ObjectiveAge-related macular degeneration （AMD） is one of the leading causes of low vision and blindness in people over 50 years old， and dry AMD （dAMD） is one type for which there is currently no clear treatment. On the basis of the diagnosis and clinical characteristics of dAMD in traditional Chinese and Western medicine， this paper evaluated the fitting degrees of existing animal models of dAMD with clinical characteristics according to the evaluation methods of animal models， and put forward suggestions and prospects. MethodsLiterature on animal models of dAMD was searched against database， and the characteristics of the models were assigned according to the diagnosis criteria of diseases and syndromes of traditional Chinese and Western medicine， and the fitting degrees of the models with clinical characteristics were analyzed and evaluated. ResultsAt present， the animal models of dAMD are mainly established targeting complement factors， chemokines， oxidative damage， lipid/glucose metabolism， and natural strains. Most of the models can simulate the major pathological changes of dAMD， showing the fitting degree of 25%-50% with clinical characteristics in Western medicine. However， the evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndromes， especially the evaluation of secondary syndromes， is missing， and the models present low fitting degrees with the clinical characteristics in TCM. ConclusionExisting animal models of dAMD are mostly established under the guidance of Western diagnostic standards， which reproduce the main disease characteristics of Western medicine and lack observation of TCM syndromes. Future studies can pay attention to the intervention factors and evaluation systems of spleen deficiency Qi deficiency and liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome and build the animal model of dAMD with integration of disease and syndrome based on clinical characteristics of traditional Chinese and Western medicine.

ObjectiveAge-related macular degeneration （AMD） is one of the leading causes of low vision and blindness in people over 50 years old， and dry AMD （dAMD） is one type for which there is currently no clear treatment. On the basis of the diagnosis and clinical characteristics of dAMD in traditional Chinese and Western medicine， this paper evaluated the fitting degrees of existing animal models of dAMD with clinical characteristics according to the evaluation methods of animal models， and put forward suggestions and prospects. MethodsLiterature on animal models of dAMD was searched against database， and the characteristics of the models were assigned according to the diagnosis criteria of diseases and syndromes of traditional Chinese and Western medicine， and the fitting degrees of the models with clinical characteristics were analyzed and evaluated. ResultsAt present， the animal models of dAMD are mainly established targeting complement factors， chemokines， oxidative damage， lipid/glucose metabolism， and natural strains. Most of the models can simulate the major pathological changes of dAMD， showing the fitting degree of 25%-50% with clinical characteristics in Western medicine. However， the evaluation of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndromes， especially the evaluation of secondary syndromes， is missing， and the models present low fitting degrees with the clinical characteristics in TCM. ConclusionExisting animal models of dAMD are mostly established under the guidance of Western diagnostic standards， which reproduce the main disease characteristics of Western medicine and lack observation of TCM syndromes. Future studies can pay attention to the intervention factors and evaluation systems of spleen deficiency Qi deficiency and liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome and build the animal model of dAMD with integration of disease and syndrome based on clinical characteristics of traditional Chinese and Western medicine.

Hypoxemia is a common pathological state characterized by low oxygen saturation in the blood. This condition compromises mucosal barrier integrity particularly in the gut and oral cavity. However, the mechanisms underlying this association remain unclear. This study used periodontitis as a model to investigate the role of platelet activation in oral mucosal immunopathology under hypoxic conditions. Hypoxia upregulated methyltransferase-like protein 4 (METTL4) expression in platelets, resulting in N⁶-methyladenine modification of mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA). This modification impaired mitochondrial transcriptional factor A-dependent cytosolic mtDNA degradation, leading to cytosolic mtDNA accumulation. Excess cytosolic mt-DNA aberrantly activated the cGAS-STING pathway in platelets. This resulted in excessive platelet activation and neutrophil extracellular trap formation that ultimately exacerbated periodontitis. Targeting platelet METTL4 and its downstream pathways offers a potential strategy for managing oral mucosa immunopathology. Further research is needed to examine its broader implications for mucosal inflammation under hypoxic conditions.
DNA, Mitochondrial/metabolism* ; Mouth Mucosa/pathology* ; Hypoxia/immunology* ; Methyltransferases/metabolism* ; Blood Platelets/metabolism* ; Animals ; Periodontitis/immunology* ; Humans ; Platelet Activation ; Mice

