Chemically targeting AKT/mTORC1 signaling controls berberine-induced cell autophagy in vitro, and blockade of autophagic process blunts berberine-alleviated pathological condition in vivo. Discussion In conclusion, our study reveals that berberine could induce ALL cell autophagic death by inactivating AKT/mTORC1 signaling that could be used to develop small molecule drug for ALL treatment.Introduction Cancer stem cells (CSCs) drive the initiation, maintenance, and therapy response of breast tumors. CD49f is expressed in breast CSCs and functions in the maintenance of stemness. Thus, blockade of CD49f is a potential therapeutic approach for targeting breast CSCs. In the present study, we aimed to repurpose drugs as CD49f antagonists. Materials and methods We performed consensus molecular docking using a subdomain of CD49f that is critical for heterodimerization and a collection of pharmochemicals clinically tested. Molecular dynamics simulations were employed to further characterize drug-target binding. Using MDA-MB-231 cells, we evaluated the effects of potential CD49f antagonists on 1) cell adhesion to laminin; 2) mammosphere formation; and 3) cell viability. We analyzed the effects of the drug with better CSC-selectivity on the activation of CD49f-downstream signaling by Western blot (WB) and co-immunoprecipitation. Expressions of the stem cell markers CD44 and SOX2 were analyzed by flow ter transactivation, and in vivo tumorigenicity, supporting that this drug reduces the frequency of CSC. Conclusion Our results support the function of pranlukast as a CD49f antagonist that reduces the CSC population in triple-negative breast cancer cells. The pharmacokinetics and toxicology of this drug have already been established, rendering a potential adjuvant therapy for breast cancer patients.Purpose The major objective of this cross-sectional study was to examine the coping strategies of glaucoma patients at a secondary eye care unit with a view to deciding whether an intervention programme would be justified. Patients and methods The coping styles of 130 consenting adult glaucoma patients aged 18 years and above who were being treated for glaucoma in the Cross River State Eye Care Programme clinic in Calabar, Nigeria, were investigated by means of the 28-item Brief-COPE inventory in this descriptive cross-sectional study. Results The mean age of the participants was 54.2 years (±14.3) while almost three quarters (73.8%) of them were married. About four out of every five persons examined (81.5%) had a minimum of primary education. “Substance (alcohol and other drug) use”, “self-blame” and “behavioural disengagement” are coping styles that were reported by 33%, 42% and 42% of the participants, respectively. This group of patients should be identified in the clinic for appropriate psychological intervention. Conclusion The present study confirms previous findings and contributes additional evidence that suggests that coping strategies should be considered in the holistic management of glaucoma patients. The information from the current study can be used to develop targeted interventions aimed at improving the coping styles of glaucoma patients.Purpose To evaluate the visual and refractive outcomes after high-resolution wavefront-guided (HRWG) surface ablation with corneal crosslinking (CXL) in keratoconus eyes. Patients and methods In this prospective, interventional case series, 47 eyes of 28 progressive keratoconus patients older than age 18 were enrolled. All patients underwent HRWG photorefractive keratectomy (PRK) with simultaneous accelerated CXL. The study parameters were manifest refraction spherical equivalent (MRSE), keratometric outcomes, uncorrected (UDVA) and corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA) at postoperative 6 and 12 months. Results There was improvement in mean MRSE from -2.39±1.89 D preoperatively to -0.13 ± 0.68 D at 12 months, with corresponding improvement in UDVA from 0.77 ± 0.35 logMAR to 0.08 ± 0.12 logMAR and CDVA from 0.10 ± 0.11 logMAR to 0.02 ± 0.04 logMAR. Preoperative flat and steep keratometry (K) were 4wct 32.49 ± 1.67 D and 45.94 ± 2.10 D, respectively, and at postoperative 12 months were 41.36 ± 2.08 D and 42.65 ± 2.78 D, respectively. At postoperative 12 months, visual and refractive outcomes were maintained. Comparisons between preoperative and postoperative 12 month timepoints were statistically significant for all parameters. Conclusion Simultaneous wavefront-guided PRK followed by CXL is a promising treatment for the visual rehabilitation of keratoconus patients.Background Keratoconus is a disease characterized by progressive distortion of the corneal anatomy, coupled with a decrease in vision. Assessing quality of life (QoL) in keratoconus is essential. So far, no instrument in the world has been designed to evaluate both visual function and emotional distress in this population. The purpose of the following study is to develop and validate the “Keratoconus End-Points Assessment Questionnaire” (KEPAQ) in a population of ectatic patients, the very first disease-specific scale to measure emotional latent traits in keratoconus. Methods A last generation, Rasch analysis method was used for scale validation. First, a number of focus groups were carried out to create a pool of potential items. Then, a series of processes (such as “Content Validity Index”) was carried out to develop a prior, 20-question version of the KEPAQ. Then, a study including 150 keratoconus patients was performed, followed by a careful Rasch analysis to validate and optimize both sub-scales ( KEPAQ is a robust scale, developed and validated through the latest theoretical models. It shows excellent psychometric properties, which render it extremely useful for both clinical and research use. To date, the KEPAQ is the only disease-specific scale worldwide to evaluate both functional and emotional compromise in keratoconus patients.Purpose To evaluate the safety and efficacy of non-penetrating deep sclerectomy with a collagen implant versus trabeculectomy in primary congenital glaucoma. Subjects and methods This was a retrospective interventional comparative non-randomized clinical study that included 80 eyes of 80 children presenting with primary congenital glaucoma under the age of 3 years. Forty eyes have undergone non-penetrating deep sclerectomy (NPDS) and the other 40 eyes have undergone penetrating trabeculectomy. The main outcome measure was the reduction in intraocular pressure (IOP). Secondary outcomes included percentage of patients with complete and qualified success, need for topical antiglaucoma medications, rate of complications, and need for further interventions. Complete success of the surgical outcome was considered an IOP ≤16 mmHg with no antiglaucoma medications. Qualified success was considered an IOP ≤16 mmHg using antiglaucoma medications. selleck compound Results The mean preoperative IOP was 27.4 ± 6.9 and 28.5 ± 6.6 mmHg in NPDS and trabeculectomy groups, respectively (p = 0.