Tibet Autonomous Region People's Hospital

Patients with peripheral nerve injury (PNI) often experience neuropathic pain (NP), which is difficult to treat effectively due to ongoing inflammation and oxidative stress that impede nerve repair. Traditional anti-inflammatory antioxidants are limited by short half-lives and significant side effects. This study introduces a supramolecular hydrogel formed by combining anti-inflammatory betamethasone phosphate (Betp) with calcium chloride to create betamethasone phosphate hydrogel (Betp@Gel). The antioxidant curcumin (Cur) was incorporated into this gel to form Cur/Betp@Gel, which can be injected directly at the injury site for sustained Cur release. Cur/Betp@Gel demonstrates superior sustained-release capabilities and therapeutic effectiveness compared to Betp@Gel or Cur alone. It enhances pain relief, supports functional recovery after nerve damage, and promotes nerve repair and regeneration. This is achieved by Betp@Gel's anti-inflammatory effects, which inhibit TNF-α, IL-1β, and IL-6, combined with Cur's continuous slow release, which scavenges reactive oxygen species (ROS). Additionally, Cur/Betp@Gel mitigates PNI-induced spinal inflammation by reducing GFAP and Iba-1 expression in the spinal cord. Overall, in-situ injection of Cur/Betp@Gel is a promising strategy for aiding nerve repair and alleviating neuropathic pain.

ObjectiveTo analyse the clinical features of AECOPD (acute exacerbation of chronic obstructive pulmonary disease) at different altitudes and GOLD (global initiative of chronic obstructive lung disease) stages in high-altitude regions.MethodThis was a retrospective cross-sectional study. Patients diagnosed with AECOPD through pulmonary function tests and hospitalised in People’s Hospital of the Tibet Autonomous Region from September 2018 to March 2024 were included. Patients were divided into three groups according to their native residential altitude prior to onset: low-altitude group (169 cases, 2700–3700 m), mid-altitude group (77 cases, 3700–4000 m) and high-altitude group (97 cases, 4000–4800 m). Patients were also classified into three groups according to their FEV1%pred in pulmonary function test on admission: mild (91 cases, FEV1%pred ≥80%), moderate (171 cases, 50%≤FEV1%pred <80%) and severe/very severe (81 cases, FEV1%pred <50%).Result(1) Altitude comparison: the mid-altitude group showed lower values for age (66.49±8.13 years), hospital length of stay (9.79±3.20 days) and time since diagnosis (1.89±1.73 years) compared with the low-altitude group. On the other hand, the mid-altitude group showed higher SPO2 (82.35±5.17%) and pulmonary fibrosis prevalence (40.26%) than the low-altitude group. The high-altitude group had higher rates of emphysema (56.70%) and pulmonary hypertension (51.55%) compared with the low-altitude group. The high-altitude group showed lower levels of B-type natriuretic peptide (BNP) (185.76±195.19 pg/mL), red blood cell count (RBC) (5.77±0.97×1012/L), D-dimer (D-D) (1.01±1.33 mg/L) and fibrinogen degradation product (FDP) (3.11±1.38 mg/L) than the low-altitude group. The high-altitude group had a longer time since diagnosis (2.63±3.39 years) than the mid-altitude group and lower SPO2 (80.01±7.60%), rate of pulmonary fibrosis (22.68%) and BNP level (185.76±195.19 pg/mL) compared with the mid-altitude group. These differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). No significant differences were found for other variables between altitude groups (p>0.05). (2) GOLD staging comparison: the moderate group had higher values for the time since diagnosis (2.61±2.95 years), prevalence of emphysema (50.29%), pulmonary fibrosis (28.07%), pulmonary hypertension (45.61%), cor pulmonale (40.94%), and levels of C-reactive protein (CRP) (23.89±34.01 mg/L) and procalcitonin (PCT) (0.32±0.71 ng/mL) than the mild group. The moderate and severe/very severe groups had lower SPO2 (80.77±6.71%, 78.38±8.31%) than the mild group. The severe/very severe group had higher rates of emphysema (54.31%), pulmonary bullae (28.40%), pulmonary hypertension (59.26%), cor pulmonale (56.79%), and levels of CRP (20.92±29.92 mg/L) and PCT (0.81±3.43 ng/mL) than the mild group. The severe/very severe group had a shorter time since diagnosis (2.27±1.97 years) than the moderate group. The severe/very severe group also had a higher percentage of males (72.84%), pulmonary hypertension (59.26%), cor pulmonale (56.79%), and levels of BNP (392.50±728.31 pg/mL) and PCT (0.81±3.43 ng/mL) compared with the moderate group. These differences were statistically significant (p<0.05). No significant differences were found for other variables between GOLD groups (p>0.05).ConclusionIn high-altitude regions, as the altitude increases, body mass index, the proportion of male patients, rate of emphysema and pulmonary hypertension become more prominent in AECOPD patients. Higher GOLD stages are associated with longer hospital stays, higher smoking indices and greater prevalence of emphysema, pulmonary fibrosis, pulmonary hypertension and cor pulmonale. Lower SPO2 is associated with higher levels of RBC, haemoglobin, haematocrit (HCT), CRP, PCT, white blood cell count and neutrophil%. However, as native residential altitude increases, BNP, RBC, HCT, D-D and FDP decrease.

