AIM: To investigate the influence of pterygium thickness and area on corneal refractive status.METHODS: Prospective longitudinal study. A total of 60 cases(60 eyes)of pterygium patients admitted to our hospital from January 2024 to September 2024 were randomly selected. All patients underwent pterygium excision combined with pedicle conjunctival flap transplantation for treatment. Optical coherence tomography(OCT)was used to measure the preoperative thickness of patient's pterygium, and a digital slit lamp microscope was used to measure the area of pterygium. The corneal refractive status(degree of corneal astigmatism and average curvature)and changes in uncorrected visual acuity of patients before surgery, 1 d, 1, and 3 mo after surgery were compared. The relationship between preoperative thickness and area of pterygium in patients and corneal refractive status indicators at different postoperative time points were analyzed, and Logistic regression was used to analyze the impact of pterygium thickness and area on postoperative visual improvement in patients.RESULTS: All patients completed follow-up after surgery for 3 mo. At 3 mo after surgery, visual acuity improved in 21 eyes(35%). The results of bivariate Pearson correlation analysis showed that the thickness and area of pterygium positively correlated with the degree of corneal astigmatism and uncorrected visual acuity before surgery and 1 d, 1, and 3 mo after surgery(all P<0.05), and negatively correlated with the average corneal curvature before surgery and 1 d, 1, and 3 mo after surgery(all P<0.05). Logistic regression analysis showed that the thickness and area of pterygium before surgery, high degree of corneal astigmatism, and low uncorrected visual acuity(large LogMAR value)were all risk factors for poor postoperative visual improvement in patients(OR>1, P<0.05). The large average corneal curvature before surgery was a protective factor for poor postoperative visual improvement in patients(OR<1, P<0.05).CONCLUSION: The increase in thickness and area of pterygium can, to some extent, improve corneal astigmatism, reduce the average curvature of the cornea, and affect postoperative visual recovery.

Objective:To study the implementation progress of the prevention and control measures for drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis and the changing trend of fluorosis conditions in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of prevention and control measures, and provide a basis for the next step of prevention and control of the disease.Methods:In 2015 and 2023, a cross-sectional survey method was used to investigate the water improvement situation, the operation of water improvement projects, the detection of fluoride level in water, and the prevalence of dental fluorosis in children aged 8 to 12 in all affected villages of 11 leagues (cities) in the entire autonomous region. The prevention and control effect of drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis in the entire autonomous region was evaluated.Results:The water improvement rates of all affected villages in the entire autonomous region in 2015 and 2023 were 84.12% (8 218/9 769) and 95.38% (8 944/9 377), respectively. The qualified rates of water fluoride in the villages with water improvement in the entire autonomous region were 66.21% (5 441/8 218) and 91.00% (8 139/8 944), respectively. The water improvement rate and water fluoride qualification rate of water improvement villages in 2023 were both higher than those in 2015, and the differences were statistically significant (χ 2 = 652.96, 1 593.81, P < 0.001). The detection rates of dental fluorosis in children aged 8 to 12 years in the entire autonomous region in 2015 and 2023 were 9.26% (7 548/81 484) and 4.46% (3 441/77 155), respectively. The detection rate of dental fluorosis in children in 2023 was lower than that in 2015, and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 = 1 418.20, P < 0.001). In 2015 and 2023, the total compliance rate of all affected villages in the entire autonomous region reaching the control standards were 57.94% (5 660/ 9 769) and 92.37% (8 662/9 377), respectively. The total compliance rate of all affected villages in 2023 was higher than that in 2015, and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 = 3 010.38, P < 0.001). Conclusions:Compared with 2015, the prevention and control measures of drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region have been effectively implemented in 2023, with a significant decrease in the detection rate of dental fluorosis in children. However, there are still a few affected villages that have not achieved the control standards, and prevention and control work still need to be further strengthened.

