AIM: To investigate the influence of pterygium thickness and area on corneal refractive status.METHODS: Prospective longitudinal study. A total of 60 cases(60 eyes)of pterygium patients admitted to our hospital from January 2024 to September 2024 were randomly selected. All patients underwent pterygium excision combined with pedicle conjunctival flap transplantation for treatment. Optical coherence tomography(OCT)was used to measure the preoperative thickness of patient's pterygium, and a digital slit lamp microscope was used to measure the area of pterygium. The corneal refractive status(degree of corneal astigmatism and average curvature)and changes in uncorrected visual acuity of patients before surgery, 1 d, 1, and 3 mo after surgery were compared. The relationship between preoperative thickness and area of pterygium in patients and corneal refractive status indicators at different postoperative time points were analyzed, and Logistic regression was used to analyze the impact of pterygium thickness and area on postoperative visual improvement in patients.RESULTS: All patients completed follow-up after surgery for 3 mo. At 3 mo after surgery, visual acuity improved in 21 eyes(35%). The results of bivariate Pearson correlation analysis showed that the thickness and area of pterygium positively correlated with the degree of corneal astigmatism and uncorrected visual acuity before surgery and 1 d, 1, and 3 mo after surgery(all P<0.05), and negatively correlated with the average corneal curvature before surgery and 1 d, 1, and 3 mo after surgery(all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the thickness and area of pterygium before surgery, high degree of corneal astigmatism, and low uncorrected visual acuity(large LogMAR value)were all risk factors for poor postoperative visual improvement in patients(OR>1, P<0.05). The large average corneal curvature before surgery was a protective factor for poor postoperative visual improvement in patients(OR<1, P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The increase in thickness and area of pterygium can, to some extent, improve corneal astigmatism, reduce the average curvature of the cornea, and affect postoperative visual recovery.

Objective To explore the therapeutic mechanism of berberine in atopic dermatitis(AD)rats based on PI3K/Akt/NF-kappa B signaling pathway.Methods Sixty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the blank group(normal rats),the control group(AD model,50 mg/kg berberine treatment)and the experimental group(AD model,200 mg/kg berberine treatment),with 20 rats in each group.The levels of interleukin-4(IL-4),interleukin-13(IL-13)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)at 1 d,7 d and 14 d of intervention.The protein levels of PI3K,p-PI3K,Akt,p-Akt and NF-κB p65 were detected by Western blot assay.Pathological changes of rat skin tissue were analyzed by HE staining.Results After intervention for 1 d,7 d and 14 d,serum levels of IL-4,IL-13,TNF-α and PI3K,p-PI3K,Akt,p-Akt and NF-kappa B p65 were higher in the control group than those in the blank group(P＜0.05).After intervention for 7 d and 14 d,the levels of the above indicators were lower in the experimental group than those in the control group(P＜0.05).After 14 days of intervention,compared with the blank group,the skin tissue of rats in the control group and the experimental group showed obvious pathological changes,including thickening of epidermis layer,excessive keratinization of the stratum comeum,thickening of spinous layer and a large infiltration of inflammatory cells in dermis.The pathological damage of rat skin tissue was significantly alleviated in the experimental group.Conclusion Berberine can inhibit the activation of PI3K/Akt/NF-kappa B signaling pathway,reduce serum level of inflammatory factors and reduce pathological damage of skin tissue in AD rats.

