AIM:To investigate the effect of apoptosis stimulation protein 2(ASPP2)on the development of traumatic proliferative vitreoretinopathy(PVR)in a rabbit model.METHODS:A total of 30 New Zealand white rabbits were selected, and the right eyes of all rabbits were inflicted with a scleral penetrating wound of approximately 6 mm. Then rabbits were randomly and evenly divided into experimental and control group. The experimental group received an intravitreal injection of 0.1 mL of ARPE-19 cell suspension transfected with lentivirus-ASPP2, while the control group received an intravitreal injection of 0.1 mL of ARPE-19 cell suspension transfected with negative control lentivirus. At 1, 2, 3, and 4 wk after PVR modeling, a handheld tonometer was used to measure the intraocular pressure. Moreover, fundus photography and ocular ultrasound examination were performed to detect the retinal proliferation. At 4 wk after modeling, hematoxylin-eosin staining was used to observe the morphological retinal changes, and Western blot was used to determine the protein expressions of ASPP2 and the epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)marker Vimentin in the rabbit retinas.RESULTS:At 1, 2, 3, and 4 wk after modeling, there were no significant changes in intraocular pressure within the experimental and control group of rabbit eyes, either before or after PVR modeling, the success rate of PVR modeling in the experimental group was lower than that in the control group(P<0.05), and the retinal proliferation and structural disorder was less severe in the experimental group. At 4 wk after modeling, the retinal protein expression level of ASPP2 in the experimental group was significantly higher than that in the control group(t=3.193, P=0.033), while the Vimentin protein expression level was significantly lower in the experimental group(t=-3.599, P=0.023).CONCLUSION:ASPP2 may be involved in regulating the process of EMT in retinal pigment epithelial cells, thereby delaying the development and progression of traumatic PVR in rabbit eyes.

Objective To investigate the necessity of further surgery for patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma following treatment with the programmed cell death-1 (PD-1) inhibitor combined with chemotherapy, and to assess its impact on survival. Methods Patients with stage ⅡA to ⅢB esophageal squamous cell carcinoma who received immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy at our hospital from January 2020 to June 2022 were selected for this study. Based on whether they underwent surgery after receiving PD-1 inhibitor combined with chemotherapy, patients were divided into a surgery group and a non-surgery group. We compared the general clinical data, side effects, clinical complete response rates, progression-free survival (PFS), and overall survival (OS) between the two groups. Results A total of 58 patients were included in the study, comprising 45 males and 13 females, with an average age of (65.5±6.9) years. There were no statistical differences in general clinical data or adverse reactions between the two groups. Univariate analysis revealed that the objective response rate and surgery were significantly associated with PFS (P<0.05). Binary logistic regression analysis showed that surgery was the only independent risk factor for PFS (P=0.003). Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the PFS and OS in the surgery group were significantly higher than those in the non-surgery group (HR=0.13, 95%CI 0.036 to 0.520, P＜0.001; HR=0.17, 95%CI 0.045 to 0.680, P=0.004). Conclusion After treatment with the PD-1 inhibitor combined with chemotherapy, patients with locally advanced esophageal squamous cell carcinoma still require surgical intervention to achieve improved PFS and OS.

It is believed that patients with cirrhotic ascites exhibit a pathological mechanism characterized by the decline of healthy qi and the accumulation of pathogenic factors. Clinically， treatment should be based on the theory of tonification and purging， with a staged approach distinguishing between the active phase and the remission phase. The balance between tonification and purging should be adjusted according to the progression of pathogenic and healthy actors. In the acute phase， purging should take precedence over tonification， using purging as a means of tonification to facilitate the flow of water and qi through the triple energizer. The severity of water retention， dampness， blood stasis， and heat should be carefully assessed to ensure thorough elimination of pathogenic factors while avoiding harm to healthy qi. Medication adjustments should be made once the pathogenic factors are significantly weakened. In the remission phase， an integrated approach combining both tonification and purging should be adopted， incorporating purging within tonification to clear residual pathogens and prevent recurrence. Concurrently， proactive treatment of the underlying disease is essential to achieve complete recovery and prevent the recurrence of ascites.

