AIM: To observe the changes of retinal nerve fiber layer(RNFL)thickness and radial peripheral capillary(RPC)density in patients with unilateral branch retinal vein occlusion(BRVO), and further analyze the correlation between RPC density and RNFL thickness.METHODS: Observational study. Totally 37 patients with unilateral BRVO diagnosed at the ophthalmology department of First Hospital of Qinhuangdao from October 2020 to January 2022 were selected, the 37 affected eyes were the unilateral BRVO group, and 37 fellow healthy eyes were the contralateral unaffected group, and 35 healthy individuals(35 right eyes were selected)without ocular diseases during the same period were selected as the normal control group. The best corrected visual acuity, intraocular pressure, anterior segment, fundus and optical coherence tomography angiography(OCTA)were examined in both eyes of all BRVO patients and healthy individuals. The central macular thickness(CMT), the RNFL thickness, and the optic disc-AV crossing distance(DAVD)were measured by built-in software of the OCTA equipment. The optimized U-net algorithm was used to eliminate the large blood vessels, and then the RPC density was calculated. The CMT, RNFL thickness and RPC density were compared among the three groups. And the correlations of the RPC density with the CMT, RNFL thickness, and the DAVD were investigated.RESULTS: Compared with the contralateral unaffected group and the normal control group, the CMT and the RNFL thickness were significantly thickened in the unilateral BRVO group(all P<0.05); there were no statistical differences in the CMT and the RNFL thickness between the contralateral unaffected group and the normal control group(all P>0.05). The RPC density in the unilateral BRVO group increased compared with the contralateral unaffected group and decreased compared with the normal control group, but there was no statistically difference(all P>0.05). However, the RPC density in the contralateral unaffected group decreased compared with the normal control group(P<0.05). The RPC density in the unilateral BRVO group was not correlated with the CMT(P=0.960), but positively correlated with the RNFL thickness(r=0.401, P=0.014)and negatively correlated with the DAVD(r=-0.339, P=0.040).CONCLUSION: The RNFL thickened significantly and the RPC density did not change significantly in the optic disc area of BRVO patients. The RPC density is positively correlated with the RNFL thickness, indicating that the RNFL thickness can be used as a monitoring indicator to analyze and study the damage degree of the RPC density.

Objective By combining biological detection and imaging evaluation, a clinical prediction model is constructed based on a large cohort to improve the accuracy of distinguishing between benign and malignant pulmonary nodules. Methods A retrospective analysis was conducted on the clinical data of the 32 627 patients with pulmonary nodules who underwent chest CT and testing for 7 types of lung cancer-related serum autoantibodies (7-AABs) at our hospital from January 2020 to April 2024. The univariate and multivariate logistic regression models were performed to screen independent risk factors for benign and malignant pulmonary nodules, based on which a nomogram model was established. The performance of the model was evaluated using receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves, calibration curves, and decision curve analysis (DCA). Results A total of 1 017 patients with pulmonary nodules were included in the study. The training set consisted of 712 patients, including 291 males and 421 females, with a mean age of (58±12) years. The validation set included 305 patients, comprising 129 males and 176 females, with a mean age of (58±13) years. Univariate ROC curve analysis indicated that the combination of CT and 7-AABs testing achieved the highest area under the curve (AUC) value (0.794), surpassing the diagnostic efficacy of CT alone (AUC=0.667) or 7-AABs alone (AUC=0.514). Multivariate logistic regression analysis showed that radiological nodule diameter, nodule nature, and CT combined with 7-AABs detection were independent predictors, which were used to construct a nomogram prediction model. The AUC values for this model were 0.826 and 0.862 in the training and validation sets, respectively, demonstrating excellent performance in DCA. Conclusion The combination of 7-AABs with CT significantly enhances the accuracy of distinguishing between benign and malignant pulmonary nodules. The developed predictive model provides strong support for clinical decision-making and contributes to achieving precise diagnosis and treatment of pulmonary nodules.

Inflammatory diseases (IDs) are a general term of diseases characterized by chronic inflammation as the primary pathogenetic mechanism, which seriously affect the quality of patient′s life and cause significant social and medical burden. Current drugs for IDs include nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, corticosteroids, immunomodulators, biologics, and antioxidants, but these drugs may cause gastrointestinal side effects, induce or worsen infections, and cause non-response or intolerance. Given the outstanding performance of metal polyphenol network (MPN) in the fields of drug delivery, biomedical imaging, and catalytic therapy, its application in the diagnosis and treatment of IDs has attracted much attention and significant progress has been made. In this paper, we first provide an overview of the types of IDs and their generating mechanisms, then sort out and summarize the different forms of MPN in recent years, and finally discuss in detail the characteristics of MPN and their latest research progress in the diagnosis and treatment of IDs. This research may provide useful references for scientific research and clinical practice in the related fields.

