AIM: To investigate variation patterns of corneal biomechanical parameters and binocular symmetry among children of different genders aged 8-16 years.METHODS:A retrospective study was conducted, and children who underwent optometric examinations at the ophthalmology department of our hospital were enrolled between January 2022 and December 2024. Measurements included the flat keratometry(K1), steep keratometry(K2), and mean curvature(Km)of the anterior corneal surface, horizontal visible iris diameter(HVID), central corneal thickness(CCT), corneal endothelial cell density(CECD), average cell size(ACS), coefficient of variation(CV), and hexagonality(HEX). Corneal parameters and binocular differences were compared between genders and across age groups.RESULTS:A total of 621 children(1 242 eyes)were enrolled in this study, including 284 males(568 eyes), 337 females(674 eyes), 528 children aged 8-12 years(1 056 eyes), and 93 children aged 13-16 years(186 eyes). In children aged 8-16 years, the K1, K2, Km and CV of both eyes, as well as the interocular CCT differences in boys were significantly lower than those in girls(all P<0.05), while the HVID and HEX of both eyes, as well as the CCT of the left eye in boys were significantly higher than those in girls(all P<0.05). Children aged 8-12 years had significantly higher K1, Km, CECD and HEX in both eyes, and significantly lower ACS in both eyes than those aged 13-16 years(all P<0.05). K1, K2, Km, CECD and HEX in both eyes were negatively correlated with age(P<0.05); ACS in both eyes was positively correlated with age(P<0.001); K1 and Km of the right eye were positively correlated with the CECD of the right eye(P<0.05), and K1 and CCT of the left eye were positively correlated with the CECD of the left eye(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Significant gender differences exist in corneal parameters among children aged 8 to 16 years, while binocular symmetry remained stable.

ObjectiveTo analyze the epidemiological trends and characteristics of brucellosis in humans (hereinafter referred to as brucellosis) in Tangshan City, Hebei Province from 2016 to 2023, and to provide a scientific basis for formulating brucellosis prevention and control strategies in the region. MethodsThe incidence data of human brucellosis in Tangshan City from 2016 to 2023 were collected from the China Disease Prevention and Control Information System. The diagnosis time, infection route, and clinical characteristics of the cases were obtained from the case investigation reports. Descriptive epidemiological methods were used to analyze the temporal, spatial, demographic distributions, and clinical characteristics of human brucellosis. Brucella species were identified using agglutination tests with bacterial suspension and A/M antigen-positive serum. ResultsA total of 2 193 cases of human brucellosis were confirmed and clinically diagnosed in Tangshan City from 2016 to 2023, with the peak incidence occured from March to August, and which exhibited distinct geographic distribution patterns. The highest incidence rate was found in people aged 60‒<70 years. The occupation of cases were primarily farmers. The incidence rate in males (528/100 000) was higher than that in females (184/100 000). All cases had confirmed exposure to infected animals or contaminated animal products. ConclusionThe epidemic of human brucellosis in Tangshan exhibited an overall steady downward trend from 2016 to 2023, except for a slight increase in 2016 and 2021, with the incidence rate controlled at 289/100 000‒335/100 000. The prevention and control situation of human brucellosis still remains severe, with the highest incidence rate in the eastern region of Tangshan, which are characterized by the breeding, slaughtering, and processing of cattle and sheep. Therefore, it it is necessary to enhance the prevention and control of human brucellosis among the personnel engaged in these industries in the eastern areas.

