1.High-altitude exposure on retinal damage and oxidative stress levels
Quan ZHAO ; Song WANG ; Chen YIN ; Meng JING ; Juan MA ; Yan CAI
International Eye Science 2026;26(5):760-766
AIM:To investigate the effects of high-altitude hypoxic exposure on retinal injury and the associated changes in oxidative stress-related indicators in rats. METHODS: Twenty-four healthy male Sprague-Dawley(SD)rats were randomly divided into a plain group and a high-altitude group, with 12 rats(24 eyes)in each group. Rats in the plain group were housed under normoxic conditions in an SPF-grade animal facility, whereas rats in the high-altitude group were placed in a special environmental chamber simulating an altitude of 6 000 m for 7 d. Optical coherence tomography(OCT)was used to assess retinal layer architecture and quantify retinal thickness. Hematoxylin-eosin(HE)staining was performed to observe retinal histopathological changes. Immunofluorescence(IF)was used to detect the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α(HIF-1α)in retinal tissue. Transmission electron microscopy(TEM)was applied to examine the ultrastructure of retinal ganglion cells(RGCs). Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was used to measure the levels of malondialdehyde(MDA), total superoxide dismutase(T-SOD), and reduced glutathione(GSH)in retinal tissue. In addition, intracellular reactive oxygen species(ROS)levels in retinal tissue were assessed using the 2',7'-dichlorodihydrofluorescein diacetate(DCFH-DA)fluorescent probe. RESULTS: OCT examination revealed disorganized retinal architecture in the high-altitude group, with increased inner and middle ring thickness and decreased outer ring thickness compared with the plain group(all P<0.05). HE staining showed varying degrees of retinal layer damage, blurred layer boundaries, loosely arranged RGCs, and partial cellular necrosis in the high-altitude group. IF analysis demonstrated significantly increased HIF-1α expression in the inner nuclear layer of the high-altitude group(P<0.01). TEM revealed mitochondrial swelling, disrupted cristae, and reduced matrix electron density in RGCs of the high-altitude group. ELISA and fluorescence probe assays showed significantly elevated MDA levels and ROS fluorescence intensity, accompanied by decreased T-SOD and GSH levels in the retinal tissue of the high-altitude group(all P<0.05). CONCLUSION: Exposure to a high-altitude hypoxic environment induces marked morphological and ultrastructural damage in the rat retina and significantly enhances oxidative stress, suggesting that oxidative stress may play a critical role in retinal injury induced by high-altitude hypoxia.
2.Fabrication and evaluation of an inositol hexaphosphate-zinc hydrogel with dual capabilities of self-mineralization and osteoinduction
LIU Mingyi ; MIAO Xiaoyu ; CAI Yunfan ; WANG Yan ; SUN Xiaotang ; KANG Jingrui ; ZHAO Yao ; NIU Lina
Journal of Prevention and Treatment for Stomatological Diseases 2026;34(1):29-40
Objective:
To fabricate a hydrogel loaded with inositol hexaphosphate-zinc and preliminarily evaluate its performance in self-mineralization and osteoinduction, thereby providing a theoretical basis for the development of bone regeneration materials.
Methods:
The hydrogel framework (designated DF0) was formed by copolymerizing methacryloyloxyethyltrimethylammonium chloride and four-armed poly(ethylene glycol) acrylate, followed by sequentially loading inositol hexaphosphate anions via electrostatic interaction and zinc ions via chelation. The hydrogel loaded only with inositol hexaphosphate anions was named DF1, while the co-loaded hydrogel was named DF2. The self-mineralization efficacy of the DF0 , DF1 and DF2 hydrogels was characterized using scanning electron microscopy, transmission electron microscopy (TEM), energy dispersive spectroscopy (EDS), and selected area electron diffraction (SAED). The biocompatibility was assessed via live/dead cell staining and a CCK-8 assay. The osteoinductive capacity of the DF0 , DF1 and DF2 hydrogels on MC3T3-E1 cells was assessed via alkaline phosphatase (ALP) and Alizarin Red S (ARS) staining. In the aforementioned cell experiments, cells cultured in standard medium served as the control group
Results:
The DF0, DF1, and DF2 hydrogels were successfully synthesized. Notably, DF1 and DF2 exhibited distinct self-mineralization within 6 days. Results from TEM, EDS, and SAED confirmed that the mineralization products were amorphous calcium phosphate in group DF1, and amorphous calciumzinc phosphate in group DF2. Biocompatibility tests revealed that none of the hydrogels (DF0, DF1, and DF2) adversely affected cell viability or proliferation. In osteogenic induction experiments, both ALP and ARS staining were intensified in the DF1 and DF2 groups, with the most profound staining observed in the DF2 group.
