Correlation and polarization singularities of a radially polarized Gaussian Schell-model vortex beam propagating in oceanic turbulence.

The correlation and polarization singularities as the important parameters of a radially polarized Gaussian Schell-model vortex beam propagating in oceanic turbulence have been investigated in detail. On the one hand, the correlation singularity of the beam will first split, and then generate new correlation singularities, and finally vanish in pairs. The longer the propagating distance, the larger the rate of dissipation of mean-square temperature, and the lower initial correlation lengths reduce the stability of correlation singularities. On the other hand, polarization singularities also split during transmission. The different initial correlation lengths cause the uneven distribution of polarization singularities, and the high order topological charge leads to the generation of new polarization singularities at short distances. Our numerical findings may be of great significance for detection and imaging of the oceanic optical telecommunication links.

Propagation properties of a partially coherent electromagnetic hyperbolic-sine-Gaussian vortex beam through anisotropic atmospheric turbulence.

Using the extended Huygens-Fresnel principle and the Rytov approximation, the analytical formula for the propagation of a partially coherent electromagnetic hyperbolic-sine-Gaussian vortex beam (PCEShVB) in anisotropic atmospheric turbulence has been theoretically derived. Detailed studies have been conducted on the evolution characteristics of the average intensity, the degree of coherence (DOC), and the degree of polarization (DOP) of the beam in turbulence. The results show that during propagation, the intensity distribution of the beam will exhibit a spiral structure, and the overall distribution of the light spots will rotate in a direction related to the sign of the topological charge. The DOC distribution of PCEShVB will display a pattern reminiscent of beam interference fringes with an increase in propagation distance, with the number of "interference fringes" greatly impacted by the hyperbolic sine parameter. Furthermore, PCEShVB with a large initial coherent length and hyperbolic sine parameter will increase the degree of separation of the spots and yield a large DOP. Finally, for the validation of the theoretical findings, the random phase screen method was employed to simulate the propagation of PCEShVB through anisotropic atmospheric turbulence. The studies revealed a consistent alignment between the simulation results and the theoretical predictions.

Epstein-Barr virus-positive iris diffuse large B-cell lymphoma detected by metagenomic next-generation sequencing.

PURPOSE: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a relatively rare subtype of DLBCL. Herein, we report a case of a patient with EBV-positive iris DLBCL after undergoing penetrating keratoplasty and discuss its possible pathogenesis. METHODS: A 72-year-old male patient presented to our hospital with progressive blurring of vision in the left eye for the past 4 months. Small white nodular lesions were observed on the iris and retinal surface of the left eye, with a white cloud-like opacity in the vitreous cavity. RESULTS: The patient was eventually diagnosed with EBV-positive iris DLBCL after undergoing pathological and metagenomic tests. After injecting methotrexate in the left vitreous cavity and administering systemic and local antiviral treatments, the ocular lesions disappeared. CONCLUSION: EBV infection, drug immunosuppression, and aging-related immune deterioration may play significant roles in the pathogenesis of EBV-positive iris DLBCL. SYNOPSIS: Epstein-Barr virus (EBV)-positive diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) is a new subtype of DLBCL, which rarely occurs. Herein, we report a case of a patient with EBV-positive iris DLBCL after undergoing penetrating keratoplasty and discuss its possible pathogenesis.

Single centre analysis of factors influencing surgical treatment of splenic trauma in children.

OBJECTIVE: This study aims to investigate determinants impacting the surgical management of splenic trauma in paediatric patients by scrutinizing age distribution, etiological factors and concomitant injuries. The analysis seeks to establish a foundation for delineating optimal operative timing. METHODS: A cohort of 262 paediatric cases presenting with splenic trauma at our institution from January 2011 to December 2021 underwent categorization into either the conservative or operative group. RESULTS: Significantly disparate attributes between the two groups included age, time of presentation, blood pressure, haemoglobin levels, blood transfusion requirements, thermal absorption, American Association for the Surgery of Trauma (AAST) classification and associated injuries. Logistic regression analysis revealed age, haemoglobin levels, AAST classification and blood transfusion as autonomous influencers of surgical intervention (OR = 1.024, 95% CI: 1.011-1.037; OR = 1.067, 95% CI: 1.01-1.127; OR = 0.2760, 95% CI: 0.087-0.875; OR = 7.873, 95% CI: 2.442-25.382; OR = 0.016, 95% CI: 0.002-0.153). The AAST type and age demonstrated areas under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve of 0.782 and 0.618, respectively. CONCLUSION: Age, haemoglobin levels, AAST classification and blood transfusion independently influence the decision for surgical intervention in paediatric patients with splenic trauma. Age and AAST classification emerge as viable parameters for assessing and prognosticating the likelihood of surgical intervention in this patient cohort.

