AIM:To explore the relationship between the amplitude of diurnal variations in the choroidal vascular index(CVI)and annual changes in spherical equivalent(SE)and axial length in school-aged children.METHODS: Prospective study. Totally 39 cases(39 eyes)of Chinese school-age children aged 7 to 12 that diagnosed as emmetropia and myopia and error of refraction at optometry clinics of Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University from July to August 2021 were selected. While 33 cases(33 eyes)were finally included, with 6 cases of loss to 1 a follow-up. A total of 16 cases(16 eyes)with annual growth of SE<0.5 D and 17 cases(17 eyes)with annual growth of SE≥0.5 D were divided into a non-progression group and progression group, respectively. Swept-source optical coherence tomography(SS-OCT)and custom choroidal analysis software were used to longitudinally observe diurnal variations in CVI of subjects, and the association between CVI diurnal amplitude and annual changes in SE and axial length was analyzed.RESULTS:It showed no significant correlation between the CVI diurnal amplitude at 1 mm from the fovea and annual changes in SE of the non-progressive group(P=0.65), while in the progression group, the CVI diurnal amplitude at 1 mm from the fovea was negatively correlated with annual changes in SE(P=0.048). However, no significant correlation was identified between CVI diurnal amplitude and annual changes in axial length in either group(all P>0.05). The diurnal amplitude of the CVI at the 1 mm foveal center had an effect on annual SE progression(P=0.039). Conversely, the diurnal amplitude of axial length, the annual changes in axial length, and the maximum or minimum time of CVI demonstrated significant associations with SE progression(all P> 0.05).CONCLUSION: Diurnal variations in CVI amplitude are associated with SE progression in school-aged children, providing a basis for further understanding the choroid-related changes in the process of myopia onset and progression.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Huazhuo Jiedu prescription in treating ulcerative colitis （UC） by regulating mitophagy. MethodsThe genes related to mitophagy and UC were retrieved from GeneCards， and then the common genes of mitophagy and UC were analyzed by metascape to identify the genes related to mitophagy in UC. Animal experiments were carried out to decipher the mechanism by which Huazhuo Jiedu prescription treated UC by regulating mitophagy. Sixty C57BL/6 male mice were randomized into normal， model， high-， medium-， and low-dose （50， 25， 12.5 g·kg^-1， respectively） Huazhuo Jiedu prescription， and mesalazine （0.52 g·kg^-1·d^-1） groups， with 10 mice in each group. After successful modeling by the dextran sulfate sodium-free drinking method， the colonic mucosal damage was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining， and the ultracellular structure of colon mucosa was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expression levels of mitophagy-related proteins PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 （PINK1） and Parkin protein were determined by Western blot. The expression of prohibitin 2 （PHB2）， ubiquitin-specific protease 15 （USP15）， ubiquitin-specific protease 30 （USP30） in the colon tissue was detected by immunofluorescence （IF）. ResultsAll the drug intervention groups showed ameliorated pathological manifestations of the colonic mucosa and improved mitochondrial structures in UC mice. Compared with the normal group， the model group demonstrated up-regulated protein levels of PINK1 and Parkin （P<0.05）， enhanced average fluorescence intensity of PHB2 （P<0.05）， and weakened average fluorescence intensity of USP15 and USP30 （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the mesalazine group and the high- and medium-dose Huazhuo Jiedu prescription groups showcased down-regulated protein levels of PINK1 and Parkin （P<0.05）， decreased average fluorescence intensity of PHB2 （P<0.05）， and enhanced average fluorescence intensity of USP15 and USP30 （P<0.05）. The low-dose Huazhuo Jiedu prescription group showed down-regulated protein levels of PINK1 and Parkin （P<0.05）， weakened average fluorescence intensity of PHB2 （P<0.05）， and enhanced average fluorescence intensity of USP15 and USP30 （P<0.05）. ConclusionHuazhuo Jiedu prescription can attenuate the intestinal mucosal injury and improve the mitochondrial cell ultrastructure in UC mice by regulating the expression of PINK1-Parkin pathway and inhibiting excessive mitophagy.

