OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the impact of cell spreading area on odontoblast polarization and differentiation using micropatterned surfaces ge-nerated by photolithography. METHODS: Micropatterned surfaces with differential adhesive properties were prepared using polyethylene glycol diacrylate (PEGDA)-ba-sed photolithography. Human dental pulp stem cells (hD-PSCs) were isolated into single cells and cultured on micropatterned surfaces with areas of 1 800, 2 700, and 3 600 μm². Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe cell morphology and analyze the relocating of the golgi apparatus and nucleus. Alkaline phosphatase staining was preformed to examine odontogenic differentiation. RESULTS: The hDPSCs were successfully isolated and cultured on micropatterned surfaces mimicking the morphology of polarized odontoblasts. Phalloidin staining confirmed that the isolated hDPSCs successfully recapitulated the morphology of predesigned micropatterns. Immunofluorescence staining showed that the polarization and differentiation levels of the hDPSCs with a 3600 μm² area were significantly higher than those with 1 800 and 2 700 μm² areas (P<0.05). CONCLUSIONS The polarization and differentiation of single hDPSCs increased with the cell areas on micropatterned surfaces.
Cell Differentiation ; Humans ; Dental Pulp/cytology* ; Odontoblasts/cytology* ; Stem Cells/cytology* ; Cells, Cultured ; Cell Polarity ; Surface Properties

Objective To analyze the correlation between serum levels of C-X-C motif chemokine 5(CXCL5),Toll-like receptor 4(TLR4),and matrix metalloproteinase-3(MMP-3)with the degree of joint destruction and serum uric acid(SUA)levels in gouty arthritis patients with different clinical characteristics,and to evaluate their predictive value for severe GA.Methods A total of 212 GA patients(GA group)diagnosed at Xi'an People's Hospital between June 2023 and June 2025 were enrolled,along with 212 healthy individuals(control group).Predictive value was assessed using receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis,and correlation was assessed using Pearson method.Results Serum levels of CXCL5,TLR4,and MMP-3 were significantly higher in the GA group compared to the control group(P<0.05).Statistically significant differences in serum levels of CXCL5,TLR4,and MMP-3 were observed among GA patients with different clinical stages,affected joints,presence of tophi,disease duration,and annual attack frequency(P<0.05).The severe GA group had higher levels of CXCL5,TLR4,and MMP-3 compared to the mild GA group(P<0.05).GA patients were at higher risk for severe disease when serum CXCL5,TLR4,and MMP-3 levels exceeded 612.56 pg/mL,11.15 ng/mL,and 12.06 ng/mL,respectively.The combined prediction of severe GA by CXCL5,TLR4,and MMP-3 yielded an area under the curve(AUC)of 0.963.Compared to low-expression patients,those with high expression of CXCL5,TLR4,and MMP-3 had a 2.758-fold,2.184-fold,and 2.227-fold increased risk of severe GA,respectively.CXCL5,TLR4,and MMP-3 were identified as influencing factors for the disease severity(P<0.05).The high SUA group had significantly higher serum levels of CXCL5,TLR4,and MMP-3 compared to the low SUA group(P<0.05).Conclusion GA patients exhibit high serum expression of CXCL5,TLR4,and MMP-3,which are significantly associated with clinical features,the degree of joint destruction,and SUA levels,demonstrating considerable clinical value.

