Laser photocoagulation is one of the important methods for treating retinal diseases, and retinal laser technology continues to advance. For decades, researchers have been striving to find a laser treatment that can minimize tissue damage while achieving optimal results. With low toxicity, low scattering light, strong penetrating power, small compared with the traditional laser damage, light reaction and no pain, the 577 nm subthreshold micropulse laser(SML)turns this goal into reality and ushers in a new era of laser treatment for fundus diseases. This article reviews the concept, mechanism, related parameters and clinical application progress of 577 nm SML in a variety of retinal diseases, aiming to provide references for clinical treatments.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of Helicobacter pylori(H.pylori)positivity in the urban areas of Chongqing and its relationship with age,season,and gender.Methods A total of 4,836 patients who underwent 14C-UBT testing at our hospital from April 2023 to March 2024 were selected.The detection rate of H.pylori and the infection status of H.pylori in different age groups,genders,and seasons were analyzed.Logistic regression analysis was performed on factors related to H.pylori infection identified in the univariate analysis.Results The positive detection rate of H.pylori in the 4,836 subjects was 29.3％,with a higher rate in males than in females,showing a statistically significant difference(P＜0.05).The highest positive detection rate of H.pylori was in the summer season,and the peak positivity rate for H.pylori was observed in the 30-39 age group.There was a statistically significant difference in the positive detection rate of H.pylori across seasons and among different age groups(P＜0.05).Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that gender,age,and season were all influential factors in the outcome of H.pylori infection(P＜0.05).Conclusion The prevalence of H.pylori infection in the urban areas of Chongqing is relatively low,and gender,age,and season are all influential factors for H.pylori infection.

AIM: To investigate the characteristics of changes in corneal epithelial thickness at the early postoperative stage of femtosecond assisted laser in situ keratomileusis(FS-LASIK)and its related influencing factors.METHOD: Retrospective study. A total of 120 patients(240 eyes)of myopia undergoing FS-LASIK from May 2021 to June 2022 were selected. The corneal epithelium thickness in the central area, inner ring area, and outer ring area of patients before and at 1d, 1wk, 1 and 3mo after operation was recorded. The relationship between the variation of corneal epithelium thickness and spherical equivalent, optical zone diameter, depth of cut and cutting ratio was analyzed by Pearson correlation.RESULTS: There was no statistical significance in corneal epithelial thickness in the central area, inner ring area and outer ring area at 1d after FS-LASIK compared with that before operation(P>0.05). At 1wk, 1 and 3mo after surgery, the corneal epithelial thickness in the central area, inner ring area and outer ring area increased compared with that before surgery, and the corneal epithelial thickness in the central area and inner ring area at 1 and 3mo after surgery was greater than that in the outer ring area(all P<0.05). The corneal epithelial thickness in the central, inner and outer ring areas of high myopia patients was thicker than that of low and moderate myopia patients before operation. The corneal epithelial thickness in the central, inner and outer ring areas of high myopia patients was thinner than that of low and moderate myopia patients at 1wk after operation(P<0.05). At 1 and 3mo after operation, the corneal epithelial thickness in the central, inner and outer ring areas of patients with high myopia was greater than that of patients with low and moderate myopia, and the changes of corneal epithelial thickness in the central, inner and outer ring areas were greater than those of patients with low and moderate myopia(P<0.05). The results of Pearson correlation showed that the changes in corneal epithelial thickness in the central and inner ring area were positively correlated with the corneal curvature, depth of cut and cutting ratio at 3mo after surgery, and they were in negative correlation with the age, spherical equivalent and optical zone diameter(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The corneal epithelial thickness of patients thickened after the FS-LASIK operation, and it was correlated with age, corneal curvature, preoperative depth of cut, cutting ratio, spherical equivalent and the optic zone diameter.

