AIM: To analyze the current status, research hotspots, and development trends of international studies on ocular surface microbiota based on bibliometrics.METHODS: Leveraging the Web of Science database, we conducted a targeted literature search on ocular surface flora. The retrieved data were meticulously screened and weighted to enhance relevance. The bibliometric analysis delved into publication trends, authorship patterns, institutional collaborations, and pivotal research themes. Employing Cite Space software, we visually dissected the landscape of institutional and national partnerships, citation impact, keyword co-occurrences, keyword clustering dynamics, and the emergence of new research trends.RESULTS: A total of 3 884 publications were ultimately included, with an overall upward trend in the number of publications in the field of ocular surface microbiota from 2003 to 2023, with the most rapid growth occurring from 2019 to 2022. The top three regions/countries by publication volume are the United States(1 039 papers), China(570 papers), and India(302 papers). The top three authors by publication volume are Willcox Mark(48 papers), Sharma Savitri(33 papers), and Fleiszig Suzanne M.J(27 papers). The top three institutions by publication volume, all from the United States, are the University of California, L.V. Prasad Eye Institute, and Harvard University. The citation network map of the literature includes 801 nodes and 1 508 connections, with the most frequently cited document being Temporal Stability and Composition of the Ocular Surface Microbiome. The top 5 keywords by frequency of occurrence are, in order, keratitis, bacterial flora, identification, inflammation, and endophthalmitis. The keyword clustering analysis yielded a total of 8 clusters, which are specifically reflected in three aspects: ocular-related diseases, the relationship between ocular surface microbiota and ocular surface structures, and detection methods for ocular surface microbiota. The keyword with the highest burst strength is ciprofloxacin. Keywords that have emerged in recent years and continue to the present include diversity, gut microbiome, and ocular surface microbiome.CONCLUSION: Currently, the study of ocular surface microflora is gaining momentum globally, with a particular focus on the diversity of microflora, the composition of the core microbiome, and its impact on ocular diseases. In the future, research should concentrate on elucidating the functional metabolism of the ocular surface microflora and further investigate the causality and mechanisms by which changes in the ocular surface microflora are related to diseases.

ObjectiveTo explore the molecular mechanism of aerobic exercise to improve hippocampal neuronal degeneration by regulating tryptophan metabolic pathway. Methods60 SPF-grade C57BL/6J male mice were divided into a young group (2 months old, n=30) and a senile group (12 months old, n=30), and each group was further divided into a control group (C/A group, n=15) and an exercise group (CE/AE group, n=15). An aerobic exercise program was used for 8 weeks. Learning memory ability was assessed by Y-maze, and anxiety-depression-like behavior was detected by absent field experiment. Hippocampal Trp levels were measured by GC-MS. Nissl staining was used to observe the number and morphology of hippocampal neurons, and electron microscopy was used to detect synaptic ultrastructure. ELISA was used to detect the levels of hippocampal Trp,5-HT, Kyn, KATs, KYNA, KMO, and QUIN; Western blot was used to analyze the activities of TPH2, IDO1, and TDO enzymes. ResultsGroup A mice showed significant decrease in learning and memory ability (P<0.05) and increase in anxiety and depressive behaviors (P<0.05); all of AE group showed significant improvement (P<0.05). Hippocampal Trp levels decreased in group A (P<0.05) and increased in AE group (P<0.05). Nidus vesicles were reduced and synaptic structures were degraded in group A (P<0.05), and both were significantly improved in group AE (P<0.05). The levels of Trp, 5-HT, KATs, and KYNA were decreased (P<0.05) and the levels of Kyn, KMO, and QUIN were increased (P<0.05) in group A. The activity of TPH2 was decreased (P<0.05), and the activities of IDO1 and TDO were increased (P<0.05). The AE group showed the opposite trend. ConclusionThe aging process significantly reduces the learning memory ability and increases the anxiety-depression-like behavior of mice, and leads to the reduction of the number of nidus vesicles and degenerative changes of synaptic structure in the hippocampus, whereas aerobic exercise not only effectively enhances the spatial learning memory ability and alleviates the anxiety-depression-like behavior of aging mice, but also improves the morphology and structure of neurons in hippocampal area, which may be achieved by the mechanism of regulating the tryptophan metabolic pathway.

