AIM: To quantitatively evaluate the clinical characteristics of haze after transepithelial photorefractive keratectomy(TPRK)for astigmatism using corneal densitometry.METHODS:In this retrospective clinical study, a total of 74 patients(106 eyes)with astigmatism ≥1.25 D who underwent TPRK in our hospital from October 2022 to December 2024 were continuously collected. All of the study subjects were divided into transparent group(65 eyes)and haze group(41 eyes)based on whether haze occurred after surgery. Pentacam examination was performed before and after surgery, and corneal densitometry was recorded at the time points of preoperation, 1 mo postoperation in the transparent group and the most severe haze degree in the haze group. The collected corneal densitometry included the average densitometry of the entire corneal layer in the central 2 mm, 2-6 mm, and 6-10 mm areas, as well as the average densitometry of the entire layer of the corneal section in the center 6 mm of the astigmatism axis(astigmatism expressed in negative cylindrical form)and orthogonal axis(the axis perpendicular to the astigmatism axis), and the average densitometry of the entire layer of the corneal section in the nasal and temporal 2-6 mm areas of the astigmatism axis in the haze group of patients with regular astigmatism. The change in corneal densitometry after surgery compared with that before surgery was calculated.RESULTS:There was no statistically significant difference in baseline data such as gender, age, and spherical equivalent between the transparent group and the haze group(all P>0.05). The change in corneal densitometry in the 2-6 mm area of the haze group was greater than that in the transparent group(Z=-2.226, P=0.026), while there was no significant difference in the change of corneal densitometry in the central 2 mm and 6-10 mm areas between the two groups(both P>0.05). There was no significant difference in the change of corneal densitometry between the transparent group and haze group along the orthogonal axis(all P>0.05), while the change of corneal densitometry in the haze group along the astigmatism axis was greater than that in the transparent group(Z=-2.371, P=0.018). The temporal corneal densitometry of patients with regular astigmatism in the haze group after surgery was higher than that of the nasal side, and the change in corneal densitometry was also greater than that of the nasal side(Z=-4.288, P<0.001; Z=-4.043, P<0.001).CONCLUSION:Unlike spherical correction for myopia and hyperopia, haze after TPRK for astigmatism was mainly manifested in the peripheral cutting area of the astigmatism axis, and patients with regular astigmatism had a higher probability or severity of haze on the temporal side of the astigmatism axis than on the nasal side.

Hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF-1α), a core transcription factor responding to changes in cellular oxygen levels, is closely associated with a wide range of physiological and pathological conditions. However, its differential impacts on vascular cell types and molecular programs modulating human vascular homeostasis and regeneration remain largely elusive. Here, we applied CRISPR/Cas9-mediated gene editing of human embryonic stem cells and directed differentiation to generate HIF-1α-deficient human vascular cells including vascular endothelial cells, vascular smooth muscle cells, and mesenchymal stem cells (MSCs), as a platform for discovering cell type-specific hypoxia-induced response mechanisms. Through comparative molecular profiling across cell types under normoxic and hypoxic conditions, we provide insight into the indispensable role of HIF-1α in the promotion of ischemic vascular regeneration. We found human MSCs to be the vascular cell type most susceptible to HIF-1α deficiency, and that transcriptional inactivation of ANKZF1, an effector of HIF-1α, impaired pro-angiogenic processes. Altogether, our findings deepen the understanding of HIF-1α in human angiogenesis and support further explorations of novel therapeutic strategies of vascular regeneration against ischemic damage.
Humans ; Vascular Endothelial Growth Factor A/metabolism* ; Endothelial Cells/metabolism* ; Transcription Factors/metabolism* ; Gene Expression Regulation ; Hypoxia/metabolism* ; Cell Hypoxia/physiology*

