AIM: To observe the changes of corneal densitometry(CD)in patients with keratoconus after corneal cross-linking(CXL).METHODS: Retrospective study. A total of 32 patients(43 eyes)with keratoconus in Ningxia Eye Hospital from April 2020 to April 2022 were selected. Pentacam analysis system divided the cornea into three layers: anterior 120 μm, middle layer and posterior 60 μm, and divides it into five regions with diameters of 0-2, 2-6, 6-10, 10-12 mm and full diameter according to the diameter, and measures the CD in different ranges. The changes of CD were compared before operation and at 1, 3 and 6 mo after operation.RESULTS: There were differences in uncorrected visual acuity, best corrected visual acuity and intraocular pressure before and 6 mo after operation(all P<0.05), and there was no difference in corneal endothelial cells(P=0.477). CD reached its peak at 1 mo after operation, and decreased at 3 mo and 6 mo after operation, but it was still higher than that before operation. There is a significant positive correlation between CD and Kmax in the anterior layer and the whole layer(r=0.164, P=0.016; r=0.152, P=0.023).CONCLUSION: The values of CD peaked at 1 mo after CXL, then it gradually decreased, tending to become stable at 6 mo postoperatively.

AIM:To investigate the therapeutic effect of enteric-coated sustained-release new dosage form of tadalafil on mice with renal fibrosis caused by unilateral ureteral obstruction(UUO).METHODS:Eight-week-old male C57BL/6J mice were divided into four groups randomly:sham group,UUO group,UUO+new dosage form of tadalafil(1 mg/kg)group and UUO+original patented drug of tadalafil(5 mg/kg)group.Surgery was performed to create a mouse UUO model,and therapeutic drugs were administered intragastrically for 7 d after modeling.A fully automated biochemi-cal analyzer was used to detect serum creatinine(SCr)levels of each group.Through renal histopathological staining(HE staining,Masson trichrome staining,and immunohistochemistry staining)and Western blot,we assessed the therapeutic effect of enteric-coated sustained-release new dosage forms of tadalafil on kidney fibrosis in mice,as well as its effect on the expression and distribution of fibronectin(FN)and α-smooth muscle actin(α-SMA).RESULTS:Compared with sham group,the SCr levels were significantly increased in mice with renal fibrosis,and renal tubules were dilated and in-filtrated with inflammation.Moreover,the expressions of FN and α-SMA were increased significantly(P<0.05).New dosage form and the original patented drug tadalafil both significantly reduced SCr levels in mice with renal fibrosis,im-proved the renal tissue structure on the affected side,reduced collagen fiber deposition,and inhibited FN and α-SMA ex-pression(P<0.05).CONCLUSION:Enteric-coated sustained-release new dosage form of tadalafil reduces the deposit of extracellular matrix in kidney interstitial tissue and attenuates fibrosis and renal function damage caused by ureteral ob-struction.New dosage form of tadalafil has significant advantages over the original patented drug because the low dose and high effectiveness.

Objective To explore the association between R611H(G/A,rs734312)variation of WFS1 gene and early-onset type 2 diabetes mellitus(T2DM).Methods A total of 181 Chinese patients with early-onset T2DM(T2DM group)and 196 non-diabetic controls(NC group)were enrolled in this study.The rs734312 variation was detected by PCR-direct sequencing.Genotypic and allelic frequencies of rs734312 and clinical variables were compared and analyzed between the two groups.Results Compared with the NC group,the frequencies of AA genotype and A allele in R611H(G→A)variation were significantly elevated in the early-onset T2DM group,AA vs GA+GG(OR 1.720,95%CI 1.100～2.680,P<0.05).A vs G(OR 1.500,95%CI 1.020～2.220,P<0.05).The remarkable differences of frequencies of genotype and allele in rs734312(G/A)were observed between Asians(China,Japan and Korea)and Caucasians(Denmark,Britain,Spain,France and Russia,P<0.01 for each).Compared with AA genotype,fasting and 2 hours postprandial insulin(FIns and 2 hIns)as well as HOMA-β were significantly rise in GG+GA genotype carriers of early-onset T2DM group(P<0.05).Conclusions The a allele of rs734312 in WFS1 may be a risk factor for early-onset T2DM in Chinese population,and the variation might be a potential genetic marker for predicting the islet β-cell dysfunction in early-onset T2DM in Chinese population.

