AIM: To compare the effects of different nucleus chopping methods on the central corneal thickness, corneal endothelial cell(CEC)count and tear inflammatory indicators in patients with hard nucleus cataract.METHODS: Retrospective study. Totally 89 patients(89 eyes)with hard nucleus cataract who treated in our hospital were included from January 2020 to December 2022. According to different intraoperative nucleus chopping methods, the patients were divided into reverse prechop group(46 eyes)and phaco-chop group(43 eyes). The total effective rate of surgery and visual acuity recovery were compared between the two groups. Corneal related indicators(central corneal thickness, CEC count, CEC area), tear inflammatory indicators and tear film function [tear film break-up time(BUT), Chinese Dry Eye Questionnaire(CDEQ), Schirmer Ⅰ test(SⅠt)] were observed before and after surgery in both groups, and the degree of corneal edema was evaluated.RESULTS: The effective phaco time, phaco energy and cumulative complex energy parameters in the phaco-chop group were longer or higher than those in the reverse prechop group(P<0.05). The macular retinal thickness in the reverse prechop group at 7 d and 1 mo after surgery was thinner than that in the phaco-chop group, the central corneal thickness at 3 and 7 d after surgery was also thinner than that in the phaco-chop group, the CEC count at 3 mo after surgery was more than that in the phaco-chop group, the CEC loss rate was lower than that in the phaco-chop group, and the CEC area at 3 mo after surgery was smaller than that in the phaco-chop group(P<0.05). The levels of tear TNF-α and IL-6 at 7 d and 1 mo after surgery in the reverse prechop group were lower than those in the phaco-chop group(P<0.05). The BUT at 1 and 3 mo after surgery was longer in the reverse prechop group than that in the phaco-chop group(P<0.05). The CDEQ score in the reverse prechop group was lower than that in the phaco-chop group at 1 and 3 mo after surgery(P<0.05). The SⅠt at 1 and 3 mo after surgery was higher in the reverse prechop group compared with that in the phaco-chop group(P<0.05). The degree of corneal edema at 1 d after surgery was milder in the reverse prechop group than that in the phaco-chop group(P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Compared with phaco-chop, the application of reverse-chopper prechop combined with phacoemulsification can better reduce the ultrasonic energy in the treatment of hard nuclear cataract, and it is more conducive to reducing the postoperative inflammatory degree, improving the tear film function and relieving the corneal edema degree.

ObjectiveMicrotube associated protein-2 （MAP-2）， alpha-tubulin （α-tubulin）， and synaptophysin （SYP） are important proteins in neuronal signal communication. This paper observed the effects of modified Zhigancao Tang on the expression of serum α-Synuclein （α-Syn） and its oligomers， MAP-2， α-tubulin， and SYP of patients with liver and kidney deficiency of Parkinson's disease （PD）， analyzed their correlation， and evaluated the therapeutic effect of modified Zhigancao Tang in patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD based on α-Syn transmission pathway mediated by neuronal communication in vivo. MethodsA total of 60 patients with PD who met the inclusion criteria were randomly divided into a treatment group （30 cases） and a control group （30 cases）. Both groups were treated on the basis of PD medicine， and the treatment group was treated with modified Zhigancao Tang. Both groups were treated for 12 weeks. The changes in UPDRS score， TCM syndrome score， and expression of serum α-Syn and its oligomers， MAP-2， α-tubulin， and SYP were observed before and after 12 weeks of treatment in each group. The correlation between the above-mentioned serum biological indexes and the levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers was analyzed. ResultsAfter treatment， the TCM syndrome score， UPDRS score， UPDRS-Ⅱ score， and UPDRS-Ⅲ score of the treatment group were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The UPDRS score， UPDRS-Ⅱ score， and UPDRS-Ⅲ scores in the treatment group were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment （P<0.05）. After treatment， the total effective rate of the control group was 63.3% （19/30）， and that of the treatment group was 86.7% （26/30）. The clinical effect of the observation group was better than the control group （Z=-2.03， P<0.05）. The total effective rate of the observation group was better than that of the control group， and the difference was statistically significant （χ²=5.136， P<0.05）. After treatment， the oligomer level of serum α-Syn and MAP-2 level in the treatment group were significantly decreased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. The levels of serum α-Syn and its oligomers， as well as α-tubulin in the treatment group， were significantly decreased compared with those in the control group after treatment （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Serum α-Syn was correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-Syn oligomer in patients with PD （P<0.05， P<0.01） but not correlated with serum SYP . Serum α-Syn oligomers of patients with PD were correlated with serum MAP-2 and α-tubulin （P<0.05， P<0.01） but not correlated with serum SYP level. Serum SYP of patients with PD was correlated with serum MAP-2 （P<0.05）. ConclusionModified Zhigancao Tang has a therapeutic effect on patients with liver and kidney deficiency of PD by inhibiting the production of α-Syn oligomers and intervening α-Syn microtubule transport pathway in vivo.

