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.

Diabetic retinopathy(DR)is one of the common causes of visual impairment and blindness in adults, which is caused by various pathogenesis. Although the mechanism of DR has not been elucidated yet, the destruction of blood-retinal barrier is a key process. As a highly endothelial-specific factor in promoting the growth of vascular endothelial cell, vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)plays a crucial role in the formation of pathological retinal neovascularization and the destruction of blood-retinal barrier. Therefore, a comprehensive understanding of the etiology and pathogenesis of blood-retinal barrier damage promoted by VEGF is critical for exploring the pathogenesis of DR. In this study, the underlying relationship between VEGF and the mechanism of blood-retinal barrier damage, including retinal vascular endothelial cell permeability, vascular inflammatory response, apoptosis, oxidative stress, mitochondrial damage and endoplasmic reticulum stress, with a view to providing a reference for the study in VEGF in the pathogenesis of blood-retinal barrier damage in DR.

Strengthening the construction of traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） discourse system for international audiences is necessary for enhancing cultural soft power， accelerating the construction of trade power， integrating into the global healthcare system， and realizing international scientific and technological dialogues.TCM not only garners widespread attention from the international community but also faces numerous challenges. The external discourse of TCM has fallen into difficulties， including blocked channels of expression， lack of a discourse subject， contextual segregation of discourse， and a narrative information flow deficit. Based on this， realistic approaches to breaking through dilemmas are proposed from four dimensions， that is， strengthening the construction of international standards for TCM to increase its recognition overseas， improving the development of international talent teams to enhance the visibility of TCM abroad， expanding the construction of the TCM service trade system to deepen its contribution overseas， and enhancing the efficacy of international communication of TCM to strengthen its reputation abroad.

Neovascular age-related macular degeneration (nAMD) is one of the main causes of visual impairment in middle-aged and elderly people,and the incidence of this disease is rising in our country.The imbalance of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) is the main cause of nAMD.In addition,various growth factors other than VEGF,complement system activation,inflammatory factors,autophagy,and many other factors are involved in the pathogenesis of nAMD.Currently,intravitreal injection of anti-VEGF drugs has become the first-line regimen for the treatment of nAMD,but there are still many shortcomings of the current anti-VEGF drugs,such as multiple potential risks of frequent injections,insensitive responses in some patients,and low compliance of the patients,etc.Therefore,the search for novel therapeutic agents has become urgent.This article provides a review of new developments in the study of novel drugs newly marketed and undergoing clinical trials for the treatment of nAMD,with the aim of seeking longer-lasting and better-acting therapeutic regimens,as well as exploring new therapeutic targets,to further inform the advancement of innovation and development of therapeutic strategies for nAMD.

Objective To investigate the relationship between Notch1 and autophagy under high glucose conditions and to explore the effects of Notch1 inhibitor DAPT and autophagy inhibitor 3-MA on human retinal pigment epithelial cells cultured in high glucose conditions.Methods Via preliminary experiment,25 mmol·L-1 glucose was used as the high glucose culture medium of adult retinal pigment epithelial(ARPE)-19 cells,and 5 mmol·L-1 3-MA was adopted as the au-tophagy inhibitor.ARPE-19 cells cultured in vitro were randomly divided into four groups:control group(treated with 5 mmol·L-1 glucose for 48 h),high glucose group(treated with 25 mmol·L-1 glucose for 48 h),high glucose+DAPT group(treated with 40 μmol·L-1 DAPT for 2 h and then 25 mmol·L-1 glucose for 48 h),and high glucose+3-MA group(treated with 5 mmol·L-1 3-MA for 2 h and then 25 mmol·L-1 glucose for 48 h).A transmission electron microscope was used to observe the ultrastructure of cells in each group.Cell proliferation and migration were observed using Cell Counting Kit-8 and scratch assays.Western blot was used to detect the protein expression levels of Notch1 and autophagy-related proteins LC3 and Beclin1.Reverse transcription-polymerase chain reaction was used to measure the relative messenger ri-bonucleic acid(mRNA)expression levels of Notch1,LC3 and Beclin1 of cells in each group.Results Transmission elec-tron microscope showed that cells in the control group had normal structures,with round or oval nuclei and a few autopha-gosomes.In the high glucose group,cells exhibited slightly obvious injury,with uneven cytoplasm and numerous autolyso-somes.Compared to the control group,ARPE-19 cells in the high glucose group had increased proliferation and migration abilities,and higher mRNA and protein expression levels of Notch1,LC3 and Beclin1(all P＜0.05).Compared to the high glucose group,ARPE-19 cells in the high glucose+DAPT group showed decreased proliferation and migration abilities,and lower mRNA and protein expression levels of Notch1,LC3 and Beclin1(all P＜0.05).The high glucose+3-MA group showed reduced proliferation and migration abilities,as well as decreased mRNA and protein expression levels of LC3 and Beclin1(all P＜0.05)compared to the high glucose group.Conclusion High glucose can activate Notch1 and the auto-phagy process,promoting the proliferation of ARPE-19 cells.In the high glucose+DAPT group and high glucose+3-MA group,the autophagy process is inhibited to a certain extent,thereby restraining cell proliferation.

