Objective: To explore the distribution of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndromes in children with hepatolenticular degeneration (Wilson disease, WD) based on factor analysis and cluster analysis. Methods: From November 2018 to November 2023, general information (gender, age of admission, age of onset, course of disease, clinical staging, Western medicine clinical symptoms, and family history) and TCM four-examination informations (symptoms and signs) were retrospectively collected from 757 cases of children with WD at the First Affiliated Hospital of Anhui University of Chinese Medicine, and factor analysis and cluster analysis were used to investigate TCM syndromes in children with WD. Results: A total of 757 children with WD were included, of which 483 were male and 274 were female; the median age at admission was 12.58 years, the median age at onset was 8.33 years, and the median course of disease was 24.37 months; clinical typing result indicated 506 cases of hepatic type, 133 cases of brain type, 99 cases of mixed-type, and 19 cases of other type; 36.46% of the children had no clinical symptoms (elevated aminotransferases or abnormalities in copper biochemistry); a total of 177 cases had a definite family history, and 10 cases had a suspected family history. Forty-three TCM four-examination information were obtained, with the top 10 in descending order being feeling listless and weak, brown urine, slow action, inappetence, dim complexion, slurred speech, angular salivation, body weight loss, hand and foot tremors, and abdominal fullness. In children with WD, the syndrome element of disease location was primarily characterized by the liver, involving the spleen and kidney, and the syndrome elements of disease nature were characterized by dampness, heat, and yin deficiency. Based on factor analysis and cluster analysis, five TCM syndromes were derived, which were, in order, syndrome of dampness-heat accumulation (265 cases, 35.01%), syndrome of yin deficiency of the liver and kidney (202 cases, 26.68%), syndrome of liver hyperactivity with spleen deficiency (185 cases, 24.44%), syndrome of qi and blood deficiency (79 cases, 10.44%), and syndrome of yang deficiency of the spleen and kidney (26 cases, 3.43%). Conclusion The TCM syndromes of children with WD were primarily syndromes of dampness-heat accumulation, yin deficiency of the liver and kidney, and liver hyperactivity with spleen deficiency. The liver was the main disease location, and the disease nature was characterized by deficiency in origin and excess in superficiality, excess and deficiency mixed. These findings suggest that treating children with WD should be based on the liver while also considering the spleen and kidney.

ObjectiveTo investigate the potential mechanisms and pathways through which Gandouling （GDL） exerts its effects in the treatment of liver fibrosis in Wilson disease. MethodsSixty male SD rats were randomly divided into six groups： the normal group， the model group， the GDL low-， medium-， and high-dose groups （0.24， 0.48， 0.96 g·kg^-1）， and the penicillamine group （90 mg·kg^-1）， with 10 rats in each group. A copper-loaded Wilson disease rat model was established by gavage administration of 300 mg·kg^-1 copper sulfate pentahydrate to all groups except the normal group. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining and Masson staining were used to observe the pathomorphological changes in the liver. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay （ELISA） was employed to measure the levels of hyaluronic acid （HA）， laminin （LN）， procollagen type-Ⅲ peptide （PC-Ⅲ）， and collagen type-Ⅳ （C-Ⅳ）. Transmission electron microscopy was used to examine the ultrastructure of liver tissues. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the expression levels of liver tissues and serum exosomal long noncoding RNA H19 （LncRNA H19）， phosphatidylinositol 3-kinase （PI3K）， protein kinase B （Akt）， and mammalian target of rapamycin （mTOR）. Western blot analysis was performed to assess the expression levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， and their phosphorylated forms， as well as autophagy-related proteins Beclin1 and microtubule-associated protein 1 light chain 3B （LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ） in liver tissues. Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ fluorescence signal intensity was observed by immunofluorescence. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the model group exhibited inflammatory cell infiltration in hepatocytes， unclear nuclear boundaries with cell cleavage and necrosis， and collagen fiber deposition around confluent areas. The levels of HA， LN， PC-Ⅲ， and C-Ⅳ were significantly elevated （P<0.01）. Transmission electron microscopy revealed an increased number of autophagic vesicles， with autophagic lysosomes exhibiting a single-layer membrane structure following degradation of most envelopes. Expression levels of Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ were significantly increased （P<0.01）， and fluorescence signals of Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ were markedly enhanced. The protein expression levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， p-PI3K， p-Akt， and p-mTOR were reduced （P<0.01）， while LncRNA H19 expression was increased （P<0.01）， and mRNA expression levels of PI3K， Akt， and mTOR were decreased （P<0.01）. After treatment with GDL， the degree of liver fibrosis was significantly improved， with decreased levels of HA， LN， PC-Ⅲ， and C-Ⅳ. The number of autophagic vesicles was significantly reduced， and expression levels of Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ/LC3-Ⅰ proteins were lower （P<0.01）. The fluorescence signals of Beclin1 and LC3-Ⅱ weakened dose-dependently. The protein levels of PI3K， Akt， mTOR， p-PI3K， p-Akt， and p-mTOR were elevated （P<0.01）， while the expression level of LncRNA H19 was reduced （P<0.01）. Furthermore， the mRNA expression levels of PI3K， Akt， and mTOR increased （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionGDL may alleviate liver fibrosis and reduce liver injury by regulating the PI3K/Akt/mTOR autophagy signaling pathway via LncRNA H19.

