Transdifferentiation of rat keratinocyte progenitors to corneal epithelial cells by limbal niche via the STAT3/PI3K/AKT signaling pathway.

Purpose: To develop a method for enriching keratinocyte progenitor cells (KPCs) and establish a limbal niche (LN)-mediated transdifferentiation protocol of KPCs into corneal epithelial cells.

Methods: Limbal niche cells (LNCs) were isolated from limbal tissues through enzymatic digestion and characterized. Conditioned medium from LNCs cultures was collected.

Caffeine's protective role in dry eye disease and meibomian gland dysfunction: insights from clinical and experimental models.

Purpose: Inflammation and apoptosis contribute to the development of dry eye disease (DED) and meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). This study aimed to investigate the effect of caffeine on the ocular surface and tear inflammatory cytokines through clinical, in vivo, and in vitro experiments.

Methods: In the clinical study, comprehensive ophthalmic examinations of participants in the control and the caffeine groups were compared, including ocular surface and tears inflammatory cytokines.

Progress in Transdifferentiation of Autologous Alternative Cell Sources into Corneal Epithelial Cells.

Corneal limbal epithelial stem cells (LESCs) play a crucial role in corneal epithelium regeneration. Severe damage to these cells can result in limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD), characterized by repeated corneal conjunctivalization, leading to corneal turbidity and scar formation. Restoring functional LESCs and their ecological location are essential for treating LSCD.

Isolation and Culture of Human Meibomian Gland Ductal Cells.

Purpose: Hyperkeratinization of meibomian gland (MG) ducts is currently recognized as the primary pathologic mechanism of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD). This research figured out a method to isolate the MG ducts and established a novel system to culture the human meibomian gland ductal cells (HMGDCs) for investigating the process of MGD.

Methods: The MG ducts were obtained from the eyelids of recently deceased donors and subjected to enzymatic digestion.

Amniotic membrane transplantation combined with conjunctival flap covering surgery for the treatment of corneal perforations in fungal keratitis.

Purpose: To investigate the efficiency of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) combined with conjunctival flap covering surgery (CFCS) for patients with corneal perforations in fungal keratitis (FK).

Methods: In this non-comparative, retrospective case series, 16 participants of corneal perforation in FK were successfully treated by a combination of multilayer AMT and bipedicle conjunctival flap with partial tenon's capsule. Corneal healing, recurrence of FK, visual acuity, and relevant complications were reported as outcome measures.

Differential expression of antimicrobial peptides in human fungal keratitis.

Aim: To analyze a series of antimicrobial peptides (AMPs) in corneal tissue from individuals with fungal keratitis (FK) during the active phase of the fungus infection and after healing.

Methods: Patients undergone lamellar keratoplasty for the treatment of severe FK or corneal scar had their corneal buttons sampled. Quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was used to ascertain the gene expression of human beta-defensin (HBD)-1, -2, -3, -9, S100A7, 8, 9, and LL-37.

Conjunctival Limbal Autograft Combined with Amnion-Assisted Conjunctival Epithelial Redirection for Unilateral Total Limbal Stem Cell Deficiency after Severe Chemical Burn.

(1) Background: To evaluate the efficacy of conjunctival limbal autograft (CLAU) combined with the amnion-assisted conjunctival epithelial redirection (ACER) procedure for patients with unilateral total limbal stem cell deficiency (LSCD) caused by severe chemical burn. (2) Methods: A retrospective interventional case series of unilateral total LSCD after chemical burn who underwent CLAU combined with ACER surgery between September 2021 and July 2023 was collected. Outcome measures included epithelialization of the cornea with donor limbus-derived epithelium, best corrected visual acuity (BCVA), and complications.

Botryosphaeria dothidea Mycotic Keratitis: A Novel Phytopathogen Causing Human Infection.

Purpose: The aim of this study was to report the first case of mycotic keratitis caused by Botryosphaeria dothidea .

Methods: A 29-year-old man developed a fungal infection after being hit with chestnut thorns in the left eye. In vivo confocal microscopy, microbial culture, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) were used in the diagnosis of mycotic keratitis.

Two-step strategy-conjunctival flap covering surgery combined with secondary deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty for the treatment of high-risk fungal keratitis.

Aim: To investigate whether the two-step strategy [conjunctival flap covering surgery (CFCS) combined with secondary deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK)] is effective for patients with high-risk fungal keratitis (FK).

Methods: In this noncomparative, retrospective case series, 10 subjects (6 males, 4 females) with a mean age of 56.5±7.

