AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of low-dose transscleral cyclophotocoagulation(TSCP)in the management of persistent ocular hypertension after an acute attack of angle-closure glaucoma(AACG).METHODS:This retrospective study enrolled patients diagnosed with persistent ocular hypertension after an acute AACG attack at the No.988 Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the Chinese PLA between September 2023 and September 2024. All patients underwent low-dose TSCP using a semiconductor diode laser. Subsequent cataract surgery combined with goniosynechialysis was performed once intraocular pressure(IOP)was stabilized. Changes in anterior chamber depth(ACD), best-corrected visual acuity(VA), and IOP were compared before and after TSCP, as well as before and after phacoemulsification. Post-TSCP complications were also documented.RESULTS: A total of 21 patients(21 eyes)were enrolled, including 8 males and 13 females, with a mean age of 67.95±7.25 y. Compared with pre-cyclophotocoagulation values, ACD increased significantly at 3 d post-TSCP(1.49±0.18 vs 1.22±0.21 mm; P<0.001). BCVA and IOP decreased significantly at 1 d post-TSCP, pre-phacoemulsification, 1 wk post-phacoemulsification, and 1 mo post-phacoemulsification compared with pre-TSCP IOP(all P<0.01). Regarding postoperative complications, 2 eyes experienced pain on the day of the procedure, 5 eyes developed mild corneal endothelial folds, 2 eyes exhibited moderate anterior chamber inflammatory reaction, and 12 eyes showed shallow ciliary body detachment. No serious complications occurred during the 1-month follow-up period.CONCLUSION:Low-dose TSCP appears to be an effective bridging therapy for patients with persistent ocular hypertension following an AACG attack. It facilitates rapid IOP reduction, alleviates symptoms, and helps preserve visual function with a favorable safety profile, thereby reducing the risks associated with subsequent intraocular surgery.

Objective We aimed to investigate the effects of different non-surgical embryo transfer devices,number of transferred embryos,embryo stage,and embryos obtained from different mouse strains on the efficiency of non-surgical embryo transfer in mice,and to compare the efficiencies of surgical and non-surgical embryo transfer,in order to establish a stable non-surgical embryo transfer technology system.Methods Mouse embryo transfer was carried out using non-surgical method.Results The pregnancy rates using two different non-surgical transfer devices were(75.00±0.00)％and(66.67±14.43)％,and the birth rates were(46.11±6.31)％and(18.89±0.96)％,respectively.Transfer of 10,15,and 20 embryos resulted in pregnancy rates of(66.67±11.55)％,(80.00±0.00)％,and(66.67±23.09)％,and birth rates of(29.33±4.16)％,(38.67±4.81)％,and(17.00±3.46)％,respectively.When blastocysts and morulae were transferred non-surgically,the resulting pregnancy rates were(80.00±0.00)％and(46.67±11.55)％and the birth rates were(38.67±4.81)％and(10.22±2.77)％,respectively.Four strains(C57BL/6J,ICR,genetically modified mice A,genetically modified mice B)were used as donors for non-surgical embryo transfer,with resulting pregnancy rates of(66.67±11.55)％,(80.00±0.00)％,(73.33±11.55)％,and(80.00±0.00)％,and birthrates of(26.67±2.67)％,(38.67±4.81)％,(32.00±3.53)％,and(29.34±2.31)％,respectively.Fifteen pseudo-pregnant mice were transplanted surgically and 15 were transplanted non-surgically,with pregnancy rates of(80.00±0.00)％and(86.67±11.55)％,and birth rates of(38.67±4.81)％and(36.00±5.82)％,respectively.Conclusions Transfer device A resulted in a higher birth rate in this study.The embryo transfer efficiency was higher when 15 embryos were transferred into unilateral uterine horns of pseudo-pregnant 2.5-day recipients.Blastocyst-stage embryo transfer was more efficient than morula-stage transfer.There was no significant difference in efficiency between surgical and non-surgical embryo transfer procedures.

Objective We aimed to investigate the effects of different non-surgical embryo transfer devices,number of transferred embryos,embryo stage,and embryos obtained from different mouse strains on the efficiency of non-surgical embryo transfer in mice,and to compare the efficiencies of surgical and non-surgical embryo transfer,in order to establish a stable non-surgical embryo transfer technology system.Methods Mouse embryo transfer was carried out using non-surgical method.Results The pregnancy rates using two different non-surgical transfer devices were(75.00±0.00)％and(66.67±14.43)％,and the birth rates were(46.11±6.31)％and(18.89±0.96)％,respectively.Transfer of 10,15,and 20 embryos resulted in pregnancy rates of(66.67±11.55)％,(80.00±0.00)％,and(66.67±23.09)％,and birth rates of(29.33±4.16)％,(38.67±4.81)％,and(17.00±3.46)％,respectively.When blastocysts and morulae were transferred non-surgically,the resulting pregnancy rates were(80.00±0.00)％and(46.67±11.55)％and the birth rates were(38.67±4.81)％and(10.22±2.77)％,respectively.Four strains(C57BL/6J,ICR,genetically modified mice A,genetically modified mice B)were used as donors for non-surgical embryo transfer,with resulting pregnancy rates of(66.67±11.55)％,(80.00±0.00)％,(73.33±11.55)％,and(80.00±0.00)％,and birthrates of(26.67±2.67)％,(38.67±4.81)％,(32.00±3.53)％,and(29.34±2.31)％,respectively.Fifteen pseudo-pregnant mice were transplanted surgically and 15 were transplanted non-surgically,with pregnancy rates of(80.00±0.00)％and(86.67±11.55)％,and birth rates of(38.67±4.81)％and(36.00±5.82)％,respectively.Conclusions Transfer device A resulted in a higher birth rate in this study.The embryo transfer efficiency was higher when 15 embryos were transferred into unilateral uterine horns of pseudo-pregnant 2.5-day recipients.Blastocyst-stage embryo transfer was more efficient than morula-stage transfer.There was no significant difference in efficiency between surgical and non-surgical embryo transfer procedures.