Objective:To assess the diagnostic performance of serum anti-toxocara immunoglobulin G (anti-T-IgG) in ocular toxocariasis (OT) patients.Methods:A diagnostic tests. A total of 109 patients (109 eyes) with clinically-suspected OT who treated in Department of Ophthalmology of Xuzhou First People’s Hospital from June 2015 to December 2022 were included. Patients were divided into two groups, 76 with OT and 33 with non-OT, according to the clinical manifestations and Goldmann-Witmer coefficient. Paired serum and intraocular fluid samples from each patient were collected and analyzed for specific anti-T-IgG using enzyme linked immunosorbent assay. Mann-Whitney test was performed for comparison between groups. The area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC) was used to assess the diagnostic performance of serum anti-T-IgG. Kappa analysis was performed to examine the consistency of serum or intraocular fluid anti-T-IgG positive rate with OT diagnostic result. Spearman’s rank correlation test was performed to assess the association.Results:Compared with the non-OT group, the proportions of children and history of exposure to cats and dogs ( χ2=9.785, 12.026) were significantly higher in OT group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.01). The positive rate ( χ2=24.551) and U value ( Z=-4.379) of serum anti-T-IgG in OT group were higher than those in non-OT group, and the differences were statistically significant ( P<0.000 1). The recommended serum anti-T-IgG cut-off value of 11 U had 0.72 sensitivity, 0.79 specificity, 0.89 positive predictive value, 0.55 negative predictive value, and 0.77 area under the ROC with 95% confidence interval ( CI) 0.669-0.860. Correlation analysis showed that serum anti-T-IgG was positively correlated with intraocular fluid anti-T-IgG ( r s=0.520, 95% CI 0.363-0.648, P<0.000 1). The Kappa values of serum and intraocular fluid anti-T-IgG positive rate with OT diagnosis were 0.457 (95% CI 0.292-0.622) and 0.711 (95% CI 0.582-0.840), respectively. The Kappa value of serum anti-T-IgG positive rate with OT diagnosis was lower than that of intraocular fluid. Conclusion:The sensitivity and specificity of serum anti-T-IgG and the consistency between serum anti-T-IgG positive rate and OT diagnosis are low, suggesting that serum anti-T-IgG level cannot be used as a basis for OT diagnosis.

Objective:To explore any effect of repeated transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS) on the upper limb motor function and cerebral cortex activation of stroke survivors.Methods:Sixty stroke survivors were randomly divided into an intervention group and a control group, each of 30. In addition to routine rehabilitation training (including drug therapy, comprehensive hemiplegic limb training and physical factor therapy), the intervention group received 15 minutes of rTMS daily, five days a week for 4 weeks while the control group was given false rTMS. Upper limb motor function was evaluated before and after the treatment using the Fugl Meyer upper limb motor function rating scale (FMA-UE). Functional near-infrared spectroscopy was used to detect and compare the activation (β values) of the prefrontal cortex, the motor cortex and the primary somatosensory cortex in the 2 groups. The correlation between the FMA-UE scores and the β values was quantified.Results:①There was no significant difference in the average FMA-UE scores between the two groups before the treatment. Afterward, though both groups′ average scores had increased significantly, there was significantly greater improvement in the treatment group. ②There was also no significant difference in average β value between the two groups before the experiment, but afterward the average βs of channels 27 and 13 in the intervention group were significantly higher than in the control group. Moreover, in patients with lesion in the left brain, the β-values of CH27 and CH13 were also significantly higher than the control group ( P<0.05). ③The FMA-UE scores of the intervention group were moderately correlated with the CH27 and CH13 β values, but those of the control group were only weakly correlated with the β values of CH27. Conclusion:Transcranial magnetic stimulation activates a lesioned left brain region, improving upper limb motor function. The improvement is correlated with the activation of the left prefrontal cortex and the left primary somatosensory cortex.

A fixation device for experimental rat in moxibustion was developed. Using this device, the points for moxibustion can be fully exposed, and the temperature of moxibustion be relatively constant. This fixation device consists of three parts: fixation seat, fixation clip and moxa-stick holder; characterized as the flexible fixation and easy operation. The device is advantaged at simultaneous operation of moxibustion at many points and supports the point combinations. It makes up for the shortcomings of the existing fixation devices, reduces the workload of moxibustion in experimental rat and improves the work efficiency and experimental safety of experimenters.
Animals ; Rats ; Moxibustion/methods* ; Equipment Design ; Acupuncture Points ; Humans ; Male ; Rats, Sprague-Dawley

