DDX39B protects against sorafenib-induced ferroptosis by facilitating the splicing and cytoplasmic export of GPX4 pre-mRNA in hepatocellular carcinoma.

Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the main histological subtype of primary liver cancer and remains one of the most common solid malignancies globally. Ferroptosis was recently defined as an iron-catalyzed form of regulated necrosis. Because cancer cells exhibit higher iron requirements than noncancer cells, treatment with ferroptosis-inducing compounds may be a feasible strategy for cancer therapy. However, cancer cells develop acquired resistance to evade ferroptosis, and the mechanisms responsible for ferroptosis resistance are not fully clarified. In the current study, we reported that DDX39B was downregulated during sorafenib-induced ferroptosis in a dose- and time-dependent manner. Exogenous introduction of DDX39B ensured the survival of HCC cells upon exposure to sorafenib, while the opposite phenomenon was observed in DDX39B-silenced HCC cells. Mechanistically, we demonstrated that DDX39B increased GPX4 levels by promoting the splicing and cytoplasmic translocation of GPX4 pre-mRNA, which was sufficient to detoxify sorafenib-triggered excess lipid ROS production, lipid peroxidation accumulation, ferrous iron levels, and mitochondrial damage. Inhibition of DDX39B ATPase activity by CCT018159 repressed the splicing and cytoplasmic export of GPX4 pre-mRNA and synergistically assisted sorafenib-induced ferroptotic cell death in HCC cells. Taken together, our data uncover a novel role for DDX39B in ferroptosis resistance by modulating the maturation of GPX4 mRNA via a posttranscriptional approach and suggest that DDX39B inhibition may be a promising therapeutic strategy to enhance the sensitivity and vulnerability of HCC cells to sorafenib.

The mediating effect of health behaviors on the association between job strain and mental health outcome: a national survey of police officers.

Police officers often face emotionally challenging interpersonal situations and numerous studies have demonstrated that policing is a stressful occupation. A study revealed a significant positive correlation between emotional demands among police officers and emotional dissonance, as well as burnout. Health-promoting behaviors can contribute to better overall health outcomes and reduce the risk of developing health problems, but there is limited research evaluating the association of job strain and health behaviors with mental health outcomes in police officers. The objective of this study was to assess the job strain associated with mental health mediated by health behaviors in Taiwanese police officers. This was a cross-sectional quantitative study conducted in Oct 2016. A total of 41,871 police officers (response rate was 79.7%) participated questionnaire that consisted of demographic information, job characteristics, health behaviors, and mental component summary (MCS) scores of the Short-Form Health Survey. Independent t-tests and one-way analysis of variance (One-way ANOVA) were conducted to assess the differences in mean MCS scores across various demographics, health behavior, and job characteristics. Multivariate regression analyses were used to assess the relationship between job strain and health behaviors with mental health outcomes. MCS scores were associated with job characteristics and health behaviors among police officers except for gender. After adjusting for covariates, multivariate analysis indicated that police officers with high job demands and high job strain index exhibited poor MCS scores. Job strain was significantly associated with MCS mediated by health behaviors (consumption of fruits and vegetables, and physical activity) in Taiwanese police officers. Since regular physical activity and increased vegetable and fruit consumption might alleviate the effects of job strain on mental health status, it is recommended that institutional policies be established to promote health-enhancing behaviors among police officers.

Chlorin e6 and BLZ945 Based Self-Assembly for Photodynamic Immunotherapy Through Immunogenic Tumor Induction and Tumor-Associated Macrophage Depletion.

Immunotherapeutic effect is restricted by the nonimmunogenic tumor phenotype and immunosuppression behaviors of tumor-associated macrophages (TAMs). In this work, a drug self-assembly (designated as CeBLZ) is fabricated based on chlorin e6 (Ce6) and BLZ945 to activate photodynamic immunotherapy through tumor immunogenic induction and tumor-associated macrophage depletion. It is found that Ce6 tends to assemble with BLZ945 without any drug excipients, which can enhance the cellular uptake, tumor penetration, and blood circulation behaviors. The robust photodynamic therapy effect of CeBLZ efficiently suppresses the primary tumor growth and also triggers immunogenic cell death to reverse the nonimmunogenic tumor phenotype. Moreover, CeBLZ can deplete TAMs in tumor tissues to reverse the immunosuppression microenvironment, activating abscopal effect for distant tumor inhibition. In vitro and in vivo results confirm the superior antitumor effect of CeBLZ with negligible side effect, which might promote the development of sophisticated drug combinations for systematic tumor management.

