AIM: To evaluate the visual function and optical quality in adults aged 80y and older following the bilateral implantation of zonal refractive multifocal intraocular lens(IOL, LS-313 MF30).METHODS: A single-center, non-randomized, prospective clinical trial was conducted, involving cataract patients aged 80 y and older. Patients received bilateral implantation of the LS-313 MF30 or CT Asphina 409MP, based on personal preference. Postoperative assessments included uncorrected and corrected visual acuity at distance, intermediate, and near ranges, as well as defocus curve. Subjective evaluations were performed using the visual function(VF-14)questionnaire, spectacle independence rates, and patient satisfaction surveys. Photic phenomena such as glare, halos, and starbursts were also analyzed.RESULTS: The MF30 group(16 eyes from 8 participants, 85.38±2.56 y)exhibited superior uncorrected and corrected intermediate and near visual acuity compared to the 409MP group(26 eyes from 13 participants, 85.77±2.20 y), while distance visual acuity was comparable between groups. The defocus curve of the MF30 group revealed two peaks at 0.00 D and -3.00 D, indicating a broader depth of focus. Patients in the MF30 group reported higher rates of spectacle independence and greater satisfaction. While photic phenomena such as glare(28.6% vs 18.5%, P=0.584), starburst(9.5% vs 3.7%, P=0.567)and halos(23.8% vs 11.11%, P=0.438)were more prevalent in the MF30 group, they were generally mild and did not significantly impact daily activities.CONCLUSION: Zonal refractive multifocal IOLs provide elderly patients with improved distance and near vision, greater spectacle independence, and greater satisfaction. Although photic phenomena were slightly more frequent with MF30, they are generally reported as non-disruptive and do not affect their daily life compared to monofocal IOLs.

Numerous techniques for C2 screw fixation have been recently reported. However, concerns remain regarding the risk of spinal cord or vertebral artery injury and inadequate biomechanical stability. To our knowledge, the specific transforaminal “in-out-in” screw fixation technique has not been previously reported. This study aimed to investigate the feasibility and preliminary clinical outcomes of a transforaminal “in-out-in” multi-cortical purchase screw for posterior C2 screw fixation. Between October 2022 and March 2023, 10 patients underwent posterior atlantoaxial internal fixation. All patients had severe hypoplasia of the C2 pedicle on at least one side, precluding the use of standard C2 pedicle screws. A transforaminal “in-out-in” screw was used as an alternative. No spinal cord injury, vascular injury, or other major complications were observed. No implant failure was noted at the final follow-up. In conclusion, the transforaminal “in-out-in” screw may achieve rigid three-column fixation with multiple cortical purchases. It represents a safe and effective alternative for posterior C2 fixation in patients with severely narrow C2 pedicles where traditional pedicle screw placement is not feasible.

Objective To explore the efficacy of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT) in distinguishing the properties of abnormal lymph nodes and its role in assessing the prognosis of patients with related diseases, and to provide more precise evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment regimen formulation. Methods The clinical data of 97 patients with malignant tumors diagnosed with abnormal lymph nodes at Wuxi People’s Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University between April 2024 and June 2025 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into a malignant lymph node group (n=47) and a benign lymph node group (n=50) based on pathological results. PET/CT metabolic parameters [maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max), mean standardized uptake value (SUV_mean), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG)] were compared between the two groups of patients. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic value of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT parameters for abnormal lymph nodes. Progression-free survival was compared among patients in the malignant lymph node group stratified by different levels of SUV_max, SUV_mean, MTV, and TLG. Results SUV_max, SUV_mean, MTV, and TLG were significantly higher in the malignant lymph node group than in the benign lymph node group (P < 0.05). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for predicting malignant lymph nodes with SUV_max, SUV_mean, MTV, and TLG were 0.761, 0.855, 0.860, and 0.792, with sensitivities of 74.47%, 82.98%, 74.47%, and 70.21%, and specificities of 76.00%, 76.00%, 90.00%, and 82.00%, respectively (P < 0.05). Comparison of progression-free survival in patients with malignant lymph nodes with different ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT parameter levels revealed that patients with lower levels of SUV_max, SUV_mean, MTV, and TLG had significantly longer progression-free survival than those with higher levels (Log-rank χ²=4.297, P=0.038; Log-rank χ²=6.569, P=0.010; Log-rank χ²=5.970, P=0.015; and Log-rank χ²=7.422, P=0.006, respectively). Conclusion ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT metabolic parameters (SUV_max, SUV_mean, MTV, and TLG) demonstrate high efficacy in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant abnormal lymph nodes and prognostic evaluation, providing significant guidance for clinical treatment decisions.