ObjectiveTo investigate the mechanism of Huazhuo Jiedu prescription in treating ulcerative colitis （UC） by regulating mitophagy. MethodsThe genes related to mitophagy and UC were retrieved from GeneCards， and then the common genes of mitophagy and UC were analyzed by metascape to identify the genes related to mitophagy in UC. Animal experiments were carried out to decipher the mechanism by which Huazhuo Jiedu prescription treated UC by regulating mitophagy. Sixty C57BL/6 male mice were randomized into normal， model， high-， medium-， and low-dose （50， 25， 12.5 g·kg^-1， respectively） Huazhuo Jiedu prescription， and mesalazine （0.52 g·kg^-1·d^-1） groups， with 10 mice in each group. After successful modeling by the dextran sulfate sodium-free drinking method， the colonic mucosal damage was observed by hematoxylin-eosin staining， and the ultracellular structure of colon mucosa was observed by transmission electron microscopy. The expression levels of mitophagy-related proteins PTEN-induced putative kinase 1 （PINK1） and Parkin protein were determined by Western blot. The expression of prohibitin 2 （PHB2）， ubiquitin-specific protease 15 （USP15）， ubiquitin-specific protease 30 （USP30） in the colon tissue was detected by immunofluorescence （IF）. ResultsAll the drug intervention groups showed ameliorated pathological manifestations of the colonic mucosa and improved mitochondrial structures in UC mice. Compared with the normal group， the model group demonstrated up-regulated protein levels of PINK1 and Parkin （P<0.05）， enhanced average fluorescence intensity of PHB2 （P<0.05）， and weakened average fluorescence intensity of USP15 and USP30 （P<0.05）. Compared with the model group， the mesalazine group and the high- and medium-dose Huazhuo Jiedu prescription groups showcased down-regulated protein levels of PINK1 and Parkin （P<0.05）， decreased average fluorescence intensity of PHB2 （P<0.05）， and enhanced average fluorescence intensity of USP15 and USP30 （P<0.05）. The low-dose Huazhuo Jiedu prescription group showed down-regulated protein levels of PINK1 and Parkin （P<0.05）， weakened average fluorescence intensity of PHB2 （P<0.05）， and enhanced average fluorescence intensity of USP15 and USP30 （P<0.05）. ConclusionHuazhuo Jiedu prescription can attenuate the intestinal mucosal injury and improve the mitochondrial cell ultrastructure in UC mice by regulating the expression of PINK1-Parkin pathway and inhibiting excessive mitophagy.

ObjectiveTo explore the therapeutic effect and mechanism of Xianglian Huazhuo prescription on chronic atrophic gastritis （CAG） in rats based on the Hedgehog signaling pathway. MethodsThe CAG rat model was established by sodium salicylate， N-methyl-N′-nitro-N-nitroguanidine （MNNG）， and irregular feeding. The successfully modeled rats were randomly divided into a model group （180 mg·L^-1）， a moradan group （1.4 g·kg^-1）， and Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription groups with high， medium， and low doses （36， 9， 18 g·kg^-1）， followed by drug intervention. Hematoxylin-eosin （HE） staining was used to observe morphological changes in the gastric mucosa. Transmission electron microscopy was used to observe the ultrastructure of gastric mucosa cells. Real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction （Real-time PCR） was used to detect the mRNA expression of Sonic Hedgehog （Shh）， Patched 1 （Ptch1）， and Glioma-associated oncogene homolog 1 （Gli1）. Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of Shh， Ptch1， and Gli1 in the gastric mucosa. Immunohistochemistry was used to observe the protein expression of the epithelial marker E-cadherin. ResultsCompared with the normal group， the CAG model group showed a reduction in gastric mucosal intrinsic glands and infiltration of inflammatory cells. The ultrastructure of gastric mucosal cells showed nuclear pyknosis， fewer mitochondria， and abnormal mitochondrial structure. The mRNA and protein expression of Shh， Ptch1， and Gli1 in the gastric mucosa were significantly decreased （P<0.05）， and E-cadherin protein expression was decreased. Compared with the model group， the intervention groups showed varying degrees of improvement in histopathological morphology and cellular ultrastructure. The mRNA and protein expression of Shh， Ptch1， Gli1， and E-cadherin increased to varying degrees. Xianglian Huazhuo Prescription upregulated the expression of key Hedgehog pathway factors and E-cadherin at both the mRNA and protein levels （P<0.05）. ConclusionXianglian Huazhuo prescription has a therapeutic effect on CAG in rats， and its mechanism may be related to activation of the Hedgehog signaling pathway and inhibition of epithelial-mesenchymal transition （EMT）.