Pathway from attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder to suicide/self-harm.

To evaluate the effect of ADHD diagnosis by the age of 10 on the suicide/self-harm risk at age 14 and examine factors that may modify/mediate the association, a longitudinal study based on the nationwide survey consisting of 5,107 children in Australia was used. Self-harm and suicidal risks in children with ADHD at age 14 were the main outcomes; ADHD medication, history of bullied or depression, and other sociodemographic disadvantages, were treated as covariates. The diagnosis of ADHD at age 10 is associated with elevated risks of self-harm, suicidal thoughts, planning, or attempts by age 14, with greater susceptibility in males. The pathway from ADHD symptoms to suicide/self-harm could also be mediated by depression and exposure to bullying assessed at age 12. Note that depression and exposure to bullying might at best contribute to less than 10 % of the total effect of ADHD diagnosis on either the risk of suicide or self-harm. Early gender-tailored intervention and prevention strategies are crucial in clinical practice and health policy.

Sex difference in nocturnal blood pressure dipping in adolescents with varying degrees of adiposity.

BACKGROUND: For adolescents, abnormal dipping patterns in blood pressure (BP) are associated with early-onset organ damage and a higher risk of cardiovascular disorders in adulthood. Obesity is one of the most common reasons for abnormal BP dipping in young people. However, it is unknown whether the severity of obesity is associated with BP dipping status and whether this association is sex-dependent. METHODS: 499 participants between 12 and 17 years old with overweight or obesity underwent ambulatory blood pressure monitoring (ABPM) between April 2018 and January 2019 in Beijing and Baoding. Participants were grouped by body mass index (BMI) into overweight (BMI 85th-95th percentile), obese (BMI ≥ 95th percentile) and severely obese (BMI ≥ 120% of 95th percentile or ≥ 35 kg/m2) groups. Non-dipping was defined as a < 10% reduction in BP from day to night. The interaction effect between sex and obesity degree was also analyzed. RESULTS: 326 boys and 173 girls were included, of whom 130 were overweight, 189 were obese, and 180 were severely obese. Girls with severe obesity had a higher prevalence of non-dipping, but boys showed no significant differences in BP dipping status between obesity categories. In addition, as obesity severity went up, a more evident increase in night-time SBP was observed in girls than in boys. CONCLUSIONS: Severely obese is associated with a higher prevalence of non-BP dipping patterns in girls than in boys, which suggests that the relationship between the severity of obesity and BP dipping status might be sex-specific.

Phototherapeutic keratectomy for corneal epithelial-stromal dystrophies in pediatric patients.

Corneal dystrophies may develop gradually from early onset in childhood and persist for years to decades. Visual impairment or repeated ocular irritations caused by corneal dystrophies severely affect the quality of life. Although various surgical treatment options are indicated for adult patients, the treatment plan for pediatric patients remains unclear. Herein we describe clinical observations of phototherapeutic keratectomy for corneal epithelial-stromal dystrophies in three pediatric patients (five eyes). Corneal opacities were successfully removed, and visual acuity was greatly improved in all operated eyes. The procedure of phototherapeutic keratectomy seems to be feasible in the treatment of corneal epithelial-stromal dystrophies in c hildren, with advantages of minimal invasion and good visual outcomes.