Objective To compare the benefits and drawbacks of primary patch expansion versus pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection in patients diagnosed with pulmonary atresia with ventricular septal defect (PA/VSD). Methods A retrospective study was conducted on patients diagnosed with PA/VSD who underwent primary right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection surgery at our center between 2010 and 2020. Patients were categorized into two groups based on the type of right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection: a pericardial tube group and a patch expansion group. Clinical data and imaging findings were compared between the two groups. Results A total of 51 patients were included in the study, comprising 31 males and 20 females, with a median age of 12.57 (4.57, 49.67) months. The pericardial tube group included 19 patients with a median age of 17.17 (7.33, 49.67) months, while the patch expansion group consisted of 32 patients with a median age of 8.58 (3.57, 52.72) months. In both groups, the diameter of pulmonary artery, McGoon index, and Nakata index significantly increased after treatment (P<0.001). However, the pericardial tube group exhibited a longer extracorporeal circulation time (P<0.001). The reoperation rate was notably high, with 74.51% of patients requiring further surgical intervention, including 26 (81.25%) patients in the patch expansion group and 12 (63.16%) patients in the pericardial tube group. No statistical differences were observed in long-term cure rates or mortality between the two groups (P＞0.005). Conclusion In patients with PA/VSD, both patch expansion and pericardial tube right ventricular-pulmonary artery connection serve as effective initial palliative treatment strategies that promote pulmonary vessel development and provide a favorable foundation for subsequent radical operations. However, compared to the pericardial tube approach, the patch expansion technique is simpler to perform and preserves some intrinsic potential for pulmonary artery development, making it the preferred procedure.

Regulated cell death (RCD) is a critical physiological process essential in maintaining skin homeostasis. Among the various forms of RCD, ferroptosis stands out due to its distinct features of iron accumulation, lipid peroxidation, and involvement of various inhibitory antioxidant systems. In recent years, an expanding body of research has solidly linked ferroptosis to the emergence of skin disorders. Therefore, understanding the mechanisms underlying ferroptosis in skin diseases is crucial for advancing therapy and prevention strategies. This review commences with a succinct elucidation of the mechanisms that underpin ferroptosis, embarks on a thorough exploration of ferroptosis’s role across a spectrum of skin conditions, encompassing melanoma, psoriasis, systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), vitiligo, and dermatological ailments precipitated by ultraviolet (UV) exposure, and scrutinizes the potential therapeutic benefits of pharmacological interventions aimed at modulating ferroptosis for the amelioration of skin diseases.

