Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF), a chronic interstitial lung disease, is characterized by aberrant wound healing, excessive scarring and the formation of myofibroblastic foci. Although the role of alternative splicing (AS) in the pathogenesis of organ fibrosis has garnered increasing attention, its specific contribution to pulmonary fibrosis remains incompletely understood. In this study, we identified an up-regulation of serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 7 (SRSF7) in lung fibroblasts derived from IPF patients and a bleomycin (BLM)-induced mouse model, and further characterized its functional role in both human fetal lung fibroblasts and mice. We demonstrated that enhanced expression of Srsf7 in mice spontaneously induced alveolar collagen accumulation. Mechanistically, we investigated alternative splicing events and revealed that SRSF7 modulates the alternative splicing of pyruvate kinase (PKM), leading to metabolic dysregulation and fibroblast activation. In vivo studies showed that fibroblast-specific knockout of Srsf7 in conditional knockout mice conferred resistance to bleomycin-induced pulmonary fibrosis. Importantly, through drug screening, we identified lomitapide as a novel modulator of SRSF7, which effectively mitigated experimental pulmonary fibrosis. Collectively, our findings elucidate a molecular pathway by which SRSF7 drives fibroblast metabolic dysregulation and propose a potential therapeutic strategy for pulmonary fibrosis.

Objective:To explore the therapeutic effect of CD5L targeted therapy on a rat model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).Methods:The CIA rat model was established and treated with anti-CD5L antibody. The clinical arthritis score and tissue swelling degree of rats were evaluated. Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into the control group, the model group, the isotype control group and the CD5L antibody group. HE staining and safranin fast green staining were used to observe the synovial inflammation and cartilage erosion in the ankle joint of CIA rats. Micro-CT was used to scan the feet of CIA rats to detect bone mineral density and bone destruction. The levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All experimental data conforming to normal distribution were compared between groups by one-way ANOVA, and Dunnet t test was used to compare the two groups. Results:CD5L antibody improved joint swelling and deformity in CIA rats. The statistics of arthritis scores in rats showed that there was a statistically significant difference in arthritis scores between the CD5L antibody group and the isotype antibody group of rats from Day 23[Day 23 (6.6±0.5) vs. (8.2±0.7), t=-7.07, P<0.05; Day 26 (7.0±0.6) vs. (8.4±0.5), t=-7.59, P<0.05; Day 29 (7.6±0.4) vs. (9.4±0.8), t=-6.96, P<0.05; Day 32 (7.8±0.5) vs.(9.6±1.1), t=-6.50, P<0.05; Day 35 (8.2±0.7) vs. (10.4±0.7), t=-5.88, P<0.05]. The HE staining results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the HE staining score between the CD5L antibody group and the isotype antibody group of rats [(2.5±0.6) vs. (5.0±0.8), t=-6.73, P<0.05]. The results of safranin fixation green staining showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the safranin fixation green staining score between the CD5L antibody group and the isotype antibody group of rats [(1.8±0.8) vs. (3.5±0.6), t=-5.22, P<0.05]. The Micro-CT imaging results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in bone mineral density between the CD5L antibody group and the isotype antibody group of rats [(5 618±128)g/cm 3vs. (5 202±39)g/cm 3, t=8.06, P<0.01]. The ELISA results showed that there were statistically significant differences in the contents of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 in the serum of rats between the CD5L antibody group and the isotype antibody group [TNF-α: (164±22)pg/ml vs. (213±17)pg/ml, t=5.05, P<0.05; IL-6: (186±17)pg/ml vs. (230.7±25.3)pg/ml, t=4.78, P<0.05; IL-8: (384±21)pg/ml vs. (456±44)pg/ml, t=-5.21, P<0.05]. Conclusion:Targeting CD5L can effectively alleviate synovial inflammation and bone destruction in CIA rats. CD5L may be used as a potential therapeutic target for rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective:To compare the mydriatic effects of a combination of 1% tropicamide and 2.5% phenylephrine with a 0.5% tropicamide and 0.5% phenylephrine combination in patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods:A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted.Ninety Chinese patients (90 eyes) with dark irises and type 2 diabetes who needed mydriasis examination at the Fundus Disease Clinic of Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital from June to September 2024 were included.The subjects were divided into control group (30 patients 30 eyes), high concentration group (30 patients 30 eyes) and half-dilution group (30 patients 30 eyes) using the random number table method, which received 2 drops of a mixture of 0.5% tropicamide and 0.5% phenylephrine, 2 drops of a mixture of 1% tropicamide and 2.5% phenylephrine, 1 drop of a mixture of 1% tropicamide and 2.5% phenylephrine+ 1 drop of saline respectively.The pupil diameter of the patients was measured with a pupillometer 40 minutes before and after instillation.The study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki and the study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital (No.2024KY-16).Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.Results:The proportions of patients whose pupil diameters reached 7 mm 40 minutes after the initial administration in the control group, high-concentration group, and half-dilution group were 56.7%(17/30), 86.7%(26/30) and 66.7%(20/30), respectively, with a statistically significant overall difference ( χ2=6.667, P=0.036).The proportion of patients in the high-concentration group whose pupil diameter reached 7 mm 40 minutes after the initial administration was higher than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05).The pupil diameters 40 minutes after the initial administration in the control group, the high-concentration group and the half-dilution group were (7.01±0.86), (7.64±0.61) and (7.49±1.15)mm, respectively, with a statistically significant overall difference ( F=4.019, P=0.021), and the pupil diameter of the high-concentration group was significantly higher than that of the control group ( P=0.024).Changes in pupil diameter 40 minutes after the initial administration in the control group, high-concentration group and half-dilution group were (3.23±0.81), (3.82±0.60) and (3.62±0.75)mm, respectively, with a statistically significant overall difference ( F=5.121, P=0.008), and the change in pupil diameter in the high-concentration group was higher than that in the control group ( P=0.007). Conclusions:The combination of 1% tropicamide and 2.5% phenylephrine has better pupil dilation than the combination of 0.5% tropicamide and 0.5% phenylephrine.It is recommended that pupil dilation be performed with a high-concentration mydriatic drug prior to outpatient fundus examination for diabetic patients.

Objective:To compare the mydriatic effects of a combination of 1% tropicamide and 2.5% phenylephrine with a 0.5% tropicamide and 0.5% phenylephrine combination in patients with type 2 diabetes.Methods:A randomized, double-blind, controlled trial was conducted.Ninety Chinese patients (90 eyes) with dark irises and type 2 diabetes who needed mydriasis examination at the Fundus Disease Clinic of Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital from June to September 2024 were included.The subjects were divided into control group (30 patients 30 eyes), high concentration group (30 patients 30 eyes) and half-dilution group (30 patients 30 eyes) using the random number table method, which received 2 drops of a mixture of 0.5% tropicamide and 0.5% phenylephrine, 2 drops of a mixture of 1% tropicamide and 2.5% phenylephrine, 1 drop of a mixture of 1% tropicamide and 2.5% phenylephrine+ 1 drop of saline respectively.The pupil diameter of the patients was measured with a pupillometer 40 minutes before and after instillation.The study adhered to the Declaration of Helsinki and the study protocol was approved by the Ethics Committee of Tianjin Medical University Eye Hospital (No.2024KY-16).Written informed consent was obtained from all participants.Results:The proportions of patients whose pupil diameters reached 7 mm 40 minutes after the initial administration in the control group, high-concentration group, and half-dilution group were 56.7%(17/30), 86.7%(26/30) and 66.7%(20/30), respectively, with a statistically significant overall difference ( χ2=6.667, P=0.036).The proportion of patients in the high-concentration group whose pupil diameter reached 7 mm 40 minutes after the initial administration was higher than that in the control group, and the difference was statistically significant ( P<0.05).The pupil diameters 40 minutes after the initial administration in the control group, the high-concentration group and the half-dilution group were (7.01±0.86), (7.64±0.61) and (7.49±1.15)mm, respectively, with a statistically significant overall difference ( F=4.019, P=0.021), and the pupil diameter of the high-concentration group was significantly higher than that of the control group ( P=0.024).Changes in pupil diameter 40 minutes after the initial administration in the control group, high-concentration group and half-dilution group were (3.23±0.81), (3.82±0.60) and (3.62±0.75)mm, respectively, with a statistically significant overall difference ( F=5.121, P=0.008), and the change in pupil diameter in the high-concentration group was higher than that in the control group ( P=0.007). Conclusions:The combination of 1% tropicamide and 2.5% phenylephrine has better pupil dilation than the combination of 0.5% tropicamide and 0.5% phenylephrine.It is recommended that pupil dilation be performed with a high-concentration mydriatic drug prior to outpatient fundus examination for diabetic patients.

