Circadian rhythm(CR)is an intrinsic biological clock mechanism within organisms that regulates physiological and biochemical processes, enabling synchronization with periodic fluctuations in the external environment. This rhythmicity not only influences the sleep-wake cycle but also encompasses various physiological functions, including metabolism, hormone secretion, cell proliferation, and immune responses. Age-related macular degeneration(ARMD), a prevalent retinal disease, has been significantly associated with disruptions in CR. ARMD is among the leading causes of vision loss in the elderly, with a complex pathogenesis involving multiple factors such as genetics, environmental influences, and lifestyle choices. This article will focus on the molecular mechanisms linking CR and ARMD, analyzing how disruptions in CR affect the physiological state and metabolic processes of retinal cells, ultimately contributing to the onset and progression of ARMD. Additionally, this article will elucidate the interactions effects of CR on ARMD in relation to oxidative stress, regulation of Aβ, inflammatory pathways, and mitochondrial homeostasis. By deepening our understanding of the relationship between CR and ARMD, we aim to provide new insights and directions for future clinical interventions and treatments.

Objective:To explore the factors influencing adherence to voice therapy among patients with voice disorders in China. Methods:Patients with voice disorders who visited the Voice Therapy Center at Sun Yat-sen Memorial Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University, from February to May 2022 were enrolled in the study. Adherence was assessed using the URICA-Voice scale, while influencing factors were assessed through the Voice Handicap Index（VHI） scale and a general information questionnaire. Correlation analysis was conducted using univariate and multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results:A total of 247 patients were included in the study, comprising 57 males（23.08%） and 190 females（76.92%）. The results revealed that: ①Female patients demonstrated higher likelihood of being in the contemplation stage（OR=0.22） compared to males. ②Patients with a monthly family income per capita>6 000 yuan were more likely to be in the contemplation stage than those with<3 000 yuan with an OR = 13.94. ③High vocal-demand occupations increased contemplation stage probability（OR=7.70） compared to moderate-demand occupations. ④Residence within 30-minute commute predicted action/maintenance stages（OR=7.14） versus≥60-minute commute. ⑤Patients whose occupations had high voice demands were more likely to be in the action and maintenance stages than those with average voice demands, with an OR of 16.20. Conclusion:Gender, monthly family income per capita, occupational voice demands, and distance to the hospital significantly impact the URICA-Voice compliance stages of patients. Patients who are female, have higher family income, have occupations with high voice demands, and live closer to the hospital exhibit higher compliance with voice training.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Voice Disorders/therapy* ; Patient Compliance ; Voice Training ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; China ; Middle Aged ; Adult ; Voice Quality ; Logistic Models ; Aged

Objective To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine on the median effect concentration(EC50)of ropivacaine during sciatic nerve block combined with femoral nerve block in patients undergoing lower extremity surgery.Methods Patients with sciatic nerve block combined with femoral nerve block anesthesia who underwent lower extremity surgery from November 2021 to November 2023 were selected as the study objects.They were randomly divided into control group(0.9％saline),group D1(0.50 μg·kg-1 dexmedetomidine),group D2(0.75 μg·kg-1 dexmedetomidine)and group D3(1.00 μg·kg-1 dexmedetomidine).The stress response,serum pain mediators,vital signs and visual analogue scale(VAS)of patients at different time points during operation were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA.ropivacaine EC50 was measured by sequential method,and the relationship between dexmedetomidine dose and ropivacaine EC50 was analyzed by Logistic regression.Results A total of 208 patients were include and each group was 52 patients.Compared with the same group before surgery,the stress response level of the 4 groups after surgery and 1 h after surgery was significantly decreased,and the serum pain mediators level was significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,the stress response and serum pain mediators levels in groups D1,D2 and D3 were more normal after surgery and 1 h after surgery,among them,group D3 was most close to the normal value(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in blood oxygen saturation and bifrequency index of EEG among the four groups at each time point(P＞0.05).At T1 and T2,the heart rate(HR)of the control group was significantly higher than that of the group D2 and D3(P＜0.05).At T1,the control group had a significantly higher mean arterial pressure(MAP)than the other three groups,at T2,the control group had a significantly higher MAP than the group D2 and D3,and at T3,the control group had a significantly higher MAP than the group D3(P＜0.05).VAS scores in 4 groups were significantly lower after surgery and 1 h after surgery than before surgery(P＜0.05).The VAS score in group D3 was significantly lower than that in group D1 and D2(P＜0.05).Repeated measurement ANOVA showed that the effects of time on stress response and serum pain mediators were different with different anesthesia methods.The influence of time on HR,MAP and VAS scores varied with different anesthesia methods.Sequential assay results showed that the EC50 of ropivacaine in control group,group D1,group D2 and group D3 was 5.985,5.631,5.329 and 5.125 μg·mL-1,respectively.Logistic results showed that the dose of dexmedetomide was a protective factor for ropivacaine EC50 in sciatic nerve block combined with femoral nerve block in limb surgery patients(P＜0.05).Conclusion The ropivacaine EC50 can be significantly reduced by 1.00 μg·kg-1 dexmedetomidine.This is a protective factor for sciatic nerve block combined with femoral nerve block in patients undergoing lower limb surgery,and it can be applied clinically.