Objective To explore the therapeutic mechanism of berberine in atopic dermatitis(AD)rats based on PI3K/Akt/NF-kappa B signaling pathway.Methods Sixty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the blank group(normal rats),the control group(AD model,50 mg/kg berberine treatment)and the experimental group(AD model,200 mg/kg berberine treatment),with 20 rats in each group.The levels of interleukin-4(IL-4),interleukin-13(IL-13)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)at 1 d,7 d and 14 d of intervention.The protein levels of PI3K,p-PI3K,Akt,p-Akt and NF-κB p65 were detected by Western blot assay.Pathological changes of rat skin tissue were analyzed by HE staining.Results After intervention for 1 d,7 d and 14 d,serum levels of IL-4,IL-13,TNF-α and PI3K,p-PI3K,Akt,p-Akt and NF-kappa B p65 were higher in the control group than those in the blank group(P＜0.05).After intervention for 7 d and 14 d,the levels of the above indicators were lower in the experimental group than those in the control group(P＜0.05).After 14 days of intervention,compared with the blank group,the skin tissue of rats in the control group and the experimental group showed obvious pathological changes,including thickening of epidermis layer,excessive keratinization of the stratum comeum,thickening of spinous layer and a large infiltration of inflammatory cells in dermis.The pathological damage of rat skin tissue was significantly alleviated in the experimental group.Conclusion Berberine can inhibit the activation of PI3K/Akt/NF-kappa B signaling pathway,reduce serum level of inflammatory factors and reduce pathological damage of skin tissue in AD rats.

Objective To explore the therapeutic mechanism of berberine in atopic dermatitis(AD)rats based on PI3K/Akt/NF-kappa B signaling pathway.Methods Sixty adult male Wistar rats were randomly divided into the blank group(normal rats),the control group(AD model,50 mg/kg berberine treatment)and the experimental group(AD model,200 mg/kg berberine treatment),with 20 rats in each group.The levels of interleukin-4(IL-4),interleukin-13(IL-13)and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)were determined by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA)at 1 d,7 d and 14 d of intervention.The protein levels of PI3K,p-PI3K,Akt,p-Akt and NF-κB p65 were detected by Western blot assay.Pathological changes of rat skin tissue were analyzed by HE staining.Results After intervention for 1 d,7 d and 14 d,serum levels of IL-4,IL-13,TNF-α and PI3K,p-PI3K,Akt,p-Akt and NF-kappa B p65 were higher in the control group than those in the blank group(P＜0.05).After intervention for 7 d and 14 d,the levels of the above indicators were lower in the experimental group than those in the control group(P＜0.05).After 14 days of intervention,compared with the blank group,the skin tissue of rats in the control group and the experimental group showed obvious pathological changes,including thickening of epidermis layer,excessive keratinization of the stratum comeum,thickening of spinous layer and a large infiltration of inflammatory cells in dermis.The pathological damage of rat skin tissue was significantly alleviated in the experimental group.Conclusion Berberine can inhibit the activation of PI3K/Akt/NF-kappa B signaling pathway,reduce serum level of inflammatory factors and reduce pathological damage of skin tissue in AD rats.

Objective:To study the implementation progress of the prevention and control measures for drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis and the changing trend of fluorosis conditions in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, comprehensively evaluate the effectiveness of prevention and control measures, and provide a basis for the next step of prevention and control of the disease.Methods:In 2015 and 2023, a cross-sectional survey method was used to investigate the water improvement situation, the operation of water improvement projects, the detection of fluoride level in water, and the prevalence of dental fluorosis in children aged 8 to 12 in all affected villages of 11 leagues (cities) in the entire autonomous region. The prevention and control effect of drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis in the entire autonomous region was evaluated.Results:The water improvement rates of all affected villages in the entire autonomous region in 2015 and 2023 were 84.12% (8 218/9 769) and 95.38% (8 944/9 377), respectively. The qualified rates of water fluoride in the villages with water improvement in the entire autonomous region were 66.21% (5 441/8 218) and 91.00% (8 139/8 944), respectively. The water improvement rate and water fluoride qualification rate of water improvement villages in 2023 were both higher than those in 2015, and the differences were statistically significant (χ 2 = 652.96, 1 593.81, P < 0.001). The detection rates of dental fluorosis in children aged 8 to 12 years in the entire autonomous region in 2015 and 2023 were 9.26% (7 548/81 484) and 4.46% (3 441/77 155), respectively. The detection rate of dental fluorosis in children in 2023 was lower than that in 2015, and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 = 1 418.20, P < 0.001). In 2015 and 2023, the total compliance rate of all affected villages in the entire autonomous region reaching the control standards were 57.94% (5 660/ 9 769) and 92.37% (8 662/9 377), respectively. The total compliance rate of all affected villages in 2023 was higher than that in 2015, and the difference was statistically significant (χ 2 = 3 010.38, P < 0.001). Conclusions:Compared with 2015, the prevention and control measures of drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region have been effectively implemented in 2023, with a significant decrease in the detection rate of dental fluorosis in children. However, there are still a few affected villages that have not achieved the control standards, and prevention and control work still need to be further strengthened.

