ObjectiveTo investigate the change in the activity of hepatitis B virus （HBV）-specific CD8⁺ T cells after pegylated interferon-α-2b （PEG-IFN-α-2b） therapy in HBeAg-negative patients with chronic HBV infection. MethodsA total of 53 HBeAg-negative patients with chronic HBV infection who attended The First Affiliated Hospital of Xinxiang Medical University and Tangdu Hospital of Air Force Mdical University from April 2020 to June 2022 were enrolled and treated with PEG-IFN-α-2b （180 μg/week， subcutaneous injection） antiviral therapy. The study endpoint was HBsAg clearance （course of treatment<48 weeks） or 48 weeks （course of treatment≥48 weeks）. Peripheral blood mononuclear cells were isolated at baseline and study endpoint， and peripheral blood T cell counts were measured. Enzyme-linked immunospot assay was used to measure the frequency of HBV-specific CD8⁺ T cells secreting perforin， granzyme B， and interferon-γ. A total of 17 HLA-A^*02-restricted patients were selected， and CD8⁺ T cells were purified to establish direct- and indirect-contact co-culture systems for HBV-specific CD8⁺ T cells and HepG2.2.15 cells. The level of lactate dehydrogenase in supernatant was measured to calculate the mortality rate of HepG2.2.15 cells， and the levels of HBV DNA， cytotoxic molecules， and cytokines in supernatant were also measured. Flow cytometry was used to measure the expression of apoptosis ligands， and the cytotoxicity of HBV-specific CD8⁺ T cells was evaluated. The independent samples t-test or the paired t-test was used for comparison of normally distributed continuous data between two groups， and the Mann-Whitney U test or the Wilcoxon rank-sum test was used for comparison of non-normally distributed continuous data between two groups. ResultsThe HBsAg clearance rate at study endpoint was 30.19% （16/53）. There were no significant differences in peripheral blood T cell counts （CD3⁺， CD4⁺， and CD8⁺ T cells） between baseline and study endpoint （P>0.05）. At study endpoint， there was a significant increase in the frequency of HBV-specific CD8⁺ T cells secreting perforin， granzyme B， and interferon-γ （U=177.50， t=11.90， U=186.50， all P<0.001）， and the patients with HBsAg clearance had a significantly higher frequency of such HBV-specific CD8⁺ T cells than those without HBsAg clearance （U=120.50， t=2.73， U=121.50， all P<0.01）. In the direct- and indirect-contact co-culture systems at study endpoint， HBV-specific CD8⁺ T cells induced a significant reduction in HBV DNA in the supernatant of HepG2.2.15 cells （all P<0.001） and significant increases in the secretion of interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α （all P<0.05）； in the direct-contact co-culture system， HBV-specific CD8⁺ T cells induced significant increases in the mortality rate of HepG2.2.15 cells （13.62%±3.27% vs 11.39%±2.40%， t=2.27， P=0.030） and the secretion of perforin and granzyme B （t=72.50， U=52.50， both P<0.05）. In the direct- and indirect-contact co-culture systems， compared with HBV-specific CD8⁺ T cells from the patients without HBsAg clearance， the HBV-specific CD8⁺ T cells from patients with HBsAg clearance had a significantly greater reduction in HBV DNA （P<0.05） and significant increases in the secretion of interferon-γ and tumor necrosis factor-α （P<0.05）. ConclusionPEG-IFN-‍α‍-2b therapy can help to achieve a relatively high HBsAg clearance rate in HBeAg-negative patients with chronic HBV infection， and the activity of HBV-specific CD8⁺ T cells is significantly enhanced， which is closely associated with HBsAg clearance.

