AIM: To compare the efficacy and safety of posterior scleral, peripupillary, and intravitreal injections of triamcinolone acetonide(TA)in treating retinal vein occlusion-macular edema(RVO-ME).METHODS: From June 2021 to September 2024, patients with RVO-ME admitted to our hospital were assigned to three groups: group A(posterior scleral injection), group B(peripupillary injection), and group C(intravitreal injection). At 3 mo after treatment, the efficacy, best corrected visual acuity(BCVA LogMAR), central macular thickness(CMT), central retinal artery blood flow parameters, and incidence of complications were compared among the three groups of patients.RESULTS: A total of 93 cases(93 eyes)of RVO-ME were included, with 31 cases(31 eyes)in each group. The mean age in the group A was 50.37±5.71 years old, with 15 males and 16 females, the group B was 48.92±5.36 years old, with 14 males and 17 females, and the group C was 49.66±5.54 years old, with 18 males and 13 females. The overall efficacy rate in the group A(94%)was higher than that in the groups B and C(68% and 74%), and the complication rate(6%)was lower than in the groups B and C(29% and 32%; P<0.05). At 1 and 3 mo after treatment, the BCVA of group A was 0.46±0.06, 0.36±0.04, the end diastolic velocity(EDV)was 11.45±1.79, 13.97±2.28 cm/s, and the peak systolic velocity(PSV)was 2.16±0.31, 2.83±0.42 cm/s; the BCVA of group B was 0.55±0.07, 0.46±0.05, EDV was 9.57±1.38, 12.03±2.14 cm/s, and PSV was 1.93±0.26, 2.41±0.39 cm/s. The BCVA of group C was 0.57±0.09, 0.48±0.06, EDV was 9.39±1.25, 11.91±2.06 cm/s, PSV was 1.87±0.24, 2.35±0.36 cm/s. The BCVA in the group A was better than that of the groups B and C, and EDV and PSV in the group A were greater than those of the groups B and C(all P<0.05); at 1 and 3 mo after treatment, the CMT of patients in the group A was 249.62±29.33 and 141.13±21.59 μm, and resistance index(RI)was 0.71±0.08 and 0.70±0.08, patients in the group B had CMT of 307.13±34.86 and 227.99±28.43 μm, and RI of 0.77±0.09 and 0.76±0.09, while patients in the group C had CMT of 311.42±40.66 and 232.56±31.44 μm, and RI of 0.79±0.11 and 0.78±0.10, with CMT and RI significantly lower in the group A than those in the groups B and C(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: All three methods improved visual acuity, reduced macular edema, and optimized retinal blood flow parameters. However, posterior scleral injection demonstrated the most significant improvement across all efficacy metrics. In contrast, although peripupillary injection and intravitreal injection demonstrated therapeutic effects, their improvements were relatively limited, and both had a higher incidence of complications. Therefore, posterior scleral injection may represent a superior treatment for RVO-ME.

Microbial denitrification is a major pathway for nitrogen removal from water bodies. However, denitrification is often difficult to continue when there is a lack of microbially available organic matter in the water body to serve as electron donors. In recent years, studies have shown that some denitrifying bacteria can directly utilize photoelectrons generated by sunlight-excited semiconductor minerals or natural organic matter for denitrification without the need for bioavailable organic matter as electron donors. This process is defined as microbial photoelectrotrophic denitrification. The discovery of microbial photoelectrotrophic denitrification phenomenon reshapes the previous knowledge about the chemoheterotrophic mode of denitrifying bacteria and broadens the pathway of nitrogen removal by the new photoelectrotrophic metabolism, which is of great significance to our understanding and exploration of sunlight-driven nitrogen cycling process. In this paper, we comprehensively sort out the existing research reports in the field of microbial photoelectrotrophic denitrification, systematically summarize the principle and the current research progress of microbial photoelectrotrophic denitrification, deeply analyze the problems and challenges faced by this technology, and make an outlook on the future research directions and application prospects of this technology, providing a reference for the further research and application of this technology.
Denitrification/physiology* ; Nitrogen/isolation & purification* ; Bacteria/metabolism* ; Sunlight ; Phototrophic Processes

