AIM:To investigate the value of optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)indicators in the diagnosis of diabetic retinopathy(DR), and to provide patients with diabetic nephropathy(DN)with more sensitive OCTA screening indicators to detect concurrent DR at an early stage.METHODS: A total of 200 patients who treated in the ophthalmology department of the Seventh Affiliated Hospital, Sun Yat-sen University from 2022 to 2023 were included, including 95 first-diagnosed DR patients and 105 patients without DR, and all patients underwent OCTA examination and a collection of demographics and renal function parameters. After a quality check, automated measurements of the foveal avascular zone area, vessel density(VD), and perfusion density(PD)of both 3 mm×3 mm and 6 mm×6 mm windows were obtained.RESULTS: Using random forest and multivariate Logistic regression methods, we developed a diagnostic model for DR based on 12 variables(age, FBG, SBP, DBP, HbA1c, ALT, ALP, urea/Scr, DM duration, HUA, DN, and CMT). Adding specific OCTA parameters enhanced the efficacy of the existing diagnostic model for DR(outer vessel density in 6 mm×6 mm window, AUC=0.837 vs 0.819, P=0.03). In the study of DN patients, the parameters in the 6 mm×6 mm window improved the diagnostic efficacy of DR(inner VD; outer VD; full VD; outer PD; full PD).CONCLUSION:The outer VD in the 6 mm×6 mm window can enhance the efficacy of the traditional DR diagnostic model. Meanwhile, compared with the 3 mm×3 mm window, the microvascular parameters in the 6 mm× 6 mm window focusing on DN patients can be more sensitive to diagnosing the occurrence of DR.

The Consolidated Standards of Reporting Trials (CONSORT) statement aims to enhance the quality of reporting for randomized controlled trial (RCT) by providing a minimum item checklist. It was first published in 1996, and updated in 2001 and 2010, respectively. The latest version was released in April 2025, continuously reflecting new evidence, methodological advancements, and user feedback. CONSORT 2025 includes 30 essential checklist items and a template for a participant flow diagram. The main changes to the checklist include the addition of 7 items, revision of 3 items, and deletion of 1 item, as well as the integration of multiple key extensions. This article provides a comprehensive interpretation of the statement, aiming to help clinical trial staff, journal editors, and reviewers fully understand the essence of CONSORT 2025, correctly apply it in writing RCT reports and evaluating RCT quality, and provide guidance for conducting high-level RCT research in China.

Objective To analyze the clinical characteristics of immune checkpoint inhibitor (ICI)-related hypophysitis. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on patients diagnosed with ICI-related hypophysitis and treated at the Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital with Nanjing Medical University, between January 2020 and March 2025. Clinical manifestations and prognosis of patients were analyzed. Results Eleven patients with ICI-related hypophysitis were included. The average age was (62.27±7.63) years, and 9 patients (81.82%) were male. The median time to onset was 9.1 months, and the median number of treatment cycles received was 5. The primary initial symptoms were fatigue and anorexia. Hyponatremia was present in 3 patients (27.27%). Evaluation of anterior pituitary function revealed adrenocorticotropic hormone deficiency as the most common manifestation (90.91%, 10/11), followed by hyperprolactinemia (81.82%, 9/11). Posterior pituitary function remained normal in all patients. Pituitary magnetic resonance imaging showed no abnormality in 4 patients (44.44%). Thyroid dysfunction was observed in 6 patients (54.55%), one of whom (9.09%) also exhibited pancreatic endocrine dysfunction. The average follow-up duration was 36.5 months. Eight patients (72.73%) were alive at the last follow-up. None of the patients recovered their pituitary hormone function. Conclusions Endocrine adverse events induced by ICIs can involve multiple glandular systems. Clinicians should be highly vigilant for the possibility of ICI-induced hypophysitis in patients receiving ICIs who present with symptoms such as fatigue, anorexia, and hyponatremia.

