AIM: To explore the factors associated with significant corneal astigmatism during the perioperative period in patients with pterygium. METHODS: Patients with primary pterygium presenting at Shanxi Eye Hospital between February and June 2025 were enrolled. All patients underwent medical history collection. Pre- and postoperative data were obtained using Pentacam, anterior segment photography, Image J software, and anterior segment optical coherence tomography(AS-OCT). All patients underwent pterygium excision combined with autologous bulbar conjunctival flap transplantation under local infiltration anesthesia. RESULTS: A total of 76 patients(76 eyes)with pterygium were finally enrolled(30 males, 46 females)with a mean age of 62.2±8.2 y. The mean length of corneal invasion by pterygium was 3.61±0.89 mm, the mean depth of invasion into the anterior corneal surface was 0.15±0.09 mm, and the median area of corneal invasion was 10.25(6.90, 18.75)mm2. The median preoperative corneal astigmatism was 1.50(0.70, 5.45)D. Median astigmatism was 0.8(0.40, 1.28)D at 2 wk postoperatively and 0.60(0.30, 1.15)D at 1 mo postoperatively. Patient age showed a positive correlation with preoperative astigmatism, and with residual astigmatism at 2 wk and 1 mo postoperatively(all P<0.05). The length of corneal invasion was positively correlated with preoperative astigmatism and residual astigmatism at both postoperative timepoints(P<0.01). The depth of invasion showed no significant linear correlation with astigmatism at any stage(P=0.250, 0.761, 0.686). The area of corneal invasion was positively correlated with astigmatism at all stages(P<0.01). Patients were grouped based on significant astigmatism(≥1.0 D)and non-significant astigmatism(<1.0 D), after adjusting for other variables, age(P=0.031)and the area of corneal invasion(P=0.004)were identified as risk factors for significant astigmatism. Pterygium invasion length was not significant factors(P>0.05). Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)analysis showed the highest area under the curve(AUC)for the invasion area(AUC=0.915). CONCLUSION: Significant preoperative corneal astigmatism in pterygium patients is correlated with patient age, the length of corneal invasion, and the area of invasion. The area of pterygium invasion into the cornea is the strongest predictor of significant preoperative corneal astigmatism.

In the present study, a mouse model of coronary artery ligation was employed to evaluate the effects of Jiming Powder on mitophagy in the mouse model of myocardial infarction and elucidate its underlying mechanisms. A mouse model of myocardial infarction post heart failure was constructed by ligating the left anterior descending branch of the coronary artery. The therapeutic efficacy of Jiming Powder was assessed from multiple perspectives, including ultrasonographic imaging, hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, Masson staining, and serum cardiac enzyme profiling. Dihydroethidium(DHE) staining was employed to evaluate the oxidative stress levels in the hearts of mice from each group. Mitophagy levels were assessed by scanning electron microscopy and immunofluorescence co-localization. Western blot was employed to determine the levels of key proteins involved in mitophagy, including Bcl-2-interacting protein beclin 1(BECN1), sequestosome 1(SQSTM1), microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3 beta(LC3B), PTEN-induced putative kinase 1(PINK1), phospho-Parkinson disease protein(p-Parkin), and Parkinson disease protein(Parkin). The results demonstrated that compared with the model group, high and low doses of Jiming Powder significantly reduced the left ventricular internal diameter in systole(LVIDs) and left ventricular internal diameter in diastole(LVIDd) and markedly improved the left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF) and left ventricular fractional shortening(LVFS), effectively improving the cardiac function in post-myocardial infarction mice. Jiming Powder effectively reduced the levels of myocardial injury markers such as creatine kinase(CK), creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB), and lactate dehydrogenase(LDH), thereby protecting ischemic myocardium. HE staining revealed that Jiming Powder attenuated inflammatory cell infiltration after myocardial infarction. Masson staining indicated that Jiming Powder effectively inhibited ventricular remodeling. Western blot results showed that Jiming Powder activated the PINK1-Parkin pathway, up-regulated the protein level of BECN1, down-regulated the protein level of SQSTM1, and increased the LC3Ⅱ/LC3Ⅰ ratio to promote mitophagy. In conclusion, Jiming Powder exerts therapeutic effects on myocardial infarction by inhibiting ventricular remodeling. The findings pave the way for subsequent pharmacological studies on the active components of Jiming Powder.
Animals ; Myocardial Infarction/physiopathology* ; Mitophagy/drug effects* ; Mice ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Protein Kinases/genetics* ; Male ; Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases/genetics* ; Humans ; Disease Models, Animal ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Signal Transduction/drug effects*