Objective To investigate the induction factors of hypotension during cesarean section for perilous placenta previa under combined spinal-epidural anesthesia (CSEA) and to construct a nomogram prediction model. Methods A total of 130 parturients who underwent cesarean section for perilous placenta previa under CSEA from January 2020 to December 2023 in Yulin Maternity and Child Healthcare Hospital were selected as study subjects. A self-designed general information questionnaire was used to investigate the basic information and the occurrence of hypotension of the subjects. According to the occurrence of intraoperative hypotension, the patients were divided into hypotension group (47 cases) and non-hypotension group (83 cases). Univariate analysis was performed on the general information of the two groups, and multivariate Logistic regression analysis was used to explore the induction factors of intraoperative hypotension. Results Univariate analysis showed that there were statistically significant differences in body mass index, anesthesia level, presence of multiple pregnancy, preoperative systolic blood pressure, operative time, and the occurrence of Bezold-Jarisch reflex between the two groups (P < 0.05). Multivariate Logistic regression analysis revealed that body mass index≥ 24 kg/m², anesthesia level was in the eighth thoracic vertebra(T8) or above, multiple pregnancy, preoperative systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg, operative time >1.5 h, and the occurrence of Bezold-Jarisch reflex were independent risk factors for hypotension during cesarean section for perilous placenta previa under CSEA (P < 0.05). A regression equation for the induction factors of hypotension during cesarean section for perilous placenta previa under CSEA was constructed: Logit(P)=-23.211+1.079×(body mass index ≥ 24 kg/m²)+1.101×anesthesia level (≥T8)+3.193×multiple pregnancy+2.214×preoperative systolic blood pressure (< 90 mmHg)+4.606×operative time (>1.5 h)+2.011×occurrence of Bezold-Jarisch reflex. The nomogram showed high discrimination and accuracy for patients with preoperative systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg. After 1, 000 times of Bootstrap resampling for the nomogram model, a calibration curve was obtained, and the consistency index was calculated as 0.850, indicating good calibration of the nomogram model. The receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curve was plotted, with an area under the curve of 0.896 and 95% confidence interval of 0.802 to 0.956, suggesting good predictive performance. Conclusion Body mass index ≥24 kg/m², anesthesia level ≥ T8, multiple pregnancy, preoperative systolic blood pressure < 90 mmHg, operative time >1.5 h, and the occurrence of Bezold-Jarisch reflex are induction factors for hypotension during cesarean section for perilous placenta previa under CSEA.

OBJECTIVE To investigate the effects of matrine （MT） on steatosis Chang Liver cell model induced by oleic acid （OA） and its possible mechanism. METHODS Chang Liver cells were divided into blank group， model group and MT low-dose， medium-dose group and high-dose groups （0.1， 0.5， 1.0 mmol/L）. Except for blank group， the other groups were treated with 1.0 mmol/L OA for 24 h to establish steatosis model， and MT groups were given corresponding concentrations of drugs for 24 h. The activities of steatosis Chang Liver cells were observed； the morphologies of intracellular lipid droplets were observed and lipid content was also determined. The contents of liver function indexes [alanine transaminase （ALT）， aspartate transaminase （AST）， total bilirubin （TBIL）， alkaline phosphatase （ALP）]， as well as mRNA and protein expressions of farnesoid X receptor （FXR）， cytochrome P450 7A1 （CYP7A1） and fibroblast growth factor 19 （FGF19） were all detected. RESULTS OA and MT had no significant effect on the activity of Chang Liver cells. After OA treatment， orange lipid droplets formed in cytoplasm； compared with blank group， relative lipid content and the levels of liver function indexes were increased significantly， while the mRNA and protein expressions of FXR， CYP7A1 and FGF19 were down-regulated significantly （P＜0.05）. After treatment of low， medium and high concentrations of MT， above indexes were all reversed significantly （P＜0.05）. CONCLUSIONS MT could significantly improve the lipid content and liver function indexes of steatosis Chang Liver cells induced by OA though regulating FXR/CYP7A1/ FGF19 signaling pathway.

