AIM: To explore the effect of dihydroquercetin on visual function in mice with form deprivation myopia based on the NOD-like receptor thermoprotein domain-related protein 3(NLRP3)inflammasome pathway.METHODS: The C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into control group and form deprivation myopia model group, and the form deprivation myopia model group was constructed by covering the right eye with a translucent eye patch. After successful modeling, the mice in the model group of form deprivation myopia were randomly divided into model group, low-, medium- and high-dose dihydroquercetin groups, and high-dose dihydroquercetin + NLRP3 agonist group. The diopter and axial length of mice in each group were detected. The kit was used to detect the levels of superoxide dismutase(SOD)and malondialdehyde(MDA)in retinal tissue. RT-qPCR was used to detect the mRNA expressions of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated spot-like protein(ASC), Caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 in retinal tissues. Western blot was used to detect the expression of NLRP3, ASC, cleaved Caspase-1, IL-1β and IL-18 proteins in retinal tissues. TUNEL staining was used to detect apoptosis in retinal tissue.RESULTS: Compared with the control group, the diopter of the mice in the model group decreased, and axial length increased, and the SOD decreased whereas MDA, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18 increased, and the rate of apoptosis in retinal tissue increased(all P<0.05). Compared with the model group, the diopter of mice in the low-, medium- and high-dose dihydroquercetin groups increased, axial length shortened, the SOD increased, whereas MDA, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, IL-18 decreased, and the rate of apoptosis in retinal tissue decreased(all P<0.05). Compared with the high-dose dihydroquercetin group, the high-dose dihydroquercetin+NLRP3 agonist group had reduced diopter, increased axial length, decreased SOD levels, elevated MDA, NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, IL-1β, and IL-18 levels, as well as increased apoptosis rate in retinal tissue(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Dihydroquercetin can improve visual function in mice with form deprivation myopia by inhibiting pyroptosis and oxidative stress responses, which may be related to the suppression of NLRP3 inflammasome. NLRP3 agonists can partially mitigate the effects of high-dose dihydroquercetin on form deprivation myopia in mice.

ObjectiveTo delineate imaging findings using an imaging platform and investigate the correlation between MRI characteristics of spinal cord atrophy and clinical diagnosis in children with spinal cord injury (SCI). MethodsImaging data of 150 children with SCI admitted to Beijing Bo'ai Hospital, China Rehabilitation Research Center, from January, 2002 to March, 2024 were collected and imported into the imaging platform. The anteroposterior and transverse diameters of the middle part of the spinal cord at the cross-section with the most severe atrophy were measured, and the relevant indicators of the previous normal spinal cord segment were measured as controls; the radiomic features were extracted. Clinical data of the children including gender, age, cause of injury, sensory level, motor level, spinal cord injury level, injury severity and disease course were collected. ResultsSpinal cord atrophy was identified in 81 cases (54%), among which 78 cases (96%) were American Spinal Injury Association Impairment Scale (AIS) grade A and 3 cases (4%) were AIS grade C. The upper boundary of the spinal cord atrophy site strongly correlated with the injury level, motor level and sensory level (r > 0.8, P < 0.001). ConclusionMore than half of children with SCI may develop secondary spinal cord atrophy, the vast majority of whom suffer from complete spinal cord injury; the upper boundary of spinal cord atrophy is correlated with the injury level.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of thyroid nodules in the physical examination population in Mianyang region and analyze its association with metabolic syndrome. Methods A retrospective study was conducted on 9 978 individuals who underwent health examinations at our hospital from January 2024 to May 2025. Thyroid examinations were performed using color Doppler ultrasound to analyze the prevalence of thyroid nodules in this population. Clinical data of all subjects were collected, and logistic regression analysis was employed to assess the association between metabolic syndrome and the risk of thyroid nodule development. Results The prevalence of thyroid nodules in the physical examination population of Mianyang region was 17.98% (1 794/9 978). The logistic regression results showed that after adjusting for gender, age, BMI, occupation, consumption of non-iodized salt, staying up late, daily sleep duration, anxiety, and depression, metabolic syndrome (OR=6.593, 95% CI: 3.961-10.975) was associated with thyroid nodules (P<0.05). Conclusion The prevalence of thyroid nodules among the physical examination population in the Mianyang area is 17.98%, and metabolic syndrome remains associated with the risk of thyroid nodules after effectively controlling for confounding factors.

