To develop a novel polyamino acid-based nanohydrogel drug delivery system for dexamethasone to enhance its delivery efficiency to the inner ear.

AIM: To analyze the influencing factors of capsular constriction syndrome(CCS)in cataract patients after phacoemulsification(Phaco)combined with intraocular lens(IOL)implantation.METHODS: Retrospective study. The data of 2 900 cataract patients(2 900 eyes)in our hospital's information system from January 2021 to January 2024 were collected. All patients were treated with Phaco combined with IOL implantation, and the incidence of CCS within 30 wk after surgery was recorded. Patients were categorized into CCS(116 cases, 116 eyes)and N-CCS group(2 784 cases, 2 784 eyes)based on the occurrence of CCS. The basic data of the two groups were compared, and the influencing factors of CCS within 30 wk after Phaco combined with IOL implantation in cataract patients were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression.RESULTS: Among 2 900 patients(2 900 eyes)included, 116 cataract patients(116 eyes)developed CCS within 30 wk after Phaco combined with IOL implantation, with an incidence rate of 4.00%. The single factor and multi-factor Logistic regression analysis showed that the complicated diabetes, high myopia, complicated glaucoma, and axial length(AL)>30 mm were the risk factors for the occurrence of CCS after Phaco IOL implantation in cataract patients(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Attention should be paid to cataract patients with diabetes, high myopia, glaucoma and AL>30 mm, which will increase the risk of CCS within 30 wk after Phaco combined with IOL implantation in cataract patients.

A 20-year-old male patient presented to the Department of Dermatology of Peking Union Medical College Hospital with complaints of an 8-year history of facial scarring, swelling of the lower limbs, and a 4-year history of scalp thickening. Physical examination showed thickening furrowing wrinkling of the skin on the face and behind the ears, ciliary body hirsutism, blepharoptosis, and cutis verticis gyrate. Both lower limbs were swollen, especially the knees and ankles. The skin of the palms and soles of the feet was keratinized and thickened. Laboratory examination using bone and joint X-ray showed periostosis of the proximal middle phalanges and metacarpals of both hands, distal ulna and radius, tibia and fibula, distal femurs, and metatarsals.Genetic testing revealed two variants in SLCO2A1, c.1658T > A and c.96+4A > C.Through multidisciplinary consultation, we confirmed the diagnosis of pachydermoperiostosis.

Objective: Hundreds of countries have implemented lockdown policies to slow the spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), but the impact of these measures on maternal mental health is not well understood. Methods: This study integrated a stress-process model to examine the pathways from lockdown-related stressors to prenatal psychological outcomes, with COVID-19 coping strategies (COP) and self-efficacy in managing negative affect (NEG) as mediators and lockdown duration, hours on pandemic-related information, and number of pregnancies as moderators. Pregnant women in Shanghai completed the Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy Scale, COVID-19 Coping Scale, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test and modify the hypothetical model, and moderated mediation and slope analyses were undertaken. Results: In the final SEM demonstrating satisfactory fit, three stressors—decreased household income, insufficient daily supplies, and acquired infections—showed positive direct relationships with NEG and COP. Acquired infections, NEG, and COP were identified as direct predictors of mental health outcomes. The relationship between these three stressors and mental health was mediated by NEG and COP. Additionally, the number of pregnancies moderated the mediating effect of COP; this effect was more pronounced among first-time pregnant women than those with multiple pregnancies. Conclusion This study provides insights into how lockdown measures impact psychological outcomes in pregnant women quarantined at home. Interventions aimed at increasing coping strategies may be more effective for primiparous women during future public health emergencies.