Cerebral hyperperfusion syndrome (CHS) is a rare but serious complication after cerebral revascularization, which may lead to catastrophic consequences. The mechanism of CHS is not fully understood, and it may be related to cerebral autoregulation dysfunction and the increase of blood pressure after operation. Timely detection and treatment of cerebral hyperperfusion can avoid CHS. This article reviews the pathogenesis, diagnosis, clinical manifestations, prevention and treatment of CHS.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of intermittent feeding through an oral to esophageal (IOE) tube for persons with a late-onset swallowing disorder after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma.Methods:Fifty-six patients with late-onset swallowing difficulties after radiotherapy for nasopharyngeal carcinoma were divided at random into an observation group and a control group, each of 28. In addition to conventional therapy, the controls were fed through an indwelling nasogastric tube (NGT) while an IOE tube was used in the observation group. The nutritional status of the two groups was compared after 20 hours and after 15 days of treatment. Depression, oral feeding ability, leakage and aspiration, and life quality were evaluated using patient health questionnaire-9 (PHQ-9), a functional oral feeding scale (FOIS), a leakage-aspiration scale (PAS), and a swallowing-quality of life (SWAL-QOL) evaluation. From the 3rd day after admission the daily amount fed was recorded.Results:At admission there were no significant differences between the two groups. After 15 days, however, there was significantly greater improvement observed in the average serum albumin, hemoglobin, serum total protein, serum prealbumin level, body mass index(BMI) and SWAL-QOL score of the experimental group compared to the control group, with significantly fewer members suffering from depression. From the 4th day after admission the observation group′s members ate a significantly larger proportion of the target feeding amount.Conclusion:IOE feeding can improve the nutritional status, psychological status, and life quality of persons with a late-onset swallowing disorder more effectively than NGT feeding, with a lower incidence of adverse events.

Objective:To investigate the correlation between moderate intensity aerobic exercise and cerebral blood flow regulation in patients with mild carotid artery stenosis.Methods:A retrospective study was conducted to select 30 cases of patients with unilateral mild carotid artery stenosis and moderate intensity aerobic exercise for more than 1 year in the Central Hospital of Dalian University of Technology from July 2022 to November 2023 as the exercise group (study group), and 30 cases of patients with unilateral mild carotid artery stenosis without exercise habits matched by age, gender and other factors as the non-exercise group (control group). Transcranial Doppler ultrasound (TCD) examination was performed in both groups, and the recumbent-upright-test, breath holding test and breath exchange test were performed to calculate the occurrence rate of "w" wave in recumbent-upright position, the slope of "w" wave in recubitus position, the change rate of pulse index (PI) before and after breath holding, resistance index (RI), breath holding index (BHI), and cerebral blood flow velocity before and after breath exchange. The blood pressure and heart rate difference in the recumbent-upright position were calculated, and the correlation between moderate intensity aerobic exercise and cerebral blood flow regulation function in patients with mild carotid artery stenosis was evaluated by statistical analysis. The correlation analysis between the exercise years and BHI in the study group was carried out to explore the relationship between the exercise years and cerebrovascular reactivity.Results:The occurrence rate and slope of "w" wave in the study group were higher than those in the control group: 93.3%(28/30) vs. 86.7%(26/30), 2.27 ± 1.14 vs. 1.28 ± 0.23, 2.67 ± 0.63 vs. 1.41 ± 0.69, there were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The change rates of PI and RI before and after breath holding and ventilation in the study group were higher than those in the control group: 21.23 ± 7.67 vs. 13.89 ± 9.67, 14.62 ± 6.63 vs. 11.17 ± 1.78 and 26.26 ± 12.46 vs. 18.36 ± 12.13, 14.91 ± 4.91 vs. 10.83 ± 2.35, and the average cerebral blood flow velocity before and after ventilation was higher than that in the control group: (31.26 ± 4.92) cm/s vs. (24.89 ± 6.34) cm/s, there were statistically significant ( P<0.01). The exercise years of the study group was negatively correlated with the breath holding index. Conclusions:Moderate intensity exercise is associated with cerebral blood flow regulation in patients with mild carotid artery stenosis. Exercise years are negatively correlated with cerebral blood flow regulation. Impaired cerebral blood flow regulation may be one of the potential mechanisms of poor prognosis of stroke in carotid artery stenosis population.

