ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of Qiju Dihuang Wan on diabetic retinopathy （DR） and its regulatory mechanism on the NOD-like receptor protein 3/Cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1/Gasdermin D （NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD） signaling pathway. MethodsHuman retinal microvascular endothelial cells （HRMEC） were divided into the blank group， model group， and Qiju Dihuang Wan low- and high-dose groups. Except for the blank group， all groups were induced with 40 mmol·L^-1 high glucose， and the treatment groups were supplemented with 6% and 12% Qiju Dihuang Wan-containing serum， respectively， based on the induction. After 24 h of culture， the levels of interleukin （IL）-1β and IL-18 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， pyroptosis-related protein expression was detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot， and the mRNA levels of NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway-related molecules were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The mice were randomly divided into the blank group， model group， Qiju Dihuang Wan low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （11， 22， 44 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and calcium dobesilate group （0.13 g·kg^-1·d^-1）. Except for the blank group， all groups were intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin to establish the DR model. After successful modeling， the treatment groups received corresponding doses of Qiju Dihuang Wan crude drug or calcium dobesilate suspension by gavage once daily， while the blank group and model group received an equal volume of normal saline， for 8 consecutive weeks. Fundus changes were examined by optical coherence tomography， optical coherence tomography angiography， and fundus fluorescein angiography. Retinal pathological morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of NLRP3， Caspase‑1， GSDMD， IL‑1β， and IL‑18 in retinal tissue， and Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of NLRP3， ASC， cleaved Caspase‑1， and GSDMD‑N. ResultsCell experiments showed that compared with the blank group， the model group showed significantly decreased HRMEC viability （P<0.01）， and significantly increased levels of IL-1β， IL-18， as well as increased protein expression of NLRP3， cleaved Caspase-1， and GSDMD-N （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the above indicators were significantly reduced in the high-dose Qiju Dihuang Wan groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Animal experiments showed that compared with the blank group， the model group had elevated blood glucose （P<0.01）， decreased retinal thickness and vascular density （P<0.01）， up‑regulated mRNA expression of NLRP3， Caspase‑1， GSDMD， IL‑1β and IL‑18 in retinal tissue （P<0.01）， and up‑regulated protein expression of NLRP3， ASC， cleaved Caspase‑1 and GSDMD‑N （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Qiju Dihuang Wan medium- and high‑dose groups showed decreased blood glucose （P<0.01）， increased retinal thickness and vascular density （P<0.01）， alleviated retinal pathological damage， and down‑regulated mRNA expression of NLRP3， Caspase‑1， GSDMD， IL‑1β， IL‑18， as well as protein expression of NLRP3， ASC， cleaved Caspase‑1， and GSDMD‑N （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionQiju Dihuang Wan may exert protective effects against diabetic retinopathy by inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway and alleviating high glucose-induced retinal pyroptosis.

