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.

Objective: To evaluate the effect of comprehensive prevention and control interventions for myopia among primary school students, so as to provide evidence for the comprehensive prevention and control of myopia among myopic students in schools. Methods: In September 2023, myopic students aged 6 to 11 years from Xilin South Road Primary School in Hohhot City were selected as research subjects by stratified random sampling method, and randomly divided into intervention group and control group. The control group received routine school management and conventional refractive correction. On the basis of routine care for the control group, the intervention group received comprehensive myopia prevention and control interventions covering health education, eye use behavior management, visual environment improvement, repeated low-level red-light therapy and auricular point pressing, with an intervention period of 12 months. Basic information, eye use behaviors and ophthalmic examination indicators were collected through questionnaire survey and ophthalmic examination. Generalized estimating equations were used to analyze the differences in eye use behaviors between the two groups of myopic primary school students before and after intervention, and linear mixed-effects models were used to analyze the differences in axial length (AL), spherical equivalent (SE) and uncorrected visual acuity (UCVA). Results: The control group included 52 students, including 25 boys and 27 girls, with an average age of (7.94±0.94) years. The intervention group included 52 students, including 27 boys and 25 girls, with an average age of (7.88±0.92) years. There were no statistically significant differences in baseline data such as gender, age, AL, SE and UCVA between the two groups (all P>0.05). There were statistically significant interaction effects between group and time on the compliance rate of screen time and outdoor activity time in the two groups (both P<0.05). After intervention, the compliance rates of screen time and outdoor activity time in the intervention group were higher than in the control group (51.92% vs. 28.85%, 69.23% vs. 50.00%). There were statistically significant interaction effects between group and time on AL, SE and UCVA (all P<0.05). After intervention, the AL increase was lower in the intervention group than in the control group (0.17 mm vs. 0.34 mm), the decreases in SE and UCVA were lower in the intervention group than in the control group (0.12 D vs. 0.42 D, 0.03 vs. 0.12). Conclusion The comprehensive myopia prevention and control measures have intervention effects on myopia prevention and control among primary school students, which can slow down the axial elongation and the progression of refractive status, and improve uncorrected visual acuity and some eye use behaviors.

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.