AIM:To analyze the characteristics and correlation of phacoemulsification parameters and anterior segment parameters in cataract patients with different blood glucose levels.METHODS:A total of 45 type 2 diabetic cataract patients(45 eyes)treated in our hospital from March 2023 to April 2024 were stratified into two groups based on glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c)levels: group A: HbA1c <7%(n=18)and group B: 7%≤HbA1c<8.5%(n=27); a total of 94 age-matched age-related cataract patients(94 eyes)were enrolled as the control group(group C). All underwent phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation. Anterior segment parameters, including corneal, lens and anterior chamber measurements, were recorded. Correlations between phacoemulsification parameters and anterior segment parameters were analyzed, and differences among groups were compared.RESULTS: In groups A and B, effective phacoemulsification time(EPT)negatively correlated with corneal endothelial cell density(CECD)(r=-0.315, P=0.035). Average phacoemulsification time(APT)positively correlated with the anterior corneal surface radius of curvature(Rm; r=0.402, P=0.006)and negatively correlated with the flat axis meridian curvature(K1), steep axis meridian curvature(K2), mean curvature(Km)of the anterior corneal surface, and lens density at 6 mm zones(PDZ3; all P<0.05). Average phacoemulsification energy(AVE)positively correlated with mean lens density(LD-mean), lens density at 2 mm zones(PDZ1), lens density at 4 mm zones(PDZ2), and PDZ3(all P<0.05), and negatively with pupil diameter(r=-0.385, P=0.009). In the group C, EPT showed a positive correlation with Pentacam nucleus staging(PNS)density grade, PDZ1, PDZ2, and PDZ3(all P<0.05). A positive correlation was observed between AVE and PNS classification(r=0.246, P=0.018). Conversely, AVE exhibited a negative correlation with CECD(r=-0.245, P=0.018). EPT in groups A and B was higher than that in the group C(P<0.05). Both EPT and APT in the group B were higher than those in the group A(P<0.05). In diabetic cataract patients, CECD, corneal density(CD), and posterior corneal surface height positively correlated with diabetes duration(P<0.05). Posterior corneal surface K1 and Rm positively correlated with 7%≤HbA1c<8.5%(P<0.05). Total corneal astigmatism negatively correlated with HbA1c, 2-hour post-breakfast blood glucose(2hPBG), and fasting insulin(FINS; P<0.05). CD and lens thickness(LT)positively correlated with FINS(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification parameters and blood glucose-related indices exhibited varying degrees of correlation with anterior segment parameters in cataract patients with different blood glucose levels. EPT in diabetic cataract patients was higher than that in age-related cataract patients, while EPT and APT in diabetic cataract patients with poor glycemic control were higher than those with good glycemic control.

Cardiac fibrosis is characterized by an elevated amount of extracellular matrix (ECM) within the heart. However, the persistence of cardiac fibrosis ultimately diminishes contractility and precipitates cardiac dysfunction. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are emerging as important regulators of cardiac fibrosis. Here, we elucidate the functional role of a specific circular RNA CELF1 in cardiac fibrosis and delineate a novel feedback loop mechanism. Functionally, circ-CELF1 was involved in enhancing fibrosis-related markers' expression and promoting the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), thereby exacerbating cardiac fibrosis. Mechanistically, circ-CELF1 reduced the ubiquitination-degradation rate of BRPF3, leading to an elevation of BRPF3 protein levels. Additionally, BRPF3 acted as a modular scaffold for the recruitment of histone acetyltransferase KAT7 to facilitate the induction of H3K14 acetylation within the promoters of the Celf1 gene. Thus, the transcription of Celf1 was dramatically activated, thereby inhibiting the subsequent response of their downstream target gene Smad7 expression to promote cardiac fibrosis. Moreover, Celf1 further promoted Celf1 pre-mRNA transcription and back-splicing, thereby establishing a feedback loop for circ-CELF1 production. Consequently, a novel feedback loop involving CELF1/circ-CELF1/BRPF3/KAT7 was established, suggesting that circ-CELF1 may serve as a potential novel therapeutic target for cardiac fibrosis.

