AIM:To analyze the characteristics and correlation of phacoemulsification parameters and anterior segment parameters in cataract patients with different blood glucose levels.METHODS:A total of 45 type 2 diabetic cataract patients(45 eyes)treated in our hospital from March 2023 to April 2024 were stratified into two groups based on glycosylated hemoglobin(HbA1c)levels: group A: HbA1c <7%(n=18)and group B: 7%≤HbA1c<8.5%(n=27); a total of 94 age-matched age-related cataract patients(94 eyes)were enrolled as the control group(group C). All underwent phacoemulsification with intraocular lens implantation. Anterior segment parameters, including corneal, lens and anterior chamber measurements, were recorded. Correlations between phacoemulsification parameters and anterior segment parameters were analyzed, and differences among groups were compared.RESULTS: In groups A and B, effective phacoemulsification time(EPT)negatively correlated with corneal endothelial cell density(CECD)(r=-0.315, P=0.035). Average phacoemulsification time(APT)positively correlated with the anterior corneal surface radius of curvature(Rm; r=0.402, P=0.006)and negatively correlated with the flat axis meridian curvature(K1), steep axis meridian curvature(K2), mean curvature(Km)of the anterior corneal surface, and lens density at 6 mm zones(PDZ3; all P<0.05). Average phacoemulsification energy(AVE)positively correlated with mean lens density(LD-mean), lens density at 2 mm zones(PDZ1), lens density at 4 mm zones(PDZ2), and PDZ3(all P<0.05), and negatively with pupil diameter(r=-0.385, P=0.009). In the group C, EPT showed a positive correlation with Pentacam nucleus staging(PNS)density grade, PDZ1, PDZ2, and PDZ3(all P<0.05). A positive correlation was observed between AVE and PNS classification(r=0.246, P=0.018). Conversely, AVE exhibited a negative correlation with CECD(r=-0.245, P=0.018). EPT in groups A and B was higher than that in the group C(P<0.05). Both EPT and APT in the group B were higher than those in the group A(P<0.05). In diabetic cataract patients, CECD, corneal density(CD), and posterior corneal surface height positively correlated with diabetes duration(P<0.05). Posterior corneal surface K1 and Rm positively correlated with 7%≤HbA1c<8.5%(P<0.05). Total corneal astigmatism negatively correlated with HbA1c, 2-hour post-breakfast blood glucose(2hPBG), and fasting insulin(FINS; P<0.05). CD and lens thickness(LT)positively correlated with FINS(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Phacoemulsification parameters and blood glucose-related indices exhibited varying degrees of correlation with anterior segment parameters in cataract patients with different blood glucose levels. EPT in diabetic cataract patients was higher than that in age-related cataract patients, while EPT and APT in diabetic cataract patients with poor glycemic control were higher than those with good glycemic control.

Cardiac fibrosis is characterized by an elevated amount of extracellular matrix (ECM) within the heart. However, the persistence of cardiac fibrosis ultimately diminishes contractility and precipitates cardiac dysfunction. Circular RNAs (circRNAs) are emerging as important regulators of cardiac fibrosis. Here, we elucidate the functional role of a specific circular RNA CELF1 in cardiac fibrosis and delineate a novel feedback loop mechanism. Functionally, circ-CELF1 was involved in enhancing fibrosis-related markers' expression and promoting the proliferation of cardiac fibroblasts (CFs), thereby exacerbating cardiac fibrosis. Mechanistically, circ-CELF1 reduced the ubiquitination-degradation rate of BRPF3, leading to an elevation of BRPF3 protein levels. Additionally, BRPF3 acted as a modular scaffold for the recruitment of histone acetyltransferase KAT7 to facilitate the induction of H3K14 acetylation within the promoters of the Celf1 gene. Thus, the transcription of Celf1 was dramatically activated, thereby inhibiting the subsequent response of their downstream target gene Smad7 expression to promote cardiac fibrosis. Moreover, Celf1 further promoted Celf1 pre-mRNA transcription and back-splicing, thereby establishing a feedback loop for circ-CELF1 production. Consequently, a novel feedback loop involving CELF1/circ-CELF1/BRPF3/KAT7 was established, suggesting that circ-CELF1 may serve as a potential novel therapeutic target for cardiac fibrosis.

