AIM:To investigate the effect of 3% diquafosol sodium eye drops on tear film homeostasis in patients wearing overnight orthokeratology lenses.METHODS:Retrospective study. A total of 340 patients(564 eyes)fitted with night-worn orthokeratology lenses from June to December 2022 were respectively divided into a diquafosol sodium group(200 cases, 323 eyes, treated with 3% diquafosol sodium eye drops)and a sodium hyaluronate group(140 cases, 241 eyes, treated with sodium hyaluronate eye drops). The uncorrected visual acuity(LogMAR), ocular surface disease index(OSDI), non-invasive tear film break-up time(NIBUT), meibomian gland infrared imaging score, and corneal epithelial fluorescein staining were analyzed and compared between the two groups.RESULTS:Compared to baseline, both groups showed significant improvements in uncorrected visual acuity(LogMAR)at 1 wk, 1, and 3 mo after lens wear(all P<0.01). However, no statistically significant difference in uncorrected visual acuity(LogMAR)was observed between the two groups at any time point(all P>0.05). No significant differences in NIBUT or OSDI scores were found between the groups before and at 1 wk after lens wear(all P>0.05). At the 1- and 3 mo follow-ups, the 3% diquafosol sodium group demonstrated significantly longer NIBUT(all P<0.001)and lower OSDI scores(all P<0.001)compared to the sodium hyaluronate group. After wearing lens for 3 mo, the meibomian gland infrared imaging scores were significantly better in the diquafosol sodium group(P<0.001), whereas no significant intergroup difference was observed in corneal fluorescein staining(P>0.05). Furthermore, the incidence of adverse events during the study period did not differ significantly between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:Compared with sodium hyaluronate, 3% diquafosol sodium eye drops were more effective in maintaining tear film homeostasis in patients wearing overnight orthokeratology lenses.

ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological trends and characteristics of brucellosis in humans (hereinafter referred to as brucellosis) in Tangshan City, Hebei Province from 2016 to 2023, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating brucellosis prevention and control strategies in the region. MethodsThe incidence data of human brucellosis in Tangshan City from 2016 to 2023 were collected from the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The diagnosis time, infection route, and clinical characteristics of the cases were obtained from the case investigation reports. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the temporal, spatial, demographic distributions, and clinical characteristics of human brucellosis. Brucella species were identified using agglutination tests with bacterial suspension and A/M antigen-positive serum. ResultsA total of 2 193 cases of human brucellosis were confirmed and clinically diagnosed in Tangshan City from 2016 to 2023, with the peak incidence occured from March to August, and which exhibited distinct geographic distribution patterns. The highest incidence rate was found in people aged 60‒<70 years. The occupation of cases were primarily farmers. The incidence rate in males (528/100 000) was higher than that in females (184/100 000). All cases had confirmed exposure to infected animals or contaminated animal products. ConclusionThe epidemic of human brucellosis in Tangshan exhibited an overall steady downward trend from 2016 to 2023, except for a slight increase in 2016 and 2021, with the incidence rate controlled at 289/100 000‒335/100 000. The prevention and control situation of human brucellosis still remains severe, with the highest incidence rate in the eastern region of Tangshan, which are characterized by the breeding, slaughtering, and processing of cattle and sheep. Therefore, it it is necessary to enhance the prevention and control of human brucellosis among the personnel engaged in these industries in the eastern areas.

Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neurotoxicity (CIPN) is a severe dose-limiting adverse event of chemotherapy. Presently, the mechanism underlying the induction of CIPN remains unclear, and no effective treatment is available. In this study, through metabolomics analyses, we found that nab-paclitaxel therapy markedly increased serum serotonin [5-hydroxtryptamine (5-HT)] levels in both cancer patients and mice compared to the respective controls. Furthermore, nab-paclitaxel-treated enterochromaffin (EC) cells showed increased 5-HT synthesis, and serotonin-treated Schwann cells showed damage, as indicated by the activation of CREB3L3/MMP3/FAS signaling. Venlafaxine, an inhibitor of serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake, was found to protect against nerve injury by suppressing the activation of CREB3L3/MMP3/FAS signaling in Schwann cells. Remarkably, venlafaxine was found to significantly alleviate nab-paclitaxel-induced CIPN in patients without affecting the clinical efficacy of chemotherapy. In summary, our study reveals that EC cell-derived 5-HT plays a critical role in nab-paclitaxel-related neurotoxic lesions, and venlafaxine co-administration represents a novel approach to treating chronic cumulative neurotoxicity commonly reported in nab-paclitaxel-based chemotherapy.
Paclitaxel/toxicity* ; Animals ; Albumins/adverse effects* ; Serotonin/metabolism* ; Mice ; Humans ; Male ; Female ; Venlafaxine Hydrochloride/therapeutic use* ; Neurotoxicity Syndromes/metabolism* ; Middle Aged ; Schwann Cells/metabolism* ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases/drug therapy* ; Antineoplastic Agents

