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Background Retinal arterial macroaneurysm (RAM) is a common clinical disease leading to vision loss in elderly individuals. The appropriate interpretation of swept-source optical coherence tomographic angiography (SS-OCTA), a noninvasive examination, is easy and convenient for detecting the status of RAMs and guiding treatment. Methods The objectives of this study were to describe the morphologic characteristics of RAMs using SS-OCTA and to observe whether there are differences in the morphologies of RAMs between SS-OCTA and fundus fluorescein angiography (FFA), before and after treatment. We retrospectively evaluated twenty-two eyes of 22 patients who were diagnosed with RAMs. All patients underwent a complete ophthalmologic examination, including a review of medical records, best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), fundus photography, FFA and SS-OCTA. RAMs were recorded by SS-OCTA before any treatment or observation decisions were made. The morphologic findings of the RAMs on SS-OCTA were investigated. Results On SS-OCTA, RAMs can show local dilatation or an irregular linear blood flow signal, and the dilated cystic lumen may show thrombosis with a low reflection signal. After treatment, the shape of the RAMs will show reactive changes. The findings on SS-OCTA are not very consistent with those on FFA. Conclusions The same RAM may have different manifestations on OCTA and FFA, and OCTA can more conveniently reflect the changes in blood flow signals and treatment response of RAMs.

Purpose. To describe the morphological characteristics and efficacy of OCTA in detecting CNV in nAMD. We retrospectively reviewed 53 patients (86 eyes) with suspected CNV secondary to wet AMD. All the patients underwent a multimodal assessment for CNV. Two independent readers calculated the sensitivity and specificity of OCTA in detecting CNV compared with FA. A qualitative analysis of OCTA was also performed to describe the morphological appearance of CNV. Among 86 eyes of 53 patients, 52 eyes were diagnosed as having CNV based on the FA imaging analysis. According to FA, CNV was classified as classic in 28 eyes, predominantly classic in 6 eyes, minimally classic in 9 eyes, and occult in 9 eyes. In 56 eyes, CNV was visualized on OCTA and corresponding OCT B-scans. In total, 46.4% (26/56) had well-circumscribed vessels, and 53.6% (30/56) showed poorly circumscribed vessels. There were 11 false positives and 7 false negatives using OCTA. The specificity of OCTA for the detection of CNV was 67.6%, with sensitivity of 86.5%. OCTA may help in the noninvasive diagnosis of CNV and may provide a method for monitoring the evolution of CNV.

Background To investigate the clinical effects of double-dose (4 mg) aflibercept treatment in neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD), compared with the standard-dose (2 mg) treatment. Methods A total of 108 eyes from 97 patients with nAMD and received intravitreal aflibercept 2 mg and/or 4 mg treatment were retrospectively reviewed. The changes of central macular thickness (CMT)/ pigmental epithelium detachment height and the recurrence rate of exudation during the 12-month follow-up were compared between the 2 mg group and the 4 mg group. Self-control comparisons (2 mg switch to 4 mg) were also made between two regimens. Results Compared with the 2 mg group, tendencies of lower intraretinal fluid incidence and more CMT reduction were observed in the 4 mg group. The later one was also observed when eyes switching from 2 mg to 4 mg regimen. The median remission interval was 5 months in the 4 mg group, 2 months longer than the 3 months in the 2 mg group ( P  = 0.452). Injections needed in the 4 mg group were 3.644 ± 1.670, less than the 4.286 ± 2.334 injections in the 2 mg group within 12 months as well ( P  = 0.151). However, no associated vision benefits were gained from the double-douse regimen. No markedly increased-intraocular pressure events, or other adverse events were found in two groups. Conclusions Compared to the aflibercept 2 mg treatment in nAMD, tendencies of anatomic gains and relieving treatment burden were brought by the aflibercept 4 mg treatment. This study may have additional importance, given the further application of high-dose aflibercept in real-world settings.