Objective To explore the therapeutic mechanism of berberine in atopic dermatitis(AD)rats based on PI3K/Akt/NF-kappa B signaling pathway.Methods Sixty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the blank group(normal rats),the control group(AD model,50 mg/kg berberine treatment)and the experimental group(AD model,200 mg/kg berberine treatment),with 20 rats in each group.The levels of interleukin-4(IL-4),interleukin-13(IL-13)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)at 1 d,7 d and 14 d of intervention.The protein levels of PI3K,p-PI3K,Akt,p-Akt and NF-κB p65 were detected by Western blot assay.Pathological changes of rat skin tissue were analyzed by HE staining.Results After intervention for 1 d,7 d and 14 d,serum levels of IL-4,IL-13,TNF-α and PI3K,p-PI3K,Akt,p-Akt and NF-kappa B p65 were higher in the control group than those in the blank group(P＜0.05).After intervention for 7 d and 14 d,the levels of the above indicators were lower in the experimental group than those in the control group(P＜0.05).After 14 days of intervention,compared with the blank group,the skin tissue of rats in the control group and the experimental group showed obvious pathological changes,including thickening of epidermis layer,excessive keratinization of the stratum comeum,thickening of spinous layer and a large infiltration of inflammatory cells in dermis.The pathological damage of rat skin tissue was significantly alleviated in the experimental group.Conclusion Berberine can inhibit the activation of PI3K/Akt/NF-kappa B signaling pathway,reduce serum level of inflammatory factors and reduce pathological damage of skin tissue in AD rats.

Objective:To study the implementation progress of the prevention and control measures for drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis and the changing trend of fluorosis conditions in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of prevention and control measures, and provide a basis for the next step of prevention and control of the disease.Methods:In 2015 and 2023, a cross-sectional survey method was used to investigate the water improvement situation, the operation of water improvement projects, the detection of fluoride level in water, and the prevalence of dental fluorosis in children aged 8 to 12 in all affected villages of 11 leagues (cities) in the entire autonomous region. The prevention and control effect of drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis in the entire autonomous region was evaluated.Results:The water improvement rates of all affected villages in the entire autonomous region in 2015 and 2023 were 84.12% (8 218/9 769) and 95.38% (8 944/9 377), respectively. The qualified rates of water fluoride in the villages with water improvement in the entire autonomous region were 66.21% (5 441/8 218) and 91.00% (8 139/8 944), respectively. The water improvement rate and water fluoride qualification rate of water improvement villages in 2023 were both higher than those in 2015, and the differences were statistically significant (χ 2 = 652.96, 1 593.81, P < 0.001). The detection rates of dental fluorosis in children aged 8 to 12 years in the entire autonomous region in 2015 and 2023 were 9.26% (7 548/81 484) and 4.46% (3 441/77 155), respectively. The detection rate of dental fluorosis in children in 2023 was lower than that in 2015, and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 = 1 418.20, P < 0.001). In 2015 and 2023, the total compliance rate of all affected villages in the entire autonomous region reaching the control standards were 57.94% (5 660/ 9 769) and 92.37% (8 662/9 377), respectively. The total compliance rate of all affected villages in 2023 was higher than that in 2015, and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 = 3 010.38, P < 0.001). Conclusions:Compared with 2015, the prevention and control measures of drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region have been effectively implemented in 2023, with a significant decrease in the detection rate of dental fluorosis in children. However, there are still a few affected villages that have not achieved the control standards, and prevention and control work still need to be further strengthened.

Objective:To study the implementation progress of the prevention and control measures for drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis and the changing trend of fluorosis conditions in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of prevention and control measures, and provide a basis for the next step of prevention and control of the disease.Methods:In 2015 and 2023, a cross-sectional survey method was used to investigate the water improvement situation, the operation of water improvement projects, the detection of fluoride level in water, and the prevalence of dental fluorosis in children aged 8 to 12 in all affected villages of 11 leagues (cities) in the entire autonomous region. The prevention and control effect of drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis in the entire autonomous region was evaluated.Results:The water improvement rates of all affected villages in the entire autonomous region in 2015 and 2023 were 84.12% (8 218/9 769) and 95.38% (8 944/9 377), respectively. The qualified rates of water fluoride in the villages with water improvement in the entire autonomous region were 66.21% (5 441/8 218) and 91.00% (8 139/8 944), respectively. The water improvement rate and water fluoride qualification rate of water improvement villages in 2023 were both higher than those in 2015, and the differences were statistically significant (χ 2 = 652.96, 1 593.81, P < 0.001). The detection rates of dental fluorosis in children aged 8 to 12 years in the entire autonomous region in 2015 and 2023 were 9.26% (7 548/81 484) and 4.46% (3 441/77 155), respectively. The detection rate of dental fluorosis in children in 2023 was lower than that in 2015, and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 = 1 418.20, P < 0.001). In 2015 and 2023, the total compliance rate of all affected villages in the entire autonomous region reaching the control standards were 57.94% (5 660/ 9 769) and 92.37% (8 662/9 377), respectively. The total compliance rate of all affected villages in 2023 was higher than that in 2015, and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 = 3 010.38, P < 0.001). Conclusions:Compared with 2015, the prevention and control measures of drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region have been effectively implemented in 2023, with a significant decrease in the detection rate of dental fluorosis in children. However, there are still a few affected villages that have not achieved the control standards, and prevention and control work still need to be further strengthened.

