AIM: To evaluate clinical efficacy of recombinant human epidermal growth factor(rhEGF)combined with adjuvant amniotic membrane transplantation in corneal alkaline burns. METHODS:In the prospective, randomized controlled study, patients with corneal alkaline burns treated in the hospital were enrolled between November 2022 and November 2024. After emergency treatment, patients were divided into combined treatment group and routine treatment group by random number table method. The routine treatment group was given basic treatment(rhEGF), while combined treatment group additionally underwent adjuvant amniotic membrane transplantation. The clinical efficacy, healing time of corneal epithelium, best corrected visual acuity, VAS scores, corneal neovascularization area, break-up time, score of corneal opacity, and levels of inflammatory factors(IL-6, hs-CRP, TNF-α)in the two groups were observed and compared. RESULTS:There were 110 patients(110 eyes)in this study, including 55 cases(55 eyes)in each group. The combination group had a mean age of 46.82±10.38 y, including 26 males and 29 females. The routine treatment group had a mean age of 45.13±11.57 y, with 31 males and 24 females. The total response rate of combined treatment group [94.5%(52/55)] was significantly higher than that of routine treatment group [81.8%(45/55), P<0.05]. The healing time of corneal epithelium in combined treatment group was significantly shorter than that in routine treatment group(P<0.001), and VAS score for pain severity after treatment was significantly lower than that in routine treatment group(P<0.001). The corneal neovascularization area in combined treatment group was significantly smaller than that in routine treatment group(P<0.001), break-up time was significantly longer than that in routine treatment group(P<0.001),and score of corneal opacity was significantly lower than that in routine treatment group(P<0.001). After treatment, levels of inflammatory factors in combined treatment group were significantly lower than those in routine treatment group(all P<0.05). CONCLUSION:Adjuvant amniotic membrane transplantation combined with rhEGF presents prominent clinical advantages in the treatment of alkaline corneal burns. It can enhance therapeutic efficacy, accelerate wound healing, relieve pain, reduce corneal neovascularization, prolong tear film break-up time, alleviate corneal opacification, and reduce the levels of inflammatory factors.

AIM:To assess the longitudinal changes in ocular biometric parameters after intravitreal ranibizumab(IVR)injection for the treatment of retinopathy of prematurity(ROP)in premature infants during the first year of life.METHODS:A longitudinal observational and comparative study was conducted on premature infants diagnosed with type 1 ROP, with a one-year follow-up. In treatment group, patients were administered with ranibizumab injection. The control group was set up without any intervention. All the patients were examined by A-scan ultrasound biometry at 0(40 gestational wk), 3, 6, and 12 mo of corrected gestational age(GA). Anterior chamber depth(ACD), lens thickness(LT), vitreous chamber depth(VCD), and axial length(AL)were measured. Anterior segment(AST)was calculated by summing up the ACD and LT.RESULTS:A total of 60 premature infants(60 eyes)were enrolled in this study, with a mean postmenstrual age of 36.80±2.86 wk, including 30 cases(30 eyes)in the treatment group and 30 cases(30 eyes)in the control group. The mean birth weight was 1157.50±232.12 and 1327.00±432.92 g, and the mean GA was 28.46±1.70 and 30.25±2.12 wk in treatment and control groups, respectively. No significant differences were found in all parameters at baseline(P>0.05). However, after correcting GA by 3, 6, and 12 mo, ACD was significantly greater than that of the control group at the 3rd, 6th, and 12th mo. LT was significantly thinner in the treatment group at the 3rd and 6thmo, but no statistically significant difference was observed between the two groups by the 12th mo. Throughout the follow-up period, AST, VCD, and AL were no significant differences in two groups(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION:Ranibizumab administered for the treatment of ROP only affected on ACD and LT. No significant effects are observed on AST, VCD, and AL during the first year of life.

AIM:To explore the clinical characteristics, time course, and influencing factors associated with the spontaneous regression of retinopathy of prematurity(ROP).

METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from infants diagnosed with ROP. The clinical outcomes were systematically evaluated, including the rates and process of spontaneous regression across different ROP stages and zones. Potential factors for spontaneous regression were also examined.