Background: Twenty-four-hour urinary free cortisol (UFC) measurement is the initial diagnostic test for Cushing’s syndrome (CS). We compared UFC determination by both direct and extraction immunoassays using Abbott Architect, Siemens Atellica Solution, and Beckman DxI800 with liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS). In addition, we evaluated the value of 24-hr UFC measured by six methods for diagnosing CS. Methods: Residual 24-hr urine samples of 94 CS and 246 non-CS patients were collected.A laboratory-developed LC-MS/MS method was used as reference. UFC was measured by direct assays (D) using Abbott, Siemens, and Beckman platforms and by extraction assays (E) using Siemens and Beckman platforms. Method was compared using Passing–Bablok regression and Bland–Altman plot analyses. Cut-off values for the six assays and corresponding sensitivities and specificities were calculated by ROC analysis. Results: Abbott-D, Beckman-E, Siemens-E, and Siemens-D showed strong correlations with LC-MS/MS (Spearman coefficient r = 0.965, 0.922, 0.922, and 0.897, respectively), while Beckman-D showed weaker correlation (r = 0.755). All immunoassays showed proportionally positive bias. The areas under the curve were 0.975 for Abbott-D, 0.972 for LCMS/MS, 0.966 for Siemens-E, 0.948 for Siemens-D, 0.955 for Beckman-E, and 0.877 for Beckman-D. The cut-off values varied significantly (154.8–1,321.5 nmol/24 hrs). Assay sensitivity and specificity ranged from 76.1% to 93.2% and from 93.0% to 97.1%, respectively. Conclusions Commercially available immunoassays for measuring UFC show different levels of analytical consistency compared to LC-MS/MS. Abbott-D, Siemens-E, and Beckman-E have high diagnostic accuracy for CS.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effectiveness and safety of Sanjie Waifu Formula （散结外敷方） application therapy for benign thyroid nodules of qi constraint and phlegm obstruction syndrome. MethodsEighty patients with benign thyroid nodules of qi constraint and phlegm obstruction syndrome were randomly divided into 40 cases each in a treatment group and a control group. The control group was given health education and follow-up observation， while the treatment group applied Sanjie Waifu Formula externally on the basis of the control group，6~8 h each time ， once a day. Both groups took 30 days as a course， and were observed for 3 consecutive courses. The main effectiveness indexes of both groups were compared before and after treatment， including the volume of thyroid nodules， the maximum diameter of the largest nodule， the scores of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome， and the secondary effectiveness indexes of serum thyroid function including free triiodothyronine （FT₃）， free thyroxine （FT₄）， thyrotropin （TSH） levels were also observed. The effectiveness of the TCM syndrome of both groups was compared after treatment. Meanwhile， the safety indexes were observed before and after treatment， such as the blood routine， liver and kidney function indexes， and the occurrence of adverse reactions during the study was recorded. ResultsCompared with in group before treatment， the volume of thyroid nodules， the maximum diameter of the largest nodule， and the TCM symptom scores were lowered in both groups after treatment （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Comparing between groups after treatment， the difference in thyroid nodule volume was not statistically significant （P＞0.05）， but the maximum diameter of the largest nodule and the TCM symptom scores of the treatment group were lower than those of the control group （P＜0.01）. The total effective rate of TCM syndrome in the treatment group was 77.50% （31/40）， which was significantly higher than that of the control group with 52.5% （21/40， P＜0.01）. Thyroid function， blood routine and liver and kidney function indexes of both groups before and after treatment were compared between and within groups， and the differences were not statistically significant （P＞0.05）， and they were all within the normal range. During the treatment period， no allergic reactions such as skin itching， red rash and blisters occurred in the treatment group. ConclusionThe external application of Sanjie Waifu Formula can improve the clinical symptoms of patients with benign thyroid nodules， reduce volume and the maximum diameter of nodules， and has no significant effects on thyroid function and show good safety.

