1.Effect of vitamin B12 eye drops on the expression of MMP-9 and TNF-α in the cornea of mice with dry eye disease
Hui DONG ; Huacheng ZHENG ; Weiting WANG ; Haixia ZHAO
Acta Universitatis Medicinalis Anhui 2026;61(3):424-431
ObjectiveTo investigate how vitamin B12 eye drops regulate MMP-9 and TNF-α expression levels in the corneas of dry eye disease (DED) mouse model induced by a combination of an artificially simulated dry environment (air humidity 30%) and subcutaneous injection of hyoscine hydrobromide. MethodsFifty C57BL/6 female mice were used in the study. 10 mice formed A group (blank control), while the remaining 40 mice were subjected to dry eye disease induction through subcutaneous injection of scopolamine hydrobromide in a controlled environment with 30% air humidity. All mice underwent schirmer I test (SIT), tear break-up time (TBUT), and corneal fluorescence staining score(CFS)evaluations. Mice meeting modeling criteria were randomly assigned to three groups: B group (model group), C group (PBS control), and D group (vitamin B12 group). 0, 7, 14, and 21 days after treatment, each group received TBUT, SIT, CFS, and corneal inflammation assessments. Macroscopic analysis evaluated the efficacy of vitamin B12 eye drops in treating dry eye. After 21 days of treatment, all mice were euthanized via cervical dislocation and their corneas analyzed using HE staining to examine morphological changes. ELISA and immunohistochemical methods were employed to detect MMP-9 and TNF-α expression levels in corneal tissues across groups. ResultsIn dry environments (air humidity 30%), subcutaneous injection of scopolamine hydrobromide induced changes in dry eye-related indicators in mice: SIT significantly decreased, TBUT significantly shortened, corneal fluorescein staining increased, and CFS all significantly elevated (P 0.05), indicating successful establishment of the dry eye model. A total of 30 dry eye mice were enrolled. When the dry eye model was successfully established without drug intervention, no statistically significant differences were observed between B group, C group and D group in terms of TBUT, SIT, corneal fluorescein staining, or CFS. Compared with A group, B group, C group and D group showed statistically significant differences in reduced SIT, shortened TBUT, increased corneal fluorescein staining, and elevated CFS (P 0.05). After drug intervention, D group (vitamin B12 group) exhibited significantly increased SIT, prolonged TBUT, reduced corneal fluorescein staining, clearer corneas, decreased fluorescein staining, and lower CFS compared with B and C groups(P 0.05). ELISA and immunohistochemical staining results showed that compared with A group, B and C groups exhibited significantly increased expression of MMP-9 and TNF-α in corneal tissues (P 0.05). D group showed decreased expression of MMP-9 and TNF-α compared with B and C groups but remained higher than A group (P 0.05). ConclusionThe expression of MMP-9 and TNF-α in the corneal tissues of mice with dry eye is elevated, suggesting that both inflammatory factors, MMP-9 and TNF-α, are involved in the development of dry eye. Vitamin B12 eye drops may improve the symptoms of ocular surface discomfort by promoting the repair of the corneal epithelium. Vitamin B12 eye drops may increase tear secretion, prolong tear film break up time, reduce corneal fluorescein staining, and alleviate the inflammatory reaction of the cornea by decreasing the expression of MMP-9 and TNF-α in the corneal tissues of the mice, thus playing a therapeutic role in the treatment of dry eye disease.
3.A systematic review of tools for assessing the readiness of patients with chronic diseases aged 10-19 to transition to adulthood
Sa WANG ; Huali MIAO ; Yuwei LI ; Hongwei WANG ; Caicai QIAO ; Weiting SONG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(4):469-477
Objective To systematically evaluate the assessment tools of adolescent chronic disease patients'transition readiness to adults at home and abroad,and to provide references for medical personnel to choose appropriate tools.Methods CNKI,Wan Fang Data,CBM,PubMed,Web of Science,Embase and Cochrane were searched for literature related to the assessment tools of transition readiness in adolescents with chronic illnesses to adulthood from inception to August,2024.Literature screening and data extraction of the tools were extracted independently by 2 researchers.At the same time,the criteria for the selection of health measurement tools based on consensus(COSMIN)systematic evaluation guidelines were used to evaluate the inclusion assessment tools,and recommendations were finally formed.Results A total of 29 articles were included,involving 9 universal and 5 specific assessment tools of adolescent chronic illnesses transition readiness.The Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire has satisfactory content validity and internal consistency,and it is recommended as Grade A.The Grade C included the Am I ON TRAC for adult care?Questionnaire and the State Assessment Questionnaire for Transition,Epilepsy-specific Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire and the Readiness for Adult Care in Rheumatology,while the others are recommended as Grade B.Conclusion There are a variety of tools to assess the transition readiness of adolescents with chronic diseases to adults,and there are few tools suitable for adolescents with chronic diseases in China,with few specific tools.After comprehensive consideration,the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire can be recommended temporarily.