Intra-pancreatic fat deposition (IPFD) is associated with pancreatic diseases, but its systemic implications remain unclear. We analyzed 25,547 UK Biobank participants (median follow-up 6.27 years) with MRI-derived pancreatic proton density fat fraction. Multi-variable Cox models, causal mediation, restricted cubic splines, and subgroup analyses assessed IPFD-disease associations. Significant associations were examined through bidirectional Mendelian randomization (MR) using the UK Biobank and FinnGen data. Receiver operating characteristic curves and the Youden index were used to identify a clinically relevant and statistically optimal IPFD threshold. Higher IPFD independently increased the risk of 12 multi-systemic diseases: non-insulin-dependent diabetes, primary hypertension, heart failure, cerebral infarction, cholelithiasis, gastritis and duodenitis, diaphragmatic hernia, chronic renal failure, gonarthrosis, disorders of refraction and accommodation, senile cataract, and sleep disorders. Causal mediation by non-insulin-dependent diabetes was negligible. Nonlinear dose-response patterns and effect modifications by sex, race, smoking, and obesity emerged. MR analysis supported the potential causal effects of IPFD on refractive/accommodation disorders and gonarthrosis. An IPFD cutoff of 7.35% (95% CI: 5.68-9.23%) optimally stratified the risk. IPFD is an independent risk factor for diverse conditions, including metabolic, cardiovascular, digestive, musculoskeletal, ophthalmologic, urinary, and mental/behavioral disorders. A pancreatic fat threshold of 7.35% may guide clinical screening and preventive strategies. This study critically establishes intra-pancreatic fat as a novel, causal multi-system disease risk factor and provides a 7.35% quantitative threshold to advance radiological screening and prevention protocols. Limited research exists on the systemic effects of IPFD. Pancreatic fat deposition independently raises risk for 12 multi-system diseases. A 7.35% pancreatic fat threshold can guide clinical screening and prevention.

