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.

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.

Cardiovascular disease is an important problem affecting global human health,and its incidence is in-creasing year by year.In recent years,more and more studies have shown that sex-determined region of Y(SRY)-related high mobility group-box 9(SOX9)gene,as a highly conserved transcription factor,is widely involved in regulating cardiac dvelopment and cardiovascular disease progression at the level of gene transcription.SOX9,alone or in combination with other proteins,can bind to corresponding cis-acting elements in the downstream target gene promoter region and participate in regulating the expression of downstream heart development or cardiovascular disease-related genes.Therefore,SOX9 has the potential to be a new therapeutic target for the cardiovascular system.In this paper,the structure and function of SOX9 were systematically described,and the latest research progress of SOX9 in cardiac remodeling and vascular remode-ling was summarized,in order to provide new ideas and methods for the prevention and treatment of cardiovascular system diseases in the future.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of dupilumab in the treatment of pediatric prurigo nodularis (PN), and to explore factors associated with the treatment response.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on clinical data from 26 children with PN who received dupilumab treatment at the Institute of Dermatology and Venereology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital between December 2022 and January 2025. Primary efficacy endpoints were the proportion of patients achieving investigator's global assessment-activity (IGA PN-A) and stage (IGA PN-S) scores of 0/1 at week 8; secondary efficacy endpoints included the proportion of patients achieving a ≥ 4-point reduction in the pruritus numerical rating scale (NRS) and changes in laboratory parameters. Paired t tests or Wilcoxon signed-rank tests were used for pre- and post-treatment comparisons; generalized estimating equation models were applied to evaluate changes in eczema area and severity index (EASI) scores over time; univariate logistic regression analysis was performed to calculate odds ratios ( ORs) and 95% confidence intervals ( CIs) to analyze factors influencing efficacy. Results:Among the 26 children with PN, 14 (53.8%) were males and 12 (46.2%) were females, with ages ( M[ Q1, Q3]) of 4.50 (3.00, 9.25) years and disease duration of 1.00 (0.48, 2.25) years. Twenty-four (92.3%) patients had comorbid atopic diseases, including 17 with allergic rhinitis and 15 with atopic dermatitis (AD). At week 8, IGA PN-A scores decreased from 3.27 ± 0.53 points at baseline to 1.31 ± 0.84 points ( t = 10.44, P < 0.001), with 16 (61.5%) patients achieving IGA PN-A 0/1; IGA PN-S scores decreased from 3.15 ± 0.46 points at baseline to 1.73 ± 0.78 points ( t = 10.33, P < 0.001), with 10 (38.5%) patients achieving IGA PN-S 0/1; pruritus NRS scores decreased from 5.00 (5.00, 6.00) points at baseline to 2.00 (1.00, 3.00) points ( Z = -3.82, P < 0.001), with 10 (38.5%) patients achieving a ≥ 4-point reduction in NRS scores. At week 40, 7 patients who continued treatment achieved complete remission. Univariate logistic regression showed that head/face involvement ( OR = 7.000, 95% CI: 1.200 - 40.829) and disease duration of < 1 year ( OR = 7.000, 95% CI: 1.200 - 40.829) were associated with better treatment response, while baseline IGA scores of 4 points predicted poorer outcomes ( OR = 0.114, 95% CI: 0.017 - 0.742). During treatment, conjunctivitis and local infection occurred in 2 cases without discontinuation, and no serious adverse events occurred in any of the cases. Conclusions:Dupilumab demonstrated rapid and sustained efficacy in pediatric PN with a favorable safety profile. Head/face involvement, shorter disease duration, and lower baseline severity were associated with better treatment response.