ObjectiveTo observe the clinical effectiveness and safety of Sanjie Waifu Formula （散结外敷方） application therapy for benign thyroid nodules of qi constraint and phlegm obstruction syndrome. MethodsEighty patients with benign thyroid nodules of qi constraint and phlegm obstruction syndrome were randomly divided into 40 cases each in a treatment group and a control group. The control group was given health education and follow-up observation， while the treatment group applied Sanjie Waifu Formula externally on the basis of the control group，6~8 h each time ， once a day. Both groups took 30 days as a course， and were observed for 3 consecutive courses. The main effectiveness indexes of both groups were compared before and after treatment， including the volume of thyroid nodules， the maximum diameter of the largest nodule， the scores of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） syndrome， and the secondary effectiveness indexes of serum thyroid function including free triiodothyronine （FT₃）， free thyroxine （FT₄）， thyrotropin （TSH） levels were also observed. The effectiveness of the TCM syndrome of both groups was compared after treatment. Meanwhile， the safety indexes were observed before and after treatment， such as the blood routine， liver and kidney function indexes， and the occurrence of adverse reactions during the study was recorded. ResultsCompared with in group before treatment， the volume of thyroid nodules， the maximum diameter of the largest nodule， and the TCM symptom scores were lowered in both groups after treatment （P＜0.05 or P＜0.01）. Comparing between groups after treatment， the difference in thyroid nodule volume was not statistically significant （P＞0.05）， but the maximum diameter of the largest nodule and the TCM symptom scores of the treatment group were lower than those of the control group （P＜0.01）. The total effective rate of TCM syndrome in the treatment group was 77.50% （31/40）， which was significantly higher than that of the control group with 52.5% （21/40， P＜0.01）. Thyroid function， blood routine and liver and kidney function indexes of both groups before and after treatment were compared between and within groups， and the differences were not statistically significant （P＞0.05）， and they were all within the normal range. During the treatment period， no allergic reactions such as skin itching， red rash and blisters occurred in the treatment group. ConclusionThe external application of Sanjie Waifu Formula can improve the clinical symptoms of patients with benign thyroid nodules， reduce volume and the maximum diameter of nodules， and has no significant effects on thyroid function and show good safety.

This paper summarized professor WANG Xinlu's experience in clinical application of hongjingtian （Radix et Rhizoma Rhodiolae Crenulatae）. It is believed that hongjingtian is good at boosting qi and supplementing deficiency， moving qi and resolving constraint， invigorating blood and unblocking vessels， which can be widely used in various diseases caused by qi-blood disorders such as qi deficiency， qi constraint， and blood stasis. Hongjingtian is commonly used with jixueteng （Caulis Spatholobi） to boost qi and nourish blood， invigorate blood and unblock vessels， and together with yuzhizi （Fructus Akebiae） to regulate qi and invigorate blood， dissolve stasis and dissipate masses. According to the specific symptoms， hongjingtian can be flexibly combined with other medicinal herbs to prepare different experienced formulas， such as self-made Sanhong Yangxin Decoction （三红养心汤） for palpitation with qi deficiency and blood stasis syndrome， self-made Anfei Dingchuan Decoction （安肺定喘汤） for exacerbation of asthma with deficiency syndrome， self-made Honghu Jieyu Decoction （红胡解郁汤） for constraint syndrome of qi constraint and blood stasis， and self-made Shexue Chudian Decoction （摄血除癜汤） for idiopathic thrombocytopenic purpura with qi deficiency failing to contain syndrome. For severe cases of coronavirus disease 2019 （COVID-19） with qi-yin desertion syndrome， hongjingtian is commonly used together with modified Shengmai Powder and Tingli Dazao Xiefei Decoction （生脉散合葶苈大枣泻肺汤）， and for those with yang qi external desertion syndrome， hongjingtian combined with shanyurou （Fructus Corni） and Shenfu Decoction （参附汤） is recommended. Moreover， long COVID-19 with healthy qi deficiency and pathogen lingering syndrome can be treated with self-made Xinguan Fuyu Decoction （新冠复愈汤）.

