Intra-Ocular Inflammation and Occlusive Retinal Vasculitis Following Intravitreal Injections of Faricimab: A Case Report.

PURPOSE: Faricimab is a bispecific antibody that inhibits angiopoietin-2 and vascular endothelial growth factor-A action and has been approved for the treatment of neovascular age-related macular degeneration and diabetic macular edema. Clinical trials have demonstrated its favorable safety profile. This report presents a case of intra-ocular inflammation and occlusive retinal vasculitis following a second intravitreal injection of faricimab. METHODS: A single case report was obtained from a tertiary referral center. RESULTS: A 73-year-old Asian man diagnosed with polypoidal choroidal vasculopathy presented with decreased vision in the left eye (OS) 2 weeks after the second faricimab administration. In the fourth week after the second faricimab injection, swept-source optical coherence tomography (OCT) revealed hyperreflective dots in the vitreous cavity, indicating vitreous cells. Color fundus photography showed new-onset perivenular hemorrhages and pallor of the inferonasal retina OS, of which OCT revealed retinal inner layer thickening, suggestive of retinal arteriolar occlusions. Retinal fluorescein angiography revealed delayed filling of the inferior temporal vein. The patient was diagnosed with intraocular inflammation and occlusive retinal vasculitis OS associated with repeated intravitreal faricimab administrations. Intravitreal dexamethasone implant was used instead of faricimab at this visit. CONCLUSIONS: The findings of this case hint towards the potential risk of retinal occlusive events associated with intravitreal faricimab injections.

An effective deep learning fusion method for predicting the TVB-N and TVC contents of chicken breasts using dual hyperspectral imaging systems.

Total volatile basic nitrogen (TVB-N) and total viable count (TVC) are important freshness indicators of meat. Hyperspectral imaging combined with chemometrics has been proven to be effective in meat detection. However, a challenge with chemometrics is the lack of a universally applicable processing combination, requiring trial-and-error experiments with different datasets. This study proposes an end-to-end deep learning model, pyramid attention features fusion model (PAFFM), integrating CNN, attention mechanism and pyramid structure. PAFFM fuses the raw visible and near-infrared range (VNIR) and shortwave near-infrared range (SWIR) spectral data for predicting TVB-N and TVC in chicken breasts. Compared with the CNN and chemometric models, PAFFM obtains excellent results without a complicated processing combinatorial optimization process. Important wavelengths that contributed significantly to PAFFM performance are visualized and interpreted. This study offers valuable references and technical support for the market application of spectral detection, benefiting related research and practical fields.

A Covalent Organic Nanoribbon: Preparation, Single Crystal Structure with Chinese Luban Lock Configuration, and Photocatalytic Behavior.

The multiple mortise-and-tenon joint parts are the core factors to provide the structural stability and diversity of Chinese Luban locks, however, constructing such structures is very challenging. Herein, single crystals of covalent organic nanoribbon (named CityU-27) are prepared through the assembly of hexahydroxytriphenylene (HHTP), 4,4'-Vinylenedipyridine (BYE), and phenylboronic acid (BA) together via dative boron←nitrogen (B←N) bonds. The single crystal X-ray diffraction analysis indicates that CityU-27 has covalent organic nanoribbon, where each nanoribbon forms multiple and tight π-π interactions with four neighboring others to generate a Luban lock-like configuration. CityU-27 has been demonstrated as an efficient photocatalyst in a one-pot tandem reaction of hydrogen evolution reaction (HER) and semi-hydrogenation reaction of alkynes in series to produce olefins without any additional photosensitizers and co-catalysts (metal-free).

Association of four metalloids in the serum and urine of individuals with major depressive disorders: a case-control study.

Background: Major depressive disorder (MDD) pathogenesis may involve metalloids in a significant way. The aim of our study was to identify potential links between MDD and metalloid elements [boron (B), germanium (Ge), arsenic (As), antimony (Sb)]. Methods: A total of 72 MDD cases and 75 healthy controls (HCs) were recruited from Zhumadian Second People's Hospital in Henan Province, China. The levels of four metallic elements (B, Ge, As, and Sb) in the serum and urine were measured using inductively coupled plasma mass spectrometry (ICP-MS). Results: In comparison to the HCs, the B, As, and Sb levels were considerably lower in the MDD group (p < 0.05) in the serum; the MDD group had significantly higher (p < 0.05) and significantly lower (p < 0.001) B and Sb levels in the urine. After adjusting for potential confounders, serum B (OR = 0.120; 95% CI, 0.048, 0.300; p < 0.001) and Sb (OR = 0.133; 95% CI, 0.055, 0.322; p < 0.001) showed a negative correlation with MDD. Urine B had a negative correlation (OR = 0.393; 95% CI, 0.193, 0.801; p = 0.01) with MDD, while urine Sb had a positive correlation (OR = 3.335; 95% CI, 1.654, 6.726; p = 0.001) with MDD. Conclusion: Our current research offers insightful hints for future investigation into the function of metalloids in connection to MDD processes.