ObjectiveTo explore the potential mechanisms of kidney-tonifying and blood-activating acupuncture for Alzheimer's disease. MethodsMale SAMP8 mice were randomly divided into a model group， acupuncture group， non-acupoint group， and donepezi group， with 10 mice in each group， and 10 SAMR1 mice as normal group. The acupuncture group received acupuncture at Baihui （GV 20）， Xuehai （SP 10）， Shenshu （BL 23）， and Geshu （BL 17）. Xuehai （SP 10）， Shenshu （BL 23）， and Geshu （BL 17） were stimulated on the left side first and then on the right side alternately， once a day. The non-acupoint group received acupuncture at fixed bilateral non-meridian， non-acupoint points under the ribs， once a day. The model and normal groups underwent equivalent handling and restraint stress without acupuncture. The donepezi group received 1 mg/kg donepezil via gastric gavage daily. All groups were treated for 4 weeks. After treatment， Morris water maze tests （to record orientation sailing latency， number of traverses through the platform quadrant） and open field （to record distance travelled） were used to evaluate learning and memory abilities； hippocampal neuronal damage was analyzed via HE and Nissl staining； mitochondrial membrane potential and reactive oxygen species （ROS） were measured using assay kits； Western blot and qRT-PCR were performed to detect silencing information regulator 1 （SIRT1）， peroxisome proliferator-activated receptor gamma coactivator 1-alpha （PGC-1α）， and mRNA expression levels. ResultsCompared with the normal group， mice in the model group and non-acupoint group showed elevated orientation sailing latency and relative multiplicity of ROS in hippocampal tissues， and reduced number of traverses through the platform quadrant， distance of movement in the open-field experiment， number of Nissl-staining-positive cells in the hippocampal tissues， mitochondrial membrane potential， and protein levels and mRNA expression of SIRT1， PGC-1α （P＜0.01）； HE staining showed that the hippocampal tissues of the mice was loosely arranged， with reduced number of neurons and vacuolar degeneration； Nissl staining showed that pyramidal neurons in the hippocampal region were not neatly arranged， and the number of Nissl bodies in the cytoplasm was less and the staining was lighter. Compared with the model group， mice in the acupuncture group and donepezil group had lower orientation sailing latency and relative multiplicity of ROS in the hippocampal tissue， higher number of traverses through the platform quadrant， distance of movement in the open-field experiment， number of Nissl-stained positive cells in the hippocampal tissue， mitochondrial membrane potential， and protein levels and mRNA expression of SIRT1 and PGC-1α （P＜0.01）， and HE staining and Nissl staining showed significant improvement in hippocampal histopathological damage. Compared with the donepezil group， the orientation sailing latency shortened in the acupuncture group of mice （P＜0.01）. ConclusionKidney-tonifying and blood-activating acupuncture method can alleviate the SIRT1/PGC-1α signalling pathway in the hippocampal tissue and improve the mitochondrial function， thus alleviating the neuronal damage， which is one of the possible mechanisms for its treatment of Alzheimer's disease.

Objective To evaluate the effect of donor gender on short-term survival rate of lung transplant recipients. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the data of 1 066 lung transplant recipients. The log-rank test was used to evaluate the differences in short-term fatality among different donor gender groups and donor-recipient gender combination groups. Multivariate Cox regression, propensity score (PS) regression, and propensity score matching (PSM) were employed to control for confounding factors and further assess the differences in fatality. Subgroup analyses were also performed based on donor gender. Results Multivariate Cox regression analysis showed no statistically significant differences in fatality at 30 days, 1 year, 2 years and 3 years postoperatively between male and female donor groups (all P>0.05). After PS regression and PSM, univariate Cox regression analysis indicated that recipients from female donors had a higher fatality at 2 years postoperatively compared to those from male donors, with hazard ratios (95% confidence intervals) of 1.29 (1.01-1.65) and 1.36 (1.03-1.80) respectively. Multivariate Cox regression analysis also revealed no statistically significant differences in fatality at various follow-up time points among different donor-recipient gender combination groups (all P>0.05). Subgroup analyses based on donor sex showed no statistically significant differences in fatality among recipients of different gender within either male or female donor groups (all P>0.05). Conclusions Female donors may reduce the short-term postoperative survival rate of lung transplant recipients, but this negative impact is not sustainable in the long term. At present, there is no evidence to support the inclusion of sex as a factor in lung allocation rules.