Objective:To establish a rapid and precise dose measurement method with EBT4 film and ensure its measurement accuracy to be within the required range through strict operational procedures for the purpose of addressing the two essential issues of poor measurement accuracy and timeliness of EBT film under FLASH conditions.Methods:After storing under different humidity conditions for a certain period of time, the film was exposed to radiation for analyzing the influence of air humidity on the intrinsic performance of EBT film. By means of repeated scanning operations and the film angle rotation, the influences of repeated scanning and film placement angle were analuzed. Parabolic correction method was used to reduce the spatial position influence during the scanning process. By analying the relationship between net optical density (netOD) and absorbed dose through the comparison of three fitting method, the optimal fitting curve was selected. After irradiation of the same batch of films for 5 min and 24 h, the film doses were calibrated and then compared with ionization chamber-measured result. The rapid and precise film dosimetry method was used to measure both the percentage depth dose from X-rays at ultra-high dose rate and the dose distribution at a depth of 2 cm in water.Results:Air humidity had the greatest influence on the intrinsic performance of EBT film (approximately 20%). The average deviation of repeated scans is within 0.5%. The angle at which the film is placed significantly affected the readouts of the film with the maximum influence approximately 70%. The net optical density combined with polynomial fitting can control the fitting residuals of 1-16 Gy within 3%. The change rate of light channels at 5 min already mostly met the requirements of the rapid mode (< 0.5%). Compared with the measurement result obtained using the reference ionization chamber, the deviations of the 5 min or 24 h dose calibration curves were all within 2%.Conclusions:The EBT4 film can be employed as a precise dosimeter to quickly measure the FLASH radiation dose. Rapid and precise FLASH dose measurements can meet the stringent requirements of both preclinical and clinical FLASH research.

Diabetic retinopathy(DR), a major microvascular complication of diabetes, is driven by hyperglycemia-induced oxidative stress, chronic inflammation, and neurodegeneration. Post-translational modifications(PTM)play pivotal roles in DR progression by dynamically regulating protein functions. Key PTMs, including phosphorylation, acetylation, ubiquitination, and O-glcNAcylation, collectively exacerbate vascular dysfunction, inflammatory responses, metabolic dysregulation, and neuronal damage. The intricate crosstalk among PTM underscores the multifaceted pathology of DR. Future research should focus on elucidating PTM interaction networks, developing targeted modulators, and leveraging advanced technologies to uncover their roles in retinal cellular heterogeneity, thereby advancing precision therapeutic strategies for DR.

