The excessive accumulation of advanced glycosylation end products(AGEs), the end products of non-enzymatic glycosylation reactions, can be involved in the pathological processes of various ocular diseases through mechanisms such as oxidative stress, inflammatory responses and apoptosis. In this paper, we systematically reviewed the key role of AGEs in diabetic keratopathy, cataract, glaucoma, age-related macular degeneration(ARMD)and diabetic retinopathy(DR). It was found that AGEs activate signalling pathways such as NADPH oxidase, MAPK and NF-κB by binding to the receptor RAGE, leading to reactive oxygen species(ROS)generation, release of inflammatory factors, and vascular endothelial dysfunction, which in turn induces delayed corneal healing, cross-linking of lens proteins, optic nerve degeneration, formation of choroidal neovascularisation(CNV), and blood-retinal barrier(BRB)disruption. For example, in diabetic keratopathy, AGEs delay wound healing via the ROS/NLRP3 inflammatory vesicle axis; in cataract, ascorbic acid-mediated cross-linking of lens proteins due to AGEs directly impairs lens transparency; and in DR, AGEs exacerbate microvascular damage by regulating vasucular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)expression and pericyte apoptosis. In addition, this article discusses the advances and limitations of AGEs detection techniques, such as the potential application of lens AGEscan fluorescence assay in screening for diabetic complications, and the need to develop tissue-specific assays for aqueous humour and vitreous. For therapeutic strategies, the research directions of inhibiting AGEs production, blocking RAGE signalling pathway and developing anti-glycosylation drugs are proposed to emphasise their clinical value in delaying disease progression. This review not only integrates the molecular mechanisms and clinical associations of AGEs in ocular diseases, but also provides a theoretical basis for targeted interventions, which is of great significance in exploring novel diagnostic and therapeutic strategies.

Objective:To investigate the value of transabdominal bowel ultrasonography (TBUS) in evaluating the active phase of Crohn′s disease (CD) and its complications, and to compare the diagnostic efficacy of the international bowel ultrasound segmental activity score (IBUS-SAS) and the multidetector computed tomography enterography (MDCTE) score in the active phase.Methods:A totle of 103 CD patients who were admitted to the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from March 2021 to May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent TBUS and MDCTE examinations. TBU parameters such as bowel wall thickness (BWT), color Doppler imaging signal (CDS), inflammatory fat (i-fat), and bowel wall stratification (BWS) were recorded. The patients were divided into the remission group and the active group based on the Crohn′s disease activity index. The latter group was further divided into the mild active group and the moderate-to-severe active group.Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were plotted, and the diagnostic efficacy of TBUS parameters and two scoring systems in assessment of the active phase of CD was evaluated by sensitivity, specificity, area under the curve (AUC), and optimal cut-off values. Endoscopic or histopathological results were served as the gold standard for the diagnosis of intestinal strictures. The diagnostic efficacy of TBUS and MDCTE in CD complicated with intestinal stenosis were evaluated by ROC analysis. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to analyze the correlation between TBUS parameters, imaging scores, and clinical laboratory indicators such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and faecal calprotectin (FC).Results:In distinguishing the active phase and the remission phase of CD, BWT (a sensitivity of 85.7%, specificity of 90.9%, and cut-off value of 4.4 mm), CDS (a sensitivity of 95.7%, and specificity of 63.6%), IBUS-SAS (a sensitivity of 91.4%, specificity of 84.8%, and cut-off value of 23.8), and MDCTE score (a sensitivity of 77.1%, specificity of 75.8%, and cut-off value of 6.5) had high diagnostic efficacies. In distinguishing mild and moderate-severe active phases of CD, BWT, CDS and i-fat demonstrated high sensitivity (81.4%, 69.8% and 62.8%) and specificity (81.5%, 77.8% and 100.0%); IBUS-SAS (a sensitivity of 83.7%, specificity of 88.9%, and cut-off value of 40.0) and MDCTE score (a sensitivity of 83.7%, specificity of 85.2%, and cut-off value of8.5) had high diagnostic efficacy. In the diagnosis of CD complicated with intestinal stenosis, the AUC, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MDCTE was 0.942, 94.0%, 94.3%, and 94.2%, respectively. The AUC, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of TBUS in the diagnosis of CD complicated with intestinal stenosis was 0.952, 96.0%, 94.3%, and 95.1%, respectively. The results of Spearman correlation analysis revealed that BWT, CDS, and i-fat have positively correlated with ESR, CRP, and FC ( r value: 0.252 to 0.451, all P<0.05). Conclusions:TBUS demonstrates good application value in evaluating the activity of CD and intestinal stenosis. IBUS-SAS has the potential application for precise assessment of CD activity.

