Evaluating the effectiveness of large language models in patient education for conjunctivitis.

Aims: To evaluate the quality of responses from large language models (LLMs) to patient-generated conjunctivitis questions.

Methods: A two-phase, cross-sectional study was conducted at the Eye and ENT Hospital of Fudan University. In phase 1, four LLMs (GPT-4, Qwen, Baichuan 2 and PaLM 2) responded to 22 frequently asked conjunctivitis questions.

Benchmarking four large language models' performance of addressing Chinese patients' inquiries about dry eye disease: A two-phase study.

Purpose: To evaluate the performance of four large language models (LLMs)-GPT-4, PaLM 2, Qwen, and Baichuan 2-in generating responses to inquiries from Chinese patients about dry eye disease (DED).

Design: Two-phase study, including a cross-sectional test in the first phase and a real-world clinical assessment in the second phase.

Subjects: Eight board-certified ophthalmologists and 46 patients with DED.

Establishment of human corneal epithelial organoids for ex vivo modelling dry eye disease.

Dry eye disease (DED) is a growing public health concern affecting millions of people worldwide and causing ocular discomfort and visual disturbance. Developing its therapeutic drugs based on animal models suffer from interspecies differences and poor prediction of human trials. Here, we established long-term 3D human corneal epithelial organoids, which recapitulated the cell lineages and gene expression signature of the human corneal epithelium.

Advances in Organoid Technology: A Focus on Corneal Limbal Organoids.

Organoid technology provides a versatile platform for simulating organogenesis, investigating disease pathogenesis, and exploring therapeutic interventions. Among various types of organoids that have been developed, corneal limbal organoids, the three-dimensional miniaturized corneas which are derived from either pluripotent stem cells or limbal epithelial stem cells, are particularly promising for clinical translation. This narrative review summarized the state-of-the-art in corneal limbal organoids research including the cultivation methods, clinical relevance and its limitations and challenges.

Impact of Dry Eye Disease on the Uncorrected Distance Visual Acuity after Small Incision Lenticule Extraction.

The aim of this study was to explore the impact of dry eye disease (DED) on the uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) and refractive status after small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE). This prospective cohort study enrolled 29 patients (DED group, 11 eyes; non-DED group, 18 eyes) who underwent SMILE in our center from July to September 2022. The examinations on DED, refractive status and UDVA were performed before surgery, and on day 7 and 20 after surgery.

Cross-regulation between SOX9 and the canonical Wnt signalling pathway in stem cells.

SOX9, a member of the SRY-related HMG-box transcription factors, has been reported to critically regulate fetal development and stem cell homeostasis. Wnt signalling is a highly conserved signalling pathway that controls stem cell fate decision and stemness maintenance throughout embryonic development and adult life. Many studies have shown that the interactions between SOX9 and the canonical Wnt signalling pathway are involved in many of the physiological and pathological processes of stem cells, including organ development, the proliferation, differentiation and stemness maintenance of stem cells, and tumorigenesis.

WNT16b promotes the proliferation and self-renewal of human limbal epithelial stem/progenitor cells via activating the calcium/calcineurin A/NFATC2 pathway.

Our previous finding revealed that WNT16b promoted the proliferation of human limbal epithelial stem cells (hLESCs) through a β-catenin independent pathway. Here, we aimed to explore its underlying molecular mechanism and evaluate its potential in the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD). Based on the findings of mRNA-sequencing, the expression of key molecules in WNT/calcineurin A/NFATC2 signalling pathway was investigated in WNT16b-co-incubated hLESCs and control hLESCs.

Effect of Hypochlorous Acid on Blepharitis through Ultrasonic Atomization: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Purpose: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of eyelid hygiene using topical 0.01% hypochlorous acid (HOCL) through ultrasonic atomization after 2 weeks in patients with blepharitis.

Design: Randomized controlled trial.

The progress in techniques for culturing human limbal epithelial stem cells.