Association between long-term exposure to air pollution and diabetic retinopathy: Evidence from the Fujian Eye Study.

BACKGROUND: Diabetic retinopathy (DR), one of the most common microvascular complications of diabetes mellitus (DM), is a major contributor of vision impairment and blindness worldwide. Studies have shown that air pollution exposure is adversely associated with DM. However, evidence is scarce regarding how air pollution exposure affects DR. This study aimed to investigate the association between ambient air pollution exposure and DR risk. METHODS: The study population was based on the Fujian Eye Study (FJES), an ophthalmologic, epidemiologic survey investigating the eye health condition of residents in Fujian Province from 2018 to 2019. Daily average concentrations of ambient air pollutants (PM2.5, PM10, SO2, NO2, and O3) were acquired from a high-resolution air quality dataset in China from 2013 to 2018. We used a logistic regression model to examine the associations between DR risk and long-term air pollution at various exposure windows. RESULTS: A total of 2405 out of the 8211 participants were diagnosed with diabetes, among whom 183 had DR. Ambient air pollution, especially particulate matter (i.e., PM2.5 and PM10) and NO2 were positively associated with DR prevalence among all the study subjects. Ambient SO2 and O3 concentrations were not associated with DR prevalence. PM2.5 and NO2 seemed to be borderline significantly associated with increased prevalence of DR in subjects with DM, especially under the model adjusted for sex, age, BMI, SBP, and DBP. CONCLUSIONS: These findings showed that long-term exposure to ambient particulate matter and NO2 was associated with a high DR risk in Fujian province, where ambient air pollution is relatively low.

Hydromassage of macular hole edges for large and persistent full-thickness macular holes.

AIM: To introduce the macular hole (MH) hydromassage technique as a potentially beneficial approach for the treatment of large or persistent MH. METHODS: This retrospective observational case series comprised 16 consecutive patients (17 eyes) diagnosed with MH. Inclusion criteria involved a hole aperture diameter larger than 600 µm or the presence of an unclosed MH larger than 600 µm following the previous vitrectomy. Standard MH repair procedures were administered in all cases, involving the manipulation and aspiration of the hole margin through the application of water flow with a soft-tip flute needle. A comprehensive assessment was conducted for each case before and after surgery, and optical coherence tomography (OCT) images were captured at every follow-up point. RESULTS: The mean preoperative aperture diameter was 747±156 µm (range 611-1180 µm), with a mean base diameter of 1390±435 µm (range 578-2220 µm). Following surgery, all cases achieved complete anatomical closure of MH, with 13 cases (76.5%) exhibiting type 1 closure and 4 cases (23.5%) demonstrating type 2 closure. No significant differences were observed in the preoperative OCT variables between the two closure types. Eyes with type 1 closure showed a significantly improved visual acuity (0.70±0.10, range 0.50-0.80) compared to those with type 2 closure (0.90±0.12, range 0.80-1.00, P=0.014). CONCLUSION: The MH hydromassage technique demonstrates promising results, achieving acceptable closure rates in cases of large or persistent MH. This technique may serve as an effective adjunctive maneuver during challenging MH surgery.

Phase 1 study of safety and preliminary efficacy of intranasal transplantation of human neural stem cells (ANGE-S003) in Parkinson's disease.

