BACKGROUND:Studies have shown that vision recovery with thinner grafts is faster and the risk of rejection is lower.In China,there is a lack of clinical efficacy analysis of different graftthicknesses after endothelial transplantation.Therefore,determining the optimal graftthickness is crucial for improving surgical efficacy. OBJECTIVE:To evaluate the effects of different graftthickness on vision recovery and other prognostic indexes after simple Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty. METHODS:A total of 72 patients(72 eyes)with corneal endothelial decompensation who received simple Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty at the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command from January 2013 to February 2023 were selected.There were 32 cases(32 eyes)in the thin graftgroup(＜100 μm)and 40 cases(40 eyes)in the thick graftgroup(≥100 μm).The best corrected visual acuity,corneal endothelial cell count,corneal graft transparency,postoperative complications and graftsurvival were observed in both groups before and 1,3,6,and 12 months after surgery. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:The visual acuity after surgery was significantly improved in both groups,and the best corrected visual acuity 3 months after surgery in the thin graftgroup was better than that in the thick graftgroup(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the number of corneal endothelial cells and grafttransparency between the two groups 1 year after surgery(P＞0.05).There was no significant difference in the incidence of postoperative complications such as secondary glaucoma,graftimmune rejection and graftdisplacement between the two groups(P＞0.05).There was no significant difference in the 1-year survival rate of grafts between the two groups(93.8%vs.92.3%,P＞0.05).To conclude,simple Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty is a safe and effective surgical method for corneal endothelial transplantation,and its postoperative efficacy is similar to that of traditional Descemet's stripping endothelial keratoplasty,and the graftimplantation method is simpler.Thinner grafts can provide optimal corrected vision earlier and complete corneal remodeling sooner.Therefore,in the treatment of corneal endothelial decompensation,thinner grafts are preferred to improve recovery time.

Objective:To explore the effect of exercise on the memory of rats modeling vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) and also its effects on the hippocampal Sema3G/neuropilin-2 (Nrp2)/PlexinA4 signaling pathway.Methods:Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham-operated group, a model group, and an exercise group, each of 6. The model and exercise groups underwent VCI modeling via bilateral common carotid artery occlusion, while the sham-operated group received the same surgical procedure without vessel ligation or transection. Beginning forty-eight hours after the surgery, the exercise group carried out daily 30-minute treadmill training sessions, 5 days a week, for a total of 4 weeks, while the other two groups were placed on the same treadmill with it not in operation. After the intervention, cognitive functioning was assessed using the novel object recognition (NOR) test and a Y-maze test. Western blotting was employed to evaluate the expression of Sema3G, Nrp2, PlexinA4, and Rac1 in the hippocampus. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the distribution of Nrp2 and PlexinA4 in the hippocampus.Results:Compared with the model group, the exercise group exhibited significantly higher NOR indices during both the short-term and long-term memory testing phases after the intervention. Those rats also tended to have significantly longer total exploration times in the novel arm of the Y-maze test. The western blotting revealed that the expression levels of Sema3G, PlexinA4, and Rac1 in the hippocampus were significantly higher in the exercise group compared to the model group, on average. Immunofluorescence showed significantly increased PlexinA4 fluorescence intensity in the CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus (DG) regions of the hippocampus, and significantly elevated Nrp2 fluorescence intensity in the CA3 region in the exercise group compared to the model group. The Pearson correlation coefficients for Nrp2/PlexinA4 co-localization in the CA1, CA3 and DG regions were significantly higher in the exercise group than in the model group.Conclusions:Exercise training significantly improves memory function in rats with VCI, and this effect may be associated with activation of the hippocampal Sema3G/Nrp2/PlexinA4 signaling pathway.

