Diabetic retinopathy (DR) is one of the most prevalent and vision-threatening microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus, yet its pathogenesis extends far beyond vascular injury alone. As the retina is among the most energy-demanding tissues in the body, its neurons, glial cells, pigment epithelial cells, pericytes, and endothelial cells are highly dependent on mitochondrial oxidative phosphorylation to maintain visual signal transduction, ionic homeostasis, and neurovascular integrity. This review summarizes current evidence indicating that mitochondrial dysfunction is not merely a downstream consequence of chronic hyperglycemia, but a central pathogenic hub that initiates, amplifies, and perpetuates retinal neurovascular degeneration in DR. Persistent hyperglycemia activates multiple abnormal metabolic pathways, including the polyol pathway, hexosamine pathway, protein kinase C signaling, advanced glycation end-product formation, and angiotensin II-related responses. Although these pathways differ mechanistically, they converge on excessive reactive oxygen species (ROS) generation, antioxidant depletion, and mitochondrial injury. Under diabetic stress, electron transport chain overload promotes mitochondrial ROS leakage, damages mitochondrial DNA, disrupts membrane potential, and impairs the transcription of key respiratory chain components. In parallel, mitochondrial quality-control systems become progressively compromised. The balance between fusion and fission shifts toward pathological fragmentation through reduced MFN1/2 and OPA1 activity and enhanced DRP1-mediated fission. Mitochondrial biogenesis is suppressed through inhibition of the AMPK/SIRT1/PGC-1α/NRF1/TFAM axis, while mitophagy changes from an early compensatory response to a later state of autophagic flux blockade and accumulation of dysfunctional mitochondria. Importantly, damaged mitochondria serve as signal amplifiers linking metabolic stress to inflammation and programmed cell death. Mitochondrial ROS, oxidized mitochondrial DNA, calcium overload, cardiolipin exposure, and membrane permeabilization activate interrelated death pathways, including intrinsic apoptosis, ferroptosis, and pyroptosis. Cytochrome C and apoptosis-inducing factor promote caspase-dependent and caspase-independent apoptosis; iron dyshomeostasis, glutathione depletion, GPX4 dysfunction, and lipid peroxidation drive ferroptosis; and mitochondrial danger signals activate the NLRP3 inflammasome and gasdermin-dependent pyroptosis. These pathways jointly damage the retinal neurovascular unit and contribute to pericyte loss, endothelial barrier breakdown, Müller cell dysfunction, retinal ganglion cell apoptosis, retinal pigment epithelial injury, and photoreceptor degeneration. This review also emphasizes the role of epigenetic regulation in stabilizing mitochondrial pathology. DNA methylation, histone modifications, and non-coding RNAs interact to silence mitochondrial protective genes, alter antioxidant responses, and maintain the “metabolic memory” of DR even after glycemic normalization. Therefore, mitochondrial dysfunction should be understood as a dynamic, multidimensional network rather than a single pathological event. Current clinical approaches, such as laser photocoagulation, intravitreal anti-VEGF therapy, and vitrectomy, mainly target advanced vascular lesions and are limited by invasiveness, incomplete responsiveness, recurrence, and potential adverse effects. Therapeutically, strategies targeting mitochondrial ROS, restoring mitochondrial dynamics, enhancing biogenesis, regulating mitophagy, inhibiting inflammasome activation, correcting epigenetic abnormalities, and improving targeted delivery systems show promising potential. However, major translational barriers remain, including retinal cell heterogeneity, stage-specific mitochondrial responses, insufficient organelle-specific drug delivery, and long-term safety concerns. A deeper understanding of mitochondrial regulatory networks may support earlier, more precise, and multi-target interventions for preventing or slowing DR progression.

