AIM: To evaluate the safety and efficacy of low-dose transscleral cyclophotocoagulation(TSCP)in the management of persistent ocular hypertension after an acute attack of angle-closure glaucoma(AACG).METHODS:This retrospective study enrolled patients diagnosed with persistent ocular hypertension after an acute AACG attack at the No.988 Hospital of the Joint Logistics Support Force of the Chinese PLA between September 2023 and September 2024. All patients underwent low-dose TSCP using a semiconductor diode laser. Subsequent cataract surgery combined with goniosynechialysis was performed once intraocular pressure(IOP)was stabilized. Changes in anterior chamber depth(ACD), best-corrected visual acuity(VA), and IOP were compared before and after TSCP, as well as before and after phacoemulsification. Post-TSCP complications were also documented.RESULTS: A total of 21 patients(21 eyes)were enrolled, including 8 males and 13 females, with a mean age of 67.95±7.25 y. Compared with pre-cyclophotocoagulation values, ACD increased significantly at 3 d post-TSCP(1.49±0.18 vs 1.22±0.21 mm; P<0.001). BCVA and IOP decreased significantly at 1 d post-TSCP, pre-phacoemulsification, 1 wk post-phacoemulsification, and 1 mo post-phacoemulsification compared with pre-TSCP IOP(all P<0.01). Regarding postoperative complications, 2 eyes experienced pain on the day of the procedure, 5 eyes developed mild corneal endothelial folds, 2 eyes exhibited moderate anterior chamber inflammatory reaction, and 12 eyes showed shallow ciliary body detachment. No serious complications occurred during the 1-month follow-up period.CONCLUSION:Low-dose TSCP appears to be an effective bridging therapy for patients with persistent ocular hypertension following an AACG attack. It facilitates rapid IOP reduction, alleviates symptoms, and helps preserve visual function with a favorable safety profile, thereby reducing the risks associated with subsequent intraocular surgery.

The chemical constituents were systematically separated from the roots of Berberis polyantha by various chromatographic methods, including silica gel column chromatography, HP20 column chromatography, polyamide column chromatography, reversed-phase C_(18) column chromatography, and preparative high-performance liquid chromatography. The structures of the compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectroscopic techniques(1D NMR, 2D NMR, UV, MS, and CD). Four phenylpropanoids were isolated from the methanol extract of the roots of B. polyantha, and they were identified as(2R)-1-(4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxyphenyl)-1-propanone-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(1), methyl 4-hydroxy-3,5-dimethoxybenzoate(2),(+)-syringaresinol(3), and syringaresinol-4-O-β-D-glucopyranoside(4). Compound 1 was a new compound, and other compounds were isolated from this plant for the first time. The anti-inflammatory activity of these compounds was evaluated based on the release of nitric oxide(NO) in the culture of lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced RAW264.7 macrophages. At a concentration of 10 μmol·L~(-1), all the four compounds inhibited the LPS-induced release of NO in RAW264.7 cells, demonstrating potential anti-inflammatory properties.
Plant Roots/chemistry* ; Animals ; Mice ; Berberis/chemistry* ; RAW 264.7 Cells ; Macrophages/immunology* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/isolation & purification* ; Nitric Oxide/metabolism* ; Molecular Structure ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/isolation & purification*