Under the background of carbon peaking and carbon neutrality goals, the Ministry of Ecology and Environment, together with 15 national ministries and commissions, has formulated the Implementation Plan on Establishing a Carbon Footprint Management System, and it is urgent for traditional Chinese medicine(TCM) pharmaceutical enterprises to carry out research on carbon footprint accounting methods of related products. Based on the life cycle assessment(LCA) theory, taking mulberry leaf extract produced by a certain enterprise as an example, this study analyzed the carbon footprint of TCM extracts during the life cycle. The results show that for every 1 kg of product produced, the carbon emissions from the stages of raw material acquisition, transportation, and extract production are-20.569, 1.205, and 173.577 kgCO_2eq(CO_2 equivalent), respectively. The carbon footprint of the product is 154.213 kgCO_2eq·kg~(-1). In addition, the carbon emission is the highest in the production stage, in which the consumption of ethanol solvents makes the greatest contribution to the carbon footprint, accounting for 25.71%, more than one-fourth of the total carbon footprint. The second contribution was from the treatment process of TCM residues, accounting for 19.67%, closely followed by wastewater treatment(17.71%), the consumption of hot steam(17.43%), and drinking water(16.90%). The consumption of electric power and packaging materials has a smaller carbon emission of 2.58%. In particular, the carbon emission caused by the consumption of packaging materials is only 0.04%, which is negligible. The results of the study are expected to provide a reference for TCM enterprises to carry out research on the carbon footprint of products, offer ideas for collaborative innovation in reducing pollution and carbon emissions throughout the entire industry chain of TCM, and develop new quality productivity of modern TCM industry based on green and low-carbon manufacturing.
Morus/chemistry* ; Plant Leaves/chemistry* ; Carbon Footprint ; Drugs, Chinese Herbal/chemistry* ; Plant Extracts/analysis* ; Medicine, Chinese Traditional

Objective:To investigate the relationship between symptoms of vertigo and vestibular functions and short-term hearing outcomes in patients with flat descending sudden sensorineural hearing loss （SSNHL）. Methods:A retrospective review was conducted of the vestibular symptoms observed in 48 patients with unilateral flat-down sudden sensorineural hearing loss treated at the Department of Otolaryngology Head and Neck Surgery, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine. Symptoms of vertigo and the results of cervical vestibular-evoked myogenic potentials （cVEMP）, ocular VEMP （oVEMP）, caloric test and video head-impulse test （vHIT） were collected to determine whether these factors could predict therapeutic efficacy. Results:The symptoms of vertigo was not correlated with prognosis （P>0.05） or with abnormal vestibular functions （P>0.05）. Patients with abnormal cVEMP, oVEMP, caloric test or vHIT showed significantly lower effective rates （32.0%, 44.0%, 32.0%, and 24.0%, respectively）; the greater the number of abnormal tests, the poorer the outcome. Patients with all four tests abnormal gained only （3.13±15.97） dB HL in hearing recovery, whereas those with normal cVEMP, oVEMP, caloric test or vHIT showed better chances of hearing improvements by （29.22±20.31）, （31.18±21.59）, （26.17±21.31）, and （26.38±24.05） dB HL, respectively. Conclusion:Vestibular function effectively predicts prognosis in flat descending SSNHL. Patients with abnormal vestibular tests, regardless of symptoms of vertigo, responded poorly to treatment, whereas those with normal cVEMP, oVEMP, caloric test and vHIT results achieved better hearing recovery. Abnormal vestibular function implies more extensive and severe inner-ear lesions in patients with SSNHL.
Humans ; Male ; Female ; Retrospective Studies ; Prognosis ; Adult ; Middle Aged ; Vertigo/diagnosis* ; Hearing Loss, Sensorineural/diagnosis* ; Young Adult ; Hearing Loss, Sudden/diagnosis* ; Adolescent ; Aged ; Vestibular Evoked Myogenic Potentials

