Relationship between myopia and diagnosis rates of dry eye disease and related indicators: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BackgroundThe association between myopia and dry eye disease (DED) has recently garnered considerable attention. This study aimed to compare the diagnosis rates of DED and its indicators between myopic and emmetropic patients to elucidate the association between myopia and DED.MethodsWe retrieved relevant literature published through November 2024 from English databases, such as PubMed, Embase, the Cochrane Library, and Web of Science, as well as Chinese databases, such as the China National Knowledge Infrastructure, WanFang, VIP, and SinoMed. The studies were then screened for inclusion and exclusion criteria, and the basic information and outcome data of the included studies were recorded. The methodological quality of the included studies was assessed by the Joanna Briggs Institute. Finally, RevMan 5.3 was used to perform meta-, subgroup, and sensitivity analyses, as well as a publication bias assessment of the outcome data.ResultsThis study included 8 studies with a sample size of 14,232 patients. The meta-analysis showed that compared with emmetropic eyes, the diagnostic rate of DED in myopic eyes increased significantly, by 104% [odds ratio (OR) = 2.04, 95% confidence interval (CI) = 1.39–2.99, P = 0.0002, I2 = 91%], while the tear break-up time (BUT) was reduced significantly, by 6.31 s [weighted mean difference (WMD) = −6.31, 95% CI = −7.32 to −5.29, P < 0.00001, I2 = 0%]. However, there was no significant difference in the rate of positive corneal staining (OR = 2.53, 95% CI = 0.22–29.07, P = 0.46, I2 = 68%). Funnel plots showed a potential publication bias in DED diagnosis rate, rate of positive corneal staining, and BUT. An evaluation showed that the evidence quality of DED diagnosis rate, BUT and rate of positive corneal staining were extremely low.ConclusionThere were significant differences in the DED diagnosis rate and BUT between myopic and emmetropic patients, suggesting that myopia may be a potential risk factor for DED. The regular screening for DED should be a focus in myopic populations to improve detection and diagnosis rates.Systematic review registrationCRD42024611482, https://www.crd.york.ac.uk/PROSPERO/myprosper

A new strain of Bacillus velezensis as a bioagent against Verticillium dahliae in cotton: isolation and molecular identification

Abstract Background Verticillium dahliae is one of the most destructive pathogens in many cotton-growing countries around the globe. There is still the lack of high-resistant upland cotton cultivars against this pathogen, and the usage of fungicides is threatening the environment. Biocontrol is an environment-friendly and a green technique in plant protection. In this regard, the present work was aimed to investigate antagonistic bacterial strains and to introduce them as new bioinoculants against V. dahliae in cotton. Main body of the abstract Numerous bacteria were isolated from cotton roots, and their antagonism was examined against V. dahliae. Strain SZAD2 which was identified as Bacillus velezensis on the bases of 16S rRNA gene analysis had significantly high biocontrol potential both in plate assay and under greenhouse conditions. The biocontrol efficacy in seed treatment was 60.31%, while in the soil drench method, it was 79.19%. Transmission electron microscopy (TEM) analysis revealed that the strain systemically colonized the roots and lived within the intercellular space. Hydrogen peroxide staining exposed that the strain increased plant basal defense response by the accumulation of hydrogen peroxide (H2O2) in both roots and leaves. Furthermore, the bacterization of cotton roots triggered induced systemic resistance (ISR) in the roots and caused the activation of the antioxidant enzymes such as phenylalanine ammonia-lyase (PAL), polyphenol oxidase (PPO), peroxidase (POD), and phenol contents. Moreover, the antifungal extract produced by the strain contained the activity of both cellulase and chitinase, which were able to suppress fungal mycelia both in the presence and absence of cotton. Short conclusions Strain SZAD2 systemically colonized the plant, showed multiple modes of action against the pathogen which played a vital role in V. dahliae control, and is recommended for commercial exploration as a safe alternative bioinoculant instead of hazardous chemical fungicides. </jats:sec

Antifungal Activity of Chaetoviridin A from <i>Chaetomium globosum</i> CEF-082 Metabolites Against <i>Verticillium dahliae</i> in Cotton

Cotton Verticillium wilt (CVW) is a severe soilborne disease caused by the pathogen Verticillium dahliae, and it has a great impact on cotton production. Previous studies found that the biocontrol agent Chaetomium globosum CEF-082 and its metabolic filtrate could reduce the incidence of CVW; however, the underlying mechanism remains unclear. The metabolic crude extract of CEF-082 increased the sensitivity of V. dahliae to stress, degraded the cell wall of V. dahliae, and increased the emergence and plant height of cotton. Through separation and purification of the metabolic crude extract of CEF-082, chaetoviridin A was identified and found to be highly active against V. dahliae. The compound caused cell necrosis and mycelial deformation, increased the production of reactive oxygen species and nitrous oxide, and inhibited the germination of microsclerotia of V. dahliae, enhancing the cotton plant defense response. In addition, CEF-082 also colonized cotton plants. [Formula: see text] Copyright © 2021 The Author(s). This is an open access article distributed under the CC BY-NC-ND 4.0 International license . </jats:p

Phytoextraction and Migration Patterns of Cadmium in Contaminated Soils by <i>Pennisetum hybridum</i>

This study was conducted to identify soil cadmium (Cd) removal pathways and their contribution rates during phytoremediation by Pennisetum hybridum, as well as to comprehensively assess its phytoremediation potential. Multilayered soil column tests and farmland-simulating lysimeter tests were conducted to investigate the Cd phytoextraction and migration patterns in topsoil and subsoil simultaneously. The aboveground annual yield of P. hybridum grown in the lysimeter was 206 ton·ha−1. The total amount of Cd extracted in P. hybridum shoots was 234 g·ha−1, which was similar to that of other typical Cd-hyperaccumulating plants such as Sedum alfredii. After the test, the topsoil Cd removal rate was 21.50–35.81%, whereas the extraction efficiency in P. hybridum shoots was only 4.17–8.53%. These findings indicate that extraction by plant shoots is not the most important contributor to the decrease of Cd in the topsoil. The proportion of Cd retained by the root cell wall was approximately 50% of the total Cd in the root. Based on column test results, P. hybridum treatment led to a significant decrease in soil pH and considerably enhanced Cd migration to subsoil and groundwater. P. hybridum decreases Cd in the topsoil through multiple pathways and provides a relatively ideal material for phytoremediation of Cd-contaminated acid soils