Glomalin-related soil protein (GRSP) is a hydrophobic protein released by arbuscular mycorrhizal fungi. It is an important component of the soil carbon pool, and it improves the soil aggregate structure; however, it remains unclear whether GRSP can enhance soil carbon sequestration and improve soil quality during rapid urbanization. The built-up area in Nanchang, China was the study area, and the proportion of impervious surface area was the parameter of urbanization intensity. A total of 184 plots (400 m2) were set up to collect soil samples (0–20 cm) for analysis. Aggregates of five particle sizes were sieved, and the percentage amounts of soil organic carbon (SOC) and GRSP for them were determined. The results showed that the easily extractable GRSP (EE-GRSP) and total GRSP (T-GRSP) contents of the four aggregates of <2 mm were 22–46% higher in low urbanization areas than those in high urbanization areas (p < 0.05), indicating that the higher urbanization intensity was associated with the lower GRSP content of different aggregates. The GRSP was significantly positively correlated with SOC (p < 0.05). Moreover, the contribution of GRSP to the SOC pool in the <0.25 mm aggregate was significantly higher than that in other aggregates. In addition, the EE-GRSP content was significantly positively correlated with mean weight diameter (MWD) and geometric mean diameter (GMD) in the four aggregates of <2 mm, whereas it was negatively correlated with fractal dimension (D) in the >2 mm, 1–2 mm and <0.053 mm aggregates. The T-GRSP content showed significant correlations only with MWD, GMD, and D in the 1–2 mm aggregate. This study revealed that increasing urbanization intensity can significantly reduce the GRSP content of different sized aggregates. Moreover, the GRSP content significantly promoted SOC sequestration, and the EE-GRSP content more significantly promoted soil aggregate stability than that of the T-GRSP. These findings provide new ideas for exploring the improvement of soil quality during the process of urbanization.

Background To evaluate the efficacy of MP-3 microperimeter biofeedback fixation training (MBFT) in vision rehabilitation of low-vision patients affected by macular disease with central vision loss. Methods Seventeen eyes (7 age-related macular degeneration, 10 myopic maculopathy) of 17 patients were included in this prospective, interventional study. The preferred retinal locus was determined by comprehensive ophthalmoscopic fundus evaluation including fundus photography, autofluorescence, optical coherence tomography, and microperimetry. The rehabilitation consisted of three 10-min sessions per eye to be performed twice per week for 20 consecutive weeks using the MP-3 microperimeter. Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), reading speed, mean central sensitivity, the percentages of fixation points within specified regions, bivariate contour ellipse area (BCEA) and the 25-item National Eye Institute visual function questionnaire (NEI-VFQ-25) were recorded pre- and post-training. Results The final BCVA, reading speed and mean central sensitivity all showed significant improvements after rehabilitation ( P  <  0.0001, P  = 0.0013, and P  = 0.0002, respectively). The percentages of fixation points located within 2° and 4° diameter circles both significantly increased after training ( P  = 0.0008 and P  = 0.0007, respectively). The BCEA encompassing 68.2, 95.4, 99.6% of fixation points were all significantly decreased after training ( P  = 0.0038, P  = 0.0022, and P  = 0.0021, respectively). The NEI-VFQ-25 scores were significantly increased at the end of the rehabilitation training ( P  <  0.0001). Conclusion Rehabilitation with MP-3 MBFT is a user-friendly therapeutic option for improving visual function, fixation stability, and quality of life in advanced macular disease. Trial registration The prospective study was registered with the Chinese Clinical Trial Registry ( http://www.chictr.org.cn/ ). Trial Registration Number: ChiCTR2000029586 . Date of registration: 05/02/2020.

