AIM: To evaluate clinical efficacy and safety of ultrasound cycloplasty(UCP)in the treatment of refractory glaucoma.METHODS:From June 2021 to October 2022, a total of 17 patients(17 eyes)with refractory glaucoma were enrolled in this prospective study, and they all underwent UCP. The patients underwent 6 mo followed-up post-treatment, and the intraocular pressure(IOP), pain grade score, IOP lowering drugs, success rate and occurrence of complications were documented.RESULTS:The IOP was significantly decreased from 51.98±7.80 mmHg before UCP to 32.54±13.21 mmHg at 1 d, 22.38±11.98 mmHg at 1 wk, 22.63±10.78 mmHg at 1 mo, 26.05±9.17 mmHg at 3 mo, and 23.73±9.60 mmHg at 6 mo postoperatively(all P<0.01). The percentage of IOP reduction after treatment was 36.25%, 57.10%, 56.35%, 49.16% and 54.09% at 1 d, 1 wk, 1, 3, and 6 mo, respectively. The pain grade scores were decreased(P<0.01). There was a statistically significant reduction in the use of IOP lowering medications(P=0.008). At 6 mo postoperatively, 2 eyes(12%)were complete success, 11 eyes(65%)were qualified success, and 4 eyes(24%)were failure. The main complication observed was anterior chamber inflammation in 1 eye(6%), foreign body sensation in 2 eyes(12%), subconjunctival hemorrhage in 2 eyes(12%), and conjunctival congestion in 6 eyes(35%). All symptoms spontaneously resolved within 1 wk without requiring any specific treatment. One case of choroidal detachment(6%)occurred on 10 d postoperatively, but recovered after orally treated by prednisone acetate for 1 mo. No other serious complications, such as hyphema, corectopia, synechia or macular edema were reported.CONCLUSION:UCP is safe and efficacious in treating refractory glaucoma, reducing IOP and alleviating ocular pain symptoms, while maintaining a favorable safety profile.

AIM: To observe the changes of nerve fiber thickness and vessel density in macula and optic disc following femtosecond laser-assisted and conventional phacoemulsification cataract surgery through optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA).METHODS: A total of 65 cases(85 eyes)that diagnosed with age-related cataract and received surgery in Aier Eye Hospital(East of Chengdu)were included in this prospective nonrandomized controlled study. The patients were divided into two groups according to the surgery choice, with 23 cases(30 eyes)in femtosecond laser assisted group, and 42 cases(55 eyes)in traditional phacoemulsification group. OCTA was used to compare the changes in central macular thickness, thickness of nerve fiber layer in optic disc, vessel density and blood perfusion preoperatively, and at 1 d and 1 mo postoperatively.RESULTS: BCVA of patients in the two groups was significantly improved and IOP was significantly reduced at 1 mo postoperatively(all P<0.01). The macular nerve fiber layer thickness of the femtosecond laser-assisted group was increased at 1 d and 1 mo postoperatively(all P<0.05), while there was no statistical difference in the traditional phacoemulsification group before and after surgery(all P>0.05); there were significant differences in nerve fiber layer thickness in optic disc, vessel density and blood perfusion in both macula and optic disc of the traditional phacoemulsification group(all P<0.05), but there were no differences in the femtosecond laser assisted group(all P>0.05). Furthermore, there were no significant differences in foveal avascular zone area in the two groups of patients(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Femtosecond laser-assisted cataract surgery had less impact on retinal vessels.