Recurrence Characteristics on Optical Coherence Tomography and Treatments of Reis-Bücklers Corneal Dystrophy after Phototherapeutic Keratectomy or Penetrating Keratoplasty: Recurrence characteristics and treatments of RBCD.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the recurrence characteristics on optical coherence tomography and clinical outcomes after phototherapeutic keratectomy (PTK) or penetrating keratoplasty (PKP) in patients with Reis-Bücklers corneal dystrophy (RBCD). DESIGN: Retrospective interventional case series. METHODS: Seventeen patients with RBCD (31 eyes, including six surgery-naïve eyes and 25 surgical eyes) received 44 surgical interventions from 1996 through 2022. PTK or PKP was performed as the initial surgical procedure. Significant recurrence was determined when best spectacle-corrected visual acuity decreased at least two lines with increased opacity in the superficial cornea. Repeated PTK or PTK on the corneal graft (CG-PTK) was considered if patients could not endure poor vision due to significant recurrence. Recurrence depth and annual increase in thickness of the central cornea and subepithelial deposits were assessed by anterior segment optical coherence tomography. RESULTS: The mean follow-up time was 12.8±8.5 years (range, 2.0-25.5 years). The mean logMAR best spectacle-corrected visual acuity improved from 1.24±0.48 preoperatively to 0.27±0.09 postoperatively in the initial PTK group (13 eyes, P<0.001), from 1.84±0.69 to 0.40±0.13 in the PKP group (12 eyes, P<0.001), from 1.04±0.46 to 0.30±0.07 in the repeated PTK group (12 times in 7 eyes, P<0.001), and from 1.29±0.43 to 0.39±0.11 in the CG-PTK group (7 times in 5 eyes, P=0.001). The median significant recurrence time was 27 months (95% confidence interval 23.9-30.1), 96 months (84.1-107.9), 31 months (28.8-33.1), and 24 months (19.8-28.2), respectively (P<0.001). The depth of superficial deposits located between the epithelium and the anterior stroma was approximately 115µm (85-159µm). The annual thickening of subepithelial deposits was 14±2µm after initial PTK, 7±3µm after PKP, 14±3µm after repeated PTK, and 30±11µm after CG-PTK, compared to 4±2µm in surgery-naïve eyes (P=0.002, 0.515, 0.002, <0.001). The thickness of the central cornea increased by 15±2µm, 7±2µm, 15±3µm, and 31±10µm per year in the four surgery groups, respectively, compared to 5±2µm in surgery-naïve eyes (P=0.001, 0.469, 0.001, <0.001). CONCLUSIONS: Better visual acuity can be achieved after PTK than PKP for treatment of RBCD. The annual thickening of subepithelial deposits may approximate an increase in central corneal thickness. The superficial distribution of subepithelial deposits makes it feasible to perform repeated PTK, even on the corneal allograft, for recurrent RBCD.

Evaluation of ventricular repolarization in dermatomyositis and relationship with inflammation and autoimmunity.

Dermatomyositis (DM) is a chronic multi-systemic inflammatory disorder of autoimmune origin, which has been associated with cardiovascular complications, including ventricular arrhythmias and sudden cardiac death. The Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio have been accepted as new markers for the assessment of myocardial repolarization and ventricular arrhythmogenesis. The aim of this study was to evaluate ventricular repolarization by using Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio in patients with DM, and to assess the relation with inflammation and autoimmunity. This study included 281 DM patients (180 females, 101 males; mean age 52.73 ± 15.80 years) and 281 control subjects (180 females, 101 males; mean age 53.38 ± 15.72 years). QTc, Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio were measured from the 12-lead ECG. The plasma level of blood routine test, C-reactive protein (CRP), erythrocyte sedimentation rate (ESR) was measured. These parameters were compared between groups. No statistically significant difference was found between two groups in terms of basic characteristics. In electrocardiographic parameters analysis, QTc, Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT ratio were significantly increased in DM patients compared to the control group (441.44 ± 26.62 ms vs 422.72 ± 11.7 ms, 104.16 ± 24.34 ms vs 77.23 ± 16.25 ms and 0.27 ± 0.06 ms vs 0.20 ± 0.04 ms, all P value < 0.01). QTc, Tp-e interval and Tp-e/QT were positively correlated with NLR, CRP, and ESR (all P values < 0.01), and were increased in anti-Ro/SSA-52kD positive patients compared to those negative (452.33 ± 24.89 ms vs 438.55 ± 26.37 ms, 114.05 ± 22.68 ms vs 101.53 ± 24.13 ms, and 0.29 ± 0.06 ms vs 0.27 ± 0.05 ms, all P value < 0.01). Our study demonstrated that QTc, Tp-e interval, and Tp-e/QT ratio were increased in DM patients and were associated with inflammatory markers and anti-Ro/SSA-52kD positivity.

Light recovery after maize harvesting promotes soybean flowering in a maize-soybean relay strip intercropping system.

