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Background and Objectives: Fluid restriction commonly causes dry mouth in patients on hemodialysis (HD). The observed effects of chewing gum on the amount of saliva, interdialytic weight gain (IDWG), and degree of thirst in patients on HD have been inconsistent. We investigated whether chewing gum can modulate these three parameters in patients on HD. Materials and Methods: We used purposive sampling to enroll 37 patients on HD who were then randomly divided into the chewing gum group (n = 19) and the control (non–chewing gum) group (n = 18). The degree of thirst was assessed using a self-rated visual analog scale (VAS) and a summated xerostomia inventory (SXI), respectively. Results: The degree of thirst after dialysis was significantly lower in the chewing gum group than in the control group. The amount of saliva was higher in the chewing gum group than in the control group before dialysis, but the saliva amount was comparable between the groups after dialysis. Furthermore, the amount of saliva was not associated with IDWG in patients on HD before or after dialysis. Conclusions: Chewing gum may alleviate the feeling of thirst but may not affect the amount of saliva and IDWG in patients on HD. Therefore, we suggest that chewing gum may be a useful approach to improve dry mouth and thirst in patients on HD. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: To evaluate the feasibility of retinal vein bypass surgery for induced branch retinal-vein occlusion (BRVO) in the living porcine eye. Methods: Fifteen minipigs were used in the study. Seven days before vascular surgery, hyaluronidase and plasmin were intravitreally injected for induction of posterior vitreous detachment. Aspirin and warfarin were oral administered daily starting 5 d prior to vascular surgery for anti-coagulation. The minipigs were anethetized with an intraperitoneal injection of 300 mg/kg chloral hydrate for intravitreal injection procedure and vascular surgery. Temporary keratoprosthesis vitrectomy was performed, and intraoperative video fluorescein angiography (VFA) was possible. The central and posterior vitreous was removed together with the posterior hyaloid membrane to facilitate vascular maneuvers. BRVO was induced by bipolar diathermy on the vein at the main vein’s first branching. Polyimide tubes (50.8-μm internal diameter and 7.6-μm wall thickness) were used as artificial vessels. Vascular manipulation was performed in a bimanual manner. Both end of a prepared tubing was inserted into venous lumen by puncturing and catheterization, and the vein bypass bridging the occlusion was created. Then, the patency of the bypass graft was assessed by intraoperative VFA. Results: The retinal vein bypass surgery was surgically accomplished in 33% (5/15) of the eyes, and the immediate graft patency was confirmed by intraoperative VFA only in one eye. We observed and recorded fluorescein flow from the branch vein to the main vein through the bypass graft which bridging the occlusive vein segment. Conclusions: We demonstrated the feasibility of retinal vein bypass for induced BRVO in the living porcine eye, and the immediate graft patency was successfully evaluated by intraoperative VFA. Despite the potential, there are still some significant hurdlesin vivoretinal vein bypass surgery, and modification of both surgical instruments and maneuvers is needed for further study. [ABSTRACT FROM PUBLISHER]