BACKGROUND: Intranasal transplantation of ANGE-S003 human neural stem cells showed therapeutic effects and were safe in preclinical models of Parkinson's disease (PD). We investigated the safety and tolerability of this treatment in patients with PD and whether these effects would be apparent in a clinical trial. METHODS: This was a 12-month, single-centre, open-label, dose-escalation phase 1 study of 18 patients with advanced PD assigned to four-time intranasal transplantation of 1 of 3 doses: 1.5 million, 5 million or 15 million of ANGE-S003 human neural stem cells to evaluate their safety and efficacy. RESULTS: 7 patients experienced a total of 14 adverse events in the 12 months of follow-up after treatment. There were no serious adverse events related to ANGE-S003. Safety testing disclosed no safety concerns. Brain MRI revealed no mass formation. In 16 patients who had 12-month Movement Disorder Society-Unified Parkinson's Disease Rating Scale (MDS-UPDRS) data, significant improvement of MDS-UPDRS total score was observed at all time points (p<0.001), starting with month 3 and sustained till month 12. The most substantial improvement was seen at month 6 with a mean reduction of 19.9 points (95% CI, 9.6 to 30.3; p<0.001). There was no association between improvement in clinical outcome measures and cell dose levels. CONCLUSIONS: Treatment with ANGE-S003 is feasible, generally safe and well tolerated, associated with functional improvement in clinical outcomes with peak efficacy achieved at month 6. Intranasal transplantation of neural stem cells represents a new avenue for the treatment of PD, and a larger, longer-term, randomised, controlled phase 2 trial is warranted for further investigation.

Causal relationship between gut microbiota and differentiated thyroid cancer: a two-sample Mendelian randomization study.

Background: The gut microbiota has been significantly associated with differentiated thyroid cancer (DTC). However, the causal relationship between the gut microbiota and DTC remains unexplored. Methods: Genome-wide association study (GWAS) summary databases were utilized to select exposures and outcomes. The Mendelian randomization (MR) method was employed to investigate the causal relationship between the gut microbiota and DTC. A sensitivity analysis was performed to assess the reliability of the findings. Results: Four bacterial traits were associated with the risk of DTC: Class Mollicutes [odds ratio (OR) = 10.953, 95% confidence interval (95% CI): 2.333-51.428, p = 0.002], Phylum Tenericutes (OR = 10.953, 95% CI: 2.333-51.428, p = 0.002), Genus Eggerthella (OR = 3.219, 95% CI: 1.033-10.024, p = 0.044), and Order Rhodospirillales (OR = 2.829, 95% CI: 1.096-7.299, p = 0.032). The large 95% CI range for the Class Mollicutes and the Phylum Tenericutes may be attributed to the small sample size. Additionally, four other bacterial traits were negatively associated with DTC: Genus Eubacterium fissicatena group (OR = 0.381, 95% CI: 0.148-0.979, p = 0.045), Genus Lachnospiraceae UCG008 (OR = 0.317, 95% CI: 0.125-0.801, p = 0.015), Genus Christensenellaceae R-7 group (OR = 0.134, 95% CI: 0.020-0.886, p = 0.037), and Genus Escherichia Shigella (OR = 0.170, 95% CI: 0.037-0.769, p = 0.021). Conclusion: These findings contribute to our understanding of the pathological mechanisms underlying DTC and provide novel insights for the clinical treatment of DTC.

CircTMEM165 facilitates endothelial repair by modulating mitochondrial fission via miR-192/SCP2 in vitro and in vivo.

Constitutive explorations indicate a correlation between circular RNAs (circRNAs) and cardiovascular diseases. However, the involvement of circRNAs in endothelial recuperation and in-stent restenosis (ISR) remains underexplored. CircTMEM165 has first been reported to be highly expressed in hypoxic human umbilical vein endothelial cells (HUVECs). Here, we identified that circTMEM165 was downregulated in ISR patients, inversely correlating with ISR severity. Functionally, circTMEM165 was found to be abundant in endothelial cells, inhibiting inflammation, and adhesion. Particularly, we first observed that circTMEM165 could alleviate HUVECs apoptosis and mitochondrial fission induced by lipopolysaccharide (LPS). Mechanistically, circTMEM165, as a miR-192-3p sponge, enhancing SCP2 expression, which serves as a critical regulator of HUVECs biological functions. Moreover, in vivo, circTMEM165 attenuated intimal hyperplasia and facilitated repair following classic rat carotid artery balloon injury model. These findings investigated the circTMEM165-miR-192-3p-SCP2 axis as a critical determinant of endothelial health and a potential biomarker and therapeutic target for vascular disorders.

Core planar cell polarity genes VANGL1 and VANGL2 in predisposition to congenital vertebral malformations.