Objective:To investigate the value of transabdominal bowel ultrasonography (TBUS) in evaluating the active phase of Crohn′s disease (CD) and its complications, and to compare the diagnostic efficacy of the international bowel ultrasound segmental activity score (IBUS-SAS) and the multidetector computed tomography enterography (MDCTE) score in the active phase.Methods:A totle of 103 CD patients who were admitted to the Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from March 2021 to May 2023 were retrospectively analyzed. All patients underwent TBUS and MDCTE examinations. TBU parameters such as bowel wall thickness (BWT), color Doppler imaging signal (CDS), inflammatory fat (i-fat), and bowel wall stratification (BWS) were recorded. The patients were divided into the remission group and the active group based on the Crohn′s disease activity index. The latter group was further divided into the mild active group and the moderate-to-severe active group.Receiver operating characteristic curves (ROC) were plotted, and the diagnostic efficacy of TBUS parameters and two scoring systems in assessment of the active phase of CD was evaluated by sensitivity, specificity, area under the curve (AUC), and optimal cut-off values. Endoscopic or histopathological results were served as the gold standard for the diagnosis of intestinal strictures. The diagnostic efficacy of TBUS and MDCTE in CD complicated with intestinal stenosis were evaluated by ROC analysis. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to analyze the correlation between TBUS parameters, imaging scores, and clinical laboratory indicators such as erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR), C-reactive protein (CRP), and faecal calprotectin (FC).Results:In distinguishing the active phase and the remission phase of CD, BWT (a sensitivity of 85.7%, specificity of 90.9%, and cut-off value of 4.4 mm), CDS (a sensitivity of 95.7%, and specificity of 63.6%), IBUS-SAS (a sensitivity of 91.4%, specificity of 84.8%, and cut-off value of 23.8), and MDCTE score (a sensitivity of 77.1%, specificity of 75.8%, and cut-off value of 6.5) had high diagnostic efficacies. In distinguishing mild and moderate-severe active phases of CD, BWT, CDS and i-fat demonstrated high sensitivity (81.4%, 69.8% and 62.8%) and specificity (81.5%, 77.8% and 100.0%); IBUS-SAS (a sensitivity of 83.7%, specificity of 88.9%, and cut-off value of 40.0) and MDCTE score (a sensitivity of 83.7%, specificity of 85.2%, and cut-off value of8.5) had high diagnostic efficacy. In the diagnosis of CD complicated with intestinal stenosis, the AUC, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of MDCTE was 0.942, 94.0%, 94.3%, and 94.2%, respectively. The AUC, sensitivity, specificity, and accuracy of TBUS in the diagnosis of CD complicated with intestinal stenosis was 0.952, 96.0%, 94.3%, and 95.1%, respectively. The results of Spearman correlation analysis revealed that BWT, CDS, and i-fat have positively correlated with ESR, CRP, and FC ( r value: 0.252 to 0.451, all P<0.05). Conclusions:TBUS demonstrates good application value in evaluating the activity of CD and intestinal stenosis. IBUS-SAS has the potential application for precise assessment of CD activity.

Objective:To describe the prevalence of food allergy among children aged 0-5 years in China and to explore related influencing factors.Methods:Multistage stratified random sampling method was used to collect data from 275 surveillance sites of the China National Nutrition and Health Survey of Chinese children and lactating mothers programs in 31 provinces (autonomous regions and municipalities) of China in 2016-2017. A total of 70 107 participants aged 0-5 years were included in this study. The study collected information of participants' demographic characteristics and food allergies by face-to-face questionnaire. The prevalence of food allergy was analyzed, using the complex data weighting method. The logistic regression models were used to analyze the influencing factors related to food allergy.Results:The overall prevalence of self-reported food allergy among children aged 0-5 years was 4.81%. Prevalence rates in infants aged 0-5 months, and 6-23 months and preschool children aged 2-5 years were 0.81%, 4.68% and 5.26%, respectively. The results of logistic analysis showed that there was a significantly positive correlation between factors including children from 6 months to 5 years old, urban area, southwest area, first-born, mothers with college education or above, and the prevalence of food allergy in children. Shrimp, poultry eggs, crab shellfish, fruit, milk and fish appeared the common allergic foods in children aged 0-5 years, with prevalence rates of self-reported food allergy as 1.55%, 1.25%, 0.99%, 0.97%, 0.87% and 0.86%, respectively. The proportion of single food allergy in children with allergies was 69.85%.Conclusions:Among children aged 0-5 years, the prevalence of self-reported food allergy increases with age, in China. Foods that is prone to allergies include fish, shrimp, crab, shellfish, poultry eggs, milk and fruits, etc. Most allergies were only caused by single food in children, under observation.