Background Microparticles (MPs) are one of the main medium of inflammatory reaction with an important role in atherosclerotic progression. Studies on association of air pollution exposure and levels of peripheral blood MPs are limited among human. Objective To evaluate the effects of short-term exposure to air pollution on levels of peripheral blood MPs. Method A panel of 73 healthy adults was followed with 4 repeated follow-ups in Beijing, China, from November 2014 to January 2016. During each visit, we collected questionnaire information, fasting venous blood, urine, and exposures to fine particulate matter (PM_2.5), black carbon, nitric oxide, nitrogen dioxide, nitrogen oxide, sulfur dioxide, carbon monoxide, and ozone. We used linear mixed-effect models to analyze associations of air pollution exposure with levels of total MPs (TMPs) and MPs derived from various cells. Stratified analysis was conducted by levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) and malondialdehyde (MDA). Results The results showed significant associations between air pollution exposure and peripheral blood TMPs at 2 h-6 d prior to the follow-ups (P<0.05), while no statistical associations were found for MPs derived from different cell types. Significant increases in TMPs of 7.8% (95%CI: 0.7%, 15.3%) and 14.3% (95%CI: 2.8%, 27.2%) were observed with each interquartile range (IQR) increase in PM_2.5 (IQR=64.9 μg·m⁻³) at prior 18 h and NO (IQR=40.5 μg·m⁻³) at prior 48 h. Among participants with low levels of CRP and MDA, significantly positive associations were observed between air pollution exposure and levels of TMPs (P<0.05). Conclusion Short-term exposure to air pollution is significantly associated with increased levels of circulating MPs in healthy adults, and in people with lower systemic inflammation, peripheral blood MPs levels are more easily affected after exposure to air pollutants.

ObjectiveTo investigate the chromosomal characteristics of blastocysts and pregnancy outcomes in patients with polycystic ovary syndrome （PCOS）， and to analyze the impact of PCOS on embryonic aneuploidy rate and the risk of miscarriage. MethodsThe retrospective cohort study was conducted on the preimplantation genetic testing（PGT） in the First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University， including cycles of PGT for aneuploidy（PGT-A） and PGT for monogenic disorders（PGT-M）. The 191 PCOS cycles（PCOS group） were matched with 564 control cycles（control group） using propensity score matching. The oocyte and embryo viability， chromosomal testing results of blastocysts， and cumulative clinical outcomes were compared between two groups. Subgroup analysis was performed by stratifying PCOS patients based on oocyte retrieval （＞20 vs. ≤20）. And the pregnancy outcomes after euploid embryo transfer were compared under different levels of ovarian response. ResultsPCOS group showed a significantly higher rate of aneuploidy per blastocyst compared to control group （21.8% vs. 19.0%， P=0.044）. Clinically， the overall miscarriage rate in the PCOS group was significantly higher than control group （17.2% vs. 10.3%， P=0.024）， even after euploid embryo transfer （17.2% vs. 10.0%， P=0.019）. In the PCOS subgroup with ＞ 20 oocytes ， the miscarriage rate following euploid embryo transfer was dramatically increased compared to control group （21.4% vs. 6.7%， P=0.001）， accompanied by higher risks of early miscarriage （15.7% vs. 5.7%， P=0.011）. Conversely， the PCOS subgroup with ≤ 20 oocytes showed outcomes comparable to control group. ConclusionsPatients with PCOS exhibit a significantly higher rate of blastocyst aneuploidy compared to the control group. Furthermore， PCOS is associated with a marked increase in miscarriage rates following blastocyst transfer， even with euploid embryos， particularly among patients with high ovarian response.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the pathogenic mechanism of a child with Waardenburg syndrome type 4C due to a c.661_664dup (p.P222Lfs*60) variant of SOX10 gene through in vitro experiments. METHODS: A child diagnosed at the Handan First Hospital was selected as the study subject. Clinical data of the child was collected. Peripheral blood samples were collected from the child and his parents. Following extraction of genomic DNA, trio-whole exome sequencing was carried out. Pathogenicity of candidate variant was determined by bioinformatic analysis and reference to the guidelines from the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG). Candidate variant was verified by Sanger sequencing. Expression plasmids of wild-type SOX10 and the c.661_664dup (p.P222Lfs*60) variant were constructed and transiently transfected into 293T cells to determine the expression at the RNA and protein levels. The 293T cells transiently transfected with the wild-type/mutant SOX10 were treated with 10 ug/mL cycloheximide (CHX) for 0, 4, 8, 24 h, respectively, and the degradation rate of target protein was detected by Western blotting assay. This study has been approved by the Ethics Committee of Handan First Hospital (Ethics No. HDYY-LW-25053). RESULTS: The child was found to harbor a heterozygous c.661_664dup (p.P222Lfs*60) variant of the SOX10 gene, which was unreported previously. The variant did not significantly alter the expression of SOX10 at the mRNA level but the protein level. After the CHX treatment, the degradation of mutant SOX10 protein had slowed down. CONCLUSION The mutant SOX10 may affect the expression of downstream genes by affecting the degradation rate of its protein product.
Humans ; HEK293 Cells ; Mutation ; SOXE Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Waardenburg Syndrome/genetics* ; Child