Congenital scoliosis (CS), affecting approximately 0.5 to 1 in 1,000 live births, is commonly caused by congenital vertebral malformations (CVMs) arising from aberrant somitogenesis or somite differentiation. While Wnt/ß-catenin signaling has been implicated in somite development, the function of Wnt/planar cell polarity (Wnt/PCP) signaling in this process remains unclear. Here, we investigated the role of Vangl1 and Vangl2 in vertebral development and found that their deletion causes vertebral anomalies resembling human CVMs. Analysis of exome sequencing data from multiethnic CS patients revealed a number of rare and deleterious variants in VANGL1 and VANGL2, many of which exhibited loss-of-function and dominant-negative effects. Zebrafish models confirmed the pathogenicity of these variants. Furthermore, we found that Vangl1 knock-in (p.R258H) mice exhibited vertebral malformations in a Vangl gene dose- and environment-dependent manner. Our findings highlight critical roles for PCP signaling in vertebral development and predisposition to CVMs in CS patients, providing insights into the molecular mechanisms underlying this disorder.

Novel molecular typing reveals the risk of recurrence in patients with early-stage papillary thyroid cancer.

BACKGROUND: Papillary thyroid cancer (PTC) is an indolent disease with a favorable prognosis but characterized by a high recurrence rate. We aimed to improve precise stratification of recurrence risk in PTC patients with early stage using multi-gene signatures. PATIENTS AND METHODS: The present study was performed using data from The Cancer Genome Atlas (TCGA) and multi-center datasets. Unsupervised consensus clustering was used to obtain the optimal molecular subtypes and least absolute shrinkage and selection operator (LASSO) analysis was performed to identify potential genes for the construction of recurrence signature. Kaplan-Meier survival analysis and the log-rank test was used to detect survival differences. Harrells concordance index (C-index) was used to assess the performance of the DNA damage repair (DDR) recurrence signature. RESULTS: Through screening 8 candidate gene sets, the entire cohort was successfully stratified into two recurrence-related molecular subtypes based on DDR genes: DDR-high subtype and DDR-low subtype. The recurrence rate of DDR-high subtype was significantly lower than DDR-low subtype [HR = 0.288 (95%CI, 0.084-0.986), P = 0.047]. Further, a two-gene DDR recurrence signature was constructed, including PER1 and EME2. The high-risk group showed a significantly worse recurrence-free survival (RFS) than the low-risk group [HR = 10.647 (95%CI, 1.363-83.197), P = 0.024]. The multi-center data demonstrated that proportion of patients with low expression of PER1 and EME2 was higher in the recurrence group than those in the non-recurrence group. CONCLUSIONS: These findings could help accurately and reliably identify PTC patients with high risk of recurrence so that they could receive more radical and aggressive treatment strategies and more rigorous surveillance practices.

A Wolfram-like syndrome family: Case report.

BACKGROUND: Wolfram-like syndrome (WFLS) is an autosomal dominant inherited disease characterized by a single heterozygous pathogenic variant in the WFS1 gene. Its clinical presentation is similar to autosomal recessive Wolfram syndrome. CASE PRESENTATION: We reported a case of a 10-year-old boy and his family members who initially experienced hearing impairment (HI), followed by optic atrophy. Genetic testing revealed the presence of a WFS1 variant (chr4-6302385 exon8 NM_006005.3: c.2590G > A, p. Glu864Lys). CONCLUSION: Wolfram-like syndrome, a rare neurodegenerative genetic disorder, manifested as deafness, optic atrophy, and diabetes mellitus. There hasn't been a definite treatment yet. Early identification of the variant in the WFS1 gene is beneficial for genetic counseling.

Using Deep Learning to Segment Retinal Vascular Leakage and Occlusion in Retinal Vasculitis.

PURPOSE: Retinal vasculitis (RV) is characterised by retinal vascular leakage, occlusion or both on fluorescein angiography (FA). There is no standard scheme available to segment RV features. We aimed to develop a deep learning model to segment both vascular leakage and occlusion in RV. METHODS: Four hundred and sixty-three FA images from 82 patients with retinal vasculitis were used to develop a deep learning model, in 60:20:20 ratio for training:validation:testing. Parameters, including deep learning architectures (DeeplabV3+, UNet++ and UNet), were altered to find the best binary segmentation model separately for retinal vascular leakage and occlusion, using a Dice score to determine the reliability of each model. RESULTS: Our best model for vascular leakage had a Dice score of 0.6279 (95% confidence interval (CI) 0.5584-0.6974). For occlusion, the best model achieved a Dice score of 0.6992 (95% CI 0.6109-0.7874). CONCLUSION: Our RV segmentation models could perform reliable segmentation for retinal vascular leakage and occlusion in FAs of RV patients.