AIM: To investigate the impact of corneal fluorescein sodium(NaF)staining on the examination results of iTrace visual function analyzer(iTrace).METHODS: Prospective cohort study. Totally 100 patients(100 eyes)with ametropia who visited the outpatient department of Anhui Eye Hospital from April to November 2024 were recruited. They were divided into an experimental group and a control group, with 50 patients(50 eyes, and only the right eyes were selected for inclusion)in each group. In the experimental group, corneal staining was performed using fluorescein sodium staining test strips, while in the control group, 1 drop of 0.9% normal saline was instilled into the eyes. The iTrace examination was conducted before the intervention and at 5, 10, and 20 min after the intervention. The total corneal higher-order aberrations, spherical aberration, coma aberration, trefoil aberration, best sphere value(RO value), asphericity factor(Q value), and corneal vertical refractive power difference(IS value)at each time of examination were recorded and compared.RESULTS: There was no statistically significant difference in the baseline levels between the two groups(all P>0.05). Intra-group comparison revealed that the total higher-order aberrations, spherical aberration, coma aberration, and trefoil aberration measured 5 min after NaF staining in the experimental group were significantly increased compared with those before staining(all P<0.05). Inter-group comparison showed that the changes(differences from the baseline)in the total corneal higher-order aberrations, spherical aberration, coma aberration, and trefoil aberration measured by iTrace 5 min after the intervention in the experimental group were significantly greater than those in the control group(all P<0.05). There was no statistically significant difference in the changes(differences from the baseline)of various iTrace parameters measured at 10 and 20 min after the intervention between the two groups(all P>0.05). There was no statistical significance in the RO value, Q value, and IS value in the two groups(all P>0.05).CONCLUSION: Corneal NaF staining can cause a short-term increase in the wavefront aberration values(total corneal higher-order aberrations, spherical aberration, coma aberration, trefoil aberration)measured by iTrace, and it gradually disappears with the passage of time. However, it has no impact on the measurement of corneal topography parameters(RO value, Q value, IS value).

ObjectiveTo study the correlations between traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndromes and lipid metabolism in children with Wilson disease （WD）. MethodsClinical data and lipid metabolism indicators ［total cholesterol （TC）， triglycerides （TG）， low-density lipoprotein cholesterol （LDL-C）， high-density lipoprotein cholesterol （HDL-C）， apolipoprotein A1 （ApoA1）， apolipoprotein B （ApoB）， and lipoprotein a （Lpa）］ were retrospectively collected from 341 children with WD. The clinical data were compared among WD children with different syndromes， and the correlations between TCM syndromes and lipid metabolism in children with WD were analyzed. Least absolute shrinkage and selection operator （LASSO） regression was used for variable screening， and unordered multinomial Logistic regression was employed to analyze the effects of lipid metabolism indicators on TCM syndromes. ResultsThe 341 children with WD included 121 （35.5%） children with the dampness-heat accumulation syndrome， 103 （30.2%） children with the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome， 68 children with the combined phlegm and stasis syndrome， 29 children with the spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome， and 20 children with the liver qi stagnation syndrome. The liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome， combined phlegm and stasis syndrome， and spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome had correlations with the levels of lipid metabolism indicators （P<0.05）. Lipid metabolism abnormalities occurred in 232 （68.0%） children， including hypertriglyceridemia （108）， hypercholesterolemia （23）， mixed hyperlipidemia （67）， lipoprotein a-hyperlipoproteinemia （12）， and hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia （22）. The percentages of hypertriglyceridemia and hypo-HDL-cholesterolemia varied among children with different TCM syndromes （P<0.05）. Correlations existed for the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome with TG， TC， and HDL-C， the combined phlegm and stasis syndrome with TG， the spleen-kidney Yang deficiency syndrome with TG， TC， and LDL-C， and the liver Qi stagnation syndrome with TC and LDL-C （P<0.05， P<0.01）. ConclusionThe TCM syndromes of children with WD are dominated by the dampness-heat accumulation syndrome and the liver-kidney Yin deficiency syndrome， and dyslipidemia in the children with WD is dominated by hypertriglyceridemia and mixed hyperlipidemia. There are different correlations between TCM syndromes and lipid metabolism indicators， among which TG， TC， LDL-C， and HDL-C could assist in identifying TCM syndromes in children with WD.