RESULTS: A total of 138 infants(138 eyes, for patients with bilateral involvement, the more severely affected eye was chosen)with ROP were included, consisting of 77 males and 61 females. The mean gestational age was 30.0±2.3 wk. Spontaneous regression was observed in 113 cases. The regression rates for stages 1, 2, and 3 were 100%, 81%, and 23%, respectively. Regression was observed in 100% of zone Ⅲ cases and 74% of zone II cases, but did not occur in zone I or in cases with plus disease. Higher gestational age and birth weight were associated with increased rates of spontaneous regression. The median postmenstrual age(PMA)at the onset of ROP regression was 39.8 wk and at the completion of regression was 48.4 wk, with a median regression duration of 8 wk. Zone II and higher-stage ROP(stages≥2)were associated with a later onset and completion of regression, as well as a longer regression duration. Further analysis revealed that mechanical ventilation duration>14 d and retinal hemorrhage were identified as risk factors impeding the spontaneous regression of ROP.

CONCLUSION: The spontaneous regression rate of ROP varies with stage, zone, gestational age, and birth weight. The regression rate is high for stage 1 and zone Ⅲ ROP, whereas it is lower for stage 2, zone II, and more severe forms of ROP, which require close monitoring or active intervention. The time course of spontaneous regression of ROP also differs by disease stage and zone.Mechanical ventilation lasting>14 d and retinal hemorrhage are risk factors impeding the spontaneous regression of ROP.

Forensic medicine has been designated as a first-level discipline,presenting new opportunities and challenges for the development of forensic medicine.Since the 1980s,the establishment of foren-sic medicine discipline and the cultivation of high-level forensic talents have become hot topics in the development of forensic medicine in China.Since the 13th Five-Year Plan,the forensic team of Shanxi Medical University has been aiming at the forefront,proposing the development goals of"Five First-class"and the discipline development path"Six Major Achievements".It has selected benchmark disci-plines,identified gaps in disciplinary development,unified thoughts,formulated completion timelines,concentrated superior resources,assigned tasks to individuals,and created an"Organized Fill-in-the-Blank Format"forensic medicine discipline construction model with the characteristics of the new era.The construction model of forensic medicine has achieved good results in the goals,discipline frame-work,scientific research,talent cultivation,discipline team and platform construction,forming a rela-tively complete discipline construction and management system,and accumulating valuable experience for the construction of first-level discipline and high-level talent cultivation of forensic medicine.

Background Per- and polyfluoroalkyl substances (PFASs) are a class of persistent organic pollutants that pose potential health risks to humans. Infants and young children have higher requirements for food safety due to the underdeveloped detoxification and immune systems. Therefore, developing a comprehensive method for determination of PFASs and their novel alternatives in infant complementary food is of great significance. Objective To develop an analytical method using liquid chromatography high-resolution mass spectrometry technology for determination of 55 PFASs in plant- and animal-derived infant complementary fruit purees. Methods Oasis WAX (200 mg, 6 CC) solid-phase extraction columns were used for sample enrichment and purification. The pH of the acetonitrile extract was adjusted using 0%, 1%, 1.5%, and 2% formic acid aqueous solutions to evaluate its impact on the recovery rate of target compounds. Additionally, the impact of a 2 mL methanol wash during the purification process on the recovery of target compounds was assessed to determine the optimal pretreatment conditions. Three types of chromatographic columns—Agilent Poroshell 120 EC-C₁₈, Thermo InfinityLab Poroshell 120 Aq-C₁₈, Acquity Waters BEH-C₁₈, and changes in mobile phase, were compared for their effects on retention time, peak shape, and response of target compounds. The method was validated in terms of selectivity, linear range, detection limit, and precision. The established method was applied to 49 commercial samples of infant complementary fruit purees. Results Adjusting the sample pH using 1.5% formic acid water and incorporating a 2 mL methanol wash during purification achieved satisfactory recovery rates. The target compounds were chromatographically separated using an Agilent Poroshell 120 EC-C₁₈ column with a gradient elution system. The mobile phase consisted of methanol-water (methanol/water: 2/98, v/v) containing 5 mmol·L⁻¹ ammonium formate as mobile phase A, and methanol as mobile phase B. Good separation was achieved within 15 min, resulting in optimal chromatographic peak shapes. The 55 target compounds exhibited good linearity across the standard curve range, with correlation coefficients (R²) greater than 0.99. The method detection limits ranged from 0.02 to 0.05 µg·L⁻¹. In the plant- and animal-based fruit puree samples, the spiked recovery rates ranged from 60% to 112% and 57% to 119%, respectively, with relative standard deviations (RSD) ≤ 30%. A total of 9 traditional PFASs and 5 novel PFASs were positive in 49 samples of infant complementary fruit purees. Conclusion This method enables comprehensive detection of 55 traditional and emerging PFASs, offering wide coverage, high accuracy, and excellent sensitivity. It provides technical support for characterizing contamination by traditional and emerging PFASs in food matrices.