Objective To explore the correlation between the ratio of free triiodothyronine/free thyroxine(FT3/FT4)and the early-phase insulin secretion index(ΔI30/ΔG30)in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)patients with normal thyroid function.Methods 200 patients with T2DM with normal thyroid function in Hebei General Hospital from September 2019 to June 2021 were selected and divided into the Q1 group with FT3/FT4≤0.26(n=67),the Q2 group with 0.27≤FT3/FT4≤0.29(n=67),and the Q3 group with FT3/FT4≥0.30(n=66)according to the tertiles of the FT3/FT4.The general data,biochemical indicators and islet functions of the three groups were compared,and the relationship between the FT3/FT4 ratio and the ΔI30/ΔG30 as well as the islet β cell function was analyzed.Results The fasting insulin(FIns),2 h postprandial insulin(2 hIns),homeostatic model assessment of islet β cell(HOMA-β)and area under the curve of insulin(AUCI)in Q3 group were higher than those in Q1 and Q2 groups(P<0.05),2 h postprandial blood glucose(2 hPG)in Q3 group was lower than those in Q1 and Q2 groups(P<0.05).Systolic blood pressure in Q2 group was higher than those in Q1 group(P<0.05).Compared with Q1 group,diastolic blood pressure,body mass index(BMI),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),fasting C-peptide(FC-P),area under curve of C-P(AUCC),2 h postprandial C-peptide(2 hC-P)and ΔI30/ΔG30 in Q3 group were significantly higher(P<0.05),and HbA1c was significantly lower(P<0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that Δ I30/Δ G30,HOMA-β,AUCI,AUCC and HOMA-IR were positively correlated with BMI,ALT,FC-P,2 hC-P,FIns,2 hIns and FT3/FT4(P<0.05),it was negatively correlated with HbA1c and 2 hPG(P<0.05).Linear regression analysis showed that ΔI30/ΔG30,HOMA-β,AUCI and AUCC were the influencing factors of FT3/FT4 after adjusting for confounding factors.Conclusions ΔI30/ΔG30,HOMA-β,AUCI and AUCC are the influencing factors of FT3/FT4 in T2DM patients with normal thyroid function,suggesting that FT3/FT4 is higher in patients with better islet β cell secretion function.

Objective To explore the correlation between the ratio of free triiodothyronine/free thyroxine(FT3/FT4)and the early-phase insulin secretion index(ΔI30/ΔG30)in type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM)patients with normal thyroid function.Methods 200 patients with T2DM with normal thyroid function in Hebei General Hospital from September 2019 to June 2021 were selected and divided into the Q1 group with FT3/FT4≤0.26(n=67),the Q2 group with 0.27≤FT3/FT4≤0.29(n=67),and the Q3 group with FT3/FT4≥0.30(n=66)according to the tertiles of the FT3/FT4.The general data,biochemical indicators and islet functions of the three groups were compared,and the relationship between the FT3/FT4 ratio and the ΔI30/ΔG30 as well as the islet β cell function was analyzed.Results The fasting insulin(FIns),2 h postprandial insulin(2 hIns),homeostatic model assessment of islet β cell(HOMA-β)and area under the curve of insulin(AUCI)in Q3 group were higher than those in Q1 and Q2 groups(P<0.05),2 h postprandial blood glucose(2 hPG)in Q3 group was lower than those in Q1 and Q2 groups(P<0.05).Systolic blood pressure in Q2 group was higher than those in Q1 group(P<0.05).Compared with Q1 group,diastolic blood pressure,body mass index(BMI),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),fasting C-peptide(FC-P),area under curve of C-P(AUCC),2 h postprandial C-peptide(2 hC-P)and ΔI30/ΔG30 in Q3 group were significantly higher(P<0.05),and HbA1c was significantly lower(P<0.05).Spearman correlation analysis showed that Δ I30/Δ G30,HOMA-β,AUCI,AUCC and HOMA-IR were positively correlated with BMI,ALT,FC-P,2 hC-P,FIns,2 hIns and FT3/FT4(P<0.05),it was negatively correlated with HbA1c and 2 hPG(P<0.05).Linear regression analysis showed that ΔI30/ΔG30,HOMA-β,AUCI and AUCC were the influencing factors of FT3/FT4 after adjusting for confounding factors.Conclusions ΔI30/ΔG30,HOMA-β,AUCI and AUCC are the influencing factors of FT3/FT4 in T2DM patients with normal thyroid function,suggesting that FT3/FT4 is higher in patients with better islet β cell secretion function.

The World Health Organization defines sexual health as a state of physical, emotional, mental and social health related to sex, which is not just the absence of disease, dysfunction, etc. In clinical practice, in addition to common male sexual dysfunction such as erectile dysfunction and premature ejaculation, rare forms of male sexual dysfunction may also be encountered. Perhaps due to our lack of understanding of this type of disease, it is easy to overlook or miss diagnosis in clinical practice. Based on the latest literature reports and our clinical experience in diagnosis and treatment, this article elaborates on its definition, clinical symptoms, diagnosis and treatment, and possible pathogenesis. It is hoped that clinician can pay attention to and accurately diagnose rare male sexual dysfunction.

