Fungal keratitis represents a significant cause of blindness, with current therapeutic approaches yielding limited success. The disease's onset and progression are primarily driven by fungal virulence factors and the host's immune response. The innate immune system is the first to respond, with neutrophils playing a pivotal role in the antifungal defense. Although neutrophils are critical for pathogen clearance, their excessive or abnormal activation can lead to tissue damage, exacerbating the disease. Thus, elucidating the mechanisms underlying neutrophil activity in fungal keratitis is crucial for refining treatment strategies. This article aims to systematically review the principal antimicrobial mechanisms employed by neutrophils, including phagocytosis, degranulation, and the formation of neutrophil extracellular traps(NETs). Furthermore, it explores the crosstalk between neutrophils and macrophages, alongside their collective impact and underlying mechanisms in the context of fungal keratitis. Exploration of the mechanisms of fungal keratitis facilitates precise intervention and enhances the efficacy of treatment.

Objective To investigate the clinical value of 3.0 T functional magnetic resonance imaging in evaluating postoperative recurrence and treatment efficacy of glioma. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the general clinical data of 67 patients who underwent glioma surgery at the Second Affiliated Hospital of Xingtai Medical University. All patients received chemotherapy for more than one month post-surgery. Recurrence of glioma was diagnosed based on secondary surgery or pathological biopsy results as the gold standard. From 3 to 6 months post-surgery, computerized tomography was used to measure cerebral blood volume (CBV), three-dimensional arterial spin labeling was used to measure cerebral blood flow (CBF) and relative CBF (rCBF), and diffusion-weighted imaging with and without contrast enhancement was used to measure apparent diffusion coefficient (ADC). Data were analyzed using SPSS 26.0 statistical software, and the t test or χ² test was used for inter-group comparisons based on data type. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was applied to evaluate the value of CBV, rCBF, and ADC in assessing postoperative recurrence and treatment efficacy of glioma. Results Patients with high-grade gliomas showed significantly higher CBV and rCBF and significantly lower ADC compared to those with low-grade gliomas (P < 0.05). The area under the ROC curve (AUC) of CBV, rCBF, and ADC in combination for grading glioma was 0.960, which was higher than those of individual indicators (0.790, 0.955, and 0.795, P < 0.05). The recurrence group had significantly higher CBV and rCBF and lower ADC compared to the non-recurrence group (P < 0.05). The AUC of CBV, rCBF, and ADC in combination for predicting postoperative glioma recurrence was 0.965, which was significantly higher than those of individual indicators (0.729, 0.929, and 0.941, P < 0.05). CBV and rCBF were lower and ADC was higher in the effective treatment group than in the ineffective treatment group (P < 0.05). The AUC of CBV, rCBF, and ADC in combination for evaluating glioma treatment efficacy was 0.985, which was higher than those of individual indicators (0.842, 0.898, and 0.961, P < 0.05). Conclusion The CBV, rCBF, and ADC in combination has shown high diagnostic accuracy and predictive efficacy in the evaluation of postoperative recurrence and treatment efficacy of glioma, which has important clinical application value.

Fungal keratitis is a serious blinding eye disease. The development of fungal infections depends primarily on the interaction of fungal virulence with host immune defense factors. The cornea is considered an immune-privileged organ, and resident macrophages are the main immune cells that respond to the heterogeneity exhibited by the microenvironment with their polarization. In the early stage of infection, macrophages polarize towards M1, which promotes inflammation and facilitates fungal clearance but produces a cellular storm that exacerbates immune damage; in the late stage of infection, macrophages polarize towards M2, which suppresses the inflammatory response and facilitates tissue repair, but may be immunosuppressed or even immune escape to the detriment of pathogen clearance. The balance between pro-inflammatory and anti-inflammatory responses is key to maintaining the functional integrity of the cornea. Current antifungal drug therapy is limited, so it is particularly important to find a therapeutic target for the inflammatory response triggered by the immune response in addition to antifungal therapy. In this review, the functional and phenotypic characterization of macrophage subsets associated with fungal keratitis was reviewed, more in-depth research is needed to explore the specific mechanisms by which macrophage polarization and their impact on fungal keratitis. Targeted regulation of macrophage differentiation based on their phenotype and function could be an effective approach to treat and manage fungal keratitis in the future.

