Beta-thalassemia major(β-TM)is an inherited disease caused by a defect in the synthesis of globin. The disease requires long-term blood transfusion and iron chelator treatment, which can cause various secondary changes in the body and eye tissues. Compared with normal peers, β-TM patients will show changes in the eye such as steeper corneal curvature, shallower anterior chamber, increased lens thickness, shorter axial length, and reduced tear secretion. At the same time, nutritional deficiencies and the use of iron chelator drugs will increase the risk of complicated cataract and retinal degeneration, thus affecting the quality of life of β-TM patients.This article combines relevant domestic and foreign literatures to explore and review the changes in the eye of β-TM patients, with a view to providing valuable insights for clinical practice.

Objective To investigate the effect of microRNA-223(miR-223)on prostate cancer cell damage by regulating the Kelch-like epichlorohydrin related protein 1(Keap1)/nuclear factor E2 related factor 2(Nrf2)/antioxidant response element(ARE)signaling pathway.Methods The prostate cancer cell line PC3 was cultured and randomly divided into control,down-regulated miR-223,and up-regulated miR-223 groups.Changes in miR-223 expression,cell proliferation rate,cell migration number,cell invasion number,apoptosis rate,and expression level of Keap1/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway were explored.Results Compared with the control group,the cell invasion number,cell migration number,cell proliferation rate,Nrf2 and ARE expression increased at 24,48 and 72 h in down-regulated miR-223 group,while the expressions of miR-223,Keap1 and apoptosis rate decreased(P<0.05).Compared with the down-regulated miR-223 group,24,48 and 72 h cell proliferation rate,cell invasion number,cell migration number,ARE and Nrf2 expression decreased in the up-regulated miR-223 group,while miR-223,apoptosis rate and Keap1 expression increased(P<0.05).Conclusion Regulation of miR-223 effectively ameliorates prostate cell injury,and the mechanism may be related to the Keap1/Nrf2/ARE signaling pathway.

Objective To investigate the protective effect of herba artemisiae scopariae extract on multidrug resistance protein 3(MDR3)gene mutation-induced neonatal parenteral nutrition-associated cholestasis(PNAC)and its possible mechanism.Methods ①Human primary hepatocytes were treated with cell culture in vitro,CRISPR/Cas9 lentivirus infection and MDR3 mutant gene lead-in.The levels of hepatic and biliary biochemical indexes[alanine transaminase(ALT),aspartate transaminase(AST),total bilirubin(TBil),direct bilirubin(DBil),indirect bilirubin(IBil),total bile acid(TBA)]in the supernatant of hepatocytes before and after 16,32,48 hours were compared to determine the time required for fatty acid induction of PNAC hepatocyte model with MDR3 gene mutation.② Human primary hepatocytes were divided into blank control group,MDR3 gene wild type group,MDR3 gene mutation group,and herba artemisiae scopariae extract intervention group according to random number table method.The blank control group was treated with culture medium only,the MDR3 gene wild type group was infected with lentivirus and mixed with wild type MDR3 gene and culture medium,the MDR3 gene mutation group was infected with lentivirus and cultured in culture medium with the mutant genes lead-in of LV-MDR3KI(c.485T>A,c.2793insA,c.1031G>A,c.3347G>A)mutation,while the MDR3 mutant gene was lead-in by lentivirus infection and cultured in culture medium,and then pretreated with 100 g/L herba artemisiae scopariae extract in the herba artemisiae scopariae extract intervention group,then the four groups of hepatocytes were induced with 1%fat emulsion,and the treatment time was the time needed to construct the PNAC hepatocytes model with MDR3 gene mutation.The levels of ALT,AST,TBil,DBil,IBil and TBA in the supernatant of hepatocytes were measured by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay(ELISA).The mRNA expression abundance of adenosine triphosphate binding cassette proteins(ABCB4,ABCB11,ABCC2,ABCC3,ABCC4)encoding MDR3,bile salt export pump(BSEP),multidrug resistance associated protein(MRP)2-4,and tumor necrosis factor-α(TNF-α)genes were detected by real-time fluorescence quantitative polymerase chain reaction(RT-qPCR).Results Compared to the blank control group and MDR3 gene wild type group,there was no significant difference in the levels of ALT,AST,TBil,DBil,IBil,TBA in the supernatant of MDR3 gene mutant group before and 16 hours after induction with 1%fat emulsion,however after treated with 1%fat emulsion for 32 hours and 48 hours,the levels of ALT,AST,TBil,DBil,IBil,TBA in the supernatant of MDR3 mutant hepatocytes were significantly increased(P<0.05),consequently the time required for fatty acid induction of PNAC hepatocyte model was 32 hours.At 32 hours after treatment with fat emulsion,the levels of ALT,AST,TBil,DBil,TBA in the supernatant of hepatocytes in the herba artemisiae scopariae extract intervention group were significantly decreased[ALT(ng/L):148.3±2.3 vs.164.9±7.0,AST(ng/L):2767.4±78.8 vs.3239.4±107.1,TBil(μmol/L):7.6±0.2 vs.13.6±0.3,DBil(μmol/L):1.8±0.1 vs.5.7±0.2,TBA(μmol/L):3.4±0.2 vs.6.7±0.1,all P<0.05].The ABCB4,ABCC2,ABCC3,ABCC4 mRNA expression of MDR3,MRP2,MRP3,MRP4 in the blank control group,MDR3 wild type group,MDR3 gene mutation group and the herba artemisiae scopariae extract intervention group had no significant difference.The expression of TNF gene mRNA was highly expressed in MDR3 gene mutation group(2-??Ct:1.258±0.200 vs.1.001±0.052),and was low expressed in the herba artemisiae scopariae extract intervention group(2-??Ct:0.387±0.247 vs.1.258±0.200),and there was a significant difference between the two groups(both P<0.05).Compared to the MDR3 gene mutation group,the ABCB11 gene encoding BSEP mRNA expression in the herba artemisiae scopariae extract intervention group was significantly increased(2-??Ct:2.955±0.479 vs.1.333±0.529,P<0.05).Conclusion The herba artemisiae scopariae extract has a protective effect on PNAC induced by MDR3 gene mutation,which may be related to antagonizing inflammatory reaction,decreasing the expression of TNF mRNA and improving the expression of ABCB11 gene encoding BSEP.

