AIM:To investigate the value of optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)indicators in the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy(DR), and to provide patients with diabetic nephropathy(DN)with more sensitive OCTA screening indicators to detect concurrent DR at an early stage.METHODS: A total of 200 patients who treated in the ophthalmology department of the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University from 2022 to 2023 were included, including 95 first-diagnosed DR patients and 105 patients without DR, and all patients underwent OCTA examination and a collection of demographics and renal function parameters. After a quality check, automated measurements of the foveal avascular zone area, vessel density(VD), and perfusion density(PD)of both 3 mm×3 mm and 6 mm×6 mm windows were obtained.RESULTS: Using random forest and multivariate Logistic regression methods, we developed a diagnostic model for DR based on 12 variables(age, FBG, SBP, DBP, HbA1c, ALT, ALP, urea/Scr, DM duration, HUA, DN, and CMT). Adding specific OCTA parameters enhanced the efficacy of the existing diagnostic model for DR(outer vessel density in 6 mm×6 mm window, AUC=0.837 vs 0.819, P=0.03). In the study of DN patients, the parameters in the 6 mm×6 mm window improved the diagnostic efficacy of DR(inner VD; outer VD; full VD; outer PD; full PD).CONCLUSION:The outer VD in the 6 mm×6 mm window can enhance the efficacy of the traditional DR diagnostic model. Meanwhile, compared with the 3 mm×3 mm window, the microvascular parameters in the 6 mm× 6 mm window focusing on DN patients can be more sensitive to diagnosing the occurrence of DR.

Objective To investigate the efficacy and safety of Linggui Qihua No.2 Prescription(LGQH2)in patients with heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF).Methods Totally 60 HFpEF patients were randomly divided into experimental group and control group according to random number table method,with 30 patients in each group.On the basis of standardized treatment for heart failure,the experimental group was given LGQH2 granules,13 g/time,twice a day,orally;the control group was given placebo granules of LGQH2,with the same administration method as the experimental group.The treatment course for both groups was 4 weeks.6-minute walking distance(6MWD),Kansas City Cardiomyopathy Questionnaire(KCCQ)score,TCM syndrome score and serum NT-proBNP levels.Echocardiography was used to detect the ratio of early diastolic blood flow velocity(E)at the mitral valve to early diastolic myocardial motion velocity(e')at the mitral annulus,left atrial diameter(LAD),left ventricular end-diastolic diameter(LVEDD)and interventricular septal thickness(IVST).Adverse reactions and events were also recorded.Results Compared with before treatment,both groups showed significant improvement in 6MWD,KCCQ score,TCM syndrome score,serum NT proBNP,and E/e'after treatment(P<0.05),and there was no statistical significance in LAD,LVEDD and IVST between the two groups(P>0.05);after treatment,the experimental group showed better improvement in 6MWD,KCCQ score,TCM syndrome score and E/e'compared to the control group(P<0.05).During the research process,neither group of patients experienced any adverse reactions or events.Conclusion LGQH2 Prescription can effectively enhance exercise tolerance and cardiac function of HFpEF patients,alleviate symptoms,improve quality of life,and inhibit diastolic dysfunction of the heart,without notable adverse reactions.

Objective To observe the effects of Huoxue Tongjiang Decoction on the expressions of gelsolin(GSN),prosaposin(PSAP)and nuclear factor(NF)-κB in reflux esophagitis(RE)model rats;To explore its mechanism of protecting esophageal mucosa.Methods Totally 75 Wistar rats were randomly divided into control group,model group,Western medicine group,TCM low-and high-dosage groups,with 15 rats in each group.The control group was given celiac switch operation,the other groups were given modified partial cardiac myotomy and external pyloric partial ligation to prepare RE rat model.Seven days after operation,each group was given normal saline,Western medicine or corresponding dosage of Huoxue Tongjiang Decoction for gavage,twice a day for 14 days.HE staining was used to observe the morphology of esophageal mucosa and pathological score was evaluated,immunohistochemical staining was used to detect the positive expressions of GSN and PSAP in esophageal mucosa,and Western blot was used to detect the protein expressions of NF-κBp65 and p-NF-κBp65 in esophageal tissue,ELISA was used to detect the contents of serum tumor necrosis factor(TNF)-α and interleukin(IL)-6.Results Compared with the control group,the esophageal mucosa of the model group was obviously damaged,the pathological score increased,the expression of GSN in esophageal mucosa decreased,the expressions of PSAP,NF-κBp65 and p-NF-κBp65 protein increased,and the contents of TNF-α and IL-6 in serum increased,with statistical significance(P<0.01).Compared with the model group,the esophageal mucosal injury improved obviously in the Western medicine group and TCM low-and high-dosage groups,the pathological score decreased,the expression of GSN in esophageal mucosa increased,the expressions of PSAP,NF-κBp65 and p-NF-κBp65 protein decreased,and the contents of TNF-α and IL-6 in serum decreased,with statistical significance(P<0.05,P<0.01).Conclusion Huoxue Tongjiang Decoction can effectively improve the immune inflammation of esophageal mucosa in RE model rats,its mechanism may be related to regulating GSN,PSAP and NF-κB pathway and reducing the release of inflammatory factors TNF-α and IL-6.