Acute kidney injury (AKI) has high morbidity and mortality, but effective clinical drugs and management are lacking. Previous studies have suggested that macrophages play a crucial role in the inflammatory response to AKI and may serve as potential therapeutic targets. Emerging evidence has highlighted the importance of forkhead box protein O1 (FoxO1) in mediating macrophage activation and polarization in various diseases, but the specific mechanisms by which FoxO1 regulates macrophages during AKI remain unclear. The present study aimed to investigate the role of FoxO1 in macrophages in the pathogenesis of AKI. We observed a significant upregulation of FoxO1 in kidney macrophages following ischemia-reperfusion (I/R) injury. Additionally, our findings demonstrated that the administration of FoxO1 inhibitor AS1842856-encapsulated liposome (AS-Lipo), mainly acting on macrophages, effectively mitigated renal injury induced by I/R injury in mice. By generating myeloid-specific FoxO1-knockout mice, we further observed that the deficiency of FoxO1 in myeloid cells protected against I/R injury-induced AKI. Furthermore, our study provided evidence of FoxO1's pivotal role in macrophage chemotaxis, inflammation, and migration. Moreover, the impact of FoxO1 on the regulation of macrophage migration was mediated through RhoA guanine nucleotide exchange factor 1 (ARHGEF1), indicating that ARHGEF1 may serve as a potential intermediary between FoxO1 and the activity of the RhoA pathway. Consequently, our findings propose that FoxO1 plays a crucial role as a mediator and biomarker in the context of AKI. Targeting macrophage FoxO1 pharmacologically could potentially offer a promising therapeutic approach for AKI.

OBJECTIVE: To investigate the role and mechanism of the cyclic guanosine monophosphate-adenosine monophosphate synthase/stimulator of interferon gene (cGAS/STING) pathway in oleic acid-induced acute lung injury (ALI) in mice. METHODS: Male wild-type C57BL/6J mice were randomly divided into five groups (each n = 10): normal control group, ALI model group, and 5, 50, 500 μg/kg inhibitor pretreatment groups. The ALI model was established by tail vein injection of oleic acid (7 mL/kg), while the normal control group received no intervention. The inhibitor pretreatment groups were intraperitoneally injected with the corresponding doses of cGAS inhibitor RU.521 respectively 1 hour before modeling. At 24 hours post-modeling, blood was collected, and mice were sacrificed. Lung tissue pathological changes were observed under light microscopy after hematoxylin-eosin (HE) staining, and pathological scores were assessed. Western blotting was used to detect the protein expressions of cGAS, STING, phosphorylated TANK-binding kinase 1 (p-TBK1), phosphorylated interferon regulatory factor 3 (p-IRF3), and phosphorylated nuclear factor-κB p65 (p-NF-κB p65) in lung tissue. Immunohistochemistry was performed to observe STING and p-NF-κB positive expressions in lung tissue. Serum interferon-β (IFN-β) levels were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). RESULTS: Compared with the normal control group, the ALI model group exhibited significant focal alveolar thickening, intra-alveolar hemorrhage, pulmonary capillary congestion, and neutrophil infiltration in the pulmonary interstitium and alveoli, along with markedly increased pathological scores (10.33±0.58 vs. 1.33±0.58, P < 0.05). Protein expressions of cGAS, STING, p-TBK1, p-IRF3, and p-NF-κB p65 in lung tissue significantly increased [cGAS protein (cGAS/β-actin): 1.24±0.02 vs. 0.56±0.02, STING protein (STING/β-actin): 1.27±0.01 vs. 0.55±0.01, p-TBK1 protin (p-TBK1/β-actin): 1.34±0.03 vs. 0.22±0.01, p-IRF3 protein (p-IRF3/β-actin): 1.23±0.02 vs. 0.36±0.01, p-NF-κB p65 protein (p-NF-κB p65/β-actin): 1.30±0.02 vs. 0.53±0.02, all P < 0.05], positive expressions of STING and p-NF-κB in lung tissue were significantly elevated [STING (A value): 0.51±0.03 vs. 0.30±0.07, p-NF-κB (A value): 0.57±0.05 vs. 0.31±0.03, both P < 0.05], and serum IFN-β levels were also significantly higher (ng/L: 256.02±3.84 vs. 64.15±1.17, P < 0.05). The cGAS inhibitor pretreatment groups showed restored alveolar structural integrity, reduced inflammatory cell infiltration, and decreased hemorrhage area, along with dose-dependent lower pathological scores as well as the protein expressions of cGAS, STING, p-TBK1, p-IRF3 and p-NF-κB p65 in lung tissue, with significant differences between the 500 μg/kg inhibitor group and ALI model group [pathological score: 2.67±0.58 vs. 10.33±0.58, cGAS protein (cGAS/β-actin): 0.56±0.03 vs. 1.24±0.02, STING protein (STING/β-actin): 0.67±0.03 vs. 1.27±0.01, p-TBK1 protein (p-TBK1/β-actin): 0.28±0.01 vs. 1.34±0.03, p-IRF3 protein (p-IRF3/β-actin): 0.32±0.01 vs. 1.23±0.02, p-NF-κB p65 protein (p-NF-κB p65/β-actin): 0.63±0.01 vs. 1.30±0.02, all P < 0.05]. Compared with the ALI model group, positive expressions of STING and p-NF-κB in lung tissue were significantly reduced in the 500 μg/kg inhibitor group [STING (A value): 0.40±0.01 vs. 0.51±0.03, p-NF-κB (A value): 0.43±0.02 vs. 0.57±0.05, both P < 0.05], and serum IFN-β levels were also markedly reduced (ng/L: 150.03±6.19 vs. 256.02±3.84, P < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS The cGAS/STING pathway is activated in oleic acid-induced ALI, leading to exacerbated inflammatory responses and increased lung damage. RU.521 can inhibit cGAS, thereby down-regulating the expression of pathway proteins and cytokines, and providing protection to lung tissue.
Animals ; Acute Lung Injury/chemically induced* ; Male ; Nucleotidyltransferases/metabolism* ; Mice ; Signal Transduction ; Mice, Inbred C57BL ; Membrane Proteins/metabolism* ; Oleic Acid/adverse effects* ; Transcription Factor RelA/metabolism* ; Lung/pathology* ; Interferon Regulatory Factor-3/metabolism* ; Disease Models, Animal

