Purpose: Aging is a risk factor for dry eye. We sought to identify changes in the aged mouse corneal epithelial transcriptome and determine how age affects corneal sensitivity, re-epithelialization, and barrier reformation after corneal debridement. Methods: Corneal epithelium of female C57BL/6J (B6) mice of different ages (2, 12, 18, and 24 months) was collected, RNA extracted, and bulk RNA sequencing performed. Cornea sensitivity was measured with an esthesiometer in 2- to 3-month-old, 12- to 13-month-old, 18- to 19-month-old, and 22- to 25-month-old female and male mice. The 2-month-old and 18-month-old female and male mice underwent unilateral corneal debridement using a blunt blade. Wound size and fluorescein staining were visualized and photographed at different time points, and a re-epithelialization rate curve was calculated. Results: There were 157 differentially expressed genes in aged mice compared with young mice. Several pathways downregulated with age control cell migration, proteoglycan synthesis, and collagen trimerization, assembly, biosynthesis, and degradation. Male mice had decreased corneal sensitivity compared with female mice at 12 and 24 months of age. Aged mice, irrespective of sex, had delayed corneal re-epithelialization in the first 48 hours and worse corneal fluorescein staining intensity at day 14 than young mice. Conclusions: Aged corneal epithelium has an altered transcriptome. Aged mice regardless of sex heal more slowly and displayed more signs of corneal epithelial defects after wounding than young mice. These results indicate that aging significantly alters the corneal epithelium and its ability to coordinate healing.

Ectoine, a novel natural osmoprotectant, protects bacteria living in extreme environments. This study aimed to explore the therapeutic effect of ectoine for dry eye disease. An experimental dry eye model was created in C57BL/6 mice exposed to desiccating stress (DS) with untreated mice as controls (UT). DS mice were dosed topically with 0.5–2.0% of ectoine or a vehicle control. Corneal epithelial defects were detected via corneal smoothness and Oregon Green dextran (OGD) fluorescent staining. Pro-inflammatory cytokines and chemokines were evaluated using RT-qPCR and immunofluorescent staining. Compared with UT mice, corneal epithelial defects were observed as corneal smoothness irregularities and strong punctate OGD fluorescent staining in DS mice with vehicle. Ectoine treatment protected DS mice from corneal damage in a concentration-dependent manner, and ectoine at 1.0 and 2.0% significantly restored the corneal smoothness and reduced OGD staining to near normal levels. Expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines (TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6) and chemokines CCL3 and CXCL11 was significantly elevated in the corneas and conjunctivas of DS mice, whereas 1.0 and 2.0% ectoine suppressed these inflammatory mediators to near normal levels. Our findings demonstrate that ectoine can significantly reduce the hallmark pathologies associated with dry eye and may be a promising candidate for treating human disease.

Human decellularized adipose matrix (hDAM) has emerged as a promising, off-the-shelf option for soft tissue augmentation, providing a biocompatible scaffold that supports angiogenesis, adipogenesis, and volume retention with minimal immunogenicity. This systematic review synthesizes preclinical and clinical evidence on hDAM’s regenerative potential, focusing on its capacity to integrate with host tissue and enhance volume retention. A comprehensive literature search was performed across multiple databases yielding 21 studies (14 preclinical, 6 clinical, and 1 combined) that met eligibility criteria. Risk of bias (RoB) was evaluated for animal and human studies using the Collaboration for the Assessment of Risks and Benefits of Anticancer Therapies (CAMARADES) and RoB In Nonrandomized Studies of Interventions (ROBINS-I) tools, respectively. Key preclinical findings indicate that hDAM supports progressive angiogenesis and adipogenesis, with significant weekly increases in vessel formation and adipocyte development. Linear mixed models were used to quantify these rates, showing an increase of 0.366% per week ( p < 0.001) in the percentage of CD31+ positive area, and a 3.88% rise in perilipin-positive area per week ( p < 0.001), representing angiogenesis and adipogenesis, respectively. Variability in regeneration rates underscores the influence of different hDAM preparation methods, such as enzyme-free decellularization and ultrasonication, which have been shown to improve cell compatibility and volume retention. Clinical studies demonstrate that hDAM achieves notable volume retention and patient satisfaction, particularly in facial and body contouring applications, while also improving skin texture, tone, and functionality. Compared with traditional autologous fat transfer and synthetic fillers, hDAM offers advantages in integration, resorption rates, and low complication risks, without donor site morbidity. Limitations of current studies include variability in hDAM preparation techniques, inconsistent outcome measures, and a paucity of long-term follow-up data. This review establishes hDAM as a safe and effective scaffold for soft tissue regeneration and provides a quantitative analysis of its regenerative timeline. Standardizing preparation methods and outcome measures, coupled with more randomized clinical trials, will be essential for optimizing treatment protocols. Future directions include exploring patient-specific factors and combination therapies to enhance hDAM’s applicability in reconstructive and aesthetic surgery.

Burn injury management and outcomes reveal observed disparities in individuals with darker skin tones, likely influenced by limited representation in medical literature and clinical research. These gaps may contribute to variations in care quality and outcomes for these populations. A comprehensive literature search was conducted across PubMed, Scopus, and Embase databases, initially yielding 74 articles. Due to limited relevant studies directly addressing the research question, the approach shifted from a systematic review to a scoping review to allow for a broader exploration of potential disparities in burn injury outcomes. Following these criteria, 31 relevant articles were identified and analysed. The analysis suggests an underrepresentation of diverse skin tones in medical textbooks and clinical research, limitations in current burn assessment tools for darker skin, and a lack of tailored treatment protocols. Studies indicate that patients with darker skin tones may face higher risks of complications and varied outcomes, potentially influenced by systemic healthcare challenges and limited guidelines addressing diverse skin types. This scoping review highlights the importance of more inclusive research and clinical practices that consider the specific needs of individuals with darker skin tones. Addressing these observed gaps can support improvements in burn injury management, ultimately contributing to more equitable healthcare for all skin types.

Esomeprazole is used in various clinical settings where a decrease in gastric acid production is desired since it is a proton pump inhibitor. Apixaban, an anticoagulant, is used to reduce the risk of stroke in patients with certain cardiovascular diseases. This research aims to examine the effects of giving esomeprazole and apixaban to rats simultaneously, as well as to measure their pharmacokinetics and look for statistical differences or interactions. A method for the simultaneous determination of esomeprazole and apixaban in rat plasma was developed using HPLC/MS and validated by ICH guidelines. Five groups of Wistar rats were created, and the drugs were administered as follows: esomeprazole (5 mg/kg) intravenously, apixaban (125 mcg/Kg) intravenously, esomeprazole (5 mg/kg) orally, apixaban (250 mcg/kg) orally, and esomeprazole (5 mg/kg) and apixaban (250 mcg/kg) both orally. Both drugs' concentrations were measured in plasma samples collected on a predetermined schedule. The pharmacokinetics of both drugs were calculated and statistically analyzed using a 90% confidence interval and non-compartmental analysis. When the two drugs were combined, apixaban’s C_max and AUC increased while esomeprazole’s C_max and AUC decreased. On the other hand, Apixaban’s T_max decreased with an increase in esomeprazole’s T_max, indicating a possible interaction between the two drugs. When both drugs were taken together, their bioavailability was reduced, implying that less esomeprazole was absorbed over time.