Chitosan conduits combined with nerve growth factor microspheres repair facial nerve defects

Microspheres containing nerve growth factor for sustained release were prepared by a compound method, and implanted into chitosan conduits to repair 10-mm defects on the right buccal branches of the facial nerve in rabbits. In addition, chitosan conduits combined with nerve growth factor or normal saline, as well as autologous nerve, were used as controls. At 90 days post-surgery, the muscular atrophy on the right upper lip was more evident in the nerve growth factor and normal sa- line groups than in the nerve growth factor-microspheres and autologous nerve groups. Electro- physiological analysis revealed that the nerve conduction velocity and amplitude were significantly higher in the nerve growth factor-microspheres and autologous nerve groups than in the nerve growth factor and normal saline groups. Moreover, histological observation illustrated that the di- ameter, number, alignment and myelin sheath thickness of myelinated nerves derived from rabbits were higher in the nerve growth factor-microspheres and autologous nerve groups than in the nerve growth factor and normal saline groups. These findings indicate that chitosan nerve conduits com- bined with microspheres for sustained release of nerve growth factor can significantly improve facial nerve defect repair in rabbits.

Repair of sciatic nerve defects using tissue engineered nerves

In this study, we constructed tissue-engineered nerves with acellular nerve allografts in Sprague-Dawley rats, which were prepared using chemical detergents-enzymatic digestion and mechanical methods, in combination with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells of Wistar rats cultured in vitro, to repair 15 mm sciatic bone defects in Wistar rats. At postoperative 12 weeks, electrophysiological detection results showed that the conduction velocity of regenerated nerve after repair with tissue-engineered nerves was similar to that after autologous nerve grafting, and was higher than that after repair with acellular nerve allografts. Immunohistochemical staining revealed that motor endplates with acetylcholinesterase-positive nerve fibers were orderly arranged in the middle and superior parts of the gastrocnemius muscle; regenerated nerve tracts and sprouted branches were connected with motor endplates, as shown by acetylcholinesterase histochemistry combined with silver staining. The wet weight ratio of the tibialis anterior muscle at the affected contralateral hind limb was similar to the sciatic nerve after repair with autologous nerve grafts, and higher than that after repair with acellular nerve allografts. The hind limb motor function at the affected side was significantly improved, indicating that acellular nerve allografts combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell bridging could promote functional recovery of rats with sciatic nerve defects.

Acellular allogeneic nerve grafting combined with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation for the repair of long-segment sciatic nerve defects:biomechanics and validation of mathematical models

We hypothesized that a chemically extracted acellular allogeneic nerve graft used in combination with bone marrow mesenchymal stem cell transplantation would be an effective treatment for long-segment sciatic nerve defects.To test this,we established rabbit models of 30 mm sciatic nerve defects,and treated them using either an autograft or a chemically decellularized allogeneic nerve graft with or without simultaneous transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells.We compared the tensile properties,electrophysiological function and morphology of the damaged nerve in each group.Sciatic nerves repaired by the allogeneic nerve graft combined with stem cell transplantation showed better recovery than those repaired by the acellular allogeneic nerve graft alone,and produced similar results to those observed with the autograft.These findings confirm that a chemically extracted acellular allogeneic nerve graft combined with transplantation of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells is an effective method of repairing long-segment sciatic nerve defects.

Autologous transplantation with fewer fibers repairs large peripheral nerve defects

Peripheral nerve injury is a serious disease and its repair is challenging. A cable-style autologous graft is the gold standard for repairing long peripheral nerve defects; however, ensuring that the minimum number of transplanted nerve attains maximum therapeutic effect remains poorly understood. In this study, a rat model of common peroneal nerve defect was established by resecting a 10-mm long right common peroneal nerve. Rats receiving transplantation of the common peroneal nerve in situ were designated as the in situ graft group. Ipsilateral sural nerves（10–30 mm long） were resected to establish the one sural nerve graft group, two sural nerves cable-style nerve graft group and three sural nerves cable-style nerve graft group. Each bundle of the peroneal nerve was 10 mm long. To reduce the barrier effect due to invasion by surrounding tissue and connective-tissue overgrowth between neural stumps, small gap sleeve suture was used in both proximal and distal terminals to allow repair of the injured common peroneal nerve. At three months postoperatively, recovery of nerve function and morphology was observed using osmium tetroxide staining and functional detection. The results showed that the number of regenerated nerve fibers, common peroneal nerve function index, motor nerve conduction velocity, recovery of myodynamia, and wet weight ratios of tibialis anterior muscle were not significantly different among the one sural nerve graft group, two sural nerves cable-style nerve graft group, and three sural nerves cable-style nerve graft group. These data suggest that the repair effect achieved using one sural nerve graft with a lower number of nerve fibers is the same as that achieved using the two sural nerves cable-style nerve graft and three sural nerves cable-style nerve graft. This indicates that according to the ‘multiple amplification＇ phenomenon, one small nerve graft can provide a good therapeutic effect for a large peripheral nerve defect.

