Background Apoptosis is a primary clinical pathological mechanism of diabetic retinopathy (DR).Oxidative stress and high glucose can activate cell apoptosis pathway and thus leads to cellular damage.It is confirmed that tert-butyl hydroquinone (tBHQ) plays an antioxidation effect,however,whether it has a protective role on retinal cells in DR is still unelucidated.Objective This study was to investigate the effect of tBHQ on vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and bcl-2 expressions in retina of type 2 diabetic rats and its possible mechanism via nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2/antioxidant response element (Nrf2/ARE) signal pathway.Methods Fifty clean healthy male SD rats were included in this experimental study.Ten rats were fed with normal diet as the normal control group,and other rats were fed with high fatty and high sugar food for 4 weeks.After 12 hours of fasting,streptozotoin (STZ) (30 mg/kg) was intraperitoneally injected to induce the type 2 diabetic models.The model rats were randomly divided into the diabetic control group and tBHQ group and 1％ tBHQ was added into the high fatty and sugar food 1 week after modeling in the tBHQ group.Fasting plasma glucose (FPG) level,blood total cholesterol (TC) level,blood triglyceride (TG) level,high density lipoprotein-cholesterol (HDL-C),low density lipoproteincholesterol (LDL-C) and fasting serum insulin (FINs) were detected 4 and 12 weeks after modeling,respectively,and radio immunoassay was used to detect the FIN levels of the rats.The relative expression of VEGF and bcl-2 in retinas of the rats were assayed by immunohistochemistry and fluorescence real-time quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR).The use of the animals complied with the Regulations for the Administration of Affairs Concerning Experimental Animals by State and Technology Commission.Results Type 2 diabetic models were successfully established in 35 rats with successful rate 92.1％.The FIN levels were significantly different among different groups and time points (Fgroup =22.480,P =0.000;Ftime =7.636,P =0.008).The FPG,TC,TG and LDL-C levels were significantly different among the groups (FPG:Fgroup =78.531,P =0.000;TC:Fgroup =28.049,P =0.000;TG:Fgroup =13.108,P =0.000;LDL-C:Fgroup =6.804,P＜0.05).Immunohistochemistry showed that VEGF and bcl-2 were mainly expressed in retinal ganglion cell layer,inner plexiform layer and outer plexiform layer.The expressions of VEGF and bcl-2 proteins were significantly different among different groups (VEGF:Fgroup =11.805,P =0.000;bcl-2:Fgroup =22.943,P =0.000);the expression level of bcl-2 protein was higher in 12 weeks after modeling than that in 4 weeks after modeling in the tBHQ group (P＜0.05).The expressions of VEGF and Bcl-2 mRNA in rat retinas were significantly different among different groups and time points (VEGF:Fgroup =79.220,P =0.000;Ftimo =6.090,P＜0.05;Bcl-2:Fgroup =105.000,P=0.000;Ftime =13.170,P=0.001).Four and eight weeks after modeling,the expressions of VEGF and Bcl-2 mRNA in the diabetic control group and tBHQ group were significantly higher than that in the normal control group,and the expressions of Bcl-2 mRNA in the tBHQ group were significantly higher than that in the model control group (all at P＜0.05);the expression of Bcl-2 mRNA was higher at 12 weeks after modeling than that at 4 weeks in the tBHQ group (P＜0.05).Conclusions tBHQ produces anti-oxidative-damage and anti-apoptosis effects on retinal cells by up-regulating VEGF expression and down-regulating bcl-2 expression in DR rats.In addition,tBHQ may have effects on lowering high blood sugar,regulating insulin and blood lipid levels.

