Intravitreal injection of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)agents has become the primary treatment for macular edema associated with retinal vascular disease such as diabetic retinopathy and retinal vein occlusion, but there are limitations such as variable treatment efficacy and insufficient durability of therapeutic effects. As the first bispecific antibody applied in ophthalmic treatment, Faricimab achieves favorable outcomes by simultaneously targeting both VEGF-A and angiopoietin-2(Ang-2)pathways. Based on evidence from recent clinical trials and real-world studies, this article reviews the research progress on Faricimab for the treatment of diabetic macular edema(DME), retinal vein occlusion-associated macular edema(RVO-ME)and refractory macular edema compared to the therapeutic effects of other agents. Additionally, based on Faricimab's safety characteristics and future potential, its therapeutic prospects for macular edema associated with retinal vascular diseases are discussed. This review aims to provide evidence-based references for optimizing clinical treatment strategies, thereby contributing to mitigating the risk of vision loss due to macular edema.

Objective: To explore the effect of replacing rice bowls with trays on controlling the salt intake among school aged children, providing new evidence and insights for salt reduction intervention. Methods: From April to May 2024, 373 students from grades 4-9 at a boarding school in Guizhou Province were enrolled through stratified random cluster sampling, with one intervention class and one control class per grade. During the intervention period for one month, and the types of meals provided, pricing standards, and dining procedures shall remain consistent with daily operations, the intervention group ( n =181) compartmentalized trays for lunch and dinner, while the control group ( n =192) still used a rice bowl. Pre and post intervention assessments included 24 hour urine collection, questionnaire surveys, and physical measurements. The difference in differences analysis combined with multiple linear regression was used to analyze the changes in sodium intake and to evaluate the net effect of the intervention. Results: The post intervention 24 hour sodium intake in the intervention group was ( 2 222.6 ±1 013.6) mg, an increase of 94.6 mg from baseline, with no statistically significant difference ( t=1.10, P >0.05). In contrast, the post intervention 24 hour sodium intake in the control group was (2 080.5±895.7) mg, a decrease of 190.8 mg from baseline, showing a statistically significant difference ( t=-2.39, P <0.05). The difference in differences results indicated that after adjusting the model for factors such as gender, grade and dietary behaviors affecting sodium intake, the intervention group showed a net increase of 232.5 mg [ β(95%CI )=232.5(-40.3-505.2)] in 24 hour sodium intake compared to the control group, with no statistically significant net effect ( P >0.05). Conclusions Merely changing tableware is insufficient to control children s salt intake effectively. Based on continuous practical explorations and evidence based research grounded in the nudge theory, multi dimensional measures such as salt reduction education and the construction of a supportive environment should be integrated to form an intervention system that achieves synergistic and enhanced effects.

Tumor has become a major disease that seriously threatens human health and life. The incidence rate is increasing year by year， yet the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM）， a treasure of the Chinese nation and a wealth for people worldwide， plays an important role in the treatment of tumors and has been receiving increasing attention both in China and abroad. In earlier work， based on the symptoms and metastatic characteristics of tumors， and drawing on the TCM theory of Yin and Yang in combination with modern medical research on tumors， the ''Yin deficiency-cancer correlation'' hypothesis was proposed. This hypothesis holds that ''Yin deficiency'' of the body is a major cause of malignant tumors， and that nourishing Yin to eliminate the pathogenic factor of Yin deficiency can treat cancer. By using Yin-nourishing drugs to tonify Yin deficiency， the occurrence and development of malignant tumors can be effectively prevented. Common anti-tumor Yin-nourishing drugs include Glehniae Radix， Lilii Bulbus， Ophiopogonis Radix， Liriopes Radix， Asparagi Radix， Dendrobii Caulis， Dendrobii Officinalis Caulis， Polygonati Odorati Rhizoma， Polygonati Rhizoma， Lycii Fructus， Mori Fructus， Ligustri Lucidi Fructus， Ecliptae Herba， Rehmanniae Radix， and Anemarrhenae Rhizoma. These drugs are generally sweet in flavor， cold and cool in nature， and moist in texture. They have the functions of nourishing Yin fluids， generating body fluids， and moistening dryness， and can also clear heat， being primarily indicated for Yin deficiency with depletion of body fluids. In view of the potential advantages and value of treating malignant tumors by tonifying Yin deficiency with Chinese medicine， this paper reviews recent studies on the anti-tumor effects of active components of Yin-nourishing drugs. It further summarizes their mechanisms of action in inducing apoptosis of tumor cells， arresting tumor cell proliferation， inhibiting tumor invasion， metastasis， and angiogenesis， enhancing and regulating immune function， augmenting the efficacy of chemotherapeutic drugs， and reversing tumor drug resistance. This study provides an objective overview of research progress on Yin-nourishing drugs in tumor treatment and offers new ideas for cancer therapy.