Moving from sole cropping to intercropping is a transformative change in agriculture, contributing to yield. Soybeans adapt to light conditions in intercropping by adjusting the onset of reproduction and the inflorescence architecture to optimize reproductive success. Maize-soybean strip intercropping (MS), maize-soybean relay strip intercropping (IS), and sole soybean (SS) systems are typical soybean planting systems with significant differences in light environments during growth periods. To elucidate the effect of changes in the light environment on soybean flowering processes and provide a theoretical basis for selecting suitable varieties in various planting systems to improve yields, field experiments combining planting systems (IS, MS, and SS) and soybean varieties (GQ8, GX7, ND25, and NN996) were conducted in 2021 and 2022. Results showed that growth recovery in the IS resulted in a balance in the expression of TERMINAL FLOWER 1 (TFL1) and FLOWERING LOCUS T (FT) in the meristematic tissues of soybeans, which promoted the formation of new branches or flowers. IS prolonged the flowering time (2-7 days) and increased the number of forming flowers compared with SS (93.0 and 169%) and MS (67.3 and 103.3%) at the later soybean flowering stage. The higher carbon and nitrogen content in the middle and bottom canopies of soybean contributed to decreased flower abscission by 26.7 and 30.2%, respectively, compared with SS. Canopy light environment recovery promoted branch and flower formation and transformation of flowers into pods with lower flower-pod abscission, which contributed to elevating soybean yields in late-maturing and multibranching varieties (ND25) in IS.

A novel GLI3 frameshift mutation in a Chinese pedigree with polydactyly: A case report.

Background: GLI3 gene mutations can result in various forms of polysyndactyly, such as Greig cephalopolysyndactyly syndrome (GCPS, MIM: #175700), Pallister-Hall syndrome (PHS, MIM: #146510), and isolated polydactyly (IPD, MIM: #174200, #174700). Reports on IPD-associated GLI3 mutations are rare. In this study, a novel GLI3 mutation was identified in a Chinese family with IPD. Results: We report a family with six members affected by IPD. The family members demonstrated several special phenotypes, including sex differences, abnormal finger joint development, and different polydactyly types. We identified a novel frameshift variant in the GLI3 gene (NM_000168.6: c.1820_1821del, NP_000159.3: p.Tyr607Cysfs*9) by whole-exome sequencing. Further analysis suggested that this mutation was the cause of polydactyly in this family. Conclusions: The discovery of this novel frameshift variant in our study further solidifies the relationship between IPD and GLI3 and expands the previously established spectrum of GLI3 mutations and associated phenotypes.

LINC00472 regulates ferroptosis of neurons in Alzheimer's disease via FOXO 1.

OBJECTIVE: To explore the molecular mechanism of long non-coding RNA (lncRNA) LINC00472 in Alzheimer's Disease (AD). METHOD: Ferroptosis-related lncRNAs were screened by GEO database. AD mouse model was constructed for in vivo experimental. The content of Aß protein and Tau protein hyperphosphorylation were examined in Hippocampal tissue samples of mice. Subsequently, HT22 cells were induced with Aß25-35 to establish a neuronal injury model of AD in vitro. The expression of FOXO1, a key gene for ferroptosis, was verified by overexpressing/knocking down the LINC00472. The effects of LINC00472 on ROS and lipid peroxidation content, GPX4, and Tau protein in AD model cells were examined by ROS assay, MDA assay, Western Blot and qRT-PCR. Subsequently, the expression of iron ion, FTH, TfRC, and Fpn protein were detected in AD cells. RESULTS: The level of FOXO1 was positively correlated with the degree of AD. In vivo experiments showed that the expression of Aß and Tau hyperphosphorylated were significantly reduced in the inhibitor group and iron was significantly reduced relative to the AD group. In the AD cell model, the content of lipid peroxide was up-regulated, GPX4 protein and mRNA were decreased, and phosphorylation of Tau protein was enhanced in the AD cell model relative to the control group. Whereas knocking down LINC00472 inhibited the up-regulation of lipid peroxide, decreased the level of GPX4, and enhancement of Tau protein phosphorylation, and it reduced iron accumulation, in AD cells. CONCLUSIONS: LINC00472 affects ferroptosis in AD by regulating iron accumulation, in neuronal cells.

The relationship between mental health reforms and general population suicide rates in Australia over the past three and a half decades: 1987-2021.

Nearly 3,000 Australians tragically end their lives by suicide each year, underscoring a major national public health challenge with substantial socio-economic ramifications. Australia's National Mental Health Plans (NMHPs) aim to improve mental health and reduce suicide rates. This study investigates their effectiveness by analyzing how age-standardized suicide rates across Australian jurisdictions have fluctuated alongside the implementation of five NMHPs from 1987 to 2021. Findings reveal mixed impacts, with some plans linked to decreases and others associated with increases in suicide rates across different periods and regions. Notably, the recent decline in 2020 requires careful consideration amidst COVID-19 pandemic influences. These insights not only provide valuable evidence for shaping future mental health policies and initiatives but also for future health services research.