Objective To investigate the clinical efficacy of arthroscopic simple repair technique and en-hanced repair technique in the treatment of chronic lateral ankle instability(CLAI).Methods Forty-one cases of CLAI treated in the General Hospital of Northern Theater Command of PLA from January 2018 to January 2019 were selected and conducted arthroscopic lateral ankle ligament repair or enhanced repair treatment.The follow up data in 39 cases were complete.Among them,18 cases conducted the anterior talofibular ligament repair with wire anchor under arthroscopy and were included in the repair group,while 21 cases conducted the arthroscopic enhanced repair with linear anchors and knots free anchors and were included in the enhanced re-pair group.The postoperative follow up lasted for 12 months.The VAS score and AOFAS ankle-hind foot score before operation and in postoperative,3,6,12 months were compared between the two groups.The effi-cacies of treating CLAI by the two operation modes were evaluated.Results The preoperative VAS score and AOFAS ankle-hind foot score had no statistical differences between the two groups(P＞0.05).The VAS score at postoperative time points had no statistical difference between the enhanced repair group and repair group(P＞0.05).The AOFAS ankle-hind foot score in the enhanced repair group was higher than that in the repair group,and the difference was statistically significant(P＜0.05).No serious complications occurred in the grouped patients during the follow up period.Conclusion In terms of pain and ankle function,the effect of arthroscopic enhanced repair in treating CLAI is better than that of simple repair.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effect of ropivacaine combined with dexmedetomidine on postoperative analgesia in women undergoing cesarean section， and to explore the feasibility of the opioid-free analgesia mode after cesarean section under spinal-epidural anesthesia. METHODS Totally 80 women undergoing cesarean section were randomly divided into observation group （ropivacaine combined with dexmedetomidine for analgesia） and control group （ropivacaine combined with opioid drug sufentanil for analgesia） ， with 40 cases in each group. The exercise and rest score in visual analogue scale （VAS） within 48 hours after operation， the use of analgesia pump （the time of first analgesia pump pressing， the times of analgesia pump pressing within 24 hours and 48 hours after operation）， the time of block （the onset time of spinal anesthesia sensory block， the time to the highest level of spinal anesthesia sensory block， the time of sensory recovery and the time of movement recovery） ， the time of prognosis （the time of gastrointestinal ventilation recovery， the time of getting out of bed and the hospitalization time）， and the incidence of adverse events were compared in 2 groups. RESULTS Finally， 64 parturients （32 in the observation group and 32 in the control group） were involved in the analysis. Compared with the control group， the recovery time of sensation and movement were significantly prolonged， the ventilation time was significantly shortened， and the incidence of nausea， vomiting and abdominal distension was significantly decreased in the observation group （P＜0.05） . There was no significant difference in the other indexes between the two groups （P＞0.05）. CONCLUSIONS Ropivacaine combined with dexmedetomidine under spinal-epidural anesthesia could provide similar analgesic effect as combined with opioids drug sufentanil， shorten the time of gastrointestinal ventilation recovery， and reduce the incidence of nausea，vomiting and abdominal distension， with no increased risk of low blood pressure or urinary retention.