BACKGROUND:If not detected and treated in a timely manner,immune-associated peripheral ulcerative keratitis can lead to corneal thinning,ulcers and even perforation,thereby causing visual loss and affecting the patient's quality of life.OBJECTIVE:To discuss the pathogenesis of immune-associated peripheral ulcerative keratitis and summarize the diagnosis and treatment ideas and the latest treatment methods for this disease.METHODS:Search terms were"peripheral ulcerative keratitis,immunity,immune system disease,pathogenesis,immunomodulatory therapy,surgical treatment,keratoplasty"in English and Chinese.Relevant literature on peripheral ulcerative keratitis published from database inception to October 2024 was searched by computer in CNKI,WanFang,PubMed,and El databases.A total of 68 papers were ultimately selected to comprehensively describe the new research progress in the research on immune-associated peripheral ulcerative keratitis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Immune-associated peripheral ulcerative keratitis includes Mooren's ulcer,blepharokeratoconjunctivitis,superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis,and autoimmune related peripheral ulcerative keratitis.Due to the physiology of the corneal limbus,peripheral ulcerative keratitis is usually associated with an immune response,and the pathophysiologic mechanism is usually related to the deposition of immune complexes in the blood vessels at the limbus and the production of microangiitis.Systemic immunomodulatory therapy should be used whether or not an autoimmune disease is diagnosed prior to the onset of immune-associated peripheral ulcerative keratitis,which can help to reduce ocular complications associated with systemic inflammation.Nonsurgical treatment,such as immunomodulatory therapy,is beneficial for relieving ocular symptoms,but when nonsurgical treatment is ineffective or the lesion infiltrates the Descemet membrane,it can cause corneal perforation.Combined surgical treatment can help maintain the structural integrity of the eyeball.However,there is no clear evidence for the combination of immunomodulatory therapy and surgical treatment in the development of immune-associated Peripheral ulcerative keratitis.This article reviews the literature on the diagnosis and treatment of immune-associated peripheral ulcerative keratitiss.

Background and aims:Hepatocellular carcinoma(HCC)is a malignant tumor with a high mortality rate,but there are still no effective treatments.The aim of this study was to investigate the anticancer po-tential of the combined use of brefeldin A(BFA)and tunicamycin(TM)in HepG2 cells,as well as the underlying mechanisms.Methods:HepG2 cells were treated with different concentrations of BFA(0.1-2.5 mg/L)and TM(1-5 mg/L)for 24 h.DMSO(0.1％,v/v)was used as a vehicle control.Cell viability and cell migration were measured using MTT assay and scratch wound assay,respectively.Apoptosis was detected using flow cytometry and acridine orange(AO)staining.The protein and mRNA levels of various factors involved in apoptosis(poly(ADP-ribose)polymerase-1(PARP-1),caspase-12,caspase-3,and stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1)and endoplasmic reticulum(ER)stress(binding immunoglobulin protein(BiP),protein kinase R-like endoplasmic reticulum kinase(PERK),p-PERK,phosphorylation of eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2alpha(p-eIF2α),activating transcription factor(ATF)4,and C/EBP homologous protein(CHOP))were measured using Western blotting and qRT-PCR,respectively.Results:Both BFA and TM alone significantly reduced the viability of HepG2 cells in a dose-dependent way.The co-incubation with TM(1 mg/L)further significantly reduced the viability of HepG2 cells treated with BFA(0.25 mg/L)alone(P＜0.05).BFA significantly increased the protein and mRNA levels of caspase-3 and PARP-1(P＜0.05)compared to control and DMSO-treated cells,indicating that BFA induced apoptosis in HepG2 cells by increasing the expression of caspase-3 and PARP-1.The induction of apoptosis by BFA could be further significantly enhanced by co-incubation with TM.In addition,BFA significantly increased the mRNA levels of BiP,PERK and ATF4(P＜0.05)compared to control and DMSO-treated cells.After co-incubation of BFA and TM,the protein levels of BiP,p-PERK,p-eIF2α and CHOP were significantly increased,indicating that TM could enhance BFA-induced ER stress in HepG2 cells through the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP pathway.Conclusions:BFA could induce apoptosis and ER stress,and TM could enhance the ability of BFA to induce apoptosis and ER stress in HepG2 cells through the PERK-eIF2α-ATF4-CHOP pathway.The findings highlight the therapeutic potential of the combined use of BFA and TM in treating HCC.