Effect of oceanic turbulence on the propagation behavior of a radially polarized Laguerre-Gaussian Schell-model vortex beam.

Optical wireless communications applications are restricted by oceanic media-induced beam quality degradation. However, modulating the coherence and polarization structures of the laser beams can effectively diminish the negative influence of oceanic turbulence on the beams. The average intensity of a radially polarized Laguerre-Gaussian Schell-model vortex (RPLGSMV) beam propagating through oceanic turbulence is explored by employing the extended Huygens-Fresnel principle. We found that the average intensity of an RPLGSMV beam is greatly affected by oceanic turbulence with a large rate of dissipation of the mean-square temperature and a large relative strength of the temperature and salinity fluctuations as well as the small rate of dissipation of the turbulent kinetic energy per unit mass of fluid and small Kolmogorov microscale. It was also found that a RPLGSMV beam with a larger radial index, topological charge, initial coherent length, and beam waist has a stronger anti-turbulence ability. Our numerical findings may be of great significance for the detection and imaging of oceanic optical telecommunications links.

Evolution properties of partially coherent radially polarized Laguerre-Gaussian vortex beams in an anisotropic turbulent atmosphere.

Analytical formulas for the cross-spectral density matrix of a partially coherent radially polarized Laguerre-Gaussian vortex (PCRPLGV) beam in anisotropic atmospheric turbulence are derived based on the extended Huygens-Fresnel principle. The evolution laws of statistical properties of a PCRPLGV beam in turbulence, such as the average intensity, degree of coherence (DOC) and degree of polarization (DOP), are investigated in detail. It is found that the atmospheric turbulence induces degeneration of the intensity distribution of a PCRPLGV beam on propagation, and some new properties, such as self-shaping and self-rotating, will appear on propagation due to vortex phase. In addition, in order to verify our theoretical results, we combined the complex screen method and multi-phase screens method to simulate the propagation of PCRPLGV beam in atmospheric turbulence. And the studies indicate that the simulation results are consistent with the theoretical predictions. Our results will be useful in some potential applications, such lidar detection, remote sensing and free-space optical communications.

Propagation factor of partially coherent radially polarized vortex beams in anisotropic turbulent atmosphere.

We skillfully combined the cosine theorem with the second moment theory and the Wigner distribution function and derived the analytical expressions of the propagation factor (M2-factor) of a partially coherent radially polarized vortex beam (PCRPVB) in atmospheric turbulence. Then, we comparatively studied the propagation factors of a PCRPVB and a partially coherent electromagnetic vortex beam (PCEVB) in atmospheric turbulence. The results show that a PCRPVB has a smaller value of a relative M2-factor than a PCEVB, which means that a PCRPVB has a stronger ability to resist atmospheric turbulence than a PCEVB. To confirm our theoretical studies, the hyperbolic fitting method is combined with the random phase screen (RPS) to simulate the M2-factor of a PCRPVB and a PCEVB through atmospheric turbulence. The study results indicate that the theoretical values agree well with the simulated values. Our results may find applications in free-space optical communications and remote sensing.

Tris(butadiene) Metal Complexes of the First-Row Transition Metals versus Coupling of Butadiene to Eight- and Twelve-Carbon Hydrocarbon Chains.

The role that zerovalent nickel plays in catalyzing the trimerization of butadiene to 1,5,9-cyclododecatriene conveys interest in the properties of the tris(butadiene)metal complexes (C4H6)3M. In this connection the complexes (C4H6)3M (M = Ti-Ni) of the first-row transition metals have been investigated by density functional theory. The intermediate C12H18Ni which has been isolated in the nickel-catalyzed trimerization of butadiene but is too unstable for X-ray crystallography is suggested here to have an open-chain hexahapto η3,3-C12H18 ligand rather than the octahapto such ligand suggested by some investigators. The lowest energy (C4H6)3M structures of the other first-row transition metals from vanadium to cobalt are found to have related structures with open-chain C12H18 ligands having hapticities ranging from four to eight with hexahapto structures being most common. The nickel and cobalt (C12H18)M derivatives favor low-spin singlet and doublet spin states, respectively, whereas the manganese derivative (C12H18)Mn favors the high-spin sextet state corresponding to the half-filled d5 shell of Mn(II). A (C4H6)3Cr structure with three separate tetrahapto butadiene ligands analogous to the very stable (η4-C4H6)3M (M = Mo, W) with the favored 18-electron metal configuration is found to be a very high energy structure relative to isomers containing an open-chain C12H18 ligand.