This study established the HPLC fingerprints, characteristic chromatograms, and a multi-component content determination method for Bidens bipinnata and B. biternata. The chemical pattern recognition analysis was then employed to clarify the characteristic indexes of quality differences between the two original plants of Bidentis Herba, providing a reference for establishing the quality standards of Bidentis Herba. HPLC was launched on an Agilent Poroshell 120 EC-C_(18) chromatographic column(4.6 mm×250 mm, 4 μm) by gradient elution with a mobile phase of 0.1% aqueous phosphoric acid-acetonitrile at a flow rate of 0.7 mL·min~(-1), detection wavelength of 270 nm, column temperature of 25 ℃, and an injection volume of 5 μL. The similarity between the fingerprints of 18 batches of Bidentis Herba samples and the common pattern(R) ranged from 0.572 to 0.933. A total of 23 chromatographic peaks were calibrated. Through comparison with the reference substances, six components(neochlorogenic acid, chlorogenic acid, isochlorogenic acid A, isochlorogenic acid B, rutin, and hyperoside) were identified and subjected to quantitative analysis. The characteristic fingerprints of B. bipinnata and B. biternata were calibrated with 20 and 17 characteristic peaks, respectively. Among them, peaks 8, 9, 22, and 23 were the characteristic peaks of B. bipinnata, and peak 7 was the characteristic peak of B. biternata, which can be used to distinguish the two original plants of Bidentis Herba. The relative standard deviation of the content of the above-mentioned six components ranged from 36% to 123%. The cluster analysis, principal component analysis, and orthogonal partial least squares-discriminant analysis(OPLS-DA) classified the 18 batches of Bidentis Herba samples into two categories. Additionally, through the analysis of variable importance in projection(VIP) under OPLS-DA, three characteristic indexes, rutin, isochlorogenic acid A, and isochlorogenic acid B, were identified. The analytical method established in this study can comprehensively evaluate the consistency of Bidentis Herba samples derived from different original plants, specifically identify the differential components between them, and effectively distinguish the two original plants of Bidentis Herba, providing a basis for the differentiation between different original plants and the quality control of Bidentis Herba.
Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid/methods* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Quality Control ; Bidens/chemistry*

BACKGROUND: Biomarkers-based prediction of long-term risk of acute coronary syndrome (ACS) is scarce. We aim to develop a risk score integrating clinical routine information (C) and plasma biomarkers (B) for predicting long-term risk of ACS patients. METHODS: We included 2729 ACS patients from the OCEA (Observation of cardiovascular events in ACS patients). The earlier admitted 1910 patients were enrolled as development cohort; and the subsequently admitted 819 subjects were treated as validation cohort. We investigated 10-year risk of cardiovascular (CV) death, myocardial infarction (MI) and all cause death in these patients. Potential variables contributing to risk of clinical events were assessed using Cox regression models and a score was derived using main part of these variables. RESULTS: During 16,110 person-years of follow-up, there were 238 CV death/MI in the development cohort. The 7 most important predictors including in the final model were NT-proBNP, D-dimer, GDF-15, peripheral artery disease (PAD), Fibrinogen, ST-segment elevated MI (STEMI), left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), termed as CB-ACS score. C-index of the score for predication of cardiovascular events was 0.79 (95% CI: 0.76-0.82) in development cohort and 0.77 (95% CI: 0.76-0.78) in the validation cohort (5832 person-years of follow-up), which outperformed GRACE 2.0 and ABC-ACS risk score. The CB-ACS score was also well calibrated in development and validation cohort (Greenwood-Nam-D'Agostino: P = 0.70 and P = 0.07, respectively). CONCLUSIONS CB-ACS risk score provides a useful tool for long-term prediction of CV events in patients with ACS. This model outperforms GRACE 2.0 and ABC-ACS ischemic risk score.

OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the dynamic changes of glucocorticoid (GC) dose and the feasibility of GC discontinuation in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) patients under the background of Chinese medicine (CM). METHODS: This multicenter retrospective cohort study included 1,196 RA patients enrolled in the China Rheumatoid Arthritis Registry of Patients with Chinese Medicine (CERTAIN) from September 1, 2019 to December 4, 2023, who initiated GC therapy. Participants were divided into the Western medicine (WM) and integrative medicine (IM, combination of CM and WM) groups based on medication regimen. Follow-up was performed at least every 3 months to assess dynamic changes in GC dose. Changes in GC dose were analyzed by generalized estimator equation, the probability of GC discontinuation was assessed using Kaplan-Meier curve, and predictors of GC discontinuation were analyzed by Cox regression. Patients with <12 months of follow-up were excluded for the sensitivity analysis. RESULTS: Among 1,196 patients (85.4% female; median age 56.4 years), 880 (73.6%) received IM. Over a median 12-month follow-up, 34.3% (410 cases) discontinued GC, with significantly higher rates in the IM group (40.8% vs. 16.1% in WM; P<0.05). GC dose declined progressively, with IM patients demonstrating faster reductions (median 3.75 mg vs. 5.00 mg in WM at 12 months; P<0.05). Multivariate Cox analysis identified age <60 years [P<0.001, hazard ratios (HR)=2.142, 95% confidence interval (CI): 1.523-3.012], IM therapy (P=0.001, HR=2.175, 95% CI: 1.369-3.456), baseline GC dose ⩽7.5 mg (P=0.003, HR=1.637, 95% CI: 1.177-2.275), and absence of non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs use (P=0.001, HR=2.546, 95% CI: 1.432-4.527) as significant predictors of GC discontinuation. Sensitivity analysis (545 cases) confirmed these findings. CONCLUSIONS RA patients receiving CM face difficulties in following guideline-recommended GC discontinuation protocols. IM can promote GC discontinuation and is a promising strategy to reduce GC dependency in RA management. (Trial registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, No. NCT05219214).
Adult ; Aged ; Female ; Humans ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Arthritis, Rheumatoid/drug therapy* ; Glucocorticoids/therapeutic use* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional ; Retrospective Studies