Aim: To investigate the morphological characteristics of retinal vessels in patients with different severity of diabetic retinopathy (DR) and in patients with or without diabetic macular edema (DME)., Methods: The 239 eyes of DR patients and 100 eyes of healthy individuals were recruited for the study. The severity of DR patients was graded as mild, moderate and severe non-proliferative diabetic retinopathy (NPDR) according to the international clinical diabetic retinopathy (ICDR) disease severity scale classification, and retinal vascular morphology was quantitatively analyzed in ultra-wide field images using RU-net and transfer learning methods. The presence of DME was determined by optical coherence tomography (OCT), and differences in vascular morphological characteristics were compared between patients with and without DME., Results: Retinal vessel segmentation using RU-net and transfer learning system had an accuracy of 99% and a Dice metric of 0.76. Compared with the healthy group, the DR group had smaller vessel angles (33.68±3.01 vs 37.78±1.60), smaller fractal dimension (Df) values (1.33±0.05 vs 1.41±0.03), less vessel density (1.12±0.44 vs 2.09±0.36) and fewer vascular branches (206.1±88.8 vs 396.5±91.3), all P <0.001. As the severity of DR increased, Df values decreased, P =0.031. No significant difference between the DME and non-DME groups were observed in vascular morphological characteristics., Conclusion: In this study, an artificial intelligence retinal vessel segmentation system is used with 99% accuracy, thus providing with relatively satisfactory performance in the evaluation of quantitative vascular morphology. DR patients have a tendency of vascular occlusion and dropout. The presence of DME does not compromise the integral retinal vascular pattern., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: Deng XY, None; Liu H, None; Zhang ZX, None; Li HX, None; Wang J, None; Chen YQ, None; Mao JB, None; Sun MZ, None; Shen LJ, None., (International Journal of Ophthalmology Press.)

Aim: To evaluate scleral buckling (SB) surgery using a non-contact wide-field viewing system and 23-gauge intraocular illumination for the treatment of rhegmatogenous retinal detachment in silicone oil (SO)-filled eyes., Methods: Totally 9 patients (9 eyes) with retinal detachment in SO-filled eyes were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent non-contact wide-field viewing system-assisted buckling surgery with 23-gauge intraocular illumination. SO was removed at an appropriate time based on recovery. The patients were followed up for at least 3mo after SO removal. Retinal reattachment, complications, visual acuity and intraocular pressure (IOP) before and after surgery were observed., Results: Patients were followed up for a mean of 8.22mo (3-22mo) after SO removal. All patients had retinal reattachment. At the final follow-up, visual acuity showed improvement for 8 patients, and no change for 1 patient. The IOP was high in 3 patients before surgery, but it stabilized after treatment; it was not affected in the other patients. None of the patients had infections, hemorrhage, anterior ischemia, or any other complication., Conclusion: This new non-contact wide-field viewing system-assisted SB surgery with 23-gauge intraocular illumination is effective and safe for retinal detachment in SO-filled eyes., Competing Interests: Conflicts of Interest: Wu SL, None; Chen YQ, None; Shen LJ, None; Mao JB, None; Lin L, None; Tao JW, None; Chen H, None; Zhang SA, None; Yu JF, None; Wang CX, None., (International Journal of Ophthalmology Press.)

Aim: To investigate the feasibility of teaching minimally invasive vitreoretinal surgery with a robot-assisted surgical system and a three-dimensional (3D) visualization system., Methods: Enucleated porcine eyes were established as an animal model for removing foreign bodies. Forty medical students were recruited to remove foreign bodies to compare the traditional microscope and the 3D system. One junior resident performed the surgical task with manual and robot-assisted operations on 20 porcine eyes for each group. One senior surgeon evaluated the retinal invasion by a graded injury degree. The learning curve for minimally invasive vitreoretinal surgery was described., Results: Compared with the robot-assisted group, the injury degree was higher in the manual group. For the first ten surgeries, the manual and robot-assisted groups had injuries of 2.60±1.35 (4 to 0) and 1.80±1.62 (4 to 0), respectively. For the last ten surgeries, the injury degrees were 1.90±1.20 (3 to 0) and 0.80±0.42 (1 to 0). Considering the manual and robot-assisted groups together, 95%, 75% and 60% of the students considered surgical manipulation with the 3D visualization system to be more comfortable, easier and clearer, respectively., Conclusion: The robot-assisted surgical system and 3D visualization system may have value in teaching minimally invasive vitreoretinal surgery., (International Journal of Ophthalmology Press.)