Objective:According to the international cooperation project of Peking University Cancer Hospital on human genetic resource management practices, combined with the development direction of human genetic resource management laws and regulations, and propose reference suggestions for medical institutions to strengthen human genetic resource management.Methods:Sort out the projects that Peking University Cancer Hospital obtained international cooperation approval on the government platform of the Ministry of Science and Technology from July 2019 to June 2023, analyze the current situation of human genetic resource management in the hospital, summarize the challenges brought by the implementation of new regulations on human genetic resource management in medical institutions, and propose corresponding suggestions.Results:A total of 1276 international cooperation projects on human genetic resources have been approved, including 345 initial declarations and 931 change declarations. Involving 453 studies, including 286 clinical trials of drugs or devices on the market, accounting for 63.13%, and 100 clinical trials of Phase I drugs, accounting for 34.97% of the market studies. On average, there are 3.14 changes per project for listed research, and 1.56 changes per project for non listed research.Conclusions:Regulations on the Management of Human Genetic Resources ( short for Rules) limit the management scope of international cooperation projects involving human genetic resources and delegate management authority to medical institutions. Adjusting the scope of application for international cooperative clinical trial filing may result in some administrative approval projects being transferred to filing. The approval process for international cooperative scientific research projects on human genetic resources has been adjusted. Suggest medical institutions to strengthen the management of samples and intellectual property outside the scope of application of Rules.Strengthen the entire process management of international cooperation in scientific research. Pay attention to and timely communicate the dynamics of human genetic resource management.

Perinatal depression is a psychological disorder that occurs during pregnancy and within one year of delivery, which can seriously affect the physical and mental health of pregnant and postpartum women, as well as the cognitive and behavioral abilities of offspring, with potential multigenerational effects. Therefore, it is important to identify its potential modifiable risk factors. Phthalic acid esters (PAEs), as common environmental endocrine disruptors, can affect maternal estrogen through multiple mechanisms and are important potential modifiable risk factors for developing maternal perinatal depression. At present, studies on the correlation between PAEs and perinatal depression are still very limited, and the mechanisms by which PAEs affect perinatal depression have not been clarified. Based on existing epidemiological and toxicological studies at home and abroad, the article briefly introduced the characteristics of multiple pathways, high doses, and long-term exposure to maternal PAEs, focused on reviewing the current status of epidemiological studies, pointed out the possible associations between some specific PAEs exposure and elevated risk of perinatal depression. It also summarized the potential roles of hormone-neurotransmitter pathway, inflammation mediation, gene regulation, and other possible mechanisms in the association between exposure to PAEs and perinatal depression. The article concluded with a look at how future research on the association between exposure to PAEs and perinatal depression can be scientifically validated, with a view to providing more high-quality evidence for the scientific prevention of the onset and progression of maternal depressive symptoms.

The aim of this study was to investigate the growth characteristics of primarily cultured astrocytes and microglia of different generations and then optimize the method for obtaining primary astrocytes and microglia effectively. Primarily cultured microglia were isolated and purified from the cortices of neonatal mice. The proliferation curve of mixed glia cells was measured by Cell Counting Kit-8 (CCK-8) assay, the proportion of astrocytes and microglia was detected by flow cytometry, and the polarization of the two types of glia cells was identified by immunofluorescence staining. Cell growth results showed that the mixed glia cells of P0 and P1 generation had the best proliferative activity; 97.3% of the high purity microglia could be obtained by mechanical shaking at 170 r/min for 30 min, and there was no significant difference in the morphology of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 (Iba-1) positive microglia and the proportion of M1 and M2 phenotype among the P0, P1 and P2 generations of microglia isolated by the above methods. Moreover, 95.7 % of the high purity astrocytes could be obtained by astrocyte cell surface antigen-2 (ACSA-2) magnetic beads separation, and there was no significant difference in the morphology of glial fibrillary acidic protein (GFAP) positive astrocyte and the proportion of A1 and A2 phenotype among the P0, P1 and P2 generations of astrocyte isolated by the above methods. Taken together, this study observed the growth characteristics of primarily cultured microglia and astrocyte in vitro, and then proved the best generations for purifying microglia and astrocytes. Finally, we optimized the methods of obtaining microglia and astrocyte, and verified that continuous culture within 2 generations will not affect the functional phenotypes of glia cells. These results provide technical support for studying the molecular mechanism of inflammation-associated diseases in nervous system.
Mice ; Animals ; Astrocytes/metabolism* ; Microglia/metabolism* ; Cell Count ; Flow Cytometry/methods* ; Cell Proliferation ; Cells, Cultured