Objective To observe the effects of electroacupuncture(EA)on TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway and epithelial-mesenchymal transition(EMT)related proteins in rats with neurogenic bladder(NB)after spinal cord injury;To explore the possible mechanism of EA in improving NB fibrosis.Methods Totally 36 female SD rats were randomly selected,with 10 rats in the sham-operation group and the remaining 26 rats undergoing complete transection of the spinal cord beneath the T8 vertebrae to establish a NB rat model.The modeling rats were randomly divided into model group and EA group,with 10 rats in each group.EA group was applied to"Ciliao","Zhongji"and"Sanyinjiao",20 min per time,once a day for 7 days.The general condition of the rats in each group was observed,the ultrasound index of the bladder was detected by ultrasound technique,the bladder function of the rats was detected by urodynamics,the body mass of the rats and the wet weight of the bladder were recorded,and the bladder index was calculated.HE staining was used to observe bladder tissue morphology,the degree of bladder tissue fibrosis and bladder wall thickness were detected by Masson staining.The positive expressions of E-cadherin,N-cadherin and Vimentin in bladder tissue were detected by immunohistochemistry.The protein expressions of TGF-β1,p-Smad2/3,E-cadherin,N-cadherin and Vimentin were detected by Western blot.Results Compared with the sham-operation group,the upper and lower diameter,anteroposterior diameter,transverse diameter,bladder volume of the model group significantly increased(P<0.001),the maximum bladder pressure,leak point pressure difference,perfusion time and maximum bladder capacity significantly increased(P<0.001),the bladder index increased significantly(P<0.001),the bladder epithelial cells were thickened and arranged irregularly,the bladder collagen volume fraction and bladder wall thickness significantly increased(P<0.001),the expressions of TGF-β1,p-Smad2/3,N-cadherin and Vimentin in bladder tissue increased(P<0.01),and the expression of E-cadherin decreased(P<0.001).Compared with the model group,the upper and lower diameter,anteroposterior diameter,transverse diameter,bladder volume of the EA group decreased significantly(P<0.05),the maximum bladder pressure,leak point pressure difference,perfusion time and maximum bladder capacity significantly decreased(P<0.05),the bladder index significantly decreased(P<0.05),the thickness of the bladder epithelial cell layer became thinner and arranged more neatly,and the bladder collagen volume fraction and bladder wall thickness of the bladder were significantly reduced(P<0.05),the expressions of TGF-β1,p-Smad2/3,N-cadherin and Vimentin in bladder tissue significantly decreased(P<0.05),and the expression of E-cadherin significantly increased(P<0.05).Conclusion EA may reduce the EMT of bladder epithelial cells and decrease the degree of bladder tissue fibrosis by inhibiting the activation of the TGF-β1/Smads signaling pathway,thereby improving bladder function in NB rats after spinal cord injury.

Neurogenic bladder(NB)is one of the most challenging urinary system disorders,with spinal cord injury(SCI)being an important etiological factor.Animal models provide crucial tools for investigating the pathogenesis,therapeutic strategies,and novel drug screening for NB subsequent to SCI.We reviewed and synthesized recent literature on NB animal models after SCI from both domestic and international sources.This review summarizes and analyzes research advancements using these models in terms of animal species,SCI segments,modeling techniques,and evaluation indicators,with the aim of offering insights and guidance for future experimental research based on animal models of NB following SCI.

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression. Methods: USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes. Results: USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5. Conclusions USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression. Methods: USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes. Results: USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5. Conclusions USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.

