AIM: To investigate the changes of retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL)thickness, retinal thickness and blood flow density in different stages of diabetic retinopathy(DR)patients based on optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA).METHODS: A retrospective analysis was conducted on 382 patients(382 eyes)diagnosed with DR in our hospital from February 2023 to February 2024. According to the staging criteria, the patients were divided into mild group(n=121), moderate group(n=133), severe group(n=72), and proliferative group(n=56). The general clinical data of the four groups of patients was compared; OCTA was used to scan and collect data from all patients, and the RNFL thickness, retinal thickness, and blood flow density were compared among the four groups of patients.RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in age, gender, hypertension, chronic kidney disease, and random blood glucose among patients in the mild, moderate, severe, and proliferative groups(all P>0.05). As the stage of DR worsened, the duration of the disease gradually prolonged(P<0.05). The thickness of the RNFL(superior, inferior, temporal, nasal, and average thickness)and retinal thickness significantly increased with the severity of DR(all P<0.001); however, there was no statistically significant difference in inferior RNFL thickness between the moderate and mild groups(P>0.05). The blood flow density in the superficial and deep retinal layers, as well as in the choroidal capillary layer, significantly decreased with the progression of DR(all P<0.05). Nevertheless, there was no statistically significant difference in superficial retinal blood flow density between the moderate and severe groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION: OCTA can accurately observe the changes in RNFL thickness, retinal thickness, and blood flow density in patients with DR at different stages, which can serve as sensitive indicators for monitoring DR progression.

Objective: To compare the changes in the concentration of relevant growth factors released from platelet-rich plasma (PRP) stored at -80℃ by cryopreservation and at 4℃ by refrigerated lyophilization over 2 years, aiming to provide a theoretical basis for prolonging PRP storage duration. Methods: PRP (n=15) was separated using a blood cell separator and stored under -80℃ cryopreservation (F-PRP group) and 4℃ refrigerated freeze-drying conditions (FD-PRP group). The contents of growth factors (PDGF-AA, PDGF-BB, EGF, TGF-β1, and VEGF) in both groups were measured by ELISA at 1, 3, 6, 9, 12 and 24 months. Results: PDGF-AA and VEGF maintained good stability in both groups for up to 24 months. PDGF-BB and TGF-β1 showed high stability in the first 12 months but their stability decreased gradually from 12th to 24th months. EGF demonstrated good stability in the first 6 months, and its stability gradually decreased from the 9th to 24th months. Comparing the F-PRP and FD-PRP groups, the concentrations of the five growth factors in the FD-PRP group were either not statistically different or higher than those in the F-PRP group at all time points. Specifically, the concentrations of EGF were significantly higher in the FD-PRP group at all time points. Conclusion: Both -80℃ freezing and 4℃ freeze-drying enable long-term preservation of PRP. Freeze-drying imposes less stringent storage requirements and facilitates growth factor compared to frozen storage.

Objective:To investigate the quality status and problems of pharmaceutical excipient soluble starch,and to evaluate its quality attributes.Methods:A total of 28 batches of samples from 5 manufacturers were tested accord-ing the current quality standard.Exploratory research were carried out and the quality differences of soluble starch were evaluated.Results:According to the current standard,2 batches of samples were unqualified,accounting for 7.1％of the total.The exploratory research have found that some differences in soluble starch were due to the differ-ent plant sources.The contents of mycotoxin were higher in soluble starch derived from the maize.Attention should be paid to its risk.The powder flowability was related to the particle sizes of soluble starch.The particle sizes of solu-ble starch derived from the potatoes were bigger and the flowability was better than soluble starch from maize and tapi-oca.The dynamic moisture adsorption of potato derived soluble starch was higher.Conclusion:The quality of soluble starch was evaluated as general.A example has been set for the follow-up preparation research through the quality evaluation and research.It is significance for the development of traditional Chinese medicine preparation.