AIM: To analyze the current status and influencing factors for insufficient hyperopia reserve in preschool children from Changzhi City, Shanxi Province, and to provide reference and basis for myopia prevention and control in this district.METHODS: A stratified cluster random sampling strategy was used to select 2 854 preschool children(5 708 eyes)from 29 child-care centers in Changzhi City between January and May 2024. Hyperopia reserve was assessed through measurements and questionnaire surveys. Totally 2 820 cases(5 640 eyes)were finally included, with 34 cases excluded(32 cases of uncooperativeness and 2 cases of distractibility). The univariate analysis and multivariate Logistic regression were performed to analyze the associated influencing factors of insufficient hyperopia reserve.RESULTS: A total of 580 preschool children with insufficient hyperopia reserve were detected, with an incidence of 20.57%. Logistic regression analysis revealed that male(OR=1.723, 95% CI: 1.419-2.093), maternal myopia(OR=2.210, 95% CI: 1.681-2.906), paternal myopia(OR=1.426, 95% CI: 1.059-1.921), myopia in both parents(OR=2.761, 95% CI: 2.110-3.612), preterm infants(OR=1.740, 95% CI: 1.294-2.342), the mean daily sleep duration <10 h(OR=1.272, 95% CI: 1.024-1.579), and the mean daily outdoor activity time <2 h(OR=1.222, 95% CI: 1.005-1.485)were risk factors for insufficient hyperopia reserve(all P<0.05). Conversely, using blackout curtains during the day and turning off lights at night(OR=0.598, 95% CI: 0.405-0.883)were identified to be protective factors(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Sex, genetics, gestational age, sleep duration and environmental conditions, and outdoor activity time are potentially associated with insufficient hyperopia reserve in preschool children. Caregivers should prioritize the management of these risk factors to prevent the occurrence of myopia.

Objective: To explore the changes of mechanosensitive channels Piezos (Piezo 1 and Piezo 2) in neurogenic bladder (NB) of young rats and their effects，so as to provide reference for clinical search of new therapeutic targets. Methods: A total of 30 female young SD rats were divided into 5 groups based on random number table method：sham operation group (sham)，2-week nerve transection group (NB-2W)，6-week nerve transection group (NB-6W)，2-week nerve transection + Piezos inhibitor group (NB-P-2W) and 6-week nerve transection + Piezos inhibitor group (NB-P-6W)，with 6 rats in each group.The NB models were constructed by transecting the L6 and S1 spinal nerves of young rats.The NB-2W and NB-6W groups were not intervened after modeling，while the NB-P-2W and NB-P-6W groups were intraperitoneally injected with Piezos inhibitor GsMTx4 (10 mg/kg) every 2 days after modeling.Bladder cystometry and ultrasound were performed after 2 and 6 weeks of transection.The expressions of Piezos and fibrosis-related indexes (Collagen Ⅰ and α-smooth muscle actin) were detected in bladder tissues. Results: The results of bladder cystometry showed that the basal bladder pressure in NB-2W group was significantly increased，while it was slightly decreased but was still higher in NB-6W group than in the sham group (P<0.05).Basal bladder pressure was lower in NB-P-2W group than in NB-2W group，but was higher than that in the sham group; basal bladder pressure was lower in NB-P-6W group than in NB-6W group，but higher than that in the sham group (P<0.05).Compared with the sham group，the NB-2W and NB-6W groups had firstly increased and then decreased maximum cystometric capacity (MCC) (P<0.05).Compared with NB-2W group，NB-P-2W group had lower bladder leakage point pressure (BLPP)，but higher MCC and bladder compliance (BC) (P<0.05).Compared with NB-6W group，NB-P-6W group had significantly lower BLPP but higher MCC and BC (P<0.05).HE and MASSON staining and ultrasound results showed that，with the extension of nerve transection time，bladder fibrosis gradually worsened，the bladder wall became rough and thickened，calculi were visible inside，and hydronephrosis gradually appeared; the degree of fibrosis in NB-P-2W and NB-P-6W groups was less than that in NB-2W and NB-6W groups，and no hydronephrosis was observed in the upper urinary tract.In addition，Western blotting and immunohistochemical results showed that NB-2W and NB-6W groups had significantly higher relative expression levels of Piezos，Collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA than the sham group (P<0.01)，while NB-P-2W and NB-P-6W groups had lower relative expression levels of Piezos,Collagen Ⅰ and α-SMA than NB-2W and NB-6W groups (P<0.01). Conclusion: The increased expressions of mechanosensitive channels Piezos in NB young rats may be involved in the progression of bladder fibrosis，but its mechanism needs further study.

