ObjectiveTo investigate the acute effects of compound air pollution on children’s respiratory function. MethodsUsing panel group study design， 223 students in five classes of grade 4 from two primary schools （a， b） in Xuhui and Hongkou districts of Shanghai were randomly selected to measure pulmonary function and exhaled nitric oxide （FeNO）. The first three tests were carried out from May to June in 2020， and the fourth test was carried out from September to December in 2021. At the same time， the daily and hourly mean values of PM_2.5， PM₁₀， SO₂， NO₂， O₃ and CO was collected from the nearby air quality monitoring points of the two schools during the same period ， as well as meteorological monitoring data （temperature， humidity， wind speed and atmospheric pressure）. The linear mixed effect model was used to analyze the effects of air pollution on pulmonary function and respiratory inflammation in the summer. ResultsThe results of single pollutant model showed that PM_2.5， PM_10， SO₂ and NO₂ were positively correlated with FeNO， and the effect was reflected in lag0， lag1 and lag3 （P<0.05）. PM_2.5， PM₁₀ and NO₂ were negatively correlated with the changes of lung function FEF_25%， FEF_50%， FEF_75%， FeF_25%-75%， PEF， FVC， FEV1 and FEV1/FVC， and the effect was reflected in lag0 to lag3 days （P<0.05）. The results of the dual pollutant model showed that the concentration changes of SO₂ and NO₂ were significantly correlated with the decrease of FEV1 when combined with O₃ or PM_2.5 （P<0.01）， and the concentration changes of PM_2.5 was significantly correlated with the increase of FeNO when O₃， SO₂ and NO₂ were combined respectively （P<0.01）. The effects of the dual pollutant model were greater than the effect of PM_2.5 single pollutant model. ConclusionThe health effects of different air pollutants on children’s respiratory tract function indexes in summer are different. The combined effects of two pollutants on the lung function of children increased to different degrees. Although air pollution is light in summer， it still has an impact on children’s respiratory tract function index and inflammation index， and the combined effect of dual pollutants is more significant than that of single pollutant.

With the increasing use of lower-extremity arterial angioplasty and the clinical use of a variety of vascular preparation devices. Vascular surgeons have more vascular preparation equipment such as cutting balloon, double wire balloon, chocolate balloon, shock wave balloon, AngioJet, Roterax and Acostream. These options can improve clinical outcomes, improve patient experience, and reduce stent placement and associated complications. This article will review the available vascular preparation devices for volume reduction, endovascular lithotripsy, and other special balloons to help clinicians choose the appropriate vascular preparation for their condition to improve perioperative safety and long-term patency.

Objective To investigate the role of Kelch-like-epichlorohydrin-associated protein 1/nuclear factor erythroid-derived factor-2-related factor 2(Keap1-Nrf2)and nuclear factor-κB(NF-κB)signaling pathways in sepsis-associated encephalopathy(SAE).Methods Male C57BL/6J mice of SPF were randomly divided into four groups(n=10):the control group and LPS 6 h,24 h and 48 h groups.The behavioral changes of the mice were assessed based on their general conditions and open field test(OFT).ELISA was used to measure the levels of pro-inflammatory cytokines in mouse serum,and the antioxidant capacity assay kit to examine antioxidant activity in brain tissues of mice.Real-time quantitative PCR(qPCR)was adopted to detect the mRNA levels of toll-like receptor4(Tlr4),NF-κB,Keap1 and Nrf2 in the hippocampus,and to determine protein expressions of NF-κB a Nrf2、Keap1 and Tlr4 with Western blotting.Results Compared to the control group,the serum concentrations of interleukin 6(IL-6)in lipopolysaccharide(LPS)groups increased at 6 h,and reached the peak at 24 h and 48 h(P＜0.01).The levels of serum interleukin 18(IL-18)in the LPS groups increased significantly at 6 h and 24 h(P＜0.01)but there was no statistically significant difference compared with the 48h group.The results indicated the activity of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and glutathione(GSH)in brain tissues in LPS groups increased(P＜0.01).OFT results showed the time spent in the center of the open field,the distance covered around the center,and total distance covered by mice in LPS groups were significantly reduced(P＜0.01),except for the time spent in the center of the open field in the LPS 24 h group.The mRNA expressions of Tlr4 and(LPS 6 h,48 h)NF-κB in the hippocampus tissue of mice in LPS groups were elevated(P＜0.05),so were the mRNA expressions of Keap1 and Nrf2 in LPS 6 h group.Additionally,the protein expressions of NF-κB,Keap1 and Tlr4 increased in LPS groups,so did the protein expression of Nrf2 in LPS 24 h and 48 h groups(P＜0.05).Conclusion Keap1-Nrf2 and NF-κB signaling pathways may play a certain role in SAE.