Objective To investigate if Lycium barbarum polysaccharide(LBP)could inhibit the high glucose-in-duced human retinal microvascular endothelial cell(HRMEC)injury by regulating the NOD-like receptor family pyrin do-main containing protein 3(NLRP3)/Caspase-1 pyroptosis pathway.Methods HRMECs cultured in vitro were randomly divided into the control group(5.5 mmol·L-1 glucose),the high glucose group(55.5 mmol·L-1 glucose),the low LBP group(55.5 mmol·L-1 glucose+100 mg·L-1 LBP),the medium LBP group(55.5 mmol·L-1 glucose+500 mg·L-1 LBP),the high LBP group(55.5 mmol·L-1 glucose+1 000 mg·L-1 LBP),the si-NC group(55.5 mmol·L-1glucose after transfection with 20 pmol·L-1 si-NC)and the si-NLRP3 group(55.5 mmol·L-1 glucose after transfection with 20μmol·L-1si-NLRP3).The Cell Counting Kit-8 was used to detect the proliferation of HRMECs in each group and flow cy-tometry was adopted to measure the pyroptosis of HRMECs in each group.The reverse transcription-polymerase chain reac-tion was used to detect the relative messenger ribonucleic acid(mRNA)expression levels of NLRP3,Caspase-1,nuclear factor(NF)-κB,Gasdermin-D(GSDMD)and vascular endothelial growth factor(VEGF)in the HRMECs of each group,Western blot was adopted to detect the relative protein expression levels of HRMEC pyroptosis-related NLRP3,Caspase-1,NF-κB,GSDMD and VEGF in each group,and enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay was used to detect the interleukin(IL)-1β and IL-18 expression levels in downstream pyroptosis in the HRMEC supernatant of each group.Results Com-pared with the control group,the proliferation rate of HRMECs decreased,the pyroptosis rate increased,the relative mR-NA and protein expression levels of NLRP3,Caspase-1,NF-κB,GSDMD and VEGF increased,and the expressions of IL-1βand IL-18 increased in the high glucose group(all P＜0.05).Compared with the high glucose group,the proliferation rate of HRMECs increased,the pyroptosis rate decreased,the relative mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3,Caspase-1,NF-κB,GSDMD and VEGF decreased,and the expressions of IL-1β and IL-18 decreased in the si-NLRP3 group(all P＜0.05).There were no significant differences in cell proliferation rate,pyroptosis rate,mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3,Caspase-1,NF-κB,GSDMD and VEGF,as well as levels of IL-1β and IL-18,in the si-NC group compared with the high glucose group(all P＞0.05).Compared with the high glucose group,the medium LBP group and high LBP group had increased proliferation rates,lower pyroptosis rates,and declined mRNA and protein expression levels of NLRP3,Caspase-1,NF-κB,GSDMD and VEGF as well as expressions of IL-1β and IL-18(all P＜0.05).Compared with the high glucose group,there was no significant difference in the proliferation rate of HRMECs and various protein expression levels in the low LBP group(all P＞0.05),and other indicators were consistent with those in the medium LBP group and high LBP group.Conclusion LBP has a protective effect on HRMEC injury induced by high glucose,can promote cell prolif-eration and inhibit pyroptosis,and its mechanism is related to inhibiting the activation of NLRP3/Caspase-1 signaling path-way and reducing the expression of related inflammatory factors.