BACKGROUND:If not detected and treated in a timely manner,immune-associated peripheral ulcerative keratitis can lead to corneal thinning,ulcers and even perforation,thereby causing visual loss and affecting the patient's quality of life.OBJECTIVE:To discuss the pathogenesis of immune-associated peripheral ulcerative keratitis and summarize the diagnosis and treatment ideas and the latest treatment methods for this disease.METHODS:Search terms were"peripheral ulcerative keratitis,immunity,immune system disease,pathogenesis,immunomodulatory therapy,surgical treatment,keratoplasty"in English and Chinese.Relevant literature on peripheral ulcerative keratitis published from database inception to October 2024 was searched by computer in CNKI,WanFang,PubMed,and El databases.A total of 68 papers were ultimately selected to comprehensively describe the new research progress in the research on immune-associated peripheral ulcerative keratitis.RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:Immune-associated peripheral ulcerative keratitis includes Mooren's ulcer,blepharokeratoconjunctivitis,superior limbic keratoconjunctivitis,and autoimmune related peripheral ulcerative keratitis.Due to the physiology of the corneal limbus,peripheral ulcerative keratitis is usually associated with an immune response,and the pathophysiologic mechanism is usually related to the deposition of immune complexes in the blood vessels at the limbus and the production of microangiitis.Systemic immunomodulatory therapy should be used whether or not an autoimmune disease is diagnosed prior to the onset of immune-associated peripheral ulcerative keratitis,which can help to reduce ocular complications associated with systemic inflammation.Nonsurgical treatment,such as immunomodulatory therapy,is beneficial for relieving ocular symptoms,but when nonsurgical treatment is ineffective or the lesion infiltrates the Descemet membrane,it can cause corneal perforation.Combined surgical treatment can help maintain the structural integrity of the eyeball.However,there is no clear evidence for the combination of immunomodulatory therapy and surgical treatment in the development of immune-associated Peripheral ulcerative keratitis.This article reviews the literature on the diagnosis and treatment of immune-associated peripheral ulcerative keratitiss.

Objective:To explore the effect of exercise on the memory of rats modeling vascular cognitive impairment (VCI) and also its effects on the hippocampal Sema3G/neuropilin-2 (Nrp2)/PlexinA4 signaling pathway.Methods:Eighteen male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into a sham-operated group, a model group, and an exercise group, each of 6. The model and exercise groups underwent VCI modeling via bilateral common carotid artery occlusion, while the sham-operated group received the same surgical procedure without vessel ligation or transection. Beginning forty-eight hours after the surgery, the exercise group carried out daily 30-minute treadmill training sessions, 5 days a week, for a total of 4 weeks, while the other two groups were placed on the same treadmill with it not in operation. After the intervention, cognitive functioning was assessed using the novel object recognition (NOR) test and a Y-maze test. Western blotting was employed to evaluate the expression of Sema3G, Nrp2, PlexinA4, and Rac1 in the hippocampus. Immunofluorescence staining was used to observe the distribution of Nrp2 and PlexinA4 in the hippocampus.Results:Compared with the model group, the exercise group exhibited significantly higher NOR indices during both the short-term and long-term memory testing phases after the intervention. Those rats also tended to have significantly longer total exploration times in the novel arm of the Y-maze test. The western blotting revealed that the expression levels of Sema3G, PlexinA4, and Rac1 in the hippocampus were significantly higher in the exercise group compared to the model group, on average. Immunofluorescence showed significantly increased PlexinA4 fluorescence intensity in the CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus (DG) regions of the hippocampus, and significantly elevated Nrp2 fluorescence intensity in the CA3 region in the exercise group compared to the model group. The Pearson correlation coefficients for Nrp2/PlexinA4 co-localization in the CA1, CA3 and DG regions were significantly higher in the exercise group than in the model group.Conclusions:Exercise training significantly improves memory function in rats with VCI, and this effect may be associated with activation of the hippocampal Sema3G/Nrp2/PlexinA4 signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate changes in coagulation function and inflammation levels during sepsis.Methods A rat model of sepsis was established using the multiple infection sepsis model(MIM)based on cecal ligation and puncture.Forty-eight male Sprague-Dawley rats were assigned randomly to the following groups:control group,sham group,4 h sepsis group,8 h sepsis group,12 h sepsis group,and 16 h sepsis group(n=8 per group).Inflammatory markers and coagulation-related indicators were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay and coagulation analysis.Results(1)Lipopolysaccharide(LPS)and interleukin-6(IL-6)levels were significantly higher in the model rats at all time points compared with the sham group(P＜0.001).LPS and IL-6 levels increased gradually with disease progression,with no further changes in LPS after 12 hours.