Objective To investigate the prognosis and its influencing factors in patients with hypertension complicated with heart failure (HF). Methods A total of 381 patients with hypertension and HF who were treated in our hospital from March 2022 to April 2025 were chosen. The patients were followed up for the prognosis within 6 months and split into good prognosis group (n=266) and poor prognosis group (n=115). The clinical data of the two groups were compared and analyzed. Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to determine the influencing factors of poor prognosis. Results The group with poor prognosis had higher proportions of atrial fibrillation and New York Heart Association (NYHA) Class III-IV, as well as increased left ventricular end-diastolic diameter (LVED), left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVES), interventricular septum thickness (IVS), and left ventricular posterior wall thickness (LVPW) compared to the group with good prognosis (P<0.05). Additionally, levels of systolic blood pressure (SBP), N-terminal pro-B-type natriuretic peptide (NT-proBNP), total cholesterol (TC), low-density lipoprotein (LDL), creatinine (Cr) were elevated (P<0.05), while left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF) was decreased (P<0.05). NYHA classification, LVEF, LVED, LVPW, NT-proBNP were independent influencing factors of poor prognosis in patients with hypertension complicated with HF (P<0.05). Conclusion NYHA classification, LVEF, LVED, LVPW and NT-proBNP are closely related to the poor prognosis of patients with hypertension and HF.

Objective To explore the efficacy of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT) in distinguishing the properties of abnormal lymph nodes and its role in assessing the prognosis of patients with related diseases, and to provide more precise evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment regimen formulation. Methods The clinical data of 97 patients with malignant tumors diagnosed with abnormal lymph nodes at Wuxi People’s Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University between April 2024 and June 2025 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into a malignant lymph node group (n=47) and a benign lymph node group (n=50) based on pathological results. PET/CT metabolic parameters [maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max), mean standardized uptake value (SUV_mean), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG)] were compared between the two groups of patients. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic value of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT parameters for abnormal lymph nodes. Progression-free survival was compared among patients in the malignant lymph node group stratified by different levels of SUV_max, SUV_mean, MTV, and TLG. Results SUV_max, SUV_mean, MTV, and TLG were significantly higher in the malignant lymph node group than in the benign lymph node group (P < 0.05). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for predicting malignant lymph nodes with SUV_max, SUV_mean, MTV, and TLG were 0.761, 0.855, 0.860, and 0.792, with sensitivities of 74.47%, 82.98%, 74.47%, and 70.21%, and specificities of 76.00%, 76.00%, 90.00%, and 82.00%, respectively (P < 0.05). Comparison of progression-free survival in patients with malignant lymph nodes with different ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT parameter levels revealed that patients with lower levels of SUV_max, SUV_mean, MTV, and TLG had significantly longer progression-free survival than those with higher levels (Log-rank χ²=4.297, P=0.038; Log-rank χ²=6.569, P=0.010; Log-rank χ²=5.970, P=0.015; and Log-rank χ²=7.422, P=0.006, respectively). Conclusion ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT metabolic parameters (SUV_max, SUV_mean, MTV, and TLG) demonstrate high efficacy in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant abnormal lymph nodes and prognostic evaluation, providing significant guidance for clinical treatment decisions.

