Effective management of retinoblastoma (RB), the most prevalent childhood eye cancer, depends on reliable monitoring and diagnosis. A promising candidate in this context is the secreted trefoil family factor peptide 1 (TFF1), recently discovered as a promising new biomarker in patients with a more advanced subtype of retinoblastoma. The present study investigated TFF1 expression within aqueous humor (AH) of enucleated eyes and compared TFF1 levels in AH and corresponding blood serum samples from RB patients undergoing intravitreal chemotherapy (IVC). TFF1 was consistently detectable in AH, confirming its potential as a biomarker. Crucially, our data confirmed that TFF1 secreting cells within the tumor mass originate from RB tumor cells, not from surrounding stromal cells. IVC therapy responsive patients exhibited remarkably reduced TFF1 levels post-therapy. By contrast, RB patients` blood serum displayed low to undetectable levels of TFF1 even after sample concentration and no therapy-dependent changes were observed. Our findings suggest that compared to blood serum AH represents the more reliable source for TFF1 if used for liquid biopsy RB marker analysis in RB patients. Thus, analysis of TFF1 in AH of RB patients potentially provides a minimal invasive tool for monitoring RB therapy efficacy, suggesting its importance for effective treatment regimens.

Semantic jokes involve resolving an incongruity emerging from wordplay or from violation of world knowledge. Research has shown individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD) demonstrate lower performance on humor tasks involving social situations, but less is known about their semantic joke comprehension. This study examined semantic joke comprehension among adolescents with ASD, and its possible relationship to vocabulary size, theory of mind (ToM), and idiom comprehension. Thirty-two adolescents with ASD and 32 typically developed (TD) peers participated. Semantic joke comprehension was assessed via multiple-choice questionnaire and time-limited computer program. Vocabulary, ToM abilities, and idiom comprehension were also tested. Results revealed that adolescents with ASD were as fast in processing semantic jokes as their age- and vocabulary-matched TD peers but less accurate. Age and idiom comprehension contributed significantly to semantic joke comprehension among both groups. As semantic joke comprehension is based on incongruity resolution, the greater difficulties in comprehension among the adolescents with ASD may be due to deficits in simultaneously retaining two alternative interpretations and selecting the relevant one. Like the TD group, semantic joke comprehension among the ASD group appeared more developed with age. Future neuroimaging studies should test semantic brain region involvement in semantic joke comprehension in ASD.

The aim of this study was to examine and understand the physiological and biochemical components of the blood and vitreous humor of goldfish (Carassius auratus). Blood was drawn from the arterial (static) line and vitreous humour was extracted using a syringe from healthy goldfish. An automatic haematology analyzer was used to detect 17 physiological indicators, including white blood cells and red blood cells. At the same time, 20 biochemical indexes, including albumin, calcium, and glutamic pyruvic transaminase, were found in the automatic biochemical analyzer. Experiments were also conducted on the effect of blood and vitreous fluid collection on the subsequent survival rate of the celestial goldfish. The findings demonstrated that there were values for 17 physiological indicators in the blood of the goldfish, including red blood cells (2.19 × 1012), white blood cells (62.21 × 109), hemoglobin (138.25g/L), and no eosinophils or basophils. However, no data for 17 physiological indications of vitreous humor were discovered. The quantities of total protein, glutamic oxaloacetic transaminase, and potassium in the vitreous humor were substantially lower than those in the serum (P < 0.01) according to the results of 20 biochemical indexes in the serum and vitreous humor of goldfish. Alkaline phosphatase, chlorine, and creatinine between vitreous humor and serum did not differ significantly(P > 0.05). The levels of glutamic pyruvic transaminase and γ-glutamyl transpeptide in vitreous humor were significantly higher than those in serum (P < 0.01). This experiment provides basic datas for the healthy culture of goldfish and the perfection of hematology in goldfish, and the results will be convenient for the further study of development and formation of celestial eye traits.

Purpose: To correlate outflow function and outflow tract vessel diameter changes induced by nitric oxide (NO). Methods: In a porcine anterior segment perfusion model, the effects of a nitric oxide donor (100 µM DETA-NO) on outflow facility were compared to controls (n=8 per group) with trabecular meshwork (TM) and after circumferential ab interno trabeculectomy (AIT). Outflow structures were assessed with spectral domain optical coherence tomography (SD-OCT) before and after NO, or an NO synthase inhibitor (100 µM L-NAME) and the vasoconstrictor, endothelin-1 (100 pg/mL ET-1). Scans were processed with a custom macro script and aligned for automated reslicing and quantification of cross-sectional outflow tract areas (CSA). Results: The facility increased after DETA-NO (0.189±0.081 μL/min·mmHg, p=0.034) and AIT (0.251±0.094 μL/min·mmHg, p=0.009), respectively. Even after AIT, DETA-NO increased the facility by 61.5% (0.190±0.074 μL/min·mmHg, p=0.023) and CSA by 13.9% (p<0.001). L-NAME + ET-1 decreased CSA by -8.6% (p<0.001). NO increased the diameter of focal constrictions 5.0±3.8 fold. Conclusions: NO can dilate vessels of the distal outflow tract and increase outflow facility in a TM-independent fashion. There are short, focally constricting vessel sections that display large diameter changes and may have a substantial impact on outflow.

This study delves into the dynamics of relational energy (RE) within organizational context, examining some of its antecedents and decedents. Specifically, it investigates the influence of psychological capital (PsyCap) and humor on RE, and subsequently, the latter’s impact on job performance (JB) mediated by job engagement (JE). A research model based on structural equation modelling carried out with 481 employees in private service industries demonstrates several key relationships. It reveals that both PsyCap and affiliative humor positively affect RE, while aggressive humor exerts a negative influence. Furthermore, RE shows positive association with JE and JP, with JE serving as a mediator. To the authors’ knowledge, this is the first study to present an integrated model encompassing this exact combination of influencers and consequences of RE as well as to be investigated within Western Balkans cultural context. Therefore, it represents a novel approach. Additionally, the research addresses crucial questions regarding the existence and strategic significance of RE within organizational interactions. The findings offer valuable insights for organizations seeking to enhance employee engagement, performance, and wellbeing – even during health crises such as COVID-19 – by fostering RE. The study advances the understanding of RE in organizational settings and provides a foundation for future research in this domain.

A surgical technique aimed at rerouting aqueous humor (AH) outflow from the anterior chamber to the suprachoroidal space (SCS) without performing surgical cyclodialysis was developed to decrease intraocular pressure (IOP) in glaucoma patients. The surgical outcomes of the technique were retrospectively analyzed in fifty-eight patients. At 6, 12, and 24 months, the mean IOP decreased from 27.8±8.3 to 14.95.0 mmHg, median 15.0 (25th percentile (p25 )13.0; 75th percentile (p75) 18.0), and 15.23.3 mmHg; hypotensive medication use reduced from median (p25; p75) 3 (2; 3) to 0 (0; 2), 0 (0; 2), and 0 (0; 1.5), and complete success was achieved in 62.8%, 51.2%, and 32.5% cases, with partial success in 28.4%, 44.2%, and 62.5% cases, respectively. Eight cases (13.8%) presented unsatisfactory outcomes. Intra- and postoperative complications were few and manageable. No bleb formation was observed in any of the cases. In 50% of cases, conjunctival lymphatic vessels (CLVs) developed following surgery in superior quadrants. The technique is safe and effective in providing a long-term decrease in IOP and hypotensive medication use. It was hypothesized in this study that the IOP decrease occurred as a result of enhanced AH outflow from the SCS to CLVs through intrascleral microchannels connecting the SCS to CLVs.