Objective:To investigate the relationship between intramuscular adipose tissue index (IATI) calculated from computed tomography images at transverse process of the first lumbar and all-cause mortality in maintenance dialysis patients, and to provide a reference for improving the prognosis in these patients.Methods:It was a multicenter retrospective cohort study. The clinical data of patients who received maintenance hemodialysis or peritoneal dialysis treatment from January 1, 2017 to December 31, 2019 in 4 grade Ⅲ hospitals including Zhongda Hospital Affiliated to Southeast University, Taizhou People's Hospital Affiliated to Nanjing Medical University, Affiliated Hospital of Yangzhou University, and the Third Affiliated Hospital of Soochow University were retrospectively collected. IATI was calculated by low attenuation muscle (LAM) density/skeletal muscle density. The receiver-operating characteristic curve was used to determine the optimal cut-off value of IATI, and the patients were divided into high IATI group and low IATI group according to the optimal cut-off value. The differences of baseline clinical data and measurement parameters of the first lumbar level between the two groups were compared. The follow-up ended on December 23, 2022. The endpoint event was defined as all-cause mortality within 3 years. Kaplan-Meier survival curve and log-rank test were used to analyze the survival rates and the differences between the two groups. Multivariate Cox regression analysis models were used to analyze the association between IATI and the risk of all-cause mortality in maintenance dialysis patients. Multivariate logistic regression analysis model was used to analyze the influencing factors of high IATI.Results:A total of 478 patients were eligibly recruited in this study, with age of (53.55±13.19) years old and 319 (66.7%) males, including 365 (76.4%) hemodialysis patients and 113 (23.6%) peritoneal dialysis patients. There were 376 (78.7%) patients in low IATI (<0.42) group and 102 (21.3%) patients in high IATI (≥0.42) group. The proportion of age ≥ 60 years old ( χ2=24.746, P<0.001), proportion of diabetes mellitus ( χ2=5.570, P=0.018), fasting blood glucose ( t=-2.145, P=0.032), LAM density ( t=-3.735, P<0.001), LAM index ( t=-7.072, P<0.001), and LAM area/skeletal muscle area ratio ( Z=-9.630, P<0.001) in high IATI group were all higher than those in low IATI group, while proportion of males ( χ2=11.116, P<0.001), serum albumin ( Z=2.708, P=0.007) and skeletal muscle density ( t=12.380, P<0.001) were lower than those in low IATI group. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis showed that the 3-years overall survival rate of low IATI group was significantly higher than that in high IATI group (Log-rank χ2=19.188, P<0.001). Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed that IATI<0.42 [<0.42/≥0.42, HR(95% CI): 0.50 (0.31-0.83), P=0.007] was an independent protective factor of all-cause mortality, and age ≥60 years old [ HR (95% CI): 2.61 (1.60-4.23), P<0.001], diabetes mellitus [ HR (95% CI): 1.71 (1.06-2.78), P=0.029] and high blood neutrophil/lymphocyte ratio [ HR (95% CI): 1.04 (1.00-1.07), P=0.049] were the independent risk factors of all-cause mortality in maintenance dialysis patients. Stepwise Cox regression analysis showed that IATI<0.42 was still an independent protective factor of all-cause mortality in maintenance dialysis patients [<0.42/≥0.42, HR (95% CI): 0.45 (0.27-0.76), P=0.003]. Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that low skeletal muscle density [ OR (95% CI): 0.84 (0.81-0.88), P<0.001] and high serum triglyceride [ OR (95% CI): 1.39 (1.07-1.82), P=0.015] were the independent influencing factors of IATI≥0.42. Conclusion:IATI<0.42 of the first lumbar level is an independent protective factor of all-cause mortality in maintenance dialysis patients. Localized myosteatosis within high-quality skeletal muscle may reduce the risk of all-cause mortality in these patients.