Objective To investigate the prevalence of Schistosoma japonicum infections in wild rodents in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, so as to provide insights into formulation of technical guidelines for monitoring of and the precise control strategy for S. japonicum infections in wild rodents during the elimination phase. Methods Two administrative villages where schistosomiasis was historically highly prevalent were selected each from Dongzhi County, Anhui Province, and Duchang County, Jiangxi Province as study villages. Wild rodents were captured from study villages with baited traps or cages at night in June and September, 2021. The number of rodents captured was recorded, and the rodent species was characterized based on morphologi-cal characteristics. Liver tissues were sampled from captured rodents for macroscopical observation of the presence of egg granu- lomas, and S. japonicum infection was detected simultaneously using liver tissue homogenate microscopy, examinations of mesenteric tissues for parasites, and modified Kato-Katz thick smear technique (Kato-Katz technique). A positive S. japonicum infection was defined as detection of S. japonicum eggs or adult worms by any of these methods. The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents were compared in different study villages and at different time periods, and the detection of S. japonicum infections in wild rodents was compared by different assays. Results The overall rate of wild ro- dent capture was 8.28% (237/2 861) in Dongzhi County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 9.24% (133/1 439) and 7.31% (104/1 422) in two study villages (χ² = 3.503, P = 0.061), and were 8.59% (121/1 409) and 7.99% (116/1 452) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.337, P = 0.561). The overall rate of wild rodent capture was 3.72% (77/2 072) in Duchang County, and the wild rodent capture rates were 6.91% (67/970) and 0.91% (10/1 102) in two study villages (χ² = 51.901, P < 0.001), and were 4.13% (39/945) and 3.37% (38/1 127) in June and September, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.815, P = 0.365). Rattus norvegicus was the predominant rodent species captured in both counties, accounting for 70.04% (166/237) of all captured wild rodents in Dongzhi County and 88.31% (68/77) in Duchang County. No S. japonicum infection was detected in wild rodents captured in Duchang County. Nevertheless, the overall prevalence of S. japonicum infections was 51.05% (121/237) in wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, with prevalence rates of 50.38% (67/133) and 51.92% (54/104) in two study villages (χ² = 0.098, P = 0.755), and 54.31% (63/116) and 47.93% (58/121) in September and June, 2021, respectively (χ² = 0.964, P = 0.326). Of 237 wild rodents captured in Dongzhi County, there were 140 (59.07%) rodents with visible hepatic egg granulomas, 117 (49.47%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs by liver tissue homogenate microscopy, 34 (14.35%) tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with Kato-Katz technique; however, no adult S. japonicum worms were detected in mesenteric tissues. In addition, hepatic egg granulomas were found in all wild rodents tested positive for S. japonicum eggs with liver tissue homogenate microscopy. Conclusions The rate of wild rodent capture and prevalence of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents vary greatly in schistosomiasis-endemic areas of China, and the prevalence of S. japonicum infection is slightly higher in wild rodents captured in autumn than in summer. Liver tissue is recommended as the preferred sample for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents, and a combination of macroscopical observation of hepatic egg granulomas and liver tissue homogenate microscopy may be a standard method for surveillance of S. japonicum infection in wild rodents.

Objective:To establish a rapid and precise dose measurement method with EBT4 film and ensure its measurement accuracy to be within the required range through strict operational procedures for the purpose of addressing the two essential issues of poor measurement accuracy and timeliness of EBT film under FLASH conditions.Methods:After storing under different humidity conditions for a certain period of time, the film was exposed to radiation for analyzing the influence of air humidity on the intrinsic performance of EBT film. By means of repeated scanning operations and the film angle rotation, the influences of repeated scanning and film placement angle were analuzed. Parabolic correction method was used to reduce the spatial position influence during the scanning process. By analying the relationship between net optical density (netOD) and absorbed dose through the comparison of three fitting method, the optimal fitting curve was selected. After irradiation of the same batch of films for 5 min and 24 h, the film doses were calibrated and then compared with ionization chamber-measured result. The rapid and precise film dosimetry method was used to measure both the percentage depth dose from X-rays at ultra-high dose rate and the dose distribution at a depth of 2 cm in water.Results:Air humidity had the greatest influence on the intrinsic performance of EBT film (approximately 20%). The average deviation of repeated scans is within 0.5%. The angle at which the film is placed significantly affected the readouts of the film with the maximum influence approximately 70%. The net optical density combined with polynomial fitting can control the fitting residuals of 1-16 Gy within 3%. The change rate of light channels at 5 min already mostly met the requirements of the rapid mode (< 0.5%). Compared with the measurement result obtained using the reference ionization chamber, the deviations of the 5 min or 24 h dose calibration curves were all within 2%.Conclusions:The EBT4 film can be employed as a precise dosimeter to quickly measure the FLASH radiation dose. Rapid and precise FLASH dose measurements can meet the stringent requirements of both preclinical and clinical FLASH research.