Background::Pulmonary embolism (PE) is a severe and acute cardiovascular syndrome with high mortality among patients with autoimmune inflammatory rheumatic diseases (AIIRDs). Accurate prediction and timely intervention play a pivotal role in enhancing survival rates. However, there is a notable scarcity of practical early prediction and risk assessment systems of PE in patients with AIIRD.Methods::In the training cohort, 60 AIIRD with PE cases and 180 age-, gender-, and disease-matched AIIRD non-PE cases were identified from 7254 AIIRD cases in Tongji Hospital from 2014 to 2022. Univariable logistic regression (LR) and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) were used to select the clinical features for further training with machine learning (ML) methods, including random forest (RF), support vector machines (SVM), neural network (NN), logistic regression (LR), gradient boosted decision tree (GBDT), classification and regression trees (CART), and C5.0 models. The performances of these models were subsequently validated using a multicenter validation cohort.Results::In the training cohort, 24 and 13 clinical features were selected by univariable LR and LASSO strategies, respectively. The five ML models (RF, SVM, NN, LR, and GBDT) showed promising performances, with an area under the receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve (AUC) of 0.962-1.000 in the training cohort and 0.969-0.999 in the validation cohort. CART and C5.0 models achieved AUCs of 0.850 and 0.932, respectively, in the training cohort. Using D-dimer as a pre-screening index, the refined C5.0 model achieved an AUC exceeding 0.948 in the training cohort and an AUC above 0.925 in the validation cohort. These results markedly outperformed the use of D-dimer levels alone.Conclusion::ML-based models are proven to be precise for predicting the onset of PE in patients with AIIRD exhibiting clinical suspicion of PE.Trial Registration::Chictr.org.cn: ChiCTR2200059599.

Objective:To investigate regulatory effect and mechanism of protein kinase C(PKC)δ/θ-dual functional oxidase 1(Duox1)-reactive oxygen species(ROS)signaling pathway on human airway mucin(MUC)5AC,to provide a new target for treatment of high secretion of airway mucus.Methods:Human airway epithelial cells 16HBE were pretreated with PKC and its subunit PKCδ/θ inhibitor,Duox1 inhibitor or free radical scavenger DMTU,respectively,and then human neutrophil elastase(HNE)stimulation to establish an in vitro airway inflammatory cell model.Generation level of ROS in each group of cells was determined by kit,mRNA levels of Duox1 and MUC5AC were detected by real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR,influence of interfering factors of each group of cells on Duox1 protein level was determined by Western blot,and protein expression of MUC5AC in each group of cells was detected by ELISA and immunofluorescence.Results:Compared with control group,ROS production in HNE group was increased significantly,expressions of Duox1 and MUC5AC mRNA and protein were also increased(P<0.05).After administration of Duox1 inhibitors,free radical scavengers or PKC inhibitors and PKCδ/θ inhibitors,ROS production was significantly inhibited,Duox1 and MUC5AC mRNA and protein expressions were decreased(P<0.05),while after giving PKCα/β,ROS generation,Duox1 and MUC5AC mRNA and pro-tein expressions were not significantly changed compared with HNE group(P>0.05).Conclusion:HNE can mediate high expression of MUC5AC through PKCδ/θ-Duox1-ROS,which plays an important role in development of high secretion of airway mucus in vitro cell model experiment.

