AIM:To compare the consistency of macular microvascular parameters measured by three devices: frequency-domain optical coherence tomography angiography(FD-OCTA)with split-spectrum amplitude-decorrelation angiography(SSADA), FD-OCTA with optical microangiography(OMAG), and swept-source OCTA(SS-OCTA), in patients with long-term hydroxychloroquine(HCQ)administration for rheumatoid arthritis(RA).METHODS:This prospective study enrolled patients treated with HCQ for 5 y due to RA who visited the Department of Ophthalmology of the hospital from January 2022 to November 2025. All subjects underwent a 6 mm×6 mm macular scan with three OCTA devices in random order, with a 5-minute interval between examinations by different devices. Images of the superficial capillary plexus(SCP)and deep capillary plexus(DCP)were acquired. The following microvascular parameters were compared: foveal superficial capillary plexus vessel density(F-SCP VD), parafoveal superficial capillary plexus vessel density(PF-SCP VD), foveal deep capillary plexus vessel density(F-DCP VD), parafoveal deep capillary plexus vessel density(PF-DCP VD), and the area of the foveal avascular zone(FAZ).RESULTS:A total of 34 female patients(68 eyes)treated with HCQ for 5 y due to RA were enrolled in this study, aged 38-58 y with a mean age of 49.3±5.05 y. Statistically significant differences were found in F-SCP VD, PF-SCP VD, F-DCP VD, PF-DCP VD, and FAZ area among measurements obtained by SS-OCTA, SSADA-based FD-OCTA, and OMAG-based FD-OCTA(all P<0.05). No statistically significant differences in all above parameters were observed between SSADA-based FD-OCTA and OMAG-based FD-OCTA(all P>0.05). FAZ areas measured by the three devices were highly positively correlated(|r|≥0.8, P<0.01). The F-SCP VD, PF-SCP VD, F-DCP VD, and PF-DCP VD values obtained by SSADA-based FD-OCTA and OMAG-based FD-OCTA were all highly positively correlated(|r|≥0.8, P<0.01). The PF-SCP VD and PF-DCP VD values measured by SS-OCTA versus SSADA-based FD-OCTA and OMAG-based FD-OCTA showed moderate positive correlations(0.5≤|r|<0.8, P<0.01). The F-SCP VD and F-DCP VD values measured by SS-OCTA versus SSADA-based FD-OCTA and OMAG-based FD-OCTA exhibited low positive correlations(0.3≤|r|<0.5, P<0.05). Bland-Altman plots demonstrated good agreement between SSADA-based FD-OCTA and OMAG-based FD-OCTA for the measurements of F-SCP VD, PF-SCP VD, F-DCP VD and PF-DCP VD. By contrast, poor agreement was observed when comparing SS-OCTA with SSADA-based FD-OCTA or OMAG-based FD-OCTA for measurements of F-SCP VD, PF-SCP VD, F-DCP VD and PF-DCP VD.Satisfactory agreement was found among the three OCTA devices for FAZ area measurements.CONCLUSION:SSADA-based FD-OCTA and OMAG-based FD-OCTA show favorable correlation and agreement in measuring macular vessel density of patients receiving HCQ, which allows cautious interchangeable use during clinical follow-up. The vessel density parameters measured by SS-OCTA were markedly different from those obtained by SSADA-based FD-OCTA and OMAG-based FD-OCTA; therefore, these devices cannot be directly interchanged.FAZ area measurements exhibit favorable inter-device agreement among the three systems, and interchangeability should be considered in the context of clinical practice.