The aspect can affect plant communities and soil physical and chemical properties through different microclimates. However, little is known about the effect of aspect on arbuscular mycorrhizal (AM) fungal diversity and community composition, although AM fungi are beneficial for plant nutrient absorption and natural restoration. In this study, AM fungal community and diversity distribution patterns in the rhizosphere soil and roots of seven widespread plants in a natural Toona ciliata var. pubescens (Tc) forest on the north-facing (NF) aspect and south-facing (SF) aspect were investigated using Illumina PE250 high-throughput sequencing in the Guanshan National Nature Reserve, Jiangxi Province, China. Our results exhibited that aspect did not affect AM fungal diversity but significantly affected AM fungal community structure and composition. Glomeraceae was the most common and abundant family in the Tc natural forest. The Glomeromycota sequence proportion of root AM fungal community was significantly larger on NF than on SF (p < 0.05). The relative abundance of Acaulosporaceae of root AM fungal community differed significantly with aspect, being greater on NF than on SF (p < 0.05). In addition, the number of Glomeromycota sequences was significantly larger on SF than on NF, while the number of OTUs and the relative abundance of unclassified fungi in rhizosphere soil in Tc showed the opposite trend (p < 0.05). The soil properties (organic matter, nitrogen, potassium, phosphorus, and pH) were significantly correlated with these changes. These findings indicate that the habitat of NF with low insolation, high soil moisture, and high nutrient content might promote the functional realization of AM fungi; the habitat of SF with high insolation, low soil moisture, and low soil nutrient content might be beneficial for the proliferation and preservation of AM fungal groups. This study provides important information on the ecological processes of AM fungal community construction and microbiological mechanisms in natural Tc forests.

A 20-year-old woman with bilateral mild blurring of vision presented with a bull’s eye maculopathy and was diagnosed with Stargardt disease, confirmed with genetic testing. The authors present several novel multimodal imaging findings including multicolor and multi-spectral imaging that enhanced visualization of perifoveal flecks, fundus autofluorescence that revealed both perifoveal and perimacular rings of hyperautofluorescence, adaptive optics imaging that revealed unprecedented visualization of cones at the fovea due to decreased cone density, and spectral-domain optical coherence tomography that identified thickening and increased hyperreflectivity of the external limiting membrane as a possible transient biomarker of early Stargardt disease. [[ Ophthalmic Surg Lasers Imaging Retina. 2015;46:257–261.]

Background To determine the clinical characteristics and molecular genetic background responsible for USH2A mutations associated with nonsyndromic retinitis pigmentosa (RP) in five Chinese families, a retrospective cross‐sectional study was performed. Methods Data on detailed history and comprehensive ophthalmological examinations were extracted from medical charts. Genomic DNA was sequenced by whole‐exome sequencing. The pathogenicity predictions were evaluated by in silico analysis. The structural modeling of the wide‐type and mutant USH2A proteins was displayed based on the I‐Tasser software. Results The ultra‐wide‐field fundus imaging showed a distinctive pattern of hyperautofluorescence in the parafoveal ring with macular sparing. Ten USH2A variants were detected, including seven missense mutations, two splicing mutations, and one insertion mutation. Six of these variants have already been reported, and the remaining four were novel. Of the de novo mutations, the p.C931Y and p.G4489S mutations were predicted to be deleterious or probably damaging; the p.M4853V mutation was predicted to be neutral or benign; and the IVS22+3A>G mutation was a splicing mutation that could influence mRNA splicing and affect the formation of the hairpin structure of the USH2A protein. Conclusions Our data further confirm that USH2A protein plays a pivotal role in the maintenance of photoreceptors and expand the spectrum of USH2A mutations that are associated with nonsyndromic RP in Chinese patients. This study identified novel mutations of the USH2A gene using a whole‐exome sequencing approach in nonsyndromic RP patients. RP patients with USH2A mutations have a distinctive pattern in ultra‐wide‐field fundus autofluorescence.

[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.791935.].[This corrects the article DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2021.791935.].

Vegetation restorations of degraded meadows have been widely implemented. The evaluation of soil nutrient changes as affected by degradation is vital for efficient restorations. However, while macronutrients (nitrogen, phosphorus and potassium) have been widely investigated, sulfur (S) as one important element correlated tightly with other nutrients has not been thoroughly studied. Two studies were conducted to determine changes of sulfur as affected by degradation and elevation gradients. The results showed that available S (AS) changed non-linearly with elevation and the first principal component based on other soil nutrient variables. Soil AS depended on degradation levels and contributed substantially to the separation of meadows with different degradation levels. Moreover, AS responded stronger to changes in elevation gradients and degradation levels compared with other major nutrients. Thereby, AS could be an important nutrient responding to meadow disturbance, which should be considered in future studies on meadow soil nutrients cycling and vegetation restorations. The findings have implications for ecological restoration of degraded meadows with respect to soil nutrient management and conservations.