Objective To develop and test the reliability and validity of the Intrinsic Capacity Assessment Scale for the Older People,so as to provide an effective tool for the assessment of the intrinsic capacity of the aged.Methods Based on the International Classification of Functioning,Disability and Health(ICF)as the theoretical framework,the initial version of The Intrinsic Capacity Assessment Scale for the Older People was developed through literature analysis,Delphi expert consultation and pre-survey.From July to September 2023,650 old people were selected by convenience sampling method to conduct a survey,and 20 old people were surveyed after 2 weeks again to test the reliability and validity of the scale.Results The effective questionnaire recovery rates of the 2 rounds of expert correspondence were 92.3％and 91.7％;the expert authority coefficients were 0.83 and 0.86;the mean importance scores of items were 2.04-3.79 and 3.50-3.82,and the full score ratios were 4.2％-83.3％and 54.6％-86.4％,respectively.The coefficients of variation were 0.11-0.42 and 0.11-0.23,respectively.A total of 5 common factors were extracted from exploratory factor analysis,and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 68.327％.The results of confirmatory factor analysis showed that the fit indexes were x2/df=1.908,RMSEA=0.054,CFI=0.931,IFI=0.932,TLI=0.922,indicating a good fit.The Cronbach's α coefficient of the scale was 0.944;the split half reliability was 0.806;the retest reliability was 0.933.The content validity index of item level was 0.82-1.00,and the content validity index of scale level was 0.91.The Intrinsic Capacity Assessment Scale for the Older People included 35 items in 5 dimensions:movement,vitality,sensation,cognition and psychology.Conclusion The Intrinsic Capacity Assessment Scale for the Older People has good reliability and validity,and it can be used as a reliable tool to evaluate the intrinsic capacity level of the aged.

Objective:To analyze clinical characteristics of acromegaly patients who have discordant growth hormone(GH) or insulin-like growth factor-1(IGF-1) levels and evaluate impact of different GH cut-offs on discordance rate.Methods:A retrospective analysis was conducted on data from 66 acromegaly patients treated at Nanjing Drum Tower Hospital from November 2017 to March 2023. Patients were categorized based on the nadir GH(GHn) and IGF-1 levels at the last follow-up into four groups: controlled, high GH, high IGF-1, and active. Clinical and metabolic parameters were compared across these groups, and impact of different GHn and fasting growth hormone(GHf) cut-offs on discordance rate was evaluated.Results:No statistically significant differences were observed among groups in age, duration of follow-up, imaging characteristics(all P>0.05). High IGF-1 group had higher fasting insulin and homeostasis model assessment for β cell function compared to controlled and high GH group(all P<0.05), while these parameters did not differ between high GH and controlled group. High IGF-1 group had higher carboxy-terminal cross-linked telopeptide of type 1 collagen, osteocalcin and procollagen type 1 N-terminal propeptide compared to controlled and high GH group, but differences were not statistically significant(all P>0.05). These parameters also did not differ between high GH and controlled group. Discordance rate was not significantly different when GHn cut-offs was 1.0 μg/L or 0.4 μg/L(30.3% vs 21.3%, P=0.146). Compared to 2.5 μg/L, discordance rate was lower when GHf cut-off was 1.0 μg/L(39.4% vs 24.3%, P=0.041). Conclusion:The discordance rate in treated acromegaly patients during follow-up is approximately 30%. Different GH measurement timings and cut-offs significantly impact discordance rate. Patients with normal GH and elevated IGF-1 levels are at potential risk of active disease, and require closer follow-up. This study provides a valuable reference for treatment of patients with discordant GH and IGF-1 levels.