Objective:To explore the effect of immobility on the quality of life in older adults.Methods:This cross-sectional study included 244 consecutive elderly patients aged 60 years and older who were admitted to the Department of Geriatrics at Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University from May 2022 to March 2023.Among the participants, 52.5%(128/244)were male and 47.5%(116/244)were female, with a mean age of 69.2±7.4 years.All participants underwent a series of assessments, including the Short Physical Performance Battery(SPPB), grip strength measurement, gait speed evaluation, and the Timed Up and Go test(TUG).The Barthel Index was employed to assess activities of daily living, while the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey(SF-36)was used to evaluate quality of life.A score of SPPB ≤ 9 was used to diagnose immobility.Results:A total of 60 older adults met the criteria for immobility.Compared to the non-immobility group, the quality-of-life scores for older adults in the immobility group were significantly lower across various dimensions, including physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, physical component summary, and the total SF-36 score(all P<0.05).Furthermore, a positive correlation was identified between the SPPB scores and the quality-of-life scores across the dimensions of physical functioning, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, mental health, reported health transition, physical component summary, and the total SF-36 score among patients in the immobility group(all P<0.05).Additionally, older adults in the immobility group exhibited lower grip strength, slower gait speed, and longer TUG times, as well as a higher incidence of emergencies and falls over the past year(all P<0.05). Conclusions:The poorer quality of life and physical function, along with higher rates of emergencies and falls among older adults with immobility, indicate the necessity of addressing the health consequences that immobility inflicts on this population.

Objective:To evaluate the changes in cortical electroencephalogram (EEG) burst suppression rate (BSR) during sevoflurane anesthesia in septic mice and the correlation with cerebral blood perfusion.Methods:Forty SPF male C57BL/6J mice, aged 8-10 weeks, weighing 22-25 g, were divided into 2 groups ( n=20 each) by the random number table method: sham operation group (Sham group) and cecal ligation perforation group (CLP group). The sepsis model was established by cecal ligation and puncture in anesthetized animals. Mice in both groups inhaled 2% sevoflurane for 2 h. During sevoflurane anesthesia, BSR (30 min as an epoch) on electroencephalogram was recorded, and the cortical cerebral blood perfusion was recorded using the laser speckle flow imaging at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min of anesthesia. Results:Compared with Sham group, the cortical EEG BSR was significantly increased, and the cortical cerebral blood perfusion was decreased during sevoflurane anesthesia in CLP group ( P<0.05). Cortical EEG BSR was negatively correlated with cortical cerebral blood perfusion ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Cortical EEG BSR increases during sevoflurane anesthesia in septic mice, which may be related to decreased cortical cerebral blood perfusion.