Objective:To understand the relationship between sleep duration and cardiovascular and metabolic comorbidities (CMM) in middle-aged and elderly people in China.Methods:This study was a prospective cohort study, based on the data of China Health and Retirement Tracing Survey (CHARLS) from 2011 to 2015, and included middle-aged and elderly people aged≥45 years in the cohort study. Age, gender, marital status, residence, education, smoking status, alcohol status, body mass index, history of diabetes, history of dyslipidemia, history of hypertension, history of stroke, history of heart disease, history of mental illness, depression scale score were collected. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the association between daily sleep duration and the risk of CMM onset and to construct four models with stepwise adjusted covariates. A stratified analysis was established based on demographic factors, lifestyle factors, metabolic factors, cardiovascular and cerebrovascular factors, and psychological factors. Meanwhile, a subgroup analysis was established according to different combinations of cardiovascular and metabolic diseases to explore the association between sleep length and the risk of CMM in different populations.Results:A total of 297 (4.4%) of the 6 788 included participants experienced CMM. In the multivariate logistic regression, the RR value (95% CI) for the risk of CMM for>9 h was 1.99 (1.86-2.08) and 1.78 (1.64-1.92), respectively (all P<0.001). The stratified analysis showed that the risk of CMM incidence between sleep duration<7 h and>9 h was associated in people with different age, sex, residence, smoking status, drinking status, body mass index, hypertension, hypertension, diabetes, heart disease, stroke, dyslipidemia, and depression (all P<0.05). Subgroup analysis showed that sleep duration<7 h with both diabetes, heart disease and stroke had the highest risk of CMM ( RR=1.95, 95% CI: 1.65-2.14). Conclusion:In the middle-aged and elderly group in China, there is a U-shaped association between sleep duration and CMM, that is, insufficient or too long sleep duration throughout the day is related to the increased risk of CMM.