Objective:To investigate the distribution of physical and chemical water improvement areas of drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, as well as the use of household water purifiers.Methods:From April to October 2021, a survey was conducted in a drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis areas in Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region where physical and chemical water improvement was carried out. The survey included the basic situation of the affected villages (number of permanent households, number of permanent residents, historical water fluoride content) and the use of residential water purifiers. Household peripheral water samples were collected to test the water fluoride content. Water purifier installation rate, normal usage rate, qualified water fluoride rate in normal usage, and the proportion of households covered by filter replacement departments were calculated.Results:In Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the physical and chemical water improvement areas of drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis were distributed in 2 735 villages in 11 leagues (cities) throughout the region, with 192 950 permanent households and 540 216 permanent residents. The average historical water fluoride content in all leagues (cities) was 2.18 mg/L, and the current average water fluoride content was 0.40 mg/L. A total of 134 763 water purifiers were installed, with an installation rate of 69.84% (134 763/192 950). A total of 10 773 households were surveyed, with 10 396 households using water purifiers normally and a normal usage rate of 96.50% (10 396/10 773). Among them, 10 158 households had qualified water fluoride of normal usage, with a qualified water fluoride rate of 97.71% (10 158/10 396). Of the 10 396 households using water purifiers normally, 3 974 households (38.23%) had filter cartridges used within one year, and 3 961 households had qualified water fluoride, with a qualified rate of water fluoride of 99.67% (3 961/3 974). Six thousand four hundred and twenty-two households (61.77%) had filter cartridges used for more than one year, with 6 197 households had qualified water fluoride and a qualified rate of water fluoride of 96.50% (6 197/6 422). There was a statistically significant difference in the qualified rate of water fluoride between purifiers with different filter cartridge usage times (χ 2 = 110.73, P < 0.001). Among the 10 773 surveyed households, the filter cartridges replacement department covered 10 470 households, accounting for 97.19% (10 470/10 773). Conclusions:In Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region, the physical and chemical water improvement areas of drinking water-borne endemic fluorosis are widely distributed, and the normal usage rate of household water purifiers is relatively high. The qualified rate of water fluoride in household water purifiers with filter cartridges used for more than one year is low.