Background Shift work is increasingly common in modern industries as economic globalization continues to advance, and has been associated with type 2 diabetes mellitus (T2DM). Objective To investigate the independent and interactive effects of shift work types and physical labor intensity on the risk of T2DM within an occupational cohort of petroleum workers, aiming to provide a scientific basis for reducing the risk of T2DM among workers engaged in shift work and physical labor. Methods This cohort study enrolled petroleum workers who underwent occupational health examinations at Karamay Central Hospital in Xinjiang from 2013 to 2015. Using stratified sampling, employees aged 20–60 years who had been actively employed and had been working in their current positions for at least one year were selected. A total of 3720 participants completed the baseline questionnaire survey and health examination, and follow-up was conducted in 2023. T2DM was diagnosed according to the 2020 Chinese Guidelines for the Prevention and Treatment of Type 2 Diabetes. Shift work type was categorized into fixed day shift, two-shift rotation, three-team two-shift rotation, four-team three-shift rotation, and other shift schedules. Physical labor intensity was classified as light, moderate, heavy, and extremely heavy according to the Classification of Physical Labor Intensity for Petroleum Field Operations (SY/T 6358—2008). Poisson regression models were used to estimate the associations of shift work type, physical labor intensity, and their joint exposure categories with T2DM risk after adjustment for potential confounders. Results A total of 3473 participants completed follow-up. Poisson regression analysis showed that shift work type was associated with T2DM risk. After adjustment for confounders, compared with fixed day shift workers, those engaged in two-shift rotation, three-team two-shift rotation, four-team three-shift rotation, and other shift schedules had higher risks of T2DM, with RRs of 2.17 (95%CI: 1.44, 3.27), 1.86 (95%CI: 1.16, 2.97), 1.85 (95%CI: 1.17, 2.93), and 2.15 (95%CI: 1.20, 3.88), respectively. T2DM risk also differed across physical labor intensity groups, with the extremely heavy group showing the highest risk (RR=2.26, 95%CI: 1.44, 3.56), followed by the heavy group (RR=1.91, 95%CI: 1.29, 2.82). Compared with workers exposed to fixed day shift + light intensity, increased T2DM risks were observed in those exposed to fixed day shift + heavy intensity (RR=2.38, 95%CI: 1.16, 4.72) or extremely heavy intensity (RR=2.64, 95%CI: 1.13, 5.82); two-shift rotation + light (RR=2.71, 95%CI: 1.11, 6.14), moderate (RR=3.38, 95%CI: 1.43, 7.34), heavy (RR=3.61, 95%CI: 1.52, 7.84), or extremely heavy intensity (RR=4.93, 95%CI: 1.87, 11.12); three-shift two-team rotation + light (RR=2.75, 95%CI: 1.14, 6.19), moderate (RR=3.08, 95%CI: 1.14, 7.51), or heavy/extremely heavy intensity (RR=4.06, 95%CI: 1.77, 8.50); four-shift three-team rotation + heavy/extremely heavy intensity (RR=3.89, 95%CI: 1.78, 7.84); and other shift types + heavy/extremely heavy intensity (RR=4.57, 95%CI: 1.55, 11.30). Conclusion This study demonstrates that various types of shift work significantly increase the risk of T2DM, and that concurrent exposure to high physical labor intensity exacerbates this risk. Regular blood glucose monitoring and targeted health interventions are recommended for workers exposed to rotating shift schedules and high physical work intensity.

High altitude heart disease(HAHD)is a chronic mountain sickness in which the body is exposed to high altitude(＞2 500 m)hypobaric hypoxia environment for a long time.HAHD has high morbidity and poor prognosis,and pulmonary hypertension is the main causative mechanism for its develop-ment.The phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor sildenafil has become a hot drug for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension.This paper reviews the progress of HAHD and discusses the mechanism of action and effectiveness of sildenafil in the treatment of HAHD,with a view to providing a basis for the treatment of HAHD with sildenafil.

Objective: To understand the moderating effect of cohabitation with parents on the association between peer dating behavior and sexual behaviors among secondary vocational school students, so as to provide a scientific basis for preventing sexual behaviors among secondary vocational school students. Methods: From March to April 2021, an electronic questionnaire survey was conducted among 3 180 students from 6 vocational schools in Shanghai (urban, suburban, exurban) and Shaanxi (Shangluo, Ankang, Baoji) using cluster sampling. Spearman correlation analysis was used to investigate the relationship of cohabitation with parents, peer dating behavior and sexual behaviors among secondary vocational school students. Binary Logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate the role of cohabitation with parents on peer dating behavior and sexual behaviors among secondary vocational students. Results: There was a significant negative between cohabitation with parents and sexual ( r =-0.04); and there was a positive correlation between peer dating behavior and sexual behaviors ( r =0.24), as well as cohabitation with parents and peer dating behavior ( r =0.04)( P <0.05). Multivariable Logistic regression analysis showed an association between peer dating behavior and the occurrence of sexual behaviors ( OR=2.79-12.95, P <0.05). Cohabitation with parents played a moderating role in the association between peer dating behavior and sexual behaviors, and a signification interaction was found between cohabitation with parents and reporting that a small part or about half of their peers had dating behavior ( OR =0.48, P <0.05). Conclusions The more peers dating behavior are associated with a higher risk of sexual behaviors among secondary vocational school students, and cohabitation with parents can partly reduce this risk. School and family sexuality education for secondary vocational students should be strengthened to improve their interpersonal skills and decision-making, and ability to resist peer pressure, so as to reduce their risk of sexual behaviors.