Aim: To analyse macular microvascular alterations in myopic choroidal neovascularization (mCNV) and the efficiency of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor (anti-VEGF) therapy for mCNV by optical coherence tomography angiography (OCTA)., Methods: A total of 123 patients were included in this retrospective study, divided into mCNV group, high myopia (HM) group, and normal group at the Affiliated Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University from January 2017 to January 2019. Superficial vessel density, deep capillary density, foveal avascular zone (FAZ) area, A-circularity index (AI) and vessel density around the 300 µm width of the FAZ region density (FD) and the area of choroidal neovascularization (CNV) lesion (only for mCNV group) were measured on 3×3 mm 2 OCTA images. FAZ area was corrected for axial length. Central macular thickness (CMT) was measured on OCT in mCNV group. Compared the parameters on OCTA of 3 groups and pre-anti-VEGF and post-anti-VEGF at 1, 2, 3, and 6mo follow-up in mCNV group., Results: There were significant differences among 3 groups in superficial vessel density, deep capillary density and FD ( P <0.05). FAZ area in HM group was smaller than normal group ( P <0.05), but there was no significant difference between mCNV group and the other two group. AI increased in mCNV group ( P <0.05). The mean CMT, area and flow area of CNV lesion decreased after treatment ( P <0.05), while vessel density and FAZ didn't change. The mean CMT, area and flow area of CNV lesion statistically decreased after anti-VEGF treatment in mCNV group ( P <0.05), while superficial vessel density, deep capillary density and FAZ area, AI and FD didn't change. The mean reduction ratio of lesions was 50.32% (7.07% to 100%). Lesion regression 100% was observed in 2 cases (4.88%). There was a negative correlation between the CNV lesion area and reduction ratio ( r =-0.380, P =0.042) and the flow lesion area and reduction ratio ( r =-0.402, P =0.030)., Conclusion: Macular vessel density decreases, FAZ turns smaller and more irregular in mCNV eyes. Anti-VEGF therapy is efficient for mCNV without affecting vessel density and FAZ, but it is unable to completely eliminate CNV lesions in most cases. The bigger mCNV lesions have lower reduction ratio., (International Journal of Ophthalmology Press.)

Aim: To observe whether silicone oil (SO) tamponade could decrease macular perfusion after retinal detachment repair., Methods: A prospective observational case-control study. Patients diagnosed with primary macular off rhegmatogenous retinal detachment undergoing successful retinal repair surgery with vitrectomy were strictly selected. Optical coherence tomography angiography findings were compared between SO and air tamponade groups. Two postoperative visiting points were set (1 and 3mo)., Results: Totally 29 patients (29 eyes) were enrolled. Twenty cases had SO tamponade while 9 cases were with air tamponade. At the first visiting point, superficial parafoveal vessel density (PFSVD) significantly decreased in the SO group ( P =0.0403), especially in the superior quadrant or superior-hemi area ( P =0.0089, 0.0426, respectively). Parafoveal deep vessel density (PFDVD) had no difference between the two groups. At the second visiting point, all quadrants of PFSVD reduced significantly in the SO group ( P =0.0256, 0.0001, 0.0031, <0.0001 in temporal, superior, nasal, and inferior area, respectively), but PFDVD remained no different. In the air group, all areas of PFSVD showed significantly improving from the first visit to the second one ( P =0.0324, 0.0001, 0.0371, 0.0026, in temporal, superior, nasal, and inferior area, respectively); however, almost all quadrants of PFDVD showed no changes during this period. In the SO group, both PFSVD and PFDVD showed no obvious changes between the two visiting points. Besides, parafoveal full retinal thickness in the SO group reduced significantly at both visiting points over the air tamponade, while the foveal avascular zone area showed no difference in the two groups., Conclusion: After retinal detachment surgery with vitrectomy and SO tamponade, superficial macular perfusion and full retinal thickness could decrease obviously when compared to air tamponade. This reduction process could persist throughout the tamponade period., (International Journal of Ophthalmology Press.)