(2)Prothrombin time(PT)was significantly prolonged in the middle and late stages of the sepsis model,starting from 8,compared with the sham group(P＜0.01).(3)Partially activated prothrombin time(APTT)time was significantly prolonged in the 8,12,and 16 h groups compared with the sham group(P＜0.05,P＜0.01).APTT gradually lengthened from 8 h,but approached control levels thereafter.(4)Fibrinogen(Fbg)content was significantly higher in all sepsis groups,except for the 8 h group,compared with the sham group(P＜0.01).(5)Fibrin degradation products(FDP)differed significantly between the control and sham groups(P＜0.01),but not between the sham and sepsis groups.(6)Antithrombin-Ⅲ(AT-Ⅲ)levels decreased significantly throughout each stage of sepsis progression compared with the sham group(P＜0.01),and AT-Ⅲ showed a downward trend with the course of disease,with significant differences among the 4,8,and 16 h groups.Conclusions The MIM rat model can reflect the development of inflammatory and blood coagulation disorders and their relationship during the course of sepsis,and may thus provide a good foundation for further research into the disease course of sepsis.

Objective:To observe and evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in China, and to explore the prognosis-related molecules in pancreatic cancer based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) of tumor tissues.Methods:From December 2018 to December 2020, patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer were recruited to accept albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment in the oncology departments of 24 hospitals in East China. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and treatment related adverse events, and the secondary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Adverse effects were graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 5.0 (CTCAE 5.0). NGS sequencing on the primary or metastatic tissue samples of pancreatic cancer obtained through surgical resection or biopsy was performed.Results:This study recruited 229 patients, including 70 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) and 159 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC). The disease control rate was 79.9% and the objective response rate is 36.3%.The common adverse effects during treatment were anaemia (159 cases), leucopenia (170 cases), neutropenia (169 cases), increased aminotransferases (110 cases), and thrombocytopenia (95 cases), and the incidence of grade 3-4 neutropenia is 12.2% (28/229). The median follow-up time was 21.2 months (95% CI: 18.5-23.1 months). The median PFS (mPFS) was 5.3 months (95% CI: 4.37-4.07 months) and the median OS (mOS) was 11.2 months (95% CI: 9.5-12.9 months). The mPFS of patients with LAPC was 7.4 months (95% CI: 6.6-11.2 months), and their mOS was 15.5 months (95% CI: 12.6-NA months). The mPFS of patients with mPC was 3.9 months (95% CI: 3.4-5.1 months), and their mOS was 9.3 months (95% CI: 8.0-10.8 months). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that clinical stage ( HR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.06-2.04), primary tumor site ( HR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.48-0.86), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) score ( HR=2.66, 95% CI: 1.53-4.65), and whether to combine radiotherapy ( HR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.42-1.00) were independent influencing factors for the PFS of these patients. The primary tumor site ( HR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.48-0.95), ECOG score ( HR=5.82, 95% CI: 3.14-10.82), and whether to combine radiotherapy ( HR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.35-0.96) were independent influencing factors of the OS of these patients. The most frequent gene mutations in these advanced stage pancreatic patients were KRAS (89.66%), TP53 (77.01%), CDKN2A (32.18%), and SMAD4 (21.84%) by NGS of tumor tissues from 87 pancreatic cancer patients with sufficient specimens. Further analysis revealed that mutations in CDKN2B, PTEN, FGF6, and RBBP8 genes were significantly associated with an increased risk of death ( P＜0.05). Conclusion:Albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment demonstrated feasible anti-tumor efficacy and manageable safety for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in China.