A novel artificial nerve graft for repairing longdistance sciatic nerve defects:a self-assembling peptide nanofiber scaffold-containing poly (lactic-co-glycolic acid) conduit

In this study, we developed a novel artificial nerve graft termed self-assembling peptide nanofiber scaffold （SAPNS）-containing poly（lactic-co-glycolic acid） （PLGA） conduit （SPC） and used it to bridge a 10-mm-long sciatic nerve defect in the rat. Retrograde tracing, behavioral testing and histomorphometric analyses showed that compared with the empty PLGA conduit implantation group, the SPC implantation group had a larger number of growing and extending axons, a markedly increased diameter of regenerated axons and a greater thickness of the myelin sheath in the conduit. Furthermore, there was an increase in the size of the neuromuscular junction and myofiber diameter in the target muscle. These findings suggest that the novel artificial SPC nerve graft can promote axonal regeneration and remyelination in the transected peripheral nerve and can be used for repairing peripheral nerve injury.

Olfactory ensheathing cells promote nerve regeneration and functional recovery after facial nerve defects

Olfactory ensheathing cells from the olfactory bulb and olfactory mucosa have been tbund to increase axonal sprouting and pathfinding and promote the recovery of vibrissae motor performance in facial nerve transection injured rats. However, it is not yet clear whether olfactory ensheathing cells promote the reparation of facial nerve defects in rats. In this study, a collagen sponge and silicone tube neural conduit was implanted into the 6-mm defect of the buccal branch of the facial nerve in adult rats. Olfactory ensheathing cells isolated from the olfactory bulb of newborn Sprague-Dawley rats were injected into the neural conduits connecting the ends of tile broken nerves, the morphology and function of the regenerated nerves were compared between the rats implanted with olfactory ensheathing cells with the rats injected with saline. Facial paralysis was assessed. Nerve electrography was used to measure facial nerve-induced action potentials. Visual inspection, anatomical microscopy and hematoxylin-eosin staining were used to assess the histomorphology around the trans planted neural conduit and the morphology of the regenerated nerve. Using fluorogold retrograde tracing, toluidine blue staining and lead uranyl acetate staining, we also measured the number of neurons in the anterior exterior lateral f：acial nerve motor nucleus, the number of myelinated nerve fibers, and nerve fiber diameter and myelin sheath thickness, respectively. After surgery, olfactory ensheathing cells de- creased facial paralysis and the latency of the facial nerve-induced action potentials. There were no differences in the general morphology of the regenerating nerves between the rats implanted with olfactory ensheathing cells and the rats injected with saline. Between-group results showed that olfactory ensheathing cell treatment increased the number of regenerated neurons, improved nerve fiber morphology, and increased the number of myelinated nerve fibers, nerve fiber diameter, and myelin sheath thickness. In conclusion, implantation of olfactory ensheathing cells can promote regeneration and functional recovery after facial nerve damage in rats.

Dorsal root ganglion-derived Schwann cells combined with poly(lactic-co-glycolic acid)/chitosan conduits for the repair of sciatic nerve defects in rats

Schwann cells, nerve regeneration promoters in peripheral nerve tissue engineering, can be used to repair both the peripheral and central nervous systems. However, isolation and puriifcation of Schwann cells are complicated by contamination with ifbroblasts. Current reported measures are mainly limited by either high cost or complicated procedures with low cell yields or purity. In this study, we collected dorsal root ganglia from neonatal rats from which we obtained highly puriifed Schwann cells using serum-free melanocyte culture medium. The purity of Schwann cells （〉95%） using our method was higher than that using standard medium containing fetal bovine serum. The obtained Schwann cells were implanted into poly（lactic-co-glycolic acid）/chi-tosan conduits to repair 10-mm sciatic nerve defects in rats. Results showed that axonal diameter and area were signiifcantly increased and motor functions were obviously improved in the rat sciatic nerve tissue. Experimental ifndings suggest that serum-free melanocyte culture medium is conducive to purify Schwann cells and poly（lactic-co-glycolic acid）/chitosan nerve conduits combined with Schwann cells contribute to restore sciatic nerve defects.

