Diabetic retinopathy(DR)remains the leading cause of vision loss in patients with diabetes. Current anti-vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)therapies are limited by inadequate response in some patients and the necessity for repeated intravitreal injections, underscoring the urgent need for novel therapeutic targets. Angiopoietin-like protein 4(ANGPTL4), a multifunctional secreted protein, has emerged as a critical regulator in the pathogenesis and progression of DR, positioning it as a promising interventional target. This review systematically elaborates the biological characteristics of ANGPTL4, with a focus on its expression dynamics, molecular mechanisms, and regulatory networks rolesin the development of DR. Furthermore, the prospects of ANGPTL4-targeted therapeutic strategies are discussed, aiming to offer new insights and directions for understanding DR pathogenesis, advancing multi-target drug development, and improving clinical management.

Debates persist regarding the efficacy and safety of azvudine, particularly its real-world outcomes. This study involved patients aged ≥60 years who were admitted to 25 hospitals in mainland China with confirmed SARS-CoV-2 infection between December 1, 2022, and February 28, 2023. Efficacy outcomes were all-cause mortality during hospitalization, the proportion of patients discharged with recovery, time to nucleic acid-negative conversion (T _NANC), time to symptom improvement (T _SI), and time of hospital stay (T _HS). Safety was also assessed. Among the 5884 participants identified, 1999 received azvudine, and 1999 matched controls were included after exclusion and propensity score matching. Azvudine recipients exhibited lower all-cause mortality compared with controls in the overall population (13.3% vs. 17.1%, RR, 0.78; 95% CI, 0.67-0.90; P = 0.001) and in the severe subgroup (25.7% vs. 33.7%; RR, 0.76; 95% CI, 0.66-0.88; P < 0.001). A higher proportion of patients discharged with recovery, and a shorter T _NANC were associated with azvudine recipients, especially in the severe subgroup. The incidence of adverse events in azvudine recipients was comparable to that in the control group (2.3% vs. 1.7%, P = 0.170). In conclusion, azvudine showed efficacy and safety in older patients hospitalized with COVID-19 during the SARS-CoV-2 omicron wave in China.

Resistance to ferroptosis, a form of regulated cell death caused by disruptions in iron ion and intracellular redox homeostasis, is closely related to tumorigenesis and tumor drug resistance; therefore, targeting ferroptosis-related pathways has garnered attention as a potential antitumor therapeutic strategy. However, the molecular mechanisms underlying ferroptosis resistance in tumor cells remain unknown. Zinc-finger estrogen receptor interaction clone 6 (ZER6) consists of two isoforms with distinct N-termini, p52-ZER6 and p71-ZER6. ZER6 is upregulated in tumors and promotes tumorigenic potential; however, whether ZER6 is involved in tumor cell ferroptosis resistance remains unknown. Herein, we identified p52-ZER6 as a novel regulator of tumor cell ferroptosis resistance. p52-ZER6 promotes the transcriptional activity of DAZAP1, an RNA-binding protein. DAZAP1, in turn, enhances the stability of SLC7A11 mRNA by binding to its 3'-UTR region, thereby increasing SLC7A11 expression and cellular glutathione levels. This subsequently reduces lipid peroxide accumulation and enhances tumor cell ferroptosis resistance, eventually promoting tumorigenic potential. These findings reveal a new function of p52-ZER6 in regulating SLC7A11 mRNA stability via DAZAP1, ultimately leading to ferroptosis resistance and tumorigenic potential. Additionally, we also suggest targeting p52-ZER6 as a potential strategy to promote the efficacy of ferroptosis-based antitumor therapies.

Keratoconus(KC)is a blinding eye disease caused by a variety of factors, with its pathogenesis still not well understood. In recent years, it has been discovered that sex hormones and prolactin-induced protein(PIP)have a profound impact on the cornea, with more noticeable changes when there are abnormalities in their body content. It has been found that various sex hormone receptors are distributed in the cornea. Based on this, this article reviews a multitude of studies on how sex hormones and PIP affect the cornea, along with relevant clinical research. It has been observed that sex hormones and PIP also play a role in KC patients and influence the occurrence and progression of KC. Additionally, it has been noted that pregnant and lactating women may be more susceptible to KC. Sex hormones and PIP have the potential to become new diagnostic and therapeutic targets. This article not only provides new insights but also offers important references for clinical practice.