BACKGROUND:Numerous clinical trials have demonstrated that hypertonic glucose prolotherapy promotes tendon injury healing,yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of different concentrations of hypertonic glucose on rat behavior,cellular morphology,tendon extracellular matrix components,and growth factors.METHODS:Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into five groups:control blank,model,5%glucose,15%glucose,and 25%glucose groups,with 10 rats in each group.(1)Modeling:Except for the control blank group,all groups received an Achilles tendon injection of type I collagenase.(2)Intervention:The control blank and model groups received no treatment.The 5%,15%,and 25%glucose groups received injections of 30 μL of 5%,15%,and 25%glucose,respectively,into the right Achilles tendon once a week for 3 weeks.(3)Assessments:Behavioral assessments,hematoxylin-eosin staining,western blot,and RT-qPCR were conducted to assess type I collagen,type III collagen,transforming growth factor β1,vascular endothelial growth factor,and SCX expression levels in tendon tissue.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Behavioral analysis:Compared with the control blank group,the model group showed a significant reduction in 5-minute running distance(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the 25%glucose group exhibited a significant increase in 5-minute running distance(P<0.05).(2)Compared with the control blank group,tendon tissue in the other groups showed varying degrees of collagen disarray,increased number of blood vessels,and increased number of cells.However,glucose-treated groups exhibited more orderly collagen alignment than the model group.(3)Compared with the control blank group,the mRNA expression of type I collagen α1 was reduced,and the mRNA expression of type III collagen was increased in the model group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the 25%glucose group exhibited increased mRNA expression of type I collagen α1,while both the 15%and 25%glucose groups showed significantly decreased mRNA expression of type III collagen and increased SCX mRNA expression(P<0.05).(4)Compared with the control group,the model group displayed reduced protein expression of type I collagen and increased protein expression of type III collagen and vascular endothelial growth factor(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the glucose intervention groups had decreased protein expression of type III collagen,with the 25%glucose group showing increased protein expression of type I collagen and the 15%glucose group exhibiting elevated protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor β1(P<0.05).To conclude,hypertonic glucose promotes vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor β1 expression,modulates collagen synthesis,increases the content of type I collagen,and accelerates tendon healing.Furthermore,25%hypertonic glucose concentration has the optimal intervention effect.

Objective:To evaluate the changes in cortical electroencephalogram (EEG) burst suppression rate (BSR) during sevoflurane anesthesia in septic mice and the correlation with cerebral blood perfusion.Methods:Forty SPF male C57BL/6J mice, aged 8-10 weeks, weighing 22-25 g, were divided into 2 groups ( n=20 each) by the random number table method: sham operation group (Sham group) and cecal ligation perforation group (CLP group). The sepsis model was established by cecal ligation and puncture in anesthetized animals. Mice in both groups inhaled 2% sevoflurane for 2 h. During sevoflurane anesthesia, BSR (30 min as an epoch) on electroencephalogram was recorded, and the cortical cerebral blood perfusion was recorded using the laser speckle flow imaging at 30, 60, 90 and 120 min of anesthesia. Results:Compared with Sham group, the cortical EEG BSR was significantly increased, and the cortical cerebral blood perfusion was decreased during sevoflurane anesthesia in CLP group ( P<0.05). Cortical EEG BSR was negatively correlated with cortical cerebral blood perfusion ( P<0.05). Conclusions:Cortical EEG BSR increases during sevoflurane anesthesia in septic mice, which may be related to decreased cortical cerebral blood perfusion.

Objective:To explore the effect of immobility on the quality of life in older adults.Methods:This cross-sectional study included 244 consecutive elderly patients aged 60 years and older who were admitted to the Department of Geriatrics at Xuanwu Hospital of Capital Medical University from May 2022 to March 2023.Among the participants, 52.5%(128/244)were male and 47.5%(116/244)were female, with a mean age of 69.2±7.4 years.All participants underwent a series of assessments, including the Short Physical Performance Battery(SPPB), grip strength measurement, gait speed evaluation, and the Timed Up and Go test(TUG).The Barthel Index was employed to assess activities of daily living, while the Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short Form Health Survey(SF-36)was used to evaluate quality of life.A score of SPPB ≤ 9 was used to diagnose immobility.Results:A total of 60 older adults met the criteria for immobility.Compared to the non-immobility group, the quality-of-life scores for older adults in the immobility group were significantly lower across various dimensions, including physical functioning, role-physical, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, physical component summary, and the total SF-36 score(all P<0.05).Furthermore, a positive correlation was identified between the SPPB scores and the quality-of-life scores across the dimensions of physical functioning, bodily pain, general health, vitality, social functioning, mental health, reported health transition, physical component summary, and the total SF-36 score among patients in the immobility group(all P<0.05).Additionally, older adults in the immobility group exhibited lower grip strength, slower gait speed, and longer TUG times, as well as a higher incidence of emergencies and falls over the past year(all P<0.05). Conclusions:The poorer quality of life and physical function, along with higher rates of emergencies and falls among older adults with immobility, indicate the necessity of addressing the health consequences that immobility inflicts on this population.