The inhibition of p38 MAPK blocked inflammation to restore the functions of rat meibomian gland epithelial cells.

Meibomian glands (MGs) are vital for ocular surface health. However, the roles of inflammation in the progression of meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) are largely unknown. In this study, the roles of the inflammation factor interleukin-1β (IL-1β) via the p38 mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPK) signaling pathway on rat meibomian gland epithelial cells (RMGECs) were explored.

Ductal Hyperkeratinization and Acinar Renewal Abnormality: New Concepts on Pathogenesis of Meibomian Gland Dysfunction.

Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a functional and morphological disorder of the meibomian glands which results in qualitative or quantitative alteration in meibum secretion and is the major cause of evaporative dry eye (EDE). EDE is often characterized by tear film instability, increased evaporation, hyperosmolarity, inflammation, and ocular surface disorder. The precise pathogenesis of MGD remains elusive.

Characteristics of In Vitro Culture and In Vivo Confocal Microscopy in Patients with Fungal Keratitis in a Tertiary Referral Hospital in Central China.

Purpose: To investigate the characteristics of in vitro culture and in vivo confocal microscopy (IVCM) in patients with fungal keratitis (FK) presented in a tertiary referral hospital in central China.

Methods: In this noncomparative retrospective study, patients with the diagnosis of FK between October 2021 and November 2022 were reviewed. An IVCM and fungal culture (corneal scraping specimens) were performed, and the characteristics were analyzed.

Botulinum Neurotoxin Type a Injection Combined with Absorbable Punctal Plug Insertion: An Effective Therapy for Blepharospasm Patients with Dry Eye.

Blepharospasm patients often have dry eye manifestations. Botulinum neurotoxin type A (BoNT-A) injection has been the main management for blepharospasm and absorbable punctal plug (APP) insertion is shown to be effective in the treatment of dry eye. However, there have been no studies investigating the combined treatment of BoNT-A and APP in blepharospasm patients with dry eye.

Sandwich (Amnion/Conjunctival-Limbal Autograft/Amnion) Transplantation for Recurrent Pterygium with Restrictive Strabismus.

(1) Background: This study aimed to evaluate the clinical outcome of Sandwich (Amnion/Conjunctival-Limbal Autograft/Amnion) transplantation for recurrent pterygium with restrictive strabismus. (2) Methods: This retrospective study included 11 eyes in 11 patients diagnosed with recurrent pterygium with restrictive strabismus who received sandwich transplantation. The outcomes were measured by pterygium recurrence, best-corrected visual acuity, esotropia (prism diopters), and treatment complications.

Topical Chemotherapy for Treating Ocular Surface Squamous Neoplasia with a Combination of Interferon α-2b and 5-Fluorouracil.

Introduction: This study evaluated the efficacy of combined interferon α-2b (IFNα2b) and 5-fluorouracil (5-FU) as primary treatment for ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN).

Methods: In this retrospective study, 27 eyes with OSSN followed by topical application of combined IFNα2b and 5-FU were examined. Reported outcome measures were tumor response, visual acuity, time to complete resolution, recurrence and treatment complications.

[Endemic situation of schistosomiasis in surveillance sites of Jingzhou City, 2017].

Objective: To grasp the endemic situation of schistosomiasis in Jingzhou City in 2017, so as to provide the evidence for formulating prevention strategies.

Methods: According to the requirements of (), () and , the local population infection monitoring, mobile population infection monitoring, livestock disease monitoring, snail monitoring, and wild manure monitoring were carried out at 71 monitoring sites throughout the city.

Results: Among the 71 surveillance sites, 44 118 local residents received the indirect hemagglutination test (IHA) for schistosomiasis and 1 925 persons were positive, with the positive rate of 4.

[Effects and cost of four formulations of niclosamide ethanolamine salt in snail control in field].

Objective: To investigate the effects and cost of four formulations of niclosamide ethanolamine salt in snail control in the field in marshland and lake regions, so as to provide the evidence for drawing up the plan of molluscicide using in schistosomiasis endemic areas.

Methods: One drainage channel and one channel without water in the same area with snails in Jiangling County, Jingzhou City were selected as the research fields. The drainage channel was divided into 9 sections, except one section as a blank control group where the natural death rate of snails was observed only, and the remaining 8 sections were taken as the observation groups, where different dosages of 4% niclosamide ethanolamine salt powder, 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granules, 25% niclosamide ethanolamine salt suspending agent, 26% metaldehyde and niclosamide ethanolamine salt suspending agent, and 50% niclosamide ethanolamine salt wettable powder were used respectively.