Purpose: To investigate the effect of blunt ocular trauma (BOT) on foveal circulation, and in particular the foveal avascular zone (FAZ), using optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA). Methods: This retrospective study consisted of 96 eyes (48 traumatized eyes and 48 nontraumatized eyes) from 48 subjects with BOT. We analyzed the FAZ area of deep capillary plexus (DCP) and superficial capillary plexus (SCP) immediately after BOT and at 2 weeks after BOT. We also evaluated the FAZ area of DCP and SCP in patients with and without blowout fracture (BOF). Results: There were no significant differences in FAZ area between traumatized and nontraumatized eyes at DCP and SCP in the initial test. In traumatized eyes, the FAZ area at SCP was significantly reduced on follow-up when compared to initial test (p = 0.01). In case of eyes with BOF, there was no significant differences in FAZ area between traumatized and nontraumatized eyes at DCP and SCP on initial test. No significant difference of FAZ area was found on follow-up relative to the initial test, whether in the DCP or SCP. In case of eyes without BOF, there was no significant differences of FAZ area between traumatized and nontraumatized eyes at DCP and SCP in initial test. Also, no significant difference of FAZ area at DCP was found on follow-up test compared to initial test. However, the FAZ area at SCP was significantly reduced in follow-up test compared with that in the initial test (p = 0.04). Conclusions Temporary microvascular ischemia occurs in the SCP of patients after BOT. Patients should be warned of transient ischemic changes that may occur after trauma. OCTA can provide useful information regarding the subacute changes in the FAZ at SCP after BOT, even without evident findings of structural damage on fundus examination.

Purpose: To investigate the cytokine concentrations of aqueous humor in patients with exudative age-related macular degeneration (AMD) and diabetic macular edema (DME). Methods: Fifty-seven subjects were included in the exudative AMD, DME and control groups, each group has 19 patients. Aqueous levels of cytokines epidermal growth factor (EGF), vascular endothelial growth factor-C (VEGF-C), monocyte chemoattractant protein-1 (MCP-1), hepatocyte growth factor (HGF), interleukin (IL)-3, IL-8, IL-6, IL-12p40, intercellular adhesion molecule 1 (ICAM-1) were investigated in each groups. Kruskal-Wallis test and Mann-Whitney U test were performed to compare cytokine concentrations. Results: Aqueous levels of EGF, VEGF-C, MCP-1, HGF, IL-3, IL-8 were significantly higher in exudative AMD group than control group (p = < 0.0001, < 0.0001, 0.004, 0.015, < 0.0001, 0.014) and EGF, VEGF-C, IL-3, IL-8 were significantly higher in DME group than control group (p = < 0.0001, < 0.0001, < 0.0001, 0.005). In the comparison between the exudative AMD and DME groups, EGF was significantly higher in the exudative AMD group (p = 0.001). Conclusions Various cytokines were increased in patients with exudative AMD and DME. In particular, EGF showed a higher level in exudative AMD than in DME.

Objective An epidemiological investigation was carried out on the first family cluster epidemic of psittacosis in Wuhan to provide scientific basis for the prevention and control of Chlamydia psittacosis. Methods Epidemiological data were collected by field epidemiological investigation methods, and pathogenic testing was carried out by collecting cases, suspected exposed persons, and environmental samples. Results The 2 cases in the same family stared with fever, headache and chills. The first case was treated in 5 medical institutions and hospitalized in 2 of them. The results of metagenomic next-generation sequencing in the bronchoalveolar lavage fluid of the case indicated that it was infected with Chlamydia psittaci. Thirty environmental samples from cases and 3 pigeon farmers homes, 4 throat swabs from family members of pigeon farmers were collected, and 15 environmental samples were positive by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction, all of which were in the cases' home and neighbor farmers' homes, including 8 pigeon feces smearing samples, 3 pigeon drinking residual water samples, 1 sand and corn eaten by pigeons, 1 tableware surface smearing sample, and 1 sample of external environment of the patient's home. Conclusions The family cluster epidemic of psittacosis was caused by exposure to the external environment contaminated by Chlamydia psittacosis. Poultry breeding should be regulated to prevent the spread of poultry infection to the human world. At the same time, the awareness of medical staff should be raised, and pathogenic testing should be carried out to confirm the diagnosis for avoiding the occurrence of severe cases and death.