Objective To compare the differences of corneal biomechanics in different types of glaucoma and its related influence factors,and to investigate the change trends of cornea biomechanics after the operations.Methods In a prospective comparative case series,61 eyes of 61 acute primary angle-closure glaucoma (APACG)(remission or chronic phase)patients,94 eyes of 94 chronic primary angle-closure glaucoma (CPACG) patients,70 eyes of 70 primary open angle glaucoma (POAG) patients and 64 eyes of 64 age-related cataract (ARC) patients were recruited in Tianjin Eye Hospital from January to July,2017.Corneal biomechanical properties were measured by using Corvis ST.The differences of corneal biomechanics in different types of glaucoma and the change trends after surgeries were assessed;the association between parameters and the age,intraocular pressure after correction (IOPcc),central cornea thickness (CCT),axial length (AL),average corneal diopter (K) were assessed by multiple linear regression analysis.This study followed the Declaration of Helsinki.This study protocol was approved by Ethic Committee of Tianjin Eye Hospital (TJYYLL-2016-17).Written informed consent was obtained from each subject prior to any medical examination.Results Compared with the ARC group,the first applanation velocity (A1V)and second applanation time (A2T) were both smaller in preoperative CPACG,POAG groups (all at P＜0.05);compared with the ARC group and APACG group,second applanation velocity (A2V) was larger in preoperative CPACG,POAG groups,the differences were all statistically significant (all at P＜0.05).A1V,A2T,deformation amplitude (DA) and peak distance (PD) were negatively correlated with IOPcc (r =-0.494,-0.612,-0.652,-0.277;all at P＜0.05),A2V,first applanation time (A1T) and central curvature radius (CCR) were positively correlated with IOPcc (r =0.508,0.960,0.249;all at P ＜ 0.05);first applanation length (A1 L) and second applanation length (A2L) were negatively correlated with K (r =-0.323,-0.227;both at P＜0.05);A 1 V,A2T and DA were positively correlated with K (r =0.214,0.256,0.242;all at P＜0.05).Compared with preoperative,the A1T and A2V were reduced,A1V,A2T and DA were increased in one month after surgery in CPACG group;the A1T and A2V were reduced,the A2T and DA were increased in one month after surgery in POAG group,and the differences were all statistically significant (all at P＜0.05).Compared with preoperative,there were no statistically significant differences between the parameters in one month after surgery in APACG group and ARC group (all at P ＞0.05).Conclusions CPACG and POAG have poorer ability of corneal deformation,which gradually returns to normal after surgery;because the intraocular pressure of APACG (remission or chronic stage) return to normal after transient elevated stage,the corneal biomechanics is basically similar to ARC,which has no difference between pre-and pos-operation.The parameters of corneal biomechanics are affected by IOPcc and K.

Objective To evaluate the postoperative quality of life of donors in living donor renal transplantation patients.Methods One hundred and seventeen donors were involved in present study from 2006-2008.A crosssectional survey was performed with questionnaire research to all the donors who received living donor nephrectomy during this period.The questionnaire included sociodemographic characteristics,surgical complications,economic status,donors awareness status,family support,the health care,social welfare and daily exercise after surgery.The Chinese version of SF-36 was used as the measurement of quality of life.The statistic analyze include T test,analysis of variance and stepwise regression analysis.Results The donors' mental health status was better than the healthy population (P ＜ 0.05).The difference of quality of life and scores of other dimensions compared with the healthy population was not statistically significant (P ＞ 0.05).In univariate analysis,four kinds of fields such as age,education level,economic status and physical exercise were associated with quality of life.In further multivariate analysis,with exclusion of the interaction between various factors,the main factors for postoperative quality of life are the cultural,economic status and physical activity (P ＜ 0.05).Conclusions Social and psychological factor should be concerned in donor's preoperative screening.Good social psychological background,the necessary psychological intervention and postoperative follow-up maybe play an important role to improve the postoperative quality of life in living donor renal transplantation.

