AIM:To investigate the effect of 3% diquafosol sodium eye drops on tear film homeostasis in patients wearing overnight orthokeratology lenses.METHODS:Retrospective study. A total of 340 patients(564 eyes)fitted with night-worn orthokeratology lenses from June to December 2022 were respectively divided into a diquafosol sodium group(200 cases, 323 eyes, treated with 3% diquafosol sodium eye drops)and a sodium hyaluronate group(140 cases, 241 eyes, treated with sodium hyaluronate eye drops). The uncorrected visual acuity(LogMAR), ocular surface disease index(OSDI), non-invasive tear film break-up time(NIBUT), meibomian gland infrared imaging score, and corneal epithelial fluorescein staining were analyzed and compared between the two groups.RESULTS:Compared to baseline, both groups showed significant improvements in uncorrected visual acuity(LogMAR)at 1 wk, 1, and 3 mo after lens wear(all P<0.01). However, no statistically significant difference in uncorrected visual acuity(LogMAR)was observed between the two groups at any time point(all P>0.05). No significant differences in NIBUT or OSDI scores were found between the groups before and at 1 wk after lens wear(all P>0.05). At the 1- and 3 mo follow-ups, the 3% diquafosol sodium group demonstrated significantly longer NIBUT(all P<0.001)and lower OSDI scores(all P<0.001)compared to the sodium hyaluronate group. After wearing lens for 3 mo, the meibomian gland infrared imaging scores were significantly better in the diquafosol sodium group(P<0.001), whereas no significant intergroup difference was observed in corneal fluorescein staining(P>0.05). Furthermore, the incidence of adverse events during the study period did not differ significantly between the two groups(P>0.05).CONCLUSION:Compared with sodium hyaluronate, 3% diquafosol sodium eye drops were more effective in maintaining tear film homeostasis in patients wearing overnight orthokeratology lenses.

BACKGROUND: Asthma is a common chronic inflammatory airway disease and intermittent hypoxia is increasingly recognized as a factor that may impact disease progression. The present study investigated whether intermittent hypoxia (IH) could aggravate asthma by promoting hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α)/nucleotide-binding oligomerization domain (NOD)-like receptor pyrin domain-containing protein 3 (NLRP3)/interleukin (IL)-1β-dependent pyroptosis and the inflammatory response and further elucidated the underlying molecular mechanisms involved. METHODS: A total of 49 patients diagnosed with severe bronchial asthma and diagnosed by polysomnography were enrolled at Tongji Hospital, Tongji Medical College of Huazhong University of Science and Technology, between January 2022 and December 2022, and their general data and induced sputum were collected. BEAS-2B cells were treated with IL-13 and subjected to IH. An ovalbumin (OVA)-treated mouse model was also used to assess the effects of chronic intermittent hypoxia (CIH) on asthma. Pyroptosis, the inflammatory response, and related signalling pathways were assessed in vivo and in vitro . RESULTS: In this study, as the apnoea and hypopnea index (AHI) increased, the proportion of patients with uncontrolled asthma increased. The proportions of neutrophils and the levels of IL-6, IL-8, HIF-1α and NLRP3 in induced sputum were related to the AHI. NLRP3-mediated pyroptosis, which could be mediated by the HIF-1α signalling pathway, was activated in IL-13 plus IH-treated BEAS-2B cells and in the lungs of OVA/CIH mice. HIF-1α downregulation significantly reduced lung pyroptosis and ameliorated neutrophil inflammation by modulating the NLRP3/IL-1β pathway both in vitro and in vivo . Similarly, pretreatment with LW6, an inhibitor of HIF-1α, effectively blocked the generation of inflammatory cytokines in neutrophils. In addition, administration of the NLRP3 activator nigericin obviously increased lung neutrophil inflammation. CONCLUSIONS Obstructive sleep apnoea-hypopnea syndrome (OSAHS) is a risk factor for asthma exacerbation. IH aggravates neutrophil inflammation in asthma via NLRP3/IL-1β-dependent pyroptosis mediated by the HIF-1α signalling pathway, which should be considered a potential therapeutic target for the treatment of asthma with OSAHS.
NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Humans ; Asthma/metabolism* ; Animals ; Pyroptosis/physiology* ; Hypoxia-Inducible Factor 1, alpha Subunit/metabolism* ; Mice ; Signal Transduction/physiology* ; Male ; Hypoxia/metabolism* ; Female ; Interleukin-1beta/metabolism* ; Adult ; Inflammation/metabolism* ; Middle Aged ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