Aim: To compare the safety and efficacy of conbercept intravitreal injection and half-dose photodynamic therapy (PDT) in treating chronic central serous chorioretinopathy (CSC)., Methods: This study was retrospective. Thirty-seven patients (37 eyes) with chronic CSC received conbercept injections while 57 patients (57 eyes) were treated with half-dose PDT. All subjects were followed in 6mo. Outcome measures included change in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA), central macular thickness (CMT), subfoveal choroidal thickness (SFCT), and resolution of subretinal fluid (SRF)., Results: There was no adverse event observed in either treatment group. At the 6-month follow-up, 26 eyes (70.3%) in the conbercept group and 54 eyes (94.7%) in the half-dose PDT group ( P <0.05) reached full resolution of SRF. The mean logarithm of the minimum angle of resolution (logMAR) BCVA significantly improved ( P <0.001) in both treatment groups with better outcome at early phase in the half-dose PDT group (2wk, 1, and 2mo, P <0.05). All subjects experienced significant CMT improvement ( P <0.001) with no statistical difference between the two groups ( P >0.05). The SFCT also improved in all subjects ( P <0.001) with better outcome in the half-dose PDT group ( P <0.05)., Conclusion: Both intravitreal conbercept and half-dose PDT are safe to use in treating chronic CSC. By 6mo, both treatment groups are efficacious in improving BCVA, reducing CMT and SFCT, and resolving SRF in eyes with chronic CSC. Half-dose PDT may show better outcome at initial phase of treatment in chronic CSC. Longer follow-up period is necessary to study for long-term effect and safety., (International Journal of Ophthalmology Press.)

Colorectal cancers (CRC) with microsatellite instability (MSI) or mismatch repair-deficiency (dMMR), but without detectable MMR germline mutations are termed Lynch-like syndrome (LLS). We assess the clinicopathologic and molecular characteristics of LLS tumors and the proportion in LLS, which remain poorly investigated in China. We enrolled 404 CRC patients with surgery in our institution from 2014 to 2018. LLS tumors were detected by a molecular stratification based on MMR protein expression, MLH1 methylation and MMR gene mutation. LLS tumors were profiled for germline mutations in 425 cancer-relevant genes. Among 42 MMR-deficient tumors, 7 (16.7%) were attributable to MLH1 methylation and 7 (16.7%) to germline mutations, leaving 28 LLS cases (66.6%). LLS tumors were diagnosed at a mean age of 60.7 years, had an almost equivalent ratio among rectum, left colon and right colon, and had high rates of lymph node metastases (50%, 4/28 N2). Most MMR gene mutations (88.2%, 15/17) in LLS tumors were variants of unknown significance (VUS). Two novel frameshift mutations were detected in ATM and ARID1A, which are emerging as candidate responsible genes for LLS. In this study, 28 (66.6%) MMRd tumors were classified as LLS, which were significantly higher than reports of western countries. LLS tumors were more likely to carry lymph node metastases. However, it's hard to differentiated LLS tumors from LS through family history, tumor location, histological type of tumors, immunohistochemistry (IHC) for MMR proteins and MSI analysis., Competing Interests: None., (AJCR Copyright © 2020.)