This study employed a mouse model of coronary artery ligation to assess the effect and mechanism of Jiming Powder on mitochondrial autophagy in mice with myocardial infarction. The mouse model of heart failure post-myocardial infarction was established by ligating the left anterior descending coronary artery. The pharmacological efficacy of Jiming Powder was evaluated through echocardiographic imaging, hematoxylin-eosin(HE) staining, and Masson staining. The levels of malondialdehyde(MDA), Fe~(2+), reduced glutathione(GSH), and superoxide dismutase(SOD) in heart tissues, as well as MDA immunofluorescence of heart tissues, were measured to assess lipid peroxidation and Fe~(2+) levels in the hearts of mice in different groups. Ferroptosis levels in the groups were evaluated using scanning electron microscopy and Prussian blue staining. Western blot analysis was conducted to detect the levels of key ferroptosis-related proteins, including nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2(NRF2), ferritin heavy chain(FTH), glutathione peroxidase 4(GPX4), solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11), heme oxygenase 1(HO-1), and Kelch-like ECH-associated protein 1(KEAP1). The results showed that compared with the model group, both the high-and low-dose Jiming Powder groups exhibited significantly reduced left ventricular internal diameter in systole(LVIDs) and left ventricular internal diameter in diastole(LVIDd), while the left ventricular ejection fraction(EF) and left ventricular fractional shortening(FS) were significantly improved, effectively enhancing cardiac function in mice post-myocardial infarction. HE staining revealed that Jiming Powder attenuated myocardial inflammatory cell infiltration post-infarction, and Masson staining indicated that Jiming Powder effectively reduced fibrosis in the infarct margin area. Treatment with Jiming Powder reduced the levels of MDA and Fe~(2+), indicators of lipid peroxidation post-myocardial infarction, while increasing GSH and SOD levels, thus protecting ischemic myocardium. Western blot results demonstrated that Jiming Powder reduced KEAP1 protein accumulation, activated the NRF2/HO-1/GPX4 pathway, and up-regulated the protein expression of FTH and SLC7A11, exerting an inhibitory effect on ferroptosis. This study reveals that Jiming Powder exerts a therapeutic effect on myocardial infarction by inhibiting ferroptosis through the NRF2/HO-1/GPX4 pathway, providing a foundation for subsequent research on the pharmacological effects of Jiming Powder.
Animals ; Ferroptosis/drug effects* ; Myocardial Infarction/physiopathology* ; NF-E2-Related Factor 2/genetics* ; Mice ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/administration & dosage* ; Male ; Heme Oxygenase-1/genetics* ; Phospholipid Hydroperoxide Glutathione Peroxidase/genetics* ; Humans ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Disease Models, Animal

Objective Under the guidance of meridian-sinew(jingjin)theory,the correlation between foot-yangming jingjin lesions and X-ray imaging findings such as medial space and lateral space in femorotibial joint and their ratio,degree of subluxation of femorotibial joint,and the Insll-Salvati index in the patients with knee osteoarthritis(KOA).Methods From January 2019 to November 2021,a total of 66 patients diagnosed as KOA at the Third Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine were selected as the study subjects.The patients were divided into the foot-yangming jingjin group and non-foot-yangming jingjin group according to the presence of foot-yangming jingjin lesions.The X-ray postero-anterior and lateral radiography of the knee joint under weight bearing was performed,and imaging parameters of the two groups were measured.Afterwards the pain Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)scores and Western Ontario and McMaster Universities Osteoarthritis Index(WOMAC)scores in the two groups were evaluated,the differences between the two groups'X-ray imaging findings and scale scores were compared,and the various X-ray imaging findings in the two groups were analyzed.Results(1)Under X-ray postero-anterior radiography of the knee joint,the medial space and lateral space in femorotibial joint and their ratio in non-foot-yangming jingjin group were lower than those in foot-yangming jingjin group,and degree of subluxation of femoro-tibial joint was higher than that of foot-yangming jingjin group(P<0.05 or P<0.01).(2)The ratio of length of patellar tendon to length of patella(LT:LP)under X-ray lateral radiography in foot-yangming jingjin group was significantly greater than that of the non-foot-yangming jingjin group(P<0.01).(3)The scores of pain VAS and WOMAC in non-foot-yangming jingjin group were both significantly higher than those in foot-yangming jingjin group(P<0.05),while the differences of the scores of WOMAC items such as joint stiffness and physiologic function,and the total WOMAC scores between the two groups were not statistically significant(P>0.05).Conclusion Foot-yangming jingjin lesions in KOA may be closely related to the relatively high position of patella under X-ray lateral radiography,and non-foot-yangming jingjin lesions may be closely related to the narrowing of the medial femorotibial joint space,the increase of medial-lateral space ratio,and the severity of subluxation under X-ray postero-anterior radiography.