With the progress of medical insurance reform,the refinement of medical insurance management in pub-lic hospitals still fails to meet the actual demands for medical insurance work.Based on the existing problems of medical insurance management,it emphasizes the necessity of the refined management of medical insurance.By integrating be-havioral economics theory,it divides the refined management of medical insurance into five distinct stages:develop-ment planning,process-oriented platform,organizational framework,staff training programs and regulatory supervi-sion.The behavioral logic of the refined management of medical insurance in public hospitals is analyzed.Building on this analysis,the relevant key insights are summarized to provide a reference for promoting the public welfare-oriented reform of public hospitals and realizing the high-quality development of public hospitals.

Objective:This study systematically summarized the construction experience of the immunology platform at the Institute of Basic Medical Sciences, Peking University Third Hospital, aiming to provide theoretical references and practical guidance for research-oriented hospitals in building high-quality research platforms.Methods:This study employed case study analysis to elaborate on the platform development initiatives, integrating literature analysis and in-depth interviews to conduct a horizontal comparison of management models among peer research platforms.Results:Through five years of development, the platform had achieved remarkable outcomes via a model integrating ″Talent cultivation-Technological innovation-Equipment procurement″ Research talents had demonstrated breakthroughs in securing national-level research grants, publishing high-impact papers, and obtaining scientific awards. The technical service system had achieved enhancement in both service scope and professional depth, fostering robust interdisciplinary synergy. The platform had effectively expanded its societal engagement capacity.Conclusions:The sustainable advancement of research-oriented hospital immunology platform necessitates establishing standardized flow cytometry databases and implementing high-dimensional data integration. Building upon multidisciplinary convergence, it is imperative to pioneer innovative operational mechanisms characterized by efficiency, open-access, and shared frameworks.

"Upper deficiency leading to vertigo" is one of the representative discussions on deficiency vertigo in Huang Di Nei Jing, which has laid the foundation for the rich development of the theory of "deficiency causing vertigo" in later generations. The brain lymphatic system can remove metabolic wastes and provide nutrients for the brain, which is involved in the development of many brain diseases. This study believes that the broad definition of "upper deficiency leading to vertigo", that is to say, vertigo is triggered by abnormalities in the local physiological functions of the brain orifices, can be used as a platform for the pathogenesis of vertigo. Based on the findings of modern medicine on the lymphoid system, the authors discussed the possible interactions between the lymphoid system, phlegm, blood stasis, deficiency, and other pathological factors of vertigo. β-amyloid, neurotransmitters, inflammatory mediators and other "toxic pathogenic factors" may also be an important cause of vertigo. This article attempted to explain the pathogenesis of "upper deficiency leading to vertigo" with the help of lymphoid system, in order to provide new thinking direction for the development of TCM clinical diagnosis and treatment of vertigo.

Objective:To establish a reference interval for serum iodine of pregnant women with normal thyroid function and to analyze the relationship between serum iodine and thyroid disease risk.Methods:From July 2022 to October 2023, using cross-sectional survey method, pregnant women aged 18 to 48 years old who had lived in iodine-deficient areas in the six provinces of China (Shanxi Province, Fujian Province, Yunnan Province, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Zhejiang Province, and Anhui Province) for more than six months were selected as the survey subjects. Blood samples were collected, serum iodine was tested, and the percentile method was used to establish a reference interval for serum iodine of pregnant women with normal thyroid function. Meanwhile, serum levels of free thyroxine, thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb), and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) were tested, and logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between serum iodine and thyroid disease risk.Results:A total of 1 409 pregnant women from 6 provinces were investigated, including 1 087 with normal thyroid function and 322 with abnormal thyroid function. The median serum iodine level of pregnant women with normal thyroid function was 79.74 μg/L, and the preliminary reference interval for serum iodine was 47.57 - 128.96 μg/L. When serum iodine levels were lower (< 47.57 μg/L), pregnant women had a significantly increased risk of developing TgAb positivity, TPOAb positivity, hypothyroxinemia, hypothyroidism, and autoimmune thyroiditis ( OR = 4.44, 2.91, 3.41, 41.67, 23.43, P < 0.05). When serum iodine levels were high (> 128.96 μg/L), pregnant women had a significantly increased risk of developing hyperthyroidism ( OR = 9.91, P = 0.001). Conclusions:The reference interval for serum iodine of pregnant women with normal thyroid function is successfully established. Low serum iodine levels are associated with an increased risk of TgAb positivity, TPOAb positivity, hypothyroxinemia, hypothyroidism, and autoimmune thyroiditis, while high serum iodine levels are associated with an increased risk of hyperthyroidism.

