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.

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.

Objective:To investigate the association between urinary arsenic, selenium, and chromium levels and the risk and predisposing factors of diabetes mellitus in people with previous endemic arsenic exposure.Methods:From September to December 2024, 240 residents in the drinking-water-borne endemic arsenic disease area in Hohhot were taken as the study subjects. They were divided into an exposed group ( n = 91) and a non-exposed group ( n = 149) based on whether they had suffered from arsenism in the past. The exposed group was further divided into diabetes and non diabetes subgroups ( n = 54, 37) based on the prevalence of diabetes, and the diabetes subgroup was further divided into type 1 and type 2 diabetes subgroups ( n = 23, 31) based on the type of diabetes. Questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the basic situation, measure fasting blood glucose, and determine the levels of arsenic, selenium, and chromium in urine by inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to assess the risk factors of diabetes mellitus. Results:The difference of prevalence of diabetes mellitus was statistically significant between the exposed group and non-exposed group [59.3% (54/91) vs. 41.6% (62/149), χ2 = 7.11, P = 0.008]. The levels of urinary arsenic, selenium, and chromium in the exposed group were higher than those in the non-exposed group ( t = - 2.00, - 2.14, - 2.18, P < 0.05). There were statistically significant differences in urinary arsenic level, body mass index (BMI), the distribution of age, smoking status, and gender between the diabetes patients and non-diabetes patients in the exposed group ( t = 2.20, 3.57, χ2 = 10.76, 5.23, 4.01, P < 0.05). The difference of urinary arsenic levels were statistically significant between patients with type 1 diabetes and type 2 diabetes in the exposed group ( t = - 2.06, P = 0.048). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that BMI, age, sex, smoking, and urinary arsenic levels were risk factors for diabetes ( P < 0.05). For every 1-unit increase in urinary arsenic, fasting blood glucose levels increased by 0.057 times (95% CI: 0.018 - 0.103, P = 0.029). Conclusions:There is a significant correlation between the urine arsenic level of people with previous endemic arsenic exposure and diabetes, especially type 2 diabetes. Men, smoking, overweight, age ≥65 years, and high urinary arsenic level are risk factors for diabetes.

Objective To evaluate the short-term efficacy of the VISULYZE software generated nomogram in assis-ting small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)for the correction of myopia and astigmatism.Methods Non-randomized controlled trial.Patients who underwent SMILE surgery with the original nomogram,assisted by the same surgeon at the Laser Myopia Treatment Center of Xi'an NO.1 Hospital between February 2023 and January 2024,were included.A total of 52 patients(102 eyes)of myopic astigmatism with 3-month postoperative follow-up were collected.VISULYZE software was then used to generate a new nomogram.Subsequently,a total of 40 patients(70 eyes)with myopic with-the-rule astigmatism and a preoperative cylinder of ≤2.00 D,who underwent SMILE assisted by the new nomogram at the same center between August and November 2024,were enrolled.Among them,50 eyes had a target refraction of plano and were assigned to the experimental group.In addition,from the database of patients who underwent SMILE assisted by the origi-nal nomogram,42 patients(70 eyes)with myopic with-the-rule astigmatism and a cylinder of ≤2.00 D were screened,of which 51 eyes had a target refraction of plano,and these were assigned to the control group.The postoperative visual and refractive outcomes of both groups were compared at 3 months.Astigmatism results were analyzed using Alpins vector analysis.Results At 3 months postoperatively,among eyes with a target refraction of plano,50 eyes(98.0％)in the control group and all 50 eyes(100.0％)in the experimental group achieved an uncorrected distance visual acuity(UDVA)of ≥ 20/20.No eye in either group experienced a loss of more than one line in corrected distance visual acuity(CDVA)compared with the preoperative level.At 3 months postoperatively,63 eyes(90.0％)in the control group and 66 eyes(94.3％)in the experimental group had a spherical equivalent(SE)within-0.50 to 0.50 D.The postoperative cylinder was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group(P＜0.05).Vector analysis revealed that the ex-perimental group had smaller values for the difference vector,index of success,and absolute angle of error than the control group,with all differences being statistically significant(all P＜0.05).At 3 months postoperatively,43 eyes(61.4％)in the control group and 57 eyes(81.4％)in the experimental group had an angle of error within-5° to 5°.Conclusion The use of the VISULYZE software generated nomogram can optimize SMILE surgery design,offering good efficacy,safety,and predictability,and improving the precision of SMILE surgery for correcting myopia and astigmatism.

