AIM: To investigate the relationship between Apelin and δ-like ligand 4(DLL4)expression levels and clinical stage and efficacy in patients with neovascular glaucoma(NVG).METHODS: A total of 96 NVG patients(96 eyes)who were admitted to our hospital from January 2022 to March 2024(NVG group)and 96 cataract patients(96 eyes)who underwent cataract surgery in our hospital during the same period(control group)were selected. NVG patients were divided into stage Ⅰ group(22 eyes), stage Ⅱ group(47 eyes)and stage Ⅲ group(27 eyes)according to the clinical stage; furthermore, patients were divided into ineffective group(20 eyes)and effective group(76 eyes)according to efficacy. Aqueous humor Apelin and DLL4 levels were detected by enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. The influencing factors of the efficacy in NVG patients were analyzed by multivariate unconditional Logistic regression analysis, the evaluation efficiency of aqueous humor Apelin and DLL4 levels on the efficacy in NVG patients was analyzed by receiver operating characteristic(ROC)curve.RESULTS: Compared with the control group, aqueous humor Apelin and DLL4 levels in the NVG group were increased(all P<0.001). Aqueous humor Apelin and DLL4 levels in the stage Ⅰ, stage Ⅱ and stage Ⅲ groups increased in turn(all P<0.001). The effective rate of 96 NVG patients was 79.2%(76/96). Compared with the effective group, aqueous humor Apelin and DLL4 levels in the ineffective group increased(all P<0.001). Clinical stage III, high intraocular pressure, high Apelin and DLL4 were independent risk factors for ineffective treatment in NVG patients(all P<0.05). The area under the curve of the combined evaluation of aqueous humor Apelin and DLL4 levels in evaluating the efficacy of NVG patients was 0.874, which was greater than 0.790 and 0.786 of aqueous Apelin and DLL4 levels alone(all P<0.05).CONCLUSION: Aqueous humor Apelin and DLL4 levels in NVG patients increase, which relate to the increase of clinical stage and poor efficacy, and the combination of aqueous humor Apelin and DLL4 levels is more effective in evaluating the efficacy of NVG patients.

AIM: To investigate the effects of placement of the absorbable packing material Nasopore around the anastomosis site on postoperative re-bleeding, discomfort, and on the success rate of endoscopic dacryocystorhinostomy(En-DCR).METHODS: Prospective randomized controlled study. A total of 101 patients(101 eyes)diagnosed with chronic dacryocystitis that underwent En-DCR in the ophthalmology department, Renmin Hospital, Hubei University of Medicine from November 2020 to October 2021 were collected. The patients were randomly divided into two groups according to whether they were packed with Nasopore at the end of operation, namely, the packed group(49 eyes)and the non-packed group(52 eyes). The postoperative follow-up was 9 mo, the degree of re-bleeding, discomfort, and postoperative success rate(including anatomical success rate and functional success rate)were compared between the two groups of patients.RESULTS: This study included 94 patients, including 45(45 eyes)and 49(49 eyes)in packed group and non-packed group, respectively. The En-DCR was performed successfully in all patients. Postoperative re-bleeding occurred in 1 eye(2%)in the packed group, and 9 eyes(18%)in the non-packed group(P<0.05); postoperative nasal discomfort occurred in 2 cases(4%)in the packed group, and 9 cases(18%)in the non-packed group(P<0.05); The success rate of postoperative anatomical success rate was 93%(42/45)in the packed group and 88%(43/49)in the non-packed group(P>0.05). The postoperative functional success rate was 89%(40/45)in the packed group and 86%(42/49)in the non-packed group(P>0.05). Other complications such as orbital fat prolapse, cerebrospinal fluid leakage, sinusitis, visual impairment and double vision were not observed in all patients during the follow-up.CONCLUSION: Nasal packing absorbable material Nasopore around the anastomosis at the end of En-DCR operation can reduce postoperative re-bleeding and postoperative discomfort of patients, and it has no obvious effect on the postoperative success rate.