Background: Workers are often exposed to hazardous heat due to their work environment, leading to various injuries. As a result of climate change, heat-related injuries (HRIs) are becoming more problematic. This study aims to identify critical contributing factors to the severity of occupational HRIs. Methods: This study analyzed historical injury reports from the Occupational Safety and Health Administration (OSHA). Contributing factors to the severity of HRIs were identified using text mining and model-free machine learning methods. The Multinomial Logit Model (MNL) was applied to explore the relationship between impact factors and the severity of HRIs. Results: The results indicated a higher risk of fatal HRIs among middle-aged, older, and male workers, particularly in the construction, service, manufacturing, and agriculture industries. In addition, a higher heat index, collapses, heart attacks, and fall accidents increased the severity of HRIs, while symptoms such as dehydration, dizziness, cramps, faintness, and vomiting reduced the likelihood of fatal HRIs. Conclusions The severity of HRIs was significantly influenced by factors like workers’ age, gender, industry type, heat index , symptoms, and secondary injuries. The findings underscore the need for tailored preventive strategies and training across different worker groups to mitigate HRIs risks.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of improvement of gait behavior in PD rat models by low frequency electrical stimulation of pedunculopontine tegmental nucleus (PPTN) by optogenetics method. Methods (1) Twenty-four healthy adult male SD rats were randomly divided into a sham-operated group 1, a lesion group 1 and a photoactivation group (n=8); normal saline was injected into the right medial frontal tract (MFB) of the sham-operated group 1; 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA) was injected into the lesion group 1 and photoactivation group to induce PD models; two weeks after modeling, injection of adeno-associated virus hsynapsin-ChR2-mcherry into the right PPTN of the three groups was performed, and the photoactivation group received blue-ray stimulation by implanting optical fibers into the PPTN at the same time. (2) Twenty-four healthy adult male SD rats were randomly divided into a sham-operated group 2, a lesion group 2 and a photoinhibition group (n=8);normal saline was injected into right MFB of the sham-operated group 2; 6-OHDA was injected into the lesion group 2 and photoinhibition group to induce PD models; two weeks after modeling, injection of adeno-associated virus hsynapsin-NpHR-mcherry into the right PPTN of the three groups was performed, and the photoinhibition group received yellow-ray stimulation by implanting optical fibers into the PPTN at the same time. (3) Three weeks after injection of adeno-associated virus, Catwalk gait analysis was used to assess the behavioral ability of rats in each group. Results (1) As compared with the sham-operated group 1, lesion group 1 had significantly increased front claw spacing and back front claw spacing, and significantly decreased stride length and pressure of damaged lateral and contralateral limbs, and significantly decreased swing speed of contralateral limb (P<0.05); as compared with those in the lesion group 1, the front claw spacing and back claw spacing were significantly shortened, and stride length and pressure of damaged lateral and contralateral limbs were statistically increased in the photoactivation group (P<0.05). (2) As compared with the sham-operated group 2, lesion group 2 had significantly increased front claw spacing and back front claw spacing, significantly decreased stride length of damaged lateral limb, and significantly decreased pressure and swing speed of damaged lateral and contralateral limbs (P<0.05); no significant differences were noted on the front claw spacing and back front claw spacing, pressure and swing speed of damaged lateral and contralateral limbs between lesion group 2 and photoinhibition group (P>0.05). Conclusion The mechanism of low frequency electrical stimulation of PPTN improving gait behavior of PD rat models is related to activation of PPTN neurons.

Objective:To explore the functional connections of the whole brain and the two hemispheres in patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder (OCD).Methods:Twenty-six patients with obsessive-compulsive disorder(patients group) and thirty-seven healthy controls matched in gender, age and education(control group) were enrolled.All the participants accepted the resting-state functional magnetic resonance (rs-fMRI) scan.Based on DPABI and REST software, degree centrality (DC) and voxel - mirrored homotopic connectivity (VMHC) approaches were used to explore the pattern of functional connection in OCD.Results:Compared with the control group, the DC values in the right posterior cerebellar lobe(MNI: x, y, z=45, -87, -12), left precentral gyrus(MNI: x, y, z=-54, 9, 39), left inferior parietal lobule(MNI: x, y, z=-48, -51, 42), right anterior cingulate cortex(MNI: x, y, z=3, 18, 48) were significantly higher( t values were 5.75, 5.26, 5.28 and 5.16, respectively), and the DC values in the left inferior frontal gyrus(MNI: x, y, z=-36, 9, 30) were significantly lower( t value was -6.65) in patients group.The VMHC values in bilateral posterior cerebellar lobe(MNI: x, y, z=±51, -69, -33), bilateral inferior parietal lobule(MNI: x, y, z=±48, -51, 54), bilateral anterior cingulate cortex(MNI: x, y, z=±3, 21, 45)in patients group were significantly higher that those in control group( t values were 5.19, 5.19, 5.02, 5.02, 5.15 and 5.15, respectively). The DC and VMHC values in patients group were not significantly correlated with clinical symptoms(-0.23< r<0.19, P>0.05). Conclusion:OCD patients have abnormal connections between key brain network nodes and relevant brain regions, and functional connections have increased among multiple cerebral hemispheres.