The pregnant woman was 30 years old,G2P0.This singleton pregnancy at 22 weeks of gestation was screened for second-trimester ultrasound malformations,suggesting fetal aortic valve atresia,aortic stenosis with reverse blood flow,mitral valve atresia,and markedly enlarged left ventricle,which was considered for the diagnosis of hypoplastic left heart syndrome(HLHS).The pregnancy was terminated at our hospital and subsequently underwent genetic testing with results of heterozygous variants in the NOTCH1 gene,which can cause aortic valve disease type 1.The findings of the fetal autopsy were aortic valve atresia,mitral valve widening and thickening,and left ventricular enlargement with myocardial infarction.This report focuses on the ultrasound characteristics of HLHS with left ventricular enlargement and its hemodynamic changes in order to improve clinicians'understanding of the progressive changes in the disease phenotype of HLHS.

Aim To investigate the effect of icariin(ICA)on chronic ulcerative colitis(UC)in mice.Methods Male SPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were ran-domly divided into the control group,model group,low-dose ICA group,and high-dose ICA group.Except for the control group,the rest of the mice were established as chronic UC models.Expressions of tight junction proteins,inflammatory factors,fibrosis markers,macro-phage markers,and MAPK signaling pathways in the colonic epithelium of each group were determined by Western blot,qPCR,immunohistochemistry;the degree of intestinal damage and fibrosis was detected by HE and Masson staining;the co-localization of different macrophage markers with related factors was examined by immunofluorescence.Results Treatment of ICA significantly improved the general condition of chronic UC mice,decreased the infiltration of M1-type macro-phages and the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors,inhibited the MAPK signaling pathway,reduced the co-localization expression of M1-type macrophages with the MAPK signaling pathway,and downregulated the infiltration of M2-type macrophages and the secretion of pro-fibrotic factors in the colon.Conclusion ICA mitigates the inflammatory damage and fibrosis of colon in chronic UC mice.

Aim To investigate the effect of icariin(ICA)on chronic ulcerative colitis(UC)in mice.Methods Male SPF-grade C57BL/6J mice were ran-domly divided into the control group,model group,low-dose ICA group,and high-dose ICA group.Except for the control group,the rest of the mice were established as chronic UC models.Expressions of tight junction proteins,inflammatory factors,fibrosis markers,macro-phage markers,and MAPK signaling pathways in the colonic epithelium of each group were determined by Western blot,qPCR,immunohistochemistry;the degree of intestinal damage and fibrosis was detected by HE and Masson staining;the co-localization of different macrophage markers with related factors was examined by immunofluorescence.Results Treatment of ICA significantly improved the general condition of chronic UC mice,decreased the infiltration of M1-type macro-phages and the secretion of pro-inflammatory factors,inhibited the MAPK signaling pathway,reduced the co-localization expression of M1-type macrophages with the MAPK signaling pathway,and downregulated the infiltration of M2-type macrophages and the secretion of pro-fibrotic factors in the colon.Conclusion ICA mitigates the inflammatory damage and fibrosis of colon in chronic UC mice.