OBJECTIVE: To compare the clinical efficacy of electroacupuncture (EA) at neuro-arterial stimulation points with topical western medication in treating post-stroke shoulder-hand syndrome (SHS). METHODS: A total of 72 patients with post-stroke SHS were randomly assigned to an observation group (n=36, 2 cases dropped out) and a control group (n=36, 3 cases dropped out). Both groups received standard neurological treatment, comprehensive rehabilitation, and physical therapy. The observation group received EA at neuro-arterial stimulation points, including the ipsilateral stellate ganglion point, vagus nerve trunk and auricular branch (left side), and stimulation points of the radial and ulnar arteries, radial nerve, ulnar nerve, and median nerve, once daily for 4 weeks. The control group was treated with topical diclofenac diethylamine emulgel, and mucopolysaccharide polysulfate cream was added for patients with pronounced early-stage edema, twice a day for 4 weeks. The VAS pain score and hand edema volume were recorded before treatment, at 2 and 4 weeks during treatment, and 2 weeks after treatment completion (follow-up). Musculoskeletal ultrasound was used to measure the thickness of the dorsal hand and middle finger skin on the affected side before and after 4 weeks of treatment. RESULTS: Compared before treatment, the VAS pain scores and edema volume of the affected hand in both groups were decreased at week 2, week 4, and follow-up (P<0.05). At week 4, both groups showed lower VAS pain scores and edema volume than those at week 2 (P<0.05); during follow-up, both VAS pain scores and edema volume were further reduced compared to those at week 4 (P<0.05). At week 2, week 4, and follow-up, the VAS scores and edema volume of the affected hand in the observation group were lower than those in the control group (P<0.05). Compared before treatment, the dorsal hand skin thickness and middle finger skin thickness on the affected side were decreased in both groups after 4 weeks of treatment (P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the observation group showed thinner dorsal hand and middle finger skin thickness after 4 weeks of treatment (P<0.05). CONCLUSION EA at neuro-arterial stimulation points effectively alleviates pain and edema in patients with post-stroke SHS, and demonstrates superior efficacy compared to topical western medication.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Middle Aged ; Electroacupuncture ; Aged ; Stroke/complications* ; Acupuncture Points ; Adult ; Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy/physiopathology* ; Treatment Outcome ; Hand

Objective To investigate the common molecular features of immunothrombosis, thus enhancing the comprehension of thrombosis triggered by immune and inflammatory responses and offering crucial insights for identifying potential diagnostic and therapeutic targets. Methods Differential gene expression analysis and functional enrichment analysis were conducted on datasets of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE) and venous thromboembolism (VTE). The intersection of differentially expressed genes in SLE and VTE with those of neutrophil extracellular traps (NET) yielded cross-talk genes (CG) for SLE-NET and VTE-NET interaction. Further analysis included functional enrichment and protein-protein interaction (PPI) network assessments of these CG to identify hub genes. Venn diagrams and receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve analysis were employed to pinpoint the most effective shared diagnostic CG, which were validated using a graft-versus-host disease (GVHD) dataset. Results Differential expression genes in SLE and VTE were associated with distinct biological processes, whereas SLE-NET-CG and VTE-NET-CG were implicated in pathways related to leukocyte migration, inflammatory response, and immune response. Through PPI network analysis, several hub genes were identified, with matrix metalloproteinase 9 (MMP9) and S100 calcium-binding protein A12 (S100A12) emerging as the best shared diagnostic CG for SLE (AUC: 0.936 and 0.832) and VTE (AUC: 0.719 and 0.759). Notably, MMP9 exhibited good diagnostic performance in the GVHD dataset (AUC: 0.696). Conclusion This study unveils the common molecular features of SLE, VTE, and NET, emphasizing MMP9 and S100A12 as the optimal shared diagnostic CG, thus providing valuable evidence for the diagnosis and therapeutic strategies related to immunothrombosis. Additionally, the expression of MMP9 in GVHD highlights its critical role in the risk of VTE associated with immune system disorders.
Humans ; Computational Biology/methods* ; Lupus Erythematosus, Systemic/immunology* ; Protein Interaction Maps/genetics* ; Venous Thromboembolism/therapy* ; Matrix Metalloproteinase 9/genetics* ; Extracellular Traps/metabolism* ; Gene Regulatory Networks ; Thrombosis/immunology* ; Graft vs Host Disease/genetics* ; Gene Expression Profiling