Objective:To investigate the effect of chrysophanol(CHR)on cartilage injury in rats with osteoarthritis and its mechanism of regulating SIRT1/HMGB1/NF-κB signal pathway.Methods:Rat models of osteoarthritis were established and divided into negative control group,chrysophanol low(CHR-L,10 mg/kg),middle(CHR-M,20 mg/kg),high dose group(CHR-H,40 mg/kg),SIRT1 inhibitor(sirtinol 5 mg/kg)+chrysophanol high dose group(sirtinol+CHR-H),and normal healthy control group was set up.The degree of joint swelling was measured,and the inflammatory index was evaluated;the pain threshold(tenderness and heat pain)was measured;HE staining and safranine O staining were applied to detect the pathological changes of rat articular cartilage;the levels of serum inflammatory factors(IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α)were detected by ELISA method;oxidative stress indexes(MDA,SOD,GSH-PX)were detected by micro method;TUNEL staining was used to detect apoptosis;Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of SIRT1,HMGB1,NF-κB p65,p-NF-κB p65,MMP-13 and C-Caspase-3.Results:Compared with the normal healthy control group,the rats in negative control group had obvious pathological injury,such as destruction of articular cartilage structure,necrosis and reduction of chondrocytes,the joint swelling degree,arthritis index,levels of IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α,content of MDA,chondrocyte apoptosis rate,expressions of apoptotic protein C-Caspase-3,HMGB1,NF-κB p65/p-NF-κB p65,MMP-13 proteins increased obviously,the tenderness threshold,heat pain threshold,activities of SOD,GSH-PX,and the expression of SIRT1 protein decreased obviously(P<0.05);compared with negative control group,the pathological injury of articular cartilage in CHR group improved obviously with the increase of dosage,the joint swelling degree,arthritis index,levels of IL-6,IL-1β,TNF-α,content of MDA,chondrocyte apoptosis rate,expression of apoptotic protein C-Caspase-3,HMGB1,NF-κB p65/p-NF-κB p65,MMP-13 proteins decreased obviously,the tenderness threshold,heat pain threshold,activities of SOD,GSH-PX,and the expression of SIRT1 protein increased obviously(P<0.05);compared with CHR-H group,sirtinol+CHR-H group was able to reverse the protective effect of CHR on cartilage injury to a certain extent.Conclusion:CHR can reduce the inflammation of articular cartilage,inhibit the apoptosis of chondrocytes and play a protective role in the cartilage injury of osteoarthritis rats by up-regulating the expression of SIRT1 and down-regulating the expressions of HMGB1 and NF-κB p65/p-NF-κB p65.

The National Institute for Health and Care Excellence(NICE)first updated its 2013 Health Technology Evaluations Guidelines in 2022,followed by further minor adjustments in 2023.This round of updates primarily focuses on five key areas:mea-suring the value of health technologies,understanding and improving the evidence base,structured decision-making,addressing challenging diseases and technologies,and ensuring consistency in methods across evaluation and review projects.It outlines the up-date process and major changes,providing an analysis of these key points with the aim of offering valuable insights and methodologi-cal references for health technology assessment in China.

High altitude heart disease(HAHD)is a chronic mountain sickness in which the body is exposed to high altitude(＞2 500 m)hypobaric hypoxia environment for a long time.HAHD has high morbidity and poor prognosis,and pulmonary hypertension is the main causative mechanism for its develop-ment.The phosphodiesterase-5 inhibitor sildenafil has become a hot drug for the treatment of pulmonary hypertension.This paper reviews the progress of HAHD and discusses the mechanism of action and effectiveness of sildenafil in the treatment of HAHD,with a view to providing a basis for the treatment of HAHD with sildenafil.