Explainable Deep-Learning Prediction for Brain-Computer Interfaces Supported Lower Extremity Motor Gains Based on Multistate Fusion.

Predicting the potential for recovery of motor function in stroke patients who undergo specific rehabilitation treatments is an important and major challenge. Recently, electroencephalography (EEG) has shown potential in helping to determine the relationship between cortical neural activity and motor recovery. EEG recorded in different states could more accurately predict motor recovery than single-state recordings. Here, we design a multi-state (combining eyes closed, EC, and eyes open, EO) fusion neural network for predicting the motor recovery of patients with stroke after EEG-brain-computer-interface (BCI) rehabilitation training and use an explainable deep learning method to identify the most important features of EEG power spectral density and functional connectivity contributing to prediction. The prediction accuracy of the multi-states fusion network was 82%, significantly improved compared with a single-state model. The neural network explanation result demonstrated the important region and frequency oscillation bands. Specifically, in those two states, power spectral density and functional connectivity were shown as the regions and bands related to motor recovery in frontal, central, and occipital. Moreover, the motor recovery relation in bands, the power spectrum density shows the bands at delta and alpha bands. The functional connectivity shows the delta, theta, and alpha bands in the EC state; delta, theta, and beta mid at the EO state are related to motor recovery. Multi-state fusion neural networks, which combine multiple states of EEG signals into a single network, can increase the accuracy of predicting motor recovery after BCI training, and reveal the underlying mechanisms of motor recovery in brain activity.

BmSPP is a virus resistance gene in Bombyx mori.

Introduction: Signal peptide peptidase (SPP) is an intramembrane protease involved in a variety of biological processes, it participates in the processing of signal peptides after the release of the nascent protein to regulate the endoplasmic reticulum associated degradation (ERAD) pathway, binds misfolded membrane proteins, and aids in their clearance process. Additionally, it regulates normal immune surveillance and assists in the processing of viral proteins. Although SPP is essential for many viral infections, its role in silkworms remains unclear. Studying its role in the silkworm, Bombyx mori , may be helpful in breeding virus-resistant silkworms. Methods: First, we performed RT-qPCR to analyze the expression pattern of BmSPP. Subsequently, we inhibited BmSPP using the SPP inhibitor 1,3-di-(N-carboxybenzoyl-L-leucyl-L-leucylaminopropanone ((Z-LL)2-ketone) and downregulated the expression of BmSPP using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. Furthermore, we assessed the impact of these interventions on the proliferation of Bombyx mori nucleopolyhedrovirus (BmNPV). Results: We observed a decreased in the expression of BmSPP during viral proliferation. It was found that higher concentration of the inhibitor resulted in greater inhibition of BmNPV proliferation. The down-regulation of BmSPP in both in vivo and in vitro was found to affect the proliferation of BmNPV. In comparison to wild type silkworm, BmSPPKO silkworms exhibited a 12.4% reduction in mortality rate. Discussion: Collectively, this work demonstrates that BmSPP plays a negative regulatory role in silkworm resistance to BmNPV infection and is involved in virus proliferation and replication processes. This finding suggests that BmSPP servers as a target gene for BmNPV virus resistance in silkworms and can be utilized in resistance breeding programs.

Relative and absolute inequalities in cerebrovascular disease mortality rates: exploring the influence of socioeconomic status and urbanization levels in Taiwan.