Immunotherapy has emerged as a revolutionary approach to treat immune-related diseases. Dendritic cells (DCs) play a pivotal role in orchestrating immune responses, making them an attractive target for immunotherapeutic interventions. Modulation of gene expression in DCs using genome editing techniques, such as the CRISPR-Cas system, is important for regulating DC functions. However, the precise delivery of CRISPR-based therapies to DCs has posed a significant challenge. While lipid nanoparticles (LNPs) have been extensively studied for gene editing in tumor cells, their potential application in DCs has remained relatively unexplored. This study investigates the important role of cholesterol in regulating the efficiency of BAMEA-O16B lipid-assisted nanoparticles (BLANs) as carriers of CRISPR/Cas9 for gene editing in DCs. Remarkably, BLANs with low cholesterol density exhibit exceptional mRNA uptake, improved endosomal escape, and efficient single-guide RNA release capabilities. Administration of BLAN_mCas9/gPD-L1 results in substantial PD-L1 gene knockout in conventional dendritic cells (cDCs), accompanied by heightened cDC1 activation, T cell stimulation, and significant suppression of tumor growth. The study underscores the pivotal role of cholesterol density within LNPs, revealing potent influence on gene editing efficacy within DCs. This strategy holds immense promise for the field of cancer immunotherapy, offering a novel avenue for treating immune-related diseases.

Objective To investigate the effect of chemokine CXC ligand 9(CXCL9)on cognitive function impairment in patients with breast cancer brain metastases undergoing whole-brain radiotherapy(WBRT)using bioinformatics methods.Methods The mRNA of breast cancer brain metastases datasets GSE43837 and GSE12276 and Alzheimer's disease(AD)dataset GSE161199 were screened and downloaded from GEO database.Limma method and Venn diagrams were used to identify common differentially expressed genes(DEGs),and protein-protein interaction and functional prediction through GeneMANIA website assays were performed.A total of 42 patients with breast cancer brain metastases who first visited the Department of Radiotherapy at the First Affiliated Hospital of Hebei North University from January 2021 to January 2023 were selected.Patients were divided into normal cognitive function group and cognitive function impairment group based on cognitive status.Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)was employed to detect serum CXCL9 levels one week before and three months after radiotherapy.The mini-mental state examination(MMSE)was used to assess patients'cognitive function.Results The DEGs from datasets GSE43837 and GSE12276 included PKP1,POLDIP2,SPAG5,ALDOC,PTPRZ1,PKIA,TLCD1,CPE,PMP22 and CXCL9.The DEGs from GSE161199 included RPS16,CD79A,LYPD3,RPL28,HBG2,RPL23AP7,TRNR,CXCL9.Venn diagram showed that CXCL9 was a common DEG between breast cancer brain metastasis and AD.Functional enrichment analysis indicated that CXCL9 was involved in cellular responses to chemokines,negative regulation of immune system processes,negative regulation of vascular morphogenesis,Toll-like receptor signaling pathway,nucleotide oligomerization domain(NOD)-like receptor signaling pathway,and JAK-STAT signaling pathway.Before radiotherapy,patients with cognitive function impairment and normal cognitive function accounted for 61.9%and 38.1%,respectively,with a statistically significant difference in MMSE scores[(24.53±2.19)vs.(28.89±1.36),P＜0.01].Compared with normal cognitive function group,patients with cognitive function impairment had a significantly increased number of brain metastases and significantly lower Karnofsky performance status(KPS)scores and serum CXCL9 levels(P＜0.05).Three months after radiotherapy,patients with cognitive function impairment and normal cognitive function accounted for 47.6%and 52.4%,respectively,with a statistically significant difference in MMSE scores[(25.16±1.98)vs.(28.18±1.08),P＜0.01].Compared with normal cognitive function group,patients with cognitive function impairment had significantly lower CXCL9 levels(P=0.003).In patients with normal cognitive function,CXCL9 levels were remarkably lower after radiotherapy compared to those before radiotherapy(P=0.009).Conclusions Patients with cognitive function impairment had significantly lower CXCL9 levels than those with normal cognitive function,and whole-brain radiotherapy may be related to a certain degree of reduction in CXCL9 levels.