Myocardial Infarction-Related Transcripts (MIAT) Participate in Diabetic Optic Nerve Injury by Regulating Heart Shock Protein 5 (HSPA5) via Competitively Binding to MicroRNA-379.

BACKGROUND The aim of this study was to explore the role of MIAT (myocardial infarction related transcripts) in diabetic optic neuropathy and its underlying mechanism. MATERIAL AND METHODS QRT-PCR (quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction) was performed to detect the mRNA levels of MIAT and HSPA5 (heart shock protein 5) in diabetic rat model and high-glucose cultured Müller cells. After the intracellular MIAT level was increased by lentivirus transfection, the proliferation, cell cycle, and apoptosis of Müller cells were measured using the CCK-8 (Cell Counting Kit-8) assay, flow cytometry, and TUNEL (terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase (TdT)-mediated dUTP nick-end labeling) assay, respectively. Mechanisms underlying the MIAT-related apoptosis were explored by Western blot analysis. The binding condition of microRNA-379 to MIAT and HSPA5 was confirmed by luciferase reporter gene assay. RESULTS Both MIAT and HSPA5 levels were remarkably increased in high-glucose cultured Müller cells. After transfected with LV (lentivirus)-MIAT, Müller cells showed a decreased proliferation and an enhanced apoptosis with the increased expressions of pro-apoptotic proteins. However, no remarkable changes were observed in cell cycle. Further mechanistic studies found that MIAT regulated HSPA5 expression by directly binding to microRNA-379. CONCLUSIONS MIAT was overexpressed in the diabetic optic nerve. MIAT overexpression remarkably promoted the apoptosis of Müller cells by adsorbing microRNA-379 and thus regulating HSPA5, which was a direct target of microRNA-379.

Influence of process errors of dielectric gratings on beam properties in transmission spectral-beam-combining systems.

Process errors of dielectric gratings are divided into two classes: shape errors and dimension errors. A theoretical model of dielectric gratings with process errors has been proposed, and a beam propagation model of a transmission spectral-beam-combining (T-SBC) system has further been developed based on the process error model. Beam characteristics such as intensity distribution, beam width, beam quality, and combined power in T-SBC systems have been calculated and analyzed. The results show that shape errors make output power oscillated but have little impact on beam qualities of combined beams. The combined power for equal fill factor error yields the highest tolerance among shape errors. Dimension errors degrade both the power and beam quality of the combined beam.

Probing the structural, electronic and magnetic properties of AgnSc (n = 1-16) clusters.

The structural, electronic and magnetic properties of AgnSc (n = 1-16) clusters have been studied on the basis of density functional theory and the CALYPSO structure prediction method. The optimized geometry exhibits that the growth process of Sc-doped silver clusters have a periodic structural change. The Ag atom grows around a basically invariant cluster core in each growth cycle. The Sc atom has a tendency to occupy the most highly coordinated position in the ground state. The infrared spectra, Raman spectra and photoelectron spectra of AgnSc clusters are forecasted and can be used to identify the structures of these clusters from experiments. The global maxima of the dissociation energy, the averaged binding energy and the gap of the energy level occur at n = 15 for the most stable AgnSc clusters, implying that the Ag15Sc can be perceived as a superatom. The magnetism analysis indicates that the magnetic moment of the Sc atom in AgnSc clusters decreases with the increase of the cluster. The change of the magnetic moment is proportional to the charge transfer between the Sc and Ag atoms.

Propagation of partially coherent Laguerre Gaussian beams through inhomogeneous turbulent atmosphere.

