Background: The global rise in visual impairment, driven by population aging, the increasing prevalence of lifestyle-related chronic diseases, and environmental factors, has made it a critical public health concern, highlighting the urgent need for effective preventive strategies and eye health maintenance. Cuscutae Semen (CS), a traditional Chinese herbal medicine long regarded for its vision-enhancing properties, has been widely used to support ocular health. However, its underlying molecular mechanisms and bioactive constituents remain poorly understood, limiting its modernization and broader clinical application. Objective: This study aims to investigate the restorative effects of CS on visual impairment, elucidate its underlying mechanisms, and identify potential active components. Methods: A zebrafish model of visual impairment was established using mepanipyrim to simulate retinal structural damage and visual dysfunction. The therapeutic effects of CS were systematically evaluated through behavioral analyses and histomorphological observations. To elucidate the underlying mechanisms, an integrated approach was employed, combining transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq), reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction validation, and immunofluorescence staining to identify critical genes and pathways involved. Furthermore, macroporous resin column chromatography was employed for the fractionation and screening of potential active components. Results: CS treatment significantly alleviated mepanipyrim-induced ocular abnormalities in zebrafish, restoring approximately 82% of the observed morphological defects. Behavioral assessments revealed that CS-treated zebrafish exhibited markedly increased swimming speed and distance, indicating enhanced visual light sensitivity. Histopathological analysis demonstrated that CS effectively repaired the structure of retinal cell layers. RNA-seq revealed that CS broadly reversed mepanipyrim-induced gene expression disturbances, suggesting a restorative effect on transcriptomic homeostasis. Gene Ontology enrichment analysis identified the phototransduction pathway as a key mediator of CS’s therapeutic effects. This was further supported by reverse transcription quantitative polymerase chain reaction validation of critical genes and immunofluorescence staining, which confirmed the restored expression of Pde6a and Gnat2, key proteins involved in photic signal transmission. Active component screening indicated that high-polar constituents, including chlorogenic acid, may constitute one of the major bioactive fractions responsible for the observed therapeutic effects. Conclusion: This study provides evidence of the vision-protective effects of CS in a zebrafish model, demonstrating that its therapeutic mechanism involves modulation of the phototransduction pathway. Chlorogenic acid was identified as one of the key bioactive constituents contributing to this effect. These findings not only provide scientific validation for the traditional use of CS in ocular protection but also present promising therapeutic prospects for the prevention and treatment of visual impairment.

Tongue squamous cell carcinoma is the most frequent malignant tumor in the oral cavity.The incidence of occult metastasis in early-stage tongue squamous cell carcinoma ranges from 19.81%to 61.8%.The sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy of currently employed diagnostic techniques vary among different research centers.Cervical lymph nodes in tongue squamous cell carcinoma exhibit certain regu-larities,with metastasis primarily occurring in ipsilateral levels Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ,and occasional occurrence of skip metastasis.Occult metastasis to cervical lymph nodes in tongue squamous cell carcinoma is influenced by various factors.The treatment approach for the neck remains controversial,with options including selective neck dissection,observation,and sentinel lymph node biopsy.This review aims to elaborate on the incidence of occult lymph node metastasis in patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma,the distribution patterns of metastatic lymph nodes,the value of various diagnostic techniques in detecting occult metastasis,risk factors for occult metastasis,and strategies for neck management.