Chitin scaffold combined with autologous small nerve repairs sciatic nerve defects

Although autologous nerve transplantation is the gold standard for treating peripheral nerve defects,it has many clinical limitations.As an alternative,various tissue-engineered nerve grafts have been developed to substitute for autologous nerves.In this study,a novel nerve graft composed of chitin scaffolds and a small autologous nerve was used to repair sciatic nerve defects in rats.The novel nerve graft greatly facilitated regeneration of the sciatic nerve and myelin sheath,reduced atrophy of the target muscle,and effectively restored neurological function.When the epineurium of the small autogenous nerve was removed,the degree of nerve regeneration was similar to that which occurs after autogenous nerve transplantation.These findings suggest that our novel nerve graft might eventually be a new option for the construction of tissue-engineered nerve scaffolds.The study was approved by the Research Ethics Committee of Peking University People's Hospital(approval No.2019 PHE27)on October 18,2019.

Construction of a three-dimensional bionic nerve conduit containing two neurotrophic factors with separate delivery systems for the repair of sciatic nerve defects

Previous studies of nerve conduits have investigated numerous properties, such as conduit luminal structure and neurotrophic factor incorporation, for the regeneration of nerve defects. The present study used a poly（lactic-co-glycolic acid） （PLGA） copolymer to construct a three-dimensional （3D） bionic nerve conduit, with two channels and multiple microtubule lumens, and incorporating two neurotrophic factors, each with their own delivery system, as a novel environment for peripheral nerve regeneration. The efficacy of this conduit in repairing a 1.5 cm sciatic nerve defect was compared with PLGA-alone and PLGA-microfilament conduits, and autologous nerve transplantation. Results showed that compared with the other groups, the 3D bionic nerve conduit had the fastest nerve conduction velocity, largest electromyogram amplitude, and shortest electromyogram latency. In addition, the nerve fiber density, myelin sheath thickness and axon diameter were significantly increased, and the recovery rate of the triceps surae muscle wet weight was lowest. These findings suggest that 3D bionic nerve conduits can provide a suitable microenvironment for peripheral nerve regeneration to efficiently repair sciatic nerve defects. p

Allograft pretreatment for the repair of sciatic nerve defects: green tea polyphenols versus radiation

Pretreatment of nerve allografts by exposure to irradiation or green tea polyphenols can elimi- nate neuroimmunogenicity, inhibit early immunological rejection, encourage nerve regeneration and functional recovery, improve tissue preservation, and minimize postoperative infection. In the present study, we investigate which intervention achieves better results. We produced a 1.0 cm sciatic nerve defect in rats, and divided the rats into four treatment groups： autograft, fresh nerve allograft, green tea polyphenol-pretreated （1 mg/mL, 4~C） nerve allograft, and irradiation-pre- treated nerve allograft （26.39 Gy/min for 12 hours; total 19 kGy）. The animals were observed, and sciatic nerve electrophysiology, histology, and transmission electron microscopy were carried out at 6 and 12 weeks after grafting. The circumference and structure of the transplanted nerve in rats that received autografts or green tea polyphenol-pretreated nerve allografts were similar to those of the host sciatic nerve. Compared with the groups that received fresh or irradiation-pre- treated nerve allografts, motor nerve conduction velocity in the autograft and fresh nerve allograft groups was greater, more neurites grew into the aUografts, Schwann cell proliferation was evident, and a large number of new blood vessels was observed; in addition, massive myelinated nerve fibers formed, and abundant microfilaments and microtubules were present in the axoplasm. Our findings indicate that nerve allografts pretreated by green tea polyphenols are equivalent to trans- planting autologous nerves in the repair of sciatic nerve defects, and promote nerve regeneration. Pretreatment using green tea polyphenols is better than pretreatment with irradiation.