Objective To explore the efficacy of ¹⁸F-fluorodeoxyglucose positron emission tomography/computed tomography (¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT) in distinguishing the properties of abnormal lymph nodes and its role in assessing the prognosis of patients with related diseases, and to provide more precise evidence for clinical diagnosis and treatment regimen formulation. Methods The clinical data of 97 patients with malignant tumors diagnosed with abnormal lymph nodes at Wuxi People’s Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University between April 2024 and June 2025 were retrospectively analyzed. Patients were divided into a malignant lymph node group (n=47) and a benign lymph node group (n=50) based on pathological results. PET/CT metabolic parameters [maximum standardized uptake value (SUV_max), mean standardized uptake value (SUV_mean), metabolic tumor volume (MTV), and total lesion glycolysis (TLG)] were compared between the two groups of patients. Receiver operating characteristic curves were used to evaluate the diagnostic value of ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT parameters for abnormal lymph nodes. Progression-free survival was compared among patients in the malignant lymph node group stratified by different levels of SUV_max, SUV_mean, MTV, and TLG. Results SUV_max, SUV_mean, MTV, and TLG were significantly higher in the malignant lymph node group than in the benign lymph node group (P < 0.05). The areas under the receiver operating characteristic curves for predicting malignant lymph nodes with SUV_max, SUV_mean, MTV, and TLG were 0.761, 0.855, 0.860, and 0.792, with sensitivities of 74.47%, 82.98%, 74.47%, and 70.21%, and specificities of 76.00%, 76.00%, 90.00%, and 82.00%, respectively (P < 0.05). Comparison of progression-free survival in patients with malignant lymph nodes with different ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT parameter levels revealed that patients with lower levels of SUV_max, SUV_mean, MTV, and TLG had significantly longer progression-free survival than those with higher levels (Log-rank χ²=4.297, P=0.038; Log-rank χ²=6.569, P=0.010; Log-rank χ²=5.970, P=0.015; and Log-rank χ²=7.422, P=0.006, respectively). Conclusion ¹⁸F-FDG PET/CT metabolic parameters (SUV_max, SUV_mean, MTV, and TLG) demonstrate high efficacy in the differential diagnosis of benign and malignant abnormal lymph nodes and prognostic evaluation, providing significant guidance for clinical treatment decisions.

OBJECTIVE: To observe the effect of Huayu Tongluo moxibustion on the NOD-like receptor protein 3 (NLRP3)/cysteine-aspartic acid protease-1 (Caspase-1)/gasdermin D (GSDMD) signaling pathway in rats with vascular dementia (VD), and to explore its mechanism in improving learning and memory ability and alleviating neuronal injury in the hippocampal CA1 region. METHODS: A total of 80 SPF-grade male Wistar rats were included. Three rats were excluded based on the Morris water maze test. From the remaining rats, 12 were randomly selected as the sham operation group. The rest were used to establish VD models via modified bilateral common carotid artery ligation. Thirty-six successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group, a medication group, and a moxibustion group, with 12 rats in each group. The medication group was treated with nimodipine solution (12 mg/kg) via gavage. The moxibustion group was treated with Huayu Tongluo moxibustion. The suspended moxibustion was applied at Shenting (GV24) and Dazhui (GV14), and aconite cake-separated moxibustion was applied at Baihui (GV20), with each acupoint treated for 20 min. All treatments were administered once daily for 21 consecutive days. Before and after modeling, and after intervention, the Morris water maze test was used to assess cognitive function. After intervention, the activation and morphology of microglia in the hippocampal CA1 region were observed by immunofluorescence. Ultrastructure of hippocampal CA1 neurons was examined by transmission electron microscopy. Western blot was used to detect protein expression of NLRP3, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), Caspase-1, GSDMD, and interleukin-1β (IL-1β) in the hippocampal CA1 region. ELISA was used to detect the content of IL-6, IL-8, and tumor necrosis factor-α (TNF-α) in the hippocampal CA1 region. RESULTS: Compared with the sham operation group, the model group showed longer mean escape latency (P<0.01) and fewer platform crossings (P<0.01); the microglial processes in the hippocampal CA1 region were thickened, cytoplasm was hypertrophic, and relative fluorescence intensity of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (IBA-1) was increased (P<0.05); the neuronal ultrastructure in the CA1 region was severely