Radiotherapy can cause varying degrees of damage to surrounding normal tissues while treating tumors. In recent years, single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-Seq), an emerging technology in modern biology, has gradually played a significant role in research on radiation-induced injuries. Researchers have delved into a variety of radiation-induced brain injuries, including radiation-induced brain injury (RIBI), cardiovascular injury, lung injury, intestinal injury, skin injury, and hematopoietic injury. Their studies provide novel perspectives for revealing the mechanisms behind radiation-induced injuries, assessing the degree of injury, and exploring potential therapies. This study reviews the advances in the application of scRNA-seq to research on radiation-induced injuries.

Objective:To study the correlation of TCM syndrome elements of large artery atherosclerosis (LAA) cerebral infarction with the new four thrombotic markers and cerebrovascular disease risk factors.Methods:Retrospective analysis was conducted for the baseline data and four diagnosis of 174 patients with LAA cerebral infarction in Department of Neurology, Shanxi Provincial People's Hospital from August 2022 to September 2023. These patients were classified into six TCM syndrome elements: internal wind, qi deficiency, internal fire, blood stasis, yin deficiency, and phlegm-dampness. Thrombomodulin (TM), fibrin-α2 antifibrinolytic inhibitor complex (PIC), thrombin-antithrombinogen complex (TAT), and tissue-type plasminogen activator-plasminogen activator inhibitor complex (t-PAIC) tests were performed in 24 h. Correlation analysis was conducted between the TCM syndrome typing of LAA stroke patients and baseline data, as well as the results of four thrombotic tests.Results:Among the 174 patients with LAA cerebral infarction, 49 (28.16%) were in the internal wind type, 37 (21.26%) in the phlegm-dampness type, 37 (21.26%) in the qi deficiency type, 16 (9.20%) in the internal fire type, 18 (10.35%) in the yin deficiency type, and 17 (9.77%) in the blood stasis type. Comparison of plasma TM ( P=0.003), PIC ( P=0.022), TAT ( P<0.001) and t-PAIC ( P=0.007) levels of each TCM syndrome element showed statistically significant differences ( P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that gender was an influencing factor for the internal wind syndrome element and qi deficiency syndrome element [ OR (95% CI)=0.140 (0.037-0.536)] and blood stasis syndrome element [ OR (95% CI)=0.185 (0.042-0.820)] in TCM; TM was an influencing factor for the internal wind syndrome element and yin deficiency syndrome element [ OR (95% CI)=0.617 (0.423-0.900)], and blood stasis syndrome element [ OR (95% CI)=0.693 (0.496-0.968) ]; TAT was an influencing factor for internal wind syndrome element and phlegm-dampness syndrome element [ OR (95% CI)=2.143 (1.364-3.367)], qi deficiency syndrome element [ OR (95% CI)=1.937 (1.221-3.073)], and internal fire syndrome element [ OR (95% CI)=1.937 (1.221-3.073)], internal fire evidence element [ OR (95% CI)=2.949 (1.796-4.842)], and blood stasis evidence element [ OR (95% CI)=2.118 (1.246-30 600)]; t-PAIC was an influential factor for internal wind syndrome element and qi deficiency syndrome element [ OR (95% CI)=1.140 (1.033-1.258)] ( P<0.05). The ROC curve suggested that a TM level of 8.05 TU/ml had a diagnostic performance of 71.8% for the yin deficiency syndrome; a TAT level of 2.45 ng/L had a diagnostic performance of 71.2% for the internal wind syndrome; a TAT level of 1.65 ng/L had a diagnostic performance of 72.6% for the internal fire syndrome; and a t-PAIC level of 17.55 ng/L had a diagnostic performance of 70.4% for the qi deficiency syndrome. The diagnostic performance of t-PAIC was 70.4% at a t-PAIC level of 17.55 ng/L. Conclusion:Plasma TM, TAT, and t-PAIC levels are independent risk factors for different syndrome elements in patients with LAA cerebral infarction and can be used as markers for early determination of different syndrome elements.