Aim To discover the potential active compounds and possible mechanisms in rheumatoid arthritis (RA) treatment with Zhi-Huang-Zhi-Tong powder (ZHZTP) by using network pharmacology and in vitro study. Methods The active ingredient targets and disease targets of Zhihuang Zhitong Powder were searched and screened by database; they intersected to get a common target; and the "drug-component-target" relationship network diagram was constructed for GO and KEGG enrichment analysis of the overlapping genes; then the core components were docked with the core targets. Finally, based on the inflammation model of HUVECs in vitro, the efficacy and mechanism of Zhihuang Zhitong powder were verified by MTT method, plate scratch test and Western blot. Results Active compounds involved in RA treatment were screened in the present study, and the top two were ursolic acid and emodin, all playing crucial roles in RA treatment with ZHZTP. Additionally, the key target was AKTA, TNF and IL-6. GO and KEGG enrichment analysis revealed that ZHZTP regulated BP, MF and CC, and also focused on regulating AKTA, TNF and IL-6 signaling pathway. Molecular docking showed that interactions between key active compounds and key targets were stable. In vitro ZHZTP significantly inhibited cell viability and migration of TNF-a-stimulated HUVECs, and the involved mechanism may be associated with PI3K/AKT/m-TOR signaling. Conclusions The present study reveals that the potential active compounds of ZHZTP are ursolic acid and emodin, and moreover, the involved mechanisms of ZHZTP for RA treatment are associated with PI3 K/AKT/m-TOR signaling.

In addition to providing energy for cells, mitochondria also participate in calcium homeostasis, cell information transfer, cell apoptosis, cell growth and differentiation. Therefore, maintaining mitochondrial homeostasis is very crucial for the body to carry out normal life activities. Ubiquitination, a post-translational modification of proteins, is involved in various physiological and pathological processes of cells by regulating mitochondrial homeostasis. However, the mechanism by which ubiquitination regulates mitochondrial homeostasis has not been summarized, especially the effect of Parkin protein on cardiovascular diseases. In this paper, the specific mechanism of mitochondrial homeostasis regulated by ubiquitination of Parkin protein is discussed, and the influence of mitochondrial homeostasis imbalance on cardiovascular diseases is reviewed, with a view to providing potential therapeutic strategies for the clinical treatment of cardiovascular diseases.

Objective To assess the clinical effect of the Yiqi Huoxue Huazhuo therapy(the therapy for replenishing qi,activating blood and resolving turbidity)for the treatment of hepatic fibrosis in Wilson's disease(WD,also known as hepatolenticular degeneration).Methods Using retrospective research method,52 patients with liver fibrosis in WD of qi deficiency and blood stasis type were divided into 24 cases in the control group and 28 cases in the treatment group according to the treatment method.The control group was treated with conventional decopper therapy with western medicines,and the treatment group was treated with Chinese herbal decoction based on Yiqi Huoxue Huazhuo therapy together with conventional decopper therapy.Both groups were treated for a total of 4 weeks.Before and after the treatment,the two groups were observed in the changes of traditional Chinese medicine(TCM)syndrome scores,Unified Wilson's Disease Rating Scale(UWDRS)hepatic symptom scores,serum levels of liver fibrosis indicators of pre-collagen typeⅢ(PCⅢ),hyaluronic acid(HA),collagenⅣ(CⅣ),and laminin(LN),C-X-C motif chemokine ligand 10(CXCL10)level,and the point shear-wave elastography(pSWE)values of hepatic ultrasound based on acoustic radiation force impulse imaging(ARFI).After treatment,the clinical efficacy of the two groups was evaluated.Results(1)After 4 weeks of treatment,the total effective rate of the treatment group was 85.71%(24/28),while that of the control group was 54.17%(13/24),and the intergroup comparison(tested by chi-square test)showed that the therapeutic efficacy of the treatment group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.05).(2)After treatment,the TCM syndrome scores in both groups were decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.01),and the decrease of TCM syndrome scores in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(3)After treatment,the UWDRS liver symptom scores in the two groups were decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.01),but the difference was not statistically significant when comparing between the two groups after treatment(P＞0.05).(4)After treatment,serum levels of liver fibrosis indicators of HA,LN,CⅣ and PCⅢ in the treatment group were all decreased compared with those before treatment(P＜0.01),while in the control group only serum LN and PCⅢlevels were decreased(P＜0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that the decrease of serum HA,LN,and PCⅢlevels in the treatment group was superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05 or P＜0.01),while the decrease of serum CⅣlevel tended to be superior to that in the control group,but the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).(5)After treatment,the serum chemokine CXCL10 level in the treatment group was significantly decreased compared with that before treatment(P＜0.01),while the level tended to decrease in the control group,but the difference was not statistically significant(P＞0.05).The intergroup comparison showed that the reduction of serum CXCL10 level in the treatment group was significantly superior to that in the control group(P＜0.05).(6)After treatment,the pSWE values of hepatic ultrasound in the two groups were lower than those before treatment(P＜0.01),and the reduction of pSWE values in treatment group was significantly superior to that of the control group(P＜0.01).Conclusion Yiqi Huoxue Huazhuo therapy can effectively reduce the TCM syndrome scores of WD patients,improve the UWDRS hepatic symptom scores,down-regulate the liver fibrosis indicator level and serum CXCL10 expression level,reduce the pSWE values of hepatic ultrasound,and enhance the clinical efficacy.