Aim: To compare the incidence of persistent submacular fluid (SMF) and visual outcome after pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) for rhegmatogenous retinal detachment (RRD) in different preoperative macular status according to optical coherence tomography (OCT)., Methods: A non-randomized, retrospective review was performed for patients who underwent successful PPV for RRD. OCT exams were taken preoperatively and 1mo after surgery, until SMF disappeared. According to the preoperative macular status on OCT, patients were divided into two groups: macula-off RRD (Group A) and macula-on RRD (Group B). In Group A, there were two subgroups: macula partly detached (Group A1) and macula totally detached (Group A2). The main outcome measures were the presence of SMF on OCT 1mo after surgery, and the preoperative and postoperative best corrected visual acuities (BCVA), among the different groups and depending on the presence or absence of persistent SMF., Results: A total of 139 eyes of 139 patients were included in the study. Persistent SMF at 1mo after surgery was 15.8% (22/139), all occurring in Group A (22/101); Group B had no SMF at 1mo after surgery (0/38, P =0.002). The incidence of persistent SMF at 1mo after surgery in Group A1 was 50% (14/28), and in Group A2 was 11.0% (8/73, P <0.001). Significant differences were shown between the presence and absence of persistent SMF on foveola-off RRD, the preoperative BCVA, the 1mo postoperative BCVA, and the degree of the BCVA improvement from 1mo postoperatively to the final follow-up ( P <0.05). However, there were no significant differences in the final BCVA ( P >0.05)., Conclusion: Persistent SMF after PPV for retinal detachment is associated with preoperative macular status. Macula-uninvolving RRD shows no persistent SMF after PPV. Macular partly detached RRD has a higher incidence of SMF than macula totally detached RRD after PPV. The persistence of SMF may be responsible for the delayed visual recovery, whereas there were no significant differences in the final visual acuity.

Aim: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of intravitreal conbercept (IVC) injections as pretreatment for pars plana vitrectomy (PPV) in severe proliferative diabetic retinopathy (PDR)., Methods: This was a retrospective chart review of all patients who underwent PPV for PDR from January 2014 to October 2016. Patients who underwent IVC injection before PPV were assigned to the IVC group; the others were assigned to the control group. The IVC was performed 3-7d before surgery in the IVC group. All the eyes in the two groups were operated by the same doctor to complete the vitrectomy. Intraoperative complications and the changes in best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) before and after surgery were compared between the two groups., Results: A total of 68 eyes of 63 patients (22 eyes in the IVC group and 46 eyes in the control group) were examined. The risk of intraoperative bleeding was lower in the IVC group (2/22) than in the control group (25/46, P =0.000). Furthermore, the use of endodiathermy was significantly lower in the IVC group (1/22) than in the control group (12/46, P =0.047). The surgical time in the IVC group (112.64±34.52min) was significantly shorter than in the control group (132.85±40.04min, P <0.05). Compared to the BCVA before surgery, the mean BCVA was significantly improved after surgery for both groups ( P <0.05)., Conclusion: PPV is an effective treatment and can improve vision in patients with PDR. Preoperative intravitreal injection of conbercept could reduce the chances of intraoperative bleeding and the use of endodiathermy and shorten the operative time, which are beneficial in the management of PDR.

Aim: To compare the histological outcome of chronic hepatitis B (CHB) patients treated with entecavir (ETV) or lamivudine (LAM)-based therapy., Methods: We conducted a retrospective analysis of data from 42 CHB patients with advanced fibrosis (baseline Ishak score ≥ 2) or cirrhosis who were treated with ETV or LAM-based therapy in Beilun People's Hospital, Ningbo between January 2005 and May 2012. The patients enrolled were more than 16 years of age and underwent a minimum of 12 mo of antiviral therapy. We collected data on the baseline characteristics of each patient and obtained paired liver biopsies pre- and post-treatment. The Knodell scoring system and Ishak fibrosis scores were used to evaluate each example. An improvement or worsening of necroinflammation was defined as ≥ 2-point change in the Knodell inflammatory score. The progression or regression of fibrosis was defined as ≥ 1-point change in the Ishak fibrosis score. The continuous variables were compared using t-test or Mann-Whitney test, and the binary variables were compared using χ(2) test or Fisher's exact test. The results of paired liver biopsies were compared with a Wilcoxon signed rank test., Results: Nineteen patients were treated with ETV and 23 patients were treated with LAM therapy for a mean duration of 39 and 42 mo, respectively. After long-term antiviral treatment, 94.74% (18/19) of the patients in the ETV arm and 95.65% (22/23) in the LAM arm achieved an HBV DNA level less than 1000 IU/mL. The majority of the patients (94.74% in the ETV arm and 73.91% in the LAM arm) had normalized ALT levels. The median Knodell necroinflammatory score decreased from 11 to 0 in the patients receiving ETV, and the median Knodell score decreased from 9 to 3 in the patients receiving LAM (P = 0.0002 and < 0.0001, respectively). The median Ishak fibrosis score showed a 1-point reduction in ETV-treated patients and a 2-point reduction in LAM-treated patients (P = 0.0019 and 0.0205, respectively). The patients receiving ETV showed a more significant improvement in necroinflammation than the LAM-treated patients (P = 0.0003). However, there was no significant difference in fibrotic improvement between the two arms. Furthermore, two patients in each arm achieved a fibrosis score of 0 post-treatment, which indicates a full reversion of fibrosis after antiviral therapy., Conclusion: CHB patients with advanced fibrosis or cirrhosis benefit from antiviral treatment. ETV is superior to LAM therapy in improving necroinflammatory but not fibrotic outcome.