Objective: To investigate the influencing factors of overactive bladder (OAB) in college freshmen and the impacts of OAB on their mental health, quality of life and social interaction. Methods: An epidemiological questionnaire survey was conducted in an anonymous manner on the prevalence of OAB among 5300 freshmen aged 17 to 22 years enrolled in the 2023—2024 academic year in Xinxiang Medical University and Sanquan College of Xinxiang Medical University.The questionnaire included questions on basic information, history of urinary tract infection, constipation, smoking, history of alcohol consumption, history of coffee/strong tea drinking, history of carbonated beverage drinking, redundant prepuce, phimosis, holding urine, chronic insomnia, self-rating anxiety scale (SAS), quality of life score (QoL), and social avoidance and distress scale (SADS).The influencing factors of OAB were analyzed with multivariate logistic regression analysis.The subjects were grouped according to whether they had OAB, and the differences in SAS, QoL and SADS between the OAB group and non-OAB group were compared.The impacts of OAB on the anxiety level, quality of life, and social interaction were analyzed with multiple linear regression analysis. Results: The overall prevalence rate of OAB was 4.9% (244/5018).Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that the history of urinary tract infection (OR=0.177), constipation (OR=0.636), smoking (OR=0.582), alcohol consumption (OR=0.685), coffee/strong tea drinking (OR=0.387), carbonated beverage drinking (OR=0.631), redundant prepuce (OR=0.673), phimosis (OR=0.311), urine holding (OR=0.593), and chronic insomnia (OR=0.256) were influencing factors for the occurrence of OAB (P＜0.05).The OAB group had higher SAS score [(41.18±6.54) vs. (38.61±6.36)], QoL score [(3.65±1.20) vs. (2.79±0.95)], social avoidance score [(6.25±1.86) vs. (5.86±1.51)], social distress score [(6.27±1.59) vs. (5.97±1.32)], and total SADS score [(12.51±2.35) vs. (11.84±2.01)] than the non-OAB group (P＜0.05).The results of multiple linear regression analysis showed that OAB could independently affect the scores of QoL, SAS, and SADS.The OAB group had higher scores of QoL, SAS, and SADS compared with the non-OAB group (P＜0.001). Conclusion: History of urinary tract infection, constipation, smoking, alcohol consumption, coffee/strong tea drinking, carbonated beverage drinking, redundant prepuce, phimosis, urine holding, and chronic insomnia are influencing factors for the occurrence of OAB in male college students.Moreover, OAB has negative impacts on their mental health, quality of life, and social interaction.

[摘 要] 目的：观察白细胞介素-37（IL-37）在乳腺癌患者的表达变化对CD8+ T细胞活性的影响。方法：纳入2020年7月至2022年9月在新乡医学院第一附属医院就诊的46例乳腺癌患者、24例乳腺良性肿瘤患者、20例对照者。采集外周血，分离血浆和外周血单个核细胞（PBMC），收集接受手术治疗的乳腺癌患者肿瘤组织和癌旁组织，分离组织中肿瘤浸润淋巴细胞（TIL），纯化CD8+ T细胞。ELISA法检测IL-37、可溶型单免疫球蛋白IL-1受体相关蛋白（SIGIRR）表达，实时定量PCR法检测组织中IL-37 mRNA，流式细胞术检测CD8+ T细胞中IL-18受体α链（IL-18Rα）和SIGIRR表达。外源性IL-37刺激纯化的CD8+ T细胞，与乳腺癌细胞系MCF-7共培养，通过测定乳酸脱氢酶水平计算靶细胞死亡比例，ELISA法检测上清中穿孔素、颗粒酶B、干扰素-γ（IFN-γ）、肿瘤坏死因子-α（TNF-α）水平。结果：乳腺癌患者血浆IL-37水平高于乳腺良性肿瘤患者[（554.17 ± 96.63）pg/mL vs （499.52 ± 78.66）pg/mL，P = 0.020]和对照者[（483.97 ± 47.23）pg/mL，P = 0.003]。乳腺癌患者肿瘤组织中IL-37 mRNA相对表达量高于癌旁组织[（1.88 ± 0.21） vs （1.00 ± 0.53）pg/mL，P < 0.001]。外周血IL-18Rα+ CD8+细胞比例、SIGIRR+ CD8+细胞比例、血浆可溶型SIGIRR水平在乳腺癌患者、乳腺良性肿瘤患者、对照者之间的差异无统计学意义（均P > 0.05）。CD8+ TIL表达IL-18Rα和SIGIRR的比例在肿瘤组织和癌旁组织之间的差异无统计学意义（P > 0.05）。重组人IL-37刺激后，CD8+ T细胞诱导靶细胞死亡比例、上清中IFN-γ和TNF-α水平在直接接触和间接接触共培养系统中均低于无刺激（均P < 0.05）。在直接接触共培养系统中，IL-37刺激后上清中穿孔素和颗粒酶B水平均低于无刺激（均P < 0.001），但在间接接触共培养系统中，上清中穿孔素和颗粒酶B水平在无刺激和IL-37刺激之间的差异无统计学意义（均P > 0.05）。结论：乳腺癌患者中IL-37水平升高可能参与诱导外周血和肿瘤微环境中CD8+ T细胞功能衰竭。