Objective To investigate expression changes and regulatory roles of adhesion G protein-coupled receptor F1 (ADGRF1/GPR110) in metabolic dysfunction-associated steatohepatitis (MASH)-related hepatic fibrosis. Methods Human MASH liver tissues were collected for GPR110 detection via real-time quantitative reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR) and immunohistochemistry. Eight-week-old male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into four groups: control＋AAV-GFP group, control＋AAV-GPR110 group, MASH＋AAV-GFP group, and MASH＋AAV-GPR110 group. MASH was induced by high-fat with high-sucrose diet and low-dose CCl₄ intraperitoneal injections, with AAV-GPR110/AAV-GFP delivered via tail vein. Liver tissues were harvested at designated intervals (4 w, 8 w, and 12 w). Western blotting measured GPR110 expression; hematoxylin-eosin and oil red O staining assessed histology and lipid content; F4/80 and α-smooth muscle actin (α-SMA) immunofluorescence staining evaluated inflammation and fibrosis; qRT-PCR quantified hepatic expression of lipid metabolism, inflammatory, and fibrotic genes. Results GPR110 expression was significantly reduced in livers of MASH patients compared with controls (P＜0.05). MASH＋AAV-GPR110 mice exhibited lower weight, liver index, and serum lipids compared with MASH＋AAV-GFP (P＜0.05). Lipid synthesis-related gene (SCD-1), lipid uptake-related gene (CD36), gluconeogenesis-related genes (PEPCK and G-6-Pase), and inflammation-related genes (TNF-α, NF-κB, and iNOS) in liver were downregulated in MASH＋AAV-GPR110 (P＜0.05). Hepatic F4/80^＋ and α-SMA^＋ areas decreased in MASH＋AAV-GPR110 (P＜0.05). Conclusion GPR110 overexpression ameliorates hepatic lipid accumulation, reduces inflammation, and delays fibrosis in MASH.

Objective: To construct prediction models of female stress urinary incontinence (SUI), and evaluate the efficacy of each model, so as to provide reference for the early diagnosis of SUI. Methods: Female SUI patients treated in our hospital during Oct. 2019 and Oct. 2023 and healthy women undergoing physical examination during the same period were involved. Women 42 days after delivery were included in the postpartum group (n=611), and perimenopausal and postmenopausal women were included in the non-postpartum group (n=409). The number of random seeds was set and the participants were divided into the training and verification sets in a ratio of 7∶3. Relevant clinical data were collected, and meaningful variables were screened using single factor and Lasso regression, which were then incorporated into the K-nearest neighbor method (KNN), support vector machine (SVM)，decision tree (DT) and random forest (RF) algorithms. The sensitivity, specificity, accuracy and area under the receiver operating characteristic curve (AUC) of the models were calculated to screen out the optimal model. Results: There were 352 SUI patients (57.6%) in the postpartum group. According to single factor and Lasso regression, significant variables included age, body mass index (BMI), maximum rapid muscle stage, parity, bladder neck mobility (BND), urethral rotation angle (URA), lateral perineal incision, past incontinence, and constipation. In the verification set, the AUC of KNN，SVM，DT and RF models were 0.881，0.878，0.750 and 0.905,respectively; the AUC, accuracy, F1 index and Kappa value of RF model were the largest. In the non-postpartum group, there were 260 SUI patients, accounting for 63.6%. The significant variables were age，BMI, maximum value and recovery time of fast muscle stage, mean value of slow muscle stage, post-resting stage variability, vaginal delivery, past incontinence, and constipation. In the verification set, the AUC of KNN,SVM，DT and RF models were 0.819,0.805，0.603 and 0.830, respectively; the AUC, accuracy, Kappa value of the RF model were the largest. Conclusion: This study successfully established 4 prediction models for the incidence of SUI in women at 42 days postpartum, perimenopausal and postmenopausal women based on machine learning. Among them, the model adopting the RF algorithm had the best prediction efficiency.