In most types of erectile dysfunction, particularly in advanced stages, typical pathological features observed are reduced parenchymal cells coupled with increased tissue fibrosis. However, the current treatment methods have shown limited success in reversing these pathologic changes. Recent research has revealed that changes in autophagy levels, along with alterations in apoptosis and fibrosis-related proteins, are linked to the progression of erectile dysfunction, suggesting a significant association. Autophagy, known to significantly affect cell fate and tissue fibrosis, is currently being explored as a potential treatment modality for erectile dysfunction. However, these present studies are still in their nascent stage, and there are limited experimental data available. This review analyzes erectile dysfunction from a pathological perspective. It provides an in-depth overview of how autophagy is involved in the apoptotic processes of smooth muscle and endothelial cells and its role in the fibrotic processes occurring in the cavernosum. This study aimed to develop a theoretical framework for the potential effectiveness of autophagy in preventing and treating erectile dysfunction, thus encouraging further investigation among researchers in this area.
Male ; Humans ; Autophagy/physiology* ; Apoptosis/physiology* ; Erectile Dysfunction/physiopathology* ; Fibrosis ; Penis/pathology* ; Animals ; Endothelial Cells/pathology* ; Myocytes, Smooth Muscle/pathology*

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the effects of acupuncture on the neurotransmitter levels and gut microbiota in a mouse model of Tourette syndrome (TS). METHODS: Thirty-six male C57/BL6 mice were randomly divided into 4 groups using a random number table method: 3,3'-iminodipropionitrile (IDPN) group, control group, acupuncture group, and tiapride group, with 9 mice in each group. In the IDPN group, acupuncture group, and tiapride group, mice received daily intraperitoneal injections of IDPN (300 mg/kg body weight) for 7 consecutive days to induce stereotyped behaviors. Subsequently, in the acupuncture intervention group, standardized acupuncture treatment was administered for 14 consecutive days to IDPN-induced TS model mice. The selected acupoints included Baihui (DU 20), Yintang (DU 29), Waiguan (SJ 5), and Zulinqi (GB 41). In the tiapride group, mice were administered tiapride (50 mg/kg body weight) via oral gavage daily for 14 consecutive days. The control group, IDPN group, and acupuncture group received the same volume of saline orally for 14 consecutive days. Stereotypic behaviors were quantified through behavioral assessments. Neurotransmitter levels, including dopamine (DA), glutamate (Glu), and aspartate (ASP) in striatal tissue were measured using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Dopamine transporter (DAT) expression levels were additionally quantified through quantitative polymerase chain reaction (qPCR). Gut microbial composition was analyzed through 16S ribosomal RNA gene sequencing, while metabolic profiling was conducted using liquid chromatography-mass spectrometry (LC-MS). RESULTS: Acupuncture administration significantly attenuated stereotypic behaviors, concurrently reducing striatal levels of DA, Glu and ASP concentrations while upregulating DAT expression compared with untreated TS controls (P<0.05 or P<0.01). Comparative analysis identified significant differences in Muribaculaceae (P=0.001), Oscillospiraceae (P=0.049), Desulfovibrionaceae (P=0.001), and Marinifilaceae (P=0.014) following acupuncture intervention. Metabolomic profiling revealed alterations in 7 metabolites and 18 metabolic pathways when compared to the TS mice, which involved various amino acid metabolisms associated with DA, Glu, and ASP. CONCLUSIONS Acupuncture demonstrates significant modulatory effects on both central neurotransmitter systems and gut microbial ecology, thereby highlighting its dual therapeutic potential for TS management through gut-brain axis regulation.
Animals ; Tourette Syndrome/metabolism* ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Neurotransmitter Agents/metabolism* ; Acupuncture Therapy ; Male ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Mice