Objective:To investigate the clinical results of gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy via posterior chest-collarbone approach (GETPCA) compared with open neck surgery for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) .Mthods:Retrospective analysis of PTC patients admitted to the Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from Jan. 2022 to Dec. 2023,and randomly divided into the open group and the lumbo-scopic group according to whether or not they had a requirement for an unmarked neck, in which the open group was n=100,and the lumbo-scopic group was n=67,with 39 male cases and 128 female cases. Clinicopathological characteristics, surgery-related indexes, postoperative complications, postoperative pain scores and postoperative cosmetic satisfaction were compared between the two groups.The t-test,Wilcoxon rank-sum test, χ2 test, consecutively corrected χ2 test, or Fisher’s exact probability method were used to compare the groups. Results:No recurrence was seen during the follow-up period,and none of the cases in the luminal group was open in the middle. The differences in age, body mass index BMI, gender, relative tumor location,preoperative TSH, T stage and N stage between the two groups were not statistically significant ( P>0.05) . The total operation time [ (121.07±39.80) min vs. (93.87±26.97) min]in the luminal group was greater than that in the open group,intraoperative bleeding was less than that in the open group, and the postoperative drainage flow[ (130.69±31.01) mL vs. (105.52±32.71) mL] was greater than that in the open group in the postoperative period of 72 h, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001) .There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of 24-h postoperative drainage volume, number of central zone lymph node dissection, number of positive central zone lymph nodes,postoperative hospitalization days or total hospitalization cost ( P>0.05) .The number of cases of neck discomfort (3 cases vs.23 cases, P<0.001) and swallowing dysfunction (2 cases vs.20 cases, P=0.003) in the luminal group was smaller than that in the open group,and the difference was statistically significant.The difference in the incidence of bleeding,incision infection,seroma,temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and temporary parathyroid gland injury between the two groups was also not statistically significant ( P>0.05) .The postoperative NRS on day 1 and postoperative NRS on day 3 of the luminal group were lower than those of the open group,and the difference was statistically significant ( P>0.05) ,while there was no statistically significant difference between the postoperative NRS on day 7,the postoperative NRS on month 1 and the postoperative NRS on month 3 ( P>0.05) .Cosmetic satisfaction at 6 months postoperatively was higher in the luminal group than in the open group,and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001) . Conclusion:GETPCA for the treatment of the PTC is safe and feasible,with satisfactory cosmetic results and reduction of neck discomfort and swallowing dysfunction,which is worthy of clinical popularization.