The medical education model has undergone three transformations and is currently at the watershed of the fourth iteration.The intervention of artificial intelligence(AI)technology not only reshapes the medical model,but also has a significant impact on the medical education model,including ensuring that basic medical experiments are conducted safely and consistently,promoting the cultivation of students'diagnostic thinking ability,teaching according to their aptitude,cultivating personalized teaching plans,strengthening the humanistic care awareness of medical students,and promoting cooperation between clinical medicine and other social sciences.Meanwhile,medical AI also brings risks and challenges to teaching participants.Teachers and students need to strengthen communication,improve digital literacy,and ensure data security,while teachers need to encourage students to use technology reasonably and moderately,thus preventing them from getting lost in it.Medical colleges and universities need to maintain cooperation with various sectors of society,jointly face the ethical risks that have already arisen,and make up for the gaps in legal supervision.At the same time,the level of scientific and technological innovation should be strengthened,the talent training systems should be improved,and new talents who are in line with the direction of modern medical development should be cultivated.

Objective:The purpose of this study was to explore the critical values of monitored indexes of perioperative major adverse cardiac events(MACE), so as to take effective prevention and treatment measures in time to maintain the stability of perioperative cardiac function to further improve the perioperative safety of elderly patients with biliary diseases.Methods:The clinical data of 246 elderly patients with biliary diseases in our hospital from May 2016 to February 2022 were collected.According to whether MACE occurred during the perioperative period, they were divided into the MACE group and the non-MACE group.The differences of clinical data, the monitoring indexes of postoperative cardiac function, and the coagulation function between the two groups were compared and analyzed.Logistic regression was used to analyze the independent risk factors of perioperative MACE, the cut-off value of the receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve was calculated, and the Logistic multivariate prediction model was established.Results:In the MACE compared with the non-MACE group, age, postoperative complications and mortality, postoperative hospital stay, and the levels of postoperative high sensitivity troponin-I(Hs-TnI), creatine kinase isoenzyme(CK-MB), myoglobin(MYO), B-type natriuretic peptide(BNP), and D-dimer(D-D)were significantly increased(all P<0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression showed that postoperative BNP and D-D were two independent risk factors for perioperative MACE, and their cut-off values in the ROC curve were 382.65 pg/mL and 0.975mg/L respectively.The Logistic multivariate prediction model established by the Logistic regression equation was P= ex/(1+ ex), X=-5.710+ 0.003X 1+ 0.811X 2, where X 1 was the postoperative BNP level and X 2 was the postoperative D-D level.The accuracy, specificity and sensitivity of this prediction model for predicting perioperative MACE were 96.3%(237/246), 100.0%(235/235), and 18.2%(2/11). Conclusions:The Logistic multivariate prediction model established in this study can effectively predict the occurrence of perioperative MACE in elderly patients.Postoperative BNP and D-D were two independent risk factors for perioperative MACE.The cut-off values of BNP and D-D in the ROC curve could be used as critical values for monitoring perioperative MACE.Therefore, it is of great clinical significance to take effective prevention and treatment measures in time to maintain the stability of perioperative cardiac function, and further improve the perioperative safety of elderly patients with biliary diseases.