Objective:To investigate the effect of deubiquitinating enzymes(DUBs) USP2 on depressive-like behavior and hippocampal NF-κB expression in mice.Methods:(1) USP2 silencing experiment: Two USP2 silencing interference sequences with the highest knockdown efficiency were screened and cloned into a lentivirus vector. Mice were microinjected with lentivirus vector into both sides of hippocampus to silence the USP2 gene, and depressive behavior and USP2 protein expression in hippocampal tissue were observed. (2) Venlafaxine intervention experiment: total 32 healthy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into virus control group, Venlafaxine group, USP2 silencing group, and USP2 silencing+ Venlafaxine group according to the random number table method, with 8 mice in each group. Mice were injected with lentivirus into both side of the hippocampus, and 7 days later, they were given intraperitoneal injection of Venlafaxine (5 mg/kg, once a day, for a total of 14 days). After the administration, the depressive behavior of mice was detected by forced swimming test(FST) and tail suspension test(TST), and the expression levels of USP2, p-IκBα, IκBα, p-NF-κB p65, and NF-κB p65 in the hippocampus of mice were detected by Western blot.SPSS 25.0 and GraphPad Prism 8.0 were used for data processing and chart drawing.The t-test was used for comparison between two groups, One-way ANOVA was used for comparison among multiple groups, and Tukey HSD or LSD- t was used for post hoc pairwise comparison when there was homogeneity of variance. Results:(1)The results of the USP2 silencing experiment showed that both screened USP2 silencing sequences had good gene knockout effects. The expression levels of USP2 protein in the hippocampus of mice injected with USP2 silencing virus were lower than those of the negative control virus groups (both P<0.05). The immobility time of mice in the FST and TST was higher than that of the negative control virus group (both P<0.05). (2)Venlafaxine intervention experiment: There were statistically significant differences in immobility time among the four groups of mice in the FST and TST ( F=8.90, 4.41, both P<0.05). The immobility time of FST and the immobility time of TST in the USP2 silencing+ Venlafaxine group ((48.13±12.76) s, (77.38±12.35) s) were lower than those in the USP2 silencing group((129.88±11.67)s, (148.29±15.31)s) (both P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the expression levels of USP2, p-IκBα, and p-NF-κB p65 proteins in the hippocampal tissues of the four groups of mice ( F=8.39, 5.78, 21.32, all P<0.05).The expression level of USP2 protein in the USP2 silencing group(0.49±0.07) was lower than that in the USP2 silencing+ Venlafaxine group(0.79±0.08) and virus control group(1.00±0.07)(both P<0.05), while the expression levels of p-IκBα, p-NF-κB p65 protein (1.63±0.18, 2.14±0.24) were higher than those in the virus control group (1.00±0.06, 1.00±0.04) and the USP2 silencing+ Venlafaxine group (0.70±0.23, 0.68±0.09) (both P<0.05). Conclusion:USP2 scilencing can induce depressive-like behaviors in mice. Venlafaxine ameliorates USP2 silencing-induced depressive-like behaviors, which may be associated with the hippocampal NF-κB signaling pathway.

Objective To evaluate the short-term efficacy of the VISULYZE software generated nomogram in assis-ting small incision lenticule extraction(SMILE)for the correction of myopia and astigmatism.Methods Non-randomized controlled trial.Patients who underwent SMILE surgery with the original nomogram,assisted by the same surgeon at the Laser Myopia Treatment Center of Xi'an NO.1 Hospital between February 2023 and January 2024,were included.A total of 52 patients(102 eyes)of myopic astigmatism with 3-month postoperative follow-up were collected.VISULYZE software was then used to generate a new nomogram.Subsequently,a total of 40 patients(70 eyes)with myopic with-the-rule astigmatism and a preoperative cylinder of ≤2.00 D,who underwent SMILE assisted by the new nomogram at the same center between August and November 2024,were enrolled.Among them,50 eyes had a target refraction of plano and were assigned to the experimental group.In addition,from the database of patients who underwent SMILE assisted by the origi-nal nomogram,42 patients(70 eyes)with myopic with-the-rule astigmatism and a cylinder of ≤2.00 D were screened,of which 51 eyes had a target refraction of plano,and these were assigned to the control group.The postoperative visual and refractive outcomes of both groups were compared at 3 months.Astigmatism results were analyzed using Alpins vector analysis.Results At 3 months postoperatively,among eyes with a target refraction of plano,50 eyes(98.0％)in the control group and all 50 eyes(100.0％)in the experimental group achieved an uncorrected distance visual acuity(UDVA)of ≥ 20/20.No eye in either group experienced a loss of more than one line in corrected distance visual acuity(CDVA)compared with the preoperative level.At 3 months postoperatively,63 eyes(90.0％)in the control group and 66 eyes(94.3％)in the experimental group had a spherical equivalent(SE)within-0.50 to 0.50 D.The postoperative cylinder was significantly lower in the experimental group than in the control group(P＜0.05).Vector analysis revealed that the ex-perimental group had smaller values for the difference vector,index of success,and absolute angle of error than the control group,with all differences being statistically significant(all P＜0.05).At 3 months postoperatively,43 eyes(61.4％)in the control group and 57 eyes(81.4％)in the experimental group had an angle of error within-5° to 5°.Conclusion The use of the VISULYZE software generated nomogram can optimize SMILE surgery design,offering good efficacy,safety,and predictability,and improving the precision of SMILE surgery for correcting myopia and astigmatism.