Background/Aims: Obesity is associated with several gastrointestinal (GI) disorders and has been identified as a potential risk factor for various GI symptoms. Bowel frequency is an important indicator of bowel function. However, the causal link between obesity and gastrointestinal motility remains uncertain. This study aims to determine the causal effect of overall and central obesity on stool frequency. Methods: Four obesity-related anthropometric indicators–body mass index, body fat percentage, waist circumference (WC), and waist-tohip ratio (WHR)–were investigated. Individual-level baseline information from the UK Biobank was used to explore observational associations between obesity and stool frequency. Additionally, summary-level data from published genome-wide association studies were subjected to two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) analyses to examine causal associations. Results: For all 4 indicators of obesity, higher levels of obesity were associated with more frequent bowel movements after adjusting for demographic characteristics, lifestyle, and dietary factors. After rigorous screening, 482 body mass index single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs), 7 body fat percentage SNPs, 48 WC SNPs, and 287 WHR SNPs were identified as instrument variables for MR analysis. The MR results were generally consistent with observational findings, proving that the associations observed in the overall obesity indicators were causal. For central obesity, the association between WHR and stool frequency remained consistent in both analysis phases, whereas WC showed a multidirectional association. Conclusions Obesity-related anthropometric indicators were causally associated with increased stool frequency in the overall and central obesity groups. Weight loss could be a potential approach to improve gastrointestinal regularity in individuals with obesity.

Objective: : The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between spermine synthase (SMS) expression, tumor occurrence, and prognosis in lower-grade gliomas (LGGs). Methods: : A total of 523 LGG patients and 1152 normal brain tissues were included as controls. Mann-Whitney U test was performed to evaluate SMS expression in the LGG group. Functional annotation analysis was conducted to explore the biological processes associated with high SMS expression. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed to examine the correlation between SMS expression and immune cell types. The association between SMS expression and clinical and pathological features was assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of overexpressing or downregulating SMS on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and key proteins in the protein kinase B (AKT)/epithelialmesenchymal transition signaling pathway. Results: : The study revealed a significant upregulation of SMS expression in LGGs compared to normal brain tissues. High SMS expression was associated with certain clinical and pathological features, including older age, astrocytoma, higher World Health Organization grade, poor disease-specific survival, disease progression, non-1p/19q codeletion, and wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase. Cox regression analysis identified SMS as a risk factor for overall survival. Bioinformatics analysis showed enrichment of eosinophils, T cells, and macrophages in LGG samples, while proportions of dendritic (DC) cells, plasmacytoid DC (pDC) cells, and CD8+ T cells were decreased. Conclusion : High SMS expression in LGGs may promote tumor occurrence through cellular proliferation and modulation of immune cell infiltration. These findings suggest the prognostic value of SMS in predicting clinical outcomes for LGG patients.

Objective: : The objective of this study was to assess the relationship between spermine synthase (SMS) expression, tumor occurrence, and prognosis in lower-grade gliomas (LGGs). Methods: : A total of 523 LGG patients and 1152 normal brain tissues were included as controls. Mann-Whitney U test was performed to evaluate SMS expression in the LGG group. Functional annotation analysis was conducted to explore the biological processes associated with high SMS expression. Immune cell infiltration analysis was performed to examine the correlation between SMS expression and immune cell types. The association between SMS expression and clinical and pathological features was assessed using Spearman correlation analysis. In vitro experiments were conducted to investigate the effects of overexpressing or downregulating SMS on cell proliferation, apoptosis, migration, invasion, and key proteins in the protein kinase B (AKT)/epithelialmesenchymal transition signaling pathway. Results: : The study revealed a significant upregulation of SMS expression in LGGs compared to normal brain tissues. High SMS expression was associated with certain clinical and pathological features, including older age, astrocytoma, higher World Health Organization grade, poor disease-specific survival, disease progression, non-1p/19q codeletion, and wild-type isocitrate dehydrogenase. Cox regression analysis identified SMS as a risk factor for overall survival. Bioinformatics analysis showed enrichment of eosinophils, T cells, and macrophages in LGG samples, while proportions of dendritic (DC) cells, plasmacytoid DC (pDC) cells, and CD8+ T cells were decreased. Conclusion : High SMS expression in LGGs may promote tumor occurrence through cellular proliferation and modulation of immune cell infiltration. These findings suggest the prognostic value of SMS in predicting clinical outcomes for LGG patients.