ObjectiveTo construct and evaluate a mouse model that simulates the pathological progression of immune checkpoint inhibitor-associated pneumonitis (CIP), in order to address the critical issue of the lack of standardized animal models in this research field. MethodsThirty-five SPF-grade 6-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to a control group (n=5), a bleomycin (BLM) group (n=15), and a BLM+programmed death-1 (PD-1) monoclonal antibody (BLM+PD-1) group (n=15). Corresponding drugs were administered via intraperitoneal injection for intervention. The general condition, body weight changes, survival rate, and pulmonary histopathological alterations were systematically monitored. ResultsCompared with the BLM group, the BLM+PD-1 group exhibited significantly more severe pulmonary fibrosis, characterized by progressive body weight loss and more severe deterioration of general conditions. Histopathological examination showed that pulmonary inflammation was alleviated 4 weeks post-modeling in the BLM group. In contrast, pulmonary lesions continued to worsen in the BLM+PD-1 group, with no evidence of resolution of inflammation 28 days post-modeling. Quantitative immunohistochemical analysis revealed that the positive expression rate of interleukin-17A (IL-17A) in lung tissues reached 34.28% in the BLM+PD-1 group 14 days post-modeling, which was markedly higher than that in the BLM group (24.02%, P < 0.000 1). The positive expression rate of α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) was 12.40% in the BLM+PD-1 group 14 days post-modeling, nearly twice the level in the BLM group (5.87%). 28 days post-modeling, the positive expression rate of α-SMA remained at 7.72% in the BLM+PD-1 group, while it declined to 3.38% in the BLM group. ConclusionThe addition of a PD-1 inhibitor to bleomycin treatment accelerates the progression of pulmonary interstitial fibrosis and effectively recapitulates the pathological process of lung injury and fibrosis driven by aberrant immune activation during clinical immunotherapy. Accordingly, this study successfully establishes a dynamic CIP animal model recapitulating the progression from early inflammatory response to pulmonary fibrosis. This model addresses the critical shortage of animal models for this condition and offers an experimental platform for further mechanistic studies and the development of therapeutic strategies.

Objective: To understand the association of physical exercise willingness and insomnia with depressive symptoms among college students, so as to provide reference for improving depressive symptoms of college students. Methods: From October 2022 to April 2023, cluster sampling was used to recruit 11 101 college students from four colleges in Anhui Province. The questionnaire survey was conducted to investigate the willingness to engage in physical exercise, insomnia and depressive symptoms of college students. The multivariate Logistic regression model was used to analyze the association of physical exercise willingness and insomnia with depressive symptoms of college students. Results: The prevalence of depressive symptoms among college students was 9.24%. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that college students who were passive participants/non participants in physical activity, or who experienced insomnia, had a higher likelihood of depressive symptoms compared to those who were active participants or did not experience insomnia ( OR =1.84, 2.07, 4.02, all P <0.01). College students who were passive participants or non participants in physical activity and concurrently experienced insomnia had a higher risk of depressive symptoms compared with those who were active participants or did not experience insomnia ( OR =1.87-8.39, all P <0.01). Gender stratified analysis showed that the combined effect of passive physical exercise and insomnia increased the risk of depressive symptoms in both male ( OR = 1.81 -9.87) and female college students ( OR =1.67-7.39) (all P <0.05). Conclusions Both physical exercise willingness and insomnia are associated with depressive symptoms in college students. In order to improve the depressive symptoms of college students, it is necessary to improve the enthusiasm of physical exercise and strengthen the education of sleep health awareness.

Objective: This study aimed to construct an animal model of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction (HFpEF) that integrates disease and syndrome based on the "deficiency-blood stasis-toxin" pathogenesis and to evaluate it comprehensively. Methods: The HFpEF mouse model was constructed using a combination of Nω-nitro-L-arginine methyl ester (L-NAME) and a high-fat diet. According to the random number table method, SPF-grade male C57BL/6J mice were randomly assigned to the control, L-NAME, high-fat diet, and model groups, 10 in each group. Comprehensive observations and data collection on macroscopic signs (e.g., fur condition, mental state, stool and urine, oral and nasal condition, paw and body condition, etc.) and cardiac function were performed after 10 and 16 weeks of model induction. Additionally, the syndrome evolution was elucidated based on diagnostic criteria for clinical syndromes of heart failure. Furthermore, pathological and molecular biological examinations of