Effective bone repair and regeneration is crucial for treating skeletal tissue defects, including osteonecrosis, nonunion fractures, osteoporosis, and various other bone deficiencies. Exosomes, as cellular secretory vesicles, are pivotal in mediating intercellular communication through their cargo of proteins, lipids, and nucleic acids. Mesenchymal stem cell-derived exosomes, in particular, have emerged as promising agents in bone repair and regeneration, showing potential for practical application and clinical translation. Nonetheless, their functional capacity and therapeutic efficacy require enhancement. This review delineates exosome optimization strategies aimed at augmenting secretion and functionality, alongside the incorporation of exosome-functionalized biomaterials for bone healing. Evidence indicates that physical stimulation, molecular interventions, and small-molecule or biomaterial stimuli are effective in increasing exosome output. Moreover, engineering exosomes and their parental cells can further potentiate their therapeutic function. The amalgamation of exosomes with biomaterials represents a burgeoning approach in bone tissue engineering, offering novel therapeutic avenues. This comprehensive analysis aims to guide future applications and the clinical adoption of exosomes in bone tissue restoration.

Objective:To systematically compare the accuracy of intraocular lens (IOL) power calculation formulas in cataract patients with shallow anterior chamber.Methods:A comprehensive literature search was conducted in MEDLINE, EMBASE, Cochrane Library, and the Chinese databases including CNKI, Wanfang, and VIP databases.The peer-reviewed literature on the accuracy of IOL power calculation formulas in cataract patients with shallow anterior chamber was searched from the establishment of the database until August 2020.Literature screening, data extraction and quality assessment were performed according to inclusion and exclusion criteria.The mean difference ( MD) of mean absolute error (MAE) among different formulas was analyzed.Meta-analysis was performed using Revman 5.3 software. Results:Seven studies involving 499 eyes were included.The accuracy of six formulas, Barrett Universal Ⅱ, Haigis, SRK/T, Hoffer Q, Holladay 1 and Holladay 2, was evaluated.The MAE of Barrett Universal Ⅱ was significantly lower than that of Hoffer Q ( MD=0.11 D; 95% CI: 0.05-0.17 D; P<0.001), Haigis ( MD=0.08 D; 95% CI: 0.03-0.13 D; P=0.002), and Holladay 2 ( MD=-0.06 D; 95% CI: -0.11--0.01 D; P=0.020). No significant difference was found in the remaining pairwise comparisons (all at P>0.05). Conclusions:The Barrett Universal Ⅱ formula is more accurate than Hoffer Q, Haigis, and Holladay 2 formulas in predicting IOL power in cataract patients with shallow anterior chamber.

Both cholinergic dysfunction and protein citrullination are the hallmarks of rheumatoid arthritis (RA), but the relationship between the two phenomena remains unclear. We explored whether and how cholinergic dysfunction accelerates protein citrullination and consequently drives the development of RA. Cholinergic function and protein citrullination levels in patients with RA and collagen-induced arthritis (CIA) mice were collected. In both neuron-macrophage coculture system and CIA mice, the effect of cholinergic dysfunction on protein citrullination and expression of peptidylarginine deiminases (PADs) was assessed by immunofluorescence. The key transcription factors for PAD4 expression were predicted and validated. Cholinergic dysfunction in the patients with RA and CIA mice negatively correlated with the degree of protein citrullination in synovial tissues. The cholinergic or alpha7 nicotinic acetylcholine receptor (α7nAChR) deactivation and activation resulted in the promotion and reduction of protein citrullination in vitro and in vivo, respectively. Especially, the activation deficiency of α7nAChR induced the earlier onset and aggravation of CIA. Furthermore, deactivation of α7nAChR increased the expression of PAD4 and specificity protein-3 (SP3) in vitro and in vivo. Our results suggest that cholinergic dysfunction-induced deficient α7nAChR activation, which induces the expression of SP3 and its downstream molecule PAD4, accelerating protein citrullination and the development of RA.