Repairing whole facial nerve defects with xenogeneic acellular nerve grafts in rhesus monkeys

Acellular nerve allografts conducted via chemical extraction have achieved satisfactory results in bridging whole facial nerve defects clinically,both in terms of branching a single trunk and in connecting multiple branches of an extratemporal segment.However,in the clinical treatment of facial nerve defects,allogeneic donors are limited.In this experiment,we exposed the left trunk and multiple branches of the extratemporal segment in six rhesus monkeys and dissected a gap of 25 mm to construct a monkey model of a whole left nerve defect.Six monkeys were randomly assigned to an autograft group or a xenogeneic acellular nerve graft group.In the autograft group,the 25-mm whole facial nerve defect was immediately bridged using an autogenous ipsilateral great auricular nerve,and in the xenogeneic acellular nerve graft group,this was done using a xenogeneic acellular nerve graft with trunk-branches.Examinations of facial symmetry,nerve-muscle electrophysiology,retrograde transport of labeled neuronal tracers,and morphology of the regenerated nerve and target muscle at 8 months postoperatively showed that the faces of the monkey appeared to be symmetrical in the static state and slightly asymmetrical during facial movement,and that they could actively close their eyelids completely.The degree of recovery from facial paralysis reached House-Brackmann grade II in both groups.Compound muscle action potentials were recorded and orbicularis oris muscles responded to electro-stimuli on the surgical side in each monkey.Fluoro Gold-labeled neurons could be detected in the facial nuclei on the injured side.Immunohistochemical staining showed abundant neurofilament-200-positive axons and soluble protein-100-positive Schwann cells in the regenerated nerves.A large number of mid-graft myelinated axons were observed via methylene blue staining and a transmission electron microscope.Taken together,our data indicate that xenogeneic acellular nerve grafts from minipigs are safe and effective for repairing whole facial nerve defects in rhesus monkeys,with an effect similar to that of autologous nerve transplantation.Thus,a xenogeneic acellular nerve graft may be a suitable choice for bridging a whole facial nerve defect if no other method is available.The study was approved by the Laboratory Animal Management Committee and the Ethics Review Committee of the Affiliated Wuxi No.2 People's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University,China(approval No.2018-D-1)on March 15,2018.

Autologous nerve segment-bridging regeneration chambers for the repair of sciatic nerve defects

Proximal and distal nerve defects exhibit chemotactic growth over certain distances. Our previous studies demonstrated that Schwann cells survive in autologous nerve segments that are bridged by regeneration chambers and secrete various bioactive substances. However, more data are required to determine the required length of regeneration chambers for chemotaxis and nutrition of neural regeneration, as well as the length of repaired nerve defects to replace the effect of autologous nerve grafting. In the present study, sciatic nerve defects of 12, 16, 20 mm were repaired using a regeneration chamber of 6, 8, and 10 mm in length respectively. These were bridged with autologous nerve segments. Results showed that the bridging of two 6-mm long regeneration chambers to repair a 12-mm nerve defect exhibited similar effects to autologous nerve grafting.

Biological and artificial nerve conduit for repairing peripheral nerve defect

OBJECTIVE： Recently, with the development of biological and artificial materials, the experimental and clinical studies on application of this new material-type nerve conduit for treatment of peripheral nerve defect have become the hotspot topics for professorial physicians. DATA SOURCES ： Using the terms ＂nerve conduits, peripheral nerve, nerve regeneration and nerve transplantation＂ in English, we searched Pubmed database, which was published during January 2000 to June 2006, for the literatures related to repairing peripheral nerve defect with various materials. At the same time, we also searched Chinese Technical Scientific Periodical Database at the same time period by inputting ＂ peripheral nerve defect, nerve repair, nerve regeneration and nerve graft＂ in Chinese. STUDY SELECTION ： The materials were firstly selected, and literatures about study on various materials for repairing peripheral nerve defect and their full texts were also searched. Inclusive criteria： nerve conduits related animal experiments and clinical studies. Exclusive criteria： review or repetitive studies. DATA EXTRACTION： Seventy-nine relevant literatures were collected and 30 of them met inclusive criteria and were cited. DATA SYNTHESIS ： Peripheral nerve defect, a commonly seen problem in clinic, is difficult to be solved. Autogenous nerve grafting is still the gold standard for repairing peripheral nerve defect, but because of its application limitation and possible complications, people studied nerve conduits to repair nerve defect. Nerve conduits consist of biological and artificial materials. CONCLUSION： There have been numerous reports about animal experimental and clinical studies of various nerve conduits, but nerve conduit, which is more ideal than autogenous nerve grafting, needs further clinical observation and investigation.