BackgroundAcute mountain sickness (AMS) presents a significant health risk for individuals rapidly ascending to high altitudes, with its occurrence influenced by both environmental and individual factors. The Traditional Chinese Medical Constitution (TCMC), a holistic framework describing an individual’s health disposition and disease susceptibility shaped by both innate and acquired factors, may be linked to AMS susceptibility. However, evidence supporting this connection is scarce.ObjectiveThis study aims to explore the TCMC types most susceptible to AMS and identify key influencing factors in populations rapidly ascending to Tibet.MethodsA cross-sectional study was conducted with 1,482 eligible healthy male participants aged 18–40 years. Data were collected at two time points—before and after exposure to a high-altitude environment—covering three categories: (1) Baseline physiological measurements, including blood pressure, heart rate, peripheral oxygen saturation (SpO2), and body temperature; (2) Anthropometric indicators such as height, weight, and body mass index (BMI); (3) Questionnaire and scale assessments, including demographic information, the Self-Rating Anxiety Scale (SAS), Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI), and TCMC classification assessment scale. AMS was diagnosed using the Lake Louise Score (LLS) exclusively in the high-altitude environment. Spearman correlation analysis and Multivariable logistic regression (backward stepwise method) were used to identify AMS-related and independent risk factors.ResultsThe overall AMS incidence was 32.9% (488/1482). The prevalence of unbalanced constitutions was significantly higher in the AMS group compared to the non-AMS group (32.6% vs. 7.6%; P < 0.001). Among AMS patients with unbalanced constitutions, Qi-deficiency was the most prevalent (78.0%). The highest AMS incidence (72.9%) was observed in individuals with a Qi-deficiency constitution. Multivariable analysis identified anxiety (OR = 1.16, 95% CI: 1.08–1.25, P < 0.001), insomnia (OR = 1.09, 95% CI: 1.03–1.16, P = 0.003), unbalanced constitution tendency (OR = 1.06, 95% CI: 1.02–1.10, P = 0.002), and lower SpO2 (OR = 0.91, 95% CI: 0.87–0.95, P < 0.001) as independent risk factors. BMI showed a weak positive association (OR = 1.02, 95% CI: 1.00–1.04; P = 0.041).ConclusionQi-deficiency is the most common TCMC type associated with AMS susceptibility. Key modifiable risk factors include insomnia, anxiety, and low SpO2. These findings suggest the importance of implementing TCMC-differentiated prevention strategies for AMS, including preemptive interventions to tonify Qi for susceptible individuals, psychological support, and sleep optimization.Supplementary InformationThe online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s41043-026-01258-1.

BackgroundInvestigating the carbon sequestration potential of wetlands and the dynamics of net primary productivity (NPP) on the Tibetan Plateau of China enhances understanding of their contributions to global carbon emission reduction and their role in maintaining biodiversity and ecosystem stability. Vegetation NPP is a key indicator of carbon sequestration; however, existing research has largely focused on historical dynamics, with limited studies projecting future trends. This gap impedes proactive conservation and climate mitigation strategies.MethodsHere, we predicted the spatial distribution of normalized difference vegetation index (NDVI) on the Tibetan Plateau for 2025–2030, employing a backpropagation neural network and Kriging interpolation fitting. We estimated spatial and temporal dynamics of NPP and wetland carbon sequestration potentials during the same period using the Carnegie-Ames-Stanford Approach model. Furthermore, we investigated the effects of land use and climate on NPP.ResultsKey findings were: (1) NDVI distribution was higher in the southeast than in the northwest, with temperature influencing its value. (2) Spatial distribution of NPP on the Tibetan Plateau exhibits a typical landscape pattern of “patch-corridor-matrix.” The maximum NPP of vegetation was 1,112.82 gC ⋅ m−2 ⋅ a−1 for 2025–2030. Projections of NPP for 2025–2030 suggest an increase of approximately 50% relative to current levels by 2045, indicating a substantial enhancement of the carbon sink potential over the coming two decades. (3) Carbon sequestration potential of wetlands on the Plateau ranges from 0 to 100 gC ⋅ m−2 ⋅ a−1, with high carbon sink potential concentrated near Palong Tsangpo, the largest tributary of the Yarlung Tsangpo River. (4) Woodland NPP has the highest mean value and rate of change. Furthermore, analysis of 2025 land use data shows that forestland and grassland are the dominant land cover types in the Yunnan, Sichuan, and Southeastern Xizang Sections of the Qinghai-Tibet Plateau. Their high proportions correspond significantly to high regional NDVI values, indicating the spatial heterogeneity of NDVI distribution is driven by land cover changes rather than directional factors. (5) Correlation analysis indicated strong positive correlations between precipitation and solar radiation with NPP. NPP does not increase or decrease with increasing temperature; instead, it tends to increase within suitable temperature ranges.