BACKGROUND:MXene nanoparticles,due to their unique hydrophilicity,biocompatibility,and antibacterial properties,are widely used in wound,tumor,nerve repair,and cardiovascular treatments.However,it is still unclear what effect MXene nanoparticles have on diabetic wound healing.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the in vitro antioxidant,anti-inflammatory and photothermal antibacterial properties of MXene nanoparticles Ti3C2Tx as well as their effect on wound repair in diabetic mice.METHODS:(1)In vitro experiments:The cytotoxicity of Ti3C2Tx nanoparticles on mouse fibroblasts(NIH-3T3)at various concentrations was evaluated using the methyl thiazolyl tetrazolium(MTT)assay.NIH-3T3 cells were exposed to H2O2,and the MTT assay was used to detect the protective effects of different mass concentrations of Ti3C2Tx on NIH-3T3 cells.NIH-3T3 cells were exposed to H2O2,and the effect of Ti3C2Tx(20 μg/mL)on the generation of reactive oxygen species in NIH-3T3 cells was analyzed under illumination(or no illumination)treatment.RAW264.7 macrophages were divided into three groups:control group,lipopolysaccharide group,and lipopolysaccharide+Ti3C2Tx group.Real-time quantitative PCR was used to detect the expression of specific genes(CD86,interleukin 6,CD206,arginase 1)in the cells.Escherichia coli(or Staphylococcus aureus)were divided into three groups:control group,Ti3C2Tx group,and Ti3C2Tx illumination group.The bacterial survival rate was calculated by plate colony counting method.(2)In vivo experiments:Streptozotocin was administered intraperitoneally to ICR mice to induce a diabetic condition.After successful modeling,a full-thickness skin defect wound was created on the back of the mice using a circular punch.The experiment was divided into three groups:control group(n=6),Ti3C2Tx group(n=6),and Ti3C2Tx illumination group(n=6).The wound healing was observed,and CD31 and CD206 immunohistochemical staining of wound tissue was performed on day 7 after intervention.Hematoxylin-eosin staining and Masson staining of wound tissue were performed on days 7 and 14 after intervention.Ti3C2Tx solution was injected subcutaneously into ICR mice.After illumination(or non-illumination)exposure,the toxic effects of Ti3C2Tx on mice were analyzed by blood biochemical detection.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)In vitro experiments:Ti3C2Tx showed no cytotoxicity on NIH-3T3 cells at mass concentrations ranging from 5-160 μg/mL.It increased the survival rate of NIH-3T3 cells at a mass concentration of 20 μg/mL.Ti3C2Tx at 10-80 μg/mL significantly improved the survival rate of NIH-3T3 cells under H2O2 intervention.Ti3C2Tx significantly inhibited the generation of reactive oxygen species in NIH-3T3 cells under the intervention of H2O2,and illumination treatment further enhanced the effect of Ti3C2Tx on inhibiting the generation of reactive oxygen species.Ti3C2Tx effectively inhibited macrophage inflammation induced by lipopolysaccharide and promoted the transformation of cells into M2 macrophages with anti-inflammatory properties.Both Ti3C2Tx and Ti3C2Tx illumination significantly inhibited the growth of Escherichia coli and Staphylococcus aureus,and the inhibitory effect of Ti3C2Tx illumination was more significant.(2)In vivo experiments:Gross and histological analyses of the wound surface showed that both Ti3C2Tx and Ti3C2Tx illumination promoted wound healing in diabetic mice,and the promotion effect of Ti3C2Tx irradiation was more significant.Immunohistochemical staining results showed that both Ti3C2Tx and Ti3C2Tx illumination inhibited the inflammatory response in diabetic wounds and promoted angiogenesis,and the effect of Ti3C2Tx illumination was more significant.Blood biochemical test results showed that Ti3C2Tx and illumination had no obvious toxic effects on mice.(3)These results indicate that Ti3C2Tx nanoparticles efficiently promote the healing of skin wounds in a diabetic mouse model through antioxidation,anti-inflammation,and antibacterial actions via photothermal effects.

Objective To investigate the role of mitochondrial antiviral signaling protein(MAVS)in viral infection-triggered generalized pustular psoriasis(GPP)in children.Methods This retrospective case-control study enrolled 80 GPP patients aged 0～18 years from Children's Hospital of Chongqing Medical University(from October 2013 to April 2019).Whole-exome sequencing identified rare MAVS variants associated with GPP.Pathogenicity of variants was predicted using Mutation Taster,Disease Association,SIFT,and CADD bioinformatics tools.Sanger sequencing validated variants,followed by construction of wild-type(WT)and mutant MAVS expression plasmids transfected into HEK 293 cells.Protein expression was assessed by Western blot.Dual-luciferase reporter gene assays measured IFNB1 and NF-κB transcriptional activity.Genotype distribution of the MAVS c.171dupT/p.H57fs variant was analyzed using Fisher's exact test.Results This study enrolled 80 pediatric GPP patients(aged 0～18 years).Whole-exome sequencing identified five rare MAVS variants,with bioinformatics analyses predicting deleterious effects on protein stability and function.Western blot demonstrated that the c.171dupT mutation in GPP patients significantly reduced full-length MAVS expression(P<0.001);dual-luciferase assays further revealed this variant impaired MAVS-mediated IFNB1 transcriptional activation by 85%(P<0.001),abrogated NF-κB signaling pathway activation(P<0.001),but exhibited no dominant-negative effect on wild-type MAVS function(P>0.05).Conclusion The MAVS c.171dupT frameshift variant may contribute to infection-triggered GPP in children,suggesting its potential as a genetic biomarker for GPP susceptibility.