Objective:To observe the clinical efficacy of Xiaosheng Powder ultrasonic nebulization combined with meibomian gland massage in treating liver depression and Yin deficiency pattern of meibomian gland dysfunction dry eye.Methods:Randomized controlled trial. From March 2021 to September 2021, a total of 50 patients (100 eyes) diagnosed with meibomian gland dysfunction dry eye of the liver depression and Yin deficiency pattern at the Ophthalmology Hospital of China Academy of Chinese Medical Sciences were selected. They were randomly divided into two groups using a random number table, with 25 patients (50 eyes) in each group. The control group received 0.1% sodium hyaluronate eye drops combined with meibomian gland massage, while the treatment group received Xiaosheng Powder nebulization combined with meibomian gland massage. Both groups were treated for 4 weeks. Before and after treatment, the tear film break-up time (BUT), Schirmer I test (SIT), corneal fluorescein staining (FL) scores, TCM symptom scores, and meibomian gland function scores were observed and evaluated. Adverse reactions were recorded.Results:After treatment, the treatment group exhibited statistically significant improvements compared to the control group in the following aspects: BUT was significantly longer in the treatment group (t=8.76, P<0.01); SIT values were significantly higher in the treatment group ( t=6.18, P<0.01); FL scores, TCM symptom scores and meibomian gland function scores were significantly lower than in the treatment group ( t values were 2.19, 5.36 and 12.09, P<0.01). The total effective rate in the treatment group was 96.0% (24/25), while in the control group, it was 68.0% (17/25), and the difference between the two groups was statistically significant ( χ2=4.88, P=0.027). Conclusion:The combination of Xiaosheng Powder ultrasonic nebulization and meibomian gland massage is effective in improving the clinical symptoms of patients with meibomian gland dysfunction dry eye of the liver depression and Yin deficiency pattern. Furthermore, this approach is considered safe and efficient.

Objective To investigate the mechanism of astragaloside Ⅰ,the active constituent of milkvetch root,in inhibiting podocyte injury and improving diabetic kidney disease.Methods According to the body weight,60 male db/db mice were randomly divided into the model group,astragaloside Ⅰ low-dose group(10 mg/kg),astragaloside Ⅰ medium-dose group(20 mg/kg),astragaloside Ⅰ high-dose group(40 mg/kg),and valsartan group(10mg/kg),with 12 mice per group.Twelve db/db littermate control db/m mice were used as the control group.The drug was administered by gavage for 8 weeks.Transmission electron microscope was used to observe the ultrastructure of the kidney;immunohistochemistry and Western blotting were used to detect the expression of nephrotic protein(nephrin),a marker of renal podocytes;enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the contents of interleukin-1β(IL-1β)and interleukin-18(IL-18)in the serum of mice;Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of NOD-like receptor thermoprotein domain-related protein 3(NLRP3),cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase 1(Caspase-1),and Gasdermin D(GSDMD)in kidney tissue.Results Compared with the control group,the glomeruli of the model group showed obvious podocyte loss and foot process fusion;the protein expression of nephrin was decreased(P＜0.05);the contents of IL-1 β and IL-18 in serum were increased(P＜0.05);the protein expressions of NLRP3,Cleaved-Caspase-1,and GSDMD-N were increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the model group,the renal pathological damage in the astragaloside Ⅰ administration groups were alleviated;the protein expression of nephrin was increased(P＜0.05);the contents of IL-1β and IL-18 in serum were decreased(P＜0.05);the protein expressions of NLRP3,Cleaved-Caspase-1,and GSDMD-N were decreased(P＜0.05).Conclusion Astragaloside Ⅰ may play a role in intervening diabetic kidney disease by inhibiting pyroptosis and improving podocyte injury.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of arthroscopic simple repair technique and en-hanced repair technique in the treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability(CLAI).Methods Forty-one cases of CLAI treated in the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command of PLA from January 2018 to January 2019 were selected and conducted arthroscopic lateral ankle ligament repair or enhanced repair treatment.The follow up data in 39 cases were complete.Among them,18 cases conducted the anterior talofibular ligament repair with wire anchor under arthroscopy and were included in the repair group,while 21 cases conducted the arthroscopic enhanced repair with linear anchors and knots free anchors and were included in the enhanced re-pair group.The postoperative follow up lasted for 12 months.The VAS score and AOFAS ankle-hind foot score before operation and in postoperative,3,6,12 months were compared between the two groups.The effi-cacies of treating CLAI by the two operation modes were evaluated.Results The preoperative VAS score and AOFAS ankle-hind foot score had no statistical differences between the two groups(P＞0.05).The VAS score at postoperative time points had no statistical difference between the enhanced repair group and repair group(P＞0.05).The AOFAS ankle-hind foot score in the enhanced repair group was higher than that in the repair group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).No serious complications occurred in the grouped patients during the follow up period.Conclusion In terms of pain and ankle function,the effect of arthroscopic enhanced repair in treating CLAI is better than that of simple repair.