Photocatalytic aerobic oxidation of C(sp3)-H bonds.

In modern industries, the aerobic oxidation of C(sp3)-H bonds to achieve the value-added conversion of hydrocarbons requires high temperatures and pressures, which significantly increases energy consumption and capital investment. The development of a light-driven strategy, even under natural sunlight and ambient air, is therefore of great significance. Here we develop a series of hetero-motif molecular junction photocatalysts containing two bifunctional motifs. With these materials, the reduction of O2 and oxidation of C(sp3)-H bonds can be effectively accomplished, thus realizing efficient aerobic oxidation of C(sp3)-H bonds in e.g., toluene and ethylbenzene. Especially for ethylbenzene oxidation reactions, excellent catalytic capacity (861 mmol g cat-1) is observed. In addition to the direct oxidation of C(sp3)-H bonds, CeBTTD-A can also be applied to other types of aerobic oxidation reactions highlighting their potential for industrial applications.

Homochiral Nanopropeller via Chiral Active Surface Growth.

Under the control of chiral ligand glutathione and in the presence of hexadecyltrimethylammonium bromide, Au deposition on Au seeds is known to give chiral nanostructures. We have previously shown that the protruding chiral patterns, as opposed to flat facets, are likely caused by active surface growth, where nonuniform ligand coverage could be responsible for the focused growth at a few active sites. By pushing the limit of such a growth mode, here, we use decahedral seeds to prepare homochiral nanopropellers with intricate patterns of deep valleys and protruding ridges. Control experiments show that the focused growth depends on the rates of Au deposition by changing either the seed concentration or the reductant concentration, consistent with the proposed mechanism. The dynamic growth competition between the ligand-deficient active sites and the ligand-rich surfaces gradually focuses the growth onto a few active sites, causing the expansion of grooves, squeezing of steep ridges, and a surprising 36° rotation of the pentagonal outline. The imbalanced deposition on the prochiral slopes is responsible for the tilted grooves, the twisted walls, and thus the well-separated and distorted blades, which become the origin of the chiroptical responses.

Cornuside inhibits glucose-induced proliferation and inflammatory response of mesangial cells.

Cornuside is a secoiridoid glucoside compound extracted from the fruits of Cornus officinalis. Cornuside has immunomodulatory and anti-inflammatory properties; however, its potential therapeutic effects on diabetic nephropathy (DN) have not been completely explored. In this study, we established an in vitro model of DN through treating mesangial cells (MMCs) with glucose. MMCs were then treated with different concentrations of cornuside (0, 5, 10, and 30 µM). Cell viability was determined using cell counting kit-8 and 5-ethynyl-2'-deoxyuridine assays. Levels of proinflammatory cytokines, including interleukin (IL)-6, tumor necrosis factor-α, and IL-1ß were examined using enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay. Reverse transcription quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction and Western blotting were performed to detect the expression of AKT and nuclear factor-kappa B (NF-κB)-associated genes. We found that cornuside treatment significantly reduced glucose-induced increase in MMC viability and expression of pro-inflammatory cytokines. Moreover, cornuside inhibited glucose-induced phosphorylation of AKT and NF-κB inhibitor alpha, decreased the expression of proliferating cell nuclear antigen and cyclin D1, and increased the expression of p21. Our study indicates that the anti-inflammatory properties of cornuside in DN are due to AKT and NF-κB inactivation in MMCs.

Sulfur dioxide-releasing polymeric micelles based on modified hyaluronic acid for combined cancer therapy.