•A strategy for in situ metabolically synthesized active drug-based probes was proposed.•The potential purgative targets of SA were successfully hooked and identified.•The work provided a new insight for studying the direct targets of unstable active drugs.

Objective To explore the characteristics of coagulation and immune function and their clinical significance in children with severe adenovirus pneumonia(SAP).Methods A total of 122 children with SAP and 120 children with non-severe adenovirus pneumonia(NSAP)were enrolled and assigned to severe group and non-severe group.The severe group was further subdivided into good prognosis subgroup(n=105)and poor prognosis subgroup(n=17)according to prognosis.Addition-ally,120 healthy children undergoing physical examination during the same period were included as control group.Coagulation function indicators,including prothrombin time(PT),activated partial thromboplastin time(APTT),fibrinogen(FIB),and thrombin time(TT)were measured.Levels of immunoglobulin A(IgA),immunoglobulin G(IgG),and immunoglobulin M(IgM)were determined using the nephelometric immunoassay.Multivariate Cox regression analysis was conducted to explore the influencing factors of poor prognosis.Results Compared with the control group,children in both the non-severe and severe groups exhibited increased levels of white blood cells(WBC),neutrophils(N),C-reactive protein(CRP),erythrocyte sedimentation rate(ESR),interleukin-6(IL-6),procalci-tonin(PCT),FIB,and IgG,as well as decreased levels of B lymphocytes,natural killer(NK)cells,PT,APTT,IgA,and IgM(P＜0.05).Compared with the non-severe group,children in the severe group showed increased levels of WBC,N,CRP,ESR,IL-6,PCT,FIB,and IgG,as well as decreased levels of B lymphocytes,NK cells,PT,APTT,IgA,and IgM(P＜0.05).Compared with the good prognosis subgroup,the poor prognosis subgroup exhibited increased levels of CRP,IL-6,PCT,and IgG,as well as decreased levels of APTT,IgM,and IgA(P＜0.05).The results of multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that PCT,APTT,and IgM were influencing factors of poor prognosis in children with SAP(P＜0.05).Conclusion Children with SAP have decreased levels of PT,APTT,IgA,and IgM,as well as increased levels of FIB and IgG.Coagulation and im-mune function indicators are correlated with the prognosis of SAP.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effect of circSLC8A1_005 on the fibrotic phenotype of cardiac fibroblasts and the potential mechanism involved. MethodsThe effect of adenovirus-mediated overexpression of circSLC8A1_005 on the expression of fibrosis-related genes， collagen type I alpha 1 chain （Col1a1）， collagen type Ⅲ alpha 1 chain （Col3a1） and smooth muscle actin alpha 2 （Acta2）， in mouse cardiac fibroblasts （mCFs） were detected. The proliferation and migration activities of mCFs were detected by EdU and wound-healing assay， respectively. Dual luciferase reporter gene assay was performed to detect the activity of potential internal ribozyme entry site （IRES） in circSLC8A1_005. CircSLC8A1_005-translated protein， SLC8A1-605aa， and its intracellular distribution was identified by Western blot assay. The effect of SLC8A1-605aa protein on transcription activity of Sod2 gene was detected by the dual luciferase reporter gene assay. RNA binding protein immunoprecipitation （RIP） was utilized to verify the interaction between SLC8A1-605aa and superoxide dismutase 2 （Sod2） mRNA. Actinomycin D treatment was used to detect the effect of SLC8A1-605aa on Sod2 mRNA stability in mCFs. ResultsAn efficient adenovirus-mediated overexpression of circSLC8A1_005 was achieved in mCFs. The enforced expression of circSLC8A1_005 suppressed proliferation and migration of mCFs， and inhibited the expression of fibrosis-related genes in mCFs. The dual luciferase reporter gene assay revealed the activities of 2 IRES in circSLC8A1_005. Results of Western blot assay showed that circSLC8A1_005 could translate protein SLC8A1-605aa with the prospected molecular weight of 70 ku， which is predominantly distributed in the nucleus. Overexpression of the circSLC8A1_005 and SLC8A1-605aa could consistently inhibit the fibrotic phenotype of mCFs. SLC8A1-605aa could up-regulate superoxide dismutase 2 （Sod2） expression， but not at the transcriptional level. RIP assay indicated that SLC8A1-605aa could specifically interact with Sod2 mRNA， and the results of actinomycin D assay showed that SLC8A1-605aa could enhance the stability of Sod2 mRNA in mCFs. ConclusionCircSLC8A1_005 inhibits the fibrotic phenotype of cardiac fibroblasts via translating SLC8A1-605aa protein， and SLC8A1-605aa may be a potential target for the treatment of myocardial fibrosis.