Pain is the most common and severe symptom of endometriosis. However,there is no effective treatment nowadays,and the mechanism of endometriosis pain remains poorly defined. Mast cells are immune cells that can interact with sensory nerves to induce endometriosis pain. Recent studies have shown that mast cells play a vital role in the development of endometriosis pain. This article summarizes the latest research to highlight advances in mast cells involving in endometriosis pain through inflammatory response,angiogenesis,nerve growth,and peripheral and central sensitization,hoping to provide new ideas for the mechanism research and clinical treatment of endometriosis pain.

Objective To investigate the effect of intraoperative renal artery resistance index(RI)in predicting postoperative acute kidney injury(AKI)in patients undergoing cardiac surgery with cardiopul-monary bypass(CPB).Methods Forty-four patients undergoing elective cardiac surgery with CPB,21 males and 23 females,aged ≥18 years,BMI 18.5-30.0 kg/m2,ASA physical status Ⅰ-Ⅲ,were select-ed.Left renal artery peak systolic velocity(PSV)and end-diastolic velocity(EDV)were measured by transesophageal echocardiography(TEE)20 minutes after general anesthesia induction(T1)and 30 minutes after CPB cessation(T2).RI was calculated as(PSV-EDV)/PSV.Patients were divided into two groups:the AKI group and the non-AKI group,according to whether occurred AKI by the diagnostic criteria of the kidney disease:improving global outcomes organization(KDIGO).Logistic multivariate regression analysis was performed to identify the risk factors for AKI occurrence.Results Sixteen patients(36％)oc-curred AKI.Compared with the non-AKI group,the CPB duration and aortic cross-clamp duration were sig-nificantly prolonged(P＜0.05),the renal artery RI at T,and T2 were significantly increased in the AKI group(P＜0.05).Multivariate logstic analysis showed that RI at T2 was an independent risk factor for AKI occurrence after cardiac surgery,the AUC was 0.893(95％CI 0.794-0.991,P＜0.010),the sensitivity and specificity were 84.5％and 78.6％,respectively,and the cut-off value was 0.720.Conclusion Intra-operative renal artery RI in patients undergoing cardiac surgery is an independent risk factor for AKI after cardiac surgery,and renal artery RI＞0.720 at 30 minutes after CPB cessation can serve as a predictive in-dicator for AKI after cardiac surgery.

Objective:To construct a thirst management scheme for adult surgical patients and provide practical guidance for nurses to carry out perioperative thirst management.Methods:From April to May 2023, literature search was conducted to extract domestic and foreign evidence related to thirst, and after group discussion, a preliminary management plan for thirst in adult surgical patients was constructed. From May to June 2023, 18 experts were selected for two rounds of Delphi expert letter consultation, and a formal plan for thirst management of adult surgical patients was discussed and revised according to expert opinions.Results:A total of 18 experts completed two rounds of expert letter consultation. The effective recovery rate of the questionnaire was 100.00% and the expert authority coefficient was 0.915. The coefficients of variation for the importance and operability scores of the first round of expert inquiry were 0.05-0.25 and 0.06-0.42, respectively, and the Kendall's harmony coefficients were 0.224 and 0.184 ( P<0.01). The coefficients of variation for the importance and operability scores of the second round of inquiry were 0.05-0.23 and 0.06-0.24, respectively, and the Kendall's harmony coefficients were 0.166 and 0.154 ( P<0.01). The final thirst management scheme included five primary items (preliminary preparation, identification and evaluation, preoperative relief strategies, postoperative intervention measures and effectiveness evaluation) and 23 secondary items. Conclusions:The thirst management scheme for adult surgical patients constructed in this study is scientific and comprehensive, which can provide a reference basis for clinical practice.