Sleep deprivation refers to the loss of sleep caused by self-inflicted or external factors. There is increasing evidence that pregnancy is prone to sleep deprivation, which not only disrupts maternal functions but also affects offspring′s cognitive function. This article reviews the effects of sleep deprivation during pregnancy on offspring cognition and its underlying mechanisms, in order to establish a foundation for developing scientifically sound sleep strategies during pregnancy and to provide clinical insights for improving the neurodevelopment and cognitive function of offspring.

10,11-Dehydrocurvularin (DCV) is a natural-product macrolide that has been shown to exert anti-inflammatory activity. However, the underlying mechanism of its anti-inflammatory activity remains poorly understood. Aberrant activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome is involved in diverse inflammation-related diseases, which should be controlled. The results showed that DCV specifically inhibited the activation of the NLRP3 inflammasome in association with reduced IL-1β secretion and caspase-1 activation, without effect on the NLRC4 and AIM2 inflammasomes. Furthermore, DCV disturbed the interaction between NEK7 and NLRP3, resulting in the inhibition of NLRP3 inflammasome activation. The C=C double bond of DCV was required for the NLRP3 inflammasome inhibition induced by DCV. Importantly, DCV ameliorated inflammation in vivo through inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome. Taken together, our study reveals a novel mechanism by which DCV suppresses inflammation, which indicates the potential role of DCV in NLRP3 inflammasome-driven inflammatory disorders.
Animals ; Mice ; Inflammasomes ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/genetics* ; Inflammation/drug therapy* ; Anti-Inflammatory Agents/pharmacology* ; Interleukin-1beta/genetics* ; Mice, Inbred C57BL

Acute lung injury (ALI) is a prevalent and severe clinical condition characterized by inflammatory damage to the lung endothelial and epithelial barriers, resulting in high incidence and mortality rates. Currently, there is a lack of safe and effective drugs for the treatment of ALI. In a previous clinical study, we observed that Jinyinqingre oral liquid (JYQR), a Traditional Chinese Medicine formulation prepared by the Taihe Hospital, Affiliated Hospital of Hubei University of Medicine, exhibited notable efficacy in treating inflammation-related hepatitis and cholecystitis in clinical settings. However, the potential role of JYQR in ALI/acute respiratory distress syndrome (ARDS) and its anti-inflammatory mechanism remains unexplored. Thus, the present study aimed to investigate the therapeutic effects and underlying molecular mechanisms of JYQR in ALI using a mouse model of lipopolysaccharide (LPS)-induced ALI and an in vitro RAW264.7 cell model. JYQR yielded substantial improvements in LPS-induced histological alterations in lung tissues. Additionally, JYQR administration led to a noteworthy reduction in total protein levels within the BALF, a decrease in MPAP, and attenuation of pleural thickness. These findings collectively highlight the remarkable efficacy of JYQR in mitigating the deleterious effects of LPS-induced ALI. Mechanistic investigations revealed that JYQR pretreatment significantly inhibited NF-κB activation and downregulated the expressions of the downstream proteins, namely NLRP3 and GSDMD, as well as proinflammatory cytokine levels in mice and RAW2647 cells. Consequently, JYQR alleviated LPS-induced ALI by inhibiting the NF-κB/NLRP3/GSDMD pathway. JYQR exerts a protective effect against LPS-induced ALI in mice, and its mechanism of action involves the downregulation of the NF-κB/NLRP3/GSDMD inflammatory pathway.
Humans ; NF-kappa B/metabolism* ; Lipopolysaccharides/metabolism* ; NLR Family, Pyrin Domain-Containing 3 Protein/metabolism* ; Acute Lung Injury/metabolism* ; Lung ; Phosphate-Binding Proteins/therapeutic use* ; Pore Forming Cytotoxic Proteins/therapeutic use*