Objective To investigate the effect of miR-22-3p on pyroptosis of vascular smooth muscle cells(VSMCs)induced by homocysteine(Hcy).Methods Human VSMCs were cultured in vitro and divided into a Control group(0 μmol/L Hey)and a Hey group(100 μmol/L Hey).After intervention,expression levels of pro Caspase-1,gasdermin D(GSDMD),N-GSDMD,and NLR family pyrin domain containing 3(NLRP3)were detected by Western blot.MiR-22-3p expression was determined by quantitative real-time reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction.Interleukin(IL)-1 β and IL-18 levels in the supernatant were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Cells were also transfected with control miR-22-3p(miR-22-3p-NC),miR-22-3p-mimic,and miR-22-3p-inhibitor,to observe the effects on VSMC pyroptosis induced by Hcy.Results Expression levels of pro Caspase-1,GSDMD,N-GSDMD,and NLRP3 in VSMCs were increased(P＜0.05),IL-1 β and IL-18 levels were increased(P＜0.01),and the relative expression level of miR-22-3p was reduced(P＜0.01)in the Hcy group compared with the Control group.Transfection with miR-22-3p-mimic significantly decreased the expression levels of pro Caspase-1,GSDMD,N-GSDMD,and NLRP3 in VSMCs(P＜0.01),and significantly decreased levels of IL-1β and IL-18(P＜0.01),while transfection with miR-22-3p-inhibitor significantly increased the expression levels of pro Caspase-1,GSDMD,N-GSDMD,and NLRP3 in VSMCs(P＜0.01)and significantly increased the levels of IL-1β and IL-18(P＜0.05).Conclusions MiR-22-3p may delay Hcy-induced VSMC pyroptosis.

Background/Aims: The shortage of donor liver hinders the development of liver transplantation. This study aimed to clarify the poor outcomes of functionally marginal liver grafts (FMLs) and provide evidence for the improvement of ischemia-free liver transplantation (IFLT) after FML transplantation. Methods: Propensity score matching was used to control for confounding factors. The outcomes of the control group and FML group were compared to demonstrate the negative impact of FMLs on liver transplantation patients. We compared the clinical improvements of the different surgical types. To elucidate the underlying mechanism, we conducted bioinformatic analysis based on transcriptome and single-cell profiles. Results: FMLs had a significantly greater hazard ratio (HR: 1.969, P=0.018) than did other marginal livers. A worse 90-day survival (Mortality: 12.3% vs. 5.0%, P=0.007) was observed in patients who underwent FML transplantation. Patients who received FMLs had a significant improvement in overall survival after IFLT (Mortality: 10.4% vs 31.3%, P=0.006). Pyroptosis and inflammation were inhibited in patients who underwent IFLT. The infiltration of natural killer cells was lower in liver grafts from these patients. Bulk transcriptome profiles revealed a positive relationship between IL-32 and Caspase 1 (R=0.73, P=0.01) and between IL-32 and Gasdermin D (R=0.84, P=0.0012). Conclusions FML is a more important negative prognostic parameter than other marginal liver parameters. IFLT might ameliorate liver injury in FMLs by inhibiting the infiltration of NK cells, consequently leading to the abortion of IL-32, which drives pyroptosis in monocytes and macrophages.