Objective:To investigate the local hemodynamic spatial distribution of internal carotid artery stenosis and its correlation with plaque characteristics using high-resolution vessel wall imaging (HR-VWI) combined with computational fluid dynamics.Methods:This was a cross-sectional study. A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical and imaging data of 70 patients with moderate to severe stenosis at the initiation of the internal carotid artery in First Teaching Hospital of Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine and Tianjin First Central Hospital from March 2018 to June 2020. All patients underwent HR-VWI and CT angiography examinations. The parameters related to plaque characteristics, such as plaque length, maximum wall thickness, plaque volume, wall volume percentage and intraplaque hemorrhage (IPH) were measured and evaluated on HR-VWI images. CT angiography images were used to construct a local hemodynamic vascular model to measure various wall shear stress (WSS) derived parameters, such as time-averaged wall shear stress (TAWSS), oscillatory shear index (OSI), relative residence time (RRT), and transverse wall shear stress (transWSS), at the narrowest, proximal, and distal parts of the lesion. The Friedman test was used to analyze the difference of hemodynamic parameters in different parts of the lesion. Spearman correlation analysis was performed to assess the correlation between plaque burden and local hemodynamic parameters. Univariate and multivariate logistic regression analyses were used to explore the independent risk factors for predicting IPH.Results:Among the 70 patients, 25 patients with IPH and 45 patients without IPH. The overall differences in TAWSS, OSI, RRT and transWSS at the narrowest, proximal, and distal parts of the lesion in 70 patients were statistically significant ( P<0.05). The TAWSS and transWSS at the narrowest parts were significantly higher than those at the proximal and distal parts ( P<0.05). The OSI at the distal part was significantly higher than that at the narrowest and the proximal parts ( P<0.05). The RRT at the proximal part was significantly lower than that at the narrowest and the distal parts ( P<0.05). Spearman correlation analysis showed RRT at the distal part was correlated with plaque volume ( r s=0.249, P=0.044) and wall volume percentage ( r s=0.286, P=0.016), respectively. In a multivariate logistic regression showed plaque length ( OR=1.315, 95% CI 1.073-1.612, P=0.008) and TAWSS at the narrowest part ( OR=1.631, 95% CI 1.308-1.854, P=0.008) were independent risk factors for predicting IPH. Conclusions:The spatial distribution of local hemodynamics of moderate to severe stenosis at the initiation of the internal carotid artery is different, and the WSS parameters in different parts of the lesion have different effects on plaque volume, wall volume percentage and IPH.

Prostate cancer(PCa)is one of the common malignant tumors of the genitourinary system in men.It is generally believed that the serum prostate-specific antigen(PSA)level exceeding 4.0 ng/mL has potential diagnostic value for PCa.However,there are many cases of PCa with low PSA levels in clinical practice,specifically between 0-4.0 ng/mL.These cases may be missed or even misdiagnosed due to low PSA levels,leading to delays in treatment and missing the optimal clinical window for diagnosis and treatment.This review provides a com-prehensive summary of the clinicopathological characteristics of PCa patients with PSA levels below 4.0 ng/mL,including their baseline and clinical features,histological characteristics,imaging features,neuroendocrine prostate cancer(NEPC)and prognostic factors,aiming to en-hance the understanding of this type of PCa.