Ultrasound imaging of chitosan nerve conduits that bridge sciatic nerve defects in rats

The repair of peripheral nerve injuries with autologous nerve remains the gold standard （Wang et al., 2005; Yao et al., 2010; Deal et al., 2012; Kriebel et al., 2014; Liu et al., 2014; Tamaki et al., 2014; Yu et al., 2014; Zhu and Lou, 2014）. With advances in tissue engineering and biomaterials, tissue-engineered nerve conduits with various biomaterials and structures, such as collagen and chitosan nerve conduits, have already been used in the clinic as alternatives to autologous nerve in the repair of peripheral nerve injury （Wang et al., 2012; Svizenska et al., 2013; Eppenberger et al., 2014; Gu et al., 2014; Koudehi et al., 2014; MoyaDiaz et al., 2014; Novajra et al., 2014; Okamoto et al., 2014; Shea et al., 2014; Singh et al., 2014; Tamaki et al., 2014; Yu et al., 2014）. Therefore, new simple and effective methods

One-stage human acellular nerve allograft reconstruction for digital nerve defects

Human acellular nerve allografts have a wide range of donor origin and can effectively avoid nerve injury in the donor area. Very little is known about one-stage reconstruction of digital nerve defects. The present study observed the feasibility and effectiveness of human acellular nerve allograft in the reconstruction of 〈 5-cm digital nerve defects within 6 hours after injury. A total of 15 cases of nerve injury, combined with nerve defects in 18 digits from the Department of Emergency were enrolled in this study. After dehridement, digital nerves were reconstructed using human acellular nerve allografts. The patients were followed up for 6-24 months after reconstruction. Mackinnon-Dellon static two-point discrimination results showed excellent and good rates of 89%. Semmes-Weinstein monofilament test demonstrated that light touch was normal, with an obvious improvement rate of 78%. These findings confirmed that human acellular nerve allograft for one-stage reconstruction of digital nerve defect after hand injury is feasible, which provides a novel trend for peripheral nerve reconstruction.

Chemoattractive capacity of different lengths of nerve fragments bridging regeneration chambers for the repair of sciatic nerve defects

A preliminary study by our research group showed that 6-mm-long regeneration chamber bridging is equivalent to autologous nerve transplantation for the repair of 12-mm nerve defects. In this study, we compared the efficacy of different lengths （6, 8, 10 mm） of nerve fragments bridging 6-mm regeneration chambers for the repair of 12-mm-long nerve defects. At 16 weeks after the regeneration chamber was implanted, the number, diameter and myelin sheath thickness of the regenerated nerve fibers, as well as the conduction velocity of the sciatic nerve and gastrocnemius muscle wet weight ratio, were similar to that observed with autologous nerve transplantation. Our results demonstrate that 6-, 8-and 10-mm-long nerve fragments bridging 6-mm regeneration chambers effectively repair 12-mm-long nerve defects. Because the chemoattractive capacity is not affected by the length of the nerve fragment, we suggest adopting 6-mm-long nerve fragments for the repair of peripheral nerve defects.

Anatomical peculiarities of sensory tracts of the wrist median nerve pedicled with nutrient vessels transferring to bridge wrist ulnar nerve defect