Objective To explore the situation of impaired cardiac microcirculatory perfusion,left ventricular remodeling and myocardial fibrosis in patients with essential hypertension(abbreviated as hypertension)and their clinical significance.Methods Eighty patients with hypertension were selected as hypertension group,and another 80 healthy individuals who underwent physical examina-tions during the same period were selected as control group.Based on the severity of hypertension,patients in the hypertension group were divided into low-risk group and moderate-to-high-risk group.The indicators of impaired cardiac microcirculatory perfusion[left ventricular myocardial blood flow(MBF),right ventricular MBF,coronary flowreserve(CFR)],left ventricular remodeling[left ventricular ejection fraction(LVEF),left ventricular end-diastolic volume(LVEDV),left ventricular end-systolic volume(LVESV)]and myocardial fibrosis[left ventricular isovolumic relaxation time(IVRT),the ratio of the peak velocity of E wave to A wave in the diastolic blood flow spectrum of the mitral valve orifice(E/A),type Ⅰ procollagen carboxy-terminal peptide(P Ⅰ CP),type Ⅲprocollagen amino-terminal peptide(PC Ⅲ)]were compared between the control group and the hy-pertension group.Pearson's correlation coefficient method was used for correlation analysis.The differences in the above-mentioned indicators among different risk groups were compared.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were drawn to evaluate the diagnostic efficacy of impaired cardiac microcirculatory perfusion,left ventricular remodeling and myocardial fibrosis for the severity of hypertension.Results In the hypertension group,left ventricular MBF,right ventricular MBF and CFR were all lower than those in the control group,LVEDV and LVESV were larger than those in the control group,LVEF was lower than that in the control group,IVRT was longer than that in the control group,the levels of P Ⅰ CP and PC Ⅲ were higher than those in the control group,and E/A was lower than that in the control group(P＜0.05).The results of Pearson's correlation coef-ficient analysis showed that LVEF was positively correlated with CFR and E/A,and negatively cor-related with IVRT and PC Ⅲ;LVEDV was positively correlated with CFR,IVRT,P Ⅰ CP and PCⅢ;LVESV was positively correlated with IVRT,P Ⅰ CP and PC Ⅲ,and negatively correlated with E/A;left ventricular MBF was positively correlated with CFR and E/A,and negatively correlated with IVRT,P Ⅰ CP and PC Ⅲ;right ventricular MBF was positively correlated with CFR and E/A,and negatively correlated with IVRT,P Ⅰ CP and PC Ⅲ.In the moderate-to-high-risk group,IVRT was longer than that in the low-risk group,LVEDV was larger than that in the low-risk group,P ⅠCP,PC Ⅲ,E/A,LVEF,left ventricular MBF,right ventricular MBF and CFR were all lower than those in the low-risk group,and LVESV was smaller than that in the low-risk group,with statistical-ly significant differences(P＜0.05).The results of ROC curve analysis showed that the areas under the curves for diagnosing the severity of hypertension by impaired cardiac microcirculatory perfusion,left ventricular remodeling and myocardial fibrosis were 0.962,0.969 and 0.945 respectively,the sensitivities were 91.4％,97.1％and 88.6％respectively,and the specificities were 95.6％,88.9％and 93.3％respectively.Conclusion Hypertension can cause impaired cardiac microcirculatory perfusion and promote the processes of left ventricular remodeling and myocardial fibrosis.Impaired cardiac microcirculatory perfusion,left ventricular remodeling and myocardial fibrosis have good di-agnostic efficacy for the severity of hypertension.