Objective To investigate the effect of adenotonsillectomy on immune function and sleep structure in children with obstructive sleep apnea-hypopnea syndrome(OSAHS).Methods A total of 94 children with OSAHS treated at Children's Hospital Affiliated to Zhengzhou University from November 2020 to June 2022 were selected as the observation group,and another 80 healthy children who underwent physical examinations at the same hospital during the same period were selected as the control group.Children in the observation group underwent bilateral tonsillectomy combined with endoscopic adenoidectomy.Changes in the sleep structure of children in the observation group were detected before surgery and at discharge by using a multi-channel sleep monitoring system.Venous blood samples were collected from children in the observation group before surgery,one month after surgery,and six months after surgery,while venous blood samples of children in the control group were collected on the day of physical examination.The serum levels of IgA,IgG and IgM were measured by using immunoturbidimetry,the percentages of CD3+,CD4+and CD8+in the plasma were measured by using flow cytometry,and the CD4+/CD8+ratio was calculated.Results Compared with before surgery,the proportion of non-rapid eye movement sleep(NREM)1,apnea-hypopnea index and obstructive apnea-hypopnea index of children in the observation group decreased at discharge,the proportions of NREM2,NREM3 and rapid eye movement sleep(REM),sleep efficiency and the lowest oxygen saturation increased,and REM time extended(P＜0.05).The preoperative serum levels of IgA,IgG and IgM in the observation group were significantly higher than those in the control group(P＜0.05).One month after surgery,the serum levels of IgA,IgG and IgM in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the serum levels of IgA,IgG and IgM between the observation group and the control group at six months after surgery(P＞0.05).One and six months after surgery,the serum levels of IgA,IgG and IgM in the observation group were significantly lower than those before surgery(P＜0.05),and the serum levels of IgA,IgG and IgM at six months after surgery were significantly higher than those one month after surgery(P＜0.05).The preoperative CD3+and CD4+percentages and the CD4+/CD8+ratio in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group,while the CD8+percentage was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05).One month after surgery,the CD3+and CD4+percentages and the CD4+/CD8+ratio in the observation group were significantly lower than those in the control group,while the CD8+percentage was significantly higher than that in the control group(P＜0.05).There was no statistically significant difference in the CD3+,CD4+and CD8+percentages and the CD4+/CD8+ratio between the observation group and the control group at six months after surgery(P＞0.05).One month after surgery,the CD3+and CD4+percentages and the CD4+/CD8+ratio in the observation group were significantly lower than those before surgery,while the CD8+percentage was significantly higher than that before surgery(P＜0.05);six months after surgery,the CD3+and CD4+percentages and the CD4+/CD8+ratio in the observation group were significantly higher than those before surgery,while the CD8+percentage was significantly lower than that before surgery(P＜0.05).The CD3+and CD4+percentages and the CD4+/CD8+ratio at six months after surgery were significantly higher than those at one month after surgery,while the CD8+percentage was significantly lower than that at one month after surgery in the observation group(P＜0.05).Conclusion Adenotonsillectomy can effectively prolong the REM time of OSAHS children and improve their sleep efficiency,sleep structure and the immune regulation function of the body.The immune function of the body decreases briefly after adenotonsillectomy,and then gradually returns to the normal level.