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The current study was designed to test the potential role of recombinant human MG53 (rhMG53) protein on protecting against alkaline-induced corneal injury in mice. A round filter paper with 2-mm diameter was soaked in 1 mol/L of NaOH solution. The mouse alkaline injury was generated by placing the filter paper directly on the cornea for 30 seconds and washed with 30-mL saline; 10 µL of rhMG53 solution (20 µg/mL) or saline control was topically administrated on the mouse corneas (twice per day for 10 days). Re-epithelialization was measured by fluorescein staining and imaged by a slit lamp equipped with a digital camera. Clinical neovascularization and opacity scores were measured every day after injury. Ten days after injury, mice were sacrificed and corneas were dissected out for flat mount staining of CD31 for neovascularization. MG53 was present in both dog aqueous humor and human tears. mg53-/- corneas were more susceptible to alkaline-induced corneal injury. Topical treatment of rhMG53 improved re-epithelialization, suppressed neovascularization, and fibrosis induced by alkaline injury. rhMG53 may be an effective means to treat corneal wounding.

Every year, tens of thousands of people die of infections from antibiotic-resistant bacteria. Phage therapy has been suggested as an alternative because bacteria resistant to antibiotics may still be susceptible to phages. Furthermore, phages have the advantage of being more specific and thus less likely to harm beneficial bacteria. However, phages may have limited effectiveness in combating bacteria since bacteria possess several antiviral defense mechanisms and can quickly develop resistance to phages. The purpose of this study was to compare the effectiveness and specificity of antibiotics and phages in combating bacteria. To this end, we exposed strains of the bacteria Escherichia coli to T4 bacteriophages and antibiotics and assessed effectiveness and specificity of bacterial killing. Fission yeast, a unicellular eukaryotic organism, was used as a control. Cell growth, phage plaque formation, or cell concentrations were observed or measured. It was found that T4 phages are more specific and effective in fighting or inhibiting both antibiotic-resistant and sensitive bacteria than antibiotics. One phage can kill at least 4000 actively growing bacterial cells within two hours. Therefore, the data suggest that phage therapy can be developed as an efficient tool to combat antibiotic-resistant bacteria.

The Hutzler 571 slices bananas. Shaped like a banana, the multi-blade tool has garnered over 5,000 Amazon reviews. Most are satirical. One reviewer writes, "It saved my marriage," another, "It works better than a hammer." However, like many products, the problem it solves is not always immediately apparent.

You may not think of yourself as a gamer, but you have likely heard of Pac-Man. Namco's 1980 hit video game has appeared everywhere from Atari 2600 to Windows 10. Take a moment and picture the game in your mind's eye. See its maze-like screen. Hear the telltale sound of "waka waka waka" as you maneuver Pac-Man through sharp turns and long straightaways. You avoid multi-colored ghosts. You seek flashy power-ups. You cheer for 10,000-point bonuses. Each game level consists of many tiny experiences connected along a circuitous path. Do you recall what Pac-Man eats along this path? Gold coins.