Clinical and imaging characteristics, outcomes and prognostic factors of intraocular foreign bodies extracted by vitrectomy.

To investigate the clinical and computer tomography (CT) features and visual prognostic factors of pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for management of retained posterior segment intraocular foreign body (IOFB). Medical records of 96 patients with IOFB removed by PPV between July 2017 and June 2021 were retrieved. The medical records, including demographic data, initial and final best corrected visual acuity (BCVA) using standard Snellen chart, characteristics of IOFB, CT findings, and surgical details, were reviewed. Outcome was evaluated according to the final BCVA and prognostic factors were obtained. The mean age was 42.31 ± 12.05 years (range 13-71 years) with 94 males (97.9%) and two females (2.1%). CT was sensitive of IOFB in 93.75% (90 eyes) and the locations were consistent with that found during PPV: 20 foreign bodies were located in vitreous, 6 near ciliary body, and 70 on or in retina. Mean diameter of IOFB removed by PPV is 3.52 mm ± 3.01 mm (range 1-22; median 3), and mean area is 6.29 ± 6.48 mm2 (range 0.5-40; median 3), which was statistically associated with the initial VA < 0.1 and endophthalmitis. Endophthalmitis was found in 24 (25.0%) eyes and large wound together with scleral entry site might be related to the endophthalmitis. Visual outcome < 0.1 was associated with relative afferent pupillary defect, initial VA < 0.1, and presence of endophthalmitis. Initial VA ≥ 0.1 was independent predictive factor for a better final BCVA. Relative afferent pupillary defect, initial BCVA < 0.1, and presence of endophthalmitis are poor visual prognostic factors.

Carbon Dots as Potential Therapeutic Agents for Treating Non-Alcoholic Fatty Liver Disease and Associated Inflammatory Bone Loss.

Nonalcoholic fatty liver disease (NAFLD) has emerged as one of the most significant metabolic diseases worldwide and is associated with heightened systemic inflammation, which has been shown to foster the development of extrahepatic complications. So far, there is no definitive, effective, and safe treatment for NAFLD. Although antidiabetic agents show potential for treating NAFLD, their efficacy is significantly limited by inadequate liver accumulation at safe doses and unwanted side effects. Herein, we demonstrate that pharmacologically active carbon dots (MCDs) derived from metformin can selectively accumulate in the liver and ameliorate NAFLD by activating hepatic PPARα expression while maintaining an excellent biosafety. Interestingly, MCDs can also improve the function of extrahepatic organs and tissues, such as alleviating alveolar inflammatory bone loss, in the process of treating NAFLD. This study proposes a feasible and safe strategy for designing pharmacologically active MCDs to target the liver, which regulates lipid metabolism and systemic inflammation, thereby treating NAFLD and its related extrahepatic complications.

Evaluation of the effect of T-Scan™ as an adjunct to stabilization splint in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorders.

OBJECTIVE: To assess the effectiveness of the stabilization splint (SS) combined with the T-Scan™ III system in the treatment of temporomandibular joint disorder (TMD) with myofascial pain. METHODS: Forty-eight enrolled patients were randomly assigned to the SS group or T-Scan™-guided SS group. Mandibular Function Impairment Questionnaire (MFIQ), Maximum Comfortable Opening (MCO), Visual Analog Scale (VAS), and Patient Health Questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9) were used as the outcome variables. RESULTS: The occlusal contacts of patients in the SS plus T-Scan™ group showed lower Occlusal Time (OT), Disocclusion Time (DT), and Asymmetry Index of Occlusal Force (AOF) after occlusal adjustment under the guidance of the T-Scan™. Importantly, the TMD symptoms were alleviated more obviously in SS plus T-Scan™ group, with better scores for MCO and MFIQ. CONCLUSION: T-Scan™-guided occlusal adjustment of SS can obtain better OT, DT, and AOF, which furthers improvement of the therapeutic effects on TMD with myofascial pain.

Detection of vascularity of femoral head using sub-millimeter resolution steady-state magnetic resonance angiography-initial experience.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to use the steady-state (SS) magnetic resonance angiography (MRA) with a sub-millimeter resolution to detect the arteries supplying to the femoral head (FH). MATERIALS AND METHOD: SS MRA scanning of hips was performed bilaterally in 15 healthy volunteers. A blood pool contrast agent was used. The scanning protocol included a 0.8-mm3 isotropic T1-fast field echo sequence with spectral fat suppression technique. Two highly qualified radiologists independently evaluated the medial circumflex femoral artery (MCFA), the lateral circumflex femoral artery (LCFA), and the three retinacular arteries including superior retinacular artery (SRA), inferior retinacular artery (IRA), and anterior retinacular artery (ARA). The intraosseous branches of the three retinacular arteries were also evaluated. An orthopaedic surgeon was consulted in case of disagreement. Observation by the two radiologists and support from the orthopaedic surgeon served as the end result. Agreement between the two observer radiologists was evaluated. RESULTS: Interobserver agreement between the two radiologists was found to be substantial to perfect. Of the 30 hips, the LCFA and MCFA were detected in all hips; the SRA and IRA were detected in most hips (100%, 90%), and the ARA was detected in 13 hips (43%). The intraosseous branches of SRA and IRA were detected in 30 and 22 hips (100%, 73%), respectively, while the intraosseous branches of ARA were detected in 11 hips (37%). CONCLUSION: The main arteries supplying the FH can be detected by the SS MRA, making it a novel method to detect the vascularity of FH.

Prostaglandin E(2) binding peptide screened by phage displaying: a new therapeutic strategy in rheumatoid arthritis.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the therapeutic potential and mechanism of action of the mimotope of PGE(2) receptor EP4 (PBP, named by our team) screened by phage displaying technique in the treatment of adjuvant-induced arthritis (AA). METHODS: Freund's complete adjuvant-induced arthritis was induced in Wistar rats. At the first clinical sign of disease, mice were given with daily injections of PBP or saline for 21 days. Disease progression was monitored by measurement of paw swelling. Inflammation and joint destruction were assessed histologically. The IL-1ß and TNF-α were studied by ELISA in the ankle steeps of arthritis model. The degree of proliferation and apoptosis of synoviocytes of RA patients were assessed by CCK-8 kit and AnnexinV-FITC/PI respectively. RESULTS: PBP-treated animals displayed significantly less cartilage and bone destruction than model controls. Tumor necrosis factor α and IL-1ß expression were reduced after PBP treatment. The proliferation and apoptosis of synoviocytes of RA patients were influenced by PBP. CONCLUSIONS: The data support the view that PBP is a potential therapy for RA that may help to diminish both joint inflammation and destruction. And the activities of PBP are related with the effect on synoviocytes directly.