Objective:To explore the effect and mechanism of dendritic cell derived exosomes (Dexs) loading ubiquitinated (Ub) hepatitis D antigen (HDAg) on activating specific cytotoxic T lymphocytes (CTL).Methods:Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs were co-cultured with dendritic cells (DC) which were from the femora of C57BL/6 mice for 48 h, then flow cytometry was used to detect the maturity of DC (CD86, CD80 and major histocompatibility complex (MHC) Ⅱ). The spleen-derived T lymphocytes from C57BL/6 mice were added in vitro to activate DC and co-cultivated for 72 h. The T cells were divided into Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs group (add 50 μg/mL Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs), Blank-Dexs group (add 50 μg/mL DC derived exosomes without plasmid transfection), Con-Dexs group (add 50 μg/mL DC derived exosomes transfected by cantrol plasmid), PBS group (add 50 μL/mL phosphate buffered saline), and Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs+ AG490 group (add 50 μg/mL Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs, DC and T lymphocytes stimulated by exosomes, and 50 μmol/L AG490 was also added to the cell mix). Flow cytometry was used to detect CD8 + T cells secreting interferon-gamma, non-radioactive lactate dehydrogenase release test to detect the killing activity of specific CTL. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction (PCR) and Western blotting were used to detect the mRNA and protein expressions of JAK kinase (JAK) 2, GATA-binding protein 3 (GATA3), T-bet, signal transduction and activator of transcription (STAT) 1 and STAT4. Independent sample t test were used for statistical analysis. Results:The positive rates of the surface molecules CD80, CD86, MHCⅡof DC stimulated by Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs were 83.850%±0.219%、68.910%±0.134%、84.320%±0.445%, respectively.In the Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs group, the rate of CD8 + T cells secreting interferon-gamma was 6.420%±0.028%, which was higher than those of other groups, including PBS group, Blank-Dexs group, Con-Dexs group and Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs+ AG490 group ( t=90.78, 30.32, 63.06 and 85.42, respectively, all P<0.001). The cytotoxicity of T cells in the Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs group was 82.4%±3.9%, which was higher than those of other groups ( t=17.28, 9.74, 3.95 and 15.89, respectively, all P<0.050). The relative mRNA expressions of JAK2, T-bet, STAT1, STAT4 in Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs group were higher than those in other groups, including Con-Dexs group ( t=10.74, 32.34, 13.00 and 16.28, respectively, all P<0.001), Blank-Dexs group ( t=15.05, 21.51, 6.46 and 13.12, respectively, all P<0.050), PBS group ( t=21.83, 41.42, 7.30 and 17.50, respectively, all P<0.050), Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs+ AG490 group ( t=35.75, 20.69, 17.02 and 17.07, respectively, all P<0.001), and the differences were all statistically significant. The protein expressions of T-bet, STAT1, STAT4 in Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs group increased compared with those in PBS group ( t=346.70, 57.54 and 55.81, respectively, all P<0.001), with statistical significance. In the presence of AG490, the protein expressions of T-bet, STAT1 and STAT4 decreased compared with those in Ub-S-HDAg-Dexs group, and the differences were statistically significant ( t=355.40, 52.79 and 126.10, respectively, all P<0.001). Conclusions:Ubiquitinated HDAg transported by exosomes could effectively promote DC maturation, induce T lymphocyte differentiation, and generate specific CTL responses, which provides a new idea for the treatment of hepatitis D.