Amniotic membrane transplantation with topical interferon alfa-2b after excision of ocular surface squamous neoplasia.

To evaluate the outcome of amniotic membrane transplantation (AMT) after tumor excision followed by topical interferon alfa-2b (IFNα2b) drops for primary ocular surface squamous neoplasia (OSSN). Twelve eyes of 12 patients with a mean age of 66±10y were included. The average follow-up was 23±10mo.

Characterization of Ex Vivo Expanded Oral Mucosal Epithelium Cells on Acellular Porcine Corneal Stroma for Ocular Surface Reconstruction.

Purpose: To ex vivo expand oral mucosal epithelium cells (OMECs) on acellular porcine corneal stroma (APCS) without using feeder cells and serum and to compare the morphologic and phenotypic characteristics of cultured oral cells on APCS to those of cells on deluded human amniotic membrane (HAM).

Methods: SD rat oral mucosal biopsies were cultured on APCS and HAM. Reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction (RT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry were used to analyze the characterization of stem cells and epithelial differentiation of the outgrowth products.

Small-incision lenticule extraction versus femtosecond lenticule extraction for myopic: a systematic review and Meta-analysis.

Aim: To examine differences in efficacy, accuracy, safety, aberrations and corneal biomechanical between Small incision lenticule extraction (SMILE) and femtosecond lenticule extraction (FLEx) for myopia.

Methods: Comprehensive studies were conducted on the PubMed, MEDLINE, EMBASE, and Cochrane Controlled Trials Register before 31 July, 2015. Meta-analyses were performed on the primary outcomes [loss of ≥2 lines of corrected distance visual acuity (CDVA), uncorrected distance visual acuity (UDVA) ≥20/20, spherical equivalent (SE) within ±0.

Retinal nerve fiber layer thickness changes in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome: a systematic review and Meta-analysis.

Aim: To evaluate the retinal nerve fiber layer (RNFL) thickness changes in patients with obstructive sleep apnoea syndrome (OSAS), and detect possible prevalence of glaucoma in this population.

Methods: Comprehensive studies were conducted on the Cochrane Library, PubMed and Embase through March, 2015. Only studies that fit the selection criteria about RNFL and OSAS would be included.

[Development and application of Jingcen DY-1 spraying tanker for Oncomelania hupensis snail control].

Objective: To develop a Jingcen DY-1 type spraying tanker for Oncomelania hupensis snail control and evaluate its effect of field application as well as the cost.

Methods: The currently available tractor was used as a vector, and the mechanical and electrical equipments and containers were integrated with shafts, pipelines and electric lines to produce a spraying tanker for snail control, with the functions of carrying people and molluscicides, generating electric power and getting water, mixing stocking solutions, adjusting molluscicide solutions evenly, and spraying drugs. The volume of the molluscicide solution, flow rate of water injection, and the flow rate, range and advance speed of the spray gun were tested, and the solution concentrations of molluscicide in the tanker and at the muzzle of the spray gun at different time were detected.

[ snail control effects of molluscicides with different formulations in field in marshland and lake regions].

Objective: To observe the snail control effects of molluscicides with different formulations in the ditch with unstable water level in field of marshland and lake areas, so as to provide the evidence for formulating the prevention strategies.

Methods: A drainage channel with snails in Jiangling County, Jingzhou City were selected as the study field, then it was divided into 6 segments, except 1 segment was treated as the blank control group for observing the natural mortality rate of the snails, the other 5 segments were treated as observation groups, where 4% niclosamide ethanolamine salt powder, 5% niclosamide ethanolamine salt granule, 25% suspension concentrate of niclosamide ethanolamine salt, 26% suspension concentrate of metaldehyde and niclosamide ethanolamine salt, 50% niclosamide ethanolamine salt wettable powder were applied respectively. Before and after the mollusciciding, the snail surveys were carried out through the systematic sampling method, and the short- and long-term effects of snail control were observed, and the mortality rates of the snails on the slope above the water level and those below the water level were compared.

[Application of clinical nursing path integrated with holistic nursing in advanced schistosomiasis patients with ascites].

Objective: To evaluate the effect of the clinical nursing path integrated with the holistic nursing on advanced schistosomiasis patients with ascites.

Methods: A total of 226 advanced schistosomiasis patients with ascites were randomly divided into a control group and an experimental group (113 cases each group). The subjects in the experimental group were nursed by the clinical nursing path integrated with the holistic nursing, while those in the control group were nursed only by the holistic nursing.