Corneal endothelial cells (CECs) are crucial for the maintenance of corneal transparency and normal visual function. Corneal endothelial dysfunction can lead to corneal edema, opacity, and even blindness. Due to the limited proliferative capacity of human CECs and the global shortage of donor cornea, corneal endothelial regeneration and replacement always represent the most challenge in the basic research and clinical treatment of corneal diseases. Although there is a potential existence of corneal endothelial progenitor cells, the efficiency of Descemet stripping without endothelial keratoplasty remains controversial. In recent years, significant advancements have been made in the field of cultured endothelial cell regeneration and artificial material replacement. Here, we reviewed the current research and clinical progress of corneal endothelial cell regeneration and replacement, including the in vitro cultivation of primary human CECs, in vitro differentiation of stem cell-derived CECs, tissue-engineered corneal endothelium, and fabrication of artificial corneal endothelium. We also discussed the remaining questions regarding innovating clinical preventive and therapeutic strategies for corneal endothelial dysfunction.
The mechanical theory of glaucoma indicates that high intraocular pressure (IOP) leads to glaucomatous optic nerve damage. However, nearly half of primary openangle glaucoma patients with normal intraocular pressure also exhibit progression of what appears to be glaucomatous optic nerve damage. Our earlier prospective study identified for the first time that the relatively low intracranial pressure (ICP) is also an important risk factor for progressive glaucomatous injury of normal-tension glaucoma. When considering the results of studies in nonhuman primates, clinical research, large-scale natural-population studies, and basic laboratory investigations, a new understanding of the pathophysiology of glaucoma, the “Dual-Pressure Theory”, has been proposed. This theory states that “either high IOP or low ICP contributes to increasing the translaminar cribrosa pressure difference; it is the pressure difference rather than the IOP alone that results in the glaucomatous optic neuropathy”. Here, we provide a systematic introduction to Dual-Pressure Theory relating to glaucoma, the form of a research map, an outline of basic laboratory investigations, the main methodology, and research updates.
With the rapid and groundbreaking development in 21st century medicine on a global scale, new possibilities have emerged for addressing eye diseases, that can be blindness, and that conventional pharmaceuticals and surgical interventions have not hitherto been able to adequately treat. Gene enhancement/supplementation, gene editing, and stem cell therapies have now emerged as key subdisciplines. Here we discuss the current state and prospects of regenerative therapy in the field of ophthalmology, with a primary focus on diseases affecting the cornea, retina, and optic nerve. Our review summarizes the latest advances, challenges, and opportunities in these fields, as well as the potential applications and limitations of different strategies. The review also highlights the importance of interdisciplinary and collaborative innovation models for achieving breakthroughs in therapeutic development for sight-loss diseases worldwide.
Type 2 dominant inflammation in nasal mucosa is the key underlying pathophysiological mechanism of allergic rhinitis (AR) and most presentations of chronic rhinosinusitis with nasal polyps (CRSwNP). Interleukin-4 (IL-4) and IL-13 share common receptor subunits and signaling molecules, which lead to various pathological changes in different cells, playing key roles in the pathogenesis of nasal type 2 inflammation. Numerous clinical trials have shown that biologics targeting key molecules of the IL-4/IL-13 pathway, especially IL-4 receptor alpha, can treat CRSwNP and AR with high efficacy, and are generally well tolerated. Several biologics have been approved for the treatment of difficult-to-control CRSwNP, while others also show promising results. Here, we review the IL-4/IL-13 pathway, its role in nasal type 2 inflammation, and current targeted therapies related to the IL-4/IL-13 pathway, with a focus on AR and CRSwNP.
Objective: To evaluate the pharyngeal compliance of patients with obstructive sleep apnea with complete muscle relaxation. And to study the relationship between the pharyngeal wall compliance and the mechanical load of the retropalatal airway.
Methods: The static mechanical load of the retropalatal pharynx was determined by critical closing pressure (Pcrit) of the segment during general anesthesia in 30 patients. The size/dimensions of the pharynx were measured while intraluminal pressure was controlled at 3–20 cmH2O.
Results: A total of 30 participants (age: 37.6 ± 7.6 years, 27 males) were studied. The mean apnea-hypopnea index was 51.6 ± 23.9 events/h. The retropalatal mean Pcrit was 12.68 ± 4.13 cmH2O. There was a significant difference in the length of the obstruction segment (F = 26.028, p < 0.001) among groups with different pharyngeal collapsibility. The correlation between the mechanical load of retropalatal airway and pharyngeal compliance in the level of the hard palate (r = −0.448, p = 0.015) and the uvula level (r = −0.462, p = 0.026) were significant.
Conclusions: Increased retropalatal mechanical loads were related to abnormal passive compliance of the pharyngeal wall. The contribution of each pharyngeal wall to airway collapse was varied.
Objective: To retrospective analysis of the epidemiological and clinical characteristics of parotid gland tumors, and to explore the value of ultrasound in the differentiation of benign and malignant parotid gland tumors.
Methods: The clinical data of 350 patients with parotid gland tumors in our hospital from 2002 to 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. These patients were examined by ultrasound. The postoperative pathological test results were used as the “gold standard” to verify and analyze the value of color Doppler ultrasound in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant parotid tumors (PT).
Results: The male-to-female ratio of 350 patients with parotid gland tumors was 1.16:1. The age of patients ranged from 12 to 87 years old. Patients aged 40–65 years accounted for 54.6%, which was the most common age of parotid gland tumors. Among 350 cases, 259 were benign and 91 were malignant. The top three benign PTs were pleomorphic adenoma, Warthin tumor, and basal cell adenoma. The top three malignant tumors were mucoepidermoid carcinoma, acinar cell carcinoma, and adenoid cystic carcinoma. The specificity, sensitivity, accuracy, positive predictive value, and negative predictive value of ultrasonography in the diagnosis of benign and malignant parotid masses were 96.53%, 69.23%, 89.43%, 87.50%, and 87.72%, respectively.
Conclusion: The pathological types of parotid gland tumors are complex and diverse. Ultrasonography has high accuracy in the diagnosis of PT, which can provide important evidence for the differentiation of benign and malignant PT, and then assist in the clinical selection of individualized surgical programs.