Alzheimer’s disease (AD), a progressive neurodegenerative disorder and the leading cause of dementia in the elderly, is characterized by severe cognitive decline, loss of daily living abilities, and neuropsychiatric symptoms. This condition imposes a substantial burden on patients, families, and society. Despite extensive research efforts, the complex pathogenesis of AD, particularly the early mechanisms underlying cognitive dysfunction, remains incompletely understood, posing significant challenges for timely diagnosis and effective therapeutic intervention. Among the various cellular components implicated in AD, GABAergic interneurons have emerged as critical players in the pathological cascade, playing a pivotal role in maintaining neural network integrity and function in key brain regions affected by the disease. GABAergic interneurons represent a heterogeneous population of inhibitory neurons essential for sustaining neural network homeostasis. They achieve this by precisely modulating rhythmic oscillatory activity (e.g., theta and gamma oscillations), which are crucial for cognitive processes such as learning and memory. These interneurons synthesize and release the inhibitory neurotransmitter GABA, exerting potent control over excitatory pyramidal neurons through intricate local circuits. Their primary mechanism involves synaptic inhibition, thereby modulating the excitability and synchrony of neural populations. Emerging evidence highlights the significant involvement of GABAergic interneuron dysfunction in AD pathogenesis. Contrary to earlier assumptions of their resistance to the disease, specific subtypes exhibit vulnerability or altered function early in the disease process. Critically, this impairment is not merely a consequence but appears to be a key driver of network hyperexcitability, a hallmark feature of AD models and potentially a core mechanism underlying cognitive deficits. For instance, parvalbumin-positive (PV⁺) interneurons display biphasic alterations in activity. Both suppressing early hyperactivity or enhancing late activity can rescue cognitive deficits, underscoring their causal role. Somatostatin-positive (SST⁺) neurons are highly sensitive to amyloid β-protein (Aβ) dysfunction. Their functional impairment drives AD progression via a dual pathway: compensatory hyperexcitability promotes Aβ generation, while released SST-14 forms toxic oligomers with Aβ, collectively accelerating neuronal loss and amyloid deposition, forming a vicious cycle. Vasoactive intestinal peptide-positive (VIP⁺) neurons, although potentially spared in number early in the disease, exhibit altered firing properties (e.g., broader spikes, lower frequency), contributing to network dysfunction (e.g., in CA1). Furthermore, VIP release induced by 40 Hz sensory stimulation (GENUS) enhances glymphatic clearance of Aβ, demonstrating a direct link between VIP neuron function and modulation of amyloid pathology. Given their central role in network stability and their demonstrable dysfunction in AD, GABAergic interneurons represent promising therapeutic targets. Current research primarily explores three approaches: increasing interneuron numbers (e.g., improving cortical PV⁺ interneuron counts and behavior in APP/PS1 mice with the antidepressant citalopram; transplanting stem cells differentiated into functional GABAergic neurons to enhance cognition), enhancing neuronal activity (e.g., using low-dose levetiracetam or targeted activation of specific molecules to boost PV⁺ interneuron excitability, restoring neural network γ‑oscillations and memory; non-invasive neuromodulation techniques like 40 Hz repetitive transcranial magnetic stimulation (rTMS), GENUS, and minimally invasive electroacupuncture to improve inhibitory regulation, promote memory, and reduce Aβ), and direct GABA system intervention (clinical and animal studies reveal reduced GABA levels in AD-affected brain regions; early GABA supplementation improves cognition in APP/PS1 mice, suggesting a therapeutic time window). Collectively, these findings establish GABAergic interneuron intervention as a foundational rationale and distinct pathway for AD therapy. In conclusion, GABAergic interneurons, particularly the PV⁺, SST⁺, and VIP⁺ subtypes, play critical and subtype-specific roles in the initiation and progression of AD pathology. Their dysfunction significantly contributes to network hyperexcitability, oscillatory deficits, and cognitive decline. Understanding the heterogeneity in their vulnerability and response mechanisms provides crucial insights into AD pathogenesis. Targeting these interneurons through pharmacological, neuromodulatory, or cellular approaches offers promising avenues for developing novel, potentially disease-modifying therapies.