Hair loss affects millions of people at some time in their life, and safe and efficient treatments for hair loss are a significant unmet medical need. We report that topical delivery of quercetin (Que) stimulates resting hair follicles to grow with rapid follicular keratinocyte proliferation and replenishes perifollicular microvasculature in mice. We construct dynamic single-cell transcriptome landscape over the course of hair regrowth and find that Que treatment stimulates the differentiation trajectory in the hair follicles and induces an angiogenic signature in dermal endothelial cells by activating HIF-1α in endothelial cells. Skin administration of a HIF-1α agonist partially recapitulates the pro-angiogenesis and hair-growing effects of Que. Together, these findings provide a molecular understanding for the efficacy of Que in hair regrowth, which underscores the translational potential of targeting the hair follicle niche as a strategy for regenerative medicine, and suggest a route of pharmacological intervention that may promote hair regrowth.
Mice ; Animals ; Quercetin/pharmacology* ; Endothelial Cells ; Hair ; Hair Follicle ; Alopecia

Gallic Acid/pharmacology* ; Humans ; Senotherapeutics ; Stem Cells

Animals ; Chloroquine/pharmacology* ; Longevity ; Rats

Objective:To investigate the clinical manifestations, characteristics of chest high-resolution computed tomography (HRCT), and prognosis of connective tissue disease (CTD) complicated with interstitial lung disease (ILD) in children.Methods:The clinical data of 53 children with CTD-ILD who were admitted to the Department of Rheumatology and Immunology, Affiliated Xi′an Children′s Hospital of Xi′an Jiaotong University from October 2013 to October 2019 were retrospectively analyzed, including clinical manifestations, blood gas analysis, chest HRCT and prognosis.Results:As for these 53 children with CTD-ILD, the ratio of male to female was 1.0∶1.4, the average age was (7.50±3.34) years, and the course of disease was 2.00 (0.85, 7.50) months.Among them, there were 25 cases (47.2%) of juvenile idiopathic arthritis (JIA), 15 cases (28.3%) of systemic lupus erythematosus (SLE), 11 cases of polymyositis / dermatomyositis (PM/DM) (20.7%), 1 case of overlap syndrome (OS) (1.9%), and 1 case of allergic granulomatosis with polyangiitis (AGPA) (1.9%). Although cough (39.6%) was the most common symptom of respiratory system in these children with CTD-ILD and fever(66.0%) was the most common symptom in the systemic features.Blood gas analysis appeared abnormal in 17 cases, including 10 cases of hypoxemia (18.9%) and 7 cases of type Ⅰ respiratory failure (13.2%). HRCT chest showed ground glass shadow, strip shadow, subpleural spot shadow, grid shadow, pleural thickening, consolidation shadow, nodular shadow and cystic low-density shadow, with the proportion of 52.8%, 26.4%, 22.6%, 18.9%, 11.3%, 7.5%, 1.9% and 1.9%, respectively; nonspecific interstitial pneumonia (NSIP)(39.6%) was the most common type of imaging classification.After the combined treatment with glucocorticoids, immunosuppressive agents and biological agents, HRCT chest showed remarkably improvement in 36 cases (67.9%), while no change in 8 cases (15.1%). A total of 75.0%(33 cases) of 44 cases were infected in the course of combined treatment.In addition, 9 cases (17.0%) died from acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS), among which 4 cases exacerbated to rapid progressive luge disease and 5 cases aggravated secondary ARDS due to infection.Conclusions:Only a small number of children with CTD-ILD have respiratory symptoms and signs.HRCT chest contributes to the early diagnosis of CTD-ILD, and its imaging manifestations are diverse.Blood gas analysis and HRCT chest play an important role in the disease evaluation and treatment planning.Moreover, it is the direction for further research to develop effective methods to prevent and control secondary infection so as to improve the survival rate and reduce the mortality rate during the active treatment of primary diseases.