Fibrosis, the pathological scarring of vital organs, is a severe and often irreversible condition that leads to progressive organ dysfunction. It is particularly pronounced in organs like the liver, kidneys, lungs, and heart. Despite its clinical significance, the full understanding of its etiology and complex pathogenesis remains incomplete, posing substantial challenges to diagnosing, treating, and preventing the progression of fibrosis. Among the various molecular players involved, platelet-derived growth factor-C (PDGF-C) has emerged as a crucial factor in fibrotic diseases, contributing to the pathological transformation of tissues in several key organs. PDGF-C is a member of the PDGFs family of growth factors and is synthesized and secreted by various cell types, including fibroblasts, smooth muscle cells, and endothelial cells. It acts through both autocrine and paracrine mechanisms, exerting its biological effects by binding to and activating the PDGF receptors (PDGFRs), specifically PDGFRα and PDGFRβ. This binding triggers multiple intracellular signaling pathways, such as JAK/STAT, PI3K/AKT and Ras-MAPK pathways. which are integral to the regulation of cell proliferation, survival, migration, and fibrosis. Notably, PDGF-C has been shown to promote the proliferation and migration of fibroblasts, key effector cells in the fibrotic process, thus accelerating the accumulation of extracellular matrix components and the formation of fibrotic tissue. Numerous studies have documented an upregulation of PDGF-C expression in various fibrotic diseases, suggesting its significant role in the initiation and progression of fibrosis. For instance, in liver fibrosis, PDGF-C stimulates hepatic stellate cell activation, contributing to the excessive deposition of collagen and other extracellular matrix proteins. Similarly, in pulmonary fibrosis, PDGF-C enhances the migration of fibroblasts into the damaged areas of lungs, thereby worsening the pathological process. Such findings highlight the pivotal role of PDGF-C in fibrotic diseases and underscore its potential as a therapeutic target for these conditions. Given its central role in the pathogenesis of fibrosis, PDGF-C has become an attractive target for therapeutic intervention. Several studies have focused on developing inhibitors that block the PDGF-C/PDGFR signaling pathway. These inhibitors aim to reduce fibroblast activation, prevent the excessive accumulation of extracellular matrix components, and halt the progression of fibrosis. Preclinical studies have demonstrated the efficacy of such inhibitors in animal models of liver, kidney, and lung fibrosis, with promising results in reducing fibrotic lesions and improving organ function. Furthermore, several clinical inhibitors, such as Olaratumab and Seralutinib, are ongoing to assess the safety and efficacy of these inhibitors in human patients, offering hope for novel therapeutic options in the treatment of fibrotic diseases. In conclusion, PDGF-C plays a critical role in the development and progression of fibrosis in vital organs. Its ability to regulate fibroblast activity and influence key signaling pathways makes it a promising target for therapeutic strategies aiming at combating fibrosis. Ongoing research into the regulation of PDGF-C expression and the development of PDGF-C/PDGFR inhibitors holds the potential to offer new insights and approaches for the diagnosis, treatment, and prevention of fibrotic diseases. Ultimately, these efforts may lead to the development of more effective and targeted therapies that can mitigate the impact of fibrosis and improve patient outcomes.

Background/Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common disease with severe inflammatory processes associated with numerous gastrointestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, we investigated the relationship between NAFLD and IBD and the possible risk factors associated with the diagnosis of IBD. Methods: This longitudinal nationwide cohort study investigated the risk of IBD in patients with NAFLD alone. General characteristics, comorbidities, and incidence of IBD were also compared. Results: Patients diagnosed with NAFLD had a significant risk of developing IBD compared to control individuals, who were associated with a 2.245-fold risk of the diagnosis of IBD and a 2.260- and 2.231-fold of increased diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, respectively (P< 0.001). The cumulative risk of IBD increased annually during the follow-up of patients with NAFLD (P< 0.001). Conclusions Our results emphasize that NAFLD significantly impacts its incidence in patients with NAFLD. If patients with NAFLD present with risk factors, such as diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia, these conditions should be properly treated with regular follow-ups. Furthermore, we believe that these causes may be associated with the second peak of IBD.