Background Under the backdrop of the national innovation-driven development strategy, the increasing occupational stress and job burnout among employees are noteworthy for their impact on employees' subjective well-being. Objective To clarify the status, distribution characteristics, and the relationship between subjective well-being, occupational stress, and job burnout of employees in research and development (R&D) enterprises, in order to improve their subjective well-being. Methods A total of 3366 employees from R&D departments at 7 enterprises in Minhang District of Shanghai were selected. The well-being level of the research subjects was investigated by using the World Health Organization Well-Being Index (WHO-5) that yielded total scores from 0 to 25, and a higher total score indicated a higher well-being level; the levels of occupational stress and job burnout were investigated by using the Chinese version of the Job Content Questionnaire, and the Chinese version of the Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS). The scores of WHO-5, JDC, and MBI-GS were incorporated into structural equation modeling (SEM) as numerical variables to analyze their relationship. Results The scores of subjective well-being, occupational stress, and job burnout of employees in the R&D enterprises were 13.30±6.09, 1.12±0.45, and 2.18±1.12, respectively. The positive rates of occupational stress and job burnout were 44.4% and 70.9% respectively, and the positive rate of severe job burnout was 11.7%. There were statistically significant differences in the score of subjective well-being among the participants by gender, age, educational level, marital status, registered residence, working seniority, and jobs (P<0.05); there were statistically significant differences in the positive rate of occupational stress by gender, educational level, marital status, working seniority, and jobs (P<0.05); there were statistically significant differences in the positive rate of job burnout by gender, age, educational level, marital status, registered residence, working seniority, and jobs (P<0.05). There was a negative correlation between subjective well-being and occupational stress (r=−0.1747, P < 0.01), a negative correlation between subjective well-being and job burnout (r=−0.2987, P < 0.01), and a positive correlation between occupational stress and job burnout (r=0.3342, P < 0.01). A structural equation containing partial mediating effect of job burnout on the relationship between occupational stress and subjective well-being was established, and the partial effect accounting for 52.5% of the total effect. Conclusion The job burnout among employees in R&D companies partially mediates the impact of occupational stress on subjective well-being. Reducing the level of job burnout will help alleviate occupational stress and thus improve employees' subjective well-being.

Objective This study aimed to explore the spatial heterogeneity and risk factors for dental caries in 12-year-old children in Shanxi province,China. Methods The data encompassed 3,721 participants from the two most recent oral health surveys conducted across 16 districts in Shanxi Province in 2015 and 2018.Eighteen specific variables were analyzed to examine the interplay between socioeconomic factors,medical resources and environmental conditions.The Geo-detector model was employed to assess the impacts and interactions of these ecological factors. Results Socioeconomic factors(Q=0.30,P<0.05)exhibited a more substantial impact compared to environmental(Q=0.19,P<0.05)and medical resource factors(Q=0.25,P<0.05).Notably,the urban population percentage(UPP)demonstrated the most significant explanatory power for the spatial heterogeneity in caries prevalence,as denoted by its highest q-value(q=0.51,P<0.05).Additionally,the spatial distribution's heterogeneity of caries was significantly affected by SO2 concentration(q=0.39,P<0.05)and water fluoride levels(q=0.27,P<0.05)among environmental factors. Conclusion The prevalence of caries exhibited spatial heterogeneity,escalating from North to South in Shanxi Province,China,influenced by socioeconomic factors,medical resources,and environmental conditions to varying extents.

