1.Advances in posterior scleral reinforcement for pathological myopia
Zhouyi HUANG ; Hongxia LIAO ; Dongcheng LIU ; Qiuying YE ; Jingwen LIU ; Yijie LU ; Tongmiao WANG ; Bo QIN
International Eye Science 2026;26(8):1400-1404
Pathologic myopia(PM)is characterized by progressive axial elongation, posterior staphyloma, and fundus degenerative changes, representing a leading cause of blindness in Asian countries.Posterior scleral reinforcement(PSR)is currently the only surgical intervention to slow axial elongation. Its mechanisms involve mechanical reinforcement, improved blood circulation, and biological stimulation of scleral remodeling. This article reviews recent advances in PSR: surgical techniques have evolved from complex, classic procedures to standardized single-strip methods, incorporating 3D MRI to quantify posterior staphyloma morphology for personalized graft design and facilitating minimally invasive, precision surgery. Among implant materials, biomaterials such as allogeneic dura mater are being continuously optimized, while biomimetic piezoelectric smart materials actively promote scleral collagen synthesis through electrical signals, achieving a paradigm shift from “passive support”to “active reinforcement”. Clinical outcomes indicate advantages in regulating axial length, enhancing visual function and blood circulation, and facilitating early intervention in children. Combined procedures with ICL implantation, cataract surgery or vitrectomy provide comprehensive treatment regimens for individual patients with varied conditions. This article also analyzes long-term issues and core controversies including ectopic posterior staphyloma and reoperation, and prospects future research directions such as artificial intelligence assistance, translation of smart materials and full-cycle prevention and treatment systems, so as to provide references for clinical practice and scientific research.
2.Design, synthesis, and in vitro anti-inflammatory activity of novel matrine derivatives
Yifei LU ; Jia SONG ; Hongxia SHEN ; Qingjie ZHAO
Journal of Pharmaceutical Practice and Service 2026;44(7):346-352
Objective The alkaloids contained in the Chinese herb Sophora flavescens have good anti-inflammatory activity. To investigate the structure-activity relationship between the novel matrine and the anti-inflammatory activity by modifying the structure of matrine. Methods Fourteen novel matrine derivatives were obtained by chemical modification using matrine as the lead compound with matrine and M19 as positive controls. The cytotoxicity of matrine derivatives against RAW264.7 cells was detected by the cell counting kit 8 (CCK8) assay, and the relative amount of NO produced by matrine derivatives against lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced inflammation model of RAW264.7 cells was detected using an NO assay kit. The enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (Elisa) was used to detect the secretion of interleukin-6 (IL-6) and tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) by matrine derivatives in LPS-induced inflammation model of RAW264.7 cells. Results The novel matrine derivatives all exhibited lower cytotoxicity compared with M19. The NO inhibition rates of the novel matrine derivatives were all higher than that of matrine, and some were higher than that of M19, with compound A12 having the highest NO inhibition rate. Compounds A11 and A12 showed higher IL-6 inhibition than the control M19. Additionally, compound A12 had higher TNF-α inhibition than M19. Conclusion Compound A12 inhibited the strongest inhibition of NO, IL-6 and TNF-α release and had the best anti-inflammatory activity, which provided an important lead compound for this subsequent in-depth study.