Objective: To evaluate the efficacy of infliximab combined with surgery in the treatment of perianal fistulizing Crohn disease (CD)., Methods: Clinical data of 15 patients with perianal fistulizing CD receiving infliximab combined with surgery in the Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine from March 2010 to June 2011 were analyzed retrospectively. One week after operation, all the patients received infliximab infusion thrice at weeks 0, 2, and 6. Crohn disease activity index (CDAI), perianal Crohn disease activity index (PDAI), body mass index (BMI), routine blood test and endoscopy were evaluated at week 0, 14. Adverse reactions and healing time were recorded., Results: At week 14, the response rate was 100% with 86.7% (13/15) complete responders. One patient had local improvement and one developed recurrent fistula. The mean healing time was 32.5 (20-45) d. Anorectal stenosis in 4 patients was significantly improved. At week 14, CDAI decreased to 114.0±90.3 from 230.5±97.5 after IFX treatment. PCDAI decreased to 2.8±3.2 from 9.9±3.4, and BMI increased to (21.5±3.0)kg/m(2) from (19.1±3.1)kg/m(2). C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), platelet and neutrophil were significantly decreased from baseline (all P<0.01). Intestinal mucosa healed completely in one patient. There were no serious adverse events except hypokalemia in one patient and severe infusion reaction in another., Conclusion: Infliximab combined with surgery is effective and safe for perianal fistulizing CD.

Objective: To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of acute hypervolemic hemodilution (AHH) in posterior spinal fusion surgery in children., Methods: 36 children with scoliosis ASA I approximately II, receive of posterior spinal fusion, were randomly divided into 2 equal groups: AHH group, transfused with hydroxyethyl starch 130/0.4 and sodium chloride (Voluven) 12 ml/kg at the speed of 0.3 approximately 0.4 mlxkg(-1)xmin(-1) (for 30 approximately 40 min) through internal jugular vein before operation so as to keep the hemodilution (Hb) status during operation, and control (CNT) group. During operation when the Hb was <80 g/L or the hematocrit was < 25% blood transfusion was conducted to maintain the Hct > 25%., Results: There was no significant difference in intra-operative blood loss between these 2 groups. The Hb one day after operation of the AHH group was (89 +/- 12) g/L, significantly lower than that immediately after operation [(98 +/- 10) g/L, P < 0.05]. The Hb one day after operation of the CNT group was (92 +/- 22) g/L, significantly lower than that immediately after operation [(94 +/- 13) g/L, P < 0.05]. However, there were not significant differences in the Hb values between the AHH and CNT groups (all P > 0.05). Both groups received intra-operative transfusion during operation. The amount of transfused red blood cells and fresh frozen plasma of the AHH group were (18 +/- 4) ml/kg and (3.5 +/- 1.1) ml/kg respectively, both significantly lower than those of the CNT group [(28 +/- 11) and (5.8 +/- 1.8) ml/kg respectively, both P < 0.05]., Conclusion: Able to reduce intra-operative blood transfusion and medical expense, AHH can be used safely and effectively in posterior spine fusion in children.