Objective To investigate the in vitro antiviral effects of Blumea balsamifera(L.)DC.extract against Coxsackievirus B5(CVB5).Methods A series of dilutions of Coxsackievirus were prepared and co-cultured with RD cells to determine the TCID50 value.Subsequently,different concentrations of the extract were added to a 96-well plate containing RD cells to evaluate their impact on cell viability.The ability of Blumea balsamifera extract to inhibit Coxsackievirus was further observed in the 96-well plate containing RD cells and the extract.Results The TCID50 value of Coxsackie virus solution was 10-7.67.The inhibition rate of Blumea balsamifera extract against Coxsackievirus increased with concentration,with an IC50 value of 7.26 mg/L.At a concen-tration of 50 mg/L,the extract caused a decrease in RD cell viability(P＜0.05),but within the concentration range of 6.25 to 50 mg/L,it increased the viability of virus-infected RD cells(P＜0.05),with a selectivity index(SI)exceeding 6.89.Conclusion Blumea balsamifera(L.)DC.extract exhibits in vitro activity against Coxsackievirus.

Objective:To investigate the clinicopathological and molecular genetic features of high-grade astrocytomas with piloid features (HGAP).Methods:Clinical, histopathological and imaging data of 7 cases of HGAP diagnosed at the Neuropathology Center of Beijing Tiantan Hospital, Beijing, China from August 2023 to October 2024 were collected. The histopathological and molecular features for each case were analyzed.Results:Among the seven patients there were 4 males and 3 females, with the median age of 37 (34, 51) years. Patients exhibited various clinical symptoms and signs depending on the tumor′s location. Four tumors were located in the cerebellum, 2 in the supratentorial region, and 1 in the spinal cord. Magnetic resonance imaging showed that 6 of the 7 patients had cystic and solid lesions, with focal or nodular enhancement and relatively unclear boundaries. Histopathological features had a diverse morphological spectrum and extensive grading. Five cases displayed a pilocytic astrocytoma-like appearance with infiltrative growth patterns, while two cases presented glioblastoma-like morphology, containing locally anaplastic pleomorphic xanthoastrocytoma with minor pilocytic components. All tumors were diffusely positive for GFAP and Olig2, while 4 tumors exhibited partial or complete loss of ATRX. The Ki-67 proliferation index ranged from 2% to 40%. Next-generation sequencing showed that tumor cells most commonly harbored MAPK pathway gene mutations, and/or homozygous deletions of CDKN2A/B, and/or ATRX mutations. Among the 7 HGAP models, 3 cases showed the three types of molecular genetic variations, 1 case showed MAPK mutations and homozygous deletions of CDKN2A/B, 1 case had MAPK mutations and ATRX mutations, 1 case had only MAPK mutations, and 1 case showed no detectable molecular changes. DNA methylation clustering analyses showed that the median model prediction score was 0.94 (range, 0.85-0.99) for the 7 HGAP models. Five cases showed the MGMT promoter hypermethylation. Four patients received radiotherapy and concomitant temozolomide treatment after surgery, while three patients received no known treatments. At the last follow-up, seven patients were alive without any tumor, two patients had recurrence, and one patient was alive with the tumor.Conclusions:HGAP is relatively rare and predominantly occurs in adults. It has a wide histopathological spectrum and various histological grades, characterized by piloid astrocytoma-like and glioblastoma-like histological features. Its diagnosis relies on methylation clustering analysis. Most tumors harbor gene alterations in the MAPK signaling pathway, along with homozygous deletions of CDKN2A/B or ATRX mutations. The biological behavior is typically aggressive, while imaging and histological findings can be misleading. Therefore, clinicians need to increase their diagnostic awareness of this tumor and prevent missed diagnoses.