3.Mechanism of proanthocyanidins ameliorating cognitive impairment in type 2 diabetic rats by inhibiting NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway
Wuyun LU ; Yaodan CAO ; Jinqi HAO ; Hongxia BIAN ; Yanqin YU ; Limin ZHENG
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(9):1611-1618
ObjectiveTo investigate the therapeutic effect of proanthocyanidins (PC) on rats with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM) complicated with cognitive impairment (CI) and to explore its potential mechanism by inhibiting the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3)/cysteine-aspartic acid protease-1 (Caspase-1) pathway. MethodsA T2DM rat model was established by high-fat diet combined with intraperitoneal streptozotocin (STZ) injection. Thirty-six diabetic rats complicated with CI were screened by Morris water maze test and randomly divided into model group, PC low-dose (50 mg/kg) group, PC medium-dose (100 mg/kg) group, and PC high-dose (200 mg/kg) group. Another 9 normal rats served as the normal control group. Each group was administered with the corresponding doses of PC or an equal volume of distilled water by gavage for 8 weeks. After the intervention, spatial learning and memory abilities were evaluated using the Morris water maze test. Fasting blood glucose, body weight, and organ coefficients were measured. Pathological changes in the hippocampus were observed by hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining. Reactive oxygen species (ROS) levels, as well as levels of inflammatory cytokines tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in hippocampal tissue, were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The protein expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 in the hippocampus were determined by Western blot. ResultsCompared with the normal control group, the model group exhibited significantly increased blood glucose and decreased body weight (P<0.05). In the Morris water maze test, the model group showed prolonged escape latency, fewer platform crossings, and lower percentages of time and path length in the target quadrant (P<0.05). Disordered arrangement and pyknotic nuclei were observed in hippocampal neurons. ROS and the levels of TNF-α and IL-1β were elevated, and the protein expression levels of NLRP3, Caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 were upregulated (P<0.05). Compared with the model group, all PC-treated groups, especially the high-dose group, presented dose-dependent improvements in the above indicators, including reduced blood glucose (P<0.05), improved spatial memory performance in the Morris water maze (P<0.01), alleviated hippocampal pathological damage, decreased ROS and inflammatory cytokine levels (P<0.05), and significantly downregulated expression of NLRP3/Caspase-1 pathway-related proteins (P<0.05). ConclusionProanthocyanidins can ameliorate glycolipid metabolic disorder, visceral organ injury as well as cognitive dysfunction in T2DM rats. The underlying mechanism may be associated with reduced hippocampal ROS levels, inhibition of the NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling pathway, and attenuated neuroinflammation in the hippocampus, with the optimal effect observed at a dose of 200 mg/kg.
4.Characteristics of gastric hepatoid adenocarcinoma: a clinicopathological and molecular analysis
Jie WANG ; Lulu SHEN ; Xin ZHANG ; Hongxia LU ; Yi JIA ; Jing LIU ; Peng BU ; Likun ZAN
Chinese Journal of Pathology 2025;54(7):748-754
Objective:To investigate the clinical, pathological, and molecular biological characteristics of gastric hepatoid adenocarcinoma (HAS) in order to provide reference for clinical treatment.Methods:Thirty-two patients diagnosed with hepatoid adenocarcinoma after radical gastrectomy for gastric cancer at Shanxi Cancer Hospital were included from January 2019 to December 2021. Immunohistochemistry, in situ hybridization, and next-generation sequencing (NGS) methods were used to analyze immune markers and molecular characteristics in the pathological tissues from 32 patients with HAS. Cox regression analysis and Kaplan-Meier method were used to analyze the prognostic factors of overall survival and disease-free survival.Results:Among the 32 patients with HAS, 26 were male, 6 were female; aged 28-77 years, with an median age 62.0 (53.8, 67.2) years. Fifteen cases of HAS were located in the cardia, 10 cases in the antrum, and 7 cases in the body of the stomach. The maximum diameter of the mass was 3-10 cm, and mainly ulcerative in gross. The immunohistochemistry and in situ hybridization results showed that the positive rates of AFP, SALLA4, and Glypican-3 were 68.8% (22/32), 68.8% (22/32), 78.1% (25/32), respectively; Seven patients had microsatellite status of dMMR. Two cases of HER2 gene amplification and 2 cases of EB virus positivity. The NGS results showed that HAS was often accompanied by multiple gene mutations, with 23 cases having ≥ 2 gene mutations and 6 cases having ≥10 gene mutations. The TP53 gene had the highest mutation frequency; 4 cases had genetic structural variations; 28 cases had copy number variation. In addition, there were 7 cases of MSI-H and 9 cases of TMB-H. Follow-up results showed that 12 cases died, 9 cases developed metastasis, and the shortest survival time was 5 months.Conclusions:Gastric HAS is a type of tumor with high invasiveness and poor prognosis. The combined detection of AFP, SALLA4 and Glypican-3 can improve the diagnostic rate of tumors. dMMR/MSI-H and TMB-H patients in HAS are significantly higher than those in ordinary gastric cancer, and the high frequency mutation genes in HAS are often accompanied by multiple potential therapeutic targets. Immunotherapy combined with chemotherapy and targeted therapy are expected to become the treatment direction of HAS.