Objective: To compare the efficacy and safety of combining diosmin with Jiuhua hemorrhoid suppository versus diosmin alone for the treatment of hemorrhoid hemorrhage. Methods: The Jiuhua hemorrhoid suppository study was conducted in 10 medical centers across China from April 1, 2019 to June 30, 2020. Patients with hemorrhoid bleeding were randomized in a ratio of 1 : 1 to either receive Jiuhua hemorrhoid suppository and diosmin tablets (the study group) or diosmin tablets alone (the control group). The suppository was used once a day after defecation or at bedtime after rinsing the anus with warm water. Diosmin tablets were administered only once a day (0.9 g). The primary endpoint of the study was the assessment of hemorrhoid bleeding relief 7 ± 2 days after treatment, classified as “very effective” “effective” and “ineffective”. The secondary endpoint included the evaluation of pain alleviation using the visual analogue scale (VAS, with scores ranging from 0 to 10) and edema (with scores ranging from 0 to 3). The safety of the two treatment regimens was evaluated 14 ± 2 days after drug administration. Results: The full analysis set (FAS) comprised 107 participants in the study group and 111 in the control group, while the per-protocol set (PPS) included 106 participants in the study group and 111 in the control group. In terms of hemorrhoid bleeding, the proportion of very effective and effective cases in the study group were significantly higher than that in the control group [106 (99.06%) vs. 91 (81.98%), P < 0.0001] in the FAS, and the PPS results [105 (99.06%) vs. 91 (81.98%), P < 0.0001] were comparable to the FAS results. The pain VAS scores at day 7 after treatment were comparable between the two groups (0.80 ± 1.17 vs. 0.80 ± 1.20, P = 0.2177). The majority of the participants in both groups had an edema score of 0 at day 7 after treatment [96 (89.72%) vs. 99 (91.67%), P = 0.370 5]. Adverse events (AEs) occurred in 9 patients (8.4%) in the study group and 3 patients (2.7%) in the control group. In addition, 5 AEs in the study group and 1 AE in the control group were possibly in association with the study drug. Conclusion Compared with the administration of diosmin oral tablets alone, the addition of Jiuhua hemorrhoid suppository to the tablets demonstrates enhanced efficacy in addressing hemorrhoid bleeding, with satisfactory patient adherence and acceptable safety.

Background The converter stations of high-voltage direct current (HVDC) transmission lines generate special total electric fields. At present, few investigations have been conducted on total electric fields in the workplace of converter stations from an perspective of occupational health. Objective To understand the current situation of total electric field strength in the workplace of converter stations. Methods Using purposive sampling, a calibrated HDEM-1 direct current (DC) total electric field strength measurement system was used to measure the total electric fields of 12 converter stations serving 6 DC lines in Southeast and Southwest China according to the Measurement method for total electric field strength and ion current density of the converter stations and DC transmission lines (DL/T 1089—2008). The results were evaluated according to occupational exposure limits recommended by The limits of electromagnetic environment at ±800 kV UHV DC converter station (DL/T 275—2012), the American Conference of Governmental Industrial Hygienists (ACGIH), and the International Commission on Non-Ionizing Radiation Protection (ICNIRP). Results A total of 615 check points were planned, the total electric field strength was 0.05-37.05 kV·m⁻¹, and the median was 10.45 kV·m⁻¹. The total electric field strength of 39 check points (6.3%) exceeded 25 kV·m⁻¹ (the limits of ACGIH and ICNIRP), and the total electric field strength of 12 check points (2.0%) exceeded 30 kV·m⁻¹ (the limit of DL/T 275—2012). There were statistically significant differences in the total electric field strength values and the proportions of exceeding 25 kV·m⁻¹ between the neutral regions and the positive regions and between the neutral regions and the negative regions (P < 0.01). The proportion of total electric field strength exceeding 30 kV·m⁻¹ in the negative regions was higher than that in the positive regions (P < 0.01). There were no significant differences in the total electric field strength of converter stations at different voltage levels and different altitudes (P > 0.05). There were no significant differences in the proportions of total electric field exceeding 25 kV·m⁻¹ and exceeding 30 kV·m⁻¹ in converter stations at different voltage levels and different altitudes (P > 0.05). Conclusion The total electric field in some workplace of converter stations exceeds selected limits. Converter station operators may be exposed to high-strength total electric field for a short time.