Objective To explore the value of multi-sequence MRI radiomics for predicting clinical stage of cervical squamous cell carcinoma(CSCC).Methods Totally 190 patients with single CSCC confirmed by pathology were retrospectively collected.Among them,67 cases with International Federation of Gynecology and Obstetrics(FIGO)stage ⅠB—ⅡA were classified into early stage group,while 123 cases with FIGO ⅡB—ⅢC were enrolled in middle-late stage group.The patients were divided into training set(n=114,including 40 cases in early stage subgroup and 74 cases in middle-late stage subgroup)and test set(n=76,including 27 cases in early stage subgroup and 49 cases in middle-late stage subgroup)at the ratio of 6∶4.Single factor and logistic analyses were used to screen clinical relevant factors,and a clinical model was constructed.The best radiomics features of lesions were extracted and selected based on pre-treatment pelvic MR T2WI,diffusion-weighted imaging(DWI),dynamic contrast enhancement(DCE)-T1WI and all the three,respectively,and the radiomics models were constructed,including T2WI,DWI,DCE-TWI and combined sequences models,then a clinical-radiomics model was established based on clinical model and combined sequences model.The predictive efficacy of each model was evaluated by receiver operating characteristic curves,and the area under the curves(AUC)were calculated.The integrated discrimination improvement(IDI)index was also calculated to compare the diagnostic efficacy of each model in training set,and decision curve analysis(DCA)was used to evaluate their clinical value.Results Squamous cell carcinoma associated antigen in middle-late stage subgroup was higher than that in early stage subgroup in both training and test sets(both P＜0.05),which was used to establish the clinical model.The AUC of clinical,T2WI,DWI,DCE-TWI,combined sequences and clinical-radiomics models for predicting clinical stage of CSCC was 0.66,0.71,0.78,0.81,0.88 and 0.89 in training set,respectively,which was 0.62,0.64,0.72,0.73,0.77 and 0.76 in test set,respectively.In training set,the predictive efficacy of clinical-radiomics model was higher than that of combined sequences model(IDI=0.19,P＜0.05),both higher than that of the rest models(IDI=0.19-0.47,all P＜0.05).When the thresholds were 0.02-1.00 and 0.05-1.00,combined sequences and clinical-radiomics models had higher clinical net benefits in training set.Conclusion Multi-sequence MRI radiomics could effectively predict clinical stage of CSCC,and combining clinical data could improve its diagnostic efficacy.

AIM:To investigate the effect of plate-let(PLT)on angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcino-ma and the intervention effect of Cinobufagin(CBG).METHODS:Firstly,we screened the suitable co-incubation ratio of PLT and hepatocellular carci-noma cells,prepared conditioned medium,and de-termined the half inhibitory concentration of Cinob-ufagin;then,we set up a control group(human um-bilical vein endothelial cells(EC)+conventional me-dium),a crosstalk group(EC+CM_HP(strip culture prepared by crosstalk of HUH7 and PLT)),and an in-tervention group(EC+CM_HP+CBG).The migration,tube-formation and sprouting capacity of EC and the level of vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in co-cultured supernatant were evaluated by scratch assay,tube-formation assay,budding as-say and ELISA assay.Western blot was used to de-tect the expression of VEGFR2 and p-VEGFR2,and reverse verification was performed with inhibitors.A subcutaneous transplantation tumour model of hepatocellular carcinoma in nude mice was estab-lished,with Model group,Model+CBG group and Model+Apa group.The collagen expression of the transplantation tumour was observed by Masson staining,and the expression levels of vascular endo-thelial markers CD31 and CD34 were detected by immunofluorescence.RESULTS:When PLT:HUH7=200,the activity of HUH7 was the strongest,and the crosstalk between HUH7 and PLT significantly promoted the proliferation of EC(P＜0.01).Com-pared with Control group,the migration,tube-for-mation and budding ability of Crosstalk group were enhanced,and those of Intervention group were lower than those of Crosstalk group(P＜0.01).The expression level of VEGF in the supernatant of Crosstalk group was higher than that of Control group,while that of Intervention group was lower than that of Crosstalk group(P＜0.01).The expres-sion level of p-VEGFR2 protein in Crosstalk group was significantly higher than that of Control group,but the expression level of Intervention group was lower than that of Crosstalk group(P＜0.01).Large collagen fibre deposition was seen in the Model group,and CBG intervention significantly reduced collagen fibre deposition in the transplanted tu-mour tissues.CD31 and CD34 expression was pres-ent in the hepatocellular carcinoma transplanted tumour tissues in the Model group,and CBG inter-vention significantly reduced the expression of CD31 and CD34 in the liver cancer transplanted tu-mour tissues(P＜0.01).CONCLUSION:PLT enhances angiogenesis in hepatocellular carcinoma,and CBG may inhibit its tube-forming ability via the VEGF/VEGFR2 pathway.