BACKGROUND/OBJECTIVE: Limited evidence exists regarding the socioeconomic inequalities in cerebrovascular disease (CBD) mortality at different urbanization levels. Therefore, this study was conducted to assess the socioeconomic inequalities and urbanization levels in township-based CBD mortality in Taiwan. METHODS: Socioeconomic variables, including the percentages of low-income households, individuals with a university education and above, and tax payments, were measured at the township level from 2011 to 2020. Urbanization was also determined by the national survey and divided into seven levels. Age-standardized mortality rate (ASMR) of CBD was calculated using a Geographic Information System (GIS) in 358 townships. The effects of socioeconomic variables and urbanization levels on relative and absolute inequalities in township-based CBD mortality rates were examined. RESULTS: Significant differences in ASMR of CBD were observed across all socioeconomic status indicators over the years. Higher proportions of low-income households were associated with higher ASMR of CBD. Conversely, there were negative correlations between higher proportions of individuals with a university education and above and tax payments with ASMR of CBD. The regression analysis indicated significant impacts of relative and absolute socioeconomic inequalities on ASMR of CBD. Additionally, a moderation effect of socioeconomic variables and urbanization on CBD mortality rates was observed, with rural areas showing sensitivity to these factors. CONCLUSION: Although ASMR of CBD showed significant decreases over time, socioeconomic inequalities in CBD mortality rates persist. Interventions targeting socioeconomic inequalities in health outcomes, especially in rural areas, are needed to address this issue.

Switching to the aflibercept (3 mg) therapy for treatment-resistant wet age-related macular degeneration: 1-year outcomes.

This study aimed to elucidate 1-year outcomes following switching to the aflibercept (3 mg) therapy for treatment-resistant wet age-related macular degeneration (wAMD). In this prospective, open-label, non-controlled clinical trial, 18 patients with wAMD who had multiple recurrences or persistent exudation despite intravitreal injections of anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents (except aflibercept) received a 3-mg intravitreal aflibercept injection every 4 weeks. Each patient received 3 to 8 injections. The central retinal thickness and fibrovascular pigment epithelial detachment height decreased significantly at 1 month after initiation of the aflibercept injection, and the values were 146 and 163.2 µm, respectively, at the final visit. The morphological improvement was sustained. The intraretinal and subretinal fluid was completely absorbed at the end of the follow-up. The logMAR vision increased from baseline 0.68 to 0.59 (P < .05). No ocular or systemic adverse events occurred. The intravitreal injection of 3-mg aflibercept seems to be feasible in the treatment of wAMD unresponsive to other anti-vascular endothelial growth factor agents.

Clinical and genetic studies for a cohort of patients with Leber congenital amaurosis.

PURPOSE: Leber congenital amaurosis (LCA) is a group of early-onset retinal degenerative disorders, resulting in blindness in children. This study aimed to describe the clinical and genetic characteristics of a cohort of patients with LCA and to investigate the retinal vascular characteristics in LCA patients. METHODS: Fifty-two children with LCA were included in the study. All patients underwent detailed ocular examinations. Electroretinography (ERG) was used to evaluate the retinal function. Optical coherence tomography (OCT) was used to assess the structure change of the retina for those patients who were able to cooperate very well. Panel-based next-generation sequencing was performed to identify pathogenic variants in genes associated with LCA. Diameters of the retinal vessels were measured using the EVision AI screening system with an artificial intelligence (AI) technique. An ultrasound Doppler was used to evaluate hemodynamic parameters, including peak systolic velocity (PSV), resistive index (RI), and pulsatility index (PI), in the ophthalmic, central retinal, posterior ciliary, carotid, and internal carotid as well as external carotid arteries in 12 patients aged from 3 to 14 years. RESULTS: We detected 75 pathogenic variants from ten genes of RPGRIP1, CEP290, GUCY2D, LCA5, AIPL1, CRB1, RPE65, CRX, RDH12, and TULP1, including 29 novel and 36 previously reported variants in 52 affected children with LCA, with the highest detective rate in RPGRIP1 (26.9%). Fundus appearance is diverse in patients with LCA, ranging from normal to severe peripheral or central retinopathy. Retinal vasculature was evaluated in 12 patients with different gene variants, showing narrowed arteries with an average diameter of 43.6 ± 3.8 µm compared to that of 51.7 ± 2.6 µm in the normal controls (P < 0.001, n = 12). Meanwhile, their hemodynamic parameters were changed as well in the ophthalmic artery (OA), with a decreased PSV (P = 0.0132, n = 12) and slightly increased PI (P = 0.0488, n = 12) compared to the normal controls. However, the hemodynamic parameters did not change significantly in the other vessels. CONCLUSIONS: Blood supply to the eyeball is predicted to be reduced in patients with LCA, presumably due to photoreceptor cell degeneration. The novel identified variants will expand the spectrum of variants in LCA-related genes and be useful for studying the molecular mechanisms of LCA.

Longitudinal association of sleep duration with possible sarcopenia: evidence from CHARLS.