5.Thalidomide alleviates ferroptosis and oxidative stress in diabetic nephropathy by upregulating nuclear factor E2-related factor 2/heme oxygenase 1/glutathione peroxidase 4 signaling pathway
Lu ZHAI ; Xiaoxiao XUE ; Xiaomei LIU ; Yuxiao MA ; Hongxia ZHANG
Chinese Journal of Nephrology 2025;41(4):276-281
To investigate the potential protective effect of thalidomide (THD) on diabetic nephropathy (DN) and its underlying mechanisms. Twenty-four C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into control, DN and DN+THD200 groups by random number table method. The DN mouse model was established via intraperitoneal injection of streptozotocin. The DN+THD200 group received THD treatment (200 mg·kg -1·d -1) for 8 weeks. Blood and urine biochemical parameters, as well as renal histopathological changes, were compared among the three groups. For in vitro experiments, a high glucose (HG)-induced injury model was established in mouse glomerular podocytes (MPC5). Cells were divided into control (NG), HG, HG+DMSO, HG+THD100 (100 μg/ml), and HG+THD200 (200 μg/ml) groups. THD-treated cells were exposed to THD for 24 h. Western blotting and real-time quantitative PCR were performed to respectively detect protein and mRNA expression levels of ferroptosis-related molecules, including nuclear factor erythroid 2-related factor 2 (NRF2), heme oxygenase 1 (HO-1), and glutathione peroxidase 4 (GPX4). Immunofluorescence was used to evaluate the expression of solute carrier family 7 member 11 (SLC7A11) and 4-hydroxynonenal (4-HNE). The results showed that, compared with control group, DN group exhibited significantly lower blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and 24 h urinary albumin levels (all P<0.05). Compared with DN group, DN+THD200 group exhibited significantly lower blood urea nitrogen, serum creatinine and 24 h urinary albumin levels (all P<0.05). Histopathological examination revealed glomerular expansion, mesangial widening, and basement membrane thickening in DN group compared to control group, which were markedly ameliorated by THD treatment. In vitro, HG group showed significantly decreased protein and mRNA expression levels of GPX4, NRF2 and HO-1 compared to NG group. Both HG+THD100 and HG+THD200 groups exhibited upregulated expression levels of these proteins and corresponding mRNA compared to HG group (all P<0.05). Immunofluorescence demonstrated HG group had enhanced 4-HNE fluorescence intensity and reduced SLC7A11 fluorescence intensity, which were reversed by THD treatment. THD alleviates renal injury in DN mice and mitigates HG-induced ferroptosis in MPC5 cells, potentially via activation of NRF2-HO-1-GPX4 signaling pathway.
6.Clinical characteristics of juvenile dermatomyositis in anti-nuclear matrix protein 2 antibody-positive patients and risk factors for severity: a national multicenter retrospective study
Huiyuan YANG ; Wanzhen GUAN ; Ling2 YANG ; Haimei LIU ; Xiaoqing3 LI ; Haiguo YU ; Meiping LU ; Jun YANG ; Xiaohui LIU ; Hongxia ZHANG ; Wei ZHANG ; Jihong XIAO ; Xiaozhong LI ; Guomin LI ; Hong CHANG ; Sheng HAO ; Yue DU ; Daliang XU ; Ling WU ; Wenjie ZHENG ; Li LIU ; Xinhui JIANG ; Shaohui ZHU ; Dongmei ZHAO ; Xuemei TANG ; Li SUN
Chinese Journal of Pediatrics 2025;63(12):1299-1305
Objective:To investigate the clinical characteristics and independent risk factors of severe disease in patients with anti-nuclear matrix protein (NXP) 2 antibody-positive juvenile dermatomyositis (JDM).Methods:A retrospective cohort study was conducted, including 219 anti-NXP2 antibody-positive JDM patients admitted to 23 children′s hospitals across China from July 2011 to July 2023. Patients were classified into severe and non-severe groups based on classification criteria for severe dermatomyositis. Demographic characteristics, clinical manifestations, and laboratory parameters were compared between the 2 groups using independent sample t-test, Mann-Whitney U test, or χ2 test. Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analyses were performed to identify risk factors for severe disease. The receiver operating characteristic curve was employed to calculate optimal cut-off values. Results:Among the 219 patients, 108 were male and 111 were female, with an age at onset of 6.3 (3.5, 9.4) years. The severe group comprised 69 patients, and the non-severe group 150 patients. The severe group had significantly higher rates of fever, heliotrope rash, subcutaneous edema, periorbital edema, anti-Ro52 antibody positivity, as well as elevated levels of ferritin-to-albumin ratio (FAR), creatine kinase (CK), aspartate aminotransferase (AST), and lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) (all P<0.05). Multivariate analysis identified anti-Ro52 antibody positivity ( OR=13.26, 95% CI 1.37-128.29) and elevated FAR ( OR=1.90, 95% CI 1.09-2.31) as independent risk factors for severe anti-NXP2 antibody-positive JDM (both P<0.05). Receiver operating characteristic curve analysis revealed that a FAR cutoff value of 6.82 predicted severe disease with an area under the curve of 0.87 (95% CI 0.81-0.94, P<0.001), sensitivity of 0.85, and specificity of 0.70. All patients received glucocorticoid therapy, and the severe group received higher proportions of steroid pulse therapy, cyclophosphamide, mycophenolate mofetil, intravenous immunoglobulin, biologics, and adjuvant treatments compared to the non-severe group (all P<0.05). In terms of outcomes, 2 patients (2.9%) in the severe group died (due to neurological involvement and intestinal perforation, respectively), while the remaining patients achieved complete clinical response or remission. All patients in the non-severe group achieved remission. Conclusions:The primary clinical features of anti-NXP2 antibody-positive JDM included fever, heliotrope rash, subcutaneous edema, periorbital edema, anti-Ro52 antibody positivity, and elevated levels of CK, AST, LDH, and FAR. Furthermore, anti-Ro52 antibody positivity and a FAR>6.82 were identified as independent risk factors.