myocardial tissue were performed to assess the stability and reliability of the model. Results: Mice in the model group showed typical characteristics of syndrome of qi deficiency and blood stasis, as well as syndrome of internal heat accumulation, including lethargy, slow response, dull paw color and oral/nasal color, exercise intolerance, abnormal platelet activation, dry feces, and dark yellow urine. The time window for these syndromes was between 10 and 16 weeks post-modeling. Cardiac function assessments revealed severe diastolic dysfunction, concentric myocardial hypertrophy, and myocardial fibrosis in the model group. Pathological examinations showed a significantly increased collagen deposition in the myocardial interstitium, enlarged cross-sectional area of cardiomyocytes, and sparse coronary microvasculature in the model group. Molecular biological analyses indicated marked activation of the inducible nitric oxide synthase/nuclear factor kappa-light-chain-enhancer of activated B cells/NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing 3 inflammatory pathway and significantly elevated inflammation levels in the myocardial tissue of the model group. Although mice in the L-NAME and high-fat diet groups also showed certain manifestations of qi deficiency syndrome, the substantial cardiac damage was relatively limited compared to the control group. Conclusion This study has constructed an animal model of HFpEF that integrates disease and syndrome based on the "deficiency-blood stasis-toxin" pathogenesis. The macroscopic and microscopic characteristics of this model are consistent with the manifestations of syndrome of qi deficiency and blood stasis, toxin syndrome, and syndrome of internal heat accumulation. Moreover, it can stably simulate the HFpEF state and reflect phenotypic changes in human disease. This model provides a suitable experimental platform to explore the pathogenesis of HFpEF, evaluate the effectiveness of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) treatment regimens, and promote in-depth research on TCM syndromes of heart failure.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effects of electroacupuncture (EA) on improving motor function and regulating microglial activation based on Notch receptor 1 (Notch1)/Hes family bHLH transcription factor 1 (Hes1) pathway in mice with Parkinson's disease (PD). METHODS: Thirty-six male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a control group, a model group and an EA group, 12 mice in each group. PD model was established by intraperitoneal injection of 1-methyl-4-phenyl-1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP) for 7 consecutive days in the model group and the EA group. From the 1st day of modeling, EA was applied at "Baihui" (GV20) and bilateral "Shenshu" (BL23) in the EA group, with continuous wave, in frequency of 2 Hz and current of 2 mA, 15 min a time, once a day for 14 days continuously. The behavioral performance was evaluated by gait test, pole climbing test and hanging test, the number of positive cells of tyrosine hydroxylase (TH) and the co-expression positive cells of Notch1/ionized calcium binding adaptor molecule 1 (Iba-1) in the substantia nigra of midbrain was assessed by immunofluorescence, the protein expression of TH, α-synuclein (α-syn), Notch1, Hes1, Iba-1, inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS), Arginase-1 (ARG1), tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α), interleukin (IL)-1β, IL-6 and IL-10 was detected by Western blot, the mRNA expression of Notch1 and Hes1 was detected by real-time PCR. RESULTS: Compared with the control group, in the model group, the stride frequency was accelerated (P<0.001) and the stride length was shortened (P<0.001) for the four limbs, the pole climbing test time was prolonged (P<0.01) and the grip level was reduced (P<0.01); in the substantia nigra of midbrain, the number of positive cells of TH was decreased (P<0.001), the number of co-expression positive cells of Notch1/Iba-1 was increased (P<0.001), the protein expression of α-syn, Notch1, Hes1, Iba-1, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-1βand IL-6 was increased (P<0.01, P<0.05, P<0.001), the protein expression of TH, ARG1 and IL-10 was decreased (P<0.01, P<0.001), the mRNA expression of Notch1 and Hes1 was increased (P<0.01). Compared with the model group, in the EA group, the stride frequency was decelerated (P<0.001) and the stride length was increased (P<0.05, P<0.01, P<0.001) for the four limbs, the pole climbing test time was shortened (P<0.05) and the grip level was increased (P<0.05); in the substantia nigra of midbrain, the number of positive cells of TH was increased (P<0.01), the number of co-expression positive cells of Notch1/Iba-1 was decreased (P<0.001), the protein expression of α-syn, Notch1, Hes1, Iba-1, iNOS, TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-1β was decreased (P<0.05, P<0.01), the protein expression of TH, ARG1 and IL-10 was increased (P<0.05, P<0.001, P<0.01), the mRNA expression of Notch1 and Hes1 was decreased (P<0.05). CONCLUSION EA can improve the behavioral performance and protect the dopaminergic neurons in PD mice, its mechanism may relate to the inhibition of Notch1/Hes1-mediated neuroinflammation, thus inhibiting the microglial activation.