Objective:To analyze the application effects of ultrasound-guided superior laryngeal nerve block combined with cricothyroid membrane puncture on anesthesia for older adult patients with obesity.Methods:A case-control study was conducted on the clinical data of 85 older adult patients with difficult airways who underwent surgical treatment at Marine Police Corps Hospital of Chinese People's Armed Police Force from March 2021 to June 2023. Based on the different methods of anesthesia for tracheal intubation, the patients were divided into a control group ( n = 40) and an observation group ( n = 45). The control group received conventional superior laryngeal nerve block combined with cricothyroid membrane puncture, while the observation group received ultrasound-guided superior laryngeal nerve block combined with cricothyroid membrane puncture. The success rate of tracheal intubation, time taken for tracheal intubation, hemodynamic indicators, stress indicators, and the incidence of adverse reactions related to anesthesia were compared between the two groups. Results:In the observation group, the first-attempt tracheal intubation success rate was 87% (39/45), and the overall success rate for tracheal intubation was 98% (44/45), both of which were significantly higher than those in the control group [68% (27/40), 95% (38/40); χ2 = 4.48, 4.58, both P<0.05]. The time taken for tracheal intubation in the observation group was significantly shorter than that in the control group [(36.41 ± 5.23) minutes vs. (39.50 ± 4.42) minutes; t = 2.98, P<0.05]. During tracheal intubation and at the start of surgery, the observation group exhibited lower heart rates and higher mean arterial pressures compared with the control group ( t = 4.58, 4.65, -1.90, -2.14, all P<0.05). The cortisol and norepinephrine concentrations in the observation group were (23.12 ± 1.63) ng/L and (1 436.13 ± 225.60) pmol/L, respectively, both of which were significantly lower than those in the control group [(28.33 ± 2.29) ng/L, (1 784.50 ± 217.79) pmol/L; t = 12.59, 7.39, both P<0.05]. The incidence of anesthesia-related adverse reactions in the observation group was significantly lower than that in the control group [7% (3/45) vs. 25% (10/40); χ2 = 4.17, P<0.05]. Conclusions:Ultrasound-guided superior laryngeal nerve block combined with cricothyroid membrane puncture can enhance the success rate of tracheal intubation prior to general anesthesia in older adult patients with obesity. This approach helps maintain hemodynamic stability, reduces stress responses, and demonstrates a high level of safety.

Objective:To explore the influence of value orientation brief therapy (VBT) on anxiety and depression symptoms, social function, coping style and self-acceptance level of major depressive disorder adolescents with anxious distress.Methods:From June 2021 to June 2022, seventy adolescent major depressive disorder patients with anxious distress were included in the study, who were randomly divided into study group(35 people, 31 people completed)and control group (35 people, 30 people completed). The study group was given routine treatment combined with VBT, while the control group was given routine treatment only. Before and after treatment, Hamilton anxiety scale(HAMA), Hamilton depression scale (HAMD), social disability screening schedule (SDSS), coping style questionnaire(CSQ) and self-acceptance questionnaire (SAQ) were used to evaluate the two groups, and SPSS 26.0 software was used to statistically analyze the data of the two groups. Paired sample t-test was used for intra-group comparison, and independent sample t-test was used for inter-group comparison. Results:After 6 weeks of treatment, the scores of HAMA((6.03±3.58) vs (14.03±7.06), t=5.55, P<0.01), HAMD((8.77±5.52 ) vs (16.50±7.59), t=4.56, P<0.01)and SDSS((4.23±1.50) vs (6.63±0.96), t=7.43, P<0.01)in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group, the differences were statistically significant. The scores of self-acceptance((19.23±1.33) vs (13.47±1.46), t=-16.12, P<0.01)and self-evaluation ((19.87±2.87) vs (12.77±1.68), t=-11.75, P<0.01) in the SAQ scale and the scores of problem-solving((8.71±2.30) vs (6.23±3.45), t=3.31, P<0.05) and rationalization ((6.20±3.11) vs (4.67±2.43), t=2.13, P<0.05) in the CSQ questionnaire were significantly higher than those in the control group, the differences were statistically significant. The total effective rate of the study group(90.3%(28/31) vs 66.7%(20/30), χ2=5.09, P<0.05) was significantly higher than that of the control group, the difference was statistically significant. Conclusion:The effect of routine treatment combined with VBT is better, which can effectively improve anxiety and depression symptoms, social function and coping style, and enhance self-acceptance and self-evaluation in adolescent major depressive disorder patients, which is worthy of clinical application.