ObjectiveThe aim of this study was to investigate the prophylactic effects of caloric restriction (CR) on lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced septic cardiomyopathy (SCM) and to elucidate the mechanisms underlying the cardioprotective actions of CR. This research aims to provide innovative strategies and theoretical support for the prevention of SCM. MethodsA total of forty-eight 8-week-old male C57BL/6 mice, weighing between 20-25 g, were randomly assigned to 4 distinct groups, each consisting of 12 mice. The groups were designated as follows: CON (control), LPS, CR, and CR+LPS. Prior to the initiation of the CR protocol, the CR and CR+LPS groups underwent a 2-week acclimatization period during which individual food consumption was measured. The initial week of CR intervention was set at 80% of the baseline intake, followed by a reduction to 60% for the subsequent 5 weeks. After 6-week CR intervention, all 4 groups received an intraperitoneal injection of either normal saline or LPS (10 mg/kg). Twelve hours post-injection, heart function was assessed, and subsequently, heart and blood samples were collected. Serum inflammatory markers were quantified using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay (ELISA). The serum myocardial enzyme spectrum was analyzed using an automated biochemical instrument. Myocardial tissue sections underwent hematoxylin and eosin (HE) staining and immunofluorescence (IF) staining. Western blot analysis was used to detect the expression of protein in myocardial tissue, including inflammatory markers (TNF-α, IL-9, IL-18), oxidative stress markers (iNOS, SOD2), pro-apoptotic markers (Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, CASP3), and SIRT3/SIRT6. ResultsTwelve hours after LPS injection, there was a significant decrease in ejection fraction (EF) and fractional shortening (FS) ratios, along with a notable increase in left ventricular end-systolic diameter (LVESD). Morphological and serum indicators (AST, LDH, CK, and CK-MB) indicated that LPS injection could induce myocardial structural disorders and myocardial injury. Furthermore, 6-week CR effectively prevented the myocardial injury. LPS injection also significantly increased the circulating inflammatory levels (IL-1β, TNF-α) in mice. IF and Western blot analyses revealed that LPS injection significantly up-regulating the expression of inflammatory-related proteins (TNF-α, IL-9, IL-18), oxidative stress-related proteins (iNOS, SOD2) and apoptotic proteins (Bax/Bcl-2 ratio, CASP3) in myocardial tissue. 6-week CR intervention significantly reduced circulating inflammatory levels and downregulated the expression of inflammatory, oxidative stress-related proteins and pro-apoptotic level in myocardial tissue. Additionally, LPS injection significantly downregulated the expression of SIRT3 and SIRT6 proteins in myocardial tissue, and CR intervention could restore the expression of SIRT3 proteins. ConclusionA 6-week CR could prevent LPS-induced septic cardiomyopathy, including cardiac function decline, myocardial structural damage, inflammation, oxidative stress, and apoptosis. The mechanism may be associated with the regulation of SIRT3 expression in myocardial tissue.

ObjectiveFunctional near-infrared spectroscopy (fNIRS), a novel non-invasive technique for monitoring cerebral activity, can be integrated with upper limb rehabilitation robots to facilitate the real-time assessment of neurological rehabilitation outcomes. The rehabilitation robot is designed with 3 training modes: passive, active, and resistance. Among these, the resistance mode has been demonstrated to yield superior rehabilitative outcomes for patients with a certain level of muscle strength. The control modes in the resistance mode can be categorized into dynamic and static control. However, the effects of different control modes in the resistance mode on the motor function of patients with upper limb hemiplegia in stroke remain unclear. Furthermore, the effects of force, an important parameter of different control modes, on the activation of brain regions have rarely been reported. This study investigates the effects of dynamic and static resistance modes under varying resistance levels on cerebral functional alterations during motor rehabilitation in post-stroke patients. MethodsA cohort of 20 stroke patients with upper limb dysfunction was enrolled in the study, completing preparatory adaptive training followed by 3 intensity-level tasks across 2 motor paradigms. The bilateral prefrontal cortices (PFC), bilateral primary motor cortices (M1), bilateral primary somatosensory cortices (S1), and bilateral premotor and supplementary motor cortices (PM) were examined in both the resting and motor training states. The lateralization index (LI), phase locking value (PLV), network metrics were employed to examine cortical activation patterns and topological properties of brain connectivity. ResultsThe data indicated that both dynamic and static modes resulted in significantly greater activation of the contralateral M1 area and the ipsilateral PM area when compared to the resting state. The static patterns demonstrated a more pronounced activation in the contralateral M1 in comparison to the dynamic patterns. The results of brain network analysis revealed significant differences between the dynamic and resting states in the contralateral PFC area and contralateral M1 area (F=4.709, P=0.038), as well as in the contralateral PM area and ipsilateral M1 area (F=4.218, P=0.049). Moreover, the findings indicated a positive correlation between the activation of the M1 region and the increase in force in the dynamic mode, which was reversed in the static mode. ConclusionBoth dynamic and static resistance training modes have been demonstrated to activate the corresponding brain functional regions. Dynamic resistance modes elicit greater oxygen changes and connectivity to the region of interest (ROI) than static resistance modes. Furthermore, the effects of increasing force differ between the two modes. In patients who have suffered a stroke, dynamic modes may have a more pronounced effect on the activation of exercise-related functional brain regions.