Keratoconus(KC)is a blinding eye disease caused by a variety of factors, with its pathogenesis still not well understood. In recent years, it has been discovered that sex hormones and prolactin-induced protein(PIP)have a profound impact on the cornea, with more noticeable changes when there are abnormalities in their body content. It has been found that various sex hormone receptors are distributed in the cornea. Based on this, this article reviews a multitude of studies on how sex hormones and PIP affect the cornea, along with relevant clinical research. It has been observed that sex hormones and PIP also play a role in KC patients and influence the occurrence and progression of KC. Additionally, it has been noted that pregnant and lactating women may be more susceptible to KC. Sex hormones and PIP have the potential to become new diagnostic and therapeutic targets. This article not only provides new insights but also offers important references for clinical practice.

Objective To evaluate the influence of the wearing position of dosimeters outside lead aprons on effective dose estimation for interventional radiology workers, analyze the differences between single and double dosimeter methods in effective dose estimation, and provide a reference for the personal dose monitoring of interventional radiology workers. Methods This study employed a combined approach of on-site monitoring and Monte Carlo simulation to evaluate the impact of the wearing position of dosimeters outside lead aprons on effective dose estimation, as well as the differences between effective doses measured using single and double dosimeters. Interventional radiology workers wore dosimeters at three positions: the neck outside the lead collar, the left chest outside the lead apron, and inside the lead apron. Effective doses were estimated using the single and double dosimeter methods specified in GBZ 128-2019 Specifications for individual monitoring of occupational external exposure, and the impact of different wearing positions on the estimation results was compared. Geant4 Monte Carlo simulations were used to model dose distributions at the neck outside the lead collar and at the left chest outside the lead apron for operators performing cardiovascular interventions under tube voltages of 70, 80, 90, and 100 kVp and exposure angles of posteroanterior (PA), anteroposterior (AP), and left anterior oblique 45° (LAO45°) positions. The study assessed the impact of dosimeter wearing position on effective dose estimation. Results Monte Carlo simulations demonstrated that neck doses consistently exceeded left chest doses across different tube voltages and exposure angles, with neck-to-chest dose ratios of 0.80-0.90. Under identical tube voltage conditions, AP showed the highest doses, followed by LAO45°, and PA demonstrated the lowest doses. The single and double dosimeter methods exhibited consistent patterns in effective dose estimation. Single dosimeter method generally yielded higher effective doses with relative deviations of 9.9% to 83%, though these deviations decreased under high tube voltages. Field monitoring data indicated that most interventional radiology workers maintained relative deviations between single and double dosimeter calculations below 6%, with neck-to-chest dose ratios of 0.95-1.1. The estimation patterns remained consistent across both methods, though single dosimeter method showed slightly higher results. Conclusion Under PA, AP, or LAO45°, the doses at the neck consistently exceeded those at the left chest. Therefore, when wearing lead protective equipment, the dosimeter should be properly positioned at the neck outside the lead collar to accurately reflect the radiation doses of surgeons. Some interventional radiology workers improperly positioned the dosimeter (intended at the neck outside the lead collar) at the left chest outside the lead apron, and this may result in an underestimation of the effective dose.

Sepsis is an organ dysfunction caused by a dysregulated host response to infection,often characterized by immune dysfunction.This condition typically manifests as an excessive inflammatory response at early stages,followed by immunosuppression at later stages.Due to this immunosuppressive state,patients with sepsis are susceptible to new infections,termed secondary infections,even after the primary infection has been controlled or resolved.In recent years,secondary infections in sepsis have garnered increasing clinical attention due to their risks to exacerbate the disease course,prolong hospital stay,and increase mortality risk.The sepsis-induced immunosuppression is central to the development of secondary infections,especially at the later stage of sepsis.Specifically,T cell function becomes impaired,natural killer cell activity decreases,and macrophage phagocytic ability weakens,all contributing to diminished immune surveillance.Additionally,the immune evasion mechanisms employed by pathogens responsible for secondary infections further complicate treatment.This review aims to elucidate the mechanisms of immunosuppression and its clinical significance in sepsis-related secondary infections,providing a guidance for optimizing treatment strategies.