Objective To investigate mortality risk factors and characterize pathogen distribution and antimicrobial resistance patterns in intensive care unit(ICU)patients with suspected infection following surgery.Methods A total of 65 hospitals in 16 provinces in China from July 1,2021,to December 31,2022.Clinical data were collected for surgical patients transferred to the ICU with suspected infection.Data included demographics[sex,age,underlying conditions(hypertension,diabetes,cardiovascular/cerebrovascular disease,hematologic disease)],surgical site,infection site,microbiological results with susceptibility testing,drug resistance and acute physiology and chronic health evaluationⅡ(APACHEⅡ)scores and the length of hospital stays.Patients were stratified by prognosis into death group and survial group,by drug resistance status into resistant and non-resistant groups.Univariate and multivariate Logistic regression identified risk factors for mortality and antimicrobial resistance.Draw the receiver operator characteristic curve(ROC curve)to evaluate the predictive value of each risk factor for patient prognosis and drug resistance occurrence.Results A total of 677 patients with suspected postoperative infection in the ICU were enrolled.There were 96 deaths and 591 survivors.① Analysis of risk factors affecting prognosis:univariate analysis showed that compared with the survival group,the patients in the had a higher APACHEⅡscore,the proportion of patients with previous cerebrovascular disease,surgery sites in the abdomen,chest,brain,pelvis,limbs,other areas,as well as those with pulmonary infection,bloodstream infection,urinary tract infection,Gram-positive bacterial infection(Candida),fungal infection,multi-drug resistant bacterial infection was higher,and the length of hospital stay was shorter(all P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis identified higher APACHEⅡscore[odds ratio(OR)=1.15,95%confidence interval(95%CI)was 1.11-1.20],pulmonary infection(OR=4.07,95%CI was 2.05-8.11),bloodstream infection(OR=2.61,95%CI was 1.52-4.51),and urinary tract infection(OR=2.20,95%CI was 1.01-4.42)were independent risk factors for prognosis(all P<0.05).The ROC curve analysis showed that the death risk prediction model established based on the above independent risk factors had certain predictive value for the prognosis of ICU postoperative patients with suspected infection,area under the curve(AUC)=0.820,95%CI was 0.770-0.860,P<0.05.②Regarding antimicrobial resistance:250 patients developed resistance and 427 did not.Univariate analysis showed compared with the non-resistant group,the APACHEⅡscore,the proportion of patients with cerebrovascular diseases,hematological diseases,surgeries at chest,brain,limbs,other sites,as well as those with pulmonary infection,bloodstream infection,urinary tract infection,intracranial infection,Gram-negative bacillus infection,and Gram-positive cocci infection(Staphylococcus epidermidis,Staphylococcus aureus,Enterococcus faecalis),and the mortality rate in the resistant group were significantly higher,the proportion of patients with surgeries at abdominal cavity,pelvic cavity and abdominal cavity infection were significantly lower,and the length of hospital stay was significantly longer(all P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis bloodstream infection(OR=4.00,95%CI was 2.22-7.19),urinary tract infection(OR=3.25,95%CI was 1.47-7.17),Klebsiella pneumoniae infection(OR=2.23,95%CI was 11.22-44.02),Acinetobacter baumannii infection(OR=48.12,95%CI was 20.10-115.17),Pseudomonas aeruginosa infection(OR=34.06,95%CI was 13.00-89.25),Escherichia coli infection(OR=24.97,95%CI was 10.55-59.13),Stenotrophomonas maltophilia infection(OR=19.04,95%CI was 3.30-109.96),and Staphylococcus aureus infection(OR=13.48,95%CI was 4.57-39.78)were independent risk factors for resistance(all P<0.01).The ROC curve analysis showed that the predictive model for drug resistance established based on the above independent risk factors had certain predictive value for drug resistance in adult patients with suspected infections after surgery in the ICU.The AUC=0.920,95%CI was 0.890-0.940,P<0.05.Conclusion Higher APACHEⅡscores and the presence of pulmonary,bloodstream,or urinary tract infections were associated with increased mortality in ICU patients with suspected postoperative infection.Patients with bloodstream or urinary tract infections,or infections caused by Klebsiella pneumoniae,Acinetobacter baumannii,Pseudomonas aeruginosa,Escherichia coli,Stenotrophomonas maltophilia,or Staphylococcus aureus,had significantly higher odds of developing antimicrobial resistance.

Objective:To evaluate the clinical significance of morular metaplasia (MM) in fertility-preserving treatment for young patients with endometrial hyperplasia and grade 1 endometrial endometrioid carcinoma.Methods:Clinical data was retrospectively collected from patients diagnosed with endometrial hyperplasia or grade 1 endometrial endometrioid carcinoma under 40 years old who underwent progestin-based fertility-sparing treatmentat in Tianjin Medical University General Hospital between January 2018 and November 2022.Patients were divided into the MM group (37 cases) and the non-MM group (63 cases) based on pathological findings. Clinical characteristics, hysteroscopic features, treatment efficacy and fertility outcomes were compared between the two groups. The MM group was further stratified into three subgroups based on the timing of MM occurrence:(1) MM-Bef group ( n=10): MM was present in the initial endometrial curettage or hysteroscopic biopsy pathology before fertility-sparing treatment and disappeared after treatment; (2) MM-Sus group ( n=14): MM persisted consistently before and after therapy;(3) MM-Aft group ( n=13): MM was absent before therapy but appeared after treatment. The risk factors which had impact on the treatment outcomes of the patients were analyzed using univariate and multivariate Cox regression analysis. Results:The rate of polycystic ovary syndrome were higher in the MM group than the non-MM group [51% (19/37) vs 27% (17/63), P=0.014]. The complete response (CR) rate was significantly lower in the MM group than in the non-MM group [73% (27/37) vs 95% (60/63), P=0.006], and the median time to CR was significantly longer in the MM group (6.0 vs 5.0 months, P=0.005).Multivariate analysis identified that MM-Sus ( HR=0.355, 95% CI:0.174-0.723; P=0.004) and MM-Aft ( HR=0.314, 95% CI:0.145-0.681; P=0.003) were independent risk factors for delayed CR in fertility-sparing treatment. The patients in the MM group and non-MM group underwent hysteroscopic biopsy for 76 and 131 times. "Gravel-like change" was a more frequent hysteroscopic manifestation in the MM group than that in the non-MM group [18% (14/76) vs 2% (2/131), P<0.001]. Conclusions:Patients in the MM group have poorer treatment outcomes than patients in the non-MM group. MM-Sus and MM-Aft are risk factors for fertility-preserving treatment in young patients with endometrial hyperplasia or grade 1 endometrial endometrioid carcinoma. "Gravel-like change" is the characteristic hysteroscopic manifestations of MM.