Objective:To observe and evaluate the clinical efficacy and safety of albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in China, and to explore the prognosis-related molecules in pancreatic cancer based on next-generation sequencing (NGS) of tumor tissues.Methods:From December 2018 to December 2020, patients with locally advanced or metastatic pancreatic cancer were recruited to accept albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment in the oncology departments of 24 hospitals in East China. The primary endpoints were overall survival (OS) and treatment related adverse events, and the secondary endpoint was progression-free survival (PFS). Adverse effects were graded using Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events 5.0 (CTCAE 5.0). NGS sequencing on the primary or metastatic tissue samples of pancreatic cancer obtained through surgical resection or biopsy was performed.Results:This study recruited 229 patients, including 70 patients with locally advanced pancreatic cancer (LAPC) and 159 patients with metastatic pancreatic cancer (mPC). The disease control rate was 79.9% and the objective response rate is 36.3%.The common adverse effects during treatment were anaemia (159 cases), leucopenia (170 cases), neutropenia (169 cases), increased aminotransferases (110 cases), and thrombocytopenia (95 cases), and the incidence of grade 3-4 neutropenia is 12.2% (28/229). The median follow-up time was 21.2 months (95% CI: 18.5-23.1 months). The median PFS (mPFS) was 5.3 months (95% CI: 4.37-4.07 months) and the median OS (mOS) was 11.2 months (95% CI: 9.5-12.9 months). The mPFS of patients with LAPC was 7.4 months (95% CI: 6.6-11.2 months), and their mOS was 15.5 months (95% CI: 12.6-NA months). The mPFS of patients with mPC was 3.9 months (95% CI: 3.4-5.1 months), and their mOS was 9.3 months (95% CI: 8.0-10.8 months). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that clinical stage ( HR=1.47, 95% CI: 1.06-2.04), primary tumor site ( HR=0.64, 95% CI: 0.48-0.86), Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status (ECOG PS) score ( HR=2.66, 95% CI: 1.53-4.65), and whether to combine radiotherapy ( HR=0.65, 95% CI: 0.42-1.00) were independent influencing factors for the PFS of these patients. The primary tumor site ( HR=0.68, 95% CI: 0.48-0.95), ECOG score ( HR=5.82, 95% CI: 3.14-10.82), and whether to combine radiotherapy ( HR=0.58, 95% CI: 0.35-0.96) were independent influencing factors of the OS of these patients. The most frequent gene mutations in these advanced stage pancreatic patients were KRAS (89.66%), TP53 (77.01%), CDKN2A (32.18%), and SMAD4 (21.84%) by NGS of tumor tissues from 87 pancreatic cancer patients with sufficient specimens. Further analysis revealed that mutations in CDKN2B, PTEN, FGF6, and RBBP8 genes were significantly associated with an increased risk of death ( P＜0.05). Conclusion:Albumin-bound paclitaxel as first-line treatment demonstrated feasible anti-tumor efficacy and manageable safety for patients with advanced pancreatic cancer in China.

Inflammation-driven endothelial dysfunction is the major initiating factor in atherosclerosis, while the underlying mechanism remains elusive. Here, we report that the non-canonical stimulator of interferon genes (STING)-PKR-like ER kinase (PERK) pathway was significantly activated in both human and mice atherosclerotic arteries. Typically, STING activation leads to the activation of interferon regulatory factor 3 (IRF3) and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)/p65, thereby facilitating IFN signals and inflammation. In contrast, our study reveals the activated non-canonical STING-PERK pathway increases scaffold protein bromodomain protein 4 (BRD4) expression, which encourages the formation of super-enhancers on the proximal promoter regions of the proinflammatory cytokines, thereby enabling the transactivation of these cytokines by integrating activated IRF3 and NF-κB via a condensation process. Endothelium-specific STING and BRD4 deficiency significantly decreased the plaque area and inflammation. Mechanistically, this pathway is triggered by leaked mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) via mitochondrial permeability transition pore (mPTP), formed by voltage-dependent anion channel 1 (VDAC1) oligomer interaction with oxidized mtDNA upon cholesterol oxidation stimulation. Especially, compared to macrophages, endothelial STING activation plays a more pronounced role in atherosclerosis. We propose a non-canonical STING-PERK pathway-dependent epigenetic paradigm in atherosclerosis that integrates IRF3, NF-κB and BRD4 in inflammatory responses, which provides emerging therapeutic modalities for vascular endothelial dysfunction.