OBJECTIVE: Exposure to polycyclic aromatic hydrocarbons (PAHs) or metal(loid)s individually has been associated with neural tube defects (NTDs). However, the impacts of PAH and metal(loid) co-exposure and potential interaction effects on NTD risk remain unclear. We conducted a case-control study in China among population with a high prevalence of NTDs to investigate the combined effects of PAH and metal(loid) exposures on the risk of NTD. METHODS: Cases included 80 women who gave birth to offspring with NTDs, whereas controls were 50 women who delivered infants with no congenital malformations. We analyzed the levels of placental PAHs using gas chromatography and mass spectrometry, PAH-DNA adducts with ³²P-post-labeling method, and metal(loid)s with an inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometer. Unconditional logistic regression was employed to estimate the associations between individual exposures and NTDs. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) penalized regression models were used to select a subset of exposures, while additive interaction models were used to identify interaction effects. RESULTS: In the single-exposure models, we found that eight PAHs, PAH-DNA adducts, and 28 metal(loid)s were associated with NTDs. Pyrene, selenium, molybdenum, cadmium, uranium, and rubidium were selected through LASSO regression and were statistically associated with NTDs in the multiple-exposure models. Women with high levels of pyrene and molybdenum or pyrene and selenium exhibited significantly increased risk of having offspring with NTDs, indicating that these combinations may have synergistic effects on the risk of NTDs. CONCLUSION Our findings suggest that individual PAHs and metal(loid)s, as well as their interactions, may be associated with the risk of NTDs, which warrants further investigation.
Humans ; Neural Tube Defects/chemically induced* ; Polycyclic Aromatic Hydrocarbons/adverse effects* ; Female ; Case-Control Studies ; China/epidemiology* ; Adult ; Pregnancy ; Environmental Pollutants ; Maternal Exposure/adverse effects* ; Metals/toxicity* ; Young Adult ; Risk Factors

Vascular aging (VA) is a common etiology of various chronic diseases and represents a major public health concern. Intermittent hypoxia (IH) associated with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a primary pathological and physiological driver of OSAHS-induced systemic complications. A substantial proportion of OSAHS patients, estimated to be between 40% and 80%, have comorbidities such as hypertension, heart failure, coronary artery disease, pulmonary hypertension, atrial fibrillation, aneurysm, and stroke, all of which are closely associated with VA. This review examines the molecular and cellular features common to both OSAHS and VA, highlighting decreased melatonin secretion, impaired autophagy, increased apoptosis, increased inflammation and pyroptosis, increased oxidative stress, accelerated telomere shortening, accelerated stem cell depletion, metabolic disorders, imbalanced protein homeostasis, epigenetic alterations, and dysregulated neurohormonal signaling. The accumulation and combination of these features may underlie the pathophysiological link between OSAHS and VA, but the exact mechanisms by which OSAHS affects VA may require further investigation. Taken together, these findings suggest that OSAHS may serve as a novel risk factor for VA and related vascular disorders, and that targeting these features may offer therapeutic potential to mitigate the vascular risks associated with OSAHS.
Humans ; Sleep Apnea, Obstructive/pathology* ; Aging/physiology* ; Oxidative Stress/physiology* ; Animals

BACKGROUND: Diabetic foot is a complex condition with high incidence, recurrence, mortality, and disability rates. Current treatments for diabetic foot ulcers are often insufficient. This study was conducted to identify potential therapeutic targets for diabetic foot. METHODS: Datasets related to diabetic foot and diabetic skin were retrieved from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. Differentially expressed genes (DEGs) were identified using R software. Enrichment analysis was conducted to screen for critical gene functions and pathways. A protein interaction network was constructed to identify node genes corresponding to key proteins. The DEGs and node genes were overlapped to pinpoint target genes. Plasma and chronic ulcer samples from diabetic and non-diabetic individuals were collected. Western blotting, immunohistochemistry, and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assays were performed to verify the S100 calcium binding protein A9 (S100A9), inflammatory cytokine, and related pathway protein levels. Hematoxylin and eosin staining was used to measure epidermal layer thickness. RESULTS: In total, 283 common DEGs and 42 node genes in diabetic foot ulcers were identified. Forty-three genes were differentially expressed in the skin of diabetic and non-diabetic individuals. The overlapping of the most significant DEGs and node genes led to the identification of S100A9 as a target gene. The S100A9 level was significantly higher in diabetic than in non-diabetic plasma (178.40 ± 44.65 ng/mL vs. 40.84 ± 18.86 ng/mL) and in chronic ulcers, and the wound healing time correlated positively with the plasma S100A9 level. The levels of inflammatory cytokines (tumor necrosis factor-α, interleukin [IL]-1, and IL-6) and related pathway proteins (phospho-extracellular signal regulated kinase [ERK], phospho-p38, phospho-p65, and p-protein kinase B [Akt]) were also elevated. The epidermal layer was notably thinner in chronic diabetic ulcers than in non-diabetic skin (24.17 ± 25.60 μm vs. 412.00 ± 181.60 μm). CONCLUSIONS S100A9 was significantly upregulated in diabetic foot and was associated with prolonged wound healing. S100A9 may impair diabetic wound healing by disrupting local inflammatory responses and skin re-epithelialization.
Calgranulin B/therapeutic use* ; Diabetic Foot/metabolism* ; Humans ; Datasets as Topic ; Computational Biology ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Animals ; Mice ; Protein Interaction Maps ; Immunohistochemistry