Objective: To investigate the incidence and treatment of perioperative anemia in patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms in Hubei Province. Methods: The clinicopathological data of 7 474 patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms in 62 hospitals in 15 cities (state) of Hubei Province in 2019 were collected in the form of network database. There were 4 749 males and 2 725 females. The median age of the patients was 62 years (range: 17 to 96 years). The hemoglobin value of the first time in hospital and the first day after operation was used as the criterion of preoperative anemia and postoperative anemia. Anemia was defined as male hemoglobin <120 g/L and female hemoglobin <110.0 g/L, mild anemia as 90 to normal, moderate anemia as 60 to <90 g/L, severe anemia as <60 g/L. The t test and χ² test were used for inter-group comparison. Results: The overall incidence of preoperative anemia was 38.60%(2 885/7 474), and the incidences of mild anemia, moderate anemia and severe anemia were 25.09%(1 875/7 474), 11.37%(850/7 474) and 2.14%(160/7 474), respectively. The overall incidence of postoperative anemia was 61.40%(4 589/7 474). The incidence of mild anemia, moderate anemia and severe anemia were 48.73%(3 642/7 474), 12.20%(912/7 474) and 0.47%(35/7 474), respectively. The proportion of preoperative anemia patients receiving treatment was 26.86% (775/2 885), and the proportion of postoperative anemia patients receiving treatment was 14.93% (685/4 589). The proportions of preoperative anemia patients in grade ⅢA, grade ⅢB, and grade ⅡA hospitals receiving treatment were 26.12% (649/2 485), 32.32% (85/263), and 29.93% (41/137), and the proportions of postoperative anemia patients receiving treatment were 14.61% (592/4 052), 22.05% (73/331), and 9.71% (20/206). The proportion of intraoperative blood transfusion (16.74% (483/2 885) vs. 3.05% (140/4 589), χ²=434.555, P<0.01) and the incidence of postoperative complications (17.78% (513/2 885) vs. 14.08% (646/4 589), χ²=18.553, P<0.01) in the preoperative anemia group were higher than those in the non-anemia group, and the postoperative hospital stay in the preoperative anemia group was longer than that in the non-anemia group ((14.1±7.3) days vs. (13.3±6.2) days, t=5.202, P<0.01). Conclusions: The incidence of perioperative anemia in patients with gastrointestinal neoplasms is high. Preoperative anemia can increase the demand for intraoperative blood transfusion and affect the short-term prognosis of patients. At present, the concept of standardized treatment of perioperative anemia among gastrointestinal surgeons in Hubei Province needs to be improved.
Adolescent ; Adult ; Aged ; Aged, 80 and over ; Anemia/epidemiology* ; Blood Transfusion ; Female ; Gastrointestinal Neoplasms/surgery* ; Humans ; Length of Stay ; Male ; Middle Aged ; Retrospective Studies ; Treatment Outcome ; Young Adult

Primary liver cancer (PLC) is one of the most common malignant tumors in China. PLC is characterized by insidious onset, rapid progress, poor quality of life, and short survival time. Notably, current treatment strategies remain unsatisfactory. Traditional Chinese medicines (TCM) have been used to treat a variety of diseases, including liver diseases, for more than 2000 years. In this study, we performed a review of the use frequency and clinical efficacy of TCM in treating PLC. Relevant literature from January 1, 2009, to January 1, 2021 was retrieved from network databases of China National Knowledge Infrastructure (CNKI), Chongqing VIP, Wanfang, PubMed, and SinoMed. The most frequently used TCM and their effi-cacy in PLC treatment were summarized. Based on the inclusion and exclusion criteria, 33 articles were selected. Overall, the efficacy of the combination of TCM and Western medicines in the treatment of PLC was higher than that in the control groups (i.e. treatment with Western medicines alone) (65.11％ vs. 44.31％, P < .05). Among the 33 selected articles, 11 were investigated for TCM preparation (marketed drugs) and 22 for TCM formulas. In total, 102 types of TCM (single herbs) were used to treat PLC. The top five most frequently used TCM were Poria (14.71％), Astragali radix (13.73％), Atractylodis Macrocephalae Rhizoma (12.75％), Bupleuri radix (12.75％), and Glycyrrhizae radix et Rhizoma (11.76％). Of the 102 types of TCM, tonics were the most frequently used categories, followed by heat-clearing medicines, blood-invigorating medicines, and stasis-resolving medicines. Of 207 papers, 174 (84.06％) could not be sub-jected to statistical analysis due to research quality. Further high-quality research on herb sources, for-mula components and dosage, toxicology, and ethics of TCM is necessary. In conclusion, TCM play a promising role in the treatment and management of PLC, although further investigations are warranted.

AIM: To investigate the effects of Aflibercept on the K+ channel of retinal Müller cell membrane cultured in vitro.