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided semispinalis capitis plane (SCP) block for treatment of occipital neuralgia (ON).Methods:This was a prospective study. Ninety patients of both sexes, aged 29-66 yr, suffering ON for 3 months-6 yr in Zibo Municipal Hospital from January 2022 to December 2023, were divided into 3 groups ( n=30 each) using a random number table method: combination of greater occipital nerve (GON) block and the third occipital nerve (TON) block group (group GT), SCP block via the medial head of semispinalis capitis muscle (SCM) group (group Sm), and SCP block via the space between obliquus capitis inferior and C 2, 3 facet joint (OCI-C 2, 3) group (group OC). In GT group, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory compound solution 2.5 ml was injected around GON in the SCM-OCI space at the C 2 level of the cervical vertebra and at the lateral surface of C 2, 3 facet joint. In Sm group, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory compound solution 5 ml was injected into the medial head of SCM at the level of C 1. In OC group, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory compound solution 5 ml was injected into the OCI-C 2, 3 space in the deep part of SCM. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score were recorded before treatment (T 1) and at 1, 3, 7, 10 and 14 days after treatment (T 2-6), and then the rates of pain relief and improvement in sleep quality were calculated. The time spent in blocking, onset time of blocking, completion time of blocking, duration of block, and occurrence of adverse reactions within 24 h after block were recorded. Results:There were no significant differences in VAS scores and PSQI scores at T 1-3 and T 5-6 among the three groups ( P>0.05), and VAS and PSQI scores were significantly higher at T 4 in Sm group than in OC and GT groups ( P<0.05). Compared with GT group, the time spent in blocking was significantly shortened, the onset time and completion time of block was prolonged, and the duration of block was shortened in Sm group, and the time spent in blocking was significantly shortened, the onset time and completion time of block was shortened ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the duration of block in OC group ( P>0.05). No severe complications were observed in the three groups. Conclusions:Compared with the combination of GON and TON blocks, ultrasound-guided SCP block for treating ON is simple and highly safe, SCP block via the OCI-C 2, 3 space has rapid onset and long duration, leading to significant improvements in pain and sleep quality, and it can be used as the first-choice block method for treating ON.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of evodiamine(Evo)on atopic dermatitis(AD)in rat models by regulating the cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP)/protein kinase A(PKA)/cAMP response ele-ment binding protein(CREB)signaling pathway.Methods A rat model of AD was established by administration of multiple doses of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene(DNCB).The animals were randomly divided into AD group,Evo-low-dose(Evo-L,5 mg/kg)group,Evo-high-dose(Evo-H,10 mg/kg)group,Evo-H+H-89(5 mg/kg)group and dexamethasone(0.1 mg/kg)group.Normal rats were used as the control group and then the degree of skin damage of rats in each group was scored.Abdominal blood was taken to detect the levels of interleukin-4(IL-4),cAMP,and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in serum;Skin lesion tissue was collected to detect pathological change,counting of mast cells,PKA/CREB related protein expression and expression of IL-4 and TNF-α mRNA in the tissue.Results Compared with control group,the level of cAMP in serum,the expression of p-PKA/PKA,and p-CREB/CREB in skin lesions of AD group were reduced,the severity score of skin lesions,level of IL-4 and TNF-α,epidermal thickness,number of mast cells and mRNA expression of IL-4 and TNF-α in skin lesion tissues were all significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with AD group,the level of cAMP in serum,the expression of p-PKA/PKA,and p-CREB/CREB in skin lesions in Evo-L group,Evo-H group,and dexamethasone group were increased,the severity score of skin lesions,level of IL-4 and TNF-α,epidermal thickness,number of mast cells,and mRNA expression of IL-4 and TNF-α in skin lesion tissues all reduced(P＜0.05).Compared with the Evo-H group,the level of cAMP in serum,the expression of p-PKA/PKA,and p-CREB/CREB in skin lesions in Evo-H+H-89 group was reduced and the severity score of skin lesion,level of IL-4 and TNF-α,epidermal thickness,num-ber of mast cells,and mRNA expression of IL-4 and TNF-α in skin lesion tissues significantly increased(P＜0.05).Conclusions Evo inhibits inflammatory response and pathological damage through regulation of cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway in AD rat models.