Acute burns and chronic wounds frequently fail to heal owing to various reasons. Most drugs currently used for wound therapy in clinical practice have notable drawbacks, making their application a substantial concern. For instance, anti-inflammatory drugs can exert multisystem toxicity, and cellular therapies are costly and difficult to retain. In recent years, natural functional proteins derived from animals and plants have gained increasing attention owing to their unique biological activities, low cost, and broad application prospects in wound therapy. Herein, we isolated a new protein (JH015Y) from amphibians and demonstrated its excellent wound repair and regeneration properties compared with those of epidermal growth factor, both in vitro and in vivo. JH015 protein increased the proliferative ability of human keratinocytes and skin fibroblasts by 47.73 and 41.40%, respectively. In vivo, the medium-dose (0.5 mg/dose) groups of JH015Y protein demonstrated accelerated wound healing from day 4, with wound healing rates 1.26, 1.27, and 1.14 times that of the blank group in acute wounds, burn wounds, and diabetic ulcer, respectively. Histological analysis of Masson-stained sections indicated that the JH015Y protein contributed to collagen deposition on the wound surface, markedly reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, and exhibited low biological toxicity. Accordingly, the JH015Y protein is a promising biotherapeutic agent for accelerated wound repair and regeneration.

Acute burns and chronic wounds frequently fail to heal owing to various reasons. Most drugs currently used for wound therapy in clinical practice have notable drawbacks, making their application a substantial concern. For instance, anti-inflammatory drugs can exert multisystem toxicity, and cellular therapies are costly and difficult to retain. In recent years, natural functional proteins derived from animals and plants have gained increasing attention owing to their unique biological activities, low cost, and broad application prospects in wound therapy. Herein, we isolated a new protein (JH015Y) from amphibians and demonstrated its excellent wound repair and regeneration properties compared with those of epidermal growth factor, both in vitro and in vivo. JH015 protein increased the proliferative ability of human keratinocytes and skin fibroblasts by 47.73 and 41.40%, respectively. In vivo, the medium-dose (0.5 mg/dose) groups of JH015Y protein demonstrated accelerated wound healing from day 4, with wound healing rates 1.26, 1.27, and 1.14 times that of the blank group in acute wounds, burn wounds, and diabetic ulcer, respectively. Histological analysis of Masson-stained sections indicated that the JH015Y protein contributed to collagen deposition on the wound surface, markedly reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, and exhibited low biological toxicity. Accordingly, the JH015Y protein is a promising biotherapeutic agent for accelerated wound repair and regeneration.

Objective: Hundreds of countries have implemented lockdown policies to slow the spread of coronavirus disease-2019 (COVID-19), but the impact of these measures on maternal mental health is not well understood. Methods: This study integrated a stress-process model to examine the pathways from lockdown-related stressors to prenatal psychological outcomes, with COVID-19 coping strategies (COP) and self-efficacy in managing negative affect (NEG) as mediators and lockdown duration, hours on pandemic-related information, and number of pregnancies as moderators. Pregnant women in Shanghai completed the Regulatory Emotional Self-Efficacy Scale, COVID-19 Coping Scale, Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale-21. Structural equation modeling (SEM) was used to test and modify the hypothetical model, and moderated mediation and slope analyses were undertaken. Results: In the final SEM demonstrating satisfactory fit, three stressors—decreased household income, insufficient daily supplies, and acquired infections—showed positive direct relationships with NEG and COP. Acquired infections, NEG, and COP were identified as direct predictors of mental health outcomes. The relationship between these three stressors and mental health was mediated by NEG and COP. Additionally, the number of pregnancies moderated the mediating effect of COP; this effect was more pronounced among first-time pregnant women than those with multiple pregnancies. Conclusion This study provides insights into how lockdown measures impact psychological outcomes in pregnant women quarantined at home. Interventions aimed at increasing coping strategies may be more effective for primiparous women during future public health emergencies.