damaged, rough endoplasmic reticulum was swollen, mitochondria were deformed and swollen, some cristae were ruptured or dissolved, showing vacuolar changes; the protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, GSDMD, and IL-1β, as well as levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α were significantly elevated (P<0.001). Compared with the model group, both the medication group and the moxibustion group showed shortened mean escape latency (P<0.01) and increased platform crossings (P<0.01); the microglial processes were thinner, and IBA-1 fluorescence intensity was decreased (P<0.05); the neuronal ultrastructure in the CA1 region was partially improved; the protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, GSDMD, and IL-1β, and levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α were significantly reduced (P<0.001). Compared with the medication group, the moxibustion group showed shortened mean escape latency (P<0.05) and more platform crossings (P<0.05); the IBA-1 fluorescence intensity was decreased (P<0.05); the neuronal ultrastructure in the CA1 region was improved; the protein expression of NLRP3, ASC, Caspase-1, GSDMD, and IL-1β, as well as levels of IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α, were significantly lower (P<0.001). CONCLUSION The Huayu Tongluo moxibustion could enhance learning and memory abilities in VD rats, inhibit excessive activation of microglia, and alleviate neuronal injury in the hippocampal CA1 region. Its mechanism may involve modulation of the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway, reduction of inflammatory responses.
Animals ; Male ; Dementia, Vascular/physiopathology* ; Rats ; Signal Transduction ; Moxibustion ; Rats, Wistar ; CA1 Region, Hippocampal/injuries* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Caspase 1/genetics* ; Memory ; Humans ; Neurons/metabolism* ; Learning

The current study aimed to clarify the roles of apolipoprotein A5 (ApoA5) and milk fat globule-epidermal growth factor 8 (Mfge8) in regulating myocardial lipid deposition and the regulatory relationship between them. The serum levels of ApoA5 and Mfge8 in obese and healthy people were compared, and the obesity mouse model induced by the high-fat diet (HFD) was established. In addition, primary cardiomyocytes were purified and identified from the hearts of suckling mice. The 0.8 mmol/L sodium palmitate treatment was used to establish the lipid deposition cardiomyocyte model in vitro. ApoA5-overexpressing adenovirus was used to observe its effects on cardiac function and lipids. The expressions of the fatty acid uptake-related molecules and Mfge8 on transcription or translation levels were detected. Co-immunoprecipitation was used to verify the interaction between ApoA5 and Mfge8 proteins. Immunofluorescence was used to observe the co-localization of Mfge8 protein with ApoA5 or lysosome-associated membrane protein 2 (LAMP2). Recombinant rMfge8 was added to cardiomyocytes to investigate the regulatory mechanism of ApoA5 on Mfge8. The results showed that participants in the simple obesity group had a significant decrease in serum ApoA5 levels (P < 0.05) and a significant increase in Mfge8 levels (P < 0.05) in comparison with the healthy control group. The adenovirus treatment successfully overexpressed ApoA5 in HFD-fed obese mice and palmitic acid-induced lipid deposition cardiomyocytes, respectively. ApoA5 reduced the weight of HFD-fed obese mice (P < 0.05), shortened left ventricular isovolumic relaxation time (IVRT), increased left ventricular ejection fraction (LVEF), and significantly reduced plasma levels of triglycerides (TG) and cholesterol (CHOL) (P < 0.05). In myocardial tissue and cardiomyocytes, the overexpression of ApoA5 significantly reduced the deposition of TG (P < 0.05), transcription of fatty acid translocase (FAT/CD36) (P < 0.05), fatty acid-binding protein (FABP) (P < 0.05), and fatty acid transport protein (FATP) (P < 0.05), and protein expression of Mfge8 (P < 0.05), while the transcription levels of Mfge8 were not significantly altered (P > 0.05). In vitro, the Mfge8 protein was captured using ApoA5 as bait protein, indicating a direct interaction between them. Overexpression of ApoA5 led to an increase in co-localization of Mfge8 with ApoA5 or LAMP2 in cardiomyocytes under lipid deposition status. On this basis, exogenous added recombinant rMfge8 counteracted the improvement of lipid deposition in cardiomyocytes by ApoA5. The above results indicate that the overexpression of ApoA5 can reduce fatty acid uptake in myocardial cells under lipid deposition status by regulating the content and cellular localization of Mfge8 protein, thereby significantly reducing myocardial lipid deposition and improving cardiac diastolic and systolic function.