ObjectiveTo develop a nomogram-based risk prediction model for chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) incidence among the community-dwelling population aged 40 years old and above, so as to provide targeted references for the screening and prevention of COPD. MethodsBased on a natural population cohort in suburban Shanghai, a total of 3 381 randomly selected participants aged ≥40 years underwent pulmonary function tests between July and October 2021. Cox stepwise regression analysis was used to develop overall and gender-specific risk prediction models, along with the construction of corresponding risk nomograms. Model predictive performance was evaluated using the C-indice, area under the curve (AUC) values, and Brier score. Stability was assessed through 10-fold cross-validation and sensitivity analysis. ResultsA total of 3 019 participants were included, with a median follow-up duration of 4.6 years. The COPD incidence density was 17.22 per 1 000 person-years, significantly higher in males (32.04/1 000 person-years) than that in females (7.38/1 000 person-years) (P<0.001). The overall risk prediction model included the variables such as gender, age, education level, BMI, smoking, passive smoking, and respiratory comorbidities. The male-specific model incorporated the variables such as age, BMI, respiratory comorbidities, and smoking, while the female-specific model included age, marital status, respiratory comorbidities, and pulmonary tuberculosis history. The C-indices for the overall, male-specific, and female-specific models were 0.829, 0.749, and 0.807, respectively. The 5-year AUC values were 0.785, 0.658, and 0.811, with Brier scores of 0.103, 0.176, and 0.059, respectively. Both 10-fold cross-validated C-indices and sensitivity analysis (excluding participants with a follow-up duration of <6 months) yielded C-indices were above 0.740. ConclusionThis study developed concise and practical overall and gender-specific COPD risk prediction models and corresponding nomograms. The models demonstrated robust performance in predicting COPD incidence, providing a valuable reference for identifying high-risk populations and formulating targeted screening and personalized management strategies.

Aim To evaluate the effectiveness and safety of remimazolam tosylate for administering general anesthesia in morbidly obese patients.Methods This clinical trial was conducted at a single center from De-cember 2021 to October 2023.It assessed 108 morbid-ly obese patients(body mass index,BMI≥40)who underwent laparoscopic sleeve gastrectomy.Patients were randomly assigned to either the remimazaolam group(Group R)or the propofol group(Group P)for general anesthesia induction and maintenance.The primary outcome was to compare the incidence of ad-verse events and postoperative recovery characteristics between the two groups.Results During induction pe-riod,the incidence of adverse events was higher in group P,including hypotension(P＜0.01),hypox-emia(P＜0.05),bradycardia(P＜0.01),and in-creased vasopressor requirement(P＜0.05).The time to loss of consciousness and BIS falling to 60 was shor-ter in group P than in group R(P＜0.01).There were no statistically significant differences between the two groups in terms of postoperative quality of recovery(QoR-40 score),24-hour postoperative pain visual an-alogue scale(VAS)scores and morphine consump-tion.In conclusion,remimazolam tosylate,utilized for anesthesia induction in morbidly obese patients,signif-icantly reduced hypotension and hypoxemia compared to propofol,while it could also maintain similar postop-erative recovery quality.Conclusions Remimazolam is effective in reducing the incidence of hypotension and hypoxaemia during the induction period of general anaesthesia in morbidly obese patients and it is compa-rable to propofol in terms of quality of postoperative re-covery.