BACKGROUND:Numerous clinical trials have demonstrated that hypertonic glucose prolotherapy promotes tendon injury healing,yet the underlying mechanisms remain unclear.OBJECTIVE:To investigate the effects of different concentrations of hypertonic glucose on rat behavior,cellular morphology,tendon extracellular matrix components,and growth factors.METHODS:Fifty male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into five groups:control blank,model,5%glucose,15%glucose,and 25%glucose groups,with 10 rats in each group.(1)Modeling:Except for the control blank group,all groups received an Achilles tendon injection of type I collagenase.(2)Intervention:The control blank and model groups received no treatment.The 5%,15%,and 25%glucose groups received injections of 30 μL of 5%,15%,and 25%glucose,respectively,into the right Achilles tendon once a week for 3 weeks.(3)Assessments:Behavioral assessments,hematoxylin-eosin staining,western blot,and RT-qPCR were conducted to assess type I collagen,type III collagen,transforming growth factor β1,vascular endothelial growth factor,and SCX expression levels in tendon tissue.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Behavioral analysis:Compared with the control blank group,the model group showed a significant reduction in 5-minute running distance(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the 25%glucose group exhibited a significant increase in 5-minute running distance(P<0.05).(2)Compared with the control blank group,tendon tissue in the other groups showed varying degrees of collagen disarray,increased number of blood vessels,and increased number of cells.However,glucose-treated groups exhibited more orderly collagen alignment than the model group.(3)Compared with the control blank group,the mRNA expression of type I collagen α1 was reduced,and the mRNA expression of type III collagen was increased in the model group(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the 25%glucose group exhibited increased mRNA expression of type I collagen α1,while both the 15%and 25%glucose groups showed significantly decreased mRNA expression of type III collagen and increased SCX mRNA expression(P<0.05).(4)Compared with the control group,the model group displayed reduced protein expression of type I collagen and increased protein expression of type III collagen and vascular endothelial growth factor(P<0.05).Compared with the model group,the glucose intervention groups had decreased protein expression of type III collagen,with the 25%glucose group showing increased protein expression of type I collagen and the 15%glucose group exhibiting elevated protein expression of vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor β1(P<0.05).To conclude,hypertonic glucose promotes vascular endothelial growth factor and transforming growth factor β1 expression,modulates collagen synthesis,increases the content of type I collagen,and accelerates tendon healing.Furthermore,25%hypertonic glucose concentration has the optimal intervention effect.

Purpose: Relative energy deficiency in sport (REDs) is a syndrome of physiological and/or psychological functioning experienced by female and male athletes that is caused by exposure to problematic low energy availability. For the prevention and intervention of REDs, awareness of REDs among sports physicians is important, but it is largely unknown. This study aimed to survey the awareness and clinical treatment experience of REDs in sports physicians. Methods: We conducted an online survey to assess awareness of the triad and REDs among sports physicians and members of The Korean Society of Sports Medicine. Results: A total of 69 members (62.2% male, including sports physicians) to this survey. Most participants (84.1%) were aware of the triad compared to fewer with awareness regarding REDs (23.2%). People who knew about the difference between REDs and triad was 33.3%, which was lower than those who did not (66.6%). Only 10.1% of the study subjects had experience treating REDs patients, and the biggest difficulty in treating patients was a lack of information and education (50.7%). It appeared that the most information about REDs was obtained from academic conferences (59.4%). Conclusion This survey found relatively low awareness of REDs among physicians treating athletes and sports professionals. Considering the various negative effects of REDs on athlete health and performance, education and promotion are needed to increase awareness among sports physicians and sports professionals.