Lingguizhugan Decoction (LGZG) demonstrates significant efficacy in treating various cardiovascular diseases clinically, yet its precise mechanism of action remains elusive. This study aimed to elucidate the potential mechanisms and effects of LGZG on isoproterenol (ISO) continuous stimulation-induced chronic heart failure (CHF) in mice, providing direct experimental evidence for further clinical applications. In vivo, continuous ISO infusion was administered to mice, and ventricular myocytes were utilized to explore LGZG?s potential mechanism of action on the ?1-adrenergic receptor (?1-AR)/Gs/G protein-coupled receptor kinases (GRKs)/?-arrestin signaling deflection system in the heart. The findings reveal that LGZG significantly reduced the messenger ribonucleic acid (mRNA) expression of hypertrophy-related biomarkers [atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP) and B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP)] and improved cardiac remodeling and left ventricular diastolic function in mice with ISO-induced CHF. Furthermore, LGZG inhibited the overactivation of Gs/cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling and downregulated the downstream transcriptional activity of cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) and the expression of the coactivator CBP/P300. Notably, LGZG downregulated the expression of ?-arrestin1 and GRK 2/3/5 while upregulating the expression of ?1-AR and ?-arrestin2. These results suggest that LGZG inhibits Gs/cAMP/PKA signaling and ?-arrestin/GRK-mediated desensitization and internalization of ?1-AR, potentially exerting cardioprotective effects through the synergistic regulation of the ?1-AR/Gs/GRKs/?-arrestin signaling deflection system via multiple pathways.
Animals ; Heart Failure/genetics* ; Signal Transduction/drug effects* ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/pharmacology* ; Mice ; Male ; G-Protein-Coupled Receptor Kinases/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Humans ; Isoproterenol ; Arrestins/genetics* ; Chronic Disease

The relationship between hyperuricemia (HUA) and erectile dysfunction (ED) remains inadequately understood. Given that HUA is often associated with various metabolic disorders, this study aims to explore the multivariate linear impacts of metabolic parameters on erectile function in ED patients with HUA. A cross-sectional analysis was conducted involving 514 ED patients with HUA in the Department of Andrology, Jiangsu Province Hospital of Chinese Medicine (Nanjing, China), aged 18 to 60 years. General demographic information, medical history, and laboratory results were collected to assess metabolic disturbances. Sexual function was evaluated using the 5-item version of the International Index of Erectile Function (IIEF-5) questionnaire. Based on univariate analysis, variables associated with IIEF-5 scores were identified, and the correlations between them were evaluated. The effects of these variables on IIEF-5 scores were further explored by multiple linear regression models. Fasting plasma glucose ( β = -0.628, P < 0.001), uric acid ( β = -0.552, P < 0.001), triglycerides ( β = -0.088, P = 0.047), low-density lipoprotein cholesterol ( β = -0.164, P = 0.027), glycated hemoglobin (HbA1c; β = -0.562, P = 0.012), and smoking history ( β = -0.074, P = 0.037) exhibited significant negative impacts on erectile function. The coefficient of determination ( R ²) for the model was 0.239, and the adjusted R ² was 0.230, indicating overall statistical significance ( F -statistic = 26.52, P < 0.001). Metabolic parameters play a crucial role in the development of ED. Maintaining normal metabolic indices may aid in the prevention and improvement of erectile function in ED patients with HUA.
Humans ; Male ; Erectile Dysfunction/metabolism* ; Hyperuricemia/metabolism* ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Glycated Hemoglobin/metabolism* ; Blood Glucose/metabolism* ; Uric Acid/blood* ; Young Adult ; Triglycerides/blood* ; Adolescent ; Cholesterol, LDL/blood* ; Penile Erection/physiology* ; Surveys and Questionnaires

Objective:To develop a nutritional management protocol for head and neck cancer (HNC) patients undergoing radiotherapy based on evidence-based methodology, and to evaluate its clinical effectiveness.Methods:Relevant literature on nutritional management in radiotherapy for HNC patients was systematically searched. After evidence extraction, a preliminary protocol was drafted and finalized through expert consensus. The finalized protocol included five timepoints during hospitalization, covering six components and 35 nursing and clinical care items. A quasi-experimental design was adopted. Using convenience sampling, 100 HNC patients admitted to Jinhua Municipal Central Hospital from October 2022 to June 2024 were enrolled. Patients treated between October 2022 and July 2023 formed the control group ( n=50), and those treated from September 2023 to June 2024 comprised the intervention group ( n=50). The control group received routine care, while the intervention group was managed with the evidence-based nutrition protocol. Body weight and nutrition-related laboratory indicators were measured before radiotherapy, at week 4, and at the end of week 6. Results:At week 4 of radiotherapy, the intervention group had a higher lymphocyte count than the control group, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). At week 6, total serum protein, serum albumin, and lymphocyte counts were all higher in the intervention group, with statistically significant differences ( P<0.05) . Conclusions:The evidence-based nutritional management protocol developed for HNC patients undergoing radiotherapy effectively improves nutritional status. It provides a valuable reference for healthcare professionals in clinical practice.