Objective:To observe and analyze the correlation between macular microvascular parameters and urinary albumin to creatinine ratio (UACR) in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM).Methods:A cross-sectional study. From October 2017 to April 2018, 100 eyes of 100 patients (T2DM) and 27 eyes of 27 healthy controls (the control group) were enrolled in Xuzhou First People’s Hospital. All subjects underwent anterior segment examination via slit-lamp biomicroscopy, dilated fundus examination, 7-field fundus photographs, OCT angiography (OCTA), the fasting glucose test, glycosylated hemoglobin (HbA1c), urinary albumin, urinary creatinine and UACR levels determination. Height and weight measurement were taken for calculating body mass index (BMI). Diabetic retinopathy was ruled out by fundoscopic examinations and 7-field fundus photographs in T2DM patients. According to the UACR, patients in the T2DM group were subdivided into A1 group (UACR< 30 mg/g), A2 group (UACR 30-300 mg/g), and A3 group (UACR>300 mg/g), with 38 cases and 38 eyes respectively , 40 cases with 40 eyes, 22 cases with 22 eyes. A 6 mm×6 mm scanning area centered on the macular fovea were scanned for right eye using a frequency domain OCTA instrument, which were divided into three concentric circles centered on the macular fovea by the software automatically. The foveal zone was defined as a circular area measuring 1 mm in diameter, the parafoveal zone was described as a middle circle area measuring 1-3 mm in diameter, and the perifoveal zone was an outer circle area measuring 3-6 mm in diameter. The vessel density of superficial capillary plexus (SCP) and deep capillary plexus (DCP), foveal avascular area (FAZ) and perimeter (PERIM), non-circularity index (AI) were measured. The correlation between the macular vessel density, FAZ and UACR was analyzed by Spearman correlation analysis.Results:A1 group, A2 group, A3 group, and normal control group. The macular area SCP and DCP ( F=13.722, 5.644), foveal area ( F=4.607, 4.719), parafoveal area ( H=23.142, F=2.904), the blood flow density of the area around the fovea ( F=12.292, H=10.946), the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05); with the increase of UACR, the blood flow density of each area of SCP and DCP showed a downward trend. The results of correlation analysis showed that the blood flow density of the whole SCP, parafoveal area, and surrounding area of T2DM patients was negatively correlated with UACR ( r=-0.376, -0.240, -0.364,-0.347, P<0.05). There were no correlation among fasting plasma glucose, HbAlc and UACR ( r=0.179, 0.085, P>0.05). There were no correlation among blood flow density in BMI, SCP foveal area, DCP and UACR (| r|<0.3, P>0.05). Conclusion:The whole, parafovea and perifovea vessel density values of SCP in T2DM eyes without DR are negatively correlated with UACR.

Objective:To compare the clinical effects of minimally invasive vitreous surgery with and without anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) drugs for polypoid choroidal vascular disease (PCV) complicated with vitreous hemorrhage.Methods:A cohort study was performed.Thirty-six consecutive cases (36 eyes) with PCV combined with vitreous hemorrhage who underwent 25G minimally invasive vitreous surgery in Xuzhou First People's Hospital from June 2015 to June 2020 were enrolled.According to surgical methods, the patients were divided into pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) group (24 eyes) receiving vitrectomy only and PPV+ anti-VEGF group (12 eyes) receiving vitrectomy first and intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs one week after the operation.All patients were followed up for at least 6 months.The best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) and central retinal thickness (CRT) of the two groups before treatment, 1 month after treatment and at the last follow-up were measured and compared.Postoperative complications such as recurrence of vitreous hemorrhage and macular scar formation were recorded.This study followed the Declaration of Helsinki and was reviewed and approved by the Medical Ethics Committee of Xuzhou First People's Hospital (No.xyyll[2021]014).Written informed consent was obtained from each patient before surgery.Results:Statistically significant differences were found in BCVA between the two groups before and after treatment ( Fgroup=8.552, P=0.006; Ftime=31.775, P<0.001).The BCVA of the two groups at 1 month after operation and at the last follow-up were significantly improved in comparison with before treatment, and the BCVA at the last follow-up was significantly better than that at 1 month after operation (all at P<0.05).One month after operation and at the last follow-up, the BCVA of PPV+ anti-VEGF group was better than that of PPV group, showing statistically significant differences (both at P<0.05).Statistically significant differences were found in CRT between the two groups before and after treatment ( Fgroup=4.797, P=0.041; Ftime=295.764, P<0.001).One month after operation and at the last follow-up, the CRT of both groups was significantly improved in comparison with before treatment, and the CRT was significantly better at the last follow-up than 1 month after operation (both at P<0.05).The postoperative 1-month CRT of PPV+ anti-VEGF treatment group was lower than that of PPV group, with statistically significant difference ( P<0.05).No statistically significant difference was found in CRT between the two groups at the last follow-up ( P>0.05).Elevated intraocular pressure occurred in 2 eyes and rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in 1 eye in PPV group, accounting for 8.33% and 4.17%, respectively.Cataract aggravated in 2 eyes in PPV+ anti-VEGF group.The incidence of vitreous rebleeding in PPV group and PPV+ anti-VEGF group was 16.67%(4/24) and 8.33%(1/12), respectively, with no significant difference ( P=0.646).The incidence of macular scarring in PPV group and PPV+ anti-VEGF group was 4.17%(1/24) and 33.3%(4/12), respectively, showing a statistically significant difference ( P=0.030). Conclusions:Minimally invasive vitreous surgery is a safe and effective way to treat PCV combined with vitreous hemorrhage.It can improve vision, reduce CRT, and the effect is gradually enhanced in the short term.Intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs can enhance the postoperative effect of PPV and present better vision and anatomical structure of retina.