Background/Aims: Metabolic dysfunction–associated steatotic liver disease (MASLD) is a chronic liver disease characterized by hepatic steatosis. Ubiquitin-specific protease 29 (USP29) plays pivotal roles in hepatic ischemiareperfusion injury and hepatocellular carcinoma, but its role in MASLD remains unexplored. Therefore, the aim of this study was to reveal the effects and underlying mechanisms of USP29 in MASLD progression. Methods: USP29 expression was assessed in liver samples from MASLD patients and mice. The role and molecular mechanism of USP29 in MASLD were assessed in high-fat diet-fed and high-fat/high-cholesterol diet-fed mice and palmitic acid and oleic acid treated hepatocytes. Results: USP29 protein levels were significantly reduced in mice and humans with MASLD. Hepatic steatosis, inflammation and fibrosis were significantly exacerbated by USP29 deletion and relieved by USP29 overexpression. Mechanistically, USP29 significantly activated the expression of genes related to fatty acid β-oxidation (FAO) under metabolic stimulation, directly interacted with long-chain acyl-CoA synthase 5 (ACSL5) and repressed ACSL5 degradation by increasing ACSL5 K48-linked deubiquitination. Moreover, the effect of USP29 on hepatocyte lipid accumulation and MASLD was dependent on ACSL5. Conclusions USP29 functions as a novel negative regulator of MASLD by stabilizing ACSL5 to promote FAO. The activation of the USP29-ACSL5 axis may represent a potential therapeutic strategy for MASLD.

BACKGROUND: Congenital heart disease (CHD) is a leading cause of birth defect-related mortality. However, more recent CHD mortality data for China are lacking. Additionally, limited studies have evaluated sex, rural-urban, and region-specific disparities of CHD mortality in China. METHODS: We designed a population-based study using data from the Dataset of National Mortality Surveillance in China between 2008 and 2021. We calculated age-adjusted CHD mortality using the sixth census data of China in 2010 as the standard population. We assessed the temporal trends in CHD mortality by age, sex, area, and region from 2008 to 2021 using the joinpoint regression model. RESULTS: From 2008 to 2021, 33,534 deaths were attributed to CHD. The period witnessed a two-fold decrease in the age-adjusted CHD mortality from 1.61 to 0.76 per 100,000 persons (average annual percent change [AAPC] = -5.90%). Females tended to have lower age-adjusted CHD mortality than males, but with a similar decline rate from 2008 to 2021 (females: AAPC = -6.15%; males: AAPC = -5.84%). Similar AAPC values were observed among people living in urban (AAPC = -6.64%) and rural (AAPC = -6.12%) areas. Eastern regions experienced a more pronounced decrease in the age-adjusted CHD mortality (AAPC = -7.86%) than central (AAPC = -5.83%) and western regions (AAPC = -3.71%) between 2008 and 2021. Approximately half of the deaths (46.19%) due to CHD occurred during infancy. The CHD mortality rates in 2021 were lower than those in 2008 for people aged 0-39 years, with the largest decrease observed among children aged 1-4 years (AAPC = -8.26%), followed by infants (AAPC = -7.01%). CONCLUSIONS CHD mortality in China has dramatically decreased from 2008 to 2021. The slower decrease in CHD mortality in the central and western regions than in the eastern regions suggested that public health policymakers should pay more attention to health resources and health education for central and western regions.
Humans ; Heart Defects, Congenital/mortality* ; Male ; Female ; China/epidemiology* ; Infant ; Child, Preschool ; Adult ; Child ; Adolescent ; Infant, Newborn ; Middle Aged ; Young Adult ; Aged ; Rural Population

Objective:To explore the relationship between drug literacy and quality of life in patients with multiple chronic diseases.Methods:It was a cross-sectional study. Between March and October 2023, 260 patients with multiple chronic diseases from the General Medicine Department of Peking University Third Hospital were selected using a convenience sampling method. A medication literacy scale, a medication adherence scale, and a health survey scale (SF-36 scale) were used to conduct a questionnaire survey in the patients. The SF-36 scale reflected the quality of life of the patients (including physical health and mental health). A total of 260 questionnaires were distributed, 260 questionnaires were returned, and 240 were effective (92.3%). Single-factor analysis of medication literacy in those patients was conducted using F-test and t-test. The correlation between medication literacy and medication adherence, as well as between medication literacy and quality of life, was analyzed using Pearson′s test. The correlation between different factors and medication adherence, as well as quality of life, in those patients was analyzed using multiple linear regression. Results:Among the 240 patients with multiple chronic diseases, 134 were male and 106 were female, aged (65.84±11.56) years. The drug literacy scale score was (8.36±3.57) points, the SF-36 physical health score was (242.00±87.85) points, mental health score was (275.67±80.29) points, medication compliance scale score was (6.22±1.93) points. The drug literacy was positively correlated with medication compliance ( r=0.157) and mental health ( r=0.165) in patients with multiple chronic diseases (all P<0.05). The score of drug literacy ( SE=2.440), mental health score ( SE=2.523), perceptual impairment ( SE=2.046) and duration of disease ( SE=2.459) were positively correlated with the medication compliance of the patients, while the number of chronic diseases ( SE=-2.818) was negatively correlated with the medication compliance of the patients (all P<0.05). The score of drug literacy ( SE=0.121) and insensible perception disorder ( SE=0.399) were positively correlated with the quality of life of the patients, and the number of chronic diseases ( SE=-0.171) was negatively correlated with the quality of life of the patients (all P<0.05). Conclusion:The drug literacy of patients with multiple chronic diseases is at the medium level, and the drug literacy is positively correlated with medication compliance and quality of life.