Background/Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common disease with severe inflammatory processes associated with numerous gastrointestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, we investigated the relationship between NAFLD and IBD and the possible risk factors associated with the diagnosis of IBD. Methods: This longitudinal nationwide cohort study investigated the risk of IBD in patients with NAFLD alone. General characteristics, comorbidities, and incidence of IBD were also compared. Results: Patients diagnosed with NAFLD had a significant risk of developing IBD compared to control individuals, who were associated with a 2.245-fold risk of the diagnosis of IBD and a 2.260- and 2.231-fold of increased diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, respectively (P< 0.001). The cumulative risk of IBD increased annually during the follow-up of patients with NAFLD (P< 0.001). Conclusions Our results emphasize that NAFLD significantly impacts its incidence in patients with NAFLD. If patients with NAFLD present with risk factors, such as diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia, these conditions should be properly treated with regular follow-ups. Furthermore, we believe that these causes may be associated with the second peak of IBD.

Background/Aims: Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) is a common disease with severe inflammatory processes associated with numerous gastrointestinal diseases, such as inflammatory bowel disease (IBD). Therefore, we investigated the relationship between NAFLD and IBD and the possible risk factors associated with the diagnosis of IBD. Methods: This longitudinal nationwide cohort study investigated the risk of IBD in patients with NAFLD alone. General characteristics, comorbidities, and incidence of IBD were also compared. Results: Patients diagnosed with NAFLD had a significant risk of developing IBD compared to control individuals, who were associated with a 2.245-fold risk of the diagnosis of IBD and a 2.260- and 2.231-fold of increased diagnosis of ulcerative colitis and Crohn’s disease, respectively (P< 0.001). The cumulative risk of IBD increased annually during the follow-up of patients with NAFLD (P< 0.001). Conclusions Our results emphasize that NAFLD significantly impacts its incidence in patients with NAFLD. If patients with NAFLD present with risk factors, such as diabetes mellitus and dyslipidemia, these conditions should be properly treated with regular follow-ups. Furthermore, we believe that these causes may be associated with the second peak of IBD.

AIM:To measure the superficial capillary plexus(SCP)vessel density(VD), deep capillary plexus(DCP)VD, and the area, circumference, and roundness index of the foveal avascular zone(FAZ)in healthy individuals of four ethnic groups, namely, Uyghur, Han, Kazakh, and Hui by optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA), and to investigate the differences of blood flow parameters in macular area of healthy individuals among different ethnic groups in China.METHODS: A total of 80 cases(80 eyes)of healthy subjects if each of the four ethnic groups who went to the Eye Center of the Friendship Hospital of Ili Kazak autonomous Prefecture from December 2022 to March 2023 and met the criteria were selected for the study, with 320 eyes totally. The patients were grouped and numbered according to their ethnicity, and the spherical equivalent and axial length were obtained by using an autorefractor and IOL Master. The blood flow images of the macular area in the range of 3 mm×3 mm were obtained by using a DRI Triton OCT detector, and the images were analyzed by using the built-in IMAGENET6 software to obtain the blood flow parameters. Furthermore, the differences in the blood flow parameters between different ethnic groups as well as the effects of gender, age, and axial length on macular blood flow parameters of different ethnic groups were compared.RESULTS:There were no statistically significant differences in gender, age, axial length, diopter, and image quality(IQ)among the four groups of subjects(all P>0.05). Ethnic differences: in SCP, Uyghur inferior VD is higher than Kazakh, Hui inferior VD is higher than Han and Kazakh, Han and Hui nasal VD is higher than Uyghur, Kazakh foveal VD is higher than Han and Hui, Kazakh FAZ area is smaller than the other 3 ethnic groups, Han and Hui FAZ perimeter is larger than Kazakh, and Hui FAZ circularity index is lower than the other 3 ethnic groups; in DCP, Uyghur foveal VD is higher than Han and Hui, Kazakh foveal VD is higher than Han and Hui, Kazakh FAZ area and perimeter are smaller than the other 3 ethnic groups and Kazakh FAZ circularity index is higher than the other 3 ethnic groups(all P<0.05). Sex differences: in SCP, FAZ area and perimeter of Han females were larger than those of males, and FAZ circularity index of Hui females was higher than that of males(all P<0.05); in DCP, parafoveal VD and whole VD in females of all four ethnic groups were higher than those of males(all P<0.05). Age correlation: in SCP, age was negatively correlated with the FAZ circularity index of Kazakh; in DCP, age was negatively correlated with the parafoveal and the whole VD of Han, Kazakh, and Hui(all P<0.05). Axial length correlation: in SCP, the axial length was negatively correlated with Kazakh and Hui foveal VD, Hui parafoveal VD, Uyghur, Kazakh and Hui whole VD, and positively correlated with Kazakh FAZ area and perimeter; in DCP, the axial length was negatively correlated with Uyghur, Kazakh, Hui foveal VD, Hui whole VD, and positively correlated with Kazakh and Hui FAZ area and perimeter(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION:There were differences in macular blood flow parameters among the Uyghur, Han, Kazakh, and Hui populations, with the area and perimeter of the FAZ of the Kazakh significantly smaller than those of the other three ethnic groups. Gender, age, and axial length are also related to macular blood flow parameters.