Objective To evaluate the predictive value of dual-modality ultrasound,incorporating conventional ultrasound and ultrasound elastography,in combination with S-Detect for cervical lymph node metastasis(CLNM)in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 135 patients diagnosed with PTC who received treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University between November 2023 and August 2024.For all patients,clinical baseline characteristics,conventional ultrasound findings,ultrasound elastography results,and S-Detect analysis data were collected.Independent predictors of CLNM in PTC were identified,and predictive models were developed.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were generated to compare the area under the curve(AUC)of the models.The most effective predictive model was selected to construct a risk probability nomogram,and the predictive performance and clinical applicability of this nomogram were subsequently evaluated.Results Age,maximum nodule diameter,boundary characteristics,capsular invasion,transverse-sectional morphological findings assessed by S-Detect,and ECI-based elasticity grading were identified as independent predictors of CLNM in PTC(all P<0.05).The AUC of the predictive model constructed using these six variables was 0.890(95%CI:0.835～0.945).The calibration curve demonstrated strong agreement between predicted and observed outcomes,and decision curve analysis indicated that the nomogram provided a favorable net clinical benefit within a threshold probability range of 2%to 91.5%.Conclusions Age,maximum nodule diameter,boundary characteristics,capsular invasion,sonographic features assessed by S-Detect in the transverse plane,and ECI-based elasticity grading are independent predictors of CLNM in PTC.A nomogram model incorporating these parameters demonstrates effective performance in predicting the likelihood of CLNM.

Objective:To investigate the application value of combined detection of urine genes Twist1,Onecut2,VIM methyl-ation and folate metabolism related genes MTHFR(C677T/A1298C),MTRR(A66G)polymorphisms in the screening and diagnosis of bladder cancer.Methods:A total of 134 patients with primary bladder cancer admitted to the Department of Urology of Qingyang Peo-ple's Hospital and the Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from January 2023 to January 2024 were selected(bladder cancer group),and a total of 130 patients with common benign urinary system diseases and other malignant tumors of urinary system treated with cystoscopy were admitted during the same period(control group).Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction was used to de-tect the methylation of Twist1,Onecut2 and VIM genes in urine shed cells.PCR fluorescence probe fusion was used to detect the poly-morphism of folate metabolism-related genes in peripheral blood of patients,and collected the clinical data and immunological indica-tors,and to all the data for statistical analysis.Results:The methylation rates of hematuria,bladder irritation,Twist1,Onecut2 and VIM genes were significantly different between two groups(P<0.05).The area under ROC curve(AUC)of Twist1,Onecut2 and VIM genes methylation and their combined detection were 0.721,0.675,0.674 and 0.772,respectively.Sensitivity and specificity were 73.20%and 71.00%,56.10%and 79.00%,48.80%and 86.00%,80.50%and 69.00%,respectively.The AUC of hematuria and blad-der irritation were 0.661 and 0.652.The sensitivity and specificity were 60.20%and 72.00%,41.50%and 89.00%,respectively.The combined AUC of all indicators were the largest(0.858),and the sensitivity and specificity were higher.The frequencies of CC,CT,TT,and T alleles of MTHFR C677T in bladder cancer group were 21.64%,41.79%,36.56%and 57.46%,respectively.Compared with the control group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The T allele frequency was significantly different between methylated and unmethylated Twist1 groups(P<0.05).Others differences were not statistically significant,and there was no signifi-cant association with gene methylation(P>0.05).Conclusion:The methylation of Twist1,Onecut2 and VIM genes are highly ex-pressed in the urine cells of patients with bladder cancer,and the combination of hematuria and bladder irritation has a high predictive value for the diagnosis of bladder cancer.The MTHFR(C677T)T allele is associated with the methylation of Twist1 gene and may be one of the risk factors for bladder cancer.

Tongue squamous cell carcinoma is the most frequent malignant tumor in the oral cavity.The incidence of occult metastasis in early-stage tongue squamous cell carcinoma ranges from 19.81%to 61.8%.The sensitivity,specificity,and accuracy of currently employed diagnostic techniques vary among different research centers.Cervical lymph nodes in tongue squamous cell carcinoma exhibit certain regu-larities,with metastasis primarily occurring in ipsilateral levels Ⅰ,Ⅱ,and Ⅲ,and occasional occurrence of skip metastasis.Occult metastasis to cervical lymph nodes in tongue squamous cell carcinoma is influenced by various factors.The treatment approach for the neck remains controversial,with options including selective neck dissection,observation,and sentinel lymph node biopsy.This review aims to elaborate on the incidence of occult lymph node metastasis in patients with tongue squamous cell carcinoma,the distribution patterns of metastatic lymph nodes,the value of various diagnostic techniques in detecting occult metastasis,risk factors for occult metastasis,and strategies for neck management.