4.Deep learning image reconstruction algorithm in brain CT perfusion imaging with low tube voltage and reduced contrast agent dosage
Mengyuan ZHANG ; Luotong WANG ; Dian YUAN ; Yicun ZHANG ; Ke QI ; Weiting ZHANG ; Jiong ZHANG ; Songwei YUE ; Jianbo GAO ; Jie LIU
Chinese Journal of Medical Imaging Technology 2025;41(5):799-805
Objective To observe the value of deep learning image reconstruction(DLIR)algorithm in brain CT perfusion(CTP)using a protocol of 70 kVp and 40 ml contrast agent dose.Methods Totally 105 patients with suspected acute ischemic stroke(AIS)were prospectively enrolled and randomly divided into 3 groups,who underwent standard dose CTP scanning with 80 kVp and 150 mA combined with reconstruction as adaptive statistic iterative reconstruction V(ASIR-V)at 50%level(CN group,n=35),low dose(LD)scanning with 70 kVp and 100 mA combined with DLIR reconstruction at the highest level(DLIR-H)(LD group,n=35),or ultra-low dose(ULD)scanning with 70 kVp and 70 mA combined with DLIR-H reconstruction(ULD group,n=35).Radiation doses were compared among 3 groups.CT values and standard deviations(SDCT)of ROI of gray matter and white matter in the frontal,parietal and temporal lobes were measured.Signal-to-noise ratio(SNR)and contrast-to-noise ratio(CNR)between gray and white matter were calculated and compared among groups.Then pseudo-color images of cerebral blood volume(CBV),cerebral blood flow(CBF),mean transit time(MTT)and time to maximum of the tissue residual function(Tmax)were generated.The imaging quality of CTP pseudo-color images was evaluated,and the compatibility of the subjective scores within every kind of CTP pseudo-color images were assessed using Kappa test.Quantitative perfusion parameters were measured and compared among groups.Results Compared with CN group,both LD and ULD groups demonstrated significantly reduced volume CT dose index(CTDIvol),dose-length product(DLP)and effective dose(ED)(all adjusted P<0.05).In ULD group,SDCT of white matter in frontal,parietal and temporal lobes were higher than those in CN group,and SDCT of white matter in parietal lobe was also higher than that in LD group(all adjusted P<0.05).No significant difference of SDCT of gray matter was observed among groups(all P>0.05).SNR of white matter in parietal and temporal lobes in both LD and ULD groups were lower than those in CN group(all P<0.05),while no significant difference of SNR of white matter in frontal lobe,nor of gray matter in frontal,parietal and temporal lobes was found among groups(all P>0.05).CNR of gray and white matter in the frontal,parietal and temporal lobes were not significantly different among groups(all P>0.05).High consistency of inter-observer subjective scores of CBV maps,CBF maps and Tmax maps(Kappa of 0.623,0.644 and 0.638,respectively)were noticed,which of MTT maps had moderate consistency(Kappa=0.560).No significant difference of intra-obsever subjective scores of CTP pseudo-color images was found among groups(all P>0.05).CBV,CBF,MTT and Tmax values of gray and white matter in frontal,parietal and temporal lobes were not significantly different among groups(all P>0.05).Conclusion DLIR algorithm applicated in low radiation dose and reduced contrast agent dosage might ensure imaging quality.
5.Influence of cathepsin K on periodontitis and periodontal regeneration
Weiting MAO ; Ruoqi ZHANG ; Yuewen ZHAO ; Shan HUANG
Chinese Journal of Pathophysiology 2025;41(2):388-393
Periodontitis is a chronic inflammatory disease primarily triggered by dysregulation of microbial communities and altered host immune response.It is clinically presented by alveolar bone resorption,which is one of the main causes of loosening of teeth and tooth loss.Cathepsin K(CTSK)is a highly expressed collagenase produced by osteo-clasts and can directly degrade matrix collagen proteins and indirectly increase osteoclast activity.The expression level of CTSK fluctuates in response to the progression of periodontal inflammation.The expression of Toll-like receptors is upregu-lated in periodontitis lesions.Pathogen-associated molecular pattern binds to relevant TLRs,initiating downstream im-mune pathways that promote receptor activator of nuclear factor-κB ligand-dependent osteoclastogenesis,along with in-creased expression of CTSK.Intervening in the process of alveolar bone resorption can be achieved through the regulation of CTSK.This paper provides a summary of the pathogenic mechanism of CTSK in periodontitis and highlights the research progress regarding the use of CTSK as a therapeutic target.The aim is to offer insights and references for the treatment of periodontitis.