Objective:To explore the predictability cytokines in aqueous humor affecting optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA) parameters after anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) treatment in patients with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy (PCV).Methods:A cross-sectional study was carried out.Twenty eyes of 20 patients with PCV were included in Xuzhou First People's Hospital from July 2017 to July 2020.All PCV eyes were treated by intravitreal injection of conbercept (IVC) following 3+ PRN regimen.One hundred μl of aqueous humor was collected before treatment and before the third injection, respectively.Thirteen kinds of cytokines in the aqueous humor were detected with Luminex bead-based multiplex array.The aqueous humor of 16 eyes of 16 cataract patients with age and gender matched were collected in the same way during phacoemulsification surgery as control.The values of center macular thickness (CMT), subretinal fluid height (SRFH), pigment epithelial detachment height (PEDH) and pigment epithelial detachment diameter (PEDD) of the eyes in the PCV group were examined with OCTA system.The target cytokines in aqueous humor affecting OCTA parameter change values (the difference between before and after treatment) was analyzed.This study protocol was approved by an Medical Ethic Committee of Xuzhou First People's Hospital (No.xyyll[2020]27) and complied with Declaration of Helsinki.Written informed consent was obtained from each patient prior to any medical invention.Results:The concentration of interleukin-8 (IL-8), Leptin, hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), fibroblast growth factor-2 (FGF-2), angiopoietin-2 (Ang-2), endothelin-1 and vascular endothelial growth factor-A (VEGF-A) were significantly higher in aqueous humor of the PCV group before treatment than those in the cataract group (all at P<0.05). After treatment, the concentration of VEGF-A in aqueous humor of the PCV group was significantly lower than that before treatment ( P<0.001). The values of CMT, SRFH, PEDH and PEDD were significantly reduced in comparison with before treatment, showing statistical significances (all at P<0.05). The concentration of VEGF-A in aqueous humor was positively correlated and endothelin-1 in aqueous humor was negatively correlated with the change value of CMT ( r=0.592, -0.485, both at P<0.05). The concentration of IL-8 and HGF were positively correlated with SRFH change value ( r=0.492, 0.466, both at P<0.05). VEGF-A and IL-8 concentraions of aqueous humor before treatment were the risk factor of the change value of CMT and SRFH.Every 1pg/ml increase of baseline VEGF-A, the CMT change value reduced 0.836 μm ( P=0.006), and every 1pg/ml increase of baseline IL-8, the SRFH change value reduced 12.522 μm ( P=0.028). Conclusions:The concentrations of VEGF-A and IL-8 in aqueous humor might predict the CMT and SRFH improvement in PCV eyes after anti-VEGF therapy.