OBJECTIVES: There are limited data on the relationship between sleep duration and possible sarcopenia. Hence, this study aimed to investigate the associations of sleep duration with possible sarcopenia and its defining components based on the China Health and Retirement Longitudinal Study (CHARLS). DESIGN: A retrospective cohort study. SETTING: This study was conducted on participants aged over 45 years applying the 2011 baseline and 2015 follow-up survey from CHARLS covering 450 villages, 150 counties and 28 provinces. PARTICIPANTS: Data from 5036 individuals (2568 men and 2468 women) free of possible sarcopenia at baseline were analysed. PRIMARY AND SECONDARY OUTCOME MEASURES: The dose-response relationship between sleep duration and possible sarcopenia. RESULTS: During 4 years of follow-up, 964 (19.14%) participants developed possible sarcopenia. Compared with participants who slept 6-8 hours per night, those with shorter sleep duration (<6 hours per night) were independently associated with 22% (OR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.44) increased risk of developing possible sarcopenia and 27% (OR, 1.27; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.57) increased risk of developing low handgrip strength after controlling for potential confounders. Long sleep duration (>8 hours per night) was not significantly associated with incident possible sarcopenia. The plots of restricted cubic splines exhibited an atypical inverse J-shaped association between sleep duration and possible sarcopenia. Subgroup analysis showed a stronger association between sleep duration and possible sarcopenia in participants aged 45-59 years and composed of male populations. CONCLUSIONS: Short sleep duration was a potential risk factor for possible sarcopenia and low handgrip strength. The improvement of sleep duration should be considered a target in early preventive and administrative strategies against the development of handgrip strength decline and further reduced the occurrence of sarcopenia.

A Retrospective Study: Clinical Characteristics and Lifestyle Analysis of Chinese Senile Gluteal Dermatosis Patients.

Purpose: To summarize the clinical, histopathological and therapeutic features of senile gluteal dermatosis. Patients and Methods: Retrospective analysis of 230 cases who visited the outpatient clinic of Hangzhou No. 3 People's Hospital for skin lesions on the buttocks and hips from 2018.8-2023.8 were included in the study, basic clinical information was collected, and they were subjected to physical examination of the buttocks and hips, and 36 cases were senile gluteal dermatosis, of which 7 underwent histopathological biopsy. Results: A total of 230 patients were included, of which 36 were diagnosed with geriatric buttock dermatosis, with a mean age of (84.2±12.6) years, mean body mass index of (21.7±3.8) kg/m2, and a male to female ratio of 2:1. There was a significant correlation between the occurrence of the disease and age, gender, body mass index, sedentary time, type of chair used, and hypertension (P<0.05). The severity of the lesions may be associated with longer sitting time and prolonged use of bamboo chairs (P<0.05). Histopathologic changes were not specific. The skin lesions could subside after general treatment such as improvement of lifestyle, use of pressure-reducing air mattresses, salicylic acid cream, and moisturizing creams. Conclusion: Senile gluteal dermatosis is a common senile physical dermatosis, mainly manifested as brownish scaly plaques, erythema and crusted ulcers, which can often be cured under reasonable treatment.

Associations of asthma control with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and mortality in obese individuals.

The objective of this study was to assess the associations of asthma control with hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and mortality in obese individuals. We used data from the National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES), 2001-2018. Weighted logistic regression analyses and Cox proportional hazard models were performed to evaluate the influence of asthma control on hypertension, cardiovascular disease, and mortality. A total of 2744 obese participants were included. Of them, 937 participants had poorly controlled asthma, 873 had well-controlled asthma, and 934 did not have asthma. We found that poorly controlled asthma was associated with an increased risk of angina pectoris, congestive heart failure (CHF), stroke, and all-cause mortality in obese participants, while well-controlled asthma was associated with an increased risk of CHF and all-cause mortality. Compared with patients with poorly controlled asthma, patients with well-controlled asthma were at low risk of angina pectoris (OR [odds ratio], 0.49; 95% CI [confidence interval], 0.29-0.81), heart attack (OR, 0.54; 95% CI 0.34-0.87), CHF (OR, 0.62; 95% CI 0.39-0.99), and stroke (OR, 0.45; 95% CI 0.27-0.73). The present study suggested that obese individuals with poorly controlled asthma were associated with increased risks of angina pectoris, CHF, stroke, and all-cause mortality. Well-controlled asthma had fewer negative health effects than poorly controlled asthma in obese individuals.