The gene GeDRP1E encoding dynamin-related protein 1E in Gastrodia elata was cloned by specific primers which were designed based on the transcriptome data of G. elata. Bioinformatics analysis on GeDRP1E gene was carried out by using ExPASy, ClustalW, MEGA, etc. Positive transgenic Arabidopsis plant and potato minituber were obtained with the genetic transformation system of Arabidopsis and potato. The plant height and seed setting rate of transgenic Arabidopsis, and agronomic characters, such as size, weight and starch content of potato minituber of transgenic potato were tested and analyzed. And GeDRP1E gene function was preliminarily investigated. The results showed that the open reading frame of GeDRP1E gene was 1 899 bp in length and 632 amino acids residues were encoded, with a relative molecular weight of 69.90 kDa and a molecular formula of C₃₀₇₉H₄₉₇₃N₈₈₃O₉₃₃S₁₉. It was predicted that the theoretical isoelectric point was 7.27, the instability coefficient was 43.34, and the average hydrophilicity index was -0.259, which was indicative of an unstable hydrophilic protein. GeDRP1E has no transmembrane structure and signal peptide, and was localized in the cytoplasm. The phylogenetic tree showed that GeDRP1E was highly homologous with DRP1E proteins of other plant species, among which GeDRP1E had the highest homology with DcDRP1E (XP_020689662.1) in Dendrobium candidum, reaching 90.05%. GeDRP1E plant expression vector pCambia1300-35Spro-GeDRP1E was constructed by double digests, and Arabidopsis complementary mutant and potato overexpression strain of GeDRP1E gene were obtained by Agrobacterium-mediated gene transformation. Compared with the Arabidopsis AtDRP1E mutant, the height and seed setting rate of the GeDRP1E complementation mutant were rescued. The minituber of GeDRP1E overexpression potato had larger size, heavier weight and higher starch content, comparing to wild-type potato. It was preliminarily induced that GeDRP1E was involved in mitochondrial morphology regulation, which related to the growth and development of Arabidopsis plants and potato miniature. The research results laid a foundation for further elucidating the molecular mechanisms underlying the growth and development of G. elata tuber development.