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and epidemic situation of children with Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) in China,and provide the basis for formulating prevention and control measures. Methods Fixed-point monitoring,moving-point monitoring,and full coverage of monitoring were promoted successively from 1990 to 2023. Some children (7-12 years old) underwent clinical and right-hand X-ray examinations every year. According to the KBD diagnosis criteria,clinical and X-ray assessments were used to confirm the diagnosis. Results In 1990,the national KBD detectable rate was 21.01％. X-ray detection decreased to below 10％ in 2003 and below 5％ in 2007. Between 2010 and 2018,the prevalence of KBD in children was less than 0.4％,which fluctuated at a low level,and has decreased to 0％ since 2019. Spatial epidemiological analysis indicated a spatial clustering of adult patients prevalence rate in the KBD areas. Conclusion The evaluation results of the elimination of KBD in China over the last 5 years showed that all villages in the monitored areas have reached the elimination standard. While the adult KBD patients still need for policy consideration and care.

Objective:To investigate the relationship between the outcome of skin injury and urinary arsenic methylation metabolism levels in people exposed to arsenic through drinking water.Methods:Using cluster sampling method, permanent residents from drinking-water-borne endemic arsenic poisoning areas in Bayannur City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region were selected as survey subjects in 2004 (before water improvement). In 2017 (after water improvement), 74 survey subjects from 2004 were tracked and followed up. Urine samples were collected from survey subjects and high-performance liquid chromatography inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry was used to detect the levels of arsenic methylation metabolites in urine. According to the "Diagnosis of Endemic Arsenic Poisoning" (WS/T 211-2015), the clinical grading (normal, suspicious, mild, moderate and severe) of skin injury of the survey subjects and the outcome of 2017 (improved, unchanged, aggravated) were assessed. A database was established and SPSS 25.0 software was used for statistical analysis.Results:The clinical grading ratios of skin injuries among survey subjects in 2004 and 2017 were compared, the differences were statistically significant (normal, suspicious, mild, moderate and severe: 38, 18, 4, 14 cases in 2004 and 27, 31, 3, 13 cases in 2017, χ 2 = 53.02, P < 0.001). Compared with 2004, in 2017, the levels of total arsenic (tAs), inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethylarsenic (MMA), dimethylarsenic (DMA), percentage of inorganic arsenic (iAs%), and ratio of monomethylarsenic to dimethylarsenic (MMA/DMA) in the urine of survey subjects were low, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z = - 8.24, - 9.07, - 7.81, - 8.04, - 8.24, - 3.56, P < 0.001). The levels of dimethylarsenic percentage (DMA%), monomethylation rate (PMI) and dimethylation rate (SMI) were higher, and the differences were statistically significant ( Z = - 6.39, - 8.24, - 3.52, P < 0.001). In 2004, patients with different clinical grading of skin injuries had different outcomes in 2017 (χ 2 = 30.80, P < 0.001). There were statistically significant differences in tAs, iAs, MMA and DMA variation in urine among skin injury patients with different outcomes ( H = 10.62, 9.35, 8.80, 9.13, P < 0.05). Conclusions:Improving water can significantly reduce the levels of tAs, iAs, MMA, and DMA in the urine of arsenic exposed individuals. The outcome of skin injury in individuals exposed to arsenic through drinking water is related to the variation of urinary arsenic methylation metabolites tAs, iAs, MMA, and DMA.