Objective To explore the prognostic value of early relevant clinical indicators in hemoperfusion patients with severe acute organophosphorus poisoning(AOPP).Methods The clinical data of 91 patients with severe AOPP admitted to Baoding NO.2 Central Hospital from March 2018 to October 2022 were retrospectively analyzed,including gender,age,comorbidities,body mass index(BMI),amount of drug taken,time from drug taking to gastric lavage,number of hemoperfusion,white blood cell count(WBC),alanine aminotransferase(ALT),aspartate aminotransferase(AST),total bilirubin(TBil),blood urea nitrogen(BUN),serum cholinesterase(ChE)activity,lymphocyte count,pH value,arterial partial pressure of carbon dioxide(PaCO2),arterial partial pressure of oxygen(PaO2),blood K+,Na+,Cl-and inflammatory cytokine levels,acute physiology and chronic health evaluation Ⅱ(APACHE Ⅱ),Glasgow coma scale(GCS),the occurrence of complications.The patients were divided into the death group and the survival group according to the prognosis within 72 hours.Differences in early clinical indicators between the two groups were compared,independent risk factors affecting the short-term prognosis of AOPP patients were analyzed by multivariate Logistic regression,and the predictive efficacy of each risk factor on the prognosis of patients was analyzed by plotting the receiver operator characteristic curve(ROC curve).Results The age of the death group was significantly higher than that of the survival group,the proportion of complicated with coronary heart disease,patients with dose of poison,time from poison to gastric perfusion,WBC,ALT,TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 levels at admission were significantly higher than those in survival group,and the number of hemoperfusion,TBil,ChE activity,PaCO2 were significantly lower than those in survival group(all P<0.05).Multivariate Logistic regression analysis showed that dose of poison,number of hemoperfusion,ALT,ChE activity and TNF-α were independent risk factors for poor prognosis in AOPP patients[odds ratio(OR)and 95％confidence interval(95％CI)were 1.865(1.032-3.370),2.282(1.406-3.703),2.522(1.258-5.057),2.843(1.036-7.802),2.077(1.107-3.897),respectively,all P<0.05];ROC curve analysis showed that dose of poison,number of hemoperfusion,ALT,ChE activity,TNF-α and the above combined indicators had certain predictive value for the prognosis of AOPP patients,and the combined detection had the highest predictive value,area under the ROC curve(AUC)=0.976,95％CI was 0.919-0.996.AOPP exhibited a sensitivity of 100.0％and a specificity of 85.7％,all P<0.05.With the increase of hemoperfusion times,compared with admission,the levels of WBC,ALT,AST,TBil,serum creatinine(SCr),ChE activity,TNF-α,IL-1β and IL-6 showed a significant decrease trend,while the levels of PaCO2 and PaO2 showed a significant increase trend(all P<0.05).Conclusion The early dose of poison,number of hemoperfusion,ALT,ChE activity,and TNF-α in severe AOPP patients can help predict short-term prognosis.

The theory of "brain-heart-kidney-semen chamber" axis is proposed based on the basic theories of traditional Chinese medicine， the modern physiological characteristics of men's diseases， and clinical practice. According to this theory， dysfunctions of the brain， heart， kidney， and semen chamber are the core mechanisms for the occurrence of premature ejaculation， and the loss of control of the opening and closing of the seminal orifices due to the dysfunction of the semen chamber is the final link in the occurrence of premature ejaculation. The treatment of premature ejaculation based on the theory of "brain-heart-kidney-essence chamber" axis highlights the overall regulation of the Zang-fu organs involved in the disease， while focusing on the simultaneous treatment of the mind and body. By exploring the biological basis of the "brain-heart-kidney-essence chamber" axis and premature ejaculation， we propose that the biological basis of premature ejaculation and the axis is mainly related to the function decline of the local brain area， neuromodulation malfunction， central neurotransmitter imbalance， endocrine disorders， and enhanced sensory afferents of the penis. This study aims at providing a new approach for the prevention and treatment of premature ejaculation by traditional Chinese medicine and a scientific basis for the development of more effective therapeutic methods.