Objective To evaluate the predictive value of dual-modality ultrasound,incorporating conventional ultrasound and ultrasound elastography,in combination with S-Detect for cervical lymph node metastasis(CLNM)in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma(PTC).Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of 135 patients diagnosed with PTC who received treatment at the First Affiliated Hospital of Shihezi University between November 2023 and August 2024.For all patients,clinical baseline characteristics,conventional ultrasound findings,ultrasound elastography results,and S-Detect analysis data were collected.Independent predictors of CLNM in PTC were identified,and predictive models were developed.Receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curves were generated to compare the area under the curve(AUC)of the models.The most effective predictive model was selected to construct a risk probability nomogram,and the predictive performance and clinical applicability of this nomogram were subsequently evaluated.Results Age,maximum nodule diameter,boundary characteristics,capsular invasion,transverse-sectional morphological findings assessed by S-Detect,and ECI-based elasticity grading were identified as independent predictors of CLNM in PTC(all P<0.05).The AUC of the predictive model constructed using these six variables was 0.890(95%CI:0.835～0.945).The calibration curve demonstrated strong agreement between predicted and observed outcomes,and decision curve analysis indicated that the nomogram provided a favorable net clinical benefit within a threshold probability range of 2%to 91.5%.Conclusions Age,maximum nodule diameter,boundary characteristics,capsular invasion,sonographic features assessed by S-Detect in the transverse plane,and ECI-based elasticity grading are independent predictors of CLNM in PTC.A nomogram model incorporating these parameters demonstrates effective performance in predicting the likelihood of CLNM.

Objective:To investigate the application value of combined detection of urine genes Twist1,Onecut2,VIM methyl-ation and folate metabolism related genes MTHFR(C677T/A1298C),MTRR(A66G)polymorphisms in the screening and diagnosis of bladder cancer.Methods:A total of 134 patients with primary bladder cancer admitted to the Department of Urology of Qingyang Peo-ple's Hospital and the Second Hospital of Lanzhou University from January 2023 to January 2024 were selected(bladder cancer group),and a total of 130 patients with common benign urinary system diseases and other malignant tumors of urinary system treated with cystoscopy were admitted during the same period(control group).Methylation-specific polymerase chain reaction was used to de-tect the methylation of Twist1,Onecut2 and VIM genes in urine shed cells.PCR fluorescence probe fusion was used to detect the poly-morphism of folate metabolism-related genes in peripheral blood of patients,and collected the clinical data and immunological indica-tors,and to all the data for statistical analysis.Results:The methylation rates of hematuria,bladder irritation,Twist1,Onecut2 and VIM genes were significantly different between two groups(P<0.05).The area under ROC curve(AUC)of Twist1,Onecut2 and VIM genes methylation and their combined detection were 0.721,0.675,0.674 and 0.772,respectively.Sensitivity and specificity were 73.20%and 71.00%,56.10%and 79.00%,48.80%and 86.00%,80.50%and 69.00%,respectively.The AUC of hematuria and blad-der irritation were 0.661 and 0.652.The sensitivity and specificity were 60.20%and 72.00%,41.50%and 89.00%,respectively.The combined AUC of all indicators were the largest(0.858),and the sensitivity and specificity were higher.The frequencies of CC,CT,TT,and T alleles of MTHFR C677T in bladder cancer group were 21.64%,41.79%,36.56%and 57.46%,respectively.Compared with the control group,the difference was statistically significant(P<0.05).The T allele frequency was significantly different between methylated and unmethylated Twist1 groups(P<0.05).Others differences were not statistically significant,and there was no signifi-cant association with gene methylation(P>0.05).Conclusion:The methylation of Twist1,Onecut2 and VIM genes are highly ex-pressed in the urine cells of patients with bladder cancer,and the combination of hematuria and bladder irritation has a high predictive value for the diagnosis of bladder cancer.The MTHFR(C677T)T allele is associated with the methylation of Twist1 gene and may be one of the risk factors for bladder cancer.