ObjectiveTo investigate the protective effect of Qiju Dihuang Wan on diabetic retinopathy （DR） and its regulatory mechanism on the NOD-like receptor protein 3/Cysteinyl aspartate-specific proteinase-1/Gasdermin D （NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD） signaling pathway. MethodsHuman retinal microvascular endothelial cells （HRMEC） were divided into the blank group， model group， and Qiju Dihuang Wan low- and high-dose groups. Except for the blank group， all groups were induced with 40 mmol·L^-1 high glucose， and the treatment groups were supplemented with 6% and 12% Qiju Dihuang Wan-containing serum， respectively， based on the induction. After 24 h of culture， the levels of interleukin （IL）-1β and IL-18 were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA）， pyroptosis-related protein expression was detected by immunofluorescence and Western blot， and the mRNA levels of NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway-related molecules were determined by real-time polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR）. The mice were randomly divided into the blank group， model group， Qiju Dihuang Wan low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （11， 22， 44 g·kg^-1·d^-1）， and calcium dobesilate group （0.13 g·kg^-1·d^-1）. Except for the blank group， all groups were intraperitoneally injected with streptozotocin to establish the DR model. After successful modeling， the treatment groups received corresponding doses of Qiju Dihuang Wan crude drug or calcium dobesilate suspension by gavage once daily， while the blank group and model group received an equal volume of normal saline， for 8 consecutive weeks. Fundus changes were examined by optical coherence tomography， optical coherence tomography angiography， and fundus fluorescein angiography. Retinal pathological morphology was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining. Real-time PCR was used to detect the mRNA levels of NLRP3， Caspase‑1， GSDMD， IL‑1β， and IL‑18 in retinal tissue， and Western blot was used to detect the protein expression of NLRP3， ASC， cleaved Caspase‑1， and GSDMD‑N. ResultsCell experiments showed that compared with the blank group， the model group showed significantly decreased HRMEC viability （P<0.01）， and significantly increased levels of IL-1β， IL-18， as well as increased protein expression of NLRP3， cleaved Caspase-1， and GSDMD-N （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the above indicators were significantly reduced in the high-dose Qiju Dihuang Wan groups （P<0.05， P<0.01）. Animal experiments showed that compared with the blank group， the model group had elevated blood glucose （P<0.01）， decreased retinal thickness and vascular density （P<0.01）， up‑regulated mRNA expression of NLRP3， Caspase‑1， GSDMD， IL‑1β and IL‑18 in retinal tissue （P<0.01）， and up‑regulated protein expression of NLRP3， ASC， cleaved Caspase‑1 and GSDMD‑N （P<0.01）. Compared with the model group， the Qiju Dihuang Wan medium- and high‑dose groups showed decreased blood glucose （P<0.01）， increased retinal thickness and vascular density （P<0.01）， alleviated retinal pathological damage， and down‑regulated mRNA expression of NLRP3， Caspase‑1， GSDMD， IL‑1β， IL‑18， as well as protein expression of NLRP3， ASC， cleaved Caspase‑1， and GSDMD‑N （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionQiju Dihuang Wan may exert protective effects against diabetic retinopathy by inhibiting the activation of the NLRP3/Caspase-1/GSDMD signaling pathway and alleviating high glucose-induced retinal pyroptosis.

Objective Epigenetics,which changes the expression of DNA or protein by chemical modification,affects the regulation of genes and plays an important role in the interaction between genetic and environmental factors in diseases.This review focuses on the development trend and research hotspots of epigenetic modification in ulcerative colitis from 2003 to 2023.Methods Literature related to epigenetic modification in UC was obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection database,and bibliometric analyses and visualization were performed using VOSviewer,CiteSpace and R software.Results 1359 papers published from 2003-2023 were retrieved for inclusion in the analysis.The United States dominated the field of epigenetic modification,with the University of Chicago being the most published and cited institution,and Wu Feng of the Meyerhoff Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease being the most cited author.The journals Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and Gastroenterology have high influence,screening for high-frequency keywords related to UC epigenetic modifications,including microRNA,inflammation,biomarker,azathioprine,DNA methylation,long noncoding RNA,circular RNA,received wide attention.Conclusion Epigenetics continues to evolve in the field of UC,providing important avenues in elucidating the pathogenesis of UC,in elucidating the interactions between genetics and the environment,and in giving new ideas for simplifying diagnosis,improving inflammation,and developing new drugs.

Objective Epigenetics,which changes the expression of DNA or protein by chemical modification,affects the regulation of genes and plays an important role in the interaction between genetic and environmental factors in diseases.This review focuses on the development trend and research hotspots of epigenetic modification in ulcerative colitis from 2003 to 2023.Methods Literature related to epigenetic modification in UC was obtained from the Web of Science Core Collection database,and bibliometric analyses and visualization were performed using VOSviewer,CiteSpace and R software.Results 1359 papers published from 2003-2023 were retrieved for inclusion in the analysis.The United States dominated the field of epigenetic modification,with the University of Chicago being the most published and cited institution,and Wu Feng of the Meyerhoff Center for Inflammatory Bowel Disease being the most cited author.The journals Inflammatory Bowel Diseases and Gastroenterology have high influence,screening for high-frequency keywords related to UC epigenetic modifications,including microRNA,inflammation,biomarker,azathioprine,DNA methylation,long noncoding RNA,circular RNA,received wide attention.Conclusion Epigenetics continues to evolve in the field of UC,providing important avenues in elucidating the pathogenesis of UC,in elucidating the interactions between genetics and the environment,and in giving new ideas for simplifying diagnosis,improving inflammation,and developing new drugs.