In recent years, China has been facing the dual challenges of declining fertility rates and births, with male reproductive health issues, especially the decline in semen quality, identified as a pivotal contributor to this phenomenon. Meanwhile, accumulating evidence indicates that air pollutants, an increasingly severe environmental problem, can damage semen quality not only directly through their biological toxicity but also indirectly by disrupting the composition of microbial communities in the gut and semen, thereby dysregulating immune function, endocrine homeostasis, and oxidative stress responses. The gut microbiota and semen microbiota, as important components of the human microecosystem, play crucial roles in maintaining reproductive health. This article comprehensively reviewed the research progress on the potential effects of air pollutants (particulate matter and gaseous pollutants), gut microbiota, and semen microbiota on semen quality. Specifically, it elucidated the mechanisms of interaction between these factors and explored how they affect male fertility.

AIM: To compare the effectiveness of foldable capsular body(FCB)with traditional scleral buckling(SB)in the treatment of experimental retinal detachment animal models.METHODS: After successfully establishing rhegmatogenous retinal detachment(RRD)animal models, 24 New Zealand white rabbits were randomly divided into three groups(RRD models group, SB group, and FCB group), with 8 rabbits in each group. The FCB and SB groups underwent SB and FCB surgeries for the RRD animal models, while the RRD models group only consists of RRD models without any surgical intervention during the follow-up period. The follow-up duration was 3 mo. Wide-field neonatal fundus imaging system and ophthalmic B-ultrasound were used to assess the fundus conditions before and after surgery. The Icare® TONOVET Plus tonometer was utilized to evaluate intraocular pressure changes before and after surgery. The Eaton and Draize scoring systems were selected to monitor postoperative inflammatory reactions.RESULTS: The retinal reattachment rates in the FCB and SB groups were 87.5% and 75.0%, respectively, with no statistically significant difference between the groups(P>0.05). The intraocular pressure in both the FCB and SB groups increased postoperatively compared to preoperative levels(P<0.01), and there were no significant differences in intraocular pressure at any time points during the follow-up period between the groups(P>0.05). The intraocular pressure in the RRD models group remained at a low level throughout the follow-up period. The average surgical time for the FCB group was 16.87±2.29 min, which was shorter than 46.25±4.74 min in the SB group(t=-15.166, P<0.001). According to the Eaton and Draize scoring systems, the FCB group had lower grades of conjunctival hyperemia and edema in the early postoperative period compared to the SB group, indicating milder inflammatory reactions(P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Both FCB and SB are effective in treating experimental RRD. Compared to SB, FCB is simpler to operate, and also has a shorter surgical time and milder postoperative inflammatory reactions.

Diabetic retinopathy(DR)is one of the most common and severe microvascular complications in diabetic patients and has become one of the leading causes of blindness worldwide. With the continuous rise in the prevalence of diabetes, in-depth exploration of the pathogenesis of DR and effective intervention measures is of great clinical significance. The mechanistic target of rapamycin(mTOR), as a protein kinase, is widely involved in cellular processes such as growth, metabolism, and autophagy. Research indicates that the mTOR signaling pathway plays a crucial regulatory role in the pathological progression of DR, and its abnormal activity can disrupt retinal cell autophagy function, thereby accelerating cellular damage and disease progression. Autophagy, as an important regulatory mechanism for cellular homeostasis, maintains cellular functional balance by clearing damaged organelles and protein aggregates. This article provides a systematic review of the structural and functional aspects of the mTOR signaling pathway, the molecular regulatory mechanisms of autophagy, and their roles in retinal pathological changes. By summarizing current research findings, the article aims to clarify the key regulatory role of the mTOR-autophagy axis in DR, providing theoretical support for elucidating the molecular pathogenesis of DR and offering potential targets and research directions for developing novel targeted therapeutic strategies, thereby holding significant scientific and clinical value.