Objective:To analyze clinical efficacy, failure mode and prognostic factors of nasopharyngeal carcinoma (NPC) patients undergoing intensity modulated radiation therapy (IMRT).Methods:Clinical data of 951 locally advanced NPC patients who were newly-treated with IMRT in Hunan Cancer Hospital from January 2018 to January 2019 were retrospectively analyzed. The patients' general data, overall survival (OS), local recurrence-free survival (LRFS), regional recurrence-free survival (RRFS), local recurrence-free survival (LRRFS), distant metastasis-free survival (DMFS), and progression-free survival (PFS) were analyzed. Comparison among different groups was performed by one-way ANOVA. Survival rate was calculated by Kaplan-Meier method. Survival difference was compared by log-rank test. Univariate and multivariate analyses were performed by Cox regression model.Results:The median follow-up time was 62.0 months (IQR, 58.0-65.0 months). The 5-year OS, LRFS, RRFS, LRRFS, DMFS, and PFS were 85.4%, 94.0%, 97.7%, 92.6%, 85.7% and 76.9%, respectively. According to the 8th edition staging of American Joint Committee on Cancer (AJCC), there were 10 cases (1.1%) of stage I, 76 cases (8.0%) of stage II, 445 cases (46.8%) of stage III, and 420 cases (44.2%) of stage IVA, respectively. Among them, the OS rates of stage I, II, III and IVA patients were 100%, 97.2%, 88.8% and 79.2%, respectively ( P<0.001); LRRFS rates were 100%, 90.4%, 94.7% and 90.4%, respectively( P=0.104); DMFS rates were 90.0%, 95.9%, 88.0% and 81.1%, respectively ( P<0.001); PFS rates were 90.0%, 89.1%, 80.9% and 70.1% respectively ( P<0.001). There were 183 cases of treatment failure, including 52 cases (5.5%) of local failure, 19 cases (2.0%) of regional failure, 130 cases (13.7%) of distant metastasis, 16 cases of local combined with regional failure (1.7%), 16 cases (1.7%) of local failure combined with distant metastasis, 13 cases (1.4%) of regional failure combined with distant metastasis, and 9 cases (0.9%) of local regional failure combined with distant metastasis, respectively. Multivariate regression analysis suggested that EB virus DNA copy number before treatment, T stage and N stage were the independent prognostic factors affecting OS, DMFS and PFS. Conclusions:Compared with two-dimensional radiotherapy, IMRT has improved the overall therapeutic effect for NPC, especially the local control rate. Distant metastasis is still the main failure mode. Clinical staging, prognostic risk stratification and prognostic biomarkers can be combined to deliver stratified and precise treatment, which may further improve clinical efficacy and reduce treatment-related side effects.