Objective To observe the value of SS-3DUNet model based on spatially separable convolutions for automatically segmenting anal fistula in enhanced MR T1WI.Methods Totally 2 405 pelvic axial enhanced MR T1WI of 29 patients with anal fistula were retrospectively analyzed,and 1 537 images from 19 cases were randomly selected as training set,424 images from 5 cases were as validation set,444 images from 5 cases were as test set.A SS-3DUNet model was constructed based on spatially separable convolutions to automatically segment anal fistula in enhanced MR T1WI,and inter-layer feature enhancement module was incorporated to improve the location of fistula features.The model was trained in training set and the best one was selected based on validation set.Taking the results of manual labeling by clinicians,the efficacy of SS-3DUNet model for automatically segmenting anal fistulas was observed based on test set.Results The time of SS-3DUNet automatically segmenting anal fistula in a single image in test set was 0.59-0.61 s,and the coincidence of the boundary of fistula segmented by the model and manual label was high.The average Dice similarity coefficient,sensitivity and accuracy of SS-3DUNet for automatically segmenting anal fistula in test set was 0.746,70.04%and 82.93%,respectively.Conclusion SS-3DUNet model based on spatially separable convolutions could effectively automatically segmenting anal fistula in enhanced T1WI.

Objective:To study the role and preliminary molecular mechanism of TRIM24 regulating macrophage polarization in viral myocarditis(VM).Methods:VM mouse model was established by Coxsackie virus B3(CVB3),and expression of TRIM24 in myocardial tissue was detected.Cardiac inflammation level and polarization phenotype of cardiac infiltrating macrophages in a murine model of cardiac TRIM24 inhibition were detected in vivo.A polarization model of mouse bone marrow-derived macrophages(BMDMs)in vitro was established to observe the role of TRIM24 inhibition in polarizing BMDMs to M1 and M2,as well as its effects on phagocy-tosis and bactericidal function of BMDMs.Effects of TRIM24 inhibition on total STAT6 protein level and phosphorylation were investi-gated.Results:TRIM24 was significantly highly expressed in myocardial tissue of VM mice(P<0.001).Inhibition of TRIM24 expres-sion in myocardium had an attenuating effect on VM and promoted polarization of cardiac infiltrating macrophages to M2.TRIM24 was significantly down-regulated in vitro during the polarization of BMDMs toward M2(P<0.01).Inhibition of TRIM24 expression signifi-cantly promoted macrophage polarization toward M2 type and inhibited polarization toward M1 type,accompanied by a significant increase in STAT6 phosphorylation levels(P<0.01).Conclusion:TRIM24 regulates macrophage M2 polarization via activation of STAT6 signaling pathway to attenuate VM.

Objective To analyze the risk factors of short-term re-obstruction after plastic stent placement by endoscopic retrograde cholangiopancreatography(ERCP)in patients with hilar malignant biliary obstruction.Methods A retrospective study was performed on clinical data of 93 patients with hilar malignant biliary obstruction who underwent ERCP biliary plastic stent placement from January 2015 to January 2024.Understanding the effects of general information,clinical characteristics,operative-related factors,and laboratory-related indicators on postoperative short-term re-obstruction.The dependent variable was whether biliary stent re-obstruction in short-term after operation,univariate and multivariate Logistic regression analysis were used to analyze the risk factors for the patients with hilar malignant biliary obstruction occurred re-obstruction in short-term after ERCP plastic stent placement.Results Among the 93 patients,49 patients had short-term recurrent biliary stent obstruction after plastic stent placement by ERCP and the recurrence rate was 52.7%.Univariate analysis showed that gender,types of malignant biliary strictures,preoperative cholangitis,no drainage before operation and endoscopic sphincterotomy(EST)during ERCP plastic stent placement,location of stent placement,fever within 24 h after ERCP plastic stent placement,the decrease less than 50%of total bilirubin(TBiL)at 2 weeks after operation,the decrease less than＜50%of γ-glutamyl transpeptidase(GGT)at 2 weeks after operation,GGT and alkaline phosphatase(ALP)by less than 50%at 2 weeks after operation were potential risk factors affecting for short-term re-obstruction after ERCP plastic stent placement in patients with hilar malignant biliary obstruction.Multivariate analysis showed that,no drainage before operation(O＾R=5.738,P=0.013),preoperative cholangitis(O＾R=5.347,P=0.025)and place stents on the left or on the right(O＾R=6.739,P=0.014;O＾R=9.719,P=0.005)were independent risk factors for short-term re-obstruction after ERCP plastic stent placement.Conclusion No drainage before operation,preoperative cholangitis,place stents on the left or on the right are independent risk factors for short-term re-obstruction after ERCP plastic stent placement in patients with hilar malignant biliary obstruction.Early identification of risk groups and timely intervention of risk factors in clinical practice are of great significance for the prevention of short-term re-obstruction after ERCP plastic stent placement in such patients.