ObjectiveTo investigate the clinical efficacy and safety of state-target formula Angelica and Safflower spot removal essence in the treatment of melasma. MethodsA randomized，double-blind，placebo-controlled parallel-group trial was conducted，selecting patients with Qi stagnation and blood stasis type of melasma who visited the dermatology outpatient department of Beijing Hospital of Integrated Traditional Chinese and Western Medicine from September 2022 to February 2023. In accordance with the double-blind principle，a random number table was generated to randomly divide the patients into an experimental group （50 cases） and a control group （50 cases）. The experimental group applied the Angelica and Safflower spot removal essence topically，while the control group applied a placebo topically，with continuous treatment for 8 weeks and a follow-up of 1 month. Melasma Area and Severity Index （MASI），Physician Global Assessment （PGA），patient self-assessment scoring，VISIA detection and scoring were performed before medication and on the first day after stopping medication，and all adverse events were recorded. ResultsIn a study involving 100 patients，87 cases were included in the analysis. The experimental group consisted of 45 cases，with 5 dropouts，and the control group had 42 cases，with 8 dropouts. The baseline data of the patients in both groups were consistent，with no statistically significant differences. After treatment，the total effective rate of the experimental group was 75.56% （34/45），significantly higher than the control group's 2.38% （1/42），and the difference was statistically significant （χ²=48.38，P<0.01）. Compared with before treatment，after treatment，the MASI score，VISIA image spot，brown spot，and red area score of the experimental group patients were significantly reduced （P<0.05，P<0.01），while there was no statistically significant difference in the control group patients. Compared with the control group after treatment，the experimental group showed more significant improvement （P<0.05，P<0.01）. VISIA image analysis showed that after 8 weeks of treatment，the experimental group showed significant improvement in surface spots，deep spots，and red areas，while the control group remained unchanged or showed an increasing trend. 42.22% （19/45） of the experimental group had a PGA score of 3 or below，while 88.89% （40/45） had a PGA score of 4 or below. 80.95% （34/42） of the control group had a PGA score of 5 or above，and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant （χ²=38.26，P<0.01）. There was no statistically significant difference in the recurrence rate and adverse reaction rate within one month between the experimental group and the control group. ConclusionThe state-target formula Angelica and Safflower spot removal essence is clinically effective and safe in the treatment of melasma.

Objective To analyze the characteristics of postoperative hospital-acquired infections and drug sensitivity in lung transplant recipients over the past 5 years in a single center. Methods A total of 724 lung transplant recipients at Wuxi People's Hospital from January 2019 to December 2023 were selected. Based on the principles of hospital-acquired infection diagnosis, a retrospective analysis was conducted on the hospital infection situation and infection sites of lung transplant recipients, and an analysis of the distribution of hospital-acquired infection pathogens and their antimicrobial susceptibility test status was performed. Results Among the 724 lung transplant recipients, 275 cases of hospital-acquired infection occurred, with an infection rate of 38.0%. The case-time infection rate decreased from 54.2% in 2019 to 22.8% in 2023, showing a downward trend year by year (Z=30.98, P<0.001). The main infection site was the lower respiratory tract, accounting for 73.6%. The pathogens were mainly Gram-negative bacteria, with the top four being Acinetobacter baumannii (37.1%), Pseudomonas aeruginosa (17.3%), Klebsiella pneumoniae (13.7%), and Stenotrophomonas maltophilia (13.4%), with imipenem resistance rates of 89%, 53%, 58% and 100%, respectively. Gram-positive bacteria were mainly Staphylococcus aureus (3.6%), with a methicillin resistance rate of 67%. Conclusions Over the past 5 years, the hospital-acquired infections in lung transplant recipients have shown a downward trend, mainly involving lower respiratory tract infections, with the main pathogens being Acinetobacter baumannii, Pseudomonas aeruginosa and Klebsiella pneumoniae, all of which have high resistance rates to imipenem.

In recent years, with the endless emergence of meibomian gland dysfunction(MGD)diagnostic equipment, rich treatment methods, and in-depth clinical and basic research on MGD at home and abroad, the understanding of MGD has entered a new stage. MGD-related dry eye is considered to be the main cause of lipid abnormal dry eye, and its occurrence and development is a chronic and multi-factorial pathological process. This article reviews the pathogenesis, imaging analysis and clinical treatment progress of MGD-related dry eye, in order to provide scientific evidence and ideas for clinical diagnosis and therapy of MGD-related dry eye.