Analytical formulas for the root-mean-square (rms) spatial width, the rms angular width, and the M2-factor of partially coherent standard Laguerre Gaussian beams (PC-SLGBs) and partially coherent elegant Laguerre Gaussian beams (PC-ELGBs) in inhomogeneous turbulent atmosphere have been derived. The propagation properties of PC-SLGBs and PC-ELGBs in inhomogeneous atmospheric turbulence are studied numerically and comparatively. It can be found that the propagation of laser beams in inhomogeneous turbulence is different from that in homogeneous turbulence. It is also shown that relative rms spatial widths and M2-factors of PC-ELGBs are more affected by inhomogeneous turbulence than those of PC-SLGBs. Moreover, the relative rms spatial widths and M2-factors of PC-SLGBs and PC-ELGBs in inhomogeneous turbulent atmosphere are closely related with waist widths, coherence widths, zenith angles, inner scales, and beam orders. Furthermore, the saturation propagation distance of the relative M2-factor and rms angular width with zenith angles of π/6 are 20 km and 0.5 km, respectively.

Propagation characteristics of partially coherent flat-topped beams propagating through inhomogeneous atmospheric turbulence.

M2-factor and root-mean-square (rms) angular width of partially coherent flat-topped (PCFT) beams propagating through inhomogeneous atmospheric turbulence are studied based on the extended Huygens-Fresnel principle and the Wigner distribution function (WDF). It is shown that the effect of turbulence on the PCFT beams can be neglected as the vertical height increases, which is different from the homogeneous turbulence. Analytical formulae of the M2-factor and rms angular width of PCFT beams have been given. The saturation propagation distances (SPDs) increase with increasing zenith angle. It can be seen that the SPDs of the M2-factor and rms angular width of PCFT beams propagating through inhomogeneous atmospheric turbulence are about 30 km and 0.5 km, respectively, when the zenith angle is π/4. It can be found that the M2-factor increases with increasing beam order and zenith angle, and with decreasing waist width, inner scale, wavelength, and transverse coherence length. The rms angular width increases with increasing beam order, wavelength, and zenith angle, and decreasing waist width, inner scale, and transverse coherence length.

Intensity and effective beam width of partially coherent Laguerre-Gaussian beams through a turbulent atmosphere.

Propagation properties of partially coherent elegant Laguerre-Gaussian beam (PC-eLGB) and partially coherent standard Laguerre-Gaussian beam (PC-sLGB) through the turbulent atmosphere are studied. Analytical formulas for the intensity and effective beam width (EBW) of the PC-eLGB and PC-sLGB through the turbulent atmosphere are derived based on the extended Huygens-Fresnel principle. The propagation properties of PC-eLGB and PC-sLGB through the turbulent atmosphere are studied numerically and comparatively. It is shown that the intensities of the PC-eLGB and PC-sLGB are less affected by the turbulent atmosphere than the fully coherent Laguerre-Gaussian beam. The spreading (EBW and divergent angle of the far field) of PC-eLGB and PC-sLGB with the different mode orders (m,n) is slower in the free space than in the turbulent atmosphere, and the PC-sLGB spreads more rapidly than the PC-eLGB through the free space and the turbulent atmosphere. The study results will be useful for free space optical communications.

Misalignment analysis of combination-cylinder discharge CO(2) laser.

The axes of a laser resonator will deviate away from the initial places when the combination-cylinder discharge CO2 laser (CCDCL) is misaligned. The new cavity axes are established through using the misaligned augmented matrixes. The influences of the misalignments on the properties of the laser beams are studied in detail, such as the line deviations and angle deviations of oscillation beams in CCDCL, the near- and far-field distribution of output beams, the diffraction loss and output power, and the beam quality factor. It is shown that the influences of the misalignments on the above properties of the laser beams are obvious when the misaligned angle of the laser resonator exceeds 30 s. The studied results can afford references for the design of a CCDCL.

Varenicline solution nasal spray for dry eye disease in Chinese patients: a randomized phase 3 trial.