Objective:To establish a candidate reference procedure for the enumeration of cell particles in urine and applied to the multi-center performance evaluation of an automated urine formed elements analyzer.Methods:According to the standardized mannual microscopic examination of fresh non-centrifuged urine samples and the recommended reference method for enumeration of cell particles in urine published by ISLH, we established a candidate reference procedure for the enumeration of cell particles in urine. From four class A tertiary hospitals′ clinical laboratories, three rigorous trained technicians per hospital tested the same specimen respectively using the reference procedure. Each specimen was repeatedly counted 5 times, obtaining the quantitative results of cell particles were obtained in urine. Four hospitals used the established candidate reference measurement procedure and the automated urine formed elements analyzer to detect 40 to 60 urine specimens from September 2020 to January 2021, and evaluate the established reference method, meanwhile evaluate the accuracy and consistency of the each count from automated urinalysis analyzer.Results:Using the candidate reference measurement procedures, the coefficient of variation of results derived from three trained technicians per hospital was less than 6.98% (red blood cells), 6.99% (white blood cells), 13.94% (epithelial cells) and met the quality requirements. The performance evaluation results of automated urine formed elements analyzer showed that the accuracy of red blood cells, white blood cells and epithelial cells met the requirements (bias≤4.98%) and was well consistent with the reference measurement procedure ( R2≥0.989). Conclusions:A candidate reference measurement procedure for the enumeration of urine cell particles was successfully established with satisfactory precision and accuracy. This procedure was applied to multicenter performance evaluation of an automated urine formed elements analyzer with good accuracy and consistency.

Objective:To investigate the effects of Connexin-43 (Cx43) on osteoblasts proliferation and osteogenic differentiation and its regulatory mechanism.Methods:Osteoblasts were isolated and cultured in vitro. The osteogenic activity of osteoblasts was detected by alizarin red staining and alkaline phosphatase (ALP) staining after dexamethasone treatment. The expression of Cx43, Runt-related transcription factor 2 (Runx2), ALP, collagen I type (COL-I) and proliferation-related proteins PCNA and CDK4 in osteoblasts were detected by Western-blot. The expressions of osteoblast proteins were detected by immunofluorescence staining. The proliferation of osteoblasts was detected by CCK8 assay. The lentivirus-mediated Cx43 gene overexpression plasmid (Lv-Cx43) was constructed and transfected into osteoblasts. The osteogenic activity and proliferation ability of osteoblasts were further detected by the above methods. Cx43 in osteoblasts was overexpressed by pretreating PD98059. The osteogenic activity and proliferation of Cx43 in overexpressed osteoblasts was detected by CCK8 and alizarin red staining.Results:The isolated osteoblasts have osteogenic differentiation ability. Compared with the control group, 1×10 -6 mol/L dexamethasone treatment could reduce the formation of calcium nodules in osteoblasts. With the increase of dexamethasone treatment duration, the protein expression of Cx43, Runx2, ALP and COL-I in osteoblasts decreased gradually, while the expression of PCNA, CDK4 and p-ERK1/2 decreased. The OD values of normal osteoblasts at 0, 1, 2, 3 and 4 d were 0.316±0.043, 0.891±0.623, 1.683±0.154, 2.315±0.721 and 2.891±0.323, respectively. However, The OD values of osteoblasts treated with dexamethasone were 0.376±0.021, 0.657±0.121, 1.124±0.285, 1.521±0.272, 1.987±0.584, respectively. OD values of dexamethasone treated osteoblasts were lower than those of normal group at 2, 3 and 4 days ( P<0.05). The relative expression levels of Cx43 mRNA in control group, Lv-NC group and Lv-Cx43 group were 0.541±0.086, 0.598±0.018 and 1.000±0.082, respectively. The mRNA expression level of Cx43 in Lv-Cx43 group was higher than that in control group and Lv-NC group ( P<0.05). The ratio of Cx43 protein band to the gray value of GAPDH band in control group, Lv-NC group and Lv-Cx43 group were 0.816±0.737, 0.738±0.643 and 1.145±1.101, respectively. The expression level of Lv-Cx43 was higher than that in control group and Lv-NC group ( P<0.05). The expressions of Runx2, ALP, COL-I mRNA and related marker proteins in Lv-Cx43 group were higher than those in control group and Lv-NC group ( P<0.05). The number of calcium nodules in the Lv-Cx43 group was significantly higher than that in the control group and Lv-NC group. The OD value of osteoblasts and the number of calcium nodules in Lv-Cx43+PD98059 group were significantly lower than those in Lv-Cx43 group ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The proliferation and differentiation ability of osteoblasts is significantly decreased after the treatment of dexamethasone with decreased expression of Cx43. Overexpression of Cx43 can promote the proliferation and osteogenic differentiation of osteoblasts, which may be regulated through the ERK1/2 pathway.