Conclusion
The developed inositol hexaphosphate-zinc hydrogel (DF2) demonstrates the dual capacity to generate calcium-phosphate compounds through self-mineralization while exhibiting excellent osteoinductive properties. This biocompatible, dual-promoting osteogenic hydrogel presents a novel strategy for bone regeneration.
3.Therapeutic efficacy of eyelid margin incision combined with floating bridge technique for ptosis
Tong LIU ; Na ZHAO ; Hailiang WU ; Jialing DU ; Chenxi CAI ; Yuqing ZHENG ; Li YAN
International Eye Science 2026;26(9):1665-1669
AIM: To explore the application effect of eyelid margin incision combined with floating bridge technique in the treatment of ptosis patients, and to analyze its effects on the margin reflex distance 1(MRD1)and the aesthetic effect of the eyes. METHODS:Prospective study. This study enrolled patients with blepharoptosis treated at the Department of Ophthalmology of the hospital between January 2023 and July 2025, who were assigned to either an observation group or a control group. The patients in the control group received levator aponeurosis shortening surgery through conventional double-eyelid incision, while the patients in the observation group underwent levator aponeurosis shortening surgery using the eyelid margin incision combined with floating bridge technique. Subsequently, the surgical-related indicators,the correction effect of ptosis, the aesthetic effect, the ocular function indicators, the postoperative complication occurrence rate, and recurrence rate were compared and analyzed between two groups.RESULTS:A total of 100 patients(100 eyes)with blepharoptosis were enrolled in this study, with 50 patients(50 eyes)in the observation group and 50 patients(50 eyes)in the control group. The observation group had a mean age of 27.33±5.32 y, including 20 males and 30 females. The control group had a mean age of 27.64±4.66 y, including 24 males and 26 females. Compared with the control group, the operative time of the observation group was longer, the postoperative swelling resolution time and natural recovery time were shorter,and the correction rate was higher(P<0.05). Three months after the surgery, the VSS score and POSAS score of the observation group were lower than those of the control group, while the scores for eyelid curvature, symmetry of eyelid height, and the PFH, MRD1, palpebral fissure size, and upper eyelid levator muscle strength were all higher than those of the control group(all P<0.05). However, there was no significant difference in postoperative complication occurrence rate and recurrence rate between two groups(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION:The combined use of eyelid margin incision and floating bridge technique for treating ptosis results in slightly longer operation time, but it can shorten the postoperative recovery period, effectively ameliorate the MRD1 and ocular function of patients, and enhance the correction effect and aesthetic quality of the eyes. In addition, it has a low incidence of complications and guaranteed safety.
4.Lentivirus-modified hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy for advanced symptomatic juvenile metachromatic leukodystrophy: a long-term follow-up pilot study.
Zhao ZHANG ; Hua JIANG ; Li HUANG ; Sixi LIU ; Xiaoya ZHOU ; Yun CAI ; Ming LI ; Fei GAO ; Xiaoting LIANG ; Kam-Sze TSANG ; Guangfu CHEN ; Chui-Yan MA ; Yuet-Hung CHAI ; Hongsheng LIU ; Chen YANG ; Mo YANG ; Xiaoling ZHANG ; Shuo HAN ; Xin DU ; Ling CHEN ; Wuh-Liang HWU ; Jiacai ZHUO ; Qizhou LIAN
Protein & Cell 2025;16(1):16-27
Metachromatic leukodystrophy (MLD) is an inherited disease caused by a deficiency of the enzyme arylsulfatase A (ARSA). Lentivirus-modified autologous hematopoietic stem cell gene therapy (HSCGT) has recently been approved for clinical use in pre and early symptomatic children with MLD to increase ARSA activity. Unfortunately, this advanced therapy is not available for most patients with MLD who have progressed to more advanced symptomatic stages at diagnosis. Patients with late-onset juvenile MLD typically present with a slower neurological progression of symptoms and represent a significant burden to the economy and healthcare system, whereas those with early onset infantile MLD die within a few years of symptom onset. We conducted a pilot study to determine the safety and benefit of HSCGT in patients with postsymptomatic juvenile MLD and report preliminary results. The safety profile of HSCGT was favorable in this long-term follow-up over 9 years. The most common adverse events (AEs) within 2 months of HSCGT were related to busulfan conditioning, and all AEs resolved. No HSCGT-related AEs and no evidence of distorted hematopoietic differentiation during long-term follow-up for up to 9.6 years. Importantly, to date, patients have maintained remarkably improved ARSA activity with a stable disease state, including increased Functional Independence Measure (FIM) score and decreased magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) lesion score. This long-term follow-up pilot study suggests that HSCGT is safe and provides clinical benefit to patients with postsymptomatic juvenile MLD.