Vitiligo， a skin pigmentation disorder caused by the loss of melanocytes in the basal layer of the skin， is manifested as creamy white or ivory white pigmented islands on the head， face， hair， areola， genitals， mucous membranes and traumatic areas with distinct borders， seriously affecting the patient’s social， physical， and mental health. The disease has attracted wide attention in the medical circle as a difficult aesthetic dermatosis with an increasing prevalence year by year. There are still blind spots in the hypotheses that autoimmunity， melanocyte autophagy， oxidative stress， autocytotoxicity， neurohumors， and genetic and environmental factors are associated with the pathogenesis of this disease. The commonly used Western medical therapies， including glucocorticoids， small-molecule antagonists， calcium-regulated neurophosphatase inhibitors， biologics， vitamin D derivatives， phototherapy， and surgery are flawed with side effects and prone to recurrence. Traditional Chinese Medicine （TCM） can treat vitiligo via a wide range of pathways and targets， with definite effects and low adverse reactions. Studies have demonstrated that TCM can promote autophagy of melanocytes and protect them from oxidative stress. However， there are few systematic summaries of the signaling pathways in the TCM treatment of vitiligo. Therefore， this paper introduces the main signaling pathways involved in the TCM treatment of vitiligo by reviewing the relevant articles published at home and abroad in recent years. Specifically， the signaling pathways include the molecular hydrogen-activated nuclear factor erythroid-related factor 2 （Nrf2）， tyrosine kinase receptor （c-Kit）， nuclear transcription factor-κB （NF-κB）， Janus tyrosine protein kinase （JAK）， mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）， and adenosine monophosphate-activated protein kinase （AMPK） signaling pathways.

Iliac vein stenosis (IVS), known as iliac vein compression syndrome, refers to a series of diseases caused by iliac vein compression or intraluminal adhesions leading to lower extremity vein or pelvic vein drainage disturbance and other clinical manifestations which is quite common in vascular surgery. The vast majority of patients with symptoms of chronic venous insufficiency (CVI) have IVS. In clinical work, IVS does not typically appear as a single symptom, while often combining with other lesions, such as varicose veins of the lower extremities, skin pigmentation, ulcer formation. Studies on its aetiology and epidemiology have found a mean age of onset of 40 years, the age of onset in females is lower than that in males, and the average of stress in females is significantly higher than that in males. Typical IVS occurs mainly in the left lower extremity in young women of reproductive age, but exceptions remain. In summary, the importance of the diagnosis of IVS in clinical practical work can be seen. CVI is a general term for all diseases that affect the morphology and function of the venous system. Compared with chronic venous disease (CVD), CVI include venous system abnormalities without symptoms or signs. Thus, it more accurately describes the diagnosis and treatment of IVS that requires clinical guidance, so its concept is quoted. With the development and advancement of medical imaging, more and more techniques provide help in the diagnosis and treatment of IVS. Therefore, professionals in various specialties have made relevant studies about the benefits and drawbacks of imaging techniques for diagnosis, treatment modalities, and prognostic management of this disease, in order to improve the diagnostic efficacy. Consequently, this review is focused on the current situation of the diagnosis and treatment of IVS under multi-modal imaging, hoping to provide choices of medical imaging technologies for the different states, and to find a better and personalized plan for patients.

Messenger RNA (mRNA) has drawn much attention in the medical field. Through various treatment approaches including protein replacement therapies, gene editing, and cell engineering, mRNA is becoming a potential therapeutic strategy for cancers. However, delivery of mRNA into targeted organs and cells can be challenging due to the unstable nature of its naked form and the low cellular uptake. Therefore, in addition to mRNA modification, efforts have been devoted to developing nanoparticles for mRNA delivery. In this review, we introduce four categories of nanoparticle platform systems: lipid, polymer, lipid-polymer hybrid, and protein/peptide-mediated nanoparticles, together with their roles in facilitating mRNA-based cancer immunotherapies. We also highlight promising treatment regimens and their clinical translation.

Objective:To analyze the effects of two decomposition algorithms of dual-energy cone beam CT (DECBCT) (direct decomposition and iterative decomposition) on the image quality and material decomposition accuracy of different sizes of phantoms.Methods:Different sizes of imaging parts of patients were simulated using the combination of CatPhan604 phantoms and customized annuluses. CBCT with high energy of 140 kVp and low energy of 100 kVp were acquired using the Varian Edge CBCT system. Then the material decomposition of DECBCT images was performed using the two algorithms. The electron density (ED) and contrast-to-noise ratio (CNR) of each material in the CTP682 module were calculated. They were used to assess the decomposition accuracy and image quality of the two algorithms.Results:Based on the values in the Catphan604 manual, both algorithms have high ED accuracy. Only the ED accuracy of four materials of the smallest sized phantom showed statistical difference ( z = -4.21, 4.30, 2.87, 5.45, P < 0.05), but the average relative error was less than 1%. The CNR of the iterative decomposition algorithm was significantly higher than that of the direct decomposition, increasing by 51.8%-703.47%. The increase in the phantom size significantly reduced the accuracy of ED, and the increased amplitude of the relative error was up to a maximum of 2.52%. The large phantom size also reduced the image quality of iterative decomposition, and the decreased amplitude of CNR was up to a maximum of 39.71. Conclusions:Compared with the direct decomposition, the iterative decomposition algorithm can significantly reduce the image noise and improve the contrast without losing the accuracy of electron density in the DECBCT construction of different sizes of phantoms.