Objective:To investigate the arsenic metabolism pattern and possible influencing factors in the population in drinking-water-borne endemic arsenic poisoning (drinking-water-borne arsenic poisoning for short) areas.Methods:In December 2004, a cluster sampling method was used to select arsenic poisoning population (arsenic poisoning group) and healthy population (control group) in drinking-water-borne arsenic poisoning area of Bayannur City, Inner Mongolia Autonomous Region as the survey subjects. A questionnaire survey was conducted. Arsenic content in drinking water at home of survey subjects, the levels of urinary arsenic and its metabolites, including [trivalent arsenic (As Ⅲ), inorganic arsenic (iAs), monomethylarsenic acid (pentavalent, MMA V), dimethylarsenic acid (pentavalent, DMA V), total arsenic (tAs), percentage of inorganic arsenic (iAs%), percentage of monomethylarsenic acid (MMA%), percentage of dimethylarsenic acid (DMA%), primary methylation index (PMI), secondary methylation index (SMI)] were tested using high performance liquid chromatography-inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry; nail arsenic and nail selenium levels were tested using atomic fluorescence spectrometer. The influencing factors of arsenic metabolism pattern were analyzed by multiple linear regression. Results:A total of 536 survey subjects were included, including 155 individuals in the arsenic poisoning group and 381 in the control group. The water arsenic level ranged from 0.0 to 825.7 μg/L. Compared with the control group, there was no significant difference in the distribution of gender, education level and dental fluorosis in the arsenic poisoning group ( P > 0.05), but there were significant differences in the distribution of age, marital status, smoking, drinking and water arsenic ( P < 0.05). Compared with the control group, the levels of urinary As Ⅲ, iAs, MMA V, DMA V, tAs, MMA%, MMA/DMA and nail arsenic in the arsenic poisoning group were higher ( P < 0.05), while the levels of urinary DMA%, SMI and nail selenium were lower ( P < 0.05); but there was no statistically significant difference in the levels of urinary iAs% and PMI ( P > 0.05). Gender, education level, depth of wells, water arsenic, total number of wells and nail arsenic were the influencing factors of urinary As Ⅲ (β = - 19.82, - 23.83, 0.61, 0.21, 7.26, 2.98, P < 0.05). Age, depth of wells, water arsenic and nail arsenic were the influencing factors of urinary tAs (β = 3.18, 3.25, 1.31, 15.59, P < 0.05). Gender, education level, depth of wells, water arsenic, total number of wells and nail arsenic were the influencing factors of urinary iAs (β = - 20.47, - 25.90, 0.64, 0.25, 7.87, 3.11, P < 0.05). Age, gender, education level, water arsenic and nail arsenic were the influencing factors of urinary MMA V (β = 0.52, - 17.07, - 21.84, 0.22, 2.77, P < 0.05). Age, depth of wells, water arsenic and nail arsenic were the influencing factors of urinary DMA V (β = 2.35, 2.47, 0.85, 9.22, P < 0.05). Conclusions:Compared with healthy individuals, there are differences in arsenic metabolism pattern among individuals with drinking-water-borne arsenic poisoning. Age, gender, education level, depth of wells, water arsenic, total number of wells and nail arsenic may be influencing factors of different arsenic metabolism patterns.

Objective:To evaluate the efficacy of ultrasound-guided semispinalis capitis plane (SCP) block for treatment of occipital neuralgia (ON).Methods:This was a prospective study. Ninety patients of both sexes, aged 29-66 yr, suffering ON for 3 months-6 yr in Zibo Municipal Hospital from January 2022 to December 2023, were divided into 3 groups ( n=30 each) using a random number table method: combination of greater occipital nerve (GON) block and the third occipital nerve (TON) block group (group GT), SCP block via the medial head of semispinalis capitis muscle (SCM) group (group Sm), and SCP block via the space between obliquus capitis inferior and C 2, 3 facet joint (OCI-C 2, 3) group (group OC). In GT group, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory compound solution 2.5 ml was injected around GON in the SCM-OCI space at the C 2 level of the cervical vertebra and at the lateral surface of C 2, 3 facet joint. In Sm group, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory compound solution 5 ml was injected into the medial head of SCM at the level of C 1. In OC group, the analgesic and anti-inflammatory compound solution 5 ml was injected into the OCI-C 2, 3 space in the deep part of SCM. The Visual Analogue Scale (VAS) score and Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) score were recorded before treatment (T 1) and at 1, 3, 7, 10 and 14 days after treatment (T 2-6), and then the rates of pain relief and improvement in sleep quality were calculated. The time spent in blocking, onset time of blocking, completion time of blocking, duration of block, and occurrence of adverse reactions within 24 h after block were recorded. Results:There were no significant differences in VAS scores and PSQI scores at T 1-3 and T 5-6 among the three groups ( P>0.05), and VAS and PSQI scores were significantly higher at T 4 in Sm group than in OC and GT groups ( P<0.05). Compared with GT group, the time spent in blocking was significantly shortened, the onset time and completion time of block was prolonged, and the duration of block was shortened in Sm group, and the time spent in blocking was significantly shortened, the onset time and completion time of block was shortened ( P<0.05), and no significant change was found in the duration of block in OC group ( P>0.05). No severe complications were observed in the three groups. Conclusions:Compared with the combination of GON and TON blocks, ultrasound-guided SCP block for treating ON is simple and highly safe, SCP block via the OCI-C 2, 3 space has rapid onset and long duration, leading to significant improvements in pain and sleep quality, and it can be used as the first-choice block method for treating ON.