Humans
;
Leukodystrophy, Metachromatic/genetics*
;
Pilot Projects
;
Genetic Therapy/methods*
;
Hematopoietic Stem Cell Transplantation
;
Male
;
Follow-Up Studies
;
Female
;
Lentivirus/genetics*
;
Child
;
Child, Preschool
;
Hematopoietic Stem Cells/metabolism*
;
Cerebroside-Sulfatase/metabolism*
;
Adolescent
6.HIV Pretreatment Drug Resistance and Transmission Clusters among Newly Diagnosed Patients in the China-Myanmar Border Region, 2020-2023.
Huan LIU ; Yue Cheng YANG ; Xing DUAN ; Yi Chen JIN ; Yan Fen CAO ; Yi FENG ; Chang CAI ; He He ZHAO ; Hou Lin TANG
Biomedical and Environmental Sciences 2025;38(7):840-847
OBJECTIVE:
This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of HIV pretreatment drug resistance (PDR) and the transmission clusters associated with PDR-related mutations in newly diagnosed, treatment-naive patients between 2020 and 2023 in Dehong prefecture, Yunnan province, China.
METHODS:
Demographic information and plasma samples were collected from study participants. PDR was assessed using the Stanford HIV Drug Resistance Database. The Tamura-Nei 93 model within HIV-TRACE was employed to compute pairwise matches with a genetic distance of 0.015 substitutions per site.
RESULTS:
Among 948 treatment-naive individuals with eligible sequences, 36 HIV subtypes were identified, with unique recombinant forms (URFs) being the most prevalent (18.8%, 178/948). The overall prevalence of PDR was 12.4% (118/948), and resistance to non-nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NNRTIs), nucleotide reverse transcriptase inhibitors (NRTIs), and protease inhibitors (PIs) was 10.7%, 1.3%, and 1.6%, respectively. A total of 91 clusters were identified, among which eight showed evidence of PDR strain transmission. The largest PDR-associated cluster consisted of six CRF01_AE drug-resistant strains carrying K103N and V179T mutations; five of these individuals had initial CD4+ cell counts < 200 cells/μL.
CONCLUSION
The distribution of HIV subtypes in Dehong is diverse and complex. PDR was moderately prevalent (12.4%) between 2020 and 2023. Evidence of transmission of CRF01_AE strains carrying K103N and V179T mutations was found. Routine surveillance of PDR and the strengthening of control measures are essential to limit the spread of drug-resistance HIV strains.
Humans
;
HIV Infections/virology*
;
China/epidemiology*
;
Drug Resistance, Viral
;
Male
;
Adult
;
Female
;
Middle Aged
;
HIV-1/genetics*
;
Anti-HIV Agents/therapeutic use*
;
Myanmar/epidemiology*
;
Young Adult
;
Prevalence
;
Adolescent
;
Mutation
7.Heart rate changes in patients during small incision lenticule extraction surgery
Yan ZHAO ; Kun ZHOU ; Jun CAI ; Caiyuan XIE ; Di SHEN ; Jiaqian ZHANG ; Wei WEI
International Eye Science 2025;25(4):685-688
AIM: To explore the factors influencing heart rate(HR)changes during small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)surgery by monitoring HR trends at different time points of the procedure.METHODS: Prospective cohort study. A total of 69 patients who underwent SMILE surgery at the Laser Vision Correction Center of Xi'an No.1 Hospital from April to May 2024 were enrolled. Before the surgery, patients completed the State Anxiety Inventory(S-AI, questions 1-20)to assess their preoperative anxiety scores related to the next day's surgery. Baseline HR was recorded using medical pulse oximeter, and real-time HR was recorded during patient positioning, lenticule scanning, lenticule separation and extraction, and the application of postoperative eye drops.RESULTS: The HR during patient positioning was 83.61±13.87 bpm, which was significantly different from the baseline HR(77.52±10.88 bpm), HR during lenticule separation and extraction(75.54±12.52 bpm), and HR during postoperative eye drop application(76.65±10.54 bpm; all P<0.001). When stratified by median age, older patients(>26 years)had the HR during lenticule separation and extraction 76.27±9.93 bpm, which differed from the HR at positioning(84.82±14.10 bpm)and at lens scanning(82.76±13.72 bpm; all P<0.005). Stratified by gender, the HR of male patients at positioning was the highest(85.31±16.61 bpm), which differed significantly from the baseline HR(78.26±12.63 bpm), HR during lenticule separation and extraction(77.14±14.59 bpm), and HR during postoperative eye drop application(77.11±12.49 bpm; all P<0.005). There was no correlation between HR during positioning and preoperative anxiety scores(r=0.124, P=0.418).CONCLUSION: HR changes during SMILE surgery vary with different procedural stages, peaking during patient positioning and reaching the lowest point during lenticule separation and extraction. Older patients showed higher HR during positioning, and male patients exhibited higher HR during positioning.