Objective:To explore the mediating effect of sense of coherence (SOC) on the utilization of chronic disease resources and symptom distress in liver cancer patients after transarterial chemoembolization (TACE), so as to provide a basis for comprehensive management strategies from a new perspective.Methods:A convenience sampling method was used to select 260 inpatients who underwent TACE in Xinxiang Central Hospital and Henan Provincial People's Hospital from September 2023 to October 2024 as the research objects. The Basic Information Questionnaire, Sense of Coherence Scale-13 (SOC-13), Chronic Illness Resource Survey (CIRS), and the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist (RSCL) were used to investigate the patients. Pearson correlation was used to analyze the relationships among SOC, chronic disease resource utilization, and symptom distress in patients after TACE. Structural equation modeling was established using AMOS 21.0 software to verify the mediating effect.Results:A total of 260 questionnaires were distributed, and 249 valid questionnaires were recovered, with a valid recovery rate of 95.77% (249/260). The SOC-13 score of 249 patients after TACE was (44.30±7.64), the CIRS score was (46.84±7.02), and the RSCL score was (93.61±8.85). The SOC-13 score was positively correlated with the CIRS score ( P<0.01) and negatively correlated with the RSCL score ( P<0.01). The CIRS score was negatively correlated with the RSCL score ( P<0.01). SOC had a direct negative effect on symptom distress (β'=-0.382, P<0.01), chronic disease resource utilization had a direct negative effect on symptom distress (β'=-0.176, P<0.01), and SOC played a partial mediating role between chronic disease resource utilization and symptom distress (β'=-0.148, P<0.01), with the mediating effect accounting for 45.68% of the total effect. Conclusions:There are certain deficiencies in the sense of coherence and chronic disease resource utilization in patients after TACE, and the phenomenon of symptom distress is obvious. SOC plays a partial mediating role between chronic disease resource utilization and symptom distress.

Objective To analyze the molecular epidemiological characteristics of carbapenem-resistant Klebsiella pneumoniae(CRKP)in a hospital in Hainan Province,explore the differences in the distribution of resistance genes and virulence factors between hypervirulent CRKP(hv-CRKP)and non-hv-CRKP,analyze the clinical significance,and provide basis for optimizing treatment and prevention strategies.Methods CRKP strains isolated from a hospi-tal in Hainan Province from July 2023 to June 2024 were collected retrospectively.Their resistance phenotypes were detected by antimicrobial susceptibility testing.Carbapenemase genes(KPC-2,NDM-1,IPM)and virulence factors(rmpA/rmpA2,iucA,iroB,etc.)were detected by polymerase chain reaction(PCR).Department source,speci-men distribution,and resistance-virulence characteristics were analyzed.Results A total of 76 strains of CRKP were isolated,with an overall isolation rate of 7.7％(76/985).The strains were mainly distributed in the intensive care unit(ICU)(28.9％)and neurosurgery ICU(23.6％),with the highest proportion of strains isolated from re-spiratory tract specimens(60.5％).The resistance genes were mainly KPC-2(72.4％)and NDM-1(21.1％),and the virulence factors mrkD(type Ⅲ pili,85.5％)and fim H(type Ⅰ pili,84.2％)were commonly presented.Among 76 strains of CRKP,39 strains(51.3％)met the criteria for hv-CRKP and all carried KPC-2 gene(100％).The detection rates of resistance genes and virulence factors rmpA2(97.4％),iucA(100％),and iroB(89.7％)were all higher than those of non-hv-CRKP strains(KPC-2,43.2％;rmpA2,0;iucA,8.1％;iroB,13.5％).The main characteristics of hv-CRKP was the combination of KPC-2 resistance gene and rmpA2+iucA+iutA+iroB virulence factors(64.1％).Antimicrobial resistance phenotype of hv-CRKP was different from non-hv-CRKP.hv-CRKP presented higher susceptibility rates to aminoglycosides and compound sulfamethoxazole than non-hv-CRKP.Conclusion The proportion of hv-CRKP and non-hv-CRKP strains in this hospital is comparable.hv-CRKP is characterized by carrying the KPC-2 resistance gene in combination with rmpA2+iucA+iutA+iroB virulence factors,and the proportion of strains carrying multiple virulence factors is higher than that of non-hv-CRKP.Both are generally resistant to β-lactams and quinolones.hv-CRKP has lower resistance rates to aminoglycosides and com-pound sulfamethoxazole than non-hv-CRKP.Its advantage of aminoglycoside susceptibility provides a new treatment option.It is recommended to guide differential medication through molecular typing and strengthen infection control measures in ICU to curb the spread of antimicrobial-resistant bacteria.

Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a chronic, relapsing immune-mediated disease. Patients with IBD are at significantly increased risk of anxiety and depression, with possible mechanisms including genetic susceptibility, brain-gut axis and dysbiosis. This review summarizes the latest research progress on the epidemiology, risk factors, mechanisms and treatment of anxiety and depression in IBD patients.