Objectives:To investigate the clinical and genetic features of young Chinese patients with myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPN) .Methods:In this cross-sectional study, anonymous questionnaires were distributed to patients with MPN patients nationwide. The respondents were divided into 3 groups based on their age at diagnosis: young (≤40 years) , middle-aged (41-60 years) , and elderly (>60 years) . We compared the clinical and genetic characteristics of three groups of MPN patients.Results:1727 assessable questionnaires were collected. There were 453 (26.2%) young respondents with MPNs, including 274 with essential thrombocythemia (ET) , 80 with polycythemia vera (PV) , and 99 with myelofibrosis. Among the young group, 178 (39.3%) were male, and the median age was 31 (18-40) years. In comparison to middle-aged and elderly respondents, young respondents with MPN were more likely to present with a higher proportion of unmarried status (all P<0.001) , a higher education level (all P<0.001) , less comorbidity (ies) , fewer medications (all P<0.001) , and low-risk stratification (all P<0.001) . Younger respondents experienced headache (ET, P<0.001; PV, P=0.007; MF, P=0.001) at diagnosis, had splenomegaly at diagnosis (PV, P<0.001) , and survey (ET, P=0.052; PV, P=0.063) . Younger respondents had fewer thrombotic events at diagnosis (ET, P<0.001; PV, P=0.011) and during the survey (ET, P<0.001; PV, P=0.003) . JAK2 mutations were found in fewer young people (ET, P<0.001; PV, P<0.001; MF, P=0.013) ; however, CALR mutations were found in more young people (ET, P<0.001; MF, P=0.015) . Furthermore, mutations in non-driver genes (ET, P=0.042; PV, P=0.043; MF, P=0.004) and high-molecular risk mutations (ET, P=0.024; PV, P=0.023; MF, P=0.001) were found in fewer young respondents. Conclusion:Compared with middle-aged and elderly patients, young patients with MPN had unique clinical and genetic characteristics.

Objectives:To explore health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and identify its associated variables in Chinese patients with Philadelphia-negative myeloproliferative neoplasms (MPNs) .Methods:In this cross-sectional study, anonymous questionnaires were distributed to adult patients with MPNs to assess symptom burden measured by MPN-10 and HRQoL measured by Medical Outcomes Study 36-Item Short-Form Health Survey (SF-36) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) .Results:The data from 1405 respondents with MPNs, including 645 (45.9%) with essential thrombocythemia (ET) , 297 (21.1%) with polycythemia vera (PV) , and 463 (33.0%) with myelofibrosis (MF) , were analyzed. 646 (46.0%) respondents were male. The median age was 56 (range, 18-99) years. The mean MPN-10 scores were 13.0±12.7, 15.0±14.7, and 21.0±16.6 ( P<0.001) , and the physical component summary (PCS) and mental component summary (MCS) scores were 48.0±8.5, 47.0±9.0, and 42.0±10.0 ( P<0.001) and 51.0±11.0, 50.0±10.8, and 49.0±11.1 ( P=0.002) for respondents with ET, PV, and MF, respectively. Respondents with MF reported the lowest score of physical functioning, role functioning, emotional functioning, cognitive functioning, social function, and global health status (all P<0.01) and the highest score of fatigue, pain, dyspnea, appetite loss, diarrhea, and financial problems (all P<0.05) in EORTC QLQ-C30. Multivariate analyses revealed that higher MPN-10 scores were significantly associated with lower PCS (-0.220 to -0.277, P<0.001) and MCS (-0.244 to -0.329, P<0.001) scores; increasing age (-1.923 to -4.869; all P<0.05) , lower PCS score. Additionally, comorbidity (ies) , symptom at diagnosis, splenomegaly, anemia, unknown driver gene, and higher annual out-of-pocket cost were significantly associated with lower PCS and/or MCS scores. However, age ≥ 60 years, urban household registration, concomitant medication, and receiving ruxolitinib therapy in respondents with MF were associated with higher MCS scores. Weak correlations were found between MPN-10 score (except the subscale of appetite loss and constipation) and EORTC QLQ-C30 score in majority of subscales in respondents with ET (| r| = 0.193-0.457, all P<0.001) , PV (| r| = 0.192-0.529, all P<0.01) , and MF (| r| = 0.180-0.488, all P<0.001) , respectively. Conclusions:HRQoL in patients with MPN was significantly reduced, especially in patients with MF. Sociodemographic and clinical variables were significantly associated with the HRQoL in patients with MPNs.