In vitro culture of human limbal epithelial stem cells (hLESCs) is crucial to cell therapy in the treatment of limbal stem cell deficiency, a potentially vision-threatening disease that is characterized by persistent corneal epithelial defects and corneal epithelium conjunctivalization. Traditionally, hLESCs are cultivated based on either limbal tissue explants or single-cell suspensions in culture media containing xenogenous components, such as fetal bovine serum and murine 3T3 feeder cells. Plastic culture dishes and human amniotic membranes are classical growth substrates used in conventional hLESC culture systems.

WNT16B enhances the proliferation and self-renewal of limbal epithelial cells via CXCR4/MEK/ERK signaling.

Culture of limbal epithelial cells (LECs) provides the principal source of transplanted limbal stem cells (LESCs) for treatment of limbal-stem-cell deficiency. Optimization of the culture conditions for in-vitro-expanded LECs will help to create a graft with an optimized quality and quantity of LESCs. This study aimed to investigate the effects of WNT16B on LECs and corneal wound healing and the underlying mechanism.

Analysis of the first tear film break-up point in Sjögren's syndrome and non-Sjögren's syndrome dry eye patients.

Background: Tear film instability plays an important role in the course of Sjögren's Syndrome dry eye (SSDE) even though it is generally classified as aqueous-deficient dry eye. The measurement of the first tear film break-up point (FTBUP) helps to evaluate the most unstable position of the tear film on ocular surface. We aim to investigate FTBUP in Sjögren's Syndrome dry eye (SSDE) and non-Sjögren's Syndrome dry eye (NSSDE) patients, and explore its correlation with dry eye indices.

Cell Morphology as an In Vivo Parameter for the Diagnosis of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate basal epithelial cell morphology (CM) in the central cornea and limbal areas of eyes with limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD).

Methods: This was a prospective, cross-sectional comparative study. We developed a CM scoring system based on basal epithelial cell phenotypes graded from 0 (normal) to 3 (severe morphologic alterations); this system was evaluated by 2 independent masked observers.

Fourier-Domain Optical Coherence Tomographic Assessment of Changes in the Schlemm's Canal of Nonglaucomatous Subjects After Keratoplasty.

This study aimed to evaluate the impact of keratoplasty on the anatomical structures in the Schlemm's canal (SC) of nonglaucomatous subjects using Fourier-domain optical coherence tomography (FD-OCT). Sixty-six nonglaucomatous eyes that underwent penetrating keratoplasty (PK), deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK), or triple surgery were enrolled in this prospective, comparative, observational study. The SC imaging was performed using FD-OCT before and after surgery in both the nasal and temporal quadrants.

Biomarkers of in vivo limbal stem cell function.

Purpose: To evaluate in vivo parameters as biomarkers of limbal stem cell function and to establish an objective system that detects and stage limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD).

Methods: A total of 126 patients (172 eyes) with LSCD and 67 normal subjects (99 eyes) were included in this observational cross-sectional comparative study. Slit-lamp biomicroscopy, in vivo laser scanning confocal microscopy (IVCM), and anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT) were performed to obtain the following: clinical score, cell morphology score, basal cell density (BCD), central corneal epithelial thickness (CET), limbal epithelial thickness (LET), total corneal nerve fiber length (CNFL), corneal nerve fiber density (CNFD), corneal nerve branch density (CNBD), and tortuosity coefficient.

Cytokeratin 13 Is a New Biomarker for the Diagnosis of Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to evaluate the expression of cytokeratin (K) 13 on the corneal surface and to validate its application in the diagnosis of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD).

Methods: This prospective comparative study included 26 corneal impression cytology (IC) specimens from patients diagnosed with LSCD. Twenty-three IC specimens from normal donors served as controls.

Indications and Surgical Techniques for Repeat Corneal Transplantation in Eastern China: A Twelve-Year Study.