Objective: To explore the types of medication adherence and their influencing factors among inpatients with chronic diseases based on latent profile analysis, so as to provide the basis for improving medication adherence among patients with chronic diseases. Methods: The inpatients with chronic diseases admitted to the Second Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University were selected as the study subjects. Demographic information, chronic disease status, and health education were collected through questionnaire surveys. Medication adherence was assessed using the Medication Adherence Scale and categorized based on the scores of its eight items through latent profile analysis. Factors affecting medication adherence among inpatients with chronic diseases were analyzed using a multinomial logistic regression model. Results: Totally 290 valid questionnaires were recovered, with an effective recovery rate of 97.64%. There were 157 males (54.14%) and 133 females (45.86%), with a median age of 61 (interquartile range, 21) years. The median score of medication adherence was 4.75 (interquartile range, 4.50). Based on latent profile analysis, medication adherence was categorized into three types: subjective neglect with poor adherence (38.97%), subjective confidence with fluctuating adherence (28.28%), and self-reflective with good adherence (32.76%). Multinomial logistic regression analysis showed that compared to the subjective confidence with fluctuating adherence, family monthly income (5 000-10 000 yuan, OR=2.981, 95%CI: 1.055-8.429), comorbidity of chronic diseases (OR=3.478, 95%CI: 1.579-7.661), number of health education sessions received in the past year (≤1 session, OR=0.329, 95%CI: 0.120-0.907; 2 sessions, OR=0.363, 95%CI: 0.138-0.950), and health information literacy scores (<60 points, OR=2.596, 95%CI: 1.209-5.573) were statistically associated with subjective neglect with poor adherence (all P<0.05). Conclusion Subjective neglect with poor medication adherence among inpatients with chronic diseases is associated with family monthly income, comorbidity of chronic diseases, the number of health education sessions received, and health information literacy.

Rheumatoid arthritis (RA) is a chronic autoimmune disease characterized by synovial inflammation, joint destruction, and functional impairment. Angiogenesis plays a key role in the pathological progression of RA with dysfunction of endothelial cells to promote synovial inflammation, sustain pannus formation, subsequently leading to joint damage. Colquhounia Root Tablets (CRT), a Chinese patent drug, has shown a satisfying clinical efficacy in treating RA, while the underlying mechanism by which CRT inhibits RA-associated angiogenesis remains unclear. In this study, we applied a research approach combining transcriptomic data analysis, bio-network mapping, and in vivo and in vitro experiments to explore the molecular mechanisms of CRT in suppressing angiogenesis in RA. Animal welfare and experimental procedures follow the regulations of the Animal Ethics Committee of Institute of Basic Theory for Chinese Medicine, China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences (ratification number: IBTCMCACMS21-2307-06). Network analysis identified that key genes such as nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain-containing protein 2 (NOD2), SMAD family member 3 (SMAD3), and vascular endothelial growth factor A (VEGFA) significantly enriched in pathways related to NOD-like receptor signaling and VEGF signaling, indicating that CRT may inhibit angiogenesis by regulating vascular endothelial cell function with modulating angiogenesis-related pathways. In vivo data showed that CRT significantly reduced the positive expression of CD31 and VEGF in the ankle joint of adjuvant-induced arthritis (AIA) rats. In vitro data further confirmed that CRT effectively inhibited VEGF-induced migration, invasion, and tube formation in HUVECs, while significantly reduced the expression of angiogenesis-related factors VEGF/CD31/Ang-1, as well as the positive expression of VEGF and CD31 in HUVECs. Furthermore, CRT markedly decreased the protein expression of NOD2, VEGFA, and SMAD3. In conclusion, these findings indicate that CRT may inhibit the RA-related angiogenesis by targeting the NOD2/SMAD3/VEGF signaling axis to improve endothelial cell function, enriching the scientific connotation of CRT in inhibiting pathological angiogenesis in RA and also offer new insights for clinical prevention and treatment of RA.