Objective Fasting hypometabolism regulation technology has broad application potential in long-term space flight and survival in extreme extraterrestrial environments.In-depth research on the substrate conversion of energy metabolism and the formation of new steady states under fasting hypometabolism will provide theoretical basis and experimental data support for formulating effective prolonged fasting application mode.Methods 30 SD rats were randomly divided into control group and fasting group(fasting for 1,2,3,and 5 days).Blood biochemical examination,qRT-PCR,and western blotting were performed to analyze the body weight,blood biochemistry,and expression changes of genes and proteins related to glucose and lipid metabolism during different fasting periods.Results Prolonged fasting significantly reduced the body weight,blood glucose,and triglyceride levels of rats;increased the blood ketone level,and replaced glucose as the main energy substance in the body.There are temporal and tissue-specific changes as a whole.Hepatic and renal gluconeogenesis play major roles respectively during different fasting periods.As the fasting time prolongs,the level of hepatic gluconeogenesis gradually decreases,the content of FFA in the blood increases,the expression level of genes related to fat synthesis decreases,fatty acid oxidation is enhanced,and the expression level of the key gene HMGCS2 for ketone body generation increases.Conclusion During prolonged fasting,there is a significant conversion of glucose-ketone energy supply substrates,and a new steady state of energy metabolism mainly supplied by ketone bodies is formed within 2-5 days of fasting.The body maintains a low metabolic state by regulating changes in key genes in pathways such as glucose and lipid metabolism.

AIM:To investigate the role and mechanism of cell death-inducing DNA fragmentation factor al-pha(DFFA)-like effector B(Cideb)in promoting palmitic acid(PA)-induced lipid deposition in human hepatoblastoma HepG2 cells.METHODS:The HepG2 cells were divided into control group,model group,negative control silencing(siR-NC)group and Cideb silencing(siR-Cideb)group.The cells were treated with PA to establish a cellular model of lipid deposition.Specific siRNAs were used to silence the expression of Cideb,and the intracellular lipid content was mea-sured.Lipid deposition was observed by oil red O staining.RT-qPCR and Western blot were used to detect the expression levels of Cideb,sterol regulatory element-binding protein 1c(SREBP1c),acetyl-CoA carboxylase 1(ACC1),fatty acid synthase(FAS),stearoyl-CoA desaturase 1(SCD1)and AMP-activated protein kinase α(AMPKα)in the cells.The ef-fects of Cideb overexpression on HepG2 cells were observed by transfection with a Cideb eukaryotic expression plasmid.RESULTS:Compared with control group,the cells in PA model group presented lipid deposition,significantly increased triglyceride(TG)and total cholesterol(TC)content,elevated expression levels of Cideb,SREBP1c,ACC,FAS and SCD1,and decreased expression of AMPKα(P＜0.05).Compared with siR-NC group,the cells in siR-Cideb group pre-sented decreased lipid deposition,reduced intracellular TG and TC content,decreased SREBP1c,ACC,FAS and SCD1 expression levels,and increased AMPKα expression(P＜0.05).The overexpression of Cideb increased the lipid deposi-tion,TG and TC content,and the expression levels of SREBP1c,ACC,FAS and SCD1 in HepG2 cells,but decreased the expression of AMPKα(P＜0.05).CONCLUSION:Reduction of Cideb alleviates PA-induced lipid deposition in HepG2 cells by down-regulating the SREBP1c/ACC/FAS/SCD1 pathway and up-regulating the AMPKα pathway.