Objective To explore the changing trend in the disease burden of gout in China from 1990 to 2021, and analyze the incidence, prevalence, and disability-adjusted life years (DALYs) by age and gender, with comparisons to global patterns, and to predict the disease burden of gout in China in 2030. Methods Data from the Global Burden of Disease (GBD) database were used to analyze changes in gout burden. Joinpoint regression was used to estimate the average annual percentage change (AAPC) with 95% confidence intervals (CIs). Comparative analyses were conducted on data from China and the world, and an ARIMA model was used to project China's gout burden in 2030. Results From 1990 to 2021, China's age-standardized incidence rate (ASIR) rose from 122.52 to 151.61/100,000, exceeding the global rise from 93.09 to 109.07/100,000. The age-standardized prevalence rate (ASPR) in China increased from 640.67/100,000 to 810.35/100,000, compared to a global rise from 536.54/100,000 to 653.81/100,000. The age-standardized DALYs rate (ASDR) in China increased from 20.2/100,000 to 25.43/100,000, surpassing the global increase from 16.67/100,000 to 20.21/100,000. AAPCs for ASIR, ASPR, and ASDR in China were 0.70%, 0.77%, and 0.75%, respectively, all higher than global rates. Middle-aged and elderly men faced the highest burden. It was predicted that there will be a decline in China's ASIR and ASPR by 2030, while ASDR will remain stable. Conclusion The disease burden of gout in China has increased significantly, outpacing global trends. Targeted interventions for hyperuricemia, particularly in elderly men, are crucial to reduce the future disease burden.

Rheumatoid arthritis （RA） is a chronic systemic autoimmune disease with complex pathogenesis， poor cure rate， long course of disease， and high disability rate， which seriously affects patients' quality of life. Western medicine treatment of RA mainly includes non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs， rheumatic drugs， glucocorticoids， biologics， and targeted small-molecule drugs， which have large side effects and many adverse reactions. Traditional Chinese medicine （TCM） has systematic， comprehensive， multi-target， and multi-mechanism advantages in the treatment of RA. Through the overall syndrome pattern identification， it is effective in relieving symptoms， delaying onset， and relieving pain in RA patients by dispelling wind and removing dampness， dissipating cold and dredging collaterals， clearing heat and removing toxin， resolving phlegm and removing blood stasis， and relaxing sinew and activating collaterals. In recent years， TCM has made remarkable progress in the intervention of RA by regulating the nuclear transcription factor-κB （NF-κB） signaling network. They include Toll-like receptor 4 （TLR4）， phosphoinositol 3 kinase （PI3K）/protein kinase B （Akt）， mitogen-activated protein kinase （MAPK）， Nod-like receptor protein 3 （NLRP3）， nuclear factor E₂ associated factor 2 （Nrf2）， Janus kinase 2 （JAK2）/signaling and transcriptional activator 3 （STAT3）， and Toll-like receptor 2 （TLR2）. The regulatory mechanism of NF-κB signaling network is complex： TLR4 is the upstream receptor of NF-κB， PI3K/Akt and MAPK pathways can not only regulate the activity of NF-κB， but also serve as its downstream effect pathway， Nrf2 and NF-κB often have antagonistic effects in the regulation of inflammatory response. Therefore， the research progress of regulating NF-κB signaling network by traditional Chinese medicine in the intervention of RA was summarized to provide a reference for the treatment of RA disease and the development of new drugs.