Superior vena cava syndrome(SVCS)is a group of clinical syndromes caused by obstruction of the superior vena cava and its major branches from various causes.Pulmonary artery stenosis(PS)is a complication of lung cancer or mediastinal tumours.SVCS combined with PS due to pulmonary metastases from bladder cancer is extremely rare and has not been reported in the literature.Here we reported an old male patient with pulmonary metastases from bladder cancer presenting with swelling of the head,neck and both upper limbs.SVCS combined with PS was clarified by pulmonary artery computed tomography angiography(CTA)and digital subtraction angiography(DSA).Endovascular stenting was used to treat SVCS.Angiography also showed that PS had not caused pulmonary hypertension and did not need to be treated.The swelling of the patient's head,neck and upper limbs was gradually reduced after the procedure.

BACKGROUND:The mechanism,manifestation,prevention and treatment of ischemia-reperfusion injury have been reported in the past.However,there are few studies on the ischemia-reperfusion injury of lower limb skeletal muscle caused by total knee arthroplasty.This article focuses on the pathogenesis,clinical impact,prevention and treatment of the ischemia-reperfusion injury of lower limb caused by total knee arthroplasty. OBJECTIVE:To summarize the related literature of lower limb ischemia-reperfusion injury caused by total knee arthroplasty,analyze the mechanism and significance,and give hints for further research on skeletal muscle ischemia-reperfusion injury. METHODS:The relevant articles on PubMed,CNKI,WanFang and VIP databases published from January 1,2000 to April 30,2022 were searched by computer with the Chinese and English search terms of"ischemia-reperfusion injury,total knee arthroplasty,tourniquet,mechanism,pathophysiology,skeletal muscle,treatment".After excluding repetitive research and some basic articles with low correlation,68 articles were finally selected for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)The pathogenesis of ischemia-reperfusion injury is related to oxygen free radicals,intracellular calcium overload,neutrophil activation,as well as high concentration of nitric oxide,no reflow phenomenon,apoptosis and other mechanisms.More detailed mechanism research can provide basis for future prevention and treatment.(2)Ischemia-reperfusion injury of lower limbs will cause local skeletal muscle injury,which may be caused by the trauma of the operation itself or the role of ischemia-reperfusion injury.More targeted research is needed to distinguish the relationship between the two.(3)Ischemia-reperfusion injury of lower limbs may even affect the distal organs,causing kidney and lung damage.It also affects local and systemic circulation.(4)To clarify the effect of ischemia-reperfusion injury can point out the direction for future prevention and treatment.The current prevention and treatment measures mainly include ischemic preconditioning,anesthetic,antioxidant and other drug prevention.(5)The detailed review of ischemia-reperfusion injury of lower limb skeletal muscle caused by total knee arthroplasty can provide basis for future diagnosis and treatment decisions.