Objective To evaluate the clinical efficacy of Chevron minimally-invasive osteotomy and internal fixation with ISO intramedullary plate plus traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)bone-setting manipulations for the treatment of moderate hallux valgus.Methods A retrospective study was conducted.A total of 49 patients(62 feet)with moderate hallux valgus were treated with Chevron minimally-invasive osteotomy and internal fixation with ISO intramedullary plate,and were given TCM bone-setting manipulations before the operation,during the operation,and after the operation.The efficacy was evaluated by using the Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)score and the American Orthopedic Foot and Ankle Society(AOFAS)forefoot score after the operation.Before the operation and 12 months after the operation,the hallux valgus angle(HVA),intermetatarsal angle(IMA)between the first and second metatarsal bone,and the distal metatarsal articular angle(DMAA)showed by X-ray imaging in the weight-bearing position of the foot were recorded.Results(1)All of the 49 patients were followed up for 12 to 24 months,with a mean of(20.6±3.1)months.(2)The X-ray imaging assessment showed that 12 months after the operation,the mean HVA,IMA and DMAA values of the 49 patients(62 feet)were significantly lower than those before the operation,and the differences were all statistically significant(P＜0.01).(3)Twelve months after the operation,the pain VAS score of 49 patients was(3.14±1.21)points,which was significantly lower than the preoperative score points(7.26±2.52),and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.01).(4)The assessment of joint function showed that 12 months after the operation,the scores of various AOFAS items of pain,function and hallux alignment as well as the overall AOFAS scores of 49 patients were significantly higher than those before the operation,and the differences were statistically significant(P＜0.01).(5)For the 62 feet in 49 patients,the excellent efficacy was achieved in 53 feet,good efficacy was achieved in 7 feet,and fair efficacy was achieved in 2 feet,with the fine rate of 96.77%(60/62).Conclusion For the treatment of moderate hallux valgus,the application of Chevron minimally-invasive osteotomy and internal fixation with ISO intramedullary plate plus TCM bone-setting manipulations is effective on promoting the reset of hallux-metatarsophalangeal joint,restoring the balance of the joint,and maintaining the equilibrium state of the joint through postoperative rehabilitation guidance.The combined therapy exerts certain efficacy,reduces the recurrence rate,and eventually achieves the early rehabilitation after the operation.