Objective:To develop an unnatural amino acid-labelled HiD-Hin47 fusion protein as a novel carrier.Methods:Twenty versions of the fusion protein were designed, each of which contained a different amino acid site replaced by an azide-bearing amino acid, N6-(2-azidoethoxy) (carbonyl)-L-Lysine (NAEK). These fusion proteins were constructed, expressed and purified, and the yield were evaluated by SDS-PAGE. Based on the highest protein yield, which was approximately 70% of the wild-type yield, the fusion protein with the unnatural amino acid in E677 site was selected. The pneumococcal polysaccharides of serotype 3 (F3) and serotype 6B (F6B) were coupled to the selected fusion protein through a "click" reaction. The conjugates were purified and compared in animal studies with other F3 and F6B conjugates that were coupled to CRM197, tetanus toxoid (TT) and HiD by conventional methods.Results:The immunogenicity of F3 conjugate using HiD-Hin47 as carrier (F3-HiD-Hin47) was slightly better than that of other F3 conjugates. F6B-HiD-Hin47 was significantly better than F6B-TT and F6B-HiD in terms of immunogenicity, but showed no significant difference with F6B-CRM197.Conclusions:NAEK-labelled HiD-Hin47 had the potential as a carrier for pneumococcal polysaccharide conjugate vaccine and was worthy of further study.

Purpose: To report a case of massive retinal hemorrhage during epiretinal membrane (ERM) peeling in a patient with iron deficiency anemia (IDA).Case summary: A 59-year-old female presented with gradually decreasing visual acuity and dysmorphopsia in the right eye for several months. She had a history of chronic IDA due to subtotal gastrectomy from gastric cancer 20 years prior. The patient was diagnosed as having macular ERM and underwent vitrectomy. During ERM peeling with intraocular forceps, we found a massive retinal hemorrhage which was presumed to have originated from the superotemporal branched retinal artery. After hemostasis, the operation was completed without critical complications. However, 2 months after surgery, the patient presented with decreased visual acuity once again. In fundus examination, diffuse macular tractional ERM was evident in the proximity of the previous intraoperative hemorrhage site. The patient underwent tractional membrane and internal limiting membrane removal surgery. The patient is currently undergoing follow-up without complications to date following the second surgery. Conclusions Our case study describes a patient having experienced massive retinal hemorrhage presumably having originated from a superotemporal branched retinal artery during ERM peeling. We speculate that the endothelial cells of retinal vessels are more vulnerable than normal in patients with severe chronic IDA.

Purpose: To report a case of massive retinal hemorrhage during epiretinal membrane (ERM) peeling in a patient with iron deficiency anemia (IDA).Case summary: A 59-year-old female presented with gradually decreasing visual acuity and dysmorphopsia in the right eye for several months. She had a history of chronic IDA due to subtotal gastrectomy from gastric cancer 20 years prior. The patient was diagnosed as having macular ERM and underwent vitrectomy. During ERM peeling with intraocular forceps, we found a massive retinal hemorrhage which was presumed to have originated from the superotemporal branched retinal artery. After hemostasis, the operation was completed without critical complications. However, 2 months after surgery, the patient presented with decreased visual acuity once again. In fundus examination, diffuse macular tractional ERM was evident in the proximity of the previous intraoperative hemorrhage site. The patient underwent tractional membrane and internal limiting membrane removal surgery. The patient is currently undergoing follow-up without complications to date following the second surgery. Conclusions Our case study describes a patient having experienced massive retinal hemorrhage presumably having originated from a superotemporal branched retinal artery during ERM peeling. We speculate that the endothelial cells of retinal vessels are more vulnerable than normal in patients with severe chronic IDA.