Objective:To analyze the clinical characteristics of adult Chinese patients with syncope.Methods:This is a cross-sectional survey study. Patients with preliminary diagnosis of syncope in the Emergency Department, Geriatrics and Cardiology Outpatient Department, or Syncope Unit of 37 hospitals in 19 provinces, autonomous regions and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region from June 2018 to March 2021 were included in this study. The clinical features of these patients with syncope were analyzed.Results:A total of 4 950 consecutive patients with syncope were included in this study. The age was (56.3±16.8)years, and 2 604 cases (52.6%) were male. The most common type of syncope was neurally mediated syncope (2 345 (47.4%)), followed by cardiac syncope (1 085 (21.9%)), orthostatic hypotensive syncope (311 (6.3%)), and unexplained syncope accounted for nearly one third (1 155 (23.3%)). Predisposing syncope was more common in patients under 65 years of age(2 066(72.4%) vs. 786(27.6%),χ 2=136.5, P<0.001). Presyncope was more common in patients with neurally mediated syncope (1 972(79.0%) vs.1 908(73.9%), χ 2=17.756, P<0.001). Premonitory symptoms were more common in women(1 837(80.0%) vs. 1 863(73.0%),χ 2=33.432, P<0.001). Presyncope syndrome was more common in patients under 65 years of age (2 482(77.8%) vs. 1 218(73.4%),χ 2=17.523, P=0.001). Cyanosis was more common in ≥65 years old patients (271(18.2%) vs. 369(12.7%), χ 2=23.235, P<0.001). Urinary incontinence was more common in old patients aged ≥65 years(252(15.2%) vs. 345(10.8%), χ 2=19.313, P<0.001). Family history was more common in patients with cardiogenic syncope compared with other types of syncope (264(24.3%) vs. 754(19.5%), χ 2=11.899, P=0.001). Hypertention(1 480(30.5%)), coronary heart disease(1 057(21.4%)), atrial flutter and atrial fibrillation(359(7.2%)), second degree atrioventricular block(236(4.8%)) were common complications of syncope. The proportion of patients with coronary heart disease was significantly higher in cardiac syncope than that of other types of syncope(417(38.4%) vs. 640(16.6%), χ 2=241.376, P<0.001). Other common complications included cerebrovascular diseases (551 (11.1%)) and diabetes mellitus (632(12.8%)). Conclusions:Neurally mediated syncope is the most common syncope in adult Chinese population. Patients with predisposing conditions and premonitory conditions are younger. Presyncope is more common in women. The proportion of family history and coronary heart disease is higher in patients with cardiogenic syncope.