Background: Thyroid diseases are highly prevalent worldwide, but their diagnosis remains a challenge. We established reference intervals (RIs) for thyroid-associated hormones and evaluated the prevalence of thyroid diseases in China. Methods: After excluding outliers based on the results of ultrasound screening, thyroid antibody tests, and the Tukey method, the medical records of 20,303 euthyroid adults, who visited the Department of Health Care at Peking Union Medical College Hospital from January 2014 to December 2018, were analyzed. Thyroid-associated hormones were measured by the Siemens Advia Centaur XP analyzer. The RIs for thyroid-associated hormones were calculated according to the CLSI C28-A3 guidelines, and were compared with the RIs provided by Siemens. The prevalence of thyroid diseases over the five years was evaluated and compared using the chi-square test. Results: The RIs for thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH), free thyroxine (FT4), free triiodothyronine (FT3), total thyroxine (TT4), and total triiodothyronine (TT3) were 0.71–4.92 mIU/L, 12.2–20.1 pmol/L, 3.9–6.0 pmol/L, 65.6–135.1 nmol/L, and 1.2–2.2 nmol/L, respectively. The RIs of all hormones except TT4 differed significantly between males and females. The RIs of TSH increased with increasing age. The prevalence of overt hypothyroidism, overt hyperthyroidism, subclinical hypothyroidism, and subclinical hyperthyroidism was 0.5% and 0.8%, 0.2% and 0.6%, 3.8% and 6.1%, and 3.3% and 4.7% in males and females, respectively, which differed from those provided by Siemens. Conclusions Sex-specific RIs were established for thyroid-associated hormones, and the prevalence of thyroid diseases was determined in the Chinese population.

Objective:To assess the influence of an artificial intelligence (AI) -assisted diagnosis system on the performance of endoscopists in diagnosing gastric cancer by magnifying narrow banding imaging (M-NBI).Methods:M-NBI images of early gastric cancer (EGC) and non-gastric cancer from Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University from March 2017 to January 2020 and public datasets were collected, among which 4 667 images (1 950 images of EGC and 2 717 of non-gastric cancer)were included in the training set and 1 539 images (483 images of EGC and 1 056 of non-gastric cancer) composed a test set. The model was trained using deep learning technique. One hundred M-NBI videos from Beijing Cancer Hospital and Renmin Hospital of Wuhan University between 9 June 2020 and 17 November 2020 were prospectively collected as a video test set, 38 of gastric cancer and 62 of non-gastric cancer. Four endoscopists from four other hospitals participated in the study, diagnosing the video test twice, with and without AI. The influence of the system on endoscopists′ performance was assessed.Results:Without AI assistance, accuracy, sensitivity, and specificity of endoscopists′ diagnosis of gastric cancer were 81.00%±4.30%, 71.05%±9.67%, and 87.10%±10.88%, respectively. With AI assistance, accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of diagnosis were 86.50%±2.06%, 84.87%±11.07%, and 87.50%±4.47%, respectively. Diagnostic accuracy ( P=0.302) and sensitivity ( P=0.180) of endoscopists with AI assistance were improved compared with those without. Accuracy, sensitivity and specificity of AI in identifying gastric cancer in the video test set were 88.00% (88/100), 97.37% (37/38), and 82.26% (51/62), respectively. Sensitivity of AI was higher than that of the average of endoscopists ( P=0.002). Conclusion:AI-assisted diagnosis system is an effective tool to assist diagnosis of gastric cancer in M-NBI, which can improve the diagnostic ability of endoscopists. It can also remind endoscopists of high-risk areas in real time to reduce the probability of missed diagnosis.