Objective:To establish an artificial intelligence-based surgical selection system utilizing deep learning to assist in the decision-making process for lumbar endoscopic surgery.Methods:General data of 1,110 patients who underwent percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy, 804 patients who underwent percutaneous interlaminar endoscopic discectomy, 923 patients who underwent mobile microendoscopic discectomy and 623 patients who underwent unilateral biportal endoscopic in Tianjin Hospital from January 2018 to June 2023 were included in the study. Clinical outcomes were assessed using the visual analogue scale (VAS) for leg and back pain, the Oswestry disability index (ODI), and MacNab criteria both before surgery and 12 months postoperatively. Using a random number table method, patients were divided into a training dataset (2,768 cases) and a test dataset (692 cases) at a ratio of 4∶1. Patient clinical symptoms, physical signs, and multi-modal imaging data were input into a deep learning model. This model was structured into three main modules: intervertebral disc detection, surgical necessity identification, and surgical recommendation. The final surgical method was determined using a convolutional neural network incorporating U-Net for segmentation and ResNet for classification. The accuracy and recall rates of each module were evaluated using the test dataset.Results:Compared to preoperative values, all patients showed significant improvements at the 12-month postoperative follow-up. For patients who underwent percutaneous transforaminal endoscopic discectomy, percutaneous interlaminar endoscopic discectomy, mobile microendoscopic discectomy, and unilateral biportal endoscopic surgery, the VAS scores for leg pain decreased from 7.69±0.80, 7.82±0.88, 7.62±0.69, and 7.56±1.00 preoperatively to 1.44±1.09, 1.35±0.82, 1.51±1.08, and 1.43±0.91 postoperatively. Similarly, the VAS scores for back pain decreased from 5.73±0.83, 6.17±0.99, 6.11±0.88, and 6.46±0.95 to 0.93±0.75, 1.01±0.67, 1.40±0.72, and 1.27±0.70, respectively. Additionally, the ODI significantly decreased from 39.91%±4.50%, 40.05%±8.05%, 47.08%±9.50%, and 44.43%±4.71% preoperatively to 5.77%±2.22%, 6.05%±2.31%, 8.51%±2.16%, and 9.51%±3.70% postoperatively, with all differences being statistically significant ( P<0.05). The excellent rate according to the MacNab criteria was 93.12% (3,222/3,460). In the deep learning model, the multi-modal data of 2,768 patients were input in the training set for deep learning to form a surgical identification and operation recommendation system, and the preoperative data of 692 patients were input in the test set to compare with the final operation method. In the intervertebral disc location module, the accuracy of location and designation of the five lumbar intervertebral discs was 97.1%(672/692). In the module of intervertebral disc need for surgery, the accuracy was 94.8%(3,280/3,460) and the recall rate was 91.9%(636/692). As for patients, the accuracy rate was 91.9%(636/692). In the operation recommendation module, the accuracy rate of operation recommendation based on intervertebral disc was 89.5%(569/636), and the accuracy rate of surgical recommendation based on patient was 82.2%(569/692). Conclusion:In this study, an artificial intelligent surgical procedures selection system based on deep learning was established, which could effectively integrate relevant data and accurately guide the selection of lumbar endoscopic surgery.

Objective To study the diagnostic value of miR-571 for liver fibrosis by detecting miR-571 expression in the peripheral blood of patients with liver fibrosis.Methods From December 2022 to September 2023,40 patients with liver fibrosis,40 patients with chronic hepatitis,and 40 healthy controls were chosen as research subjects.The expression level of miR-571 in peripheral blood was detected using a real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction,and the relative expression of miR-571 in each group was evaluated.The Spearman correlation method was utilized to examine the relationship between miR-571 and clinical detection indices.To assess the capacity of miR-571 and the multivariate diagnostic model to identify liver fibrosis,binary logistic regression was used to create a multivariate diagnostic model,and ROC curves were generated.Results The expression of miR-571 was significantly higher in the liver fibrosis group than in the healthy control and hepatitis groups,and the difference was statistically significant(P<0.001).The expression level of miR-571 was positively connected with ALT,APRI score,and FIB-4 index(r = 0.23,0.30,0.22,P<0.05)and negatively correlated with PLT(r =-0.19,P<0.05)according to Spearman correlation analysis.Logistic regression research revealed that miR-571 and the FIB-4 index were independent risk factors for liver fibrosis.The AUC for miR-571 to diagnose fibrosis was 0.91(95%CI:0.85～0.96),while the AUC for miR-571 paired with the FIB-4 index was 0.94(95%CI:0.90～0.98).Conclusion MiR-571 expression was shown to be considerably higher in the peripheral blood of hepatic fibrosis patients,and the combined FIB-4 index offers some clinical diagnostic value for hepatic fibrosis.