7.Effects of relaxation training combined with basic psychological intervention on attention deficit factor scores in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder
Hongning XU ; Linyang LU ; Xiaoyun CHEN ; Hongxia KAI ; Yi WANG ; Qidong ZHU ; Yuanyuan HUANG
Basic & Clinical Medicine 2025;45(4):522-526
Objective To evaluate the effect of relaxation training combined with basic psychological intervention on attention deficit factor score in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder.Methods A total of 320 children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder were enrolled in Anhui Children's Hospital affiliated to Anhui Medical University from April 2022 to April 2024.The children were divided into 2 groups by random number table method with 160 cases in each.The control group received basic psychological intervention and the observation group received relaxation training combined with psychological intervention.Attention deficit factor score,hyperac-tivity factor score,oppositional defiant factor score,Weiss Functional Deficit Scale(parent version)score and satis-faction were compared between the two groups.Results The Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index(PSQI)score of the observation group was higher(17.35±1.42)than that of the control group(P<0.05).The scores of Attention Defi-cit Hyperactivity Disorder Rating Scale-Parent Version(SNAP-Ⅳ)in observation group were lower than those in control group(P<0.05),including attention deficit factor(14.25±1.58),hyperactivity factor(12.01±1.33)and oppositional defiant factor(9.79±1.27).There was no difference in Weiss functional deficit Scale(parent version)between the two groups before intervention,and Weiss functional deficit scale(parent version)score of the obser-vation group was higher than that of the control group after intervention(P<0.05).The satisfaction of observation group was higher than that of control group(P<0.05).Conclusions The effect of relaxation training combined with psychological intervention is obvious in children with attention deficit hyperactivity disorder,and the symptoms of attention deficit are significantly improved.
8.Clinical characteristics and influencing factors of cognitive impairment in non-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease
Hongxia LI ; Xia XU ; Jie JIANG ; Mengxue JIA ; Wenjin LIU ; Zhe HAN ; Yushuang LIU ; Yijiao ZHU ; Dafeng HE ; Chunlei LU ; Mengyue ZHU ; Hongbin MOU ; Guangyu BI ; Rong WANG
Journal of Clinical Medicine in Practice 2025;29(11):1-6,13
Objective To explore the influencing factors of cognitive impairment in non-dialysis patients with chronic kidney disease(CKD).Methods A total of 60 hospitalized non-dialysis patients with CKD in the Department of Nephrology of Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital Affiliated to Yangzhou University from September 2022 to September 2023 were enrolled as research objects.According to the estimated glomerular filtration rate(eGFR),they were divided into stage 1 to 2 of CKD group[eGFR ≥60 mL/(min·1.73 m2)]with 23 cases,the stage 3 of CKD group[eGFR 30~<60 mL/(min·1.73 m2)]with 20 cases,and stage 4 to 5 of CKD group[eGFR<30 mL/(min·1.73 m2)]with 17 cases.The Montreal Cognitive Assessment Scale(MoCA)was used to evaluate the cognitive function of the patients.Basic data and common clinical laboratory in-dicators on hospital admission were collected to analyze the differences in cognitive function levels under different renal function statuses and to explore the influencing factors of cognitive impairment.Results The incidence rates of cognitive impairment in the stage 1 to 2 of CKD group,stage 3 of CKD group,and stage 4 to 5 of CKD group were 47.8%,85.0%,and 94.1%respectively,the median MoCA scored 26,24 and 20 respectively,with statistically significant between-group differ-ences(P<0.05).Cognitive function was significantly negatively correlated with age(r=-0.634,P<0.001),blood urea nitrogen(BUN)(r=-0.574,P<0.001),serum creatinine(Cr)(r=-0.417,P<0.001),cystatin C(Cys-C)(r=-0.327,P=0.011),serum β2-microglobulin(β2-MG)(r=-0.259,P=0.046),and N-terminal pro-brain natriuretic peptide(NT-proBNP)(r=-0.474,P<0.001),and was significantly positively correlated with hemoglobin(HB)(r=0.401,P=0.001)and eGFR(r=0.485,P<0.001).