Objective To reveal the change trend of malignant tumor after renal transplantation in China based on the epidemiological and clinical features that were publicly reported in China in recent 10 years. Methods The search terms ‘renal transplantation’and ‘tumor’were searched on China Academic Journal Network Publishing Database and China Science Periodical Database to screen out the qualified researches strictly.General conditions,tumor sites and regional differences of malignant tumors were analyzed.Results Fifteen thousand one hundred and twenty cases from nine literatures published from 2003 to 2014 and a single-center experience of renal transplantation in Beijing Friendship Hospital of Capital Medical University were screened out.Four hundred and fourty-six cases had malignant tumor after renal transplantation with the total tumor incidence of 2.95% (446 /15 120) and the tumors were mainly urinary system tumors after transplantation (55.8%).Conclusions The total incidence of malignant tumor in renal transplant recipients is 2.95% and the urinary system tumors are most common.Thus,tumor screening after renal transplantation should be taken as the routine examination during follow-up.

BACKGROUNDAdvances in transplantation immunology show that the balance between dendritic cells (DCs) and their subsets can maintain stable immune status in the induction of tolerance after transplantation. The aim of this study was to investigate if DCs and DC subpopulations in recipient peripheral blood are effective diagnostic indicators of acute rejection following kidney transplantation.

METHODSImmunofluorescent flow cytometry was used to classify white blood cells (WBCs), the levels of mononuclear cells and DCs (including the dominant subpopulations, plasmacytoid DC (pDC) and myeloid DC (mDC)) in peripheral blood at 0, 1, 7, and 28 days and 1 year after kidney transplantation in 33 patients. In addition, the blood levels of interleukin-10 (IL-10) and IL-12 were monitored before and after surgery. Fifteen healthy volunteers served as normal controls. Patients were undertaking hemodialysis owing to uremia before surgery.

RESULTSThe total number of DCs, pDC, and mDC in peripheral blood and the pDC/mDC ratio were significantly lower in patients than controls (P < 0.05). Peripheral DCs suddenly decreased at the end of day 1, then gradually increased through day 28 but remained below normal levels. After 1 year, levels were higher than before surgery but lower than normal. The mDC levels were higher in patients with acute rejection before and 1 day after surgery (P < 0.005). There was no significant difference in IL-10 and IL-12 levels between patients with and without acute rejection.

CONCLUSIONThe changes in DCs and DC subpopulations during the acute rejection period may serve as effective markers and referral indices for monitoring the immune state, and predicting rejection and reasonably adjusting immunosuppressants.

Adolescent ; Adult ; Dendritic Cells ; immunology ; Graft Rejection ; immunology ; Humans ; Kidney Transplantation ; adverse effects ; Middle Aged ; Myeloid Cells ; immunology ; Young Adult

Objective To investigate the infection following the lymphocytes deleted agent (ATG) and IL-2 receptor antagonists (Basilixinab and Daclizumab)-based induction therapy after renal trausplantation.Methods A retrospective analysis was carried out on 701 kidney transplant recipients between Jan. 1,2005 to Dec.31,2010.According to exclusive and inclusive criteria,finally 549 patients were evaluated,including 429 patients treated with ATG (ATG group) and 120 patients with anti-CD25 monoclonal antibodies (monoclonal antibodies group; 86 patients with Basiliximab,and 34 patients with Daclizumab).The incidence of acute rejection,infection rate,infection time,hospital stay,severe infection rate and mortality were analyzed.After operation,the patients received an immunosuppression therapy including Tacrolimus (cyclosporine A),Mycophenolate-Mofetil and prednisone to present rejection. Part of the patients were treated with ganciclovir and sulfamethoxazole sulfadiazine and trimethoprim for infection prevention.Results The acute rejection rate in ATG group and monoclonal antibodies group was 15.9％ (68/429) and 10.0％ (12/120),and there was no statistically significant difference (P＞0.05).The infection rate in ATG group was 11.9％ (51/429),including 13.7％ (7/51) with severe infection,and mortality was 7.8％(4/51).The infection rate was 15.0％ (18/120) in monoclonal antibodies group,including 11.1％ (2/18) with severe infection,and mortality was 5.6％ (1/18).There was no statistically significnat difference in infection rate,severe infection rate and mortality between two groups (P＞0.05).The hospital stay in ATG group and monoclonal antibodies group was 25.8 days and 19.1 days respectively (P＜0.05).Dead cases had not received regular anti-infection treatment,and the patients age was over 50 years.Conclusion The infection risk and mortality between these two induction therapies are identical,but hn comparison to the patients using ATG,the infection of patients using anti-CD25 monoclonal antibodies is easier to control.Anti-infection prophylaxis is important to reduce infection rate and decrease infectious mortality.