Objective:To deeply explore the decision-making experience of patients participating in clinical trials of neoadjuvant immunotherapy for lung cancer.Methods:Using the descriptive and qualitative research, 15 lung cancer patients who participated in clinical trials of neoadjuvant immunotherapy at the Cancer Hospital of the Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences were selected by purposive sampling from April 2021 to August 2022 for semi-structured in-depth interviews. Content analysis method was used for data analysis, summarization, and induction.Results:Three themes were extracted, namely decision-making information dilemma (insufficient or overloaded information, difficulty in understanding professional information, urgent need for decision-making information assistance), complex emotional experience (negative emotional experience, positive emotional experience), and hope for multi-party support (expecting psychological communication, hoping for family understanding, and longing for social recognition) .Conclusions:The decision-making experience of patients in clinical trials of neoadjuvant immunotherapy for lung cancer were summarized and described, which can help strengthen the understanding of the research team and medical and nursing staff on the live experience of such patients when making decisions, provide targeted decision support strategies, and promote good informed consent of patients.

Objective Analyze the temporal trend of ischemic stroke(IS)mortality among the residents of Tengzhou City of Shandong Province during the period of hypertension control from 2013 to 2021.Methods On January 1,2013,Tengzhou City,Shandong Province,began its hypertension control program.The IS mortality rate was calculated using the mortality data from January 1,2013 to December 31,2021,and analyzed for its time trend among residents with different characteristics.The registered population was derived from the Public Security Bureau of Tengzhou City,Shandong Province,and the age and sex standardized mortality rate was calculated using the data of China's 7th population census in 2020.The Chi-square test was used to compare the differences in mortality rate,and Cochran-Armitage trend test was used to compare the time trend and age trend of mortality rate.Results The overall crude and standardized mortality rates of IS in Tengzhou showed a temporal trend from 2013 to 2021(Z values were 12.647,7.305,respectively;all P＜0.001),and decreased by 23.77％and 30.99％(Z values were-7.393,-9.975,respectively;all P＜0.001)respectively in 2021 compared with 2019.The crude mortality rate of IS in male increased by 13.27％in 2019 compared with 2017,while the crude and standardized mortality rate in female decreased by 16.39％and 19.49％in 2018 compared with 2017,respectively,with statistical significance(x2 values were 7.160,9.789,and 15.109,respectively;all P＜0.05).Except the crude mortality rates in 2013 and 2015,the crude mortality rates and standardized mortality rates for males in other years were all higher than those for females,with statistically significant differences(x2 values:25.816-124.040,all P＜0.001).The crude mortality rate for IS increased with age in all years(Z values:42.604-61.025,all P＜0.001).The proportion of IS deaths among those aged≥65 was 85.85％.The overall crude mortality rates of the age group of male 45-54 years old showed a temporal trend from 2013 to 2021(Z=3.035,P＜0.01),while females in the same age group did not show a temporal trend(P＞0.05).The IS mortality rate in urban areas decreased from 62.61 per 100 000 in 2013 to 54.00 per 100 000 in 2021(Z=-2.097,P＜0.05).The rural areas increased by 213.15％in 2019 compared with 2013 and decreased by 22.75％in 2021 compared with 2019(Z values were 19.074,-6.390,respectively;all P＜0.001).Conclusions The IS mortality rate in Tengzhou City showed a decreasing trend in urban areas from 2013 to 2021,and a decreasing trend in rural areas after 2019.Compared to females,there is a trend of younger mortality among males in the age range of 45-54.Males and rural IS patients should be given special attention.