Animals ; Humans ; Mice ; Myocytes, Cardiac/metabolism* ; Obesity/physiopathology* ; Male ; Apolipoprotein A-V/blood* ; Lipid Metabolism/physiology* ; Milk Proteins/blood* ; Myocardium/metabolism* ; Diet, High-Fat ; Antigens, Surface/physiology* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Cells, Cultured ; Female

The study aimed to construct the second and third generation chimeric antigen receptor T cells (CAR-T) targeting the c-mesenchymal-epithelial transition factor (c-Met) protein, and observe their killing effect on human serous ovarian cancer cell SKOV-3. The expression of MET gene in ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma, the correlation between MET gene expression and the abundance of immune cell infiltration, and the effect of MET gene expression on the tissue function of ovarian serous cystadenocarcinoma were analyzed by bioinformatics. The expression of c-Met in ovarian cancer tissues and adjacent tissues was detected by immunohistochemical staining. The second and third generation c-Met CAR-T cells, namely c-Met CAR-T(2G/3G), were prepared by lentivirus infection, and the cell subsets and infection efficiency were detected by flow cytometry. Using CD19 CAR-T and activated T cells as control groups and A2780 cells with c-Met negative expression as Non target groups, the kill efficiency on SKOV-3 cells with c-Met positive expression, cytokine release and cell proliferation of c-Met CAR-T(2G/3G) were explored by lactate dehydrogenase (LDH) release, ELISA and CCK-8 respectively. The results showed that MET gene expression was significantly up-regulated in ovarian cancer tissues compared with normal tissues, which was consistent with the immunohistochemistry results. However, in all pathological stages, there was no obvious difference in MET expression and no correlation between MET gene expression and the race and age of ovarian cancer patients. The second generation and third generation c-Met CAR-T cells were successfully constructed. After lentivirus infection, the proportion of CD8⁺ T cells in c-Met CAR-T(2G) was upregulated, while there was no significant change in the cell subsets of c-Met CAR-T(3G). The LDH release experiment showed that the kill efficiency of c-Met CAR-T(2G/3G) on SKOV-3 increased with the increase of effect-target ratio. When the effect-target ratio was 20:1, the kill efficiency of c-Met CAR-T(2G) reached (42.02 ± 5.17)% (P < 0.05), and the kill efficiency of c-Met CAR-T(3G) reached (51.40 ± 2.71)% (P < 0.05). ELISA results showed that c-Met CAR-T released more cytokine compared to CD19 CAR-T and activated T cells (P < 0.05). Moreover, the cytokine release of c-Met CAR-T(3G) was higher than c-Met CAR-T(2G) (P < 0.01). The CCK-8 results showed that after 48 h, the cell number of c-Met CAR-T(2G) was higher than that of c-Met CAR-T(3G) (P < 0.01). In conclusion, both the second and third generation c-Met CAR-T can target and kill c-Met-positive SKOV-3 cells, with no significant difference. c-Met CAR-T(2G) has stronger proliferative ability, and c-Met CAR-T(3G) releases more cytokines.
Humans ; Female ; Ovarian Neoplasms/immunology* ; Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-met/metabolism* ; Receptors, Chimeric Antigen/immunology* ; Cell Line, Tumor ; Cystadenocarcinoma, Serous/immunology* ; T-Lymphocytes/immunology*