BACKGROUND: Parental myopia is an important risk factor for myopia in Chinese children and adolescents. This study aimed to assess the influence of parental myopia and the severity of myopia on offspring and to evaluate whether adopting healthy lifestyles can mitigate the effects of parental myopia on offspring. METHODS: This cross-sectional study analyzed data from children and adolescents aged 6-17 years with complete vision assessments and parental history of myopia from six provinces in China during 2013-2014. Parental demographic information, children's outdoor activity time, sleep time, and sedentary time were collected via questionnaire. Parental myopia was classified as no myopia, paternal myopia, maternal myopia, and both. The offspring were categorized into 10 groups based on parental myopia prescription. Associations of the above factors with myopia in children and adolescents were evaluated by logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Among 40,864 children and adolescents (50.3% boys and 49.7% girls), 22,537 (55.2%) were diagnosed with myopia. In comparison to offspring devoid of parental myopia, children with one parent affected by myopia exhibited odds ratio (OR) of 1.75 (95% confidence interval [CI]: 1.62-1.88) for myopia, while those with both parents affected showed OR of 2.27 (95% CI: 2.02-2.55) after adjusted for lifestyle factors. The likelihood of myopia in offspring increased with increasing severity of parental myopia, with a 3.08-fold increase in risk observed when both parents presented high myopia. Nonetheless, children adhering to two or more healthy lifestyle factors demonstrated a diminished risk of myopia compared with those with fewer than two lifestyle factors, especially among offspring of non-myopic or mildly myopic parents. CONCLUSIONS Parental myopia has a dose-dependent association with their offspring. Healthy lifestyles may reduce the impact of parental factors on myopia in offspring. The observed associations suggest that although the genetic burden of parental myopia cannot be ignored, healthy lifestyles and nurturing are also very important.
Humans ; Myopia/epidemiology* ; Child ; Male ; Female ; Adolescent ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; China/epidemiology* ; Parents ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Risk Factors

OBJECTIVES: Near vision loss (NVL) is one of the leading causes of visual impairment worldwide, exerting a profound impact on individual quality of life and socio-economic development. This study aims to analyze the burden of NVL in China by sex and age groups from 1990 to 2021 and to project trends over the next 15 years. METHODS: Using data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) 2021 database, we conducted descriptive analyses of NVL prevalence in China, calculated age-standardized prevalence rates (ASPR) and age-standardized disability-adjusted life years rates (ASDR) to compare burden differences between sexes and age groups, and applied an autoregressive integrated moving average (ARIMA) model to predict NVL trends for the next 15 years. The model selection was based on best-fit criteria to ensure reliable projections. RESULTS: From 1990 to 2021, China's ASPR of NVL rose from 10 096.24/100 000 to 15 624.54/100 000, and ASDR increased from 101.75/100 000 to 158.75/100 000. In 2021, ASPR (16 551.70/100 000) and ASDR (167.69/100 000) were higher among females than males (14 686.21/100 000 and 149.76/100 000, respectively). China ranked highest globally in both NVL cases and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs), with female burden significantly exceeding male burden. Projections indicated this trend and sex gap will persist until 2036. Compared with 1990, the prevalence cases and DALYs increased by 239.20% and 238.82%, respectively in 2021, with the highest burden among females and the 55-59 age group. The ARIMA model predicted continued increases in prevalence and DALYs by 2036, with females maintaining a higher burden than males. CONCLUSIONS This study reveals a marked increase in the NVL burden in China and predicts continued growth in the coming years. Public health policies should prioritize NVL prevention and control, with special attention to women and middle-aged populations to mitigate long-term societal and health impacts.
Humans ; China/epidemiology* ; Male ; Female ; Prevalence ; Middle Aged ; Disability-Adjusted Life Years ; Adult ; Global Burden of Disease ; Adolescent ; Quality-Adjusted Life Years ; Aged ; Sex Factors ; Child ; Young Adult ; Child, Preschool ; Cost of Illness ; Infant ; Aged, 80 and over ; Vision Disorders/epidemiology*

Background::Triple-negative breast cancer (TNBC) is a type of highly invasive breast cancer with a poor prognosis. According to new research, long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) play a significant role in the progression of cancer. Although the role of lncRNAs in breast cancer has been well reported, few studies have focused on TNBC. This study aimed to explore the biological function and clinical significance of forkhead box C1 promoter upstream transcript (FOXCUT) in triple-negative breast cancer.Methods::Based on a bioinformatic analysis of the cancer genome atlas (TCGA) database, we detected that the lncRNA FOXCUT was overexpressed in TNBC tissues, which was further validated in an external cohort of tissues from the General Surgery Department of the First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University. The functions of FOXCUT in proliferation, migration, and invasion were detected in vitro or in vivo. Luciferase assays and RNA immunoprecipitation (RIP) were performed to reveal that FOXCUT acted as a competitive endogenous RNA (ceRNA) for the microRNA miR-24-3p and consequently inhibited the degradation of p38. Results::lncRNA FOXCUT was markedly highly expressed in breast cancer, which was associated with poor prognosis in some cases. Knockdown of FOXCUT significantly inhibited cancer growth and metastasis in vitro or in vivo. Mechanistically, FOXCUT competitively bounded to miR-24-3p to prevent the degradation of p38, which might act as an oncogene in breast cancer. Conclusion::Collectively, this research revealed a novel FOXCUT/miR-24-3p/p38 axis that affected breast cancer progression and suggested that the lncRNA FOXCUT could be a diagnostic marker and therapeutic target for breast cancer.