Periodontitis is a globally prevalent inflammatory oral disease, affecting approximately 50% of the population worldwide and imposing a substantial burden on patients′ health and quality of life. Early and accurate diagnosis is critical for preventing disease progression; however, conventional diagnostic approaches often rely on subjective clinical assessments, which only primarily evaluate the cumulative state of the disease, thus limiting their ability to achieve precise early detection. In recent years, the rapid advancement of artificial intelligence (AI) in medical diagnostics has demonstrated significant promise, particularly through the integration of multimodal data to enable more comprehensive information capture and analysis. Multimodal data fusion, which combines diverse inputs such as imaging, clinical parameters, and biomarkers, offers transformative potential for AI-powered periodontitis diagnostics. This innovative approach aims to overcome the limitations of traditional methods, significantly enhancing diagnostic accuracy and predictive capabilities. This manuscript reviews the primary diagnostic techniques for periodontitis, explores recent advances in AI applications within this domain, and emphasizes the potential of multimodal data in facilitating precision diagnosis. Furthermore, it provides new insights and supports for personalized treatment strategies.

Objective:To establish a three-dimensional culture and stress-loaded model of human periodontal ligament cells(hP-DLCs)in vitro and to determine the effect of static pressure on autophagy.Methods:Periodontal tissue was scraped from fresh ex-tracted tooth surfaces for culture and hPDLCs were obtained.Type Ⅰ rat tail collagen was extracted to prepare collagen-sodium algi-nate composite hydrogel,in which third-generation hPDLCs were embedded.After 72 h of culture,gene expression of autophagy-related proteins LC3,Atg-5 and Beclin-1 was detected by quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction(qRT-PCR),and the expression of Atg-5,Beclin-1 and LC3 was detected by Western blotting.Results:Cells grew well in collagen-alginate hydrogels.After 15 min of compressive stress loading,the level of autophagy of hPDLCs increased significantly and then gradually decreased to the baseline level.Conclusion:Collagen-alginate hydrogel has good biocompatibility and safety,and can be used as an excellent scaffold for three-dimensional cell culture in vitro.Static compressive stress can accelevate autophagy,and this acceleration is rapid and short-lived.

Objective To explore the long-term efficacy of percutaneous pulmonary valve implantation(PPVI)and the durability of the domestic self-expanding Venus P valve.Methods A total of 8 patients with post-surgical right ventricular outflow tract(RVOT)dysfunction,who were admitted to hospital from October 2014 to July 2016 and deemed anatomically suitable for PPVI with self-expanding valve,were included prospectively.Clinical,imaging,procedural and follow-up data were analyzed.The survival rates,perioperative and long-term complication rates,long-term efficacy of PPVI,and long-term function of Venus P in 8 patients were evaluated.The immediate procedural results were evaluated by clinical implant success rate,which is defined as successful valve implantation with echocardiography-assessed pulmonary regurgitation＜moderate and peak trans-pulmonary pressure gradient＜40 mmHg.Results A total of 8 patients were included,with 7 females,aged 14 to 36 years.The initial diagnosis included post-surgical Tetralogy of Fallot(5 cases),post-surgical Trilogy of Fallot(1 case),post-surgical Quadricuspid pulmonary valve stenosis(1 case)and post-surgical Double-Outlet Right Ventricle(1 case).The indications of PPVI included RVOT-pulmonary obstruction and regurgitation(1 case)and isolated regurgitation(7 cases).Clinical implant success was achieved in all of the 8 patients with firmly fixed valve,and there were no such complications as valve detachment,displacement or stent fracture.All patients experienced significant symptom relief after the procedure.The right ventricular end-diastolic volume index(RVEDVi)measured by CMR 6 months after PPVI showed a significant decrease compared to preprocedural values[(89.99±13.85)ml/m2 vs.(144.93±11.28)ml/m2,P=0.001].Postoperative pulmonary regurgitation were significantly improved or disappeared in all patients,and there was no statistically significant difference in the average peak pressure gradient measured by echocardiogram between preoperative and the latest follow-up[(23.25±8.39)mmHg vs.(18.75±6.28)mmHg,P=0.210].Over an average follow-up period of(9.25±0.71)years,1 case of infective endocarditis occurred 5 years after PPVI.During the follow-up,no death,deterioration of heart failure,malignant arrhythmia or other serious complications were observed.All patients completed 8-year follow-up,and 3 completed 10-year follow-up.All patients were graded as NYHA functional class one at the latest follow-up.Conclusions PPVI using the domestically produced self-expanding Venus P is safe and feasible for the treatment of patients with post-surgical RVOT dysfunction and suitable anatomy.Our study confirms the long-term efficacy and durability of Venus P from multiple perspectives,and no severe stent fracture occurred without pre-stent implantation in the native RVOT.