Epigenomic imbalance drives abnormal transcriptional processes,promoting the onset and progression of cancer.Although defective gene regulation generally affects carcinogenesis and tumor suppression networks,tumor immunogenicity and immune cells involved in antitumor responses may also be affected by epigenomic changes,which may have significant implications for the development and application of epigenetic therapy,cancer immunotherapy,and their combinations.Herein,we focus on the impact of epigenetic regulation on tumor immune cell function and the role of key abnormal epigenetic processes,DNA methylation,histone post-translational modification,and chromatin structure in tumor immunogenicity,and introduce these epigenetic research methods.We emphasize the value of small-molecule inhibitors of epigenetic modulators in enhancing antitumor immune responses and discuss the challenges of developing treatment plans that combine epigenetic therapy and immuno-therapy through the complex interaction between cancer epigenetics and cancer immunology.

Objective:To study the iodine nutrition status of key populations in Sichuan Province, so as to provide a basis for scientific supplementation of iodine and adjustment of prevention and control measures.Methods:From 2018 to 2022, the stratified cluster sampling method was used in 21 counties (district) in Sichuan Province. Each county (district) was divided into 5 areas based on east, west, south, north, and center. One township (street) was selected as a monitoring site from each area. Forty children aged 8 - 10 years old and 20 pregnant women, women of childbearing age, lactating women, and their infants and young children (0 - 2 years old) were randomly selected from each monitoring site. Household edible salt and urine samples were collected for salt and urine iodine testing. B-ultrasound method was used for thyroid examination in children.Results:A total of 52 019 samples of edible salt were collected, including 50 084 qualified iodized salt samples. The qualified iodized salt consumption rate was 96.3%, and the median salt iodine was 27.1 mg/kg. A total of 21 021 urine samples from children were tested, with a median urine iodine level of 199.5 μg/L. A total of 10 293 urine samples were taken from pregnant women, and the median urine iodine level was 172.6 μg/L. A total of 10 502 urine samples were taken from women of childbearing age, with a median urine iodine level of 174.4 μg/L. A total of 10 444 urine samples were taken from lactating women, and the median urine iodine level was 164.9 μg/L. There were 10 442 urine samples from infants and young children, and the median urine iodine level was 191.9 μg/L. A total of 21 028 children underwent thyroid examination, with a goiter rate of 1.8% (370/21 028).Conclusion:From 2018 to 2022, the iodine nutrition of key populations in Sichuan Province is at an appropriate level, and the elimination of iodine deficiency disorders continues to be maintained.

Purpose To explore the value of ultrasonography in distinguishing periductal mastitis(PDM)from granulomatous lobular mastitis(GLM)and summarize the sonographic features of non-puerperal mastitis(NPM).Materials and Methods The ultrasonographic findings of 134 NPM(84 PDM,50 GLM)patients treated in the Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from July 2016 to June 2021 were retrospectively analyzed.Comparing PDM and GLM sonograms,the difference of lesion number,lesion side,lesion orientation,distance from the nipple,long diameter,thick diameter,aspect ratio,boundary,edge,edge,shape,internal echo,peripheral high echo halo,rear echo,calcification,internal blood flow,ipsilateral axillary lymph node enlargement,and summarize the characteristics of NPM according to the lesion morphology and internal echo.Results There was no statistical difference between PDM and GLM(P＞0.05).But the probability of PDM combined with ipsilateral axillary lymph node enlargement was slightly higher than that of GLM(x2=4.209,P=0.040).The ultrasonography of 134 cases of NPM lesions was divided into 7 types according to the morphology and echo changes.The abscess type was more common in GLM than in PDM(x2=4.928,P=0.026).Conclusion There is no significant difference between PDM and GLM.In the case that PDM and GLM cannot be distinguished clinically and radiologically,it is recommended to perform puncture biopsy to determine the pathological type before treatment,which may be more conducive to obtaining the best prognosis for patients.In addition,the classification of NPM into 7 types is helpful for sonographers to grasp the ultrasonographic characteristics of NPM to diagnose NPM early.