Objective:To compare the efficacy, recurrence rate and safety of a single intravitreal injection of ranibizumab between type 1 prethreshold and threshold retinopathy of prematurity (ROP).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted.A total 100 eyes from 51 ROP patients in Xuzhou Municipal Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University from January 2016 to December 2019 were enrolled.Retcam and indirect ophthalmoscope were used to confirm the diagnosis of 39 cases of type 1 prethreshold ROP (70 eyes) and 18 cases of threshold ROP (30 eyes). All the subjects were given a single intravitreal injection of ranibizumab (IVR) 0.25 mg/0.025 ml as the initial treatment within 24-36 hours after diagnosis.Events such as increased intraocular pressure, intraocular bleeding and endophthalmitis were observed and recorded 1 day after IVR.Retcam photography was used to check whether the fundus lesions was subsided 1 week after IVR.Regular follow-up was conducted once every 2-4 weeks until retinal vascularization.Systemic and ocular complications were recorded.The cure rate, the time of retinal vascularization and the recurrence rate of single IVR for type 1 prethreshold disease and threshold disease were compared.This study was approved by the Ethics Committee of Xuzhou Municipal Hospital Affiliated to Xuzhou Medical University.Results:After a single IVR, 86 of 100 eyes (86.00%) were cured, among which 60 of 70 type 1 prethreshold ROP eyes (85.71%) and 26 of 30 threshold ROP eyes (86.67%) were cured, with no significant difference between the two groups ( χ2=0.09, P=0.65). No systemic adverse reactions were observed after a single IVR treatment.The final retinal vascularization time was (11.86±8.60) weeks in the type 1 prethreshold ROP group and (14.45±10.01) weeks in the threshold ROP group, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups ( t=0.88, P=0.22). Recurrence of ROP appeared in 10 eyes after a single IVR, including 4 eyes (5.71%) in the type 1 prethreshold ROP group and 6 eyes (20.00%) in the threshold ROP group, the recurrent rate was significantly different between the two groups ( χ2=4.76, P=0.03). Six recurrent eyes were treated with IVR for the second time, and 4 recurrent eyes were treated with laser photocoagulation.Five eyes presented with preretinal hemorrhage after IVR treatment, and were recovered without intervention. Conclusions:The treatment of type 1 prethreshold ROP and threshold ROP with single IVR in vitreous cavity is safe and effective.The recurrence rate of threshold ROP is higher than type 1 prethreshold ROP.Retreatment can significantly improve the cure rate.

Objective To observe the efficacy of photodynamic therapy (PDT) based on indocyanine green angiography (ICGA) for circumscribed choroidal hemangioma (CCH).Methods A retrospective observational case series study was performed.Seventeen eyes of 17 patients were diagnosed with CCH and then underwent PDT based on ICGA image in Xuzhou Municipal Hospital from August,2010 to May,2018.The size of the treatment spot was decided according to ICGA images.The period of mean follow-up visit ranged from 6 to 36 months,with an average of (23.3± 1 1.8) months.Best corrected visual acuity (BCVA),sub-retinal fluid (SRF) and central retinal thickness (CRT) based on optical coherence tomography (OCT),the tumor diameter based on ICGA and the tumor thickness based on coloured doppler imaging (CDI) before and after treatment were analyzed.Results Sixteen cases received only one PDT session,one case had ever received PDT and another case had ever received focal laser photocoagulation.The mean BCVA (LogMAR) was 0.99±0.52,1.09±0.50,0.97±0.53,0.81±0.66,0.79±0.69,and the mean CRT was (440.76±281.34),(329.18± 175.02),(274.24± 169.55),(271.53 ± 150.00),(291.06 ± 201.41)μm before PDT,at 1 week,1 month,3 months and the last visit after treatment,with significant differences among the follow-up time (F =6.965,P =0.006;F =8.784,P =0.002).The decimal visual acuity was increased by at least 2 lines in 9 eyes (52.9％),fluctuated within 2 lines in 7 eyes (41.2％),while decreased by at least 2 lines in one eye (5.9％).SRF of all patients was involved in macular area.The absolute absorption of SRF was found in 7 eyes (41.2％) and partial absorption in 8 eyes (47.1％) at 3 months follow-up visit.In the last follow-up visit,the absolute absorption of SRF was found in 12 eyes (70.6％),partial absorption was found in 3 eyes (17.6％) and 2 eyes (11.8％) underwent no change.On FFA and ICGA,the decrease of tumor size was found in 15 patients,while the others underwent no change.All patients underwent less enhanced hyperfluorescent after treatment.The mean tumor height was (3.80± 1.13)mm before PDT and (3.42± 1.14)mm on the last visit,with a significant difference between them (t=4.101,P=0.010).Conclusions PDT with verteporfin for CCH can promote the improvement of visual acuity,the absorption of SRF,the anatomical reposition of the retina and the decrease of tumor size.The majority of patients can get therapeutic effect after one PDT session.