6.Scoping review of assessment tools of transition readiness in adolescents with chronic illnesses
Sa WANG ; Lina BAI ; Dandan ZHANG ; Yuwei LI ; Caicai QIAO ; Weiting SONG ; Huali MIAO
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(3):234-241
Objective:To summarize domestic and foreign transitional readiness assessment tools for adolescents with chronic diseases and analyze the current status of their application in the clinic, so as to provide references for healthcare professionals to select appropriate tools.Methods:China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Wanfang Data, VIP and China Biomedical Literature Database, PubMed, Web of Science, Embase, Medline, CINAHL, Cochrane Library and scholar.google.com were searched for literature related to the assessment tools of transition readiness in adolescents with chronic illnesses from inception to March 29, 2024. Two researchers independently screened the literature and extracted the data.Results:A total of 491 articles were initially retrieved and 24 were included, involving a total of 8 transitional readiness assessment tools for adolescents with chronic diseases, including the Transition Readiness Assessment questionnaire, the University of North Carolina TRxANSITION Scale, Am I ON TRAC for adult care? Questionnaire, Transition Questionnaire, Self-Management and Transition to Adulthood with Rx=Treatment Questionnaire, Good 2 Go Questionnaire, State Assessment Questionnaire for Transition, and Self-assessment Scale of Transition Readiness for Adolescents. The Transition Readiness Assessment questionnaire and Self-Management and Transition to Adulthood with Rx=Treatment Questionnaire have good reliability and validity, comprehensive evaluation, wide applicability, simple use, and are suitable for clinical use.Conclusions:The quality of existing tools for assessing transitional readiness of adolescents with chronic diseases is mixed. The Transition Readiness Assessment questionnaire and Self-Management and Transition to Adulthood with Rx=Treatment Questionnaire are more appropriate options in the clinic, but they still need to be improved. Future studies need to continue to introduce tools to assess transitional readiness for chronic diseases in adolescents and develop localized assessment tools.
7.The mediating effect of disease uncertainty on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in postoperative thyroid cancer patients
Yang JIANG ; Xin MA ; Qing CHU ; Weiting ZHAO ; Yaoyao JIANG
Chinese Journal of Practical Nursing 2025;41(7):530-537
Objective:To explore the mediating effect of disease uncertainty on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in postoperative thyroid cancer patients, and to provide assistance for health management of thyroid cancer patients.Methods:From January 2023 to June 2024, thyroid cancer patients who underwent surgical treatment in Xiang′an Hospital of Xiamen University were selected by convenience sampling method. Conduct a survey using The general information questionnaire, Cancer Quality of Life for Thyroid Cancer 34, Cancer Fatigue Scale, and Mishel Uncertainty in Illness Scale were used to conduct cross-sectional investigation. SPSS 22.0 was used to statistically analyze the relationship between the three factors, and AMOS 24.0 software was used to establish a structural equation model to analyze the mediating effect of disease uncertainty on cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in postoperative thyroid cancer patients.Results:Finally, 495 valid questionnaires were ultimately collected. Among 495 postoperative patients with thyroid cancer, there were 135 males and 360 females, with an age of (39.58 ± 12.97) years old. The uncertainty score of postoperative thyroid cancer patients was (60.98 ± 11.61) points, cancer-related fatigue score was (42.85 ± 7.35) points, and quality of life score was (57.51 ± 9.81) points. Pearson correlation analysis showed that cancer-related fatigue was positively correlated with disease uncertainty ( r=0.392, P<0.01) and negatively correlated with quality of life ( r=-0.465, P<0.01). Disease uncertainty was negatively correlated with quality of life ( r=-0.378, P<0.01). Disease uncertainty partially mediated the relationship between cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in postoperative thyroid cancer patients, with a mediation effect value of -0.14, accounting for 32.56% of the total effect. Conclusions:The disease uncertainty score and the quality of life score of postoperative thyroid cancer patients were at a moderate level, the cancer-related fatigue score was at an upper moderate level. Disease uncertainty is an important mediating variable between cancer-related fatigue and quality of life in postoperative thyroid cancer patients. Improving disease uncertainty in postoperative thyroid cancer patients can reduce cancer-related fatigue and improve their quality of life.