Objective To analyze the epidemiological characteristics and epidemic situation of children with Kashin-Beck disease (KBD) in China,and provide the basis for formulating prevention and control measures. Methods Fixed-point monitoring,moving-point monitoring,and full coverage of monitoring were promoted successively from 1990 to 2023. Some children (7-12 years old) underwent clinical and right-hand X-ray examinations every year. According to the KBD diagnosis criteria,clinical and X-ray assessments were used to confirm the diagnosis. Results In 1990,the national KBD detectable rate was 21.01％. X-ray detection decreased to below 10％ in 2003 and below 5％ in 2007. Between 2010 and 2018,the prevalence of KBD in children was less than 0.4％,which fluctuated at a low level,and has decreased to 0％ since 2019. Spatial epidemiological analysis indicated a spatial clustering of adult patients prevalence rate in the KBD areas. Conclusion The evaluation results of the elimination of KBD in China over the last 5 years showed that all villages in the monitored areas have reached the elimination standard. While the adult KBD patients still need for policy consideration and care.

Objective To evaluate the therapeutic effect of evodiamine(Evo)on atopic dermatitis(AD)in rat models by regulating the cyclic adenosine monophosphate(cAMP)/protein kinase A(PKA)/cAMP response ele-ment binding protein(CREB)signaling pathway.Methods A rat model of AD was established by administration of multiple doses of 2,4-dinitrochlorobenzene(DNCB).The animals were randomly divided into AD group,Evo-low-dose(Evo-L,5 mg/kg)group,Evo-high-dose(Evo-H,10 mg/kg)group,Evo-H+H-89(5 mg/kg)group and dexamethasone(0.1 mg/kg)group.Normal rats were used as the control group and then the degree of skin damage of rats in each group was scored.Abdominal blood was taken to detect the levels of interleukin-4(IL-4),cAMP,and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)in serum;Skin lesion tissue was collected to detect pathological change,counting of mast cells,PKA/CREB related protein expression and expression of IL-4 and TNF-α mRNA in the tissue.Results Compared with control group,the level of cAMP in serum,the expression of p-PKA/PKA,and p-CREB/CREB in skin lesions of AD group were reduced,the severity score of skin lesions,level of IL-4 and TNF-α,epidermal thickness,number of mast cells and mRNA expression of IL-4 and TNF-α in skin lesion tissues were all significantly increased(P＜0.05).Compared with AD group,the level of cAMP in serum,the expression of p-PKA/PKA,and p-CREB/CREB in skin lesions in Evo-L group,Evo-H group,and dexamethasone group were increased,the severity score of skin lesions,level of IL-4 and TNF-α,epidermal thickness,number of mast cells,and mRNA expression of IL-4 and TNF-α in skin lesion tissues all reduced(P＜0.05).Compared with the Evo-H group,the level of cAMP in serum,the expression of p-PKA/PKA,and p-CREB/CREB in skin lesions in Evo-H+H-89 group was reduced and the severity score of skin lesion,level of IL-4 and TNF-α,epidermal thickness,num-ber of mast cells,and mRNA expression of IL-4 and TNF-α in skin lesion tissues significantly increased(P＜0.05).Conclusions Evo inhibits inflammatory response and pathological damage through regulation of cAMP/PKA/CREB signaling pathway in AD rat models.