In this study, an amphiphilic polymer mPEG-HA(SA)-DNs was designed and synthesized to fabricate a multifunctional micellar system to enhance the therapeutic efficacy and reduce the toxic effect of paclitaxel (PTX). The polymer was prepared by introducing mPEG, stearic acid (SA) and 2,4-dinitrobenzenesulfonic acid (DNs) to the backbone of hyaluronic acid (HA). With above modifications, the fabricated micelles could encapsulate PTX in the core with high drug loading. The optimized PTX-loaded micelles had a mean size of 158.3 nm. Upon the effect of mPEG, the mPEG-HA(SA)-DNs micelles reduced the non-specific protein adsorption. In vitro drug release study revealed the excellent glutathione (GSH)-triggered PTX release behavior of the micelles. Moreover, GSH could trigger the detachment of DNs segment from mPEG-HA(SA)-DNs, and result in the release of SO2. In vitro and in vivo antitumor efficacy studies demonstrated that the PTX-loaded mPEG-HA(SA)-DNs micelles exhibited outstanding tumor suppression effect. The micelles would be potential carriers for combination cancer therapy by SO2 and PTX.

Mean-square consensus of a semi-Markov jump multi-agent system based on event-triggered stochastic sampling.

This paper focuses on achieving leader-follower mean square consensus in semi-Markov jump multi-agent systems. To effectively reduce communication costs and control updates, we propose an event-triggered protocol based on stochastic sampling. The stochastic sampling interval randomly switches between finite given values, while the event-triggered function depends on the stochastic sampled data from neighboring agents. Using the event-triggered strategy, we present sufficient conditions to ensure mean square consensus. Finally, we provide a numerical example demonstrating the effectiveness of the theoretical results.

Intraoperative slow-release dexamethasone intravitreal implant (Ozurdex) in epiretinal membrane peeling surgery: a prospective randomized controlled trial.

Purpose: This study aimed to determine the efficacy of the dexamethasone (DEX) intravitreal implant for the regression of macular edema and the improvement of best-corrected visual acuity (BCVA) after the removal of idiopathic epiretinal membrane (ERM). Methods: This prospective randomized controlled trial recruited 81 patients with idiopathic ERM. These patients all underwent 25-gauge pars plana vitrectomy combined with ERM and internal limiting membrane peeling surgery. Among them, 41 eyes in the DEX group received additional DEX implants and 40 in the non-DEX group did not. Outcomes including central retinal thickness (CRT), BCVA, and intraocular pressure were measured 1 and 3 months after surgery. Results: The DEX group had thinner CRTs compared to the non-DEX group at 1 month postoperatively (p <0.05), but did not differ significantly at the 1-week and 3-month follow-up visits (p = 0.109 and p = 0.417, respectively). There were no statistical differences with respect to BCVA (p = 0.499, 0.309, 0.246, and 0.517, respectively) and intraocular pressure (p = 0.556, 0.639, 0.741, and 0.517, respectively) between the two groups at each point of follow-up visits. Conclusion: DEX accelerated the reduction of CRT at 1 month after surgery. However, no evidence of further anatomical (CRT) or functional (BCVA) benefits using DEX was observed at 3 months. Clinical Trial Registration: https://clinicaltrials.gov/, identifier NCT05416827.

Secondary succession of shrub-herb communities in the hilly area of Taihang Mountain.

Introduction: To document the successional processes of shrub-herb communities after large-scale human disturbance, and understand how changing environmental conditions affect species replacement in semi-humid hilly areas. Methods: Utilizing the established permanent plots in the hilly area of Taihang Mountain, we evaluated temporal patterns of vegetation and soil following grass-to-shrub succession. Results and Discussion: Along secondary succession, Vitex negundo var. heterophylla gradually dominated in dry sunny slope and shared the dominance with Leptodermis oblonga in shaded slope. Herbaceous dominant species in shrub-herb communities switched from Themeda japonica, Bothriochloa ischaemum, Artemisia sacrorum, and Cleistogenes chinensis in 1986 census to B. ischaemum and A. sacrorum in 2008 census, but herb was no longer dominant in 2020 census. As succession progresses, species dominance increased while richness decreased generally, and herb cover and aboveground biomass decreased, whereas shrub height, cover, and aboveground biomass increased significantly. Soil organic matter (SOM), total nitrogen (TN), total phosphorus (TP), and total potassium (TK) in topsoil increased significantly while pH declined by 1.04 units over the past three decades. Plant communities transitioned from perennial herbs to shrub-herb and then shrub communities, and V. negundo var. heterophylla dominated in the succession of shrub-herb communities. Climate and soil properties, combined with plant attributes, together drive post-disturbance secondary succession. From a management perspective, the tight coupling between vegetation and soil under local climatic conditions should be considered to improve the fragile ecosystem in the hilly area of Taihang Mountain.