Objective To investigate the effects of galectin-3(Gal3)on skin abscess development and activation of mast cells(MC)in mice infected with methicillin-resistant Staphylococcus aureus(MRSA).Methods Wild type mice and Gal3-knockout(Gal3-/-)mice,at 6～8 weeks of age,were divided into four groups:Wild type mice+PBS group,Wild type mice+MRSA group,Gal3-/-mice+PBS group,Gal3-/-mice+MRSA group,were subcutaneously injected with MRSA or the same volume of phosphate buffer saline,with five mice per group.The development and pathological changes of skin abscess were monitored and recorded.The bacterial load in skin tissues was compared,and the expression of associated cytokines,degranulation of MC,and the distribution of MC activation marker 5-hydroxytryptamine(5-HT)were detected.Results The skin of Wild type mice showed progressive abscesses after subcutaneous infection with MRSA,but the Gal3-/-mice showed smaller abscess areas.Compared to the Wild type mice+MRSA group,the Gal3-/-mice+MRSA group showed lower bacterial loading in the skin tissues(P＜0.01)and fewer infiltrating inflammatory cells with histopathological observation.The expression of cytokines,including IL-1β,TNF-α,IL-33,TGF-β,and IL-10,were significantly lower in Gal3-/-mice than Wild type mice(P＜0.05).The toluidine blue staining showed a large number of degranulated MCs in the skin tissues of the wild type mice+MRSA group,whereas only a few degranulated MCs were observed in the Gal3-/-mice+MRSA group.It was further found that the expression of 5-HT in Gal3-/-mice+MRSA group was significantly lower than that in wild-type mice+MRSA group with immunohistochemical staining.Conclusion Gal3 deficiency reduced the activation and degranulation of mouse skin MC after MRSA infection,resulting in changes to inflammatory responses and alleviating the severity of skin tissue abscesses.