AIM To study the chemical constituents from ethyl acetate fraction of Balanophora harlandii Hook.f.and their tyrosinase inhibitory activity.METHODS Separation and purification were performed using silica gel,MCI,ODS,Sephadex LH-20 and semi-preparative HPLC,then the structures of obtained compounds were identified by physicochemical properties and spectral data.The monophenolase inhibitory activity was determined by the tyrosinase-catalyzed oxidation of L-tyrosine.RESULTS Twenty-four compounds were isolated and identified as sesamin(1),methyl caffeate(2),quercetin(3),5,7-dihydroxychromanone(4),methyl 3,4-dihydroxybenzoate(5),esculetin(6),kaempferol(7),naringenin(8),pyrogallic acid(9),pinosylvin(10),methyl propionate(11),caffeic acid(12),saccharinol(13),ferulic acid(14),trans-p-hydroxycinnamic acid(15),cinnamic acid(16),vanillic acid(17),vanillin(18),4-hydroxyacetophenone(19),4-hydroxybenzaldehyde(20),apigenin(21),(-)-isolariciresinol(22),(-)-secoisolariciresinol(23)and meso-2,3-di(3′,4′-methylenedioxybenzyl)butane-1,4-diol(24).The IC50 values of compounds 3,5,7,8,19,and 20 ranged from(0.246 5±0.028 3)to(1.278 2±0.021 3)mmol/L.CONCLUSION Compounds 1-9、11、15、17-21、24 are isolated from this plant for the first time,and 1,6,9,17-19,24 are first isolated from genus Balanophora.Compounds 3、5、7、8、19 and 20 have tyrosinase inhibitory activity.

Objective To develop a virtual reality rehabilitation support system and evaluate its effects on improving discharge readiness in caregivers of laryngectomy patients.Methods The system is equipped with a virtual reality-based home nursing skills guidance module for post-laryngectomy patients and an evidence-based artificial intelligence Q&A module.A convenience sampling method was adopted to select 64 caregivers of patients who underwent laryngectomy for the first time in the otorhinolaryngology head and neck surgery department of a tertiary A hospital in Beijing from July 2024 to January 2025 for a systematic study on application effects.To avoid cross-contamination between an experimental group and a control group,ward-based grouping was applied.A coin toss was used to assign Ward 1 to an experimental group and Ward 2 to a control group,with 32 cases in each group.The experimental group received discharge guidance based on the virtual reality technology,while the control group was provided with conventional verbal and written discharge instructions.The readiness for hospital discharge and the quality of discharge teaching scores of caregivers were compared between the 2 groups after the intervention.Results No sample detachment.After the intervention,the patient caregivers in the experimental group scored significantly higher than those in the control group in terms of discharge readiness and quality of discharge guidance,with a statistically significant difference(P＜0.001).Conclusion This study developed the virtual reality rehabilitation system for laryngeal cancer patients demonstrated good feasibility and effectiveness.The application of this system for discharge education significantly improved discharge readiness of caregivers and quality of discharge guidance for post-laryngectomy patients.It also helped with the optimization of health education models,enhancement of nursing resource utilization efficiency,and improvement of transitional care.

Objective:This article aims to investigate effect of information-knowledge-attitude-practice(IKAP)theory-based health management mode on rehabilitation effect and quality of life in patients with coronary heart disease(CHD).Methods:This randomized controlled study enrolled 160 CHD patients admitted in First Depart-ment of Cardiovascular Medicine,the First People's Hospital of Wuhu and first received,transradical artery percu-taneous coronary intervention between August 2022 and February 2023.They were divided into control group(n=80,routine health management)and intervention group(n=80,IKAP theory-based health management mode),and both groups were intervened for 1 month.Visual Analogue Scale(VAS)score,frequency of pain attack,scores of Hamilton Anxiety scale(HAMA),Hamilton Depression scale(HAMD),World Health Organization Quality of Life BREF(WHOQOL-BREF)and Activities of Daily Living(ADL),and incidence of complications were com-pared between two groups.Results:After intervention,compared with patients in control group,those in interven-tion group had significant lower VAS score[(2.15±0.34)points vs.(3.99±0.44)points],frequency of pain at-tack[(1.37±0.30)times/d vs.(2.31±0.33)times/d],scores of HAMA[(9.21±0.65)points vs.(12.87±0.63)points]and HAMD[(8.87±0.52)points vs.(13.57±0.92)points],and significant higher scores of ADL[(78.32±2.95)points vs.(68.54±2.86)points]and WHOQOL-BREF[(311.54±10.73)points vs.(251.38±10.30)points](P＜0.001 all).Incidence of complications in intervention group was significantly lower than that of control group(15.00％vs.31.25％,P=0.015).Conclusion:IKAP theory-based health management mode could effectively improve the psychological state and self-care ability of daily living,reduce frequency of pain attack and incidence of complications,and improve quality of life in CHD patients.