Pasteurella multocida(Pm)type A is an important pathogen responsible for respiratory diseases,such as bovine pneumonia,which seriously restricts the development of cattle industry in China.Currently,the prevention of Pm infection-related diseases primarily relies on vaccination in production.However,the diverse Pm serotypes result in inadequate cross-immunological protection from vaccines.Therefore,it is of great significance to develop vaccines with cross-protection for the prevention and control of Pm infectious diseases.The previous studies conducted by our team have demonstrated that PmCQ2△cra exhibits a strong immune protective effect against Pm type A(PmA),Pm type B(PmB),and Pm type F(PmF).Transcriptomic sequencing results suggest that the cross-immunoprotective effect of PmCQ2△cra may be attributed to high expression levels of bacterial surface protective antigens.Consequently,four putative immune protective antigens,namely PmCQ2-5175,PmCQ2-6290,PmCQ2-0275 and PmCQ2-2640,were screened through bioin-formatics analysis in this study.Subunit vaccines formulated with these potential antigenic proteins exhibited protective efficacy of 62.5％,25％,12.5％and 10％against PmA-infected mice,respectively.Importantly,PmCQ2-5175,one of the most protective single-component antigen vac-cines,demonstrating a 75％cross-protection against PmB infection in mice.Furthermore,the pro-tective efficacy of the PmCQ2-5175 protein screened in this study was superior to that of the previ-ously reported Pm antigen protein plpE.Moreover,the fusion expression protein PmCQ2-5175-PLPE exhibited better protective effects against PmA compared to a single protein.The findings of this study will establish a theoretical foundation for the advancement of Pm subunit vaccines with broad-spectrum immune protection.

Objective To develop a core outcome set(COS)for clinical effectiveness trials of heart failure with preserved ejection fraction(HFpEF).Methods Outcome measures were collected through database literatures search,clinical experts questionnaire survey and semi-structured patients interview.Then,the outcome measures pool was constructed and domains were divided.Candidate outcome measures of COS were screened through two rounds of Delphi survey.Finally,a consensus meeting was held to determine COS and reach a consensus.Results A total of 317 outcome measures which could be divided into 6 domains were collected through literature research,questionnaire survey and semi-structured interview.15 candidate outcome measures of COS were screened through two rounds of Delphi survey.Finally,the consensus meeting reached consensus on a COS with 6 entries.Conclusion In this study,a COS for clinical effectiveness trials of HFpEF was developed,which is conducive to the standardization of efficacy evaluation.

Objective To explore the effect of moxibustion on bone metabolism and the mechanism of bone protection,the effect of moxibustion,a traditional Chinese treatment in patients with rheumatoid arthritis(RA),especially the levels of two biomarkers,interleukin 35(IL-35)and β-catenin in the serum of rheumatoid arthritis patients were investigated.Methods A total of 72 RA patients were randomly assigned equally to the treatment group(36 cases)and 36 patients each of the control group(36 cases).The control group was intervened with standardized Western medicine treatment.For the treatment group,moxibustion intervened on Zusanli,Shenshu,and Ashi acupoints three times a week for 5-week treatment,with the remaining treatments being the same as the control group.The clinical symptom-related scores,routine clinical test indicators,and serum IL-35,β-catenin,BMP-2,IL-1β contents of RA patients before and after treatment were compared between the two groups.Results After treatment,VAS score,DAS28 score,morning stiffness score and BMP-2,β-catenin and IL-1β in serum in 2 groups significantly decreased(P<0.01),while IL-35 content in treatment group significantly increased(P<0.01).VAS score,DAS28 score,morning stiffness score and BMP-2,β-catenin and IL-1β in serum showed the obvious advantage of the treatment group over the control group(P<0.05),but the two groups(P>0.05)have no significant discrepancy in serum IL-35 content.For the treatment group,the improvement values of morning stiffness score and joint swelling number were positively correlated with the improvement values of BMP-2 and β-catenin in serum(P<0.01,P<0.05,r>0).The improvement of serum IL-35 was negatively correlated with the improvement of DAS28 score in the treatment group(P<0.05,r<0).Conclusion On the basis of conventional western medicine treatment,moxibustion may inhibit the levels of IL-35 and IL-1β in serum of RA patients,regulate the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway,regulate the levels of β-catenin and BMP-2,reduce the inflammatory response of RA,regulate bone metabolism,and achieve the purpose of bone protection.Thus,bone and joint teratogenesis or disability in RA patients was prevented and delayed.