Objective To analyze the efficacy of tirofiban assisted endovascular stent thrombectomy in the treatment of acute basilar artery occlusion stroke.Methods A total of 100 stroke patients with acute basilar artery occlusion who were treated in the Department of Neurology of Nanyang Central Hospital from May 2020 to May 2023 were selected as the research objects.The patients were divided into a control group and a study group by random number table method,with 50 cases in each group.The control group was treated with endovascular stent thrombectomy,and the study group was treated with tirofiban assisted endovascular stent thrombectomy.The clinical efficacy,surgery related indexes,mRS score,complications,NIHSS score,MMSE score and coagulation function index before and after intervention were compared between the two groups.Results The total effective rate of the study group(56.00％)was significantly higher than that of the control group(36.00％),the number of thrombectomy between the two groups was statistically significant(all P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the ratio of balloon expansion or stent placement between the two groups.After treatment,the NIHSS cale score of the study group was significantly lower than that of the control group,and the MMSE score was significantly higher than that of the control group(all P＜0.05).After treatment,the levels of serum prothrombin time,fibrinogen and D-dimer in the study group were significantly lower than those in the control group(all P＜0.05).The probability of mRS score ≤2 in the study group(46.00％)was significantly higher than that in the control group(24.00％)(P＜0.05).There was no significant difference in the total incidence of complications between the two groups(10.00％ vs.22.00％).Conclusions Tirofiban assisted endovascular stent thrombectomy can effectively improve the neurological function and mental function of patients with acute basilar artery occlusion stroke,and significantly improve the coagulation function of patients.The prognosis is good and the curative effect is significant,which is worthy of clinical application.

Objective To explore the application value of serum cystatin C(CysC)and cluster of differentiation 147(CD147)in predicting restenosis after intracranial artery stenosis stenting(ICASS)in patients with acute ischemic stroke(AIS).Methods A total of 151 AIS patients who received ICASS were selected as the study group,and 112 healthy individuals who underwent physical examinations during the same period were chosen as the control group.The study group was further divided into the restenosis group(30 cases)and the non-stenosis group(121 cases)based on the restenosis status within 6 months after ICASS.The serum CysC levels of the subjects were detected by immunoturbidimetry,and the serum CD147 levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay.Multivariate Logistic regression analysis was conducted to identify factors influencing restenosis after ICASS in AIS patients.The receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was used to evaluate the application efficacy of serum CysC and CD147 levels in predicting restenosis after ICASS in AIS patients.Results Serum levels of CysC and CD147 were higher in the study group than those in the control group(P＜0.01).The proportion of patients with stenosis degree>75%and serum levels of CysC and CD147 were higher in the restenosis group than those in the non-stenosis group(P＜0.01).The degree of stenosis>75%and the increased serum levels of CysC and CD147 were risk factors for restenosis after ICASS in AIS patients(P＜0.01).ROC curve analysis showed that serum CysC and CD147 levels independently predicted the AUC of AIS patients with restenosis after ICASS were 0.845 and 0.850,respectively,and the combined predicted AUC was 0.942.The combined prediction efficiency was significantly better than that of single indicator prediction(P＜0.05).Conclusion The increased levels of serum CysC and CD147 in AIS patients are risk factors for restenosis after ICASS,and the combination of the two is more effective in predicting intracranial artery restenosis after ICASS in AIS patients.