Objective:To investigate the clinical results of gasless endoscopic thyroidectomy via posterior chest-collarbone approach (GETPCA) compared with open neck surgery for papillary thyroid carcinoma (PTC) .Mthods:Retrospective analysis of PTC patients admitted to the Department of Thyroid and Breast Surgery of the Third Affiliated Hospital of Anhui Medical University from Jan. 2022 to Dec. 2023,and randomly divided into the open group and the lumbo-scopic group according to whether or not they had a requirement for an unmarked neck, in which the open group was n=100,and the lumbo-scopic group was n=67,with 39 male cases and 128 female cases. Clinicopathological characteristics, surgery-related indexes, postoperative complications, postoperative pain scores and postoperative cosmetic satisfaction were compared between the two groups.The t-test,Wilcoxon rank-sum test, χ2 test, consecutively corrected χ2 test, or Fisher’s exact probability method were used to compare the groups. Results:No recurrence was seen during the follow-up period,and none of the cases in the luminal group was open in the middle. The differences in age, body mass index BMI, gender, relative tumor location,preoperative TSH, T stage and N stage between the two groups were not statistically significant ( P>0.05) . The total operation time [ (121.07±39.80) min vs. (93.87±26.97) min]in the luminal group was greater than that in the open group,intraoperative bleeding was less than that in the open group, and the postoperative drainage flow[ (130.69±31.01) mL vs. (105.52±32.71) mL] was greater than that in the open group in the postoperative period of 72 h, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001) .There was no statistical difference between the two groups in terms of 24-h postoperative drainage volume, number of central zone lymph node dissection, number of positive central zone lymph nodes,postoperative hospitalization days or total hospitalization cost ( P>0.05) .The number of cases of neck discomfort (3 cases vs.23 cases, P<0.001) and swallowing dysfunction (2 cases vs.20 cases, P=0.003) in the luminal group was smaller than that in the open group,and the difference was statistically significant.The difference in the incidence of bleeding,incision infection,seroma,temporary recurrent laryngeal nerve injury and temporary parathyroid gland injury between the two groups was also not statistically significant ( P>0.05) .The postoperative NRS on day 1 and postoperative NRS on day 3 of the luminal group were lower than those of the open group,and the difference was statistically significant ( P>0.05) ,while there was no statistically significant difference between the postoperative NRS on day 7,the postoperative NRS on month 1 and the postoperative NRS on month 3 ( P>0.05) .Cosmetic satisfaction at 6 months postoperatively was higher in the luminal group than in the open group,and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.001) . Conclusion:GETPCA for the treatment of the PTC is safe and feasible,with satisfactory cosmetic results and reduction of neck discomfort and swallowing dysfunction,which is worthy of clinical popularization.

Objective:To establish a reference interval for serum iodine of pregnant women with normal thyroid function and to analyze the relationship between serum iodine and thyroid disease risk.Methods:From July 2022 to October 2023, using cross-sectional survey method, pregnant women aged 18 to 48 years old who had lived in iodine-deficient areas in the six provinces of China (Shanxi Province, Fujian Province, Yunnan Province, Xinjiang Uygur Autonomous Region, Zhejiang Province, and Anhui Province) for more than six months were selected as the survey subjects. Blood samples were collected, serum iodine was tested, and the percentile method was used to establish a reference interval for serum iodine of pregnant women with normal thyroid function. Meanwhile, serum levels of free thyroxine, thyroid stimulating hormone, thyroglobulin antibody (TgAb), and thyroid peroxidase antibody (TPOAb) were tested, and logistic regression was used to analyze the relationship between serum iodine and thyroid disease risk.Results:A total of 1 409 pregnant women from 6 provinces were investigated, including 1 087 with normal thyroid function and 322 with abnormal thyroid function. The median serum iodine level of pregnant women with normal thyroid function was 79.74 μg/L, and the preliminary reference interval for serum iodine was 47.57 - 128.96 μg/L. When serum iodine levels were lower (< 47.57 μg/L), pregnant women had a significantly increased risk of developing TgAb positivity, TPOAb positivity, hypothyroxinemia, hypothyroidism, and autoimmune thyroiditis ( OR = 4.44, 2.91, 3.41, 41.67, 23.43, P < 0.05). When serum iodine levels were high (> 128.96 μg/L), pregnant women had a significantly increased risk of developing hyperthyroidism ( OR = 9.91, P = 0.001). Conclusions:The reference interval for serum iodine of pregnant women with normal thyroid function is successfully established. Low serum iodine levels are associated with an increased risk of TgAb positivity, TPOAb positivity, hypothyroxinemia, hypothyroidism, and autoimmune thyroiditis, while high serum iodine levels are associated with an increased risk of hyperthyroidism.

With the progress of medical insurance reform,the refinement of medical insurance management in pub-lic hospitals still fails to meet the actual demands for medical insurance work.Based on the existing problems of medical insurance management,it emphasizes the necessity of the refined management of medical insurance.By integrating be-havioral economics theory,it divides the refined management of medical insurance into five distinct stages:develop-ment planning,process-oriented platform,organizational framework,staff training programs and regulatory supervi-sion.The behavioral logic of the refined management of medical insurance in public hospitals is analyzed.Building on this analysis,the relevant key insights are summarized to provide a reference for promoting the public welfare-oriented reform of public hospitals and realizing the high-quality development of public hospitals.