BACKGROUND： Translocation or transplantation of nerve stem has good effect; however, nervous function of donator is completely lost. If some nerve stem is damaged, sensory tracts are intercepted from the near nerve stem by nutrient vessels to regard as neural graft for transferring and bridging which may repair injured nerve and decrease neural functional loss of donator. OBJECTIVE： To observe anatomical peculiarities on sensory tracts of wrist median nerve pedicled with nutrient vessels transferring to bridge wrist ulnar nerve defect, and to investigate its feasibility. DESIGN：Duplicated and measured design.SETTING ： Anatomy Department of Medical College affiliated to Nanhua University.MATERIALS： A total of 14 samples of upper limbs were selected from adult unnamed corpse and volunteers.METHODS： The experiment was completed at the Clinical Application Anatomy Laboratory of Medical College affiliated to Nanhua University from September to November 2005. Samples were perfused with red emulsion through artery to observe length, fibrous bands and blood supply of median nerve and ulnar nerve at wrist. Boundary of median nerve at wrist ranged from superficial site between flexor carpi radialis and palmaris Iongus to branch of common palmar digital nerves. Ulnar nerve at wrist ranged from branch of back of the hand to site of common palmar digital nerves. Proximal boundary of the two nerves was crossed from 1/8 to 2/8 region of forearm. Samples of upper limbs from 1 case were selected to simulate operation on sensory tracts of wrist median nerve pedicled with nutrient vessels transferring to bridge wrist ulnar nerve. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES： Anatomical peculiarities on sensory tracts of wrist median nerve pedicled with nutrient vessels transferring to bridge wrist ulnar nerve defect. RESULTS： ① The length of wrist median nerves was 7.8 （7.5-8.1） cm. There were 19 to 27 nerve tracts in it and the majority belonged to sensory tracts on the ulnar side, in which non-damaged separated length was about 10.0 cm to 14.0 cm. The third, second and first tracts of cutaneous branches at digital interspace and radialis of thumb arrayed from ulnaris to radialis by turns, and numbers of bands were 6.9, 7.4 and 7.2, respectively. The bands in total were 21.6. Cutaneous branches of palm entered from lateral margin of radialis and were completely separated at wrist. Two-thirds of ulnaris at nerve stem, i.e. the third, second and first tracts of cutaneous branches at digital interspace, were separated, which had little effect on sensation in distribution of median nerve. ② Its nutrient vessels originated from radial arteries about 6.2 （6.1-6.6） cm above radial styloid process were 1.2 （1.1-1.4） mm in outer diameter. The length was 5.7 （5.1-6.1） cm.③ The length of wrist ulnar nerve were 9.4 （8.9-9.7） cm and the number of nervous tract were 14 to 19, in which sensory tracts on the anterior external side were approximately equal to motor and mixed tracts on the posterior internal side in quantity. Sensory tracts were located at radialis of palm and motor tracts were located at ulnaris of back. CONCLUSION ：① Character and position of median nerve fibre bundle are clear, and length of non-damage separation of sensory tracts is coincidence with the request of transferring to bridge. ② Summation of the third, second and first tracts of cutaneous branches at digital interspace may be satisfactory to bridge of ulnar nerve at wrist （14-19 bands）. ③ This technique has little effect on sensation in distribution of median nerve. Nutrient artery of median nerve locates constantly; journey table is superficial and is easily to find out; caliber of arterial canal is thick; blood supply is plentiful; length of pedicel is suitable for translocation. The sensery tracts of wrist median nerve pedicled with nutrient vessels can be applied as nervous grafts to join injured gap in wrist ulnar nerve.

Retinal nerve fiber layer defects and chronic kidney disease:the Kailuan Eye Study

AIM:To investigate whether retinal nerve fiber layer defects(RNFLDs)is a potential risk factor for chronic kidney disease(CKD)in Chinese adults.METHODS:The Kailuan Eye Study was a populationbased study that included 14440 participants.All participants underwent detailed assessments,RNFLDs were diagnosed using color fundus photographs.RESULTS:Overall,12507 participants[8533 males(68.23%)]had complete systemic examination data and at least one evaluable fundus photograph.RNFLDs were found in 621 participants[5.0%;95%confidence interval(CI):4.6%-5.34%],and 70 cases of multiple RNFLDs were found(11.27%).After adjusting multiple factors,RNFLDs was significantly associated with CKD severity,the ORs of CKD stage 3,stage 4 and stage 5 were 1.698,4.167,and 9.512,respectively.Multiple RNFLDs were also associated with CKD severity after adjusting multiple factors,the ORs of CKD stage 3 and stage 5 were 4.465 and 11.833 respectively.Furthermore,2294 participants had CKD(18.34%,95%CI:17.68%-18.99%).After adjusting for other factors,CKD presence was significantly correlated with the presence of RNFLDs.CONCLUSION:The strongest risk factors for RNFLDs are CKD and hypertension.Conversely,RNFLDs can be an ocular feature in patients with CKD.Fundoscopy can help detect systemic diseases,and assessment for RNFLDs should be considered in CKD patients.