OBJECTIVE：To explore the mo lecular mechanism of Chaihu shugan powder in the adjunctive treatment of major depressive disorder （MDD）. METHODS ：Network pharmacology was adopted. The microarray dataset GSE 76826 was downloaded from GEO common database ，and the limma package was used to screen the differently expressed genes in the samples of MDD patients. The active ingredients and corresponding targets of Chaihu shugan powder were screened out based on TCMSP platform. Through the online software venny 2.1.0，the differently expressed genes of MDD and the targets of Chaihu shugan powder were screened，and the common target genes of Chaihu shugan powder for MDD were obtained. The target genes were introduced into Cytoscape 3.6.1 software to construct the network diagram of “Chaihu shugan powder active ingredients-MDD target gene ”. Then ， BisoGenet plug-in was used to construct the PPI network ，analyze the topological structure and screen the core target gene. KEGG pathway analysis was conducted. RESULTS ：There were 139 active components of Chaihu shugan powder for the treatment of MDD，including quercetin ，kaempferol，luteolin，stigmasterol，etc. There were 8 core target genes ，including NR3C2，DPP4， ALOX5，GSTM1，CCND1，IGFBP3 and so on. They play an important role in the treatment of MDD via signaling pathway such as regulating cell receptor ，purine metabolism ，steroid biosynthesis ，aminoacyl biosynthesis ，etc. CONCLUSIONS ：Chaihu shugan powder can play a role in the adjunctive treatment of MDD through multiple targets and pathways ，which can provide a theoretical basis for the follow-up study of its mechanism.

Objective To analyze the clinical courses and outcomes of COVID-19 cases and the influencing factors in Guangdong province and provide basis for the formulation or adjustment of medical care and epidemic control strategy for COVID-19. Methods We collected demographic data, medical histories, clinical courses and outcomes of 1 350 COVID-19 patients reported in Guangdong as of 4 March 2020 via epidemiological investigation and process tracking. Disease severity and clinical course characteristics of the patients and influencing factors of severe illness were analyzed in our study. Results Among 1 350 cases of COVID-19 cases in Guangdong, 72 (5.3%) and 1049 (77.7%) were mild and ordinary cases, 164 (12.1%) were severe cases, 58 (4.3%) were critical cases and 7 (0.5%) were fatal. The median duration of illness were 23 days ( P 25 - P 75 : 18-31 days) and the median length of hospitalization were 20 days ( P 25 - P 75 : 15-27 days). For severe cases, the median time of showing severe manifestations was on the 12th day after onset ( P 25 - P 75 : 9th to 15th days), and the median time of severe manifestation lasted for 8 days P 25 - P 75 : 4-14 days). Among 1 066 discharged/fetal cases, 36.4% (36/99) and 1.0% (1/99) of the mild cases developed to ordinary cases and severe cases respectively after admission; and 5.2% (50/968) and 0.6% (6/968) of the ordinary cases developed to severe cases, and critical cases respectively after admission. In severe cases, 11.4% developed to critical cases (10/88). The influencing factors for severe illness or worse included male (a HR =1.87, 95% CI : 1.43-2.46), older age (a HR =1.67, 95% CI : 1.51-1.85), seeking medical care on day 2-3 after onset (a HR =1.73, 95% CI : 1.20-2.50) pre-existing diabetes (a HR =1.75, 95% CI : 1.12-2.73) and hypertension (a HR =1.49, 95% CI : 1.06-2.09). Conclusions The course of illness and length of hospitalization of COVID-19 cases were generally long and associated with severity of disease clinical outcomes. The severe cases were mainly occurred in populations at high risk. In the epidemic period, classified management of COVID-19 cases should be promoted according to needs for control and prevention of isolation and treatment for the purpose of rational allocation of medical resources.

Objective:Analysis of clustering characteristics of coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) in Guangdong Province.Methods:The COVID-19 cases in Guangdong Province onset from January 1 to February 29, 2020 were collected from Chinese information system for disease control and prevention and Emergency Public Reporting System. Obtain the epidemiological survey data of the cluster epidemic situation, and clarify the scale of cluster epidemic situation, the characteristics of the index cases, family and non-family subsequent cases. Calculate serial interval according to the onset time of the index cases and subsequent cases, secondary attack rate based on the close contacts tracking results, the characteristics of different cases in the clustered epidemic were compared.Results:A total of 283 cluster were collected, including 633 index cases, 239 subsequent cases. Families are mainly clustered, the total number involved in each cluster is in the range of 2-27, M( P25, P75) are 2.0 (2.0, 4.0). During January 15 to February 29, the secondary attack rate is 2.86% (239/8 363) in Guangdong Province, the family secondary attack rate was 4.84% (276/3 697), and the non-family secondary attack rate was 1.32% (61/4 632). According to the reporting trend of the number of cases in Guangdong Province, it can be divided into four stages, the rising stage, the high platform stage, the descending stage and the low level fluctuation period. The secondary attack rate of the four stages were 3.5% (140/3 987), 2.3% (55/2 399), 2.6% (37/1 435), 1.3% (7/542), respectively. The difference was statistically significant ( P=0.003). Conclusion:COVID-19 cluster mainly occurs in families in Guangdong Province. The scale of the clustered epidemic was small; the serial interval was short; and the overall secondary attack rate was low.