Animals ; Electroacupuncture ; Microglia/metabolism* ; Male ; Receptor, Notch1/metabolism* ; Parkinson Disease/physiopathology* ; Transcription Factor HES-1/metabolism* ; Mice ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Signal Transduction

To investigate the correlation between hepatic lipid accumulation and the metabolic profiles of free fatty acids(FFAs), tricarboxylic acid (TCA) cycle, and ketone body in alcoholic fatty liver disease (AFLD), a chronic plus acute alcohol feeding model (Gao-Binge model) was employed using C57BL/6N mice to simulate different stages of AFLD. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) was employed to measure the levels of FFAs, TCA cycle intermediates, and ketone bodies in mouse liver tissue and plasma, followed by Pearson correlation analysis. The study revealed that both acute and chronic models showed significant increases in total FFAs, saturated FFAs and short-chain FFAs, as well as β-hydroxybutyric acid(HDBT) in plasma and liver, indicating FFA metabolic profile disturbances in the Gao-Binge model. Moreover, in both models, acetic acid (AA), 2-Methylbutyric acid (2-meBA), and HDBT displayed strong positive correlations with hepatic injury markers in plasma and liver samples (for instance, in the acute model plasma data, r = 0.834, 0.699, 0.818, P<0.05), while pyruvic acid (PRA) showed a strong negative correlation (r = −0.66, P<0.05). These findings suggest that FFAs, TCA cycle, and ketone body metabolism are disrupted in the alcoholic liver disease in mice model, and metabolites such as AA, 2-meBA, HDBT and PRA may serve as potential biomarkers for AFLD, which would be helpful in the diagnosis and treatment of this disease.

Objective To study the relationship between serum insulin-like growth factor-1 (IGF-1) and resistin levels and osteoporosis in patients with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Methods This study was conducted on 306 T2DM patients admitted to Baoding No.2 Central Hospital from January 2018 to January 2022. According to the detection results of bone mineral density, the patients were divided into osteoporosis group (T≤-2.5) and non-osteoporosis group (T>-2.5). The differences in IGF-1, resistin and bone mineral density were compared between the two groups. Pearson correlation analysis was used to analyze the correlation between serum IGF-1 and resistin levels and bone mineral density in patients with osteoporosis. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to evaluate the application value of IGF-1 and resistin in predicting osteoporosis in patients with T2DM. Patients with T2DM complicated with osteoporosis were followed up for 2 years, and the occurrence of fractures was assessed. After univariate analysis, multivariate logistic regression analysis was applied to screen the risk factors for fractures in T2DM patients with osteoporosis. Results The incidence rate of osteoporosis in patients with T2DM was 53.59% (164/306). The IGF-1 level and bone mineral density level in the osteoporosis group were lower than those in the non-osteoporosis group, while the level of resistin was higher than that in the non-osteoporosis group (P<0.05). Serum IGF-1 in patients with osteoporosis was positively correlated with bone mineral density, and serum resistin was negatively correlated with bone mineral density (P<0.05). The AUC, sensitivity and specificity of combination of IGF-1 and resistin in predicting osteoporosis were 0.888, 82.93% and 62.68% respectively, which were all higher than those of single factor prediction (P<0.05). The 164 T2DM patients with osteoporosis were followed up for two years, and 15 patients developed fragility fractures, with the incidence of fracture of 9.15% (15/164). Multivariate analysis showed that hypoproteinemia, high-intensity exercise, lack of nutritional management, low IGF-1, and high resistin were risk factors for fractures in patients with T2DM complicated with osteoporosis (P<0.05). Conclusion For patients with T2DM, the incidence rates of osteoporosis and fractures are high. The levels of IGF-1 and resistin are closely related to bone mineral density, which can be combined to predict osteoporosis. Hypoproteinemia, high-intensity exercise, lack of nutritional management, low IGF-1 and high resistin are risk factors for fractures in T2DM patients with osteoporosis. It is necessary to carry out targeted preventive measures in clinical practice to reduce the incidence rate of fractures.