Objective To study the initial pumping speed of sodium citrate in single plasma exchange with regional citrate anticoagulation(RAC).Methods From January to December 2021,15 patients and 67 times of treatment with local sodium citrate anticoagulation single plasma exchange in the hospital were in-cluded in the study.According to the initial pumping speed of sodium citrate,they were included in the low-speed group(n=33)and the high-speed group(n=34).The transmembrane pressure,filter pressure drop and venous pressure were compared between the two groups at 30 minutes,one hour and two hours after treatment.The free calcium concentration after plasma separator at 15 minutes and one hour after treatment,and the coagulation of plasma separator and extracorporeal circulation pipeline at the end of treatment were compared between the two groups.The concentration of free calcium,blood gas analysis and electrolyte were compared at the beginning of treatment,one hour after treatment and at the end of treatment.Results The free calcium concentration after the filter was monitored at 15 minutes and one hour of treatment in both groups was within the effective range of anticoagulation recommended by the guidelines.There were no lips,fingertip numbness and hand-foot convulsions in the two groups during the treatment,and no bleeding oc-curred after the treatment.There were four cases of hypocalcemia and two cases of alkalosis in the low-speed group,and 13 cases of hypocalcemia and eight cases of alkalosis in the high-speed group.The difference be-tween the two groups was statistically significant(P＜0.05).There were 15 cases of grade Ⅰ coagulation and five cases of grade Ⅱ coagulation in plasma separator and pipeline in the low-speed group,while there were 14 cases of grade Ⅰ coagulation and four cases of grade Ⅱ coagulation in plasma separator and pipeline in the high-speed group.There was no significant difference between the two groups(P＞0.05).Conclusion In plasma exchange treatment,according to the low initial pumping speed,RAC can not only ensure the anticoagulant effect,but also reduce the incidence of complications such as hypocalcemia and alkalosis.

AIM: To analyze the changes of the dominant eye in myopic patients after small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)and its effect on visual quality.METHODS: Prospective clinical study. A total of 140 patients(280 eyes)who underwent SMILE operation to correct myopia in the First Affiliated Hospital of Xinjiang Medical University from June to December 2022 were selected. They were divided into dominant eye transformation group(46 cases, 92 eyes)and non-transformation group(94 cases, 188 eyes)according to whether the dominant eye transformation occurred during the follow-up in postoperative 3 mo. The uncorrected visual acuity(UCVA)of the two groups was evaluated, the subjective visual quality was evaluated by the quality of life impact of refractive correction(QIRC)scale, and the objective visual quality was evaluated by measuring the high-order aberrations of the whole eye before and at 1 and 3 mo after surgery.RESULTS: Before SMILE, the right type of dominant eye was 105 cases, left-type was 35 cases. There were 46 cases had change at 1 mo postoperatively, and there was no new change at 3 mo after operation than 1 mo after operation. There was no significant difference in UCVA and QIRC scale score between the two groups preoperatively and at 1 and 3 mo postoperatively(P>0.05). Comparison of the dominant eye between the two groups: the total higher-order aberrations and spherical aberrations at 3 mo postoperatively were significantly higher than those in the non-transformed group(P=0.030, 0.046); Comparison of the non-dominant eye between the two groups: trefoil in the transformed group at 1 mo postoperatively was significantly higher than that in the non-transformed group(P=0.008). The binocular difference of trefoil in the transition group was significantly higher than that in the non-transition group at 1 mo after surgery(P=0.022), with no differences in the rest parameters.CONCLUSION: Some patients may experience a change in the dominant eye after SMILE surgery, with no significant impact on subjective visual quality. The decrease of objective visual quality in the early postoperative period may be an associated factor in the dominant eye transformation.