Objective:To investigate the expression of connexin-43 (Cx43) in steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head and osteoblasts in rats and its regulation mechanism.Methods:The model of steroid-induced osteonecrosis of femoral head (SIONFH) of rat was established. Micro-CT and HE staining were used to observe the degree of bone trabecular destruction and the incidence of empty lacunae. The expression levels of Cx43 and PI3K/Akt signaling pathway related molecules and osteoblast-related proteins in model group and control group were detected by RT-PCT and Western blot. The osteoblast (OB) of rats was further isolated and cultured in vitro. Under treatment of dexamethasone (Dex), Cx43 expression in OB cells was detected by Western blot and immunofluorescence. Western blot was used to detect the effect of glucocorticoid (GC) on the expression of related molecules of PI3K/Akt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Akt activator (SC79) and PI3K inhibitor (LY294002) were used to study the molecular mechanism of Dex regulation on Cx43 expression in OB cells. The regulatory relationship between β-catenin and Cx43 was investigated by immunoprecipitation and small interfere RNA (siRNA) technology.Results:The model of SIONFH in rats was successfully established, which proved that Cx43 expression level in the SIONFH model group was significantly lower than that in the control group, and the expression level of Cx43 was positively correlated with the expression of PI3K/Akt signaling pathway related molecules and osteoblast-related proteins Runx2, ALP and Collagen I Type (COL). In addition, in vitro culture of isolated rat OB cells, the expression of Cx43, p-PI3K, P-Akt and β-catenin in OB cells decreased gradually as the Dex action time went on. Moreover, SC79 pretreatment could significantly reverse the inhibitory effect of GCs on Cx43 expression, while LY294002 could significantly enhance the inhibitory effect of GCs on Cx43. In addition, the immunoprecipitation results showed that β-catenin expression was closely related to Cx43 expression, and further studies showed that β-catenin-siRNA could significantly down-regulate the expression of Cx43.Conclusion:Under the action of GC, the expression level of Cx43 in bone tissue and OB cells decreased significantly, and the possible mechanism was that GCs inhibited the expression of Cx43 by inhibiting the PI3K/Akt/β-catenin signaling pathway, which laid a new theoretical foundation for the further study of the role of Cx43 in the pathogenesis of steroid-induced femoral head necrosis.

Objective: To evaluate the repeatability and reproducibility of swept-source optical coherence tomography biometrics (Tomey OA-2000) for measuring the biological parameters of the eyeballs in healthy people. Methods: A diagnostic test was carried out in this study.One hundred and three healthy volunteers who were recuited from July to September 2018 in Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College were included, and the right eyes were examined.Two examiners used OA-2000 for 3 consecutive measurements, respectively.One week later, the first examiner used OA-2000 for 3 consecutive measurements.The ocular biological parameters including axial length (AL), anterior chamber depth (ACD), corneal curvature (K), lens thickness (LT), central corneal thickness (CCT), pupil diameter (PD), and white to white (WTW) were measured.The repeatability and reproducibility of each parameter based on within-subject standard deviation (S_W), repeatability limit of standard deviation (2.77S_W), coefficient of variation (CoV) and intra-class correlation coefficient (ICC) was evaluated.This study followed the Declaration of Helsinki.This study protocol was approved by Ethic Committee of the Affiliated Hospital of North Sichuan Medical College (No.2018ER[A]019). Results: Of the ocular biological parameters measured by OA-2000, CoV was less than 2% while ICC was greater than 0.950, except PD and WTW.The repeatability and reproducibility of K, AL and ACD were all good.For K₁(ø=2.5 mm and 3.0 mm), the S_W was less than 0.120 D, the 2.77S_W was less than 0.350 D, the CoV was less than 0.293%, and the ICC was greater than 0.990; For K₂ (ø = 2.5 mm and 3.0 mm) , the S_W were less than 0.175 D, the 2.77S_W were less than 0.485 D, the CoV was less than 0.396%, the ICC was greater than 0.980; for K_m (ø = 2.5 mm and 3.0 mm), the S_W were less than 0.099 D, 2.77S_W were less than 0.275 D, CoV was less than 0.227%, ICC was greater than 0.996; ACD S_W was less than 0.024 mm, 2.77S_W was less than 0.066 mm, CoV was less than 0.668%, ICC were greater than 0.993; the S_W of AL was less than 0.014 mm, the 2.77S_W was less than 0.038 mm, the CoV was less than 0.057%, and all of the ICCs were 1.000. Conclusions Except PD and WTW, the ocular biological parameters measured by OA-2000 have good repeatability and reproducibility, in which the accuracy of AL measurement is the highest.