With the accelerated aging society in China, the incidence of biliary surgical diseases in the elderly has increased significantly. The clinical characteristics of these patients indicate that improving treatment outcomes and realizing healthy aging are worthy of attention. How to effectively improve the treatment effect of geriatric biliary surgical diseases has attracted widespread attention. This paper reviews and comments on the hotspots and difficulties of biliary surgery in older patients from six aspects: (1) higher morbidity associated with an aging society, (2) prevention and control of pre-operative risks, (3) extending the indications of laparoscopic surgery, (4) urgent standardization of minimally invasive surgery, (5) precise technological progress in hepatobiliary surgery, and (6) guarantee of peri-operative safety. It is of great significance to fully understand the focus of controversy, actively make use of its favorable factors, and effectively avoid its unfavorable factors, for further improving the therapeutic effects of geriatric biliary surgical diseases, and thus benefits the vast older patients with biliary surgical diseases. Accordingly, a historical record with the highest age of 93 years for laparoscopic transcystic common bile duct exploration has been created by us recently.
Humans ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Biliary Tract Surgical Procedures ; Gallstones ; Laparoscopy ; Treatment Outcome ; Aging ; Retrospective Studies

Objective:To analyze differentially expressed genes (DEGs) and the changes of signal pathways in human retinal pigment epithelium cells (ARPE-19) under hypoxic and normoxic conditions and to explore the biological mechanism of hypoxia-induced ARPE-19 cell damage via transcriptome sequencing (RNA-seq) and bioinformatics technology.Methods:The ARPE-19 cells were divided into the hypoxia treatment group and the normoxia control group treated with 1% and 21% O 2 by volume for 8, 24, 48, 72 hours, respectively.The relative expression levels of vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) and hypoxia-inducible factor-1α (HIF-1α) mRNA were detected with real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR at different time points.RNA-seq and bioinformatics analysis were performed at 8 hours and 24 hours after hypoxia and normoxia treatment.DEGs were screened out under the conditions of |log 2FC|≥1 and P≤0.05.Then the cluster heat map analysis, Gene Ontology (GO) functional enrichment analysis, Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway enrichment analysis and protein-protein interaction network analysis were also carried out.Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR was employed at 24 hours after hypoxia to detect the relative mRNA expression of genes that might be related to hypoxia in DEGs.Cell viability kit was used to verify and compare the damage effect of hypoxia on ARPE-19 cells at different time points between the two groups. Results:The relative mRNA expression levels of VEGF at 8, 24, 48 and 72 hours after hypoxia treatment and the relative HIF-1α mRNA expression levels at 8, 24 and 48 hours after hypoxia treatment were significantly higher than those of the normoxia control group (all at P<0.05). There were large differences in the mRNA expression levels at 8-hour and 24-hour treatment between the two groups.A total of 62 significant DEGs were screened between the hypoxia treatment group and the normoxia control group after 8-hour hypoxia treatment, among which 45 genes were significantly up-regulated and 17 genes were significantly down-regulated.A total of 255 significant DEGs were screened out between the hypoxia treatment group and the normoxia control group after 24-hour hypoxia treatment, among which 228 genes were significantly up-regulated and 27 genes were significantly down-regulated.The GO functional analysis of DEGs was mainly enriched in processes such as protein degradation, nucleotide biosynthesis, and material transport.KEGG pathway analysis was mainly enriched in PI3K-Akt, cGMP-PKG, and other signaling pathways closely related to metabolism, cell cycle, cell growth, and apoptosis.The core genes HPCA, MT3 and NOS3 were found by protein-protein interaction network analysis.Real-time fluorescent quantitative PCR test results showed that after 24-hour hypoxia treatment, the mRNA expression levels of hypoxia related genes DEPP1, NPPB, PDZK1, HILPDA, TCEA3, NDRG1 and RORC in ARPE-19 cells were significantly increased and the mRNA expression levels of TFRC and NQO1 were significantly decreased (all at P<0.05). The cell morphology was normal and the growth state was good without dead cells after 8-hour and 24-hour hypoxia treatment in ARPE-19 cells.There were dead cells after 48-hour hypoxia treatment, and the number of dead cells was increased at 72 hours after hypoxia treatment. Conclusions:The PI3K-Akt and cGMP-PKG signaling pathways related to metabolism may be involved in hypoxia-induced injury of ARPE-19 cells.Core genes of HPCA, MT3 and NOS3 can be used as functional target genes and play key roles in hypoxia response of cells.