Background/Aims: To evaluate the causal correlation between complement components and non-viral liver diseases and their potential use as druggable targets. Methods: We conducted Mendelian randomization (MR) to assess the causal role of circulating complements in the risk of non-viral liver diseases. A complement-centric protein interaction network was constructed to explore biological functions and identify potential therapeutic options. Results: In the MR analysis, genetically predicted levels of complement C1q C chain (C1QC) were positively associated with the risk of autoimmune hepatitis (odds ratio 1.125, 95% confidence interval 1.018–1.244), while complement factor H-related protein 5 (CFHR5) was positively associated with the risk of primary sclerosing cholangitis (PSC;1.193, 1.048– 1.357). On the other hand, CFHR1 (0.621, 0.497–0.776) and CFHR2 (0.824, 0.703–0.965) were inversely associated with the risk of alcohol-related cirrhosis. There were also significant inverse associations between C8 gamma chain (C8G) and PSC (0.832, 0.707–0.979), as well as the risk of metabolic dysfunction-associated steatotic liver disease (1.167, 1.036–1.314). Additionally, C1S (0.111, 0.018–0.672), C7 (1.631, 1.190–2.236), and CFHR2 (1.279, 1.059–1.546) were significantly associated with the risk of hepatocellular carcinoma. Proteins from the complement regulatory networks and various liver diseaserelated proteins share common biological processes. Furthermore, potential therapeutic drugs for various liver diseases were identified through drug repurposing based on the complement regulatory network. Conclusions Our study suggests that certain complement components, including C1S, C1QC, CFHR1, CFHR2, CFHR5, C7, and C8G, might play a role in non-viral liver diseases and could be potential targets for drug development.

Background At present, domestic research on job burnout and health-related productivity is limited to medical workers, and the impact of job burnout on health-related productivity of enterprise staff deserves attention. Objective To explore the association between job burnout and health-related productivity loss among enterprise staff. Methods A cross-sectional online questionnaire survey was conducted among enterprise staff who were selected from seven enterprises in Minhang District of Shanghai. The Chinese version of Maslach Burnout Inventory-General Survey (MBI-GS) was used to assess job burnout, and a questionnaire based on and modified from the WHO Health and Work Performance Questionnaire was used to assess the loss of health-related productivity. Logistic regression was used to analyze the impact of job burnout on health-related productivity under the control of selected demographic characteristics, socio-economic factors, and occupational factors. Results A total of 3489 questionnaires were recovered, and 3156 valid questionnaires were included in the statistical analysis. Among the 3156 valid questionnaires, 2228 (70.8%) respondents were assessed as suffering from job burnout, in which 1858 (59.0%) were mild to moderate job burnout, and 370 (11.7%) were severe job burnout; the median score (interquartile range) of MBI-GS was 2.18（2.69）, the median rates (interquartile range) of absenteeism and presenteeism were 0.00% (0.00%) and 20.00% (50.00%), respectively. The prevalence of presenteeism significantly varied by gender, education, marital status, working years, job category, exhaustion, cynicism, professional efficacy, and job burnout (P<0.05). The prevalence of absenteeism significantly varied by education, marital status, working years, job category, exhaustion, cynicism, professional efficacy, and job burnout (P<0.05). Job burnout was positively correlated with absenteeism (r=0.157) and presenteeism (r=0.412) (P<0.01). After controlling for selected demographic characteristics, social economic factors, and occupational factors, the logistic regression showed that job burnout was associated with health-related productivity loss, the OR value remained relatively stable, and referring to negative job burnout, the OR (95%CI) of severe job burnout was 6.35 (4.52-8.92). Conclusion Job burnout of enterprise staff has a negative impact on health-related productivity. Severer job burnout associates with higher health-related productivity loss. Enterprises should pay attention to the prevention and control of job burnout to reduce health-related productivity loss.