Objective To analyze the trends in the disease burden of pertussis in China from 1990 to 2021, and to provide a basis for the development of effective prevention and control strategies. Methods Using the 2021 Global Burden of Disease Study (GBD) database, the incidence, mortality, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), as well as the age-standardized rates of pertussis in China from 1990 to 2021 were analyzed. Descriptive statistical methods were employed to analyze the characteristics of the pertussis disease burden, and the Joinpoint regression model was used to analyze the trends in pertussis disease burden. Results From 1990 to 2021, the incidence, mortality, and DALYs of pertussis in China decreased from 1 503 800 cases, 10 951 deaths, and 954 900 person-years to 65 400 cases, 548 deaths, and 46 500 person-years, representing a decrease of 95.65%, 95.00%, and 95.13%, respectively. The corresponding age-standardized rates also decreased by 93.58%, 92.47%, and 92.53%, respectively. The Joinpoint regression model revealed a significant downward trend in the age-standardized incidence, mortality, and DALYs rates for pertussis (AAPCs were -8.32%, -9.65%, and -9.58%, respectively, P<0.001). The disease burden was slightly higher in females than in males, with the majority of cases occurring in children under 10 years old, particularly in infants under 1 year old, where the burden was the heaviest. As age increased, the disease burden decreased. Conclusion Between 1990 and 2021, the overall disease burden of pertussis in China showed a significant downward trend, with gender and age differences. Special attention should be given on the prevention and control of pertussis in children under 10 years old, especially in infants under 1 year old.

OBJECTIVE To explore the effect and mechanism of Zhiqiao gancao decoction （ZQGCD） on pathological angiogenesis of degenerative intervertebral disc. METHODS The rats were randomly divided into sham operation group （normal saline）， model group （normal saline）， hypoxia inducible factor-1α （HIF-1α） inhibitor （YC-1） group [2 mg/（kg·d）， tail vein injection]， and ZQGCD low-dose， medium-dose and high-dose groups [3.06， 6.12， 12.24 g/（kg·d）]， with 8 rats in each group. Except for sham operation group， lumbar disc degeneration model of rat was constructed in all other groups. After modeling， they were given relevant medicine once a day， for consecutive 3 weeks. After the last medication， pathological changes and angiogenesis of the intervertebral disc tissue in rats were observed； the levels of inflammatory factors [interleukin-1β （IL-1β）， IL-6， tumor necrosis factor-α （TNF-α）] and the expressions of angiogenesis-related proteins [HIF-1α， vascular endothelial growth factor （VEGF）， VEGF receptor 2 （VEGFR2）， angiotensin 1（Ang 1）， Ang 2] in the com intervertebral disc tissue in rats were all determined. In cell experiment， the primary nucleus pulposus cells were isolated and cultured from rats， and cellular degeneration was induced using 50 ng/mL TNF-α. The cells were divided into blank control group （10% blank control serum）， TNF-α group （10% blank control serum）， YC-1 group （10% blank control serum+0.2 mmol/L YC-1）， and 5%， 10%， 15% drug-containing serum group （5%， 10%， 15% drug-containing serum）. After 24 hours of intervention， the nucleus pulposus cells were co-cultured with HUVEC. The expressions of Collagen Ⅱ， matrix metalloproteinase-3 （MMP-3） in nucleus pulposus cells were detected. HUVEC proliferation， migration and tube forming ability were detected， and the expression levels of the HIF-1α/VEGF/Ang signal axis and angiogenesis- related proteins （add MMP-2， MMP-9） in HUVEC were detected. RESULTS Animal experiments had shown that compared with model group， the positive expression of CD31 in the intervertebral disc tissues of rats in each drug group was down-regulated （P＜ 0.05）， the levels of inflammatory factors and angiogenesis-related proteins were decreased significantly （P＜0.05）， and the pathological changes in the intervertebral disc were alleviated. Cell experiments had shown that compared with TNF-α group， the expression of Collagen Ⅱ in nucleus pulposus cells of all drug groups was significantly up-regulated （P＜0.05）， and the expression of MMP-3 was significantly down-regulated （P＜0.05）； the proliferation， migration and tubulogenesis of HUVEC were significantly weakened （P＜0.05）. The mRNA and protein expressions of HIF-1α， VEGF， Ang 2 as well as the expression of angiogenesis-related proteins （except for the expression of Ang 2 mRNA and HIF-1α， VEGFR2， Ang 2 protein in 5% drug- containing serum group） were significantly down-regulated （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS ZQGCD may inhibit the HIF-1α/VEGF/ Ang signal axis to weaken the angiogenic ability of vascular endothelial cells， improve pathological angiogenesis in the intervertebral disc， and delay the degeneration of the intervertebral disc.