Background: Dry eye disease has a high prevalence and exerts a significant negative effect on quality of life. In China, there are currently no available nasal sprays to promote natural tear production in patients with dry eye disease. We therefore evaluated the efficacy and safety of OC-01 (varenicline solution) nasal spray versus vehicle in Chinese patients with dry eye disease. Methods: This was a randomized, multicenter, double-masked, vehicle-controlled, phase 3 clinical trial conducted at ophthalmology departments in 20 hospitals across China (NCT05378945). Eligible patients had a diagnosis of dry eye disease based on patient symptoms, Eye Dryness Score (EDS), Schirmer's Test (with topical anesthesia) Score (STS), and corneal fluorescein staining (CFS) score. Participants were randomly assigned 1:1 using an Interactive Web Response System (IWRS) to receive OC-01 0.6 mg/mL twice daily (BID) or vehicle nasal spray. Participants, investigators, and sponsor were all masked to treatment assignment. The primary endpoint was the percentage of subjects in the intention-to-treat population achieving ≥10 mm improvement in STS from baseline at week 4. Findings: In total, 340 patients were randomized from 21 July 2022 to 04 April 2023, 78.8% were female. Patients in the OC-01 group (n = 176) had significantly higher achievement of ≥10 mm improvement in STS (35.8% [n = 63] versus 17.7% [n = 29], stratified odds ratio: 2.67, 95% CI: 1.570-4.533, p = 0.0002) and a significantly greater increase from baseline STS (least-squares mean difference [SE]: 3.87 [0.794], p < 0.0001) at week 4 versus the vehicle group (n = 164). In addition, OC-01 led to a numerically greater reduction in mean EDS from baseline at week 4 compared to the vehicle group (LS mean [SE] difference: -1.3 [2.20]; 95% CI: -5.64 to 2.99, p = 0.5467). The most common adverse event was mild, transient sneezing (78% of OC-01 administrations). No serious adverse events related to nasal administration occurred. Interpretation: OC-01 (varenicline solution) nasal spray BID has clinically meaningful efficacy for reducing the signs (as measured by STS) and may improve the symptoms (as measured by EDS) of dry eye disease, with an excellent safety and tolerability profile, in the Chinese population. Funding: Jixing Pharmaceutical Co. Ltd.

Comparative research of multichannel slab and discharge tube CO2 lasers.

The laser power and beam quality of the high-power CO(2) laser are very important for laser applications. The multichannel slab discharge CO(2) laser (MSDL) and the multichannel discharge tube CO(2) laser (MDTL) are two main lasers, which have different functions. Two lasers and laser beams are compared and studied quantitatively from the following factors: intensity distribution, M(2) factor, phase locking, misalignment, and output power. It is shown that MSDL could obtain the laser beam with high power when the misaligned angle is small, but the beam quality is poor in comparison with that of MDTL. MSDL is more sensitive to the misaligned angle than MDTL.

Deep Anterior Lamellar Keratoplasty-Treated Keratoconic Eyes With Descemet Membrane Rupture.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to evaluate the outcomes of deep anterior lamellar keratoplasty (DALK) and compare it with penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in keratoconic eyes with Descemet membrane (DM) rupture. METHODS: In this comparative retrospective case series, 33 keratoconic eyes with a history of hydrops underwent DALK and 27 received PKP. Baseline and postoperative visual acuity, corneal astigmatism, mean keratometry, endothelial cell density, and complication rates were measured. RESULTS: The median follow-up of patients who underwent DALK was 45 months (range, 4-76 months) and that of patients who underwent PKP was 84 months (range, 4-136 months). Both procedures had comparable postoperative visual acuity, astigmatism, and mean keratometry. Significantly higher endothelial cell densities were observed in DALK than in PKP at 2, 3, and 5 years postsurgery (2043 ± 767 vs. 1165 ± 683 cell/mm2, P = 0.007, n = 12 in both groups at 2 years). Intra-DALK, 15 perforations occurred (44.12%) and 1 (2.94%) was converted to PKP. Graft rejection was diagnosed in 1 (3.03%) DALK procedure versus 8 (29.63%) PKP (P = 0.008), and other long-term complication rates were equivalent. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis also revealed a higher rejection-free survival rate for the DALK group (P = 0.012). Subgroup analysis within both groups based on the severity of preoperative DM rupture revealed no significant difference in any major 2-year outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: DALK showed similar beneficial visual outcome and safety but significantly better endothelial protection over PKP in eyes with keratoconus and previous hydrops. Therefore, DALK is recommended in posthydrops cases irrespective of the DM rupture severity.