ObjectiveTo investigate the effects of cathodic transcranial direct current stimulation (ctDCS) on upper limb and finger dysfunction after right brain injury (RBI). MethodsFrom October, 2020 to May, 2022, 40 RBI patients in Beijing Bo'ai Hospital were randomly divided into control group and experimental group, with 20 patients in each group. All the patients accepted conventional drug treatment, conventional rehabilitation treatment and functional occupational therapy. The cathode electrode was placed in the M1 area of the uninjured side of brain, then the control group received sham stimulation and the experimental group received stimulation, for four weeks. They were assessed with Fugl-Meyer Assessment-Upper Extremities (FMA-UE) and -Finger, and the modified Barthel Index (MBI) before and after treatment. ResultsAfter treatment, the scores of FMA-UE, FMA-Finger and MBI improved in the two groups (t > 5.627, P < 0.001), and improved more in the experimental group than in the control group (t > 2.161, P < 0.05). ConclusionctDCS can effectively improve the motor function of upper limbs and fingers of RBI patients, and improve the ability of activities of daily living.

Objective: To explore the changing characteristics of Wnt2/β⁃catenin pathway in liver regeneration and repair in C57BL/6 mice. Methods : Male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into a sham⁃operated group (Sham group) , 1 d post⁃operative group , 2 d post⁃operative group , 4 d post⁃operative group , 6 d post⁃operative group , and 8 d post⁃operative group. Mice in the operated group underwent partial hepatectomy ( PHx) to remove the left and middle lobes of the liver, respectively. Plasma and liver tissues were collected on postoperative days 1 , 2 ,4 ,6 , and 8 , and plasma ALT and AST activity was measured by ALT(alanine aminotransferase) and AST( aspartate aminotransferase) biochemical analysis kits; Ki67 ⁃positive cells were identified by immunohistochemistry in each group;the number of HNF4⁃α and Ki67 double positive cells , the number of LYVE1 and Ki67 double positive cells , and the number of β ⁃catenin transferred into the nucleus were determined by immunofluorescence method. The expression of Wnt2 protein in each group was detected by Western blot , and the time characteristics of its expression during liver regeneration were analyzed. Results: Liver weight and liver/body weight ratio peaked on day 6 after PHx and approached the level of the Sham group. After PHx , there was severe liver damage on day 1 , but it had normalized by day 4. On day 2 after PHx , mainly hepatocytes proliferated;and on days 4 and 6 , mainly liver sinusoidal endothelial cells proliferated ,while the Wnt2/β⁃catenin pathway was activated. Conclusion The liver has a powerful regenerative repair ability ,which is closely related to the rapid proliferation of hepatocytes and liver sinusoidal endothelial cells , and the activation of the Wnt2/β⁃catenin pathway is activated in the regenerative repair of the mouse liver.

Objective:To explore the application and practice of "flipped classroom" in the teaching of general surgery interns.Methods:A total of 20 internship groups (3 to 5 people in each group) were randomly selected from the general surgery practice group in the Department of General Surgery of the Second Clinical Medical College of North Sichuan Medical College. They were randomly divided into the flipped group (45 people) and the traditional group (40 people), with 10 subgroups in each group. The flipped group adopted the flipped classroom teaching mode (students' self-study by handing out materials before class, students and teachers' discussion in class, and students and teachers' evaluation after class), while the control group adopted the current conventional teaching mode (students' preview before class, teachers' explanation in class, and teachers' question answering after class). At the end of the teaching, a questionnaire was used to evaluate the participation and completion of each student. The teaching effect was evaluated by medical history collection and case analysis. The participation, completion, and teaching effect between the two groups were compared and analyzed. SPSS 23.0 software was used for t-test and Chi-square test. Results:The participation of the flipped group was better than that of the traditional group [(17.45±1.83) vs. (15.57±1.52)], and the difference was statistically significant ( P < 0.05). There was no statistically significant difference between the flipped group and the traditional group. There was no significant difference in medical history collection scores between the two groups. The case analysis of the flipped group was better than that of the traditional group [(87.30±6.06) vs. (81.50±5.88), P < 0.05]. The questionnaire shows that about 90% of the students think that flipped classroom can improve their interest in learning [96% (43/45)], improve their autonomous learning ability [89% (40/45)], and have better learning effect. At the same time, 78% (35/45) of students think that learning time is too long. Conclusion:The flipped classroom teaching model can improve the teaching participation of general surgery students, improve students' interest in learning, improve their self-learning ability, and improve students' thinking ability of medical record analysis.