Objective:To explore the therapeutic effect of CD5L targeted therapy on a rat model of collagen-induced arthritis (CIA).Methods:The CIA rat model was established and treated with anti-CD5L antibody. The clinical arthritis score and tissue swelling degree of rats were evaluated. Twenty-four SD rats were randomly divided into the control group, the model group, the isotype control group and the CD5L antibody group. HE staining and safranin fast green staining were used to observe the synovial inflammation and cartilage erosion in the ankle joint of CIA rats. Micro-CT was used to scan the feet of CIA rats to detect bone mineral density and bone destruction. The levels of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 in serum were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). All experimental data conforming to normal distribution were compared between groups by one-way ANOVA, and Dunnet t test was used to compare the two groups. Results:CD5L antibody improved joint swelling and deformity in CIA rats. The statistics of arthritis scores in rats showed that there was a statistically significant difference in arthritis scores between the CD5L antibody group and the isotype antibody group of rats from Day 23[Day 23 (6.6±0.5) vs. (8.2±0.7), t=-7.07, P<0.05; Day 26 (7.0±0.6) vs. (8.4±0.5), t=-7.59, P<0.05; Day 29 (7.6±0.4) vs. (9.4±0.8), t=-6.96, P<0.05; Day 32 (7.8±0.5) vs.(9.6±1.1), t=-6.50, P<0.05; Day 35 (8.2±0.7) vs. (10.4±0.7), t=-5.88, P<0.05]. The HE staining results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the HE staining score between the CD5L antibody group and the isotype antibody group of rats [(2.5±0.6) vs. (5.0±0.8), t=-6.73, P<0.05]. The results of safranin fixation green staining showed that there was a statistically significant difference in the safranin fixation green staining score between the CD5L antibody group and the isotype antibody group of rats [(1.8±0.8) vs. (3.5±0.6), t=-5.22, P<0.05]. The Micro-CT imaging results showed that there was a statistically significant difference in bone mineral density between the CD5L antibody group and the isotype antibody group of rats [(5 618±128)g/cm 3vs. (5 202±39)g/cm 3, t=8.06, P<0.01]. The ELISA results showed that there were statistically significant differences in the contents of TNF-α, IL-6 and IL-8 in the serum of rats between the CD5L antibody group and the isotype antibody group [TNF-α: (164±22)pg/ml vs. (213±17)pg/ml, t=5.05, P<0.05; IL-6: (186±17)pg/ml vs. (230.7±25.3)pg/ml, t=4.78, P<0.05; IL-8: (384±21)pg/ml vs. (456±44)pg/ml, t=-5.21, P<0.05]. Conclusion:Targeting CD5L can effectively alleviate synovial inflammation and bone destruction in CIA rats. CD5L may be used as a potential therapeutic target for rheumatoid arthritis.

Objective:To learn about the condition of Keshan disease at township level in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region (Inner Mongolia for short).Methods:In accordance with the "Three-Year Tackling Implementation Plan for Keshan Disease in Inner Mongolia", Keshan disease surveillance was carried out from March to December 2019 in the disease affected townships of all 12 diseased banners (counties, cities, disctricts, referred to as banners) in Hulunbuir City, Xing'an League, Chifeng City, and Xilin Gol League in Inner Mongolia, and all permanent residents who lived for more than 6 months were selected as the survey subjects. At the same time, the search for Keshan disease cases was carried out in the relevant medical institutions of the 4 leagues (cities) from 2014 to 2018. The "Diagnosis of Keshan Disease" (WS/T 210-2011) and the "Evaluation Methods for Control and Elimination of Key Endemic Diseases" (2019 edition) were used for diagnosis and elimination evaluation of Keshan disease.Results:There were 75 diseased townships under the jurisdiction of the 12 diseased banners in the 4 leagues (cities) in Inner Mongolia, with a permanent resident population of 1 246 900. A total of 356 150 subjects were examined by electrocardiogram, and 86 507 cases were found to be abnormal, with an abnormal rate of 24.29%. A total of 250 patients with chronic Keshan disease were diagnosed by echocardiography or anteroposterior chest X-ray examination, and the prevalence rate was 2.00/10 000; a total of 287 patients with latent Keshan disease were diagnosed, and the prevalence rate was 2.30/10 000; no patients with acute, subacute or new Keshan disease. After case search, 494 suspected Keshan disease cases were screened out, and 6 cases were finally diagnosed as chronic Keshan disease. From 2014 to 2018, there were no new cases of acute or subacute Keshan disease for five consecutive years, and the prevalence rates of chronic Keshan disease and latent Keshan disease were both lower than 5/10 000 in 2019, meeting the national elimination standard for Keshan disease.Conclusion:In 2019, Inner Mongolia has reached the national elimination standard for Keshan disease, but there are still patients with Keshan disease, so it is necessary to continue to strengthen the monitoring of Keshan disease.