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that age(P=0.006)and NT-proBNP(P=0.041)were influencing factors of cognitive im-pairment in non-dialysis patients with CKD.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve analysis showed that the area under the curve(AUC),sensitivity,and specificity of age for prediction were 0.860,0.864 and 0.812 respectively,the AUC,sensitivity,and specificity of NT-proBNP for pre-diction were 0.808,0.795 and 0.875 respectively,and the combined prediction of age and NT-proBNP had an AUC,sensitivity,and specificity of 0.893,0.955,and 0.750,respectively.Conclusion As renal function deteriorates,the incidence rate and severity of cognitive impairment in non-dialysis patients with CKD tend to increase.Advanced age,renal function deterioration,high NT-proBNP level,and anemia are associated with the occurrence of cognitive impairment in non-di-alysis patients with CKD,among which age and NT-proBNP are influencing factors for cognitive im-pairment.
9.Standard deviation method and root mean square method for measuring signal-to-noise ratio of MRI of American College of Radiology phantom based on phased array coils
Songlin SHA ; Qi LIU ; Yanling BAI ; Jin MA ; Hongxia ZHANG ; Yunfeng SUN ; Jianjie LU
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(1):138-141
Objective To compare the value of standard deviation(SD)method and root mean square(RMS)method for measuring signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)of MRI of American College of Radiology(ACR)phantom based on phased array coils.Methods ACR phantom was scanned with head coil(Head),abdominal coil(Anterior),dual piece flexible coil(Flex L)and abdominal coil+flexible coil(Anterior+Flex L)each for 6 times,respectively,with sequences of axial T 1W-spin echo(SE)and T2W-SE.And the scanning schemes were divided into 8 groups based on 4 types of coils and 2 sequences.SNR of 8 groups were measured with standard deviation method and root mean square method,respectively,and the differences between the above 2 methods were observed.Results For T1W-SE sequence,SNRsD of MRI based on Head,Anterior,Flex L and Anterior+Flex L was 1.25±0.07,0.56±0.02,1.15±0.10 and 1.04±0.11,respectively,while SNRRMs was 1.10±0.07,0.58±0.03,1.01±0.13 and 1.31±0.15,respectively.For T2W-SE sequence,SNRsD was 1.40±0.08,0.48±0.02,1.04±0.07 and 1.08±0.06,respectively,while SNRRMs was 1.29±0.09,0.53±0.03,0.84±0.08 and 1.35±0.12,respectively.Compared pairwise,significant difference of SNRsD was found in 9 pairs(all P<0.05),while of SNRRMs was detected in 10 pairs(all P<0.05).Conclusion Compared with standard deviation method,root mean square method was more suitable for measuring SNR of MRI of ACR phantom based on phased array coils.
10.Tuberculosis and vitamin D deficiency
Chenqi LI ; Gen MIAO ; Hongtao LU ; Hongxia LI ; Yuxiao TANG ; Hui SHEN
Academic Journal of Naval Medical University 2025;46(11):1476-1481
Tuberculosis is still the second leading cause of death from a single source of infection in the world.There is a two-way relationship between tuberculosis and the nutritional status of the body,which affects and causes each other.Vitamin D is an essential micronutrient,most research results show that vitamin D deficiency is common in tuberculosis patients,which is related to lack of sunlight,decreased dietary intake of vitamin D and anti-tuberculosis drug treatment.Low level vitamin D can increase tuberculosis susceptibility to some extent,but the research results are not completely consistent.This paper reviews the nutritional status of vitamin D in tuberculosis patients in recent years,the causes of vitamin D deficiency in tuberculosis patients and the relationship between vitamin D deficiency and susceptibility of tuberculosis,so as to provide references for further study on the role of vitamin D in tuberculosis prevention and treatment.

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