8.Clinical efficacy of InterTan intramedullary nail combined with new the rehabilitation training on intertrochanteric fracture of femur
Zhengqiang YAN ; Wei ZHAO ; Feifei WANG ; Pengfei CAI
China Modern Doctor 2025;63(7):28-31
Objective To investigate the clinical effect of InterTan intramedullary nail combined with gluteal muscle and balance training in the treatment of elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture of femur.Methods Sixty elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture of femur admitted to Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital from September 2022 to September 2023 were selected and divided into control group and observation group according to random number table method,with 30 cases in each group.The control group received InterTan intramedullary nail surgery and routine rehabilitation training,and the observation group received gluteal muscle and balance training on the basis of control group.The Harris hip score,activity of daily living(ADL)score and complication rate were compared between two groups.Results At 1,3 and 6 months after operation,the Harris hip score and ADL score of observation group were significantly higher than those of control group(P<0.05).The incidence of postoperative complications in observation group was significantly lower than that in control group(x2=3.750,P=0.046).Conclusion InterTan intramedullary nail combined with gluteal muscle and balance training after operation has a good clinical effect in the treatment of elderly patients with intertrochanteric fracture of femur.
9.Research progress in exploring cognitive processes based on pupil changes
Xiao-Ting QIAO ; Zi-Wei NI ; Bo-Zhi LIU ; Ya-Qian GUO ; Yan ZHAO ; Cai-Lian RUAN ; Ya-Yun WANG
Acta Anatomica Sinica 2025;56(3):357-363
In recent years,more and more researches has focused on the correlation between cognitive activity and physiological variables.The change of pupil is regarded as an important target in the cognitive process,and has become a hot research field.This review focuses on the three key brain regions that regulate pupil change,and reflects the neurophysiological mechanism behind pupil change by elaborating the neural pathways related to pupil change and cognitive performance.Based on recent studies on pupil change in cognitive diseases,it aims to promote the application of pupil change in the field of cognitive science in the future.
10.IDENTIFICATION AND COMPOSITION OF MOSQUITO SPECIES IN EMEIFENG NATURE RESERVE,FUJIAN PROVINCE,CHINA
Jing-Wen XIE ; Ming WANG ; Yu-Tong DU ; Gang WANG ; Zi-Ge YIN ; Jing-Hong CAI ; Qing LIU ; Heng-Duan ZHANG ; Tong-Yan ZHAO ; En-Jiong HUANG
Acta Parasitologica et Medica Entomologica Sinica 2025;32(2):112-118
Objective In this preliminary survey,we sought to determine the composition of mosquito species inhabiting the Emeifeng Nature Reserve,Fujian Province,China.Methods Mosquito larvae were collected by straw and spoon trapping,and adult mosquitoes were collected by lamp trapping at selected breeding sites in the reserve.The specimens were initially identified based on morphology,with subsequent verification using molecular biology methods.Results A total of 34 mosquito species in 13 genera were collected,among which,there were 4 species of Anopheles(Genus Anopheles Meigen,1818),2 species of Lutzia(Genus Lutzia Theobald,1903),15 species of Culex(Genus Culex Linnaeus,1758),4 species of Stegomyia(Genus Stegomyia Theobald,1901),and single species of Hulecoeteomyia(Genus Hulecoeteomyia Theobald,1904),Luius(Genus Luius Reinert,Harbach et Kitching,2008),Aedes(Genus Aedes Meigen,1818),Downsiomyia(Genus Downsiomyia Vargas,1950),Collessius(Genus Collessius Reinert,Harbach et kitching,2006),Uranotaenia(Genus Uranotaenia Lynch 1891),Armigeres(Genus Armigeres Theobald,1901),Toxorhynchites(Genus Toxorhynchites Theobald,1901),and pestle mosquito(Genus Tripteroides Giles,1904).Conclusions The species composition of mosquitoes sampled in the Emeifeng Nature Reserve will provide a basis for further research on mosquito vectors and contribute to measures for local mosquito control.


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