Idiopathic pulmonary fibrosis (IPF) is a progressive disease with unknown etiology and limited therapeutic options. Activation of fibroblasts is a prominent feature of pulmonary fibrosis. Here we report that lncRNA DACH1 (dachshund homolog 1) is downregulated in the lungs of IPF patients and in an experimental mouse model of lung fibrosis. LncDACH1 knockout mice develop spontaneous pulmonary fibrosis, whereas overexpression of LncDACH1 attenuated TGF-β1-induced aberrant activation, collagen deposition and differentiation of mouse lung fibroblasts. Similarly, forced expression of LncDACH1 not only prevented bleomycin (BLM)-induced lung fibrosis, but also reversed established lung fibrosis in a BLM model. Mechanistically, LncDACH1 binding to the serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (SRSF1) protein decreases its activity and inhibits the accumulation of Ctnnb1. Enhanced expression of SRSF1 blocked the anti-fibrotic effect of LncDACH1 in lung fibroblasts. Furthermore, loss of LncDACH1 promoted proliferation, differentiation, and extracellular matrix (ECM) deposition in mouse lung fibroblasts, whereas such effects were abolished by silencing of Ctnnb1. In addition, a conserved fragment of LncDACH1 alleviated hyperproliferation, ECM deposition and differentiation of MRC-5 cells driven by TGF-β1. Collectively, LncDACH1 inhibits lung fibrosis by interacting with SRSF1 to suppress CTNNB1 accumulation, suggesting that LncDACH1 might be a potential therapeutic target for pulmonary fibrosis.

Objective:To explore the intention of exclusive breastfeeding and its influencing factors within six months after delivery of pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy in Xi'an.Methods:From January to February 2019, convenience sampling was used to select 2 671 pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy who underwent regular obstetric examinations in Obstetrics Clinic of five hospitals in Xi'an for a cross-sectional survey. Pregnant women were surveyed by means of a field survey using a self-designed Exclusive Breastfeeding Intention of Pregnant Women in the Third Trimester Questionnaire. Multivariate Logistic regression was used to analyze the influencing factors of the intention of exclusive breastfeeding among pregnant women in the third trimester. A total of 2 671 questionnaires were distributed, 2 479 valid questionnaires were recovered, and the valid recovery rate was 92.8% (2 479/2 671) .Results:A total of 60.8% (1 507/2 479) of pregnant women planned to exclusively breastfeed within 6 months of delivery. Pregnant women in the third trimester of pregnancy whose husbands ( OR=2.950, 95% CI: 2.097-4.066) and family members ( OR=2.171, 95% CI: 1.571-3.000) supported exclusive breastfeeding had high intention to exclusively breastfeed, and those who participated in breastfeeding courses had a high intention to exclusively breastfeed ( OR=1.436, 95% CI: 1.199-1.719) . Conclusions:More than half of third-trimester women plan to exclusively breastfeed within six months postpartum. Husband and family support and enrolment in breastfeeding classes increase the intention of pregnant women to exclusively breastfeed. Prenatal breastfeeding courses should be carried out to raise the awareness of pregnant women and family members about exclusive breastfeeding, and focus on the support of husbands and family members for exclusive breastfeeding, so as to increase the exclusive breastfeeding rate within six months after delivery.