METHODS: Human Müller cells were divided into 3 groups(control group, high glucose group and experimental group). The control group were cultured in conventional DMEM medium; the high glucose group were cultured in high glucose DMEM medium; the experimental group were cultured with high glucose DMEM medium and 100μmol/L Aflibercept, and the K+ concentration of the cells were detected by MQAE, and the cell survival were detected by MTT assay, the flow cytometry were used to detect apoptosis rates, Western blot analysis were used to detect the Müller cell caspase-3 protein levels.

RESULTS: The Müller cells were positive for glutamine synthetase(GS)after 48h of culture, and the purification degree were above 90%. The relative concentrations of K+ in the control group, high glucose group and experimental group were(2.14±0.44)%,(23.11±4.39)%,(5.20±0.92)%, and cell viability were(100.00±0.00)%, respectively(73.24±4.13)%,(85.22±5.33)%, the apoptosis rates were(5.03±1.91)%,(26.73±3.14)%,(16.63±2.73)%, and compared the differences between two groups were statistically significant(P<0.05). Compared with the control group, the level of caspase-3 protein in the high glucose group Müller cells were increased significantly(P<0.05); compared with the high glucose group Müller cells, the caspase-3 protein level in the experimental group Müller cells were decreased significantly(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Aflibercept can inhibit the K+ channel of retinal Müller cells in vitro, inhibit the apoptosis of Müller cells induced by high glucose, decrease the expression of caspase-3 protein, and promote cell proliferation.

AIM: To investigate the effect of aflibercept on the expression of signal transducers and activators of transcription 3(STAT3)in rat retinal Müller cells.

METHODS: The rat retinal Müller cells treated with different concentrations of Aflibercept 100 μL(diluted concentrations of 400, 200, 100 pg/mL, respectively). MTT assay were used to detect cell proliferation, flow cytometry. Apoptosis were detected by the instrument, cell invasion were detected by transwell chamber method, and protein(AKT, STAT3, GAPDH)expression were detected by Western-blot method.

RESULTS: The proliferation activity of Müller cells were decreased with the increased of aflibercept concentration, and compared the difference were statistically significant(P<0.05). After treatment for 48h, the apoptotic rate of Müller cells were gradually increased with the increased of aflibercept concentration, and the invasion and penetration index of Müller cells gradually were decreased, and compared the difference were statistically significant(P<0.05). After 48 h of transfection, the relative expression of AKT protein in Müller cells were not change significantly with the increased of Aflibercept concentration(P>0.05), and the relative expression of STAT3 protein decreased gradually, and compared the difference were statistically significant(P<0.05).

CONCLUSION: Aflibercept can inhibit the expression of STAT3 protein in rat retinal Müller cells, thereby inhibit cell proliferation and invasion and promote apoptosis.

Objective To understand the prevalence and disease distribution of migrants within the water source area of the Middle Route Project of South-to-North Water Diversion Project and analyze the influencing factors. Methods By multi-stage stratified cluster sampling method, 307 immigrants and 676 immigrants were selected from Danjiangkou reservoir area, Shiyan city, Hubei Province. Results The prevalence of chronic diseases among in-migration was 51.8%. The prevalence rates of the top five chronic diseases were waist and leg pain, hypertension, gastritis, heart disease and diabetes. The prevalence of chronic diseases among out-migration was 65.1%. The prevalence rates of the top five chronic diseases were waist and leg pain, hypertension, gastritis, heart disease and bronchitis. The rate of chronic disease, the rate of two weeks and the rate of two weeks' visit were higher than that of emigration(all P<0.05). The results of multivariate analysis showed that the factors influencing the chronic diseases of immigrants were 60 years old (OR=59.928，P<0.001), unsatisfied family income (OR=0.377, P=0.002) and poor economic status (OR=0.517, P=0.028). The factors influencing the chronic diseases of immigrants were 60 years old (OR=26.190, P<0.001), smoking (OR=1.856,P=0.004), unsatisfactory family income (OR=0.598,P=0.029) and poor economic status (OR=0.460,P<0.001). Conclusions The prevalence of migrants within a high level is at a high level. Actually raising the income of immigrants is conducive to improving the health condition of immigrants.