Objective To investigate the impact of type 2 inflammation markers blood eosinophils(EOS)and fractional exhaled nitric oxide(FeNO)on bronchodilator responsiveness(BDR)in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods This study was conducted among 389 patients with an established diagnosis of COPD in our hospital from October,2019 to October,2023,who all underwent bronchial dilation test(BDT)of the large and small airways.Based on smoking history,blood EOS,and FeNO,these patients were divided group A(blood EOS<300/μL+FeNO<35 ppb+smoking history<20 pack-years),group B(blood EOS<300/μL+FeNO<35 ppb+smoking history≥20 pack-years),group C(blood EOS≥300/μL or FeNO≥35 ppb+smoking history≥20 pack-years),and group D(blood EOS≥300/μL or FeNO≥35 ppb+smoking history<20 pack-years)for analyzing the relationship between clinical indexes and BDR.Results BDR evaluation based on forced expiratory volume in 1 second(FEV1),forced vital capacity(FVC),and maximum mid-expiratory flow(MMEF)yielded consistent results,all showing a younger mean age,higher FeNO levels,and higher blood EOS counts and percentages in patients positive for BDT(P<0.05).The improvement value and improvement rate of FEV1 were significantly lower in group A than in group D.The improvement value and improvement rate of FEV1 as well as the improvement rate of MMEF were significantly lower in group B than in group D.In the overall patients,age and FeNO were significantly correlated with the improvement value and improvement rate of FEV1 and the improvement rate of MMEF(P<0.05).Conclusion Type 2 inflammation markers have different effects on BDR in the large and small airways of COPD patients,and their clinical significance needs further investigation.

Objective To investigate the effect of solasonine,an active component of Solanum nigrum,on proliferation and apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer PC9 cells.Methods PC9 cells were treated with 2,5,10,15,20,or 25 μmol/L solasonine,and the changes in cell proliferation were examined using CCK-8 assay.Tetramethyl rhodamine ethyl ester(TMRE)was used to detect the changes in mitochondrial membrane potential,and caspase-3/7 detection kit and GreenNuc? caspase-3/Annexin V-mCherry kit for live cell were used to analyze the changes in caspase-3 of the cells.Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining was employed to analyze the apoptosis rate of the cells.The effect of PTEN inhibitors on solasonine-induced cell apoptosis was examined by detecting apoptosis-related protein expressions using Western blotting.Results Solasonine treatment for 24,48,and 72 h significantly lowered the viability of PC9 cells.The cells treated with solasonine for 24 h showed significantly decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and increased cell apoptosis with enhanced caspase-3/7 and caspase-3 activities and expression of cleaved caspase-3.Solasonine treatment significantly decreased phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt,increased the protein expressions of PTEN and Bax,and lowered the expression of Bcl-2 protein in the cells.Conclusion Solasonine inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of PC9 cells by regulating the Bcl-2/Bax/caspase-3 pathway and its upstream proteins.

Objective To investigate the impact of type 2 inflammation markers blood eosinophils(EOS)and fractional exhaled nitric oxide(FeNO)on bronchodilator responsiveness(BDR)in patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease(COPD).Methods This study was conducted among 389 patients with an established diagnosis of COPD in our hospital from October,2019 to October,2023,who all underwent bronchial dilation test(BDT)of the large and small airways.Based on smoking history,blood EOS,and FeNO,these patients were divided group A(blood EOS<300/μL+FeNO<35 ppb+smoking history<20 pack-years),group B(blood EOS<300/μL+FeNO<35 ppb+smoking history≥20 pack-years),group C(blood EOS≥300/μL or FeNO≥35 ppb+smoking history≥20 pack-years),and group D(blood EOS≥300/μL or FeNO≥35 ppb+smoking history<20 pack-years)for analyzing the relationship between clinical indexes and BDR.Results BDR evaluation based on forced expiratory volume in 1 second(FEV1),forced vital capacity(FVC),and maximum mid-expiratory flow(MMEF)yielded consistent results,all showing a younger mean age,higher FeNO levels,and higher blood EOS counts and percentages in patients positive for BDT(P<0.05).The improvement value and improvement rate of FEV1 were significantly lower in group A than in group D.The improvement value and improvement rate of FEV1 as well as the improvement rate of MMEF were significantly lower in group B than in group D.In the overall patients,age and FeNO were significantly correlated with the improvement value and improvement rate of FEV1 and the improvement rate of MMEF(P<0.05).Conclusion Type 2 inflammation markers have different effects on BDR in the large and small airways of COPD patients,and their clinical significance needs further investigation.