Objective:To investigate the maternal pre-pregnancy body mass index (BMI) and gestational weight gain (GWG) during pregnancy at advanced maternal age for their second child at advanced maternal age, and to explore the relationship with neonatal outcomes.Methods:This study involved 1 965 women of advanced maternal age who delivered the second child in the Northwest Women's and Children's Hospital from July 1 to December 31, 2017. Clinical data of these women and their newborns were collected through the electronic medical record information system. According to pre-pregnancy BMI, all subjects were divided into four groups: underweight group (<18.5 kg/m 2, n=139), normal weight group (18.5-23.9 kg/m 2, n=1 342), overweight group (24.0-27.9 kg/m 2, n=404) and obese group (≥28.0 kg/m 2, n=80). According to the GWG standard recommended by the American Institute of Medicine (IOM) in 2009, they were also divided into three groups: inadequate GWG group ( n=478), normal GWG group ( n=884) and excessive GWG group ( n=603). Mann-Whitey U test, Chi-square test or Fisher's exact test were used as statistical methods. Effects of pre-pregnancy BMI and GWG on gestational age and birth weight of the newborns were analyzed by binary and multi-class logistic regression models. Results:The median pre-pregnancy BMI of the 1 965 women was 22.1 (20.3-23.9) kg/m 2 and patients with abnormal pre-pregnancy BMI accounted for 31.7% (623/1 965). Their median GWG was 13.0 (10.0-16.0) kg and 55.0% (1 081/1 965) of them were abnormal. Compared with normal pre-pregnant weight women, overweight and obesity subjects were associated with increased risks of preterm birth ( OR=2.100, 95% CI: 1.398-3.156), low birth weight infants (LBWI) ( OR=3.187, 95% CI: 1.892-5.367) and macrosomia ( OR=1.758, 95% CI: 1.182-2.614); pre-pregnancy underweight reduced the incidence of large for gestational age (LGA) infants ( OR=0.476, 95% CI: 0.236-0.960). Compared with the normal GWG group, the inadequate GWG group had increased risks of preterm birth ( OR=2.316, 95% CI: 1.530-3.505) and LBWI ( OR=1.850, 95% CI: 1.103-3.104), while the excessive GWG group showed increased risks of macrosomia ( OR=1.828, 95% CI: 1.225-2.726) and LGA infants ( OR=1.955, 95% CI: 1.448-2.640), but a reduced risk of LBWI ( OR=0.359, 95% CI: 0.193-0.667) and small for gestational age infants ( OR=0.452, 95% CI: 0.240-0.852). Conclusions:Both abnormal pre-pregnancy BMI (underweight, overweight and obese) and GWG (inadequate and excessive) have adverse effects on neonatal outcomes in women of advanced age in pregnancy for their second baby. Weight management should be addressed during the whole pregnancy, including both adjusting the pre-pregnancy BMI to normal range and maintaining reasonable GWG, so as to reduce potential adverse outcomes in newborns.

Objective:To evaluate the effects of fluorinated porcine hydroxyapatite (FPHA) on guided bone regeneration of peri-implant buccal bone defects in canine mandible.Methods:Six male beagle dogs were randomly divided into two groups with different time points (4 weeks and 12 weeks after implants placement), with 3 dogs in each group. Bilateral mandibular second premolars, first molars, and second molars in each dog were extracted. The wounds were allowed to heal for 12 weeks. For each dog, four implant beds were prepared in each side and standardized peri-implant buccal bone defect was created at each implant site. After implants placement, the defect sites were randomly allocated in a split-mouth design to blank control group, deproteinized bovine bone mineral (DBBM), the porcine hydroxyapatite (PHA), FPHA and covered with collagen membranes. The animals were sacrificed 4 or 12 weeks after the surgery. Biopsies of the implant sites were obtained for micro-CT evaluation [bone volume fraction (BV/TV) and bone trabecular separation degree (Tb.Sp)] and histological analysis.Results:Micro-CT results showed that 4 weeks after implants placement, PHA, FPHA and DBBM successfully maintained the contour of alveolar ridge at the buccal aspect of the implants, while the contour of alveolar ridge collapsed in the blank control group. BV/TV in the FPHA group [(24.77±2.20) %] was significantly higher than that in the PHA group [(16.89±1.70)%] and DBBM group [(15.68±3.15)%] ( P<0.05). Tb.Sp in the FPHA group (0.70±0.07) was significantly lower than that in the DBBM group (1.03±0.19) ( P<0.05). Twelve weeks after implants placement, the alveolar ridge contour of the grafted sites in PHA, FPHA and DBBM group remained stable. The alveolar ridge of the blank control group was still collapsed. There was no significant difference in BV/TV and Tb.Sp between PHA group, FPHA group and DBBM group. The histomorphological analysis showed that 4 weeks after implants placement, in the central area of the defect, the amount and maturity of new bone (NB) around the material particles in FPHA group was higher than that in PHA group and DBBM group. Osseointegration could be observed between the NB and implant surface in all the four groups. Twelve weeks after implants placement, the material particles were surrounded by a large number of mature NB in PHA, FPHA and DBBM group. Conclusions:The incorporation of fluoride ion into PHA could effectively promote the repair of peri-implant bone defects in the early stage of guided bone regeneration.