BACKGROUND:Dexmedetomidine has the effect of anti-ischemia-reperfusion injury,but the comprehensive and systematic review of its signaling pathway is less. OBJECTIVE:To focus on the review of dexmedetomidine's signaling pathway in the mechanisms of antioxidant stress,inhibition of inflammation,anti-apoptosis,autophagy,and so on. METHODS:The relevant articles on PubMed,CNKI,WanFang,and VIP databases were searched by computer with the key words"ischemia-reperfusion inquiry;dexmedetomidine;signal path;oxidative stress;inflammation;apoptosis"in Chinese and English.After excluding repetitive research and some basic articles with low correlation,57 articles were finally included for review. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Dexmedetomidine plays an important role in organ protection through many mechanisms,such as anti-oxidative stress injury,anti-inflammation,anti-apoptosis and autophagy.This involves many pathways,including Nrf2 and its downstream protein antioxidant stress pathway,Toll-like receptor 4 family and nuclear factor-κB-related anti-inflammatory pathway,JAK2/STAT3-related anti-inflammatory pathway,and cholinergic anti-inflammatory pathway,and the cholinergic pathway is the upstream mechanism of many nuclear factor-κB signaling pathways.(2)PI3K/Akt pathway plays different roles according to its activated downstream signals,inhibiting the activation of NLRP3 inflammatory body,activating signal molecules endothelial nitric oxide synthase,mammalian target of rapamycin,and hypoxia-inducible factor 1α to play an anti-inflammatory role,and activate Bad or Bax residues to play an anti-apoptotic role,and PI3K/Akt activates glycogen synthetase kinase-3β.It can also play an anti-inflammatory and anti-apoptotic role.(3)Dexmedetomidine activates SIRT3 to mediate anti-apoptosis and inhibit endoplasmic reticulum stress to produce anti-apoptosis.(4)The detailed review of the anti-ischemia-reperfusion injury signaling pathway of dexmedetomidine can provide a basis for future mechanism research and diagnosis and treatment decisions.

BACKGROUND:Sepsis-induced systemic inflammation leads to rapid bone mass loss;however,there is a lack of effective treatments.Ulinastatin is an anti-inflammatory drug,but its protective effect and mechanism on bone under sepsis-induced systemic inflammation are still unclear. OBJECTIVE:To explore whether ulinastatin can relieve acute bone loss caused by lipopolysaccharide. METHODS:(1)Animal experiment.Thirty male C57BL/6 mice were randomly divided into three groups(n=10 per group):control group,model group and experimental group.The control group was injected intraperitoneally with normal saline,the model group was injected intraperitoneally with lipopolysaccharide,and the experimental group was injected intraperitoneally with lipopolysaccharide and ulinastatin.In the experimental group,ulinastatin was injected continuously for 3 days.After intraperitoneal injection of ulinastatin for 14 days,femoral tissues were taken for CT scanning and pathological observation.(2)Cell experiment.C57BL/6 mouse primary osteoblasts were isolated and divided into three groups:the control group was routinely cultured,lipopolysaccharide was added to the model group,and lipopolysaccharide with ulinastatin was added to the experimental group.Cell proliferation and osteogenic differentiation were detected.C57BL/6 mouse bone marrow mononuclear cells were isolated and divided into three groups:the control group was routinely cultured,lipopolysaccharide was added to the model group,and lipopolysaccharide and ulinastatin were added to the experimental group.Osteoclast differentiation was detected. RESULTS AND CONCLUSION:(1)Animal experiment.CT scanning and hematoxylin-eosin staining showed that bone mass in lipopolysaccharide-treated mice was reduced but increased after treatment with ulinastatin.Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase staining showed that the number of osteoclasts in bone tissue increased in the model group,but significantly decreased in the experimental group compared with the model group.(2)Cell experiment.Cell counting kit-8 assay showed that lipopolysaccharide treatment inhibited the proliferation of osteoblasts,and ulinastatin elevated the proliferation of osteoblasts after lipopolysaccharide treatment.Alkaline phosphatase staining,alizarin red staining and osteogenesis-related gene(alkaline phosphatase,Runx2,osteocalcin,osteoblastin,nuclear factor κB receptor-activating factor ligand,osteoprotegerin)detection showed that lipopolysaccharide treatment inhibited osteogenic differentiation of osteoblasts and elevated the nuclear factor κB receptor-activating factor ligand/osteoprotegerin ratio;ulinastatin did not have any significant effect on the reduction of osteoblast function induced by lipopolysaccharide but decreased the nuclear factor κB receptor-activating factor ligand/osteoprotegerin ratio.Tartrate resistant acid phosphatase staining and osteoclast-related gene(tartrate resistant acid phosphatase and matrix metalloproteinase 9)detection showed that lipopolysaccharide treatment could promote osteoclast differentiation of bone marrow monocytes,while ulinastatin could inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced osteoclast differentiation of bone marrow monocytes.(3)Overall,ulinastatin can significantly inhibit lipopolysaccharide-induced bone loss,mainly through promoting osteoblast proliferation and directly or indirectly inhibiting osteoclast differentiation to alleviate bone loss and achieve osteoprotective effects.