Objective To investigate the effect of solasonine,an active component of Solanum nigrum,on proliferation and apoptosis of non-small cell lung cancer PC9 cells.Methods PC9 cells were treated with 2,5,10,15,20,or 25 μmol/L solasonine,and the changes in cell proliferation were examined using CCK-8 assay.Tetramethyl rhodamine ethyl ester(TMRE)was used to detect the changes in mitochondrial membrane potential,and caspase-3/7 detection kit and GreenNuc? caspase-3/Annexin V-mCherry kit for live cell were used to analyze the changes in caspase-3 of the cells.Annexin V-FITC/PI double staining was employed to analyze the apoptosis rate of the cells.The effect of PTEN inhibitors on solasonine-induced cell apoptosis was examined by detecting apoptosis-related protein expressions using Western blotting.Results Solasonine treatment for 24,48,and 72 h significantly lowered the viability of PC9 cells.The cells treated with solasonine for 24 h showed significantly decreased mitochondrial membrane potential and increased cell apoptosis with enhanced caspase-3/7 and caspase-3 activities and expression of cleaved caspase-3.Solasonine treatment significantly decreased phosphorylation levels of PI3K and Akt,increased the protein expressions of PTEN and Bax,and lowered the expression of Bcl-2 protein in the cells.Conclusion Solasonine inhibits proliferation and induces apoptosis of PC9 cells by regulating the Bcl-2/Bax/caspase-3 pathway and its upstream proteins.

Objective:To develop an Oral Frailty Assessment Scale for Elderly Inpatients and test its reliability and validity.Methods:Through literature review, qualitative interview, expert consultations and pre-investigation, the preliminary draft of Oral Frailty Assessment Scale for Elderly Inpatients was formed. Using the convenient sampling method, a total of 300 elderly patients who were hospitalized in Geriatrics Department of Zhongnan Hospital of Wuhan University from April to June 2023 were selected as the research subjects. The reliability and validity of the scale were tested using item analysis, exploratory factor analysis, confirmatory factor analysis and reliability analysis.Results:A total of 300 questionnaires were distributed in this study, and 274 valid questionnaires were collected, with an effective response rate of 91.33% (274/300). The Oral Frailty Assessment Scale for Elderly Inpatients included four dimensions of teeth, dry mouth, swallowing and chewing, with a total of 11 items. The exploratory factor analysis extracted four common factors, and the cumulative variance contribution rate was 69.059%. The Cronbach's α coefficient for the scale was 0.76, the split-half reliability coefficient was 0.67, and the retest reliability coefficient was 0.98.Conclusions:The Oral Frailty Assessment Scale for Elderly Inpatients has good reliability and validity, which is suitable for evaluating oral frailty in elderly inpatients.

Objective To establish F0 generation chimeric rabbits with FOXN1 gene knockout and explore method for the in vivo conservation of immunodeficient rabbits in a conventional housing environment.Methods Initially,CRISPR/Cas9 technology was employed to inject constructed sgRNA and Cas9 protein into a single cell from rabbit two-cell stage embryos to obtain chimeric embryos with FOXN1 gene editing.The embryos were subsequently transferred into surrogate does.Finally,the F0 generation offsprings were genotyped using PCR and Sanger sequencing,and their growth and development in a conventional housing environment were observed.Results The PCR and Sanger sequencing result confirmed the successful establishment of himeric rabbits with FOXN1 gene knockout.On observation,the chimeras exhibited normal growth and development in a conventional environment without any immunodeficient phenotypes.Conclusions This study established a preliminary chimeric rabbit model with FOXN1 gene knockout that grows and develops normally in standard laboratory environments.This lays the foundation for the further breeding of FOXN1 immunodeficient rabbits in the future.

β thalassemia is a hereditary hemolytic disease caused by the defect of β globin gene. Transfusion-dependent β thalassemia patients need long-term blood transfusion to survive, and a series of systemic and ocular complications will occur in the disease itself and long-term blood transfusion. Retinal blood vessel density decreases, retinal thickness thinned and elastic pseudoxanthoxanoma syndrome are found in fundus due to long-term anemia and side effects of iron chelating agent. At present, there are few reports about eye changes in thalassemia patients, and the cognition is relatively scarce. Therefore, it is necessary to be vigilant for physicians, deeply explore the cause and symptomatic treatment, combined with individual disease characteristics, to provide a more scientific and accurate plan for clinical treatment.