Objective:To investigate the effect of deubiquitinating enzymes(DUBs) USP2 on depressive-like behavior and hippocampal NF-κB expression in mice.Methods:(1) USP2 silencing experiment: Two USP2 silencing interference sequences with the highest knockdown efficiency were screened and cloned into a lentivirus vector. Mice were microinjected with lentivirus vector into both sides of hippocampus to silence the USP2 gene, and depressive behavior and USP2 protein expression in hippocampal tissue were observed. (2) Venlafaxine intervention experiment: total 32 healthy male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into virus control group, Venlafaxine group, USP2 silencing group, and USP2 silencing+ Venlafaxine group according to the random number table method, with 8 mice in each group. Mice were injected with lentivirus into both side of the hippocampus, and 7 days later, they were given intraperitoneal injection of Venlafaxine (5 mg/kg, once a day, for a total of 14 days). After the administration, the depressive behavior of mice was detected by forced swimming test(FST) and tail suspension test(TST), and the expression levels of USP2, p-IκBα, IκBα, p-NF-κB p65, and NF-κB p65 in the hippocampus of mice were detected by Western blot.SPSS 25.0 and GraphPad Prism 8.0 were used for data processing and chart drawing.The t-test was used for comparison between two groups, One-way ANOVA was used for comparison among multiple groups, and Tukey HSD or LSD- t was used for post hoc pairwise comparison when there was homogeneity of variance. Results:(1)The results of the USP2 silencing experiment showed that both screened USP2 silencing sequences had good gene knockout effects. The expression levels of USP2 protein in the hippocampus of mice injected with USP2 silencing virus were lower than those of the negative control virus groups (both P<0.05). The immobility time of mice in the FST and TST was higher than that of the negative control virus group (both P<0.05). (2)Venlafaxine intervention experiment: There were statistically significant differences in immobility time among the four groups of mice in the FST and TST ( F=8.90, 4.41, both P<0.05). The immobility time of FST and the immobility time of TST in the USP2 silencing+ Venlafaxine group ((48.13±12.76) s, (77.38±12.35) s) were lower than those in the USP2 silencing group((129.88±11.67)s, (148.29±15.31)s) (both P<0.05). There were statistically significant differences in the expression levels of USP2, p-IκBα, and p-NF-κB p65 proteins in the hippocampal tissues of the four groups of mice ( F=8.39, 5.78, 21.32, all P<0.05).The expression level of USP2 protein in the USP2 silencing group(0.49±0.07) was lower than that in the USP2 silencing+ Venlafaxine group(0.79±0.08) and virus control group(1.00±0.07)(both P<0.05), while the expression levels of p-IκBα, p-NF-κB p65 protein (1.63±0.18, 2.14±0.24) were higher than those in the virus control group (1.00±0.06, 1.00±0.04) and the USP2 silencing+ Venlafaxine group (0.70±0.23, 0.68±0.09) (both P<0.05). Conclusion:USP2 scilencing can induce depressive-like behaviors in mice. Venlafaxine ameliorates USP2 silencing-induced depressive-like behaviors, which may be associated with the hippocampal NF-κB signaling pathway.