8.Prevalence and risk factors of food allergies among children in North China grassland: a cross-sectional study based on Zhangbei County, Hebei Province
Yang LIU ; Yanlei CHEN ; Yaojun PANG ; Ruijuan ZHANG ; Haiyun SHI ; Weiting JIN ; Wenhua MING ; Ye WANG ; Zilu CHENG ; Tingting MA ; Xueyan WANG
Chinese Journal of Preventive Medicine 2025;59(10):1725-1733
Objective:To determine the prevalence of self-reported food allergies among children in the grasslands of North China and to analyze its associated risk factors.Methods:In this study, a cross-sectional epidemiological survey method was used to select children under 14 years old by multi-stage, stratified and random cluster sampling in the grassland ecological area of Zhangbei County, Hebei Province, China from May to July 2018. Face-to-face questionnaires were administered to gather food allergy-related information from the participants. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was used to analyze the risk factors associated with self-reported food allergy.Results:A total of 2 086 children completed the survey. The prevalence of self-reported food allergies was 22.0%(459/2 086). The prevalence of multiple food allergies (≥3 types) was 3.1%(64/2 086) versus 16.3% (341/2 086) for a single food allergy among all children. Mango allergy (6.1%, 127/2 086) was the most common, followed by peach allergy (4.1%, 85/2 086). Children who reported food allergies had a significantly higher prevalence of all 4 atopic disorders (eczema, asthma, allergic rhinitis, and allergic conjunctivitis than those without food allergies(35.73% vs. 20.65%, 5.88% vs. 2.77%, 17.86% vs. 7.38%, 16.78% vs. 10.45%, χ2 =44.663 1, 10.434 3, 45.038 3, 13.728 4, all P<0.001).Significantly associated risk factors of food allergy were found to be pollen allergy ( OR: 2.29; 95% CI: 1.80-2.92) and drug allergy ( OR: 1.53; 95% CI: 1.12-2.09). Conclusions:The prevalence of self-reported food allergies among children in the Zhangbei County area of the North China Grassland was relatively high. Pollen allergy and drug allergy are major risk factors.
9.Visualized analysis of research on age-friendly home environment modifications based on Web of Science Core Collection database
Qunmei ZENG ; Xiaofang LI ; Jiayu ZHANG ; Weiting ZHANG ; Yinhua WANG
Chinese Journal of Modern Nursing 2025;31(19):2601-2608
Objective:To explore the current status, research hotspots, and trends of age-friendly home environment modifications, and provide references for future research development in China.Methods:Literature related to age-friendly home modifications was retrieved from the Web of Science Core Collection database, with the search covering publications up to January 27, 2024. VOSviewer 1.6.19 and CiteSpace 6.2.R6 were used to perform visualized analyses of keywords, authors, institutions, publication volume, journals, countries, and publication years.Results:A total of 287 articles were included. The number of publications in this field has shown an increasing trend. Gitlin, Laura N and Iwarsson Susanne were the most productive authors in this field; however, a stable core author group has not yet been established. The United States and the University of Florida/State University System of Florida were the most prolific country and institutions, respectively. The Journal of the American Geriatrics Society had the highest number of publications. Research mainly focused on populations such as older adults with dementia or disabilities, informal caregivers, and occupational therapists. Fall prevention and smart home technologies were also hot topics. Conclusions:Age-friendly home environment modification has become a research hotspot. However, relevant research in China remains at an early stage. Future work should focus on developing targeted and effective modification strategies and technologies tailored to the characteristics of different populations.
10.A systematic review of tools for assessing the readiness of patients with chronic diseases aged 10-19 to transition to adulthood
Sa WANG ; Huali MIAO ; Yuwei LI ; Hongwei WANG ; Caicai QIAO ; Weiting SONG
Chinese Journal of Nursing 2025;60(4):469-477
Objective To systematically evaluate the assessment tools of adolescent chronic disease patients'transition readiness to adults at home and abroad,and to provide references for medical personnel to choose appropriate tools.Methods CNKI,Wan Fang Data,CBM,PubMed,Web of Science,Embase and Cochrane were searched for literature related to the assessment tools of transition readiness in adolescents with chronic illnesses to adulthood from inception to August,2024.Literature screening and data extraction of the tools were extracted independently by 2 researchers.At the same time,the criteria for the selection of health measurement tools based on consensus(COSMIN)systematic evaluation guidelines were used to evaluate the inclusion assessment tools,and recommendations were finally formed.Results A total of 29 articles were included,involving 9 universal and 5 specific assessment tools of adolescent chronic illnesses transition readiness.The Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire has satisfactory content validity and internal consistency,and it is recommended as Grade A.The Grade C included the Am I ON TRAC for adult care?Questionnaire and the State Assessment Questionnaire for Transition,Epilepsy-specific Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire and the Readiness for Adult Care in Rheumatology,while the others are recommended as Grade B.Conclusion There are a variety of tools to assess the transition readiness of adolescents with chronic diseases to adults,and there are few tools suitable for adolescents with chronic diseases in China,with few specific tools.After comprehensive consideration,the Transition Readiness Assessment Questionnaire can be recommended temporarily.


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