Objective:To observe the changes in the biomechanical properties of the cornea of diabetic retinopathy (DR), and analyze its relationship with the degree of DR.Methods:A retrospective study. From September 2020 to February 2021, 83 patients with type 2 diabetes (T2DM) combined with DR treated in the Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Zhengzhou University, 83 eyes (DR group), 30 patients with T2DM without DR recruited from the outpatient clinic 30 eyes (NDR group) and 30 eyes of non-diabetes patients (NDM group) were included in the study. All left eyes were chose as the study eye. Among the 83 eyes in the DR group, 39 eyes were non-proliferative DR (NPDR) and 44 eyes were proliferative DR (PDR). Based on this, they were divided into NPDR group and PDR group. There was no statistically significant difference in age ( t=1.10) and sex ratio ( χ2=0.46) among patients in the DR group, NDR group, and NDM group ( P>0.05); body mass index ( t=3.74), glycosylated hemoglobin ( t=35.02) and the length of the eye axis ( t=5.51), the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05). The eye response analyzer (ORA) was used to measure the corneal hysteresis (CH), corneal resistance factor (CRF), Goldman related intraocular pressure (IOPg), and corneal compensatory intraocular pressure (IOPcc). The corneal topography was used to measure the central corneal thickness (CCT) of the examined eye. The differences of CCT, IOPcc, IOPg, CH, CRF among multiple groups were compared by one-way analysis of variance. Multiple linear regression was used to analyze the relationship between CH, CRF and related influencing factors in DR patients. Results:There were statistically significant differences in CCT, IOPcc, IOPg, CH, and CRF among the eyes of the DR group, NDR group, and NDM group ( F=3.71, 5.60, 9.72, 9.02, 21.97; P<0.05). Pairwise comparisons were between groups, CH, CRF: the difference between the DR group and the NDM group and the NDR group was statistically significant ( P<0.05); CCT: the difference between the DR group and the NDM group was statistically significant ( P<0.05), and The difference in the NDR group was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). CCT, CH, CRF: the difference between the NDR group and the NDM group was not statistically significant ( P>0.05). The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that CCT and IOPcc in DR patients were independent influencing factors of CH [CCT: β=0.01, 95% confidence interval ( CI) 0.01-0.03, P=0.013; IOPcc: β=-0.15, 95% CI -0.25--0.05, P=0.005]; Age, CCT, IOPcc were independent influencing factors of CRF [Age: β=-0.06, 95% CI -0.09--0.03, P<0.001; CCT: β=0.01, 95% CI 0.00-0.02, P=0.049; IOPcc: β=0.16, 95% CI 0.07-0.25, P=0.001]. The comparison of CCT, CH, CRF, adjusted CH, and adjusted CRF of the eyes in the NDR group, NPDR group, and PDR group were statistically significant ( F=3.76, 5.36, 12.61, 6.59, 10.41; P<0.05). Pairwise comparison between groups, CH, CRF, adjusted CH, adjusted CRF: the difference between the NPDR group, the PDR group and the NDR group was statistically significant ( P<0.05), and the difference between the PDR group and the NPDR group was not statistically significant ( P>0.05); CCT: The difference between NPDR group and NDR group, PDR group and NPDR group was not statistically significant ( P>0.05), and the difference between PDR group and NDR group was statistically significant ( P<0.05). Conclusion:The CH and CRF of eyes with T2DM and DR are elevated; CCT and IOPcc are independent influencing factors of CH, and age, CCT and IOPcc are independent influencing factors of CRF.