BACKGROUND:At present,modern medical treatment has certain limitations on the treatment of knee osteoarthritis.Traditional Chinese medicine alkaloids can effectively prevent and treat knee osteoarthritis through various mechanisms. OBJECTIVE:To review the mechanism of alkaloids in traditional Chinese medicine in the prevention and treatment of knee osteoarthritis,providing a scientific basis for the clinical development of drugs for the treatment of knee osteoarthritis. METHODS:CNKI,WanFang,PubMed,Web of Science and Google Scholar were retrieved for relevant literature published from database inception to May 2024.The key words were"knee osteoarthritis""osteoarthritis""osteoclast""chondrocyte""alkaloids"in Chinese and English.Duplicates and obsolete non-referenced literature were excluded,and a total of 68 eligible papers were included for further review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Although traditional Chinese medicine has a long history of treating knee osteoarthritis,only a small number of natural compounds are in the preclinical stage of research against knee osteoarthritis.Alkaloids have a greater potential for the prevention and treatment of knee osteoarthritis,among which,sophocarpidine,oxymatrine,sinomenine,and betaine have been shown to be effective in the prevention and treatment of knee osteoarthritis by modulating multiple signaling pathways.Alkaloids can delay the progression of knee osteoarthritis by inhibiting inflammatory response,exerting antioxidant response,inhibiting chondrocyte apoptosis,promoting chondrocyte proliferation,and inhibiting osteoclast formation and differentiation.

Patient complaints not only reflect the shortcomings of hospital services, but also provide an opportunity for hospitals to improve quality. In July 2023, based on the theory of comprehensive quality management and from the perspective of complaint management, Shanghai General Hospital constructed and launched a " 1 (patient service quality improvement work team)+ X (Shanghai 12320 Health Hotline, various functional departments and clinical medical technology departments of the hospital)" patient service defect management system. This system established a four level organizational structure of patient service quality improvement leadership group-work team-clinical medical technology department work group-all employees. It established mechanisms for acceptance, disposal, improvement, training, evaluation, and rewards and punishments, created a comprehensive service platform, and achieved systematic improvement in patient services. By the end of 2024, the hospital had carried out nearly 200 patient service improvement projects; The daily usage of cloud customer service had exceeded 5 000 people, with an effective response rate of over 94%. In 2024, the response rate for handling work orders through various channels within 48 hours was 90%. This practice had achieved good results in improving the quality of hospital services and enhancing the patient experience, which could provide references for other hospitals to promote the management of patient service defects.

Background and purpose:In the quality control of mammography,the signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)refers to the ratio of the useful signal intensity to the background noise in the image,which is one of the important indicators for measuring the quality of the image.The coefficient of variation(CoV)is a commonly used indicator to describe the consistency and repeatability of SNR.This study aimed to assess the stability and repeatability of mammographic device performance by analyzing the changes in SNR CoV in two-dimensional(2D)images and tomosynthesis images(referred to as Tomo images)under different exposure modes using three mammographic devices from different manufacturers.Methods:A polymethylmethacrylate(PMMA)phantom designed for mammography quality control was used to perform automatic exposure detection at PMMA thicknesses ranging from 20-80 mm,with actual compression thickness equivalent to the average density of the breast compressed to 21-103 mm under full-field digital mammography(FFDM),low-dose mammography and digital breast tomosynthesis(DBT)exposure modes.The CoV of SNR in 2D images and tomosynthesis images was calculated for different mammographic devices under different exposure modes and compression thicknesses.Results:Between the compression thicknesses equivalent to the average density of the breast from 21 mm to 103 mm under FFDM,low-dose mammography,and DBT exposure modes,the differences in SNR CoV of 2D images under different exposure modes among mammographic devices 1,2,and 3 were statistically significant only in the DBT exposure mode(P=0.003),with SNR CoV ranging from 0.188%to 0.720%,0.368%to 1.073%and 0.402%to 1.662%,respectively.There were no statistically significant differences in SNR CoV of 2D images among devices 1,2,and 3 under FFDM and low-dose exposure modes(P=0.060).Under the DBT exposure mode,there were no statistically significant differences in the SNR CoV of the first projection image and the 0° projection image of tomosynthesis among devices 1(2 angles),2,and 3(P=0.373,P=0.742,P=0.225,P=0.693,respectively).Conclusion:The SNR CoV in 2D images and tomosynthesis images varies under different mammographic devices and exposure modes,with no fixed or standard values,but all within the required range for mammographic device quality control.The stability and repeatability of 2D images of mammographic devices are better under FFDM and low-dose exposure modes;the SNR CoV values of the first projection image and the 0° projection image of tomosynthesis under the DBT exposure mode show no statistical differences,indicating good stability of the devices.