Objective:To analyze the health fitness and its influencing factors among urban elderly residents in Lanzhou city.Methods:A multi-stage sampling method was used to survey urban elderly residents in Lanzhou city with self-designed questionnaire from July 17th to August 3rd, 2020. The questionnaire included general information, life habits and Healthy Fitness Measurement Scale Version 1.0 (HFMS V 1.0), a total of 1 124 questionnaires were distributed and 1 124 were collected, including 1 043 valid questionnaires (92.8%). The HFMS V 1.0 was scored with Likert 5-point scale, positive and negative scoring method. The health fitness status of the subjects was divided into low, medium and high levels according to the norms of HFMS V 1.0 for Chinese urban elderly residents. The influencing factors were analyzed by using the chi-square test and ordinal logistic regression.Results:The conversion score of HFMS V 1.0 for the urban elderly residents in Lanzhou city was 61.99±14.20, and the physical fitness score was the lowest (57.84±16.98); of the 1 043 subjects, 332 (31.83%), 360 (34.52%) and 351 (33.65%) subjects were classified with low, medium, and high health fitness levels, respectively. Chronic diseases and poor dietary habits were the risk factors for the health fitness of urban elderly residents in Lanzhou city (both P<0.05); more adequate sun exposure, physical exercise, sufficient sleep, high self-health concern and high frustration quotient were protective factors for health fitness in those subjects (all P<0.05). Conclusion:The overall level of health fitness in urban elderly residents in Lanzhou city is moderate, and chronic disease, dietary habits, sun exposure, physical exercise, length of sleep, self-health concern and frustration quotient are the main influencing factors.

OBJECTIVETo introduce and evaluate the technical feasibility and anatomical and functional outcomes of one-stage vaginoplasty with autologous buccal micromucosa combined with acellular allogenic dermis.

METHODSWe retrospectively reviewed our experiences with 17 patients with Mayer- Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome treated with primary surgery from September 2010 to April 2013. All patients underwent vaginoplasty with autologous buccal micromucosa combined with acellular allogenic dermis. We describe the details of this technique, observe the time of epithelization and evaluate the long- term anatomical, functional, and sexual outcomes.

RESULTSThe time of epithelization was 13 d (range: 12-15 d). At a mean follow-up of 15 months (range: 12-24 months), the mean postoperative dependence on the vaginal stent was 11.7 ± 1.64 months (range: 9-15 months), the mean depth of the neovagina was (9.0 ± 0.94) cm (range: 7-11 cm), the mean circumference was (12.3 ± 1.36) cm (range: 10.0-14.5 cm) and the mean volume was (105 ± 10) ml (range 85-120 ml). The mean female sexual function index score of the 12 sexually active patients was 29.5 ± 2.6. No spouse reported discomfort during intercourse.

CONCLUSIONSVaginoplasty with autologous buccal micromucosa combined with acellular allogenic dermis is an effective and feasible approach for patients with Mayer-Rokitansky-Kuster-Hauser syndrome. The procedure has satisfactory long-term anatomical and functional results. The use of the acellular allogenic dermis is limited by the high price and the potential infection.

46, XX Disorders of Sex Development ; surgery ; Acellular Dermis ; Coitus ; Congenital Abnormalities ; surgery ; Feasibility Studies ; Female ; Humans ; Mouth Mucosa ; transplantation ; Mullerian Ducts ; abnormalities ; surgery ; Postoperative Period ; Reconstructive Surgical Procedures ; methods ; Retrospective Studies ; Vagina ; abnormalities ; surgery