Objective To evaluate the clinical safety and effect of emergency gastric vein embolization(GVE)in the treatment of acute esophageal and gastric variceal bleeding(EGVB).Methods The clinical data of 72 patients with acute EGVB,who received emergency GVE at the authors' hospital from January 2018 to December 2021,were retrospectively analyzed.No TIPS,endoscopic ligature,injection of sclerosing agent,or surgery was performed in all the patients before and after GVE.The observation indicators included surgical success rate,serious complications,success rate of hemostasis,hospital stay and cost,incidence of rebleeding,and mortality of rebleeding.The endpoint of the study was the occurrence of rebleeding or death.Results In this study,the surgical success rate was 98.6％and the hemostasis success rate was 91.7％,with no serious complications.Except for 10 patients who died during hospitalization,the average hospitalization time of the 62 patients who were discharged with significant improvement in health condition was 9 days,the average hospitalization cost was 38 000 Chinese Yuan.Of the 62 patients,emergency GVE after admission was directly carried out in 36(group A),and emergency GVE was adopted after failure of the conservative treatment in 26(group B).The hospital stay in group A was shorter than that in group B,but the hospitalization costs in group A and group B were similar.In the 62 patients,the incidence of rebleeding was 37.1％within one year and 53.2％within 2 years after the treatment.The incidences of death due to rebleeding at one year and 2 years were all 14.5％.Conclusion For the treatment of acute EGBV,emergency GVE is clinically safe and effective.Early GVE treatment can reduce the risk of death and the medical cost.Therefore,GVE should be regarded as one of the conventional treatment methods for acute EGBV.The incidence of rebleeding after GVE is relatively high.GVE combined with endoscopic therapy may reduce the incidence of rebleeding,but it requires further studies to verify it.

Diabetic retinopathy is one of the most common and specific chronic complications of diabetes mellitus,which is a serious and irreversible progressive blinding eye disease.The visual im-pairment caused by the progression of the disease and the economic burden caused by the treatment of the disease lead to psychological problems such as anxiety and depression,affecting the quality of life and physical and mental health,and increasing the burden on the family and society.This article re-viewed the current status of epidemiological research on DR,discussed the correlation of DR with anxiety and depression and its influencing factors,analyzed the research progress of evaluation and in-tervention methods,aiming to provide assistance for improving patients'treatment compliance and quality of life.

Objective To investigate the effect of dexmedetomidine on the median effect concentration(EC50)of ropivacaine during sciatic nerve block combined with femoral nerve block in patients undergoing lower extremity surgery.Methods Patients with sciatic nerve block combined with femoral nerve block anesthesia who underwent lower extremity surgery from November 2021 to November 2023 were selected as the study objects.They were randomly divided into control group(0.9％saline),group D1(0.50 μg·kg-1 dexmedetomidine),group D2(0.75 μg·kg-1 dexmedetomidine)and group D3(1.00 μg·kg-1 dexmedetomidine).The stress response,serum pain mediators,vital signs and visual analogue scale(VAS)of patients at different time points during operation were analyzed by repeated measures ANOVA.ropivacaine EC50 was measured by sequential method,and the relationship between dexmedetomidine dose and ropivacaine EC50 was analyzed by Logistic regression.Results A total of 208 patients were include and each group was 52 patients.Compared with the same group before surgery,the stress response level of the 4 groups after surgery and 1 h after surgery was significantly decreased,and the serum pain mediators level was significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with the control group,the stress response and serum pain mediators levels in groups D1,D2 and D3 were more normal after surgery and 1 h after surgery,among them,group D3 was most close to the normal value(P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in blood oxygen saturation and bifrequency index of EEG among the four groups at each time point(P＞0.05).At T1 and T2,the heart rate(HR)of the control group was significantly higher than that of the group D2 and D3(P＜0.05).At T1,the control group had a significantly higher mean arterial pressure(MAP)than the other three groups,at T2,the control group had a significantly higher MAP than the group D2 and D3,and at T3,the control group had a significantly higher MAP than the group D3(P＜0.05).VAS scores in 4 groups were significantly lower after surgery and 1 h after surgery than before surgery(P＜0.05).The VAS score in group D3 was significantly lower than that in group D1 and D2(P＜0.05).Repeated measurement ANOVA showed that the effects of time on stress response and serum pain mediators were different with different anesthesia methods.The influence of time on HR,MAP and VAS scores varied with different anesthesia methods.Sequential assay results showed that the EC50 of ropivacaine in control group,group D1,group D2 and group D3 was 5.985,5.631,5.329 and 5.125 μg·mL-1,respectively.Logistic results showed that the dose of dexmedetomide was a protective factor for ropivacaine EC50 in sciatic nerve block combined with femoral nerve block in limb surgery patients(P＜0.05).Conclusion The ropivacaine EC50 can be significantly reduced by 1.00 μg·kg-1 dexmedetomidine.This is a protective factor for sciatic nerve block combined with femoral nerve block in patients undergoing lower limb surgery,and it can be applied clinically.