Objective To investigate the effects of crocetin on radiosensitivity of lung adenocarcinoma and its potential mechanisms using a nude mouse xenograft model established with A549 lung adenocarcinoma cells. Methods Forty mice bearing lung adenocarcinoma were randomly divided into four groups: control group, crocetin group, radiotherapy group, and crocetin combined with radiotherapy group, and received the corresponding interventions. After 14 days of treatment, all mice were sacrificed and tumor tissues were excised. Tumor weight was measured in each group and the tumor inhibition rate was calculated. Apoptosis of tumor cells was analyzed by flow cytometry. Immunohistochemistry and RT-qPCR were used to detect and compare the expression of genes encoding hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α) and B-cell lymphoma-2 (BCL-2). Results The mean tumor weight of mice in the crocetin combined with radiotherapy group was significantly lower than that in the radiotherapy group (P < 0.05), and the tumor inhibition rate of the crocetin combined with radiotherapy group was 34.07%. The mean tumor cell apoptosis rate in the crocetin combined with radiotherapy group was significantly higher than that in the radiotherapy group (P < 0.05). HIF-1α expression was significantly lower in the crocetin combined with radiotherapy group than in the radiotherapy group (P = 0.001). Although BCL-2 expression in the crocetin combined with radiotherapy group was lower than that in the radiotherapy group, the difference was not statistically significant (P = 0.894). The expression levels of mRNAs of genes encoding HIF-1α and BCL-2 in the crocetin combined with radiotherapy group were significantly lower than those in the radiotherapy group (P < 0.05). Conclusion Crocetin in combination with radiotherapy significantly enhanced the inhibitory effect of radiotherapy on tumor growth in mice bearing lung adenocarcinoma and increased the tumor inhibition rate. The mechanisms may involve the alleviation of radiotherapy-induced overexpression of HIF-1α, thereby improving hypoxic conditions in tumor tissues, as well as suppression of the anti-apoptotic gene BCL-2 to enhance radiotherapy-induced apoptosis of lung adenocarcinoma cells.

Objective To investigate the sputum metabolic profiles of patients with occupational coal workers' pneumoconiosis (CWP) by an untargeted metabolomics method, and to identify relevant differential metabolic pathways and potential biomarkers. Methods A total of 12 male patients with stage Ⅰ CWP were selected as the CWP group, and 16 healthy male individuals were selected as the control group, using a judgmental sampling method. Sputum metabolites of individuals in both groups were detected to perform non-targeted metabolomic analysis using the ultra-performance liquid chromatography coupled with quadrupole time-of-flight mass spectrometry. Differential metabolites (DMs) and their pathways were screened using principal component analysis, partial least squares discriminant analysis, and Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) enrichment analysis. Potential biomarkers were analyzed and identified via the receiver operating characteristic curve (ROC). Results There were apparent metabolic alterations observed in sputum of CWP patients compared with healthy controls. In the positive ion mode, a total of 42 DMs were identified in sputum from CWP patients, including 19 downregulated and 23 upregulated metabolites. In the negative ion mode, a total of 25 DMs were identified in sputum from CWP patients, including 16 downregulated and 9 upregulated metabolites. KEGG enrichment analysis of sputum from CWP patients showed that seven DMs pathways were enriched in ABC transporters, histidine metabolism, phenylalanine metabolism, arachidonic acid metabolism, linoleic acid metabolism, purine metabolism, and oxidative phosphorylation, involving 26 DMs. ROC analysis indicated that 16(R)-hydroxyarachidonic acid, pyrophosphate, and 2-hydroxyphenylacetate of these 26 DMs may serve as potential biomarkers for CWP. Conclusion Sputum metabolomic profiles were altered in CWP patients compared with healthy controls. The potential biomarkers of CWP prevention and treatment are 16(R)-hydroxyarachidonic acid, pyrophosphate, and 2-hydroxyphenylacetate.