At present, pancreatic cancer is a solid tumor with the worst prognosis. Compared with surgery and chemotherapy, radiotherapy plays an auxiliary role in the treatment of pancreatic cancer. In recent years, significant advances have been achieved in radiotherapy technology, which have been gradually applied in the diagnosis and treatment of pancreatic cancer. In this article, the progress in radiation therapy in the treatment of pancreatic cancer was reviewed, especially the clinical application of magnetic resonance imaging-guided radiation therapy in the treatment of pancreatic cancer, aiming to deepen the understand of the progress in radiation therapy for pancreatic cancer, and providing reference for improving the survival rate of pancreatic cancer patients.

Objective To explore the effect of Shuanglu Tongnao Formula on neuronal ferroptosis in ischemic stroke rats and its regulatory mechanism on the silent information regulator 2 homolog 1(SIRT1)/nuclear factor erythroid 2-related fac-tor 2(Nrf2)/glutathione peroxidase 4(GPx4)signaling pathways.Methods Twenty rats were selected as sham operation group by the random number table method,and the remaining seventy rats were made ischemic stroke rat models by the middle cerebral artery occlusion method.The rats that had been successfully modeled were randomly divided into the model control group,Shuanglu Tongnao formula group,Shuanglu Tongnao formula+SIRT1 inhibitor group(Shuanglu Tongnao formula+EX527 group),with 20 rats in each group.After 14 days,the rats were scored for neurological injury;TTC staining was applied to detect the area of cerebral infarction in rats;HE staining was applied to detect pathological changes in rat brain tissue;Nissl staining was applied to detect the number of neurons in rat brain tissue;the kit was applied to detect the levels of ferri ion(Fe2+),superoxide dismutase(SOD),glutathione(GSH),and malonaldehyde(MDA)in rat brain tissue;immunohistochemistry was applied to de-tect the positive expression of acyl-CoA synthetase long-chain family member 4(ACSL4),transferrin receptor(TFR),and ferritin heavy polypeptide 1(FTH1)proteins in rat brain tissue;Western blotting method was applied to detect the expression of SIRT1,Nrf2,GPx4,and cystine/glutamate antiporter solute carrier family 7 member 11(SLC7A11)proteins in rat brain tissue.Results Compared with the sham operation group,the neurological deficit score,cerebral infarction area,the contents of Fe2+and MDA,and the protein expressions of ACSL4 and TFR in model control group were increased(P<0.05);the number of neurons,the con-tents of SOD and GSH,the protein expression of FTH1,SIRT1,Nrf2,GPx4,and SLC7A11 were all reduced(P<0.05).Compared with the model control group,the neurological deficit score,cerebral infarction area,the contents of Fe2+and MDA,and the protein expression of ACSL4 and TFR in the Shuanglu Tongnao formula group were reduced(P<0.05),and the number of neurons,the contents of SOD and GSH,the protein expressions of FTH1,SIRT1,Nrf2,GPx4,and SLC7A11 are all increased(P<0.05).The results of the SIRT1 inhibitor supplementation experiment showed that the SIRT1 inhibitor reversed the inhibitory effect of Shuan-glu Tongnao formula on neuronal ferroptosis,while also inhibited the expression of Nrf2 and GPx4(P<0.05).Conclusion The Shuanglu Tongnao formula may inhibit neuronal ferroptosis in ischemic stroke rats by activating the SIRT1/Nrf2/GPx4 signa-ling pathway.