Objective:To study whether male was the risk factor for prognosis of patients with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC) after 131I treatment based on propensity score matching (PSM) method. Methods:From April 2016 to January 2021, 1 677 patients (age: 11-84 (43.9±12.5) years) with DTC who underwent total thyroidectomy and received 131I treatment in Tianjin Medical University General Hospital were retrospectively enrolled and patients were divided into male group ( n=546) and female group ( n=1 131). The evaluation results of patients were divided into excellent response (ER), indeterminate response (IDR), biochemical incomplete response (BIR) and structural incomplete response (SIR). Among them, ER and IDR were divided into good prognosis group, and BIR and SIR were divided into poor prognosis group. The PSM method was adopted to process all data to reduce the influence of data bias and confounding variables. χ2 test was used for data analysis. Multivariate logistic regression was used to analyze the risk factors affecting prognosis, and ROC curve was used to analyze the relationship between stimulated thyroglobulin (sTg) level and poor prognosis. Results:Before PSM, the proportion of male patients with poor prognosis was significantly higher than that of female patients (21.2%(116/546) vs 14.0%(158/1 131); χ2=17.53, P=0.001). After PSM, there was no difference in the proportion of poor prognosis between male and female groups (19.9%(107/537) vs 15.6%(84/537); χ2=5.43, P=0.143). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that male (odds radio ( OR)=1.439 (95% CI: 1.016-2.038), P=0.040), high T stage(T3+ T4 stage)( OR=1.816 (95% CI: 1.273-2.590), P=0.001), N1b stage ( OR=1.766 (95% CI: 1.233-2.530), P=0.002), M1 stage ( OR=9.833 (95% CI: 3.190-30.309), P<0.001) and sTg level ( OR=1.035 (95% CI: 1.029-1.042), P<0.001) were risk factors for poor prognosis before PSM, while high T stage (T3+ T4 stage)( OR=1.870 (95% CI: 1.212-2.886), P=0.005), M1 stage ( OR=8.993 (95% CI: 2.434-33.225), P=0.001), sTg level ( OR=1.040 (95% CI: 1.030-1.049), P<0.001) were still risk factors, and N1b stage ( OR=1.459 (95% CI: 0.938-2.270), P=0.094), male ( OR=1.383 (95% CI: 0.912-2.096), P=0.127) were no longer risk factors for poor prognosis after PSM. ROC curve analysis showed that the cut-off value of sTg was 10.25 μg/L, with the sensitivity of 81.0%(222/274) and the specificity of 84.2%(1 181/1 403). Conclusions:After reduction of selection bias by PSM, male is no longer a risk factor for prognosis after 131I treatment of DTC. In addition, high T stage(T3+ T4 stage), M1 stage and sTg≥10.25 μg/L were risk factors for poor prognosis.

Objective:To summarize characteristics and rules of blood pressure variability (BPV) in children with H-type hypertension, in an attempt to explore some basis for further selection of the time points of treatment.Methods:A total of 117 children diagnosed as essential hypertension in Children′s Hospital Affiliated to Capital Institute of Pediatrics from March 2018 to September 2019 were selected as the research objective.According to the serum level of homocysteine (Hcy), those children were divided into the simple essential hypertension group (74 cases, Hcy≤13.9 μmol/L) and the H-type hypertension group (43 cases, Hcy>13.9 μmol/L). All children received 24 h ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (24 h ABPM), and BPV indexes were recorded and subject to group comparison.Meanwhile, the serum Hcy level was monitored.Besides, the demographic data and such blood biochemical indexes as blood glucose, blood fat and renal function were recorded or measured for an analysis of the correlation between BPV and each index.Results:There were no significant differences in gender, age, body mass index (BMI) and biochemical indexes between the simple essential hypertension group and the H-type hypertension group (all P>0.05). Compared with the simple essential hypertension group, the H-type hypertension group had a significantly higher 24 h systolic blood pressure standard deviation [24 h SSD, (11.21±3.23) mmHg vs.(9.64±2.73) mmHg, 1 mmHg=0.133 kPa, t=-2.806, P<0.05], nighttime systolic blood pressure standard deviation [nSSD, (10.79±3.89) mmHg vs.(9.26±3.23) mmHg, t=-2.292, P<0.05], and nighttime diastolic blood pressure standard deviation [nDSD, (10.23±3.53) mmHg vs.(8.73±2.93) mmHg, t=-2.617, P<0.05]. Pearson correlation analysis showed that the serum Hcy level was significantly positively correlated with 24 h, SSD, nSSD and nDSD ( r=0.194, 0.183, 0.182, all P<0.05). Conclusions:24 h SSD in children with H-type hypertension is significantly higher, with an obvious increase in both nSSD and nDSD, and the serum Hcy level was significantly positively correlated with BPV, which suggested that it was required to effectively control the serum Hcy level, reduce the range of blood pressure fluctuation and select the optimal time points of treatment, thus delaying the progress of hypertension.