Objective:To compare the effect of reduction and internal fixation of composite acetabular fracture with the modified two-window iliofemoral approach and ilioinguinal approach.Methods:A retrospective cohort study was used to analyze the clinical data of 160 patients with composite acetabular fracture admitted to First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University from January 2016 to August 2021, including 117 males and 43 females, aged 15-78 years [(44.1±16.0)years]. According to the Letournel classification system, there were 101 patients with both-column fracture, 5 with anterior wall/column combined with posterior semi-transverse fracture and 24 with T-shaped fracture. A total of 80 patients were treated using the modified iliofemoral incision combined with limited Pfannstiel incision (modified two-window iliofemoral approach group) and the other 80 patients were treated using the ilioinguinal approach (ilioinguinal approach group). The fracture healing was observed. The operation time and intraoperative bleeding volume were compared between the two groups. The quality of fracture reduction was evaluated by Matta scoring standard at 1 day and 6 months after operation. The modified Merle d′Aubigne & Postel scoring standard was used to evaluate the function of the affected hip joint at the last follow-up. The incidence of complications such as neurovascular injury, iatrogenic bladder injury, heterotopic ossification and femoral head necrosis were compared between the two groups.Results:All patients were followed up for 12-78 months [(43.3±17.9)months], with bony union of the fracture. The operation time and intraoperative bleeding volume in modified two-window iliofemoral approach group were 150.0 (123.8, 180.0)minutes and 600.0 (500.0, 787.5)ml when compared to 190.0 (150.0, 240.0)minutes and 700.0 (562.5, 887.5)ml in ilioinguinal approach group (all P<0.01). There was no significant difference between the two groups in the quality of fracture reduction at 1 day and 6 months after operation, function of hip joint at the last follow-up and incidence of complications (all P>0.05). Conclusions:For reduction and internal fixation of composite acetabular fracture, the modified two-window iliofemoral approach has advantages over the ilioinguinal approach in reducing operation time and intraoperative bleeding, although both methods yield similar results in fracture reduction quality, postoperative hip function and complication rate.

Objective:To evaluate pelvic floor holistic theory used in the treatment of complete rectal prolapse (CRP).Methods:Forty-two CRP patients at No. 989 Hospital between Oct 2015 and Jun 2019 were divided into group A ( n=23) treated by laparoscopic rectopexy associated with the procedure for PPH, and group B ( n=19), by Altemeier precedure. The degree of rectal prolapse, Wexner fecal incontinence score and Wexner constipation score were evaluated before operation and at the 6th,12th and 24th months after operation Results:The operation time of the two groups were (53±6) and (90±9) min; intraoperative blood loss was (14±5) and (80±19) ml; the hospital stay was (8.9±1.7) and (13.5±2.1)d, all P<0.05. There was no significant difference in postoperative recurrence between the two groups ( P>0.05). The degree of rectal prolapse in group A and B were (9.5±1.7) and (8.7±1.5)cm; the 6 th, 12 th and 24 th months after operation were [(-1.0±1.6), (-0.2±1.8)cm; (-1.0±1.3), (-0.3±1.5)cm; (-0.8±1.2), (-0.5±1.6)cm], all P<0.05. The preoperative constipation in group A and group B was (6.4±1.7) and (6.4±1.5) respectively; the 6 th, 12 th and 24 th months after operation were [(2.8±1.0) vs. (3.0±1.3); (2.6±1.1) vs. (2.8±1.3); (2.0±0.9) vs. (2.3±1.1)], all P<0.05. The preoperative fecal incontinence score of group A and group B were (7.6±1.7) vs. (7.1±1.5); the 6 th, 12 th and 24 th months after operation were [(3.7±1.7) vs. (3.4±1.2); (3.5±1.8) vs. (3.1±1.1); (3.4±1.9) vs. (2.6±1.3)], all P<0.05. Conclusion:Pelvic floor holistic theory help improve the treatment of complete rectal prolapsed.