Objective To explore the effects of sigma-1 receptor(Sig-1R)on brain function in rats after cardiopulmo-nary resuscitation and its protective role in brain injury.Methods Rats were randomly assigned to four groups with 20 in each:sham-operated control(sham group),6-hour post-resuscitation(PR 6 h group),12-hour post-resuscitation(PR 12 h group)and 24-hour post-resuscitation(PR 24 h group).In the latter three groups,cardiac arrest was induced by as-phyxiation,and cardiopulmonary resuscitation was performed 6 minutes after cardiac arrest.The rats were scored for neu-rological deficits at 6,12 and 24 hrs after resuscitation,respectively;after that,the rats were executed,and the expres-sion of Sig-1R protein,mitochondrial function index,and endoplasmic reticulum stress index apoptosis index were detec-ted by Western blot and immunohistochemistry.The correlation between Sig-1R and mitochondrial,endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis indexes was evaluated.Results Compared with the sham-operated group,the rats in test group showed a gradual decrease in neurological deficit scores,Sig-1R protein expression,brain tissue adenosine triphos-phate(ATP)concentration and mitochondrial membrane potential(MMP)levels at 6,12,and 24 hrs of PR(P＜0.05);CHOP protein,activated cleaved caspase-12 and cleaved caspase-3 protein expression were consistently elevated(P＜0.05).In addition,Sig-1R was negatively correlated with brain tissue endoplasmic reticulum stress and apoptosis(P＜0.05)but positively correlated with mitochondrial membrane potential level(P＜0.05).Conclusions Sig-1R ex-pression in rat brain tissue correlates with brain injury after cardiopulmonary resuscitation and potential mechanism seems to be neuronal protection through modulating mitochondrial function and endoplasmic reticulum stress.

Objective To elucidate the role of let-7 in the pathogenesis of oral squamous cell carcinoma(OSCC)and its underlying molecular mechanism.Methods The expression of let-7 in human oral keratinocyte(HOK),OSCC tissues,and OSCC cells(CAL-27,SCC-25,and SCC-9)was detected by quantitative real-time PCR.Colony formation,scratch,Transwell,and flow cytometry assays were used to examine the effects of let-7 on the proliferation,migration,invasion,and apoptosis of SCC-25 cells.Western blotting was used to detect the expression of Wnt and β-catenin proteins.The correlation between let-7 expression and the clinicopathological cha-racteristics and prognosis of OSCC patients was analyzed.Results let-7 was downregulated in OSCC tissues and cells.let-7 over-expression effectively inhibited the proliferation,migration,and invasion of SCC-25 cells while promoting apoptosis by suppressing acti-vation of the Wnt/β-catenin pathway.let-7 expression was closely associated with tumor stage,lymph node metastasis,and patient survival status.Patients with low let-7 expression exhibited lower overall survival rate.Conclusion let-7 targets and regulates the Wnt/β-catenin pathway,thereby inhibiting proliferation,migration,and invasion of OSCC cells while promoting apoptosis.

[Objective]To explore the effects of astragalin(AST)on autophagy and apoptosis of astrocytes in the L4-5 dorsal horn of the spinal cord in mice with inflammatory pain induced by complete Freund's adjuvant(CFA).[Methods]Twenty-four male C57BL/6 mice,aged six months,were randomly assigned to four groups:control group,saline group,CFA model group,and CFA+AST group,six mice in each group.The inflammatory pain model was established by injection of 10 μL CFA into the right lateral malleolus fossa.The saline group were injected with an equal amount of normal saline at the same site.The inflammatory pain mice in CFA+AST group were further treated with AST(60 mg/kg)intraperitoneally once a day for 21 consecutive days.Multiplex immunofluorescence staining was used to detect the coexpression of autophagy-related factors including ATG 12 and Beclin-1,apoptosis-related factors including Cleaved-Caspase3 and Caspase9,and the astrocyte marker such as GFAP in the L4-5 spinal dorsal horn of the mice in each group.Western blot was used to examine the protein expression levels of autophagy-related proteins(ATG12,Beclin-1)and apoptosis-related proteins(Caspase 3,Caspase 9)in the L4-5 spinal dorsal horn of mice.[Results]Immunofluorescent staining showed that in the L4-5 dorsal horn of the spinal cord,the fluorescence intensity of ATG12(P<0.000 1)and Beclin-1(P<0.000 1)was significantly increased,while that of Cleaved-Caspase 3(P<0.001)and Caspase 9(P<0.000 1)was decreased in the CFA+AST group when compared to the CFA model group.Furthermore,AST could inhibit the activation of astrocytes.Western blot further confirmed that AST significantly upregulated the expression of ATG12(P<0.000 1)and Beclin-1(P<0.000 1)in the L4-5 spinal cord of CFA mice,and downregulated the expression of Caspase 3(P<0.01)and Caspase 9(P<0.001).[Conclusions]AST promotes autophagy of astrocytes and inhibits their apoptosis in the L4-5 spinal dorsal horn of CFA mice.