Purpose: To analyze the indications and surgical procedures for repeat keratoplasty in eastern China from 2008 to 2019.

Methods: This retrospective descriptive study included 418 eyes of 411 patients who underwent no less than 2 keratoplasties at the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan University from 2008 to 2019. Medical charts were reviewed.

Trends of Corneal Transplantation in Adults from 2010 to 2019 in East China: A 10-Year Experience.

Introduction: The aim of the study was to provide an overview of trends in the indications and surgical techniques for corneal transplantation in adults in East China from 2010 to 2019.

Methods: The medical charts of all patients (aged ≥18 years old) undergoing keratoplasty at the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan University between January 2010 and December 2019 were retrospectively reviewed. The indications for keratoplasty and the surgical techniques were collected.

Outcomes of Limbal Stem Cell Transplant: A Meta-analysis.

Importance: Limbal stem cell transplant (LSCT) can be categorized as direct autologous limbal transplant (AULT), direct allogenic limbal transplant (ALLT), cultivated autologous limbal stem cells transplant (cAULT), and cultivated allogenic limbal stem cells transplant (cALLT). To our knowledge, there is no study directly comparing the outcomes and complications of these procedures.

Objective: To evaluate the outcomes of different LSCT procedures.

Femtosecond laser-assisted Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty: a prospective study of 6-month visual outcomes, corneal thickness and endothelial cell loss.

Purpose: To report 6-month outcomes of visual acuity, the corneal thickness and endothelial cell density (ECD) in patients undergoing femtosecond laser-assisted Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty (FS-DSEK).

Methods: This prospective, consecutive, interventional series examined 25 eyes of 25 patients who underwent FS-DSEK for Fuchs endothelial dystrophy and bullous keratopathy. The pre-cut corneal endothelial graft thickness (CET) was 150 µm.

Corneal Epithelial Thickness Measured Using Anterior Segment Optical Coherence Tomography as a Diagnostic Parameter for Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency.

Objective: Using anterior segment optical coherence tomography (AS-OCT), we investigated the epithelial thickness (ET) of the central cornea and limbal regions in patients with limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) as a diagnostic and staging parameter.

Design: Prospective, cross-sectional study.

Methods: The central corneal epithelium thickness (CET) and maximum limbal epithelium thickness (mLET) were measured in the superior, inferior, nasal, and temporal limbus on AS-OCT images of the normal and eyes with LSCD.

Indications and Techniques of Pediatric Keratoplasty in Eastern China From 2008 to 2017.

Purpose: To explore the transition of indications and surgical techniques of pediatric keratoplasty in Eastern China in the past 10 years.

Methods: Medical charts of 1026 pediatric patients (1059 eyes) who underwent keratoplasties at the Eye, Ear, Nose and Throat Hospital of Fudan University from 2008 to 2017 were retrospectively reviewed. The indications for keratoplasty and the surgical techniques were collected and analyzed.

Diagnostic criteria for limbal stem cell deficiency before surgical intervention-A systematic literature review and analysis.

An accurate diagnosis of limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) is the premise of an appropriate treatment; however, there is no consensus about the diagnostic criteria for LSCD. We performed a systematic literature search of the peer-reviewed articles on PubMed, Medline, and Ovid to investigate how LSCD was diagnosed before surgical intervention. The methods used to diagnose LSCD included clinical presentation, impression cytology, and in vivo confocal microscopy.

All-trans Retinoic Acid Regulates the Balance of Treg-Th17 Cells through ERK and P38 Signaling Pathway.

Background: All-trans retinoic acid (ATRA) potentiates TGF-β-dependent regulatory T cells (Treg) induction, while it inhibits pro-inflammatory interleukin-17-producing T helper cells (Th17) differentiation. Combined application of ATRA and TGF-β may shift Treg-Th17 balance towards Treg.

Objective: To investigates the effect of ATRA on the regulation of Th17-Treg balance through ERK and p38 signaling pathway.