AIM: To investigate the efficacy of lacrimal duct laser dacryoplasty combined with intubation and postoperative meibomian gland treatment in patients with chronic dacryocystitis complicated by meibomian gland dysfunction.METHODS: Data were collected from 128 patients with chronic dacryocystitis complicated by meibomian gland dysfunction treated at Xi'an No.1 Hospital from March 2021 to December 2022. All patients underwent lacrimal duct laser dacryoplasty combined with intubation. Postoperatively, those patients were randomly divided into two groups: group A(64 cases, without meibomian gland treatment)and group B(64 cases, with meibomian gland treatment). The lacrimal intubation was removed at 3 mo after surgery to evaluate the patency rate of lacrimal irrigation. Additionally, changes in the ocular surface disease index(OSDI)score, non-invasive tear film break-up time, tear meniscus height, conjunctival hyperemia analysis, meibomian gland analysis, tear lipid layer thickness, tear ferning test, and conjunctival impression cytology were compared between the two groups.RESULTS: The lacrimal irrigation patency rates in the group A and group B were 78.1% and 81.2% respectively, with no statistically significant difference between the two groups(P>0.05); compared with the group A, group B showed a significant extension in non-invasive tear breakup time at 3 mo after surgery, and the OSDI score, conjunctival hyperemia analysis, tear ferning test and conjunctival impression cytology grading were all significantly decreased(all P<0.05), while there was no significant difference in tear meniscus height, tear lipid layer thickness and meibomian gland loss score between the two groups(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Comprehensive treatment for patients with chronic dacryocystitis combined with meibomian gland dysfunction have improved patients' comfort, tear film stability, and reduces local inflammatory response. It is important to simultaneously address ocular surface microenvironment abnormalities during surgical treatment to achieve satisfactory efficacy.

BACKGROUND:The research of dental stem cells in the fields of regenerative medicine and tissue engineering has been deepening,bringing hope for the repair of tooth-related tissues and the treatment of systemic diseases.However,there is a lack of systematic research and analysis on the biological characteristics of dental stem cells in different age groups. OBJECTIVE:To explore the biological characteristics of the human deciduous tooth and permanent tooth pulp stem cells cultured in umbilical cord blood platelet lysate to provide a reliable basis for human platelet lysates to replace fetal bovine serum. METHODS:The pulp tissues of deciduous teeth,juvenile permanent teeth and adult permanent teeth were taken out and cultured in DMEM/F-12 medium supplemented with 10%fetal bovine serum or different concentrations(5%,10%and 15%)of human platelet lysates.Cell proliferation in the four groups was detected by cytometry.The optimal concentration of human platelet lysates was selected for subsequent experiments.Under the optimal concentration of human platelet lysates,human deciduous tooth and juvenile and adult permanent tooth pulp stem cells were cultured in vitro.The cell growth status was observed under the microscope.The specific antigen on the cell surface was detected by flow cytometry.The cell proliferation ability was tested by the cell counting method and CCK-8 assay.The cell differentiation ability in vitro was observed by a three-line differentiation assay. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The cell proliferation rate of the 10%human platelet lysate group was the highest.(2)In all three groups,fusiform fibrous cells grew and expanded from around the tissue block.There was no significant difference between deciduous teeth and juvenile permanent tooth cells,but the adult permanent tooth cells were larger than the deciduous and juvenile permanent tooth cells of the same generation.(3)The results of flow cytometry showed that deciduous teeth,juvenile permanent teeth and adult permanent teeth conformed to the phenotypic characteristics of mesenchymal stem cells.(4)The proliferative capacity of adult permanent dental pulp stem cells was significantly lower than those of deciduous teeth and juvenile permanent dental pulp stem cells(P<0.01).(5)mRNA expressions of osteoblast-related genes alkaline phosphatase and bone morphogenetic protein 2,lipoprotein lipase and peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor γ2,mRNA expressions of chondroblast related gene type II collagen α1 and cartilage oligomeric matrix protein in adult pulp stem cells of permanent teeth were significantly lower than those of deciduous teeth and juvenile permanent teeth pulp stem cells(P<0.01).(6)Compared with adult dental pulp stem cells,human deciduous teeth and juvenile permanent teeth dental pulp stem cells have the stronger proliferative capacity and multidirectional differentiation potential,and are more suitable for clinical research and disease treatment.