Diabetes mellitus and its consequences have gained increased attention with the incidence rate rising.Diabetic cognitive impairment (DCI), a neurological consequence of diabetes mellitus, has shown a significant increase in recent years, and its related mechanisms need to be elucidated. Short-chain fatty acids (SCFAs), which are metabolites of dietary fiber fermented by gut microbiota and play a significant role in the "microbial-gut-brain axis", have become a popular research topic in recent years for their link to diabetes mellitus and brain function. Therefore, it is important to explore the relationship between SCFAs and DCI. This review summarized the changing characteristics of SCFAs in diabetes mellitus, cognitive impairment and DCI populations, as well as the mechanisms of SCFAs in DCI, which include glucose-lipid metabolism, pathological protein aggregation, inflammation, and mitochondrial autophagy.Future studies should address the common pathophysiological mechanisms of diabetes mellitus and cognitive impairment, in order to explore the effects of different types and doses of SCFAs in DCI and the underlying mechanisms, so as to provide a theoretical basis for the prevention and treatment of the disease in the context of the "co-morbidity model" .

Objective To investigate the value of polar residual network(PResNet)model for assisting evaluation on rat myocardial infarction(MI)segment in myocardial contrast echocardiography(MCE).Methods Twenty-five male SD rats were randomly divided into MI group(n=15)and sham operation group(n=10).MI models were established in MI group through ligation of the left anterior descending coronary artery using atraumatic suture,while no intervention was given to those in sham operation group after thoracotomy.MCE images of both basal and papillary muscle levels on the short axis section of left ventricles were acquired after 1 week,which were assessed independently by 2 junior and 2 senior ultrasound physicians.The evaluating efficacy of MI segment,the mean interpretation time and the consistency were compared whether under the assistance of PResNet model or not.Results No significant difference of efficacy of evaluation on MI segment was found for senior physicians with or without assistance of PResNet model(both P＞0.05).Under the assistance of PResNet model,the efficacy of junior physicians for diagnosing MI segment was significantly improved compared with that without the assistance of PResNet model(both P＜0.01),and was comparable to that of senior physicians.Under the assistance of PResNet model,the mean interpretation time of each physician was significantly shorter than that without assistance(all P＜0.001),and the consistency between junior physicians and among junior and senior physicians were both moderate(Kappa=0.692,0.542),which became better under the assistance(Kappa=0.763,0.749).Conclusion PResNet could improve the efficacy of junior physicians for evaluation on rat MI segment in MCE images,shorten interpretation time with different aptitudes,also improve the consistency to some extent.

Objective:To analyze the factors associated with residual low back pain in older adults with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures after surgery, and to construct a predictive model based on the collected data and assess its effectiveness.Methods:The clinical data of 101 older adult patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures who underwent surgical treatment at Xi 'an International Medical Center Hospital from January 2020 to December 2022 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients were divided into two groups based on the presence or absence of low back pain after surgery: those with low back pain and those without.Postoperative pain intensity was recorded in detail. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed to identify independent influential factors. In addition, a predictive model was constructed and its accuracy and prediction ability were tested.Results:Among 101 patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures, 43 (42.57%) experienced low back pain after surgery, while 58 (57.43%) did not. Univariate analysis revealed that patients with low back pain were older compared with those without low back pain [(67.81 ± 3.65) years vs. (64.21 ± 3.11) years, t = 5.34]. Patients with low back pain had a higher level of education, with 62.79% holding a college degree or higher compared to 41.38% of patients without low back pain (χ2 = 4.52). The prevalence of psychological disorders was higher in patients with low back pain compared with those without low back pain (39.53% vs. 20.69%, χ2 = 4.28), as was the proportion of patients who smoke (34.88% vs. 13.79%, χ2 = 6.25). Additionally, the proportion of patients with a history of fractures was greater in patients with low back pain compared with those without low back pain (25.58% vs. 10.34%, χ2 = 4.09). The bone density in patients with low back pain was lower than that in patients without low back pain [(3.18 ± 0.48) g/cm3 vs. (3.67 ± 0.43) g/cm3, t = -5.38]. The American Society of Anesthesiologists (ASA) classification was also higher in patients with low back pain, with proportions of ASA Ⅰ, Ⅱ, Ⅲ, and Ⅳ being 18.60%, 25.58%, 32.56%, and 23.26% compared with 34.48%, 37.93%, 20.69%, and 6.90% in patients without low back pain (χ2 = 9.51). The volume of bone cement injected was lower in patients with low back pain than in those without low back pain [(4.62 ± 0.21) mL vs. (4.85 ± 0.18) mL, t = -5.91]. The incidence of cement leakage was higher in patients with low back pain than in those without low back pain (18.60% vs. 1.72%, χ2 = 6.71). All differences were statistically significant (all P < 0.05). Multivariate logistic regression analysis indicated that age and cement leakage were independent risk factors for residual low back pain ( OR = 1.634, 3.379, both P < 0.05), while bone density and the amount of injected cement were protective factors against residual low back pain ( OR = 0.017, 0.003, both P < 0.05). Model validation showed that the regression model had good fit (Hosmer-Lemeshow χ2 = 6.73, P > 0.05). A risk prediction model was constructed based on the selected variables, yielding a C-index of 0.792. Using the independent variables and P values, a receiver operating characteristic curve was generated to predict the likelihood of low back pain in patients, with areas under the curve of 0.749, 0.754, 0.754, 0.642, and 0.945, respectively. Conclusion:Residual low back pain after surgery in older adult patients with osteoporotic thoracolumbar compression fractures is associated with age, bone density, volume of bone cement injected, and cement leakage. The constructed nomogram model, based on these factors, demonstrates good predictive capability for residual low back pain in this population.