Objective:To analyze the impact of hypertension prevention and control on the mortality rate of acute myocardial infarction (AMI) in Tengzhou City, Shandong Province from 2013 to 2021.Methods:This study was a cross-sectional study. The surveillance data of AMI deaths from January 1, 2013 (the time when hypertension prevention and control began in Tengzhou) to December 31, 2021 were collected in the coronary heart disease information management system, the mortality rate of AMI and its change trend were analyzed, and the distribution differences among residents with different characteristics were analyzed. The registered population information was obtained from Tengzhou Public Security Bureau, and the age and gender standardized mortality rate was calculated based on the data of the 7th national population census in 2020. The t test was used to compare the differences in blood pressure and laboratory items, chi-square test was used to compare the differences in mortality rate, and Cochran-Armitage trend test was used to compare the time trend and age trend of mortality rate, so as to analyze the impact of hypertension prevention and control on the mortality rate of AMI. Results:The overall crude and standardized AMI mortality rates in Tengzhou decreased from 50.87/100 000 and 63.82/100 000 to 41.08/100 000 and 38.70/100 000 from 2013 to 2021, respectively ( Z=-5.741, -10.884, both P<0.001), and double peaks were formed in 2014 and 2017. The first peak of crude and standardized mortality rate was formed in 2015 for males, which was 25.12% and 17.60% higher than that in 2013; and the first peak was formed in 2014 for females, which was 29.56% and 24.38% higher than that in 2013 ( χ2=13.200, 9.065, 14.862, 12.123) (all P<0.05). The second peaks of crude and standardized mortality were formed in 2017, with an increase of 18.17% and 17.17% for males and 25.73% and 22.34% for females from 2016 ( χ2=8.266, 9.182, 14.066, 11.105), the standardized mortality rate was 15.18%-29.01% higher in males than that in females ( χ2=6.239-19.326) (all P<0.05). The mortality rate of AMI increased with age ( Z=35.485-51.308) ( P<0.001). Compared with 2013, the mortality rate in males aged 55 to 64 years in 2015 increased by 64.29% from that in 2013, and that of females in 2017 increased by 108.48% from that in 2015; and that in females aged 35 to 44 years in 2016 increased by 373.51% from that in 2015 ( χ2=10.751, 12.805, 4.799); in 2021, the age group of male and female≥65 years decreased by 43.51% and 41.28% when compared with that in 2013, respectively ( Z=-7.333, -7.465) (all P<0.05). The mortality rate of AMI in urban areas decreased by 76.93% in 2021 when compared with that in 2016, and in rural areas it decreased by 30.28% than that in 2017. Both regions showed a downward trend ( Z=-7.560, -2.398) (both P<0.05). Conclusions:The mortality rate of AMI in Tengzhou City, Shandong Province from 2013 to 2021 shows a decreasing trend, and prevention and control of hypertension may be one of the reasons. The standardized mortality rate of males is higher than that of females, and the mortality rate decline rate in rural areas is lower than that in urban areas. The primary and secondary prevention of AMI in such populations should be strengthened.

Objective:To analyze the trends of coronary heart disease mortality in Tengzhou city of Shandong province from 2013 to 2021.Methods:The data of coronary heart disease (ICD-10: I20-I25) from January 2013 to December 2021 were obtained from the Chronic Disease Surveillance Information System-Coronary Heart Disease Management Module of Shandong province; the population data were provided by Tengzhou Public Security Bureau. The 95% confidence interval ( CI) of the rate was calculated using the binomial exact method. The age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) was calculated based on 2020 National Population Census. The trends of mortality rate were analyzed using the Cochran-Armitage trend test. Results:During 2013 to 2021, there were 20 667 coronary heart disease deaths in Tengzhou city, with an average of 2 296 cases per year. The male-to-female ratio was 1.09∶1, and 80.98% (16 736/20 667) of the death cases were aged 65 years or older. The crude mortality rate and ASMR of coronary heart disease were 131.84/10 5 and 168.22/10 5 in 2013, respectively. The crude mortality rate increased by 13.67% from 2013 to 2021 ( P<0.001) with an average annual increase of 1.59%; while the ASMR decreased by 18.65% from 2013 to 2021 ( P<0.05) with an average annual decease of 2.34%. The crude mortality rate of coronary heart disease in men and women showed an upward trend, with the difference in the increase for women being statistically significant ( P<0.01); while the ASMR both in men and women showed a downward trend ( P<0.001). The crude death rates from 2013 to 2021 in age groups of 65 or older for men and women decreased by 22.40% and 19.73%, respectively (both P<0.001); while the crude death rate for age groups of 44 or younger in men showed an upward trend ( P<0.05). The crude death rate among urban residents decreased by 5.22% from 2013 to 2021 with an annual decrease of 0.67% ( P>0.05); while the crude death rate among rural residents increased by 19.29% with an annual increase of 2.18% ( P<0.001). The overall crude death rate among urban residents was higher than that among rural residents (all P<0.05). Conclusions:From 2013 to 2021, the crude mortality rate of coronary heart disease in Tengzhou city of Shandong province shows an increasing trend while the age-standardized mortality rate shows a decreasing trend. The crude mortality rate of coronary heart disease in people aged 65 and above shows a decreasing trend. In addition, the change trends are different between women and men, and between urban and rural areas.