry eye is a common disease worldwide, and animal models are critical for the study of it. At present, there is no research about the stability of the extant animal models, which may have negative implications for previous dry eye studies. In this study, we observed the stability of a rabbit dry eye model induced by the topical benzalkonium chloride (BAC) and determined the valid time of this model.). Decreased levels of mucin-5 subtype AC (MUC5AC), along with histopathological and ultrastructural disorders of the cornea and conjunctiva could be observed in Group BAC-W4 and particularly in Group BAC-W5 until day 21.A stable rabbit dry eye model was induced by topical 0.1% BAC for 5 weeks, and after BAC removal, the signs of dry eye were sustained for 2 weeks (for the mixed type of dry eye) or for at least 3 weeks (for mucin-deficient dry eye)

Interleukin 6 receptor (IL-6R) was an independent prognostic factor in cervical cancer

IL-6 has been found to be associated with poor response to chemoradiotherapy and poor overall prognosis of patients with cervical cancer. However, little is known about the clinicopathological significance of IL-6 receptor (IL-6R) expression in the setting of cervical cancer. To investigate the clinicopathological meaning of IL-6R in cervical cancer, expression of IL6R was detected using immunohistochemistry in cervical cancer tissue microarray composed of 98 cases of cervical cancer and paired normal controls. As further confirmation of expression trend, western-blotting was conducted in another independent 36 pairs of cervical cancer and matched normal controls. Subsequently, the statistical correlation between IL-6R expression and clinicopathological variables was analyzed, including demographic, TNM stage, clinical grading and overall prognosis. IL-6R expression was shown to be remarkably associated with lymph node metastasis, recurrence and overall prognosis. Moreover, only IL-6R expression was observed to be an independent prognostic factor among these variables that could potentially influence the overall prognosis of patients with cervical cancer. In conclusion, IL-6R was shown to be an independent prognostic factor for patients with cervical cancer

Intolerance of uncertainty fuels preservice teachers’ smartphone dependence through rumination and anxiety during the COVID-19 pandemic: A cross-sectional study

Objectives: We aimed to explore the relationship among intolerance of uncertainty (IU), rumination, anxiety, and smartphone dependence (SPD) in preservice teachers during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods: Two cross-sectional studies were conducted with Chinese preservice teachers, using questionnaires on IU, rumination, anxiety, and SPD. Data were analyzed using AMOS 24.0 and SPSS 25.0, and the mediating mechanism was tested using the macro program Model 6. Study 1 recruited participants who were forcibly sequestered in a university due to an anti-epidemic policy during the COVID-19 crisis. Study 2 was surveyed online from different universities to replicate and enhance the reliability of Study 1 finding. Results: Study 1 (N = 553, Mage = 20.8 ± 2.3, 30.0% female) and Study 2 (N = 1610, Mage = 21.1 ± 2.1, 51.4% female) both found that IU affected SPD through the independent mediators of rumination and anxiety, as well as the chain mediation of rumination→ anxiety. In Study 1, the indirect effect of IU on SPD was significant through rumination (β = 0.16, 95% CI [0.03, 0.06]), anxiety (β = 0.11, 95% CI [0.03, 0.06]), and the chain mediation (β = 0.02, 95% CI [0.01, 0.04]); in Study 2, the indirect effect of IU on SPD was significant through rumination (β = 0.08, 95% CI [0.05, 0.11]), anxiety (β = 0.10, 95% CI [0.08, 0.13]), and the chain mediation (β = 0.02, 95% CI [0.02, 0.03]). Conclusion: Two cross-sectional studies found that preservice teachers’ SPD is indirectly connected to IU, mediated by rumination and anxiety, and weakly mediated by the chain mediation of rumination and anxiety. Our findings may help educators understand the impact of anti-epidemic policies on preservice teachers and possible inclusive later interventions

The scores for sodium fluorescein staining in all groups.

<p>Compared with the pre-treatment group, there were significant differences on days 0, 7 and 14 after the cessation of BAC treatment in the BAC-W2, BAC-W3, BAC-W4, and BAC-W5 groups.</p

Representative pictures of HE staining of the corneas from each of the four groups.

<p>Normal corneas had three to five epithelial layers. Damage to the epithelium could be observed on days 0 and 7 in the four groups.</p

Representative images from transmission electron microscopy.

<p>Compared with images from normal eyes, swelling of the mitochondria, Golgi apparati and RER could be observed on day 0 in Group BAC-W2, on days 0 and 7 in Groups BAC-W3 and BAC-W4, and on days 0, 7, and 21 in Group BAC-W5.</p

The results of Schirmer's tests in all groups.

<p>Schirmer's test results show decreased aqueous tear secretion compared to pre-treatment secretion levels on days 0, 7 and 21 after the cessation of BAC treatment. *P<0.05, **P<0.01, ***P<0.001, respectively. Compared with pre-treatment, the differences were statistically significant on days 0 and 7 in the BAC-W2, BAC-W3, and BAC-W4 groups as well as on days 0, 7 and 14 in Group BAC-W5. The values shown are average wetted lengths ± standard deviations.</p

Representative images from transmission electron microscopy that revealed the ultrastructure of the corneal epithelium.

<p>Compared with normal eyes, vacuoles between the cells could be observed on day 0 in Group BAC-W2 and on days 0, 7, and 21 in Groups BAC-W3, BAC-W4. These vacuoles were particularly prominent among samples from Group BAC-W5.</p