Clinicians need to focus on various points in the diagnosis and treatment of insomnia.This article prescribed the treatment protocol based on the unique features,such as insomnia in the elderly,women experiencing specific physiologi-cal periods,children insomnia,insomnia in sleep-breathing disorder patients,insomnia in patients with chronic liver and kidney dysfunction.It pro-vides some reference for clinicians while they make decision on diagnosis,differentiation and treat-ment methods.

This study was designed to investigate the effect of silencing microtubule-affinity regulating kinase 4(MARK4)on the apoptosis,inflammatory cytokine release and intestinal barrier protein expression of FHC cells in a lipopolysaccharide(LPS)-induced ulcerative colitis(UC)model,and the underlying molecular mechanisms.Western blot analysis was used to measure the expression levels of MARK4 and apoptosis-related factors including Caspase-1,NLRP3,and GSDMD in colon tissues from both UC patients and healthy individuals,as well as in LPS-induced FHC cell inflammation model.FHC cells was transfected with shRNA to silence MARK4.In control(normal FHC cells),LPS(LPS-stimulated FHC cells),and MARK4-silenced+LPS(shRNA-and LPS-treated FHC cells)groups,the expression levels of Caspase-1,NLRP3,GSDMD,intestinal barrier proteins,and NF-κB pathway-related proteins were assessed by Western blotting.ELISA and RT-qPCR were used to measure the expression levels of inflammatory cytokines IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α;flow cytometry was utilized to assess apoptosis.Data showed that both in UC patient colon tissues and the in vitro LPS-induced FHC cell UC inflammation model,there was a significant increase in the expression of MARK4 and apoptosis-related proteins including NLRP3,Caspase-1,and GSDMD.Silencing MARK4 inhibited the expression of these apoptosis-related proteins and downregulated the inflammatory cytokines IL-1β,IL-6,and TNF-α in LPS-induced FHC cells.Silencing MARK4 also reduced apoptosis,increased the expression of intestinal barrier proteins ZO-1,Occludin,and upregulated Claudin2.Gene Set Enrichment Analysis(GSEA)indicated a positive correlation between MARK4 and the NF-κB signaling pathway.Furthermore,silencing of MARK4 inhibited the expression levels of p-P65 and p-IKKα in the NF-κB pathway.In conclusion,MARK4 is significantly upregulated in UC tissues and cells.Silencing MARK4 inhibits the activation of the NF-κB signaling pathway,thereby inhibiting the apoptosis and inflammatory factor expression of UC cells.Thus,MARK4 could be a potential therapeutic target for UC patients.

Diabetes mellitus type 2 might cause mild cognitive impairment in its advanced stages,potentially progressing to dementia.Diabetic cognitive impairment(DCI)stands as a chronic complication of diabetes mellitus,with its underlying pathogenesis still remaining elusive.Research has revealed that gut microbiota dysbiosis influenced the central nervous system through the"microbiota-gut-brain axis",thereby contributing to the progression of cognitive impairment.Therefore,the regulation of gut microbiota emerges as a promising approach to the prevention and treatment of DCI.This article comprehensively reviews the mechanisms through which gut microbiota influences DCI.Furthermore,it delves into experimental studies exploring targeted therapies for gut microbiota,including probiotics,fecal microbiota transplantation,dietary and nutrient interventions,as well as traditional Chinese medicine.These studies not only address diabetes-related cognitive impairment but also consider aspects such as glycolipid metabolism and inflammation.The insights gleaned from these studies provide valuable guidance for the clinical application of gut microbiota-targeted intervention in DCI.

The senescence of bone marrow mesenchymal stem cells (BM-MSCs) will induce age-related bone tissue degeneration and chronic inflammation, and reduce its application effect for cell therapy. More and more active ingredients of traditional chinese medicine have been proved to intervene BM - MSCs senescence, playing an important role in bone diseases prevention and treatment, and improving the therapeutic effect of BM-MSCs. In this paper, the latest research progress on the molecular mechanism of traditional chinese medicine active ingredients interfering BM-MSCs senescence was summarized, in order to provide new direction and reference basis for senescence intervention research and clinical application improvement of BM-MSCs.