Humans ; Gastrointestinal Microbiome ; Constipation/therapy* ; Probiotics/therapeutic use* ; Patients

AIM:To investigate the effect of circular RNA MYO9A-006(circMYO9A_006)on hypertrophic phenotype of cardiomyocytes and the underlying mechanism.METHODS:The effect of adenovirus-mediated overexpres-sion of circMYO9A_006 on the expression of hypertrophy-related proteins,including β-myosin heavy chain(β-MHC),skeletal muscle actin alpha 1(ACTA1)and atrial natriuretic peptide(ANP),was evaluated in neonatal mouse ventricular cardiomyocytes(NMVCs).Moreover,a neonatal rat ventricular cardiomyocyte(NRVC)model of phenylephrine(PE)-in-duced hypertrophy was established.The effect of circMYO9A_006 overexpression on NRVC size was ascertained using Phalloidin-iFluor 647 staining method.Dual-luciferase reporter assay was employed to measure the activity of potential in-ternal ribosome entry sites(IRES)in circMYO9A_006.The translation and intracellular location of the circMYO9A_006-translated protein,MYO9A-208aa,were verified using Western blot.To investigate the role of MYO9A-208aa in the ef-fect of circMYO9A_006 on the cardiomyocyte hypertrophic phenotype,we prepared and used the following adenoviruses:the recombinant circMYO9A_006-ORF adenovirus to express MYO9A-208aa,the recombinant circMYO9A_006-ATG-mut adenovirus that does not express MYO9A-208aa,the recombinant circMYO9A_006 adenovirus,and the adenovirus vector control.These were then employed to infect NRVCs.RESULTS:Successful adenovirus-mediated overexpression of circMYO9A_006 was observed in NMVCs.The increased expression of circMYO9A_006 notably reduced the expres-sion of hypertrophy-related proteins in NMVCs(P<0.01).Concurrently,overexpression of circMYO9A_006 substantially reduced the expression of hypertrophy-associated proteins and diminished the size of PE-induced NRVCs(P<0.05).Dual-luciferase reporter assay identified the activity of 2 IRES in circMYO9A_006.Western blot results indicated that circ-MYO9A_006 could produce the MYO9A-208aa protein with an anticipated molecular weight of 28 kD in NRVCs,primari-ly found in the cytoplasm.Elevated expression of both circMYO9A_006 and MYO9A-208aa consistently reduced the ex-pression of hypertrophy-associated proteins(P<0.01),and counteracted the enlarged size of PE-induced NRVCs(P<0.05).However,increased expression of circMYO9A_006-ATG-mut did not counteract the PE-induced hypertrophic phe-notype of NRVCs.CONCLUSION:circMYO9A_006 attenuates the hypertrophic phenotype of cardiomyocytes by synthe-sizing the MYO9A-208aa protein.