【Objective】 To construct an acute toxoplasma encephalitis mouse model by observing the pathological changes in the hippocampus of mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii strain RH. 【Methods】 The quantitative RH Toxoplasma gondii (100, 500, and 1 000 trophozoites) were injected into the hippocampal CA1 region of mice by the stereotaxic surgery; the survival status of mice was observed. Giemsa staining was used to observe the changes of toxoplasma in mouse ascites and brain tissue homogenates. Nissl staining and HE staining were used to observe the pathological changes of hippocampal nerve tissue. The distribution of Toxoplasma gondii in brain tissue was observed by immunohistochemical ABC method. 【Results】 The RH Toxoplasma gondii infected mice showed obvious symptoms such as arched back, bristling hair, abdominal distension, subtle tremor and hemiplegia on the fourth day of infection. The survival of mice in 100 trophozoites group was longer, no trophozoites of Toxoplasma gondii were found in ascites, a few pseudocysts were found in brain tissue homogenates after infected for 96 hours, and more trophozoites were found after death. Nysl staining and HE staining showed more tissue necrosis foci and loss of nerve cells in CA1 area after infected 144 h. The injury aggravated with the prolongation of infection time. Toxoplasma trophozoites were found in ascites and brain homogenates of mice in 500 and 1000 trophozoites groups. Nissl staining revealed neuronal loss and massive necrosis in the hippocampus. HE staining showed necrosis and inflammatory cell infiltration. The brain tissue injury significantly aggravated compared with 100 trophozoites group. The distribution of Toxoplasma gondii in the necrotic foci was confirmed by immunohistochemistry. 【Conclusion】 The survival of 100 trophozoite mice infected with Toxoplasma gondii strain RH was longer, and the pathological changes of brain tissue gradually aggravated. The damage was relatively confined to the brain tissue, and the mice showed typical symptoms of toxoplasma encephalitis. Therefore, the mouse model of acute toxoplasma encephalitis can be constructed by localized infection of 100 toxoplasma trophozoites, which can lay a foundation for future research on the mechanism of toxoplasma injury to cranial nerves.

Humans ; Carpal Tunnel Syndrome/surgery* ; Amyloidosis ; Joint Diseases

Objective To understand the influencing factors of stroke symptoms in middle-aged and elderly patients with hypertension in the community, and to provide reference for the prevention and control of stroke. Methods A total of 410 cases of middle-aged and elderly hypertensive patients registered in community health service centers (or health centers) were randomly selected from 2 administrative regions of Wuhan to conduct a unified questionnaire survey. Chi-square test, analysis of variance and multivariate logistic regression were used to analyze the influencing factors of stroke symptoms in hypertensive patients. Results Of 31.83% the study subjects had stroke symptoms. The analysis of the results showed that high monthly per capital household income, adequate fruit intake and high level of dietary knowledge were protective factors for stroke symptoms in middle-aged and elderly patients with hypertension. Hypertension complications, annual medical check-ups in the hospital and a history of stroke / heart disease in immediate family members were risk factors for stroke symptoms. Conclusion Improving the health awareness of middle-aged and elderly people, vigorously promoting health education and raising the level of social security for low-income groups can reduce the risk of stroke in middle-aged and elderly patients with hypertension.

Major depressive disorder (MDD) causes great decrements in health and quality of life with increments in healthcare costs, but the causes and pathogenesis of depression remain largely unknown, which greatly prevent its early detection and effective treatment. With the advancement of neuroimaging approaches, numerous functional and structural alterations in the brain have been detected in MDD and more recently attempts have been made to apply these findings to clinical practice. In this review, we provide an updated summary of the progress in translational application of psychoradiological findings in MDD with a specified focus on potential clinical usage. The foreseeable clinical applications for different MRI modalities were introduced according to their role in disorder classification, subtyping, and prediction. While evidence of cerebral structural and functional changes associated with MDD classification and subtyping was heterogeneous and/or sparse, the ACC and hippocampus have been consistently suggested to be important biomarkers in predicting treatment selection and treatment response. These findings underlined the potential utility of brain biomarkers for clinical practice.
Brain/diagnostic imaging* ; Depressive Disorder, Major/diagnostic imaging* ; Humans ; Magnetic Resonance Imaging ; Neuroimaging ; Quality of Life

Objective:To investigate the subtypes of H3F3A DNA mutation in H3.3 immunohistochemistry (IHC) negative giant cell tumors of bone (GCTB).Methods:IHC expression of G34W mutated protein was evaluated in 181 cases GCTB. In H3.3 IHC negative cases, Sanger DNA sequencing analysis was used to detect the subtypes H3F3A mutations.Results:Overall, 164 (90.61%) cases of GCTB showed nuclear expression of H3.3, and 17 cases were negative. These 17 H3.3 negative cases were subjected to Sanger DNA sequencing analysis; results showed that eight presented rare mutation subtypes occurring at glycine 34 to leucine (G34L, 3/181, 1.66%), glycine 34 to valine (G34V, 3/181, 1.66%) and glycine 34 to arginine (G34R, 2/181, 1.10%), and the other nine cases were wild type (glycine 34, 9/181, 4.97%). Sanger DNA sequencing analysis confirmed the absence of G34W mutation in the H3.3 negative cases. Combining IHC and DNA sequencing analysis increased the detection rate of H3F3A mutation in the GCTB to 95.03%.Conclusions:H3.3 IHC could detect H3F3A G34W mutation in GCTB, but not for other rare mutation and wild types loci.

Since the 2019 novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV or officially named by the World Health Organization as COVID-19) outbreak in Wuhan, Hubei Province, China in 2019, there have been a few reports of its imaging findings. Here, we report two confirmed cases of 2019-nCoV pneumonia with chest computed tomography findings of multiple regions of patchy consolidation and ground-glass opacities in both lungs. These findings were characteristically located along the bronchial bundle or subpleural lungs.
China ; Coronavirus ; Lung ; Pneumonia ; Thorax ; World Health Organization