Analysis of risk and protective factors associated with retinal nerve fiber layer defect in a Chinese adult population

AIM:To investigate the risk and protective factors associated with the retinal nerve fiber layer defect(RNFLD)in a Chinese adult population.METHODS:This study was a cross-sectional populationbased investigation including employees and retirees of a coal mining company in Kailuan City,Hebei Province.All the study participants underwent a comprehensive systemic and ophthalmic examination.RNFLD was diagnosed on fundus photographs.Binary logistic regression was used to investigate the risk and protective factors associated with the RNFLD.RESULTS:The community-based study included 14440 participants.There were 10473 participants in our study,including 7120 males(68.0%)and 3353 females(32.0%).The age range was 45-108y,averaging 59.56±8.66y.Totally 568 participants had RNFLD and the prevalence rate was 5.42%.A higher prevalence of RNFLD was associated with older age[P<0.001,odds ratio(OR):1.032;95%confidence interval(CI):1.018-1.046],longer axial length(P=0.010,OR:1.190;95%CI:1.042-1.359),hypertension(P=0.007,OR:0.639;95%CI:0.460-0.887),and diabetes mellitus(P=0.019,OR:0.684;95%CI:0.499-0.939).The protective factors of RNFLD were visual acuity(P=0.038,OR:0.617;95%CI:0.391-0.975),and central anterior chamber depth(P=0.046,OR:0.595;95%CI:0.358-0.990).CONCLUSION:In our cross-sectional community-based study,with an age range of 45-108y,RNFLD is associated with older age,longer axial length,hypertension,and diabetes mellitus.The protective factors of RNFLD are visual acuity and central anterior chamber depth.These can help to predict and evaluate RNFLD related diseases and identify high-risk populations early.

Repairing peripheral nerve defects with tissue engineered artificial nerves in rats

Objective： To observe the effect of tissue engineered nerves in repairing peripheral nerve defects （ about 1. 5 cm in length） in rats to provide data for clinical application. Methods： Glycerinated sciatic nerves （2 cm in length） from 10 Sprague Dawiey （SD） rats （aged 4 months） were used to prepare homologous dermal acellular matrix. Other 10 neonate SD rats （aged 5-7 days） were killed by neck dislocation. After removing the epineurium, the separated sciatic nerve tracts were cut into small pieces, then digested by 2.5 g/L trypsin and 625 U/nd collagenase and cultured in Dulbecco＇ s modified Eagle＇ s medium （DMEM） for 3 weeks. After proliferation, the Schwann cells （SCs） were identified and prepared for use. And other 40 female adult SD rats （ weighing 200 g and aged 3 months） with sciatic nerve defects of 1.5 cm in length were randomly divided into four groups： the defects of 10 rats bridged with proliferated SCs and homologous dermal acellular matrix （the tissue engineered nerve group, Group A）, 10 rats with no SCs but homologous dermal acellular matrix with internal scaffolds （Group B ）, 10 with autologous nerves （Group C ）, and the other 10 with nothing （the blank control group, Group D）. The general status of the rats was observed, the wet weight of triceps muscle of calf was monitored, and the histological observation of the regenerated nerves were made at 12 weeks after operation. Results： The wounds of all 40 rats healed after operation and no death was found. No foot ulceration was found in Groups A, B and C, but 7 rats suffered from foot ulceration in Group D. The triceps muscles of calf were depauperated in the experimental sides in all the groups compared with the uninjured sides, which was much more obvious in Group D. The wet weight of triceps muscle of calf and nerve electrophysiologic monitoring showed no statistical difference between Group A and Group C, but statistical difference was found between Groups A and B and Groups B and D. And significant statistical difference was found between Group B and Group D. Obvious compound muscle （ or motor） action potential （CMAP） could be evoked in Group A and Group C, but the evoked amplitude was very low in Group B and Group D. The axons of regenerated nerves penetrated through the whole graft in Group A and Group C, and partly penetrated through the graft in Group B, but did not penetrate in Group D. The two tips of the separated sciatic nerves of Groups A , B , and C were connected together, without formation of neuroma. But those of Group D were not connected together and neuroma formed in 6 rats. Conclusions： Tissue engineered nerves can be used for repairing long defects of the peripheral nerves of rats and ideal repairing effects can be obtained.