Kidney transplantation is widely recognized as the optimal treatment for children with end-stage renal disease(ESRD),offering significant improvements in growth,development,and long-term quality of life compared with prolonged dialysis.However,kidney transplantation in low-age(＜5 years old)and low-weight(＜15 kg)children presents significant clinical challenges due to their delicate vas-cular structures,limited surgical space,and complex perioperative management.This report presents two cases of kidney transplantation in low-age,low-weight children performed at Peking University People's Hospital.Case 1:a 2-year-3-month-old boy(8.8 kg),presenting a preoperative serum creatinine of 248μmol/L post-dialysis and the estimated glomerular filtration rates(eGFR)of 35.17 mL/(min·1.73 m2).Case 2:a 3-year-8-month-old girl(11.25 kg),presenting a preoperative creatinine of 281 μmol/L post-dialysis and the eGFR of 22.63 mL/(min·1.73 m2).Both recipients underwent transplantation via the extraperitoneal approach,with end-to-side anastomosis of the donor renal artery and vein to the recipient's common iliac artery and vein,respectively.The ureters were anastomosed to the bladder using the tunnel technique,and double-J stents were placed intraoperatively.The surgeries were uneventful,and both pa-tients exhibited rapid recovery of renal function.Postoperatively,serum creatinine levels decreased to 26μmol/L(Case 1)and 39 μmol/L(Case 2)by the third day,with the eGFR reaching 245.23 mL/(min·1.73 m2)and 164.12 mL/(min·1.73 m2),respectively.No complications,such as vascular thrombosis,ureteral stenosis,or abdominal compartment syndrome were observed during follow-up.A comprehensive literature review was conducted to contextualize these cases within global advancements in pediatric renal transplantation.Current evidence highlights the growing adoption of kidney transplantation for low-age,low-weight children,though debates persist regarding optimal surgical strategies(specifical-ly,the intraperitoneal versus extraperitoneal approaches).This case report underscores the feasibility of the extraperitoneal approach in overcoming anatomical limitations of low-weight pediatric recipients,with distinct advantages including reduced gastrointestinal complications and enhanced accessibility for post-operative ultrasound monitoring.Furthermore,mean arterial pressure(MAP)and central venous pressure(C VP)were systematically monitored intraoperatively to ensure optimal renal blood perfusion and graft viability.Our single-center experience provides valuable insights into surgical strategy selection and peri-operative management for this high-risk population.Nevertheless,larger multicenter studies are warranted to validate long-term outcomes and refine standardized protocols.

Objective To observe the value of 80 kVp combined with artificial intelligence iterative reconstruction(AIIR)in lower extremity CT angiography(CTA)of diabetic foot.Methods Sixty patients with diabetic foot were prospectively enrolled and divided into experimental group and control group(each n=30).Lower extremity CTA was performed using 80 kVp combined with AIIR in experimental group,while using 120 kVp combined with hybrid iterative reconstruction(HIR)in control group.The subjective and objective evaluation results of imaging quality,as well as the radiation dose of scanning were compared between groups.Results Compared with control group,images in experimental group showed higher subjective scores(5[5,5]vs.4[4,4]),displayed more branches of lower limb arteries(both P＜0.05),while the radiation dose decreased by 59.76％ ([8.29±0.53]mSv vs.[20.60±2.42]mSv).CT values,signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)of each lower extremity artery segments were higher,while the noise of each lower extremity artery segments in experimental group were lower than those in control group(all P＜0.05).Conclusion 80 kVp combined with AIIR could reduce radiation dose and improve imaging quality of lower extremity CTA of diabetic foot,hence being helpful to displaying small arteries of lower extremity,such as dorsalis pedis arteries and common plantar metatarsal arteries.

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 μg/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 Committe 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.