Perfluorohexyloctane Eye Drops for Dry Eye Disease Associated With Meibomian Gland Dysfunction in Chinese Patients: A Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Meibomian gland dysfunction (MGD) is a leading cause of evaporative dry eye disease (DED). Medical and surgical management for DED is limited; therefore, new treatment options are sought. Objective: To evaluate the efficacy and safety of SHR8058 (perfluorohexyloctane) eye drops in Chinese patients with DED associated with MGD through 57 days. Design, Setting, and Participants: This was a randomized, multicenter, double-masked, saline-controlled, phase 3 clinical trial conducted from February 4, 2021, to September 7, 2022. Patients were recruited from the departments of ophthalmology in 15 hospitals in China. Patients with DED associated with MGD were enrolled between February 4 and July 1, 2021. The diagnosis was based on patient complaint of DED symptoms, an ocular surface disease index of 25 or higher, tear film break-up time of 5 seconds or less, Schirmer I test without anesthesia results of 5 mm or more at 5 minutes, total corneal fluorescein staining (tCFS) score of 4 to 11, and an MGD score of 3 or higher. Interventions: Eligible participants were randomly assigned 1:1 to receive perfluorohexyloctane eye drops or 0.6% sodium chloride [NaCl]) 4 times per day. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary end points were the changes from baseline in tCFS and eye dryness scores at day 57. Results: A total of 312 participants were included in the analysis: 156 (mean [SD] age, 45.4 [15.2] years; 118 female [75.6%]) in the perfluorohexyloctane group and 156 (mean [SD] age, 43.7 [15.1] years; 127 female [81.4%]) in the NaCl group. Both primary end points were achieved, ie, changes from baseline at day 57 of tCFS score (mean [SD], -3.8 [2.7] vs -2.7 [2.8]) and eye dryness score (mean [SD], -38.6 [21.9] vs -28.3 [20.8]) in the perfluorohexyloctane group were superior to the control group, with estimated mean differences of -1.14 (95% CI, -1.70 to -0.57; P < .001) and -12.74 (95% CI, -17.20 to -8.28, P < .001), respectively. Improvements on both end points appeared to be noted on day 29 and day 15, respectively, and maintained through day 57. Compared with the control, perfluorohexyloctane eye drops also alleviated symptoms including pain (mean [SD] tCFS score, 26.7 [23.7] vs -18.7 [22.5]; P = .003), awareness of DED symptoms (mean [SD] tCFS score, -38.1 [25.1] vs -23.7 [27.6]; P < .001), and frequency of dryness (mean [SD] tCFS score, -43.3 [23.8] vs -29.1 [24.8]; P < .001). Treatment-emergent adverse events occurred in 34 participants (21.8%) and 40 participants (25.6%) in the perfluorohexyloctane and control groups, respectively. Conclusions and Relevance: Results of this randomized clinical trial demonstrate that perfluorohexyloctane eye drops significantly ameliorated the signs and symptoms of DED associated with MGD with a rapid efficacy as well as satisfactory tolerability and safety through 57 days. Findings support the use of these eye drops if results can be confirmed independently and over longer time periods. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT05515471.

Combination of retinal pigment epithelium cell-conditioned medium and photoreceptor outer segments stimulate mesenchymal stem cell differentiation toward a functional retinal pigment epithelium cell phenotype.

Recent studies have suggested that bone marrow-derived mesenchymal stem cells (BMMSCs) are capable of retinal tissue-specific differentiation but not retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell-specific differentiation. Photoreceptor outer segments (POS) contribute to RPE development and maturation. However, there has been no standard culture system that fosters the differentiation of BMMSCs into mature RPE cells in vitro. In this study, we investigated if the soluble factors from RPE cells and POS could differentiate BMMSCs into cells having a phenotype characteristic of RPE cells. Rat BMMSCs were separately co-cultured with RPE cells, or they were exposed to either control medium, RPE cell-conditioned medium (RPECM), POS, or a combination of RPECM and POS (RPECM-POS). After 7 days, the cells were analyzed for morphology and the expression of RPE markers (cytokeratin 8, CRALBP, and RPE65) to assess the RPE differentiation. Significantly higher pigment accumulation and increased protein expression of the three markers were seen in cells cultured in RPECM-POS than in other treated cultures. Furthermore, the RPECM-POS-treated cultures displayed ultrastructural features typical of RPE cells, expressed RPE cell functional proteins, and had the capability to phagocytose POS. Together, theses results suggest the combination of RPECM and POS stimulate BMMSCs differentiation toward a functional RPE phenotype. Our results provide the foundation for a new route to RPE regenerative therapy involving BMMSCs. Future work isolating the active agent in RPECM and POS would be useful in therapies for RPE diseases or in developing appropriately pre-differentiated BMMSCs for tissue-engineered RPE reconstruction.